(Spencer) - November is designated as National Adoption Month and Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will be putting together a free virtual training for current and prospective foster and adoptive parents on Monday, November 8th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Seasons Center Prevention and Education Coordinator Taylor Prather says the training is titled "Behavior is Communication."

Prather says there will be two presenters for the virtual training.

Prather explains how people can register.

Social Work, LMHC, LMFT and Foster/Adoptive Parent CEU's will be available for this training. For more information, contact Seasons Center for Behavioral Health at 1-800-242-5101.

(Spencer) – Awards totaling more than $2.4 million were announced Tuesday for three housing development projects in the Iowa Lakes Corridor region through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Workforce Housing Tax Credit program. Shannon Landauer, President and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor, details which three projects received tax credits.

Landauer says housing has been identified as a significant challenge in rural communities.

She says in total, the IEDA’s Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program awarded nearly $30 million in tax breaks for 49 projects across Iowa.

Iowa Lakes Corridor President and CEO Shannon Landauer.

(Estherville) – If Emmet County residents would like to vote early or vote at home for the upcoming November 2^nd combined city/school elections, absentee ballots will be available beginning October 13^th at the Auditor’s Office. Emmet County Auditor Amy Sathoff says due to recent legislation that was passed, the following information must be provided in writing to the Auditor’s Office to have a ballot sent to you in the mail.

The information can be submitted on your own paper or an official absentee ballot request form from the Auditor’s Office. Completed requests must be received in the Auditor’s Office by Friday, October 18^th. She says there are also changes for absentee ballots being returned to the Auditor’s Office.

Sathoff says the drop box on the west side of the courthouse will not be utilized for the upcoming election.

Absentee ballots that arrive after 8 p.m. on November 2^nd will not be counted. Sathoff says volunteers are needed for the election.

For more information on upcoming election changes, contact the Emmet County Auditor’s Office.

(Spencer)--The 13^th Annual Black Knights Car Club Airport Drag Races will be held Sunday, September 26th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spencer Municipal Airport. Black Knights President Denny Houseman says gates open at 9 a.m.

Houseman says a variety of cars are expected to participate.

The cost for spectators is $5. Houseman explains how the proceeds from the event will be used.

For more information on the Drag Races this weekend or how to become a Black Knights Car Club member, contact Denny Houseman at 712-260-3278 or visit: blackknightscarclub.net.

(Arnolds Park) - The Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue responded to a vehicle on fire late Thursday morning.

Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire Chief Chris Yungbluth says at approximately 11:40 a.m., fire crews were dispatched to a vehicle on fire in the driveway of 601 Sandy Lane in Arnolds Park. Upon arrival, crews found a 1998 Dodge Lawn Service pickup, owned by Vugteveen Lawn Service, completely engulfed in flames. A line was quickly deployed and the fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes.

No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters. The pickup was considered a total loss. No other property was damaged due to the fire.

After an investigation, it was determined that the cause of the fire was accidental in nature due to a mechanical issue with the vehicle.

The Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue was on scene for about 45 minutes. They were assisted by the Arnolds Park Police Department and the Dickinson County Communication Center dispatchers.

(Estherville) – The proposed construction of a pipeline that would carry carbon dioxide through a portion of Emmet County was the topic of an informational meeting Thursday at the Regional Wellness Center in Estherville. Jesse Harris, spokesperson for Summit Carbon Solutions, explains what the company is proposing.

Harris say if the plans are approved by the Iowa Utilities Board, the $4.5 billion project will become the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world.

Harris says the company has partnered with more than 30 ethanol plants to reduce their carbon emissions. Roughly 5 miles of pipeline is being proposed in the northwestern portion of Emmet County. Harris details what landowners can use the land for once the pipeline is complete.

Projected construction of the CO2 pipeline would begin in 2023 with the pipeline being fully operational by the year 2024.

(Des Moines) - Longtime Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has decided to run for re-election to an eighth term in the U.S. Senate.

Grassley made the announcement at 4 a.m. this morning, saying he has "a lot more to do, for Iowa."

Grassley could face a GOP primary challenger next year, as Republican State Senator Jim Carlin of Sioux City announced earlier this year he's running for the U.S. Senate.

Two Democratic candidates have also announced plans to challenge Grassley on the 2022 ballot. They include Abby Finkenauer of Cedar Rapids, who is a former member of the U.S. House, and Dave Muhlbauer of Manilla, who is a former Crawford County Supervisor.

(Okoboji) – The Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji will be holding their monthly Family Nature Night this Friday evening at 5 p.m. Environmental Education Coordinator Bryanna Kuhlman says the event will have a “Wild West” theme.

Those who attend will also meet the new Naturalist, Britney Snell. Kuhlman says the event is free, but pre-registration is required.

Again, to pre-register for the event, call the Dickinson County Nature Center at 712-336-6352.

(KILR) – Earlier this month, President Joe Biden ordered sweeping federal vaccine requirements for private-sector employees, healthcare workers and federal contractors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Biden Administration has received pushback from multiple states, as well as from Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, saying that the President is overstepping his constitutional authority.

Several hospitals across the United States are also starting to implement vaccine mandates on their employees. Grassley says the businesses are making that choice, not the federal government.

On another topic, Grassley believes the United States’ withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan was poorly executed.

Several Afghan refugees and their families are expected to be dropped off in the state of Iowa to start a new life and Grassley believes Iowans will welcome them into their communities.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Lincoln Central Booster Club is holding its annual 4-person best ball golf outing this weekend at the Estherville Golf Course. Booster Club President Dean Gesche says the golf tournament will have a shotgun start at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Cost is $50 a person, which includes golf, social hour and dinner or $25 for only social hour and dinner. Gesche says businesses can also be a corporate sponsor for $500 or a hole sponsor for $250. He explains how people can sign up for the golf tournament.

A silent auction will also take place at 5 p.m.

To donate items to the silent auction, call Chantel at 712-330-4116. Gesche was asked what the ELC Booster Club does.

He details a few projects that were done by the ELC Booster Club in the past year.

All proceeds from this year’s golf outing will go towards ELC athletics.

(Spencer) – Following a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Clay County Fair officials says fairgoers reacted favorably to all the events, shows, and exhibitors at the 2021 Clay County Fair. Fair Manager and CEO Jeremy Parsons says he was very pleased overall with how the fair went.

He says youth involvement at the fair was high again this year.

The overall attendance numbers at this year’s Clay County Fair totaled 277,389. Parsons says even though attendance numbers were down compared to 2019, he was really pleased with the turnout.

Preliminary fairgoer spending on food, beverage, specialty concessions and carnival rides totaled just over $2,537,345, breaking an all-time record set in 2017.

(Swea City) – A Swea City man is facing a felony charge following an incident with a gun this past weekend.

The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office says shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday, deputies were called to a residence in Swea City on a report of a man brandishing a weapon. The reporting party stated that the person had also discharged the weapon inside of the residence.

Upon arrival, deputies conducted a brief investigation and arrested 58-year-old David Buhl on a charge of going armed with intent, a Class D felony.

Buhl was booked into the Kossuth County Jail to await an initial court appearance. Court records also show that a no contact order has been issued to prevent Buhl from having any contact with the alleged victim in the case.

(Spencer) – Spencer Middle School was recently named as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2021.

The school received the recognition based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Spencer Middle School was one of five Iowa schools that received the recognition.

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.

(Mason City)--The Iowa Department of Transportation is conducting a planning study on U.S. Highway 18 from Spencer to Garner. The U.S. 18 PEL study area is 81 miles long and begins just west of South Grand Ave. in Spencer and extends to Country Club Drive in Garner. Krista Billhorn is transportation planner for Kossuth and Hancock counties at the Iowa DOT Office in Mason City.

Billhorn says the Iowa DOT is providing an at your own pace virtual meeting anytime between September 30^th and October 11^th.

She says some improvements are already planned for Highway 18 east of Algona.

To attend the virtual meeting go to www.iowadot.gov/pim and click on “US 18 PEL #2 Own Pace”.

(Estherville)--The Estherville City Council Monday evening received an update from Estherville and Emmet County Economic Development Director Lyle Hevern. Hevern told the council about a new state program designed to boost housing in the downtown area of smaller communities.

Hevern says the council agreed to explore the possibility of applying for a grant.

He also provided an update on construction of the Deer Creek Apartment Complex.

In other business, the council approved a request from Woody’s Pizza for an exception from commercial building standards. Owner David Welch says he is planning on building a 14 by 25 square foot addition in order to expand the kitchen area. The council also approved a request from Iowa Regional Water to provide water service at 1823 380^th Ave.

(Emmetsburg)--An Estherville man was arrested over the weekend in Palo Alto County on an Emmet County Warrant.

Shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31-year-old Mathew Radig of Estherville, on a valid Emmet County Warrant for violating conditions of pre-trial release on original charges of 2nd degree theft, 3rd degree burglary, and possession of burglar’s tools. 

The warrant carried no bond, and Radig was transferred to the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office.      

(West Bend)--One person was sent to the hospital after an ATV accident Saturday morning near West Bend.

At around 11:40 a.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office received a report of an ATV accident in the 5300 block of 475th Street. Upon investigation, it was determined that 42-year-old Clinton Schneider of West Bend was traveling west on 475th Street in a 2015 Polaris Ranger XP 900. The front driver's side tire began to detach from the Polaris, causing Schneider to lose control of the ATV. Schneider was thrown from the Polaris as it entered the north ditch.

Schneider was transported by ambulance to Kossuth Regional Health Center for treatment of his injuries.

There was an estimated $500 in damage to the Polaris. The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office was assisted on scene by the West Bend Ambulance Service.

(Spirit Lake)—As we first reported on Friday, the filing period has passed for the November city and school elections.

In Dickinson County, there will be several contested races. In Okoboji, four people are running for three city council seats. They include incumbents Julie Mau Andres and Walter Mendenhall along with Dan Sanders and Kae Hoppe. Incumbent Jerry Robinson didn't file for re-election.

Four people are also running for three seats on the Superior City Council, including Michael Smith, Jacob Hathcock-Shetler, Mark Campbell and Debra Coleman. Terril has three people running for two city council seats, including Jeri Nissen, Austin Fairchild and Scot Matthews.

There's a race for Mayor in West Okoboji. Incumbent Barb Lynch is being challenged by Craig Miner. Four people are running for two seats on the city council, including Mike Paxton, Darlene Powers, Kristopher Kneen and Robert Hein.

There will be two new faces on the Spirit Lake City Council as the two incumbents didn't file for re-election. They are Wes Farmer and Rod James. John Chappas and Angela Kofoot have filed for those seats. Mayor Bruce Keenan is unopposed for Mayor.

Steve Anderson has not filed for re-election as Mayor in Milford. No one has filed as an announced candidate, meaning the seat will be decided through write-in votes.

The only contested race on the ballot for school elections is for the District 4 seat in the Harris-Lake Park School District where Jeffrey Jacobsma and Lisa Taber Carstensen will be running against each other.

The combined city and school elections will be held Tuesday, November 2^nd.

(Estherville)--This is National Farm Safety and Health Week and Ag officials say it’s a good time for farmers to focus on farm safety heading into harvest. This year’s theme is Farm Safety Yields Real Results. Gary Wright, ISU Farm and Agribusiness Specialist for Northwest Iowa, says while farming is often dangerous, harvest is an especially worrisome time.

Wright says farmers need to make sure all their equipment has received proper maintenance.

He says all vehicle operators need to be properly trained.

He says fatigue can be a problem for farmers during harvest.

In 2019, 573 agricultural workers died from a work related injury or 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. National Farm Safety and Health Week runs through Saturday.

(Algona)--Information has been released in the accidental death of a man from Whittemore man who was overcome by fumes earlier this month south of Algona.

The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office says it was determined that M&M Pumping LLC of West Bend was using an open concrete tank for storage of peptones and soybean wash water on September 4th, and for an unknown reason, the tank was foaming over the top. Randy Meyer of Whittemore attempted to agitate or stir the contents of the tank with a tractor and auger when he was overcome with the odor of the gases. The incident happened at 1701 Highway 169.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency late last week. Initial results indicate there are no immediate air quality concerns to the public.

The DNR is working with multiple parties to address environmental concerns during the removal and disposal of the waste material.

(Okoboji)--Columnists Chuck Offenburger, Kyle Munson, Rekha Basu, Doug Burns, Julie Gammack, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Art Cullen are just some of the professional writers coming to the lakes area for the first Okoboji Writers’ Retreat. The event will be held this Monday and Tuesday at the new Maser Monarch Lodge on Nature Center Road in Okoboji.

Julie Gammack is organizing the event. She and her husband, former aide to governor Robert D. Ray and president of The Des Moines Register and Tribune company, have a home in the area.

Topics include Memoir Writing, Story Telling, Getting Started, Fiction, Commentary, and more. Two literary agents will appear via Zoom in small group sessions.

Additional notables appearing include former top editors for the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Louisville Courier-Journal, San Bernardino Sun, and The Des Moines Register.

Spencer)--Clay County Heritage will be hosting an event called “An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt” on Saturday, October 9th at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer. Shelby Nelson with Clay County Heritage says the event will feature Theodore Roosevelt being portrayed by Joe Wiegand.

The show starts at 7:00 p.m. Nelson says there will be a VIP meet and greet before the show.

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

To purchase tickets, visit www.claycountyheritage.org or stop in the Heritage Center at 7 Grand Avenue in Spencer.

(Estherville)--You still have time to submit a nomination for the 2021 Iowa STEM Teacher Award. The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council will honor six outstanding Iowa educators who provide excellent curriculum, encourage lifelong learning, and inspire passion for STEM beyond the classroom. Northwest STEM Coordinator Mary Trent.

Trent explains what the winning teachers will receive.

Again the deadline is October 10^th. To submit a nomination, go to iowastem.org/teacheraward.

(Estherville)--The deadline has passed for candidates to file for city and school board elections coming up on November 2^nd.

There will be no contested races for city offices in Emmet County. In Estherville, Incumbent Joseph May is unopposed for Mayor. Running unopposed for city council are incumbents Brandon Carlin for the at-large position, Julie Clark in Ward Two, Dave Seylar in Ward Three and Ann Goebel in Ward Four. Joan Heckard is the only candidate running to fill a vacancy for the other at-large position on the council. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Gene Haukoos.

In Armstrong, Incumbent Mayor Travis Schueller is running unopposed. Arden Kinnander and Ronald Trenary were the only candidates to file for the three seats up for election on the Armstrong City Council. In Ringsted, Dan Jorgenson is unopposed for another term as Mayor and Amanda Morris and Jason Pergande filed for the two seats up for election on the Ringsted City Council.

In Gruver, Anthony Hanson is running unopposed for Mayor. Fred Knaack, Brett Grems, Wesley Baddely, Darla Pytleski and Brent Baddely are running for the five seats up for election on The Gruver City Council. In Wallingord Jarrod Fisher is running unopposed for re-election. And Linda Mickelson, Mary Moorman, Brian Behrends, Jeremy Bodle and Ryan Cellan are running for the five seats up for election on the city council.

In Dolliver, no candidates filed for Mayor or for the two seats up for election on the Dolliver City Council.

Turning to the school board races; incumbent Sandy Fandel was the only candidate to file for the two seats up for election on the Estherville Lincoln School Board. Only the incumbents filed for each of the three seats up for election in the North Union School District: Jennifer VonBank in District One, Arthur Pixler in District Two and Gene Miller for the at large position.

(Algona)--The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution declaring the county a Second Amendment Sanctuary.

 According to the Iowa Firearms Coalition, Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions at the county level do not supersede federal law, but would prevent county resources from being used to enforce gun restrictions that are at odds with the U.S. Constitution. Boards of Supervisors in Buchanan and Kossuth Counties adopted the policy statement this week. The coalition's tally indicates Boards of Supervisors in 13 other Iowa counties have passed Sanctuary resolutions

Opponents say the resolutions are purely symbolic and carry no legal weight.