Dickinson County Public Health announced today (Fri.) it will follow in step with the state's plan to move to the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Dickinson County Conservation Board will begin accepting online reservations for the new Maser Monarch Lodge beginning February 1^st, with the facility opening for events April 1^st.

Engineers say a new bridge will be built over Mud Creek, 1.9 miles west of O'Brien County Road L-48

Organizers say Family Fest will return in 2022.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 27-year-old Jacob Hernandez was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty in September of last year to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 34-year-old Marissa Weisbly of Los Osos, California pled guilty in August of last year to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

(Arnolds Park)-Masks and social distancing encouraged at outdoor events, capacity limited for indoor venues

A boil advisory that had been in effect previously for some customers of Osceola Regional Water System on the north side of West Lake Okoboji has been lifted. 

Reynolds says they're wrapping up with group 1A, which largely consists of healthcare workers, and will be moving to the next tier

A mishap around 5:30 pm Wednesday near Ruthven sent one person to the hospital.

55-year-old Dennis Chinn of Le Mars was sentenced Tuesday to three months in federal prison.

Camp Foster YMCA has been awarded a grant through the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund

The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce has announced in a post on their Facebook page that the Snowball Drop scheduled in conjunction with this year's U Of O Winter Games, won't be held and has been postponed to 2022.

(Spencer)-- Kylie Miller, CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, says it will come in the form of some micro-grants

An Iowan who served nearly three years in the Trump Administration is heading home. 

A Spencer man, Mitch Sebastian, and his father played a significant role in making the Cor Power Sports Okoboji 100 possible

Three suspects have now been charged in the death of a Spencer native who's body was found December 30^th on a Sioux Falls street.

Under the bill, a driver could be sentenced to a decade in prison if their vehicle was going 25 miles-an-hour or more above the speed limit and it directly or indirectly caused the death of someone else. 

They have been changed to April 1^st, 2021 and October 1^st, 2021. Applications in previous years were due February 1^st and August 1^st.

The city has been involved in a contractual agreement with the county for nearly a year now under which it receives a financial subsidy from the county in exchange for allowing residents in the unincorporated areas to use the drop off site.

The Spirit Lake Police Department once again will be participating in an initiative to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of those who are underage.

The Minnesota State Patrol says 51-year-old Matthew Parkhurst of Greenwood, Missouri lost control of a 2007 Ford F150 while traveling eastbound.

A Spencer man is facing multiple charges following a Monday pursuit that spanned two states.

(Arnolds Park)-Safety protocols to be in place with limited seating at indoor events

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors are considering a proposal pertaining to additional revenue coming into the county's Hotel-Motel Tax from property rentals such as VRBO's.

Officials with Osceola Rural Water System say repair of a broken water main on the north side of West Lake Okoboji Wednesday will result in a boil order going into effect for that area.

The Spencer Chamber of Commerce and the Flagfest Committee have unveiled a new Flagfest Logo for the 37th annual event to be held in 2021. 

City Manager Amanda Mack says it implements the universal building code and takes into consideration two concerns the city's Planning and Zoning Commission had

Multiple charges have been filed against a Primghar man in connection with a single vehicle crash Sunday in O'Brien county.

City Administrator Penny Clayton told the council it would allow Farmer's Union Industries LLC, doing business as Redwood Farms, to add a cold storage facility to its operations in Estherville.

(Estherville)-Hundreds of students from area schools to participate with safety protocols in place

Authorities say 75-year-old Edwin Bouska was driving a 2001 Dodge Ram eastbound in the 3100 mile of Clay County Road B63 when he lost control of the vehicle on the snow covered road.

Members of the region's law enforcement community and others paid their final respects today (Mon.) to DNR Conservation Officer Steve Reighard, who passed away January 8^th due to COVID-19.

The Sioux County Sheriff's Office says 33-year-old Brenton Delaney of Sheldon was driving a 2000 Ford Ranger southbound on Highway 60 about a half mile south of Alton when he lost control of the pickup.

Shane Aiken, a local outdoors expert, says it is very likely the lakes will not have nearly the thickness of ice on them this season when compared to past years.

Northwest Bank has announced it will be moving to a new web address and domain later this month.

The Minnesota State Patrol says 58-year-old Byron Reever of Sentinnel Butte, North Dakota was driving a 2000 Ford Ranger eastbound when he lost control of the vehicle on the snow and ice covered road.

The city council last week voted to increase the minimum usage rate from $72 per quarter currently to $85 per quarter.

One person was sent to the hospital Saturday in a two vehicle collision on Highway 60 east of Wilder.

One person was injured Saturday when a semi jackknifed on Interstate 90 just west of Highway 86 in Jackson county.

The Arnolds Park Amusement Park has announced its list of activities for this year's University of Okoboji Games. 

Authorities say 50-year-old Roy Sutherland of Jackson was arrested and charged with 3rd degree assault.

The Sioux County Sheriff's Office says 18-year-old Josiah Gonzalez of Granville was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu westbound on Highway 10 about three miles east of Alton.

The Sheriff's Office says eight dogs and 10 chickens were removed earlier this month from 407 Clay Street after getting a complaint of possible animal abuse.

Allan Schwidder was charged with 1^st degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Rollin Bontrager of Washington, Iowa. His body was found July 22^nd of last year in Virgin Lake near Ruthven.

Law enforcement and rescue crews were kept extremely busy in the December 23rd storm rescuing stranded motorists. They say things have been very quiet so far, atleast, in that regard when it comes to this blizzard. 

Local authorities say they want everyone to STAY OFF THE ROADS due to whiteout conditions which will continue through the day today (Friday). 

Hy-Vee has announced it will be offering COVID-19 rapid antibody testing at more than 250 of its pharmacy locations beginning Monday, January 18th.

The Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp and the Lakes Area Dog Park have renewed their partnership for another 10 years. 

The Spencer Chamber of Commerce and the Ag Outlook Committee have announced the cancellation of this year's Ag Outlook due to COVID-19 concerns.

Martin County Sheriff Jeffrey Markquart says if you're caught out in that county after roads are closed, you better have your wallet handy

Dalziel tells KUOO news he's honored by the appointment.

With a possible blizzard in the forecast, one area Sheriff's Office is urging those with travel plans, especially tonight (Thurs.) and tomorrow (Fri.) to reconsider them.

A new full time physician as joined the Emergency Room staff at Lakes Regional Healthcare.

Rebecca Peters of Okoboji Tourism told the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors earlier this week that the lakes area actually fared better than the state as a whole.

Spencer Municipal Utilities cable television subscribers are noticing some changes in their lineups.

A man was injured after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday in Jackson.

The Iowa Transportation Commission today (Wed.) approved $285,690 in funding through that program for the first phase of a project connecting the Clay county trail system with Dickinson county's.

(Arnolds Park)-Registrations starting to fill up for various events

The Jackson Fire Department responded around 7:45 pm Monday to 113 5^th Street.

Some Dixon Beach property owners on West Lake Okoboji and the city of Okoboji are at odds with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources over the spacing of some docks in that area.

Vance Jorgensen was elected to an at-large seat on the board.

The agency says Blake Mills has been assigned to Dickinson county.

Lakeshore Drive was once again a major topic of discussion at last (Tues.) evening's Okoboji City Council meeting.

The Spirit Lake City Council Tuesday evening gave final adoption to a couple of ordinance revisions pertaining to fireworks. One bans the use of fireworks altogether in the city while another pertains to who can be held responsible for violating that ordinance.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa says 31-year-old Christian Javier Ramirez entered the plea today (Tues.) to a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

(Arnolds Park)-Eight Cheerleaders selected via online voting this year

Area law enforcement agencies say a funeral procession this Friday (Jan. 15^th) for DNR Officer Steve Reighard will likely result in some lengthy traffic delays on Highways 9 and 71.

The city of Orleans is re-visiting an agreement it has with Dickinson county regarding a recycling drop-off site the city operates.

County Engineer Dan Eckert says the savings on wear and tear with equipment, fuel and materials has been very significant

It was announced Monday Greg Post will serve in that capacity.

In a press release this (Monday) evening, Estherville police say the victim of the January 2nd fire has been identified as 69-year-old Paul Ostendorf, who was in the house at the time.

The Milford City Council Monday evening decided to go along with a recommendation from City Attorney David Stein, Jr. when it comes to the city making contributions to non profit entities.

A new program is joining the offerings of extra curricular activities at Okoboji High School.

(Spirit Lake)-Volunteers opportunities offered for those who wish to work from home

Two people were injured in a one vehicle accident this morning on Interstate 90 in Fairmont.

The Healthiest State Initiative has announced Dickinson county is among seven finalists for its 2021 Community Award.

As the new Iowa legislative session kicks off today (Monday), advocates for seniors hope lawmakers will take another look at elder abuse and do more to prevent it. 

If you're driving with an expired driver's license, you should know of some important changes that went into affect with Governor Reynolds' latest update of proclamation of Disaster Emergency related to COVID-19.

Officials with Black Hills Energy say it's important to keep an eye on natural gas meters this time of year.

Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff through sunset this Wednesday, January 13^th, in honor and remembrance of U.S. Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood who died in this past Wednesday's uprising in Washington, D.C.

Haley Harms and Lexi Duffy entered Saturday's elimination rounds as a number two seed after going 5-0 in the preliminary rounds. They finished the tournament 8-0.

An enforcement officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources who served the Iowa Great Lakes Area has died of complications from COVID-19. 

(Spirit Lake)-Hundreds of prizes awarded during annual event during U of O Winter Games

Chris Hoerichs of the Spirit Lake Fire Department says no injuries were reported

Jantina Carney of the Dickinson County Snowhawks says the Okoboji 100 will be held January 23^rd and 24^th on East Lake Okoboji.

A traffic stop Thursday in George resulted in charges being filed against several people.

Reba Jayne Schulz was born Wednesday, January 6^th to Patty and Dave Schulz.

A single vehicle crash around 9:00 am Wednesday in Palo Alto county resulted in minor injuries to a Fenton man.

An investigation into a report of a porch pirate in Ruthven resulted in the arrests of multiple people on drug and other charges.

COVID-19 is going to result in some big changes for this year's University of Okoboji Winter Games.

Mike Hawkins, a fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources tells KUOO news the systems have recently gone into service for the winter on Center Lake and Silver Lake in Dickinson county and Ingham Lake in Emmet county.

The Sioux County Sheriff's Office says 28-year-old Trevor Engeltjes of Everly was driving a 2006 Ford pickup pulling a livestock trailer and 17-year-old Pieter Westerbeek V of Sioux Center was driving a 2007 pickup westbound when the two collided at an intersection.

(Spirit Lake)-Extension partnering with Local Businesses for free event

Fire Chief Jarod Fischer says they were called to 457 St. James Avenue a little before 9:30 pm Tuesday and found a large pile of debris and other items on fire.

Police say 27-year-old Mitchell Houchins was found dead of a gunshot wound to the chest last Wednesday night.

After being on a downward trend recently, the number of coronavirus cases in Dickinson county is headed back up.

“Eggs and Issues” legislative forums are scheduled for January 23^rd, February 27^th and March 20^th.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office says 26-year-old Martin Trierweiler was driving a 2000 Dodge Dakota northbound in the 3700 mile of 170^th Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle.

A collision Monday in O'Brien county involving a pickup and a semi sent one person to the hospital.

It would house the Sheriff's Office, an 18-bed jail with expansion capabilities, Emergency Management Office, communications center and state probation facilities.

(Spirit Lake)-Need for Blood Donations highlighted during National Blood Donor Month

William Alexander earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36.

Spencer's “Love Where You Live” organization will be putting on their “Blazing Pines” event for a second year.

Mindy Gress of the Okoboji Foundation says the application period opened January 1^st and continues until March 1^st.

One area law enforcement agency says its calls for service in 2020 were down from previous years, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some deadlines for driver's licenses that had been previously extended through proclamations from the Governor of disaster emergency due to the pandemic are likely about to run out.

The increase for elected officials is lower than what was recommended by the County's Compensation Board.

A Milford man escaped injury in a single vehicle crash Saturday in Clay county.

Director Stephanie Horsley says it gives a depiction of what life was like for the Plains Native Americans.

Firefighters were called around 3:00 am this (Monday) morning to 1705 4^th Avenue East on a report of a fully engulfed garage.

Among them is a project in Minnesota.

Fire Chief Dick Beaver says they were called to 1414 North 6th Street a little before 4:00 am and found the structure completely engulfed.

Governor Tim Walz is hinting that he might ease some COVID-19 restrictions on Minnesota bars and restaurants. 

A single vehicle crash Wednesday injured a Sanborn woman.

The Spirit Lake Police Department say it started a little after midnight when an officer observed a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling westbound on Highways 9 and 71 near the courthouse.