Stories from Wednesday, July 18, 2018

The American Legion of Storm Lake, Shaeffer Post 115, sponsored two Storm Lake residents to attend Boys State last June. Boys State is an American Legion program that gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn about state and city government for a week at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa...

Storm Lake High School's music department is excited to start a mariachi band in hopes that it would peak interest in students and in the community. Last week, all three high school music instructors attended a five-day conference in Las Vegas, Nevada to learn about and play the different instruments included in a mariachi band...

What's good news for many workers may be a challenge for some employers. A new study finds the average wage paid in Buena Vista County at $17.23 an hour - up a full dollar over this time last year. "Just living here got you a 6 percent raise," quipped Kiley Miller, CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor, which serves the economic development needs of the county along with Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties...

The City of Storm Lake took a first step toward an amended garbage ordinance Monday, despite repeated concerns from one member who feels the rules are impossible to enforce. After a public hearing and lengthy discussion Monday, the council passed the new regulations on a first reading, 3-1. Two more readings will be required to enact the changes, which would take effect January 1...

The Storm Lake City Council has deadlocked in a vote on extending the contract with the owners of Buoys Bar and Grill to run the Storm Lake Marina. With four of the five member present, a proposal for a five-year extension died in a 2-2 vote Monday...

"I think I can win," said Dale Arends (R--Newell), telling the Pilot-Tribune why he is planning to run as an independent for District 2's seat on Buena Vista County's Board of Supervisors. Though at first he would not officially comment on his decision to run as an independent candidate in the general election, he has decided to sit down and talk about his intentions after a parade showing or two. ...

With a prayer, a new candle lit and a first meal taken together on Saturday, the community dedicated the new house at the end of Oneida Street to its 16th Habitat for Humanity family, giving the first-generation Sudanese immigrants and their children a tangible piece of their American dream...

FORT DODGE - It was a first for the Alta-Aurelia Warriors on Monday night as they took on the Iowa City Regina Regals in a 2A quarterfinal contest. The nerves showed a little bit as the Warriors stayed in the game for most of the night but one inning changed the complexion of the game. A-A bowed to the Regals, 7-2...

FORT DODGE - The difference between picking up a State tournament win and walking away with the loss can boil down to the little things on the diamond. Newell-Fonda had some struggles with the little things in their 1A quarterfinal game against top seeded Collins-Maxwell. The Spartans used errors and timely hits to take a 5-0 decision away from the Mustangs on Monday...