Stories from Monday, March 9, 2020

DES MOINES - The game was tied for all of four seconds on Friday afternoon as Newell-Fonda took on St. Ansgar in a 1A semifinal contest. Mustang junior Maggie Walker hit a three-pointer as Newell-Fonda never looked back in their 84-33 win over the Saints. The 51 point margin of victory sets a new 1A State Tournament record as N-F broke their own record previously set back in 2013...

Newell-Fonda overcomes 16 point deficit to stun Bishop Garrigan

This week, the House and the Senate came together on Supplemental State Aid (SSA) for K-12 schools. The Senate was at $91 million in new money while the House had proposed $107 million. The compromise was just over $99 million. While many districts had begun their budget using the lower Senate number, putting the bill on the Governor’s desk now will allow them to work with the actual appropriation. ...

Iowa’s foray into the world of fake real estate was so successful in drawing attention to the state that tourism officials have prepared a new video and plans for “This Is Iowa” 2.0. Gov. Kim Reynolds opened a state tourism conference Tuesday in downtown Des Moines with promising news about the reaction to the state’s mix of online ads, catchy videos and, of course, an actor-staffed fake real estate office in New York City that showed visitors why Iowa’s low cost of living and strong quality of life might be worth a look. ...

Northwest Iowa’s federal legislators are continuing their efforts to advocate for the ethanol and biodiesel industries, which largely rely on the state’s staple crops. U.S. Rep. Steve King sent a letter to President Trump on Feb. 19, asking the president to definitively declare 15 billion gallons of ethanol fuel will be blended in 2020...

Buena Vista University announced Friday that it has begun a program evaluation process, which is in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, developed collaboratively in 2018 by all members of the University.  As a part of this effort, the University will be reviewing academic and non-academic programs to ensure BVU continues to serve its mission by meeting the needs of current and future students. ...

Tyler Willey took his first steps at Buena Vista University through the Victory Arch, per tradition. Since then, his steps across campus have helped establish new traditions, as one of BVU’s first ag majors. “There are a lot of ‘firsts’ here at BVU right now,” he says...

The Crooners will present their annual Easter concert on Palm Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. The concert will be presented at Faith Lutheran Church, on 6th Street in Early. The choir will be singing “He Is Not Here.” Following the performance, guests are invited to join the choir for refreshments. No admission is charged though a free will offering will be received. All are welcome and encouraged to attend...

Winter weather is on the way out, and as further proof that spring is coming, “Touch of Broadway” will be performing at the Fonda Arts Center on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. Touch of Broadway is the traveling part of the Buena Vista Community Theater, and has been on the road for almost two decades, sharing its impressive talent in an uplifting, family oriented show. ...

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City announced today that Grammy-nominated stand-up comedian and actor Bob Saget will perform at Anthem later this year. Saget, who starred in the beloved television show “Full House” and has gone on to perform on Broadway and become a New York Times best-selling author, will star in two comedic performances meant for mature adults only on Friday, May 3, 2020...

Of the many stories that have stuck with Ben Affleck from his Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, one has especially resonated for the actor. Recovery is often described as a process of removing a damaging habit from your life. One man articulated it in a more positive way. He said he quit drinking so he could be a free man...

For over 15 years, Storm Lake and surrounding communities have been supporting the local blood bank, LifeServe Blood Center, at the community blood drives coordinated by Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. The blood drive was held this past Tuesday, March 3rd to help the blood center keep units on hand as we push through a season towards warmer weather. ...

Did you know one hundred percent of the blood transfused in local hospitals is generously provided by LifeServe Blood Center blood donors? Giving blood is a good thing no matter where you do it, but only blood donated locally with LifeServe will end up helping your community’s hospital or medical center. National collection organizations may hold blood drives in our area, but those donations are taken out of state and never help patients in our area...

The birth of a new baby may have family members jumping for joy, and for two local families, they may have even leaped in happiness as they each welcomed baby boys born at Spencer Hospital on Leap Day 2020, Saturday, Feb. 29. “We’re very excited to have such a rare birthday to celebrate,” said Kevin Brown of Spencer. He and his wife Tara, along with son Oscar, 4, welcomed little Philip Nathanael Brown at 7:19 AM on Saturday...

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has requested Iowans returning from a country where novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading to voluntarily self-isolate for 14 days following their return. Areas in this travel notice currently include: • China...

Spencer Hospital Community Health/Clay County Public Health authorities are advising residents about what they can do now to prepare for the potential spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. To date, no one in Iowa has tested positive for COVID-19...

St. Mary’s Schools held a Pink Out Night in January to benefit patients fighting cancer at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. BVRMC’s Susan Buckendahl, Marcy Glienke, Leah Sunblad, and Katie Schwint accept a check from Ryan and Tera Brown for $2071.30. St. Mary’s students made oncology patients lap blankets as part of a service project...

The eight youth and their parents had a great time Saturday February 15th Ice Fishing on Blackhawk Lake as the fish were hungry for our bait during the two hours on the ice. The morning started at the Lake View Public Library at 9 a.m. with Matt Mork from the Iowa DNR showing the youth the fishing equipment, the type of fish, bait and safety information when going fishing. ...

The Storm Lake school district is hustling to keep its staff filled. At a recent special meeting that has become a more common situation, the board of education approved 10 recent resignations, including three elementary teachers, a middle school special education teacher, a high school science teacher, a Community Education administrative assistant, and four coaches including the high school varsity volleyball coach...

Harvey Juber, 86, and Patricia Juber, 85, passed away Thursday afternoon as a result of injuries sustained in a collision at the “North Y” intersection of U.S. Highways 71 and 18 in north Spencer just before 1:30 p.m. Harvey Juber, of Melvin, was northbound on Highway 71 in a 2001 Chevrolet S-10 and had stopped at a stop sign before attempting to make a left hand turn onto Highway 18. ...

Life is a journey that often times can throw you a curveball. As Jeff sits in a chair and looks out the window at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, he reflects on his life, when things started to go down an expected path. 55 year old Jeff Schleisman, a pastor who lives in rural Lake City, states, “be sure to get one!” That is his advice when talking about colonoscopies. He is thankful for the time he has and wants to inspire and help others by sharing his story...

The Newell-Fonda girls celebrate with hugs and tears after a thrilling 1A State Championship game on Saturday night that saw them come back against Bishop Garrigan to win their second straight State Championship. See today’s Pilot Sports for a full recap of the championship and Friday’s semifinal action...

Storm Lake officials continued their full-court press for a complete Census count, with a couple of Meet the Mayor sessions in Chautauqua Park Wednesday dedicated to the upcoming process. The most common question local leaders are facing, they said, is privacy. The Storm Lake Census 2020 Committee is reaching out through social media and appearances around the community to assure residents that information will not be used for any purpose other than the population count...