Stories from Monday, February 10, 2020

The Iowa caucus season is over except for the shouting and, this year, the counting. As of midafternoon on Wednesday, the Iowa Democratic Party was still tabulating results; this is too bad. Voting and counting should be a simple process. I am a Republican, but I really do feel bad for those Democrat candidates who have campaigned here in Iowa for the last 1-2 years, and now have to wait two days to learn the outcome. ...

The fourth week of the session was a short week due to the Iowa presidential caucuses. Since Legislators from the far corners of the state may have a four-hour drive to Des Moines, the Legislature was not in session on Monday to allow your elected representatives to participate in their local caucuses. ...

Both statewide precipitation and temperatures were above average in January, according to the latest Water Summary Update. “January 2020 was another wetter than normal month, making the last 24 months the wettest on record in Iowa,” said Tim Hall, DNR’s coordinator of hydrology resources...

An estimated 1,000 people took part in the Climate Crisis Parade in Des Moines, with others joining live online around the world. Organizers from Bold Iowa said the event Feb. 1 was a powerful experience, but noted a lack of coverage by the mainstream media. Bold Iowa has been pushing the media and political candidates to call for action on climate change...

Come hear the legendary Sons of the Pioneers in Storm Lake and help the group celebrate its 86th year of western harmony. The vocal group will perform in the Community Education Performance Series, at Storm Lake High School auditorium, Friday, April 3. The show begins at 7:30 p.m...

Martina McBride will be live at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City on Saturday, April 18. Multiple Grammy® nominee Martina McBride has sold over 18 million albums to date, which includes 20 Top 10 singles and six #1 hits. 2017 marked a milestone in Martina’s illustrious career when she hit her 25th year of touring. ...

At one point in “Birds of Prey,” crime lord Roman Sionis, aka Ewan McGregor, sits down with a tub of popcorn to watch Harley Quinn suffer through a brutal interrogation. He’s a psychopath — well, so is Harley, for that matter — but Roman has the right idea. As portrayed by the effortlessly charismatic Margot Robbie, Harley’s always gonna be the most interesting person in the room — or on the screen. Grab your popcorn, indeed...

Roughly one month after the federal government announced a new crackdown to keep e-cigarettes away from children, state lawmakers in Iowa and Nebraska are forging ahead with similar proposals of their own. Both states are considering new laws to raise the minimum age for vaping to 21 years old in addition to other measures to try to restrict the product, such as a ban on flavored vaping liquids and a proposal to bar minors from even possessing vape devices...

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health and Camp Autumn are hosting an Ice Fishing Tournament & Fundraiser at Camp Autumn near Sutherland on Saturday, February 15, 2020. This event is a free will donation event and is open to the public, though registration is encouraged. Visit https://bit.ly/3afBKU0 to learn more...

During halftime of Wednesday’s game BVU held plunger races for fans to win a gift card.

Susan Mary Younggreen passed away on Saturday afternoon, January 25, from complications of pancreatic cancer. She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Jim, mother Geraldine Whitney, father Clair Whitney, and sister Kay Therese Whitney. She is survived by her son William (Bill) Younggreen, his wife Ritu and their daughter Anika, son John Younggreen and his daughter Carmen, sisters Jo Ann Branco and Claire Petersen, and brother Bill Whitney. ...

As the Shayla Bee Fund rapidly moves toward the announcement of its 200th family served, the organization which provides financial and emotional support to families as they navigate the stress, worry and finances associated with a child facing a critical illness, received a very special financial gift itself Monday evening...

Amazon, the online retail giant, officially announced Thursday that it’s opening one of its fulfillment centers in Bondurant — months after city documents and reports pointed to its expected arrival in Iowa. The arrival of the shopping behemoth brings along an expected 1,000 new jobs for the Des Moines metro and opportunities for same-day shipping for local residents...

The Iowa caucuses weren’t just a colossal political mess. They were a massive money drain for Democratic presidential contenders who poured millions of dollars into a contest so marred by technical glitches that its ultimate outcome will be marked with an asterisk...

On Thursday morning, over 30 community members and environmentalists rallied outside Tyson’s annual shareholder meeting, voicing concerns that the company has not shown progress on its promise to reform farming practices that are causing widespread water pollution and climate change...

A car has been placed on the ice off Lakeshore Drive near King’s Pointe as part of a fundraiser contest. When the car goes in, a clock goes off - the closest ticket-holder is the winner. Contact a Storm Lake Rotary member or swing into Puffs to buy tickets - they are $10 each for a chance to win a $1,000 prize. Proceeds will go toward the Rotary’s community projects, with a major portion to be donated for the BV County Dive and Rescue Team...

The Storm Lake Complete Count Committee is ramping up its efforts to assist the U.S. Census process in the community. “We have a lot of great ideas on how to reach out to people. The main thing is to make sure everyone understands that it is in the best interest of the entire community to get a complete count. ...