Stories from Monday, February 11, 2019

On the evening of Thursday, February 7, at approximately 6:37 p.m. the Storm Lake Fire Department responded to 1020 North Lake Avenue in reference to a strong odor of sulfur in a residence. Upon arrival of fire fighters it was determined that the odor was sewer gas entering the residence through a floor drain in the basement...

Verlee Hoffard, age 82 of Sac City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 6, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City, surrounded by her family. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 9, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City, IA, with Father Joe Dillinger officiating. ...

Robert Skou, age 83, of Ankeny, formerly of Schaller, died on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services were held on Friday, February 8, at 11 a.m. at the First Church of Christ in Ankeny. Visitation took place one hour prior to the service at the church in Ankeny. ...

COUNCIL BLUFFS - The American Red Cross is reissuing its emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now after multiple snow storms, frigid temperatures and the government shutdown further reduced lifesaving donations. In January, more than 4,600 Red Cross blood and platelet donations went uncollected as blood drives were forced to cancel due to severe winter weather blanketing parts of the U.S., and additional cancellations are expected this week. ...

Whether offering parents of an autistic child a break so they can have a night to themselves or connecting them to others who have had similar challenges raising a son or daughter with autism, the Autism Spectrum Support Group of Northwest Iowa has been meeting in Spencer for almost 10 years letting families “know they are not alone.”...

Olivia Larsen reads a statement on behalf of the Newell Fonda National Honor Society. The National Honor Society hosted a baked potato bar tonight at the basketball game and some other activities, all proceeds ($1969.75) were donated to BVRMC Oncology Department, Accepting the check for BVRMC is Oncology Nurse Melissa Temple...

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center and Cardiovascular Associates sponsored, “Ask the Cardiologist Your Heart Questions” presentation at BVRMC February 6. Herbert Hartmann lll, MD, F.A.C.C. was the featured speaker. The well attended Free Lunch & Learn gave the attendees to ask their concerning questions...

Central Bank Staff made a generous donation to CAASA. Money was raised through employee donations to wear blue jeans to work on the last Friday in January. CAASA offers free and confidential supportive services to survivors of sexual violence. Pictured are Central Staff presenting the donation to CAASA Advocate, Jenny Ahlers...

Zena Olerich, Patient Advocate and Katie Schwint, Director of Communications at BVRMC, recently accepted a check in the amount of $2,116.20 from employees at Central Bank. The money was raised at a dinner the bank sponsored at the St. Mary’s Pink-Out Night on Friday, February 1. “We are very thankful for this nice donation for our Oncology patients” stated Katie Schwint...

DES MOINES — The Iowa Legislature is moving forward a series of bills that would legalize sports betting. Lawmakers discussed four bills Wednesday in a Senate subcommittee, and the bills are on the calendar for discussion Thursday by House members. The bills offer opportunities for competing groups, including state-licensed casinos, a horse racing group, the Iowa Lottery and professional sports organizations, to run sports gambling operations...

As international trade continues to be an issue central to farmers throughout Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds reacted positively to the EU’s European Commission decision to allow the use of U.S. soybeans for biodiesels in the EU last week. Prior to the decision, soybean oil byproduct from exported soybeans were unable to be used as fuel in the EU and the byproduct was shipped back to the U.S...

Spencer Community Theatre presents “The Dixie Swim Club” starting this week. Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids, and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other’s lives. ...

The River Rats Dueling Pianos duo will be in the Majestic Pavilion at Arnolds Park Amusement Park for a Valentine’s Day concert. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $10. Jim Steinworth: After years of Rock - n - roll bands, Jim began doing the ‘Dueling Piano’ act in 1990. He has helped open and performed at clubs around the country. He has also ‘dueled’ in Minor League ballparks, NHL hockey games, and amusement parks...

As an entry into the pantheon of great newspaper movies, Steven Spielberg’s Pentagon Papers drama “The Post” is inked with deep affection for the analog apparatus of the newspaper business, circa 1971: the hum of broadsheets rolling through the presses, the metal clanking of handset type, the thump of a newsstand’s morning delivery...

EVERLY — Despite the winter weather, a group of farming professionals gathered inside the Hap Keletsen Community Center Thursday and discussed the new features of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 — alternatively called the farm bill — with Dr. Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor of economics at Iowa State University. The presentation was part of the “2019 Farm Update,” hosted by Cornerstone Insurance and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach...

Following a 3 percent raise for most elected officials across the board, Buena Vista County employees received a proportionate bump in pay. Buena Vista County Supervisors approved the Board of Compensation’s recommendation of 3 percent raises for all elected officials except for the county attorney, plus stipends for the auditor and treasurer, and longevity...

Members of the SOS Board presented a check for $25,000 to St. Mary’s Principals Diane Jones and Ryan Berg at the Pink Out game. All proceeds from sales made at the store benefit the operation of St. Mary’s School. Board members presenting were left – Maggie Reyes, Monse Villegas and President Nick Landgraf. Students are Landgraf’s children Isabelle and William. /Photo Submitted...

The ground hog was wrong. Mother Nature is still in charge. February is Heart Month. Remember that CPR is always a good response for a person who has no heartbeat. Experts suggest you do not need to do the mouth to mouth respirations that were recommended 20 years ago, but a hint is to do the compressions in sync with the disco tune ‘Staying Alive’ made popular by the John Travolta movie called Saturday Night Fever of the 1980s...

The House and Senate this week took steps to send $90 million new dollars to schools for the next school year. It matches the dollar amount proposed by the Governor in her budget in mid-January. The action taken by each chamber ensures that the new funding will be provided to schools in a timely manner, in accordance with state law so schools can get their budgets certified on time...

I have always said that when it comes to the Super Bowl, don’t ever bet against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. So far this winter, Mother Nature is a lot like Brady-she just keeps winning. I have tried to outguess her this year, but she just changes the play and gets the victory in the end. With rain, snow, ice, wind, fog, sleet and extreme cold, I believe we have just about seen it all-and the girls state tournament hasn’t started yet...

First grader Ryan McVinua helps pass out pink sunglasses to attendees at St. Mary’s recent Pink out fundraiser.

Buena Vista University launched a new scholarship program last week for students who are “legacy” - children or grandchildren of university graduates with degrees. Starting next fall, any student with those family ties beginning enrollment will be awarded the $4,000 Legacy Scholarship...

2019 opens up with either the promise of continued, robust economic growth, or a looming recession, for the United States. Job growth figures vary across the country, and it is still not uncommon to see many people holding down two, or more, jobs. Iowa’s unemployment rate fluctuated, for half of last year, between 2.9, and 2.8 percent, finally dropping to an 18-year low of 2.6 percent in July, then down to 2.4 percent in November and December. ...

BVU student relays life lessons learned cooking alongside great-grandmother in award-winning essay

Freshman Buena Vista University elementary education student and track athlete Regan Sylvester drew on her childhood experiences baking cupcakes alongside her great-grandmother to illustrate the importance of integrity in an award-winning essay. The 2018 Sioux Central graduate was selected as the top essayist among all first semester sections of freshmen seminar students...

Storm Lake Elementary School is one of thousands across the country that has joined a Pennies for Patients campaign to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s blood cancer research efforts. One of the students, kindergartener Avril, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015 at age 3 and is currently undergoing treatments monthly...

Just about everybody has that drawer, stuffed with old t-shirts that don’t fit or never get worn any more. A group of local volunteers is turning those cast-offs into new dresses and shorts for impoverished children in Haiti. They were inspired by the We Sew Love ministry, founded by former Storm Lake resident Linda Jacobson, in Birmingham, Alabama...

SAC CITY - The Alta-Aurelia girls’ campaign hit the end of the season wall on Saturday night as they took on East Sac County in a 2A-Region 2 opening round contest. The Warriors hung around a little bit in the first half, but bowed 70-42 to see their season end...

SIBLEY - The 1A-District 6 meet saw two area schools compete for the chance to go to State along with 14 others. Alta-Aurelia took seventh place in the team score and will be sending Alex De Roos and Nick Gaes to Wells Fargo Arena this week. Sioux Central was 14th on the day. West Sioux won the team score and was followed by Woodbury Central and Akron-Westfield...

CORRECTIONVILLE - It was another bit of a slow start on Friday night for the Alta-Aurelia Warriors boys, but they managed to overcome it this time on the road against River Valley. A-A dominated the second half to take a 56-42 decision to close out the regular season...

STORM LAKE - The old basketball saying is that it’s hard to beat a team three times in a season. The St. Mary’s girls found that out the hard way on Friday night in a 1A-Region 1 opening contest against West Bend-Mallard. After besting the Wolverines earlier last week, the Panthers bowed against WB-M, 46-35...

ROCKWELL CITY - Through the first three quarters on Friday night, the Storm Lake defense was able to contain a solid South Central Calhoun offense. However, in the final eight minutes, the SL defense withered away as the Tornadoes dropped an 86-72 decision...

FORT DODGE - It was one of the biggest meets of the year for the wrestlers in 3A-District 4 as they all converged together at Fort Dodge High School with the chance of going to State on the line. The Storm Lake Tornadoes finished fourth out of the eight teams and will be sending two onto State this week as seniors Aaron Ungs and Kail Shannon will represent the green and white at Wells Fargo Arena. Ankeny Centennial took the team win with Fort Dodge and LeMars taking the second and third spots...