Stories from Friday, June 12, 2020

In a letter sent to Secretary Sonny Perdue this week, U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig asked the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to include egg producers in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)...

In an age where we look at creative ways to keep used pictures, furniture, lamps, and other household items out of the landfill, and put back into use, the term ‘repurposing’ has come into everyday use, because of this function. As we try to lessen our manufacturing footprint in society, second-hand, and thrift shop items can be taken to the next level, and a new life. ...

There may have been a point — say, oh, a few months ago? — when we’d have demanded a lot more edge from a movie like “The High Note,” and been less forgiving of its more implausible moments. But hey, times have changed, and the pleasing chemistry of two very likable leads — Tracee Ellis Ross as a pop diva and Dakota Johnson as her harried, ambitious assistant — makes for some easy listening (and watching) in these troubled days...

A performance of the touring show “Letters From Home” is planned for the Ida Grove Skate Palace, Saturday, August 15, 6 p.m. Proceeds from this event help to support Honor Flights for veterans. Various versions of the show tour the country and beyond to honor veterans, active military and their families by reviving patriotism through music...

The popular acoustic duo Fishin’ For Olives returns to Inspiration Wines and Vines in Linn Grove, Friday, June 19. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tommy Lee Binford and Aunt Bee share guitar and vocals with elements of rock, country and folk in their sets...

Never fear, fans of one of Iowa’s favorite cover bands. While The Pork Tornadoes concert in the Stone Pier series at Blackhawk Lake had to be cancelled Saturday due to health concerns, they will be back in the region August 15 in the Live at the Lake concert series at Arnolds Park...

The Storm Lake Public Library will see no budget cuts for the 2020-21 fiscal year, and a plan to replace the roof will move forward, city financial officer Brian Oakleaf told the library trustees this week. Although the city is facing a local option sales tax revenue reduction, the drop does not appear to be “catastrophic,” he said...

Iowa gas prices continue to rise, up 3.8 cents per gallon in the past week. Gas prices in Iowa are 25.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago but 68.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. Storm Lake prices bottomed out at about $1.57 as COVID-19 concerns cut into sales, but as the state began to reopen, have risen to start this week at $1.79 to $1.89...

St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus Council 2326, Storm Lake, announces that with the canceling of the Star Spangled Spectacular, they will be hosting a drive-through funnel cake stand at the Columbus Club Hall on Saturday July 4th, according to Grand Knight Will Swanson...

Buena Vista Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, is happy to recognize the six local Good Citizens for 2020. Each of these individuals was chosen by their school as their local winner and participated in the Good Citizen essay competition. ...

Buena Vista Chapter, Daughter of the American Revolution, proudly announces the winners of the Iowa Society DAR Scholarship and Iowa’s Amelia Jenks Bloomer Scholarship. Corin Bower of OABCIG has been awarded the ISDAR Scholarship. This Scholarship is intended to assist worthy young men and women to complete a higher education. ...

They happen frequently during summer months, severe thunderstorm warnings. And it can be easy to disregard their potential to threaten our lives. However, the power of summer thunderstorms should never be underestimated. Jonathan Erdman, The Weather Channel Senior Digital Meteorologist, says the exact location and intensity of summer thunderstorms is somewhat unpredictable. That means, when conditions are right, a severe storm can pop up quickly and intensify in a matter of minutes...

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake) Water clarity has increased. Anglers continue to have good luck with walleye in the main lake and panfish in the marina. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye, and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. ...

Lessly Ortega, a senior at Storm Lake High School, has been named the 2020 recipient of the Storm Lake P.E.O Scholarship. Lessly is the daughter Alejandro Ortega and Elda Ortega. She plans to attend Buena Vista University and major in Computer Science...

Iowa Central Community College’s new $2 million building in the Bargloff Addition at the north edge of Storm Lake is rapidly nearing completion. The college hopes to begin industrial education classes there in the fall. The development includes enough land for up to four additional buildings, and the possibility of moving the entire campus to the site in the future. /Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

Buena Vista University congratulates students who earned their degree in Spring 2020. The following local students earned degrees: • Isabel Haas of Storm Lake graduated with a bachelor of arts in digital media (communication track). • Kayle Heideman of Rembrandt graduated with a bachelor of science in computer science (systems track)...

It was a dream come true for Lindy Reinhart when she graduated with her master’s in mental health counseling from Buena Vista University. “I’m a BVU fan. It’s always been a dream, something that I wanted to do, and it was close enough to home that I could do it,” Reinhart says...

The Iowa State Fair is canceled for 2020, leaving Iowans and the Midwest without their beloved tradition of fried corn dogs and hog calling in the humid summer heat. This marks the first time the fair has been canceled due to a pandemic, said Iowa State Fair CEO Gary Slater. The fair was canceled five times in the past: Once in 1898 because of the World’s Fair in Omaha and 1942-45 due to World War II...

As COVID-19 numbers continue to climb locally, the Storm Lake school district’s hopes for events this season remain in limbo. The district had promised senior students that it would try to do some form of face-to-face graduation if it is possible, and there were also hopes to hold a belated prom if conditions allow...

The Iowa Senate approved controversial legislation this week that would limit the secretary of state’s ability to change election rules in an emergency such as the current pandemic. Supporters called it a voting security measure. Opponents called it voter suppression. The Buena Vista County Commissioner of Elections terms it a mistake...

“I hope my father is remembered as somebody who really enjoyed every day and loved life. He probably had more fun in 33 years than most people do in a lifetime.”

A community welcome project on the Storm Lake shoreline at Lake and Lakeshore is underway this week. The project is being funded by the Spooner family, which has roots generations deep in the community. Felton Concrete is preparing the base for a large Storm Lake welcome sign with cobblestone background. ...

BV case numbers continue to climb, SL test site extended, waterpark could open next week