(Winnebago) – Two Granada men have died following a single vehicle crash near Winnebago, MN Thursday evening.

According to the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened around 6:40 p.m. on County Road 1, south of 150^th Street in rural Winnebago.

Authorities say a 1993 Dodge Viper, driven by 48-year-old Matthew Weisbrod, was traveling south on County Road 1 at a high rate of speed. As Weisbrod approached the curve at 150^th Street, the vehicle left the road, entered the west ditch and hit a field approach and then landed in

the ditch south of the field approach.

Matthew Weisbrod and a passenger, 19-year-old Ethan Weisbrod, were killed in the crash.

Authorities say both occupants were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident and were ejected from the vehicle.

(KILR) – The deadline for candidates to file papers in this year’s municipal and school board elections has passed and there will be contested races for mayor, city council, and school board seats in Emmet County for the November General Election.

In Estherville, Mayor Kenny Billings has decided not to run for re-election. Two individuals are looking to fill the mayoral position, Adam Edwards and Paul Radmaker. Three candidates are seeking two At-large positions on the Estherville City Council. Those candidates are Will Breck, Zachary Ehret and Gary Myers. Diana Gesiriech and David Hovinga are running to fill an unexpired term on the city council, and Roy Gage is running for the District 5 council seat.

In the city of Armstrong, Travis Schueller is the only candidate running for Mayor. JoAnn Eaton and Robb Nutt will run unopposed for their council seats and Richard England is running unopposed to fill a vacancy on the Armstrong City Council.

In the city of Wallingford, Jarrod Fischer is running unopposed for the Mayoral position as well as the five seats up for election on the Wallingford City Council. Candidates running for the city council seats are Ronald Sabby, Mary Moorman, Brian Behrends, Connie Olson, and Ryan Cellan.

There will be contested school board races in the Estherville Lincoln Central and Graettinger-Terril School Districts. Five candidates are vying for three seats on the ELC School Board. Those candidates include Jeff Soper, Kari Fechter, Flor Hernandez, Lili Jensen, and Natasha Welch.

Three candidates are running for an open seat on the Graettinger-Terril School Board. Those candidates include Joey Moen, Kevin Jensen and Jerimiah DePyper.

The November General Election is set for Tuesday, November 7^th.

(Arnolds Park) – The 32^nd annual University of Okoboji Oktoberfest is being held Saturday, September 30^th at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park. Iowa Great Lakes Chamber CEO Blain Andera says there’s still time to pre-register for the activities.

Andera says the festival will include live music, kids games and an Outdoor Vendor Show.

He says another event being held is the Stein Holding Competition at 2:30 p.m.

Andera says people who participate in the Bike Ride will have a chance to win a prize.

For more information or to pre-register for the events, visit their website: u-of-o-oktoberfest dot com.

(Washington, D.C.)--Former president Donald Trump recently called for setting a global tariff at 10 percent automatically for all countries, a move that experts warn could lead to higher prices for consumers throughout the economy and could lead to a global trade war. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he is against the proposal.

Grassley said he tried to warn Trump about the negative impacts of tariffs while he was President.

On another topic, the Biden administration is proposing a rule that would require thousands of firearms dealers to run background checks, in an effort to combat rising gun violence nationwide. Grassley said it’s another example of the President exceeding his authority.

The proposal comes after a mandate from President Joe Biden to find ways to strengthen background checks following the passage of bipartisan legislation on guns last year.

(Spencer)--A 35-year-old man was arrested Thursday afternoon by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on sexual abuse charges.

According to a news release, Candido Gonzales was taken into custody on an active Clay County Warrant for 2^nd degree sexual abuse, 3^rd degree sexual abuse, two counts of lascivious acts with a child and one count of indecent contact with a child.

Gonzales was being held without bond in the Clay County Jail.

(Sherburn, MN)--Voters in the Martin County West School District will decide the fate of a bond referendum this November to build a new PreK-12 school building in Sherburn. Martin County West Superintendent Cori Reynolds says the school board decided a new building was needed for multiple reasons including budget issues.

Reynolds says another factor is the age of the district’s current buildings.

She says there will be two questions on the November 7^th bond referendum.

Question two also includes funds for an auxiliary gymnasium. The existing middle/high school in Sherburn, along with the two existing elementary schools in Sherburn and Trimont, would all be demolished.  Reynolds says individual property owners in the district can find out how they will be impacted by the bond referendum by going to the district’s website.

Early voting for the referendum opens today. Early voting can be done in person at the District Office at Sherburn Elementary from 7:30am - 4:00pm on weekdays between now and election day. Call the District Office at 507-764-2330 for more information on requesting an absentee ballot by mail. The district has scheduled several community informational meetings. For a complete schedule, go to martin.K12.mn.us.

(Okoboji)--The Dickinson County Concerned Citizens group opposed to three potential wind projects in the eastern part of the county held a meeting last night at Arrowwood Resort in Okoboji. The featured speaker was Heather Stancil, a member of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. Stancil was elected in 2020 on an anti-wind farm platform and was opposed to a proposed wind farm in Madison County. Stancil helped update the county’s wind turbine ordinance, increasing the setbacks to 2600 feet and Mid-American eventually scrapped the project. Stancil urged Dickinson County residents opposed to the wind projects to stay active.

Stancil outlined the economic impacts of wind projects.

Stancil says studies worldwide show the negative impacts of wind turbines on human health.

A subcommittee of the Dickinson County Planning and Zoning Commission is currently looking at updating the county’s current wind turbine ordinance which was passed in 2009.

(Algona)--The man accused of shooting and killing an Algona police officer last week made his first court appearance Thursday afternoon in Kossuth County.

43-year-old Kyle Ricke is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Officer Kevin Cram. Cram, an eight year veteran of the Algona Police Department, was shot while trying to serve Ricke an arrest warrant.

Ricke, who was wanted on harassment charges at the time, was arrested in Brown County, Minnesota after a four-hour manhunt.

Ricke, who was transported back to Kossuth County, appeared remotely for Thursday's brief hearing, during which a judge raised his bond from $1 million to $2 million. Also during the hearing, authorities revealed that they have not yet found the gun used to kill Cram.

Funeral services for Cram were held Wednesday in Algona.

(Estherville)--The new president and chief executive officer of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative is on the job. Ryan Craig, who began his new duties on September 11^th, grew up on a farm in rural Ringsted. After serving in the military, he graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College with an associate of arts degree in wind energy and turbine technology.

Craig then took a job with Alliant Energy.

He was asked about his vision for Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative.

Craig says there are many challenges facing the energy industry.

Craig was interviewed Wednesday morning by Dave Van Roekel on KILR FM 95.9.

(Okoboji)--Several areas of West Lake Okoboji were treated this week for Eurasian Watermilfoil. Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist Mike Hawkins says the treatments went as planned.

Hawkins says the treatment was done on Tuesday and the results should be immediate. He says there have been no further reports of Eurasian Watermilfoil in the Iowa Great Lakes.

He says the invasive plant has been found in other area lakes.

Hawkins says the herbicide being used at Lost Island Lake and West Lake Okoboji has no restrictions for fishing, swimming, recreation or irrigation.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Police Department is concerned about the number of vandalism incidents reported during homecoming week.

According to a post on Facebook, the Estherville Police Department has received complaints of damage to property. Some of the complaints are about toilet paper.  The other complaints are victims that are being harassed and damage done involving more than toilet paper.

The Facebook post also includes photos of the damage including putting cheese on windows and houses. There is also a picture of a pop can that was thrown at the homeowner and another of a swimming pool that shows several slices of cheese floating in the pool. 

There was another complaint of a car with sugar in the gas tank and profanity written on car windows. 

The Estherville Police Department is actively investigating several complaints. Charges have been filed in connection with these incidents and more are expected.

(Algona)--Funeral services were held Wednesday for slain Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram. Hundreds of Algona area residents and law enforcement officers from across the state packed the Algona High School Gymnasium for the service. Among those speaking at the service was Algona Police Chief Bo Miller who said Officer Cram was committed to a life of service.

Miller detailed Cram’s dedication to being a police officer.

Miller also talked about Officer Cram’s love for his family.

Also speaking at the service was former Algona Police Chief Kendall Pals.

The funeral ended with the final call for Cram from the dispatcher using his badge number.

Following the funeral, there was a procession to the cemetery in Corwith where Officer Cram was laid to rest. A graveside service was held for family and select law enforcement.

Officer Cram was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant in Algona on the evening of September 13. The suspected shooter, 43-year-old Kyle Ricke of Algona, was captured later that night in Brown County, Minnesota. He is expected to be brought back to Iowa later this week to face a first-degree murder charge.

(Estherville)--Harvest season is fast approaching and area farmers are reminded of the need for safety precautions when handling grain. Officials say cases of injuries and fatalities involving confined spaces and grain entrapment saw a dramatic rise in 2022. ISU Extension Ag Engineering Specialist Kristina TeBockhorst.

TeBockhorst says nearly all of these cases involved grain flow issues.

She says farmers can lower their risk of injury by following safe entry procedures.

TeBockhorst says you should also avoid wearing loose or baggy clothing.

Flowing grain can trap a person knee-deep in a few seconds and can completely submerge them in less than 20 seconds. This is National Farm Safety and Health Week which runs through Saturday.

(Estherville)—Students planning on attending Iowa Lakes Community College are encouraged to apply for the Future Ready Iowa-Last Dollar Scholarship program. The purpose of the Last Dollar Scholarship is to fill financial gaps in tuition not covered by other federal and state grants and scholarships for eligible applicants enrolled in certain qualifying programs. Iowa Lakes Institutional Advancement Coordinator Tony Condon.

Condon says the program is paying off big for Iowa Lakes students.

Executive Director of the Iowa Lakes Foundation Dan Lutat says combined with the scholarships provided by the college, students can attend at little or no cost.

Lutat says attending Iowa Lakes is also a great way to save money for students planning on moving on to a four year college.

Condon and Lutat spoke with Dave Van Roekel Tuesday morning on KILR FM 95.9.

(Storm Lake)--A Laurens man was arrested for attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed another man five times and stole his cellphone Monday in Storm Lake.

Shortly after 5 p.m., the Storm Lake Police Department was called to the 700 block of Highview Drive after a man had been stabbed.

Police say the man was being chased by the attacker, but was able to escape and run inside the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center for help.

The victim identified the suspect as 31-year-old Oscar Ortiz of Laurens. According to witnesses, Ortiz had allegedly fled the area in a vehicle.

At around 5:15 p.m., Ortiz surrendered himself at the police department and was taken into custody without incident.

The victim was treated for serious injuries before being flown to another hospital for further treatment.

Ortiz was charged with attempted murder, first-degree robbery, willful injury causing serious injury, assault while participating in a felony and going armed with intent. Ortiz was being held in the Buena Vista County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

(Ireton)--A Rock Valley man is facing charges after a two vehicle accident early Sunday in Sioux County that injured an Armstrong teen. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office says the accident occurred shortly before 12:30 a.m. northeast of Ireton.

Deputies say 39-year-old Alex Sevilla of Rock Valley was driving a 2015 GMC Terrain eastbound on Highway 10 and 17-year-old Danica Lundgren of Armstrong was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 behind Sevilla. Sevilla began slowing and Lundgren struck the GMC. Lundgren was transported by Ireton Ambulance to Hawarden Regional Healthcare for treatment of minor injuries.

The GMC sustained approximately $15,000 in damage and the Ram sustained approximately $10,000 in damage.

Lundgren was cited for following too close.

Upon further investigation, deputies suspected that Sevilla was under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to the Sioux County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

(Primghar)--A northwest Iowa man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his mother earlier this year in Sheldon.

42-year-old Nathaniel Kassel had initially pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge and was scheduled to stand trial next month for the March 22 shooting death of Jody Duskin at her home in Sheldon. Kassel later changed his plea and was sentenced on Monday to life in prison without parole.

Kassel was arrested two days after the shooting in South Dakota in possession of her car and two guns believed to have been stolen from his mother’s home.

According to court documents, Kassel sent a message to family members the day before her body was found, telling them, "I'm killing Jody." Hours later, he was overheard having a phone conversation in which he said he "made a mistake and hurt someone."

Kassel had also originally been charged with operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent and possession or control of a firearm as a felon. Those charges were dismissed.

(Estherville)--The Estherville City Council Monday evening approved reauthorizing the Neighborhood Façade Grant program for 2024.  Estherville City Administrator Penny Clayton says the program has been very popular since it started in 2020.

Clayton says the program will award matching grants to ten homeowners.

Clayton says there were 30 applicants for last year’s program. In other business, Clayton provided an update on the Highway 9 and Highway 4 reconstruction projects.

The council also accepted the low bid of $6,950 from Michaelson Inc. for the demolition and disposal of a house located at 520 South 14^th Street and approved the Mayor’s appointment of Ken Jensen to the Rental Housing Committee.

(Estherville)--The lack of rainfall this summer combined with recent hot temperatures has taken a toll on area crops. ISU Extension Field Agronomist for Northwest Iowa, Gentry Sorenson, says there have been a few reports of harvest getting underway.

Sorenson expects yields will vary widely around the area.
 

He says crop conditions continue to decline due to the lack of rainfall.

Sorenson expects this year’s harvest will start sooner than normal.

According to the USDA weekly crop report released Monday, corn condition in Iowa improved slightly to 48 percent good to excellent. Soybean condition also rose slightly to 47 percent good to excellent.

(Okoboji)--A hot air balloon encountered some difficulty at West  Lake Okoboji Sunday night, but it was quickly helped by a Good Samaritan.

Leslie and Chris Whitehair witnessed the incident. Leslie Whitehair says they noticed a hot air balloon struggling to stay in the air and drifting toward the lake. The incident happened when wind speeds died down around 7 pm

Whitehair says a Good Samaritan helped the people inside the balloon to the shore at Terrace Park Beach using a boat.

The names of the boater and the people in the balloon are unknown.