•Museum volunteer's curiosity leads to readers theatre production

She wasn't that interested in history as a child, but Kathy McNeill of Spirit Lake now finds herself behind the wheel of an event steeped in it.

McNeill has sifted through stacks of fragile, yellowing letters penned by one of Spirit Lake's often-overlooked founders — Orlando C. Howe. Some of those letters will be brought to life by local figures next month during a live reading.

Local landowners are continuing to keep an ear to the ground as county officials consider proposed zoning ordinances related to the construction of hazardous liquid pipelines. A number of rural residents have expressed safety concerns related to one such pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions.

•Western Iowa deer populations and harvest are declining, according to DNR scientists

State officials said Iowa's pheasant, turkey and deer populations have been increasing. Northwest Iowa hunters and trappers heard a number of wildlife updates from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources during a Feb. 20 meeting held at the Maser Monarch Lodge.

The Youth In Philanthropy program by the Okoboji Foundation is seeking community donations to help achieve their $75,000 goal. Fundraising efforts will continue until March 31.

“Youth in Philanthropy is not only helping build a great foundation for the young adult I am becoming and aspire to be, but it is also the perfect opportunity to thank and give back to my wonderful community,” YIP student Abby Scott said.

Kaylee Nicole Stubbs, age 20, of Spirit Lake was charged with dog at large at approximately 3:32 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 in the 1000 block of 26th Street in Spirit Lake. A criminal complaint said Stubbs' French bulldog "did approach the mailman in an aggressive manner by running after him halfway across the roadway." The complaint went on to say the dog was involved in a similar incident with a neighbor earlier this month.

Editor's note: This report is an excerpt from a lengthier article written by Clark Kauffman of the Iowa Capital Dispatch. The original article detailed findings at 25 establishments across the state. The Dickinson County News staff chose to print only the portion most relevant to local readers. A link to the original article has been included below.

On the second Tuesday of each month during the school year, the Spirit Lake Public Library hosts a chess program for players of all skill levels and ages. From 3:30-4:30 p.m., students and their parents and/or grandparents can play and learn about the game of chess. From 4:30-5:30 p.m., anyone can join in the fun during the “All Play” hour.

Milford Memorial Library now has Iowa and Federal 1040 tax forms and the Federal 1040 tax instruction booklets. Federal forms and booklets are available in English and Spanish. MML will be charging for coping and printing tax forms. Blank tax forms will cost 10 cents per page and filled out tax forms will cost 20 cents per page.

Gehring, Norris named to Drake University president's list

Audit of AP/O Fire and Rescue available

Winther, Stave and Co., LLP recently released an audit report on Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire and Rescue.

The department’s operating receipts totaled $184,950 for the year ended

June 30, 2023. Operating expenses for the year totaled $206,168. Nonoperating receipts totaled $42,147. Net assets of the department increased $20,929, resulting in total net assets at June 30, 2023, of $156,487.

The region's tactical team was called in Thursday to aid in the arrest of a West Okoboji resident wanted on warrants issued in O'Brien County as well as allegations of ongoing harassment.

The Milford Police Department was contacted around 11:24 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 regarding active warrants for 26-year-old Keaton Robert Leach.

Dickinson County officials hammered out additional details for some proposed hot-button zoning changes Tuesday afternoon. The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors and the county's planning and zoning commission held a joint work session to take another run at updating ordinances related to wind turbines and hazardous liquid pipelines.

A local shoreline project that has drawn public support for nearly two decades is preparing for yet another phase of the overall work.

The ink, rollers, carved woodblock and stretched screen sitting on pedestals hint at the tactile nature of the artwork currently hanging from the walls of the Pearson Lakes Art Center's Goodenow Gallery.

A judge granted a Spirit Lake man more time to spell out why the court should reconsider the second-degree murder conviction handed down in October of 2021 as part of a Sioux County case.