Local and Area News

In a giant game that tuned humans into board pieces, “Don’t try to win, try to understand,” urged organizers. The American Dream Game is a life-sized version of a board game that explores discrimination, inequity and stereotypes. Volunteers including students and staff took on the roles of people of various racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, socioeconomic status and in some cases disabilities in the event, part of Buena Vista University’s “Diversity & Inclusion Week.”...

An emerging initiative toward a public arts project was discussed by the Storm Lake Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Parks, Trails and Urban Forestry last week. City officials were recently approached by art teachers from Storm Lake High School who suggested the idea that the community could be outfitted with 50 six-foot-tall fiberglass lighthouse figures, to be painted with individual designs by various artists in the community including students...

“I would love to keep teaching if I could, as First Lady,” says Dr. Jill Biden, confident in the prospects for her husband Joe, former vice president and current Democrat frontrunner for the presidential nomination. Dr. Biden spoke to a capacity gathering at Better Day Cafe Friday afternoon, many crowding in for photos with her afterward...

Supporters and opponents of a proposal to double the capacity of the Dakota Access oil pipeline packed a small-town North Dakota auditorium Wednesday for a field hearing before regulators considering the next phase of a project that sparked months of sometimes violent protests in 2016 and 2017...

If discussion on a Storm Lake dog park is going to put its bite where its bark is, a committee will need to be formed, and quickly, Mayor Mike Porsch says. “We need some way to see if the community wants this,” he told the Mayor’s Committee on Parks, Trails and Urban Forestry at its recent semi-monthly meeting...

The Avenue of Flags in Holstein, Iowa was recognized by First Cooperative Association and Cenex®, the energy brand of CHS, for being a unique source of pride to northwestern Iowa. As part of this recognition, the Holstein American Legion received a $5,000 grant that will be used to replace tattered flags and fund future storage costs...

Officials say a gay pastor in Iowa City will request a leave of absence as part of a settlement of complaints that her sexual orientation violates United Methodist Church law. The Rev. Anna Blaedel had been director of the Wesley Center at the University of Iowa but stepped down in May because of a church complaint filed in 2018. She’s been the subject of three complaints since she publicly disclosed in 2016 that she was gay...

The Newell Fonda FFA was pleased to supply Harvest Meals to area farmers again this year. With harvest being delayed due to the weather, the timing of these meals was difficult. However, the FFA would like to thank Ag Partners - Newell, Fonda, and Albert City as well as Landus in Newell, and Sulphur Springs for their cooperation in making this program a success. ...

Buena Vista University students hosted a show and sale of original student art work last week inside the Forum.

Efforts to improve voter participation among students at Buena Vista University have resulted in the University earning the Gold Seal from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement. The Gold Seal is awarded to colleges and universities that have between 40 and 49 percent of their students voting. BVU reported student voting on campus increased in the 2018 election, growing from 32.6 percent in 2014, to 45 percent in 2018, a spike of nearly 13 percent...

The parallels between Joe Thede’s Buena Vista University football experience and his service in the Iowa Army National Guard hit home last Saturday in the moments following the BVU season finale at the University of Dubuque. “After the game, the seniors were in tears because it was their last game,” Thede says. ...

Unity Community thanks all who attended our first ever Comm’UNITY’ Holiday Glow Event on Friday night. They also give a special thank you to Storm Lake Public Safety for keeping us safe and helping us get things glowing! If you donated food or made a monetary donation, please know you made a difference in someone’s life this holiday season. ...

On Friday, Nov. 8 the students, teachers, and staff of Albert City - Truesdale Elementary hosted local veterans for a meal and performance. Preschool through sixth-grade students prepared both speaking and musical selections for the performance including a medley of each of the military branch songs so the veterans could be recognized. A special thank you goes to Karl Lind and Sam Aronson for sharing military memorabilia with our students prior to the performance...

The Buena Vista County FSA Committee is happy to announce the new County Executive Director at the Farm Service Agency, Samantha Erie. Samantha and her family reside just outside of Newell. She and her husband, Joshua, are lifelong natives to the Newell-Fonda area...

Savor the dark night sky and learn about some of the heroes in the heavens. This program will begin indoors with an overview of some of the fall constellations. Participants will then head outdoors to test their identification skills. Meet at the Prairie Heritage Center at 7 p.m. ...

The Annual Helpers Club Christmas will be held December 7, (snow date December 14) at the Good Samaritan Society-Newell at 2:30 p.m. Enjoy live music, punch, coffee, sandwiches and cookies with a special visit from Santa. Family and friends are encouraged to join their loved ones for this special afternoon...

On the evening of Thursday, November 14, at approximately 11:35 p.m. a Storm Lake Police Officer stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of East 6th Street for a traffic offense. Upon contacting the driver identified as Ricardo Saez, age 37 of Storm Lake police allege they determined that his driving status was suspended in Iowa. A police K9 was deployed and allegedly showed a positive indication that illegal drugs were in the vehicle...

On Veterans Day, President Donald Trump paid tribute to America’s troops at a New York City parade as top 2020 Democratic candidates outlined their plans for the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as naming a woman to run the agency for the first time...

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Conditions report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly from April through November. “It’s feeling more like winter than fall. ...

Cindy Bosley of BozWellz and her team of volunteers has been whipping up a community meal on Thanksgiving for those in need of food or company for the past eight years. “We had 900-plus last year, it was our biggest year yet,” she says. The free dinner, available for anyone in need of companionship or who may not be able to afford a holiday meal, is held Thanksgiving day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Avenue Lounge, 617 Lake Avenue in Storm Lake...

Storm Lake remains on the Iowa Impaired Waters listing. A new draft of the list was released this week by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The 3,147-ace local water body has been on the list since 2002 for turbidity, and since 2010 also for moderate bacteria and E. ...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has agreed to pay $1 million to Tyson Foods after the food processor accused the federal agency of failing to properly inspect thousands of hogs at the Storm Lake plant in a 2018 incident. Tyson negotiated the settlement with the USDA in the midst of a federal lawsuit over the incident, claiming $2.4 million in losses due to improper inspector actions...

Storm Lake Library Director Elizabeth Huff will be headed to Guadalajara, Mexico this month to attend a major book fair in hopes of boosting the Spanish language collection at the library, but will also be working to renew the sister library agreement with a school library in Mexico...

Crews began to install holiday signage at Santa’s Castle and the courthouse green on Tuesday, in preparation for the opening of the holiday showplace on Thanksgiving Day, and the Miracle on Lake Avenue December 5. /Pilot photo by Dana Larsen

Storm Lake Public Library trustees learned at a recent meeting that magazines are continuing to go out of print - the list now including titles such as Auto Week, National Geographic Traveler and ESPN Sports. The library is trying to retain its collection at 72 magazine titles, but with more going out of business or going all online, it is becoming more difficult to do...

The newly elected 2019-2020 Buena Vista County Fair Board officers were announced this week. They are: President - Dana Christen Vice-President - Mike Musselman Secretary - Jake Schable Treasurer - Jen Launderville

Iowa gas prices have risen 2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.46 - 1.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, yet 11.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. After a recent spike to above state average, Storm Lake pump prices were stable, settled in at $2.41 at most stations at midweek. Historically, the prices remain well below the levels seen in 2012-14, when local gas topped $3 for super unleaded on this date for three consecutive years...

A parade of speakers, musicians and dancers paid tribute to longtime Storm Lake Chief of Police and Public Safety Director Mark Prosser Monday night, as he approached the end of his career in Storm Lake, and in celebration of a major award Prosser was recently presented in Washington, D.C...

Storm Lake firefighters responded to a structure fully engulfed in flames Sunday afternoon. The residence at 315 West 7th Street had been evacuated by the time firefighters arrived. The garage was fully engulfed and the east side of the home had begun to burn. ...

During the Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday morning, a public hearing was addressed concerning Master Matrix and the KAL Pork and Triple L Pork LLC. In attendance at the public hearing and there to object to the farm’s application to build a hog confinement was David Degner Sr., Ellen Degner and David Degner Jr...

A dispute over socks led to violence and the arrest of a Storm Lake man for choking his step-son into unconsciousness. On Monday, police were alerted to alleged child abuse by the Iowa Department of Human Services. On Nov. 8, Jose Maldonado allegedly assaulted a 15-year-old in a Storm Lake residence by placing him in a choke hold. The boy was reportedly rendered unconscious for several seconds before coming to...

Presidential candidate Kamala Harris is proposing to keep schools open until 6 p.m., but the idea isn’t a new one to the Storm Lake school district. Over the past year, the district has been looking for ways to extend the school day without breaking the budget, according to Superintendent Stacey Cole...

Storm Lake’s downtown retailers kicked off the season with the traditional Holiday Open House - “Sip, Sample and Shop,” Sunday afternoon. From top: a craft fair packed the Lake Avenue Lounge ballroom. Celia Knofflach with a vintage Santa in the wind of Celia’s Antiques, matriarch Helen Bosley welcomes visitors at Hoffmans Flower & Candle Shop, Holly Schipper is in the spirit at Sugar Bowl Gift Shop, putting the twinkle in a stunning tree at Peach Blossom, Cheri Crouch takes a breather at the end of a busy afternoon at a vintage repurposed desk at Junk Rescued. ...

A driving error is being blamed on an accident where an SUV drove into the front entry of the Storm Lake Post Office building Sunday night around 7:30 p.m. Police say Maria Menchaca, age 58 of Sioux Rapids, accidentally stepped on her vehicle’s accelerator instead of the brake...

The Storm Lake Board of Education approved a financial institution this week as it moves toward funding for two major projects - a new middle school gym and an Early Childhood Center to house kindergarten. Building is expected to start in the spring for both projects after earlier voter approval...

The Storm Lake Library Trustees and the Witter Gallery Board President have worked out a dilemma over alcohol being served at a music and theater fundraising event being held at the art gallery this weekend. Wine was donated to be served to guests, but a citizen recently objected to the city government against alcohol being served in a city building, which led to learning of an existing policy against alcohol in the gallery without the approval of the library trustees...

The trial of the Iowa Climate Defenders Five (Todd Steichen, Martin Monroe, Miriam Kashia, Kathy Byrnes, and Ed Fallon) is scheduled to move forward on Tuesday, November 12 at 2 p.m. at the Polk County Justice Center, 222 5th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Before the trial at 1:30 p.m., the five will hold a press conference outside the building...

On the morning of Sunday, November 10, at approximately 9:47 a.m. the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to the 100 block of Seneca Street in reference to domestic disturbance. Upon arrival of police they made contact with Cordellia Wilson, age 18 of Storm Lake and JD Albert, age 25 of Storm Lake. ...

On the morning of Saturday, November 9, at approximately 1:15 a.m. the Storm Lake Police Department took a report in reference to a death threat. The reporting party alleged to police that a Yunier Guerra, age 37 of Storm Lake called the reporting party and reportedly threatened to kill the reporting party over an ongoing dispute...

Iowa Central Community College hosted its Career Discover Days - a fun past week of showing off exciting opportunities as Triton Nation welcomed over 125 area high school students to the Science & Math, Music & Theatre, Visual Arts, STEM, and Technology & Communications career exploration event...

Beach Street Boutique traveled to Buena Vista Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, November 6. Paula Radke, Owner, and Stephanie Stange brought fun fall fashions to BVRMC employees and community members as a fundraiser benefitting the Buena Vista Regional Healthcare Foundation. A portion of the proceeds were given in memory of Paula’s late husband, Tim Radke...

The National FFA organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 700,170 student members belonging to 8,612 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization at the National FFA Convention...

Ray Thompson was born in Spencer, living there until his family relocated to Everly where he graduated from high school. Before he would return to his family and the area where he was born and grew up, he would serve for two decades in the military, serving three of the most influential figures in 20th century United States history. Thompson joined the United States Navy in December 1960...

Young builders creating duplex for families in need, in record time A new partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Storm Lake High School Building and Trades program has been a rousing success, as a duplex building project utilizing Habitat land and finances, and Storm Lake High School student labor, is moving forward beyond all expectations...

J.D. Scholten sat in a metal chair facing the audience of the Albert City Town Hall meeting. At six foot, sit inches, he seemed to not fit in the chair meant for shorter people. This did not appear to bother him, being at eye level with his constituents. In fact, he seemed to relish it. He began the meeting by thanking everyone who came out on such a cold and snowy night to listen to his speech...

November is the month when blazing orange and camouflage attire is in vogue, as a number of hunting seasons are open for outdoor enthusiasts in Iowa. Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officer for Clay County Joe Yarkosky said hunters have already began flocking to public land...

Mark Clossey has the honor of being the new General Manager at King’s Pointe Resort in Storm Lake. He stated he is excited to be here and is looking forward to introducing some of his ideas towards making King’s Pointe the go-to place for events. Clossey has been here 30 days and already he has seen some areas within the resort that can be improved upon...

Six students from the Storm Lake High School music program have attained the highest individual honor available to an Iowa high school musician by being selected as a member of the 2019 All-State Chorus or Band. The following is a list of the students selected from Storm Lake:...

Main Street Fort Dodge is hosting Main Street Matters at 5:30 p.m. on November 12 at Bloomers on Central to discuss downtown security in the downtown. Main Street Fort Dodge will discuss safety in the downtown, various efforts underway, the city’s camera program, and the rejuvenation of the downtown business watch program...

Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reintroduced the Patents for Humanity Act of 2019. The bipartisan bill encourages and rewards the use of patented technology to address humanitarian needs. Patents for Humanity is the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) awards competition which recognizes innovators who use game-changing technology to meet global humanitarian challenges. ...