Stories from Sunday, March 11, 2018

Tom and Kathy Goeken of rural Everly have played host to some very special guests this late winter — a flock of American bald eagles. The eagles have been congregating in the land south of their rural home for years, but this year's migration is the largest they've ever seen with up to 100 of the majestic birds at a time making a stopover near their home. The group includes juvenile and mature birds, making for some fascinating bird watching from the sunroom of their home.

Mark and Rowaida Lair performed an eclectic mix of popular hits by artists ranging from The Carpenters to Sinatra during Arts on Grand's High School Exhibit, as part of AOG's continuing Music in the Gallery series. Thirty local residents attended the event Saturday evening. Music in the Gallery provides area art lovers an opportunity to be exposed to local musicians and experience new exhibits. Music in the Gallery will continue with pianist Carter Nath on May 12 at 7 p.m. (Above) Local singer Rowaida Lair thrills the crowd with her rendition of The Carpenters' hit, "Rainy Days and Mondays."

Spencer resident Tasha Rutter sent her three sons to a variety of nature camps offered by the Clay County Conservation Board last summer and plans to enroll the boys again this summer. "I really think Clay County Conservation does a wonderful job with their summer camps and visiting our local schools during the school year," Rutter said. "My boys enjoy the camps and the school visits. Dexter enjoyed it it so much that we asked Bree to do nature activities at his birthday party this year."...

Area legislators and community members met Saturday in Spencer City Hall to share breakfast and discussion about the current legislative session during the final Eggs and Issues of the year. District 2 Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, was the first to address the crowded City Hall with her opening remarks. ...

The Hope Lutheran Church of Everly hosted its annual Father Daughter Dance Saturday night. The event welcomed area daughters ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers and was expected to attract as many as 50 father daughter duos. The money from this year's event will benefit the Hope Lutheran Church food pantry. (Above) Royal residents Josh Toft and his 4-year-old daughter Dorothy have made attending the dance something of a tradition. This is their third year they have participated in the event.

When my wife told me that Jason Mitchell, who hosts the “Jason Mitchell Outdoors” television show, was on the phone I hoped that he was calling about coming to West Okoboji to film a winter bluegill fishing show for next year’s outdoors series. We’d been talking about doing this for several years, but the timing had never been quite right...

Depending on where you live in the Midwest, the ice fishing season is winding down. Once March arrives, you know you’re on the downhill side of another season of ice action. And, if you’ve done much ice fishing, you know that March can provide some outstanding ice fishing. Following are some reasons that you shouldn’t put the ice fishing gear away just yet...

Ahhhh, March 20 ... the first official day of spring and for many Iowan’s that have been cooped up it’s a ray of hope of things to come. Mother Nature though has a way of reminding us that old man winter will not go out without a fight. As February gives way to March, much of Iowa will begin to “defrost.” We’ll see open lakes and ponds in the southern reaches of our state begin to open up as the month progresses as well as in central Iowa. ...

DES MOINES — Healthy air quality plays a major part in preventing heart disease according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fans of "This is Us," a popular primetime show, know smoke from a house fire led to main character "Jack's" deadly heart attack. Although this was a fictional account, it illustrates how high levels of air pollution can impact an otherwise healthy person...

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes men's basketball team’s season came to an end Thursday with a 102-93 loss to Southwestern in the Region XI semifinals. The Lakers were led by Nick Wagner with 38 points. Dennis Joiner added 25, and Christian Kyles had 10. Joiner also added 16 rebounds...

ESTHERVILLE  —Iowa Lakes Community College head softball coach, Katie Larson, announced the signing of Brooklyn Mickelson to the 2018-2019 recruiting class last week. Mickelson is the daughter of Todd and Tami Mickelson and played for the St. James High School Saints from St. James, Minnesota...

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College head women's basketball coach Ashley Martin announced the signing of Beth Rehse, a 5-foot-11 forward from Ida Grove, this past week. “We are excited that Beth decided to continue her basketball career at Iowa Lakes,” Martin said. ...

ORANGE CITY — Elizabeth Glover, Kaitlyn Hassman, Lindsey Hassman, Alexandria Helmink, Peace Preston and Emily Weeks, students at Northwestern College in Orange City have earned a spot on the academic dean’s list for the fall 2017 semester. The dean’s list is comprised of students who have achieved a semester GPA of 3.50 or above while carrying a minimum of 12 graded hours. ...

Sioux City’s Briar Cliff University has signed an articulation agreement with Iowa Lakes Community College allowing students who have completed the associate degree nursing program to conveniently complete their bachelor’s degree through Briar Cliff University. ...

Iowa Lakes Community College Student Senators invite the public to join in their seventh Soles4Souls shoe drive. Soles4Souls is an outreach project that benefits both disabled and underprivileged individuals. Soles4Souls has provided shoes to over 30 million individuals in more than 127 countries across the globe...

DES MOINES — Applications are being accepted for the 2019 Iowa Teacher of the Year. The deadline to nominate is April 27. The award is an opportunity to recognize an exceptional Iowa teacher who is helping to redefine education. Nominations will be accepted from anyone, including students, parents, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members and associations...

Tuesday the Clay County 4-H program will have a new member open house from 5-7 p.m. at the Clay County Extension office located at 100 W. Fourth St., Suite 100. Join them for an opportunity to talk one on one with staff and learn all about the 4-H program in Clay County...

DES MOINES — This week, Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, welcomed Iesha and Josh Toft, of Royal, local members of the Trees Forever, to the Iowa House of Representatives. The Toft’s were visiting the Capitol to talk with legislators about preserving Iowa’s natural resources.

The Daily Reporter published an editorial from the Quad-City Times that said this about SF 2281 — (the heartbeat bill which outlaws abortion of a baby if a heartbeat is detected) "It's an unconstitutional attempt to criminalize most abortions in Iowa."...

As a young real estate mogul, he added to an empire stared by his father. His success, however, was marred by his practice of not paying his employees and subcontractors. U.S. banks refused to lend him money due to his history of not repaying loans leading to his practice of using foreign services as a revenue source. ...

Awarding a grade to a concept like press freedom might seem like an impossible task, but here at the First Amendment Center we give it our best shot. In April of last year, we began compiling quarterly First Amendment report cards, relying on a panel of 15 experts from across the political spectrum — academics, activists, journalists and lawyers — to evaluate the state of each of our core freedoms...

We all become our fathers — to a certain degree anyway. I recently realized just how quickly I'm approaching that line myself when I got into my car only to realize my wallet and keys were still in the pair of slacks I'd left hanging on my closet door knob the night before. I suddenly recalled several dozen times in my young life, when my dad did the same thing...

Funeral services for Johnathon Darrell Fox, 30, of Spencer, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 12, 2018, at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. The Rev. Paul Fredriksen will officiate. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. Casket bearers will be Ryan Larson, Michael Johnson, Eric Johnson, Megan Johnson, Reilly Hock, Haley Hock, Cassidy Christy and Cooper Fox...

Spencer Tiger football fans can count on a few things at the start of every season. Their favorite team will be sharply dressed in purple and gold, preferring the ground game to putting the ball up in the air and a familiar voice will be ringing through the speakers from the press box...

Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School welcomed a new principal on Wednesday, March 7. Fourth-grade student Trista Jorgensen's parents, Luke and Tedra Jorgensen, purchased the honor allowing their daughter to assist IGLLS Principal Dewey Torkelson with various duties as part of Lutheran Schools Week.