Stories from Friday, September 10, 2021

To recognize the accomplishments and contributions made by direct support professionals to the lives of people with disabilities, Hope Haven is supporting Direct Support Professional Recognition (DSP) Week, September 12 to 18. Hope Haven employs nearly 400 DSPs to serve individuals in Iowa and Minnesota including Faith,Hope & Charity home in Storm Lake, and recently announced an increase in the DSP base wage to $15/hour ($17/hour for weekend shifts)...

To help ensure safe and reliable electric service for its customers, MidAmerican Energy will inspect more than 1,400 miles of transmission lines from a helicopter throughout much of September. Twice a year, MidAmerican inspects these high-voltage overhead lines and rights-of-way to verify the lines and components do not show signs of damage, and to identify areas where vegetation may threaten system reliability...

One year ago, a derecho – a massive storm with hurricane-like winds – left a trail of destruction across Iowa and Illinois. With more than 290,000 customers without power at its peak, MidAmerican Energy crews acted immediately to respond to emergencies, assess damage, repair the foundations of its systems and restore electric and gas service to each and every customer – mostly within several days...

Armin and Dawn Christiansen of Sac County were inducted into the 2021 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 22. Ninety-eight Iowa counties participated this year and selected 129 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. ...

By the time that most of you read this, I will have already started subbing back in schools. I’m getting into my tenth year of doing the sub thing, and I can honestly say that I learn something new every year that I do it. This year, it seems we aren’t really headed back to ‘business as usual’ in area schools, or whatever normal constitutes. ...

Many parents my age are currently experiencing empty nest syndrome/euphoria as they send their children off to college in hopes that, someday, their “babies” will graduate and come back home to pick up all of the junk they left crammed under their beds...

At my house, 2021 has been the summer of the insurance claim. An ice dam on the roof that leaked into a spare bedroom started the ball rolling in February. We ended up replacing the roof, which was finished less than a week before a July storm pelted us with golf-ball-sized hail. The new roof was fine, but my car got a whole new look. We’re still waiting to hear whether the insurance company will total it out...

What is it about the ‘80s? Whether it’s nostalgia to us survivors, or campy pop culture appeal tickling those born decades later, it seems like the ‘80s will live forever. Madonna, yuppies, MTV, Rubik’s Cube, Trapper Keepers, Mr. T, Air Jordans, “Who Shot JR?” Walkman, huge perms, leg warmers, Members Only jackets, “Where’s the Beef?” - and movies, lots and lots of great movies. ...

After a delay of nearly two years, the Storm Lake High School Courtyard project is back on track. Demolition of the current courtyard surface is expected to begin by the end of the month. The project was created by the advanced ecology class in 2019, with the City of Storm Lake acting as fiscal sponsor for the students to apply for an Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship grant...

The City of Storm Lake has millions of dollars invested in water and wastewater assets. These assets include the potable water pipes and sanitary sewer pipes in the ground, the treatment plants, water towers, lift stations, wells, and all the vehicles and supporting equipment that it takes to maintain the continuous operation of the water and wastewater systems...

Iowa City’s Tyler Sullivan was last in Clay County a little more than two years ago in August 2019, making a quick tour of some of the rural communities. He plans on sharing the experience in an upcoming book. Sullivan, now 33, has been running since he was a teen...

On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the State Historical Society of Iowa will honor the attacks’ first responders and commemorate its victims with a bell-ringing ceremony outside the State Capitol in Des Moines. The program will begin at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Liberty Bell east of the statehouse...

In an annual event, the Storm Lake City Council recessed its meeting this week, to reconvene at the public library for a reception with library officials, Friends of the Library representatives and city staff leaders. The event helps maintain good communications between the facility and the city. / Photo contributed...

Above, participants in Ridge View’s Homecoming Style Show. Front: Logan Pickhinke, Ian Shepherd. Second row: Hannah Ehrp, Jayley Endrulat, Tatum Shepherd, Kiara Dutler, Abby Else, Madison Stowater, Cadey Vohs, Lillian Whitmer, Taya Phillips, Jaycie Vohs. Back: Travis Wiese, Addison Schmidt, Cael Wiese, Jake Breyfogle, Grace Naberhaus, Katie Pickhinke, Morgan Todd, Emma Vohs...

SengYang and Reuch Malou were crowned Storm Lake High School Homecoming King and Queen at a ceremony at the football stadium Wednesday night. Dancers, cheerleaders, the band and drumline all took part in the festivities. See the Pilot-Tribune Facebook page for more photos from the event...

Meatpacking workers and farm workers who were severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic will be eligible to get grants of up to $600 per person as part of a new $700 million aid program the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday. Officials said the grants are meant to defray some of the costs workers bore as many of them bought their own protective equipment or took unpaid leave as the virus tore through their industries even as they were required to keep showing up for work...

The last privately owned stretch of undeveloped land along East Okoboji Lake will become a wildlife sanctuary and low-impact public park after a $8.2 million fundraising effort wrapped up with a day to spare. The nonprofit Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation will retain ownership of the 50 acres just north of Elinor Bedell State Park, and will work to connect the two areas with trails. The property, sold by businessman Tom Bedell, has just over 2,000 feet of shoreline...

The COVID-19 case count continues to rise in Buena Vista County. As of Wednesday, 106 cases had been reported in the county in the past seven days, up over 47 percent from the previous week, according to the CDC. No deaths were reported in the county. Hospitalizations fell sharply for BV County, with two new admissions in seven days, and no ICU beds in use for COVID cases...

The Storm Lake United Methodist Church will celebrate its 150th (plus one) anniversary, Sunday, Sept. 12. There will be a 9 a.m. fellowship coffee and a tour of the church will be offered. The worship service is at 10 a.m. with special guests and music. Everyone is welcome to join in these events. Members will have a dinner to follow...

Despite a plea from Witter Gallery to change the project, the Storm Lake City Council voted unanimously this week to proceed with a bid for a state grant for half a million dollars in library renovations. The project had been cut down to two priorities - a new heating/cooling/air system for the building the library and gallery share, and a virtual services room to be used by request for tele-health, and online meetings and education...

Fifteen education majors came to Buena Vista University in Storm Lake in August of 2020 to begin their educational journey, intent on becoming teachers. This year, 33 education majors have reported to campus to start their trek, an increase of 120 percent, representing the continuation of an upward trajectory for a university that enjoys a long history of turning out classroom leaders across Iowa and the rest of the country...

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited Buena Vista County recently to observe an important milestone in the state’s ongoing soil health and water quality initiatives. Secretary Naig, joined by several public and private conservation partners, toured the site of the 100th water quality wetland that was funded through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), a joint effort between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and USDA NRCS...

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee was scheduled Thursday to hold a markup on the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. Iowa 4th District Rep. Randy Feenstra called the legislation “a Socialist Spending Spree” that he suggests will worsen inflation and add trillions more to our national debt...

A Storm Lake woman has been charged with Operating While Intoxicated after losing control of a car Thursday morning and crashing into a Storm Lake school bus carrying students on their way to the schools. No injuries were reported. Around 7:30 a.m., Storm Lake Police were called to the intersection of East Lakeshore Drive and 120th Avenue. ...

It was homecoming night for Storm Lake, Newell-Fonda and Ridge View tonight. Ridge View won 41-0 over West Monona, Newell-Fonda beat River Valley 63-18 and Storm Lake fell 17-26 to MOC-Floyd Valley. Alta-Aurelia traveled to Hinton tonight and won 43-26 and Sioux Central fell 15-20 in Pocahontas last night...