Stories from Monday, November 1, 2021

Join Maddie Poppe for an intimate night of music at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the fabulous Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnolds Park. The 23-year-old Clarksville native and Season 16 winner of ABC’s American Idol performed here last year as part of the first Maddie Poppe’s Acoustic Christmas tour. She also performed in the Roof Garden on July 2 in front of an enthusiastic audience. Her November show is presented by The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association, in partnership with the Roof Garden Ballroom...

The Holiday Hootenanny returns to the Buena Vista County Fairgrounds this holiday season. The fair board recently announced two dates for the event - December 4 from 6-8 p.m. and December 18 6-8 p.m. Visitors will be able to stroll through the fairgrounds to experience all the holiday cheer, including the live nativity, Christmas caroling, a fire for roasting marshmallows, lots of holiday lights, inflatables of country Christmas displays, and of course, Santa Claus to visit with the children...

Storm Lake High School presents Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein’s prize-winning musical classic South Pacific on stage at the Storm Lake High School Auditorium November 4-6 at 7:00 pm. Based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific has music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples -- US Navy nurse Nellie Forbush & French plantation owner Emile de Becque and Navy Airman Joe Cable & a young local native girl Liat -- and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of the war and by their own prejudices.. ...

There is no evidence that livestock confinements are a threat to public health or unduly pollute the air, according to an attorney for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “If producers believed that their buildings were making anyone sick or were a health hazard, they’d be the first to say we need to do something different,” attorney Eldon McAfee told Iowa Capital Dispatch. ...

The state of Iowa has joined a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that a requirement for federal employees to get vaccinated is “unconstitutional, unlawful, and unwise.” President Joe Biden in early September signed an executive order that requires federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 with no opt-out. The rule is scheduled to take effect on Dec. 8...

Not long ago, Storm Lake’s downtown was studded with empty storefronts, like teeth missing from a smile. Suddenly, they are filling at a rapid pace as new local entrepreneurs open shops and restaurants, and the shopping district seems to be newly energized...

“The dog is better known than I am,” Storm Lake Middle School Assistant Principal Jaymie Bral says with a wry note of humor. “People passing us say hello to Dory, they don’t even know I’m there.” He’s quick to add, “That’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.”...

Hours after redistricting maps were approved that threw two local incumbent Republicans into the same district, longtime State Representative Gary Worthan announced that he will retire from his position after completing his term in 2022. “The maps have passed, and my decision is made,” Worthan told the Pilot-Tribune Friday. “I just don’t have the fire in my belly for a primary race. I’ve been at this long enough, it’s time to let some younger guns try it.”...

COVID-19 numbers remain lower and stable in Buena Vista County, with one additional COVID-related death in the county this past week. CDC statistics showed 20 new cases in the county during last week, the same rate as the week before, and down sharply from the 65 cases seen a month ago, in the last week of September...

A proposed pipeline that would move captured carbon dioxide from Iowa ethanol and fertilizer plants to Illinois - where it would be stowed underground - is set for discussion at a series of community meetings starting in November. The Heartland Greenway System, proposed by Texas-based Navigator CO2 Ventures, would stretch about 885 total miles in Iowa. ...

A crowd enjoyed talented musical performers Friday might at the Witter Gallery for the latest Witter After Hours event. Candy Clough, Liz Gregg, Linda Baier and Deb DeHaan shared grand piano music and vocals - with the rare treat of a six-hand performance on the keyboard. ...

After sustaining an injury in high school, Samantha Crawford wasn’t sure she’d cheer competitively again. That changed upon her enrollment at Buena Vista University, where Crawford is a junior. And, a BVU cheerleader. “I had a back injury during high school and didn’t think I’d be able to cheer again,” says Crawford, a double-major studying criminology and criminal justice as well as social work. ...

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded Seasons Center for Behavioral Heath $1,500,000 per year for the next two years as part of the CMHC grant program. Funds will be used to support and restore the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic...

Laurens-Marathon kicked off a Red Ribbon Week anti-drug program with an assembly. Laurens police officers spoke with students about drug safety. / LM Schools photo

By the time they’re 30, some 30% of people who grew up in an agricultural environment have some type of hearing handicap. University of Nebraska Medical Center’s(UNMC) Ellen Duysen, Community Outreach Specialist with UNMC’s Central States Center for Agricultural Health at the College of Public Health, says research shows that activities such as riding in a tractor cab, exposure to grain dryer noise and participating in shooting sports without hearing protection are among the most common causes of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).. ...

As temperatures fall and home heating costs begin adding up, MidAmerican Energy encourages customers facing financial difficulties to apply for low-income home energy assistance program, or LIHEAP, funds. “Winters can add a financial strain for our customers who struggle to pay their energy bills,” Mike Gehringer, vice president of customer operations for MidAmerican, said. ...

Funeral services for Gordon L. Sorensen, age 91, of Galva will be held at a later date at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein. Gordon passed away on Monday, October 26, at his home of Galva. Gordon Lawrence Sorensen was born September 1, 1930 in Galva, Iowa to Raymond and Leona Sorensen.  He lived his entire life in Galva except for the four years he served in the U.S. ...

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) The courtesy dock at the Bel-Air boat ramp has been removed for the season. Courtesy docks at the ramp in the DNR marina will remain in place throughout the season. Water temperature is in the mid-50’s. Most of the lake is free of vegetation. Water clarity is less than one foot. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or dip baits fished on the bottom in areas along shore with rocks. Walleye - Fair: Water temperatures are cooling down. ...

The Community Education Walking Programbegins this week. Now that colder weather is moving in, area walkers can move inside. Walking hours at the Storm Lake Middle School will be school days 6:30-7:15 a.m. and 4 - 6:30 p.m. Please sign-in upon arrival...

The Friends of the Storm Lake Public Library aresponsoring Story Time on Thursday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m. Bedtime stories will be read, and participants will explore how children in other countries fall asleep. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library, 732-8026...

Six students from the Storm Lake High School music program have attained the highest individual honor available to an Iowa high school musician by being selected as a member of the 2021 All-State Chorus or Band. The following is a list of the students selected from Storm Lake:...

The Newell Boosting Achievers met on September 12th and October 10th to organize for the new year. Newly elected officers include Isabelle Landgraf President, Jack Olsen Vice President, Will Landgraf Treasurer, Shelby Lynch Secretary, April Meyer Reporter, Eliana Olsen, Rowyn, Katie, Photographers, Titus Olsen Recruiter, and Caden Meyer Senior Advisor. ...