(Emmetsburg)--An Emmetsburg man wanted on multiple warrants has been taken into custody.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office last Wednesday arrested 35-year-old Cory Powell of Emmetsburg on five arrest warrants that stemmed from an incident in Ayrshire on March 23, 2020. The arrest warrants were issued for possession of a controlled substance – marijuana 1st offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct - fighting or violent behavior, reckless driving and failure to obey a stop sign.

Powell was unable to post the $2,900 bond and was placed in the Palo Alto County Jail to await an initial appearance in front of a judge.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office.

(Ayrshire)--An Ayrshire man has been arrested on a pair of Palo Alto County warrants.

Last Tuesday, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office arrested 36-year-old Daryl Washburn of Ayrshire on two Palo Alto County Warrants for domestic abuse assault-1st offense and false imprisonment.

The warrants stemmed from the report and investigation of a domestic altercation that was reported on Memorial Day in the 1300 block of Campbell St. in Ayrshire.

Washburn was transported without incident to the Palo Alto County Jail where he was served with the warrants and jailed to await his initial appearance before a judge.

(St. Paul, Minn.)—The Minnesota Department of Public Health Monday reported 361 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 25,208.

Between the state lab and private entities more than 255,000 people have been tested.

The new cases include 2 in Martin County and one each in Faribault, Watonwan and Cottonwood counties.

The Minnesota Department of Public Health also reported 10 new deaths, increasing the state’s total to 1,050.

Officials say the number of cases that currently need hospitalization in the state is 549 with 253 in ICUs. 19,441 of the positive cases are no longer isolated.

(Des Moines)--The Iowa Department of Public Health Monday reported 204 additional positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 19,688 positive cases. There have been a total of 139,174 negative tests to date. The positivity rate for this period is 5.4 percent.

In this area, Clay County confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 and Dickinson, Kossuth and Palo Alto counties each reported one new case.

An additional 5 COVID-19 related deaths were confirmed on Monday, increasing the state’s total to 538. There are 339 Iowans currently hospitalized with 125 in ICUs. Slightly more than 11,000 Iowans have recovered.

(Estherville)--Governor Kim Reynolds recently gave approval to Iowa high schools playing baseball and softball this summer. The Iowa High School Activities Association and Iowa Girls Athletic Union have since provided some guidance for schools on how to host games. Estherville Lincoln Central Superintendent Tara Paul says it’s basically up to each school to put on a safe contest under COVID-19 guidelines.

Paul says due to the changes, admission to Lakes Conference games will be free.

She says the district is still working on transportation issues.

On another topic, Paul says the district’s grab and go school lunch program will resume today and run through at least the end of the month.

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

(Washington, D.C.)--Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says state and federal officials have learned a lot about COVID-19 since the pandemic began early this year. Grassley says he gives the federal government mostly high marks for its response to the pandemic.

Grassley says health officials have also learned about how to treat patients with COVID-19.

Grassley says he’s not in favor of shutting down the economy again should a second wave of COVID 19 hit this winter.
 

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says one of the provisions in the Federal Cares ACT needs to be changed.

(Mallard)--Twelve small, rural Iowa communities have received grants from the DNR’s Derelict Building Grant Program to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill.

In northwest Iowa, the city of Mallard was awarded $18,115 for asbestos abatement and deconstruction of a grocery store. The new site will be used as an accessible parking lot, improving access to downtown businesses for all residents.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was started by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or smaller remove environmental hazards, improve community appearance and minimize costs by recycling and reusing building materials through deconstruction or renovation of abandoned, derelict buildings.

(Des Moines)--The Iowa Department of Public Health today(Sunday) reported 342 additional positive cases of COVID 19 for a total of 19,484 positive cases. There have been an additional 4,542 negative tests for a total of 135,029 negative tests to date. The positivity rate for this report is 5.7  percent.

For the second day in a row, Emmet County reported an additional case of COVID 19 for a total of 15. According to Emmet County Public Health, both cases are individuals 18-40 years of age. Six of the previous cases in Emmet County have recovered.

On Saturday, Palo Alto County reported three new cases for a total of 6, Dickinson County had 1 new case for a total of 20 and Clay County confirmed two new cases for total of 15.

An additional 5 COVID 19 related deaths were confirmed on Sunday, increasing the state’s total to 533. There are 341 Iowans currently hospitalized with 161 in ICUs. Slightly more than 11,000 Iowans have recovered.

1 in 20 Iowans have been tested for COVID 19.

(St. Paul, Minn.)— Minnesota’s death toll due to the coronavirus has topped 1,000.

The Minnesota Department of Public Health today reported 14 new deaths after an additional 30 deaths Saturday, increasing the state’s total to 1,040.

Officials also reported 664 new cases of COVID 19, bringing the state’s total to 24,850.

Between the state lab and private entities more than 249,000 people have been tested.

The new cases inclide 1 in Martin County for a total of 130,  3 in Watonwan County for a total of 74 and 5 in Cottonwood County for a total to 75.

Officials say the number of cases that currently need hospitalization in the state is 555 with 257 in ICUs.  18,695 of the positive cases are no longer isolated.

(Algona)--Kossuth County frontline responders in the battle against COVID-19 will be tested for the novel coronavirus, this coming Wednesday, June 3rd. Testing is only for eligible frontline workers and will not be made available to the public. Kossuth County Emergency Management Director Dave Penton.

Penton says there are two types of testing for COVID-19.

He says testing is critical to controlling the coronavirus and eventually easing restrictions that have halted daily life for most Americans. 

As of Friday, Iowa’s Coronavirus website showed Kossuth County with 9 positive cases of COVID-19.

(Spirit Lake)—The YMCA of the Okoboji’s announced Friday it will be permanently closing its Healthy Living Program Center in downtown Spirit Lake. CEO Andrew Fisher says the closure is due to the ongoing financial impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic

Fisher says a number of factors led to the decision.

He says the Milford HLPC location is not affected by Friday’s announcement.

Fisher says the Jiu Jitsu Okoboji program, which conducted self-defense training classes at the Spirit Lake HLPC site, will be relocated to the Bedell Family YMCA once restrictions related to COVID-19 are lifted.

(Armstrong)—Two more area communities have cancelled their youth baseball and softball seasons due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.

The Armstrong Little League Board announced the decision to cancel its 2020 season in a Facebook post. The board said cancelling the season is the best way to keep children and spectators safe. The board said people that already had paid their registration fees will receive a refund unless they want to donate the money to the little league.

The Okoboji Youth Baseball and Softball Association also announced the cancellation of its 2020 season. 

In a social media post, the association says the decision was not approached lightly and that many factors were involved. The association is offering a refund or credit for dues paid for the season. They may also be put toward a donation to the association. 

Those seeking refunds should email okobojiyouthball@gmail.com by June 5th. The association

says requests not made by that date will be considered as a donation.

(Titonka)--A Michigan man is facing multiple charges following an alleged disturbance Wednesday evening in Titonka

According to the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Department, Deputies were called to a bar in Titonka just before 7:30 pm on the report of a person causing problems. Upon arrival, Deputies were able to locate the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Dillon James Harburn-Elowsky from Flint, Michigan.

Harburn-Elowsky was taken into custody and charged with two counts of assault, and one count each of 5th degree criminal mischief, trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Harburn-Elowsky was booked into the Kossuth County Jail to await an initial court appearance.

(Spencer)--A Cedar Rapids man was killed in a car-semi accident this(Friday) morning in southern Clay County.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office says at around 7:35 a.m., 24-year-old George Ellsworth Cole of Cedar Rapids was driving a 1987 Pontiac Firebird southbound in the 4800 block of Highway 71. Ellsworth Cole swerved into the northbound lane and collided head-on with a 2003 Peterbilt semi and empty livestock trailer driven by 46-year-old Stoney Burris of Livingston, Tennessee.

Ellsworth Cole was pronounced dead at the scene by the Clay County Medical Examiner. Burris was  taken to Spencer Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Damage was estimated at $40,000 to the semi and $4,500 to the Pontiac.

The accident remains under investigation.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Transportation, Webb Rescue and the Spencer Hospital ambulance.

(Des Moines)--The Iowa Department of Public Health today(Friday) reported 269 additional positive cases of COVID 19 for a total of 18,791 positive cases. There have been an additional 3,677 negative tests for a total of 127,060 negative tests to date. The positivity rate for this report is 6.0 percent.

Emmet County has 1 more case of COVID 19 for a total of 13. According to Emmet County Public Health, the case is an individual 18-40 years of age. Five of the previous cases in Emmet County have recovered. Also in this area, Dickinson County has 3 new cases for a total of 19.

An additional 20 COVID 19 related deaths were confirmed, increasing the state’s total to 520. There are 376 Iowans currently hospitalized with 117 in ICUs. 10,600 Iowans have recovered.

1 in 22 Iowans have been tested. 

(St. Paul, Minn.)— The Minnesota Department of Health today(Friday) reported 590 new cases of COVID 19, bringing the state’s total to 23,531.

Between the state lab and private entities nearly 234,000 people have been tested.

The new cases include 3 in Martin County for a total of 129, 2 in Faribault County for a total of 15 and 3 in Watonwan County for a total of 69.

The Minnesota Department of Public Health reports an additional 29 deaths, increasing the state’s total to 996.

Officials say the total number of cases that have needed hospitalization in the state is 2,936 with 592 of those remaining in the hospital.  16,930 of the positive cases are no longer isolated.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Fire Department responded to a gas spill shortly after 6:45 this morning at the Casey’s West convenience store in Estherville.

Fire Chief Dick Beaver says a customer getting gas had driven off with the pump handle still in his vehicle. Upon arrival, firefighters spread absorbent on the spill and cleaned it up.

Beaver says they were on scene for about 30 minutes. Assistance was provided by the Estherville Police Department.

(Orange City)—The Sioux County Attorney’s Office has filed an amended charge of 1^st degree murder against a Spirit Lake man accused in the death of 58-year-old Grant Wilson of Cleghorn. 70-year-old Gregg Winterfeld of Spirit Lake was originally charged with 2nd degree murder in the case. The Sioux County Sheriff's Office now says a continued investigation into Wilson's death has resulted in amending the charge to 1st degree murder.

Sioux county authorities were called shortly after 10:00 p.m. on May 9th to a home three miles northwest of Ireton after getting a report of a disturbance and a shooting. Upon arriving they found Wilson dead of a gunshot wound. Another person who was in the residence at the time wasn't hurt. Winterfeld was arrested a short time later.

Authorities say their investigation into the case is ongoing.

(Jackson, Minn.)—The Rhythm of the River celebration set for this summer in Jackson has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. The festival was scheduled for July 10^th and 11th.

Rhythm of the River released a statement saying the "Stay Safe Minnesota plan for re-opening has no date through Phase IV to allow festivals to occur in the state." Organizers say the safety of performers, attendees, volunteers and vendors is their highest priority.

The committee says they look forward to planning the 2021 festival, set for July 9th and 10th at Fort Belmont in Jackson.

(Swea City)--A Swea City man was arrested after a domestic incident this past Sunday evening.

Shortly after 7 p.m., the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a domestic disturbance in progress at a residence in Swea City. After conducting an investigation at the scene, deputies arrested 44-year-old Timothy Nelson.

Online court records show Nelson is being charged with domestic abuse assault-impeding air/blood flow causing bodily injury, a class D felony.

Nelson was booked into the Kossuth County Jail and then released after posting bond earlier this week.

A no contact order has been issued to keep Nelson from having any contact with the alleged victim in this case.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Iowa Lakes Electric Members Charitable Foundation “Operation Round Up”.  Sheriff Mike Martens says the grant funds will be used toward the purchase and training of a new K-9.

Martens says they are in the process of acquiring a new K9.

Martens says Deputy Thomas Schultes will be the department’s dog handler. Martens says Schultes will undergo training with the dog.

Martens says the K-9 will be trained in several areas.

Funds for Operation Round Up are donated by Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative member-owners and employees. Martens says anyone interested in donating to the K9 program can contact the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office at 712-362-2639.