Yanga estate sues Newton prison staff

Amid a surgical emergency, Yanga given constipation meds for perforated ulcer The Estate of Malga Yanga sued three prison medical personnel over the death of the 23-year-old former Storm Lake …

McKeon wins write-in mayor’s race

Meg McKeon has been declared the unofficial winner of the contested Storm Lake mayoral seat. McKeon defeated fellow write-in candidate Charles Hernandez in a 301 to 158 vote, according to …

Martinez, Riner, Piercy victorious in SL

A series of contested races for city councils across Buena Vista County were decided on Tuesday night. Challenger Don Piercy, an independent voice who intends to shake up City Hall, was …

Storm Lake, Alta-Aurelia school board members win reelection

Voters elected sitting members of both Storm Lake and Alta-Aurelia school boards to another term in Tuesday’s election while a newcomer for A-A looks forward to joining the group. Tom …

Incumbents mayors fall in Newell, Sioux Rapids

Challengers prevailed in mayoral contests in Alta, Newell and Sioux Rapids. Wayne Westergaard and Jim Wise were unseated in Newell and Sioux Rapids, respectively. And Desi Suter bested Jon …

Piercy victorious on Tuesday night

Don Piercy was the top vote recipient among those vying for seats on the Storm Lake City Council. Piercy notched 581 votes in a special election to fill Kevin McKinney’s council …

Bond elections in Alta, Sac fail

Voters in Alta and Sac County turned away building projects that were expected to raise property taxes for a library and a jail. The Alta library vote failed by a 315-208 margin. Nearly …

Mr. Goodfellow: 101 Years of keeping kids warm

Maria Arreola in a storage room for extra clothing at Storm Lake Early Elementary

Mr. Goodfellow drive 2025 is officially underway, now in its 101st year. The Mr. Goodfellow fund, established by newspaper publisher W. C. Jarnagin, and supported by donors like you, has provided …

Communities band together to help bridge the SNAP gap

Food banks in Storm Lake, Cherokee and surrounding northwest Iowa communities are bracing for the influx of residents in need of food assistance after the federal government stopped funding …

A boon or bane

Community meetings focus on noise, utility profits The City of Alta is expected to hold a community meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the implications of a 12-megawatt Bitcoin mine …

A tower of "Whip Trip" canisters sits next to THC-infused drinks on display at R Smokes Plus in Storm Lake, where members of the city council claim residents can purchase unsafe amounts of nitrous oxide for inhalation.

At a loss for curbing huffing

City mulling ordinance to rein in nitrous oxide Councilmembers Meg McKeon and Maggie Martinez called for statewide action prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide products for non-medical …

SLCSD offers to settle lawsuit alleging abuse to special needs student

'Alleged wrongdoing will be expressly denied’ The Storm Lake Community School District is offering a settlement of an undisclosed amount to the Khaoorn family, who sued the district and …

BVU student arrested after public cafeteria fight

BVU campus security escorted a student off campus after he allegedly assaulted another student in the campus cafeteria, throwing two chairs and a plate during the process. Storm Lake …

Goff human trafficking case pushed to Dallas County

Sac County Attorney Ben Smith dismissed charges of sexual abuse against a Belmond woman after the FBI transported her to Dallas County to face human trafficking charges that carry a …

Fourth annual BVU Making History event on Nov. 10

The four BVU alumnae panelists from left to right: Deni Adams ’15, Judge Michelle Jungers ’04, Katie Larson ’08 and Dr. Lexi Fisher ’16.

Buena Vista University invites the public to attend the fourth annual BVU Women Making History event on Monday, Nov. 10. This inspiring panel discussion will feature four BVU alumnae who will share …

A wing for the littles

The third wing of Storm Lake Early Elementary School is taking shape on schedule and plans are to add the roof soon...

Bridging the gap

Rick Wimer with the Storm Lake Beavers Kiwanis Club presented a $500 donation on Tuesday to the Storm Lake Food Gap fund with Central Bank to help support local food shelves.

City of Newell celebrates opening of musical playground

The City of Newell hosted a ribbon cutting late Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the opening of its new musical playground. The ribbon cutting was attended by children and adults of the community to …

Walking into Friday like...

Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company performs at BVU

The Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company performed on the BVU campus Monday night in an event hosted by the university’s School of Liberal Arts. Stories about love, loss, grief and …

Brew Provides $3,000 Donation to Santa's Castle to Support Holiday Advertising Campaign

STORM LAKE, IA – November 3, 2025 – Brew, the Iowa-based family-owned convenience store company headquartered in Storm Lake, announced today a $3,000 donation to Santa's Castle to support …

e-edition

Storm Lake Times Pilot 11-7-25

View this issue

Browse other issues

ad guide

Ad Guide 11-4-25

View this issue

More special sections

Out now!

Click here to sign up for our newsletter

Alta library, Sac jail projects among many area bond failures

Auditor declines to call write-in mayor’s race

Where to vote for the 2025 election

Alta council candidates make their final pitch

Rep. Megan Jones appointed to infrastructure funding subcommittee

Sac Co. woman charged with attempted murder

Storm Lake’s DeHaan tabbed 2025 Times Pilot Co-Player of the Year

Alta-Aurelia’s Berkland chosen 2025 Times Pilot Co-Player of the Year

Alta-Aurelia, Storm Lake players headline list of selections to 2025 Times Pilot Volleyball Team

State cross country

Sioux Central’s Weber, Newell-Fonda’s Brabec, Alta-Aurelia’s Berkland pace respective teams

State Cross Country

Wernimont takes sixth to lead area boys runners at state

Ramirez Parra places 19th to help Storm Lake boys finish 15th

Competing in the state meet for the first time in 37 years, Storm Lake didn't have one of its better days as the Tornadoes finished 15th in the Class 3A meet on Friday at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge. …

South Hardin defense bottles up Ridge View

It takes a pretty special defense to shut down Ridge View’s potent rushing attack. South Hardin has it. The 10th-ranked Raptors ran for 426 yards in their first round playoff game, …

Central uses strong rushing attack to beat Buena Vista

Buena Vista faced a tough test on the road against No. 18 Central and the Dutch used a strong running attack to hand the Beavers a 52-28 loss on Saturday at Pella. Of its 518 yards of total …

Football playoff scores/pairings

SECOND ROUND LAST FRIDAY CLASS 4A Cedar Rapids Xavier 47, Waverly-Shell Rock 0 ADM (Adel) 27, North Scott 24 Gilbert 27, Council Bluffs Lewis Central 24 Newton 51, Fort Dodge …

Nine Newell-Fonda players make all-district football team

Nine players from Newell-Fonda were chosen to the 8-Player District 1 team for football, it was released. Wide receiver Jacksyn Hogrefe, lineman Lincoln Gauley and punter Trevor Tauber were …

Alta-Aurelia players head all-Twin Lakes volleyball team

Four members of conference runner-up Alta-Aurelia were voted to the Twin Lakes Conference teams for volleyball, it was released. Hayden Berkland was chosen to the first team by a vote of the …

Two Storm Lake players selected all-Lakes in volleyball

Two members of the Storm Lake volleyball team were voted to the first team in the Lakes Conference, it was released. Hitter Avery DeHaan and setter Abby Bodholdt were selected to the first team …

Two Ridge View players make all-Wester Valley volleyball team

Two members of the Ridge View volleyball team were represented on the Western Valley Conference teams, it was released. Setter Zoey Aschinger was voted to the first team by the league’s …

Police Blotter and Court Files

police & courts

SL man gets probation, deferred judgment for weed sale on BVU campus A Storm Lake man alleged to have sold marijuana to a confidential police informant while on campus at Buena Vista University …

County resists Hazen’s retrial demand

The Buena Vista County Attorney’s Office resisted Aaron Hazen’s request for a retrial with new evidence, calling the claims of his longtime defense attorney ‘baseless’ and …

Firearm at Lake Avenue smoke shop

A Rockwell City man was arrested on Wednesday for brandishing a firearm at a vape and smoke shop on Lake Avenue. Miguel Alcantara, 33, was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail on …

Police and Courts

SL man arrested for strangling, assaulting mother of his kids A Storm Lake man was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors related to an alleged string of domestic assaults against the …

SL brothers arrested at home with half-pound of weed

After smelling marijuana outside a Cayuga Street residence, Storm Lake police seized nearly half a pound of marijuana, vaping devices and firearms and arrested two brothers living inside the …

More police blotter and court files

Opinion

Editorials: Let’s talk

If Storm Lake truly intends to develop a recreation area around the dredge spoil site east of the municipal golf course, city officials must approach the Lake Improvement Commission at the earliest …

More opinion

Mrs. Vance, Usha, might I have a word?

I’ve been thinking a LOT about Usha Vance. Her husband is the vice-president and he has said a hurtful thing and behaved shamefully in public. I wrote a letter I will never send. Dear Mrs. …

Absent facts and explanations, the rumor mills grind on

As Iowans headed to the polls this week to elect local school board members, they faced an issue beyond the usual ones of taxes, student achievement, teacher pay, curriculum and enrollment. This …

This old house

Kathy and I live in an old house in Jefferson (apparent construction year 1901). It’s the house my parents bought in 1944, and it was my childhood home. My folks sold it about 28 years later …

Letters to the Editor: The marina lakefront building should be a gathering place, not a workplace

The ongoing debate over the future of the Storm Lake Marina has dragged on far too long, and it’s time for BV County Conservation officials to face the facts. The public has spoken — …

Facebook

My Favorite Recipe

Let shares her favorite Karen sausage dish

Peh Let enjoys growing plants. She also shares her vegetable garden with neighbors.

Peh Let of Storm Lake is a busy lady. She used to work at Tyson and now her husband Thay Ro works there. Now Peh Let works part-time with a cleaning business, doing janitorial work. She is also a …

From left: Ximena Calderon, Eleina Martinez Bucheli, Bailey Aube, Clare Brostad, Deleyza Martinez Medina and Naevia Hernandez.

October Incentive at SLES

Storm Lake Elementary celebrated its October Incentive with popcorn, tattoos, face painting and sugar skulls coloring. 780 students –– 97% of our students –– were able to …

Roof repairs on shelterhouse

Repairs began last week on the roof of the Chautauqua Park shelterhouse, which has been closed since half of it was severely damaged in the Good Friday windstorm April 18.

Wanted: used shoes

Your gently used unwanted shoes can be dropped at Brown Shoe Fit in Storm Lake for the Caring Paws Rescue SHOE US THE LOVE fundraiser. Here Peach the News Hound and Austin Perrin of Brown's Shoe Fit …

BVRMC Auxiliary Gift Shop Holiday Open House

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Auxiliary will host a Holiday Open House on Saturday, Nov. 8, to support the BVRMC Auxiliary Scholarship Program. The event is open to the public and will be held …

Celebrate the season at Storm Lake’s annual holiday open house

Get ready to sip, shop, and celebrate as Storm Lake United hosts its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9. This beloved community tradition invites shoppers to explore Storm …

Applications for BVRMC Auxiliary Scholarships available

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Auxiliary is offering three $1,000 scholarship opportunities for those looking to pursue education in a health related field. Application deadline is March 31, …

SL Hometown Pride Community Survey extended to Nov. 12

The Storm Lake Hometown Pride Committee has extended the deadline for its community survey to Nov. 12, giving residents, businesses, employees, students and other stakeholders additional time to …

Local P.E.O. chapters award $1500 scholarship to SLHS graduate

In May, Storm Lake High School senior Jennifer Guitterez was named as the 2025 P.E.O. Scholarship recipient during the Dollars for Scholars Award Ceremony. Jennifer is a graduate …

Storm Lake High School Graduate Lillie Hoffman awarded a P.E.O. Star Scholarship

Chapter EP-NL would also like to recognize Lillie Hoffman who was recently awarded a P.E.O. Star Scholarship. The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for …

Veterans Day Salute

Scott Bohlin with Sailor in his office at Seasons.

100% disabled veteran keeps giving back

Meet Scott Bohlin, substance use disorder counselor at Seasons Center For Behavioral Health in Storm Lake. He said he was called to this job because he wanted to “give back.” But he …

Home tour benefits homeless pets

Caring Paws Rescue invites you to “Home Fur the Holidays,” a home tour in Storm Lake and Alta sure to bring you comfort and joy. Six home owners have agreed to open their houses, …

Meet the People

View this issue

More special sections

Super bowls for chili

Raptors on stage

ON STAGE NOV. 14-15

SLHS presents ‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical’

AM Artworks classes at Witter Gallery

‘Amazing Iowa’ author to share her story at SL Public Library

Marvel Rosdail

Marvel F. Rosdail, 96, of Storm Lake died Nov. 3, 2025, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services will take place Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at United Methodist …

Daniel Haworth

Daniel Haworth, 73, of Schaller died Nov. 2, 2025, at his home. A Time of Gathering will take place Thursday, Nov. 6, from 4-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller.

Gerald Lohman Jr.

Gerald “Jay” B. Lohman, Jr., long-time resident of Rock Creek, died at his home on Oct. 30, 2025. He was 82. Jay was born on Aug. 23, 1943, in Springfield, Ill. He proudly served in …

LuVerne Rydberg

LuVerne “Bud” V. Rydberg, 100, of Alta died Nov. 1, 2025, at his home surrounded by family. Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. at Hope Evangelical Free Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be …

Lynn Faust

Lynn Faust, 93, of Alta died Oct. 24, 2025, at Ruthven Care Center. Memorial services will take place Friday, Oct. 31, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Alta. Burial will be in Elk …

More obituaries

Calendar of events