ESGR volunteer Steve Waller recently presented to Luke Donnenwerth, branch manager at Bank Midwest in Spirit Lake, the ESGR Patriot Award.

Captain Thomas Nelson, a member of Headquarters Battalion of the 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard in. Arden Hills, Minnesota, recommended Donnenwerth.

Unemployment rates are raising across Iowa; how does Dickinson County fare?

According to Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to about 3 percent in October amidst a plethora of job cuts in both manufacturing and construction. Additionally, the state's labor force participation rate has dropped by 0.1 percent to 66.2 percent last month. As of October, the U.S. national unemployment rate remains at 4.1 percent.

The Many Voices Choir, the premier community chorale in northwest Iowa, is announcing their series of Christmas concerts entitled “The Work of Christmas.” Under the direction of Timothy Schumacher, this year’s concerts will voice a wide range of styles from traditional to vocal jazz.   

The concert series will include performances on the following dates at these venues:

• 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bancroft.

Northwest Bank is proud to announce a $20,000 donation to Spirit Lake Community Schools’ "Let’s Play it Forward" capital campaign. This campaign aims to build a playground that will inspire creativity, foster friendships, and create memories for youth. Northwest Bank employees, Jed Jensen and Nicole Evans presented the donation to Spirit Lake Elementary School Principal, Jessica Vancura and elementary school students.

Iowa funding expert to attend DCTA board meeting

John Parker, a recognized authority on school funding from Iowa’s Department of Management, will attend the upcoming Dickinson County Taxpayers Association (DCTA) Board of Directors meeting at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14. The meeting will be held at the Okoboji Resort and Conference Center (formerly Arrowwood Resort), and is open to the public.

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) invites cattle producers and industry supporters to attend the 2024 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention held Dec. 12 and 13 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames.

Milford mayor Steven Anderson has filed a lawsuit against the city, the Milford Board of Adjustments as well as a Milford homeowner. The lawsuit stems from a Sept. 26 Board of Adjustment meeting where homeowner Richard Lively submitted an application requesting variance to the city's setback requirements. The application was approved by the board.

Anderson expressed dissatisfaction with the Board of Adjustment during the Oct. 10 Milford City Council meeting.

Winther, Stave & Co., LLP has recently released an audit report on the City of Milford, Iowa.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Milford Memorial Library will be closed on Nov. 28-30, for Thanksgiving. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We will see you when we reopen at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2.

Multiple locations serving Spirit Lake participants of Operation Christmas Child opened Monday to collect shoebox gifts — filled with toys, school supplies and personal care items.

Individuals, families and groups have the opportunity to pack a shoebox gift and drope them off during National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25. There are more than 4,700 drop-off locations open around the country.

Christopher Duane Vanbeek, age 61, of Windom, MN was arrested on the charge of operating while under the influence — first offense — at approximately 10:24 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 near Broadway Street in Arnolds Park.

Try an audiobook to help pass the time while driving over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house! The friendly staff at the Spirit Lake Public Library would be happy to help you discover which type of audiobook works best for you because there are several to choose from.

Q: How can Iowans check their Social Security benefits online?

A bond referendum valued at around $69 million was recently passed for Okoboji Community School District. Voters decided on Nov. 5 to go through with the bond referendum, with 63-percent of voters showing support for the project.

The project includes the construction of a new elementary school, as well as general improvements, renovations and additions to the high school buildings.

Armistice Day, which later became known as Veterans Day, was put into motion just more than 106 years ago on Nov. 11, 1918 — on that day, the Allies and Germany signed a treaty to end the devastation that was World War I.

Four years later, in Dec. of 1922, a veteran of the next great war was born.

Ted Carpenter is a 101-year-old World War II veteran living in Milford — he's celebrating his 102nd birthday on Dec. 16.