*Move to occur 2026-27 season, will create 16-team ’super conference’

BY RUSS MITCHELL & RANDY CAUTHRON

Citing a “more stable and sustainable environment for students-athletes,” Cherokee, Estherville Lincoln Central, Spencer and Storm Lake formally accepted an invitation to join the Siouxland Conference, starting with the 2026-27 activities calendar.

Staff members at the Dickinson County Nature Center know it’s never too hot, too cold, too wet or too dry to discover what the Iowa Great Lakes has to offer. With that in mind, Dickinson County Conservation Board Community Relations Coordinator Amy Heibult recently helped the Nature Center team unveil its 2025 schedule of events.

This year, toddlers will learn about mudpuppies and vultures while adults discuss paddlefish or nature photography over coffee.

The Hoover Presidential Foundation will award over $60,000 in scholarships to Iowa students this year. This is the 28th year of the annual Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award, a scholarship program for Iowa high school juniors. The deadline to submit an application is April 1.

During a time dominated by digital communication, the timeless tradition of handwritten letters finds new life through the Northwest Iowa RSVP Pen Pal Program. This program connects volunteers aged 55 and older with third- and fourth-grade students across multiple counties to exchange letters, fostering literacy, community engagement, and multigenerational relationships.

Volunteers are needed from January through May to:

• Write three letters

The Spirit of Okoboji is pleased to announce the addition of five accomplished professionals to its Board of Directors, further strengthening the organization's leadership and commitment to community enrichment. These new members bring expertise, diverse perspectives and a shared dedication to advancing the Spirit of Okoboji mission of enhancing life in the Iowa Great Lakes region for both residents and visitors.

Joining the Board are:

NEXT ‘NO SCHOOL DAY CAMP’ NEARS

The Dickinson County Nature Center is offering several No School Day Camps. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, students in grades 4-8 can enjoy an “Outdoor Day at Horseshoe Bend.”

How do lightning bugs glow? Learn all about it at Family Nature Night: Lights of the Night, held from 5-6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the Dickinson County Nature Center.

Families will learn about the differences between bioluminescence and biofluorescence through several activities. The hour will begin with group activities and later split into other sessions to make a lightning bug craft, play Blacklight Bingo, dig for some treasures in glowing rocks, and more!

Many Voices Choir, the premier community chorale of northwest Iowa, is now welcoming local vocalists for their upcoming spring season. This season’s repertoire will feature a variety of show tunes, jazz and traditional pieces.

Rehearsals began Monday, Jan. 13 at the Iowa Lakes Estherville Campus Choir Room.

New and existing members are encouraged to attend. Music for the spring concerts will be distributed. Rehearsals will be held weekly from 7-9 p.m. on Mondays.

Northwest Bank locations in Milford, Arnolds Park, and Spirit Lake organized initiatives to raise funds and collect food donations for the Okoboji and Spirit Lake Schools Backpack Programs, which provide essential food support to youth and families in need.

“Fire line do not cross” tape and a frozen pond of ice remain at the site where an unoccupied trailer burst into flames in the overnight hours leading into Sunday morning.

The fire broke out at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Pioneer Trailer Court, which is about four blocks southeast of Okoboji High School and Middle School in south Milford.

BY RANDY M. CAUTHRON & RUSS MITCHELL

When the sound of a gavel opens the 91st Iowa General Assembly on Monday, Jan. 13, the region’s delegation of Republicans will contribute to supermajorities in both chambers. GOP leaders head into the session with property taxes, higher education system reforms and immigration policy among the priorities.

As Lakes residents stocked up on provisions to welcome in 2025, more than a few outdoors enthusiasts grabbed their rods and bait for some downright balmy ice fishing.

While Iowa DNR Fisheries Management Biologist Mike Hawkins said the mild end to 2024 didn’t do “us any favors for ice conditions” at the time, Mother Nature has a way of using her Zamboni in the Upper Midwest.

Snapchat threats directed at Okoboji High School drew the attention of the FBI and local authorities Monday night, but school officials in Milford were able to proceed with an otherwise typical school day on Tuesday.

The FBI initially contacted the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on Monday regarding “some concerning messages sent via Snapchat” from the teenager.

Four people were charged with drug-related offenses after Dickinson County Sheriff’s deputies searched a home and garage at 303 South First Street in Terril on Friday.