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75 years at the organ

“Crown Him With Many Crowns,” Suzanne Winterhof launches into a soaring hymn Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church.
Judging from the smile on her face, Suzanne Winterhof is happiest when she’s playing the organ. And she’s been doing so in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod   for 75 years. Winterhof …

Wasted Storm Lake taxpayer money: Judge finds that lawyers overcharged city

As TIF lawsuit fees balloon, city council mulls property tax hike, cuts in services A judge ruled that the City of Storm Lake’s lawyers charged unreasonably high rates to the taxpayers and …
The swan pair on the Tim Humes pond and and their cygnets are normally seen on and around the island.
The Iowa Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program is a success story that impacts our area today. Started in 1993 by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and concluding in 2022, the swans we see no …
Buena Vista County Auditor’s Office staff, from left: Lynnette Jacobs, Yvonne Sandhoff, Karla Ahrendsen, Sue Lloyd, Meredith Woodworth, Sharon Henkel.
In-person absentee voting opened Wednesday morning in Buena Vista County, giving residents an early chance to participate in the 2026 general election before crowds gather on Nov. 3. “You’d …
Research associate Sauda Abdullahi, left, gathers information from the women in attendance about the quality of their maternal care.
New and expectant mothers gathered at the Storm Lake Elementary School on Saturday for a community discussion on maternal health. The event was hosted by SALUD, in partnership with the Iowa Maternal …
Thrive Iowa Buena Vista local personnel, from left: Navigators Carter Andersonand Ana Gonzalez and Coordinator Sarah Johnson. Their offices and this poster are located in the SLCSD annex building.

Timko keynote speaker at Thrive opening

The public is invited to the official launch of Thrive Iowa Buena Vista County. The event takes place Monday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. on the campus of Buena Vista University, 610 W. Fourth St. …

Holstein mulls new city hall

The City of Holstein is poised to build a new city hall.  The council emerged from a special meeting Sept. 24 with the conclusion that a new city hall “would better serve the community” …

Area fire departments receive grants from Iowa Select

Iowa Select Farms and the Deb & Jeff Hansen Foundation has launched a new “Farm to Frontline” initiative, providing $222,000 in support to 65 rural fire departments across Iowa, including …

How fast can you eat 10 hot peppers?

The Hot Pepper Eating Competition is a new event that will kick off Fiesta Latina Oct. 25 from 12:15-1 p.m. at Storm Lake Middle School. Ten participants ages 18 years or older, will each have …

DNR investigating feedlot manure spill near Cleghorn

A statement the DNR issued on Friday afternoon reported the DNR’s Spencer field office received a report of manure in Bear Creek, a tributary to Mill Creek. An open feedlot with an overflowing …

Marching up a storm

The mass band players are joined by directors, in front, Shannon PoorBear, Cindy Mickens and Ashley Stueven.
The Storm Lake High School marching band was joined by seventh and eight graders to become 170 students strong for the annual mass band night Oct. 2. The next day, the Tornado marching band competed …
Police and Courts

Racial slurs, death threat at Marathon apartment complex

Bradley Kraft, 59, was booked into Buena Vista County Jail last Tuesday for first-degree harassment. The charge stems from an alleged encounter between Kraft and a Storm Lake woman who was instructed …

Sports
Creating takeaways, success on early downs keys for BVU against Coe
ay’s American Rivers Conference home game against Coe College. “Creating takeaways on defense and staying ahead of the chains on offense,” the BVU coach said. Those two things will be …
Week 8 preview: Much at stake for Sioux Central in matchup with Sibley-Ocheyedan
The playoff scenario for Sioux Central is pretty simple. Win and the Rebels are in the playoffs. Lose and their season will be over. That’s what is on the line on Friday when Sioux …
Week 8 preview: Ridge View entertains MVAOCOU looking to clinch No. 2 district seed
Ridge View has already clinched a spot in the playoffs, but the Raptors still have something on the line on Friday when they host MVAOCOU. The No. 2 seed in the district and a first round home …
Week 8 preview: Storm Lake renews rivalry with Spencer on the road
Another stern test awaits Storm Lake as it faces yet another team who is either currently ranked or was previously ranked. After games with Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Fort Dodge the last two …
Week 8 preview: Newell-Fonda closes season at Riceville
Newell-Fonda will have to make a long trip to close out the season on Friday as the Mustangs make the 3-hour trek to Riceville to take on the Wildcats. Newell-Fonda coach Nathan Baron would like …

Week 8 preview: Alta-Aurelia concludes season with Hinton at home

Alta-Aurelia will close out the regular season on Friday when the Warriors play host to Hinton in Aurelia. The Blackhawks (3-4) are led offensively by quarterback Duncan Mathiason and running …

Newell-Fonda wins pair of Twin Lakes Conference volleyball matches

Newell-Fonda participated in a Twin Lakes Conference triangular on Tuesday at Sioux Rapids and the Mustangs won both of their matches. Newell-Fonda defeated South Central Calhoun 25-12, 25-7, …

Kampbell becomes first SL athlete to receive all-Siouxland Conference honors

Heath Kampbell became the first Storm Lake athlete to receive all-Siouxland Conference honors as he finished in the top 15 overall at the inaugural Siouxland Conference meet on Tuesday at Spencer. …

Opinion
The Storm Lake Times Pilot welcomes your opinions. Letters to the Editor must include the writer’s name, address and telephone number. Mail: P.O. Box 487 Storm Lake, IA 50588-0487 E-mail: times@stormlake.com

Letters to the Editor: Corporate welfare gives welfare a bad name

Iowa has approved a path to as much as $1.5 billion in tax incentives for a proposed steel mill in Lee County. The company, Mesabi Metallics, is owned by India’s Essar Group, which has faced …

Amendment won't help 'Average Joe'

Early voting is now open in Iowa and will be until Nov. 3, Election Day. The ballot in Greene County towns poses two special question to voters, both relating in some way to taxes. We need to pass …
This Saturday, Oct. 17, some Americans will take to their streets for a fourth No Kings Rally, and in that light, I’ve been watching the latest French protests with interest. Protests in America …
Like most Iowans, we paid our property taxes a couple weeks ago. In the past three years, the taxes on our 90-year-old home have increased nearly 50%. The taxes on our modest metal Times Square …
We met a sharp farmer from North Central Iowa who works for an ag manufacturer, conservative politically and agriculturally. He’s into reduced tillage and cover crops. He loathes regulation, which …
Gulls floated against a blue autumnal sky just off Storm Lake. Finally, combines are in the fields sweeping up corn and beans as if they might be worth the effort amid the trade bluster. It’s …
Family & Friends

Look-alikes

Viola and Emily Bedel, of the Bay Area, at the Star Spangled Spectacular parade with their father Tony Bedel and twin dolls.
They say, twinning is winning. Here are some we’ve run into over the past few months
The Alta class of 1969 held its 57 year class reunion on Oct. 9 at the Cobblestone in Storm Lake. Twenty-one members of the graduating class of 67 members attended the event. Special mention was made …
The annual Stille reunion was held Sept. 27 at the Odebolt Community Center. A lunch was served by Mary Lee Wlliams with the help of other members of the family. There was much reminiscing among the …
Storm Lake I.O.O.F Lodge #221 made a generous donation to the Silver Creek United Methodist Church for their mission project – back packs for the schools. The donation from the lodge was …
Sarah Schoper Salazar helps Kely Carmona and Ana Sanchez.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church has initiated a program called Homework Help held Thursdays from 5-6 p.m. in the church’s dining room. Volunteers help students ages K-12 with homework in an …
Congratulations to the new members of the Newell-Fonda Chapter of National Honor Society. Front row from left: McKayla Hanson, Ellie Sievers, Vienna Wingert Back: Jack Olsen, Ian Harrer, Will Voyles, …
My Favorite Recipe

October is Pork Month

Alyson and Jaelyn Hartnett

October is Pork Month so we are featuring the Buena Vista County Pork Producers royalty this year –– BV County Pork Queen Jaelyn Hartnett and BV County Miss Pigtails Alyson Hartnett.   …

BVU king and queen

Bryson Fredericksen of Aurelia has been crowned Buena Vista University homecoming king. Here he is with queen Hope Vanderlinden.

Feed the Farmer

Making sandwiches 
were, from left: 
Cael Phelps, Ruby Phelps and Jessa Fetrow.

Storm Lake FFA members and the Agriculture Leadership class planned and hosted Feed the Farmer on   Oct. 2, at Platinum Crush in Alta. Members and students practiced the FFA motto "Living …

Popcorn sales to benefit Caring Paws

Caring Paws Rescue is selling Jolley Time Koated Kernels as a fundraiser this month. There are nine fabulous flavors to choose from. The snack bag is seven cups and family bag is 20 cups... and …

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Musica, juegos, rifas, danzas — it’s Fiesta Latina

Selekto Show will entertain with a mix of cumbia, bachata, salsa, merengue and rock en español.

Get ready for Fiesta Latina on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 12-6 p.m. at Storm Lake Middle School. This year’s lineup will be bigger than ever with new live music and performers, a selection of …

Obituaries
Diane White
Diane S. White, 83, of Alta died Oct. 14, 2026, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Memorial Mass will take place Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic …
Deanna McDonald
Deanna “Dee” McDonald passed away suddenly on Sept. 29, 2026, at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale. Private family services will be held at a later date. Fratzke & Jensen …
Shirley Hatlelid
Shirley Hatlelid, 91, of Storm Lake died Oct. 13, 2026, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services will take place Monday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. at Northwest Christian …
Roger Waggie
Roger Waggie, 95, of Rochester, Minn., formerly of Newell, died Oct. 10, 2026, in Rochester. Graveside services will take place Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m. in St. John’s Cemetery in rural …
Ethel Pounds
Ethel Louise (Kuhlman) Pounds was born on Sept. 6, 1945, to Frederick and Roberta (Clough) Kuhlman in Des Moines. Ethel left this earth on Sept. 14, 2026, at 81 years of age. Ethel grew up in …