A Spencer man has been charged for allegedly bringing a controlled substance into the Clay county jail.

Area utility companies are reminding everyone this week is Locator Safety Awareness Week.

The Iowa State Patrol has released statistics from its 420 enforcement campaign held this past Friday and Saturday.

Low Interest Loans Being Made Available To Producers In A Number Of Counties Impacted By Adverse Winter Weather

The city of Spencer has a new Planning Director, pending formal approval of the city council.

The nine counties served by Compass Pointe up until the agency abruptly closed its doors earlier this month are now dealing with some of the after-affects.

The 3rd annual Cares Carnival will be held this Saturday, April 27th.

An investigation this past Friday into a domestic dispute in Gruver resulted in the arrests of two people on multiple charges.

A search warrant executed earlier this month in Emmet county as part of a drug investigation resulted in the arrest of a Ringsted man.

The Milford City Council Monday evening held public hearings and awarded bids on a couple of projects.

Firefighters from Milford and Lake Park were called late Monday morning to a fire at a hog confinement about three miles west of Milford. 

Arraignment for a Spencer man accused of stealing merchandise from a Wal-Mart store in Carroll is set for later this month. 

A vehicle fire Saturday in Emmet county sent two people to the hospital.

A single vehicle crash early Friday near Graettinger injured a Graettinger man. 

An investigation Saturday into a report of a missing vehicle in Osceola county resulted in the arrest of a Sibley man.

The Arnolds Park Amusement Park is looking for donations of memorabilia for the new Roof Garden, currently under construction.

A project to extend a trail through the Jones Pasture area on the northeast side of Big Spirit Lake is getting a financial boost.

An eastern Iowa man accused of locking his son in a basement has waived his right to a jury trial.

Registration is underway for the annual Team Amy Run, which will be held May 11^th in Estherville.

An Estherville man sustained minor injuries following a car-semi accident Saturday in Martin County.

An investigation Sunday into an incident in George resulted in the arrest of a man on drug charges.

Authorities say a sprinkler system likely prevented a building on the Clay County Fairgrounds from going up in flames Sunday evening.

A physician's assistant in northwest Iowa has agreed to give up his license for a year after admitting to having sex with a patient and other ethical violations.

A rural Jackson man was arrested Wednesday night following a report of add behavior.

The Jackson City Council this week voted to start Phase 1 of the Memorial Park project

Dickinson county officials are reminding residents of the county's weed control policy. 

Spirit Lake author Tom Tourville is out with a new book that focuses on the history of some former ballrooms in the Fairmont and Sherburn areas.

An area of Spirit Lake that has gone dark since some faulty street light poles were taken down will likely stay that way for awhile.

Iowans are being asked to use last month's catastrophic flooding as leverage to renew conversations about prevention and state water quality, since climate-change experts warn such incidents will become more frequent.

Another agency has announced it plans to begin substance abuse treatment services in the area.

Two northwest Iowa funeral homes have changed hands.

Census estimates show more than two-thirds of Iowa's counties have lost population since 2010. 

(Okoboji)-Concert coincides with Spring Open House at PLAC.

(Spirit Lake)-Event includes Easter Egg Hunt on 10 acres and Scavenger Hunt for Golden Egg.

Congressman Steve King will hold a town hall meeting Tuesday, April 23rd in Cherokee.

The Spencer Jaycees hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday from 9:00 am at the Goal Kick indoor soccer arena in Spencer. 

The Jackson County Central School Board has announced six finalists for the Superintendent position.

Another reminder of a special law enforcement campaign aimed at curbing drug-impaired driving.

Some high-flying entertainment is coming to this year's Clay County Fair.

The full music lineup has been announced for this year's Worthington Windsurfing Regatta and Music Festival June 6th-9^th at Lake Okabena in Worthington.

The Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire Department was called to the scene of a very minor fire this (Wed.) afternoon at McDonalds in Okoboji.

(Milford)-Riders in Northwest Iowa to ride in Lake Park, then from Spirit Lake to Milford.

Sioux county authorities are seeking more information from the public as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a body that was found last month near the Floyd River west of Sheldon.

Two major suppliers of pizza to convenience stores nationwide are combining forces. Milford-based Land Mark Products and Orion Food Systems have merged.

No injuries were reported in a hog barn fire this morning west of Milford.

A new type of excursion boat is coming to the Iowa Great Lakes this summer. 

A South Dakota man faces multiple charges after leading authorities on a pursuit Tuesday through Rock Rapids.

A legal dispute could be brewing between the city of Okoboji and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources over which entity owns some land, including a failing seawall, in the Dixon Beach area of West Lake Okoboji.

Emmetsburg police are asking for the public's assistance as they investigate several fires they say were intentionally set in some public restrooms in several city parks.

A Spirit Lake woman was seriously injured and an infant child was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Buena Vista county shortly before 3:30 pm Monday. 

(Okoboji)-Elli Sparks, National Director of Field Development to facilitate conversation.

Those traveling on Highway 60 in southwest Minnesota will encounter some road work starting later this month.

Traveling through the lakes corridor on Highway 71 will become more of a challenge starting this coming Monday, April 22^nd.

The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce has its first annual “Sip and Stroll” event coming up.

An expert in the field says the decline in the number of agencies providing mental health services in the region should serve as a wake-up call.

Dickinson County Treasurer Kris Rowley says the Motor Vehicle and Tax Department at her office at the courthouse will be closed Tuesay, April 23^rd to allow staff to attend a regional training session.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say they've been investigating reports of manure run-off from four different sites in northwest Iowa.

Another agency has stepped forward announcing it will provide substance abuse treatment for those impacted by the closure of Compass Pointe.

Multiple injuries were reported Monday in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 9 near Harris.

A number of street light poles in Spirit Lake are being taken down out of concern they could collapse due to corrosion. City officials say two of them collapsed in strong wind last week. 

(Okoboji)-Contest to be held at West O Brewery this year.

Tech giant Google today (Monday) launched a statewide campaign aimed at helping nonprofits across Iowa boost economic opportunities in their local communities. The program has been dubbed “Grow With Google”.

Officials are urging anyone planning to do any burning of road ditches or grasslands today (Mon.) to use extra caution or maybe even delay it. 

Construction has started on the final phase of the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association's new museum in Arnolds Park.

Traffic is being detoured around a large sink hole that has opened up on Highway 15 north of Armstrong.

The execution of a search warrant late Sunday afternoon on a rural Clay county residence resulted in the arrests of two people on drug charges.

The state FFA convention is getting underway today (Mon.) in Ames and will run through the week. It marks a very special time for Cole Reiman of the Graettinger-Terril Ruthven-Ayrshire FFA chapter.

We may be headed into the spring and summer months, but one entity is already looking ahead to next winter.

An inmate at the Clay county jail who tried to make a run for it in February has been sentenced.

Jackson-based Federated Rural Electric Association says power was restored to the rest of its members Sunday who had been without it since last week's ice storm.

Multiple charges have been filed against a man as the result of an incident Saturday evening in Spirit Lake.

Officials with Federated Rural Electric Association of Jackson say the number of its members still without power dropped significantly today (Saturday) as crews made tremendous progress in restoration efforts. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced additional assistance is being made available to public entities and nonprofits in Iowa that were affected by last month's flooding.

Officials with Jackson-based Federated Rural Electric Association says crews made good progress Friday in restoring power. 

The Governor's Office announced Friday the deadline to apply for federal flood disaster assistance through the Individual Assistance Grant Program has been extended to May 12^th.

School officials say there will be additional security on hand at Saturday's (4/13) Estherville-Lincoln Central prom after receiving and investigating a safety concern related to the event.

Some projects to rehabilitate some buildings in two northwest Iowa communities have been awarded funding through the 2019 Community Catalyst Grant program. 

(Estherville)-Bands are comprised of musicians from across the region.  

A Sibley man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly passing some counterfeit money.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says several major highways in southwest Minnesota are still being impacted by downed power lines and poles.

No injuries were reported Thursday in a kitchen fire near Wallingford.

Federated Rural Electric Association of Jackson says it's efforts to restore power are getting a boost today (Fri.) as 20 additional linemen have arrived from four Iowa electric cooperatives and a contracting firm. The utility says it now has 46 crew members working on restoration efforts.

Those purchasing tickets for grandstand shows at this year's Clay County Fair are being told to use some diligence. 

The Iowa Utilities Board will hold procedural hearings this fall into Alliant Energy-Interstate Power and Light Company's proposed increases for electric and natural gas rates. 

The Millstone Park project in Milford has been awarded a grant through the Iowa Economic Development's Community Attraction and Tourism, or CAT Grant program. 

Officials with Spencer-based Seasons Center for Behavioral Health have announced plans to take on many clients that will be displaced by the April 15^th closing of Compass Pointe.

Officials with atleast one local power utility say it could be days before some get their power restored, due to the magnitude of the damage. 

An annual rite of spring in the Iowa Great Lakes has gotten started, but the inclement weather has temporarily halted it.

Minor injuries were reported Wednesday in a two-vehicle collision at the North Y in Spencer.

The Clay Central-Everly School Board earlier this week voted to close the building in Everly.

Trustees of the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District voted Tuesday to increase penalties for ordinance violations, making them subject to municipal infractions or misdemeanors. 

Three nurses from Spencer Hospital are among Iowa's 100 Great Nurses for 2019 and will be honored May 5^th in Des Moines.

There are reports of scattered power outages in parts of the area this (Thurs.) morning as 50 mph wind is causing problems with tree limbs coming into contact with power lines in some cases, and in other cases lines and poles being brought down.

Slick roads were a factor in a car – semi accident yesterday in Worthington that injured a Round Lake woman.

(Okoboji)-Biederman to discuss her recent work with Historic Collections at Lakeside Lab.

A fire this morning resulted in the evacuation of Polaris Industries in Spirit Lake.

Single Vehicle Crash In Palo Alto Co. Sends One Person To The Hospital

Possible minor injuries were reported Tuesday when a vehicle collided with a deer in the 1000 block of Highway 18 in Clay county.

Impaired driving will be the focus of a special enforcement effort the Iowa State Patrol will be conducting the weekend of April 19^th and 20^th.

An agency that provides treatment services in northwest Iowa for those affected by various addictions is closing its doors. The board of directors of Compass Point voted in a teleconference meeting Tuesday afternoon to cease operations and disband.

(Spirit Lake)-Proceeds will help to support music trips for students.

A fundraiser for Storm Lake native Jaci Hermstad will be held in Spencer on Saturday (April 13th). 

Much of the region remains on course for what could be a major spring storm that could last upwards of a couple of days.

The Spencer ADA Council, an advisory board of the Spencer City Council, has put together a website and video for area business owners and community leaders in an effort to encourage making public spaces more accessible for persons with disabilities.

Some music students from Iowa Lakes Community College will make the trip to Fort Dodge next month to participate in a concert honor veterans returning from a trip to Washington, D.C.

The next phase of a major street project in Milford has the green light to proceed.

Authorities in O'Brien county say the cause of a fire Sunday that destroyed a vacant farm house east of Paullina is suspicious in nature and they're investigating.

(Okoboji)-Mary Swander's Map of My Kingdom: Who is Going to Get the Farm? to show at PLAC Thursday, Workshop at Lakeside Lab on Friday.

It's official: the ice has gone out of the Iowa Great Lakes.

Several attractions around the region will be getting spruced up thanks to awards made through the 2019 Paint Iowa Beautiful program.

Construction season is about to get into full swing and that has area utilities reminding everyone about the importance of safe digging.

Hopefully you haven't put away the snow shovels and blowers just yet. Chances are we'll be needing them later this week.

Healthcare providers in the region say they're getting bombarded with questions and concerns following recent news that United Healthcare will no longer be providing Medicaid coverage in Iowa.

Minor injuries were reported Saturday in a motorcycle accident on the north side of Milford.

A Spencer woman... arrested last September after a vehicle collided with a bicyclist near Wal-Mart in Spencer... has been sentenced to prison.

Special recognition for the Okoboji High School Mock Trial Team.

A body found in Sheldon last month has been identified.

(Arnolds Park)-Tommy James & The Shondells, Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Romantics and Head East to headline August series. 

A Ruthven man wanted on 13 warrants for violation of a no contact/protective order has been taken into custody.

Several major road projects are on the docket for this summer in portions of southern Minnesota. 

The deadline to apply for Clay County Fair Queen is coming up this Monday, April 8th. 

Iowa Lakes Community College has announced a former U.S. Olympic medalist and cancer survivor will be among those speaking at their 15^th Annual Health Conference in June.

A man accused of being in violation of sex offender registry requirements was arrested this (Thurs.) morning at a residence in Spencer. 

A former Milford police officer has pleaded not guilty to a charge of providing alcohol to a minor. 

Officials with the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary Club this (Thurs.) morning announced the winner of their car drop contest.

Officials in Spencer are launching an incentive program they hope will bring additional retail offerings to the city. 

The Dickinson County Attorney's Office says it will be cracking down on the illegal sale of cannabidal oil.

Some students at Iowa Lakes Community College recently spent their spring break on a humanitarian mission.

It was announced this (Thurs.) morning Jon Pardi with special guest Jake Rose will be performing in front of the grandstand Friday, September 13^th at this year's Clay County Fair.

Organizers of this year's Windsurfing Regatta and Music Festival in Worthington have announced the country band “Parmalee” will be the headliner at this year's event.

(Estherville)-Induction Celebration slated for April 12, reservations required by April 9.

The public will have an opportunity to review and ask questions about the planned reconstruction of Highway 60 through Windom at an event scheduled for later this month.

A senior housing project in Spencer will be getting some assistance through the Iowa Finance Authority.

No injuries were reported but there was considerable amount of property damage reported in a crash Tuesday involving a semi in Palo Alto county.

The Spirit Lake Fire Department will be holding one of its major fundraising events of the year this weekend.

The Okoboji High School Jazz Band placed 1st in class 2A competition Tuesday at the Iowa High School Jazz Championships.

(Okoboji)-Official time of the drop will be determined once car is retrieved from the icy waters.

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors today (Tues.) gave formal approval to the purchase of the former Paul's Body Shop property, just to the south of the courthouse, for a little more than $162,000.

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors this (Tues.) morning approved a management agreement for the Brooks Golf Course property for the upcoming season, now that ownership of the property has transitioned to the county's Conservation Board.

One person was taken to the hospital Monday when a semi collided with the rear of the car he was driving.

The Iowa Utility Board has issued an emergency order extending the end of the winter utility shut-off moratorium from April 1^st to May 13^th.

City officials in Spencer say a spec building in the city's Green Industrial Park has been sold to MWI Components of Spencer, which plans to expand.

(Spirit Lake)-Free program aimed at caregivers to be presented by Heather Huff, R.N.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office says a suspect has been arrested in connection with an incident March 8th at a bar in Ayrshire. 

There was a call at a legislative forum Saturday for the state to intervene in the issue with high water levels on the Iowa Great Lakes.

A traffic stop Friday in Clay county resulted in the arrest of a Sioux Rapids woman on drug charges.

A Sioux Falls man already incarcerated in South Dakota was served with four Clay county warrants Friday.

An investigation Friday by Clay county authorities into a report of a disturbance resulted in the arrest of a Milford man.

Jackson-based Federated Rural Electric Association has announced the winners of two $1,000 scholarships. 

A bill that would curtail state funding for the acquisition of public land was a topic of discussion at Saturday's legislative forum at the Pearson Lakes Art Center.

A fire has temporarily left some residents of an Okoboji apartment complex without a place to live.