Stories from Friday, April 20, 2018

The trucker who has admitted to his role in a human smuggling scheme that resulted in the deaths of 10 illegal immigrants in Texas last July will spend the rest of his life in prison. James Matthew Bradley Jr., 61, was given two concurrent life sentences with no chance of parole, though his attorneys argued for a change to a manslaughter charge that could have brought a more lenient sentence...

SIOUX CITY (AP) — It was just after 1 a.m. Dec. 15 when 18-year-old Devon Simons walked into the Kum & Go, pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the clerk and demanded cigarettes and cash. He left with 13 packs and nearly $1,000. In under an hour, Sioux City Police officers apprehended Simons at another Kum & Go. Upon his capture, police found he had used a BB gun, not a real firearm, to hold up the clerk...

Paddlers are itching to get out on the water after this year’s long and cold winter. Review these simple safety tips before you head out on the water for your first paddling trip this year. Check your canoe or kayak for any needed repairs or maintenance after being stored for several months. Look for holes and leaks, make sure all hatch lids fit snug and securely and check your paddle blades for signs of cracking or splitting...

On April 17, team members from the Tyson Foods Pork facility in Storm Lake, presented the proceeds of a food drive to Upper Des Moines Opportunity food pantry.  The food drive was put together on behalf of local Cub Scout Pack 105, in connection with their annual Scouting for Food event...

On what would normally be a bustling morning with the chamber full of Representatives, clerks, and pages Thursday, April 19, the chamber is nearly deserted with just a few Representatives present. As of Tuesday, the last scheduled day and the 100th day of the session, we are in overtime. ...

A “Jack of Hearts” benefit is being planned for baby Jack Liam Palmer, Sunday, April 22 at the Fonda Fire/EMS Station, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. A free-will donation will be taken at the door for a pork loin sandwich lunch. Carryouts are available in Fonda, by calling 712-288-5799. Donation may also be made at the 1st Community Banks in Fonda, Newell, Pomeroy or Rockwell City...

ACCIDENTS On April 17, at approximately 1:24 p.m., in the 1800 Block of Lake Ave. in Storm Lake, a vehicle driven by Elizabeth Funk of Storm Lake, was involved in an accident with a vehicle driven by Elizabeth Delp of Storm Lake. The two vehicles collided causing total damages estimated at $4000.

Dog obedience classes are being offered at the Sac County Extension and Outreach Office parking lot for adults and 4-H members. The classes will be every Thursday starting May 10 at 6 p.m. and the classes will run until the Sac County Fair. The cost will be $15 and a vet record must be brought to the first class...

Pollinators are a diverse group and play an important role in the ecosystem as well as our own lives. Come out to Gabrielson Park to learn all about the many different pollinator species and how to attract them to your yard. Naturalist Katie will provide information on native plants you can grow in your own backyard. ...

There’s a new breed of competitive athlete that’s vying for your attention on the sports scene today, and they are unlike any we have witnessed before. Instead of playing on a field, or pounding down a hardwood court, this new breed of athlete sits behind computer equipment that’s especially tuned to their skill set...

The UnityPoint clinic in Fonda will be closing on Wednesday, April 25, due to low patient numbers and a building lease ending. “High quality care to patients is a priority, and this was a difficult decision,” a spokesperson for UnityPoint said. The patients currently served there will be able to continue their care at other practices out of Sac City and Lake View, where health professionals who served in Fonda will continue to practice. ...

Buena Vista University is set to host the 130th Iowa Academy of Science (IAS) Annual Meeting and the 86th Iowa Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) Science Symposium on April 20-21. To date, more than 100 poster and oral presentations by undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers from across the state of Iowa will be presented at the conference. ...

Five area artists will take their artwork to the Iowa Artists State Show and Competition in Des  Moines on May 12. Arts on Grand in Spencer hosted the Iowa Artists Regional Art Show on April 7. This regional competition includes artists from 14 counties.  The blue ribbon winners are Karen Forbes of Spencer, Connie Gilmore of Sioux Rapids, Pat Johnson of Spencer, Dan Harry of Sioux City, and Deb Madsen Burow of Spencer.  The blue ribbon winners from  regional shows advance to the  Iowa Artists State competition,  a one day event with judging and critique of  award winning works.. ...

The City of Storm Lake is dodging debt for the North Central Storm Water project. Phase II of that project was approved in 2015 as a $1.7 million project, mostly funded by a Community Development Block Grant and state Revolving Loan funds. It appears that the project will coming in well under budget, saving the city money on its 25 percent match. ...

It’s truly a family affair when the Browns hit the stage with their gospel music. The vocal musical styling of Shelly, Jessica, Nick, Michaela, Adam and Andrew exude excitement on the stage and offer a life-changing experience to all who hear them. The Browns deliver the powerful message of the gospel through word and song that engage audiences of all ages...

Leapin’ Lizards. Buena Vista Community Theatre will hold auditions for the classic musical ‘Annie’ at the Roxy Theater on Main Street in Alta. Adults and teens are invited to audition on Saturday, April 22 from 2-4 p.m. and Sunday, April 22 from 4-6 p.m. ...

Relive the good ol’ days of classic TV shows at BVCT’s musical variety show “As Seen on TV!” A performance is on tap tonight, Friday, April 20th at 7 p.m. at the Roxy Theatre on Main Street in Alta. Admission is by free-will donation at the door (suggested $5 per person.) Proceeds will go towards starting a BVCT college scholarship fund...

Storm Lake Honda has moved its growing business to Expansion Boulevard, and the change of location for the family owned and operated business has been an expanding experience. An anchor of the business community in Storm Lake for over 40 years, Storm Lake Honda made the jump from its old location on Milwaukee Avenue to the new location at a convenient proximity to both Route 71 and Highway 7...

Even amidst struggles, the show will go on in Alta this July, according to Denny Weber, president of the Buena Vista County Fair Board. The Buena Vista County Fair is hard at work preparing to showcase its new entertainment line up this summer, even with uncooperative weather and challenges. Planning for each fair starts right after one ends, which means an entire year of effort is put in to what visitors see each summer...

Author Tommy Murray is a retired teachers that taught in the Minneapolic Public Schools. He and his wife, Mary Ann live in Shorewiew, MN. The setting of his novel takes place in rural Iowa during the 1970 baseball season. Murray’s nocel Fathers, Sons, and the Holy Ghosts of Baseball follows 14 year-old T.J. along with a band of misbehaving teens and three cantakerous old coaches. All are trying to reach the summit of winning the state championship for Holy Trinity High School...

These are exciting times for the Ready, Set, Grow! day care program in Alta. With both the infant and toddler rooms full to capacity and a waiting list growing, the Alta-Aurelia School District recently gave permission for the program to expand into two more classrooms at the former high school building. Space has become available as the district completed a preschool addition adjacent to the elementary in Alta, allowing preschool classes to move from the older building...

Mr. Braunschweig, a member of the Alta-Aurelia Education Association, applied for and received an ISEA Community Outreach Grant sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association. The grants are designed to promote community service projects, help fund, and build relationships with families and students in the community...

Forecasters say minor flooding is expected following the spring storm that dumped several inches of snow on most of northern Iowa. Up to a foot of snow was reported Thursday in some areas. Minor flooding on the Rock River at Rock Rapids, the Ocheyedan River near Spencer and the Little Sioux River at Cherokee is anticipated...

OMAHA, Neb. — Court filings show that all the Younkers and Herberger’s stores in Nebraska and Iowa will be closed as part of their corporate owner’s sale to liquidators. On Wednesday a judge approved the sale of Bon-Ton Stores Inc. to a joint venture of two liquidation firms and a group of company bondholders. Court records show the liquidation sales must be completed by Aug. 31...

New Buena Vista University President Josh Merchant paid his first visit to the Storm Lake City Council this week, and plans to make reports a few times each year - a first for the university. He reviewed several projects at BVU, including the $15.1 million renovation of the Forum building. ...

The Storm Lake Board of Education is leaning toward buying a slightly larger parcel of land at the site where a proposed new Early Childhood Center is being planned. The extra land is available, but would add about $50,000 to the cost. Instead of 17 acres originally announced for purchase on the west edge of the city, the land footprint would be nearly 19 acres, an arrangement the consulting architecture firm prefers, giving the most flexibility for building design. ...

The Storm Lake School Board this week approved investments for computer technology, curriculum materials and musical instruments. In an annual discussion on technology needs, the district approved nearly $127,000 in computer and related equipment purchases for the current academic year, including 250 Chromebooks 10 convertible Chromebooks, 23 larger Chromebooks for the Alternative High School program, 72 HP ProBook laptops and 20 HP ProDesk workstations with monitors, as well as carts and Google management licenses.. ...

Gone are the days of hearty chili and mouth-watering cinnamon rolls—the kinds of meals that parents of today may remember getting at school. School lunches seem to be getting smaller, according to local concern, but a new state law does encourage schools to give them to students, regardless of their ability to pay...

The public is cordially invited to a special worship experience with the Living Water Church Choir, presenting traditional African Christian music and testimonies. The service will begin at 9:15 a.m. Sunday April 22, at Riverside Evangelical Free Church, 102 West High Street, in Linn Grove. A free-will offering will be taken, followed by a potluck luncheon. Living Water Church is a growing African refugee congregation serving the greater Des Moines area...

May 27, 1938 - April 19, 2018

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Buena Vista softball team was one out away from a key doubleheader sweep at Nebraska Wesleyan on Tuesday afternoon, but after dropping a heartbreaking 10-9 (9 inning) contest to begin the day, the Beavers did respond with a 7-3 triumph in game two to earn the split...

ONAWA - The Alta-Aurelia boys track team were able to sandwich a meet in on Tuesday evening and walked away with a first place finish over 11 other teams. The Warriors scored 121.25 points with Missouri Valley and West Monona taking second and third respectively...

April 17, 2018

May 6, 2015 - April 16, 2018

April 20, 2018

July 27, 1926 - April 18, 2018