Stories from Friday, October 16, 2020

Mollie and Amy Loughlin have opened a new, seasonal business in the former location of Main Street Pharmacy in Cherokee. The Loughlins own and operate the Book Vine and Underground Clothing next door to the shop, as well as the two Airbnb units above the retail space. Amy Loughlin is enjoying the new business, which was created for this 2020 holiday season...

State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald has joined other state treasurers around the country in approving a resolution on minimizing student debt for the next generation. “One of the most important parts of my job is making sure families are financially prepared for education costs,” said Fitzgerald. ...

Kemps, a well-known Midwestern dairy processor, has announced the milk processing facility located at 1188 Lincoln St. S.W. in Le Mars (formerly Dean Foods), is transitioning to become a part of the Kemps family. “Kemps has always been about bringing goodness — in the products that we produce and the communities that we serve,” said Greg Kurr, chief executive officer of Kemps. ...

Everyone is important. Please keep that message in mind especially during October 2020 as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It is essential that the contributions of workers with all aptitudes and ability levels are appreciated and recognized. But first, let’s travel back 100 years and consider the following scenario:...

Kirsten Johnson’s last film, the autobiographical collage “Cameraperson,” was an astonishing compendium of what she, as a cinematographer, had seen in her life behind a lens. Her extraordinary new film, “Dick Johnson Is Dead,” was spurred in part by what she never captured. Reflecting on her mother, who died after years in an Alzheimer’s haze, Johnson says in her latest film, “I don’t have a single frame of the warm and brilliant person she once was.”...

Dr. Susie Meade has been presented the Distinguished Service award by the Iowa Council of Administrators of Special Education. This award is presented to individuals making significant contributions to programs and services for students with disabilities. She was nominated by Kendra Alexandra, Coordinator of Student Services at Winterset Community School District, who wrote:...

A Storm Lake 19-year-old was injured while fleeing from authorities after being spotted walking through a Buena Vista University building with a weapon Tuesday night. The incident caused a precautionary shelter in place order for the entire campus while police searched for a suspect...

Storm Lake Police recently located a subject wanted for Arson, Reckless Use of Fire and Trespassing after multiple break-ins at storage facilities, two of which were damaged by small fires. Thavone Navongsa, age 39 of Storm Lake, was located last Friday in the 500 block of Geisinger Road and arrested on the outstanding warrants...

When golf, cross country, and tennis teams depart for competitions this fall, Nick Long helps send them off. But not after taking temperatures and other checks. Long, who serves as Buena Vista University’s Head Athletic Trainer, sets his alarm for 5 a.m., or whatever it takes, in order to see teams before they leave campus for meets and matches...

Tania Toj wore the crown as homecoming queen at Postville High School four years ago. On Friday night, the crown was placed on her head as 2020 Buena Vista University Homecoming queen. Seconds later, Tanner Frost was named BVU Homecoming king. Unlike his royal counterpart, Frost had never been the member of any royal family until this weekend...

In a normal year, the Sioux Central FFA Livestock Judging Team would have put plenty of miles on the van traveling to most of the county fairs in northwest Iowa. However, as with most things in 2020, worldwide pandemics decided to have different plans. But even COVID-19 can’t stop the Sioux Central FFA from entering and competing in the United States’ largest livestock judging contest, even if it is virtual...

For members of the Sioux Central FFA soils evaluation team, it is truly more than just dirt. Ever since late August, these members have been working hard studying for soils evaluation. What is soils evaluation? Soils evaluation takes a look at many different parts of soil, including texture, position, color, and drainage. ...

Don and Dar Plaisance of Storm Lake are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on October 16th!  Don and Dar have spent the last 30 years in Storm Lake and have two children, daughter Michelle (Chris) Bowers, Ottumwa, IA, and son John (Lara) Plaisance, Waukee, IA.  They have five grandchildren, Dalton, Abby, Ben, Theo, and Crosby.  Your family congratulates you on this wonderful golden anniversary milestone and wishes you many more years of love and happiness!...

November 28, 1977 - October 5, 2020

March 28, 1951 - October 7, 2020

October 21, 1960 - October 11, 2020

November 6, 1957 - September 19, 2020

An estimated 60,000 hunters are heading to the timber in the next few weeks as Iowa’s archery deer season got underway Oct. 1. For hunters in the derecho corridor, this year will not be like seasons past. “Scouting is always important, but if you’re hunting in the area damaged by derecho, it will be particularly important this year,” said Tyler Harms, deer program leader for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)...

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley asked Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Tuesday whether she has made any promises to vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, as he sought to counter arguments from Democratic senators that she would unravel the landmark health care law...

In the midst of many changes over the last year, two teams of youth showcased their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, competing in the second annual AgOvation program finals on Sept. 26. AgOvation is a research-based competition that challenges youth to explore and develop innovative, science-based solutions to agricultural problems that they identify in their own communities. Youth in grades 7 through 12 work in teams to develop a project and create a presentation to share their results...

A Storm Lake woman has been arrested after threatening a man with a handgun. Police were called to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 500 block of E. 5th Street Wednesday shortly before 6 p.m., where a woman was reportedly armed with a pistol. Officers located Carolina Alvarez, age 31, and a male victim at the scene. ...

C.J. Petersen, Democratic nominee for Iowa Senate District 6, which includes Buena Vista, Carroll, Audubon, eastern Crawford, and Sac counties, has released a plan for rural revitalization that he calling a “Homecomers Initiative.” Petersen, 30, launched his campaign for the state senate seat once occupied by controversial Steve King in unusual style last June. ...

COVID-19 case confirmations continue to increase steadily in the local area. As of Thursday, there had been 2,175 cases to date in Buena Vista County, an increase of 72 in the past week. More than 109 cases per thousand population in the county have been confirmed through testing - by far the highest rate in the state. The county has seen 1,923 recoveries, up 48 from a week ago...

As Dean Banks arrived at the Tyson Foods headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas for his first week as CEO, he was met by over two dozen protestors telling him “Keep Your Promise.” In 2018, Tyson pledged to implement sustainable farming practices on two million acres by this year. However, just months away from the deadline, the environmental group Mighty Earth that organized the protest claimed Tyson has provided no details on how the company will meet that goal. The activists showed up to the headquarters with a 15-foot contract renewal printed on a banner, calling on Banks to sign. . ...

Alta-Aurelia High School students have designed and painted a sensory course on the playground at the elementary school, to provide more activities for young students during recess time. Two of art teacher Aimee Luksan’s classes volunteered for the project, made possible by a grant for $500 from the local Kiwanis group. ...

SL enrollment down slightly as college occupies new training center, uses virtual classes