STEWART CHISHAM

NEWS EDITOR

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to reduce the county's general property tax levy rate to 2.45% for fiscal year 2025-26. This decision is in response to public pressure over rising property tax burdens.

STEWART CHISHAM

NEWS EDITOR

After a split vote during Milford's April 14 city council meeting, it appears that Highway 71 will stay at four lanes through the city.

BY RUSS MITCHELL

MANAGING EDITOR

From Okoboji to Des Moines — Dickinson County trails may soon connect the distant cities.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced a $500,000 grant that will add another link in the larger effort to connect the Iowa Great Lakes trails system to the Iowa capital.

BY STEWART CHISHAM

NEWS EDITOR

A company that generates wind energy, tax revenue and its share of lively debate is scaling back its plans in Dickinson County.

Invenergy on April 10 announced that they would be reducing the number of proposed wind turbines for its Red Rock Wind Energy Center. This comes from community concerns over visual impact and safety.

BY RUSS MITCHELL

MANAGING EDITOR

Drive on U.S. Highway 71, but don’t forget a detour down Memory Lane at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji.

Visitors still have time to catch the “60 Years of Pearson Lakes Art Center” exhibition. It’s stationed through Saturday, May 10, in the John & Karen Goodenow Gallery on the lower level of the art center.

The Iowa Lakes Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (ILUUF) presents Dr. Danuta Zamojska Hutchins at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 27. The program takes place at the Lakes Area Senior Center, located at 2101 Zenith Avenue in Spirit Lake.

The Many Voices Choir will bring its “Total Praise” concert series includes performances to area churches at the start of May.

The first installment of the series will take place at 7:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer.

The next night — Saturday, May 3 — the Many Voices Choir will perform their program at United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Admission to all concerts is free. A free-will donation will be accepted.

Thirty-eight Iowa long-term care facilities were honored at a national awards ceremony for their commitment to quality care including Accura HealthCare in Milford.

The facilities received 2024 National Quality Awards from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The honors were haded out during the AHCA/NCAL's Quality Summit on April 7  in Atlanta.

Walleye Weekend is also an important deadline for exhibitors who want to participate in the Art in the Park festival on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Prospective exhibitors should start collecting application materials prior to the May 2 application deadline. Exhibitors have a chance to show, promote, and sell original handmade fine arts and crafts at the Great Lakes Region’s signature art festival.

CHAMBER TO CELEBRATE WITH AREA BUSINESSES

• Join Kabele’s Trading Post & Lodge at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 24, for a ribbon cutting to congratulate and help celebrate with the new owners of Kabele's Trading Post & Lodge.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is teaming up with the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Strategic Marketing Services and the Institute for Decision Making (IDM) to launch a regional wage and benefit study in April and May.

The Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department honored the 2024 and 2025 Music Hall of Fame inductees during a celebration Friday, April 4, at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville Campus.

 The evening featured musical performances, deserts and a tribute to the inductees whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the Iowa Lakes Music Department.

Spring is full of countless opportunities to capture the beauty of wildlife.

The Dickinson County Nature Center is hosting “Kenue Coffee Hour: Nature Photography” at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, in the Maser Monarch Lodge.

During this monthly program, speakers share their insight about conservation and a variety of nature-related topics.

As part of April 20-26 as National Lab Week, Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) is recognizing the contributions the laboratory staff members devote to patient care.

“The laboratory team plays a key part in LRH’s continuum of care,” LRH Ancillary and Community Services VP Nate McCormick said. “With their efforts, patients’ illnesses or risk factors for illnesses can be identified, and the appropriate care or treatment can be provided.”

The Iowa Mortgage Association is pleased to announce that several Mortgage Professionals from Northwest Bank were accepted into the IMA’s 2024 President’s Club and Winner’s Circle. The President’s Club and Winner’s Circle is an ongoing recognition program to recognize outstanding mortgage loan production in Iowa.