• 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.

Some blustery gales greeted area business representatives as they visited Red Rock Wind Energy's office in Spirit Lake last week.

Red Rock has been renting space at 1003 18th Street in Spirit Lake — just west of the county courthouse — since January. The company recently became a member of both the Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce as well as the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Spirit Lake School Board discussed options for decommissioning one of the two wind turbines on the school's property.

Spirit Lake's Director of District Operations David Dau said the smaller of the two turbines — a Wind World 250 — was built 31 years ago, and he said that model has an average lifespan of about 25 years.

"It has been significant in saving us money," Beck said. "I think the people that did this when they did it were really smart. It's paid for itself."

Tina VandeHoef will be the guest speaker for the April 14 Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hybrid service. She will share information about “Kings and Queens Local,” an organization striving to support local foster, adoptive and kinship families in many ways. Their efforts include building connections, providing resources as well as education and raising awareness within the larger community.

The University of Northwestern Ohio proudly announces Michael Gonnerman, a current senior at Okoboji High School, as the recipient of a $20,000 scholarship. Gonnerman's achievement was marked by his performance in UNOH's scholarship test during the university's Fall Open House, where he surpassed nearly 200 test-takers in the subject of high performance motorsports technology.

A group of 23 Okoboji High School students competed in 34 events during Individual Speech Contest in 2024. Of the 34 events, 32 earned Division I ratings and advanced to state competition at the Sioux Central High School district contest. The other two events earned Division II ratings. Coaches Cole Berkenpas and Linnea Lambert expressed their pride in the students' hard work.

The winter of 1936 was one of the worst on record, according to staff at the Dickinson County Museum. Storm after storm kept trains from bringing necessary goods to communities. Road were closed for weeks. Schools, churches and businesses closed repeatedly.

Serious injuries reported following UTV collision

Northwest Iowa Retired Senior Volunteer Program recently announced the renewal of an AmeriCorps grant, ensuring three more years of funding for the local RSVP Program and a continued partnership with Iowa Lakes Community College. The college has been Northwest Iowa RSVP's local sponsor of  since 1977.

April is National Donate Life Month, and Avera is encouraging every person to consider organ donation.

Avera partners with Donate Life America, an organization that established April as National Donate Life Month. National Donate Life Month helps raise awareness about donation, encourage Americans to register as donors and honors those that have saved lives by donating.

Congratulations to Milford Memorial Library’s Spring Egg Hunt winner Elsie. Thank you to everyone who participated in MML's 2024 Spring Egg Hunt. We are looking forward to next year. Thank you to the Friends of the Milford Library for sponsoring the prize.

The Northwest Iowa Concert Band, directed by Rich Nicklay of Okoboji, and the Northwest Iowa Jazz Band, directed by Scott Benjamin of Superior, will present their spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 15 at the Estherville VFW — 314 South First St. in Estherville. Admission will be free, and refreshments will be available. The VFW will be serving a beef or pork basket meal, starting at 6 p.m. and continuing through the concert.