Front: Tabytha Buettner, Kienna Carr, Alexa Fredericksen, Chloe Kruger, Hannah Loring. Back: Matthew Edwards, Robbie Hach, Jair Lopez, Logan McCoy, Nathan Weflen. / Photos contributed

Alta-Aurelia schools are preparing for next week’s Homecoming celebration. The Grand Marshal will be the Stevicks family, in loving memory of B.J. Stevicks. B.J. was a teacher and coach at Alta-Aurelia Community School for many years where he mentored many students and encouraged them to be the best they could be. He passed away in May, with his funeral held at the high school...

A group of 53 sixth graders from Alta-Aurelia Middle School in Aurelia will take their annual trek to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo on October 4th. “It goes with our science studies,” said science teacher Amy Meyer, who leads the event. She teaches sixth grade science and STEM classes at the middle school. “It helps students understand the interaction of the different organisms,” she said...

The youngest Alta-Aurelia students, through fourth grade, were recently invited to take part in an art contest. One of the resulting designs was chosen for a special fundraising t-shirt, with the announcement made at the school Wednesday. The t-shirts will be sold by the Alta Warrior PTO to help raise money toward a new playground for the school...

Who do YOU think is worthy of the 2019 Citizen of the Year nomination for Alta? Nominations are due Nov. 15, and the honoree will be recognized at the Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 8. Forms are available now, and can be turned in to City Hall of Heritage Bank...

The Alta Park Board has turned to a new strategy to develop a playground in the City Park. Lacking the funds to do an entire playground in a single development, the group now hopes to add new features one at a time to the area north of the shelter house, starting with a “Generation Swing.” The swings allow a parent or older sibling to swing with a young child. The board hopes to raise the money to order and if possible install such a swing yet this fall, expecting that it would be heavily used...

After a summer plagued with a shortage of lifeguards that sometimes forced the city swimming pool to close, the Alta City Council is diving into the issues head-first. After discussing the problems in recent months, the council hosted a community meeting Tuesday night, which resulted in a spirited discussion, support for the pool, and some ideas on how to fill the staff...

Alta city officials have proposed an offer to the local VFW to give the veterans organization its own location, the annex portion of the community building. The city would retain ownership of the building, but the VFW would have sole access to use the annex room for its meetings and events, and would be able to outfit the space as it chooses. A kitchen is included in the annex...

This September, Alta Community Library is joining the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide for Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time to remind parents, caregivers and students that a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning...

The Alta-Aurelia schools sprang to life in August when the school year began. “It’s going great. We’re off to a great start,” said new school Superintendent William Walters. “Our enrollment is slightly up,” he said, one reason being that people move into the area, and also the Alta-Aurelia school locations are convenient to some working parents who may not reside there. “It used to be that enrollment was predictable, but not now. We’re in a transient world,” he said...

It all started at a National Night Out block party at Trinity Lutheran Church in 2018. Cynthia Larson visited with her three boys, Schade, Beauden and Nash for hot dogs and games. Beauden, who is confined to a wheel chair, was treated to a special time in the bouncy-house with his mother. His laughter was like music...

A traditional German Feast is planned for Sept. 28 at Aurelia Community Center to raise money for the Hanover Historical Society. The menu of sauerbraten, mashed potatoes and gravy, brats and Bavarian sauerkraut, hot German potato salad, home grown sweet corn, homemade apple sauce, cucumber salad, fresh tomatoes, home-canned beet pickles, hard rolls, and apple cake with butter sauce is planned, all favorites in Northwest Iowa...

Quilts of Valor were presented to three military veterans on September 3rd at the Alta Order of the Eastern Star meeting. “It was a total surprise to all three of them,” said Julie Petersen, Worthy Matron and presiding officer of the organization. Quilt recipients were Harold Geisinger, a veteran of World War II; Richard “Bud” Petersen, a Korean War veteran; and Jan Peterson, an Army WAC who served in the Pentagon. They are the three military veterans in the organization...

Six dancers from the Alta Aurelia Fusion Dance team recently traveled to Ames to try out for the prestigious All-Iowa honor dance team. The girls put in lots of hard work, and will find out the results in late September when the All-Iowa teams are posted. / Photo from Facebook...

Toddle Time is forchildren ages 5 and under and meets on Friday mornings. All day care providers and care takers are welcome. This summer they have been learning new Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes and having fun activities that went along with the nursery rhymes (like acting the rhyme out or singing the rhyme)...

By STEPHANIE LYNAM Pilot-Tribune Staff Ash trees in Alta have experienced a severe disease over the past two years, and the City of Alta plans to designate a secure location to dump the infected dead trees to keep them in one area to limit the bugs from traveling to other counties...

The Hanover Historical Society will host the 23rd Annual Hanover Festival on Sunday, August 25, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Hanover Village located southwest of Alta at the Junction of M-27 and C-65.  The event features entertainment for all ages and salutes the rural heritage of the area.  Those attending can view the restored village buildings with their many displays and enjoy a tasty hot sandwich along with homemade pie and ice cream...

The Alta Firemen’s Association will host its annual Firefighter Appreciation Night, Sunday, August 25, 4-7 p.m. at the Alta Community Building. A pork loin meal with sides will be served for a free-will donation, and the fire department trucks will be on display for the public. Home-delivery meals can be arranged by contacting Kirk Reetz at 712-229-1350 or Lindsay Brown at 712-299-5369...

A special council meeting for the comprehensive plan in Alta that was to have been held this week has been canceled. The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 9, due to the Labor Day holiday. A new date for the comprehensive plan meeting will be set at the Sept. 9 meeting...

Numbers in the Alta-Aurelia early childhood grades look to be high as the school year nears, with some preschool kids on waiting lists as class space is full. The A-A Board of Education expressed concern about the situation during a meeting this week...

First-year Alta-Aurelia Athletic Director Grant Peckenschneider reported on current efforts to the board of education this week. He told the board that efforts are underway toward new record boards, banners and an additional mural for the gym. The programs are having difficulties finding sports officials. Varsity positions have been filled, but refs are still needed for JV and junior high games...

Two Alta private programs that are leasing space from the school district in the old high school building, are growing so rapidly that they will need more space - which proprietors agree is, “a good problem to have.” Brent Koppe told the Alta-Aurelia School Board this week that his mixed martial arts instruction program has quickly grown to 30 students, and he would like to lease two additional rooms in the building. ...

The 23rd Annual Hanover Festival will be held on Sunday, August 25, Noon to 7 p.m. at the Hanover Village southwest of Alta at the intersection of M-27 and C-65. This end-of-summer event celebrates the rural heritage of the area with entertainment, learning opportunities, food, and comradery for all ages. ...

Do you miss coaching Little League? Do you have a background in aquatics? Have you been looking for a way to help the City of Alta? The Alta Park Board oversees the ball program, the swimming pool, the shelter house, and the park. The Alta Park Board has two seats open on the Nov. 5 ballot. To get your name on the ballot, stop in to Alta City Hall and talk to the city clerk...

National Night Out was a success in Alta, with the fire department, county sheriff’s department and the medical center taking part with residents. / Photo courtesy Alta Firemen’s Association

The City of Alta will have the following seats open at the next election, on Nov. 5: Mayor (2 year term) Council (4 year term) Council (4 year term) Council (4 year term) Park Board (6 year term) Park Board (6 year term) The filing period is Aug. 26 - Sept. 19. Paperwork may be picked up at the City Clerk’s office on Aug. 26 or later. If you have any questions, please call the City Clerk at 200-2105...

The Alta Fireman’s Appreciation event will be held Sunday, Aug.25, 4-7 p.m. Proceeds go toward an extractor and drying equipment. The new tanker truck will be on hand. Sealed bids on the old one are being taken, Next in line for replacement will be the quick...

The Alta City Council is concerned about a shortage of lifeguards that has forced the city to shut down the pool at times. In searching for staff as far away as Cherokee, the Park Board found Aurelia, Schaller and other area towns to be in the same dilemma, but did get one applicant from Kings Pointe...

A complaint was filed after a recent Alta City Council meeting attended by a crew from Whole Hog Films. Some felt the crew was intrusive as it moved around the small chamber room, sometimes blocking the audience, and according to Mayor Al Clark, making it hard to concentrate on the business at hand. After some conflict with the crew at the time, the city has received a letter of apology from the company...

It’s finally here! The new tanker truck arrived this week and the Alta Fire Department is excited with our newest addition! “We thank all of you who have donated to help make this purchase possible,” the department said in a statement. “ We will be holding an open house in the near future allowing all of you to see it up close and personal.” The date for that event will be set soon. / Photo courtesy Natalie Meyer...

Many people dream of quitting their nine-to-five grind, and venturing out with their own business. From the smallest pop-up shops, to businesses of scale, the risk/reward factor can be great. There is no guarantee that any of it will work, and if it does work, how much time do you get for a successful business before it’s run its course, or needs to be re-invented to keep going? Then, how do you get a working formula that creates not just income, but a culture, and a brand? Some people think these questions are more suited for bigger, more well-known businesses, such as Nike, Aeropostale, or Old Navy. ...

The Alta VFW Auxiliary will again be collecting school supplies. This helps needy students get a good start in school each year. Donations of school supplies, Kleenex or cash may be dropped off at the Alta city hall or at 505 Johnson Street. If you have any questions please call Cathy Fisher, President of the Auxiliary at 200-1761...

Trinity Lutheran Church of Alta will be hosting a community party for National Night Out on August 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a bouncy house for children along with other activities. Food will also be available along with good conversation. This is a free event for everyone. Trinity Lutheran is located at 401 W 2nd St, in Alta...

The Roxy Theater in downtown Alta is gearing up for the 2019-2020 Alta-Aurelia school year which begins in August, as well as other community events. The theater is owned and operated by the Alta-Aurelia school district and is used throughout the year by the Buena Vista Community Theater and the Touch of Broadway singing troupe...

From listening to a story read to them at the swimming pool ot petting zoo animals in the library, Alta kids are filling their summer with knowledge and fun, courtesy of the Alta Community Library summer programs. “So far this summer, we have had 711 attend our 29 various programs for all ages,” said Andrea Hogrefe, the library director. August 20th will mark the conclusion of the library’s summer programs...

The 3rd annual Ride For A Cause will be held Saturday, August 24, starting at noon following registration, hosted by Power Solutions Inc. in Alta. Participants will be riding for a brave 13-year-old girl from Schaller, Alex. After several rounds of chemo and radiation after being diagnosed with brain cancer, Alex is on the road to recovery, but still has a long road ahead of her. ...

A possible land acquisition for the Alta Street Department and the Alta Sewage Treatment plant located on the southwest part of Alta was discussed at an Alta City Council special meeting held on July 17th. Mayor Al Clark gave a presentation about the possibility of acquiring additional property near the present sewage treatment plant. ...

Over 60 talented young performers from eight area communities took the stage for Buena Vista Community Theatre’s Next Generation production, “Disney’s Frozen Jr.” July 19, 20 and 21 - including Abby Grace Caldwell as Elsa and Tegan Owens as Anna. Packed house crowds at the Roxy in Alta were thrilled with the musical, as performers from early elementary age to teens learned their lines in only a week, but delivered like Broadway veterans...

AURELIA - After five seasons, the semi-pro football team based in Aurelia, the Northwest Iowa Bulldogs, have announced that after this season is completed, the team will be no more. Here is a statement from their Facebook page from the owners of the team:...

Headed into the stretch run of the summer campaign, things are looking good for the Buena Vista Raceway. Despite some frustrating weather and two cancellatians including this week, car counts and fan numbers have been right where second-year track manager Joey Ciechanowski hoped to see them...

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to research decreasing the speed limit on Highway 7 near M-31 on the west side of Alta after a request from Mayor Al Clark. He contacted a DOT representative following the July Alta city council meeting where the issue was brought up by Dr. Keith Geyer who lives near Highway 7 and M-31...

The Alta school board voted to approve funding for a project to bury light cables at the Alta football and track field on Johnson Street in Alta near the schools. Wiring for lights will be moved from overhead to underground at a cost of $12,900. The issue was discussed at the July 17th meeting...

When you have a passion for a job, that is more than a job, and the time comes to transition to another phase in life, decisions that you need to make can be tough. No other profession knows this more than teachers, where the ones who have spend most of their lives, preparing others to go out into the world, will now be the ones who are making a major change in their life. ...

Sue and Keith Geyer of The Lord’s Cupboard in Alta receive a donation of pork loins and a Henry’s Heroes care package from the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation and Iowa Select Farms. /Submitted

The Alta High School Class of 1954 held a reunion at the Buffalo Ridge Cafe in Alta on June 10. Class members attending the event were: Back Row (standing): Eugene Carlson, St. Cloud, MN; Karen Johnson, Cedar Rapids; Vernon Winterhof, Aurelia; Marlene (Brechwald) Christensen, Spirit Lake; Myra (Gaffey) Hewitt, Indianola; Doug Chase, Fonda; Dorothy (Glienke) Hinkeldey, Alta. ...

“Twenty years of schoolin’ and they put you on the day shift” - Bob Dylan This is not a post that professes to have the solution to changing our current education system. It’s actually quite the contrary.  After 33 years in education, I’m looking for answers and clarity...

Who is ready for some Pickelball? An effort is underway to get pickelball games underway in the Alta area. If you are interested in forming a team, please contact Ed Rahe at 200-2045. A paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels, pickelball is gaining popularity around the country. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players...

The Lord’s Cupboard, Alta’s food pantry, invites you to their Open House celebrating their 40th year of service to the community. Join them at 213 Main Street in Alta on July 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. The public is invited to tour the pantry.

A new chapter in the Larson family’s story begins

Up for election in Alta this coming November are the mayor and three city council seats. Terms are ending for current Mayor Al Clark, and council members Denny Weber, Vi Tilk and Kevin Walsh. All of those terms end in December. Walsh said he has not reached a decision yet...