Stories from Tuesday, April 28, 2020

The Rolling Stones have unveiled a new song the band thinks is perfect for these coronavirus times. The legendary band released the four-minute slow-burning bluesy and harmonica-driven “ Living in a Ghost Town ” on Thursday. “I’m a ghost/Living in a ghost town/You can look for me/But I can’t be found,” sings frontman Mick Jagger, who wrote it with guitarist Keith Richards...

Chad Elliott is no stranger to the road. Performing more than 200 concerts annually, the former Spencer resident finds himself traveling a great deal. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent closure of many of his regular performing destinations as well as stay-at-home requests and social distancing requirements, Elliott has not only had to adjust his schedule but he has had to use his abundance of creativity to continue to generate revenue...

Tyler Rake sounds like a Mad-Libs action hero name. When you add to the mix that this character actually, literally kills someone with a rake, it starts to veer into parody territory. That’s why it’s somewhat surprising that the film built around that wonderfully silly name, “ Extraction,” is entirely sincere and also pretty fun...

Despite the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Storm Lake Mayor Mike Porsch announces a new Storm Lake Proud Neighbor Program Friday. The program’s intent is to recognize individuals in the community that have stepped up during this difficult time to exhibit kindness in helping where needed...

A time to celebrate is also a time to adjust for Katelyn Baltes, a Buena Vista University senior majoring in art education. “I just got a job teaching art education at Hampton-Dumont High School, where I graduated in 2016,” Baltes says. “And yet my heart breaks because our campus is closed due to the coronavirus,” she adds...

By DANA LARSEN Pilot Tribune Editor Emilia Marroquin and Di Daniels have taken over the Storm Lake Justice For Our Neighbors Clinic coordinator position from Marilyn Fields. The JFON program provides legal services for immigrants and refugees who may not be able to access help otherwise. ...

Did you know that routine childhood immunizations among children born from 1994-2018 will prevent an estimated 419 million illnesses, 8 million hospitalizations and 936,000 early deaths over the course of their lifetimes? World Immunization Week, April 24th through April 30th, brings awareness to the importance of getting routine vaccinations. ...

Today, UnityPoint Health announced a temporary reduction in hours for certain team members, limited furloughs and salary reductions for executives. Like health systems across the nation, UnityPoint Health hospitals and clinics are facing unprecedented challenges and volume declines as a result of the global pandemic. ...

James Roetman is the Chief Executive Officer and Administrator for Pocahontas Community Hospital.  His journey started back at Iowa Central after graduating from Prairie of Gowrie, which is now part of the Southeast Valley school district.   Roetman completed his degree in 1992 as part of the first Radiologic Technolgy program at the school alongside 16 others. ...

Q: What concerns do you have about nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic? A: Protecting the health and safety of patients, residents and their care providers is the number one concern. That’s why the Trump administration in March issued a temporary ban restricting non-essential visitors to these facilities during the coronavirus pandemic. ...

Madonna (Fitzgerald) Strait, a devoted wife and mother, and a long-time resident of Storm Lake. died Friday, April 17 at Methodist Manor nursing home at the age of 91, after enduring dementia for the past four years. Madonna was born on the family farm on April 11, 1929, the daughter of James D. ...

Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City has released a video message of concern and prayer for the workers in the front lines of the meatpacking industry and our immigrant brothers and sisters today. He expressed concern for those suffering from the COVID-19 virus and those affected financially by the coronavirus situation...

The Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa (RACI) and Lutheran Services in Iowa, in partnership with 211, Polk County Health Department and the Iowa Department of Public Health, have launched a new statewide COVID-19 hotline that will help expand access and capacity to individuals living in Iowa who are limited in English...

Snow tubing and Service trip was a success! Eight youth from Sac County met up with others from Ida and Calhoun at a cabin near Petersen to spend the night. They got to know each other with some leadership and team building activities. Early Saturday morning they traveled to Sioux City to help out the Ronald McDonald house by cooking tavern and taco meat, baking brownies and PB energy bites and cleaning. ...

Storm Lake native Ashley (Hammen) Hoff continues her campaign to create ribbons as a fundraiser for those impacted by COVID-19, reading “2020: We Are All In This Together.” Both Boz Wellz and the two Grand Central locations will be selling the ribbons, $3, cash or check. You can call ahead to order ribbons or purchase them when picking up food/drink orders...

The Kiwanis Mobile Food Pantry distribution Wednesday served a record 310 households, which represents 1,277 people. Nearly 15,700 pounds of food from the Food Bank of Iowa was distributed, plus 2,800 pounds donated by Tyson Foods was loaded, with a line of recipients’ cars stretching from the distribution site at the former Sears store to the AEA parking lot. ...

Quad County Corn Processors Cooperative based in Ida County must pay a $9,000 administrative penalty under a consent order announced by the Department of Natural Resources. Quad County also must submit construction permit applications for all of its emission points that are operating without a permit, must submit preventative maintenance plans for emission control equipment, and must complete an environmental audit...

The Witter Gallery is sponsoring a new collaborative art project to help brighten up the Storm Lake community. The gallery will be giving out old bikes for community members to decorate and display in their yards. The bikes can be painted and made into planters, sculptures, outdoor light fixtures, welcome signs, and more...

Buena Vista County Conservation Board is extending the closures of campgrounds and other facilities owned or managed by BVCCB through May 14, due to Covid-19 for the health and safety of the public and our employees. Buena Vista County Conservation Board managed parks and properties will be open to the public for day-use activities such as hiking and fishing. ...

The Buena Vista County Recycle Center is hoping to resume accepting yard waste on a limited basis sometime this week. Details are currently being worked out. “We just hope that everyone will be courteous and bring their patience with them,” said Manager Lori Dicks. “It’s going to be very busy, and we will still have to limit access in and out of here somewhat to make sure our staff and facility can keep operating.”...

With RAGBRAI - and its Storm Lake visit - cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, you might think the air has drained out of the biking community. According to Lakeshore Cyclery, interest in bike rides and sale of bikes continues to be brisk. If possible, the shop will continue plans for its own long-lived local event, the 26th annual B4 Bike Ride, set for Sunday, July 12...

A Storm Lake woman has been arrested after going armed with a knife and throwing a large chuck of cement into a windshield following an argument. Police were called to a domestic assault incident in the parking lot at St. Mark’s Church Thursday morning. ...

An employee of the Faith Hope & Charity facility in Storm Lake has been charged with Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury, a felony, after injuring a 13-year-old disabled resident. On March 10, Storm Lake Police were notified of an alleged child abuse incident by a staff member at the facility. The alleged incident had happened in February...

The Buena Vista County Conservation Board is weighing the future of the landmark Linn Grove Dam in the wake of 2019 Little Sioux River flooding that cut a new channel around the dam, leaving it high and dry. The board is currently looking at three options - restoring the river channel to pre-flood condition, partial removal of the dam, or full removal...

After almost a year, Jaci Hermstad traveled the familiar road back to see her pride and joy, “big fella” as she refers to her beloved horse, Bud. Storm Lake native Jaci, in the final stages of a battle with ALS, recently entered hospice. A hospital gurney was used to wheel her to reunite with her pet, as her mother helped her lift her hand. ...

During a brutal weekend for the spread of COVID-19, a fourth case was confirmed in Buena Vista County even as the state prepares to loosen restrictions on some businesses. Governor Kim Reynolds said Monday that she will partially reopen businesses and churches in 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties - including Buena Vista and all surrounding counties. ...