Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to co-host July beef feedlot assessment field days (Business ~ 06/16/16)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in partnership with the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association, invite Northwest Iowa feedlot operators to take part in one of two July Beef Feedlot Assessment Field Days. "All of the participants at the first two feedlot assessment field days in June reported they now understand the importance of the feedlot self-assessment," Doug Bear, Director of Industry Relations for the Iowa Beef industry Council, said. ...
The Northwest Iowa Beginning Young Livestock Farmer Group has planned another great educational experience at the Northwest Iowa Research Farm in Sutherland on Thursday, July 7, starting at 2 p.m. This meeting will feature a tour and drone demonstration of the research farm, FINPACK training, and mini educational sessions with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Specialists Beth Doran, Dave Stender, and Ryan Breuer. The day will wrap up with a meal and networking ending at 6 p.m...
Smokin' Hereford BBQ had an open house and ribbon-cutting June 8th. Owner Nathan Jensen thanked the customers and staff, as well as Inspiration Winery and Coon River Farms. / Photo by Chip Hubert
Storm Lake United officially welcomed Reding Sand and Gravel to the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning at the Reding facility. Company owner Chuck Reding and his two children John Reding and Katie Besch were on hand for the occasion...
Attempted burglary On the morning of Tuesday, June 14, at approximately 2:32 a.m., the Storm Lake Police Department was dispatched to 415 East Lakeshore Drive in reference to a reported burglary in progress at an occupied residence. Responding officers were advised by the reporting party that a male subject was allegedly attempting to make entry into the residence. The suspect was described to police as not wearing a shirt...
The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has added two new employees to their staff. Katrina McCarty is acting as the Corridor's office, communications, and events intern for the summer and Tim Weideman is the Corridor's administrative specialist...
The "Can You Canoe?" event held by the O'Brien County Conservation Board is a popular way to learn a new skill or experience one you enjoy! The Conservation Board naturalist is offering an entry level experience to water recreation. You can try out a canoe, kayak and even a stand up paddle board at this event. ...
Those affected by cancer to be honored at BV County Relay For Life June 17 (Community News ~ 06/16/16)
If you had the ability to create a world with more birthdays, would you do it? This year Buena Vista County is holding its Annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life to support the fight for a cancer-free world on Friday, June 17 at Chautauqua Park in Storm Lake. ...
On Tuesday, June 7, the 8th graders at Storm Lake Middle School enjoyed a day full of fun and activities to celebrate their last days of middle school and to wish them good luck with their future at the high school. The sixth annual 8th Grade Plunger Olympics started off in the morning with games such as bat spin relay, mud boot relay, whiffle basketball, inner tube relay, puzzle competition, egg spoon relay, beach volleyball, tennis shoe relay, team spirit, and tug of war. ...
Storm Lake girls whip Spencer, bow to Le Mars The Storm Lake softball team found themselves on the winning side of the column to start the week, notching a 7-1 victory over the Spencer Tigers at home. Senior Madison Gaffney went all seven innings on the mound allowing four hits while striking out six. The lone run scored against Gaffney was unearned. Gaffney moved to 3-3 on the year for the Tornadoes, lowering her ERA to 5.98...
Panthers struggle on the road The St. Mary's baseball team found themselves on the wrong side of the win column on Monday night falling 4-0 to Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayshire. It was a difficult night for the Panthers failing to register a single hit against GT-RA. Senior Eric Broich, junior Michael Demers, freshman Alex Merten and sophomore Cale Murray were the only Panthers to get on base Monday night thanks to walks...
When new Storm Lake Varsity Girls Basketball coach Jesse Nitchals accepted the position, it was not the culmination of a lifelong plan. Years ago, he would not have imagined he would find himself at this point. Nitchals always loved sports from an early age in his life. ...
A 23-year-old Spencer High School alumnus, back in town for the summer, is trying to add something new to the area's seasonal music offerings. While the Spencer Municipal Band has become a warm weather standard, Morgan Kramer is hoping to round up a little vocal talent as well...
Popular Christian pop singer Tammy Trent will return to the Okoboji Bible Conference Women's Conference, August 3 at Arrowwood Resort. The two-hour conference starts at 11 a.m. Beneath her youthful exterior and fresh-faced exuberance, Tammy is a focused recording artist, author and speaker who knows exactly what she wants to say. ...
Multi-platinum country artist Dierks Bentley has announced his upcoming "Somewhere on a Beach" tour, named after the lead single from his current record Black, which was released on May 27. His tour will be stopping by Tyson Events Center, Sioux City, on June 24, joined by Randy Houser and Tucker Beathard...
Passionate about our nation's veterans and dedicated to passing along that appreciation to her students, Kate Swanson has been organizing a community Veterans' Day program at St. Mary's School since 2010 with area veterans as honored guests. This local patriot will be the featured speaker at the Storm Lake Star Spangled Spectacular Patriotic Ceremony on Monday, July 4...
Due to several conflicts and unforeseen circumstances, the Buena Vista County Fair Parade, that was scheduled for Sunday, July 17, at the fairgrounds, has been cancelled. The fair July 20-24.
Storm Lake is gearing up to celebrate July 3rd and 4th with the annual free Star Spangled Spectacular Independence Day event in the city parks. The theme for the 2016 Spectacular is "Pride in Our Past...Faith in Our Future." All Star Spangled Spectacular entertainment is free and open to the public...
Cards for a Cause fundraiser supports Faith, Hope & Charity's annual campaign (Local News ~ 06/16/16)
In support of Faith, Hope & Charity's Annual Campaign, Stephanie Beck and Joy Phelps, Education Consultants with Usborne Books & More coordinated a "Cards for a Cause" fundraiser. This unique program offers value-for-money greeting cards with a high return to the organization raising funds. ...
The Iowa 4-H Foundation has announced the recipients of more than 70 Iowa 4-H college scholarships valued at more than $70,000. Recipients accepted their awards on Sunday, June 5 at the foundation's scholarship reception held in the Scheman Building at Iowa State University. More than 500 applications were submitted. Award recipients hail from 33 counties across the state of Iowa with a wide variety of 4-H experiences...
Eight western Iowa nonprofit organizations are receiving community grants totaling $9,350 from the Alliant Energy Foundation in the first of its two 2016 giving cycles. "These groups and their work strengthen our communities," said Julie Bauer, executive director of the Alliant Energy Foundation. "We know our support allows them to build on their success and do more good things, especially in the areas of Helping Families, Education and the Environment."...
In an effort to increase awareness of invasive species and the impact they have on Iowa's ecosystems and economy, Governor Branstad recently proclaimed June as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Iowa. Each year, Iowa spends millions of dollars on the control of invasive plants, insects, animal species and diseases in woodlands, wetlands, waterbodies and urban areas around the state...
Boaters gathered off the Great Lawn shoreline to hear the music from the LakeFest stage Saturday. / Pilot photos by Dana Larsen
The Storm Lake School District has received statewide publicity after an Iowa Watch investigative journalist study found that the district had 26 compliance issues under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Of 48 districts inspected since 2010, 47 of them failed to meet some of the accessibility standards...
Lake lovers are having to get by without the water trikes, canoes and kayaks usually stationed at Awaysis Beach in Storm Lake. According to City officials, there have been problems with insurance coverage for the City's private vendor for rental watercraft, Reel Time Rentals. "We are working through issues with them. We may need to do something different in the future. We are continuing to explore options," City Manager Jim Patrick said Wednesday...
The tugboat prepares to launch this week as dredging work resumes on the lake. Mechanical failures with the dredge halted efforts after just two full days of work at the beginning of the season. The issues have now been repaired. With a full crew, the dredging is quickly returning to the target level of silt removal. City officials are cautiously optimistic, but aware that more issues could arise as the dredge ages. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...
The pool at King's Pointe outdoor waterpark reopened for the late part of last week, and the leak repairs seem to have resolved the issues that forced it to be closed for an extended period. City officials say there are still some issues with the concrete aprons around the pool deck settling, but current plans are to bring in a company to jack them back up to ensure safety on the site for the busy summer season, and then make any needed permanent repairs afterward. ...
The Storm Lake Police Department announced Tuesday that an arrest has been made in connection with a 2013 burglary and arson at a downtown business. On August 22, 2013, the Storm Lake Police Department investigated a burglary at Los Portales Restaurant located at 504 Erie Street. ...
Power lines were snapped, roadways were flooded and trees were pushed into buildings as part of a particularly nasty storm system Tuesday afternoon. Dickinson County Emergency Management Coordinator Michael Ehret measured winds of up to 70 mph. Conditions warranted both a severe thunderstorm warning and a tornado warning for the area Tuesday afternoon...
It was an era when Jesus of Nazareth, Julius Caesar, Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Confucius, Cleopatra and Caligula walked the earth. And not far from a green riverbank in what would one day be northwest Iowa, a figure who will forever be nameless left behind chippings from a stone tool or a shard of pottery, tantalizing clues to a prehistoric civilization, to be rediscovered 2,000 or more years later...