Stories from Wednesday, March 14, 2018

September 27, 1946 - February 4, 2018

US Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Udall (D-NM), Dean Heller (R-NV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Doug Jones (D-AL), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Angus King (D-ME) introduced the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018, legislation that funds school security improvements and invests in early intervention and prevention programs to stop school violence before it happens.. ...

Rep. Dan Huseman (R-Aurelia) filed his nomination petitions to the Secretary of State’s office to seek re-election to District 3 in the Iowa House of Representatives this fall. Candidates must file an affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions with the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office in Des Moines...

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...

The company that built the Dakota Access oil pipeline says an environmental entity it’s trying to sue for opposing the project was organized enough to fund a rogue group of protesters that allegedly engaged in criminal activity. Earth First provided $500,000 to what became the Red Warrior Camp, a pipeline protest group that Texas-based developer Energy Transfer Partners and law enforcement have accused of advocating aggressive tactics...

FIRE ALARM On the morning of Thursday, March 8, at approximately 10:31 a.m. the Storm Lake Fire Department responded to Elements located at 1701 West Milwaukee Avenue in reference to an automated fire alarm. Upon arrival of fire fighters it was determined that the alarm was accidently activated when the alarm system was being serviced. There was no fire and no damage. The fire department was on scene for approximately 10 minutes and was assisted at the scene by the Storm Lake Police Department.

The public came together to save Arnolds Park Amusement Park in 2012, raising $7 million to keep the local landmark from being developed. The now-nonprofit park has kept the momentum going with the Historic Arnolds Park Incorporated Board’s “Restore the Park” campaign. ...

Iowa Public Television (IPTV), along with partner Storm Lake Elementary, invites families attending Storm Lake Schools to attend Family Fun Night. This free event will include a variety of fun activities for families. The Cat in the Hat of PBS KIDS’ The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! will meet and pose for photographs with fans...

Long before highways and interstates, travelers in Iowa got from place to place via trails. The Spencer Public Library will be hosting Cherie Haury-Artz, education assistant with the Office of State Archeology at the University of Iowa, for a program entitled “Iowa’s Ancient Trails.” The free program will be conducted at 11 a.m. March 17. Haury-Artz will highlight some of Iowa’s most enduring paths, focusing in particular on a trail located near Spencer...

The Pearson Lakes Art Center is pleased to announce that the Open Jam is coming back to the PLAC. The center is partnering with the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association for this event, where musicians are invited to bring their instruments and voices, and sign up to perform with house band, Sly James and the New City Council. ...

Soulful blues, roots and folk music is on tap as Stutterin’ Jimmy and the Goosebumps visit Byron’s in Pomeroy, Sunday, April 29, 5-9 p.m. The indie band out of Des Moines features front man Jim Enos, who has coped with a debilitating stutter since the age of 5. ...

Storm Lake High School speech students performed for the public at their Speaker’s Cafe on Thursday, March 8. The individual speech participants from SLHS had a successful day of State Speech at Carroll Kuemper on Saturday, March 10. The team brought home 14 ‘I’ ratings and three ‘II” ratings. Four pieces were nominated as ‘Outstanding’ and will perform at the IHSSA All-State Festival at UNI on March 26...

The Keep Iowa Beautiful Board of Trustees has announced the 2018 annual award winners for enhancing the beauty, cleanliness and attractiveness of the state of Iowa. The tiny area town of Varina is one of the four honorees. The recipients will be presented their awards by Governor Kim Reynolds at the State Capitol on Monday, March 20. She will be proclaiming April as Keep Iowa Beautiful month with a ceremonial proclamation signing...

On the morning of Sunday, March 11, at approximately 3:01 a.m. Storm Lake Police were on location in the parking lot at the Malarky’s Night Club conducting a bar check. Police allege they observed a silver Ford back out of a parking place and continue to back towards a group of pedestrians...

Anne Dahlhauser, The Bridge of Storm Lake’s co-founder, has stepped down from her role as CEO, the local neighborhood-based ministry announced online. Anne stated her desire to pass the baton to other capable leaders as well as pursuing opportunities for her to use her background in Spanish and English education...

On the afternoon of Sunday, March 11, at approximately 3:49 p.m. the Storm Lake Fire Department responded to 206 Cedar Street in Lakeside, in reference to smoke coming from the front door of the residence. Upon arrival of fire fighters they determined that a small area behind the house siding, under the front door was smoldering. The occupants of the home poured water on the burning siding and extinguished the fire...

On the morning of Sunday, March 11, at approximately 8:14 a.m. the Storm Lake Fire Department responded to the intersection of Bair Street and Oneida Street in reference to a vehicle on fire. Upon arrival of fire fighters they observed a parked 1984 pickup truck with a fire burning in the engine compartment. Fire fighters extinguished the fire...

On the evening of Monday, March 12, at approximately 9 p.m. a Storm Lake Police Officer stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of East Railroad Street for a traffic offense. Upon contacting the driver police identified him as Luis Contreras Garcia, age 35 of Storm Lake. ...

The Catholic School Foundation of the Diocese of Sioux City is pleased to announce Sister Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, as the keynote speaker for the 22nd Annual Bishop’s Dinner for Catholic Schools. The dinner will take place Sunday October 21, at the Sioux City Convention Center...

March 26-30, is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa. Buena Vista County Emergency Management Agency, the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department (HSEMD) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have joined together to promote severe weather awareness and preparedness during this week...

It came as a surprise but the Newell-Fonda FFA will be receiving at donation of $1,427 from the Dakota Access Pipeline. This donation is provided to make a positive impact in the communities in which they do business. The Newell-Fonda FFA has three large events coming up within the next month. ...

On a split vote, representatives of the area counties in the Rolling Hills Mental Health Service Region have agreed to propose adding Woodbury County to the group. That decision will bring the proposal before the board of supervisors in each of the Rolling Hills counties, including Buena Vista, next week...

29-year-old Sarah Ann Jensen of Newell, was killed in an accident Friday night in Webster County. She was the passenger in a northbound pickup truck driven by her husband, Joshua Jensen, when she reportedly fell from the truck and was struck by another vehicle, near the intersection of Highway 169 and 170th Street...

Congressional candidate Leann Jacobsen of Spencer believes northwest Iowa is an amazing part of the state, full of amazing resources. Incumbent Steve King, she said, under-represents and misrepresents the region, leaving northwest Iowa to miss out on opportunities to build a stronger economy. Northwest Iowa can be the District that could feed and fuel the world, she suggested in a visit with local Democrats Saturday. Her message touched on gun control, taxation, health care and other issues...

There always seems to be something happening over at Newell Cafe, as Christeena Simmons, and her husband Mark, continue to grow the business outreach in the community, as their new arcade opened last month. “When we opened the laundromat, we thought it would be nice to have an area to give something to do, while they are washing their clothes. ...

In two decades, Habitat for Humanity has made a difference in a growing community where housing is always in tight supply, giving modest income families an opportunity to achieve a dream of home ownership. The volunteer-driven program is building its 16th home this season, with hopes for a dedication in May. In June, it plans to break ground on its first duplex project, on Oates Street, with two single-mother families in line for the housing...

DES MOINES - This past weekend 1750 of Iowa’s best archers flocked to Des Moines to compete in the state archery tournament. There were two divisions at this year’s tournament – Bullseye and 3D. Northwest Iowa flexed its muscle proving to be an elite area in the state for competitive archery. ...

When Buena Vista University women’s basketball coach Janet Berry announced her decision to step down and head the women’s golf program, the search for the new head coach was quick as Dana Christen, long time assistant under Berry, was tabbed to take over...

June 1, 1939 - February 10,2018