Stories from Friday, November 30, 2018

JOHNSTON – By choosing cleaner-burning, higher-performing E15 this October, drivers across Iowa raised $17,000 for breast cancer support services and research as part of the 3rd annual Pink at the Pump® campaign, co-sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and Iowa Corn Promotion Board...

The City of Storm Lake is moving forward with Alliant Energy’s planned $6-8 million expansion near Radio Road and Highway 7, plans which could potentially act as a catalyst for future commercial development in that area. The new facility will serve as an operations center for the energy giant, servicing their 210-megawatt Richland Wind Farm in Sac County scheduled to come online by early 2020, as well as operations in Pocahontas County. ...

The City of Storm Lake has closed 100 feet of Seneca Street in front of McDonald’s, from East 7th Street to the edge of East Milwaukee Avenue, for installation of a new sewer and water service for a Scooter’s Coffee Kiosk coming soon. The drive-through kiosk will be in the parking lot shared by Fareway. The closure will continue until 8 a.m. on Monday. / Photo by Elijah Decious...

The Fort Dodge Area Symphony is preparing its seasonal tribute to the holidays, to be held Sunday, December 2, 3 p.m. at the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium. The orchestra will perform familiar sounds of the season in this family friendly concert. From classic tunes O Tannenbaum and Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers with some thrilling audience favorites in between, the concert will conclude with Respighi’s crowd-pleasing finale from Pines of Rome. Tickets at the door will be $10...

Tickets go on sale today for a just-announced show with 1980s supergroup Styx and comedy icon Larry the Cable Guy, March 28 at Tyson Events Center in Sioux City. Billed as “Laugh. Rock. Seriously,” pop’s blue-collar men are teaming up with a blue-collar comedian...

Children’s favorite “Peppa Pig Live” will be on stage at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City this weekend, Saturday, December 1, 4 p.m. In the show, themed “Peppa Pig’s Surprise,” it’s a lovely day and Peppa is playing outside with her friends. ...

Neil Anders will be featured in a free concert at Lake Avenue Lounge as part of the Miracle on Lake Avenue celebration in Storm Lake December 6. Neil will be performing from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show is open to all ages. The Lake City singer/guitarist/songwriter has a wide repertoire, ranging from classic rock and country to newer folk and alternative/indie...

The 2nd annual Guitars and Gifts is a country music concert, that with the help of Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc., will put a smile on every child’s face this holiday season. Nashville hit maker, Jordan Davis will be headlining with CJ Solar and Manson’s Scott Kirkhart kicking things off...

A modern-day Iowa artist is following in the footsteps of a distant relative - literally - to explore the art of the American “New Deal.” Cedar Rapids studio artist and printmaker Robert D. Peterson traveled to Storm Lake on something of a pilgrimage to visit a historic but little-known piece of art...

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center celebrates employee and school nurse, Twyla Kleen, RN as 2018 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year. Nurses play a critical role in moving forward the mission of March of Dimes. Twyla supports that mission through her role of school nurse. She has served Storm Lake Community School District for nearly 30 years as health care provider and educator...

Laurens Festival of Trees will be held December 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 at the Laurens United Methodist Church. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Over 75 displays of all kinds including decorated trees and wreaths will be featured. Admission is by free will donation...

Everyone knows the story about a brilliant star shining over the place where Jesus was born on the very first Christmas Eve. Or do we? What was that star? Where did it come from? Summit Church of Alta is pleased to host a world-renowned expert on the Star of Bethlehem, Dr. Colin Nicholl. He recently authored The Great Christ Comet: Revealing the True Star of Bethlehem, where he shares fascinating insights on this celestial wonder that has captivated people for centuries...

November 28, 1956 - November 20, 2018

November 10, 1926 - November 25, 2018

July 30, 1942 - November 19, 2018

September 4, 1945 - November 27, 2018

On the morning of Monday, November 26, the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to the Storm Lake High School in reference to a student being disruptive in class. Upon arrival police met with school staff and determined that the 15 year old male of Storm Lake had been calmed down by school staff. Police allege that while on location at the school they had occasion to be near the juvenile’s vehicle and could detect the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle...

As temperatures drop throughout northwest Iowa and its various waterways, some anglers have already began the ice fishing season. With a season of more stable below freezing temperatures nearing, Joe Yarkosky, Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officer, encouraged safety at all times on the frozen surfaces, noting safety is never guaranteed whether the ice is thick or thin...

While the final 2018 harvest numbers are not expected to be confirmed until August 2019, local agricultural officials agreed preliminary data suggests a weaker than anticipated yield for both corn and soybean crops. Clay County farmers experienced a wide range of results in the field due to adverse weather which plagued the area throughout the season...

HUD has funded a local project for flood mitigation, soil retention and nutrient reduction on the North Raccoon. This is a cooperative watershed plan with target areas in Outlet Creek, (Storm Lake), Swan Lake (Laurens) and Prairie Creek (Newell). Marius Agua is project coordinator.  Kris Kohl, ISU Extension Field Engineer is assisting as project partner. ...

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health received a $7,000 grant from the O’Brien County Community Foundation/Siouxland Community Foundation for outdoor playground equipment for Camp Autumn. Camp Autumn is a therapeutic camp for children, located at 4233 Yew Avenue in Sutherland, Iowa. Camp Autumn, an extension of Autumn’s Center, a regional children’s center located in Spencer, Iowa, served over 140 children through nine weeks of summer day camps in 2017 and over 200 children in 2018...

On the world wide web, you have to avoid being a fish—the victim of “phishing,” that is, among other types of tricks and scams. Phishing, a type of social engineering, is getting trickier to avoid each year. The type of social engineering that frames communications to help an online fiend get access to what they want has plagued everyone from the stay-at-home mom to the highest ranks of government. It’s just one of many security issues to keep your eyes peeled for...

The City of Storm Lake is gathering suggestions from the business community on what’s working and what’s not with snow removal and parking in the winter. Storm Lake’s 50 miles of paved streets equates to 110 lane miles, not including all publicly-owned parking lots around parks and other recreational areas—and they’re not cheap to plow. Just two inches of snow costs the city over $28,000 to plow...

The Adopt-A-Family for Christmas project has seen a heart-warming season, with 183 families adopted as the holiday deadline nears. 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...

The northwest Iowa Roman Catholic diocese is defending its decision to continue employing a priest who told police he was trying to rape a woman when he was arrested with his pants off in an Iowa mall in 2013. The Diocese of Sioux City issued a statement this week for the first time acknowledging the 5-year-old incident involving the Rev. ...

The Iowa Environmental Council and Environmental Law & Policy Center have filed a petition asking the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to establish and enforce numeric criteria for nutrients in significant Iowa recreation lakes, including Storm Lake...

Another gem in business is going out soon—this time it’s the one that sells jewelry. With a heavy heart, Berg Jewelry announced its closing earlier this month after owner Steve Berg’s leukemia diagnosis. “You just can’t believe it,” he said of the diagnosis. “It just rocks your world.”...

PONDERING - A youngster stops to consider the ultimate question: “What do you want for Christmas,” posed by the holiday hero himself at Santa’s Castle in Storm Lake. The attraction is open now through December 26. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen

ESTHERVILLE - The Sioux Central girls lost a tough overtime contest against Estherville-Lincoln Central on Tuesday night, 63-59. ELC enjoyed a three point lead after the first quarter, 15-12. The Rebels fought back in the second quarter to take the lead going to the break, 31-25. ...

ALTA - Tuesday night marked the opening of the 2018-19 wrestling season for both Alta-Aurelia and Ridge View. The Warriors went 2-1 on the night, bested Ridge View and Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, while falling to West Sioux. Ridge View went 1-2 as they were able to beat H-M-S but fell to West Sioux and A-A...

ESTHERVILLE - The Sioux Central boys basketball team was in a back and forth battle for the entire 32 minute duration of Tuesday night’s game against Estherville-Lincoln Central. In the end, the Rebels were able to pull out a five point victory, 63-58 to start their season off with a win...

SIOUX CITY - The start of the 2018-19 season has gone the same as last year’s did for the Storm Lake girls. After dropping their first two games, Sioux City North was on the schedule. Much like last year, the green and white girls were able to knock off the 5A school, taking this year’s game on the road by 16 points, 50-34...

NEWELL - The first eight minutes of the Tuesday night contest between the Newell-Fonda and Spencer set the tone for the entire contest. The Mustangs pounced on the Tigers and had a 30 point edge after the first quarter and cruised to an 89-40 win, their second victory of the season...

SIOUX CITY - The new season began with excitement for the Storm Lake boys as their opener against Sioux City North came down to the wire on Tuesday night. However, the green and white were on the wrong side of the scoreboard as the final horn went off, dropping a 75-72 decision to begin their year...

NEWELL - Basketball is a game of momentum. Sometimes the pendulum swings farther in one direction, but at times, it can swing back the other way hard. Newell-Fonda, down by as many as 15 on Tuesday night, saw the momentum swing back their way against Spencer. The Mustang boys needed an overtime period but were able to take a five point win, 75-70 to start their season...