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Former county attorney pleads guilty to public intox, cites ‘auto-brewery syndrome’ diagnosis

Dickinson County’s former top criminal prosecutor, accused of being “passed out” on more than one occasion while at work, has pleaded guilty to a charge of public intoxication.

Court records indicate former Dickinson County Attorney Amy Zenor appears to be claiming she’s afflicted with auto-brewery syndrome, an exceptionally rare medical condition that causes a person to become intoxicated without consuming any alcohol.

Public hears specifics on Summit's proposed pipeline safety measures

Safety was again the main concern at Tuesday's Dickinson County Board of Supervisors meeting, as officials with Summit Carbon Solutions provided information on the company's proposed project.

'Options within the options' - H-LP considers 'a la carte' approach to school renovations

Officials at Harris-Lake Park Schools hope to hold several public meetings early next month and share options for improving the district's two buildings.

Grice no longer seeking amended jail time

46-year-old serving 25 years for attempted murder

A former Spirit Lake man convicted of attempted murder has told a judge he no longer wishes for the court to reconsider his punishment.

RSVP highlights senior volunteers ahead of National Volunteer Month

April is National Volunteer Month, the time to celebrate volunteers for all they do. Organizers with Northwest Iowa RSVP said many of their volunteers recognize the benefits of volunteering and how volunteering can enrich the lives of the volunteers themselves.

Tourville's 'House of Blues Records Story' honored for music research

Midwest Publications is proud to announce that Tom Tourville’s book, “The House Of Blues Records Story and Discography” has been nominated for the 2023 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research. The award is based upon music research and that research being shared in print.

OHS Jazz Band, Jazz Choir place at USD Jazz Festival

Okoboji High School participated in USD's Coyote Jazz Festival on Tuesday, March 21. The OHS Jazz Band competed during the morning and won first place for Class 2A out of nine bands. Outstanding soloists were Hunter Hallengren, Sam Hoggard, Anna Petersen, Cole Becker, Ellie Albertoni, Connor Cunningham and all four sections (rhythm, saxophones, trumpets trombones).

The success continued as Boji Voices Jazz Choir competed during the afternoon and earned third place in Class 2A.

OHS accepted to Iowa All-State Jazz Band

Congratulations were extended to four Okoboji students — Hunter Hallengren (trombone), Trigg Heimdal (trombone), Cole Becker (alto sax) and Michael Gonnerman (bass) who were selected to participate in the 2023 All-State Jazz ensemble for Class 2A. They will perform with other students from 1A/2A schools on Thursday, May 11 at the Des Moines Marriott Hotel. Okoboji also had two alternates selected for the band — Sam Hoggard (trumpet) and Anna Petersen (tenor sax). (Photos submitted)

Sirens 03-30-23

A bench warrant was issued Friday, March 17 for Jackson Maneul Mendez Zelaya, after the 24-year-old Cold Spring, Minnesota, resident failed to appear in Dickinson County on a charge of operating while under the influence — first offense — originally filed in October of 2022.

Spirit Lake Library News 03-30-23

If you need select business services done, we can help you at the Spirit Lake Public Library. Copying or printing documents is 15 cents per side for black and white, and 50 cents per side for color. It’s only 5 cents per side to print out unfilled tax documents. Faxing costs $1 per page, however there is no charge for the cover page (we can provide one if you don’t have one). If you need to scan documents to an email address, we can help you with that, too. It’s 10 cents per side.

Milford Memorial Library News 03-30-23

The Spring Egg Hunt is going on now at MML. Students in fourth grade and up may pick up an egg sheet that has 12 pictures in eggs. Each participant will need to find the objects on the paper, write down what each object is and where it is located. They will then bring the completed sheet to the circulation desk and their name will be entered into a drawing. The hunt ends on Friday, April 7. Thank you to the Friends of the Milford Library for providing the prize.

Community Briefs 03-30-23

Republican Central Committee to hold meeting

The public is invited to attend the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Dickinson County Republican Central Committee at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 17 at the Spirit Lake Library. Attendees are asked to enter through the building's rear side door.

Mobile Food Pantry to return in April

House passes bill to restrict eminent domain for pipelines

Legislation that would restrict carbon dioxide pipeline companies’ ability to use eminent domain was overwhelmingly approved by the Iowa House on Wednesday.

“I believe that the issue before us today — and the vote that we will take on this issue — is indeed historic,” said Rep. Steven Holt, the Denison Republican who led House File 565 to passage.

Trial delayed for pipeline trespassing case

The trespassing trial of a land surveyor for Summit Carbon Solutions has been delayed for a month because of a pending appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court, according to court records.

'It was kind of hard to walk away from' - Boettcher emerging as next-gen farmer

This article originally appeared in the March 23, 2023, edition of the Dickinson County News as part of the Salute to Farmers special section.

Emily Boettcher recalls her younger days on the family farm, collecting hen's eggs and sometimes falling asleep on the back of a milk cow named Emma. Today, the 35-year-old is in the process of building a home near her family's property and preparing to take the reins of the operation herself.

Hours to change at DCN office

Business office hours at the Dickinson County News are changing, effective Monday, April 3.

The DCN office at 1721 Hill Ave. in downtown Spirit Lake will be open 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week.

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