Stories from Monday, November 14, 2016

This year, Miracle on Lake Avenue will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary. In honor of this commemorative year, Storm Lake United will be bringing back many local favorites including the Scrooge Contest. In order to show the charitable, fun-loving spirit of Christmas, four Storm Lake business leaders have volunteered to be “Scrooge-Elects” to help raise money for Upper Des Moines in Storm Lake...

The gentle sound of woodland birds, rustling leaves and a gurgling steam issue from the speakers in the darkened auditorium. And then the drums kick in, primal, thumping hypnotically, like a heartbeat. A group of indigenous dance artists taught some of their timeless steps to students on a Buena Vista University stage this week - and encouraged Storm Lakers to join them in opposing the Bakken oil pipeline...

• On a scale of 5 popcorn buckets, “Doctor Strange” will tempt your film fan tastebuds with 4 delicious buckets of super-seasoned puffed corn. Great seasoning, it’s a mind-blowing journey into the mystic realms not visible to the trained eye of a sorcerer. Sit back and enjoy — in 3-D if you dare. Cumberbatch is a great cast in the role and I look forward to his appearance in future Marvel films, especially when he and Iron Man have a clash as men with huge egos. MPAA rating: PG-13. Running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes.

The Des Moines Symphony continues its 2016-2017 79th Season with Romeo & Rach 2, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 19 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 20, at the Des Moines Civic Center (221 Walnut Street, Des Moines). Lise de la Salle is one of classical music’s most exciting young artists. ...

The city of Spencer received the Healthy Hometown Founder award Tuesday in recognition of dedication and accomplishments toward meaningful health improvement initiatives in the community. “Spencer has been a model for other Iowa communities and is an encouraging example of what can be done when the citizens of a community join together to truly transform their environment,” Jami Haberl, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative executive director, said...

Sunjara Salon & Spa partnered with Buena Vista Regional Medical Center P.i.n.k. and The Feel Your Boobies Foundation in raising $125 through 20% of their services on October 28. Pictured are Katie Schwint, Jennifer Barth, Jordyn Borchardt, Kim Sievers, Joan Kurtz, Rebecca Wetherell, and Katie Christensen. / Photo submitted...

Facing the holidays after bereavement

Events and happenings in our community and the surrounding area.

Updates from the Storm Lake Police Department, Buena Vista County Sheriff's Office and the Storm Lake Fire Department.

“Uncle Mike” Schneider visited AC-T Elementary on Wednesday, Nov. 2nd and presented his “Real American Heroes” polka program. Mike, a Wisconsin native, is a professional accordion player who travels all over the United States to public libraries, schools, and fairs with his Pint Sized Polka events...

The Storm Lake Public Library kicks off a new film series, “Great Directors,” with a classic screwball comedy, on Monday, November 14, at 1 p.m. This film stars Cary Grant as a New York newspaper editor, and Rosalind Russell as Hildy, a former investigative reporter--who also happens to be his ex-wife. ...

November 11, 1941 - November 9, 2016

For someone world-famous for his voice, Simon Estes may speak his most powerful message with his hands. While visiting St. Mary’s students Thursday, Estes pointed out his hands, black on the outside, but whiter on the palms, to illustrate how people are all, he says, one race - the human one...

Damage in an arson fire at the Dakota Access Pipeline construction site southwest of Newell may reach more than $2.5 million. Six different pieces of heavy equipment were set on fire at 640th Street, a short distance off Highway 7. Investigation is continuing - no arrests have been made yet, but local and FBI officials are looking into whether there may be ties to other Dakota Access arsons elsewhere in the state, Buena Vista County Sheriff Kory Elston said...

To assist in growing a skilled workforce in the Buena Vista County region, Iowa Central Community College is developing a new Highway 7 Corridor Round Trip Bus Service from Alta to the Iowa Central Career & Technical Campus in Fort Dodge. Bus service is expected to begin next fall. The decision was announced Friday...

Kim Weaver doesn’t regret her failed bid to unseat incumbent Steve King in Congress, and if she had it to do again, she would. “It was a very, very positive experience, and I learned a lot,” she told the Pilot-Tribune in the wake of the election results that siphoned much of the joy out of a victory party she held in Ames on election night...

Storm Lake City officials have received approval for three railroad crossings inside city limits to be outfitted with warning lights and crossing arms. Work will take place on Oneida, Hudson and Barton Streets, and is likely to start next spring. Some detours will probably be needed briefly during the construction. ...

Twenty of Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School juniors and seniors participated in a science day at Buena Vista University immersed in forensics to solve a murder mystery! The students worked in groups in forensics based labs involving fingerprinting, code cracking, DNA analysis, hair and soil analysis and computer hacking. High school students from around the area participated. Above, Hailey Hartman and Katie Lenhart practice some laboratory analysis. / Photos by Erin Willey...

Members of the Laurens New Pool Committee attended the Laurens City Council meeting to gain the City’s approval of a new pool plan. Committee member Glenda Mulder explained that in the last three years approximately $210,000 has been raised - not enough to build the new pool volunteers envisioned. It was decided to look at less expensive options. After a close examination of the current pool facility by Burbach Aquatics, a new plan was formulated...

The doors will close on Eaton’s 42-plus year history in Spencer next September at the conclusion of the third quarter of 2017. The local plant, which currently employs approximately 140 people, manufactures heavy duty hydraulic pumps and motors for use in mobile and industrial hydraulic applications...

Western Iowa Congressman Steve King, just elected to an eighth term in Congress, is hinting that he may be interested in a different job - as part of the Donald Trump Administration. “I worked a lifetime to be in a position to have maximum impact in a time like this, and we’ll have to see what opportunities might be offered up or not. ...