Stories from Tuesday, October 31, 2006

This year, Storm Lake will have a "Scrooge-ette" for the Miracle on Lake Avenue Parade of Lights. All of the candidates in the annual Scrooge Contest, which raises funds for Santa's Castle, are female. Practicing their "Bah, Humbugs" are Helen Bosley of Hoffmans Flower and Candle, Stacey Eddie of King's Pointe, Dana Davis of Citizens Bank, Susan Kizer of Serenity Salon and Spa and Jeannie Iordanou of Malarky's...

Lyle Rachuy Lyle Rachuy, 71, Storm Lake, died Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Funeral service will be held today, Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, with Rev. Connie Spitzack and Rev. Mark Youngquist officiating. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home of Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements...

KBVU, Buena Vista University's radio station 97.5, will host a battle of the bands, EDGEdOUT 2. But to determine who will make the contest, the station turned to its area listeners with an online voting contest that registered 1,965 votes. The winner of EDGEdOUT gets an automtic bid to the big EDGEfest concert event in the park next spring...

Scott Murphy and Kim Wankum will direct Alta High School students in "The Pajama Game," a musical by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The musical is based on the book "7 1/2 Cents" by Richard Bissell and George Abbott. In "The Pajama Game," "The dangers of a workplace romance are explored to hysterical effect in this romantic comedy from the creators of "Damn Yankees." Conditions at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory are anything but peaceful, as sparks fly between new superintendent Sid Sorokin and Babe Williams, leader of the union grievance committee. ...

What do you want after election day? To the Editor: The Dow is reaching new heights, more people are working than ever before, unemployment has hit levels lower than at any time during the 1990's, inflation is low, wages are increasing faster than inflation, the price of gasoline has fallen dramatically, there have been no new terrorist attacks in this country since 9/11 and revenue has been coming into the state and national treasuries far above predictions...

I don't know all that much, I admit. I look at my daughter's algebra homework and then put it down until the dizziness passes. When it comes to numbers, this much is clear: We lost 2,973 American lives in a 9-11 tragedy that was initiated by an international hatred group...

It's that special time of year the kids will get a chance to beg for candy, dress up crazy and not get in any trouble for it either. Halloween growing up was the coolest holiday outside of Christmas. My mom would make a costume for me. I was a ghostbuster, teenage mutant ninja turtle and even a musketeer...

With just days remaining in the general election campaigns before November 7, politicians have been combing the state trying to get their name out as well as to thank supporters. Lt. Governor Sally Pederson and Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Michael Mauro joined supporters at Lakeshore Cafe for lunch...

"Parenting With Love & Logic" will be offered on four nights, Nov. 5, 6, 12 and 13, 6-8 p.m. at Storm Lake Middle School Media Center. The classes will help parents raise self-confident, motivated childen prepared for the real world, according to school district officials...

When Jean Bral enrolled at the University of South Dakota to a seek a master's degree after raising three children, she was expecting a furthered education. An unexpected honor adds to the experience. The Bral family, of Storm Lake, was honored as the 2006 Family of the Year at USD Oct. 20-22 during Family Weekend at The U. The Bral family was honored during halftime of the USD vs. Augustana football game...

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver brought some star power to his push for expanded stem cell research, campaigning with actor Michael J. Fox at a noisy campaign rally on the Drake University campus. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has become a leader in efforts to expand stem cell research. He endorsed Culver's candidacy and bashed Culver's opponent, Republican Jim Nussle...

Storm Lake's Agnes Beckfield celebrated her 99th birthday with many family members Saturday - and the high school graduation that she missed out on 82 years ago. A few members of her close-knit family made the surprise event possible - complete with a cap and gown and a signed diploma from the Sac City High School - while many others, as well as Agnes, enjoyed the surprise...

U.S. Congressman Steve King announced Monday that the Little Storm Lake dredging feasibility study will see the share of its local costs reduced and an increase in federal funding. Long off limits under its wetland status, King said enhancement of the preserve's water basin will be the key to maintaining water quality in the adjacent lake, and praised the funding decision...

It was a tragic weekend on the area roads. An Arkansas man died in a one-car accident west of Newell in the early morning hours Saturday, and three area people died in a fiery crash off M54 near Dickens Sunday evening. Buena Vista County Sheriff's officials were called to a report of a car in a field off Highway 7, east of M50, three miles west of Newell, shortly after 3 a.m. ...

Ron Olberding was recently honored by his peers for his outstanding contributions to education in northwest Iowa. The St. Mary's School K-4 principal and Spencer Sacred Heart principal was honored recently at the Sioux City Dioceses's 10th Annual Bishop's Dinner...

The Aurelia Music Boosters will sponsor a pancake supper Friday, Nov. 3 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Aurelia Community Center. Cost is $5; preschoolers will eat free. Proceeds of this event will fund the 2007 music trip to Arlington, Texas. Matching funds will be provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans...

The Buena Vista University football team is showing fans it can compete with the Iowa Conference's best. Going into Saturday's game with Wartburg, first-year coach Jay Anderson's biggest concern with his team matching the Knights' physical play. he added that his team was not given a chance by many to stay with Wartburg for four quarters...

Cyclones face rematch with No. 1 West Hancock A lot can happen to a football team in nine weeks, with injuries the most common variable. Teams either progress over the nine game regular season schedule, stay the same, or start slow and then not recovering...

By this time of year, and with just 16 teams competing in state playoffs this week, most squads get the basics right. Playing physical is something both teams usually show, as well as balance between the run and pass on offense. Most playoff teams are quick and athletic, even though they may average 220 or 230 up front...

Although the Storm Lake High swim team failed to advance an individual or relay to the state meet, a number of Tornado swimmers had season's best times here Saturday at a Class 3A District meet. "The girls swam a good meet," SLHS coach Laura DeLoss said. "Their improvement through the season to the very end impressed me."...

Travis Brechwald and Mindy Origer Mindy Origer and Travis Brechwald, Spirit Lake, would like to announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. Mindy is the daughter of Gordon and Diane Origer, Estherville. Travis is the son of Jean and the late Dean Brechwald, Alta...