(Spencer)--Two people are facing multiple charges after the execution of a search warrant last Thursday in Spencer. The Spencer Police Department was called to 110 4th Street SE #117 for the smell of marijuana coming from the apartment. Upon investigation, officers were able to execute a search warrant which resulted in two arrests.

27-year-old Ashley Bosler and 28-year-old Brighton Jones, both of Spencer, were each charged with Child Endangerment, Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense- Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Bosler was also charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Class D Felony, and Jones was additionally charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence-2nd Offense.

The Spencer Police Department was assisted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department. 

(Milford)--A rural Milford woman is leading a petition drive to modernize the Wind Turbine Ordinance in Dickinson County. Kris Vankleet says there are three proposed new wind farms in Dickinson County. One of the wind farms would include 108 turbines east of Milford past Terril and north to nearly Highway 9. A second wind farm is planned south of Highway 9 and east and west of Highway 71 north past the Minnesota border. A third wind farm will be west of Okoboji heading north up to Lake Park and around Silver Lake. Vankleet says she’s concerned about the height of some of the proposed turbines.

Vankleet says the proposed turbines could be as high as 590 feet.

Vankleet says she plans to speak at the June 19^th meeting of the Dickinson County Planning and Zoning Board.

She says the board needs to look at the effects on people living near the turbines.

Vankleet urges people with similar concerns to attend the Planning and Zoning meeting on June 19^th beginning at 1 p.m. at the Dickinson County Courthouse.

(Spirit Lake)--A Spirit Lake woman is facing multiple counts of insurance fraud and other charges.

According to online court records, 50-year-old Tammy Zemler was arrested last Thursday on warrants from the Iowa Insurance Fraud Bureau, charging her with three counts each of insurance fraud, forgery, and identity theft under $1,500. The charges stem from alleged incidents in July, November and December of 2021.

Zemler was booked into jail and then released after posting a $36,000 surety bond.

(Estherville)--An Estherville man wanted on warrants faces an additional charge after fleeing a deputy on a bicycle last month in Sheldon.

The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office says 45-year-old Eric Schwager was recognized by a deputy in the west Casey’s General Store in Sheldon on May 22nd. The deputy knew Schwager was wanted on O’Brien County warrants for possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, 3rd or subsequent offense and gathering where controlled substances are used.

While the deputy was radioing dispatch to confirm the warrants were still active, Schwager exited the convenience store.

The deputy followed and found Schwager getting on a bicycle. Schwager did not respond to the deputy’s commands to stop and took off on the bike. The deputy used his patrol vehicle to catch up to Schwager, who stopped and put his hands in the air.

Schwager was additionally charged with interference with official acts.

(Estherville)—A familiar face was welcomed back to the Estherville City Council Monday evening. The council voted to appoint Roger Guge to the at-large position on the council. The vacancy was created by the resignation last month of Brandon Carlin. Guge was asked why he decided to serve again on the council.

Guge was also appointed to the Finance Committee. He says he’s looking forward to being back on the council.

Guge previously served eight years as the Ward Five council member. He says he currently plans to fill out the remainder of Carlin’s term.

He encourages others to run for the city council.

In other business, the council formally adopted an ordinance modifying the city’s existing fireworks code. The new ordinance will allow the discharge of consumer fireworks on properties larger than 1.5 acres with a permit from the city. The permits can be approved by city staff.

The council also approved the abatement of abandoned property at 1120 7^th Avenue South and 705 South 12^th Street. City Code Enforcement Officer Greg Van Langen said the properties have been a nuisance for over 20 years and the property owners are deceased. The council also approved the sale of property at 608 22^nd Avenue North to David Welch for $1,000.

(Spencer)--Two people are facing multiple charges after a traffic stop late Friday evening near Spencer.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy initiated a traffic stop around 11:45 p.m. in the 3300 block of 240th Avenue. While the deputy was getting the vehicle stopped, the deputy observed the male driver, 44-year-old Jacob Longman of Estherville, switch places with the female passenger, 65-year-old Judy Laue of Graettinger.

Upon investigation, it was found that Longman had a suspended driver’s license. Longman and Laue were both placed under arrest and were transported to the Clay County Jail. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and during the search, marijuana wax, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located.

Longman was charged with possession of a controlled substance, marijuana-3^rd offense, possession of a controlled substance,methamphetamine-3^rd offense, both Class D felonies, and driving under suspension. Laue was charged with possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, 2^nd offense. Both were also charged with reckless driving, no insurance, no seatbelt, failure to use proper towing equipment and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Spencer Police Department.

(Sioux City)--A Las Vegas man has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison in connection with a northwest Iowa drug case.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 58-year-old James Conlan was sentenced recently after pleading guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Evidence presented during court proceedings showed that between January and December of 2021, Conlan and others were involved in a conspiracy that distributed more than a kilogram of meth across northwest Iowa. Conlan also admitted he used the U.S. Postal Service to send meth from Las Vegas to an undercover post office box in Spencer on two occasions.

In addition to the prison sentence, Conlan will be required to serve a term of four years of supervised release. He remains in the custody of a U.S. Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

(Windom, MN)--A Northwest Iowa pork producer says it will not keep more than 1,000 employees at a bankrupt plant in Windom, Minnesota if a judge approves its winning bid to purchase the business.

Premium Iowa Pork, based in Hospers, bid $13 million to buy the HyLife plant in Windom, which is the town’s largest employer. The facility was scheduled to close Saturday, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Stacey Ashley, a spokesperson for HyLife, confirmed in an email that the company had a buyer, pending court approval.

She also confirmed Premium Iowa Pork will not retain Windom employees, many of whom are immigrants who came to work at the plant on worker visas. She said the company will “arrange transportation” for those employees back to their home countries.

The Star Tribune reported 450 of the plant’s workers were brought to Windom from foreign countries, with a large percentage from Mexico.

Premium Iowa Pork did not say in court filings what it plans to do with the plant.

(Arnolds Park)—Entries are now being accepted by the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association for the 2023 Iowa Rocks Talent Contest. Ralph Kluseman, President of the IRRMA Board of Directors, says this is the 9^th year for the contest.

Kluseman says applicants should visit iowarocknroll.com and look for “Iowa Rocks Talent” on the home page. Within that link is an application form and a place to upload two YouTube video links.

He says for those who would like to compete in person, there will be regional sites.

Kluseman explains what the winners will receive.

Kluseman says past winners will be performing on a free stage at this year’s Iowa State Fair. Again, for entry details, go to iowarocknroll.com/iowarockstalent.

(Estherville)—A shortage of teachers continues to be a major issue for many school districts in Iowa and around the nation. Estherville Lincoln Central Superintendent Tara Paul says many districts are struggling to fill teaching positions, especially at the high school level.

Paul says the ELC School District is currently short a biology teacher.

She says there are also shortages for non-teaching positions.

Paul says the shortage of teachers and staff could lead to additional consolidation for smaller school districts.

Paul made her comments on the ELC Superintendent Spotlight program which can be heard every Saturday at 8:45 a.m. on KILR FM 95.9.

(Estherville)—The 2023 Emmet County Relay for Life was held Friday evening at Library Square in Estherville. The opening ceremony featured comments from the 2023 Honorary Cancer Survivors: 12-year-old Katie Van Cleave, 10-year-old Dawson Sifrit and McKenzie Peta, a teacher in the ELC School District. All three are survivors of leukemia. Katie Van Cleave said she was diagnosed with leukemia when she was six years old.

Katie eventually had to undergo a bone marrow transplant.

The bone marrow was donated by her brother. Katie described her first month after the transplant.

Katie was able to go back to school the following year.

Other activities during the evening included a live auction, bake sales and raffles, luminary lighting ceremony and a variety of entertainment. During the closing ceremony, it was announced that Emmet County Relay for Life has raised $41,805 so far this year. That does not include the results of the live auction. Fundraising efforts will continue through the end of the year. Emmet County Relay for Life has raised more than $2 million since it began in 1997. The funds are used for cancer research, early detection, prevention programs, patient services and advocacy.

(Spirit Lake)—The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating recent reports of fish kills in the Iowa Great Lakes. Mike Hawkins, Spirit Lake District Fisheries Biologist, says the dead fish are mainly blue gill and crappie.
 

Hawkins says fish kills are not unusual this time of year.

Hawkins says if you see dead fish especially when there are several species or sizes, or when you can see a pollutant present call the DNR’s 24-hour spill line as soon as possible.

The DNR’s 24-hour spill line is 515-725-8694.

(Emmetsburg)--A Minnesota man is facing charges after a recent traffic stop in Palo Alto County.

At around 8:35 pm on May 26th, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 3900 block of Highway 15.  As a result of the stop and subsequent investigation, Deputies arrested 37-year-old Dwaine White of Burnsville, Minnesota, on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a class D Felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to display license plates. 

White was placed in jail to await his initial appearance before a Judge.  The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office and Wickman’s Towing.

(Spencer)--The city of Spencer has extended the deadline to apply for the Spencer Fire Chief position.

Officials say two of the top four candidates withdrew their application before final interviews were conducted. The council wanted more than two individuals to consider so applications are now being accepted through June 16^th.

The city council hopes to interview four finalists at the end of the month. The public will have the chance to meet the candidates on June 29^th with interviews to be conducted on June 30^th.

(Windom, MN)--A notice of employment termination sent to an employee of the HyLife plant in Windom states the last day of employment with the company will be today.

The notice, signed by Tom Seigfreid, CFO & Senior Director of Business Operations, says despite efforts to avoid this outcome, HyLife has determined that none of the plant’s potential buyers intend to retain employees at the Windom Plant. As a result, the last day of employment with will be June 2^nd and the layoff is expected to be permanent.

The letter goes on to say the company has no policy creating transfer, bumping, or reassignment rights for employees laid off from the business.

(Orange City)--Two Sibley residents are accused of stealing railroad property in Sioux County.

The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday arrested 46-year-old David Case and 33-year-old Margaret Jakobson.

The arrest stemmed from a report that Case and Jakobsen entered onto BNSF Railway property to steal scrap metal. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Case and Jakobson stole railroad tie plates and steel stakes and were attempting to sell it as scrap iron at a salvage business.

Case and Jakobson were transported to the Sioux County Jail where they were each charged with second degree theft.

The arrests were the result of a joint investigation by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and Osceola Sheriff’s Office.

(Wahpeton)—A variety of environmental science topics are the subject of the Friends Science Seminar Series at Iowa Lakeside Lab in Wahpeton. Lakeside Lab Executive Director Mary Skopec says the seminars are held each Tuesday at 7 pm during the summer.

Skopec says several other free activities will take place during the summer months.

The Wild Wednesday program runs through August 16^th.  For more information, visit iowalakesidelab.org.

(Washington, D.C.)--The U.S. Senate late Thursday evening approved the debt ceiling and budget cuts package sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk with just days to spare before the government was set to run out of money to pay its obligations on June 5.Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst voted for the bill which was approved by a margin of 63 to 36. Prior to the vote, Grassley said he had mixed feelings about the bill.

The compromise package restricts spending for the next two years and suspends the debt ceiling into January 2025

The bill had passed the house Wednesday by a margin of 314-117.  All four members of the U.S. House from Iowa voted in favor of the bill. 

On another topic, 13 Republican governors, including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, have agreed to send National Guard troops and other resources to Texas to help respond to the crisis at the southern border. Grassley says border security is usually a federal issue but the Biden Administration has abandoned its responsibility to protect the southern border.

(Okoboji)--The Dickinson County Taxpayers Association will hold its annual meeting on Friday, June 9th at the Maser Monarch Lodge adjacent to the Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji. During the last week of the Iowa legislative session, the House and Senate approved comprehensive changes to the Iowa property tax system. Additionally, updates were made to the sales and income tax administration.

During the meeting, the tax changes will be explained by Mary Mosiman, Head of the Iowa Department of Revenue and Julie Roisen, Administrator of the Local Government Division.

There will be a Question & Answer session after the formal presentation. Coffee and rolls will be available at 8:30 a.m.. The meeting will start at 9 a.m.

Also participating in the question and answer session will be local legislators, Representative John Wills and Senator Dave Rowley, both from Spirit Lake.

(Sioux City)--A north central Iowa man who conspired to distribute meth was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Sioux City.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern Iowa, 35-year-old Joey Post from Thompson pled guilty on February 1st to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from July 2020 through May 2022, Post and others distributed over 10 pounds of meth. This included distribution to an individual working with law enforcement on several occasions in Swea City. While on pretrial release for the federal charges, Post fled the area without notifying the United States Probation Office and was later arrested in Minnesota.  

Post was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.