Flashing yellow lights, a pair of blockades and an occasional cloud of concrete dust greeted anyone trying to cross the Highway 71 bridge between Okoboji and Arnolds Park earlier this week. The lone crossing between the two cities was closed for scheduled reconstruction Monday morning as part of a multi-phase project with the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Conservationists on both sides of the Iowa-Minnesota border were glad to see the results of their teamwork during the Sept. 14 dedication of the Howard K. Vincent Waterfowl Production Area Site — named for the former president and CEO of Pheasants Forever. The 195.5 acre parcel of farmland between Iowa's Big Spirit Lake and Minnesota's Loon Lake is now set to become both a much-needed wildlife area and an important buffer to help protect the waters of Big Spirit Lake.

Autumn is quickly approaching, and Spirit of Harmony Chorus is preparing for their fall show “Chasing Our Dream” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 in the Pearson Lakes Art Center's Lauridsen Theatre. Tickets are $15 in advance if purchased by Sept. 25 or $20 at the door. Call 712-336-9107 for advanced ticket sales.

Avera@Home of Spencer Hospital recently received notification that its services were being recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs as a “Premier Performer” for achieving an overall caregiver and family satisfaction score that ranked in the top 5 percent of all eligible SHP clients for the 2022 calendar year.

Registration for the 32nd Annual University of Okoboji Oktoberfest is closing soon. Registration is $35 per person and ends Sept. 28. Registration will open again Sept. 30 ahead of the day's traditional bike ride and a schedule full of additional activities at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park.

William Grant Hawn, age 39, of Spirit Lake was charged with driving while license suspended or revoked at approximately 3:09 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 near the intersection of Hill Avenue and 41st Street in Spirit Lake.

The Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled provides books and other materials in alternative formats to Iowa residents who are unable to read standard print materials. Thousands of books are available in a variety of formats — Braille, large print, digital audio recordings, print/Braille, descriptive video and electronic text mailed to your home. Registered readers may also download audio and Braille books and magazines online.

You are invited to Community Connections at 10:30 a.m. the third Thursday of each month at the library. Join us on Thursday, Sept. 21 for this month’s program, which will be with Mary from Dickinson County Museum. Community Connections is open to adults wanting to learn and socialize. Coffee and refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Milford Library. This is a free program and attendees are encouraged to socialize after presentations. Bring your questions.

The State Library of Iowa has announced the Lake Park Public Library has met the conditions for state accreditation.

Saugstad to speak at ILUUF

Allan Saugstad will preside over the Sept. 24 Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hybrid service. His message is entitled “Cults and Conspiracy Theories--What's the Attraction?”

As the annual fall harvest season gets underway, Alliant Energy reminds farmers of the vital importance of staying safe when operating farm equipment near power lines.

Navigator CO2 pulls back on some operations while awaiting written decision

A recently failed permit application is not necessarily the end of a carbon capture pipeline company’s goal of building in South Dakota and four other states, according to a company spokesperson.

“We have not taken any state off the map,” Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, of Navigator CO2, told South Dakota Searchlight in an interview Friday.

City opts for potential delays rather than accept lone, lofty bid
 

Officials with the city of Okoboji said it may have a bit of a domino affect on their plans to improve the playground at Speier Park, but the city council voted 4-0 Tuesday to reject the only bid received for the initial work — the single proposal came in 218 percent over the estimated cost.  

A judge dismissed allegations against members of the Spirit Lake Police Department on Monday after the man who accused officers of misconduct failed to appear during a hearing last week.