The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking informal comments on administrative rules for Iowa state parks and related programs. Executive Order 10 (EO10), signed by the Gov. Kim Reynolds on Jan. 10 requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. The EO10 process includes public engagement with the opportunity for meaningful input.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will start treating Lost Grove Lake at the end of June with the approved aquatic herbicide Sonar A.S. to eliminate Eurasian watermilfoil.

Changes are coming soon to the way Iowans can hunt and trap raccoons, and how farmers can deal with raccoon depredation issues.

Summer has arrived. In the fish's underwater world, lots of things are going on. All of these things affect what the fish do, and also affect the ways that we can catch them. Consider some of the following ideas for catching more fish in the summer.

One of the amenities anglers appreciate is the use of a fish cleaning station. For the past several years at the Iowa Great Lakes, two fish cleaning stations have been available. The first is located at the Emerson Bay State Recreation area on the southwest corner of West Lake Okoboji, while the other is located on the west side of Big Spirit Lake at the Marble Beach State Recreation area. Both include a big grinder that can handle heavy fish cleaning loads.

The Sioux Central Rebels had a productive week, scoring four wins in five nights, suffering one loss at the hands of 14-1 Storm Lake. Now 14-5, the lady Rebels enter their late season run with a 14-5 mark.

REBELS HOLD OFF LATE POKY RALLY

SPIRIT LAKE — Spencer had three contests in three days to open the week. The Tiger softball team took all three games, defeating Western Christian, 12-2, before defeating Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire, 11-8. The team then defeated Spirit Lake 11-4. The offensive production so far this week has powered the Tigers to three victories.

SPIRIT LAKE — After dominating Western Christian on Monday, Spencer traveled north to face a familiar opponent in Spirit Lake. Offense would be a premium in the Lakes Conference matchup, with the Indians prevailing 2-0 over the Tigers. Spencer had two runners in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t bring them in.

CORRECTIONVILLE — Sioux Central traveled to River Valley to face the Wolverines on Tuesday. The Rebels hoped to extend their winning streak after winning both games Saturday. The team defeated Emmetsburg 11-3 before defeating River Valley 6-1.

PETERSON — After getting shutout 5-0 by West Bend-Mallard on Friday, Sioux Central was determined to get back on track against Emmetsburg on Monday. The Rebels did just that, scoring 12 runs to end the game in the sixth inning via the run rule. The boys combined for nine hits and dominated the E-Hawks 12-2 for their seventh win of the season.

Iowa Lakes athletes were recently honored by the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference for academic achievements for the spring semester of 2023. Every sport is recognized each semester.

The ICCAC recognized 119 Iowa Lakes student-athletes for their academic achievement. The ICCAC has two award classifications: first team (3.5-4.0 GPA), second team (3.0-3.49 GPA).

SPENCER — It takes a lot of effort to become good at one sport, especially at the high school level. You have to commit and sacrifice a lot of things to be the best at a sport. It's easier for some than others. But Spencer’s Jerra Merchant always keeps herself busy by competing in four different varsity sports for the Tigers.

DES MOINES — The Spencer softball team had a tough ending to their week, playing North Union on Thursday before heading to West Des Moines Valley over the weekend to compete in the Valley Softball Classic. The team lost to North Union 6-5 on a walkoff in the ninth inning. In Des Moines, Spencer would face off with the Des Moines Roosevelt Roughriders and the Sioux City East Black Raiders. The team would lose both games by four runs, losing to Roosevelt, 5-1, and the Black Raiders, 6-2.

FORT DODGE — Spencer traveled to Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge on Friday to face off with the Waukee Warriors. The Tigers were looking for their third straight victory and their eighth win of the season. After a back-and-forth battle, Spencer would emerge victorious, winning 5-4.

ESTHERVILLE — Sioux Central executed their game plan against the undefeated Estherville Lincoln-Central Midgets on Thursday. The team took an early 1-0 lead after the second inning, progressing to a 3-2 lead in the fifth.

The Rebels added one more insurance run in the top of the sixth to take a 4-2 lead. Estherville came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, and rallied for the win, stealing the victory 5-4 to stay undefeated.