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Buena Vista County terminates court debt collection agreements

Buena Vista County is terminating its agreements with cities to collect court debt, as the Iowa Legislature and the Iowa Judicial Branch are sorting out $27.5 million in …

Why the county didn’t sound the alarms

BV Emergency Management details storm siren criteria. Aimee Barritt: ‘It was over about as quick as it began’

Pocahontas Sheriff investigating Fonda shooter

The Pocahontas County Sheriff is investigating gunshots that were fired near the 400 block of Franklin Street around 10 p.m. on Sunday.  A statement Sheriff Steve Nelson issued on Monday …

Alta library eyeing city park for new home

The Alta Community Library’s search for a new home may soon be coming to an end. After nearly a year of back and forth on site proposals, the board is asking that the city council approve the construction of a new facility on the northern end of …
Sports
Summer sports preview: Newell-Fonda will be more athletic baseball team this season
Newell-Fonda enjoyed a successful baseball season a year ago as the Mustangs went 8-2 in the Twin Lakes Conference, which was good for second place, and 15-11 overall. The Mustangs return six …
Summer sports preview: Adjusting to new coach key for Alta-Aurelia softball success
Alta-Aurelia struggled to a 3-7 softball season in the Twin Lakes Conference a year ago and went 5-19 overall. However, the Warriors have some strong players returning in Caitlyn Mattson, …
Summer sports preview: Ridge View poised to have another successful softball season
Ridge View is poised to have another successful softball season as the Raptors return six starters from last year’s team that finished 6-2 in the Western Valley Conference and 19-12 overall. …
Summer sports preview: Storm Lake primed for another successful softball season
Storm Lake is in position once again to have an extremely successful softball season. The Tornadoes finished second in the Lakes Conference with a 6-2 mark and went 22-4 overall last year. …
Summer sports preview: St. Mary’s softball focused on competing in every game this season
Storm Lake St. Mary’s struggled to an 0-10 softball season in the Twin Lakes Conference and went 2-17 overall. However, the Panthers return all-Twin Lakes honorable mention pitcher Neely …
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: Varina quasquicentennial celebration June 7-8

This year marks a remarkable milestone in our community’s history — the 125th anniversary of Varina. On June 7-8, 2025, we invite friends, family and neighbors — past and present …

It’s the dang politics

The Trump tax cuts, enacted in 2017, are due to expire at the end of this calendar year, 2025. The new 2025-26 federal fiscal year doesn’t kick in until Oct. 1, 2025. Plenty of time for …
Previously, I discussed the divisions fueled by both the radical Right and extreme Left factions in America, and I also suggested that both extremes bear possibly as many similarities as they do …
From 30,000 feet, the Port of Los Angeles looks like a child's toy being unfolded into a multi-faceted Transformer. This blocky, brawny big brother, however, covers 7,500 acres and lies …
Earlier this spring, homeowners received their 2025 property tax assessments. If you disagreed with your assessment, you had until the end of April to file a protest with your local board of review. …
My buddy Walt Bradley of Algona asked me why we came back here from college in Minnesota over 45 years ago. That’s easy: Family. It’s the only reason. Walt was an art major who …
Family & Friends

Newell-Fonda seniors take the spotlight at awards ceremony

Newell-Fonda Education Foundation Award recipients pose during the May 6 ceremony. From left: Lindsey Wolf, MacKenzie Wallace, Olivia Smith, Allison Siebrecht, April Meyer, Guyson Lyman, Kinzee Hinders and Max Carlson.
Newell-Fonda students were recognized during the May 6 awards ceremony for their accomplishments in academics, music, and community involvement. Several local scholarships were presented.   …
A Hmong dance.
Culture Day at Storm Lake High School is a day to highlight the many nationalities that make up the student body. Culture Day 2025 ended with a program of music and dance, plus a fashion show, then …
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From left, Phoebe, Bill and Dixee Feis researched the role of BV students in WWII and the contributions of those killed in action.
Buena Vista University made its own history Friday in a ceremony and accompanying exhibit to honor Buena Vista College students, faculty and staff who served in WWII. The effort climaxes months …
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Storm Lake Proud Week brought out all kinds of community volunteers. Here are members of Caring Paws Rescue, who painted the bases of light poles in the parks. From left: Susan Lyngaas, Lorinda …
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Join local artist April Mason as she hosts a poppy field painting class at Witter Gallery on Thursday, May 22, at 4 p.m. Come spend a relaxing afternoon creating …
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My Favorite Recipe
Bethany Urban Haddad with her husband Rami.

Music teacher shares Jordanian recipes

Bethany Urban Haddad is enjoying her position as elementary school general music teacher for grades two through five at the Storm Lake Elementary School. “I love the students,” she …

BV County Conservation Events

Dutch Oven Cooking 101 is back for Summer 2025. The first class will be taught Friday, May 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the South Shelter Area of Buena Vista County …

Join the Storm Lake Farmers' Market

Join us at ISU Extension and Outreach for a special Iowa Farmers Market Nutrition Program Vendor Training on May 28 at 9 a.m. This is the first step for fruit, vegetable and honey producers to …

2025 Buena Vista County Fair sponsorship

In an effort to support the youth of Buena Vista County, it is our pleasure to invite you to be a sponsor of the Buena Vista County Fair. This year’s event will be taking place July 9-13, 2025. …

Teagan Meyer receives 2025 natural science award from Concordia

Concordia University, Nebraska's natural sciences department recently held its annual banquet, recognizing graduating seniors and students who have displayed outstanding service and scholarship …
Mason Benedict on the tuba.

Sounds of Spring

Storm Lake Middle School seventh and eighth graders presented their spring concert May 1

Horan named ‘Best of Show’

Congratulations to Maddy Horan, a sophomore at Ridge View High School. She won “Best of Show” at the Ridge View High School Visual Arts Show on Tuesday, May 6. She is pictured with her …

Obituaries
Bernie Saggau
Bernie Saggau, the 1949 Buena Vista University graduate who served as Iowa High School Athletic Association Executive Director for 38 years, died on Saturday in Sarasota, Fla., eight days shy of his …
Marjorie Holstein
Marjorie Holstein — mother, grandmother and great-grandmother — may your soul rest in eternal peace.  You will forever live in our hearts carried forward in the love you so …
Jimmy McKenna
James “Jimmy” Stephen McKenna, 40, of Sac City passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones. Jimmy was born on March 14, 1985, in Storm Lake. He …
Gene Huelman
Gene Huelman, “Red,” to those who have been around long enough to remember him with red hair, passed away on the morning of May 11, 2025. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 14, from 5-7 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller. Graveside services …
Timothy Winkel
Timothy D. Winkel, 63, of Storm Lake died Friday, May 9, 2025, in Newell. Funeral services will take place Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. at Church of New Beginnings in Storm Lake. Burial will be …