(Everly)--An Everly man is facing multiple charges after a domestic incident early this(Friday)morning.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says shortly after 1:30 am, Deputies were dispatched to 107 East 2nd St. in Everly for a reported domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, Deputies located a male and female at the residence. Following an investigation, 34-year-old Marcus Lee was arrested and transported to the Clay County Jail without incident. A subsequent search warrant was executed at the residence as part of the ongoing investigation.

Lee is charged with control of firearm/offensive weapon by felon, reckless use of a firearm-property damage, domestic abuse assault display or use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance-3rd or subsequent offense and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains active, and additional charges are pending.

(Graettinger)--After a summer of turmoil, officials with the GTRA school districts are gearing up for the 2026-2027 school year. An audit report was released last week on financial discrepancies between the Graettinger-Terril and Ruthven-Ayrshire school districts over the past five years. In July, former Superintendent Marshall Lewis was placed on administrative leave. GTRA Interim Superintendent Jeff Dicks says he’s hoping the districts can now look to the future.

Dicks says he will be updating staff on the financial condition of the two districts.

He says both districts are in tough financial shape at this time.

Dicks made his comments on the GTRA Superintendent Spotlight program which can be heard every Wednesday at 5:45 pm on KILR FM 95.9.

(Spencer)--Seasons Center is offering a free virtual training next week focused on caregiver well-being and resilience. Season Center Vice President of Program Development Sarah Heinrichs-Wurm says the virtual training will be held via Zoom on Thursday, August 20^th from 6:30 to 8 pm.

Heinrichs-Wurm say the session will highlight the strong connection between caregiver wellness and positive child and family outcomes.

She explains how to register for the meeting,

For more information, visit seasonscenter.org.

(Arnolds Park)--The "Bras for a Cause" event held this past June at the Peacock Lounge in Arnolds Park was a huge success. According ro a post on the Peacock Lounge Facebook page, $61,372 was raised to support local families battling cancer.

A check for that amount was presented this week to Abben Cancer Center in Spencer for their Patient Needs fund. The post says every dollar raised will directly impact the lives of those facing cancer in our area, offering support, hope, and relief during their journey.

Officials say planning is already underway for the 2027 Bras for a Cause.

(Sherburn, MN)--The Sherburn Economic Development Authority is launching a new program aimed at expanding child care options in the community.

The new childcare development grant program can provide funding of up to $10,000 to help with startup and expansion costs—including equipment, furnishings, licensing, renovations, supplies, marketing, and more.

No matching funds are required. The program is open to new and expanding childcare providers

Officials say quality childcare strengthens families, supports workers, and helps the community grow.

Anyone interested should contact Andrea at Sherburn City Hall by calling 507-764-4491 or email andrea.ballard@cityofsherburn.com for an application or more information.

(Estherville)--The new vice principal at Demoney Elementary School is a native of Estherville. Erin Hart says she is a graduate of Estherville Lincoln Central High School.

Hart explains why she wanted to return to Estherville.

She was asked about her goals as Vice-Principal.

Brad Peter is the new principal at Demoney Elementary. The first full day of classes in the ELC School District is August 25^th.

(Ankeny)--Eight farmers, including five incumbents, have been elected to the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors. The association’s 22 volunteer farmer directors represent the state’s nine crop reporting districts in overseeing the management and allocation of soybean checkoff and non-checkoff resources.

Those re-elected to a three-year terms on the board include Paul Kassel of Spencer in District 1.

Directors are elected by Iowa soybean farmers in July and take office in September. Members vote for two farmers from their crop reporting district and vote for four at-large directors. The eight directors elected join 14 full-time soybean farmers in developing ISA’s policies and programs each year.

Those continuing their service as directors include Brent Swart of Spencer in District 1and Neil Krummen of Linn Grove At-Large.

(Estherville)--The City of Estherville is reminding all residents and visitors of local regulations regarding sidewalk safety in the central business district.

Under the Estherville Code of Ordinances, operating specified wheeled devices on downtown public sidewalks is prohibited to ensure pedestrian safety and accessibility.

It is unlawful to operate wheeled devices used for transportation or recreation on sidewalks within the central business district. This includes, but is not limited to: bicycles and e-bikes electric and kick scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and inline skates, toy vehicles and other personal micro-mobility devices.

Items exempt from the ordinance include mobility & assistive devices such as wheelchairs, motorized mobility devices, and walkers; child transportation including strollers, wagons, or other devices operated by caregivers to transport infants or small children and authorized equipment used for snow removal or construction.

Last week, the Estherville City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance creating a 10 mph speed limit for all wheeled devices on public sidewalks outside the central business district.

(Spirit Lake)--Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Northwest Iowa Ag Stewardship Alliance, will host a cover crop field day near Spirit Lake later this month. Conservation and Cover Crop Outreach Specialist Liz Ripley says the no cost event will be held Wednesday, August 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Boettcher Family Farms.

Ripley details the benefits of cover crops.

She says the evening will start with a presentation from the Boettcher family.

Boettcher Family Farms is located at 1200 215th Ave near Spirit Lake. The event is open to farmers and landowners but reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. RSVP by contacting Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or send an email to ilf@iastate.edu by August 19th.

(Algona)--Planning continues for a restoration project at Smith Lake north of Algona. Kossuth County Naturalist Billie Willie says Smith Lake is currently on the state’s list of impaired waters due to high levels of algae.

Willie says Kossuth County Conservation has teamed up with the Iowa DNR for the restoration project.

The estimated cost of the project is about $5.9 million. Willie says they are hoping grants will pay for most of the project.

Willie was asked when they hope to have the project completed.

The DNR’s Lake Restoration Program was created in 2006 for publicly-owned lakes. Over the past 20 years, it has spent $172 million to improve the water clarity in 72 lakes in 55 counties.

(Spirit Lake)--The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has documented an increase in gizzard shad across the Iowa Great Lakes. DNR Fisheries Biologist Andrew Carlson with the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery says gizzard shad are native to many rivers in the Midwest and are moving north and northwest in their range.

Carlson says the exact ecological impacts of gizzard shad in the Iowa Great Lakes remain unknown.

Research on gizzard shad at the northern edge of their distribution shows that low winter temperatures frequently trigger high winter mortality.

Carlson says boaters and anglers can do their part to minimize the spread of gizzard shad.

Iowa DNR Fisheries teams will continue regular fisheries sampling across the Iowa Great Lakes to track dynamics of forage fish, game fish, and other species.

(Graettinger)--A Ringsted man is facing multiple charges in connection with two separate incidents last week in Graettinger.

On Thursday August 6^th, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office investigated the theft of equipment at Pro Cooperative in Graettinger

Then on Saturday, August 8th, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office investigated a report of a trailer being stolen from a residence in Graettinger. Minutes later, deputies located the suspect and trailer in the 4800 block of 280th Street. Following an investigation, deputies arrested 41-year-old Anton Bejarano of Ringsted, charging him with theft in the 3rd degree, criminal mischief in the 5th degree and driving while license suspended. Bejarano was transported, without incident, to the Palo Alto County Jail and booked in to await his initial appearance before a magistrate. The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Emmet County Sheriff's Office.

After further investigation,  Bejarano was also charged in connection with the theft of equipment at Pro Cooperative in Graettinger  He is charged 3^rd degree burglary, a class D felony and 4th degree theft. Bejarano is also awaiting his initial appearance before a magistrate on those charges.

(Jackson, MN)--Federated Rural Electric of Jackson has announced the next deadline for Operation Round-Up grants is September 18^th .

Operation Round Up involves 74 percent of Federated's members in Jackson and Martin Counties; they allow their monthly electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar amount. The "rounded up" change goes into a trust fund. An independent Trust Board, which consists of Federated members, evaluates local funding requests and distributes the funds.

Since 1995 Federated's Trust Board has distributed more than $1 million to local organizations including schools, senior dining, hospice, fire/ambulance departments and high school scholarships.

The application form can be downloaded from Federated’s website: federatedrea.coop. You can also call Federated at 507-847-3520 or 1-800-321-3520 and ask for Andrea to request an application.

(Milford)--The Dickinson County Sherriff’s Office is investigating a theft that occurred this past weekend at Derner's of Milford Inc.

According to a Facebook post, the theft occurred on Sunday between 7:15 and 9:15 am.

Derner's of Milford Inc is offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading to an arrest, conviction, and return of the property.

If you have any information, you are asked to contact Deputy Johnson at the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office at 712-336-2525 or if you would like to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 712-336-2345.

(Estherville)--The Estherville area community is mourning the loss of Estherville Lincoln Central educator and baseball coach Lee Evans who died Monday after a lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 52. An Estherville native, Evans had been with the ELC School District for about 20 years including 17 as baseball coach. ELC High School Principal Brad Leonard.

Evans recorded over 300 wins as ELC head baseball coach. His teams won six Lakes Conference Championships and made three state tournament appearances, finishing Class 2A runners-up in 2022. Leonard was asked about what made Evans so successful as a coach.

In addition to his coaching duties, Evans was the student success coordinator at ELC Middle School.

A Memorial Service for Lee Evans will be held at 11am on Thursday, August 20^th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake with a Celebration of Life and Sharing time to follow during the luncheon. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 19^th from 4 to 8 pm at Henry Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be given towards a future project at the ELC Baseball Field or for an ELC Scholarship in Lee’s memory.

(Okoboji)--The University of Okoboji Winter Games Committee has released the logo for the 2027 event.

The logo was unveiled Monday on the University of Okoboji Winter Games Facebook page.

The 46th annual Winter Games are scheduled for January 28th-31^sr, 2027.

(Estherville)--Iowa Lakes Community College and the Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District are once again partnering to welcome students, families, and community members to the Annual Back to School Bash later this month. Tara Clabaugh with Iowa Lakes Community College says the Back to School Bash will be held on Wednesday, August 26^th on the green space at the college's Estherville Campus. Clabaugh says this is the 13^th year for the event.

Clabaugh says the bash will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

She provides more details about some of the activities that will be taking place.

Again the Back to School Bash will be held on Wednesday, August 26^th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on the green space at the Iowa Lakes Estherville Campus.

(Estherville)--Demoney Elementary School in Estherville will have a new principal and vice-principal for the 2026-27 school year. The new principal is Brad Peter who is beginning his 22nd year in education.

Peter said it was a wonderful opportunity but he and his wife decided they wanted to return to rural Iowa.

Peter said he spent most of his career with the Okoboji School District.

Peter outlined his goals as Demoney Principal.

In addition to Peter, Estherville native Erin Hart has been hired to serve as Vice Principal at Demoney. Peter and Hart were interviewed on the ELC Superintendent Spotlight Program which can be heard every Saturday at 8:45 am on KILR FM 95.9.

(Storm Lake)--A Peterson man has been arrested on multiple charges after Storm Lake police investigated a report of sexual abuse involving a minor.

Police say on July 21^st they received a report involving an allegation of sexual abuse that occurred at a Storm Lake residence in June. The department launched an investigation immediately, working alongside the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the MercyOne Siouxland Child Advocacy Center.

Following the joint investigation, police last week sought arrest warrants for the suspect, 35-year-old Christopher Rodriguez of Peterson,

Rodriguez is charged with second-degree sexual abuse, a class B felony, lascivious acts with a child, a class C felony, incest, a class D felony, child endangerment and indecent contact with a child.

Rodriguez was taken into custody last Wednesday by Sioux City police and is now awaiting extradition to Buena Vista County.

(Winnebago, MN)--The Bravo Zulu House near Winnebago in northern Martin County will celebrate the completion of a new kennel and the opportunity it offers to the Veterans they serve on Friday, August 21st. The celebration will start at 9:00 AM with a ceremony scheduled for 10:00 AM.

During the kennel grand opening, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about Bravo Zulu House’s collaboration with K-9s for Warriors as well as meet the very first Station Dog

Daniel Bean, CEO of K-9s for Warriors and Elizabeth Odenthal, head of the Dog Therapy Program at Bravo Zulu House, will be at the event and share how this new kennel and the therapy dogs that live in it will benefit Veterans living at the house.

This event is open to the public and admission is free.

(Sherburn, MN)--PowerOn Midwest has eliminated one of the three potential routes for a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line through southern Minnesota.

The route that would have followed I-90 through the Fairmont area has been eliminated because of obstacles including cities, airports, existing infrastructure and environmental concerns. The routes still under consideration would run south of Fairmont near Dunnell, and north of Sherburn, Welcome and Fairmont.

PowerOn Midwest officials say public feedback will help determine which route is ultimately selected. A final route must be submitted with the project’s routing application in February.

Officials say they especially want to hear from landowners about potential impacts to farming, property use, wildlife and future development. Another public meeting will be held Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Jackson County Central High School gym. A virtual open house is also available through August 28 at PowerOn Midwest’s website.

(Estherville)--An Estherville man with dementia was found unharmed after walking away from his residence Saturday morning.

At approximately 8:40 am, the Estherville Police Department received a call that an elderly male with dementia had left his residence on foot and could not be located. Responding officers met with family members at 532 West North 9th Street to obtain a description and gather information. The missing person was identified as Gary Burkholder, age 67 of Estherville. It was reported that Burkholder was wearing green pajamas, had been outside with family members and left the property in an unknown direction.

Officers conducted an initial drive through the neighborhood and also began to check neighboring residence cameras to ascertain which direction Burkholder may have gone.

Officers set up a command post at the intersection of Highway 9 and West North 9th Street. Emmet County Emergency Management, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Estherville Fire and Estherville Ambulance responded to the scene.

A search of neighboring fields and wooded areas was conducted by officers and firefighters. Officers employed two drones that were also conducting aerial searches of the neighborhoods. Due to the unknown direction of travel, a large search of area residences was conducted. Officers and firefighters walked through yards and properties checking buildings and vehicles.

At approximately 12:20 pm, a search team of firefighters that were beginning the search of a ravine near West North 6th Street and West 6th Avenue North, observed what they believed was the top of someone’s head. They went to the location and found Burkholder. He had fallen into a large washout. Burkholder was uninjured but tired. He was examined by the Estherville Ambulance and returned to family members.

Estherville Police would like to thank all the responding agencies and the public for their help in this case. Many members of the public checked their camera systems and contacted police during the event. This information was very helpful in the search effort. Police also appreciate the understanding of neighbors where search teams entered and cleared their properties.

(Jackson, MN)--For the first time ever, the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Jackson will host a  Minnesota High School Rodeo Association event later this summer. An MHSRA Region 4 rodeo will take place over Labor Day weekend. Shelly Hotzler, President of the Minnesota High School Rodeo Association, says Jackson is able to host the event due to some improvements at the horse arena.

Hotzler explains how the rodeo in Jackson came about.

Most of the $20,000 cost of the project was covered by grant dollars. Hotzler says she hopes hosting the event will get more local kids involved in rodeo.

Hotzler says about 125 kids will participate in the rodeo.

The rodeo will kick-off on Saturday, September 5^th at 10 am and run through Monday the 7^th.

(Estherville)--Iowa Lakes Community College will host its Fifth Annual All-State Choir Camp this Saturday, August 15th, and Sunday, August 16^th in Estherville.  Iowa Lakes Music Professor Brett Fuelberth says the camp welcomes high school choir students from across Iowa as they prepare for auditions for the 2026 Iowa All-State Music Festival.

Fuelberth says camp participants refine their vocal technique, strengthen musicianship, and gain valuable audition experience before the official All-State audition season begins.

He says pre-registration is required for the camp.

The camp will conclude with a free public concert at 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, in the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Iowa Lakes Estherville campus.

Students interested in participating can register through the Iowa Lakes Music Department. For more information, please contact Brett Fuelberth at 712-362-7963 or bfuelberth@iowalakes.edu; or the Iowa Lakes Music Department at 712-362-8345.

(Des Moines)-- Dry conditions in late July resulted in degraded conditions across much of the state, according to the latest Water Summary Update from the DNR.

The expansion and emergence of moderate drought conditions across northern and western regions during July have kept the drought watch active in northwestern Iowa and triggered a new drought watch for southwestern Iowa.

At the end of July, Iowa’s statewide precipitation averaged 4.50 inches, which is 0.33 inches above normal. However, rainfall was unevenly distributed, with central to northeastern areas receiving two to three times their normal monthly totals while other regions experienced significant rainfall deficits. 

In the KILR listening area, almost all of Kossuth County, the northeastern corner of Emmet County, southern and eastern Palo Alto County, and the southern quarter of Clay County are in the D-I or moderate drought category. The rest of the listening area is in the D-0 abnormally dry category.

(Algona)--A motor home was heavily damaged by fire Friday evening at the Kossuth County Fairgrounds.

Shortly before 5:30 pm, the Kossuth County Law Enforcement Center received several 911 calls of a motor home on fire at the fairgrounds where the Kossuth County Fair was taking place.  The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office says the motor home was located along the west side of the midway area of the fairgrounds. The Algona Fire Department and EMS responded to the scene. Kossuth County Sheriff's Deputies assigned to work at the fair also responded and assisted in evacuating the midway area to keep the area safe.

Algona firefighters de-energized the motor home and put out the fire.  No persons were inside the vehicle at the time of the fire. The owner was able to remove a dog before it became engulfed in thick smoke and fire. A pet cat did not survive the fire.

It is believed the fire began in the rear bedroom area of the motor home, possibly from a roof air conditioner unit. The interior of the motor home was a complete loss.

The 2005 Holiday Rambler Motor Home was registered to Timothy and Kerissa Hall of Des Moines who are employees of the midway carnival. The midway was re-opened after the scene was made safe.

The Kossuth County Sheriff's Office was also assisted at the scene by Kossuth County EMS and the Algona Police Department.

(Fairmont, MN)--Two teenagers were sent to the hospital after a three vehicle accident Thursday afternoon in Fairmont.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened shortly after 2:30 pm on Highway 15 near Torgerson Drive. The patrol says a 2013 Ford Edge, a 2019 Ford Transit Van, and a 2014 Dodge Avenger were all traveling northbound on Highway 15 when they collided at Torgerson Drive.

The driver of the Avenger, a 16-year-old female and a 17-year-old female passenger were taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital in Fairmont with non-life threatening injuries. The driver and two passengers in the Ford Edge and the driver of the transit van were not injured.

The Fairmont Police and Fire Departments, Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Mayo ambulance assisted at the scene.

(Ringsted) – The annual Danish Days celebration will be held this Saturday and Sunday in Ringsted. Sommer Nielsen with the Danish Days Committee explains why the city puts on the celebration.

Nielsen says a full day of fun is on tap for Saturday.

She says Saturday’s events continue with a pedal pull at noon at Glasnapp Ag Solutions.

Nielsen says a couple more events will take place on Sunday.

For a complete schedule of events, search for Ringsted Danish Days on Facebook.

(Graettinger) – A crowd of about 35 community members and the Graettinger-Terril and Ruthven-Ayrshire school boards were in attendance during Thursday night’s meeting at Graettinger-Terril High School to hear about Trust Point, Incorporated’s findings regarding financial discrepancies found during an internal review by the school boards two months ago. Murray Stanley of Trust Point shared the results of what he found to those present.

Stanley reiterated that there was no proof of any fraud happening.

After the presentation, Stanley offered recommendations on how the boards should proceed with correcting the discrepancies.

GT/RA Interim Superintendent Jeff Dicks also gave a presentation on how school financing works to lead the meeting. Dicks says the discrepancies found dating back from Fiscal Year 2022 to Fiscal Year 2026 were not communicated clearly with the school boards by the previous superintendent.

After the presentation, a question was raised about how long Dicks would be under contract and if Dicks would be brought back after the 2026-27 school year is complete. Dicks says getting the financials in check will take some time.

Dicks details the next steps going forward for the districts.

A joint school board meeting was also held in Ruthven at 6pm before the Graettinger meeting. Both school boards approved Dicks’ contract for the 2026-27 school year.

(Spirit Lake)--The Dickinson County Water Quality Commission is now accepting applications for its annual water quality grant program. Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance Coordinator John Wills explains the types of projects that are eligible for funding.

The deadline to apply is October 1^st.  Wills explains who can qualify for the grants.

Grant applications are available on-line at cleanwateralliance.net.

Wills says the commission always tries to get the maximum return for the grant funds they award by leveraging federal, state and local grants and private donations. For more information contact John Wills at 712-330-9492.