Attorneys representing a Spirit Lake man accused of shooting a woman outside an local business earlier this year are asking a judge to approve a change of venue in the case. The defense cited "more than minimal and continuous pre-trial publicity" in its request for a new trial location.

By Seth Boyes - News Editor

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst paid a visit to Okoboji Monday afternoon during her 99-county tour to learn how a local nonprofit is helping support area foster and adoptive families.

The senator stopped at Kaden's Kloset, which provides gently used clothing and other items to families free of charge, and met with Tina Vande Hoef, director of the nonprofit Kings and Queens Local, which helps operate the resource closet.

By Seth Boyes - News Editor

Some area residents have been perplexed by a sign reading "Robinson Funeral Home" which recently appeared outside the former Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. They've called up Korey at the funeral home to ask what has happened to the business. For some, that's when they learn Korey's last name — Robinson.

Approval of provider contract yet to come

By Seth Boyes - News Editor

Dickinson County is one step closer to upgrading its communication equipment in order to join Iowa's statewide interoperable system.

State Auditor Rob Sand hand-delivered a pie to the city of Fostoria and the leaders of the Sioux Central Community School District Friday afternoon in recognition of their Public Innovations and Efficiencies — or PIE — Award.

Sioux Central CSD was named the runner-up for best performing community school district in the 3A Division, and Fostoria was named the best performing city in the fifth-smallest category, which was based on 2020 Census numbers.

The Iowa Bankers Association presented two brothers and community banking leaders — Neal and Dwight Conover — with the 2022 James A. Leach Leadership Award on Sept. 20 during the IBA Annual Convention at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

The brothers represent a combined 100 years of banking experience. Neal Conover and Dwight Conover are co-founders of Northwest Financial Corp. which includes two bank charters, Northwest Bank based in Spencer and First National Bank in Creston.

 Officials with Iowa Lakes Community College say the college's Powersports and Power Equipment Technology program is the best running program of its kind offered in Iowa. The program has received national rankings by multiple sources as a top five motorcycle mechanic program in the United States, with Motorcycle Industry Jobs ranking Iowa Lakes as second in the nation.

Spirit of Harmony Chorus of Spirit Lake is preparing for their fall show “Let’s Sing Again,” an apt title since their last show was in the fall of 2019. The performance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 in the Lauridsen Theatre at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. The chorus is excited to share their music with their fans after such a long hiatus. This year’s performance will also showcase their two registered quartets, The Peppers and second-place regional winner Affinity.

By Seth Boyes - News Editor

No one was injured during a house fire the night of Sept. 22 in Spirit Lake, but a fundraiser benefitting the family said everything inside the home was lost.

Firefighters were called around 8 p.m. for a report of a possible structure fire at 1417 Indian Hills Drive in Spirit Lake.

Julie Edwards, executive director of Upper Des Moines Opportunity, recently announced the organization was awarded an Iowa Nonprofit Innovation Grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Todd Allen Mummert, age 52, of Cherokee was charged with operating while intoxicated — second offense — and failure to obey a traffic control device at approximately 4:14 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 near the intersection of Lake Street and Peoria Avenue in Spirit Lake. He was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 3:51 p.m. the same day. Mummert's blood alcohol concentration was measured at more than twice the legal limit to operate a vehicle in Iowa.

Join Curt Strutz for an interactive and unique presentation "Visiting the Beyond" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12 in the Milford Community Center. Guests will take tours through the nation's most haunted locations - possibly including abandoned hospitals, schools, asylums, homes and more — all done with original photography, deep history and haunted experiences.

The Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship program has paid off big for Iowa Lakes Community College students by awarding $536,627 to more than 270 students attending the fall 2022 semester.

Dickinson County Public Health is again offering flu vaccination for people ages six months and older. Health officials said influenza is a serious illness. For some, the flu leads to hospitalization and even death. It can be especially serious among young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes. A flu shot decreases the chances of getting the flu.

Iowa State University awarded degrees to 693 graduates this summer. Lillian Black of Superior was among them, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Students earning degrees during the summer have the opportunity to participate in fall or spring commencement ceremonies.