(Spencer)--The Clay County Fair Textiles, Crafts, and Arts Department will again showcase memorable creativity in the Creative Living Center at the 2021 Fair, Sept 11-19.

The 2021 Fair will include a special feature class with the theme of “Bring Back The Roaring 20’s”. Exhibitors are encouraged to bring the 1920s to the 2020s to life in this new special feature class featuring textiles, crafts, and arts. This class is open to all ages.

This year there are several new competitions including heritage scrapbook, fused glass, machine embroidery on knits, loom knitting, traditional rug hooking (with wool), and molded and hand thrown pottery.

Besides the new competitions, a variety of others can be entered under several different classes including needlework, painting, crochet, quilting, patchwork, garment making, woodworking, and computer-generated work.

There are no entry fees and exhibitors do not need to be residents of Clay County. Check out the exhibitor handbook online at claycountyfair.com

(Spirit Lake)—A large fire Friday morning destroyed one Spirit Lake business and damaged another.

Shortly before 8:30 am, the Spirit Lake Fire Department responded to the Golden Buys Outlet Store at 1665 Highway 71 South. Spirit Lake Fire Chief Pat Day says a controlled burn got out of hand after the wind suddenly picked up and quickly spread to the building.

The Arnolds Park-Okoboji, Milford and Superior Fire Departments were then called for assistance for manpower and equipment.

Daly says the Golden Buys Outlet building was destroyed. There was damage to at least one of the green houses at Ferguson's Garden and Landscape Center.

No injuries were reported.

Highway 71 was closed from 34th Street to 41st Street for several hours because of the fire and traffic was detoured.

(Spencer)—The annual Flagfest celebration gets underway this evening in Spencer. This year’s event is also doubling as a celebration of Spencer’s 150^th Anniversary. Sheriffa Jones, Executive Director of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce, says an opening ceremony will be held this(Fri.) evening at 5:00 on the Clay County Courthouse lawn.

Jones says activities begin bright and early on Saturday with a 5k fun run, youth fishing clinic and bike ride.

Jones says there will be several events downtown on Saturday evening.

She says Flagfest will conclude on Sunday.

For a complete schedule of events visit: spenceriowachamber.org.

(KILR)--Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law earlier this week that bans the teaching of the tenets of Critical Race Theory, including “assigning fault, blame, or bias to members of a race or sex because of their race or sex.” In a bill signing statement, Reynolds said critical race theory is about labels and stereotypes, not education. The bill passed both the House and Senate by wide margins last month. Area State Representative John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake, says Critical Race Theory is based on opinion not fact.

Area State Senator Dennis Guth, a Republican from Klemme, says Critical Race Theory actually teaches racism.

Area State Representative Henry Stone, a Republican from Forest City, says teaching Critical Race theory is harmful to students.

Among other things the bill prohibits teaching that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; that the United States of America and the state of Iowa are fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist. or that an individual, solely because of the individual’s race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.

(Milford)--The Milford Fire Department responded to reefer trailer fire this(Thursday) morning at Landmark Products.

Milford Fire Chief Jim Carpenter says workers had put the trailer into cooldown mode to get it ready for loading when it caught on fire. Carpenter says the fire was mostly extinguished when firefighters arrived on scene. He says firefighters cleaned up area and helped move the trailer away from the building.

No injuries were reported. Firefighters were on the scene for 45 minutes. A damage estimate was not available.

(Jeffers, Minn.)-- A rural water system that serves several counties in southwest Minnesota is encouraging its users to cutback on water usage due to the hot, dry, weather.

Officials with the Red Rock Rural Water System say there is no shortage of water, but they're urging customers to refrain from any unnecessary uses such as watering lawns, washing cars and equipment or any other uses that may not be necessary. Those who must use larger amounts of water are requested to do so later in the evening or overnight hours, when overall demand is less.

The Red Rock Rural Water System serves rural areas of nine counties in southwest Minnesota, including portions of Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin and Nobles counties.

(KILR)--A Radiothon Wednesday morning on KILR FM 95.9 raised more than $10,000 for the Estherville Police Department. The funds will be used to help purchase a new Police K-9 and a drone. Sergeant Matt Reineke says the Estherville Police Department started its K-9 program in the late 1990s with a dog named Cyber who served for 9 years.

Reineke says Cyber was followed by Max 1, Max II and Max III who combined to locate

more than $110,000 in illegal drugs. Reineke says Max III passed away in February. He says the Department’s new K-9 is a Dutch Shepherd named Pepper.

The total cost of a new K-9 is about $15,000. Reineke says some of that cost can be reduced by finishing some of the training with Pepper on his own.

Estherville Police Chief Brent Shatto says the department is also seeking donations for a drone. Shatto says the cost of the new drone is about $6,500.

The total amount raised during the Radiothon was $10,120. You can still make a donation by mailing a check to the Estherville Police Department at 114 North 6^th St., Estherville, Iowa 51334. You can also drop off a donation at the Law Enforcement Center.

(Fairmont, Minn.)--A man on supervised release was arrested Monday in Fairmont on multiple charges.

The Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force received information Monday on the whereabouts of 28-year-old Tyler Caputo, who had an active warrant issued by the Department of Corrections for violating the terms of his supervised release from prison.

During a surveillance operation, DTF Agents observed Caputo leave an apartment complex in Fairmont. Caputo attempted to flee; however, he was quickly apprehended by officers from the Fairmont Police Department and Martin County Sheriff’s Deputies. During a search of Caputo’s person, arresting officers located a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, which had been modified by removing the stock and grinding off the serial number.

Agents also located 127 grams of methamphetamine and evidence of drug sales in a backpack Caputo was carrying.

Caputo was on supervised release from prison after pleading guilty to 3rd degree murder in 2015.

Caputo is currently in the Martin County Jail on charges of 1st degree drug sales, 1st degree drug possession, and felon in possession of a firearm.

(Estherville)--The Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department has announced that five concerts will be held next week featuring the headliners for the 40^th Annual Reggie Schive Jazz camp as well as camp participants. Iowa Lakes Instrumental Music and Jazz Band Professor

Carol Ayres says the band includes many familiar faces.

The other headliners include Rod Fleeman from Kansas City, Missouri on guitar; CJ Kocher of Vermillion, South Dakota on saxophone and Dan Cassady of Manson, Iowa on trombone. Ayres says the first concert will be held on Monday at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park beginning at 7 p.m. This concert is a freewill donation. Ayres says the following night, the headliners will be playing in Estherville.

Ayres says there will be three concerts on Thursday.

For more information on the jazz camp and this year’s headliners visit: reggieschivejazzcamp.com.

(Spencer)--A Graettinger man was arrested this past weekend on Clay County warrants.

On Sunday at approximately 2:20 a.m., 25-year-old Christopher Gabbard of Graettinger was taken into custody by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on an active warrant for failure to appear on charges of interference with official acts and unauthorized use of a credit card under $1,500.

Gabbard was being held in the Clay County Jail on no bond.

(Okoboji)--Water rates in Okoboji will be going up effective July 1st. The Okoboji City Council Tuesday evening granted formal approval of the increase following a public hearing. City Administrator Michael Meyers says for a typical residential customer in Okoboji, the rate increase is $11.55 per quarter or about four bucks a month.

Meyers says the increase will generate about $80,000 in additional revenue to the city's water fund. The additional revenue will not be enough to cover the cost of needed improvements to the city's distribution system.

Councilman Jim Delperdang, who also serves on the city's Finance Committee, says those projects will have to use other sources of funding in order to prevent water rates from soaring.

City officials say the last time Okoboji's water rates were adjusted was in 2018.

(Spirit Lake) - Spirit Lake's new Police Chief is coming from within the department.

The Spirit Lake City Council Tuesday evening unanimously approved a recommendation from Mayor Bruce Keenan to appoint Shane Brevik to the position. Brevik will succeed longtime Police Chief Jeff Hanson, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Brevik has served in law enforcement for more than 20 years.

With Brevik's appointment as Chief of Police, the department will soon begin the process of finding another police officer to fill Brevik's former position.

(Fairmont, Minn.)—After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the annual Interlaken Heritage Days celebration is taking place this weekend in Fairmont. Laura Dunker with the Interlaken Heritage Days Committee says events get underway Friday evening with a concert at Lincoln Park.

Dunker says activities begin early on Saturday.

She says there will be a summer craft and vendor show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gomsrud Park.

The parade will last approximately one hour. The day will conclude with a street dance featuring the group Maiden Dixie. A complete schedule of events is available on-line at ihdfairmont.org or by visiting the Interlaken Heritage Days Facebook page.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Board of Supervisors Tuesday held further discussion on the creation of a budget director position. By a vote of 4 to 1, the board approved a resolution at their meeting two weeks ago creating the position of Budget Director. Last week on a three to nothing vote the board voted to rescind the motion. Board members Tim Schumacher and John Pluth were absent. Much of Tuesday’s discussion centered on how to fund the $3,000 salary for the position. Board Chairman Jeff Quastad had previously suggested the funds come directly from the Supervisors salaries. County Attorney Melanie Summers-Bauler says she thought that was a bad idea.

Bauler says state code allows for the creation of a budget director position.

The board ended the discussion without taking any action. Supervisor Tim Schumacher says more information needs to be gathered before the issue comes up again for consideration.

In other business, the board approved the fuel and LP bids for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. The low fuel bid was from Pro Cooperative in the amount of $218,661. The low bid for LP was from NuWay K and H Cooperative in the amount of $9,750.

(Spirit Lake)—Dickinson County Supervisors on Tuesday discussed a resolution that in effect would classify all businesses in the county as essential in the event of another public health emergency.

Resident Barb Clayton spoke in favor of the resolution saying we should never say that somebody else's choice of livelihood, somebody else's ability to feed their family, pay their mortgage, pay their employees is less important than someone else's.

Supervisor Kim Wermersen empathized with the argument, but said it's technically out of the hands of local officials.

The board opted to table any action on the matter and will consider it further on June 29th.

(Emmetsburg)--Minor injuries were reported in a one vehicle accident last Thursday west of Fenton in Palo Alto County.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office says the accident happened around 8:40 am in the 2800 block of 530th Avenue.  A 2001 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Joanie Rierson of Algona, was traveling southbound on 530th Avenue and crossed over the center line.   As Rierson attempted to steer her vehicle back into her own lane she lost control on the north bound shoulder. The vehicle slid across the roadway and entered the west ditch and collided with the ditch embankment where it came to rest.

Rierson was treated for minor injuries on the scene by the Palo Alto County Ambulance Service. 

Her vehicle was deemed a total loss. 

Rierson was issued a citation for failure to maintain control.   

(Spencer) - Four major dirt track events will be taking place at the Grandstand during the 2021 Clay County Fair in September.

Starting at 8 am on Tuesday, September 14th will be the Antique Tractor Pull. The evening festivities will feature the "Battle of the Blue Ribbon" which includes the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series and the Tri-State Late Models.

Racing will continue on Wednesday, September 15th with the IMCA Blue Ribbon Showdown, featuring the IMCA Hobby Stocks, Sports Mods, Modifieds, Stock Cars and Sports Compacts. Hot laps for both nights will be at 7 p.m., with racing to follow.

The season championships of the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pullers Association will be the grand finale on Sunday, September 19th at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Tickets for all the dirt events are on sale now by going to midwestix.com, ordering by phone at 515-244-2771, or in person at the Events Center Box Office.

(Washington, D.C.)--Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley took to the Senate Floor on Monday to sound the alarm on inflation Grassley says inflation caused by government overspending is hurting everyday Americans. In a recent interview, Grassley said Congress needs to spend less money.

Grassley says President Biden’s proposed six trillion dollar budget will only add to the problem.

On another topic, Grassley has requested the redistricting data from the U.S. Census Bureau to be released in time for the nonpartisan redistricting process to move forward in Iowa. Grassley says he recently heard from the Acting Director of the U.S. Census Bureau about the issue.

(Estherville)--The ISU Extension Offices in Emmet and Palo Alto counties are co-sponsoring a master conservationist program in July and August. Emmet County Extension Program Coordinator Megan Janssen says the goal of the program is to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors in their local area.

The course will be held on Thursdays and Saturdays beginning July 8^th. Janssen says the course will be a combination of online and in the field learning.

Janssen outlines some of the topics that will be covered during the course.

To register or for more information call the Emmet County Extension Office at 712-362-3434 or the Palo Alto County Extension Office at 712-852-2865.

(Estherville)--The Estherville City Council Monday evening approved sale of property at 515 6^th Ave. North to Jon McCorkell in the amount of $1,000. No one spoke at a public hearing on the issue.

In other business, the council set a public hearing on June 21^st at 5 pm to vacate a parking easement at 1742 Central Ave. The request was made by River Foods, the current owner of Hardees. The 10 parking spaces are located in the Hardees Parking Lot. The parking spaces were used by residents of an apartment building at that location that was torn down several years ago.

The council also approved a request from Trinity Lutheran Church to close Dan Burr Drive from Trinity Park at the corner of 18^th Ave. North to 20^th Ave. North from 10:30 am to 2 pm on Saturday, August 29^th for a block party.