Allow me to begin by stating I have never been arrested in my life. The only times I've visited the inside of a jail were for my government class in high school and a courthouse tour with Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis last year.
At 9:51 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2009, I was led into the Dickinson County Jail in handcuffs by Spirit Lake Police Chief Jeff Hanson and booked into the system by Jail Officer Ashley Fisher.

Mary and Glen Luchtel of Spirit Lake are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Rebecca Ann Luchtel to Nicholas James Boddicker, son of Kim and Darrin Weiland and Douglas Boddicker of Newhall.
Rebecca graduated from Spirit Lake Community High School in 2004. She attended Iowa State University where she earned a degree in Human Nutrition in 2008. Rebecca is currently pursuing her PhD from Iowa State in Molecular Nutrition.

Orville and Mary Kay Nagel of Spirit Lake celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 30 and they are having a family celebration later this summer on July 4. Their family would like to honor them with a card shower. Best wishes may be sent to: 102 21st Street, Apt 5, Spirit Lake, IA, 51360.

**Spirit Lake arrests:
- Theodore Timothy Twigg, 54, of Estherville was arrested for possession of a controlled substance - marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct at 2:18 p.m. March 9.
- Dan Scott Nelson, 27, of Jackson, Minn. was arrested for driving while suspended, no insurance and unlawful us of drivers license at 3:01 p.m. March 13.
- Joshua David Carlson, 30, of Spirit Lake was arrested for domestic abuse at 11:08 p.m. March 13.

April 30, 1931 - March 19, 2009
Funeral services were held March 25 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux Valley, Minn. for Earl F. Von Holdt, 77, who passed away Thursday, March 19, 2009 at a Minneapolis, Minn. care facility.
Rev. Gerald Gauthier II officiated. Interment was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park.

Sixteen area wrestlers made the trip to the 2009 Iowa Kids State Folkstyle Wrestling Tournament this past weekend at Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines.
The Iowa Great Lakes area ended up being well represented on the medal stand with seven total place winners and two state champions.

The dream of homeownership is on its way to realty for one Milford family. On Sunday afternoon in Milford, about 100 people gathered at the site of the next Habitat for Humanity build for the groundbreaking ceremony.
Sunday's event included several prayers and a scripture reading before the Habitat family and Habitat board members broke ground.

Economist Dr. Ernie Goss was both insightful and entertaining for a crowd of approximately 100 last Wednesday evening.
Goss was the featured speaker at the Pearson Lakes Art Center's Growing Iowa's Economy Speaker Series. He spoke about the economy and his predictions for 2009.

Goss' predictions:
- higher inflation (but not prolonged)
- higher taxes (to pay for expanded healthcare)
- rising interest rates
- a weaker dollar by the end of the year
Economic risk factors:
- international uncertainty and anti-trade language
- housing prices
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Economist Dr. Ernie Goss was both insightful and entertaining for a crowd of approximately 100 last Wednesday evening.

July 28, 1943 - March 19, 2009
Funeral services were held March 24 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake for Jerry G. Heetland, 65, who passed away March 19.
Rev. Phill Andreason officiated.
Gerald (Jerry) Glade Heetland, the son of Raymond and Florence (Glade) Heetland, was born on July 28, 1943. He was Baptized and Confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in May City.

Nov. 21, 1920 - March 19, 2009
Mass of Christian Burial was held March 23 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for James L. Jaycox, 88, who passed away March 19 at Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility in Bolivar, Mo.
Father Pat Wissman officiated. Interment was at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery.

July 9, 1941 - March 20, 2009
Funeral services were held March 24 at the Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake for Jennifer Alina Markley, 67, of Spencer, formerly of Spirit Lake, who passed away Friday, March 20, at the Spencer Hospital.
Interment was at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake.
She was born on July 9, 1941, in Wadena, Minn., to Wayne and Katy (Jussola) Blum.

Aug. 7, 1931 - March 23, 2009
Funeral services were held March 28 at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hunter Township for Elmer W. Schafer, 77, of Lakefield passed away on Monday, March 23, 2009 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lakefield.
Pastor Bart Mueller officiated. Interment was at Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Minnesota Township, Jackson County.

July 25, 1909 - March 21, 2009
Funeral services were held March 24 at the Andringa Funeral Home in Sheldon for Carol Paul Woods, 99, who passed away March 21, 2009 at the Country View Manor in Sibley.
Rev. Marvin Lindley officiated. Interment was at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.