Stories from Monday, July 23, 2018

A new study shows that most of Iowa's counties are having trouble achieving gender balance on boards and commissions as required by state law. None of the area counties met the requirements. The study by Iowa State University's Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics found only four counties in the state are balanced, which is down from six counties two years ago. Researchers collected data from 97 counties...

ou don't get much done without delivering a consistent message. And when it comes to assimilation of Storm Lake's ethnic diversity, Mark Prosser has been the right person in the right place at the right time - for a long time. As police chief, and later director of Public Safety for Storm Lake, Prosser and public safety staffs have been unwavering in a commitment to treat everyone equally and with dignity...

The long-delayed on-street bike trail project in Storm Lake may get done before the snow flies. The project has been in discussion for two years. Last summer, with some change in city staff, painting of the trails on the side of selected streets accessing all areas of the communities never got done, and this year, the project was again delayed as questions arose about whether some of the streets are wide enough to have a bike lane and still retain two lanes of auto traffic...

Over 500 bicyclists are expected to roll out from the Iowa Mennonite School near Kalona, Iowa on Saturday, August 18 for the 14th annual Courage Ride for Sarcoma Cancer. Beginning at 6:30 a.m., bicyclists will travel on seven different paved routes throughout the day in picturesque Amish country...

New approach would initially put kindergarten, instead of preschool, into first phase of new school.

As Genesis Development celebrates 45 years of service to the Storm Lake community this year, it also shines a spotlight on one of the 40-some people it has helped place in community-based employment. One of those people, Andrew Ehlers, has found his potential as a valued member of the community through their guidance...