News

202 Beavers from SL campus will receive degrees

Buena Vista University will hold commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 27, with 751 graduates scheduled to receive their degrees.

They include 202 undergraduates from the Storm Lake campus and 395 undergraduates from BVU's 16 sites and online programs. Another 154 students are scheduled to receive master's degrees.

Empty grave at Sioux Rapids leaves family hunting for clues and answers

BY TIM GALLAGHER

Sherri Peterson leaves her house in Waterloo and drives east to meet her father, Merwin “Andy” Anders, of Okoboji, one week before Memorial Day. Under blue skies and bright sunshine, they decorate a pair of graves at Lone Tree Cemetery southeast of Sioux Rapids.

One grave marks the final resting place of Charles and Wealthy Anders, Merwin’s parents.

County tries to catch up on work backlog

By RANDY EVANS

People living in Buena Vista County are now seeing the benefits they were promised when the Iowa Legislature increased the state’s fuel taxes two years ago.

“It’s letting us catch up,” Buena Vista County Engineer Bret Wilkinson said of the higher fuel tax. “It was very much needed to keep our system in good shape.”

He leaves after 22 years of leadership

By CHUCK OFFENBURGER

Back to campus.

With the Cullens in New York City, collecting their Pulitzer Prize, they asked a few old pals from journalism if we’d help fill-up an edition of the Storm Lake Times in their absence.  And when Editor Art Cullen suggested that I “write something about Buena Vista U,” I was quick to accept the assignment.

Storm Lake man charged in ATM scheme

A Storm Lake man was jailed Monday on multiple charges for his alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud Central Bank.

According to police, officers were called to the Central Bank north branch at 1237 N. Lake Ave. at approximately 8 a.m. in regards to a reported theft.

Sixteen flags will be dedicated at the Memorial Day program in Storm Lake. The ceremony, at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, on the courthouse lawn, marks the 44th anniversary of the Parade of Flags.

Monday’s guest speaker is Sergeant First Class, Shane D. Schreck of Alta.

Schreck, 37, is a former member of the United States Army counterterrorist unit, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D), more commonly known as Delta Force.

Diplomas were presented to 144 graduates at Storm Lake High School Sunday afternoon, the exact same number as last year’s graduating class. SLHS Principal Beau Ruleaux told the class they would be remembered as:

• the first to win district football

• the first to perform in the new auditorium

• the ones who “hounded me till they could start their own food pantry”

Newell-Fonda graduation ceremonies took place Sunday. Speakers for the event were Sam Ried, Michaela Kies and Kate Christiansen. Diplomas were presented by Kyle Scheidegger, president of the Newell-Fonda School Board.

Administrators get 2.25% hikes

BY TOM CULLEN

Supt. Carl Turner received a three-year contract worth $163,415 per year, plus administrative benefits during the Storm Lake School Board’s monthly meeting Wednesday.

The board unanimously authorized the contract. Board President Peter Steinfeld commended Turner on another successful year.

As Lakeside goes mandatory, Lund watches SL’s next move

BY TOM CULLEN

Storm Lake resident Norm Lund is urging the Storm Lake City Council to avoid implementing an ordinance that would require mandatory garbage collection.