(Rock Rapids)--A Spencer man is facing multiple drug charges in Lyon County.

On August 8, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office arrested 30-year-old Jaykie Harrington of Spencer on charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance-methamphetamine, a drug tax stamp violation, possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, 3rd or subsequent offense, possession of a controlled substance-THC oil, unlawful possession of a prescription drug, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Harrington was transported to the Lyon County Jail. The Lyon County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation. 

(Des Moines)--The state of Iowa has surpassed 50,000 COVID-19 cases. The Iowa Department of Public Health today(Thursday) reported an additional 465 positive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 50,167. The state also reported 5 additional deaths for a total of 954.

Emmet County reported no new cases today. The death toll in Emmet County from COVID-19 now stands at 4. 135 of the cases in the county have recovered.

Elsewhere around the area, Kossuth County reported 4 new cases and Palo Alto County has one new cases. Clay and Dickinson counties reported no new cases.

(St. Paul)--The Minnesota Department of Health today(Thursday) reported 697 additional positive cases of COVID-19, increasing the state’s total to 62,993.

Fairbault County reported three new cases for a total of 92 and Martin County reported one new cases for a total of 210. Jackson County had no new cases.

7 new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported, bringing the state's death toll to 1,685. Officials say 308 Minnesotans are hospitalized with COVID-19 with 154 in ICUs.

(Spencer)--Seven cases of COVID-19 are being reported at an assisted living center in Spencer. Officials say five residents and two staff members at the Riverview Terrace Assisted Living were recently confirmed to have the virus.

While the state of Iowa releases the names of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities where outbreaks have been reported, it does not list those of assisted living facilities.

The Iowa Department of Public Health currently reports outbreaks at 28 long-term care facilities. 52 cases have been reported at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong while 18 cases have been reported at Prairie View Home in Sanborn.
 

(KILR) – In the month of July, 44 Iowans lost their lives while driving on the road, making it the 3^rd deadliest month in the last 5 years, and reports show that speeding was the leading cause of most of those crashes. In an interview with KILR News, Iowa State Trooper Kevin Krull says he believes people not paying attention is resulting in high accident numbers.

Krull says impaired driving has been a constant problem in the state and is still a major concern.

Another common issue deputies see on the road is seatbelt usage. Krull says drivers and passengers that were not buckled up made up for 44 percent of the deaths in July.

Krull reminds motorists to slow down, buckle up and put the distractions away. He says so far in August, 13 deaths have been reported on Iowa’s roadways.

(Arnolds Park) – The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association announced Monday that the “Rock the Patio” and “Live on Lake Street” concerts will continue through September 3^rd. IRRMA Executive Director Clay Norris says tonight’s “Rock the Patio” concert features The Wave Runners.

Norris says this Friday’s “Live on Lake Street” performance will feature Denny and the DC Drifters at Preservation Plaza.

Norris says the Association is asking for donations for their “Live on Lake Street” concerts.

Masks are strongly encouraged at all events as well as social distancing. For more information on the concert schedule, visit their website: iowarocknroll.com.

(Ocheyedan) – A Spirit Lake man has been charged in connection with a single vehicle accident that knocked out power for more than three hours in Ocheyedan on Tuesday.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office says 33-year-old Bradley Johnson of Spirit Lake lost control of a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that struck an electrical transformer box near the feedmill in Ocheyedan.

Johnson was placed under arrest and charged with operating while intoxicated-1^st offense and driving while revoked. He was also cited for possessing an open container of alcohol and failure to maintain control.

Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,000 and damage to the transformer was estimated at $5,000. Johnson sustained minor injuries in the crash, but it is unclear whether or not he sought medical treatment.

(Des Moines)--The Iowa Department of Public Health Wednesday reported 499 additional positive cases of COVID-19, increasing the state’s total to 49,702. There were 12 additional deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 949.

Emmet County reported one new case of COVID-19 for a total of 193. 127 of the cases in Emmet County have recovered. Clay County reported 7 new positive cases for a total of 203, Dickinson County had 2 new cases for a total of 384, Kossuth County reported 2 new cases for a total of 93, and Palo Alto County reported 1 new case for a total of 89.

State officials say 243 Iowans are hospitalized with COVID-19 with 72 in ICUs.

(St. Paul)--The Minnesota Department of Health today(Wednesday) reported 470 additional positive cases of COVID-19, increasing the state’s total to 62,303.

Jackson, Martin and Faribault counties reported no changes in their case counts. Faribault County remains at 90 cases, Jackson County has a total of 88, and Martin County has a total of 208.

12 new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported, bringing the state's death toll to 1,678. Officials say 335 Minnesotans are hospitalized with COVID-19 with 154 in ICUs.

(Estherville)—Officials with Iowa Lakes Community College are implementing COVID-19 procedures to welcome back students for the start of the 2020-2021 school year, which begins Tuesday, August 25^th. Iowa Lakes President Val Newhouse details how classes will be instructed.

Newhouse says dining services will also work differently this fall.

She says housing options will not be at full capacity.

Newhouse says they will continue to monitor the situation with local and state health officials throughout the fall semester.

(Bancroft) – The Bancroft Community Economic Development and the Bancroft Chamber of Commerce are partnering up for the “Bancroft Fall Bonanza” event, scheduled for Saturday, September 12^th starting at 10 a.m. on Ramsey Street in Bancroft. Bancroft City Director Crysti Neuman explains how the event came about.

Neuman says the Vendor Craft Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The festivities wrap up with a Chamber Appreciation Dance from 7-10 p.m. on Ramsey Street. She says there is still room for more vendors.

To reserve your space, call Crysti at the Bancroft City Office at 515-885-2382. Proceeds from the vendor space fee will go to the Bancroft Fire Department.

(Estherville) - The Estherville Fire Department was called to battle a dumpster fire at a business in Estherville Tuesday night.

At approximately 8:45 p.m., firefighters were paged out to Innovative Plant Solutions at 3950 5th Avenue North. Estherville Fire Chief Dick Beaver says upon arrival, fire crews found a dumpster on fire and quickly extinguished it. Beaver says the fire was reported by a passerby as no one was at the location. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters were on scene for about 15 minutes and received assistance from the Emmet County Sheriff's Office.

(Des Moines)--The Iowa Department of Public Health Tuesday reported 203 additional positive cases of COVID-19, increasing the state’s total to 49,203. There were 6 additional deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 937.

In the area, Emmet County reported no new cases. 125 of the cases in Emmet County have recovered. Clay County reported 6 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 196, Palo Alto County had 3 new cases for a total of 88 and Dickinson County reported 1 new case for a total of 382.

State officials say 244 Iowans are hospitalized with COVID-19 with 64 in ICUs.

(St. Paul)--The Minnesota Department of Health Tuesday reported 332 additional positive cases of COVID-19, increasing the state’s total to 61,839.

In this area, Faribault County reported three new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 90, Jackson County has 2 new cases for a total of 88, and Martin County had 1 new case for a total of 208.

6 new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported, bringing the state's death toll to 1,666. Officials say 337 Minnesotans are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 with 147 in ICUs.

(Sioux City) - A Nebraska man who attempted to entice a 13-year-old for explicit sexual conduct has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison in a case with ties to northwest Iowa. Officials also say the man had a prior conviction for domestic assault, stalking, and illegally possessed ammunition.

39-year-old Jeremy Kozak of Columbus, Nebraska was sentenced in U.S. District Court after pleading guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of possession of ammunition by a person previously convicted of domestic abuse.

Court documents say law enforcement became aware of Kozak's sexually explicit communications with the victim who he knew was 13 years of age, and that they took over the victim's account in an undercover capacity. Believing he was still communicating with the 13-year-old, Kozak made arrangements to drive three hours to meet the victim at a local park and engage in sexual activity. The documents say that on August 12th, 2019, Kozak arrived at the park but was apprehended by law enforcement.

The case was prosecuted with assistance from the Buena Vista County Attorney's Office and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Buena Vista County Sheriff's Office.

(Spirit Lake) – The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce is holding their “Hometown Heroes” event Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Spirit Lake High School. Nancy Vierkant, Director of Membership and Events, explains why the Chamber puts on the event.

Vierkant says the west side parking lot will be used to showcase the heroes in the community.

She says a meal will be provided.

Again, the “Hometown Heroes” event will take place from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Spirit Lake High School. For more information, contact the Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce at 712-336-4978.

(Estherville) – The Estherville Parks and Recreation Board Monday evening discussed the Estherville municipal swimming pool project that was put on hold back in March due to bids for the project exceeding the budget by over $710,000. Estherville City Administrator Penny Clayton says the board has been discussing ways to make modifications to the project while still enhancing the experience for residents.

The board hopes to have a groundbreaking ceremony for the pool in the Spring of 2021 with a completion date in the summer of 2022.

In other business, the board heard about some reports of vandalism that have occurred around the city’s parks.

Clayton visited with Parks Foreman Roger Hash and Mitch Eveleth, Electric Superintendent, about the issues of vandalism at the parks.

Clayton encourages anyone who may have information regarding these incidents to contact the Estherville Police Department at 712-362-3515.

(Estherville) – No one was injured when a mattress caught on fire inside a home in Estherville early this morning.

At around 5:40 a.m., the Estherville Fire Department responded to a fire in a bedroom at 508 South 8^th Street. Estherville Fire Chief Dick Beaver says when they entered the home, firefighters found a mattress on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and the mattress was carried outside.

The house was occupied by Maria Wright and her children and is owned by Jeff Jurgens. The cause of the fire was determined to be the result of someone smoking in bed.

Fire crews were on scene for about an hour. They were assisted by the Estherville Police Department.

(Spencer) – Multiple charges have been filed against two people in connection with a single vehicle crash last Sunday in Clay County.

Authorities say shortly after 11:30 p.m., deputies responded to an accident that occurred in the area of 240^th Avenue and 390^th Street. Upon investigation, 20-year-old Levi Hurlburt of Spencer was driving a 2019 Ford Escape eastbound on 390^th Street and was attempting to turn north onto 240^th Avenue, but failed to negotiate the turn. The vehicle went into the ditch on the opposite side of the intersection and rolled onto its side.

It was later determined that Hurlburt was under the influence of something other than alcohol. Hurlburt tried to run from the deputy, but was captured and was tased after trying to resist arrest. A passenger in the vehicle, 18-year-old Seth Lane of Spencer, allegedly interrupted the deputy several times while he was conducting the investigation. Lane was also placed under arrest.

Hurlburt was charged with operating while intoxicated, 1^st offense; possession of a controlled substance-marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; interference with official acts, causing bodily injury; possession of alcohol under the legal age and several traffic offenses.

Lane was charged with possession of a controlled substance-marijuana; possession of a controlled substance-Xanax; possession of drug paraphernalia; public intoxication and possession of alcohol under the legal age.

Both were booked into the Clay County Jail.

(Des Moines)--The Iowa Department of Public Health Monday reported 268 additional positive cases of COVID-19, increasing the state’s total to 49,000. There was 1 additional death, bringing the state’s death toll to 931.

Emmet County reported one new case for a total of 192. 121 of the cases in Emmet County have recovered.

Elsewhere around the area, Clay County reported 3 new cases of COVID-19. Dickinson, Palo Alto and Kossuth counties each reported one new case.

State officials say 224 Iowans are hospitalized with COVID-19 with 57 in ICUs.

(St. Paul)--The Minnesota Department of Health Monday reported 625 additional positive cases of COVID-19, increasing the state’s total to 61,516.

In this area, Jackson, Martin and Faribault counties reported no new cases of COVID-19.

3 new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported, bringing the state's death toll to 1,660. Officials say 320 Minnesotans are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 with 159 in ICUs.

(Okoboji)--Construction could begin this week on the first Imagine Iowa Great Lakes beautification project north of the highway 71 bridge.

In an effort to make better use of space, the city of Okoboji is swapping property at their East Okoboji Park with the neighboring 17 Oaks residential association, but that process is taking longer than expected since so many diverse owners live out of town.

A construction fence went up in the vicinity last week, and if the property transfers are done, concrete might be poured for the new 17 Oaks driveway, and the new playground. If everything proceeds on schedule, a rubberized play surface will be put down the week of August 24th, and a play structure built to resemble the Queen 2 excursion might be installed before Labor Day.

Benches, picnic tables, trash cans, and bike racks have already been delivered. Brush has been cleared from the lakefront, and a rip-rapping project to prevent erosion of the lakeshore is already done.

(Jackson, Minn.)—Two Wisconsin residents were injured in a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon on Interstate-90 in Jackson County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened around 2:15 pm, about four miles east of Jackson.

The patrol says a 2002 Triumph motorcycle driven by 36-year-old Nathan Frailey of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was eastbound on I-90 and crashed into the median. Frailey and a passenger, 36-year-old Lisa Vogel, also of Green Bay, were taken to the Sanford Jackson Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Ambulance and Fire Department assisted at the scene.