Stories from Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Northwest Iowa favorites Boon & Lambert offers “songs from the best times of your life” playing sort of live at the Pearson Lakes Art Center Music After Hours series on April 9th. Due to the... OH YOU KNOW... the show will be broadcast on Facebook live over the PLAC page. So make some popcorn, grab a soda jump on the couch and enjoy the free show starting at 7 p.m...

The Des Moines Symphony today announced the launch of “DMSO at Home,” an innovative new series of videos and streaming content aimed at creating connection with the community during this period of closures and concert postponements. This ongoing musical offering for Central Iowa audiences—to be linked on the Orchestra’s social media channels with #DMSOatHome—will include regular self-produced videos from musicians; a weekly score study series with Music Director & Conductor Joseph Giunta; and “mini-concerts” streamed from the homes of Orchestra musicians and broadcast live on Facebook.. ...

By The Associated Press Special to The Pilot Epic adventures, exotic locales and cocktails mixed to order by bartenders — they may be largely off limits for the moment, but not on a device near you. This week’s fresh offerings include a recently-released Pixar animated tale, a marathon of James Bond films and new music from country star Sam Hunt. ...

The Clay County Fair announced Josh Turner, and special guest Dillon Carmichael, as part of the SRG Concert Series in the Sleep Number Grandstand at the 2020 Clay County Fair at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. With his rich, deep voice and distinctive style, Turner is one of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers. ...

J.K. Rowling is hoping a dash of Harry Potter will help families confined to their homes during the coronavirus pandemic. The author has launched an online initiative, www.harrypotterathome.com, which features quizzes, games and other activities. For the month of April, Rowling also has partnered with the audio publisher-distributor Audible and the library e-book supplier OverDrive for free audio and digital editions of the first Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” (The U.S. ...

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach is offering a five-session or three-session online course in finances of caregiving and best practices for planning ahead as you age. The course, “Planning As You Age,” will guide individuals through the steps to find and collect needed personal and financial information; the development of a book of important records; discussions of long-term care options and costs; and practical resources to help with family decision-making...

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is aware of additional challenges our communities face with the spread of COVID-19. Elderbridge Agency partners with amazing organizations and is fortunate to partner with County Social Services(CSS). CSS is working without borders serving all ages with mental health needs during this COVID-19 crisis and as well CSS has agreed to waive all out of pocket costs to residents of our region through June 30th, 2020...

Being cared for by a health professional can be challenging during the current need for social distancing due to the COVID-19 health emergency. Locally, Avera Medical Group Spencer (AMGS), Spencer Hospital and Milford Family Care have options for telehealth visits with its providers, when appropriate...

Medical marijuana dispensaries have closed in Council Bluffs and Davenport, Iowa health officials said. The disclosure by the Iowa Public Health Department said patients and caregivers still may purchase the cannabidiol products at Iowa’s three other licensed outlets, in Sioux City, Waterloo and in the Des Moines suburb of Windsor Heights...

To everyone in the 6th district, I want to thank you all for your efforts to stem the tide that COVID-19 is demanding of all of us. You have been taking this very seriously as you should, and I know it is making a difference. By staying at home, frequently washing your hands, and keeping your social distance, we will get through this time...

Gov. Kim Reynolds and an aide are pushing backy against a research model forecasting that Iowa will see a late peak in coronavirus cases, nearly 1,400 deaths by August and a huge shortage of intensive care unit beds. Reynolds and Department of Public Health Deputy Director Sarah Reisetter said the widely-cited model from University of Washington researchers doesn’t consider some of Iowa’s efforts to stop the spread, including school and business closures...

Even amid the shutdown, a new business takes shape in Storm Lake. Renovations are being made for Cafe Havana on Lake Avenue downtown, filling a vacant building that has in the past serves as a salon and a drug store.

During the mid- and late-1800’s Buena Vista County was suffering the rigors of frontier life. The landscape was sparsely dotted across the tree-less prairie with scattered settler’s farms of sod houses. Although there were also a few settlements, and fewer villages, life was essentially a matter of surviving. The settlers were isolated from the closest source of supplies (Ft. Dodge), which was a round trip of several days away by wagon...

Carol Lea Melsha, age 67, of Alta, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died on Saturday, March 28, at home surrounded by her loved ones. A private service for family and friends will be held at a later date in her hometown of Alta. Carol was born December 27, 1952 to Wendell and Marlys (Kolpin) Ewoldt. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a teacher. She grew up helping her father on her family’s Century farm. Carol was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church (Hanover, Iowa)...

Due to the regulations set forth by the Governor’s Public Health Disaster Declaration, no public visitation or service will be held at this time. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Beverly Ann Berkland, daughter of Alvin and Luella (Meyer) Potratz, was born June 11, 1934 on her parents’ farm near Fenton. She began her education at country school for grades 1-3 and then attended parochial school at Lotts Creek for grades 4-8. She graduated from Fenton High School in 1952...

Anna (Annie) Gingerich Vanora of Des Moines, passed away peacefully on March 30, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, with two family members at her side all day. She was born in Algona, IA on April 22, 1943 to Lester and Louise (Dreyer) Gingerich. ...

Kimberly K. Blenner, age 57, of Schaller, died on Saturday, March 28, at Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge. Private family graveside service took place in the Schaller Cemetery. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements...

Sac County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic dispute call at 112 Cross Street in Early on the night of March 29, and found a small marijuana growing operation in the process. Deputies found 36-year old Adam Sollars at the residence, and detected the odor of marijuana in the house. Sollars and 31-year old Rhiannon Williams of Storm Lake were detained for investigation. Four minor children were also in the home...

Andrew Puttmann, a 2001 Buena Vista University graduate, occupies a spot on the front lines in fighting for our safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Puttmann, a researcher at Battelle in Columbus, Ohio, writes protocols and reports as well as hands-on lab activities determined by current studies and their needs...

On Monday, April 6, the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP), the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, and the Local Media Association (LMA) announced that Rust Publishing, NIWA, was awarded a $5,000 grant to support its COVID-19 coverage in the communities they serve...

With parks and playgrounds shut down, the next victim of the Coronavirus quarantine will be Storm Lake Proud week, a second annual community clean-up effort that had been scheduled April 27-May 2. Though gatherings for projects won’t be possible, Mayor Mike Porsch is still hoping to find some way to continue the positive momentum...

On Monday, April 6, the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP), the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, and the Local Media Association (LMA) announced that Rust Publishing, NIWA, was awarded a $5,000 grant to support its COVID-19 coverage in the communities they serve...

As of Monday, the Iowa Department of Public Health was reporting 78 additional cases of COVID-19 in the state, 946 positive tests to date, none in Buena Vista County. Eight additional deaths were reported Sunday and three Monday - all of the victims over age 60. ...