A federal judge on Monday permanently barred two Iowa counties from enforcing their ordinances that restrict the placement of carbon dioxide pipelines.

Shelby and Story counties adopted restrictions after two companies proposed to build pipeline systems to transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants and other facilities.

The local volunteer work undertaken by Beth Will has been lauded by everyone from her coworkers on up to the Iowa Governor's Office. This Saturday, the Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis will recognize her as the service club's 2023 Citizen of the Years. The annual award is bestowed upon a local individual who has demonstrated years of service to the community, and awardees need not be a member of the local Kiwanis Club to earn the honor.

Officials with Rides, a nine-county regional transit authority in northwest Iowa, hope a new partnership with Enterprise Rentals will benefit local businesses while also helping to support Rides' core transportation services.

Organizers with the Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce are preparing for downtown Spirit Lake to once again transform into Santa's Village. The yearly main-street celebration will take place Saturday, Dec. 9, offering families the chance to enjoy a number of free holiday events at many of the city's local businesses.

The University of Okoboji Winter Games Committee is once again giving the public the opportunity to nominate those who will serve as 2024 University of Okoboji Winter Games cheerleaders.  Nominees must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of Dickinson County.

Thomas Edward Taylor Jr., age 26, of Des Moines was charged with operating while intoxicated — first offense — at approximately 7:48 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 near the intersection of Highway 71 and 240th Street. A criminal complaint said Taylor was "all over the road" and unable to maintain position in a lane. Taylor was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 9:05 p.m. the same day. The local jail roster also listed charges of driving under suspension and speeding.

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, MML’s Young Adult Last Minute Gift Challenge Box will be available for pick up. Students in grades four through 12 will be creating magnetic picture frame and a snow jar. This a free activity, but does require registration. To register call MML at 712-338-4643, or online at http://milfordlibrary.weebly.com/young-adult-registration.html. Friday, Dec. 22, is the last day to register.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds recently unveiled the recipients of the CDL Infrastructure Grants, and Iowa Lakes Community College was among the beneficiaries. The grants, totaling $4.84 million, have been awarded to 10 of Iowa's esteemed community colleges. These funds will facilitate the acquisition of new equipment and the establishment or renovation of driver training facilities. These grants are estimated to increase annual program participation by 1,305 individuals collectively.

Ann Braverman of Milford was among the 67 Des Moines University students who gave oral presentations or displayed posters at the 2023 DMU Research Symposium on Nov. 30. Braverman, who is in DMU's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program, presented a research poster titled, "Assessing the reliability of kerf floor shapes in predicting saw types for use in forensic dismemberment cases."

Lakes Area Activity Center planning multiple events

The application for 2024 Iowa 4-H Scholarships is now open. Deadline for application is March 1, 2024.

This year, 129 scholarships will be available, worth a total of $132,000. Scholarships range from $500 to $4,000. Scholarships are funded by donors with a variety of criteria and are open to current high school juniors and seniors through current undergraduates.

A Milford man was taken to the hospital after his vehicle collided with a semi Tuesday afternoon.

The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office said 64-year-old Walter Frank was heading south along Highway 86 around 12:58 p.m. that day, when the Pontiac Vibe he was driving crossed the center line near the intersection of 170th Street. The vehicle struck the front drivers side tire of an oncoming semi 50-year-old Samuel Deppa of Ottawa, Kansas, was driving.

County officials anticipate that adopting an ordinance to regulate hazardous liquid pipelines in Dickinson County will result in a lawsuit, but the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors chose to move in that direction. The board voted unanimously on Tuesday, directing the county's planning and zoning commission to design such an ordinance. The expected ordinance would need to return to the supervisors for final approval.

Last week's flurries may help set the stage for this year's Milford Holiday Fantasy, which will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 in downtown Milford.

The annual celebration is hosted by the Milford Commercial Club and features activities and other events among the community's various local businesses.

A now 32-year-old man is claiming the stabbing to which he pleaded guilty in March of 2021 was committed in self defense.