The Iowa Utilities Board rejected a request to meet next week to discuss a schedule that will dictate the remainder of Navigator CO2 Ventures’ carbon dioxide pipeline permit process, according to board documents.

Navigator is the second company to propose a sprawling pipeline system to transport captured carbon dioxide away from ethanol plants and other facilities. It suggested a schedule last month that includes a start date for its final evidentiary hearing in June 2024.

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors didn't plan on hearing about a proposed wind turbine moratorium again this week, but hear about it they did.

State launches pilot program in trio of counties

Members of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry likely didn't expect to hear Iowa's Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg talk about Israeli ambulances during ABI's executive forum in Okoboji last week — but Gregg said there may be new opportunities for local businesses to support EMS responses in their communities.

Iowa AG sues EPA over delayed ethanol decision

The Lakes Area played host to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley last week, as he stopped in Arnolds Park to speak with members of Fuel Iowa, an advocacy group for Iowa's fuel industry.

While summer weather is upon the Lakes Area, and winter is far from the minds of many, planning for the University of Okoboji Winter Games has already begun. The festivities, scheduled for Jan. 25-28, 2024, will mark the 44th annual celebration of this winter tradition.

A group of 20 children enjoyed a tennis camp Aug. 1-3 in Spirit Lake. Local tennis coaches Bob O’Hara, Dan Taylor, Bryan Loven, Peter Straus and Catherine Straus were on hand to help.

“It was a great way to introduce new kids to the sport and help sharpen the skills of those already playing tennis,” said Straus, who played on the Spirit Lake High School tennis team. “The support from the University of Okoboji was wonderful, and we hope to do this event again next summer."

The Dickinson County Museum and many downtown Spirit Lake businesses will be opening their doors to the past from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 during “A Stroll Back in Time.” Within these businesses and the museum, many photos and stories of days gone by will be shared by knowledgeable and engaging narrators.

Dave Petrick of Spirit Lake recently earned a photographic craftsman degree from Professional Photographers of America. The degree will be presented to Petrick by PPA president Kira Derryberry at the association’s annual convention to be held in January of 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Austin Taylor Lee Hogan, age 33, of Fort Dodge was charged with operating while intoxicated — first offense — open container and speeding at approximately 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 near the intersection of Highway 71 and 250th Street. A criminal complaint said Hogan was "all over the road and didn't yield immediately" when a state trooper attempted to stop the vehicle. Hogan's blood alcohol concentration was found to be nearly three times the legal limit to operate a vehicle in Iowa.

Interlibrary Loan, or ILL, provides Iowans with equal access to library materials by supporting resource sharing among all types of libraries. Participating libraries agree to lend their materials to other libraries across the state. More than 200,000 interlibrary loans are made annually through the program. You can see what is available to borrow from other libraries in the state of Iowa via the Iowa Locator.

This week, the Okoboji Summer Theatre will wrap up its 65th Anniversary season with "The Wedding Singer." The musical performance is based on the hit Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore movie, which takes audiences back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room. Set in 1985, rock star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer.

Join MML and Miss Becca at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 during the Okoboji Blue Water Festival for a special Building Bookworms. You will find Miss Becca and MML in the youth area, near Bob’s Dogs in Arnolds Park. This storytime theme and craft will be about the environment and keeping our waters clean. All materials and services are provided by the library.

Last year, Lakes Regional Healthcare generated approximately 584 jobs, which added $34.6 million to Dickinson County’s economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association.

Lakes Regional Healthcare was recently rated as a five-star hospital for the third year in a row by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ web site. CMS’ Care Compare program reports on quality measures for more than 4,000 hospitals nationwide. Roughly 13 percent of hospitals in the country were rated five stars, and Lakes Regional Healthcare was the only hospital in the western half of Iowa, and it was one of five Avera-affiliated hospitals to receive a five-star rating.

The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association is very proud to present the Iowa Rocks! Youth Showcase on Saturday, Aug. 12 on the Knapp Stage at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Two individual artists and five bands will perform from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. All the artists were either past award winners, finalists or champions of the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association’s Iowa Rocks Talent competition – a talent search for youth 21 and younger.