Local and Area News

The Newell Boosting Achievers met on September 12th and October 10th to organize for the new year. Newly elected officers include Isabelle Landgraf President, Jack Olsen Vice President, Will Landgraf Treasurer, Shelby Lynch Secretary, April Meyer Reporter, Eliana Olsen, Rowyn, Katie, Photographers, Titus Olsen Recruiter, and Caden Meyer Senior Advisor. ...

Six students from the Storm Lake High School music program have attained the highest individual honor available to an Iowa high school musician by being selected as a member of the 2021 All-State Chorus or Band. The following is a list of the students selected from Storm Lake:...

The Friends of the Storm Lake Public Library aresponsoring Story Time on Thursday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m. Bedtime stories will be read, and participants will explore how children in other countries fall asleep. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library, 732-8026...

The Community Education Walking Programbegins this week. Now that colder weather is moving in, area walkers can move inside. Walking hours at the Storm Lake Middle School will be school days 6:30-7:15 a.m. and 4 - 6:30 p.m. Please sign-in upon arrival...

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) The courtesy dock at the Bel-Air boat ramp has been removed for the season. Courtesy docks at the ramp in the DNR marina will remain in place throughout the season. Water temperature is in the mid-50’s. Most of the lake is free of vegetation. Water clarity is less than one foot. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or dip baits fished on the bottom in areas along shore with rocks. Walleye - Fair: Water temperatures are cooling down. ...

As temperatures fall and home heating costs begin adding up, MidAmerican Energy encourages customers facing financial difficulties to apply for low-income home energy assistance program, or LIHEAP, funds. “Winters can add a financial strain for our customers who struggle to pay their energy bills,” Mike Gehringer, vice president of customer operations for MidAmerican, said. ...

By the time they’re 30, some 30% of people who grew up in an agricultural environment have some type of hearing handicap. University of Nebraska Medical Center’s(UNMC) Ellen Duysen, Community Outreach Specialist with UNMC’s Central States Center for Agricultural Health at the College of Public Health, says research shows that activities such as riding in a tractor cab, exposure to grain dryer noise and participating in shooting sports without hearing protection are among the most common causes of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).. ...

Laurens-Marathon kicked off a Red Ribbon Week anti-drug program with an assembly. Laurens police officers spoke with students about drug safety. / LM Schools photo

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded Seasons Center for Behavioral Heath $1,500,000 per year for the next two years as part of the CMHC grant program. Funds will be used to support and restore the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic...

After sustaining an injury in high school, Samantha Crawford wasn’t sure she’d cheer competitively again. That changed upon her enrollment at Buena Vista University, where Crawford is a junior. And, a BVU cheerleader. “I had a back injury during high school and didn’t think I’d be able to cheer again,” says Crawford, a double-major studying criminology and criminal justice as well as social work. ...

A crowd enjoyed talented musical performers Friday might at the Witter Gallery for the latest Witter After Hours event. Candy Clough, Liz Gregg, Linda Baier and Deb DeHaan shared grand piano music and vocals - with the rare treat of a six-hand performance on the keyboard. ...

A proposed pipeline that would move captured carbon dioxide from Iowa ethanol and fertilizer plants to Illinois - where it would be stowed underground - is set for discussion at a series of community meetings starting in November. The Heartland Greenway System, proposed by Texas-based Navigator CO2 Ventures, would stretch about 885 total miles in Iowa. ...

COVID-19 numbers remain lower and stable in Buena Vista County, with one additional COVID-related death in the county this past week. CDC statistics showed 20 new cases in the county during last week, the same rate as the week before, and down sharply from the 65 cases seen a month ago, in the last week of September...

Hours after redistricting maps were approved that threw two local incumbent Republicans into the same district, longtime State Representative Gary Worthan announced that he will retire from his position after completing his term in 2022. “The maps have passed, and my decision is made,” Worthan told the Pilot-Tribune Friday. “I just don’t have the fire in my belly for a primary race. I’ve been at this long enough, it’s time to let some younger guns try it.”...

“The dog is better known than I am,” Storm Lake Middle School Assistant Principal Jaymie Bral says with a wry note of humor. “People passing us say hello to Dory, they don’t even know I’m there.” He’s quick to add, “That’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.”...

Not long ago, Storm Lake’s downtown was studded with empty storefronts, like teeth missing from a smile. Suddenly, they are filling at a rapid pace as new local entrepreneurs open shops and restaurants, and the shopping district seems to be newly energized...

For area farmers, 2021 will go down as the year of a near miraculous comeback. Crops that were stressed in the summer drought were saved by the gentle rains of late August, and now are returning yields much higher than could have been expected earlier in the year...

An exercise three years in the making came to fruition at the Buena Vista University Homecoming celebration as nine students, freshmen who came to campus in the fall of 2018, hosted a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Festival for the public to enjoy...

The numbers of meatpacking workers infected and killed by the coronavirus are much higher than previously known, a congressional review has found. More than 59,000 workers of the country’s five largest meatpackers were infected, and about 270 died, according to a report by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis that was made public Wednesday...

A second set of redistricting maps approved last evening will divide Buena Vista County into two different Iowa House districts, and throw both the current local state representative and senator into new districts with a fellow Republican incumbent. The plan heads to the governor for a signature...

Buena Vista County Supervisors passed a second reading this week of rezoning to make way for a $350 Platinum Crush soybean crushing plant between Storm Lake and Alta. A third and potentially final reading is set for Nov. 2, 9 a.m. at the secondary roads building...

The 2020 - 2021 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. Applications will be taken November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021...

Buena Vista County Supervisors this week agreed to a strategic partnership with Buena Vista University. The university if forming such partnerships with schools, community colleges and leading employers to offer discounted education to their employees and their families...

Iowa gas prices have risen 1.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.13 to start the week - up 15.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and a whopping $1.12 higher than the same date a year ago. Storm Lake pump prices were fluctuating - from the lowest at $3 per gallon at Yesway to $3.19 at many stations this week. This is the first time gas has been above $3 for this date locally since 2014...

It all started with a flood. After 34 years on the bench, Storm Lake Juvenile Court Judge Mary Timko is stepping down, after making a wave of difference in countless families’ lives. Growing up, her grandparents had lived in a flood plain in Prairie du Chien, Wisc., where lives were swept away by rising water. “None of them could afford anyone to help them, they were all kind of poor people. They needed someone who would represent them,” Mary says of her first impulse to pursue the law...

The school mascot got into the act playing with the Storm Lake High School drumline in its last home football appearance of the season recently.

The fledgling Buena Vista County Suicide Prevention Coalition is looking to take their message to the streets - and the gyms. The coalition has emerged over the past year, meeting largely by Zoom. In a gathering last week, the group discussed a recent suicide that had touched a local school...

Local COVID-19 cases continue to decline. As of the end of last week, 20 new cases had been reported for Buena Vista County in the past seven days, down 35 percent from the previous week, and sharply down from the 65 cases seen in the last week of September. At an average of three new cases per day in the county, the rate is the lowest since mid-August...

Storm Lake schools continue to grapple with staff shortages. Superintendent Stacey Cole warned the board of education this week that it is likely to begin seeing people hired part-time because full-time positions can’t be filled. “We will start to reach out creatively to fill these positions,” she said...

The Storm Lake School Board revised its compulsory attendance policy last week - setting 25 days missed during a school year as the limit triggering families to have a required meeting with a mediator to address the situation. Previously, policies had differed in handbooks for the different buildings, in some cases allowing only 10 days truant. District leaders felt that period was too short, with the possibility of students staying home with COVID-19 cases...

Navigator CO2 Ventures has announced that its has obtained the necessary board approvals to proceed with its proposed 1,300-mile carbon dioxide capture pipeline system, known as The Heartland Greenway. According to the company, having successfully reached the initial approval phase, it has begun the process to obtain all the necessary permits to construct the pipeline...

Buena Vista University and Merrill Manufacturing have entered a Strategic Partnership to continue strengthening the communities they serve. This partnership opens opportunities for employees of Merrill Manufacturing, as well as eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost of education while enrolled in classes at BVU’s Storm Lake campus. ...

The Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Masquerade Jewelry Fair, held on Tuesday, October 19, was a huge success. The group thanks all who attended for helping us raise $1,200.00. “Your donation helps us better serve our patients. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone that came out and supported our jewelry and accessories sale. ...

The Catholic school systems in the Diocese of Sioux City are preparing the path for a new 5-year strategic planning effort. Superintendent Patty Lansink and the leadership of the diocesan Catholic schools are launching “Illuminating our Path” at a kickoff event Nov. 11...

When prioritizing expenses, a major household bill is utilities (e.g., electricity, gas, water and sewer, landline and cell phone, and internet/cable). The highest utility cost is typically heating the home. Plan for increasing home heating costs over the next six months as utility providers are warning that they may increase these costs...

More than 150 participants from six area high schools convened on a chilly, but clear morning for Buena Vista University’s third annual Ag Expo on Oct. 14. Sessions featuring representatives from six local businesses played out at BVU’s Agricultural Experiment Station mere minutes north of campus...

Storm Lake United is pleased to announce the launch of a retooled website to the community, business owners and visitors. The new site launched this summer added better functionality and a more engaging user experience. “The previous version of Storm Lake United’s website was outdated, and the user experience was challenging” says Lee Dutfield, executive director of Storm Lake United. ...

Ghastly Greetings one and all! Storm Lake United presents Chills and Thrills on Saturday, October 30th from 10 a.m. to Noon. Disembark on our Spooky Shores and make your way downtown for fun, frights, games, and delights! Trick or Treating will take place downtown and in select store locations. ...

New inclusive playground equipment and other items for the Storm Lake Elementary School were dedicated this week in memory of Twyla Kleen, longtime school nurse. The dedication took place on Twyla’s birthday. The equipment includes musical flowers sculptures, and a swing bench and shade that will be installed soon...

“It’s all about brainstorming, right?” With that introduction, landscape architect Casey Byers launches into a plan to turn 220 acres of unloved former dredge spoil site into an outdoor recreation haven, complete with youth sports fields, a dog park, hiking/biking trails, outdoor classrooms, open-air shelters, a nature playscape for children and restored prairie area. ...

Rezoning of a 440-acre site to make way for a proposed $35 million Platinum Crush soybean processing plant between Storm Lake and Alta was passed unanimously by the Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Two more readings will be needed to finalize the change...

Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Planning We are eagerly awaiting approval from the CDC regarding Pfizer for children ages 5-11 years old. In anticipation of approval when the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets on November 2 and 3. There are approximately 28 million children between the ages of 5-11 years old in the United States which included 283,153 children in Iowa. ...

A project to build a mini-pitch soccer field in Storm Lake’s Chautauqua Park is behind schedule, but still alive. In April, the Storm Lake City Council agreed to a proposal by non-profit organization Kick It Forward to build the soccer facility on the site formerly used for tennis courts in the park. The agreement called for the pitch to be completed this year, with an option for either the city or Kick It Forward to back out of the deal if the funds hadn’t been raised by September 1...

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center is hosting a safe and fun trick or treat event for children, Sunday October 31, 2-4 p.m. Stay in your car and drive up to the BVRMC main entrance for a treat hosted by ER and ambulance staff. Please enter the main entrance driveway off of Northwestern Drive and continue through and around the Main Entrance...

Assistant Buena Vista County Attorney Ashley Herrig will be recognized with the Iowa County Attorneys Association Staff Attorney Award of Merit.  The award is meant to “recognize and reward experienced staff attorneys who have earned distinguished records of accomplishment, dedication and service to the Association, their communities, and to the public.” She will receive the award next month at the County Attorney Conference in Des Moines. ...

Transparency is a key issue for the Storm Lake City Council, member Kevin McKinney suggested at a recent council meeting. McKinney was concerned that the 5 p.m. meeting time, although common for cities around the region, might prevent some people from being able to attend. He suggested moving the “hear the public” portion of the meeting from the beginning of the meeting to the end, to allow people who wish to address the council more time to get to the meetings...

The Bomgaars Ladies Night is set for Sunday, October 24, 2021 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Shoppers will receive 20% off regular priced merchandise, some restrictions apply. 5% of total sales will be donated to area cancer centers, including Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. In 2020, Bomgaars donated over $65,000.00 to 94 locations...

COVID-19 cases remain fairly steady in Buena Vista County. Thirty-one new cases were reported in the week ending Sunday, down 26 percent from a mild spike the previous week, to about equal the 30 cases reported in the first week of October. Case counts have remained well below the 65 reported in the last week of September...

UNI education students will be getting first-hand classroom experience in Storm Lake. Thirteen college students are in an English as a second language teaching program this fall, and have committed to an all-day every-day experience in classrooms in Storm Lake, one of the most diverse school systems in the state...