Local and Area News

Peaceful protest tonight in SL park

A Storm Lake City Council work session spurred by a 4H youth’s request to allow chickens to be raised in the city turned into a spirited discussion this week. Some of the council members thought having chickens in the city shouldn’t be a problem, while others felt they should only be raised in the country...

Workers smooth out a new street extension from Sunset Park Road, one of two that will serve as accesses to a new condominium development on the site of the failed Sunset Bay project adjacent to the municipal golf course. Building on the site is expected to begin this month. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

Storm Lake city officials are reminding people to keep their yards in shape. “With abundant moisture and warmer temperatures, how quickly grass and weeds can grow is amazing.  Green grass and leafy trees are a welcome change from the stark, colder days of winter,” city officials said in an emailed statement. ...

Facts & Fables From The Buena Vista County Historical Society & Museum

Residents of the Lighthouse Drive area expressed concern to the Storm Lake City Council this week about the reconstruction of the lake shoreline in that area, between Scout Park and Methodist Manor. Two of the property owners told the council that they are concerned that the hedges planted on the repaired shoreline will grow to block the view of the lake...

“Disheartening.” That’s how Buena Vista University educator David Walker describes a decision to eliminate the theater program at the Storm Lake campus, along with the chemistry major. He and his wife, Bethany Larson, a theatre professor who has been part of the campus community for 24 years, face the possibility of being let go at the end of the next academic year, though they will appeal that eventuality...

The first COVID-19 fatality in Buena Vista County was reported Tuesday, as the case total continued to climb. Public Health officials did not release any information on the individual, including age or location. “As a smaller county, we can’t give details - I don’t know a lot of details. ...

Just west of the Gingerbread House in Storm Lake, there is a new home build going up - but not just any home. A mid-week afternoon has an overcast to it, with some grayness, and clouds, but as one walks towards the muffled sounds of music, and a hammer ringing against nails, it’s clear that someone is doing some construction with zeal...

Buena Vista University senior Josh Cole was supposed to give a Commencement address on Saturday, May 23, date of BVU’s originally scheduled 129th Commencement. Cole performed that day, but it wasn’t for graduates. Rather, it was to celebrate his wedding. He played the piano and sang to his bride, Emily Beck, in a double-ring ceremony hosted by Cole’s parents, Richard and Cheryl Cole, in their backyard in Saint Hedwig, Texas...

State health officials say four more people died over the weekend with COVID-19, raising the coronavirus death toll in Iowa to 542 Monday. The Iowa Department of Public Health said that 19,695 people had tested positive for COVID-19 by Monday, an increase of 452 since Saturday...

With COVID-19 cases rising locally, the board for the Storm Lake Day of the Child multicultural festival reluctantly voted Friday to cancel the event that was scheduled for September. The group took into consideration the cancellation of the Star Spangled Spectacular recently, the amount of planning and fundraising that has to take place, and the possibility of a new wave of illness in the fall...

Heartland Museum started discussions two years ago that a windmill would be a good addition to the complex. On May 20, that discussion became a reality. When the board of directors was discussing how windmills were an integral part of any farm for years, Larry Maasdam mentioned that he had the base of a windmill. ...

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake) Water clarity has increased. Anglers have had good luck with walleye in the main lake and panfish in the marina. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; and no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. ...

Starting June 8th, the Courthouse offices will be open by appointment. Beginning June 1st, offices will begin to schedule the appointments to occur starting June 8th. As with all the recent openings, some strategies for safety will be implemented. For the health and safety of both the public and the employees the county that the public continue to use online, mail, phone and dropbox resources as much as possible. ...

The Buena Vista County Recycling Center is asking for the public’s cooperation to curb illegal dumping at the yard waste site. On May 18 the center reopened the yard waste site fully to the public during normal hours and some extended hours, after having restricted access for a few weeks under COVID-19 quarantine. ...

A donation from Mr. Goodfellow has provided $4,000 to the Storm Lake Community School District to purchase activities for students while buildings remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SLCSD used the funds to expand the effort, teaming up with volunteers from The Bridge of Storm Lake and Iowa State University Extension. ...

The Storm Lake Test Iowa site at the high school parking lot has been extended. It was scheduled to close after Friday, and now is scheduled through June 12 - weekdays only, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gone Fish’n bait shop at the Storm Lake Marina is planning to close. A going out of business sale will run through the month of June. “I’d like to thank those of you that supported us loyally throughout this crazy adventure,” owner Josh Schwartz said. “At this time I’m trying to find someone to buy the store and keep it open but it’s not looking too promising.”...

Buena Vista County saw a drastic leap in confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus this week, in one day’s time going from the ninth-highest rate per capita in the state to the first, with 702 cases to date by Thursday afternoon. State officials confirmed an outbreak at the Storm Lake Tyson pork plant, with more than 20 percent of employees testing positive...

The plan for a day care center to be located in a former Methodist Manor wing has faded away in the face of repeated issues with the structure. Leaders of the Ready Set GROW! day care agency say they will move forward to find another location, either in the form of an existing facility or a site to build on...

Fridley Theaters, including the Vista III in Storm Lake, will reopen on Friday. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds allowed theaters across the state to open as of last Friday, but with only a few days’ notice, Fridley, Iowa’s only locally-owned chain, was not prepared to safely open all of its locations...

Buena Vista County has set a courthouse reopening date for June 8, by appointment only, despite some concerns from department heads about worker safety. Supervisors approved the date on a split 3-2 vote. Access will be by the east ramp door only, and the public will be escorted in and out individually. Asking them to sign waivers was discussed, but not included...

Marian Riner, Buena Vista University Assistant Professor of Social Work, Director of Field Education, left, presented a check recently to Jenny Ahlers, Sexual Abuse Victim Advocate of CAASA (Center Against Abuse and Sexual Assault). The donation came from BVU’s Student Association of Social Workers. ...

Although the Buena Vista County Museum is currently not open to the general public, work continues on the Annual Exhibit for 2020/21. This exhibit focuses on honoring the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and first responders such as police and fire fighters in our county and their history. The title of the Annual Display is: “Public Defenders.”...

Noah Bardwell’s internship experiences serve as testimonials for the liberal arts experience. He worked in software engineering at Farm Bureau in West Des Moines for one internship. For the other, he handled audio production at First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas, Texas...

The Bridge of Storm Lake is hosting its 8th Annual Run for Our Future as a Virtual Run, June 20th, to help raise funds for its Youth Programs. The run features a 5k, 10k, or Half-Marathon and all participants receive a t-shirt, handmade medal, race bib, and swag bag of goodies!...

The Storm Lake Swim Team youth program has been cancelled for the 2020 summer season. “We feel that it is in the best interest of participants and community members to not participate in an organized swim conference,” Community Education Director Joe Kucera said. “Community Education and King’s Pointe will be working together to provide some summer swim camps and clinics when the time is appropriate.”...

As Dr. Swasti Bhattacharyya, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, approaches her retirement after 18 years at Buena Vista University, she reflects on her first visit. She laughs and talks about consulting a map to find out where Storm Lake, Iowa might be located...

As of Monday, Buena Vista County had seen 245 confirmed cases of COVID-19, or about 12.3 cases per thousand population in the county - 9th highest rate per capita in Iowa. According to the state’s stats, the 22nd was the peak day with 74 cases confirmed (in part reflecting increased test results coming in). Numbers dropped dramatically to 12 on the 23rd, 14 on the 24th and 4 on the 25th. No deaths have been reported in BV or surrounding counties. Thirty-six are considered recovered...

The Storm Lake South School apartment project continues to hum along despite the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Shawn Foutch of JMAE Construction was pleased with the progress in turning a long-vacant school into market-rate housing during trying times. “It hasn’t affected too much of the work inside of the buildings,” he said. “Some of the funding is taking a bit longer than it usually does.”...

If there ever was a time in recent history where our medical system is running on all eight cylinders, now would be it. Facing an on-going pandemic that is fluid, with medical professionals worldwide racing towards developing a vaccine sooner rather than later, our health system has been taxed like never before. ...

The Albert City Threshermen and Collectors Show will celebrate its 50th anniversary event August 7-9 - a “Threshermen Family Reunion.” The mission is to demonstrate the farming methods and lifestyle from the 1800s through early 1900s. Exhibits and live demonstrations take place throughout the old-time farmstead throughout the three-day festival each August...

Since the first rustic vacation retreat for hunters and fishermen was built in 1871, Okoboji and the Iowa Great Lakes have been a drawing card for families, generation after generation. Over the decades, dozens of vacation resorts, from the magnificent Hotel Orleans on Big Spirit Lake to the iconic Inn on West Okoboji, have lured happy summertime visitors...

Micah Barnes made history at Buena Vista University when she participated in collegiate rodeo as a junior, believed to be the first BVU student-athlete to compete in the sport under the auspices of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. “History?” Barnes asks, “I don’t know about that.”...

Sac County resident Pat Hoefling faces a DNR enforcement action. Hoefling will be required to file an application for stream alteration work that had already been completed without the necessary approval, and must pay a $3,000 penalty. If the application is denied, Hoofing will be required to restore the altered stream to pre-construction state...

Buena Vista University has unveiled a Strategic Partnerships initiative designed to grow organizations and their employees and families, both locally and nationally, through educational grants and programs aimed at increasing educational opportunities and improving business results...

The State Data Center at the State Library of Iowa has released estimates for populations of Iowa cities in 2019 from the U.S. Census Bureau. These estimates will be last look at Iowa’s population totals before the release of the 2020 Census. characteristics of the population looking at age, sex, race and Hispanic origin will be released for Iowa and all 99 counties later this year. Read the population highlights below and find the full city population data on the State Data Center’s website...

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced a bill to protect recovery payments provided in the recent CARES Act pandemic response legislation from garnishment by private debt collectors...

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake) Water clarity has increased. Anglers have had good luck from shore and in the main lake. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; and no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. ...

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach had big plans for their 2020 summer camps, which usually begin the first week in June. Even though COVID-19 threw them a curveball, ISU Extension and Outreach staff in Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O’Brien and Cherokee Counties say that the camps will go on, just in a different manner...

For a final time, Sioux Central elementary students were driven to school to see their teachers, but instead of going to class they stayed in their vehicles for a reverse parade, waving goodbye to their beloved educators and the school year. Led by area fire trucks and emergency personnel, vehicles filtered through the Sioux Central bus lane Wednesday evening as students hoisted handmade signs, threw candy and flowers to their teachers while maintaining six feet of distance. ...

“It’ll be different, but it’ll be real,” Storm Lake Superintendent of Schools Stacey Cole assured a graduating senior donning cap and gown in a hallway of the mostly-darkened Storm Lake High School Monday. Faced with the reality of a COVID-19 quarantine, the school staged an alternative graduation throughout the day. Students entered the school alone, one at a time, via the loading dock - even as Army tents outside the building were hosting pandemic testing...

Storm Lake is preparing to reopen facilities - cautiously. City Hall is scheduled to reopen for regular hours as of June 1, initially with the public limited to no more than three people in the lobby at a time, with face coverings required. The library is also planned for reopening June 1...

=Storm Lake schools officials admitted to being caught off guard by announcements from the governor Wednesday, opening up some school programs after a lengthy quarantine. “We were all a little surprised. We spent a lot of time today talking about where we go from here, what’s next. All afternoon we continued to get updates from the different agencies involved,” Superintendent Stacey Cole told the board of education that night...

The Storm Lake United executive committee voted Wednesday to not replace retiring CEO Gary Lalone at this time. Lee Dutfield, marketing and activities director, is being appointed interim CEO and marketing/tourism director, and will serve as a Storm Lake representative to the Iowa Lakes Corridor board in a non-voting role...

When COVID-19 struck the U.S., educators across the country moved quickly. Leaders at Buena Vista University mobilized as well, enacting plans to extend spring break while making preparations to conclude the semester online, as campus was nearly vacated in an effort to protect health of students, faculty, staff, and the community...

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Twin Lakes Conference Art Show has moved online this year, Entries from the area schools, including “Hopeful Youth,” above, by Newell-Fonda sophomore Savannah McGee, can be viewed by the public at google.com/presentation, recent postings tab. “As well as my other piece, this was a way to tell a story from a part of my life. I wanted to be able to tell a story, but also make it aesthetically pleasing,” Savannah said of her work. /Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

The City of Storm Lake Parks Department will be spraying the city parks through the end of the month when the weather permits. As parks are sprayed they will be posted with chemical treatment flags. Citizens are encouraged to stay off the grass areas of the parks that have been treated for 24 hours. Flags will be removed once the 24 hour time frame has expired...

A builder has been hired to construct the new Early Elementary School in Storm Lake. W.A. Klinger Construction from Sioux City was the low bidder of eight firms, at $14.8 million. The bid came in so far under the $15.9 million estimate that the district was able to add on an array of options - including operable windows, upgrade kitchen equipment, classroom cubbies, lightning protection for electronics, acoustical wall panels for the gym and full site land work - and still come in below target at $15.3 million.. ...