(Wallingford)—The annual Fall Festival at the Brugjeld(Bru-yeld) Peterson Point Historic Farmstead near Wallingford is set for Saturday, September 12^th from 11 am to 3  pm. Stacie Berg-Nelson, President of the Peterson Point Preservation Foundation, says this is the 4^th year for the festival.

Admission is free. Berg Nelson says there will be events for all ages.

She says attendees will also have the opportunity to Draw the Barn.

Berg Nelson says a meal will also be available.

For more information, visit Brugjeld(Bru-yeld) Peterson Point Historic Farmstead on Facebook.

(Des Moines)--A lawsuit filed by Summit Healthcare Operating Partnership of California and Fantasia Investment of the Cayman Islands claims six Iowa nursing homes that operate under the common ownership of Accura Healthcare owe more than $2.1 million in back rent.

According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the six nursing homes include Accura facilities in Bancroft, Milford and Spirit Lake.

Summit and Fantasia allege that in late 2022 and 2023, each of the six care facilities began to fall behind on their rent payments. The plaintiffs allege that instead of pursuing foreclosure they restructured the debt, with the facilities agreeing to pay the back rent over 18 months, beginning in January 2024 and ending in June 2025.

The plaintiffs claim the facilities didn’t make good on that pledge and now owe $2,105,617 in base rent.

Accura, the plaintiffs alleged, has now taken the position that because the deal between the owners relates to the collection of back rent, they have a right to enforce the terms of that agreement — which, Accura claims, calls for another 18-month repayment plan that would begin in January 2027.

In their lawsuit, Summit and Fantasia argue Accura’s position makes no sense and is completely unsupported under Iowa law.

(Fairmont, MN)--A Fairmont man is facing multiple charges after two domestic disturbances that occurred earlier this month at the same residence.

According to a criminal complaint, 26-year-old Tanner Klug allegedly grabbed a woman’s forearm and shoved her to the ground during the initial incident. Police were then called back to the home the following day after Klug allegedly forced his way through a locked door, damaging the door frame. Once inside, he is also accused of pushing another person and making threatening statements. The complaint also alleges that two people had received threatening messages from Klug.

Klug was later apprehended and charged with first-degree burglary, felony domestic assault, property damage and disorderly conduct.

Bail for Klug was set at $50,000.

(Fairmont. MN)--The Martin County Fair gets underway Tuesday in Fairmont and runs through Sunday, August 23rd. Fair Board Secretary Lisa Stromberg says there are a couple of new events at this year’s fair.

Stromberg says Tuesday is Veterans Day at the fair with half price admission for all veterans

She says another full day of events is planned for Wednesday.

The farm family of the year will also be announced on Wednesday evening. Stromberg says Thursday is John Deere Day and Disability Awareness Day.

The weekend schedule is highlighted by the Little River Band performing on Saturday evening. The concerts are free with a paid admission to the fair. A complete fair schedule is available on-line at the Martin County Fair Facebook page.

(Jackson, MN.)– A man from New York state was sent to the hospital after a motorcycle crash Friday afternoon on Interstate 90 in Jackson County.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident occurred shortly before 4 pm about four miles east of Jackson. The patrol says 32-year-old Matthew Howe of Geneva, New York was driving a 2015 Indian Motorcycle eastbound on I-90 when he lost control and crashed.

Howe was taken to Sanford Jackson Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The patrol says the pavement was wet at the time of the accident.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Fire Department and Ambulance assisted on the scene.

(Estherville)--An Estherville woman is facing drug charges after a traffic stop Thursday evening west of Estherville.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, the traffic stop occurred shortly after 11:30 pm on Highway 9 near 360^th Avenue.  The criminal complaint says a 2015 Kia Sorrento driven by 46-year-old Holly Knott of Estherville was stopped for a fog light not working properly. Knott consented to a probable cause search of the vehicle due to a past drug conviction. The deputy found 2 THC vape pens in Knott’s purse.

Knott was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, 2^nd offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  She was booked into the Emmet County Jail and later released on bond.

A preliminary hearing for Knott is scheduled for September 3^rd at 4 pm in Emmet County District Court.

(Estherville)–The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is planning a lake improvement project at 12 Mile Lake located in southwest Emmet County. Luke Straw, Wildlife Biologist at the Ingham Lake Wildlife Unit, details the project,

Straw says the water level will be lowered by almost half.

He says the project does not include adding fish to the lake.

The DNR will be hosting an informational open house about the project on Wednesday, August 26th from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at the Wallingford Community Center.

Straw made his comments on the Following the Great Outdoors program which can be heard every Friday at 10:30 am on KILR FM 95.9.

(Algona)--Kossuth Regional Health Center has announced a major advancement in surgical care with the addition of the da Vinci 5 surgical robot, bringing leading-edge, minimally invasive technology to patients in the local community.

Hospital officials say the new robotic system will support physicians in performing both general and gynecologic procedures. This innovative technology enhances surgical precision, allowing for smaller incisions, reduced pain, and improved recovery times for patients.

KRHC officials say the da Vinci 5 system represents another step forward in the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care close to home. By investing in advanced surgical capabilities, KRHC ensures that patients can access sophisticated treatment options without the need to travel far from their community and support systems.

(Arnolds Park)--The Story Book Walk at Wildcat Stadium in Arnolds Park will soon reopen. The attraction had to be closed this past Spring due to damage. Kara Rice, Library Director at the Arnolds Park Public Library, says they recently received some new equipment for the project.

Rice says the new material for the storybooks is more durabl

Rice says the Story Book Walk is a popular attraction for younger visitors to Wildcat Stadium.

Rice says the Arnolds Park Library Foundation is played a major role in the project.

For more information, contact the Arnolds Park Public Library at 712-332-2033.

(Everly)--An Everly man is facing multiple charges after a domestic incident early this(Friday)morning.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says shortly after 1:30 am, Deputies were dispatched to 107 East 2nd St. in Everly for a reported domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, Deputies located a male and female at the residence. Following an investigation, 34-year-old Marcus Lee was arrested and transported to the Clay County Jail without incident. A subsequent search warrant was executed at the residence as part of the ongoing investigation.

Lee is charged with control of firearm/offensive weapon by felon, reckless use of a firearm-property damage, domestic abuse assault display or use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance-3rd or subsequent offense and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains active, and additional charges are pending.

(Graettinger)--After a summer of turmoil, officials with the GTRA school districts are gearing up for the 2026-2027 school year. An audit report was released last week on financial discrepancies between the Graettinger-Terril and Ruthven-Ayrshire school districts over the past five years. In July, former Superintendent Marshall Lewis was placed on administrative leave. GTRA Interim Superintendent Jeff Dicks says he’s hoping the districts can now look to the future.

Dicks says he will be updating staff on the financial condition of the two districts.

He says both districts are in tough financial shape at this time.

Dicks made his comments on the GTRA Superintendent Spotlight program which can be heard every Wednesday at 5:45 pm on KILR FM 95.9.

(Spencer)--Seasons Center is offering a free virtual training next week focused on caregiver well-being and resilience. Season Center Vice President of Program Development Sarah Heinrichs-Wurm says the virtual training will be held via Zoom on Thursday, August 20^th from 6:30 to 8 pm.

Heinrichs-Wurm say the session will highlight the strong connection between caregiver wellness and positive child and family outcomes.

She explains how to register for the meeting,

For more information, visit seasonscenter.org.

(Arnolds Park)--The "Bras for a Cause" event held this past June at the Peacock Lounge in Arnolds Park was a huge success. According ro a post on the Peacock Lounge Facebook page, $61,372 was raised to support local families battling cancer.

A check for that amount was presented this week to Abben Cancer Center in Spencer for their Patient Needs fund. The post says every dollar raised will directly impact the lives of those facing cancer in our area, offering support, hope, and relief during their journey.

Officials say planning is already underway for the 2027 Bras for a Cause.

(Sherburn, MN)--The Sherburn Economic Development Authority is launching a new program aimed at expanding child care options in the community.

The new childcare development grant program can provide funding of up to $10,000 to help with startup and expansion costs—including equipment, furnishings, licensing, renovations, supplies, marketing, and more.

No matching funds are required. The program is open to new and expanding childcare providers

Officials say quality childcare strengthens families, supports workers, and helps the community grow.

Anyone interested should contact Andrea at Sherburn City Hall by calling 507-764-4491 or email andrea.ballard@cityofsherburn.com for an application or more information.

(Estherville)--The new vice principal at Demoney Elementary School is a native of Estherville. Erin Hart says she is a graduate of Estherville Lincoln Central High School.

Hart explains why she wanted to return to Estherville.

She was asked about her goals as Vice-Principal.

Brad Peter is the new principal at Demoney Elementary. The first full day of classes in the ELC School District is August 25^th.

(Ankeny)--Eight farmers, including five incumbents, have been elected to the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors. The association’s 22 volunteer farmer directors represent the state’s nine crop reporting districts in overseeing the management and allocation of soybean checkoff and non-checkoff resources.

Those re-elected to a three-year terms on the board include Paul Kassel of Spencer in District 1.

Directors are elected by Iowa soybean farmers in July and take office in September. Members vote for two farmers from their crop reporting district and vote for four at-large directors. The eight directors elected join 14 full-time soybean farmers in developing ISA’s policies and programs each year.

Those continuing their service as directors include Brent Swart of Spencer in District 1and Neil Krummen of Linn Grove At-Large.

(Estherville)--The City of Estherville is reminding all residents and visitors of local regulations regarding sidewalk safety in the central business district.

Under the Estherville Code of Ordinances, operating specified wheeled devices on downtown public sidewalks is prohibited to ensure pedestrian safety and accessibility.

It is unlawful to operate wheeled devices used for transportation or recreation on sidewalks within the central business district. This includes, but is not limited to: bicycles and e-bikes electric and kick scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and inline skates, toy vehicles and other personal micro-mobility devices.

Items exempt from the ordinance include mobility & assistive devices such as wheelchairs, motorized mobility devices, and walkers; child transportation including strollers, wagons, or other devices operated by caregivers to transport infants or small children and authorized equipment used for snow removal or construction.

Last week, the Estherville City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance creating a 10 mph speed limit for all wheeled devices on public sidewalks outside the central business district.

(Spirit Lake)--Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Northwest Iowa Ag Stewardship Alliance, will host a cover crop field day near Spirit Lake later this month. Conservation and Cover Crop Outreach Specialist Liz Ripley says the no cost event will be held Wednesday, August 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Boettcher Family Farms.

Ripley details the benefits of cover crops.

She says the evening will start with a presentation from the Boettcher family.

Boettcher Family Farms is located at 1200 215th Ave near Spirit Lake. The event is open to farmers and landowners but reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. RSVP by contacting Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or send an email to ilf@iastate.edu by August 19th.

(Algona)--Planning continues for a restoration project at Smith Lake north of Algona. Kossuth County Naturalist Billie Willie says Smith Lake is currently on the state’s list of impaired waters due to high levels of algae.

Willie says Kossuth County Conservation has teamed up with the Iowa DNR for the restoration project.

The estimated cost of the project is about $5.9 million. Willie says they are hoping grants will pay for most of the project.

Willie was asked when they hope to have the project completed.

The DNR’s Lake Restoration Program was created in 2006 for publicly-owned lakes. Over the past 20 years, it has spent $172 million to improve the water clarity in 72 lakes in 55 counties.

(Spirit Lake)--The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has documented an increase in gizzard shad across the Iowa Great Lakes. DNR Fisheries Biologist Andrew Carlson with the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery says gizzard shad are native to many rivers in the Midwest and are moving north and northwest in their range.

Carlson says the exact ecological impacts of gizzard shad in the Iowa Great Lakes remain unknown.

Research on gizzard shad at the northern edge of their distribution shows that low winter temperatures frequently trigger high winter mortality.

Carlson says boaters and anglers can do their part to minimize the spread of gizzard shad.

Iowa DNR Fisheries teams will continue regular fisheries sampling across the Iowa Great Lakes to track dynamics of forage fish, game fish, and other species.

(Graettinger)--A Ringsted man is facing multiple charges in connection with two separate incidents last week in Graettinger.

On Thursday August 6^th, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office investigated the theft of equipment at Pro Cooperative in Graettinger

Then on Saturday, August 8th, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office investigated a report of a trailer being stolen from a residence in Graettinger. Minutes later, deputies located the suspect and trailer in the 4800 block of 280th Street. Following an investigation, deputies arrested 41-year-old Anton Bejarano of Ringsted, charging him with theft in the 3rd degree, criminal mischief in the 5th degree and driving while license suspended. Bejarano was transported, without incident, to the Palo Alto County Jail and booked in to await his initial appearance before a magistrate. The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Emmet County Sheriff's Office.

After further investigation,  Bejarano was also charged in connection with the theft of equipment at Pro Cooperative in Graettinger  He is charged 3^rd degree burglary, a class D felony and 4th degree theft. Bejarano is also awaiting his initial appearance before a magistrate on those charges.

(Jackson, MN)--Federated Rural Electric of Jackson has announced the next deadline for Operation Round-Up grants is September 18^th .

Operation Round Up involves 74 percent of Federated's members in Jackson and Martin Counties; they allow their monthly electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar amount. The "rounded up" change goes into a trust fund. An independent Trust Board, which consists of Federated members, evaluates local funding requests and distributes the funds.

Since 1995 Federated's Trust Board has distributed more than $1 million to local organizations including schools, senior dining, hospice, fire/ambulance departments and high school scholarships.

The application form can be downloaded from Federated’s website: federatedrea.coop. You can also call Federated at 507-847-3520 or 1-800-321-3520 and ask for Andrea to request an application.

(Milford)--The Dickinson County Sherriff’s Office is investigating a theft that occurred this past weekend at Derner's of Milford Inc.

According to a Facebook post, the theft occurred on Sunday between 7:15 and 9:15 am.

Derner's of Milford Inc is offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading to an arrest, conviction, and return of the property.

If you have any information, you are asked to contact Deputy Johnson at the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office at 712-336-2525 or if you would like to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 712-336-2345.

(Estherville)--The Estherville area community is mourning the loss of Estherville Lincoln Central educator and baseball coach Lee Evans who died Monday after a lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 52. An Estherville native, Evans had been with the ELC School District for about 20 years including 17 as baseball coach. ELC High School Principal Brad Leonard.

Evans recorded over 300 wins as ELC head baseball coach. His teams won six Lakes Conference Championships and made three state tournament appearances, finishing Class 2A runners-up in 2022. Leonard was asked about what made Evans so successful as a coach.

In addition to his coaching duties, Evans was the student success coordinator at ELC Middle School.

A Memorial Service for Lee Evans will be held at 11am on Thursday, August 20^th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake with a Celebration of Life and Sharing time to follow during the luncheon. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 19^th from 4 to 8 pm at Henry Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be given towards a future project at the ELC Baseball Field or for an ELC Scholarship in Lee’s memory.

(Okoboji)--The University of Okoboji Winter Games Committee has released the logo for the 2027 event.

The logo was unveiled Monday on the University of Okoboji Winter Games Facebook page.

The 46th annual Winter Games are scheduled for January 28th-31^sr, 2027.

(Estherville)--Iowa Lakes Community College and the Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District are once again partnering to welcome students, families, and community members to the Annual Back to School Bash later this month. Tara Clabaugh with Iowa Lakes Community College says the Back to School Bash will be held on Wednesday, August 26^th on the green space at the college's Estherville Campus. Clabaugh says this is the 13^th year for the event.

Clabaugh says the bash will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

She provides more details about some of the activities that will be taking place.

Again the Back to School Bash will be held on Wednesday, August 26^th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on the green space at the Iowa Lakes Estherville Campus.

(Estherville)--Demoney Elementary School in Estherville will have a new principal and vice-principal for the 2026-27 school year. The new principal is Brad Peter who is beginning his 22nd year in education.

Peter said it was a wonderful opportunity but he and his wife decided they wanted to return to rural Iowa.

Peter said he spent most of his career with the Okoboji School District.

Peter outlined his goals as Demoney Principal.

In addition to Peter, Estherville native Erin Hart has been hired to serve as Vice Principal at Demoney. Peter and Hart were interviewed on the ELC Superintendent Spotlight Program which can be heard every Saturday at 8:45 am on KILR FM 95.9.

(Storm Lake)--A Peterson man has been arrested on multiple charges after Storm Lake police investigated a report of sexual abuse involving a minor.

Police say on July 21^st they received a report involving an allegation of sexual abuse that occurred at a Storm Lake residence in June. The department launched an investigation immediately, working alongside the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the MercyOne Siouxland Child Advocacy Center.

Following the joint investigation, police last week sought arrest warrants for the suspect, 35-year-old Christopher Rodriguez of Peterson,

Rodriguez is charged with second-degree sexual abuse, a class B felony, lascivious acts with a child, a class C felony, incest, a class D felony, child endangerment and indecent contact with a child.

Rodriguez was taken into custody last Wednesday by Sioux City police and is now awaiting extradition to Buena Vista County.

(Winnebago, MN)--The Bravo Zulu House near Winnebago in northern Martin County will celebrate the completion of a new kennel and the opportunity it offers to the Veterans they serve on Friday, August 21st. The celebration will start at 9:00 AM with a ceremony scheduled for 10:00 AM.

During the kennel grand opening, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about Bravo Zulu House’s collaboration with K-9s for Warriors as well as meet the very first Station Dog

Daniel Bean, CEO of K-9s for Warriors and Elizabeth Odenthal, head of the Dog Therapy Program at Bravo Zulu House, will be at the event and share how this new kennel and the therapy dogs that live in it will benefit Veterans living at the house.

This event is open to the public and admission is free.

(Sherburn, MN)--PowerOn Midwest has eliminated one of the three potential routes for a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line through southern Minnesota.

The route that would have followed I-90 through the Fairmont area has been eliminated because of obstacles including cities, airports, existing infrastructure and environmental concerns. The routes still under consideration would run south of Fairmont near Dunnell, and north of Sherburn, Welcome and Fairmont.

PowerOn Midwest officials say public feedback will help determine which route is ultimately selected. A final route must be submitted with the project’s routing application in February.

Officials say they especially want to hear from landowners about potential impacts to farming, property use, wildlife and future development. Another public meeting will be held Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Jackson County Central High School gym. A virtual open house is also available through August 28 at PowerOn Midwest’s website.