(Algona)--Schools in the Algona area were placed on lockdown for about two hours on Wednesday.

According to a news release from the city of Algona, at approximately 11:48 a.m. Bishop Garrigan received a phone call from an unidentified male caller from an unknown phone number. The unknown caller said he planned to come to the school with a gun.

The school immediately began lock down procedures at Seton Elementary and the Bishop Garrigan campus. Algona Community Schools also began sheltering in place in all school buildings as a safety precaution. Due to a multi-agency training exercise being held nearby, many additional law enforcement agencies were able to help provide a presence at various school buildings through the community.

North Union Schools and West Bend Mallard Schools were not sheltered in place but did have increased officer presence.

Shortly before 3:00 p.m., the shelter in place was lifted for Algona Community Schools and Bishop Garrigan Schools. Both schools dismissed at the regular time using normal procedures and held after school activities as scheduled. Classes and activities will be held as scheduled on Thursday.

According to Algona Police Chief Bo Miller, at least one other Iowa school experienced a similar call on Wednesday; that call was later deemed to be a false threat.

Multiple agencies assisted with the incident, including the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Kossuth County Emergency Management, Iowa State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office, West Bend Police Department and Emmetsburg Police Department.

Special assistance was also provided by Algona Municipal Utilities.

The threat made to Bishop Garrigan remiains under investigation.

(Spirit Lake)--The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a six-month moratorium on the issuance of permits to build large data centers in the county.

Supervisor Steven Clark says the moratorium will give the county’s zoning board the opportunity to study what has happened in other communities in this state and the adverse effects, and what the positive points would be, and whether or not they would feel that that’s a good fit for the county.

Clark says no data center has approached the county yet about building there, so this moratorium would just be precautionary.

During a public hearing, several residents expressed opposition to a data center being located in Dickinson County.

After the public comments, the board voted 4-1 in favor of the six-month moratorium.

(Mankato, MN)--A Fairmont man was injured in a two vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon near Mankato.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened shortly before 2 pm at the intersection of southbound Highway 169 and Highway 68.

The patrol says a 2022 Jeep Compass driven by 43-year-old Christoffer Anderson of Fairmont was southbound on Highway 169 and a 2021 Chevrolet Spark driven by 44-year-old Claudia Moreno of  North Mankato was travelling eastbound on Highway 68 when the two vehicles  collided.

Both drivers were taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital in Mankato with non-life threatening injuries.

(Algona)--The Algona Chamber of Commerce has announced the themes for this summer’s Party in the Park events. Algona Chamber Director Avery Pederson says Party in the Park will be held from 6 to 8 pm on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month on the Carnegie Library Lawn at the corner of Dodge and Nebraska Streets in downtown Algona. Pederson says the theme for the first Party in the Park on June 10^th is Trunks of Fun.

Pederson says the 2nd Party in the Park on July 8^th will have a patriotic theme.

She says the theme for the final Party in the Park on August 12^th is Fit and Fabulous.

For more information, go to algona.org/events or call the Algona Chamber of Commerce at 515-295-7201,

(Arnolds Park)--Arnolds Park Amusement Park, the No Boundaries program and West-O have come together for a special project to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of the Queen II. Arnolds Park CEO Jon Pausley.

Pausley says the groups worked together to come up with the name of the beer.

He says some of the proceeds from the sale of the beer will go to support Arnolds Park’s Gift of Smile program.

Pausley says the Flagship beer will be released on May 29^th in conjunction with the ambassador event at Arnold’s Park Amusement Park. It will be available at several locations in the park including aboard the Queen II.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Board Supervisors Tuesday adopted an ordinance repealing the county’s current ordinance on regulating and restricting the use of land for hazardous liquid pipelines. The move was recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission following federal court rulings finding similar county ordinances in Iowa are preempted by federal law. Supervisor Jeff Quastad said that the higher court made the decision and the local government needs to repeal the ordinance. No one spoke at a public hearing on the issue.

The Supervisors also approved a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny a request from Eric Olson to rezone property from A-1 Agricultural to I-1 Light Industrial. Olson had wanted to start a Freon recycling business on the property.

The board also approved a request from Peg Mason to use the courthouse lawn to host weekly Bible readings on Wednesday afternoons after 3 p.m. as part of the Iowa 99 county bible reading marathon.

(Estherville)--Iowa Lakes Community College has announced the lineup for its 2026–2027 Estherville Performing Arts Series at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center. The upcoming season offers a variety of performances designed to engage audiences of all ages and interests. The first year of the performing arts series concluded in March. Jessi Strom, Performing Arts Center Promotions and Operations Director, says it was a big success.

Strom says the 2026-2027 series will feature more performances.

She says two more bands will close out the schedule.

Strom says for those looking to experience the full season, Iowa Lakes offers two subscription options.

Individual tickets will be available for $20 for adults, with all-inclusive pricing and no additional fees, beginning June 1st. Children and Iowa Lakes students are admitted free. Each performance also includes a small reception for attendees. Tickets and memberships can be purchased through the Iowa Lakes Box Office at: iowalakes.edu/performingarts or by calling 712-362-7918.

(Arnolds Park)--The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Great Lakes Pheasants Forever Chapter are holding an Arnolds Park Nature Restoration Workday later this month. INHF Spokesman Joe Jayjack says the workday will be held on Wednesday, May 27^th from 8 to 11 am

Jayjack says there are some things volunteers will need to keep in mind.

He says Pheasants Forever has been a great partner on the project.

To ensure enough parking, Jayjack says they are asking volunteers to sign-up in advance by going to inhf.org and clicking on the events tab.

The 73-acre Arnolds Park Nature Area was acquired by the INHF last fall following a fundraising campaign.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Lincoln Central District has announced the hiring of Brad Peter as the new Demoney Elementary Principal, pending approval by the school board.

Peter brings 21 years of experience in education, including the last decade in leadership roles. Throughout his career, he has served as a math teacher, cross country coach, track & field coach, Teaching & Learning Coordinator, Activities Director, and Assistant Principal. He currently serves as the Assistant Principal of a large suburban middle school in Maple Valley, Washington, but is excited to return to Northwest Iowa where he has strong family and professional ties.

Peter shared that he is especially excited about the opportunity to bring a servant-leadership approach to Demoney Elementary and help create a culture where students, staff, and families all feel valued, supported, and empowered.

(Estherville)--Award-winning Iowa historian and University of Northern Iowa assistant professor Kevin Mason, author of the new book “Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa,” will be at the Estherville Public Library this Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 PM. Drawing from his new book, Mason says he will uncover how the state’s prairies and wetlands evolved into the farms, towns, and highways we know today.

The event is being hosted by the Estherville Public Library and the Emmet County Historical Society & Museum. Mason says the book was inspired by his walk across Iowa in 2021.

He says several chapters of his book focus directly on the history of Estherville and the surrounding area.

Mason provides more details about his presentation on Thursday evening.

Copies of Mason’s book will be available for sale. Mason is also the founder of a website on Iowa history: notesoniowa.com.

(Curlew)--A Curlew man is facing felony theft charges for allegedly stealing a vehicle.

Shortly after 8:10 PM on May 6^th, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office was notified about a possible stolen vehicle being in the Curlew area. Deputies responded and located a stolen vehicle in the 4500 block of 390^th Ave. After an investigation, Deputies arrested 60-year-old Shayne Brodersen of Curlew for 1^st Degree Theft, a Class C Felony. Brodersen was also taken into custody on a valid Dallas County Arrest Warrant for Operation Without the Owner's Consent, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.

Brodersen was booked into the Palo Alto County Jail to await his initial appearance in front of a magistrate.

(Washington, D.C.)--Iowa farmers are still waiting on Congress to pass a new farm bill. The U.S. House voted to approve a farm bill late last month but the Senate version remains stuck in committee. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says most of what’s in the House bill could be approved in the Senate.

Grassley says there’s one main sticking point holding up action in the Senate.

He says the rate of fraud in many states is more than double the six percent figure.

(Ruthven)--An investigation by the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a Ruthven man for stealing money from an older individual.

On Saturday, May 2nd, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office arrested 23-year-old Daniel Thompson of Ruthven, on a warrant charging him with theft in the 1^st degree against an older individual and financial exploitation of an older individual-1^st offense, both class B felonies. The warrant held no bond until seen by a judicial magistrate.

Thompson was booked into the Palo Alto County Jail to await his initial appearance.

(Ruthven)--A 35-year-old man was arrested on a warrant after a traffic stop last weekend in Ruthven.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s says shortly after 1:30 am on May 2nd, a traffic stop was conducted in the 1100block of Gowrie St. As a result of the traffic stop, Printes Witt of Ruthven was arrested on a valid Palo Alto County Arrest Warrant for 2 counts of Child Endangerment, and 1^st Offense Domestic Abuse Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness.

This was a no bond warrant, and Witt was booked into the Palo Alto County Jail to await his initial appearance in front of a magistrate.

(Estherville)--A local lawmaker says he’s pleased with how the 2026 Iowa legislative session wrapped-up. Area State Representative Henry Stone, a Republican from Forest City, says it was a very productive session.

Stone says he was happy lawmakers were able to get a property rex reform bill passed in the final hours of the session.

He says another highlight was the passage of a water quality bill.

Stone says he was also glad lawmakers passed a bill banning the distribution of abortion drugs by mail.

Stone represents the 9^th District which includes all of Emmet and Winnebago counties and most of Kossuth County. Stone is currently unopposed for reelection in November.

(Spencer)--A Ruthven man is facing charges after the report of a residential burglary in Spencer.

According to the Spencer Police Department, at around 6:20 am Thursday, a report of a burglary in progress was received from a residence in the 1100 block of Grand Avenue. The homeowner reported finding a man in the residence and that some items were missing. The suspect then took off on foot.

Police located 64-year-old Larry Rolling of Ruthven a short time later at a nearby Hy-Vee store. Officers recovered the stolen property and discovered methamphetamine in the process.

Rolling was arrested and was booked into the Clay County Jail on charges of 2^nd degree burglary,  a class C felony, and possession of a controlled substance.

Rolling is being held in the Clay County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

(Des Moines)--Iowa experienced significantly improved conditions through April, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

A particularly wet April brought relief to a large portion of the state. While southeastern Iowa saw significant improvement, dry conditions continue to linger in the northwestern part of the state. Iowa’s preliminary statewide precipitation for April totaled 5.66 inches, or 1.99 inches above normal. This marks the 6th wettest April on record for the state.

In the KILR listening area, all of Emmet and Dickinson counties are in the D-0 or abnormally dry category along with the northwest corner of Kossuth County, the northwest portion of Palo Alto County and all but the southeast corner of Clay County. The remaining portions of Kossuth, Palo Alto and Clay Counties have no drought designation.

(Estherville)--When Emmet County voters go to the polls in next month’s primary election, they will not find a candidate on the ballot for County Attorney. Emmet County Auditor Heidi Goebel says no candidates from either the Republican or Democrat party submitted paperwork to be on the ballot.

Goebel details the number of votes needed for each party.

She says if a write-in candidate receives the nomination at the primary election, that candidate must file an affidavit of candidacy by 5 pm on the seventh day after the canvass.

Goebel says if there is no general election winner, the Board of Supervisors can fill the position by appointment once the vacancy is created.

(Wahpeton)--Donations are being sought to continue dredging operations in the Wahpeton Canal System. Following the successful dredging and restoration work in Turtle Lake, project leaders are focused on adjoining DNR owned canal waterways that connect Turtle Lake to West Lake Okoboji.  Tim Ireland is President of the Lakewood Parks Association.

Ireland says this is a critical time for the project.

Ireland says the DNR has granted permission for the removal of a pedestrian bridge along the Barney Peterson Memorial Trail at Gull Point State Park.

The DNR plans to replace the bridge in Fiscal Year 2028. Ireland says the project is a once in a lifetime opportunity to restore these waterways.

You can make a donation through the Okoboji Foundation by going to okobojifoundation.org/giveboji.

(Bancroft)--Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge has announced the auto tour route will be open from today through Sunday, May 17^th in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day.

Visitors are welcome to drive cars, trucks and side-by-side UTVs on the tour route from sunrise to sunset during those dates. The auto tour route begins at the refuge headquarters and takes visitors along a four and one-half mile drive of wetland, open water, and prairie habitat. Toward the beginning of the tour route, there is an observation platform with two spotting scopes overlooking a large portion of the refuge.

Officials say viewing opportunities are generally best in early morning and early evening as that’s when wildlife is most active.

(Armstrong)--The city of Armstrong recently approved a vicious dog ordinance.

The action comes after numerous complaints over the past several months about dogs running at large and killing small livestock in the Armstrong area.

The ordinance says it is unlawful to keep a vicious dog within the city limits. A dog is deemed to be vicious if it has done any of the following: attacked or bitten any person without provocation or serious injury; more than once without provocation injured a domestic animal while off the owner’s property; if it has once killed, without provocation a domestic animal, pet or livestock while off the owner’s property, or when it has been used primarily for the purpose of dog fighting or the dog is trained for dog fighting.

Any person may file a complaint alleging that a particular dog is vicious. The owner of the dog will be notified by the Sheriff or their designee and an investigation will be conducted.

If the dog is deemed to be vicious, the Sheriff will notify the owner in writing of the finding and the appeal process, and order the dog be removed from within the city limits within 72 hours.

Owners who do not comply can be subject to a fine of $100 per day.

(Okoboji)--The Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji is in the process of applying for a Community Attraction and Tourism or CAT grant to fund an educational treehouse facility that would be built in conjunction with the Tree House Master’s television program. Pearson executive Director Bob Kirschbaum explains how the project came about.

Kirschbaum says they got a quick response after submitting an application to Treehouse Masters.

He says their main requirement was that the treehouse would be handicapped accessible.

Kirschbaum details some of the amenities that would be included in the treehouse.

Kirschbaum says a major donor is helping to fund the project. The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors this week approved a $1,000 donation to the project as a show of support for the CAT grant. Krirschbaum says construction would likely begin in the fall of 2027 and take two to three months to complete.

(Milford)--The Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District is set to begin work on the next phase of a $24 million improvement project for the wastewater collection system.  The project involves replacing 1.5 miles of existing 30-inch diameter pipe and manholes that are at the end of their service life. 

The project starts at the wastewater treatment plant and goes northward, nearly to the Arnolds Park Amusement Park. The existing pipe is being replaced with two 36-inch sewer pipes.  Work on the project is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2027.

To date, approximately 30 percent of the new sewer system has been installed, including sections within the Hunter Hills development and portions in the Emerald Hills Golf Course.

The next major phase of construction will begin on May 11th, when the contractor initiates work to connect the new sewer main to the wastewater treatment plant. This connection will require a full closure of 28th Street in Milford for approximately four weeks.

Officials have been working with emergency responders to ensure access during construction.  There will also be access to the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa during the road closure.

(Sherburn, MN)--The City of Sherburn is warning residents about coyotes being spotted within city limits.

According to a Facebook post from the city, coyotes have recently been observed in the Sherburn area. While sightings are not uncommon and coyotes generally avoid human interaction, officials encourage everyone to remain aware and take a few simple precautions to help keep both residents and pets safe.

They include keeping pets supervised and on a leash when outdoors, especially during early morning and evening hours, not leaving pet food, garbage, or other food sources outside, and maintaining awareness while walking or using local trails and parks.

If a coyote is observed nearby, remain calm, give it space, and do not attempt to approach or feed it. If you notice aggressive behavior or repeated activity in populated areas, contact local animal control or non-emergency public safety services. If it starts becoming aggressive or is out in daylight hours and there’s a concern for safety dial 911.

(Des Moines)--Keep Iowa Beautiful has announced the recipients of the Plant Iowa Beautiful mini-grant program. This initiative, designed to support local beautification efforts across the state, provides funding for projects that enhance publicly accessible spaces and foster community spirit. 
 
Out of 150 organizations that applied, 12 projects were selected to receive a $500 grant. These projects range from tree plantings and community gardens to streetscape enhancements and landscaping in parks

 
Grant recipients in northwest Iowa include: Lake Park Hometown Pride, Storm Lake Hometown Pride and Alta Hometown Pride/City of Alta. 

This program is made possible through sponsorships from Landus Cooperative and Keep America Beautiful.