A major multi-phase paving project along the Lakes Area's main highway is slated to begin this spring, and local chamber officials are planning to host a state presentation for local residents and business owners to prepare ahead of potential disruptions.

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve a petition asking to be recognized as an intervening party regarding the possible state permitting of a high-pressure carbon pipeline.

Area land owners asked the board in January to hire Des Moines law firm Ahlers and Cooney to help guide the county in addressing concerns related to the project proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions. Tuesday's petition was signed by one of the firm's attorneys.

A total of nine girls and boys ages 9 to 14 were named champions of the 2023 Knights of Columbus District Free Throw Championship and earned the right to compete at the regional level. The district battle took place Feb. 19 at Bedell Family YMCA and was sponsored and run by the Knights of Columbus Iowa Great Lakes Council 5043, Spirit Lake.

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Denver Josephtate Crumpton, age 33, of Spencer was served with Dickinson County warrants in several cases Wednesday, Feb. 22. Court records indicate Crumpton was in custody in Clay County and was transported from Fostoria to the Dickinson County Jail. Crumpton had been charged with fourth-degree theft and two counts of trespassing at the Spirit Lake Walmart in December.

Calling all Pokémon trainers! You are invited to Pokémon Card Trading and Training from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 15. Milford Memorial Library is excited to welcome Ryan Schmidt from Okoboji Sports and Collectibles, who will be teaching how to play Pokémon, how to trade and how to collect. Participants will receive a free pack of cards.

Lakes Regional Healthcare Foundation recently announced one of its annual fundraisers, Roses Just Because, has begun. They have teamed up with Ferguson’s Floral and Garden Center again to host the fundraiser. Individuals may purchase a dozen long-stemmed roses for only $25 and help support the area of greatest need within LRH Foundation at the same time. A selection of colors will be available; however, orders for specific colors are not available.

The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association recently announced the 20th Anniversary season of Rock the Roof. The Iowa Great Lakes tradition features a full slate of 12 concert/dances this summer at the Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnolds Park.

Iowa Lakes Community College will offer a four-hour cosmetology license recertification class on “Styling Your Way to Greatness” and a two-hour law and sanitation class on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Spencer Campus.

Paityne Gehring and Faith Norris, both of Spirit Lake, were recently named to the deans' and president's Lists at Drake University. To be eligible for the deans' list, students must have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the fall 2022 semester at Drake. To be eligible for the president's list, students must have earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall 2022 semester at Drake.

H-LP FFA to host blood drive

The Harris-Lake Park FFA chapter will be hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 in the Lake Park Community Center — 903 S. Market St. Those seeking to donate are asked to call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: HARRISLAKEPARK to schedule an appointment.

Local DNR meeting cancelled

Area residents were battling Mother Nature once again last week when she decided to drop several inches of snow on top of what seemed to be the beginnings of a thaw.

A jury has found Steve Verne Titterington of Milford not guilty of sexually abusing an Okoboji High School student while the 72-year-old was employed as a school bus driver.

The jury reached its decision Tuesday morning, after less than an hour of deliberation.

"It's sad, but this case should never have gotten to this point," defense attorney Chris Sandy said during closing arguments. "Law enforcement should have done their job."