Business News

Congratulations to Bob and Lona Wells of Fonda on winning the Farm Bureau “Fill Your Freezer” bundle in the recent promotion at Storm Lake Fareway. / Photo courtesy Storm Lake United

Storm Lake United will host a ribbon cutting for Get It Today, Storm Lake’s new furniture, electronics and appliances store. The ribbon cutting is at 10:30 a.m., and is open to the public. Get It Now offers furnishings for every room, appliances, mattresses, electronics and audio gear, with available financing and rent to own options. The store, located across from Zone Home Entertainment on Lake Avenue downtown, is open weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays 10-5. / Photo submitted...

Where can I go to find answers about Medicare prescription drug plans? Are mammograms covered by Medicare Part B? What is a Medicare Advantage plan? I will be turning 65—who can help me understand Medicare? My medications have gotten so expensive I just can’t afford to take them all, is there any help? I was contacted about providing my Medicare number for a free service, is this on the up and up?...

Lakeview Diner in Storm Lake has closed. The business announced October 7 that it was closing due to health reasons, and will not be reopening. The restaurant had opened in July.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Business Recognition Luncheon is just around the corner. Wednesday, November 13th marks the Corridor’s tenth annual ceremony to thank existing business and industries for their commitment to the Corridor Region. Because of their presence, our economy is further stimulated creating jobs and fostering the quality of life in our area...

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a habitat conservation plan proposed by MidAmerican Energy as the best solution to help preserve certain bat and eagle species at company wind farms. As part of the plan, MidAmerican Energy will establish conservation funds for statewide bat and eagle programs that will help bolster their populations...

The Sugar Bowl will be hosting fun, food, drinks and a Hallmark Movie showing of “Miss Christmas” on Thursday, October 24th. Fun begins at 7 p.m. with snacks, giveaways and dessert. Movie showing time is 7:30 p.m. Come dressed in your best Hallmark watching movie attire and you could be crowned Miss Christmas!...

Hy-Vee, Inc. has temporarily suspended the sale of all over-the-counter Zantac brand and Topcare brand ranitidine products. This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution due to a recent industry-wide product alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that ranitidine products may contain a low level of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen...

While the gardening season is done, Jones’ Nursery is celebrating October with a new Pumpkin Hollow attraction, which includes a giant Halloween creations made from hay bales, many types of pumpkins and gourds for sale, lots of fall decor inside the greenhouse, and even cutouts for special photos with the children. Hours are noon-4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday in October. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has opened registration for Annie’s Project, a program focused on empowering women in agriculture, to be held in Cherokee late this fall. Annie’s Project is a six-session course created for women by women, with the purpose of guiding agri-women in making or helping to make decisions for their farm and/or agribusiness. ...

Spurred by the industrial hemp provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill, farmers and producers in the state of New York have been developing a vested interest in growing the high-value crop. E4 Crop Intelligence, an Iowa-based precision ag firm, traveled to upstate New York to conduct soil sampling for industrial hemp producer, Functional Remedies. The expert team of E4 crop consultants worked with the client to evaluate field conditions, some of which may be prime location for growing hemp...

Hy-Vee, Inc. stores will surprise lucky customers who purchase Hy-Vee brand products with up to $2,500 cash during the annual Hy-Vee’s Brands for Grands sweepstakes. When customers swipe their Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks™ card at checkout during the month of October, they automatically receive one entry into the sweepstakes for every Hy-Vee brand product they purchase. ...

Storm Lake United, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, and Storm Lake Retail in Action are pleased to announce Sassy Saturday in Storm Lake will be back this year on September 28. Community members can participate by purchasing a BVRMC P.I.N.K. wristband for three dollars. ...

For the sixth year in a row, Central Bank has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Iowa. “Central Bank takes care of its employees”, “opportunity to grow” and “a good environment to come to work every day” are just a few reasons why their employees find Central Bank a great place to work...

Hy-Vee is celebrating 50 YEARS in the community of Storm Lake this month. Storm Lake United Coffee is holding a coffee acknowledging this important milestone and welcoming the new store director, Whitney Cunningham, to Storm Lake. / Photo submitted

The Elements in Storm Lake will host a Holiday Design Event, Sunday, October 13, noon-5 p.m. See how The Elements does the holidays. A day of shopping; Santas; samples and treats; and demonstrations, including quickie centerpieces, holiday tables and The Elements’ famous 5-minute tree. Demos begin at 2 p.m. The Elements by K. Sorbe is located at 1701 W. Milwaukee. / Photo submitted...

The Iowa Soybean Association hosted the Ag Outlook Panel Thursday morning inside the Clay County Fair and Events Center ballroom, where Iowa State University leadership: ISU President Wendy Wintersteen, Dean of the College of Agriculture Daniel Robison and Vice President for Extension and Outreach John Lawrence, took questions including how the university positions Iowa agriculture for the future...

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach invites family caregivers to participate in the five-session Finances of Caregiving course beginning Oct. 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the ISU Extension and Outreach Cherokee County office. The course focuses on helping caregivers to make decisions and plan ahead...

Single use plastic containers are no longer flying at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport. In an effort to reduce their plastic footprint, the airport has replaced plastic soda bottles in the vending machines with aluminum cans, which are 100% recyclable, which is not true for recycled plastic. ...

Godbersen Metal Works has announced the purchase of the facility at 1701 38th Avenue West in Spencer, Iowa. The facility is being updated and will reopen in the near future for contract manufacturing specializing in steel fabrication, welding, machining, painting and assembly for a variety of industries...

Paxtons Jewelry has once again teamed up with BVRMC’s P.I.N.K. for our annual balloon bash and cake dig fundraiser. Every $10 donation gets a chance to bash a balloon and win a gemstone. Each balloon is a winner, with chances to win gemstones like pink tourmaline, blue topaz, peridot, and many more. Winners of the pink pearls will be contestants in our Diamond Cake Dig. Grand prize this year is a spectacular diamond rose gold ring valued at $599...

Construction is well under way on a new fuel filling station at the Storm Lake Hy-Vee store. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen

MidAmerican Energy has announced its plans to erect fast-charging stations for electric vehicles in more than a dozen Iowa cities. The Des Moines-based energy company says it plans to build the publicly-accessible stations, with two charging plugs per station, in 15 urban and rural communities. A DC fast-charger, also called a “Level 3” charger, can generally charge an electric vehicle in 20 to 45 minutes...

Fall cover crop seeding, cover crop funding and seeding covers into standing crops are some of the highlights of an Aug. 27 field day at Iowa State University’s Allee Demonstration Farm. Lyle Rossiter, Allee Demonstration Farm superintendent, will begin the program by reviewing the growing season and discussing cover crop research at the farm...

Gov. Kim Reynolds, joined by business and education leaders, announced this week opportunities now available through the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning, a virtual space that connects students and employers through shared projects that enable students to learn through real-world professional experiences...

The owner of popular Spencer restaurant Taqueria el Tapatio, Eduardo Sanchez Idalgo, is opening up a new Mexican restaurant at Storm Lake. The father of two previously worked for El Mexicano Restaurant for over 12 years in Storm Lake and Spencer, and turned entrepreneur six years ago...

Corn Belt Telephone Co., Inc. held a ground breaking ceremony for their new Medical Building in Sac County today, Friday, August 23rd. The Medical Office Building located at 216 W. 1st St., Wall Lake, Iowa, will house two full time Dentists including Dr. Taylor Schroeder. The adjacent office will provide accommodation for another committed medical professional, which will be announced at a later date...

We’ve got spirit, how about you? Powell Broadcasting has announced the launch of Spirit 712, an online contemporary Christian music radio station. Rather than tuning in on traditional radios, listeners can hear this musical ministry through their computer, mobile apps, and Alexa...

It’s that time of year again, when King’s Pointe outdoor waterpark begins to wind down for the season. The park will be open Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 1-5, then will be closed the 26th-30th. The waterpark’s final three days of the season will be Labor Day weekend, Saturday, Aug. ...

The owners of Okoboji Harley-Davidson announced the local motorcycle retail store will officially close Aug. 31. The announcement said the decision was in response to current market conditions and anticipated investment needs. Jim Wilcox and his father Ed co-own both the Okoboji location and Ernie’s Harley-Davidson in Algona, which is expected to close Sept. 28. The Okoboji location employs six full-time staff members and a few part-time employees...

The Iowa Best Bagger contest was held Friday, August 9, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, with a $500 cash prize and a trip for two to San Diego to compete in the National Best Bagger Competition on the line. Among the competitors was Tyler Mandernach, from Fareway in Storm Lake...