Lead the Ville team pitches free mini golf course

A nine-hole mini golf course could be coming to Estherville’s Thoreson Park, if a group of local leaders has its way. Members of the Lead the ‘Ville 2026-27 class presented their proposal to …

Murder, close to home

Nothering makes a reader sleep with the lights on like a story set on the roads they drive every day. Just in time for Halloween, two authors with ties to the Estherville area have new books built …

Supervisors approve TIF district for Estherville

The Emmet County Board of Supervisors at its Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting approved a resolution authorizing an urban renewal area for the City of Estherville just west of the Estherville city …
Local News
DAVENPORT — Iowa’s two candidates for governor spent part of their first debate trading personal jabs. But when they stuck to policy, Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn laid out sharply …
JOHNSTON — With absentee ballots already landing in Emmet County mailboxes, Iowa’s two major-party candidates for U.S. Senate met Oct. 7 for their first debate. Part of the hour went to sparring …
Still on the fence about Saturday’s Iowa Lakes Community College Music & Performing Arts Uncorked Gala? If having “nothing to wear,” is the only thing holding you back, we have good news. …
Just under two years since he was disabled by surgery complications, former Ringsted Mayor Mike Rasmussen took office again Monday, Oct. 12, this time by council appointment. Rasmussen originally …
A musician who grew up in Algona came to Estherville last week to give a clinic to Estherville Lincoln Central High School vocal music students. After three decades as front man of the acapella group …
Obituaries
  Funeral services for Loretta M. Haukoos, 91, of Estherville, were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Grandview Baptist Church in Estherville with Pastor Joel Sadler officiating. …
Ashley Naomi Hanson, 44, of Estherville passed away after a long courageous battle on Sept. 30, 2026 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A celebration of her life will be held on …
Joel Evans, 72 of Swea City, passed away at his home on Oct. 4, 2026. A memorial visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. A memorial …
Funeral services for Deanna Kay Sorbo, 79, of Estherville, will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Estherville Lutheran Church in Estherville with Pastor Tim Johnson officiating. Interment …
Local Sports

ELC wraps up Siouxland schedule

The Estherville Lincoln Central volleyball team went 0-2 last week, taking on a pair of rated opponents. Last Tuesday, ELC lost 25-9, 25-11, 25-8 to Class 3A No. 12 Unity Christian. Then, on …

ELC earns four medals at Eagle Grove Invite

EAGLE GROVE — The Estherville Lincoln Central girls cross country team placed fifth and the boys placed sixth at the Dick Bell Invitational at Eagle Grove Tuesday, Oct. 6. ELC’s top two girls …

ELC unable to keep pace with defending champion Kuemper

CARROLL — Estherville Lincoln Central got off to a rough start against defending Class 2A champion Kuemper Catholic of Carroll last Friday, committing three turnovers in the first quarter as the …

Warriors create six turnovers to cruise past Wolverines

ARMSTRONG — North Union dominated visiting West Bend-Mallard on both sides of the football, racking up 334 yards of offense while the Warrior defense created six turnovers in a 62-16 win last …
From the opinion pages

Iowa voters must elect candidates who prioritize of property rights

To the Editor: Five years ago, Summit Carbon Solutions rolled out its plan for the Midwest Carbon Express, a 2,000-mile pipeline designed to transport carbon dioxide collected from ethanol plants in …

Advocating for a 10 MPH speed limit on sidewalks

To the Editor: Our city council recently passed the first of three required readings to set a 10 MPH speed limit on wheeled vehicles on our city sidewalks. The ordinance, if passed, would apply to …

CO2 pipeline easements are forever

To the Editor: Last week, Summit Carbon Solutions received yet another setback for its proposed CO2 pipeline when a North Dakota judge revoked its permit for the sequestration site, declaring it …

Local columns

Boundless a treasure trove of Native art and literature

For eons, Native art has held the fascination of all cultures. Lisa A. Crossman and Heid E. Erdrich have compiled a stunning volume of indigenous work in the book Boundless, based on an exhibition by …

Book recalls lives of servicemen before ultimate sacrifice

Anyone who has seen the film We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson has seen how war impacts the personal lives of not just those who went to war but also the families who stayed behind and prayed for …

A modern day version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’

  Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” focused on manners and goodness, two virtues sometimes forgotten today. Shortly before the novel was published, our Founding …