Stories from Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Cast, crew weather COVID challenges to present holiday showcase

Remember “The Croods”? It’s understandable if the answer is a “sure, kinda?” The 2013 animated film about a cave family in a fictional prehistoric era featuring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds and Cloris Leachman was pretty enjoyable, made a decent amount of money and even got an Oscar nomination. Nothing earth shattering, but it wasn’t surprising that DreamWorks Animation decided to greenlight a sequel...

Area schools sport some of the best work of their artistic students in displays in their commons areas. At top, a pencil drawing by Yolanda Batista, Storm Lake High School. Below, “Genesis” acrylic painting by Emily Mercer, Newell-Fonda. / Dana Larsen...

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health announced last week it has received a $50,000 grant award from Telligen Community Initiative (TCI), a private, Iowa-based charitable foundation. These funds will be used to fund the “Wellness Wagon” project by purchasing of a 15-passenger van to support mobile behavioral health clinics in our rural counties...

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released patient experience star ratings, giving 266 hospitals a rating of five stars. Buena Vista Regional Medical Center is one of 13 in Iowa with a 5 star rating. The federal administrator of the nation’s major health care programs assigned a patient experience star rating to 3,478 hospitals based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores collected from January 1 through December 31, 2019...

One in five Iowa parents believe the drinking age should be lowered from 21, a new survey reveals. The average parent would allow their child to have their first alcoholic drink at the age of 19.  2 in 5 parents say they haven’t spoken to their children about the dangers of substance use. A third of parents admit they have been drunk in front of their children...

Storm Lake K-4 STEM Teacher Jacquie Drey has been named to Governor Kim Reynolds’ newly formed Computer Science Work Group. The work group, which will meet monthly, is responsible for making recommendations that improve computer science education throughout the state. It will also look to promote the importance of computer science to K-12 students and families. The group will submit its recommendations to the Iowa General Assembly by July 2021...

On Wednesday, December 3rd at approximately 10 p.m., the Storm Lake Police Department located two wanted subjects at 118 Superior St. in Storm Lake, identified as Niguel Alexis Rosales Ayala, age 23 of Storm Lake, and Maritza Yanet Rivera Garcia, age 24 of Alta. ...

Rachel Mouw gears up for final examinations in what may likely be her last “traditional” semester as a Buena Vista University undergraduate. Mouw, a senior elementary education major, will student-teach throughout the second semester, beginning in January 2021...

Shop local and spread the joy during Storm Lake United’s 12 Days of Christmas - Tuesday, December 8th through Saturday, December 19th. Storm Lake Bucks keep money local which helps support the small businesses in the community. So, this year you have the chance to win $25 in Storm Lake Bucks every day during the 12 Days of Christmas. Just follow Storm Lake United’s Facebook page and enter each day to win. One lucky winner will be announced daily at 5 p.m...

It’s a challenging year to be a cheerleader, with no crowds to fire up at area sports contests, and in some cases, not even their parents able to see their performances. But the squads are giving it their all anyway, including this member of the Newell-Fonda cheer crew, executing a string of impressive backflips at a recent home game. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

As St. Mary’s families prepared for the Thanksgiving Holiday, they had a special reason to be thankful, thanks to the support of a generous donor. On November 23rd, all Storm Lake St. Mary’s staff and families received a gift of either a ham or a turkey to share with their families on Thanksgiving. Families lined up around the block of Seneca Street with smiles on their faces as members of the High School Student Council handed them their special gift...

The Adopt-A-Family for Christmas program still needs help, with 160 families adopted, and 40 still to be served. The Pilot-Tribune and Upper Des Moines Opportunity co-sponsor the program each year, matching generous individuals, families, businesses, clubs, classrooms and church groups with needy local families to provide the Christmas experience they might otherwise not have...

The Cherokee Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) has introduced a countywide “Chair of Honor” program that will recognize our Nation’s military Prisoners of Wars (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), and their families. CAEDC will be collaborating with Hussey Seating Company of North Berwick, Maine on the project...

The children at Kidz Korner in Storm Lake presented Storm Lake Police Department staff with a colorfully wrapped present and Christmas goodies recently, as part of their Acts of Kindness program. These professional present un-wrappers helped unveil a beautiful plaque with a Police Officers’ Prayer. /SLPD photo...

November 19, 2020

September 8, 1927 - November 30, 2020

December 10, 1926 - November 21, 2020

March 28, 1938 - November 30, 2020

March 30, 1927 - December 3, 2020

Iowa is likely to see a second straight surge in cases of a fatal deer disease this winter, a state veterinarian said. In an interview, Dr. Rachel Ruden of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the state’s confirmed cases of chronic wasting disease doubled last season and now stands at 91...

While the first round of COVID-19 vaccines will go to health care workers and those in longterm-care facilities, a new report from the Iowa Department of Public Health outlines other “critical populations” who also should be considered for vaccinations prior to the general public...

Witter Gallery adds more ways to reach out amid locked doors and lost revenue.

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake has to date been awarded $7.6 million in provider relief funds through the CARES Act and related federal programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no application for the funds, which were designated by Department of Health and Human Services criteria to providers nationwide...

In recent days, Santa Claus has been seen breaking in a new ride in Storm Lake, Alta and Cherokee areas, waving and sharing the holiday cheer. The unexpected appearance of the holiday hero has created quite a stir. “I just love this. Exactly what the world needs right now,” says Patricia Kosky. “He parked next to us at the red light. He waved at us and everyone else. He’s got amazing holiday spirit!” adds Nalee Sati. / Photo courtesy Jean Owen...

Buena Vista University students take their virtual final exams this week, but they’ve already passed 2020’s biggest test. As planned, the students checked out of in-person classes shortly before Thanksgiving, spending the last part of the semester online as virus season blooms...