Stories from Friday, October 5, 2018

Whereas, traditionally, children of all ages have observed Halloween in the City of Alta by participating in “Trick or Treat Night,” and Whereas, many parents have requested that the City officially set aside a specific date and time for all the little witches, goblins, and space creatures to trick or treat in our community;...

Tuesday, October 2: Tuesday’s Coffee & Crafts For Adults 1:30-3 p.m. Friday, October 5: Toddle Time for ages 5 and under 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 6: Kid’s STEM Creation Stations 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, October 9: Tuesday’s Coffee & Crafts For Adults 1:30-3 p.m...

Iowa law guarantees that every child in the state receives an “equal” amount of money to fund his/her education. A district’s budget is basically derived from the number of children enrolled in the district multiplied by the district’s cost per child. ...

Hanover Historical Society held their annual German Feast fundraiser at Aurelia’s Community Center on Saturday. Alta-Aurelia’s dance team waited tables as servers. The historical society thanks Thrivent, Nuvera, volunteers and guests for their contributions...

Alta City Council approved the installation of a panic button for city clerk Megan Peterson after an incident about six weeks ago. An irate person throwing things in City Hall and banging on things, directed at the city’s utility department, has driven the decision. The button can discretely send a call directly to the County Sheriff’s dispatch. The City is also looking into installing plexiglass where the municipal utility’s open window is...

The street parking ban will take effect this winter in Alta city limits starting November 1, going to March 30. Debate arose as to whether it was wise to keep the plan in place when no snow is on the ground. Mayor Al Clark contemplated waiting until the first snow to declare a parking ban, but that would require a change in signage and other efforts to put into effect...

The Country Store in Alta is showing its school pride. Customers pumping gas there will have the chance to donate two cents to the Alta-Aurelia Booster Club, which helps fund projects and equipment for school and extracurricular activities.

Alta City Council approved a rent increase for use of its community building Tuesday night. Rates were at $300 per day, with Friday and Sunday half off when rented for Saturday, making a three-day weekend $600. Rates for new bookings effective Monday will be $800 for a three-day weekend. The council decided to raise rates to stay competitive with other local venues. The building is currently booked out until almost 2020...

AMES (AP) - Top Iowa State running back David Montgomery is day-to-day after suffering an upper arm injury late in last weekend’s loss at TCU. Coach Matt Campbell said an MRI and x-rays were negative and that Montgomery was working out with the team on Sunday with what he described as a deep bruise. Campbell said Montgomery’s status for Saturday’s game at Oklahoma State is probable and may depend on how much Montgomery can deal with the pain...

LAKE CITY - It was a busy night for three area schools at the South Central Calhoun Invitational on Tuesday night with Alta-Aurelia, Ridge View and Sioux Central all taking part in the event. The Warrior boys were seventh, Sioux Central 10th out of the 13 teams as Ridge View did not have enough to score. The Raptor girls took first in the girls meet as neither A-A or Rebels had enough to score as a team...

STORM LAKE - The Buena Vista women’s soccer team faced a tough test on Wednesday evening at J. Leslie Rollins Stadium, and the Beavers hung tough throughout before visiting Loras College pulled away late for a 6-1 victory. The Duhawks wasted little time breaking the scoreless match, needing just 10 seconds to take the early 1-0 lead. ...

STORM LAKE - Despite playing in extremely windy and cool conditions, the Buena Vista men’s soccer team hung tough all night against a tough Loras College team, but the Duhawks were able to take advantage of their opportunities during a 4-0 victory. The Duhawks put the offensive pressure on throughout the match, leading to 31 total shots, including 14 on-goal. ...

While baseball gears up for the playoffs and football is finding it’s stride, we are getting close to the third major sport in the United States to start back, basketball. The NBA preseason has began but unless you care about the NBA pretty hardcore, odds are you will skip the preseason games. At least with NFL preseason you get to see fringe guys going all out to make the team...

CHEROKEE - The green and white distance runners were back on the course on a soggy Tuesday afternoon and early evening and came away with their last meet before the Lakes Conference meet on Monday night. The Storm Lake boys finished 10th out of 12 teams, and the Tornado girls were eighth out of eight teams. Sioux Center won the boys meet and MOC-Floyd Valley the girls...

The Buena Vista Beavers are set for their sixth game of the season on Saturday when they welcome in the Loras Duhawks. BVU sports a 1-4 record and is still looking for their first American Rivers Conference win. Loras enters with a 2-2 mark and has split their two conference games...

HULL - The green and white were unable to get on track on Tuesday night, suffering a three set loss to Western Christian to fall to 3-16 on the year. The set scores were 4-25, 9-25 and 8-25. “We went into the match against Western Christian with nothing to lose and played well. We were up and down throughout the night, and our serve receive was rocky at points,” SL Coach Erin Nelson said. “We had some great hustle and made some great players during our match.”...

STORM LAKE - Newell-Fonda was able to keep momentum through most of the night Tuesday night in the Panther Pit against hosting St. Mary’s and walked away with a three set win. The set scores were 25-18, 25-10 and 25-14. N-F freshman Macy Sievers had a team high 10 kills on 18 attack attempts while getting a serving ace. ...

Renovations at the legendary Haunted House in Schaller are complete and ready to haunt your worst nightmares. Vortex tunnels, caskets, blood-filled pools and drop windows at every corner of the tight, winding hallways await visitors, with unpleasant surprises littered throughout the building...

Located on the northwest side of Storm Lake, Smokin’ Hereford BBQ was established in 2015 and is known for its smoked meats, cold drinks, and locally-raised beef. “We take great pride in being able to provide our guests with a farm-to-table process in order to ensure the freshest product possible,” said Natalie Schumann, one of the restaurant’s managers...

El Salvador, the hottest new restaurant in town, is storming into Little Vientiane’s old location at 805 Flindt Drive (across from Dairy Queen), bringing new Latin American flavors to Storm Lake’s culinary scene. “My mom pretty much just decided she wanted a restaurant,” said Neira Paniagua, daughter of owner Maritza Paniagua. The fulfillment of their first restaurant is a dream come true for Maritza, now in her early 50s, who has been working for Tyson since 2000...

Don Richardson, age 95, of Storm Lake, died on Tuesday, October 2, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 5, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. ...

Margueritte Louise Spencer Wile, age 92, of Sylvania, Ohio and formerly of Fonda, Iowa passed away Thursday August 23, at the Lakes of Sylvania assisted living in Sylvania, Ohio.
  Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. ...

Beverly Jorgensen, age 75, of Newell, Iowa passed away at home on Tuesday, October 2, in Newell. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 6, at 11 a.m. at the Nain Lutheran Church in Newell. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, October 5, from 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. ...

Jim Ehlers, age 69, of Newell, Iowa died on Tuesday, October 2, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake after a four year long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. ...

On the afternoon of Monday, October 1, 2018 at approximately 3:15 p.m. a Storm Lake Police Officer observed a wanted person at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts located at 1102 Lake Avenue. Police made contact with and arrested Everardo Manriquez Mendoza, age 24 of Storm Lake who was wanted out of Buena Vista County on a warrant charging him with Contempt of Court reference Failure to Pay Fines...

First Lutheran Church of Sioux Rapids will be serving a breakfast of biscuits with sausage gravy, breakfast burritos, juice and coffee on Saturday, October 27 from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m..  Everyone is welcome to attend.  There will be free will offering.  Come enjoy a great breakfast before a day of working, hunting, harvesting, or just enjoying a day of fall.  To go orders are welcome.  There will also be bake sale items available for purchase.  Thank-you for your support...

Sole 2 Soul’s fitness center in Galva recently partnered up with Soles4Souls, a Nashville based non-profit organization, to collect gently used shoes to help disadvantaged people across the United States and the world. The month long shoe drive in September netted 456 pairs of shoes from residents of Galva and surrounding communities. All sizes, shapes, colors and styles of shoes were received...

Bruce Carlson, age 49, of Storm Lake, Iowa died on Monday, October 1, in Storm Lake. A Time of Gathering will take place on Saturday, October 6, from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Burial will be at a later date. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements...

Donald Larsen, age 90, of Oro Valley, Arizona formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa died on Monday, September 24, in Oro Valley, Arizona. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 18, at 11 a.m. at the Hope Evangelical Free Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. ...

Heavy rain is expected across most of Iowa and parts of Nebraska over the next week, so forecasters are warning that flooding will again be a concern. The National Weather Service says 4-to-5 inches of rain was expected to fall across most of Iowa between Thursday evening and next week. In eastern Nebraska, 1.5 inches of rain is likely, but the southeast corner of the state could receive 3-to-6 inches...

The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting 73 Iowans have fallen ill due to West Nile virus which is the highest levels the state has experienced in 15 years. Two of the three West Nile related fatalities so far this year have come in northwest Iowa...

South Dakota-based accoustic duo Fishin For Olives will perform at Innspiration Wine and Wines in Linn Grove, Friday, Oct. 19. Showtime is 6:30. Join duitarists Tommy Lee Binford and “Aunt Bee” for a night of good-times music. Aunt Bee and Tommy Lee tomorrow night at Innspiration Wines and Vines, Linn Grove...

The Storm Lake Public Library will host a book talk and signing with Galva author, J.W. Irvan, on Saturday October 13, at 10:30 a.m. Irvan will discuss and sign copies of the first two books in the Christian action/suspense series, The Last Rose, that he has co-authored with his sister, Cheryl Bills. ...

A Halloween Bash is being planned for October 27 at the Pocahontas Expo Center, including a country music concert (with the artist to be announced soon), costume contest, silent auction and more. Showtime will be 7 p.m. The 51.4 Entertainment event will donate a portion of each ticket sale to Elijah’s Project autism awareness cause through the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency...

A Halloween Party will delight children at the Witter Gallery/Storm Lake Public Library October 27, 10 a.m.-noon. Admission is free, and children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. The Witter will feature lots of arts and crafts experiences, such as pumpkin painting with a unique marbling effect, creating a treat bag, glowing rock eyes, owl pine cones, zombie clips and Indian corn beads...

Tickets are on sale now for Community Education’s Performing Arts Series. Season tickets are $120 per person - and includes all six professional shows. Season tickets are assigned seats, so come to the CE office for the opportunity to pick your seats. The first performance is scheduled for October 27...

As I watched what I expected to be a routine rubber-stamping of a change order boosting the cost of a sewer project turn into a bit of drama this week [see article, page 1A], it took me by suprise, though it shouldn’t have. Since he was elected to Storm Lake City Council, council member Tyson Rice has never been shy about questioning expenditures...

Iowa Farm Bureau granted Steve King their endorsement. Here’s why my county, the Winnebago Farm Bureau, did not. Ethanol is under attack. The EPA gave out “hardship waivers” to “small” refineries. This undermined the RFS without doing so legislatively. ...

It’s been a bit of a tough two weeks around here – lost a couple of titans, mentors, and friends in my life, and felt compelled to write about them. These were folks that made a difference, not just for me, but for hundreds, literally, of other people who knew them. I took a day off to put up the lower half of our storm windows on our house, but needed to take the time to type out some thoughts...

St. Mary’s annual craft bazaar, the largest one in Storm Lake this season, will bring together vendors from all around together on Saturday, October 6. The athletic boosters fundraiser will feature local vendors like Sulit Boutique and Garden Babies, in addition to more well-known brands like Scentsy and Pampered Chef...

Storm Lake man Noe Casco has been ruled guilty of 22 counts of Exploitation of a Minor following a bench trial in Buena Vista County District Court in September. District Judge Andrew Smith filed his verdict this week, and sentencing is scheduled for November 26...

Local agencies taking back unwanted prescription drugs

Buena Vista County Supervisors granted a request Tuesday to terminate the lease of long-time tenant Tim Horsey and The Horsey Agency, an insurance provider, as the county looks towards future building use. Privacy of clients and security of sensitive records and documents is a priority for the county attorneys, said Paul Allen. “My point is to make this a full-time functional county office,” Allen said, and this move is part of that transition...

Efforts to establish a trail between Spencer and the Iowa Great Lakes are making gradual progress at the local government level. During Monday night's meeting, members of the Spencer City Council discussed the second phase of the Iowa Great Lakes Trail project. The project, which stretches one mile into the county from 18th Street to 300th Avenue, will precede the final phase of the trail, which will connect to the Dickinson County trail system at Fostoria...

The Storm Lake Public Library held an open house Friday for its new public computer lab, made possible by a computer donation from Rebnord Technologies in recognition of the Storm Lake company’s anniversary, and furnishings provided by the Friends of the Library group. ...

Nicholas Thompson agreed to serve four years of incarceration as part of a plea agreement for his role in a stabbing incident in Spirit Lake. The 31-year-old was taken into custody on charges of attempted murder and willful injury June 22, 2017, after he attacked a man with a knife and threatened a woman in the 900 block of 22nd Street in Spirit Lake...

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley wants no more delays in the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. In a statement sent to the Pilot-Tribune Thursday, the veteran senator from Iowa said, “It’s time to vote. I’ll be voting to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”...

The Storm Lake Council Chambers seemed more like a courtroom Monday than a part of city hall, as city officials were forced to hold a hearing and rule on a tobacco violation. The situation was a first for City Attorney Phil Havens, who said that normally in such a case, a business owner simply pays their fine, in the process essentially admitting guilt...

Older students “buddied up” with younger ones for the Live Healthy Iowa walk event Wednesday. Hundreds of students from the elementary and middle school spread across a mile as they hoofed it to Frank Starr Park and back. St. Mary’s students also took part in a walk. Such events have been taking place for eight years as part of a statewide health initiative. / Pilot photos by Dana Larsen...

Local agriculture experts on the ground say wet weather is holding area farmers back from harvesting crops, running the risk of degrading corn and soybeans. “The harvest is off to a sputtering start,” said Don Loving of DFS in Newell. He said there’s a little bit of activity on corn, but less with soybeans, as farmers try to nose in with their combines during intermittent rain...

Appointment likely to fill vacated Storm Lake seat

The Storm Lake Council Chambers seemed more like a courtroom Monday than a part of city hall, as city officials were forced to hold a hearing and rule on a tobacco violation. The situation was a first for City Attorney Phil Havens, who said that normally in such a case, a business owner simply pays their fine, in the process essentially admitting guilt...

LAKE CITY - It was a busy night for three area schools at the South Central Calhoun Invitational on Tuesday night with Alta-Aurelia, Ridge View and Sioux Central all taking part in the event. The Warrior boys were seventh, Sioux Central 10th out of the 13 teams as Ridge View did not have enough to score. The Raptor girls took first in the girls meet as neither A-A or Rebels had enough to score as a team...

CHEROKEE - The green and white distance runners were back on the course on a soggy Tuesday afternoon and early evening and came away with their last meet before the Lakes Conference meet on Monday night. The Storm Lake boys finished 10th out of 12 teams, and the Tornado girls were eighth out of eight teams. Sioux Center won the boys meet and MOC-Floyd Valley the girls...

Storm Lake struggles against the Wolfpack HULL - The green and white were unable to get on track on Tuesday night, suffering a three set loss to Western Christian to fall to 3-16 on the year. The set scores were 4-25, 9-25 and 8-25. “We went into the match against Western Christian with nothing to lose and played well. ...

The Buena Vista Beavers are set for their sixth game of the season on Saturday when they welcome in the Loras Duhawks. BVU sports a 1-4 record and is still looking for their first American Rivers Conference win. Loras enters with a 2-2 mark and has split their two conference games...

I didn't speak the first time because he was my best friend's brother. I was eight and he threatened harm to both of us if anything was ever said. Fear silenced me. There was no one to speak for me. I spoke when I was 17 but was humiliated and harassed by bullies although he admitted to the sexual assault and was sentenced. ...

The ancient art of yoga is finding new audiences in Storm Lake--building off the flame that was kindled in instructor Kathryn McKinley 43 years ago. "I had just finished grad school. I was looking for a nice alternative to studying," McKinley, a professor of social work at Buena Vista University. She's managed to hold that pose ever since, now teaching the practice to others on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Community ED...