Harris-Lake Park will wrap up the 2024 football season this week when the Wolves host returning state champion, undefeated, and second-ranked Bishop Garrigan this week.

The Wolves (2-5, 2-3) are set to face the Golden Bears (7-0, 6-0) Friday, Oct. 18 in Lake Park.

Harris-Lake Park leads the series 2-1 since 2021.

Bishop Garrigan earned a 20-14 win over Harris-Lake Park last season on a last-second touchdown.

Harris-Lake Park’s volleyball team went 1-2 at its home tournament held Saturday, Oct. 12. The Wolves earned a 2-0 win over Storm Lake St. Mary’s, but fell 2-0 to both Trinity Christian and Kingsley-Pierson in Lake Park.

Spirit Lake’s volleyball team stormed back from an early deficit to top rival Estherville Lincoln Central in a Lakes Conference road matchup on Thursday, Oct. 10. The Midgets took a 2-0 lead with a 25-12 win in the first set and a 25-21 win in the second. However, the Indians rallied with a 25-22 win in the third, a 25-19 win in the fourth and closed out the contest with a 15-13 victory in the fifth.

Okoboji’s volleyball team earned a road win over Siouxland Conference foe Sibley-Ocheyedan on Thursday, Oct. 10. The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead with a pair of 25-19 wins in the first two sets. The Generals edged Okoboji 26-24 in the third set, but the Pioneers bounced back with a 25-18 victory in the fourth set to close out the contest.

Harris-Lake Park’s volleyball team dropped a War Eagle Conference road match to MMCRU on Thursday, Oct. 10. The Royals defeated the Wolves 3-1 in Marcus.

MMCRU took the first two sets 25-22 and 25-14 to open a 2-0 lead. Harris-Lake Park bounced back in the third with a 25-23 victory. However, the Royals closed out the contest with a 25-17 win in the fourth and final set.

Okoboji’s boys cross country team — led by individual champion Evan Osler — placed first and the girls placed third at a meet hosted by George-Little Rock/Central Lyon on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Otter Valley Golf Course in George.

Okoboji’s volleyball team suffered a Siouxland Conference home loss to No. 13 (4A) MOC-Floyd Valley on Tuesday, Oct. 8. The Dutchmen swept the Pioneers at Okoboji High School in Milford.

MOC-Floyd Valley took a 25-13 win in the opening set.

Spirit Lake’s volleyball team suffered a Lakes Conference home loss to Spencer on Tuesday, Oct. 8. The Tigers topped the Indians 3-1 in Spirit Lake.

Spencer took the first two sets 25-19 and 25-23 before Spirit Lake earned a 25-19 victory in the third set. However, the Tigers closed out the match with a 25-22 win in the fourth.

Harris-Lake Park’s volleyball team suffered a home loss to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on Tuesday, Oc.t 8. The Hawks swept the Wolves 25-17, 25-15 and 25-22 in Lake Park.

Spirit Lake teammates Brandon Hughes and Dietrich Dirks provided the highlight during the cross country team’s competition Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Cherokee. The duo earned the top two spots in the boys race at Cherokee Country Club. Hughes won in 16 minutes, 12.37 seconds. Dirks placed second in 16:31.02. Jace Hungerford placed fifth in 16:51.04.

The Spirit Lake boys placed second behind meet champion Sioux Center. The Warriors edged the Indians by five points.

After more than 100 years, they're back. The much anticipated re-stocking of the American paddlefish into West Lake Okoboji began Tuesday, Oct. 8 with a release at the Emerson Bay boat ramp.

"Our hatchery staff did a great job of dialing in the hauling densities and handling techniques,” Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist Mike Hawkins said.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds lake property owners to check their boat and trailers, and docks and lifts, for aquatic invasive species before storing them for the winter.

There is little doubt that 2024 has been an active year for the Iowa Great Fishing Club (IGLFC), as volunteers have worked to fulfill the club’s mission: to recruit youth to the sport, encouraging a connection to the outdoors and fishing as a lifelong passion.

It's a slow start to fall colors across Iowa, but fall colors are well on their way in northeast Iowa. Most woody plants are changing colors.

Hackberry, walnuts, elms, and cottonwood are turning yellow in north central and northwest Iowa. Maples are turning more red and orange. Many species are dropping a few leaves. Most native vines are changing color.

Make it five straight.

Spirit Lake’s football team is rolling following a dominant homecoming win over bitter rival Estherville Lincoln Central on Friday, Oct. 4. Since narrowly dropping their season-opening game to top-ranked (3A) Algona, the third-ranked (2A) Indians have reeled off five straight wins by a combined score of 233-27, including a 49-7 drubbing of the Midgets.