Stories from Wednesday, March 7, 2018

On Thursday, January 25, the Storm Lake Police Department took a report in connection with the ongoing physical abuse of three small children by multiple members of their father’s family and an acquaintance to the father. The alleged incidents of abuse to the three children ages 11, 8 and 7 were forwarded to the Storm Lake Police by the Iowa Department of Human Services after they removed the children from their father’s home following allegations of his ongoing use and abuse of methamphetamine...

Former Director of Officials for the Iowa High School Athletic Association Roger “Smokey” Barr is one of 12 prominent athletic figures in America who will be inducted into the National Federation of High School Associations this summer. The induction ceremony is the closing session of the 99th Annual NFHS Summer Meeting in Chicago, June 28-July 2 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel & Convention Center...

Last week was very busy with committee meetings on House bills and floor debate on Senate bills. The Heartbeat Bill and the tax relief bill passed on Wednesday. The discussion regarding traffic cameras has been around the capitol for many years. Last year, the Legislature passed a bill regulating the use of traffic cameras in Iowa. On Tuesday, the Senate passed a complete ban of traffic cameras in the state 31-18...

Iowa is the best state in the nation according to a US News and World Report survey ranking the states on over 80 separate factors. Iowa ranked in the top 20 in infrastructure, health care, opportunity, education, quality of life, crime, economy, and fiscal stability. ...

GLENVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Wind turbines have become as commonplace in parts of the rural Midwest as tree-sheltered farmhouses, gray-metal grain bins and deeply furrowed fields. The slowly spinning blades are a sign of investment in a region that often has few growth opportunities to brag about...

One of America’s favorite holidays, St. Patrick’s Day, is March 17, and there continues to be a spike in drunk-driving crashes on this date every year. In order to make Iowa roads safer all across the state drivers will notice heightened traffic enforcement March 14 – 17. Law enforcement officers will especially be watching for drunk drivers and vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg will meet voters in Ida Grove, on Saturday, March 17, to share their vision for education, energy and opportunity in Iowa. The St. Patrick’s Day event will be held at the Skate Palace, 201 Oak Grove Dr., on the west side of Ida Grove. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program starts at 6 p.m. The event is free, open to the public and will feature a light supper and Irish and patriotic music...

ACCIDENTS On March 5, at approximately 5:40 p.m., at 1009 Richland in Storm Lake, a vehicle owned by Too Ber of Storm Lake, was struck by a vehicle driven by Robert Neubauer of Alta. Total damages were estimated at $550. ----------------------------------------------...

Val Decker, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Rehab Office Specialist is our newest artist displaying her photography with everyone that visits BVRMC. Val started photography when her oldest son was a senior in high school. She thought to herself how hard could it be to take photos? Decker’s husband went out and bought her a camera and from then on she has been shooting pictures...

Buena Vista University’s student organization, Student MOVE (Mobilizing Outreach & Volunteer Efforts), will be hosting the annual Glass Slipper Shop event on the BVU campus. The event is open to members of the Storm Lake and surrounding communities on the following dates and times:...

Iowa State University Extension and SALUD Multicultural Health Coalition of Storm Lake will be hosting a place-based leadership program at Our Place Cultural Center starting in April. Leading Communities is a research- based program developed by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. It is designed to teach community members skills they need for interacting and working together to promote sustainable community development...

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced appointments on Thursday to fill Iowa’s boards and commissions. The following area appointees begin their terms on May 1, and are subject to Senate confirmation: Agricultural Development Board • Mark Leonard, Holstein Board of Pharmacy...

The Help Us Stop Hunger program, sponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, provides about 70,000 pounds of meat each year to the Food Bank of Iowa. HUSH was piloted in 2003 to decrease the overpopulation of deer in the state and to provide a high-quality protein source for Iowa’s neediest residents...

On the afternoon of Friday, March 2, at approximately 4:45 p.m., the Storm Lake Police Department responded to 1607 Maple Street in reference to locating a wanted person. Upon arrival at the residence police were speaking an occupant when they allegedly observed Devin Steel, age 35 of Storm Lake run out of the back of the residence. Steel was wanted out of Buena Vista County on a warrant in connection with Possession of a Controlled Substance...

The City of Storm Lake will like to invite the community to come meet Mayor Porsch. The Mayor will be hosting several sessions over the next year to collect information and ideas on what citizens want to see in our Community.  Meet the Mayor is scheduled for March 8, from 5-6 p.m. in the Council Chambers...

Joining the lineup for this year’s LakeFest in Storm Lake is Levon, a Nashville band that Rolling Stone labeled among the “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know” for 2017. “The tight harmonies and sun-soaked melodies of the Beach Boys, but from the Gulf Coast not the West Coast,” the magazine said of the trio...

The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. ...

The Irish House Party will be held on St. Patrick’s eve, Friday, March 16 at the Fort Museum Opera House in Fort Dodge. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dancing starts at 7. There will bemsuic by KT Productions, Irish fun and games, $2 draft beer, 50/50 Irish Drawing, and snacks available...

Six Appeal is a world-class vocal ensemble infused with sharp comedic timing and the energy and vitality of a rock band. The vocal band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8 in the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre. Swearing off instruments, the award winning vocal band takes the audience on a journey that spans decades of music – performing classic oldies, current chart toppers and catchy original tunes – completely a cappella. ...

DES MOINES (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents isn’t expected to make a final decision on tuition increases at the state’s three public universities until June, meaning students will have only a few weeks to make financial plans before the start of the next academic year...

Nine Buena Vista University (BVU) business students and nine science students have been selected for the Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award for the 2017 calendar year. Area students who were selected include: • Josh Demers, who is a senior business major from Storm Lake...

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation is now accepting applications for Business Horizons, Iowa’s ultimate college and career summer program for high school students (grades 9-12). During the week, participants gain unique hands-on experience in the world of business and entrepreneurship, learn about career opportunities in Iowa, develop their leadership and workplace skills and much more...

The Buena Vista County Soil & Water Conservation District recently held their middle school essay contest. This year’s theme was “Clean Water Starts With You”. Trophies were awarded to the top three in each grade. The District would like to thank the BVU School of Education for their help in judging our essays...

Kara Clausen of Albert City, a junior at Bethel University in St. Paul, has been named to the Dean’s List for academic excellence for the fall 2017 semester. She is the daughter Kent and Deb Clausen.

Cornell College named 218 students to its Dean’s List for the fall 2017 semester, including Jacob Luedtke of Storm Lake. Students must earn a minimum of a 3.6 GPA for the semester to be honored.

The University of Dubuque congratulates the following student on being appointed to the Fall Semester 2017 Academic Dean’s List. To be named to the Dean’s List a student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for that semester...

Average retail gasoline prices in Iowa have fallen 1 cent per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.57/gallon early this week. This compares with the national average that has fallen 5.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.51. Storm Lake pump prices have fallen more dramatically, easing down from $2.40 to $2.31 as of Monday at many stations. Alta prices were typically higher, at $2.40 Monday. All the area prices remain a bargain compared to Des Moines, where gas was selling for $2.77...

As we approach Easter, various denominations are celebrating Lent, or pre-Easter, with observances and rituals that run deep in tradition, and spirituality. Churches look to the main theology of Christ’s death, and resurrection, in a manner that aligns with their own faith. From abstaining from certain foods on certain days, giving up or changing habits, special prayers, and services, every church does what is in its doctrine for the season, leading up to Easter...

It took Iowa artist and songwriter Chad Elliott just 20 minutes to finish writing “Home of the Brave Children.” The song was inspired by survivors of the Parkland, Florida, shooting speaking out against gun violence. “I write a lot,” Elliott said. “This particularly came when I was watching kids being interviewed after the Florida shooting. ...

Storm Lake Police have made an arrest of a local man who had been sought for months in an investigation into illegal drug sales in the city. Saturday afternoon, a SLPD officer stopped a vehicle in the 200 block of East Railroad Street for a traffic offense...

The lone finalist for the soon-to-be-vacated superintendent position at Newell-Fonda and Albert City-Truesdale schools is a familiar face - former Newell-Fonda principal and Newell-Fonda/AC-T Superintendent Jeff Dicks. Following the announcement that Superintendent Rob Olsen will leave the districts at the end of the school year, a stakeholder survey was offered, which resulted in 193 total responses from students, teachers, support staff, parents, community members, and administrators...

The developers of Smokin’ Hereford restaurant will be hoofing it across town to take over management of the Storm Lake Marina this spring. The city council supported a three-year contract with the local entrepreneurs, with some details still to work out, during Monday’s meeting...

The search for former Six on Six basketball players continues at Clay County Heritage. They are looking for women who previously played Six on Six basketball to participate in an exhibition game as part of a Granny Basketball League tournament held on Saturday April 28, 2018 at the Spencer High School Field House. A new informational meeting for interested players will be held Tuesday, March 13 at 5 p.m. at the Clay County Heritage Center on 7 Grand Avenue in Spencer...

With the conclusion of the 2017-18 girls basketball season, the Twin Lakes Conference released the All-Team lists along with TLC coach of the year. Three young ladies from the area were named to the All-TLC first team. Newell-Fonda junior Olivia Larsen earned first team honors as she finished third in scoring, second in assists, second in steals and third in total rebounds this season. ...

With the end of the girls’ basketball season and all the Lakes Conference teams done for the year, the first, second and honorable mentions have been released. Storm Lake did not have a player on the first team this season but did see someone make the second team in senior Briana Soto...

Senior Regan Sylvester has committed and signed a letter of intent to continue her track skills at Buena Vista University next year. Sylvester has been a talented runner for the Sioux Central Girls Team for the last three years both locally and at the state level. ...

With the conclusion of the basketball season for our area girls’ teams, it is time to announce the All-Area teams, honorable mentions, Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. It was difficult choosing this season as our area girls played well over the past few months...

Storm Lake senior Briana Soto has been a fixture for Tornado girls’ athletics the past four years playing basketball, soccer and softball. As a freshman, Soto didn’t see much success on the basketball court or on the softball field, the two sports combining for zero wins. However, as her career has gone on as a Tornado, the win percentage has gotten better and Soto has been a part of it...

November 13, 1955 - March 5, 2018