Local and Area News

While conversation might not fix what’s wrong in the country, it is probably where a solution will start. Or so says Eric Schnurer, founder of the Greater Good Gathering initiative, who brought such a conversation to the Buena Vista University campus in Storm Lake on Sunday - the first site to host such an event besides New York and Los Angeles...

By KATHIE OBRADOVICH Iowa Capital Dispatch Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday announced what may be her most ambitious agenda to date, centered around a one-cent sales tax increase that would be offset by cuts in income taxes, property taxes and other state revenue streams...

Thirty-one bands and over 600 students took part in the two-day 2020 Triton Jazz Festival at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Newell - Fonda was named the first place winner in Class 1A.

The effort to bring the Little Sioux River back into its banks at Linn Grove continues. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) intends to restore the site to its pre-disaster condition, while county officials advocate for improvements that will help prevent the same kind of problems from occurring again in the future...

A short-lived effort to preserve the vacant Cobblestone Balloom at Lakeside has been suspended. After launching a $1 million online gofundme.com campaign last week, the anonymous organizer is deactivating the campaign and refunding the several hundred dollars in donations that came in within the effort’s first couple of days, according to an announcement Monday...

Buena Vista County Supervisors debated a list of funding requests from outside agencies Tuesday during a budgeting session. After discussion, supervisors planned to grant funding as follows (the plan is tentative and could change depending on budget realities):...

Local environmental leaders are hoping that REAP won’t be RIP. Buena Vista County Conservation Director Greg Johnson recently talked with the county board of supervisors about the negative impact the area could see without the state’s Resource Enhancement and Protection program, which has poured some $2.1 million into local projects...

Several BVU School of Education students joined Dr. Ann Monroe-Baillargeon, Dean of the School of Education, and Dr. Leslie Haas, Assistant Professor of Education, in presenting a check for $367 to Storm Lake Elementary School Principal Barb Lange on Thursday...

An addition is being planned to the Buena Vista County Conservation office near the county park. The department has outgrown its space, with one staff member forced to use a folding table for lack of an office. The department hopes to add a couple of office spaces, a kitchenette so group gatherings can be held, and an enclosure for education animals. ...

Buena Vista County will likely take on inspections of tattoo parlors. Kim Johnson of the Environmental Health department told county supervisors Friday that the state is apparently going to stop regular inspections of the tattoo facilities, but the county Board of Health feels that inspections still need to take place...

Iowa gas prices have fallen 1.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.40 to start the week. Local pump prices were a different story. The took an overnight leap from $2.33 to $2.44 at most stations mid volatile international prospects, then settled back several cents cheaper. $2.30 at some pumps Tuesday. Gas prices are 4.0 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 32.2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago...

The 2020 homecoming court for Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School has been announced. Queen candidates include Perla Arreguin, Alondra Rangel and Jaquelin Ocegueda. King candidates are Chase Hurd, Francisco Gonzalez and Sam Peters. Homecoming coronation will be Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. in St. Mary’s Gym. The Homecoming basketball games vs. Manson Northwest Webster will be played on Friday, Jan. 24 with the girls’ game starting at 6 p.m. and the boys’ game to follow...

Spencer Public Library’s “Dewey Days” celebration kicked off by telling Dewey’s story from the beginning. (Pictured) Vicki Myron, former Spencer librarian and author of the best-selling book, “Dewey: The Small-Town Cat Who Touched the World,” read the first chapter of her book to the audience gathered in the library’s round room Sunday afternoon, telling the story of the cold January morning in 1988 when she first discovered the 8-week-old kitten abandoned in the library dropbox who would become the international celebrity and library cat, Dewey Readmore Books. ...

LifeServe collected 50 whole blood units and 18 double red cell units at the first National Blue Blood Drive in Storm Lake January 9. The Iowa Concerns of Police Survivors, LifeServe Blood Center, Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office and King’s Pointe Resort joined Storm Lake Police in organizing the effort...

Falls are one of the most frequent causes of injuries in every workplace. The farm is no exception. Kent McGuire, CFAES Safety and Health Coordinator at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Science, says falls are often caused by slips or trips. Losing traction on a surface can lead to imbalance that results in a fall. Tripping over objects or uneven surfaces may also result in a fall. In 20% of all falls, injuries occur to more than one area of the body...

For Buena Vista County Republicans, a traditional caucus night is on tap for Monday, February 3. Leaders are confident in President Trump’s re-election chances, but also feel the need to keep the party energized without a race at the top of the card to spur voters to the polls...

Buena Vista County Democrats are preparing for a busy caucus night February 3, with several viable candidates for president to choose from. “It is important to participate for several reasons. This is the people’s voice for who should be president - the presidential race is not on the primary ballot. ...

“And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” - Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince A group of 11 students from Buena Vista University is exploring the world inside the Harry Potter stories they grew up with, touring in England and Scotland during interim break...

Iowa environmentalists charge that the state government is directly threatening the health of swimmers and other recreationalists by failing to adequately inform the public of risks and by falling behind on a federally required warning system.  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources “is not meeting its legal obligation to submit the (impaired waters) list by the statutory deadline, leaving Iowans in the dark about the status of their waters and putting them at risk,” Michael Schmidt, attorney for the nonprofit Iowa Environmental Council, wrote in formal comments of a proposed list of “impaired waterways.”. ...

The Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Nursing Scholarship Committee will again be accepting scholarship applications until March 31 for the 2020 – 2021 academic Year. The annual scholarship is $1000. Since its inception in 2003, 115 scholarships have been awarded to area nursing students provided entirely by donations to the scholarship program...

The Spencer Hospital Board of Trustees conducted a brief special session Friday to tackle a single item, a request to approve awarding a construction contract for the Abben Cancer Center Linear Accelerator Replacement Project. “This project has multiple stages,” said Steve Deutsch, vice president of operations at Spencer Hospital. “So the first stage is, we have to get the building ready for the new accelerator, that project is a construction project.”...

Applications are now being accepted for the Bennie B. and Ernestine F. Shine Scholarship, Adam J. Anderson Scholarship, as well as the Cornwall Loan Program. All programs are designed to help area students pursue healthcare careers. The Shine scholarship fund, administered by Spencer Hospital, annually awards funds to persons who have completed at least one semester of a nursing or allied health program, such as radiology, therapy programs (respiratory care, speech, physical or occupational), medical technology, laboratory tech, paramedic training, pharmacy, etc. ...

Blood donors who roll up their sleeve to make a lifesaving gift with LifeServe Blood Center can give someone one more year! One blood donation can save up to three local hospital patients. It’s not just trauma victims who need blood; premature babies, cancer patients, transplant recipients, and new mothers can all use blood as part of lifesaving treatment...

The Buena Vista Regional Medial Center held an Indoor Triathlon during the month of December. A total of 55 people participated, with 32 finishing the challenge. Sue Jimmerson won a Fitbit as part of the challenge, with included 26.2 miles of running or walking (a full marathon distance), 112 miles of biking, and 24 miles of rowing...

Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School will be inducting three new members into the Athletic Hall of Fame at the 2020 Homecoming games vs. Manson Northwest-Webster High School on Friday, January 24. The induction ceremony will be between the varsity girls’ and boys’ games...

On Thursday January 9th, the Storm Lake Police Department and the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Department teamed up with Iowa Concerns of Police Survivors also known as Iowa C.O.P.S and LifeServe Blood Center to host a “Blue Blood Drive” at Kings Pointe in Storm Lake.  The Blue Blood Drive was held on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and honors all law enforcement officers, while providing blood donations to community blood banks and local hospitals.  LifeServe collected 50 whole blood units and 18 double red cell units at the Storm Lake drive.. ...

Second in a Pilot-Tribune Series Both Storm Lake and Iowa officials have launched their efforts in recent days toward a complete count in the upcoming 2020 Census. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the Census. A census is an official, complete count of a population. ...

December 17 is a special day for Carrie Schmidt, it’s her dad’s birthday. Carrie’s dad, Ed Demers, died at the age of 42 from leukemia. Years after his passing she became a Thirty-One bag consultant and found a way to pay tribute to Ed’s memory every year and help patients fighting cancer at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. This marks the fourth year Carrie has donated the bags...

The Storm Lake Public Library is planning towards its annual Winter Puzzle Contest, scheduled for February 22. The library plans to expand the competition from four teams to five for 2020. In the past, competitors have come from as far as Ankeny and Estherville to take part, as the competition is the only one of its kind in this part of the state...

Frozen Family Fun Day is set for Sunday, January 19, 2-5 p.m., sponsored by Ida County Conservation Board and Northwest Iowa Nature Network. Enjoy free sledding, ice fishing, snowshoe hikes, s’mores, soup, and cocoa, followed by an owl prowl at 5 p.m. ...

An anonymous person has started a fund drive to save the historic Cobblestone Ballroom at Lakeside. The gofundme.com drive started Tuesday, with a $1 million target. “It’s all or nothing this round. A million dollars should be sufficient to make an offer on the property, and at least put enough into restoration to put a halt to any further decay and damage caused by years of nature taking its course,” said the organizer, who identifies only as “John D” and as of presstime, could not be reached for further information.. ...

The Karen New Year Celebration was held in Storm Lake January 1, marking the year 2749 on the lunar calendar the people utilize. The celebration occurs in late December or first days of January, the start of the traditional period of Pyathoe, or end of the vital first rice harvest in their native land of Myanmar - better known in the U.S. ...

Ice bowling, ice sculpture, and broomball competitions will take place at the event on Feb. 9. Participants will be eligible for prize drawings made available by BVU and Storm Lake United

Despite lengthy delays, the plan to create a day care center in a former wing of Methodist Manor in Storm Lake are gradually moving forward. The original plan was to open the nonprofit Ready, Set, Grow! day care in spring of 2019, but issues with the mechanical systems have set the process back repeatedly...

The Storm Lake neighborhood-based ministry The Bridge has completed its annual fund drive, with $18,000 donated, short of the $25,000 goal. CEO Shelly Rock said the program is focusing on the success of the campaign. “We feel very loved and supported. There are a good number of people who do contribute - it’s a matter of engagement, which is so great.”...

The 19th Annual Father~Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday March 7th from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Storm Lake Elementary School. Sponsored by the Storm Lake Rotary club, this is an evening for fathers, father figures, and their granddaughters of all ages are invited to spend a memorable evening together. The cost is $25 per family at the door, which includes a keepsake photo...

On Sunday, January 12, there will be an omelet and french toast breakfast at the St. Mary’s Parish Hall, located at 300 East Third Street. Doors open at 8 a.m. until noon. All you can eat. Cost is $7 per person. Kids 6 and under eat free. This breakfast is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, who regularly support various charitable purposes in the community...

Ali Noorani, Executive Director of National Immigration Forum, will be in Storm Lake next week. The Forum works with faith, law enforcement and business leaders across the Midwest - and beyond - to advance constructive immigration policies. He will be speaking at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake on Wednesday, January 15, 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public...

A Storm Lake woman was hospitalized after a suspected medical emergency while driving led to a three-car accident with a vehicle crashing into the Mutt Cuts building in the 500 block of Cayuga Street. Storm Lake Police responded to the accident Tuesday shortly after 11 a.m. Officers found Trisha Boger, age 50, unresponsive in one of the vehicles. They extricated Boger and initiated CPR. Paramedics transported Boger to the hospital by ambulance, her current was not available at press time.  ...

After four years, a Storm Lake food distribution event will end this month due to financial limitations for the provider. The volunteer-run distributions have taken place on Lake Avenue in front of the school administration building monthly, targeting families of middle school-age children. Often, need has been so high that it has run out of food...

“We’ll be hitting it - hard,” says Storm Lake City Manager Keri Navratil. The city has been gearing up for the 2020 Census for two years, and now that the process is just weeks away, the urgency becomes palpable. A Complete Count Committee has been formed, with council member Maria Ramos as chairperson and Mayra Lopez of SALUD as co-chair. A presentation was held Friday at Our Place multicultural center to begin encouraging residents to participate...

The preparations for construction of the new Early Elementary School in Storm Lake took a step forward Monday night, as the city council quickly agreed in a first reading to rezone the property at 90th Avenue for educational purposes. School district leaders were in the audience to hear the unanimous vote. ...

The top tier of Democratic presidential candidates remains relatively unchanged in the latest Iowa State University/Civiqs poll. Mayor Pete Buttigieg continues to lead the pack at 24%, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders at 21% who jumped ahead of Sen. Elizabeth Warren at 18%. ...

Historic Arnolds Park Amusement Park in coordination with Imagine Iowa Great Lakes is excited to share the full vision of the Arnolds Park State Pier project. Concept drawings show plantings, art and hardscape design that further enhance the beauty of this prominent spot at the Park. Visitors will notice the special attention and detail around the Captain Steve Kennedy statue and the new granite donor pavers, providing longevity for years to come...

The DNR is again reminding Iowans of deteriorating ice conditions after another extremely dangerous situation took place at Brushy Creek Lake on January 2. The DNR reported that a man had fallen through the ice on Brushy Creek Lake approximately 50 yards from the north boat ramp. Fortunately, a nearby friend was able to push a sled to the man and pull him out of the water...

A Clay County man has won a $100,000 lottery prize. Scott Schlichte, of Everly, won the fifth top prize in the Iowa Lottery’s “$100,000 Happy Holidays Crossword” scratch game. He purchased his winning ticket at Quik Spot. in Everly, and claimed his prize on Thursday at the lottery’s regional office in Storm Lake. The $100,000 Happy Holidays Crossword is a $10 scratch game. It features seven top prizes of $100,000 and overall odds of 1 in 3.30...

“It’s Yesterday Once More,” the Carpenters once sang, and nostalgia might as well be the theme for Hollywood these days, as it recycles every time-worn tale, and wrings every last buck from every dated franchise. Why fight it? Here are our pics for the best - if not the most original - bets for familiar seqels coming at you in the months ahead...

Pictured is the first baby born at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in the new year 2020. The couple was showered with a basket of baby essentials, courtesy of BVRMC First Embrace Obstetrics.

The Greater Good Initiative, a nationwide effort to bring people together, invites you to a grassroots discussion from 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, in Rooms 102-103 of Siebens Forum on the campus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. The event will encourage participants to develop ideas, policy proposals, and solutions to challenges currently facing the United States. Solutions will then be fed into the national discussion via the Greater Good Initiative Network...

A year after being arrested, a Cherokee man has pled guilty in a sexual assault case involving a 12-year-old female victim in Storm Lake. A plea agreement reduced the charges against him. Ernesto Guerra Pascual pled to Lascivious Acts With a Child. The 30-year-old was originally charged with two counts of lascivious acts, sexual abuse 2nd and 3rd degree, indecent contact with a minor, and harassment...