Stories from Friday, March 22, 2019

Iowa Meat Processors Association held the 83rd Anniversary Convention and Trade Show in Ames· February 14-17. Approximately 275 people representing 39 processing plants and 44 supplier members attended the event. Cured Meat Competitions were held with the top entries taking home plaques. The awards were presented on Saturday evening at the Awards Banquet attended by 200 people...

Business leaders continue to be confident about Iowa’s economy according to survey results released today by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI). “Business is booming for Iowa’s companies,” said Mike Ralston, ABI president. “Sales continue to be strong for ABI members.”...

A Senate committee has approved a bill that requires all Iowa businesses to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm employees are legally authorized to work in the United States or face losing their business license. The bill is now eligible for Senate debate...

Storm Lake’s very own fighting game tournament returns this Saturday, hosted by Team OniToshi. Everyone is welcome to compete at Lake of Rage V, including the games Street Fighter V, Smash Bros. Ultimate and Yugioh TCG. Play gets underway at 1 p.m. at Lake Avenue Lounge, 615 Lake Avenue. Entry fee is $15 to compete in all three games. See Facebook.com/teamonitoshi for more details...

Legendary guitarist/vocalist Guitar Shorty will be in concert Thursday, May 2, at Byron’s in Pomeroy. Showtime is 8 p.m. Shorty is a giant in the blues world. Credited with influencing both Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy, Guitar Shorty has been electrifying audiences for five decades with his supercharged live shows and his incendiary recordings...

There’s always that moment on roller coasters when the lap bar gets locked down and you slowly, agonizingly ride up to the first drop. You know the next few minutes are going to be harrowing — you just don’t know how bad. So here’s a warning about the new animated amusement park film “Wonder Park” — it’s going to be more harrowing than you can imagine...

Summer is just around the corner, and Buoys Bar & Grill is planning for a full season of fun lakeside concerns at the marina in Storm Lake. Getting things warmed up will be the Summer Kickoff, Memorial Day weekend, with the return of popular Fort Dodge-based band Salty View Acoustic Review. This acoustic foursome blends contemporary country with a little classic rock and everyone’s favorite sing-along pop songs...

In response to Governor Reynolds’ disaster declarations for many Iowa counties, the Iowa Department of Revenue has granted a 30-day extension and suspension of any penalty or interest for taxpayers whose principal residence or business is located in the disaster areas and whose payment or return is due on or before March 31. This includes all tax types...

A Buena Vista University graduate is using the online fundraising site GoFundMe in hopes of raising money to purchase a brick for the proposed South Forum Lawn Patio Project, hoping to make a difference for the campus. Educator Thomas Klett said the brick would be donated in memory of “all of the Philosophy and Religion majors and minors to have burrowed under the cool underground lair that is BVU in Storm Lake, Iowa.” The fund drive goal is $1,000...

On National Ag Day, students at Storm Lake Community School District were the ones enjoying the fruits of a local farmer’s labor. Aronia berries raised by Galva, IA, growers Joel and Wendy Vohs were the star of a new dessert, apple berry crisp, that debuted on the school district’s lunch menu Thursday, March 14. ...

The Storm Lake St. Mary’s Dance Team, the Silversteppers, put on an epic Dance Night performance at the high school last weekend, complete with multiple routines, elementary school dancers choreographed by the team, and special guests from East Sac High School and a local dance studio. ...

May 7, 1928 - March 19, 2019

March 4, 1941 - February 7, 2019

Prevent Child Abuse Iowa invites people across the state to wear blue on Friday, April 5, to show support for children and families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. “‘Wear Blue Day’ is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to collectively and unequivocally draw attention to effective programs and policies that help children and families thrive,” said Liz Cox Director at Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. ...

The Cherokee Industrial Corporation (CIC) is proud to announce their donation of $50,000 to the Cherokee Trail Expansion Project. Their donation provides another boost for the Trail Committee’s ongoing fundraising campaign. Shawn Simonsen of the CIC said, “The mission of CIC is to encourage, promote and assist new and existing businesses in Cherokee. ...

February 2, 1954 - March 18, 2019

While being in the majority and passing legislation is our primary focus, having the majority is also important when it comes to stopping bad legislation. Every bill that is filed has to be assigned to a policy committee and then assigned to a subcommittee. There are hundreds of bills that are filed that never make it beyond the committee process for various reasons...

Arnolds Park Amusement Park this week announced the addition of a new thrill ride, The Wild Mouse. The roller coaster features small individual cars that take many sharp, flat 90-degree and 180 degree turns at moderate speed, creating high “G force” for riders. Arnold Park plans to open the ride by Memorial Day, and will locate it near the go-kart bridge...

The Storm Lake City Council voted unanimously to sell the entire remainder of the city’s Third Addition to a local developer for $300,000, following a public hearing this week with no objections. Joe Aube offered the City $15,000 per lot for the 20 lots remaining, with the school district’s Building and Trades class building homes on two others by previous agreement...

Buena Vista Regional Healthcare Foundation’s annual ‘Life Saver’ fundraiser always takes a top priority to the safety and security of our patients. To deliver that important protection to a precious newborn is critical. Through this generous support, the Cuddles Infant Protection System™ can ease a mother’s mind...

Buena Vista University has approved the launch of the Center for Criminal Justice Studies. The innovative Center–which will be housed in Swope Hall on the BVU campus–will include a simulation room, three crime scene investigation rooms, a meeting area, and classroom space. ...

Residents will have four options to look at as the Storm Lake School Board begins work toward a second attempt at a bond vote for a building project. District officials have been working with the architect for the original plan to produce the four options, which are still being tweaked, but should be ready to release to the public as early as next week. ...

Planning for a possible joint university-city recreation center is currently awaiting site testing by the city in the Scout Park area, which cannot take place until frost is out of the ground. “As part of our conversations, some testing on the site is needed, to see what is possible,” said Buena Vista University President Joshua Merchant, who brought the idea to city leaders. “We’re trying to be pragmatic and thoughtful in our approach.”...

The Storm Lake Community School District released a statement Wednesday night indicating that Storm Lake High School’s principal is being replaced immediately: “The Storm Lake Community School District has accepted the resignation of Beau Ruleaux as principal of Storm Lake High School. The resignation is effective immediately following an investigation that revealed a violation of the policies of the Storm Lake Community School District,” the statement reads...

It’s takes a village—in Storm Lake’s case, a large, diverse one—to raise a child. But seldom are the needs of children thought about and showcased in such a deliberate, city-wide way. That’s something Trevina Jefferson, Director of Trepson Montessori Preschool, wants to change with Day of the Child...

The Storm Lake Albatross rugby club continues to move on despite low numbers this season. Albatross player/coach Daniel Bern stated the numbers are a repeat of what they saw last year, only having five to six guys say they will show up for the first practice...