The U-S-D-A's weekly crop report says most of last week was favorable for fieldwork and once soil temperatures warmed up enough that work turned from the preparation of the soil to planting in some areas. 

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors today (Tues.) approved a request from John M. Sandy to hold an investiture ceremony in front of the courthouse on June 18^th. Sandy was appointed last month by Governor Kim Reynolds to fill a judgeship in Judicial Election District 3A.

Supervisor Tim Fairchild said based on what he's heard from Public Health, it's too early to do that yet.

Governor Kim Reynolds recently signed a bill that among other things reduces the early voting period from 29 days to 20 days. It also shortens the window for requesting absentee ballots.

The city council Monday evening approved a bid of a little more than $3.9 million for the project from Christianson Construction of Pender, Nebraska.

(Estherville)-Orientation Days scheduled at Emmetsburg and Estherville Campuses in the next week.

Committee member Hanna Rossow says there will be changes this year, however.

The University of Okoboji Marathon, Triathlon, Half Marathon and 10K won't be held this year due to COVID-19 concerns for participants, volunteers and spectators.

Gary Lambert of Route 86 Records says it's intended to put more of a spotlight on musical talent in the state

The Clay County Sheriff's Office says deputies were called a little after 5:30 am Saturday to the intersection of 350^th Street and 320^th Avenue near Ruthven

A Sheldon man has been charged in connection with a single vehicle crash Saturday on Highway 60 about a half mile south of Hospers.

The Cherish Center, based out of Milford, is making the change, along with it's major fundraising arm, Thee Garage Sale

Governor Kim Reynolds has announced the appointments of several northwest Iowans to various state boards and commissions.

A collision Sunday in Sioux county involving a car and a motorcycle claimed the life of a Sioux Center woman.

Fire Chief Pat Daly says there was a considerable amount of damage

The Minnesota State Patrol says 33-year-old Fred Youboty of Sioux Falls was driving a 2010 Chevrolet and 53-year-old Lewellyn Gerard Shutz of Windom was driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota.

Officials With the Jackson County Central School District today (Friday) broke ground for the new 84,000 square foot Pleasantview Middle School.

(Okoboji)-Program is free, but registration is required

The organization's Director of Development and Engagement, Cindy Rosa, says they're hoping to raise $160,000 this year

A three-vehicle collision earlier this week northwest of Sanborn sent one person to the hospital.

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley says it is unlikely the 2021 legislature will vote to make it illegal to drive while handling a smartphone. 

City Attorney/Administrator Gregg Owens says it reflects some new materials that are now on the market and have a proven quality of standards

It shows the county's revenues totaled slightly more than $20.6 million for the year ended June 30^th, 2020, an increase of 34.4 percent over the prior year. Expenses totaled a little more than $16.9 million, up 3.5 percent from the prior year.

(Spirit Lake)-Extension partnering with Hunger Coalition to distribute hundreds of boxes of food

The Jackson Economic Development Corporation today (Thurs.) unveiled the rendering for the plans for a new strip mall in the Jackson industrial park.

Office Assistant Amy Benge says they're accepting registrations until July 15^th for the program that will be starting August 1^st

Scammers are now using stolen identity information, which they can obtain when bigger stores have a data breach that involve millions of people, to try to cash in on the extra unemployment benefits that are part of the COVD-19 crisis.

The Tangney Hotel was constructed in 1920 and opened its doors in April, 1921.

4^th through 8^th grade students from throughout the area are being urged to participate in a special event dedicated to those interested in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The agency says the first was northwest of Rock Rapids. The DNR says a dairy reported spilling several hundred thousand gallons of manure after an irrigation unit got stuck.

(Spirit Lake)-Facebook auction is underway and runs through April 18

According to Lakefield Fire Chief Todd Baumann the fire started back by the laundry room

The come and go event will be held this (Wed.) afternoon from 5:00 until 6:00 pm.

Brad Henningsen, Damage Prevention Coordinator with Black Hills Energy, says there are several things they want people to be aware of

While the recent rain was welcome by farmers, the cold weather that came in its wake was not.

Citywide Clean Up Days in Spirit Lake will be permanently moving to the fall as the result of action taken at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

On a vote of three-to-two, the Okoboji City Council Tuesday evening approved the second reading of a proposal that would a “conservation district” to the city's zoning classifications.

(Spencer)-Nominations must be received by May 3 

Madeleine Brete-Smith is the County Youth and Ag Coordinator for ISU Extension and Outreach, Dickinson County. She says they're using the opportunity in part to say thank you to their volunteers who play a vital role in making various youth programs, including the fair, possible

Diane Young of Cherokee was appointed by the Governor to succeed Accumold President and CEO Roger Hargens, who served as STEM Council co-chair for three years.

The move by state health officials comes after the C-D-C and F-D-A called for a pause in the use of the single-dose vaccine.

Josh Carr of Camp Foster YMCA says in lieu of flowers or gifts to the family, John's request was that people give to Camp Foster to help support scholarships for campers.

Superintendent Todd Abrahamson says the district's tax rate will be reduced to $9.24 per one thousand dollars of valuation

Police in Estherville are mourning the loss of the department's K-9, Max, who suddenly passed away of a medical condition Friday.

Superintendent Dr. David Smith tells KUOO news the School Board has awarded a bid on the construction of a facility that will house the district's buses

Sue Boettcher, Human Sciences Program Coordinator for ISU Extension Dickinson County, says food trucks will be parked each day through Friday from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm at the fairgrounds. A different truck will be featured each day. Boettcher says they'll also have a number of informational displays

MnDOT officials say the improvements will better accommodate large trucks, minimizing load shift as they travel through the roundabouts.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office says deputies were called Sunday to the 3600 mile of 330^th Avenue where they met with the driver of the vehicle, identified as 31-year-old Justin Diggs of Fort Dodge

A first reading of the proposed change was made at the council's meeting back in February.

CEO Jeremy Parsons says they are extremely optimistic about the prospects of holding a fair this year.

A Spencer man escaped serious injury this past Thursday when a semi he was driving overturned in Sioux county.

(Algona)-Casey Tobin was found on a road Saturday night 

(Spirit Lake)-New cases in 18 to 29 year old population making up a third of all of the cases in Dickinson County

(Milford)-Senator made comments during stop at Okoboji High School on Thursday

(Spirit Lake)-Clinic was set to close April 16

(Lakefield, MN)-Soil temperatures warming into the 50s this week

(Estherville)-Reyes faces multiple charges following incident at residence on Wednesday

(Orange City)-Spirit Lake man originally charged with First-Degree Murder in connection with May 2020 shooting

(Estherville)-Collision with Pick-up Truck occurred at South 8^th Street and 2^nd Avenue South in Estherville

(Sioux Center)-Incident allegedly occurred Wednesday morning on Highway 75

(Sioux City)-Shortenhaus was apprehended after leading police on a high-speed chase in a vehicle stolen from one of his victims

(Spirit Lake)-Cases spiking in 18-29 year old age group

(Spirit Lake)-Tickets available Thursday evening or at the door prior to performances at the Sami Center

(Johnston)-Reynolds says she will take action either thru Legislation or Executive Action

(Spirit Lake)-Dickinson County Extension plans to have Food Trucks set up at Fairgrounds next week

(Ankeny)-Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance Coordinator honored for 2nd year in a row

Checks made possible through proceeds from two of the 41^st annual University of Okoboji Winter Games events were recently presented to two non-profit groups.

County Attorney Amy Zenor recommended eliminating an investigator's position in the office that was created back in 2018 and reallocating that funding for an additional attorney who would work part-time in the office.

48-year-old Christopher Bosma was charged in the death of 34-year-old Kelsie Sturm in the incident that took place near Harris in July of 2020.

Brian Downing, Principal at Okoboji High School, says they'll be putting on a “summer job fair” Friday from 8:30 am to 11:30 am at both the Pavilion and the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park.

Police Chief Mark Warburton told the council they'll be keeping a close eye out for those violating park rules and will penalize violators.

(Okoboji)-Auditions to be held in mid-May for new ensemble

The Sheldon Fire Department was called to 3071 Marsh Avenue. Upon arriving they found smoke coming from the building along with some nearby grass and a wood pile also on fire.

City officials say site preparations are currently underway.

This one is scheduled for this Saturday, April 10^th at the Spencer Field House at Spencer High School.

Firefighters were called around 12:01 am to 4250 230^th Street in Emmet county and found the building completely engulfed along with some trees that were on fire.

Chief Pat Daly says COVID-19 precautions will be in place

Jennifer Gustafson, LRH Vice President of Marketing and Retail Services, says they are now taking applications for this summer's program, which will run from June 7^th through July 30^th

Restoration efforts are getting underway this spring on Pickerel Lake near Laurens, on the Clay and Buena Vista county line.

Twenty-one-year-old Hunter Gentry of Estherville pleaded not guilty to charges including kidnapping, enticing a minor, third-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts with a child and indecent contact. 

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office says 31-year-old Robert Camack was arrested Thursday on an outstanding warrant charging him with two counts of sexual abuse in the 3^rd degree...both class “C” felonies, and two counts of indecent contact with a child...aggravated misdemeanors.

(Okoboji)-Deadline for entry is May 1

Officials say 220^th Avenue from 165^th Street to Lake Shore Drive, and Lakeshore Drive to Alexander Street will be closed to traffic beginning Monday, April 19^th.

The Iowa Department of Transportation says the road will be closed in that area with traffic being detoured onto O'Brien county Roads B-40 and L-54.

The funding is included in a $627 million infrastructure and safety projects made possible by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Forecasters say very low humidity, sunshine, wind and warm temperatures will combine to create an elevated fire danger across the region.

(Spencer)-Spencer Hospital is the only mid-size hospital in Iowa that has earned that designation in each of the six years it has been awarded 

(Spirit Lake)-Volunteers found creative ways to be of help during pandemic

Locally, the report shows Lakes Regional Healthcare generates 941 jobs that add $21.3 million to the local economy. In turn, it shows LRH employees spend $7.1 million on retail sales and contribute $429,000 in state sales tax revenue

The Emmet County Auditor's Office has announced May 11^th has been set as the date for a special election to decide who will be the next mayor of Armstrong.

A deputy sheriff for the Sioux County Sheriff's Office has been fired after an incident that occurred on March 20 in Boyden, Iowa.

The event is being put on by Clay County Public Health, Avera Medical Group Spencer, Spencer Hospital and Estherville Pharmacy, which acquired 1,170 doses of Pfizer vaccine for the clinic.