Stories from Monday, September 9, 2019

For as long as most of us can remember, Ruble’s Service stood the test of time on the corner of Main and Roosevelt in Cherokee. The glossy white, single story building with big blue letters shouting out “STANDARD” stood proudly on the corner lot and withstood the floods of six decades. It was still there when the gas shortages of the 1970’s decimated the industry and remained viable even though it no longer served as a gas station...

Images from the Kiwanis Kar Show in Storm Lake Labor Day weekend.

Everything is ready for the 2019 Sac County Quilt-A-Fair on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22 at the fairgrounds in Sac City. The show committee members are ready to receive over 300 beautiful quilt entries on Wednesday, September 18 or Thursday, September 19 between 1 p.m. ...

Two documents establish the identity of the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 established us as a nation. The Constitution, signed in 1787, established a federal government that is still in use today. Independence Day is a beloved national celebration. ...

LAKE CITY - The St. Mary’s volleyball team had a chance to play two on Thursday night when they went southeast for a triangular meet that also featured Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire and South Central Calhoun. The Panthers earned their first win of the year with a three set win over GT-RA, but bowed in three sets against SCC. The set scores against GT-RA were: 25-23, 25-18 and 26-24...

GOWRIE - The Newell-Fonda volleyball team made the trip south on Thursday night as they took on the Southeast Valley Jaguars in Twin Lakes Conference play. The Mustangs made quick work of the Jaguars in a three set contest, taking the victory. The set scores were 25-10, 25-16 and 25-22...

ALTA - It was an early season meeting between two area teams as Alta-Aurelia welcomed in Sioux Central on Thursday night. The two teams split every set as the Rebels came out on top in a five set contest. The set scores were: 25-22, 25-27, 25-20, 23-25 and 15-9...

GRAETTINGER - It was another chance for the Sioux Central football team to find their footing off the heels of an opening night loss last week. The Rebels hit the road and found success against the Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire Titans, taking an 18-8 decision...

MOVILLE - The rough start to the season continued on Friday night for the Ridge View football team as they went to Woodbury Central. The Wildcats took advantage of four Raptor turnovers and claimed a 46-0 decision to send Ridge View to an 0-2 start...

COON RAPIDS - Last week the Newell-Fonda football team had issues stopping Collins-Maxwell’s aerial attack, but managed to sneak out a win. This past Friday night, however, the Mustangs were unable to get key stops against the Coon Rapids-Bayard run game, allowing 296 yards, and fell in a 29-7 setback to the Crusaders...

AURELIA - David humbled Goliath for a while Friday night, as Class A Alta-Aurelia led 3A neighbor Storm Lake in the third quarter, but a punishing Tornado run game led to 18 straight points to lock up the 25-10 win. Storm Lake moves to 2-0, with Highway 7 bragging rights in non-District wins over Cherokee and the Warriors...

Everything is ready for the 2019 Sac County Quilt-A-Fair on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22 at the fairgrounds in Sac City. The show committee members are ready to receive over 300 beautiful quilt entries on Wednesday, September 18 or Thursday, September 19 between 1 p.m. ...

By JOE SUTTER Special to The Pilot It takes an unusual mind to dream up a place like Freedom Pointe. Among the soda tower, the tables of puzzles and games, and the incongruous cabinet of stuffed penguins — it’s a long story — you’ll find a place for mental health support, not from doctors or professionals but from those who have been through mental illness themselves...

By JOE SUTTER Special to The Pilot It takes an unusual mind to dream up a place like Freedom Pointe. Among the soda tower, the tables of puzzles and games, and the incongruous cabinet of stuffed penguins — it’s a long story — you’ll find a place for mental health support, not from doctors or professionals but from those who have been through mental illness themselves...

A Spencer family sent reeling from grave diagnoses were comforted by more than 40 friends in the community, as the group surrounded the home of Marcia and Digger Cheevers Thursday night in east Spencer. Calling themselves “Friends of Digger,” the group held a candle light vigil and sang hymns only feet away from an open window where Digger Cheevers, in hospice care diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma of the brain and spine, could hear...

Mark your calendars for the upcoming theater presentation at Storm Lake High School, the play “Cheaper By the Dozen.” Auditions were held in late August, with the play scheduled to take the stage November 8 and 9. The story is based on a 1949 classic semi-autobiographical novel about growing up in a family of 12 children in the early 1900s. The story was adapted into a motion picture in 1950, a stage play in 1992 and later a musical, and inspired a pair of Steve Martin films in 2003 and 2005...

The University of Okoboji’s Oktoberfest is set for September 28, themed, “Bikes, Beer. Best Time of Your Life.” Oktoberfest originated 28 years ago with the bike ride. Cyclists have been able to experience the Iowa Great Lakes area in all of its fun and beauty even after what most people recognize as the “summer season” for Okoboji. With the leaves changing to their breath-taking shades of colors to the glistening waters of the lakes, Okoboji is definitely worth another look this fall...

The Joker has been around for almost 80 years and there’s no shortage of portrayals. There are even some legendary ones by Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger. But by most accounts, Joaquin Phoenix’s spin on the quintessential Batman villain is unlike anything audiences have seen...

All qualified voters of the Storm Lake Community School District in the Counties of Buena Vista and Sac, State of Iowa, planning to vote in the Tuesday, September 10, Special Bond Election, voting will take place at the Courthouse Public Meeting Room, 215 E. ...

The city of Spencer’s manufacturing sector lost a cornerstone in 2017 after the Eaton plant, which employed 140, closed its doors for good. In less than two years, Spencer’s manufacturing industry landscape has changed dramatically, with multiple manufacturing-related expansions and additions inside the city limits. ...

A northwest Iowa woman accused of lying about killing her husband has entered a plea. Plymouth County District Court records say 35-year-old Becky Hebert, of rural Akron, entered a written Alford plea Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of interference with official acts. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Her sentencing has not been scheduled...

By DAVID PITT Special to The Pilot Iowa’s auditor called Wednesday for other state officials to join him in refusing to pay appeal costs in a lawsuit filed against former Gov. Terry Branstad who was found by a jury to have discriminated against a former state official...

Planning is underway for reconstruction of the Oneida Street in Storm Lake. The project is set to begin in the Spring of 2020. A public meeting is scheduled on Thursday, September 12, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 620 Erie Street in Storm Lake to discuss the project. Businesses and residents are invited to learn more about the project including the timeframe for reconstruction. We encourage all interested to attend...

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake) Water temperature is around 70 degrees. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits, crawlers and twisters fished from shore and near the inlet. Walleye - Fair: Pick walleye up in the dredge cuts on the east and west side of the lake. As water starts to cool, look for shore fishing action to pick up along the east shore and near the inlet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom from shore or rock piles near the islands...

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center announced Friday that Dr. Elizabeth Dupic is now seeing patients at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine in Storm Lake. Dr. Dupic was raised in Clarion, Iowa, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Buena Vista University and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She recently completed her family medicine residency at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines...

U.S. Rep. Steve King’s Thursday visit to the Milford American Legion Post drew about 50 people inside the building, and a small group of protesters outside along Highway71. Many of the questions posed to King during his Milford stop centered on the intersection of agricultural production and trade...

The Bridge of Storm Lake is taking on a new effort to help teenagers in the community - and raising funds for it in unique fashion. A Sunday, September 22 performance of songs and stories with popular contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Jason Gray will be held at Buena Vista University’s Schaller Chapel. ...

A new event, Homegrown: Local Responses to Food Insecurity, saw about 40 participants bus to Storm Lake area garden projects that aim to help feed the hungry, then attracted an evening gathering in Chautauqua Park for music, storytelling and food. Storm Lake has previously hosted food summits, taking a more academic approach to encouraging efforts to feed those in need. Homegrown was designed to bring the issue before the community in a new, engaging way...