The Okoboji High School Debate team is near the end of another season under coaches Troy Greiner and Cheri Satto.

At the Dec. 2 Johnston tournament, Anna Quanbeck and Aliviah Bibler earned speaker awards in Novice LD, while Declan Donovan earned a speaker award in Novice PF.

The Okoboji Middle School Speech Team wrapped up their season with a performance on Monday, April 1. Coaches Erin Frerichs and Deborah Clark directed the team in a one act play, a pair of readers theatre pieces, a literary program individual piece and four group improv performances. The coaches expect there will be plenty of talent heading toward the OHS speech program over the next couple years.

Lakes Regional Healthcare is hosting a baby shower event at Lake Okoboji Resort and Conference Center (formerly Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center) from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 27 for area women. It will be a free come-and-go event for hopeful, expectant and new moms. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to learn about pregnancy, labor and delivery from physicians, nurses, new moms and more.

The Lakes Area Farmers Market in Spirit Lake will be open from 7:30 a.m. to noon every Wednesday and Saturday, June 1 through Sept. 28. The market is located on the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Spirit Lake. The Lakes Area Farmers Market is made up of about 28 vendors selling home-grown and handmade goods, including fresh produce, baked goods, jams and jelly, handmade soap and lotion, honey and other handmade products.

The annual Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Convocation was held on Thursday, April 11 at Morningside University. Several students and employees were recognized for their academic, co-curricular, athletic and professional achievements. Among them were Haley Hallengren of Milford, who received the Dorothy Paulson McLarnon Scholarship for Voice and Anna Fuelberth of Spirit Lake, who received the Marvin and Merry Klass Endowed Scholarship.

The Dickinson County Treasurer’s Office is now accepting 2024 Iowa Property Tax Credit Claims for property tax assistance for the September 2024/March 2025 property tax payments. There are three types of assistance available.  

Congratulations to Milford Memorial Library’s Spring Coloring Contest Winners:

2-3-year-old: JJ

4-5-year-old: Norah

6-8-year-old: Kennedi

9-10-year-old: Rowan

Thank you to everyone for sharing their artistic talents with us in MML's 2024 Spring Coloring Contest. We are looking forward to seeing your creativity next year.

The Okoboji School Board unanimously approved a proposal to seek voter approval for a bond in the upcoming November 2024 election.

Early morning apartment fire quelled

Paije Wilson, a Spirit Lake native, has self-published her new book "The Tale of Glom & Mince." The book explores themes of grief, acceptance and the transformative nature of friendship.

The toad is perfectly content with his life. A recluse who detests the company of other creatures, he is all too happy to live out his existence without straying too far from his burrow. As an ugly thing, he has no desire to see more of the ugly world around him.

A grass fire broke out southeast of Lake Park this Friday, April 5. The Lake Park Fire Department responded to a call at approximately 12:05 p.m. near the Yager Slough State Game Management Area. Arriving at the scene, firefighters got in front of the spreading flames right away, according to Lake Park Fire Chief Brandon Ehret.

• Milbrath donates marrow to 6-year-old leukemia patient
 

Spencer local Cole Milbrath underwent what he called a life changing experience late last month, having had the opportunity to become a bone marrow donor for a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with leukemia. Milbrath says the call to action came in January, following his initial registry in 2018.

The Auditor of State's office released their regular audit of Dickinson County on March 28. The state auditors noted several financial factors in the local area, as well as a few key highlights and issues that had been raised during fiscal year 2023.

Minnesota journalist Stewart Chisham joined the team at Dickinson County News on April 3. Chisham brings one year of professional experience after working as a reporter for The Globe in Worthington, Minnesota.

Several community members endured strong gusts on April 3, as they expressed opposition to Invenergy's proposed Red Rock Wind Project.