Stories from Friday, October 18, 2019

Lakeview Diner in Storm Lake has closed. The business announced October 7 that it was closing due to health reasons, and will not be reopening. The restaurant had opened in July.

Where can I go to find answers about Medicare prescription drug plans? Are mammograms covered by Medicare Part B? What is a Medicare Advantage plan? I will be turning 65—who can help me understand Medicare? My medications have gotten so expensive I just can’t afford to take them all, is there any help? I was contacted about providing my Medicare number for a free service, is this on the up and up?...

Storm Lake United will host a ribbon cutting for Get It Today, Storm Lake’s new furniture, electronics and appliances store. The ribbon cutting is at 10:30 a.m., and is open to the public. Get It Now offers furnishings for every room, appliances, mattresses, electronics and audio gear, with available financing and rent to own options. The store, located across from Zone Home Entertainment on Lake Avenue downtown, is open weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays 10-5. / Photo submitted...

Congratulations to Bob and Lona Wells of Fonda on winning the Farm Bureau “Fill Your Freezer” bundle in the recent promotion at Storm Lake Fareway. / Photo courtesy Storm Lake United

Twenty-five years after “Clerks,” Kevin Smith says he’s crafted his “real big cinematic gravestone.” The 49-year-old writer-director-actor said a major heart attack in February 2018 prompted him to rewrite his script for “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot” to make a more personal statement about fatherhood and aging — and leaving a legacy...

Virginia-bred, Nashville-based alt-country duo Wild Ponies - Doug and Telisha Williams - will cantor into Pomeroy for a show at Byron’s, Sunday, November 17. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., with music from a new album on tap. Once everyone had arrived at the farm, Neilson Hubbard set up a makeshift studio in the shed.  Just a few nice microphones in a circle. ...

The local collaboration Abbey Soul: A Beatles Tribute Review will be busting out the hits from the Fab Four during Music After Hours at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, November 14. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and a three hour concert is planned. Area veteran musicians taking part are: (front) Jimmy Davis and Charlie Leissler, (back) Brooks Begay, Steve Alingh, David Hinners and Andy Juhl. / Photo submitted...

Storm Lake Public Library is preparing for the world of Molly of Denali. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful children’s program,” Library Director Elizabeth Huff said, after receiving training in Boston for the program, which relates to the PBS Kids television series, developed under a grant from the Department of Education...

Storm Lake Public Library Trustees hope to improve cooperation between the library and the Witter Art Gallery, the two entities that share the same downtown building. “There’s always been some animosity between the two groups,” Candy Clough, who has served as both a library trustee and gallery board member, said this week at the trustees meeting. “Why are we not working together?”...

Buena Vista University has named Jean Bral vice president of Extended University Programs (EUP), a new divisional operating structure created to better serve BVU’s online, site, and graduate school programming. Bral, who served as director of operations for BVU’s online, site, and graduate school programs from 2011 to 2018, became executive director of the University’s graduate programs in 2018 and helped oversee an enrollment increase to 337 students, second most all-time...

The Artisans Road Trip 2019 was held Saturday and Sunday across northwest Iowa, allowing art lovers to experience open studio tours and travel at their own pace. Storm Lake - a.k.a. “Beautiful View” region - has become the heart of the tour, with seven artists participating here at Synergy Gallery and the Witter Art Gallery, plus a showing of ART participants’ work from the entire region at the Witter...

A cancer diagnosis is something patients hope is never part of their visit to the doctor. A positive test can bring on feelings of fear and shock, according to Jamie Hicks, advanced registered nurse practitioner at Hicks Family Healthcare — at least it did for her. Hicks was diagnosed with breast cancer in early March at the age of 41 during a routine mammogram. Her test the previous year had been perfectly clear...

June 20, 1958 - October 10, 2019

February 23, 1957 - October 8, 2019

Governor Kim Reynolds announced the formation of the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform (Fueling Ongoing Collaboration and Uncovering Solutions). The working group will build on the governor’s efforts over the last year to reduce criminal behavior and afford individuals a second chance...

Four barges jutted their crane hoists toward the sky near Givens Point on West Lake Okoboji Monday. A houseboat moored at Okoboji Boat Works had partially sunk and was being lifted back to the water’s surface. The bay is only between 5 and 10 feet deep, according to maps from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources...

During the Spencer committee of the Whole’s recent meeting, city officials reviewed a model bicycle ordinance created by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition as a template for city bicycle ordinances. Spencer City Manager Amanda Mack said the overall goal of the template and discussion was to “create awareness about bike safety.”...

Sioux City has taken its first formal step to lift its ban on pit bulls in the city. The City Council voted 4-1 on this week for an ordinance that would remove the ban adopted in September 2008. It came after pit bulls or mixes accounted for a high number of dogs in the city that had been declared vicious or at risk...

Fall is a great time to catch fish with family and friends. The air is cool, the views are picturesque, lakes are less crowded and the fish are easy to catch. Make lasting memories together and put your worries behind you. “Fantastic fishing opportunities await both new and expert anglers,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau. “Enticing a fish to bite your hook is fun for all ages.”...

A cottontail freezes on a Storm Lake lawn. Rabbit season in the state is open until February, with the DNR reporting stable to rising populations thought western Iowa. More than 123,000 rabbits were harvested last year. Iowa has one rabbit species, the eastern cottontail, and one hare species, the white-tailed jackrabbit, which can occasionally be seen across the northern half of Iowa. ...

Dr. Tracey Wellendorf, an otolaryngologist with a clinic in Carroll and an office at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Specialty Clinic in Storm Lake, has agreed to pay $1 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations. The allegations relate to as many as 115 procedures performed on Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries in 2014 and ’15, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa...

Storm Lake’s school population has expanded faster than ever, according to newly-certified numbers reported to the board of education this week. Enrollment is 2,470 resident students, up 132 students from last school year, which was already overflowing the elementary and middle schools...

“It’s sad - we’re at 47 years with this tradition, approaching the 50th anniversary - there’s nothing else like it in the world.” That’s how perennial participant Brenda McVinua of Storm Lake reacts to the RAGBRAI meltdown that looks to leave the state with two competing cross-state bike rides next year, and puts the future of the tradition in question...

A diverse group of Iowans representing several religions and ethnic groups will participate in “Standing With Our Neighbors,” a public discussion on faith and immigration, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Storm Lake.  All are welcome to  this free public event, sponsored by SALUD Multicultural Health Coalition of Storm Lake...

The attempt to impeach the president is either exactly the right thing to do, or exactly the wrong thing to do, depending on which side of the aisle you sit. Leaders of the two parties in Buena Vista County are viewing the proceedings with opposite opinions...

This Saturday afternoon is another chance for the Buena Vista University football team to get their name in the win column for the first time this season in American Rivers Conference play. BVU is fresh off a 27-13 road loss against Simpson as they dropped to 2-4 and 0-4. ...

STORM LAKE - It was another rough night for the Storm Lake volleyball team on Tuesday as they welcomed in Lakes Conference foe Spirit Lake. The Indians were unkind visitors as they swept the Tornadoes in three sets. The set scores were 13-25, 18-25 and 12-25...

EMMETSBURG - The St. Mary’s Panthers were in pool play in the Twin Lakes Volleyball Tournament on Tuesday night against Southeast Valley and Emmetsburg. The Panthers battled but fell short in both contests to fall to the consolation round. The Panthers fell in two sets to the Jaguars with scores of 21-25 and 15-25. ...

NEWELL - The Newell-Fonda Mustangs and Sioux Central Rebels volleyball teams took part in Twin Lakes Conference pool play on Tuesday night. Newell-Fonda went 2-0 to advance to the championship rounds while Sioux Central fell in both contest to go to the consolation rounds...

LAKE CITY - The Alta-Aurelia volleyball team entered Twin Lakes Conference tournament play with the #6 seed, and after a pair of wins on Tuesday night, enters the championship bracket at the #3 seed. The Warriors were able to knock off both West Bend-Mallard and South Central Calhoun in three set contests...