Local and Area News

Proteus, the Iowa-based health care nonprofit aimed at serving migrant farmworkers, held its first-ever mobile clinic in Storm Lake this week, hosted by Our Place multicultural center. The program plans to offer monthly clinics in Storm Lake, depending on need - branching out from its Fort Dodge permanent clinic. Other sites are located in Des Moines and Iowa City...

A family with deep Storm Lake area roots is proposing a planned community development near Bel Air Beach at Lakeside. Dr. Doug Massop, Des Moines, and sisters Karen Keenan of Storm Lake and Rachael Kies of Des Moines and their families, envision turning the family’s farmland south of existing housing between the Lakeside outlet dam and the beach at Bel Air into numerous single family lots. Also proposed are areas of townhouses and twin villas...

Des Moines Water Works will face a “catastrophe” unless Iowa finds a way to reduce farm pollution in the Raccoon River, which on Tuesday was named as one of the nation’s most endangered, the utility’s CEO said. “It is clear, given the ammonia, phosphorus, and thousands of pounds of nitrogen that flow past our treatment plant, that adding any more nutrients to our watershed without addressing the water quality issues is going to lead to catastrophe,” Ted Corrigan said in an interview. ...

Buena Vista University received 150 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week, organizing a vaccination clinic to take place today at the University. BVU established a prioritization for faculty and staff and extended the opportunity to students as well, on a first-come, first-served basis...

The boards of directors of First Cooperative Association (FCA), Cherokee, Iowa, and Alceco, Albert City, Iowa, voted unanimously to move forward to the next phase of a proposed merger of the two cooperatives. The decision was reached during a joint meeting of the boards on Wednesday, April 14...

Storm Lake School District is planning a unique version of the homecoming it couldn’t have last fall. On Friday, April 30, the homecoming parade will start at 2:30 p.m., following East 7th Street to Lake Avenue, turning onto Railroad Street, up Cayuga back to East 7th...

Lake Avenue Lounge was the site for a surprise party honoring a stunned Gary Lalone Monday. Lalone retired as CEO of Storm Lake United last year during the pandemic, when it was impossible to have a gathering to celebrate with him. So the surprise was planned as both a birthday and retirement celebration, with the venue outfitted in “Legend” banners, balloons and other trappings. ...

Storm Lake Middle School students created holiday cards and notes to send to soldiers who were deployed overseas. This was a service project as part of their daily SEL (Social Emotional Learning) class in December. One recipient of the cards was SFC Melanie McCracken (currently deployed to Kuwait) who is the sister of Storm Lake Middle School teacher Valery Fuhrman. ...

Sonia Mugabo, a 2013 graduate of Buena Vista University, recently spoke out as a survivor during the 27th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi people of Rwanda. The commemoration was held April 7 at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia...

Storm Lake Scout Troop 104 with the help of Cub Scout Pack 105 and volunteers, held a Flag retirement ceremony at Scout Park recently, burning worn out flags with the proper honors. The Scouts retired 380 flags. People with worn flags can deposit them at the container outside the west courthouse entrance for proper retirement...

A judge on Friday delayed a decision on whether the Dakota Access Oil pipeline should be shut down while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts an environmental review on the project, after lawyers for the pipeline asked for more time to outline the effects of recent changes in the economy...

New cases of COVID-19 remained steady in Buena Vista County over the past week, with 15 new positive tests and a 3 percent positivity rate among those testing over the seven days, both numbers exactly the same as a week earlier. Around the area Dickinson County (the Iowa Great Lakes) remained the Iowa hotspot, with 63 new confirmed cases and a 12 percent positivity rate. ...

The presence of a meatpacking plant more than doubled U.S. counties’ COVID-19 infection rates, according to a new study. The beef, pork and poultry processors accounted for an estimated 334,000 COVID-19 cases, 18,000 deaths, and $11.2 billion in economic damage, the economists found in a modeling analysis...

The Storm Lake Police “Operation Hoop Dreams” project is moving forward rapidly. Thanks to a generous donor, the SLPD will be able to construct a full-size basketball court instead of a half court. Construction will begin this spring in Seneca Park, behind the police station...

The Newell Boosting Achievers met on Sunday, March 14, at the Nain Lutheran Church in Newell. The meeting was called to order by President Analise Tiffany, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Will Landgraf and the 4-H pledge was led by Katie Reisner. ...

Ridge View Basketball Cheerleaders received the Academic Excellence Award from the IGHSAU. This award is given to teams who have a GPA between 3.0-3.24.

A charter bus rolls east traversing Iowa on U.S. Highway 20 toward Waverly, where the Buena Vista University wrestling team faces a pair of American Rivers Conference foes. Sophomore Axel Hernandez, the team’s 133-pound varsity competitor, sits quietly as exits for cities such as Webster City and Parkersburg pass, his head buried in “The Romance of Arthur,” a history of King Arthur...

With recent warmer temperatures, restless paddlers are ready to put canoes and kayaks in the water. Early spring paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing wildlife, but extra precautions are needed to stay safe. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends that paddlers wait for warmer weather to allow the water temperatures to rise slowly. ...

The Women’s Studies in Religion Program at Harvard Divinity School has named Swasti Bhattacharyya as a research associate in the Women’s Studies in Religion program. Bhattacharyya recently retired as a longtime professor of Philosophy and Religion at Buena Vista University, and serves on the board of SALUD is Storm Lake...

The Western Valley Conference Art Show was held March 25 at River Valley High School. Ridge View students brought home several awards. Left to Right: Cameron Spina - Excellence Award, Blue Ribbon: RyAnne Steffen - Red Ribbon: Hannah Yockey- Red Ribbon: Maguire Neumann - Best of Show, 1st Place Painting, Judges’ Award, Blue Ribbon: Viv Leonard - 1st Place Photography, Judges’ Award, 2 Blue Ribbons: Emilie Sawatzky - 2nd Place Printmaking: Marney - Blue Ribbon. / Photo submitted...

Beginning this week, all Iowans who are at least 16 years of age are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, and Iowa’s public transit systems are prepared to take riders to their appointments. Public transportation in Iowa provides access to employment, education, social activities and healthcare. ...

A flotilla of Canada geese patrols the Storm Lake shoreline near King’s Pointe, a sure sign of spring and nesting season. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen

A citizen approached the Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors Tuesday with concerns over street lights no longer functioning at the intersections of Highway 3 and Business 71, and Highway 3 and County M44. Margie Robinson said the lights had been out for six months to a year, and asked why no one had fixed them. The intersections are dark and hard for motorists to locate at night, she said...

The Storm Lake City Council agreed to a zoning ordinance change that would allow small-scale warehousing operations in R-4 high-density residential areas, but with an adjustment to the proposal. City Code Officer Scott Olesen suggested that warehouses could be acceptable on some R-4 sites and not on others, depending on the proximity to homes, street location and access status. ...

For all of the efforts to feed the hungry in Storm Lake, hunger is no less an issue than it was when those volunteer programs started. The fact isn’t lost on the members of The Hunger Dialogue, a local organization that has been brainstorming hunger solutions and supporting volunteer food programs for several years...

An Estherville man is charged with multiple felonies including kidnapping and sexual abuse, after allegedly trading vaping/smoking items to underage area children in exchange for elicit photos of them, and sexually abusing a 12-year-old. Hunter Gentry, 21, pled not guilty to all charges. A jury trial is scheduled for June 1 at the Clay County Courthouse...

Pickerel Lake, near Laurens on the Clay and Buena Vista county line, will undergo a water level management project to improve its water quality-and provide quality habitat for fish and wildlife. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will lower the water level in the 170-acre shallow natural lake this spring. The goal is to lower the lake 3.5 feet during the 2021 growing season and keep water levels down through early summer 2022...

Buena Vista County’s COVID-19 numbers increased slightly this past week, moving from 2 percent test positivity to 3 percent, and 15 new positive tests over seven days compared to 13 the previous week. Local numbers remain below the statewide positivity rate, which was 4.8 percent for the week...

A Buena Vista University graduate serves as keynote speaker in a trio of addresses during the 2020 and 2021 Commencement exercises at BVU on May 8 and May 9. Adrienne Haynes, attorney, entrepreneur, and community volunteer, had no hesitation in accepted the BVU invitation to share a special message with hundreds of graduates and their family members, a weekend celebration that may ultimately help the BVU community put the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, at least to a degree...

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is looking for individuals to be on our Advisory Council. The counties where we have vacancies are Buena Vista, Emmet, Greene, Guthrie, Hancock, Osceola, Sac, Worth, and Wright. What is the Elderbridge Agency on Aging? Elderbridge Agency on Aging is an Area Agency on Aging in North Central, Northwest and Central Iowa, currently serving a 29-county region. ...

Witter Gallery is holding a two-week online auction showcasing 12 original art pieces created by area artists. The online auction will begin on Friday, April 16, and will end on Friday, April 30. Local artists have submitted pieces ranging from woodwork to paintings, drawings to ceramics. ...

It’s almost time for farmers to be busy in the fields but for now they’re patiently preparing for spring planting. As rains and fair weather have marked the end of March, ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist Paul Kassel said the outlook locally is pretty positive ahead of planting...

The solar energy panels atop two buildings at Parks Marina aren’t easy to see, but they managed to draw the attention of U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra midday Friday. Feenstra visited the marina to learn about the business’ integration of renewables and hear about their effectiveness...

“We’re losing a big thing, losing a whole year… it is disheartening. Those are our tax dollars.”

Vaccine can be opened up to serve the general public in Iowa with no priority limits starting April 5th. The first large local open clinic for all age 18 and over will begin on Saturday of next week, April 10, with about 550 doses of Moderna vaccine expected to be available from Buena Vista County Public Health. The clinic will be 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Storm Lake Elementary School, using Moderna vaccine which requires a later booster shot...

A Storm Lake native played a key role in the rescue of members of the Iowa State University crew club after their boat capsized in Little Wall Lake during training. Neighbors including Adam Woodle, a 2001 graduate of Storm Lake St. Mary’s, helped to rescue three survivors in the accident last Sunday, while two students died in the icy water...

The garage and book sale continues today and tomorrow at the Buena Vista County Historical Society museum in Storm Lake, starting at 9 a.m. Please use the south entrance. Anything remaining unsold will be available at a bargain price during regular museum hours next week, 1-4 p.m. on weekdays. Funds raised support the society’s historical preservation efforts...

An unknown amount of wastewater was recently spilled at the Tyson Foods pork plant, but an attentive response from the company limited the flow. Storm Lake City code official Scott Olesen informed the Storm Water Advisory Board of the situation during a meeting this week...

Cody Berens came to Buena Vista University intent on studying business education. But something happened on the way to his bachelor’s degree. “The ag program at BVU just took off,” says Berens. “The opportunities in agriculture were more suitable for me.”...

It may not feel like boating season yet, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), along with boating safety advocates nationwide, are urging boaters to KeepYourEdge by enrolling in a boating education course this spring. “Education is the key to having a safe and enjoyable day on the water, and spring is the perfect time to take a course before the summer boating season begins,” said Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR...

Governor Kim Reynolds recently announced that COVID-19 impacted renters and homeowners will be able to apply for assistance with rent and mortgage payments through two assistance programs that launched Monday. “Even though Iowa is well on its way to recovery from the pandemic, too many Iowans continue to feel its impact through financial hardship,” said Gov. ...

The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday to create new pathways for charter schools, in a contentious late-night 55-40 vote. House File 813 confirms that school districts can form charter schools by establishing a new school, creating a charter within an existing school or converting an existing school to charter status...

A Storm Lake man was jailed Friday, after a drunk driving hit-and-run accident near Storm Lake High School where he reportedly struck and injured a 15-year-old girl who was walking to school. Juan Rodriguez Parra, 27, faces eight charges including second offense Operating While Intoxicated, two counts of Child Endangerment, Causing Serious Injury With a Vehicle, Leaving the Scene of a Serious Injury Accident, Carrying Weapons While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Obey Traffic Signs.. ...

Unemployment in Buena Vista County is on a slow rise, but remains below the state and national averages. The county jobless rate stands at 3.3 percent in the most recent figures available from Iowa Workforce Development, up from 2.5 percent a year earlier. ...

Storm Lake Community Schools is among 13 Iowa school districts selected as partners in applying for a GEAR UP grant to begin this fall, Iowa College Aid announced Friday. GEAR UP is a federal program to increase college and career access and readiness for low-income, minority, and first-generation students. If Iowa receives the grant, it will be the state’s third...

Buena Vista County’s COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped in the past week. In the seven days ending Sunday, the county had 13 positive tests and a positivity rate of 2 percent, down from 22 new cases and a rate of 4 percent the week before. One additional COVID-19-related death had been reported in BV in the past week, increasing the total toll to 39 since the pandemic began...

Country music artist and songwriter Brad Morgan is set to perform at the Star Spangled Spectacular at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 3 at the Sunset Park Band Shell. The Manning native currently resides in Nashville while continuing to build on his success in Iowa and throughout the Midwest. ...

Buena Vista University was named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2021 Transfer Honor Roll, recognizing excellence in the development and support of innovative transfer paths for community college students. Savannah Davis, a junior from Council Bluffs, believes the honor is merited. She should know; Davis transferred to BVU in August...

After a year of unprecedented challenges, Iowa Learning Farms and Water Rocks! will once again make Conservation Station trailers available for a full season across Iowa, April through September 2021. The trailers are being updated and prepared to offer demonstrations of conservation and agricultural practices that contribute to improving water quality and conservation of Iowa’s important natural resources...