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Holzhauer bankruptcy dismissed

A judge dismissed Holzhauer Motors’ bankruptcy petition in its entirety, leaving the dealership and its owners exposed to state court lawsuits that seek damages in excess of $12 million.  Judge Thad Collins dismissed the dealership’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in an order …
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

‘I want to move to Mexico’

Marlene Colonel, 17, poses in front of statues representing 
“diablos” or devils. In Oaxaca, diablos in goat fur outfits, devil masks and horns represent the protest and rebellion of formerly enslaved Afro-indigenous peoples.

Though born and raised in Storm Lake, Marlene Colonel always felt pulled to teach in Oaxaca, Mexico. “I just want to change the lives of kids who don’t have that much of an …

LAURA HANKS

Storm Lake United welcomes Laura Hanks as executive director

Storm Lake United is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Hanks as its new executive director. Laura joins the organization with a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community …
Dust has increased around the gravel roads that connect to the Platinum Crush plant east of Alta. As many as 500 trucks per day traverse 60th, 70th (above) and 80th Avenues.

Dust concerns grow near Platinum Crush, elevators around the county

Gravel and grain dust have created clouds denser and larger this harvest season, creating public health concerns in an area that receives little or no real-time air quality monitoring by state and …

City council agrees to maximum of 100 pigeons per residence

The Storm Lake City Council is drafting an ordinance regulating domestic pigeons and agreed to permit up to 100 birds per residence and more flexible flying hours.  …

McKeon, Navratil spar over trucks on city streets

Meg McKeon just wanted a sign on West Fifth Street. The frustrated city councilwoman told City Manager Keri Navratil she wanted a sign that asked truckers to stay on state highways 7, 71 and 110. Trucks are driving where they shouldn’t. …
CHILLS & THRILLS

Downtown Spook the Street Trick-or-Treating

Storm Lake United invites the community to a spooktacular Halloween celebration, Chills ‘n Thrills, featuring the annual Spook the Street Trick-or-Treating. This family-friendly event is …

Judge: Tyson supervisors ‘unprofessional’ but not abusive to USDA inspector

IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH - A USDA inspector working at the Tyson Fresh Meats plant in Storm Lake resigned from his post earlier this year after a series of conflicts with Tyson officials. State …

Late summer warmth

A dusty harvest day helped make this sunset a vibrant red and yellow as two walkers strolled down a sidewalk near King’s Pointe. Hundreds of seagulls can be seen flying below the sun. Photo by …

in case you missed it...
Representatives with Lopez Dorada announced plans to add 100 jobs at its Cherokee meat processing plant on Hwy. 59 after a $45 million expansion to the plant’s southwest corner.  …

Making way for new homes at Vista Estates

Vista Estates Manufactured Home Community is demolishing 15 abandoned mobile homes on its property in Storm Lake, and the first structure came down last Friday. “Some have been abandoned for a …

Sioux Central using SAVE for new auditorium

Renderings of the fine arts/ag space/classroom space include views of the auditorium, music room and exterior. The current playground will be moved north.

The Sioux Central School District received an initial project proposal from Beck Engineering of Cherokee for recently approved facility additions and renovations. According to Supt. Kevin Wood, …

More local news
Storm Lake fishing report: Water levels near crest
The water levels in Storm Lake and Little Storm Lake are approaching their highest point, leading to slower fishing conditions as the season cools. Largemouth bass fishing is slow, but the …
Water treatment system demand increases, ISG prepares design for new plant
ISG, the City of Storm Lake’s engineering firm, will prepare an engineering report to recommend designs for a water treatment plant — the first of many steps to constructing the $65 …
BV Co. Supervisors continue with Buffalo Ridge rezoning
The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors voted to rezone the land for the proposed Buffalo Ridge Estates north of Storm Lake on 560th Street from agricultural to residential. The board voted …
Ready for new housing
The new Kading Properties housing development south of Hy-Vee is currently under construction, with the project’s roads and building foundations clearly visible now. Photo by Dan Siefer
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 …
Regional volleyball tournament pairings
Regional volleyball tournament pairings CLASS 1A REGION 7 MATCHES MONDAY, OCT. 21 at Victor HLV (10-13) vs. Iowa Valley (10-16) at Kalona Hillcrest Academy (17-6) …
Week 7 preview: Storm Lake will face a hungry Denison-Schleswig team
The last five weeks have not been good for Denison-Schleswig. Since their season-opening win over Council Bluffs Jefferson, the Monarchs have lost five games in a row, been outscored 191-24, and …
Week 7 preview: Ridge View looks to finish drives against West Sioux
When you’re playing a team that can score a lot of points, you’d better be able to finish offensive possessions with points yourself. That was a problem for Ridge View in last …
Week 7 preview: Alta-Aurelia meets Akron-Westfield looking for third straight win
After starting 0-4, Alta-Aurelia will be looking for its third straight win when the Warriors travel to Akron to take on Akron-Westfield on Friday. The Westerners will be looking for their first …
Opinion

Editorial: Vote for Melton

This presidential campaign cycle has been relatively quiet in Storm Lake. Iowa was judged not to be in play long ago, left for Donald Trump and the Republicans. Recently, the Iowa Poll showed Kamala …

You get what you pay for

Newspaper people are painfully aware that many Americans don’t get their news from traditional trusted sources. For a variety of reasons these folks have turned instead to get their information …
In a town where Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than two to one, it was interesting to note the sprouting of a Harris-Walz sign here and there some weeks ago. Every few days, another one or …
The 17th annual BVRMC AWARE 5K Walk/ Run and Kid’s Fun Run was held Saturday, Sept. 21. We had 390 participants and raised almost $20,000 for cancer awareness. These funds will help support …
Avian flu has jumped to mammals. More dairy workers are reporting the illness. In California, a major dairy producer, up to a third of the herds may be infected. Pasteurized milk is reported safe to …
Morning breaks crisp as the soybeans come in. They’re shooting geese and dragging in docks. We’re not even a month out from a presidential election. Our politics is being reorganized, and …
Family & Friends

St. Mary’s kids travel to Gabrielson Park

Storm Lake St. Mary’s fifth and sixth graders traveled to Sioux Rapids to enjoy the afternoon at Gabrielson Park –– Gustafson Lake. Students were instructed on canoeing and got the …
Team Wayne numbered 18 people. Here’s one part of the clan, from left: Heather Runneberg, Mihwa Runneberg, Courtney Blenner, Alexandrea Keller, Ken Keller, Mike Keller, Toni Keller and Teagan Winger.

Walking for Alzheimer’s

“I went at it kind of hard,” said Barb Anderson of Storm Lake about her fundraising success at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, held for the first time in Storm Lake last Saturday. …

Alta class of 1993 park bench dedication

The Alta Class of 1993 met on Sept. 28 to dedicate a new bench placed in the northeast end of Alta City Park. About 30 students graduated with the class of 1993, and tragically, they have already …

Buena Vista University student award recipients embody university motto of education for service

Buena Vista University is proud to honor several outstanding students who exemplify the university's motto, Education for Service. These students have demonstrated exceptional dedication to serving …
Obituaries
Vivian Barels
Vivian Harriet Barels, 97, of Spirit Lake, formerly of Storm Lake, died Oct.12, 2024, at Accura Healthcare in Milford. Funeral services will take place Sunday, Oct. 20, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mark …
Virgil Pyle
Virgil R. Pyle, 90, of Cherokee passed away Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at his residence surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 10:30 a.m. First Church of Christ …
Kristi Larsen
Kristine “Kristi” Marie Larsen passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at the age of 64 with family members by her side. A memorial service will be held at …
Marilyn Bauer
Marilyn Bauer, 87, of Newell died Oct. 1, 2024, at Park View Care Center in Sac City, following a brief illness. Funeral Mass will take place Monday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's …
Betty Roeder
Betty Louise Roeder, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and teacher, passed away peacefully Oct. 3, 2024, at the age of 80. Memorial services will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, at 2:30 p.m. …
My Favorite Recipes
Eddie Morales graduated from Storm Lake High School in 2019.

SL library welcomes Morales as new clerk

Eddie Morales of Storm Lake enjoys his new position as library clerk where he helps with collection development at the Storm Lake Public Library. He began working there in July. “I like …