Harris-Lake Park’s boys basketball team secured a second straight victory with a War Eagle Conference road win over Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The Wolves — after topping West Bend-Mallard the night before — earned a 58-41 win over the Hawks in Hartley.

Harris-Lake Park’s girls basketball team suffered a War Eagle Conference road loss against Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The Hawks topped the Wolves 48-41 in Hartley.

In a battle for the top spot in the Lakes Conference, Spirit Lake held a 10-point advantage over rival Estherville Lincoln Central heading into the fourth quarter of a boys basketball battle played Tuesday, Jan. 30 in Spirit Lake. However, the Midgets erased the deficit with a 24-14 score in the fourth quarter before salting away a 72-70 win with a 9-7 score in overtime to clinch at least a share of the conference crown.

In a battle of Lakes Conference powers, third-ranked (3A) Estherville Lincoln Central earned at least a share of the girls basketball conference crown with a win over 10th-ranked (3A) Spirit Lake on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The Midgets defeated the Indians 45-30 in Spirit Lake, setting up a chance to win the conference outright or — should the Indians win — share the crown with Spirit Lake in a rematch on Friday, Feb. 2 in Estherville.

The Okoboji/HMS boys wrestling team went 1-1 at a triangular hosted by Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The Pioneers earned a 55-18 win over MOC-Floyd Valley and fell 42-34 to the host Nighthawks.

In their win over the Dutchmen, the Pioneers won seven of 10 contested matches.

Spirit Lake’s boys basketball team dropped a nonconference road contest to Central Lyon on Monday, Jan. 29. The Lions topped the Indians 67-59 in Rock Rapids.

“It was another tough game in a great environment,” Spirit Lake coach Paul Brown said. “Central Lyon made some plays throughout the game that we can learn from, and work to improve for the postseason.”

Spirit Lake topped Central Lyon in a nonconference girls basketball battle on Monday, Jan. 29. The No. 10 (3A) Indians topped the No. 8 (2A) Lions 67-61 in Rock Rapids.

Harris-Lake Park’s boys basketball team earned a nonconference home win over West Bend-Mallard on Monday, Jan. 29. The Wolves defeated the Wolverines 57-37 in Lake Park.

Harris-Lake Park’s girls basketball team dropped a nonconference home game to West Bend-Mallard on Monday, Jan. 29. The Wolverines edged the Wolves 32-30 in Lake Park.

Spirit Lake senior athlete Charlotte Pritchard recently signed a letter of intent to attend and compete in cross country and basketball at Northwestern College in Orange City. Pritchard is averaging 4.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and one steal per game in her final hoops season at Spirit Lake and has started 13 of 18 games for the Indians.

The Spirit Lake Protective Association (SLPA) received a major award at the Minnesota State Chapter Leadership Convention held Jan. 19-20 in Willmar, Minnesota.

It’s been suggested that a few anglers catch most of the fish. While that may have been true years ago, today the catch is spread out over more fishermen. Information about catching fish is available over a variety of outlets, and modern electronics, boats, and motors, make it easier for fishermen to find fish and then get to them safely and comfortably.  

Well, the word is out — Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow last Friday morning (Feb. 2), and it’s going to be an early spring! Well, at least that’s what Phil says.

The groundhog predictions have been going since 1887, and every year, we anticipate Phil’s verdict. Although the accuracy of the forecast is not the greatest, people can still hardly wait to see if we have six more weeks of winter or not.

The DNR Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau has openings for recreational aides and seasonal patrol officers across the state park system for the summer 2024 season.

Jobs duties include assisting park staff in patrolling the park, helping visitors, leading programs, registering campers, and/or maintaining the park through duties such as mowing, trimming, cleaning, trail work and facility rep

Spirit Lake dominated rival Spencer in a Lakes Conference girls basketball battle played Thursday, Jan. 25. Despite having a bit of an off night, the 10th-ranked (3A) Indians topped the Tigers 57-30 in Spirit Lake.