(Okoboji)--A western Iowa man was arrested after leaving the scene of an accident Monday evening in Okoboji.

According to online court documents, 71-year-old Charles Sandvold of Solider was allegedly involved in a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Highway 71 and Stakeout Road and then left the scene.

Sandvold was stopped by police as he was westbound on 175th Street. Sandvold  is charged with OWI-1^st offense, eluding, failure to provide aid or information at an accident and failure to maintain control.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Fire Department responded to a dryer fire Tuesday evening.

Estherville Fire Chief Travis Sheridan says firefighters were called to 704 North 12^th Street for a report of smoke in the basement. Sheridan says firefighters made entry into the house and found that a dryer in the basement was on fire. He says they quickly put out the fire and carried the dryer out of the house.

Firefighters were on scene about 45 minutes.

Sheridan reminds residents to the clean the lint taps in their dryers on a regular basis and clean the dryer tubes a couple of times each year.

(Hackensack, MN)--Two Fairmont residents were injured in a two vehicle accident Tuesday in Northern Minnesota.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened shortly after 9 am on Highway 371 in Cass County.

The patrol says a 2022 GMC Sierra pulling a boat driven by 80-year-old Paul Sundholm of Fairmont was northbound on Highway 371 and made a left turn to go west in front of a 2016 Honda Fit driven by 61-year-old Theresa Eclov of Walker that was traveling southbound. The vehicles collided and both went into the west ditch.

Both drivers and a passenger in the Sundholm vehicle, 79-year-old Judith Sundholm of Fairmont, were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd with non-life threatening injuries.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved an amendment to the 2023 Fiscal Year budget. The amendment included $551, 340 in expenditures and $116,846 in revenues. Some of the new expenditures were offset by grant funds. No one spoke at a public hearing on the budget amendment.

In other business Auditor’s Assistant Heidi Goebel reported on the ISAC Opioid Settlement Funds Strategic Planning Summit she attended last week. Emmet County will initially receive about $29,500 with an additional $6,000 to $7,000 each year through 2038.

Goebel said that 75-percent of the Opioid funds Emmet County receives has to be spent on the core strategies outlined in the original Memorandum of Understanding signed by County Attorney Melanie Summers Bauler. She said 2.5 percent can be spent on administration.

Goebel says a group of county stakeholders led by Public Health Director Kari Batman will meet to develop a needs assessment and report to the Supervisors by the end of August. The county must file an annual report with the Iowa Attorney General by December 1st of each year.

The board also approved the annual fuel bids for the secondary roads department, The low bid for fuel was submitted by NuWay Cooperative in the amount of $248,725. The low bid for LP was $8,775 submitted by New Cooperative.

(Swea City)--Two Emmet County residents were arrested last Thursday after a traffic stop in Kossuth County.

The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office says shortly after 12:15 am, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near Swea City. After a brief investigation, Deputies arrested 24-year-old Micheal Halstead of Ringsted on a charge of OWI-1^st offense. Halstead also had a valid warrant for his arrest from Kossuth County for a probation violation.

Halstead was on probation after pleading guilty to a charge of assault causing serious injury in 2019. The arrest warrant was issued in October 2022. A probation revocation hearing is scheduled for June 5th in Kossuth County District Court.

Deputies also arrested 23-year-old Jordan Davis of Dolliver on a charge of public intoxication.

(Estherville)--The growing season is in full swing and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach provides a number of resources to help area residents with their gardens. Sue Boettcher, Human Sciences Program Coordinator for Emmet and Dickinson Counties, says gardeners can find answers to a wide variety of questions online.

Boettcher says they are offering a new text service this year.

That number again is 515-514-7300.  Boettcher says ISU Extension also has publications on canning to ensure you store your produce correctly.

The canner testing is free. For more information contact your local extension and outreach office.

(Peterson)--A Holstein man is facing multiple charges after a high speed pursuit Sunday evening near Peterson.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says while running stationary radar, a Sheriff's Deputy attempted to stop a 2008 Chevrolet Impala in the 4800 block of 125th Avenue for driving 69 mph in a 55 mph zone. The vehicle continued to speed up hitting speeds above 110 mph. Clay County deputies lost sight of the vehicle when it entered Peterson at an unsafe speed and ended the pursuit. While investigating the area, it was determined that the vehicle failed to negotiate the curve at 125th Ave and 4th Street in Peterson, causing damage to a lawn and to the vehicle. The vehicle and driver were later located at Kirschner Park.

Following an investigation, the driver was identified as 28-year-old Wesley Euchner of Holstein. Euchner failed to cooperate during the investigation and it was determined he was suspended from driving in Iowa. Euchner was placed under arrest and charged with multiple traffic violations, interference with official acts and an OWI investigation is on-going.

Euchner was transported to the Clay County Jail where he was booked and is awaiting his initial appearance before a judge. Further charges are pending test results.

(Estherville)--Constructions crews this week will begin pavement reconstruction work on Highways 4 and 9 in Estherville.

The Highway 4 project from Highway 9 to 5^th Avenue North begins today and run until Friday, September 1st, weather permitting. While the roadway is closed, drivers on Highway 4 will be detoured around the work zone using Highway 9 and North 4th Street and 7th Avenue North.

The contractor will also begin construction activities on Highway 9 from the west fork of the Des Moines River west one-half mile past the city limits, and Highway 4 from the railroad overhead south two-tenths of a mile past the city limits.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the DOT’s 511 system. Visit 511ia.org or call 511. You can also stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter or download the free app to your mobile device.

(Jackson, MN)--The first ever Sun and Fun Summer Kick-Off in Jackson will be held this Saturday, June 3^rd at the Jackson Motorplex. Corey Christopher with the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce explains how the celebration came about.

Christopher says activities will begin with a barbecue contest.

He says grilling will begin at 10 a.m. Christopher says the day will feature several other activities.

Food and beverages will be available all day. Christopher says there will be a concert at 7:30 p.m. featuring the group Slamabama.

Tickets for the concert are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show. A fireworks display will follow the concert. There will also be an after party from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Bridget’s Bucksnort featuring the music of Gen XYZ.

(Spencer)--Three clinics in northwest Iowa are being reclassified as "Federally Qualified Health Centers" - making them eligible for higher government reimbursement rates when treating Medicare and Medicaid patients.

The Spencer Hospital operates clinics in Hartley, Milford and Sioux Rapids. The hospital's board of trustees has voted to rebrand the clinics as "Access Health" and convert them to Federally Qualified Health Centers, also known as Community Health Centers. The move is expected to save the hospital 200-thousand dollars annually. Not only will the three clinics get higher reimbursement rates for treating patients enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, there are federal grants available as well. The program, created in 1990, is meant to ensure health care services are available for uninsured and underserved residents in urban and rural areas.

Officials expect to complete the process of converting the clinics in Hartley, Milford and Sioux Rapids to Community Health Centers in August.

(Estherville)—Memorial Day observances were held around the area Monday. In Estherville, an honor guard made up of members of the Iowa National Guard, V.F.W. Post 3388, American Legion Post 91 and bugler Bryn Finley, held services at the local cemeteries and on the Central Avenue Bridge. At the Lutheran and East Side Memorial Cemetery, the ceremony was led by Pastor Tim Johnson of the Estherville Lutheran Church.

Johnson talked about the traditions of Memorial Day.

He says Memorial Day is a day to honor all those who have been lost over the years.

The ceremony concluded with the honor guard salute and the playing of taps. Following the cemetery services, a community service was held at the National Guard Readiness Center in Estherville.

(Spencer)--Three people were injured in an accident involving three vehicles Thursday afternoon in Clay County.

The Iowa State Patrol says the accident happened around 4:45 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 71 and 435^th Street. The patrol says a 1997 Chevy S-10 pickup, driven by 27-year-old Anthony Trierweiler of Spencer, was southbound on Highway 71 and was waiting to turn east onto 435^th Street. A 1998 Dodge Ram driven by 40-year-old Kathleen Zeka of Laurens was also southbound and rear-ended the Trierweiler vehicle, pushing it into the path of a northbound 2017 Jeep Renegade, driven by 29-year-old Jezebel Velazquez of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Trierweiler’s pickup was T-boned by the Jeep.

Trierweiler, Velasquez and a passenger in one of the vehicles, 23-year-old Munger Abigail of Storm Lake, were taken to the Spencer Hospital.

Zeka was cited for following too close and no insurance.

(Estherville)--Iowa and the Upper Midwest are at an elevated risk to see rolling power blackouts if there's an extreme heat wave this summer, according to the regulator in charge of setting and enforcing standards for the electric grid. However, Aaron Ruschy, Vice President of Operations and Engineering at Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, says it’s not something to be overly concerned about.

Ruschy says wind generation is the key.

The warning was issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Ruschy says ILEC has contingency plans in place if blackouts should occur.

Rushcy says at this point, he doesn’t think there will be a need to shed load.

(Estherville)--With the school year over, the Estherville Lincoln Central School District has planned several projects for the summer. ELC Superintendent Tara Paul says the biggest project will be replacing the fire alarm system at the high school.

Paul says the project is already underway.

She says most of the high school will be closed during the project.

Paul says improvements are also planned at the high school little theatre.

Maintenance personnel will also be assisting with the Ag Learning Center project. 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.

(Blue Earth, MN)--A Fairmont police officer and a suspect in a pursuit were injured in a two vehicle accident Friday afternoon in the city of Blue Earth.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened shortly before 4 p.m. at the intersection of Sailor Street and East 8^th Street.

The Patrol says the Fairmont Police Squad car was in pursuit of a vehicle driven by a 47-year-old woman from Cleveland, Ohio in the city of Blue Earth when the suspect vehicle made a U-turn and struck the squad car.

The 23-year-old police officer and the suspect were taken to the Blue Earth Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The names of the officer and the suspect have not been released.

No further details are available at this time.

The Fairmont and Blue Earth Police Departments, the Martin and Faribault County Sheriff’s Offices and Blue Earth Ambulance assisted at the scene.

(Sheldon)—The 2023 Risefest Christian Music Festival is less than two weeks away and thousands of Christian music fans will flock to Sheldon June 9^th and 10^th. RISE Ministries President and Founder Rob Rozeboom says early bird pricing is available through May 31^st.

Rozeboom highlights Friday’s lineup.

He says Saturday’s lineup kicks off with a couple of worship bands.

Kids 10 years old and younger get into the festival for free, and Rozeboom says there will be plenty of activities for the kids during Risefest.

To purchase tickets for Risefest, go to: riseministries.com. Rozeboom spoke with Dave Van Roekel Friday morning on KILR FM 95.9.

(Armstrong) – The North Union and North Kossuth School Districts will be offering summer lunches at both the Armstrong and Swea City locations. North Union/North Kossuth Superintendent Travis Schueller.

Schueller says summer school for elementary students will be held in Swea City starting in July.

He says there will be summer school for high school students as well.

Schueller made his comments on this week’s North Union Spotlight program, which can be heard every Thursday evening at 5:45 on KILR FM 95.9.

(Estherville) – The Estherville Aquatic Center will be open for the season starting this Saturday, May 27th and running through Labor Day weekend. Estherville City Administrator Penny Clayton.

Clayton details the amenities at the aquatic center.

Daily hours are noon to 8 p.m., weather permitting. She says a program called Aqua Groove will be held Monday and Wednesday mornings in June.

To sign up for Aqua Groove or for more information about the Aquatic Center, visit: cityofestherville.org.

(Estherville)--This is the 49^th annual National Emergency Medical Services or EMS Week. Estherville Ambulance Service Co-Director Brad Held says this year’s theme is “Where Emergency Care Begins.”

Held says the EMS services in Emmet County are on call 24/7, 365 days a year.

He says they’re looking for more volunteers to join.

Held was asked what he enjoys about being an EMS volunteer.

For more information on how to become a volunteer, contact Brad Held at 712-362-4221. National EMS Week runs through Saturday.

(Washington, D.C.)--While there was a surge before and immediately after the end of Title 42, the number of illegal immigrants coming across the southern border has decreased since then. Iowa 4^th District Congressman Randy Feenstra says those numbers are still concerning.

Feenstra says the bigger issue for Iowa is the amount of fentanyl coming across the border.

On another topic, Feenstra says he was shocked by last week’s U.S. Supreme County decision upholding California’s Prop 12 law.

That's Northwest Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra.

(Graettinger) – A pursuit last Saturday within the city limits of Graettinger has landed a man in jail on numerous charges.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says at approximately 1:05 a.m., a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2015 Ford Escape that was travelling in Graettinger. As the deputy activated the emergency lights, the vehicle did not stop and it began eluding the deputy. The deputy pursued the vehicle until it came to a stop and the male driver, identified as Chase Cole, ran on foot. Cole was apprehended a short time later and placed under arrest.

Cole was charged with operating while intoxicated, 3^rd offense and OWI – eluding, both Class D felonies. He was also charged with violation of a restricted license, open container of alcohol, speeding, failure to use headlamps when required, 4 counts of failing to obey a stop sign, interference with official acts and driving on the wrong side of a two-way highway, all simple misdemeanors.

Cole was placed in jail to await an appearance in front of a judge. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Graettinger Ambulance Service, and Wickman’s Towing.