Stories from Friday, August 14, 2020

Hy-Vee, Inc. has announced $1,000 scholarships for Iowa students from the Hy-Vee Foundation Scholarship program. The local honoree is Jordan Grothe, representing Storm Lake Hy-Vee. In honor of Hy-Vee’s 90th anniversary this year, scholarships were awarded to 90 high school seniors and college students who are part of the Hy-Vee community across the company’s eight-state region. ...

Hy-Vee, Inc. announces that all of its store locations that offer Hy-Vee Aisles Online grocery pickup now accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) as payment at time of pickup. SNAP/EBT beneficiaries now can shop online for groceries at Hy-Vee.com or via the Hy-Vee Aisles Online mobile app and collect their order curbside at a Hy-Vee store. Pickup service is available at more than 250 Hy-Vee stores throughout its eight-state region...

The Institute of Iowa Certified Assessors recently awarded Buena Vista County Chief Deputy Assessor Matt Brostad the “Iowa Certified Assessor” designation. This highly regarded designation requires each recipient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to appraise real estate using all three approaches to market value...

While a student at Buena Vista University, Stefani Millie Grant didn’t know a program in Washington, D.C., existed until two professors detailed it during her senior year. And soon, the BVU senior found herself at American University for a semester, studying economic policy...

Hailey Whitters with guests The Tank Anthony Band will perform in the Stone Pier Summer Concert Series finale at Black Hawk Lake, Sunday, September 6. Hailey is a native small-town Iowan who is making a big-time name for herself on the country music scene. ...

Due to the current global health crisis, the Martina McBride concert originally scheduled for April 18 at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 24. All tickets will be honored for the new concert date. 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. ...

The 2020 Artisans Road Trip is set to start in October but those wanting to get an early look at the diverse body of art from this year’s regional artists can do so by stopping in to see Arts on Grand’s newest exhibit, the A.R.T. 2020 Preview Exhibit...

The 2020 Kiwanis Kar Show is happening in Storm Lake, Sunday, September 6, featuring classics, sports cars, hot rods and more. However, due to COVID-19 recommendations by the CDC and Iowa DPH, Kiwanians have changed this year’s format. This year’s show will be a Show & Shine, rather than a judged show. ...

The Storm Lake Child Care Steering Committee meeting scheduled for this month has been postponed. It was felt more information was needed before hosting the meeting, organizers said.  The Task Force will be in contact with Ready Set Grow and Trepson Foundation to gain information about their current projects and next steps they need from the committee to move forward.  ...

Anita Hamm, Nemaha, has been nominated for the 2020 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame induction. Induction ceremonies are scheduled for later this month. The biography submitted for the program follows: Anita Hamm is a longtime member of the Nemaha community. She moved with her family from Arlington, Nebraska to a farm near Nemaha in 1940 when she was in the 3rd grade. The site became known as Clover Honey Farm. She became a member of the area girls 4-H club “Delaware Rainbows” at the age of 12...

When students attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City head back to class later this month, they will be toting not only new backpacks and other school supplies but most likely facemasks as well. According to Patty Lansink, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Sioux City, the diocesan schools will be taking a unified approach to help keep students, teachers and staff safe as they start the new year regular full-time schedules in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.. ...

Although the 50th anniversary Albert City Threshermen and Collectors Show could not be held this season, participants in the annual wagon train demonstration still showed up, last week, and stopped by to harvest the potato patch using old-fashioned horsepower. Show organizers say they can’t wait to see all the kids return to take part in the popular -patch-picking when the 50th show is held in 2021. / Threshermen’s Association photo...

November 7, 1936 - August 11, 2020

On Tuesday, July 21, Edith died at age 92 surrounded by her children. Family preceding Edith in death include her husband, Jim and her parents. Her six brothers, Harold, Floyd, Charles, Dan, Vince, and Tom Verdon. And one sister Vera Fink-Buehler. Edith’s five children survive her. ...

January 12, 1930 - August 8, 2020

September 25, 1925 - August 1, 2020

A Storm Lake boat parade is being planned in support of President Trump and other Republicans running for office. Those who wish to participate should come to the Storm Lake Marina area Sept. 6 around 1 p.m. The parade will follow the perimeter of the lake. Storm Lake statehouse Republican Gary Worthan is organizing the event...

The Oasis Night Club in Storm Lake will not be reopening after a fire Sunday night that caused an estimated $100,000 damage to the building at 200 Railroad Street. “A lot of people hated on this place, but a lot more loved it. A handful of people messed it up for everyone,” a post on the club’s Facebook page reads. ...

Today, Rep. Gary Worthan (R-Storm Lake) released information about the Iowa Legislative Page program and is encouraging area students to apply for the 2021 session. “The legislative page program is a great opportunity for students to see their state government in action and learn. I strongly encourage area students to consider applying because it is a valuable experience for any young person,” said Rep. Worthan...

The 13th annual AWARE 5K walk and run is still on as a virtual event this year and can be completed Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 20. Sign up today to walk, or run for patients fighting cancer who are receiving treatment at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. Proceeds benefit patients’ expenses not covered by insurance such as wigs or hats, gas cards, and special recovery items...

University of Iowa administrators pushed ahead Monday with plans to resume in-person classes and on-campus housing, even as student leaders argued those steps were too risky during the coronavirus pandemic. The university said it would not test students who will begin moving into the Iowa City campus in the coming days, unlike last week’s mass testing at Iowa State University that identified dozens of infected students...

The family of a fourth worker who died of coronavirus during an outbreak at Tyson Foods’ largest pork processing plant is suing the company over his death. Isidro Fernandez of Waterloo, Iowa died April 26 from complications of COVID-19, leaving behind a wife and children, the lawsuit says...

Deafening sounds of air horns, chanting and a trumpet rang outside of the Iowa PBS station Tuesday morning as Gov. Kim Reynolds gave her weekly press conference from inside. Dozens of Des Moines Black Lives Matter protesters chanted, “Kim Reynolds, do your job or lose your job” in the television station parking lot in Johnston as the governor updated the public on disaster declarations following storm damage Monday night...

Nineteen-year-old Malga Yanga of Storm Lake will serve up to 10 years in prison on charges including sexual abuse. Yanga appeared in District Court August 10 facing punishment in multiple crimes. Last December, Yanga was given probation for a felony case of theft in the second degree. ...

A Nebraska man who attempted to entice a 13-year old from the Storm Lake area for sex was sentenced Monday to more than 10 years in federal prison. In addition, the man, who had a prior conviction for domestic assault and stalking, illegally possessed ammunition...

The celebration of life for Jaci Hermstad started with a service at Swiss Acres in Terril Saturday. Family, friends and acquaintances filed in together to remember, to honor, to grieve and to hear testimony about the 26-year-old who fought bravely and valiantly against a rare form of Lou Gehrig’s disease since her diagnosis in 2019. Rev. Doug Corlew led the ceremony alongside Jaci’s uncle, Dr. Scott Hadden...

The position of the longtime director of Santa’s Castle has been terminated, and it is questionable whether Storm Lake’s holiday showplace will be able to open at all this year, after COVID-19 concerns have dried up revenue for Castle operations and raised safety concerns...

“With what we know today, it’s time to get back to school,” says Pam Bogue, Buena Vista County Public Health coordinator. Bogue agrees with the decisions to start school and college classes in person, rather than beginning the academic year online. “Our COVID-19 numbers are not so uncomfortable that we would think it’s not safe to start school. ...

The Buena Vista County Board of Health released the following statement this week encouraging use of facial coverings to protect against the spread of COVID-19: Buena Vista County Board of Health is responsible for addressing the health concerns of Buena Vista County citizens. The Center for Disease Control states, “The science shows face masks work both to protect the wearer and to protect others from coronavirus and everyone needs to wear one when around other people in public.” ...