Stories from Wednesday, September 25, 2019

A Colorado man has admitted to throwing a cup of water on Iowa Congressman Steve King. Court records show 27-year-old Blake Gibbins, of Lafayette, Colorado, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City, Iowa, to one misdemeanor count of assaulting a member of Congress...

A Sioux City teacher accused of sending critical letters to her superintendent and other district leaders is appealing her firing. The Sioux City Journal reports that Julie Fischer’s petition for judicial review says the Sioux City Community School District board’s decision to terminate Fischer’s employment violated her First Amendment right to free speech. ...

On the evening of Monday, September 23, at approximately 7:50 p.m. the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to the Storm Lake Wal-Mart Store in reference to a theft. Responding officers were advised that two female shoplifters allegedly removed items from the store without paying for them and fled in a silver sedan. At approximately 8:05 p.m. the suspect vehicle was stopped by Buena Vista County Deputies on Highway 3 and the vehicle and occupants were returned to Storm Lake...

On the evening of Monday, September 23, at approximately 7:50 p.m. the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to the Storm Lake Wal-Mart Store in reference to a theft. Responding officers were advised that two female shoplifters allegedly removed items from the store without paying for them and fled in a silver sedan. At approximately 8:05 p.m. the suspect vehicle was stopped by Buena Vista County Deputies on Highway 3 and the vehicle and occupants were returned to Storm Lake...

Evertone is invited to attend the 4th Annual German Feast Dinner to benefit the Hanover Historical Society on Saturday, September 28, at 6 p.m. The Hanover Historical Society Board of Directors is hosting this German Feast as a fundraiser. Tickets for this fundraising event are $20 per person and must be reserved in advance by calling the Hanover Feast Reservation Line at 712-434-5888. ...

Storm Lake performers Liz and David Gregg open the show Sunday for a Christian music concert to benefit The Bridge of Storm Lake’s planned TreeHouse program to support teenage needs. Nationally-known performer Jason Gray headlined the show at Schaller Chapel, as Buena Vista University’s Student Ministries program co-sponsored the event...

SANBORN - The Alta-Aurelia cross country teams saw some success on Monday night when they traveled to an invitational. The Warrior girls had two top 10 finishes, and the boys had one placement in the top 10 to lead their strong night. “We had a plethora of season’s bests. We continue to improve and get more confidence as we run at these meets,” A-A Coach Wendell Larson said. “There were three varsity medalists.”...

IDA GROVE - It was a Saturday full of volleyball for the Sioux Central spikers as they tried to improve upon their seven wins going into the day. However, the Rebels suffered four setbacks and only picked up one win on the long day of play. The win came against North Union while the losses were to OA-BCIG, Pocahontas Area, Lawton-Bronson and Kingsley-Pierson...

ALGONA - It was a long Sunday for the Storm Lake volleyball team as they played six different matches in the CYO Tournament. The Panthers were unable to get in the win column, dropping all six of their matches. They played Bishop Heelan, Bishop Garrigan, Kuemper Catholic, Remsen St. Mary’s, Gehlen Catholic and St. Edmond...

CARROLL - The Storm Lake volleyball team took part in a tournament on Saturday and went up against three opponents. However, the green and white were unable to come away with a win, dropping all three matches against Ar-We-Va, Humboldt and South Central Calhoun...

On Monday, September 23, Barb Lange, Storm Lake Public School elementary principal talked about the increase in enrollment in the elementary school this year. There are 55 additional kindergarten children and a net of about 35 other additions in the elementary school. ...

Tornadoes host high powered Bulldogs Last week was a rough week for the green and white against OA-BCIG as a mix of turnovers and the inability to stop a dangerous quarterback led to a 48-26 defeat, their first of the year. However, this week presents a new challenge as the 3-1 LeMars Bulldogs come to Storm Lake...

Kelle Wedeking was recently named director for the Ready, Set, Grow! Learning Center. She will oversee both the Alta day care and the new site planned for the Methodist Manor campus in Storm Lake. Kelley graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Child Adult and Family Services. ...

The date of August 4 might not mean much to most people. However, for Nathan Baron, a Newell-Fonda teacher and coach, the date will always stick with him for the rest of his days. It was a late night that night for Baron as he felt unwell and told his wife, Jill, that his head was in pain before passing out. Jill, a nurse, dialed 911 and two days later, Baron woke up in a hospital bed in St. Cloud, Minnesota...

Ridge View High School principal, Bret Warnke, has announced that Jordan Grothe has been named a Commended Student in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented to this scholastically talented senior...

On Tuesday, September 17th and Wednesday September 18th, members of the Newell Fonda FFA assisted Iowa State University Extension with hosting Ag Citing Day at the ISU Allee Farm south of Newell. Area fourth graders came to the farm to learn about a variety of agriculture topics...

On Thursday September 19th, FFA members helped the ISU Extension with Farm Safety Day which was held at the ISU Allee Farm for area third graders. Newell Fonda FFA members assisted with teaching three sessions. Animal Safety was taught by Lexi Roberts and Paige Roberts. ...

Storm Lake High school art club makes a colorful entry in the homecoming parade.

Rock n Roll Damnation, the popular AC/DC tribute band out of Sioux Falls, will return to the VFW in Cherokee for “our style of rock and roll debauchery.” The show is Sept. 28, starting at 9:40 p.m. The quintet features a couple of northwest Iowa performers, who help to detail the original sound of AC/DC on hits like “Hells Bells” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.”...

Everything is beautiful in John Crowley’s adaptation of ”The Goldfinch,” even the grilled cheese sandwich that a kind stranger makes for a boy who has just lost his mother. It’s easy to get swept up by the refined stateliness surrounding this messy odyssey of grief and trauma. ...

Buena Vista University hosted its first Latino Showcase Wednesday, with music, dancers, spoken word and visual art, produced by students in the RAICES, Multicultural Engagement Leadership Team (MELT) in cooperation with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. At top, local artist Etduin Narcisco Gonzalez showed a exhibit of his work. Young dancers performed, and the multicultural-minded students gathered on stage to complete the event...

The Sassy Saturday celebration will take place in Storm Lake Saturday. Prior to and throughout that day you can purchase a P.i.n.k. bracelet for $3 dollars at Storm Lake United or one of the participating businesses. Then, on the 28th wear it while you shop and dine at any of those businesses for special deals and offers...

Facing financial difficulties, Genesis Development, which operates the work activity center for special needs persons in Storm Lake, will be handing off its mental health services to another agency. The Perry News reports that Genesis is facing a budget shortfall entering the final quarter of the year, on the heels of a $1.3 million loss in 2018...

The Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency board of directors has approved a search firm to seek a new chief administrator, at a cost of $8,100. Current chief administrator is Jeff Herzberg, who has served in that role since 2010.

Storm Lake PEO chapters’ held a Game Night on Tuesday evening, Sept. 17. They had a great time and raised more than $400 for the local PEO scholarship fund. Annually in the spring, all three chapters will choose a local young woman to receive the college scholarship. ...

Summer’s last stand at Buena Vista University offers a time for smiles, hugs, and tears of joy in a 2019 homecoming celebration that shows how this place and its people leave lasting marks. Friday’s festivities commence with a Lake Avenue parade, a sun-shiny event featuring not one, but THREE marching bands. ...

It’s been more than a dozen years since organizers welcomed the public to the inaugural Bee and Butterfly Festival, and Dickinson County Conservation Board Executive Director Lee Sorenson said next year’s festivities will herald a noticeable name change in honor of the festival’s founder Delores Maser...

After receiving 12 separate charges of a licensee/permittee supplying alcohol to a person under the legal age, Chris Burg made an initial appearance before the court Wednesday pleading not guilty to all charges. According to court documents, each citation carries a total fine of $2,085, meaning the defendant could be subject to more than $25,000 in fines...

A possible dog park development continues to be a key goal for the Storm Lake Mayor’s Committee for Parks, Trails and Urban Forest. A Storm Lake landowner has agreed to donate a 2.5 acre, centrally-located site if it is used as a dog park, according to Mayor Mike Porsch...

What you need to know about vaping: Don’t. E-cigarettes, often called “vapes” for their telltale plumes of scented vapor, were originally marketed as a safe alternative to smoking. As consequences of the vapor products begin to emerge, so does the growing concern in the health care community, according to Buena Vista County Public Health Director Pam Bogue...

Kathern “Katie” Kessler, age 96, of Holstein, Iowa (formerly of Cherokee and Storm Lake, Iowa) passed away on Friday, September 20, at Good Samaritan Society of Holstein. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 25, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. ...

Charles “Chuck” Johnson died suddenly at the Charles De Gualle airport in Paris, France, on September 4, at the age of 67 years. Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 21, at 1 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert City. A private family burial will be in the Fairfield Township Cemetery. There was a reception at the church immediately following the service. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements...