A ban on open burning in Emmet county that had been previously in effect has been lifted effective immediately.

(Spirit Lake)-Auction runs through Sunday, October 25 at 9 pm

The agency says as of this (Wed.) morning, 534 Iowans were hospitalized with the virus, up from the previous record high of 501 set just yesterday (Tues.)

Petersen says the keynote speaker is no stranger to the Corridor.

The board voted Tuesday evening to appoint Evan Bensley to fill a vacancy.

The Minnesota State Patrol says 49-year-old Jonathan Salzer of Luverne was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Express Van northbound when he lost control of the vehicle on the snow and ice covered road.

The money will go toward the purchase of new turnout gear for the city's Fire Department.

The plant received millions of dollars in tax incentives based on its promise to produce millions of gallons of ethanol from crop waste. 

(Okoboji)-Registration required for free, non-spooky event

As we reported previously this year's annual meeting of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is going to be held virtually due to COVID-19.

A two vehicle collision Monday afternoon on Highway 169 near St. Peter claimed the life of a Lakefield man.

Minor injuries were reported Saturday when a vehicle collided with a tree in Sheldon.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported that as of this (Tues.) morning, 501 Iowans were in the hospital with the virus.

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this (Tues.) morning to purchase two electronic filtration systems, one for each air handler in the courthouse, for a total cost of $71,198 as part of a COVID-19 mitigation effort for the facility.

The organization's annual Dessert Auction will be held November 6^th online, with proceeds going toward the scholarship fund for Camp Autumn.

(Milford)-Initial application period open through November 9

29-year-old Darrel Pounds was charged with attempted murder, willful injury and 2^nd degree theft.

Fire Chief Brandon Ehret says the Lake Park Fire Department was called to 604 Market Street around 3:18 am.

Organizer Nichole Kruse says the proceeds from the November 8^th event will go to help offset medical expenses for Syd Malchow, who along with his wife Nadine, own the Hi-Lo Club in Lakefield.

If there was ever a year to get your flu shot, Katy Burke, Dickinson County Public Health Director of Population and Public Health says this would be it.

Governor Kim Reynolds Friday issued a new Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, continuing the noncommercial driver's license expiration date suspensions through Sunday, November 15^th.

An investigation is underway into the death of an inmate at the Kossuth county jail in Algona.

In a post on their Facebook page, Spencer Hospital President Bill Bumgarner pleads with area residents to their part in trying to get a handle on the situation. 

It comes after at least one worker in the office tested positive for COVID-19. 

Collision Involving A Pickup And Cement Truck Sends Two People To The Hospital

(Spirit Lake)-Program helps brighten the holidays for Dickinson County families in need

Officials say the closure is scheduled to take place Monday (Oct. 19th) and will continue through Wednesday (Oct. 21st). 

Foundation Director Mindy Gress tells KUOO news 25 students from Okoboji and Spirit Lake High Schools are involved this year.

Officials with Iowa Lakes Community College say they want to enroll 100 people in 100 days in courses providing industry-recognized certifications. 

Treasurer Kris Rowley says a staff member in the office has tested positive for COVID-19 and that out of an abundance of caution, the rest of the staff in the office is being tested.

29-year-old Allan Schwidder is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Rollin Bontrager.

(Spencer)-Event is one of several fundraisers for student trip slated for january

The organization plans to use the funds for supplies and sanitation supplies for youth programs.

COVID-19 numbers locally and statewide in Iowa continue to spike.

70-year-old David Grethen of Mallard was arrested and charged with domestic abuse assault displaying or use of a weapon...1^st offense.

Julie Williams, Executive Dean of Students at ILCC, says it will allow them to provide students access to mental health services through two different providers.

Cindy Rosa, Director of Development and Engagement for the local YMCA says the “Five Days of Action” will be held October 26th-30^th.

Erin Stevens says it's one of several events Grape Tree Medical Staffing is doing as part of their way of giving back to the community

The Arnolds Park City Council Wednesday approved an agreement that will result in the removal of some large power poles in several parts of town.

One person was injured in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday at an intersection on Highway 60 near Hospers.

Spencer police say 31-year-old Coty Wolthuis and 40-year-old Jason Archer, both of Spencer, turned themselves in around 1:00 pm today (Wed.).

(Okoboji)-Audience asked to wear masks while not seated in socially distanced setting

Motorists traveling on Highway 86 through Lakefield will see some shoulder closures starting on Monday.

A surveillance operation set up October 10^th after an O'Brien county sheriff's deputy located a vehicle that he knew was associated with two subjects that had active warrants resulted in their arrests on multiple charges.

The Iowa Department of Public Health today (Wed.) reported 1,180 new, confirmed cases of the virus as of 10:00 am, along with 11 additional deaths. 

Executive Director Blaine Andera says the event will be held in a virtual setting.

Mayor Bruce Keenan says the City of Spirit Lake does not have specific ordinances regarding Halloween and can't officially allow or "cancel" Trick or Treating on October 31st this year.

City Administrator Michael Meyers says one of them prohibits parking along one side of a busy street in the community.

Executive Director Sheriffa Jones says it's symbolic of several things the organization stands for.

Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Ehret tells KUOO news the alert accidentally got pushed to a twitter feed by a company demonstrating a new emergency alert system for county officials.

The Spirit Lake School Board heard an update on COVID-19 matters at their monthly meeting Monday evening.

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors today (Tues.) approved a resolution supporting future grant applications for a project that would connect the county's trail system to one being built north out of Clay county.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office says deputies executed the warrant on October 4^th after getting a report that a man was chasing his ex-girlfriend with a chainsaw, threatening her.

The Iowa Department of Transportation says a shoulder widening project through that area will result in traffic being limited to one lane with a pilot car.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District Of Iowa says the sentence against 44-year-old Christopher Frerichs was handed down last week in U.S. District Court in Sioux City.

Motorists will notice some additional road closures over the next couple of months as a project by the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District to improve its collection system continues.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking public input on a project to replace a bridge on Highway 169 4.2 miles north of U.S. Highway 18 in Kossuth county.

The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce has announced its Halloween Trick or Treating event that was scheduled for October 31st from 2:00 until 4:00 pm has been cancelled for this year.

Robert Bringle passed away this past Thursday, October 8th, at the age of 70. 

Pete Hildreth began his career with the DNR in 1999. He was hired in 2004 as a Natural Resource Technician at the Prairie Lakes Wildlife Unit in Ruthven.

Jordan Moyer oversees elections for the Dickinson County Auditor's Office. She says there's been a steady volume of people voting early in person at the former Paul's Body Shop building south across the street from the courthouse in Spirit Lake.

A Spencer woman wanted on warrants was taken into custody Saturday by authorities in O'Brien county.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office says 18-year-old Taylor Ginger of Spencer was driving a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix northbound when a tire reportedly blew out.

The Sheriff's Office says 43-year-old Gabriel Sanculi was wanted on a valid Pocahontas county warrant for a probation violation on three counts of domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury.

A traffic stop Sunday in Lyon county resulted in several arrests and citations being issued against two others in the vehicle.

Organizers of this past Saturday's “Scouting For Food” says the drive brought in more than 1,000 items that were donated to the Upper Des Moines Opportunity food pantry in Spirit Lake.

The district says gaiters and face shields are not as effective as wearing a mask properly and will not keep someone from being exposed and required to quarantine for 14 days.

A man wanted on warrants from O'Brien county in connection with a high speed pursuit has been taken into custody.

A collision late Thursday afternoon involving a Sanborn fire truck and a semi sent both drivers to the hospital.

20-year-old Zachary Kruse was charged with failure to provide aid at the scene of the crash. He recently pled not guilty to the charge.

The road will be closed in the area of Kabeles Trading Post, or 500 Hill Avenue. 

The hard work and diligence of some Graettinger-Terril students and their teacher was culminated today (Fri.) during a special ceremony on the grounds of the Abbie Gardner Sharp cabin in Arnolds Park.

Jason Harrington, CEO of Lakes Regional Healthcare, says while most of the increases are due to COVID-19, there are other factors driving it as well

Amy Crouch of The Nature Conservancy of Iowa tells KUOO news the multi-year assessment was conducted by scientists from around the country.

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office has released details into a single vehicle crash this past Sunday near Harris that sent two people to the hospital.

A White House task force report focusing on the coronavirus pandemic has told Iowa leaders that many of the deaths caused by the high level of virus spread in Iowa were preventable.

The $4,000 will be used by the association to purchase cleaning and sanitation supplies.

(Spirit Lake)-Trip is planned for the January 2021 J-Term

(Estherville)-Virtual appointments aimed at High School Seniors

Brittney Swanson, the camp's Executive Director, says she approached school officials with the idea already back in March.

Forecasters say a combination of gusty wind, low relative humidity and dry vegetation will result in elevated fire danger today (Thursday).

The Spencer Community School District will be implementing a mask mandate effective Monday, October 12th.

Superintendent Todd Abrahamson says the $20 million project took just 18 months to complete, adding that it came in on time and on budget

70-year-old Peter De Yager, owner of the Foreign Candy Company in Hull, was charged in mid-September with 5^th degree theft after being identified from security video stealing newspapers from atleast one of the stores.

Estherville police say they were notified in the early morning of September 27th that three vehicles had been entered and that wallets, identification cards, money and other items had been taken.

The Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation has announced it's contributing $750,000 to Ducks Unlimited to help protect some 160 acres of land.

Governor Kim Reynolds today (Wed.) addressed increasing hospitalization rates in Iowa as COVID-19 infections continue to increase, especially in northwest Iowa. 

Milford Boy Scouts will be doing their part to help stock the local food shelf at the Spirit Lake Upper Des Moines Opportunity location

Add O'Brien county to the list of counties in northwest Iowa that have banned open burning until further notice.

They include Emmet, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux counties.

Two semis were totaled in a collision Monday on Highway 9 at Jay Avenue in Lyon county.

A single vehicle crash this past Friday in Palo Alto county sent one person to the hospital.

(Arnolds Park)-Limited ticketing, mask requirements will be part of safety precautions implemented at Roof Garden Ballroom

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announced today (Tues.) the cancellation of this year's Fall Festival, which had been scheduled for Saturday, October 17th. 

As we reported previously, NextEra Energy recently acquired the Three Waters Wind Farm from Scout Clean Energy, which has turbines in Dickinson, Jackson and Osceola counties.

John Wills of the Cleanwater Alliance told the board this will be the second attempt at applying for some federal funding for the second phase of that project.

Paul Daniels of the Clay County Pheasants Forever says it's forced them to cancel their annual banquet for this year. He says they'll be holding a membership drive and raffled in its place.

The Okoboji School Board last (Mon.) night unanimously approved a measure requiring faculty and students in 1^st through 12^th grades, as well as visitors, when within six feet of another during the school day, wear an approved face mask.

An investigation Sunday by Estherville police into a report of an assault has resulted in the arrest of an Estherville man on multiple charges.

Today (Monday) is the day Iowa election officials begin mailing out absentee ballots for the November presidential election.  It is also the first day you can go to your county auditors’ offices  – or, satellite locations – to vote early in person.

Sheriff Dan Altena identifies the victim as 78-year-old Rudolph Martinez of Hawarden.

Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of Jackson County Attorney Sherry Haley as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District yesterday.

The board will consider a proposal that would require all students and staff to wear a face covering when six feet or more of social distancing can't be maintained, such as on a bus and during the school day.

Jason Simpson of the Milford Fire Department says the theme this year is "Serve Up Fire Safety in The Kitchen".

Meeting in special session Friday, the Sibley-Ocheyedan School Board voted to revise the district's return to learn policy. It now includes a requirement that all students in grades 7-12 wear face masks whenever social distancing isn't possible.

(Arnolds Park)-Lighting of the Arches one of more than 115 lightings across the country that day

Authorities say 36-year-old Andrew Beenken of Emmetsburg was driving a 1998 Jeep Wrangler westbound on 380^th Street when he became distracted and failed to see a semi ahead of him which had slowed to turn onto 470^th Avenue.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office says deputies were called shortly before 1:30 am Tuesday to the 300 block of South Jackson Avenue in Graettinger.

The funds were raised through the sales of a limited edition t-shirt and drink that was sold at Snappers Turtle Bay Cafe in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Dr. Craig Cunningham, a physician at Lakes Regional Healthcare, says one in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease over their lifetime, and that it's the second leading cause of cancer death among women

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health say they've been awarded a grant from the Emmet County Community Foundation that will allow them to hold two special events for children and their families in Emmet county.

In person early voting for the November election gets underway Monday, October 5^th and continues through November 2^nd

A single vehicle crash late Thursday afternoon on Interstate 90 in Nobles county sent one person to the hospital.

The Minnesota State Patrol says 69-year-old Carolyn Paulson of Windom was driving a 2014 Buick southbound on 470^th Avenue and 69-year-old Sandra Torke of Lakefield was driving a 2017 Ford eastbound on Highway 60 when the two collided.

The utility announced Thursday construction of its 130 megawatt Richland Wind Farm in Sac county is now complete and in operation. 

The Governor spoke with staff members and clients at Lakes LifeSkills, which provides behavioral health therapy services and counseling. 

(Arnolds Park)-New event to feature Haunted Mirror Maze, Tormented Tipsy House, Demon Falls, Haunted Chamber, and Terror on the Tracks

Authorities say someone intentionally hung some boards, steel and rocks from the BNSF Railroad bridge over Highway 18 about two and-a-half miles west of Hull.

Several area fire departments responded to a field fire Wednesday evening near the Iowa-Minnesota border north of Lake Park.