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Kaufman benefit to be held at Legion
Feb. 4,
2012
JACKSON -
There will be a benefit for Jeff and Meridee Kaufman from 4-8 p.m.
Saturday at the Jackson American Legion. There will be a
bake sale, silent auction and karaoke.
Donations can be made at United Prairie Bank in Jackson and Farmers
and Merchants State Bank in Alpha.
Welcome Firemen's Relief Association fund-raiser set
Feb. 4, 2012
WELCOME - The Welcome Firemen's Relief Association will hold a pancake
fund-raiser from 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Welcome Legion.
Pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and juice will be provided for a
free-will offering.
Proceeds will go toward the remodel of the classic 1929 fire truck.
Sheriff investigating vandalism reports
Feb. 3, 2012
JACKSON - The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating
several acts of vandalism that occurred late Thursday night or early
Friday morning in Jackson.
Vandals spray painted images and words on the north side of the
Jackson Public Library.
They also broke a window in the Jackson County Resource Center
and spray painted inside the building. A vehicle belonging to the
Livewire Printing Company was also spray-painted.
If anyone has any information regarding the vandalism, they are
asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department at
847-4420.
Five Iowa Senators resign
Feb. 3, 2012
DES MOINES - Five Iowa state senators have turned in their
resignations. The resignations are effective in January of 2013.
Iowa law states that after redistricting, state senators placed in
the same district face an election, instead of finishing their
four-year terms.
If one resigns by the first Wednesday in February, the other may
finish out his or her term without an election. Of the five who
resigned, two incumbents from the other party benefited.
The resignation of Senator Pat Ward of West Des Monies means
Senator Matt McCoy of Des Monies won’t have to stand for election.
The resignation of Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg means
Republican David Johnson of Ocheyedan won’t face re-election.
Legislators in the House don’t face the problem because they
serve two-year terms.
Alleged robber makes second court appearance
Feb.
2, 2012
WORTHINGTON - Alleged bank robber 49-year-old Mark Edward Wetsch of Minneapolis make his
second appearance in Nobles County District Court.
Wetsch is charged with first-degree aggravated robbery, terroristic threats and
theft in connection of the alleged bank robbery of the Rolling Hills Bank of
Brewster on Jan. 3. The robbery took place just before noon and Wetsch was
stopped by authorities in Saint Peter.
Wetsch pleaded not guilty on all three counts and his case was set for a two-day
jury trial. Wetsch was remanded back into the custody of the Nobles County
Sheriff, where he is being held on $300,000 bail.
The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are looking into the possibility
that Wetsch is the serial bank robber known as the 'Man in Black'. Additional
charges could be filed.
According to Nobles County Attorney Gordon Moore, the county will continue to
prosecute Wetsch’s case until a federal indictment is filed.
After his arrest, Wetsch allegedly stated he had left Minneapolis on the morning
of Jan. 3 intending to rob a bank, using his cell phone to locate banks in
smaller communities. He allegedly watched the Heron Lake bank for awhile, but
decided it was too busy and moved on to Brewster.
Wetsch stated he never intended to hurt anyone which is why he used a toy gun
which he had colored with a black Sharpie. He said he was planning to use
the money to travel to Africa the next day. He also allegedly stated he had
found his first robbery the easiest and that they became more difficult as they
went on, which he believed was unusual.
According to Moore, the FBI learned Wetsch and
his wife had plane tickets to travel to Nairobi, Kenya on Jan. 4. The round
trip tickets had a return date in late February.
City's year-end reports are complete
Feb.
1, 2012
JACKSON - The 2011 year-end reports and statistical graphs for the various utilities
and city departments for the City of Jackson have been compiled.
The reports
show the city had $13 million of valuation for building permits in 2011,
which mostly includes several large commercial projects. City Administrator Pat Christopherson said from a commercial standpoint, that’s a
record.
The city did have a higher permit valuation year in 2003 at $15.7 million. However, about
$14 million of that amount accounted for the high school
remodeling and addition project.
In 2011, three new homes (two single family and one duplex) were built. That number is slightly less than the
city’s yearly average of 3.4
homes.
Liquor sales at the municipal liquor store were about $6,000 higher in
2011 compared with the year before and sales continue to trend upward.
Overall, sewage pumpage figures increased by almost 10 percent last year,
even though the last four months of the year showed a significant decrease from
2010 numbers.
There was a significant increase in variance and use permits for 2011, and
the number of cable TV customers continues to decline, but that will be a moot
point soon as the city begins to phase out its cable TV system.
Milford
man charged with burglary
Feb.
1, 2012
ESTHERVILLE - Estherville police have released information regarding the arrest of 31-year-old John Haisman of Milford on a burglary charge.
Police were called last Thursday (Jan. 26) to the Bomgaar’s parking lot.
The victim told police he had parked his work vehicle in the
parking lot and when he came out of the store a man had a door open on
his utility box and allegedly had an arm full of his tools. The victim told
police that he yelled at the man and chased him away from his truck. The suspect
fled the area.
Estherville patrol officers and canine Max were called to the scene. Max was
able to track the suspect to a nearby neighborhood and located some stolen
tools, however the suspect was not found.
With the assistance of the Milford Police Department, officers conducted a
further investigation into the suspect and his activities on Thursday. The
suspect was identified as 31-year-old John Haisman of Milford.
Haisman came to the Estherville Police Department and was arrested for third-degree
burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Haisman was held at the
Emmet County Jail. He made his initial court appearance in front of a magistrate
and was issued a bond of $6,500 cash or surety. Haisman posted bond and
was released on Saturday.
The investigation continues and further charges are pending.
Estherville woman faces two
counts of
forgery
Feb.
1, 2012
ESTHERVILLE - A 38-year-old Estherville woman has been charged with two counts of
forgery.
The victim notified the Estherville Police on Dec. 14 that she had
several checks allegedly stolen from her and the checks were being allegedly
forged in an Estherville business.
|
Police conducted an investigation, and with the assistance of the
victim, were able to identify a possible suspect. Following the investigation,
police arrested Amelia Corona and charged her with
two counts of forgery for two checks allegedly written in an amount exceeding $170.
Corona was taken to the Emmet County Jail on Sunday. She made an initial
appearance in court and was released on her own recognizance on Monday.
|
Amelia Corona |
Forgery is a Class D felony and is punishable by up to five years in prison
and a fine.
Estherville police remind citizens to lock their vehicles and homes and to
protect their identity from thieves at all times.
Two-vehicle accident investigated
Jan. 31, 2012
SPIRIT LAKE - The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office investigated a two-vehicle accident on
Highway 9.
Involved was a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Glenda Reinke of Spirit Lake
and a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Patrick Parrott, also of Spirit Lake.
The two vehicles collided on Highway 9, sending the Parrot vehicle into the south
ditch. Reinke’s car came to rest in the eastbound lanes of the highway.
Both drivers were alone in their vehicles and both were transported by
ambulance to Lakes Regional Healthcare. Reinke sustained non-incapacitating
injuries. Parrott sustained incapacitating injuries.
Damage to Reinke’s car was estimated at $15,000. Damage to Parrott’s
car was estimated at $20,000. The accident remains under investigation.
The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by the
Iowa State Patrol, Spirit Lake Police, Lake Park Fire Department, Lake Park
Rescue, Milford Fire Department, and Lakes Regional Hospital Ambulance.
OST announces 2012 schedule
Jan. 31, 2012
OKOBOJI - Okoboji Summer Theatre announced its nine plays scheduled for their 55th season
this summer.
The announcement was made by Beth Leonard, executive director of
OST at the winter meeting of the
Okoboji Summer Theatre Association. Also joining in the announcement via
computer Skype from New York, was Jana Robbins, a Broadway producer-director and
actress and Stephens College alum. Robbins will be joining the OST company for the
2012 season as artistic director.
Also returning to OST are Rob Doyen, Lamby Hedge, Dan Schultz, Michael Burke
and
Ruth Ann Burke. Stephens College advanced theatre students will also be
featured. Students enrolled in the three-year, two
summer theatre program at Stephens spend their second and final summer at
Okoboji Summer Theatre.
The Boji Bantam Theater will produce four children’s plays this
summer, which will be announced in early May.
Tickets prices will be $18 for musicals and $16
for non-musicals. Groups of 16 or more can receive a $2 per ticket
discount. The OST box office will open Monday, June 4. Curtain times
Tuesday-Saturday are 8 p.m., with additional performances at 4:30 p.m. Saturday
and 6 p.m. Sunday.
Reservations may be mailed to the Okoboji Summer Theatre and season brochures
will be mailed at the end of March.
This year's schedule:
- June 12-17: Marvelous Wonderettes
- June 19-24: Book of Days
- June 26-July 1: Crimes of the Heart
- July 3-8: Beau Jest
- July 10-15: Little Women
- July 17-22: Ravenscroft
- July 24-29: The Liar
- July 31-Aug. 5: The Last Romance
- Aug. 7-12: Chicago
FIRST robotics team staging fund-raiser
Jan. 31, 2012
JACKSON - Buy a bulb and help build a robot.
The Jackson County Central FIRST robotics team is selling LED
light bulbs to help finance the building of their 2012 robot and to
use for competition expenses.
Two bulbs are offered. An 800 lumen bulb for $25 that replaces a
60-watt incandescent and a 450 lumen LED that replaces a 40-watt
incandescent for $15.
Of the purchase price, $7 stays with the FIRST team selling the
40-watt equivalent and $8 on the 60-watt equivalent. The estimated
energy cost is just $1.02 cents a year for the 40 watt replacement,
based on using the bulbs three hours a day with 11 cent electric
rate. The 60 watt replacement uses just $1.63/year in electricity.
Tax is included in the purchase price.
Both bulbs offer these features:
- Dimmable to five percent light output
- Omni directional light output
- Warm white 2700K color temperature
- 25,000-hour life equal to 22.8 years when used three hours
per day
- 5-year warranty
- Bulbs are made by Lighting Science Group
The FIRST Robotics Team will sell bulbs at several JCC sporting
events:
- Feb. 2: gymnastics, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 3: girls basketball, 6-8 p.m.
- Feb. 6: boys basketball, 6-8 p.m.
- Feb. 10: girl-boy basketball doubleheader, 6-8 p.m.
In each case, the bulbs will be sold in the JCC High School
commons.
You can also contact Bob Ruby. Checks can be made out to JCC
FIRST Robotics.
The bulbs are donated in part by Google to the cause of advancing
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
FIRST is a nonprofit organization that designs programs to help
young people ages 6-16 discover and develop passion for the STEM
field through challenging robotics competitions. This year's
competition is called "Rebound Rumble.” The robot will have to pick
up basketballs and shoot them through hoops and balance on a seesaw
bridge with competitors.
"Robotic Rumble." The 15-member JCC team will compete at the
University of Minnesota March 29-31 at the 10,000 Lakes Regional
Competition.
Company announces name change
Jan. 30, 2012
SPIRIT LAKE - Brown Medical Industries is now known as Brownmed. The company announced Friday that it was changing its name effective
immediately. The company also has a new logo.
Brownmed President and CEO Ivan Brown said the new name and logo will allow
the company to be a stronger player in the healthcare distribution and retail
markets that it serves.
Brownmed manufactures and markets an extensive line of unique healthcare
products in the United States and overseas. The company which is based in Spirit
Lake, also has offices in Kansas City and Dusseldorf, Germany.
Brownmed has been in business for more than 46 years.
Kibbie
honored for support of community colleges
Jan. 29, 2012
Iowa Lakes Community College students, trustees
Janice Lund, Mike Prior and Bob Jennings and Iowa Lakes President
Valerie Newhouse gather around Senator Jack Kibbie and his wife,
Kay, as they honored him for his support of Iowa's community
colleges.
DES MOINES - The man who many call "the Father of Iowa Community
Colleges", Senator John P. "Jack" Kibbie, was honored at the
statehouse by those who have been impacted the most by his
leadership in action.
About 200 Iowa community college students, joined by Iowa
Association of Community College Trustees board members, community
college presidents and staff along with, agency boards and directors
gathered Thursday on the first floor of the State Capitol East
Rotunda.
State legislators and special guest Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad made
remarks regarding Kibbie's significant contribution to Iowa's
educational system.
In 1965, Kibbie sponsored the bill to create Iowa's community
colleges.
During his tenure as an elected official in the Iowa House of
Representatives, as a member of the Iowa Lakes Community College
Board of Trustees and in the Iowa Senate, Kibbie has remained a
supporter of Iowa's community colleges. Kibbie was first elected to
the Iowa House in 1960. He served on the Iowa Lakes Community
College Board beginning in 1970 and ending with his run for the
senate in 1988. Kibbie will not run for re-election in 2012.
"We owe a great deal to Senator Kibbie and this is an excellent
opportunity to honor the person who effectively created Iowa's
Community Colleges by floor managing the legislation in 1966. There
is no one else in the state who is so well versed with the 46 years
of history of the Community Colleges," says Janice Lund, IACCT board
chair.
The program included remarks by Branstad, Senator Mike Gronstal, and
Representatives Kraig Paulson, Linda Upmeyer and Kevin McCarthy, as
well as Lund and members of the audience.
IACCT serves the 15 community colleges of Iowa, which are the
largest postsecondary education system in Iowa.
In the 2010-11 college academic year, they served more than
155,140 and over 254,000 noncredit students.
Jackson boy
featured in stories
Jan. 29, 2012
JACKSON - A 12-year-old Jackson boy has been featured in regional
and national publications recently, as well as on a Twin Cities
television station.
Grant Schlager and his brother, 10-year-old Nathan, appeared
earlier this month in an edition of “Hometown Health,” the official
magazine of the Mayo Clinic Health System.
Grant has a condition known as cold urticaria, a rare allergy to
cold. He is the son of Jerry and Amy Schlager.
The story details the family’s journey to diagnosing and treating
the condition with the help of physician in the Mayo Clinic Health
System.
Tuesday’s edition of USA Today contained a story by
Kim Painter, who sought to personalize the allergy.
And, he was also the subject of a story on KARE-11.
For the Mayo Clinic article,
click
here.
For the USA Today story,
click here.
For the USA Today story,
click here.
Charges filed in cougar shooting
Jan. 28, 2012
JACKSON - Prosecutors have charged a 26-year-old rural Jackson
County man for allegedly shooting a cougar in November.
Daniel Hamman was charged by citation Friday with shooting a
protected animal, a misdemeanor.
 |
Hamman allegedly shot the cougar after being contacted by a
neighbor, who saw the cat run into a culvert. The 125-pound
male cougar was shot was it was flushed from the culvert.
There is no open season for cougars in Minnesota. The cougar
was estimated to be one to three years old and showed no
signs of captivity. |
DNR spokesman Chris Niskanen says it's apparently the first time
a citizen has shot a cougar in modern history in Minnesota.
Since 2007, the DNR has confirmed 14 cougar sightings across the
state. Of those, 11 have been from trail cameras or video. One was road
killed, one was found dead and one was shot. Dozens of other,
unconfirmed sightings have also been reported.
Maximum penalties Hamman could face include a fine up to $1,000 and
up to 90 days in jail.
The DNR has filed an affidavit of restitution requesting the court
to order Hamman to pay $1,000 to the state for the cougar.
Emmet County town meeting
slated for Feb. 4
Jan. 28, 2012
ESTHERVILLE - The first Emmet County town meeting of the legislative session
will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 in the Community Room at the Estherville
Public Library.
Area residents will be updated on what is going on at the Capitol, and
express their questions, concerns, and ideas to Representative John Wittneben
and Senator Jack Kibbie.
Other town meetings are scheduled for March 3 and April 7.
The meetings are sponsored by the Estherville Area Chamber of
Commerce.
JCC Winterfest royalty announced
Jan. 27, 2012
JACKSON - Royalty for Jackson County Central High School’s
Winterfest have been announced.
Coronation will be held at 4 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the JCC Performing
Arts Center, with events continuing throughout the week.
Queen candidates
- Karlee Wegner
- Lacey Schneekloth
- Abby Buarapha
- Morgan Halverson
King candidates
- Pat Hanson
- Brett Larson
- Kody Burmeister
- Jeremy DeWall
Junior attendants
- Audrey Schumann
- Mark Thaemlitz
Sophomore attendants
- Corri VanderWoude
- Shadrach Wacker
Freshman attendants
- Kaylee Burmeister
- Paden Moore
No injuries in two-vehicle accident on Highway 86
Jan. 27, 2012
LAKEFIELD - No one was seriously injured in a two-vehicle
accident at 6:25 p.m. Thursday south of Interstate 90 in Jackson
County on Highway 86.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 37-year-old Jade Etienne
of Spirit Lake was driving a 1998 Dodge pickup north on Highway 86
when the pickup crossed the center line and struck the dual wheels
on a southbound semi and trailer driven by 51-year-old Paul Miller
of Fairmont.
Miller was not injured. Etienne was taken to Lakes Regional
Healthcare, where he was treated and released.
Moderate damage was reported to the semi. Severe damage was
reported to the pickup.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene.
ELC Winter Showcase slated for Saturday
Jan. 27, 2012
ESTHERVILLE - The Estherville Lincoln Central High School Fine
Arts Winter Showcase will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Elks
Lodge.
This is the 11th year for the event, which raises funds for the
fine arts program at the high school.
The featured performer is soprano Cindy (Schlei) Shadrick of the
ELC Class of 2001. There will also be a variety of performances by
ELC students, along with dinner.
Doug Burton will be the emcee for the evening.
Tickets are $25 apiece and are available at the ELC High School
office, Northstar Bank and Agency and Estherville Drug.
Okoboji HS to host State Jazz Band Festival
Jan. 27, 2012
MILFORD - The Iowa High School Music Association’s State Jazz
Band Festival will be held Saturday at the Okoboji High School
Auditorium.
Performances will be held throughout the day. The Okoboji High
School Jazz Band will perform at 2:55 p.m.
Other schools participating include are Alta-Aurelia, Emmetsburg,
Fort Dodge, Fort Dodge Saint Edmond, Garner-Hayfield, Lake Mills,
Northwest Webster, Pocahontas Area, Sibley-Ocheyedan, Sioux Central
and Sioux Center.
Admission will be $5 for adults and $3 for students.
ILCC
jazz band contest winners
Jan. 27, 2012
ESTHERVILLE - Winners from the annual jazz band contest at Iowa
Lakes Community College:
Class 1A
- 1. Central Lyon, directed by Sherwin Langholdt
- 2. Woodbury-Central, directed by Mark Cripps
- 3. LeMars Gehlen Catholic, directed by Paul Niebuhr
Class 2A
- 1. South Central Calhoun, directed by Tom Plummer
- 2. Okoboji, directed by Greg Forney
- 3. South O’Brien, directed by Tom Cronin
Class 3A
- 1. MOC-Floyd Valley, directed by Kevin Linder
- 2. Storm Lake, directed by Jason Heeren
- 3. Spirit Lake, directed by Jody Ingwersen
Class 4A
- 1. Sioux City North Jazz 1, directed by Kevin Massey and
Mark Henderson
- 2. Sioux City North Jazz 2, directed by Kevin Massey and
Mark Henderson
- 3. Fort Dodge, directed by Mike Richardson
Estherville man facing multiple charges
Jan. 26, 2012
ESTHERVILLE - An investigation of a counterfeit $100 bill leads
to multiple charges against an Estherville man.
Estherville police concluded an investigation that began with a
complaint on Jan. 19 from a local business that they had received a
counterfeit $100 bill from a customer. The business was able to
provide police with information in regard to the suspect’s identity
and also a video tape of the alleged transaction.
|
Police officers made contact Wednesday with the suspect
identified as 28-year-old Patrick Daniel White, currently
residing in Estherville, and formerly of Iowa City. After
speaking with White, he was arrested for Forgery, a Class D
felony. White is being held at the Emmet County Jail
awaiting an initial appearance before a magistrate.
Estherville police obtained a search warrant for White’s
residence at 24 1/2 Sixth Street in Estherville and also his
vehicle, a 1997 Audi. While searching White’s residence for
other alleged forged documents and any additional alleged
counterfeit money, officers found a large amount of a
substance believed to be marijuana.
|
Patrick White |
Police then obtained an additional search warrant for illegal
drugs and drug paraphernalia for White’s residence. Following the
execution of the second warrant, officers found alleged additional
marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
At the conclusion of the investigation, additional charges were
filed against White. He was charged with possession of marijuana
with intent to deliver and failure to affix a drug tax stamp, both
Class D felonies; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple
misdemeanor. White will also have an initial court appearance on
forgery and drug charges.
Lions
to host hospice fund-raiser
Jan. 26, 2012
JACKSON - The Jackson Lions Club will be having a chili and baked
potato feed from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Jackson American Legion.
Proceeds will benefit
Sanford Hospice.
Jackson Lions Club President Ron Anderson
said the club is proud to support the service the Sanford Hospice program
provides to Jackson area residents.
Buddy Holly
experience slated for Saturday
Jan. 26, 2012
SPIRIT LAKE - Rave
On! The Buddy Holly Experience will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Sami Center
at Spirit Lake High School. Friends of the Sami Center will sponsor
the performance, held in collaboration with Pearson Lakes Art Center for Winter Games
weekend.
Rave On re-invents the ordinary tribute show with this electrifying,
high-energy, rock n roll extravaganza featuring America's premiere Buddy Holly
interpreter, Billy McGuigan.
McGuigan has received national attention and critical acclaim for his
portrayals of Buddy Holly.
In addition to the Rave on collaboration, Pearson Lakes Art Center
is hosting a
Buddy Holly memorabilia display until Jan. 31. The display includes actual
autographs, owned and worn wardrobe, and items on Ritchie Valens and The Big
Bopper.
All tickets are $20 and are available at the Sami Center
Box Office, online or by
calling 712-336-3707, extension 6500.
Trojan statue
returned to WHS
Jan. 26, 2012
WORTHINGTON - The missing Trojan statue is back at Worthington High
School.
The 6-foot-tall brass statue weighing up to 400 pounds disappeared
early Saturday. It showed up at the school Monday night.
Principal Paul Karelis said the statue was taken as a senior prank.
He says "the kids were very cordial about getting it back."
A citizen called police Monday night about a pickup truck near the
school that looked as though people were in the bed of the truck
with the statue. Shortly before 9 p.m., the statue was returned.
The Trojan is now bolted back into place in the hallway near the
school lobby. The principal says the kids even brought the bolts
back.
By The Associated Press
