Hollinrake celebrates his return with his family, Blake, JT, wife Keri, and Toria.

Home for good

As a Sgt. First Class, Mat Hollinrake, spent his last deployment making sure other soldier’s problems were solved. Some days that meant driving out to pick up missiles while under enemy fire. …

Chamber honors five at annual banquet

The Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce recognized local businesses and community leaders at its annual banquet Tuesday, presenting two Lifetime Achievement Awards along with Business of the Year …

Supervisors OK joint board agreement with Red Rock

Supervisors from Emmet, Clay and Dickinson counties in a joint Zoom meeting Tuesday approved a drainage and collection easement agreement with the Red Rock wind project to place a collection line …
Local News
Billed as “the largest land sale in Emmet County in 40 years,” proceeds from the sale of 1,302 acres of prime farm ground west of Dolliver held Wednesday, Nov. 4 will likely benefit citizens for …
On Nov. 6, 1896, at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Whelan, wife of then-state representative M.K. Whelan, nine women were initiated as the first members of the Estherville AY P.E.O. chapter. The …
Pianist Lorie Line has spent 37 Christmas seasons on tour and has played about 2,000 shows. She has never played Estherville until now. Line will perform “Christmas with Lorie Line 2026” at 7 …
Parks and Recreation Board got its first look Monday at a draft capital budget for the coming year, along with updates on projects already under way. A vote is expected at the board’s next …
Carbon pipelines, wind farms, solar farms and data centers, where does it all end. For the past several years, the Emmet County Board of Supervisors have been hit with technology and how to deal …
Obituaries
Mass of Christian Burial for Kathleen Jasper, 91, of Estherville, will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Travis Crotty and Deacon John Rudd …
Funeral services for Donald E. Fisher, 91, of Estherville, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 at the United Methodist Church in Estherville with Pastor Kathy Kluis officiating. Interment …
Patricia Kruse was born on August 14, 1946, in Estherville, Iowa, to Rex and Mary (Clymer) Anderson. She passed away on August 22, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska. Patricia graduated from Gruver High …
Robert “Bob” Lee Berven, 71, of Spencer, IA, passed away on October 21, 2026, at Accura Healthcare in Spirit Lake, IA. He was born on August 6, 1955, in Estherville, IA, to William and Wilma …
Local Sports
North Union’s Gabe Whaley (25) makes the stop on this play against Audubon. Whaley would later score the Warriors’ final touchdown of the season.

Warriors battle to the very end

Eighth-ranked North Union struck first and stayed within one score at halftime, but top-ranked Audubon took control in the third quarter and went on to a 59-34 victory in an 8-player state …
The photo, taken from the 1968 Estherville High School annual, shows the Estherville stadium when it was new in 1967.

A look back: Ceremony dedicated Hoyt Luithly Field in 1967

Editor’s note: Nearly 60 years ago, in 1967, Estherville’s football and track facility was dedicated and named Hoyt Luithly Field in honor of the longtime Estherville Daily News employee. Luithly …

Iowa Lakes women go 1-1 at JC Classic

The Iowa Lakes women’s basketball team split a pair of games at the Johnson County Community College Classic in Overland Park, Kansas, falling to No. 3 Johnson County 84-54 on Friday before …

Jones leads Lakers over Highland

The Iowa Lakes men’s basketball team split a pair of games at the Johnson County Classic over the weekend, falling to host Johnson County 68-57 before responding with a 72-56 victory over Highland …
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 …