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SLPD vows not to question immigration status
“Our officers do not and will not stop individuals to inquire about immigration status.” Cole issued a statement addressing concerns over potential changes to U.S. immigration policy. Cole ensured the Storm Lake police department is committed to maintaining trust with local immigrants. 
Expert: Get your papers ready. President Donald Trump has promised the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, starting now.  It hasn’t yet reached Storm Lake, where there are people targeted by …

Entrepreneur creates custom kicks

Who wants to be like everyone else? “It’s kind of like getting a tattoo on a shoe,” says Cayden Fischer of Storm Lake. He custom-paints sneakers. And what was …
TIMES PILOT PHOTO BY Jamie Knapp

500 and counting! Jungers hits coaching milestone

Newell-Fonda girls basketball coach Dick Jungers won his 500th career game on Tuesday after his team defeated Storm Lake St. Mary’s 85-31. Jungers, who is in the Basketball Coaches Hall of …

Supervisors reconsider Aurelia Star notices

The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors is reconsidering publishing public notices in the Aurelia Star.  Supervisor Shane Bellefy told The Cherokee Chronicle Times the board of supervisors …

Wilkinson aims to start repaving Business 71 later this year

Buena Vista County Engineer Bret Wilkinson is aiming to start repaving work on Business 71 north of Storm Lake in 2025.  Wilkinson expects to bid six miles of Business 71 this spring and …

USDA to closely monitor H5N1 in turkey to protect food supply

The U.S. The Department of Agriculture has tightened its surveillance for turkey flocks in Midwestern states in response to the ongoing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak among livestock, and …

Council mulls $100 million water plant expansion

Rates to rise, usage ‘tight’; Navratil: ‘Once-in-a-lifetime project’ The Storm Lake City Council is pressing on with an expansion to its water plant, which comes with an estimated $100 million price tag. 

Too many coffee shops? Council evaluates city investment in The Retail Coach

Councilwoman Meg McKeon questioned whether the city’s $27,000 contract in a Tupelo, Miss.-based retail recruiter is an investment justifiable to Storm Lake taxpayers.  “Do we …
TIMES PILOT photo by Dolores Cullen

When will it sink?

The Storm Lake Rotary Club’s car went on the ice Friday. Buy a $10 ticket either from your favorite Rotarian, or at Puff’s, or by messaging the Storm Lake Rotary Club Facebook Page. Each …
Police & Courts
A Storm Lake man was arrested and is now facing seven felony and misdemeanor charges after he allegedly drove three young children while intoxicated and collided with another parked vehicle in South …
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E-editions

Storm Lake Times Pilot 1-24-25

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Ad Guide 1-21-25

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More local news
Ahlers named SL City Attorney
The City of Storm Lake tabbed Ahlers & Cooney of Des Moines as its city attorney for a second straight year.  The council voted 5-0 to name Maria Brownell, Emily Duffy and Logan Brundage as city attorneys.
Police & Courts
Threatened to shoot woman at Tyson Pork A Storm Lake man was arrested and charged with harassment for allegedly threatening to shoot a woman in the forehead while working at Tyson Pork.  …
Sparse snowfall, precipitation define December precipitation: La Niña could bring more snow
The year 2024 ended with above average precipitation and below average snowfall, capping off a year of volatile drought conditions across much of the state. According to the recent water summary …
Officer Villhauer sworn in
Officer Caleb Villhauer was sworn in Jan. 20 by Mayor Mike Porsch as a member of the Storm Lake Police Department. Officer Villhauer previously served with the Rockwell City Police Department for 19 …

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Sports
Former Alta-Aurelia prep Gaes plans to chase NFL dream
Storm Lake boys rout Spirit Lake to take control of Lakes
Storm Lake girls use intense defense to upset No. 6 Spirit Lake
Newell-Fonda’s Jungers wins 500th career game
Newell-Fonda boys hand St. Mary’s Twin Lakes setback
More Local Sports
 Ridge View boys win big to clinch Western Valley Conference title
Ridge View scored the first 17 points of the game as the Raptors clinched the Western Valley Conference title after a 70-19 win over Siouxland Christian on Tuesday night at Holstein. Ridge View, …
Ridge View girls hand Siouxland Christian setback
Ridge View jumped out to a 27-0 lead after the first quarter as the Raptors went on to defeat Siouxland Christian 63-6 in a Western Valley Conference game on Tuesday at Holstein. The Raptors …
BVU women beat Nebraska Wesleyan
Freshman Bradi Krager scored 24 points and hauled down 15 rebounds en route to her first career double-double to help lift Buena Vista to an 80-63 American Rivers Conference win over Nebraska …
Nebraska Wesleyan rallies to stun BVU men
Buena Vista led by as many as 14 points in the second half only to see Nebraska Wesleyan close on a 17-2 run over the final 4:22 to stun the Beavers 75-67 on Wednesday at Siebens Fieldhouse. …
Ridge View boys remain unbeaten after lopsided win over St. Mary’s
Cole Jochims scored a career-high 16 points and Kellen Jensen added 12 to help Ridge View defeat Storm Lake St. Mary’s 92-11 in a nonconference game on Monday at Holstein. Ridge View held …
Opinion

Editorials: Freedom and avocados

The produce man in the grocery store smiled and nodded as the vendor walked past on Inauguration Day with the greeting: “Can’t you feel the freedom this morning?” We could mainly …

Losing papers and people

Last week we regretfully announced that at the end of this month, the Aurelia Star will cease publication. We never really made money on the Star since taking it over about five years ago, but …

More opinion

Gov. Terry Branstad was frustrated eight years ago with what he believed was the inability of officials to tell the public why a government employee was fired or resigned under pressure When the …
If you knew the truth about someone’s murder but it could get others — or yourself — killed, what would you do? More to the point, if you belonged to a group responsible for that …
Sen. Lynn Evans
On Jan. 13, the 91st General Assembly gaveled in for the official start of the 2025 legislative session. Throughout the first week, the leaders from both the House and Senate, as well as Gov. Kim …
This happened just last week: Cargill agreed to pay $32 million in a settlement over a lawsuit alleging price-fixing on turkey products. In a separate matter, meat processors JBS and Perdue agreed to …
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Family & Friends

VOLUNTEER THIS YEAR

Katia Gonzalez and Veronica Arambula unload eggs at Upper Des Moines.
Opportunities to volunteer are plentiful, and now that the new year has arrived, maybe you have made a resolution to make a difference in your community. If you would like to help with the …
My Favorite Recipe
Nate and Maleia Gessner with daughter Kinslei.

Gessners share favorites recipes, including a pheasant wild rice soup

Maleia Gessner of Newell enjoys her new position at Unity Point –– Family Health Center as a lab tech starting last summer. She was previously an experience specialist-receptionist there …

SL's first television set

What is thought to be Storm Lake’s first TV set is on display at the Buena Vista Historical Museum. The 20” screen black and white Hallicrafter television, housed …

Extension Council named

Meet the 2025 Buena Vista County Extension Council. Front row from left: Roman De La Torre, vice chair; Valerie Olsen, chair; Carli Forbes; Jan Worthan, secretary. Back:Stephen Chambang; Miguel …
“Clover,” formerly Marina, in her new home.

Undernourished Doberman has a happy home in Minnesota

The Storm Lake Times Pilot was contacted by Minnesotans Paul Herwig and Jennifer Ilse to say they are providing a forever home for one of two Dobermans abandoned in Storm Lake last July. When …
Legionnaire Bob Rohlfsen, Kathy Snyder, Kim Mason and Legionnaires Tom Dahm and Roger Ray with the cold weather wear donations.

Early/Nemaha American Legion Post caps off 2024 with donations for Early Elementary Children

The Merton V. Hair Post of the American Legion, comprised of members from Early and Nemaha, took part in two holiday projects to bring joy to students at the early elementary center of …

Honoring Sam Ortmann

In a special proclamation last evening, the City of Storm Lake honored Sam Ortmann on his career with the Storm Lake Fire Department. Ortmann has served since 2011, completing his time with the …

Card shower

Lottie Nelson will celebrate her 95th on Jan. 31. Cards can be sent to 35 Vista Dr., Storm Lake.

Happy Birthday

Happy ninth birthday to Brynn Nielsen. Can’t wait to celebrate with you. Love always, Grandma and Grandpa.

St. Mary’s first semester Honor Roll

Platinum Freshmen: Chelsey Gibbins, Cael Phelps and Peyton Phelps Sophomores: Jessa Fetrow, Ruby Phelps and Danica Young Juniors: Neely Bacon, Carissa Elsden and Stephanie Murray Seniors: Harley …

BVU Remembers

A Tribute

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Obituaries
Ronald Deiber
Ronald “Ron” Lee Deiber, 83, of Alta passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, with family and friends by his side. Funeral services will take place Monday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. at …
Sally Puhrmann
Sally Kay Puhrmann, 88, of Storm Lake, and formerly of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Memorial services will be held …
Grace Jorgensen
After a life well lived, Grace Ellen (nee Petersen) Jorgensen passed into eternity with Jesus at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the age of 94. Funeral services will take place …
Georgia Preston
Georgia Ann Preston, 82, of Owatonna, Minn., died Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Owatonna Hospital. She was born Aug. 31, 1942, in Hampton, to George and DeElda (Hopes) Burns. Georgia grew up in Hampton and …
Catherine Schoon
Catherine Ruth (Karr) Schoon of Pelham, N.H., passed into the Lord’s domain peacefully on Jan. 3, 2025, at the age 92. Catherine was born in Calhoun County, near Fonda, on Aug. 4, 1932, …

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