Stories from Friday, September 25, 2020

Your thoughts on retirement may be among the many things in flux due to COVID-19. Some employers are offering early retirement incentives, and many Iowans are considering early retirement due to job challenges, health concerns or other reasons. On top of that, temporary policy changes have made it easier for people to withdraw from their retirement accounts during 2020...

Mediacom Communications has provided a firsthand look at the future of connected-living during a smart home event powered by the next generation of broadband technology. Conducted in partnership with CableLabs and NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, the tour of the Mediacom 10G Smart Home represented the first U.S. ...

Mud On Main owner Jessica Kannegieter had a vision at a time in her life, that it would fun to have a business start-up, and control her own employment destiny. When she started the Mud On Main Coffee Shop over on the main drag of Aurelia years ago, there was no master plan to expand out into different locations around her area – it was a fun way to provide a good, down home service for her local patrons. ...

The new film “ Antebellum ” begins with a famous William Faulkner quote: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” This is a very literal introduction to a film about the evils of de facto and de jure oppression of Black people in America that’s crafted as a high-concept nightmare. ...

Although the American Rivers Conference cancelled the fall football season, the Buena Vista University Marching Band is soldiering on, hosting a shortened version of band camp in August, and beginning practice as scheduled. Music has even taken place outside the confines of Edson Hall, to allow for social distancing. ...

The 29th Annual University of Okoboji Oktoberfest will be held Saturday, based at Preservation Plaza next to the amusement park in Arnolds Park. Registration for the signature bike ride event runs from 8-9:45 a.m. The noncompetitive ride around West Lake Okoboji begins at 10 a.m. Riders should be done by noon. The route is 24 miles, mostly flat...

Storm Lake city officials saw only a few people participate in a pair of public meetings on snow removal this week - which they take as a signal of satisfaction. The city has held the meetings for the past three years, looking for input particularly on snow policy for the downtown area...

The Bridge of Storm Lake is marking its 10th anniversary with an annual Fall Banquet that this year will take place on a virtual platform due to virus concerns. Instead of a large gathering that would review the neighborhood youth ministry’s efforts, the virtual event will be rolled out over 10 days to celebrate the 10 years of the program - October 15-24. ...

A Storm Lake City Council member is concerned that falling brick from the aging building facades in downtown Storm Lake could pose a risk of public injury or property damage. Kevin McKinney raised the issue at this week’s council meeting, saying that brick has fallen from a building at Lake and 5th, and other buildings show evidence of missing brick, sometimes two layers in area. ...

Starting this week, students in grades PK-12 will have access to free breakfast and lunch meals through a new USDA program. Students will not be charged for regular school meals. In the Storm Lake schools, they may continue to purchase a la carte items, which will be charged to the family’s account. The program will expire on December 31 or when funds run out - whichever happens first...

Witter Art Gallery in Storm Lake has reopened after several months of lockdown. The initial show for the season is a selection of historical propaganda art posters from World Wars I and II, from the Witter’s permanent collection. View the posters through October 3. ...

Bill and Lana Crilly of Storm Lake will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on October 1, 2020. As Newell Providence high school sweethearts, Lana Mileham said “I Do” to Bill Crilly on October 1, 1960 at the First Methodist Church in Newell. ...

The Peterson Fire Department will host a Drive-Through Pork Feed, Saturday, October 10. Saving will be 4:30-7:30 p.m., with pork burgers, fries, and pop/gatorade/ water. Please visit the station from the west, with two approaches to keep serving running smoothly...

The 15th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is still on for 2020, yet being planned with special COVID-19 formatting that ensures proper social distancing will be maintained. Individuals are encouraged to join in the fun of walking (or running) to celebrate survivors, honor loved ones who have lost their breast cancer battle, support those who are currently undergoing cancer care and help bring attention to the importance of increasing awareness of breast cancer screenings and treatment. ...

Front Row: Anna Bellcock, Kristal Ried, Jazli Lopez, Sophie Stewart, Paige Roberts, Macy Sievers, Haylee Puhrmann & Emily Mercer Back Row: Jaron Vanderhoff, Beau WIlken and Trey Jungers. /Photo submitted

March 18, 1952 - September 15, 2020

February 9, 1932 - September 6, 2020

February 4, 1929 - August 29, 2020

February 10, 1937 - August 21, 2020

February 16, 1974 - September 19, 2020

A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced Sept. 3 to more than six years in federal prison. Shana Mull, 33, of Spencer received the prison term after a March 19 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that between June of 2019 and August of 2019, Mull and others conspired to distribute more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine in the Iowa Great Lakes area. ...

Daniel Meissner chose to attend Buena Vista University for the opportunities offered in digital media. Little did Meissner know he’d become part of the Friday night highlights show, “SportsFource Extra,” on KTIV, the NBC affiliate in Sioux City. The junior from Manchester is one of four BVU GameBreakers shooting, editing, and shipping high school football highlights to KTIV Sports Director Brad Pautsch and his crew every Friday night...

The Raymond and Florence Erlandson Foundation recently announced a generous and creative donation to get the Cherokee Trail Expansion Project close to their finish line. The Erlandson Foundation is donating $75,000 to the project now. Additionally, the Erlandson Foundation will match all new donations or commitments made until November 15, up to a combined total of $75,000. That means that all donations or commitments made over the next two months will be doubled!...

The U.S. Census effort in Storm Lake is continuing to seek the full count that will guarantee the city its full due of qualifications and funding for various programs, according to Mayor Mike Porsch. Porsch reminded residents during a city council meeting this week that “time is running out.”...

A Storm Lake man wanted for sexual abuse has been apprehended near the Mexican border at Laredo, Texas. Local authorities were advised of the arrest Monday. The SLPD had charged Andres Guillen, age 40, with felony Sexual Abuse 3rd Degree/2nd or Subsequent Offense, after a June 2019 incident at a residence in Storm Lake...

As the Sac County 14-day COVID-19 positivity rate rose above 19 percent this week and the number of students currently under quarantine because of contact tracing exceeded 80 students, East Sac Schools began early dismissals on Thursday, to continue at least until October 1...

Buena Vista University freshman Diego Aguilera will long remember his first day on the job at the Storm Lake Walmart. He helped save a coworker who experienced a heart attack. Aguilera was being trained as an associate in the produce department when he and his coworker took a break around 6:30 p.m. and retired to a back room. That’s when his coworker told Aguilera he didn’t feel well...

After kicking the issue around for some time, the Storm Lake City Council granted the Storm Lake Soccer Association it’s goal of finding a new place to play. The association earlier indicated to the city that it has had issues with the Field of Dreams management on fees and equipment, and issued a plea to use Chautauqua Park for play instead. ...

Bango Haunted Crib gets new thrills and chills, benefits fire station

Only 10 weeks after a ground-breaking ceremony in a bare field on the west edge of Storm Lake, the bones of a long-awaited new Early Elementary School are rising on the horizon off 190th Street. Dry summer weather allowed the project to progress at a rapid pace on the $15 million project. ...