Stories from Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Music plays a significant role in nearly everyone’s life, but for some people it represents much more than an invitation to dance or a soundtrack for the morning commute. Researchers have found that music therapy provides a diversion from negative feelings and helps manage the pain of not only adults, but of children with developmental, physical, behavioral, and neurological disabilities...

Come and join in on the fun Sunday, February 5 at Corner Lanes Bowling Center in Spirit Lake for a Type 1 Diabetes Kids and Family Fun Day. Connect with peers who have Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and their families. Learn about summer camp opportunities. Enjoy meeting new friends, free pizza and beverage. Bowling is available if you choose...

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center will host Dr. Deborah Majerus of Cardiovascular Associates from Sioux City on Monday, February 20. This is a great opportunity to hear about Mission Lifeline and the cooperative process with BVRMC on heart attack care...

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center employees Julie Anderson, Kim Ludwig and Mary Drey are shown with comfort pillows that were made by volunteers and given to the Surgical Services Department. These pillows are used to help ease the pain when you have a mastectomy or lymph nodes. / Photo submitted...

Vehicle accidents • On January 18, at approximately 1:20 p.m., at 1525 W. 5th Street in Storm Lake, a vehicle driven by Deylis Rodriguez Rodriguez of Storm Lake struck a parked vehicle owned by Sunovion Pharmacy out of Clear Lake. Damages were estimated at $800...

May 16, 1935 - January 21, 2017

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Kicks-Off the 100th year of girls selling cookies with a brand new cookie – the Girl Scout S’mores™

To spread the understanding of craft beer and prepare customers to make effective purchases, Iowa Lakes Community College is offering its first Craft Beer 101 class from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Spencer Hy-Vee. A $10 registration cost covers all the samples, lessons and snacks for the night...

Arick Loew has had a long day on the lake. Still wearing his coveralls, boots, and outdoor gear, he's in need of a sit, along with a pint of Guinness, to wind down a bit. It's early Saturday evening, and Arick has just gotten through with ice fishing on the frozen slab we know as 'the lake', in Storm Lake. ...

Come join World Championship ICE Racing with Sioux City’s Tyson Events Center for one night only, Saturday, February 4th, at 7:30 p.m. The biggest names in professional motorcycle ICE racing and the craziest riders on earth will be racing wild Unlimited Outlaw Quads and more. ...

Spin Doctors will be at the Hard Rock in Sioux City Friday, March 3 at 8 p.m. You think you know the Spin Doctors. Think again. When the legendary New York quartet release If The River Was Whiskey on May 14th through Ruf Records, casual fans will discover the secret past the hardcore have never forgotten. ...

The University of Okoboji Winter Games concert lineup wraps up with Tripwire, a unique band out of Fargo, N.D. that offers up pop, rock, country - even a bit of punk and hip hop. Don’t be surprised if these guys even break out a polka. They will be on hand at The Ritz in Okoboji tonight at 9:30 and again Sunday at 4 p.m...

At the recent Newell Fonda School Board session, Brad Beck of Beck Engineering presented the bid documentation for the proposed new track and football sports complex. The Board reviewed the bid document and approved it as presented. Bid opening will be held 2 p.m. on February 9th at the conference room. A public hearing will be held at the February 13th meeting with the proposed bid being accepted...

The Storm Lake Middle School 6th grade band was honored to have six students selected to participate in the Strong Foundations Honor Band. This year’s festival was held on January 9, and featured two bands of equal ability, with guest directors Eric Lins and Julie Forney. ...

Storm Lake St. Mary’s School will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week January 29-February 3 with the theme “Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service” with a variety of activities celebrating Catholic Schools. St. Mary’s celebrates the impact of a preK-12 faith-based choice in education in Storm Lake since 1912, open to students of all faith backgrounds. Eighteen percent of St. Mary’s students are not Catholic; 53.2 percent are minority including Hispanic, Asian, Black or two or more races...

The Fiscal Year 2017 de-appropriation bill has been agreed to and saw a final vote Thursday in the Senate and will be approved on the floor of the House on Monday. The bill should be on the Governor’s desk by next Tuesday. Due to the fact that Iowa’s economy has not grown at the rate anticipated when the revenue estimate was set, the Legislature is required to reduce spending in the current fiscal year in order to prevent deficit spending. ...

GoServ Global focuses on orphanages and the most needy in the community

As severe weather hit Northwest Iowa again this week, area schools were forced to close. To date that makes four days to make up. Storm Lake Public Schools, Sioux Central, Alta Aurelia and Newell Fonda will make up their snow days at the end of the school term. ...

The first round of wage negotiations was held on January 20th. Representing the Newell Fonda Education Association were Nathan Baron, Chief Negotiator, Crystal Carlson, Melissa Devereau and Nikki Schubert. Representing the Newell Fonda Board of Directors were Rob Olsen, Chief Negotiator, and Roger Sarchet...

According to Sheriff Kory Elston of the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, on January 27, at approximately 8:54 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office was called to 112 Ash Street Apt 3 in Lakeside for a report of a domestic disturbance. The caller advised that she was assaulted and being held against her will in the apartment...

The Early Childhood Facilities Committee met for a brief meeting on January 26 at the Storm Lake Elementary School Media Center. Nineteen people were in attendance. The group had met five times over the last year to discuss the goals. They reviewed the prior goals and discussed priorities for a potential project...

Local officials were comforted Friday by an Iowa Supreme Court decision that dealt a heavy blow to a landmark lawsuit from the Des Moines Water Works. The suit targets Buena Vista, Sac and Calhoun counties and their farmers with blame for nitrates in the Raccoon River...

Twenty college students from Iowa and California have been selected for the first class of the new Principal Community Scholars Program. Among them is Lindsey Graham, a fourth-year student at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. The recipients were selected by Principal, Iowa Campus Compact, and California Campus Compact after being nominated by faculty or staff from their college or university and a rigorous review process...

“I’m dying,” the Journeyman says. “I could be dead tomorrow. But until God chooses to take me, I will continue my journey.” Jeffery Post, former Storm Lake resident, is on a crusade of a lifetime. His presentation A Journeyman tour is gearing up to begin this summer. He will be traveling all over the country to speak. It may be his last trip, he knows. Post has been diagnosed with a terminal condition, and plans to make every day count...

It’s kinda like having a blank canvas, and all the colors to choose from that you can imagine. Even if you don’t have a budget yet to buy any paint with. The Storm Lake Mayor’s Committee on Parks, Trails and Urban Forestry met this week for the first time since last November, to begin the process of designing a new neighborhood park...

Gone Fish’n sponsored an ice fishing tournament on Storm Lake Saturday. Some 78 individuals entered. Cash and prizes were offered in five species classes (walleye, perch, crappie, white bass and catfish). The ice averaged 12-18 inches thick. The overall winner (pictured) was Matt Hull of Alta who hauled in a 23 3/4 inch walleye. For his efforts Matt was awarded a $300 cash prize and a power ice auger. See 1B for an ice fishing guide. / Photo by Hugh Perry...

Man and woman argue, break out window On the evening of Sunday, January 29, at approximately 7:04 p.m., the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to 914 East Milwaukee Avenue, in reference to a disturbance in progress. Upon arrival police were advised that a man and woman allegedly engaged in an argument in the hallway of the apartment complex at which time a window was broken out...

February 13, 1918 - January 23, 2017

October 22, 1921 - January 26, 2017

January 13, 1943 - January 26, 2017

This week Rep. Clel Baudler (R-Greenfield) and Rep. Gary Worthan (R-Storm Lake) met with Troopers from the Iowa State Patrol. The group was visiting the Capitol to visit with legislators. Pictured here are Mike Van Berkum (Ankeny), Rep. Gary Worthan (Strom Lake), Rep. Clel Baudler (Greenfield), Randy Kunert (Des Moines), and Mike Winter (West Des Moines)...

Miss Audrey and The Club House Band return to the Senior Center on Monday, February 6, with another great program of music and fun. Roger Christiansen will be on the keyboard, Gene Kestel will be on the saxophone and Bob Hantsbarger will be on the guitar. ...

• Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the O’Brien County Conservation Board is holding a family friendly presentation entitled “We LOVE Animal Stories.” Bring the children to the Prairie Heritage Center to enjoy fascinating facts, a children’s book or two, and take-home crafts focused around some of our favorite animals...

The Storm Lake Police Department and Storm Lake Knights of Columbus are sponsoring the Annual DARE Omelet Breakfast on Sunday, February 12, from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 1507 East Lakeshore Drive. Proceeds from the breakfast fund the DARE Program which is currently provided in the St. Mary’s School System...

Sole 2 Soul’s fitness center in Galva continues to work with Tuel Shed Training (TST) out of West Des Moines on their seven-week fitness and wellness challenge for individuals of all ages and genders. The program is called Shaping Souls, and 74 individuals and are participating in the northwest Iowa program...

Through a combined effort of the #2326 Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School Student Council, a net $2,500 was raised for the family of a high school student to help offset the cost of medical equipment and other unexpected medical expenses...

Iowa Lakes Community College has announced its graduation list for the end of the Fall, 2016 semester. GRADUATION HONORS + Fall Graduate Area graduates include: Aurelia • Gary Loring ***+, Associate in Arts • Joseph Suhr +, Associate in Applied Science, Criminal Justice...

Iowa Central Community College The Office of the Registrar has released the fall 2016 President’s and Dean’s Lists. In order to be named to the President’s List, a student must have a 4.0 grade point average (4.0 is an A) in all academic subjects with a total of at least 6 semester hours of credit...

On Wednesday, February 8, there will be a driver education parent/registration meeting for students who are planning to participate in driver education this spring and summer. Fees for resident students is $260 and for non-residents is $385. The meeting will be held at the Storm Lake Middle School at 7 p.m. The instructors will be present to answer any questions you may have about the program. Call Jaymie Bral at 732-8080 with any questions regarding the meeting...

TRAV­EL Four domestic and international travel courses were offered to students this year, enabling them to further explore their academic interests and broaden their cultural and global perspectives. In addition, the university sponsored its annual “Global Fellows” trip to Chile...

Storm Lake High School students had their art on display for the Storm Lake High School Fine Arts Show Saturday in conjunction with the Swing Show. Top, Glitched by Wendy Leyva, oil paint and paper. Bottom, Rosy Cheeks by McKenzy Konradi, acrylic paint...

Dana's Dozen

Average retail gasoline prices in Iowa have fallen 2.0 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.33/gallon by Sunday, according to a survey of 2,036 gas outlets in Iowa. This compares with the national average that has fallen 3.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.26...

The trial for a former Spencer Dream Center director has been postponed and a defense attorney in the case would like to see the case moved out of Clay County. Kevin Grimes will now stand trial at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 4. Judge Patrick Carr approved the date change Thursday. Jury selection was previously scheduled to begin Feb. 21...

Members of the new Buena Vista County Search and Rescue Dive team conducted rope tender training for area fire departments Saturday at the Buena Vista University pool. Firefighters from Storm Lake. Alta, Newell, Rembrandt, Albert City and Sioux Rapids took part, learning how to assist divers and use rope signals to communicate with an officer under water. ...

Last week, the ice storm made the trip back to Des Moines difficult for many legislators. This week, the heavy snow in Northern Iowa will make it hard for some lawmakers to even get home. While the City of Des Moines only received a couple of inches of snow, it was still slippery out there. Even though there is more snow up our way, I still can’t wait to get home...

IOWA CITY — The man who disrupted a flag-burning protest in Iowa City with a fire extinguisher last week won’t lose his job. FedEx said Saturday in a statement that Matt Uhrin would continue working as a driver. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports pictures and video of Uhrin rescuing a U.S. flag Thursday spread quickly on the internet, and he was wearing his FedEx uniform at the time...

A lucky St. Mary’s School supporter will be sporting a beautiful diamond ring at the Storm Lake St. Mary’s Ball and Charity Auction thanks to Paxtons Jewelry. The local retailer has donated a cocktail ring of over one carat of stunning black and white diamonds set in a timeless white gold band. This fabulous ring will show off the school colors in style! The retail price is $999...

Brave participants took the flying leap into the freezing cold water of West Lake Okoboji Saturday, as part of the popular Polar Plunge event at the 37th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games.The event is held near the amusement park, and serves as a fundraiser for the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue team. / Photo by Matt Heinrichs...

Storm Lake Police were called to an apartment in the 600 block of Superior Street early Sunday morning to assist an ambulance call for a woman who was reportedly injured and losing a large amount of blood. Police entered the apartment and found Charlene Smith, age 35, of Storm Lake, sprawled on the floor in a semi-conscious state. The apartment had sustained heavy damage to its walls, windows and property. Blood was pooled throughout the apartment...

Storm Lake High School musicians blast out a tune during the Swing Show at the SLHS auditorium Saturday night. High school and middle school performers shared the stage with band and vocal ensemble performances in front of an enthusiastic crowd. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

Blake Overmohle was very active and very health conscious. He worked out daily and ate healthy. Living a healthy life style, Blake discovered, is no guarantee he was in control of his health. Just before Christmas while playing basketball, Blake was accidentally kicked. ...

Sue Thayer, Lakeside, took part in the March for Life in Washington Friday, feeling that the pro-life movement has finally started to “turn the tide.” The former manager of the Storm Lake Planned Parenthood clinic was part of a group for former abortion clinic workers who have become right-to-life advocates. ...

The Storm Lake Mayors Committee on Parks, Trails and Urban Forestry is continuing to work on an on-street bike trails plan that it hopes to present to the city council soon. At its meeting last week, the committee wrestled with the problem of trails crossing railroad tracks. ...

On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order blocking immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, and banning Syrian refugees from entering the country. One of the primary drivers of the decision was protecting America from attacks such as 9/11...

School vouchers and education savings accounts, sold as “freedom of choice,” have proven to help only an elite few while leaving others behind. We cannot allow them in Iowa. Using tax payer money to give wealthier Iowans discounts for private or home schooling is unacceptable. ...

Letter to the Editor: Many of you would recognize me on sight. You see, I take my human subordinates on walks four times a day around Storm Lake, regardless of weather. I don’t much like the rain, but this white stuff is an extra special joy. I’m just a teenager in dog years, and nothing makes me happier than frolicking in fresh powder. I’m that dog who, if my parents cut my hair too short, you think is a Dalmatian, but I’m an English Setter...

Warriors roll against Cougars in front of a packed home floor for senior night ALTA - On Friday night, Alta-Aurelia continued their winning ways as they defeated Manson-NW Webster, 65-46, thanks to another strong defensive effort. Manson held a two point lead after the first period, 15-13, but Alta-Aurelia outscored MNW by 14 in the second frame to take a 12 point advantage to intermission, 33-21. ...

Tornadoes crown three conference champions EMMETSBURG - The Storm Lake wrestling team finished second overall in the Lakes Conference tournament on Friday night and crowed three individual champions on the evening. “Friday night was a great tournament of us,” Coach Ben Seaman said. “We wrestled really well top to bottom. A lot of our guys wrestled to or above what they were seeded and that’s great for them.”...