Front: Ava Graham, Victoria Gustafson, Emily Arnts, Chloe Elston, Shea Peterson, Brielle Engelmann, Sabrina Rivera. Middle: Joelle Arnts, Morgan Westphal, Kelsey Erlandson, Madison Theisen, Kyla Galvin, Lydia Feis, Luis Mendoza. Back: Kyler Mattson, Jacob Arnts, Sam Colerick and Harrison Price...

Covid-19 has changed life as we know it, and unfortunately it is not done with us yet. Throughout the country, and even here in Iowa, a breeding ground for teachers, the education system has been thrown a curve ball. Teachers have started to retire throughout the country and the colleges are struggling to replace them. Nationwide, graduating teachers are down 30% and in Iowa, known for their teachers throughout the land, 16% less college graduates came out with teaching degrees...

A talented cast of Alta-Aurelia students presented the musical “Mamma Mia” at the Roxy Theatre, Friday through Sunday last week. The rollicking show features the music of the 1970s pop group ABBA, wound into a story of a young woman about to marry and trying to find out the identity of her father from among her mother’s old beaus./ Pilot photos by Dana Larsen...

The Alta-Aurelia schools marked Veterans’ Day by inviting area veterans and active military people to their events, including a ceremony, assembly, speakers, reading of patriotic essays, art displays, music, a “Wall of Heroes” and treats. An empty table place was set for POW-MIA servicepeople. Alta 1st grade had veteran Mike Fry speak to students about what a veteran is and what it’s like to serve. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

Kathy Peterson of Alta, Iowa, will continue as an officer to the ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors serving as the immediate past chair. Peterson is a 1995 Iowa State University graduate in speech communication and is a life and business member of the Alumni Association...

Alta Municipal Utilities and the City of Alta are sponsoring their 15th annual food drive to serve the disadvantaged people in our community. As winter approaches many families and individuals may experience difficulty making ends meet. The Alta community has always been very generous with each other, and organizers hope that this year will be no different. As a community we can help support those neighbors to make sure that no one in our community goes hungry...

There were no candidates for two open Park Board seats in Alta on the November ballots, leaving the positions to be determined from a large number of write-in ballots canvassed last week. Neal Peterson received 16 write-in votes, and incumbent Randy Erickson eight. There was a scattering of 59 other write-ins...

Alta-Aurelia FCCLA and Creative Sewing classes teamed up to create Port-A-Cath Pillows for patients receiving chemotherapy at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. Recently a few students and Mrs. Husman met with Katie Schwint from BVRMC to donate the projects to the hospital. / AA Warriors photo...

Straight A Honor Roll Qtr 1 A Honor Roll Qtr 1 B Honor Roll Qtr 1...

“What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again.” – Anne Frank Retired educator Brad Wilkening brought his “Lessons of the Holocaust” to the Alta Library this week. Wilkening, who taught and coached at Laurens-Marathon and Storm Lake St. Mary’s for many years, explored the history of the Nazi Germany era, but his real task was to encourage those attending to stand up against the hate, hostility, bullying and intolerance that still exists in society today...

A political slogan has brought down plans for tree carving at the City Park. The city government and the school booster club had hoped to have a series of dead tree trunks carved into a symbol of pride, with the Alta-Aurelia “Warriors” spelling out in letters across the line of trees, with the final tree carved in the sword-and-shield symbol...

Kevin Walsh’s successful re-election campaign for mayor was boosted by his biggest fan, Kim. She surprised Kevin when, as he came home from work on an evening shortly before Election Day, she was outfitted head to toe in campaign gear. / Contributed

The city of Alta declared its annual Snow Parking Ban during a meeting this week. Mayor Kevin Walsh said the action in one of his least favorite of the year. The ban runs from November until April 1, designed to keep vehicles off the streets so that snow can be effectively removed. The sheriff’s department was directed to begin giving ticketing vehicles that do not comply, with warnings to be given for a short time to give residents a chance to be familiar with the requirement...

The Altagether community group is planning a second Home and Garden Show, to be held March 5 at the Community Building in Alta. The city council this week waived the rental fee for the event. Rob Hach from Altagether said the the first show earlier this year was well received. ...

Alta Chamber had a ribbon cutting for Crum-Brew-La Cafe on Saturday, October 30.

Trunk or Treat was held at Alta Elementary October 29. The school thanks all of the families and businesses that participated. / AA Warriors photos

Voters in both communities - across the county line - approved the Alta-Aurelia plan for a Public Education and Recreation Levy when they went to the polls Tuesday. In Buena Vista County (Alta), the public measure passed 274-215 - a 56 percent approval rate. In Cherokee County (Aurelia) it passed 168 to 113. The levy is projected to produce about $65,000 annually starting next school year...

The phrase “You can never go home again,” has been immortalized in both poem and novel, and basically says that you can go back to the area in which you grew up, but things will never be the same. Dr. Kyle Glienke wasn’t actively looking to prove that wrong, per se, when he returned to the area in which he grew up in, rather, he wanted to come home to give his wife and children a little bit of the experience that he had growing up in the area...

On November 1st, 2021, Yester Montecillos Vazquez, age 22 of Alta, was sentenced in the Iowa District Court by the Honorable John Sandy. On August 6th, 2021 Montecillos Vazquez entered a guilty plea for the crime of Eluding or Attempting to Elude While Operating While Intoxicated, a Class D Felony. He was sentenced to a prison term not to exceed 5 years with the Iowa Department of Corrections; the sentence was suspended and the defendant was placed on probation...

During the recent Fire Prevention Week, Alta firefighters visited the elementary school to help conduct a fire drill. On October 12, Alta firefighters and Junior Firefighters members taught students about fire safety during a special assembly. Firefighters remind families to examine their homes for fire hazards, check batteries in their smoke detectors and plan strategies for exiting the home and finding a family meeting place in the event of a fire. / AA Schools photo...

The Warrior PTO will present “Mardi Gras,” it’s annual fundraiser event, Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Alta Community Center. Tickets are $40 each, or $600 for an eight-person VIP table. Entertaining will be Pianopalooza dueling pianos act with Tony Bohnenkamp and Jerry Lorenzen. The meal will be served at 6:30 p.m., with entertainment from 8-11 p.m. Black tie attire is optional...

If one took in a football game rooting on the Warriors of Alta-Aurelia this recently completed season, they might have noticed things just a little quieter. The same will be true, even more so since the sound is intensified indoors, if said fans decide to come and take in a basketball game at the high school. ...

Alta-Aurelia students will present the musical “Mamma Mia” next month. Tickets are available now in the high school office, $5 each. The musical will be presented Friday, Nov. 12 and Saturday the 13th at 7 p.m. each night, and Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are also available by calling 712-200-1331 or emailing Shawna at [email protected]...

The Alta-Aurelia English as a Second Language program is rapidly evolving, according to Jennifer Langdon, ESL educator. Langdon moved to the district last year, after teaching for 18 years in the Omaha area, where she had found a passion for working with the Latino population...

Not everybody has their own train. Or at least, a vintage caboose attached to their digs. Tiffany Crum, the new owner of Alta’s signature railroad-side diner, has put her own stamp on the business. The former Depot opened last week as Crum-Brew-Le Cafe, a catchy take on the French recipe Crème brûlée, created by Tiffany’s niece...

The school board discussed a growing teacher shortage during a meeting in Aurelia this week. The state historically produces about 2,400 new teachers each year, but currently that number is down to 1,700, Superintendent William Walters explained. Some efforts are being made at the state level to improve the situation. Persons holding a four-year degree can now teach while they are in the process of becoming certified, and colleges are encouraging internships in teaching...

The demographics throughout the country, and the state of Iowa have been changing in the past few decades. Northwest Iowa is not immune from those changes as well, as the population around Storm Lake and the surrounding communities has also been becoming more diverse. ...

How to get to a school Homecoming pep rally in style? On a classic 1950’s-era John Deere 50, of course, perfect for the day’s parading. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen

Enrollment is up 14 students over a year ago for the Alta-Aurelia school district, unofficially, with final numbers waiting for adjustments for open enrollment in and out. New students are still arriving. Despite the increases, class sizes at the sensitive elementary level are ideal, according to Superintendent William Walters. None of the classrooms have more than 22 students, and most are in the high teens...

The Alta Community Library will be having a Come N Go Costume Party on Saturday, October 30th from 10 a.m. to noon.  Balloon artist Sarah K will be providing balloon animals. There will be activities, snacks and a lot of fun. All ages are invited, costumes are welcome...

The Alta-Aurelia school district had over a million dollars remaining in COVID relief funds as of the most recent accounting, district officials were told this week. Some of the COVID funding has been used toward projects such as starting the 3-year-old preschool program, networking the district to better prepare for distance learning, summer programming and addition of two playgrounds...

After months of discussion on how to deal with dying ash trees on private property in the midst of an emerald ash borer infestation, the City of Alta is opting to open its own tree disposal site near the sewer plant to the public, including the golf course...

Even though they have officially been in business in town since November of 2019, when they took over the space formally occupied by Heritage Bank, you might have noticed a lot of work going on at United Bank of Iowa lately. Not only have they added a drive through for the bank, but they are doing a total remodel of the interior of the building, all with the goal of serving their customers in Alta and the surrounding area...

The Alta City Council will make another attempt to get a series of dead tree trunks adjacent to the football field and track carved by an artist. The original carver the city was working with is ending his business, but recommended a carver from Royal to take his place. The new carver has now bid the project, at $1,700, $500 less than the original amount. The plan was to split cost with the school boosters...

Alta-Aurelia Superintendent William Walters is looking to clear up any misconceptions ahead of a second attempt to pass a PERL (Public Education and Recreation Levy) this November. Walters met with the Alta City Council this week to ask for its support, and plans to speak to other groups in the communities...

For three weeks in September Alta-Aurelia 5th graders took part in a Soil Conservation class with Colleen from BV County Water and Soil Conservation. The group got to take a field trip to explore some different land types and ecosystems in Dickinson County...

Trick or Treat night in Alta has been set for Sunday, October 31, 5-7:30 p.m. Those who would like to be visited by children are asked to turn their porch or outside lights on. The mayor sets the date by proclamation each season.

An environmental review has been performed for the City of Alta Sanitary Sewer Collection System Improvements Project, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This project has previously been reviewed by the DNR and a Categorical Exclusion was issued in August. ...

Alta-Aurelia students through all grade levels have been celebrating Homecoming week, leading up to the big game tonight. Here are some photos from the festivities, courtesy of the schools. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen

Members of the Alta Kiwanis Club, with some help from Alta-Aurelia shop students, constructed and installed an access ramp at a home on Peterson Street. The home belongs to a longtime club member, and his wife who was recently injured in a household fall, and was due to return home the next day after a rehabilitation stint. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

What do a seat belt, a bicycle helmet, and a parachute all have in common? They are all safety measures to keep you safe in the case of an emergency. Parents need to feel that their children are safe when they send them to school and to show how they are doing that; the Alta-Aurelia School district is rolling out a new technology to provide an extra layer of safety for their students...

After a well-received Alta-Aurelia student trip to Washington. D.C. during the summer, the next trip is already being planned for 2023. The organizers told the school board recently that they feel strongly that the opportunity should be offered to another group, using the same touring company...

Alta-Aurelia schools are focusing on cultural respect efforts early in this school year. At the elementary level, students are exploring the cultures in their communities and learning how to stop bullying. Staff is providing positive messages places on student’s lockers and in backpacks...

There will be a race for mayor in Alta on the November ballot, with incumbent Kevin Walsh and James Eaton running. Incumbent Willie Lang and Desi Suter are running for the two open council seats. On the Alta-Aurelia school board, five candidates will compete for two open seats. They are Jodi Theisen, Corey Diischer, Tom Hinkeldey, Mitch Langschwager and Bradley Rohwer...

Alta-Aurelia High School has set its homecoming court, with a week of activities coming next week. Front row: Shea Lockin, Sara Cargin, Angela Lopez, Jocelyn Launderville, Kim Weflen. Back row: Preston McCoy, Zach Erpelding, Tanner Randall, Lane Kraemer, Brennan Shea...

Alta-Aurelia schools have ensured that all classrooms have an American flag in them, following a new state mandate. The state is requiring that all rooms in use during a daily reading of the Pledge of Allegiance must have a flag. The district requires the pledge daily...

The Mom2Mom of Alta group will be holding a pumpkin sale at Summit Evangelical Free Church, Wednesday, October 6 - 3-8 p.m. The group will be selling pumpkins grown by one of their mentor moms and use the money raised to help support the group of moms. They will be in the parking lot until the pumpkins are gone...

From out of the mists of baseball history, Paddy comes to bat one more time for his home community. A drive to make the Alta-Aurelia baseball complex into the best thing this side of the major leagues is nearing its goals, with a big boost from a most unexpected source - the one, the only, player from the neighbor towns to even play major league baseball. Get your Cracker Jacks fans, because there’s a story about to play out...

New Alta-Aurelia Elementary Principal Tim Scott donned an apron to start the school year seeing education through the eyes of the school lunch staff. “Had the pleasure of serving with the hardest working lunch ladies around. I’m proud to be part of the gang,” he said. / AA schools photo...

The new Alta-Aurelia High School Health Occupations class is off to a good start, although the numbers have dropped from 10 enrolled to 7 in the first weeks of the school year. School nurse Peg Hinkeldey reported on the class to the school board this week. Students will start their clinical work in October, partnering with the nursing home in Aurelia...