Stories from Friday, December 13, 2013

Despite recent reports of certain Buena Vista University students being taken to the hospital due to alcohol related incidents, administrators say there hasn't "necessarily" been an increase in hospitalizations due to excessive drinking. Concerned students have been disgruntled about the fact the hospitalizations are occurring and how enforcement seems to have changed...

The students at Newell-Fonda School are making a difference. Earlier this week, students in grades seven through 12 spent part of a day measuring and packaging rice, protein, vitamins and vegetables. Their efforts will feed 50,000 people. Abby Smith, sophomore, and Nancy Medel, senior, are responsible for the project which is associated with Meals from the Heartland, based out of Des Moines...

There was a special Christmas party at Faith, Hope & Charity last week for the kids and their "special friends." The event included food, gifts and lots of fun and included a visit from Santa Claus.

'Tis the season for "Goodwill" towards men (and women and children.) The local Goodwill store treated 50 children from the community to a Christmas party which included many gifts. The annual Shoe and Mitten party was a great hit! Each of the young guests received a bag which included a color book and colors. ...

After several months of construction and several hundred hours of volunteer work by a great number of caring people, Lussia Wehidye and her six children - Peter, 19; David, 18; Lydia, 17; Lamar, 14; Anny, 12 and Titus, 9 - have a new home of their own...

Storm Lake Lions were having trouble recruiting members, and this resulted in the club being disbanded on May 1 of 2013. Four of the previous members have become members at the Peterson's Lion Club in order to continue working with Iowa KidSight, an organization dedicated to detecting children with eye sight issues...

Students at the Storm Lake Middle School are sometimes given "Gotchas" when a teacher catches them going above and beyond the expectations. The Storm Lake Bowling Alley generously donated a free game of bowling as a special prize for December. Fifth grader Eddy Tovar and seventh grader Jackie Gomez were the recipients this week. The drawing for sixth and eighth graders will be this week...

On Saturday, Nov. 16, six chapter members of the Sioux Central FFA attended the 360 Leadership Conference, in Ankeny, at the Iowa FFA Enrichment Center. This conference is created to take students to the full circle of chapter leadership development, they learned how to develop action plans for their chapter, and the theme this year was "Influence"...

Catch the holiday spirit on Monday, Dec. 16! That's the date for the 6-12 winter concert. It all begins at 7 p.m. in the gym. This concert will feature holiday music from the sixth grade band and choir, seventh and eighth grade band and choir, high school mixed choir and high school concert band. A variety of musical styles will be featured for your musical enjoyment, plus a very festive surprise finale to the concert!...

Local FFA member awarded national American FFA Degree at the 86th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership personal growth and career success through agricultural education...

The public is invited to join the third grade students of Storm Lake Elementary School as they celebrate the holiday season on Tuesday, Dec, 17 at 7 p.m., in the gym. The musical performance of "Jingle Bell Jukebox...The Flip Side" is free and open to the public. The musical will feature a 198-voice choir made up of all third grade students as well as small group singers, the owner of Rudy's Soda Shop, and many students who visit the shop...