Join author James Kenyon for his presentation "Echoes in the Hallways" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3 in the Milford Community Center. The presentation will give a historical account of the former high schools of our area. Kenyon mes traveled for more than 18 months to all of Iowa’s 99 counties, and a story from each county is told in this book. Some school buildings are still standing and have been converted for community use; others are gone.

Jennifer Belken of Spirit Lake graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in human services from Buena Vista University in the Summer 2023. Belken was among more than 130 students who received degrees.

The mobile food pantry from the Food Bank of Iowa is returning again. The free distribution will take place from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Good News Estherville Church. The food will be distributed inside the church.  Recipients are asked to bring bags, laundry baskets or boxes to carry the food. At the September Food Bank, 491 individuals (174 families) received 6,120 lbs.

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has received a $1,000 grant from the Dickinson County Community Endowment Fund for its Family Wellness Baskets. The baskets will be distributed to approximately 30 families in Dickinson County.

The Iowa Bankers Association recently elected officers and directors to serve on its 2023-24 board of directors. Mary Kay Bates of Bank Midwest in Spirit Lake was elected as board chair. Greg Post of Northwest Bank in Spencer will also serve on the 2023-24 board, representing the northwest region. The board's leadership assumed their roles during the IBA Annual Convention, held Sept. 17-19 in Des Moines.

Iowa cities and counties have the authority to restrict building permits for the carbon-capture facilities that would feed proposed carbon dioxide pipelines in the state, the Hardin County attorney argues in a recent state regulatory filing.

Filing deadlines closed Thursday for candidates seeking local city offices and school board seats. Dickinson County voters will cast ballots in 11 different contested races this November, and additional ballot measures will be posed to voters in some areas.

School board ballots to be sizeable

Brittle naiad a tougher issue to treat

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hoping to once again rid the Iowa Great Lakes of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil after applying herbicide in three specific areas Tuesday afternoon, but another invasive species may be here to stay.

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.