Stories from Friday, March 20, 2020

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center is working to prepare for any coronavirus (COVID-19) patients that may present themselves to the hospital. As of March 19, the visitor policy has gone from 2 to 1 visitor per patient. This includes ER, First Embrace Obstetrics, Surgery, and all outpatient services. Departments may enforce various safety rules in their waiting rooms based on the type of patients they see...

Iowa banks are doing their part to protect our communities in this time of social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For some time, banks have been investing in technology to meet customers where they are — through online and mobile banking. Iowans can check account balances, transfer money and deposit checks without leaving their home...

With the City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, declaring a state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19, the Central Plains Dairy Expo was canceled. The I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course has traditionally lead the Expo on Tuesday of Expo week. As one of the premiere dairy beef events in North America, it has been transitioned to a webinar for 2020 to minimize any possible exposure to the virus...

MidAmerican Energy Company has announced steps the company is taking to protect its employees and customers from the coronavirus pandemic threat. “What’s most important throughout this global crisis, is that MidAmerican Energy will continue to keep the lights on and natural gas flowing to our customers,” Adam Wright, MidAmerican Energy president and CEO, said. ...

Tyson Foods, Inc., Storm Lake’s largest employer, has hired an outside service provider to accelerate the transformation of the company’s digital technology capabilities and reduce costs.  “The speed and scale of new technology presents a huge opportunity for us,” said Scott Spradley, chief technology officer for Tyson Foods. ...

A book demands a sequel when that sequel focuses on a different set of characters. That’s what happens in Eight-Five and Eight-Five . . . Still Alive by Bruce, Wis., writer Arian Knops. In this duology, Knops traces the crimes of serial killer Avarde Kolt, alias Michael Barrett, who is relentlessly pursued by Minneapolis homicide investigator Dan Costello...

Gaelic Storm has added an August 7 concert at the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park to their tour schedule. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now starting at $25. It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes a true anomaly. ...

For a revolutionary animation studio, Pixar has been surprisingly wary of advancing technology. The company may be at the forefront of digital animation, but for 25 years, its spiritual DNA has been decidedly nostalgic. It’s the old-school new school...

The Storm Lake City Council has approved provisions for the usual array of Storm Lake United-Sponsored events in the city - such as Taste of Storm Lake, the Lighthouse Concert Series, Wood Wine & Blues, Day of the Child, Chills and Thrills for Halloween and Miracle on Lake Avenue for Christmas...

To contain the spread of COVID-19, the Storm Lake Public Library will be offering pick-up service of checked-out materials. Patrons are required to give 24-hour notice of materials wanted. They may pick up their materials at the front hallway. The hours of pick-up will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on the last Saturday of the month from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The library is limited to 10 people in the building. For more information, call the front desk at 732-8026...

Following recommendations from Governor Reynolds and the CDC, the Witter Gallery will be closed until further notice in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to protect public health. All of the classes and events scheduled for March and April will be cancelled, including this weekend’s artist reception, our Coffee and Canvas class with the Buena Vista Conservation Board, and our Spring Art Workshop. ...

This week Governor Reynolds declared a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency for Iowa to enhance efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors and all County Departments want to ensure that they are protecting those most vulnerable from the virus and limiting the impact on our health care system...

Hy-Vee, Inc. announces that due to evolving concerns regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), it is adapting the ways in which it serves customers to ensure they receive the products they need while keeping customers, employees and communities healthy and safe...

When news of the COVID-19 contagion broke, I saw two distinct responses: zombie apocalypse-level panic and dismissal of the virus as a mild cold or flu. While the former is a bit unnerving, the latter was far more horrifying. You see, I’m one of those people with an underlying medical condition, who the CDC refers to as “high risk.”...

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake) Fishing has been productive this week. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; and no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie - Fair: Use crawlers and minnows on a small jig fished from shore and in the marina. ...

During their meeting Wednesday afternoon, the Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority Board gave an update in response to the presence of COVID-19 in the state, starting with the closure of its office at 2016 Highway Boulevard in Spencer to the public with business by appointment only...

By DANA LARSEN Pilot-Tribune Editor During a virtual school board meeting that chairperson Peter Steinfeld described as “quite extraordinary,” Storm Lake School District leaders sought to plan for an uncertain future. The meeting Wednesday was conducted via Zoom, with members attending remotely from their homes or work on video link, a first for the district...

In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and protect the campus community and beyond, Buena Vista University decided this week to move all Storm Lake campus classes online for the remainder of the spring semester beginning March 30. Earlier, BVU had extended spring break...

Before the first case of COVID-19, the economic fallout of the pandemic is already being felt in the Storm Lake community. Downtown Lake Avenue looked more like a Sunday night than a weekday afternoon. Where people normally circle blocks trying to find a parking place, entire streets were empty...

Since Joey Ciechanowski stepped down as the promoter of the Buena Vista Raceway back in January, the track has been busy looking for someone to step up and take charge of the local speedway. Spencer native Trent Chinn signed on the dotted line on Monday to become the new promoter of the BV Raceway for the 2020 season...

With COVID-19 especially dangerous to the senior citizen community, Methodist Manor in Storm Lake is quickly adapting to a new way of life to keep residents safe. This week, four generations of a family gathered - three of them outside with a poster, waving to great grandma through a window at the facility...

Stressful situations often cause kids to worry, even if they don’t show it. They will have questions about the changes taking place in their world. A confident and calm approach to Coronavirus will help ease kids’ worries and make them feel secure, says Pam Bogue of Buena Vista County Public Health...