Stories from Thursday, December 1, 2016

Children in Storm Lake Elementary School this season speak 14 different native languages. Among them are Spanish (363 kids), Karen (43 kids), Hmong (41), Pohnpeian (36), Lao (33), and a smattering of Amharic, Central Khmer, Panjabi, Sudanese, Tigrinya and Vietnamese speakers...

The days of dredging on Storm Lake may be numbered. During a meeting of the Lake Improvement Commission Monday, it was announced that only one more year of dredging will be contracted with the city’s operator Dredge America, then local leaders hope to meet with the Department of Natural Resources to determine if there will be any benefit to continuing...

In its first five days, the annual Adopt-A-Family for Christmas program has seen 111 families and individuals adopted, with 23 remaining to be served. The Pilot-Tribune and Upper Des Moines Opportunity co-sponsor the program each year, matching generous individuals, families, businesses, clubs, classrooms and church groups with needy local families to provide the Christmas experience they might otherwise not have. ...

Dan Heissel, Clay County Conservation executive director, reported that Wanata State Park, near Peterson, may be expanding in the future. Heissel said the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation had received a call from a party who owns land near the southeast portion of the park and may be interested in selling...

LOVE Takes Root continues mission after hurricane

Following the previously announced Eaton plant closing in Spencer and workers being left without jobs, IowaWORKS and Northwest Iowa Planning and Development worked to ensure the former employees would be able to secure future employment. Rapid response teams have coordinated with the men and women to assist them in finding new jobs and becoming prepared for those opportunities...

By CAROL EHLERS Human Sciences Extension and Outreach Simple Christmases that are low on cost but high on meaning are possible according to Carol Ehlers, a human sciences specialist in family finance with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach...

Storm Lake United is gearing up to host Miracle on Lake Avenue this year to help our community members, and visitors get ready for the holiday season. The event will take place on Thursday, December 8. Once again this year, we are planning the much awaited lighted parade...

On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 29, at approximately 3:05 p.m., the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to the Fareway Store parking lot in reference to a report of two young children left unattended inside of a vehicle. Upon arrival police located the vehicle and allegedly observed a 2 year old, and a 6 year old child, in the unlocked vehicle playing with the vehicle’s controls. ...

The Cherokee Jazz & Blues Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, January 20-21. The festival is an annual tradition designed to bring a variety of professional music to northwest Iowa. The next festival will be the 17th since the event was founded...

Monty Reinking Claims Top Prize In ‘Naughty or Nice’ Scratch Game

The Witter Gallery is bringing the holiday spirit to Storm Lake by hosting the annual Gingerbread House competition on December 8th. the Witter Gallery encourages people of the town to bring their delicious architectural masterpieces to the gallery for an array of prizes from local businesses. ...

Miss Audrey And The Club House Band return to the Senior Center on Monday, December, 5 with another great program of music and fun. Roger Christiansen is on the keyboard, Gene Kestel is on the saxophone and Bob Hantsbarger is on the guitar. The entertainment begins at 11:15 and is followed by the Dinner Date lunch. ...

The Buena Vista Choir will present their Christmas Concert in the sanctuary of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, located at 110 E 3rd St., on Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. A reception will follow. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School’s Santa’s Secret Workshop is reopening in 2016 in a new location - 1821 North Lake Avenue. The workshop has relocated to the north branch of Citizens’ First National Bank. Parents and guardians can bring their young shoppers to the workshop to purchase inexpensive gifts for their family members in secret. Santa’s helpers will help them stay on budget, wrap the gifts and tag them so that they remain a secret until they are opened at Christmas...

Fall brings with it beautiful colors across the state. Most identify trees with those spectacular vistas, but ornamental grasses also can provide great color for landscapes. Which grasses are best for fall foliage, and which are best equipped to deal with winter’s cold conditions?...

The Storm Lake Public Library staff is preparing for the 19th annual Friends of the Library Literary Basket Open House, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 5-7 p.m. with refreshments and music by Storm Lake High School orchestra members. Silent auction bids can be made now on the themed baskets, which make ideal Christmas gifts. / Photo by Dana Larsen...

June 27, 1926 - November 29, 2016

Additional charges filed In reference to three arrests reported by the Storm Lake Police Department on November 23, alleging the use of a stolen credit card by Yunan Nyama, age 19, Justin Curry, age 20, and Daud Mulgae, age 21, all of Storm Lake, an additional charge has been filed...

2016 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year, Red Horse Crossin’ in the Great Lakes Circuit

The 2017 Crop Advantage Series offers a unique opportunity for farmers and crop advisors to hear current research and crop production information from Iowa State University in their own backyard. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists will travel to 14 locations around Iowa from Jan. ...