Organizers with the annual University of Okoboji Winter Games Polar Plunge said this year's turnout shattered previous records, ultimately generating $5,000 for the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue crew on top of another $5,000 donation from event sponsor Okoboji Motor Company. Staff with the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce said more than 300 people registered to take the icy dip in West Lake Okoboji on Jan.

Citizens Community Credit Union recently awarded $75,000 to fire and police departments serving seven Iowa communities, including Spirit Lake.

“We are thrilled to be able to show our gratitude for all they do to help others and to keep our communities safe," said Citizen's Chief Executive Officer Dan Scott.

The Okoboji Middle School sixth grade band was honored to have eight students selected to participate in the Strong Foundations Honor Band in Sioux City. This year’s festival was held Feb. 12.

The Iowa Knights of Columbus recently held its annual Spelling Bee Contest for area students in grades 4-7.  Councils from Storm Lake, Pocahontas, Fonda, Emmetsburg, Sheldon and Milford forwarded participants this year — 13 in fourth grade, eight in fifth grade, six in sixth grade and seven in seventh grade.

There were more than 160 people in attendance for the competition, and a total of 44 youth advanced from local to regional competition, hosted by St Joseph Council of Milford.

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging all anglers to get ready for the 42nd Annual Walleye Weekend May 4-5. Online registration for the annual tournament is now open. The weekend event marks the beginning of the walleye fishing season and offers a $42,000 grand prize.

Cassandra Della Marr, age 21, was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 2:07 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 on the charge of failure to appear/contempt of court.

WEL-Life at Spirit Lake Assisted Living recently announced it received a 2024 Customer Experience Award from Pinnacle Quality Insight. This award recognizes WEL-Life’s performance in personal care; variety of food/menu choices; quality of food; dining service; dignity and respect; move-in process; individual needs; safety and security and overall customer experience.

February is known for Valentine’s Day, the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and being the shortest month on the calendar. It is also known as National Library Lovers’ Month.

Libraries have played a role in world cultures since ancient times. From the library at Alexandria to our modern libraries today, they serve us in so many ways.

Milford Memorial Library will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, in observance of Presidents’ Day. We will reopen at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The Milford Memorial Library Book Club will be meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 to discuss "The Kitchen Counter Cooking School" by Kathleen Flinn. Any interested individuals are welcome to attend.

Minnesota State University Mankato recently announced its dean's list for the fall 2023 semester. Among the honorees were Sierra Christians of Milford, Emma Hackbarth of Spirit Lake, Maci Higgins of Spirit Lake and Jordyn Tepfer of Spirit Lake.

A total of 1,227 students qualified for the list by achieving a 3.5 to 3.99 average GPA. To qualify for academic honors, undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for the semester.

Audit of H-LP Schools available

Many Lakes Area fishermen have already pulled their shacks off the ice amid atypical temperatures, but dozens of divers still hope to make use of this season's ice cover before it's gone.

An injured bald eagle found last month in southwest Dickinson County has a good chance of recovering, thanks in part to a pair of local hunters who displayed not only keen eyes but warm hearts.

"He's in a nice place now, and they said he's getting stronger and stronger," said Rodger Linn of Milford, one of the hunters who helped rescue the injured eagle. "There isn't a better feeling than that."

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation held its 13th annual Business Recognition Luncheon on Jan. 31 at the Clay County Regional Events Center.

Curt Strouth, the ILCDC’s CEO, gave luncheon attendees an update on the ILCDC’s activities in 2023 and spoke about economic development activity taking place in the four counties which the ILCDC serves. Strouth said ILCDC believes there will be 18 business expansions in the region over the next three to five years.

A group of 11 Spirit Lake High School students were among the top 100 finalists in the Iowa Bar Association's Know Your Constitution challenge. Students from all over Iowa submitted tests and essay materials as part of the event, and finalists were recognized at an awards ceremony in Des Moines, where Iowa Supreme Court Matthew McDermott was the guest speaker. Event staff drew five names out of a hat for a $1,000 scholarship. Spirit Lake's Paige Hinrickson was one of the recipients.