(Mallard)--A Bode man is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop last weekend in Palo Alto County.

Shortly after 11:05 am on October 3rd, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop in the 4900 block of 460th Avenue near Mallard. After an investigation, deputies arrested 36-year-old Matthew Gagen of Bode on the following charges: 3rd offense possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, a Class D Felony, 3rd offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, driving while barred, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to provide proof of financial liability.

Gagen was booked into the Palo Alto County Jail to await his initial appearance in front of a magistrate.

(Fairmont, MN)—Nearly two dozen new names were added to the walls of the Martin County Veterans Memorial on Wednesday.

The memorial already contains over 1,800 names of Martin County veterans.

Douglas Landsteiner, Martin County Veterans service officer, said the county likes to update the memorial with its latest list of requested names twice a year.

Any veteran deceased or honorably discharged who has lived in Martin County at some point in their lives is eligible to be added to the memorial. All friends or family need to do is call the county Veterans Service Office and provide a full name, proof of service and 200 dollar donation to cover the cost of inscription.

Landsteiner said it’s a great way to memorialize a loved ones service in the community.

(West Bend)--A Rolfe man is facing multiple charges after a high speed pursuit Wednesday afternoon that started in West Bend and went through three counties.

Shortly before 2:40 pm, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the area of Highway 15 in West Bend for a report of a reckless driver. A short time later, a Palo Alto County Deputy attempted to stop the reckless driver on 1st Ave NW and 4th St. NW in West Bend. The driver fled and a pursuit began, going into Pocahontas and Humboldt Counties. The pursuit ended in Humboldt County when the suspect rammed a Kossuth County patrol vehicle.

After the investigation, the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office arrested 59-year-old Randal Shimon of Rolfe on the following charges: eluding-speed over 25mph over the limit, a class D felony, reckless driving, speeding-125 mph in a 60mph zone, 1st offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana and 1st offense operating while intoxicated, possession of drug paraphernalia and several traffic violations.

Shimon was placed under arrest and booked into the Palo Alto County Jail to await his initial appearance in front of a magistrate. Shimon was also charged in Humboldt County for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, a class C felony, and interference with official acts with a dangerous weapon, a class D felony.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Kossuth County Sheriff's Office, Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, the Iowa State Patrol, Humboldt EMS, and Bode First Responders.

(Armstrong)--The Armstrong Benefited Fire Department will host a fundraiser supper on Saturday in observance of National Fire Prevention Week.

The event will be held from 4 to 7 pm at the Armstrong Fire Hall. The menu will feature a steak sandwich, baked beans, chips a bar and a drink for a free will offering.

Proceeds will be used to help the department continue replacing and updating the equipment firefighters depend on when responding to emergencies. One of the department’s priorities is the replacement of four air packs and masks. Each air pack costs about $10,000.

To go orders for the supper can be placed by calling or texting 515-450-4213.

(Estherville)—This is National 4H Week.  Emmet County Extension Youth Coordinator Katelyn Herzberg details the theme for this year’s celebration.

Herzberg says while generally associated with livestock and farming, 4H offers a wide variety of opportunities.

She says Emmet County 4Hers have been celebrating 4H week with a variety of activities.

On Thursday afternoon free ice cream floats were available at the Emmet County Extension Office. Today a farm safety event is being held at the Emmet County Fairgrounds. Herzberg says now is a great time to join Emmet County 4H.

For more information call the Emmet County Extension Office at 712-362-3434. 

(Estherville)--You still have time to purchase tickets for UNCORKED, a fundraising gala hosted by the Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department. Lincoln Larsen, Iowa Lakes Director of Music and Performing Arts, says the event will be held on Saturday, October 17^th beginning at 5 pm at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville campus. Larson says it’s a fundraiser for the Estherville Performing Arts Series.

Larsen says the gala is semi-formal.

To purchase tickets, contact the Iowa Lakes Music Department at 712-362-7918 or email music@iowalakes.edu.

(Estherville)--As previously reported on KILR, National Fire Prevention Week runs through Saturday. Wes Baddeley is a member of the Gruver Fire Department and explains why he wanted to become a firefighter.

Baddeley says the Gruver Fire Department has 16 members.

With harvest in full swing, combine fires are a major concern right now. Baddeley offers some tips on how to prevent combine fires.   

He says farmers should check their combines before heading into the field.

Baddeley was interviewed Wednesday morning on KILR FM 95.9.

(Jackson, MN)-- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Southwest Crisis Center is calling on communities in Jackson County and across its service area to recognize the effect of domestic violence, honor survivors, remember those whose lives have been lost and recommit to creating communities where everyone can live free from violence and fear.

The SWCC has provided support, advocacy and hope to individuals and families affected by domestic and sexual violence, sexual exploitation and human trafficking and child abuse throughout southwest Minnesota since 1984.

Sara Wahl, SWCC executive director says domestic violence affects people of every age, background, income level, race, gender and community, adding it can happen behind any door.

SWCC services include safety planning, crisis intervention, advocacy, emergency assistance, housing support, legal advocacy, support for children and youth and connections to community resources.

In the past year, SWCC provided services to nearly 600 individuals and families across the region.

(Algona)--The Algona Police Department recently lost one of its K-9 officers.

Addie had served with Officer Garrett Smith in the department for eight years and was planning to retire in the spring of 2027.  After suffering from a variety of recent health issues, Addie passed away on Sunday, October 4.

Addie was trained in apprehension, tracking, handler protection, evidence locating, and explosives. In addition, Officer Smith and Addie performed many dog demonstrations with the public over the years.

She also helped with security during Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Forest City.

For more information, contact the Algona Police Department at 515-295-3515.

(Estherville)--Construction is underway on the Phillips Pavilion project at the site of the old outdoor swimming pool in Estherville. City Administrator Penny Clayton says crews are making good progress on the project.

 Woodruff Construction of Spencer is the contractor for the project.

(Estherville)--After several days of warm, dry weather, the harvest is in full swing around northwest Iowa. ISU Extension Agronomist for northwest Iowa, Gentry Sorenson, says right now farmers are concentrating on soybeans.

Sorenson says so far he has not heard any reports on yields.

He says farmers are reporting a few issues with the soybeans.

Sorenson estimates close to 10-percent of the area soybean harvest is complete.

Sorenson says the corn harvest has been at a standstill since the wet weather in late September and early this month.

(Emmetsburg)--A former Emmetsburg daycare provider charged in the 2023 death of a child in her care has changed her plea.

According to court documents filed Tuesday, 31-year-old Hannah Priest has pleaded guilty to one count of child endangerment resulting in death.  

Priest was arrested on September 1^st, 2023 after an investigation into the death of a 23-month-old child.

On January 19th of that year EMT’s responded to an Emmetsburg residence for a report of an unresponsive child. The child was transported to Palo Alto County Hospital and then to a hospital in Des Moines where he was pronounced dead five days later.

An investigation by the Iowa DCI and Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner revealed that the child died of head trauma consistent with inflicted injuries.

In an interview conducted in May 2023, court documents show Priest admitted to being frustrated with the 23-month-old around nap time because he had not yet gone to the bathroom that day. Priest admitted to putting the child into the cot by his shoulders and may not have known her own strength when doing so. Authorities say she went on to admit that she did set him into the cot out of frustration.

A sentencing hearing for Preist is scheduled for Monday, November 9th at 1:30 p.m. in Palo Alto County District Court.

(Estherville)--The Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department will present the 12th Annual Heartland Honor Choir concert on Thursday, October 15th at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville Campus. Iowa Lakes Vocal Music Professor Brett Fuelberth says the concert showcases the musical talents of high school students from all around the region.

Fuelberth lists the schools that will be participating in the event.

He says the school choirs are already working on the pieces for the concert.

This year’s guest conductor is Dr. Rhonda Fuelberth from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Again the concert will be on Thursday, October 15^th beginning at 6 pm at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville Campus. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids.

(Estherville)--This is National Fire Prevention Week. Estherville Fire Chief Travis Sheridan says this year’s theme focuses on the danger of lithium batteries.

Sheridan advises on how to safely use lithium batteries.

He says the Estherville Fire Department is again visiting schools offering fire safety messages that kids can take home to their parents.

The winter heating season is fast approaching and Sheridan warns about the dangers of using space heaters.

National Fire Prevention week runs through Saturday.

(Des Moines)--Beginning October 23^rd, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release about 1,500 rainbow trout at 20 locations as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months.

One of the locations will be at Stolley Pond in Spencer at noon on November 7^th.

The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.

Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to keep their own limit.

(Algona)--Kossuth County Sheriff Roger Fischer says he will cite himself and pay a fine after failing to check a live trap for 24 hours after a raccoon was found in the trap.

Fischer says because of issues with some type of animal digging under the foundation of a county building in Algona, he had asked the building maintenance department to attempt to use a live trap to capture and relocate the unknown type of animal or animals that were digging under the foundation. This location is not staffed by employees and Fischer says since he had requested the trap to be set it was his responsibility to make sure the trap was checked daily.

Fischer says he was first notified of the trapped raccoon at approximately 4:30 p.m. on October 4th. After a few phone calls, he discovered that a local DNR Officer had been notified of the situation. He took possession of the raccoon and determined it was not injured and was healthy enough to be relocated and released into a wildlife refuge area out in the county.

Fischer says as Sheriff, he takes full responsibility for failing to make sure the trap located on county property was checked daily. Fischer says forgetting is not an excuse so he issued a citation to himself for failing to check a trap at least once every twenty-four hours. Fischer says he intends to pay the scheduled fine himself and not use taxpayer funds.

(Estherville)--The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office has purchased two thermal imaging drones thanks to monetary support from the Estherville Chamber of Commerce and the Emmet County Community Foundation.

According to a Facebook post, drones have become an increasingly important and proven tool in modern law enforcement and emergency response. They give first responders an aerial perspective so they can deploy quickly and provide information that may be difficult or impossible to obtain from the ground. Public safety agencies now routinely use drones across the country for search and rescue, missing persons, emergency response, disaster operations, fires, traffic crashes, crime-scene documentation, and officer safety.

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office intends to use this technology as a resource for the entire community. These drones can assist not only the sheriff’s office, but also other local emergency responders and public-safety partners when circumstances require an aerial response.

(Bergen, MN)—The Minnesota State Patrol has released the name of the person killed in a car-semi accident Monday evening in Jackson County.

The patrol says the accident happened shortly before 6:55 pm on Highway 71 near Bergen. A 2015 International semi was northbound on Highway 71 and a 2015 Ford Taurus was turning southbound onto Highway 71 when the vehicles collided in the intersection.

The driver of the Taurus, an 80-year-old Glen Letellier of Mountain Lake, was killed in the accident.

The driver of the semi, 24-year-old Colin Hooley of Plymouth, Indiana was not injured.

The Minnesota State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Jackson and Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Offices, Windom Fire and Ambulance, the Jackson Fire Department, Windom Police Department and Minnesota DNR.

(Sheldon)--RiseFest, the annual Christian music festival in Sheldon, has announced the first two artists that will appear at the 2027 festival.

Rise Ministries Founder and President Rob Roozeboom says the artists are Anne Wilson and Matthew West.
 

The artist announcement coincides with the launch of RiseFest’s Fall Kick-Off Sale. Tickets for the 2027 festival are $59 during the sale, which runs through October 10th.

Camping reservations also opened October 1st. Roozeboom encouraged people interested in staying at the festival grounds to reserve a spot early, saying camping sells out quickly each year.

RiseFest 2027 will take place Friday and Saturday, June 11–12, at the festival grounds on Country Club Road North on Sheldon’s northeast side.

(Spencer)--The Federal Aviation Administration says an airplane made a rough landing Saturday evening at the Spencer Municipal Airport.

According to FAA’s preliminary report, a Piper PA-30 was taking off from the Rockwell City Municipal Airport around 7:30 pm when the plane’s landing gear was struck by a deer. The report says the landing gear collapsed when the aircraft landed at the Spencer Municipal Airport a short time later.

A pilot and three passengers were on board the plane. No injuries were reported.

The Spencer, Fostoria and Everly Fire Departments along with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and an ambulance stood by as a precaution.

The airport was reportedly closed for a short time after the incident so crews could inspect the runway for any debris.

The incident remains under investigation by the FAA.