Stories from Thursday, February 11, 2016

A PILOT SPECIAL REPORT

The Buena Vista County road crews are weathering a relatively harsh winter as well as can be expected. Buena Vista County Engineer Bret Wilkinson reported to the county supervisors this week about the situation. "We're plowing a lot of snow, and when we're not doing that, we're working on the buildings and equipment," he said...

A Denison man surrendered himself Monday in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a minor. Monday morning, officers were called to a home in the 1000 block of East 1st Street on a report of a sexual assault. Upon arrival police were advised that Julio Bautista, age 36 of Denison, allegedly attempted to sexually assault a juvenile at that location who was known to him. Bautista had left the residence prior to the arrival of police...

The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday to discuss the budget, among other items. Prior to this meeting, the Board has worked out a preliminary budget but the 'carry over' was 10.3%. Carryover is the amount remaining in the budget after the current fiscal year, but before the next year's taxes are collected. ...

March will be National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Linda Hallengren, a prevention consultant with Compass Pointe Behavior Health in Storm Lake addresses the issue.

Locals were treated to a good view of a "sun dog" phenomenon Tuesday. A sun dog (scientific name parhelion) is an atmospheric optical phenomenon caused by the reflection/refraction of sunlight by the numerous small ice crystals that make up cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. / Photo courtesy Laura Figueroa...

There was plenty of enthusiasm, and frigid temperatures, for the University of Okoboji Winter Games. The Polar Plunge - jumping into the lake through a hole cut in the ice - is a popular signature event. / Photo courtesy Dickinson County News

Nearly 300 high school students and their families from around the region took part in Jam-the-Gym Sunday at Iowa Central Community College. With basketball games, performances by the dance team and band, and chances to meet the staff and learn about the programs, the annual event gives many students their first chance to experience college life. / Photo courtesy ICCC...

Enjoying the northwest Iowa winter is a whole lot easier than it was 50 years ago. We have more knowledge than ever about how to safely enjoy our outdoor activities. Still, it takes common sense and an understanding our body to prepare for adverse weather conditions...

A Storm Lake man pled guilty by Alford plea Monday in district court to assaulting a teenage girl in an attempt to sexually abuse her. Ricardo Juarez, 21, surrendered to police in early July after the SLPD had posted his photo on social media asking for the public's help to locate the suspect...

The Sanford Museum Association is presenting a program titled "Iowans who fought against the Union" with David Connon at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13. Although the great majority of Iowans fought on the side of the union during the Civil War, at least 60 Iowans served with the Confederacy. Connon will explore their motivations and describe their experiences...

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is critical of President Obama's proposed Fiscal Year 2017 budget released Tuesday. "The President says his proposal is about looking forward but it looks like a repeat of the past," Grassley said in a statement sent to the Pilot-Tribune. ...

The Storm Lake Early Childhood programs, located at both East Early Childhood and Gingerbread are taking applications for the 2016-2017 school year. We currently provide programming for expectant mothers and children birth to age five. Full day programming is available for toddlers and children ages 3 to 5...

The Newell Cafe opened for business again last week after being closed for the winter. "You can't get a really good burger for $5.99 anywhere else," owner and chef Angilia Durham says. "I don't let anybody cook but me, because sometimes you go to a restaurant one time and its great, then you go a second time and it's not. That won't happen here because it's always the same person cooking- the gravies, the soups, the salads- everything."...

An informational meeting will be held Friday in Storm Lake for landowners and producers interested in learning more about the CRP. For 30-years the USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has provided farmers incentives to promote conservation and provide wildlife habitat...

The "Shop In The Name Of Love!" Valentines promotion continues at Storm Lake retailers, running through noon Friday. Shop local at participating businesses and enter for your chance to win prizes, including a 10K gold diamond pendant from Paxtons Jewelry and two gift baskets valued at $150 each...

The Heifer Development Clinic, postponed by a recent snowstorm, will be offered Feb. 22 at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Cherokee. "With high-priced replacement heifers purchased last year and lower prices for feeder calves this year, it will take more calves to recover the purchase price of this heifer," said Beth Doran, ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist. "This is why longevity of these females is so important."...

The Storm Lake boys basketball team lost to Lakes Conference rival Spirit Lake at home Tuesday. The Tornadoes (7-10) fell 91-69 to the Indians for their second defeat in a row. Storm Lake head coach Heath Stille chalked the loss up to mismatches on the court...

The Storm Lake girls basketball team's woes continued on the court Tuesday, as it lost to Spirit Lake at home. The Tornadoes (0-20) fell 59-22 to the Lakes Conference opponent Indians. For Storm Lake head coach Mel Fisher, some defensive miscues were a major factor in the defeat...

A balanced attack led the Newell-Fonda girls basketball team past Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire in the regular season finale at home Tuesday. The Mustangs (15-6) beat the Twin Lakes rival Titans 64-27 to push their winning streak to two games. Newell-Fonda head coach Dick Jungers noted that the Mustangs' early aggressiveness lifted them to the victory...

A balanced attack led the Newell-Fonda girls basketball team past Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire in the regular season finale at home Tuesday. The Mustangs (15-6) beat the Twin Lakes rival Titans 64-27 to push their winning streak to two games. Newell-Fonda head coach Dick Jungers noted that the Mustangs' early aggressiveness lifted them t...

The St. Mary's girls basketball team capped off the regular season with a road win against West Bend-Mallard Tuesday. The Panthers (7-13) beat the Twin Lakes Conference Wolverines 38-33. St. Mary's head coach Jessy Bibler credited the win to the Panthers' ability to overcome a sluggish start...

Ben Sampson was second in the 400 meter dash and Austin Groth won the 60 meter hurdles, as the Beavers continued to post strong performances in multiple events during its own BVU Invite. Sampson crossed in 50.87 and was only .04 seconds behind the winner Saturday. He was just seconds ahead of a pair of teammates in Brennan Dostal (5th) and Mark Eberly (6th)...

The Storm Lake boys swimming team competed in District swim meet in Fort Dodge last Saturday. The Tornadoes finished seventh in the team standings with 76 points, 387 points behind first place finisher Ames. Despite not qualifying a single swimmer for the state meet, Storm Lake head coach Roger Peterson said he saw growth from his swimmers from the beginning of the season in the pool...

The Storm Lake wrestling team is gearing up to compete at Districts this Saturday in Fort Dodge. The Tornadoes will face Ames, Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Fort Dodge, Spencer and Urbandale at the meet, with the two top wrestlers from each weight class moving on to the state tournament...

Coming off a thrilling 22-20 home victory over Simpson College this past Friday night, the Buena Vista wrestling team will look to make it two straight conference wins tonight when they hit the road and travel to Loras College (1-12, 1-4 IIAC). Start time inside of the Athletics and Wellness Center is set for 7 p.m...

The Girl Scouts of Alta (and Storm Lake) have cookies in hand and are embarking on their annual cookie sale. Alta troop leader Jenny Marshall says, "The funds are used for activities, and to give back to the community. Last year as a 'thank you' to the troop we went to Arnold Park, and we had a pool party for the girls."...

Ahhh....February...the month of love! Our newest nonfiction for adults includes some books on this theme: People Tools for Love and Relationships by Alan C. Fox --if you want to improve your connections to others, be it a spouse or friend, and don't we all?...this book is for you! This book asks us to remember what matters most and gives us insights and tools to reach our goals of closer relationships with those we love. ...

The Buena Vista Soil & Water Conservation District recently awarded Orlando and Lois Leimer as their Buena Vista Conservation Farmer of The Year. Orlando and Lois are 2nd generation farmers and have been farming for 41 years. Orlando has incorporated 6.9 acres of filter strips into his farming operation along with 132 acres of ridge tilling and 132 acres of cover crops. / Photo submitted...

August 14, 1955 - February 5, 2016

In a December ceremony, Dr. Randy Crampton, former Worshipful Master of the Storm Lake and Alta lodges was proud and honored to present Phil Redenbaugh with a 50 year pin and certificate. Pictured, Phil Redenbaugh (left) receives award from Randy Crampotn. / Photo by Chip Hubert...

The DOT has asked Buena Vista County to enter an agreement for a Highway 71 project for this upcoming season. The state has been working on an overlay on the highway, and has already down work running south out of Spencer. The new project, recently approved, will add overlay on 71 from the point where the earlier work left off to the Buena Vista County border...

A Tuesday afternoon pursuit which began in Clay County and ended in Emmet County, lands a Milford man in the Clay County jail. Robert Merle Hurd, 52, was taken into custody approximately three miles northeast of Terrill, after leading officers on a 30-mile pursuit...

Vehicle strikes parked vehicle On February 5, at approximately 2 p.m., at 510 E. 6th Street in Storm Lake, an unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle owned by Silvia Cedillo of Storm Lake. Damages were estimated at $1,000. Vehicle accident On February 8, at approximately 2:18 p.m., at 300 Flindt in Storm Lake, a vehicle driven by Kenneth Smith of Storm Lake was involved in an accident with another vehicle driven by Carlos Leon Gonzalez of Storm Lake. ...

The Buena Vista University Art Gallery and the Visual Arts and Design departments announces the sixth annual Western Iowa Salon Exhibition (WISE), which will be on display in the art gallery in the Social Sciences and Art Hall from today through March 15...