Inch by inch and yard by yard, students from all three of Iowa's public universities are sifting through soil in search of local history.

By Seth Boyes - News Editor

A judge will decide whether prosecutors must provide the court with confidential mental health records regarding an Okoboji High School student who accused a bus driver of sexual abuse.

Correction: An earlier version of this story mistakenly described the proposed development as being west of the city of Arnolds Park rather than east of the city.

By Seth Boyes - News Editor

The nearby city street light had switched to a flashing yellow signal by the time the Dickinson County Board of Adjustment adjourned Monday night. The board heard from Travis Hulstein and his family who were representing Twin Hills LLC.

By Seth Boyes - News Editor

A Lake Park man has filed an appeal with the Iowa Supreme Court after being found guilty in March of sexually abusing two of his young relatives — both under the age of 12.

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce marked the 40th annual Walleye Weekend fishing tournament earlier this year, and although a portion of the proceeds are donated the community, 2022 was the first year in which funds were given away as part of a local grant process.

Treasure Village is celebrating its 50th season of shows this year. The milestone will also coincide with the final show on the Treasure Village stage. Treasure Village's original musical “Rapunzel” will show at 10 a.m. July 20-23 and July 27-30.

The Spirit of Harmony Chorus will present pre-show entertainment under the Okoboji Summer Theatre awning at 7:30 pm, Friday, July 15 before the production of "An Inspector Calls." Suspense rules when a middle-class Yorkshire family meets the enigmatic Inspector Goole, in this English classic whodunit. Celebrating their recent regional first-place competition results, the Spirit of Harmony Chorus is excited to share their harmony with OST audiences again.

The public is invited to join Sting Ray Anthony for his tribute to Ritchie Valens and other rock 'n' rollers of the '50s during his performance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29 at the Pearson Lakes Art Center.

Having worked alongside Bobby Vee, Fabian, Danny & The Juniors, Chubby Checker and many other original artists of the '50s and '60s, Sting Ray has delighted audiences by singing to what many consider the greatest oldies ever written.

Local nonprofit Spirit of Okoboji announced the first three trees included in the OkoboTree project will be transformed into outdoor sculptures this week. Gary Keenan, a chainsaw carver from Des Moines, started a tree located at Isthmus Park in Spirit Lake on Monday.

The fall of 2021 marked Okoboji High School's first entry into the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards initiative. The debut entry was adjudicated by qualified judges, and nine honors were received for the November 2021 performance of "Into the Woods," composed by Stephen Sondheim.

The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association plans to host its inaugural Iowa Rock Music Camp at Arnolds Park July 26-28 in and around the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame & Museum. There will be morning and afternoon sessions targeted toward middle school and high school students, depending upon the age group and/or program interest.

The Iowa Great Lakes Knights of Columbus Council 5043 will hold its Holy Smokes Classic Cruise-In Food Drive Friday, July 22 in support of local food sources. They will accept canned goods or cash donations from drivers of classic cars or other vehicles starting at 4:30 p.m. The drive itself begins at 6 p.m. and leaves from St. Mary's Parish on Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake. The food will benefit area families through Upper Des Moines Opportunity in Spirit Lake.

The Spirit Lake and Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce joined forces again last week as they welcomed Sportsmen's Business Alliance to downtown Spirit Lake. Chamber officials made a midday stop on June 22 to hear from Director Of Business Development Levi Wittrock. Sportsmen's Business Alliance, located at 1719 Hill Ave., manages an online directory of businesses which support hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

The marquee event of Pioneer Days in Milford will be the Pioneer Days Parade. This year's parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, marking the 54th anniversary of Pioneer Days.

“As always, the parade promises to be an outstanding event for spectators and participants,” Milford Commercial Club Parade Chairwoman Susan Reiser said.

The Dickinson County News will briefly adjust its delivery schedule due to the Fourth of July holiday next week. Copies of the July 7 edition will still arrive on news racks throughout the community the afternoon of Wednesday, July 6, but hardcopy subscribers can expect their paper to arrive in the mail Friday, July 8 that week. Distribution will return to normal the following week — being placed on racks Wednesday afternoons and arriving at residences with Thursday mail deliveries.