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ICCC Storm Lake facility opens

Iowa Central Community College unveiled the new Storm Lake Learning Center during a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon. The $10 million center is the latest installment …

TIF lawsuit racks up $180K legal tab, so far

Buena Vista County and the City of Storm Lake have incurred nearly $180,000 in legal fees waging a lawsuit alleging over 10 years of misappropriated tax-increment financing revenue by the county …

Judge signs off on lawyer’s request for motorcycle examination

A judge signed off on a Spirit Lake attorney’s request to subpoena Storm Lake Towing for a motorcycle that was involved in an injury accident that resulted in felony charges against a Storm …

BVU enrollment expands for sixth year

811 students on campus --- On-campus enrollment at Buena Vista University expanded for a sixth consecutive year largely thanks to additional graduate programs and campus enhancements. …

Police & Courts: Trial set for Servpro case

A trial date has been set in the lawsuit between Servpro and an Alta couple that failed to pay nearly $7,500 from a residential cleaning contract. Buena Vista District Court Judge Andy Smith …

Minority shareholder holds up Holzhauer bankruptcy

Holzhauer Motors and one of its minority shareholders are warring over the fate of its liquidation, a development that has raised “tremendous risk” for what remains of its three …

Allete Clean Energy plans 44 replacement wind turbines by end of 2026

Allete hopes to take down these wind turbines near Alta and replace some with newer, more energy-efficient turbines in 2026.
Allete Clean Energy of Duluth, Minn., plans to replace 259 existing wind turbines with 44 new energy-efficient turbines and power collection lines by 2026.  Allete presented utility permits …

New addition celebrated at UBI

Guests visit near the updated loan processor area.

An open house at UBI Tuesday in Storm Lake brought people together to see the building’s new addition. “The goal of our addition and extensive remodel was to provide a larger more …

More local news
Law threatening arrest of Iowa immigrants reaches federal appeals court
A panel of three federal appeals court judges in St. Louis heard oral arguments Thursday about a halted Iowa law that would permit the arrest and deportation of immigrants who’ve previously …
DNR fishing report: Water Levels Near Crest, Bass and Walleye Action Slow
Storm Lake, including Little Storm Lake, is seeing water levels near the crest as the fall season progresses. Anglers hoping to reel in largemouth bass are experiencing slow action. While the lake …
A drawing of the complete layout of Storm Lake Early Elementary School. Phases I and II are complete. Phase I is shaded pink and phase II is light gray. Phase III, yet to be built, is in green.
Phase three of SLEES approved
The third and final phase of the Storm Lake Early Elementary School project was approved by the school board last Wednesday, beginning the process to finish the multi-part project. Storm Lake …
With fewer kids at the middle school, Dory has more room to saunter through the halls awaiting pets from students. The therapy dog belongs to Assistant Principal Jaymie Bral.
SLMS ‘can breathe now’ after fifth grade moves down to elementary
Down from 950 to 645 students  — Since moving fifth grade to the elementary school, enrollment and reported behavioral issues at Storm Lake Middle School have decreased and classroom …
Sports
More Local Sports
Boys golf, girls tennis moving to fall sports season beginning in 2025-26 school year
The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Board of Control met during its annual retreat Aug. 9-10 to review 2023-24 reports and approve items ahead of the 2024-25 school year. IHSAA and …
Week 5 preview: Ridge View to get challenge from 1A No. 4 OABCIG
Another huge challenge awaits Ridge View this week. Last week, the Raptors faced No. 8 Hinton. Friday, they will go on the road to take on No. 4 OABCIG in Ida Grove. The Falcons are 3-1 …
Week 5 preview: Newell-Fonda meets 8-man No. 3 Remsen St. Mary’s
After a lopsided homecoming win last week, it’s back to a reality check for Newell-Fonda this week. The Mustangs will face a stern challenge when they meet No. 3 Remsen St. Mary’s …
Week 5 preview: Alta-Aurelia looks for a win when it meets South O’Brien
Scoring points has been a struggle for Alta-Aurelia this season. In four games, the Warriors have scored just 28 points and only six in their last two games. Those struggles will need to be …
Buena Vista squares off with Central in homecoming tilt
Converting on third down on offense and giving up big plays on defense have been problem areas for Buena Vista this season. The Beavers will need to be better in both if they want a chance to …
Car Care

Tattoo truck

Brent Wolterman of Alley Cat Tattoo has an unusual advertising vehicle – a 1950 Ford pickup. The vintage cab sits on a S10 chassis. With its Chevy 350 engine, this truck runs at a reasonable …

Opinion

Editorial: Not news to the nose

No scene is more gorgeous than West Lake Okoboji at sunrise looking east from the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. A bit of rain fell early Tuesday but the clouds gave way to blue sky, and the day was …

Secrecy hasn’t always impeded understanding Iowa school shootings

Thirty-three years ago on a snowy Friday in November, the nightmare of mass school shootings shocked Iowa like it has never been shocked before. It was 3:40 p.m. A former University of Iowa …
Each year from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month as a time to recognize the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the Hispanic …
After attending the townhall meeting in Waverly with Rob Sand and reading his column this week in the Waverly paper, I am appalled at our Iowa legislature for passing the law (SF478) to limit the …
If Gov. Kim Reynolds intended to run for re-election in 2026, it would be inadvisable to skip the Iowa Faith and Freedom revival in Des Moines on Saturday — for a trade junket to India, about …
JD Vance will float a lie to get your attention, and your vote. The Republican senator from Ohio, and Donald Trump’s running mate, acknowledged it during an interview last week with Dana …
Family & Friends

Clifford A. Rae winners announced

Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award winners at Buena Vista University in 2024 include front from left: Danika Demers, Money Thammavongsa, Kylie Trappe, Paige Druskis, Keirsten Trayte. Second row from left: Abigail Clark, Lillian Hoffman, Kristen Davis, Marissa Bronner. Third row from left: Tanner Gerke, Summer Prokop, Alex Galati, Christian Voss. Back row from left: Joshua Giefer, Ethan Schlichte, Aiden Webber. Not pictured: Alexander Davidge and Riley Parkis.
Eighteen Buena Vista University students have been selected for the Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award for the 2024 academic year. Nine Buena Vista University business students and nine …

Peters receives Catholic education award

Deb Peters and Bishop Walker Nickless

Congratulations to Deb Peters of Storm Lake St. Mary’s, who was one of six recipients of this year’s Catholic school leaderships recognized by Bishop Walker Nickless and the Catholic …

Suicide Prevention 5K run/walk features support organizations

Buena Vista County Suicide Prevention Coalition’s fourth annual “Stronger Together” Prevention and Family Wellness 5K Walk/Run and Resource Fair this Saturday is a way to support …

My Favorite Recipes
Lonny and Renee Stull with Madison and David.

Find Renee’s Breads at Storm Lake Farmer’s Market

“I’ve always liked cooking and baking,” Renee Stull commented. “I helped with the family meals when I was little. Now this is my ninth year as the kitchen manager for …

Lampe shares her Wel-Life recipes

“I love my job,” commented Christine Lampe of Fonda, head of the culinary department at Wel-Life Assisted Living in Alta. “It’s a great place to work; I have an amazing staff …
Obituaries
Verdeen Luft
Verdeen R. Luft, 94, of Schaller died Sept. 26, 2024, at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake. Funeral services will take place Monday, Sept. 30, at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Schaller. …
Duane Olson
Duane R. Olson, 88, of Yankton, S.D., passed away peacefully Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of his life will be …
Greg Toomer
Greg Toomer, 74, of Early, formerly of Nemaha, passed away Sept. 18, 2024, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. Gregory Charles Toomer was born Jan. 20, 1950, to parents …
Pam Kearney
Pamela L. “Pam” Kearney, 54, of Alta passed away Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, following a lengthy illness at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. Funeral services will be …
Margaret Brummer
Margaret Arlene Brummer, 83, of Storm Lake died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at her residence. There will be no services at this time. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge …