(Graettinger)—The Graettinger-Terril and Ruthven Ayrshire School districts are looking for an interim shared superintendent.

During a joint meeting Thursday evening, the two school boards voted to place GTRA Superintendent Marshall Lewis on administrative leave.

During a joint meeting last month, the two school boards had voted to hire an outside firm to conduct an audit concerning discrepancies identified during an internal review of shared-service financial records.

School officials said last week that the report by Trust Point has not been completed.

The Graettinger-Terril School District posted on its Facebook page Friday that the GTRA districts were seeking an interim shared superintendent.

The post said applications will be accepted until the position is filled and a review of applications would begin immediately.

(Spencer)--A Graettinger man is facing multiple charges after a high speed pursuit early Thursday in Spencer.

According to the Spencer Police Department, at around 12:45 am, a complainant witnessed a motorcycle traveling westbound on Highway 18 through Ruthven at speeds estimated at over 100 mph.

Clay County Deputies and Spencer Police located the motorcycle at 250^th Avenue and Highway 18. Spencer Police initiated a traffic stop in the 1200 block of 11^th St Southeast but the driver, identified as 28-year-old Troy Peterson of Graettinger, accelerated and attempted to elude the officers.

Officers pursued the motorcycle as it continued north on Grand Avenue to 18^th St., reaching speeds of 95 mph in a 20 mph zone. Peterson continued to evade law enforcement until eventually running out of fuel near the intersection of 10^th Avenue East and East 7^th Street, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Peterson was booked into the Clay County Jail on charges of eluding, a class D felony, driving under suspension, registration fraud, no insurance, two counts of speeding, and two stop sign violations. He was being held on a $10,000 bond.

(Armstrong)--Arts-Way Manufacturing celebrated its 70^th Anniversary Thursday evening at the plant in Armstrong. The evening included plant tours, a supper and program followed by live music. Arts-Way President and CEO Marc McConnell started with the company in 2001.

McConnell says Arts Way was founded in 1956 by Arthur Luscombe who developed the company’s signature product, the grinder-mixer.

He says Arts-Way used to sell about 10,000 grinder-mixers a year when farms were much smaller than they are today. The company currently sells between 100 and 200 a year. McConnell was asked how the company was able to survive some tough times in the farm economy.

He says the future for Arts Way looks strong.

In addition to the grinder-mixer, Arts-Way’s other leading products are manure spreaders and sugar beet harvesters and defoliators. The company currently employs 90 people at its facility in Armstrong.

(Webb)-- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig made a visit to Clay County on Thursday as part of his annual visits to all 99 Iowa counties.

Secretary Naig visited a farm outside of Webb that had recently completed a water-quality wetland.

According to Naig, wetlands like the one he visited on Thursday can help reduce harmful nitrates in the water supply. He says at times there is as much as a 90 % reduction in the amount of nitrogen that’s in the water.

Along with visiting the wetlands, Secretary Naig discussed the importance of cover crops, no till, strip till, and buffer strips that help in the conservation of the land.

(Estherville)--Democrat candidate for Governor Rob Sand made a campaign stop at the Estherville VFW Monday evening as part of his  100 Town Hall Tour. Sand was elected as State Auditor in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Sand is currently the only Democrat holding statewide office. In an interview with KILR News prior to the town hall, Sand explained why he decided to run for Governor.

When asked how he can make things better, Sands touted his track record as State Auditor and as a Prosecutor in the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

Sand was asked about Governor Reynolds controversial veto of a bill to limit eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines.

Sand also criticized Reynolds for her lack of leadership on the issue. During the town hall, He was asked about his opinion on Wind Energy and the regulation of wind turbines.

Sand also made campaign stops Monday in Forest City, Algona and Okoboji.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Lincoln Central School District was awarded a pair of grants this week by the Emmet County Community Foundation. ELC Superintendent Andy Armstead says one of them is for the Regional Wellness Center.

He says the other grant is for the bleacher project at the football stadium.

(Terril)--A boil advisory has been issued for the city of Terril. City officials say the advisory  went into affect at 6:00 am this (Thursday) morning and will remain in place until noon Saturday, or when tests come back as being satisfactory.

Officials say the advisory is  due to some work being done as the city transitions to its new water treatment facility.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Lincoln Central Board of Education Wednesday evening appointed former board member Kathy Beernink to fill a vacancy created by the resignation last month of board member Flor Hernandez. ELC Superintendent Andy Armstead says Beernink was the only person to apply for the position.  Beernink will serve until the next school board election in November 2027.

In other business, the board approved a resolution tentatively approving the plans and specifications for phase two of the football stadium project. Armstead says phase two is construction of new bleachers and a press box.

Armstead says the cost of the project has increased since last fall.

The estimated cost of the project including demolition of the current seating and press box is about $1.4 million.  A fundraising campaign has raised about $900,000 for the project. Armstead says PPEL funds will likely be needed to help pay for the project. Armstead outlined the timeline for the bidding process.

Work on the project will begin after the conclusion of the 2026 football season. The board also approved a policy for 8^th graders to participate in varsity sports as required by a new state law.

The board also approved a new curriculum for the district’s new Spanish teacher at a cost of $15,377 and three change orders for the stadium entrance project at a total cost of $19,454.

(Dunnell, MN)--The city of Dunnell, Minnesota will be celebrating its 125^th Anniversary this Saturday, July 18^th. Volunteer Sarah Kramer says a full day of fun is planned beginning at 9am.

Also from 2 to 6 pm there will be a display of historical documents and residents exhibits at Dunnell City Hall.

Kramer says everyone is invited to attend.

For more information, visit the City of Dunnell Facebook page.

(Spencer)--A 24-year-old man wanted on multiple charges in Clay County has been arrested.

At around 3 pm Monday, Isaiah Rehnelt was taken into custody by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on an active Clay County Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card, two counts of Violation of a No Contact Order, Failure to Appear - No Driver’s License, No Registration Card, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Rehnelt was being held without bond in the Clay County Jail.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Community Foundation announced its 2026 Grant Awards Wednesday during a special ceremony at the Estherville VFW. Terry Gaumer, Charitable Advisor with the Northeast Iowa Community Foundation, says over $144,000 in grants were awarded to 18 local nonprofits and government entities. Gaumer says she was pleased with this year’s applications.

Gaumer says the grant awards were divided into four categories.

Another category is youth empowerment. Gaumer says the Emmet County Community Foundation was able to fund over 60-percent of the applications received.

Gaumer also highlighted a new program called Five for the Future.

For more information on the Five for the Future program, visit cfneia.org or emmetccf.org. This year’s grant recipients include the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office for a search and rescue drone($3,350), the Food Bank of Iowa for childhood hunger programs($7,500), Tiny Treasures Community Daycare Center for a nature based playground($14,000), the Emmet County Historical Society for exterior lighting on the main building and new signage($8,329), and the Friends of the Ringsted Library for a new air conditioner and furnace$7,684). 

Other grant awards:

City of Armstrong – AED for city swimming pool ($3,348)

Wallingford Fire Department – Fire Suppression Equipment ($9,000)

Estherville Fire Department – Radio upgrades ($10,000)

Family Crises Centers – Advocacy services ($5,000)

Hope Haven – Employmet Skills &Readiness Lab($3,074)

Upper Des Moines Opportunity – Parking Lot Improvement ($14,000)

Emmet County Extension Office – Farm Safety Day ($3,000)

North Union School District – Fiber Laser Machine ($15,000)

Armstrong Betterment Club – New Swings for City Park ($13,960)

Estherville Lincoln Central School District(2) – Donation to bleacher project($20,000) and new audio-visual equipment for Regional Wellness Center($3,582).

Ringsted Community Improvement – handicapped accessible ramp. ($3,500)

(Lakota)--Two male juveniles are hospitalized after a fiery car-train accident Tuesday afternoon in northern Kossuth County.

According to a news release from the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, shortly before 3:55 pm, a 911 call reported a vehicle had collided with a train about a quarter mile south of Highway 9 on 190th Avenue,  a secondary gravel road located on the very northeast corner of Lakota.

Law Enforcement, EMS, Fire and Emergency Management agencies responded to the scene. The news release says a 2004 Chevy Impala, occupied by a 16-year-old male driver and a 12- year-old male passenger, both from the Lakota/Buffalo Center area, were southbound on 190th Avenue and struck an eastbound Union Pacific train. The vehicle came to a stop a short distance to the east of the crossing and the train initiated an emergency stop.

A motorist passing by on Highway 9, Alex Horak of Lakota, saw the collision and immediately called 911. Within a minute of witnessing the collision, Horak saw the Chevy Impala start on fire with the two occupants still inside the vehicle. The news release says Horak took immediate and decisive action pulling both occupants out of the vehicle to safety. The vehicle became fully engulfed in flames just a few feet from railcars loaded with ethanol.

Firefighters from the Swea City, Ledyard and Lakota Fire Departments arrived and

extinguished the fire. Kossuth County EMS and Lakota EMS arrived on the scene and initiated Auto-Launch. Air Care out of Waterloo responded to the scene and the 16-year-old driver was flown to Rochester. Lakota EMS transported the 12-year-old to the Kossuth County Regional Health Center launch pad in Algona where Air Med 2 out of Des Moines flew him to Rochester. Both boys suffered head and upper body injuries and are currently at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

The accident remains under investigation.

(Spirit Lake)--The area fair season gets underway Friday with the Dickinson County Fair beginning its five day run at the fairgrounds in Spirit Lake. Dickinson County Extension Youth Coordinator Fallon Jensen says a full day of activities is planned for Friday. 

Jensen says the day will end with a family foam party at 6:00 pm followed by a glow foam party at 7:30 for teens and adults.

She says Sunday’s schedule includes an antique car and tractor ride, horse show, fair dinner and a free concert featuring the Feudin’ Hillbillies.

The fair wraps up on Tuesday morning with a pancake breakfast at 7 am followed by the livestock sale at 8. For a complete fair schedule visit the ISU Extension and Outreach Dickinson County Facebook page.

(Fairmont, MN)--A toxic invasive plant species, Wild Parsnip, has been spotted in Martin County. County officials say this is an extremely dangerous and hazardous plant. 

Wild parsnip is highly invasive and if ignored can spread rapidly, developing into large monocultures that replace native animal and plant habitat. It reduces the quality of agricultural forage crops and can negatively impact livestock if ingested. The plant sap contains toxic chemicals that are activated by sunlight and can cause serious burns and blisters to human skin after contact.

If you are a property owner that has Wild Parsnip, officials say you should work towards its immediate eradication.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Courthouse addition is moving closer to completion. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Emmet County Board of Supervisors it was reported that there are just a few items remaining to be finished including flooring and the installation of a fire suppression system and security cameras. Supervisor Tim Schumacher said he would talk with Christensen Construction about some issues at the law enforcement center.

In other business, County Attorney Melanie Summers Bauler reported that she had received the court ruling on the Red Rock Settlement Agreement and that Emmet County is to issue the Conditional Use Permit to Red Rock. However that ruling is being appealed by the group of landowners called Citizens to Preserve Ag Land.

Summers Bauler also reported that a moratorium for Data Centers is being developed by Planning and Zoning director Steve Hallgren for future consideration by the board.

The board also approved a new firearms policy for county employees. The new policy says that only certified law enforcement officers or other employees designated by the county can carry firearms.  All other employees cannot carry or store a gun on county property.

(Spirit Lake)--Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a series of meetings on farmland leasing arrangements across the state in late July and August. The Emmet, Dickinson, Clay and Palo Alto County extension offices are hosting a Farmland Leasing meeting on August 17^th at the Dickinson County Extension and Outreach Office in Spirit Lake. ISU Extension Farm Management Specialist Paul Martin.

The meeting will run from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Martin says one of the main topics that will be discussed during the meeting is communication.

He says this is not an ideal time for landowners to raise rental rates.

Martin says the meetings will present information tailored for each section of the state. To register for the meeting contact the Dickinson County Extension and Outreach Office at 712-336-3434.

(Arnolds Park)--Students from Iowa's three public universities are wrapping up five summers of archaeological research sifting through the soil at the Abbie Gardner cabin. The cabin was the site of the 1857 Spirit Lake Massacre where more than 30 settlers were killed by Native Americans. This is the final season State Archaeologist John Doershuk will lead excavations there.

Thirteen-year-old Abbie Gardner was taken captive during the attack and then released about three months later. She later returned to buy her family's cabin and preserve it as a museum. Doershuk says the cabin in Arnolds Park is in critical need of restoration, and he hopes the state will help preserve the historic site. University of Iowa senior John Morris says the hard work pays off when finding pieces of pottery, coins and other items.

This is the last year the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory will conduct research there, but students will continue exploring other areas to bring history lessons to life.

(from Radio Iowa)

(Milford)--A Lake Park woman was injured in a rollover accident Friday morning near Milford.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office says shortly before 9 am, 43-year-old Natalie Jones was driving a 2017 Pontiac westbound on 190^th St. when she lost control. The vehicle went into the north ditch and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.

Jones was taken to the hospital with non-incapacitating injuries.

The Pontiac was totaled in the accident.

Jones was cited for failure to provide proof of financial liability, accident related.

(Estherville)--The 28^th Annual Sweet Corn Days Celebration in Estherville is less than three weeks away. Estherville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lexie Ruter says to participate in some of the events, you should get your entries in as soon as possible. One of them is the Sweet Corn Days Parade.

Ruter says you only have a couple of days left to sign-up for the Little Miss and Mr. Sweet Corn Days Pageant.

Sign-up is also underway for several other events.

Sweet Corn Days will be held July 30^th-August 2^nd. A new event for this year is an antique tractor show on Friday, July 31^st from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Again, the website to register for events is estherville.org. For more information call the chamber at 712-362-3541.

(Arnolds Park)--The Northwest Iowa Concert Band, directed by Rich Nicklay, will present their 32nd summer concert at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park this Sunday, July 19^th at 2:00pm in the Majestic Pavilion.

The band's volunteer members are from area communities including:  Armstrong, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Ringsted, Spirit Lake, and Jackson. Music selections will celebrate America’s 250^th Anniversary with marches, overtures, patriotic, and sing-a-longs. 

The band started the Arnolds Park concerts in 1992 playing on the Berkley Bedell State Pier. After the flood of 1993, they moved to the Amusement Park courtyard under the flagpole. Several years later they moved inside the Majestic Pavilion for the comfort of the audience and the band members.

The concert is free and open to the public.

The Northwest Iowa Concert Band will also be performing ar three area nursing homes: the first performance will be at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville this Thursday, July 16^th at 6:30pm. The band will also perform at Accura Healthcare in Spirit Lake on Tuesday, August 4^th at 6:30 pm and at Spencer Post Acute Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, August 6^th, also at 6:30 pm.