(Estherville)--The schedule has been announced for Memorial Day activities in Estherville. This will be the 151st observance of Memorial Day. Gene Haukoos with the Estherville VFW

says the flags will be put up on Friday evening in downtown Estherville..

He says Memorial Day itself will begin with a service at 8 a.m. at the Estherville VFW.

The cemetery services will be held at 8:20 a.m. at East Side Cemetery; 8:40 a.m. at Lutheran and East Side Memorial Cemetery; 9:00 at Oak Hill Cemetery; 9:20 a.m. at the Central Ave. Bridge, 9:50 a.m. at Swan Lake Cemetery and 10:10 at the Catholic Cemetery. The community service will start at 11 a.m. at the National Guard Readiness Center in Estherville.

The 15 flags dedicated this year will be placed at the southwest corner of the courthouse right after the ceremony. The Emmet County Courthouse will be open for viewing the 550 retired flags displayed there. Haukoos encourages residents to take time to walk among the flags.

If you would like to have a loved ones flag removed from the Court House and returned to family contact Gene Haukoos at 712-362-3698. Haukoos says volunteers are also needed to help take down the flags at 5 p.m. on Monday.

(Spirit Lake, Iowa) The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees has approved tuition and fees for the 2019-2020 school year.

At their meeting on Tuesday, the Trustees set in-state tuition at $183 per credit hour, with Minnesota residents paying $188 per credit hour. Online course fees will be $189 per credit hour, while non-residents and International students will pay $194 per credit hour.

In other business, Delaine Hiney, Executive Director of Facilities Management, reminded the Board that contractors will soon be on campus to upgrade the dorm access system and to install a new card access system that will require a photo ID card for campus entry.

Jolene Rogers, Executive Director of Community and Business Relations, reported that Iowa Lakes was awarded their entire request for $171,000 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for Accelerated Career Education programs. These funds will be used to expand Emergency Medical Services programs and will create a new Renewable Energy Technician non-credit training program focused on solar and low voltage.

(Ruthven)--The Ruthven-Ayrshire School District is planning some improvements to the district's softball, baseball and football facilities. The Ruthven-Ayrshire school board has selected Des Moines-based Larson Engineering to oversee the developments of plans and specs for the proposed improvements, according to Superintendent Andrew Woiwood.

Woiwood says improvements are planned for the outfield of the baseball facility.

Plans for the football field include a new press box and new home bleachers. Woiwood explains the next step in the process.

Woiwood says they hope to have a bid opening in the fall and have the work completed by the summer of 2020.

(Algona)--The city of Algona experienced a power outage Tuesday evening that impacted the Kossuth County Communications Center.

Kossuth County Emergency Management Director David Penton says a group of power surges caused equipment failures at the Communications Center. The Kossuth County IT Department responded and immediately began back up measures to bring the operations back on line.

For a period of time, all 9-1-1 calls, both land line and wireless, were routed to another area 9-1-1 Center. Penton says at no time would a 9-1-1 call have gone unanswered. At approximately 2 a.m., all major services returned to normal operations with back-up equipment in place.

The Kossuth County 9-1-1 Joint Service Board has initiated an insurance claim to repair or replace damaged equipment.

(Spencer)--A vehicle burglary investigation led to the arrest of a Terril man on multiple charges.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says 36-year-old Santos Beal of Terril was arrested Tuesday evening at the Clay County Jail. The charges stem from an investigation regarding a burglary complaint on March 31st and the execution of search warrant at Beal's residence on April 9th. 

Beal was charged with 4^th degree theft, 3^rd degree burglary of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Beal was released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

(Dickens)--The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has released information on a minor injury accident earlier this month near Dickens.

Shortly after 11:20 p.m. on May 7^th, Deputies were called to the intersection of 320th Ave and 350th St for a welfare check on a female. Upon arrival it was determined that 19-year-old Molly Schlichtemeier of Spencer had been involved in a rollover accident.

Spencer Ambulance and Dickens Fire Department responded to the scene. Schlichtemeier was transported to the Spencer Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

(Estherville) – The annual Youth Fishing Day event for kids age 8 to 15 will be held this Saturday, June 8^th from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rich Jordet’s Pond south of Wallingford. Emmet County Conservation Director Eric Anderson says kids need to register for the event by noon Friday, June 7^th.

He says kids who attend will have the opportunity to catch plenty of fish.

Parents and guardians are responsible for getting youth to and from Jordet’s Pond. To register, call the Emmet County Nature Center at 712-867-4422.

On another topic, Anderson says the camping season in Emmet County is in full swing as campsites are quickly filling up.

Anderson says Emmet County Conservation is also offering several programs during the summer. For more information visit emmetcountyconservation.com.

(Estherville)--This is the 45^th annual National Emergency Medical Services or EMS Week. Estherville Ambulance Service Co-Director Brad Held says this year’s theme is “Beyond the Call.”

There are more than 11,000 certified EMS providers in Iowa and more than half of them are volunteers. Annually, Iowa EMS providers respond to over 240,000 calls for assistance. Held says the Estherville ambulance service handled 795 calls in 2018. Held says this year, the Estherville Ambulance Service is celebrating 66 years of service to the community.

He says a county-wide coalition has been formed in Emmet County that includes multiple EMS services and departments.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, Iowa Lakes Community College provides EMT classes. For more information contact Brad Held at 362-4221.

(Estherville) – The Estherville City Council Monday evening held a discussion on moving forward with the outdoor municipal swimming pool that will be located next to the Regional Wellness Center. Estherville City Administrator Penny Clayton details the final plans for the pool site.

Clayton says the site will allow parents to drop off their kids using a drop-off lane.

She explains the next steps the council will take to move the project forward.

Estherville City Administrator Penny Clayton.

(Estherville) – The ELC School Board addressed questions brought forth by concerned parents about the underachieving test scores and classroom sizes in the 2^nd grade at Monday night’s meeting. ELC Superintendent Tara Paul.

Paul also highlighted what the plans are going forward with summer school.

Another concern brought forth to the board was Title 1/Intervention services.

Also discussed at last night's meeting was a Europe trip opportunity for students in grades 10-12 and an amendment to the 2018-2019 budget.

(Estherville) - An Estherville Job and Career Fair will be held Thursday, May 23rd from 2-6 p.m. at Estherville Hotel and Suites. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lexie Ruter says there will be plenty of businesses in attendance looking for part-time or full-time help.

Ruter highlights some of the positions available.

Kwik Star officials will also be in attendance looking to hire future employees for their new location on Central Avenue. Ruter highlights other businesses that will be attending the job fair.

For more information, contact the Estherville Chamber of Commerce at 712-362-3541.

(KILR) – A crowded field of Democrats have announced their intentions to run for President in the 2020 elections. One of those candidates is Ohio U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, who has served in Ohio's 13th congressional district since 2003. In an interview with KILR News, Ryan was asked why he chose to run for the presidency.

Ryan says his campaign focus will be on the economy.

An issue that has been a cause for concern among Democrats is healthcare. Ryan says he wants to see a public healthcare option for people who can't afford it.

He says despite the unemployment rate being at an all-time low, Ryan says certain areas are still losing jobs.

Ryan made campaign stops this past weekend in Spirit Lake, Estherville, Emmetsburg and Spencer.

(Armstrong)--A Fairmont man was arrested on drug charges Wednesday in Armstrong.

According to Emmet County Court records, 21-year-old Dayton Nielsen was found to be in possession of not more than 50 grams of marijuana with intent to deliver.

Nielson is charged with a controlled substance violation, a class D felony, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and fraudulent use of registration.

Nielsen was being held on a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

A preliminary hearing is set for June 6^th at 4 p.m. in Emmet County District Court.

(Alpha, Minn.)-- A Dunnell teenager was sent to the hospital after a two vehicle accident Wednesday evening south of Alpha.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened shortly before 6:30p.m. at the intersection of County Roads 8 and 29.

Authorities say 17 year-old Destiny Bessette of Dunnell was driving a 2007 Dodge Ram and 26 year-old Mark Stender of Aurelia, Iowa was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado when they collided in the intersection.

Bessette was transported to the Sanford Jackson Medical Center with minor injuries.

The Alpha Fire Department and Jackson Ambulance assisted at the scene.

(KILR)---The peak season for boating in Iowa usually begins with the Memorial Day weekend when tens of thousands of boats hit the water, many for the first time for the year. Steve Griebel, State Conservation Officer for Northwest Iowa, says there are a few things boaters should do before putting their boat in the water.

Lifejackets should be in good condition and the right size for each person onboard. Also, check the fire extinguisher, boat and trailer lights, whistle, and throwable floatation devices. Greibel offers some tips for having a fun and safe boating experience.

Greibel says drinking and operating a boat don’t mix. He says Conservation Officers will be on the lookout for drunk boaters.

Greibel was asked about the most common violations boaters commit on the water.

In 2018, there were 32 reported boating incidents on Iowa waters: 17 of those were personal injury; 7 were property damage incidents and 8 resulted in fatalities.