(Spencer)--The Clay County Fair Association is seeking eligible candidates to join its Board of Directors and encourages interested community members to join the organization. The Fair Association's Annual Meeting and Board of Directors election will be held on February 23rd, 2027.

Eligible candidates must have been an individual member of the Fair Association for a minimum of one (1) year prior to their election. The deadline to apply to run for the Board of Directors is December 15th, 2026. The Nominating Committee reviews all interested candidates for possible inclusion on the ballot submitted during the Fair Association's Annual Meeting in February.

The Board of Directors plays a critical role in the leadership of the Clay County Fair. Elected Board Members serve three-year terms and help shape the Fair's direction by electing the Executive Committee and approving changes to the Fair Association's By-Laws.

Individuals interested in running for the Board of Directors can access the application at claycountyfair.com/staff-and-board/ or pick up a paper application at the Fair Administrative Office, located inside the Events Center. Submit applications by December 15, 2026.

(Spirit Lake)--Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has been awarded a nearly $1,900 grant from the Dickinson County Endowment Fund to update and enhance the waiting area at its Spirit Lake office.

The project will focus on improving the overall appearance and functionality of the waiting area through updated furnishings, child-friendly features, and a designated calming center. These improvements will help create a space that is welcoming, culturally responsive, and appropriate for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

Over the past year, Seasons Center's Spirit Lake team has grown to 11 providers offering a variety of services, including mental health therapy, peer support, substance use disorder counseling, specialized family services, crisis response, and care coordination.

(Okoboji)--The Iowa DNR will host a public meeting on Monday, November 16th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss potential lease agreements at four state-owned access points in the Okoboji area. The meeting will take place at the Maser Monarch Lodge located at 2273 170th St in Okoboji. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

After receiving public feedback about parking and storage of unattended commercial vessels on state-owned shoreline, the DNR has identified four state-owned access points where approved lease applicants can park or moor their vessels during the 2027 recreational season. The proposed locations are: the Highway 9 boat ramp; Templar Park boat ramp; Trigg's boat ramp; and Minnewashta boat ramp.

The lease program will be presented at the meeting with more specifics on the proposed areas along with plans and timelines. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.

(Armstrong)--North Union school officials are evaluating their options after a $12 million dollar bond issue to build a new gym and multipurpose room was defeated in Tuesday’s election. North Union Superintendent Travis Schueller thanked everyone who voted in the election.

Schueller says he was not shocked by the results.

He says the school board will take some time before deciding how to proceed.

Schueller made his comments on the North Union Spotlight program which can be heard every Thursday at 5:45 pm on KILR FM 95.9.

(Estherville)--The Spirit of Harmony chorus will present their annual Fall Show this Saturday beginning at 2 pm at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College. Chorus Director Judy Weipert says the show is titled ‘What’s the Buzz All About?”

The children’s book is ‘Buzzy the Bumblebee’ and Weipert says they got permission from the author to create the show.

Weipert says the show will feature colorful costumes.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. You can purchase advance tickets at Lewis Family Drug in Spirit Lake or contact Judy Weipert at 712-330-5066.

(Estherville)—PathOne will host a community information meeting next week on the potential data center project in Estherville.

The meeting on Thursday, November 12 at the Estherville VFW will cover power, water, noise, jobs, taxes and community benefits, and the project timeline.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m.

According to a press release, the meeting is not a city hearing, and nothing will be decided or voted on.

(Emmetsburg)--The third time proved not to be the charm for a bond issue to build a new elementary school in the Emmetsburg Community School District. A $25 million bond issue was approved by 57.4 percent of voters on Tuesday, less than the 60-percent needed for passage. Emmetsburg Superintendent Cory Jenness.

Jenness says while the bond issue failed, the need for more space remains.

He says the school board will likely take a few months to explore their options.

School bond issues were also rejected Tuesday by voters in the Spirit Lake and North Union School Districts. Voters in the Jackson County Central School District did pass an operating levy by a slim margin. The referendum replaces a current $460 per pupil funding level and increases it to $1,460 per student. School officials warned that major budget cuts would have had to be made had the measure not passed.

(Estherville)--Due to rising wholesale power costs, Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative is implementing a Power Cost Adjustment or PCA. ILEC President and CEO Ryan Craig says the PCA is something they’ve done in the past.

At least two companies have expressed interest in building a data center in the Estherville area. Craig says implementing the Power Cost Adjustment has nothing to do with data centers.

He says if a large data center were to locate in Iowa Lakes’ service territory that cost would not be passed onto member owners.

Craig says it will be a challenge for power companies to meet the rising demand for electricity.

Craig spoke with Dave Van Roekel Wednesday morning on KILR FM 95.9

(Des Moines)--Iowa saw the highest turnout for a midterm election in over three decades, according to Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate.

More than 63% of registered Iowa voters participated in the 2026 Midterm Election, casting 1,380,528 ballots.

Turnout from the 1990 Midterm Election narrowly topped 2026’s turnout with a turnout rate of 63.47%. The 2026 Midterm Election turnout was reported at 63.34% as of Wednesday morning.

In Emmet County, the voter turnout was 58.96 percent. The voter turnout for other area counties was 66.85 percent in Palo Alto, 65.53 percent in Dickinson, 63.9 percent in Kossuth and 60.16 percent in Clay.

(Estherville)--Iowa Lakes Community College invites veterans, military families, students, employees, and community members to attend its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11^th  at 11 a.m. in the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville Campus. The event is free and open to the public.

This year's ceremony will feature Sergeant Doug Zemler, a U.S. Army veteran and longtime Electrical Technology Program Coordinator at Iowa Lakes Community College, as the featured speaker.

During his service with the 82nd Airborne Division, Zemler completed 55 parachute jumps and participated in specialized jungle and desert warfare training. He deployed to the Middle East in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The ceremony will include the presentation of colors by the Estherville VFW Post 3388 John W. Brawford Post Honor Guard. Dwayne Hoss, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Chief Flight Instructor at Iowa Lakes, will serve as master of ceremonies. The program will also feature patriotic musical selections performed by the Iowa Lakes Chorus and Band.

Following the ceremony, a complimentary lunch will be provided for veterans and their spouses, courtesy of a retired veteran.

For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed through the Iowa Lakes Community College website at iowalakes.edu.

(Estherville)--With no candidate on the ballot for Tuesday’s general election, the winner in the race for Emmet County Attorney was determined by write-in votes. A total of 266 votes were cast. Those ballots were counted on Wednesday in the Auditor’s Office and current County Attorney Melanie Summers Bauler was the winner, receiving 106 votes.

Two other races were determined by write-in votes. Drew Howing was elected to the County Soil and Water Conservation District Commission and Bryce Hansen was elected to the County Agricultural Extension Council.

(West Bend)--Minor injuries were reported in a single vehicle accident Sunday morning near West Bend.

Shortly before 6:10 am, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office responded to a single vehicle accident in the 5600 block of 430th St. After an investigation, it was determined that a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by 34-year-old Crystal Goeders of West Bend, was westbound when she came upon some debris on the roadway. When the vehicle went over the debris, it caused the Equinox to lose traction and enter the south ditch. The vehicle rolled over before coming to rest on its side.

Goeders was taken by private vehicle to the Palo Alto County Health Systems for a complaint of minor injuries.

Damage to the Equinox was estimated at $20,000.

(Armstrong)--The city of Armstrong is hosting a community tree meeting this evening at 5 pm in the Armstrong Community Center.

The City of Armstrong is renewing its urban tree canopy with support from a DNR grant. City officials say residents can learn about upcoming tree removals and new tree plantings planned throughout Armstrong over the next 18 months.

(Estherville)--Emmet County Veterans Affairs is seeking donations to help veterans or their surviving spouses have a brighter Christmas. Veterans Affairs Director Casee Ross says this is the 3^rd year for the Adopt A Vet program.

That’s December 7^th. Ross says they will also accept monetary donations

She says the gifts requested are very inexpensive.

For more information contact the Emmet County Veterans Affairs Office at 712-362-7431. Ross spoke with Dave Van Roekel Tuesday morning on KILR FM 95.9.

(Spencer)--Seasons Center for Behavioral Health in Spencer has been awarded $50,000 from the Iowa Primary Care Association. Sarah Wurm, VP of Program Development & Specialized Services at Seasons Center, says the funds will be used to support organizational development initiatives.

Wurm says the funding will also help in other areas including updating client health records.

Wurm says the changes will enhance the services they provide to clients.

For more information about Seasons Center’s services, visit seasonscenter.org or follow Seasons Center for Behavioral Health on Facebook.

(Spirit Lake)--More details have been released about the arrest of a Spencer man who led officers on a high speed pursuit this past weekend in Dickinson County.

According to online court documents, at about 10:20 p.m. on October 31st, 20-year-old Jason Hauschen was seen by Arnolds Park officers driving a motorcycle southbound on Highway 71 at a speed of about 61 miles per hour in a marked 45 miles per hour zone.

The criminal complaint says officers tried to perform a traffic stop and activated emergency lights and sirens but Hauschen continued to travel southbound at high rates of speed, appearing to reach 100 miles per hour before turning onto Terrace Park Boulevard and traveling north.

Hauschen then turned East on 202nd Street towards Highway 71, still followed by Arnolds Park police, traveling southbound on Highway 71. Officers say he turned towards P Avenue in Milford before crashing the motorcycle into a shop. The motorcycle reportedly had fraudulent plates and did not have insurance or current registration.

Hauschen is charged with: eluding at speeds of 25 mph over the limit, driving under suspension, fraudulent use of registration, speeding, interference with official acts, failure to provide proof of financial liability and failure to obey a stop or yield sign.

Hauschen was being held in the Dickinson County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

A preliminary hearing on the eluding charge, a class D felony, is set for November 10^th at 4 pm in Dickinson County Court. A pre-trial conference on the other charges is scheduled for April 8, 2027, at 4 p.m.

(KILR)--Voters around the area cast ballots in Tuesday’s mid-term elections.

In Emmet County, there were no contested races on the ballot. For the Board of Supervisors, Incumbent Republican John Pluth and Incumbent No Party Candidate Jeff Quastad were re-elected. Pluth received 2,515 votes and Quastad 2,230. Also winning election were Incumbent Republicans Diane Minion for County Recorder and Lisa Rosburg for County Treasurer. There were no candidates on the ballot for County Attorney. A total of 266 write-in votes were cast. The write-in results will be announced Wednesday.

There were just two contested races for county offices around the area. In Palo Alto County, Republican Aaron Dietrich won a three way race for the District Five Seat on the Board of Supervisors. Dietrich received 409 votes compared to 326 for Incumbent Democrat Linus Solberg and 87 for No Party candidate Matt Radig.

There was also a three way race in Kossuth County, for the District One seat on the Board of Supervisors. Republican Mike Genrich received 781 votes to defeat Independent Lara Cram who received 384 votes and Democrat Larry Mitchell who received 315.

In state legislative races: Incumbent Republican Dave Rowley won re-election to the District Five Seat in the Iowa State. Rowley easily defeated No Party candidate Rachel Gravert by a margin of 75 to 25 percent. For State Senate District Three, Incumbent Republican Lynn Evans defeated Democrat Mike Frantz 71-percent to 29-percent.

There were three school bond issues on area ballots and all failed to pass. Voters in the North Union School District defeated a $12 Million Bond Issue to build a new gym and multipurpose room at the Armstrong building by a margin of 65-percent to 35-percent. There were 862 no votes compared to 466 yes votes. In the Spirit Lake School District, a $69.9 million bond issue to fund improvements to the high school, middle school and elementary school was defeated. The measure received 2,917 no votes or 60.6 percent and 1,881 yes votes or 39.9 percent.

And for the third time, a bond issue to build a new elementary school in the Emmetsburg School District failed to receive the 60-percent support needed for approval. The measure received 1,165 yes votes or 57.4 percent and 988 no votes or 42.5 percent.   

Also in Lark Park, voters defeated a $4.6 million bond issue to build a new fire department and emergency services center. The measure received 286 votes or 51.1 percent compared to 273 no votes or 48.8 percent. 60 percent approval was needed for passage.

(Washington, D.C.)--The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that Iowa will receive over $76.2 million in federal funding to improve roadway safety, including two projects in this area.

Nearly $7.1 million was awarded for projects in eight counties in northwest and north central Iowa including Kossuth and Palo Alto. The funds will be used to implement 15 rural roadway safety projects at six segments, five curves and four intersections.

Also, the Palo Alto County Post-Crash Care and Emergency Transport Risk Reduction Initiative was awarded $415,711 to improve rural post-crash care after serious roadway crashes. The project will equip ambulances serving Palo Alto County with advanced monitoring, prehospital blood administration capability and point-of-care ultrasound to test trauma-care tools, improve field decision-making and inform future rural EMS and post-crash care initiatives countywide.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Fire Department responded to a house fire early this(Tuesday) morning on the north side of town.

Estherville Fire Chief Travis Sheridan says shortly before 2:30am, firefighters were called to a kitchen fire at 920 North 13^th St. Sheridan says a resident of the house was taking a shower when they heard a popping noise. They went upstairs and found the kitchen on fire. The residents of the house had safely evacuated when firefighters arrived on scene. Sheridan says firefighters were informed that there were two pet dogs and three pet birds inside the home,

Firefighters initiated a defensive fire attack from outside the structure to knock down the flames and create safer conditions for entry crews. Once the fire was brought under control, firefighters advanced into the residence to extinguish the remaining fire and begin overhaul operations.

While one crew worked in the kitchen area to locate and extinguish remaining hot spots, another crew searched the residence for the missing family pets. Firefighters were able to locate and safely rescue both dogs from a back bedroom without injuries. Unfortunately, the family's three pet birds did not survive the fire.

Sheridan says there was extensive damage to the interior of the home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. However, preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been electrical in nature.

The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced family, consisting of two adults, three children, and their pets.

Firefighters were on scene for about two and a half hours.  

The Estherville Fire Department was assisted on scene by Emmet County Dispatch, the Estherville Police Department, the Emmet County Sheriff's Office, Estherville Ambulance Service, Wallingford Fire Department, and Estherville Electric Utility.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District will conduct an active intruder drill this Wednesday as part of ongoing school safety efforts.

According to a letter sent home to parents, during the exercise, students will be asked to respond using the strategies they have learned through prior ALICE training. Depending on the scenario, this may include evacuation of the building. A mock intruder scenario may be used at the middle school and/or high school, and the Estherville Police Department will be onsite to assist.

The letter says the goal of ALICE is to provide individuals with information and options so they can make informed decisions, move away from danger when possible, and respond in ways that increase overall safety.

All students in attendance on Wednesday will participate. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your child’s building principal or the district office.

(Estherville)—Voters in Estherville need to be aware of a change in polling location for Ward One and Ward Two. Emmet County Auditor Heidi Goebel.

Goebel says all other polling locations in the county remain the same.

She says there’s been a change in the law for attestors.

Goebel says curbside voting is available.

Goebel says early voting which ended at 5 pm Monday went very well. She says as of mid-afternoon Monday 1,110 residents had early voted. That compares to a total of 880 in the 2022 General Election. If you have any questions, contact the Emmet County Auditor’s Office at 712-362-4261.

(KILR)--Voters around the area will be going to the polls today to cast ballots for federal, state and local races.

In Emmet County, there are no contested races on ballot. For the Board of Supervisors, Incumbent Republican John Pluth and Incumbent No Party Candidate Jeff Quastad are unopposed. Also running unopposed are Incumbent Republicans Diane Minion for County Recorder and Lisa Rosburg for County Treasurer. There are no candidates on the ballot for County Attorney. Current County Attorney, Republican Melanie Summers Bauer is running a write-in campaign.

There are also no contested races for county offices in Clay, Dickinson or Palo Alto counties.

In Kossuth County, there is a three way race for the District One seat on the Board of Supervisors. They are Democrat Larry Mitchell, Republican Mike Genrich and Independent candidate Lara Cram.

In state legislative races: Incumbent Republican Dave Rowley is being challenged by No Party candidate Rachel Gravert for the State Senate District Five. Incumbent Republicans John Wills and Henry Stone are unopposed for their respective House seats.

There are three school bond issues on area ballots. Voters in the North Union School District are deciding the fate of a $12 Million Bond Issue to build a new gym and multipurpose room at the Armstrong building. In the Spirit Lake School District, a $69.9 million bond issue is on the ballot to fund improvements to the high school, middle school and elementary school. And voters in the Emmetsburg School District will decide the fate of a $25 million bond issue to build a new elementary school. Also, Lake Park residents will be voting on a $4.6 million bond issue to build a new fire department and emergency services building.

The polls opened a few minutes ago at 7 am and will remain open until 8 pm. KILR News will have live results this evening after the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball game on FM 95.9.

(Estherville)--The Estherville City Council Monday evening set their next meeting on November 16^th as the date and time for a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the zoning code regarding the creation of a Data Center Overlay District. The amendment sets the maximum capacity for a Data Center at 25 megawatts. It also places limitations on environmental impacts, noise, water and electrical consumption. The vote was 6 to 1 with council member David Hovinga casting the dissenting vote. Hovinga says his biggest concern is with the noise and low frequency levels produced by data centers.

Hovinga says there are serious health risks associated with the low frequencies produced by data centers.

Council member Gary Myers said there are measures that can be taken to reduce noise levels.

City officials say there are two companies interested in building a data center on the south edge of Estherville including Path One which made a presentation to the council last month. Mayor Tony Condon says the ordinance can be sent back to the Planning and Zoning Commission with recommended changes to address concerns raised by the public.  

In other business, the council also heard a presentation from Foth Engineering and the Iowa DOT on the Highway 9 reconstruction project through Estherville. Bid letting for the project is scheduled for October 2027.  The project would be done in four stages from 2028 through 2031.

(Everly)--A Milford woman was seriously injured in a car-semi accident Friday morning north of Everly.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says the accident occurred shortly after 10:20 am at the intersection of Highway 18 and 130^th Avenue. An investigation at the scene determined that 69-year-old Tammy Miesner of Milford was driving a 2019 Buick Envision westbound in the 1300 block of Highway 18. A 2019 Peterbilt semi and enclosed trailer operated by 38-year-old Tadas Mazuolis of Chicago, Ill was travelling northbound in the 3200 block of 130th Ave when they failed to obey the stop sign, entering the intersection. Miesner struck the trailer of the semi causing her vehicle to become entangled underneath.

Miesner was extricated from the vehicle by responding fire departments and taken to the Spencer Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Mazuolis was cited and released for failing to obey a stop/yield sign.

Assisting the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the Iowa State Patrol, Everly Fire Department, Royal Fire Department, and Spencer Ambulance Service. 

(Arnolds Park)—A 20 year old man is facing multiple charges after a high speed pursuit Saturday evening in Arnolds Park.

According to  the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office online jail records, Jason Hauschen was arrested and charged with driving under suspension, eluding at a speed 25 mph over the limit, fraudulent use of registration, speeding, failure to obey a stop sign or yield the right-of-way,  failure to provide proof of financial liability and interference with official acts.

Hauschen was being held into the Dickinson County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

(Estherville)--The Estherville City Council this evening will consider setting a date for a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the zoning code regarding the creation of a Data Center Overlay District. 

The amendment was recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission after a meeting last Thursday. The amendment sets the maximum capacity for a Data Center at 25 megawatts. It also places limitations on environmental impacts, noise, water and electrical consumption.

The council will also hear a presentation from Foth Engineering and the Iowa DOT on the Highway 9 reconstruction project through Estherville.

The meeting will begin at 5 pm at the Iowa Lakes Community College SERT building at 2421 7^th Avenue South.  An open house on the Highway 9 project will be held at the SERT building from 4 to 5 pm.

(Arnolds Park)--Spirit of Okoboji has hired a Museum Development and Public History Advisor to support of the Friends of The Abbie Gardner Cabin. Drew Hage of Spirit of Okoboji says they’re engaging the services of Dr. Kevin Mason, an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Northern Iowa.

Hage says Mason helped create a brand new website for the Friends of Abbie Gardner Cabin.

Hage says he hopes the new websites will increase interest in Abbie Gardner’s story and the Abbie Gardner cabin.

The new website for the Abbie Gardner historic site is: abbiecabin.com. The website for the Lakes Ares Museum Alliance is: lakesmuseum.org.

(Okoboji)--Teens are invited to learn about Iowa’s bats and help build bat houses during WILD Roots: Bat House Building on Monday, November 9th from 6-8 p.m. at the Dickinson County Nature Center.

Participants will learn about the issues that bats are facing, explore bat species found in Iowa, and put their skills to work building bat houses. WILD Roots offers teens an opportunity to develop outdoor skills, build friendships and get involved in conservation.

The bat houses will be installed on various county properties to provide safe roosting structures and encourage bat populations. Bats are natural pest controllers, consuming hundreds to thousands of small insects, like mosquitoes, per hour.

WILD Roots is open to teens 13-18 years old at no cost and requires registration. To register, visit the Programs/Events list at www.dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com.

(Armstrong)--High school seniors around the area are planning for their futures whether that means going to college, joining the military or entering the workforce. Taking the ACT test used to be a requirement for students wanting to go to college but North Union High School Counselor Detra Harle says that is no longer the case.

The next ACT testing date is December 12^th and the registration deadline is this Friday, November 6^th. Harle says North Union provides a career database for students called Future Ready Iowa.

Harle says all students wanting to attend college need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.

She says students should apply for as many local scholarships as possible.

Harle also offers advice for students interested in joining the military.

Harle made her comments on the North Union Spotlight Program which can be heard every Thursday at 5:45 pm on KILR FM 95.9.

(Estherville)--An Early man is facing a felony drug charge in Emmet County District Court for allegedly selling drugs to a minor.

According to online court records, 29-year-old Colton Mohr is charged with drug distribution to a person under the age of 18, a class B felony.

The criminal complaint filed by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, says Mohr came to the Law Enforcement Center for an interview on Thursday. Mohr admitted to knowingly selling plant based marijuana to a juvenile male on Wednesday afternoon near the Dolliver City Park .

Mohr was being held on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

A preliminary hearing for Mohr is set for November 9^th at 4 pm in Emmet County District Court.