Stories from Monday, November 21, 2016

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley is praising Senate passage of a bill he co-sponsored that will improve the responsiveness and performance of the Veterans Crisis Line, the confidential, toll-free hotline for veterans seeking suicide prevention and crisis resources help from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responders...

Attendance at student conferences is an indicator of parental involvement in their children’s education. Storm Lake school leaders report high turnout at the lower grade levels, but lower rates at the high school. The preschool programs recorded 98 percent participation of parents at the most recent conferences, the elementary had 97 percent, the middle school 95 percent. ...

On Monday, November 14, at the KC Hall, funds were distributed to four different charities in Storm Lake as a part of the 2016 Drive for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities conducted by the Storm Lake Knights of Columbus. Faith, Hope and Charity, Genesis Development, Storm Lake Special Education and Storm Lake Special Olympics each received checks for $1,318. ...

A Spirit Lake adult living service employee faces a Class D felony sexual exploitation charge after police suspect she established a physical relationship with one of her clients. Danielle Shadle, 40, of Harris, was charged with sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist recently. Officers took her in to custody at 1808 Jackson Avenue, which is the location of Echo Plus Inc. in Spirit Lake...

LifeServe Blood Center is sending its generous blood donors a special message this November: thanks for giving! Each lifesaving gift made at a LifeServe Blood Center blood drive can go on to save the lives of three hospital patients. Regular blood donors have the opportunity to donate every 56 days, meaning LifeServers can save more than a dozen lives per year! Thousands of people owe their lives to local blood donors just like you...

The holidays aren’t always an easy time - especially for those who will be celebrating for the first time without a loved one. UnityPoint Hospice held its annual Tree-Lighting Service Tuesday at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center for Women. A full house of family members of those who have passed away, and medical center staff who have worked with hospice patients, took part...

The United Community Health Center in Storm Lake would like to remind to remind the public that open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace takes place through January 31. Insurance is based on income. Contact UCHC for more info.

Spencer Hospital updates their tag line to reflect services

Hawk-I Plumbing, Inc. gave away a free furnace, including free installation, to the winner of their “Operation: Turn Up the Heat” promotion. They partnered with BVRMC P.i.n.k. and The Storm Lake Radio Stations. The “Operation: Turn Up the Heat” promotion was in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness during the month of October. ...

• On a scale of 5 popcorn buckets, “Hacksaw Ridge” pushes the limit, spilling over with 5 tubs worth of perfectly popped, expertly seasoned golden corn. The acting, the war scenes and the tension are all top shelf and I can’t give Mel Gibson enough credit for bringing this true story together on the big screen. A true war hero who never lifted a weapon against the enemy, Desmond Doss is an American story to cherish which we might never have heard of had it not been for this film. MPAA rating: R. Running time: 2 hours, 19 minutes.

The classic comedy is set to open at the Spencer Community Theatre

The family of Kermit and Jeanette Grote are happy to announce their 50th Wedding Anniversary today. Cards may be sent to their address at 5745 200th Ave., Newell, IA 50568. They request no gifts.

August 31, 1922 - November 14, 2016

May 20, 1915 - November 18, 2012

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

Comic book collecting has always been looked to keep the kid, and the nerd in us, front and center. There's something undeniably fun about keeping up on your favorite superheroes adventures, and being somewhat of an obsessed completist about collecting certain comic book titles. ...

LAUDERDALE, Minn. — A Lauderdale, Minnesota, man thought he had hit it off with a woman he recently met through Facebook and who had come over to his place for drinks. But while the 22-year-old man went to his bedroom to prepare for a romantic evening, the woman was letting two masked men into his home, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday, Nov. 8, in Ramsey County District Court...

With state funding approved for the City of Storm Lake to purchase the half-acre former Joyce’s Greenery site on East 5th Street, the newly-minted Mayor’s Committee on Parks, Trails and Urban Forestry gets a chance to help plan a new neighborhood park...

Local family recovers after a Thanksgiving season fire a year ago, wants to thank many helpers