(Spencer)--The 2026 Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, is again offering special days during this year’s fair September 12th–20th.

Monday, September 14^th is Veterans Appreciation Day. Veterans and active-duty military receive free admission with proof of military identification. Activities include a Parade of Honor around the Fairgrounds, and the Veterans Appreciation Program in the Events Center Ballroom.

Tuesday, September 15th is Senior Day. Guests ages 65 and older receive $9.00 admission. Activities throughout the day include the Vintage Tractor Parade around the Fairgrounds and the Antique Tractor Pull in the Grandstand.

Wednesday, September 16^th is First Responders Day. First responders receive free admission with valid identification. Fairgoers can also visit Central Park to explore a display of emergency response vehicles and meet local first responders.

Also, Saturday, September 19th is Science Saturday. Fairgoers can participate in hands-on STEM activities and experiments designed to engage fairgoers of all ages in Central Park and the 4-H Building.

For a complete list of special days, visit claycountyfair.com.

(Spencer)--Seasons Center is offering a free 90-minute virtual training designed to help foster, adoptive, kinship, and biological parents better understand how childhood adversity impacts behavior, relationships, and emotional well-being. The training will include practical strategies parents can use to strengthen connection with the children in their care.

The zoom meeting will be held on Thursday, August 6^th from 6:30 to 8 pm.

The training will explore how adverse experiences in childhood can shape attachment and influence behavioral responses in children and youth.

This training is ideal for biological parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, kinship caregivers, and anyone caring for children who have experienced adversity or trauma.

There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required. For more information, visit seasonscenter.org/events.

(Arnolds Park)--The 92^nd Annual Okoboji Bible Conference kicks-off this weekend at the conference grounds in Arnolds Park. Executive Director Mark Schwarz says as part of the conference, a special event called Nations and Nutty Bars will be taking place next Monday, August 3^rd.

Schwarz says this is the 2^nd year for the event.

The Okoboji Bible Conference runs from August 1^st through the 7^th.  For more information, visit okobojiconference.org.

(Lake Park)--The Harris-Lake Park Community School District will be hosting a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new elementary school this Saturday, August 1st at 1 pm. H-LP Superintendent Mike Thompson says students began attending classes in the new building earlier this year.

District leaders will also be on hand to share the vision behind the project and discuss the planning and community partnerships that made it possible.  Thompson says prior to the ceremony there will be a community lunch in the parking lot at noon.

Thompson says following the dedication, the building will be open to the public.

Also during the event, the class of 1976 will be opening a time capsule.

(Fairmont, MN)--The Fairmont Opera House has announced two major donations that will provide a significant boost to the organization's capital campaign. Fairmont Opera House Executive Director Blake Pothoff says the donations will create the momentum needed to advance the long-awaited restoration and repair project

Pothoff says work on the project will likely begin early next year.

He details when the project would be completed.

Pothoff says they are planning on additional phases in the future.

To make a donation or for more information about the capital campaign, visit fairmontoperahouse.org/capital.

(Jackson, MN)--County fair season continues across northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota this week with the Jackson County Fair. The fair gets underway Tuesday and runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Jackson. Terri Bargfrede with the Jackson County Fair Board says there’s a new building for this year’s fair.

Bargfrede says the first full day of the fair is on Tuesday.

She says Wednesday is Kid’s Day at the fair.

Bargfrede says Friday wraps up with a concert by the Rook Richards Band.

For a complete fair schedule, visit jacksoncountyfairmn.com/schedule.

(Okoboji)--Adults are invited to enjoy coffee, conversation, and conservation during the next Kenue Coffee Hour on Thursday, August 6th at 10:30 a.m. at the Maser Monarch Lodge.

The guest speaker will be Mary Jo Rapp with Iowa Great Lakes Pheasants Forever. Rapp will share  information about the organization's local conservation efforts, habitat restoration projects, and ways  community members can become involved in protecting Iowa's natural resources.

Kenue Coffee Hour provides an opportunity for visitors to learn from local experts while enjoying  complimentary coffee in a relaxed setting.

The program is free and open to the public. No registration is required

(Spencer)--With less than 50 days until the 2026 Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, fair officials say now is the time to start planning your visit and take advantage of advance savings before the Fair begins.

Advance adult admission tickets are available for $9.00, a $3.00 savings off the regular $12.00 gate admission during the Fair. Tickets are valid for any day of the 2026 Clay County Fair for guests ages 13 and older and provide entry between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day. Children ages 12 and under receive FREE admission every day.

Advance admission pricing is available through Friday, September 11. Tickets can be purchased online at www.claycountyfair.com, in person at the Events Center Box Office (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), by phone at (515) 244-2771, or at more than 70 participating businesses throughout northwest Iowa and southern Minnesota. A complete list of ticket outlets is available on the Fair's website.

(Algona)--After more than two decades, the economic development partnership between Kossuth and Palo Alto counties has officially been dissolved. Todd Faris, the executive director of the rebranded Kossuth Area Economic Development Corporation, says the head of Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation had requested the separation early this year.

Faris details the change in branding

Faris says he and his staff can now focus solely on Kossuth County.

The partnership between Kossuth and Palo Alto counties ended on June 30^th.

(Estherville)—The 2026 Emmet County Fair wrapped-up Sunday afternoon with the 4H-FFA Market Livestock Premium Auction. A total of about 125 animals were sold during the auction. Layne Anderson with the 4H/FFA Livestock Committee says despite the very hot weather it was another successful auction.

Anderson says the judges were very complimentary about the quality of the livestock exhibits produced by the 4H and FFA kids.

Anderson was asked how the kids will use money they receive from the auction

Here are the winning bids for the grand champion animals: $1,100 for the Grand Champion Market Beef owned by Wyatt Perkins; $1,000 for the Grand Champion Market Swine owned by Ella Regelstad; $800 for the Grand Champion Meat Goat, also owned by Ella Regelstad; $1,600 for the Grand Champion Market Lamb owned by Kinsley Lown; and $900 for the Grand Champion Poultry owned by Bennett Duitsman.

(Fenton)--A new school year is only about a month area and area school districts will soon be registering students for the 2026-2027 School Year. North Union Elementary Principal Katie Black says district wide registration for the North Union district will be held on Tuesday, August 11th from 7 am to 7 pm.

She says registration forms are available online.

Black says you can make other arrangements to enroll your child if you can’t make it on August 11th. 

Black outlines the registration options for the North Union Middle School and High School.

If you have any questions, contact the school building your child will be attending.

(Estherville)--An Estherville woman was arrested last weekend on multiple drug charges.

According to online court records, 45-year-old Amber Movick is charged with possession of a controlled substance-3^rd oe subsequent offense, a class D felony, possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, third or subsequent offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, and trespass-1^st offense.

According to the criminal complaint filed by the Estherville Police Department, Movick was arrested last Sunday at a residence in the 400 block of North 3^rd St. after the owner texted her that she was not allowed to be there. Movick was found to be in possession of three small plastic baggies and one small plastic container that had a white crystal substance which tested positive for meth. She was also found in possession of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.

Movick has a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 10^th in Emmet County District Court.

(Estherville)--The Estherville Police Department has been notified by local financial institutions that they have received a couple of fake $100 bills.

The bills are smaller than normal ones and have some Chinese writing on the back. Businesses are advised to be aware when receiving cash.

If you have questions or need to report a counterfeit bill, please call the Estherville Police Department at 712-362-3515. 

(Blue Earth, MN)--Two people were sent to the hospital after a two vehicle accident Thursday morning on Interstate 90 near Blue Earth.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened shortly after 10 am in the westbound lanes of I-90 west of the interchange with Highway 169. A 2017 Jeep Cherokee driven by 26-year-old Madison Hendricks of Fairmont and a 2016 Chrysler Town & Country driven by 23-year-old Thomas Williams of Detroit, MN were both travelling west bound when they collided.

Both drivers were taken to the Blue Earth Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Faribault County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

(Spencer)--The city of Spencer is addressing social media reports that FLOCK cameras, or cameras that read license plates, are located in the city. Spencer City Manager Kevin Robinson says those reports are false.

Robinson says the cameras on street lights in the downtown area are not FLOCK cameras.

He says it’s difficult for the city to combat false reports of FLOCK cameras on line.

Robinson made his comments at this week’s Spencer City Council meeting.

(Algona)--A 20-year-old man has been charged with felony sexual abuse in Kossuth County District Court in connection with an incident that occurred last summer.

The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office says Hunter Brandt of Woden was arrested on Tuesday in Burt on a warrant for sexual abuse in the 2^nd degree, a Class B felony.

According to the criminal complaint, Brandt met an underage girl in Bancroft on August 1^st, 2025 and drove her to a gravel road out of town to have sex.

Brandt was being held in the Kossuth County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond.

He is scheduled to have a preliminary court hearing on August 3^rd. A no contact order has also been issued to prevent Brandt from having any contact with the alleged victim in this case.

(Spencer)--As the United States commemorates its 250th Anniversary in 2026, the Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, is inviting fairgoers to celebrate the milestone through a variety of special attractions and events.

New for 2026, fairgoers entering through Gate G will be welcomed by the Avenue of Flags, a striking display featuring the flags of all 50 states. Stretching along the walkway from the Fair's main entrance on West 18th Street, the display celebrates the unity and diversity that have shaped the nation for 250 years.

Returning for its second year, the Drone Show, sponsored by Midwest Companies, will once again illuminate the night sky following the Bulls & Broncs Rodeo on September 16th. Featuring synchronized patriotic imagery and music, the show offers a memorable tribute to America's 250th Anniversary.

Also, many of the Fair's Open Class competitions will feature America’s 250^th Anniversary themes.

The 2026 Clay County Fair runs September 12^th-20^th. For more information, visit claycountyfair.com.

(Estherville)--The 2026 Emmet County Fair continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Estherville. Fair Board Treasurer Cami Paulson says a full day of events is on tap for Saturday.

Paulson says from 2 to 4 pm there will be free bingo at the Ingham Lake building.

She says new for this year will be a Scotch-A-Roos competition with registration beginning at 5:30 pm and judging at 6:30. There will also be open barrels and poles at the horse arena at 6 pm. Paulson says the fair will wrap-up on Sunday.

A complete fair schedule is available online at: the emmetcountyfair.com.

(Ayrshire)--The town of Ayrshire will celebrate Ayrshire Days this Saturday and Sunday. Ayrshire City Clerk Anna McDevitt says the fun begins on Saturday morning.

McDevitt says there will be bingo at the community center from 1 to 4 pm.

She says more events are planned for Sunday.

A complete schedule can be found on the City of Ayrshire Facebook page.

(Fairmont, MN)--One person was sent to the hospital after an accident involving an electric scooter and an SUV Wednesday afternoon in Fairmont.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened shortly after 12:35 pm at the intersection of Highway 15 and Johnson St.

The patrol says an electric scooter operated by 22-year-old Elijah Thompson of Fairmont and a 2019 Honda Pilot driven by 40-year-old Xue Schrader of Fairmont were both northbound on Highway 15 when the two vehicles collided in the intersection with Johnson Street.

Thompson was taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital in Fairmont with non-life threatening injuries.

(Truman, MN)--A Truman, MN farm family has been named Martin County’s 2026 Farm Family of the Year.

Ron and Dora Fowler operate a 1,000-acre corn and soybean farm while also raising about 18,000 hogs annually. Ron Fowler began raising pigs in high school and has expanded the business from 60 hogs in the 1970s to a modern wean-to-finish operation spread across multiple sites. The family also works closely with their son, Travis, who farms another 1,000 acres nearby.

Also, the Brian and Melanie Post family will be recognized as Jackson County’s Farm Family of the Year. The Posts have been farming since 1993 and in addition to row crops, they manage a Simmental cattle herd along with a commercial sheep flock. The Posts are active in a number of different community and ag-related organizations. Their son Zach and his wife Amanda moved to the home farm two years ago and joined the operation.

The Posts and the Fowlers will be two of the 86 farm families that will be recognized during the 2026 Farm Family of the Year ceremony on Thursday, August 6^th as part of this year’s Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls.

(Arnolds Park)--The 92nd Annual Okoboji Bible Conference will be held August 1^st-7th in Arnolds Park. Executive Director Mark Schwarz says some new things have been added for this year’s conference.
 

He says there’s also a new event on Sunday morning.

Schwarz says there will be a full line-up of speakers.

He says there will be activities for kids of all ages.

About 3,000 people attend the conference each year. It is funded entirely by free will donations. For more information, visit okobojiconference.org.

(Milford)--Fun for all ages can be found at the 58^th annual Milford Pioneer Days Celebration this Friday through Sunday.  Milford Commercial Club Treasurer Susan Reiser says events get underway bright and early on Friday.

Reiser says events on Saturday start with Yoga in Florence Park at 8am.

She says events continue Saturday afternoon with Okoboji Music Masters at Florence Park starting at 12:30.

Reiser says the celebration wraps up on Sunday.

For a complete schedule of events, visit their website: milfordcommercialclub.com.

(Sioux City)– The Okoboji Police Department and the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation into a federal drug case that resulted in the conviction of a Fort Dodge man.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, 49-year-old Dion Miller of Fort Dodge pled guilty Monday in federal court in Sioux City to distributing over 100 grams of methamphetamine and at least 10 grams of cocaine in the Fort Dodge area in 2024 and 2025.

Evidence further showed that on three separate occasions, Miller distributed meth and cocaine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement.  Miller fled the state to avoid prosecution for this offense and was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi three months after he was indicted.

Miller remains held by federal authorities pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum of life imprisonment along with a $25,000,000 fine and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

(Lakefield, MN)--Lakefield Police Chief Roger D. Pohlman has announced his retirement effective December 31^st.

Pohlman’s career includes 21 years of military service, including 10 years as active Air Force Security Police. Pohlman spent 16 years with the Grand Forks, North Dakota Police Department; eight-plus years as Red Wing, Minnesota Police Chief; and the past five plus years serving as police chief for the city of Lakefield.

During Pohlman’s tenure, the Lakefield Police Department emphasized community policing through education, partnerships and enforcement.

(Spencer)--The city of Spencer was recently notified that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $3.4 million in funding to acquire 25 residential properties damaged by flooding in 2024. City Manager Kevin Robinson gave an update on the process at this week’s city council meeting.

Robinson says FEMA requires that the properties be turned into green space. He says property acquisitions should begin later this year.

The city of Spencer also has a separate buyout program. Robinson says the city attorney is currently reviewing the abstracts for 12 properties that have qualified for that program.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Board of Supervisors Tuesday received an update from Trevor Smith and Alyssa Peterson with the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. One of the topics discussed with the board was next month’s Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute. Peterson says this is the 20^th year for the event.

Peterson says this year’s OEI will run from August 9^th-14^th.

She says this year’s OEI class will get a chance to meet with the alumni on August 9th.

In other business, County Attorney Melanie Summers Bauler reported that Summit Carbon Solutions had dropped its lawsuit over the county’s pipeline ordinance. The Supervisors had voted to repeal the ordinance in mid-May. It was also reported that the county had paid $113,495 to Ahlers and Cooney, the firm representing Emmet County in pipeline litigation. 

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Veterans Affairs Director Casee Ross requested $3,000 in LOSST funds to cover the transportation costs for a public speaker who would come to Estherville on October 28th. The speaker is Chickie Donohue from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The 2022 film “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” is based on his life. The board will consider the request at their next meeting.

(Estherville)--Today’s Emmet County Fair schedule includes animal weigh-ins, the open class and 4-H Pet Show at 1 pm and horse timed events at 6 pm. Emmet County Fair Board Treasurer Cami Paulson says the fair gets into full swing on Thursday.

The members only Farm Bureau picnic will be held from 5 to 6:30 pm and the day will end with a free concert featuring the group “No Drinking on Grounds.” Paulson says Friday begins with the Swine Show with Showmanship at 8 am.

Paulson says the Iowa Corn Trailer will be on the fairgrounds at 1pm.  

She says there will be a free concert featuring Casey Muessigmann at 8 pm and an Epic Foam Party at 9 pm. The Emmet County Fair runs through Sunday. For a complete schedule, visit theemmetcountyfair.com.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Fair got underway Tuesday evening with the 4H Clothing Event and Fair Queen Contest. Taylor Larson, the daughter of Jared and Autumn Larsen, was  crowned the 2026 Emmet County Fair Queen. Larsen, who will be a senior at North Union High School, was asked how it felt to be named Fair Queen.

Larsen explains the requirements for the contest.

She outlines what she’s looking forward to most about serving as Emmet County Fair Queen.

Larsen says she plans to attend South Dakota State University and major in Agronomy.

Megan Lausen of Estherville, the daughter of Jay and Kohlene Lausen, was named fair princess. Also last night, Donna Jensen received the Friends of the Fair Award and the Marth Family  were announced as the Emmet County Fair Board’s Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Inductees.

(Estherville)--Monday night’s Estherville City Council meeting ended with a discussion on regulating electric bikes and scooters Estherville Police Chief Brent Shatto says the city is still in the process of gathering information on the issue.

Shatto says one concern about regulating e-bikes and scooters is the age of those who might be ticketed.

Shatto says he thinks it’s mainly a parenting issue.

The council only had a few items on their agenda. The council approved the third and final reading of an ordinance making South 17^th St. One Way from 1^st Avenue South to 3^rd Avenue South.  It will take effect upon publication.

The council also authorized the execution of an airport grant agreement for the design of a parallel grass taxiway. The grant amount is $58, 420 with a local match of $3,074.  The council also approved the appointment of Richard Barrett to the library board.