Stories from Friday, April 27, 2018

Buena Vista University has announced that Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, will be the 2018 Commencement speaker on May 26. Naig, who is a 2000 graduate of BVU with degrees in biology and political science, was appointed to his new role last month by Governor Kim Reynolds. Prior to that, Naig had successfully served as the state’s deputy secretary of agriculture since 2013...

Thousands of students across the state participated in the Secretary of State’s 2018 Spring Youth Straw Poll over the past few days. The results show Iowa’s youth favoring Governor Kim Reynolds and congressional incumbents overall. Reynolds got 24 percent of the vote for governor. ...

The Sauk Rail Trail will host its 29th annual Spring Ride Sunday, 2-5 p.m., starting from Whiskey Run in Maple River. Admission is free, live music will be provided featuring Corey Waller and Neil Anders. Lakeshore Cyclery in Storm Lake is donating a GT GTR Series 3 road bike plus accessories, and a Schwinn elliptical machine, among many prizes in a fundraiser raffle, with all proceeds going to Sauk Rail Trail improvements and maintenance. ...

Tami Nepple submitted three resignations on the same day, recently, stepping down from positions with the Storm Lake School District. She is resigning at High School Prom sponsor, SAT coordinator, and Key Club sponsor. She has offered to provide training for new people in all the positions...

The Meeting Place was pleased to welcome Melissa Ausborn to Galva to teach a beginner crochet class on April 21. As part of the two-hour make-n-take program, Melissa shared some of her favorite crochet projects, talked about different kinds of crochet needles, hooks, yarns, weights, stitch guides and much more. She demonstrated how to do a single crochet stitch and helped twenty-three ladies of all ages and skill levels learn how to crochet a simple washcloth...

ACCIDENTS On April 19 at approximately 4 p.m., at the intersection of Greenwood Dr. and Lochedem Dr. in Storm Lake, a vehicle driven by Jared Clark of Storm Lake was involved in an accident with another vehicle driven by Thongkoun Bounyavouth of Storm Lake. The two vehicles collided causing total damages estimated at $5,000.

Buena Vista University hosted a panel discussion on water quality Monday evening for Iowa Public Radio, featuring experts from scientific, environmental and agricultural interests to discuss the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and progress with legislative solutions...

Some people make mountains out of mole hills. But Jeff Klatt of Storm Lake makes treasures out of tree stumps. The woodcarving artist is a seasoned veteran in his field, and has carved out a name for himself with clients all across the country, from the the east coast to the west coast, and many places between. ...

The Parks Board is putting the “work hard, play hard” mantra to use as they make progress on getting a new playground for Alta kids. Timothy Cunningham, a representative from a company that specializes in playground equipment, gave an estimate at a recent Board meeting, presenting various configuration options. ...

Cornwell, Frideres, Maher & Associates, P.L.e., CPA’s released an audit report on the Alta Community School District in Alta, Iowa. The District’s revenues totaled $8,661,774 for the year ended June 30, 2017, a 10.8% increase from the prior year. Revenues included $3,312,285 in local tax, charges for service of $1,306,320, operating grants, capital grants, contributions and restricted interest of $1,702,547, unrestricted interest of $4,649 and other general revenues of $2,335,973. ...

Once  again the Kiwanis were visited by two guest speakers. First was Emily Bodholdt, President of “Ready, Set, Grow” child care center Alta. Thanks to Alta School they are able to have child care located at west end of the old high school. Currently, 37 children are being cared for with 26 on a waiting list. ...

Trevina Jefferson is giving parents in Storm Lake a new option for their preschool needs. The Trepson Montessori Preschool, which subscribes to the Montessori method, gives children an education plan personalized to their individual needs. “This is a natural space,” Jefferson said of the fitted area of her home that serves the preschool. ...

By DANA LARSEN Pilot-Tribune reviews Finally, finally FINALLY spring! And since you can’t be outdoors sucking up that fresh warm air 24 hours a day, how about some movies that really capture the spring feeling? By my count, there are 28 movies over the past 65 years simply titled “Spring” - all of them worthless. There are plenty of goofy spring break sex comedies, and some ridiculous fare along the lines of “Memorial Day Massacre.” Here are some better choices for the season:...

The Storm Lake Public Library’s Theater Lovers Book Club’s next meeting is Thursday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. May’s script selection is the Pulitzer Prize-winner, Proof, by David Auburn. The Pulitzer website describes Proofas “the story of an enigmatic young woman, Catherine, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father, and an unexpected suitor. ...

In honor of his mother, and mothers everywhere, Larry Heschke will be taking the stage at the Fonda Arts Center on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 13, starting at 3 p.m. Larry lost his mother, Betty, six years ago after a courageous battle with cancer. Betty was a lover of music herself, and took great pleasure in listening to her son sing and develop his music career. ...

On the evening of Tuesday, April 24, at approximately 8:15 p.m. the Storm Lake Police Department responded to 309 Ontario Street in reference to locating a wanted person. Upon arrival of police they met with the occupant identified as Victor Montoya, age 25 of Storm Lake and learned the wanted person was not at the residence...

On the evening of Tuesday, April 24, at approximately 11:10 p.m. the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to the 500 block of Superior Street in reference to an assault in progress. Upon arrival of police they located a John Garcia, age 20 of Storm Lake and took him into custody and they further located Jonathon Andrade, age 19 of Storm Lake lying unconscious on the ground suffering from injuries to his face and head. ...

On the morning of Tuesday, April 24, at approximately 7:36 a.m. the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to the Storm Lake Wal-Mart Store in reference to a theft. Upon arrival of police they met with store staff who alleged that two juvenile females concealed approximately $100 in merchandise and attempted to exit the store without paying for the items at which time they were detained. ...

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that three locally-led watershed-based demonstration projects including two on the North Raccoon River in northwest Iowa will be expanding their work in targeted watersheds to accelerate implementation of practices that improve water quality...

One farmer's trash is Molly Schroeder's treasure at Abel Acres in Alta. The young entrepreneur's business out in the sticks has given an outlet to defining the rugged beauty of rural America's charm. Abel Acres sells a variety of unique home décor items, from bed frames and tables to window dressings and goat milk soap. All of her items are locally sourced and support local businesses, which is a critical part of her mission. “We find things and repurpose them,” she said...

Buena Vista University will hold its 105th Buenafication Day on May 1. For this annual day of service and fun, classes are not scheduled to allow students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to volunteer their time for service activities on campus and throughout the Storm Lake and surrounding communities...

At municipal-owned resort Kings Pointe in Storm Lake, the pedal is to the metal to prepare for the tourism season about to blossom on the lakefront. Many improvements have been made with a new management company to begin its second summer with the property...

In the wake of shooting tragedies around the country, Storm Lake Assistant Police Chief Chris Cole was asked to address a large group of students about preparing for the possibility of violence. “There is sort of a collective trauma our nation is feeling together - a collective anxiety, and it is being felt by those of us who are students or work at schools,” said professor Jessica Mendel in introducing the event held in the field house Wednesday night...

One was told that he would never be able to live anywhere but his parents’ basement, and would never be able to support himself. “I got tired of being told what I couldn’t do,” he said. Three Buena Vista University students with autism challenges stepped forward Wednesday to present their stories in an emotional event on campus. It didn’t take long to dispel myths about living with autism...

DUBUQUE - The Buena Vista baseball team team returned to the diamond on Tuesday afternoon for an Iowa Conference road doubleheader at Loras College, but the Beavers saw their losing skid hit four games after losses to the Duhawks by scores of 22-3 (7 inn.) and 7-4...

STORM LAKE - The Storm Lake girls soccer team had some chances to get on the board on Tuesday night again Sioux Center, failing to convert on a handful of shots in a 2-0 defeat. “Several of our senior leaders are fighting through injuries and they are not 100 percent. Sioux Center was better than us on Tuesday night,” SL coach Alison Myrtue said...

IOUX CENTER - The Storm Lake boys kept the win streak alive on Tuesday night as they took a 3-1 decision on the pitch against Sioux Center. “I was very impressed with our performance on Tuesday night. We were able to posses the ball very well and shut down their attacks,” SL coach Ben Schekirke said...

POCAHONTAS/FORT DODGE - The Panther girls’ golf team had their first two meets of the season on Tuesday and Wednesday night. On Tuesday they took part in the quad meet against Twin Lakes Conference foes Alta-Aurelia, Pocahontas Area and West-Bend Mallard. The Panthers were unable to field a team score as the Warriors took the meet with a low score of 193...

STORM LAKE - The Buena Vista softball team let a late lead get away during a 4-3 loss to the University of Dubuque in game one of their doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon before its comeback bid in the nightcap came up just short, as the Beavers again fell by a 4-3 margin...

CHEROKEE - Both the Tornado boys and girls’ track squads were able to get out on Tuesday night for competition against seven other schools. The green and white girls took sixth and the boys finished eighth. The Storm Lake girls didn’t see a first place finish but registered some points in quite a few events. ...

ALTA - The Alta-Aurelia Warriors took charge of their lone home meet this season, defeating a handful of other schools on Tuesday in the boys and girls side. The Warrior ladies took first with a team score of 199 and Sioux Central claimed second with 137. The Warrior boys had a team score of 158 with the Rebels taking second with 112. The Raptor boys took sixth with 54 points and St. Mary’s eighth with nine points...

Iowans are on the lookout for symptoms of measles, after a report that a victim of the illness recently traveled twice through the state. According to Buena Vista County Public Health Director Pam Bogue, the Missouri Department of Health has notified Iowa officials that a person who was later confirmed with measles made several stops during their trip, including restaurants in Des Moines and Ankeny on Friday and Monday...