Iowa Lakes Community College plans to host an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Spirit Lake Regional Career Academy at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 18 on the Spirit Lake Campus at 800 21st Street. The day will include a tour, a program, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a reception.

Caleb Frostestad of Okoboji and Kaleb Lee of Spirit Lake have been accepted into separate associate programs at Iowa Lakes Community College for the fall of 2023 — Frostestad to the Associate in Science Program and Lee to the Associate in Arts Program. Iowa Lakes officials said completion of the programs satisfies the first two years of general requirements at several area colleges and universities as well as some requirements at other institutions.

An Emmet county landowner's controlled burn got out of hand last week and was blown across the county line Tuesday, igniting a swath of conservation land in Dickinson County northeast of Superior. No injuries or damage were reported, but Superior Fire Chief Kevin Swalve estimated the blaze consumed between 70 and 80 acres.

County attorney: 'We're not done with this case.'

Protestors plan to host a silent protest Monday morning outside the Dickinson County Courthouse — the protest will overlap with a plea taking for 48-year-old Christopher Ingraham of Spirit Lake who was charged last year with enticing a minor.

County and city officials plan to meet and discuss plans for a bridge across the Lower Gar outlet east of Milford.

The Iowa Court of Appeals has affirmed a district court's decision to admit certain voicemail messages as evidence in a case against a Spirit Lake man convicted of second-degree murder in October of 2021.

Organizers say efforts to protect the deteriorating Abbie Gardner Cabin in Arnolds Park during the winter months paid off.

A large temporary structure was put over the historic site's original pioneer cabin in early December to keep Mother Nature from chipping away at the structure, which a number of local nonprofits hope to repair and refurbish in the near future.

Spirit Lake photographer Dave Petrick recently captured the northern lights as they danced across the sky over northwest Iowa. Petrick set up his camera near the grade. (Photos by Dave Petrick)

The YMCA of the Okobojis was recently awarded the 2023 Eagle Award for Excellence in Fundraising by the North American YMCA Development Organization, an association in partnership with YMCAs from Canada and the United States.

The annual bird migration has begun, and the public is invited to join local bird enthusiasts this May for Birding on the Green. Whether beginner or expert, bird watchers can participate in this free annual program, which will take place May 1, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7 and Sept. 11. There is no need to pre-register and all ages are welcome.

The Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department will offer a spring concert at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the college's Estherville Campus. The free concert is expected to not only welcome the spring but showcase the musicians who make up the Iowa Lakes music ensembles.

The Iowa Mortgage Association recently announced several mortgage professionals from Northwest Bank were accepted into the IMA’s 2022 President’s Club, including Angie Peterson in Spirit Lake and Jason Warren in Spencer. The President’s Club is an ongoing recognition program to recognize outstanding mortgage loan production in Iowa. To be eligible for the President’s Club award, 2022 loan origination required at least $20 million in loan production or 130 units of residential loan volume.

Congratulations were recently extended to the Okoboji High School Jazz Band. Not only did the band qualify for Iowa Jazz Championships for the 28th consecutive year, they reached the finals again and claimed second place among all the state's class 2A schools.

Special congratulations were given to senior Connor Cunningham, who was named outstanding soloist for his baritone saxophone solo.

Sabrina Hook said her time at the Bedell Family YMCA has provided more than physical health.

September of 2022. She additionally took advantage of registering for Personal Training with guided instruction from YMCA Fitness Director Brittney Janicek. Hook said, prior to her visits to the Y, she felt she was struggling with mental health, felt defeated and was generally uncomfortable in her own skin.

Police talk down suspect brandishing handgun Sunday night