(Algona)—Two people are facing charges after a traffic stop Saturday night in Algona.

Shortly before 10 pm Saturday, the Algona Police Department received a report of a suspicious vehicle. Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, 27-year-old Mariah Hocking of Humboldt was arrested for Driving While Barred.

A passenger in the vehicle, identified as 47-year-old Anthony George of Webster City was arrested on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance–Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance–Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

George and Hocking were booked into the Kossuth County Jail to await an initial court appearance.

Hocking is also facing charges following an incident that occurred Sunday afternoon. The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office says Hocking was stopped again around 1:30 PM in Algona. In addition to a 2^nd charge of Driving while Barred, Hocking is also charged with Driving Without the Owners Consent and 4^th Degree Criminal Mischief.

(Algona)--The man accused of murdering an Algona police officer last September is seeking to have his trial moved out of Kossuth County.

Kyle Ricke is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of police officer Kevin Cram. Ricke is accused of shooting Cram while he was serving an arrest warrant for third degree harassment at around 8 p-m on September 13th. Ricke fled the area and was arrested about four hours later near Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.

Court documents show Ricke filed a motion Monday for a change of venue. According to the filing, Ricke believes he cannot get a fair trial in Kossuth County because of media coverage. Ricke’s trial is currently scheduled to begin on June 25^th at 9:30 am.

(Estherville)--The mild weather this past winter has slowed the renovation of West Swan Lake in Emmet County. Mike Hawkins, a fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says they were hoping to begin restocking the lake this spring.

Hawkins says they will try to do another treatment later this year.

He says overall the restoration project has been very successful.

(Milford)--Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is seeking volunteers for its annual water monitoring program known as CLAMP. Environmental Lab Analyst Megan Vigdal says CLAMP stands for Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Program. Vigdal says this is the 25^th year for the program.

Vigdal says there will be training sessions on Wednesday, May 29^th at 10 am and Thursday, May 30^th at 10 am and 6 pm.

She explains how the results of the testing are used.

For more information or to volunteer send an email to: megan-vigdal@uiowa.edu

(Des Moines)--The Iowa Department of Education has awarded nearly $6 million in competitive grants to 67 Iowa schools to create, expand and sustain high-quality before-and-after school programs.

Schools in northwest Iowa receiving grants include West Elementary in Emmetsburg, Clay Central-Everly Elementary School, Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School and Alta Elementary School.

Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow says the Learning Beyond the Bell grants will support improved student achievement, strong attendance, and positive behaviors.

Award amounts were determined based on alignment with grant objectives and the expenditures outlined in each applicant’s budget proposal, up to a maximum of $200,000 per school. Allowable uses of funds include costs related to staffing, evidence-based interventions in math and/or reading, tutoring and other activities to advance student achievement, transportation and snacks and meals that meet federal nutrition guidelines.

(Spencer)--The Clay County Fair hosted its 20^th  Fair Queen Competition on Sunday evening.

Linnea Bloom of Marathon was crowned this year’s Clay County Fair Queen.

Other contestants include the first runner-up, Aubria Stell of Spencer, Hannah Tessum of Everly, and Addison Wyman of Spencer.

Candidates participated in individual interviews, workshops, and a pageant. The pageant included introductions, a portion where the candidates expressed themselves, and concluded with the crowning.

The Queen will represent the Fair at area parades and selected celebrations during the summer, represent Clay County during the Iowa State Fair Queen Contest, and participate in the Clay County Fair.

This year, the Clay County Fair will run from September 7 through September 15.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Fire Department has announced the promotion of Nicholas Steinle to Training Officer.

Steinle started his career as a firefighter with the Estherville Fire Department in 2021.

Steinle is a Wild-land Technician for the Iowa Department of Natural Resouces and has a background in prescribed burns.

(Estherville)--School districts across Iowa will soon begin the process of implementing the new laws and regulations passed by the 2024 Iowa Legislature. Estherville Lincoln Central Superintendent Tara Paul says while the revamp of the state’s Area Education Agencies drew most of the attention, there were several other bills that will have a direct impact on the ELC School District.

She says lawmakers also reinstated the March 1^st deadline for open enrollment.

Paul says she was pleased lawmakers expanded the courses that can be counted for math and science credit.

Paul says lawmakers also approved a controversial bill that allows school district employees to be armed.

Paul made her comments on the ELC Superintendent Spotlight Program which can be heard every Saturday at 8:45 am on KILR FM 95.9.

(Bancroft)—The Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge has announced its auto tour route will be open from Friday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 12th in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day. Visitors are welcome to drive 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.

A variety of wildlife including Sandhill cranes can be heard and seen along the tour route this spring. Wildlife viewing opportunities are generally best in early morning and early evening as that’s when wildlife is most active.

Union Slough NWR is located 6 miles east of Bancroft on County Road A-42. For further information, please call 515- 928-2523.

(Okoboji)--The Dickinson County Nature Center is collaborating with Brooks Golf to start another season of Birding on the Green. This free program is offered to anyone who may have just opened a field guide all the way to the experienced birder. Attendees are encouraged to bring their binoculars, but the nature center will also provide a limited number to lend.

On Monday, May 6th, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., the group will meet in the parking lot of Brooks Golf, and birders will hop into golf carts to begin the excursion. While driving throughout the course, a list of the species they see and hear will be formed.

Don Vrchota, president of the Jackson County Birdwatchers, will lead the program along with Dickinson County Nature Center education staff.

Birding on the Green will occur on the first Monday of the month from May to September.

No registration is required. For more information, call 712-336-6352

(Estherville)--The 73rd annual National Day of Prayer will be observed around the nation this Thursday, May 2nd. Pastor Cole McCormick of Trinity Lutheran Church in Estherville outlines the theme for this year’s event.

McCormick says an ecumenical National Day of Prayer event will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church during the noon hour on Thursday.

He encourages people of faith to pray every day.

More information is available online at: nationaldayofprayer.org.

(Estherville)--The Sons of Norway-Gro Svendsen Lodge in Emmet County is hosting a brunch next month to celebrate Mother’s Day and Norway’s Constitution Day.  Lodge President Staci Berg-Nelson explains how the event came about.

Berg-Nelson says the brunch will be held on Sunday, May 12th from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Estherville Lutheran Church.

She explains how the proceeds from the event will be used.

In other news, Berg-Nelson says the lodge will be at various parades in the area this summer.

For more information, contact Stacie Berg-Nelson 952-843-3210.

(Spencer)--The Clay County Fair Charitable Trust has announced the results of its 3rd Annual Farm to Fork FUNdraiser, held at the Clay County Fair & Events Center on Thursday, April 18th.

In addition to a delicious meal, attendees participated in various fundraising activities, including a quilt raffle, a 50/50 raffle, and live and silent auctions. Their generosity resulted in over $33,000 raised for the Clay County Fair Charitable Trust.

The trust provides funds to construct new facilities and renovate existing buildings at the Clay County Fairgrounds.

(Algona)--Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will invest in 14 urban water quality projects including one in Algona. Naig says $24,000 will be invested in a Bioretention Cell at Smith Lake.

The bioretention cell will be constructed by the Kossuth County Conservation Board. This practice will intercept runoff from an asphalt parking lot adjacent to the Water’s Edge Nature Center. The biocell will serve as a valuable filter for the water before it enters Smith Lake. Given the project’s close proximity to the nature center, students and visitors will learn about the importance of stormwater management, water quality and native plants.

(Spirit Lake)--The Rails to Trails Conservancy is celebrating Trails Day this Saturday, April 27 with nearly 200 events around the country. One of the events will be held in the lakes area, according to Erin Reed with the Dickinson County Trails Board.

Reed says whether you walk or ride a bike, everyone is encouraged to participate.

Reed says the Rails to Trails Conservancy has been around since 1986.

Again Saturday’s event will start at 10:00 am at the Tatanka Ska Trace trail head just east of Hy-Vee in Spirit Lake.