Stories from Friday, December 1, 2017

STORM LAKE - The 2017 season opened in the way that the green and white envisioned it as Storm Lake defeated the Sioux City North Stars on Tuesday night, 65-57. The green and white dazzled the crowd in the first quarter with layups and three pointers enroute to a 24 point frame, taking an eight point lead to the second, 24-16. ...

STORM LAKE - The green and white girls made it interesting on Tuesday night against the Sioux City North Stars as the Tornadoes built up a 15 point lead in the final quarter, saw it evaporate in the final moments of the contest, but managed to hang on for a 49-48 win. The win marks their first win in the month of November since 2009, and their first win ever against a 5A school...

SPENCER - The eighth best team in 1A showed little fear against the 4A Spencer Tigers as the Mustangs handled business, 76-31. Newell-Fonda built an eight point lead after the first quarter, 17-9, and continued to build on that foundation in the second quarter, taking a 35-21 advantage to the break. The Mustang defense stiffened up in the second half, allowing just 10 total points to Spencer while scoring 41 of their own for their second victory of the season...

SPENCER - Free throw shooting and lackluster defensive execution in the first half spelled trouble for the Newell-Fonda boys as they fell in their season opener against Spencer, 75-62. The Mustangs fell behind early against the Tigers, trailing by eight after the first quarter, 19-11. They battled back in the second frame by scoring 22 points, but they gave up 23 and trailed 42-33 at intermission. Spencer built the lead up to 14 at the end of the third, 60-46...

SIOUX RAPIDS - Sioux Central played well for a majority of their season opener on Tuesday night save for the third period where they were outscored by 12 points by Estherville-Lincoln Central in a 53-42 loss. Neither team’s offense was ready to get the game started, the two combining for just seven points as Sioux Central took a 5-2 lead to the second quarter. ...

SIOUX RAPIDS - Sioux Central came out of the gate strong on Tuesday night, putting up 15 first quarter points but only scored 15 the rest of the way against Estherville-Lincoln Central, falling 37-30. The Rebels built up a 15-6 lead after the opening quarter but allowed the Midgets to get back into the game in the second quarter, giving up 17 points while only scoring five to go to intermission down 23-20. ...

HAWARDEN - The Alta-Aurelia and Ridge View wrestling teams both competed in their first meet on Tuesday night in a triangular meet that also involved West Sioux. West Sioux defeated Alta-Aurelia, 66-18 and then bested Ridge View, 69-12. The Warriors got past the Raptors in their dual, 42-36...

“Reality slapped us in the face right now,” Storm Lake Superintendent of Schools Carl Turner said, as the planning toward a new Early Childhood Center was presented to the board of education Wednesday night. That reality is that the district doesn’t have nearly enough money or bonding capacity to cover the cost for a facility of the size needed, which would host an estimated 600 students from pre-K through first grade, along with about 70 staff members...

Several issues have delayed completion of the state project to rebuild “Shorty’s Island” on Storm Lake, but DNR officials say they are pleased with the resulting structure. “We’ve been up against mother nature, and we’ve all been learning how to build an island together,” Department of Natural Resources project engineer Jeff Phelps told the Pilot-Tribune. “Basically what we’ve done is recreate an island that hadn’t existed for a long time.”...

The annual Adopt-A-Family for Christmas program is in full swing. 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. All the families are from Buena Vista County and live at less than 150% of the poverty level. So far, 192 families have been adopted, 32 currently remain...

A somewhat depleted Mayor’s Committee on Parks, Trails and Urban Forestry continued work Wednesday evening on planning for a dog park in Storm Lake. Two of the nine members of the committee formed earlier this year have resigned, and others have struggled to attend the meetings, with four on hand this week...

All in all, city officials feel the 2017 tourism season was a success in Storm Lake. The campground was full most of the summer, with good numbers well into fall, according to City Manager Keri Navratil. The city has fixed storm water issues and provided for frost-free water, which allows foe extending the season into winter, after requests made by oil pipeline workers a year ago...

For Veterans’ Day, Buena Vista Chapter joined the Buena Vista County Historical Society at their museum for their annual Soup and Pie Lunch. The historical society continued their delicious soup and pie offerings as part of their fund raiser. Buena Vista Chapter provided a continuous video presentation about American troops from Revolutionary War days through the Vietnam era...

Precision Agriculture and Animal Science Days, hosted every fall by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach staff in Northwest Iowa, was recently awarded the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Seal of Approval for 2017. The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council focuses on increasing student interest and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics throughout the state. ...

ACCIDENTS On November 29 at approximately 7:50 a.m., in the 1500 Block of W. 5th St. in Storm Lake, a vehicle driven by Linda Johnson of Storm Lake, was involved in an accident with vehicle’s driven by Sarah Ochoa of Storm Lake, Jared Brashears of Storm Lake, and Connie Groat of Storm Lake...

October 9, 1928 - November 27, 2017

U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding a recent report in the Omaha World-Herald that details unauthorized waiting lists outside of the VA patient tracking system for some mental health appointments that date back to 2006...

Storm Lake St. Mary’s Santa’s Secret Workshop will be opening this Saturday, Dec. 2 at the north branch of Citizen’s first National Bank and will be open from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Children can purchase gifts for loved ones at reasonable prices in secret with helpers who will also wrap the gifts...

The holiday spirit of giving was evident at New Reflections in Aurelia Bob Mikos, his daughter Lindy and her son Caleb donated their hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths program which provides real hair wigs free of charge. Stylist Jessie Baker advised “Pantene provides free wigs to those in need, hair donations must be at least 8 inches. ...

The Storm Lake STARS mentoring program has ballooned in numbers, and is seeking tax-deductible donations to help offset the administrative costs. For 2016-17, the program matched 95 students in grades 5-12 with a caring adult from the community who spends at least one hour per week with the student through the school year. ...

The Storm Lake elementary will be putting on an Informance called the “Reindeer Games.” This will take place December 5 at 7 p.m. in the Storm Lake Elemnetary gym. There are over 185 students and are taugh by Mr. Jay Anderson, Mrs. Jacquie Drey, Miss Haley Kohlmeyer, Mrs. Jane Larson, Mrs. Ashley Magnussen, Mrs. Kathy Mc Cabe, Mrs. Ana Phillips and Mrs. Amanda Stuhr...

The Cherokee Jazz and Blues Festival was created in the early 1990s with the idea of bringing great music to the community of Cherokee and the surrounding Northwest Iowa area. Everyone is invited to join us for the fun January 19-20 for this year’s annual edition of our Cherokee Jazz and Blues Festival. Tickets are available now at the chamber of commerce or Mud on Main. A hotel package is also available ...

The Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Fitness & Health Center will begin holding Latin Dance Classes starting in December. Classes will be held on December 7, 14, and 21 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in the Aerobics Room. Classes are free and open to the public. ...

A local artist, Brandon Carter, has used an unconventional method of getting his artistic creations out to the world. He focuses primarily on digital and hand paintings or drawings though mixed media, sculpture and airbrush are a few more of his artistic skills...

UnityPoint at Home - Fort Dodge and Storm Lake continues its success with exceptional patient outcomes, providing quality home care services. The Home Care Elite Report, an annual recognition of the top performing Medicare-certified home health agencies in the United States, was recently released and UnityPoint at Home - Fort Dodge was recognized as a “Top 100” agency and UnityPoint at Home - Storm Lake as a “Top 500” agency...

Storm Lake’s own Genesis Development has been having quite a year as of late – more community outreach with jobs for their clients, recognition for the services they provide, and awards given to area businesses for partnering done in employing people with disabilities. Add to that list being part of a $35,000 award given by Albert City based Valero Renewables ethanol plant, to help benefit local children’s charities, as Genesis was one of six businesses to be recognized...

Aaron Cowles, owner of Majestic Coins and Comics has announced as of December 31 he will be closing his doors. Cowles, who bought Majestic Coins in 2015 was saddened and a bit frustrated when he said about the closing, “With the internet and stores like Walmart it is really hard to keep a brick and mortar store open. You just can’t compete.”...

On Tuesday the Kiwanis guest speaker was Paul Allen. Paul has served as Assistant BV County Attorney
 for a little over four years. He spoke about crime fighting in BV Co. Paul deals specifically with issues related to Magistrate’s Court. The Court works with SL police and sheriff’s office. ...

Tuesday November 21, the guest speaker was Sally Van Houghton. Sally is a member of the Alta High School and Community Library. She spoke specifically of the after school program as part of the city public library. The program provides books, snacks, showing of movies, and other activities. ...

What’s the word? It’s the Warrior Word of course. Warrior Word is a new film program featured at the Alta-Aureila High School. It is made by the students and for the students...parents and teachers too. The beginning for Warrior Word began last spring when Business teacher, Tim Galvin, came up with the idea as part of profession development. ...

Plans are in place for Alta’s “Hometown Christmas” celebration, December 3. The schedule of events includes: • 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. - Vendor Fair at the old high school, sponsored by Ready, Set, Grow • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. - Fireman’s Soup Luncheon at the Fire Station...