Council reschedules next meeting

City administrator Penny Clayton delivered a few logistical updates relating to RAGBRAI, the annual great bike ride that’s coming to Estherville July 21. First, solid waste customers whose pickup …

Restrictive wind turbine ordinance raises more questions 

Emmet County supervisors heard passionate testimony during a public hearing Monday evening at Iowa Lakes Community College on a proposed wind energy ordinance. The ordinance as written could …

Iowa counties navigate uncertain waters as FEMA faces potential dissolution Rural drainage districts stuck between flood damage and agency shakeups

Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet counties seek 12-month extension for $1.3 million in flood repairs as Trump administration threatens to eliminate FEMA Representatives from three northwest Iowa …
Local News
Emmet County residents will have a full month of August celebrations, including the Gruver Quasquicentennial Friday and Saturday Aug. 15-16. Despite its population of 63, according to the 2020 …
Emmet County Assessor Barb Bohm was honored for her 34 years of service to Emmet County by the Emmet County Board of Supervisors at its Tuesday, July 1 meeting. Board Vice-Chair Tim Schumacher …
The math is staggering: families with 3 to 4 kids end up paying between $27,636 to $38,016 for child care every year in Iowa—roughly equivalent to tuition at the University of Iowa. For many …
Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand visited Estherville to outline a vision for rural development, education, the economy and more. Sand brought his campaign to Estherville Monday evening, hosting …
ARMSTRONG — For area residents not traveling on the Fourth of July holiday, there’s always the annual Armstrong celebration to attend. The eastern Emmet County town has a variety of events for …
Obituaries
White Bear Lake — Sean Michael Wagner, 58, answered the call of a new adventure beyond this world June 23, 2025, notably on his wife’s birthday (one of few transgressions—all …
Robert J. Hartman was born on December 16, 1954, in Estherville, Iowa to Donald and Viola (Pierce) Hartman. He passed away on July 6, 2025, at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, at the age of …
Norman E. Bisgard, 91 of Grand Forks, North Dakota died Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at his home. Norman was born on October 28, 1933, the son of Einer and Lois (Warren) Bisgard in Walnut, Iowa. He …
Larry Kramer, 81, of Clear Lake, passed away on June 21, 2025, at Oakwood Care Center. Though we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life filled with love, hard work, and joyful memories shared with …
Local Sports
ELC players put the tarp on the field during the downpour that halted Saturday’s playoff game between Estherville Lincoln Central and Manson-Northwest Webster last Saturday.

ELC advances with resumed district win over Manson-NW Webster

What began Saturday night didn’t wrap up until Monday evening, but Estherville Lincoln Central found a way to advance in Class 2A District Baseball with a 7-3 victory over Manson-Northwest …
Rylee Yager has pitched all eight Lakes Conference games for ELC this season.

Midgets secure undefeated Lakes Conference title

CHEROKEE — The Estherville Lincoln Central softball team wrapped up its fifth straight Lakes Conference championship with a 10-0, four-inning victory over Cherokee on Monday. ELC (20-7) opens …

Warriors blank Eagles to start tournament run

SWEA CITY — It took a few innings for the North Union offense to find its rhythm, but Ainsley Ulrich’s strong pitching kept West Hancock in check until the bats came alive. The Warriors broke …

GT/RA shuts down WB-M in regional opener

RUTHVEN — The Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire softball team advanced in Class 1A regional play with a 14-0, four-inning win over rival West Bend-Mallard on Monday. The Titans broke open a …
From the opinion pages

The future of private property rights in Iowa rests in the hands of Governor Reynolds

To the Editor The future of every Iowan’s right to own private property rests in the hands of Governor Kim Reynolds. At question is whether the Governor will sign HF639 into law to curtail …

CO2 pipeline fight isn’t over

To the Editor: Last Monday I traveled to Des Moines to the capitol to watch the debate on HF639. This is a bill that would give some protections to landowners in the path of Summit Carbon …

Living is great at the top of the state

To the Editor: After attending the Monday, April 7 council meeting on the city’s proposed tax meeting, I walked away with mixed emotions. I was upset over another tax increase, yet I realize the …

Local columns

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 …

Highlights with Henry

Significant Judi SSA Final Agreement This week, we passed a final SSA agreement, SF 167, after months of negotiations. While our original proposal included more money for schools, this final …

The Rowley Report

In the Senate we continue to work on the bills that made it out of the last legislative deadline. Also, this week Senate Republicans announced a budget target for FY 2026, setting our target at …