A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper
Log in
Subscribe

As city witches for water, committee asks about Tyson’s plans

City mum on Tyson expansion plans City Manager Kari Navratil was circumspect about Tyson expansion plans while discussing limited water capacity with a city task force this week. Task force …

SL council candidates describe ideal next mayor

From left: Andrea Frantz, digital media professor at BVU and moderator for SALUD's candidate forum; Steven Mills and Erika Dierking, both unopposed candidates for school board; and Don Piercy, Maggie Martinez, Dalton Walker and Richard Riner, the four candidates for city council.
Rick Wimer wanted a chance to speak with the two candidates vying for Storm Lake mayor.  “We have the two candidates for mayor here,” Wimer said at a meet the candidates forum …

Dry September renews minor drought conditions

Combines are harvesting corn with the end in sight. Here, in a drone shot by Dan Siefer, the field south of Alta looks like a tawny carpet. Rainfall of around .9 Tuesday barely slowed down progress. Buena Vista County and the rest of Iowa to the north and west are “abnormally dry” accordin
Iowa saw a return of dry conditions in areas of the state following a lack of precipitation during the month of September. According to the latest Water Summary Update issued by the Iowa …

Amid swelling fears of ICE raid, council hopeful Rich Riner says ‘they’ll have to come through us first’

Walker: city should provide citizenship information to immigrants The four candidates for Storm Lake City Council were surveyed during a forum Thursday evening whether they feel a responsibility …

Ramos to write-in Hernandez: you got this!

Storm Lake’s write-in mayoral race has turned personal.  Councilwoman Maria Ramos hopes tension doesn’t dissuade Charles Hernandez from running.  Ramos this week …

Former Newell police chief, mayor, squares off with current mayor, former police chief Westergaard

Justin Lyman says he's a friend of Newell Mayor Wayne Westergaard. Lyman is a former mayor and police chief, just like Westergaard, who's occupied the seat for one term.  And he's …

EMC covers 40% of SL’s storm damages

King’s Pointe, water plant damages didn’t meet wind deductible, losses mount The City of Storm Lake will have to foot most of the costs of damages reaped by wind storms in the spring …

BVU, ICCC celebrate 50 years of partnership

Buena Vista University and Iowa Central Community College will host an event in Fort Dodge to celebrate 50 years of partnership between the two academic institutions. In a Wednesday press …

e-edition

Storm Lake Times Pilot 10-17-25

View this issue

Browse other issues

ad guide

Ad Guide 10-14-25

View this issue

More special sections

Extreme GREEN

Storm Lake Middle School eighth grader Andiel Rivera looks extremely green after the school’s color run last Friday. The event is a reward for the $16,344 raised by the 6-8th graders to be used for field trips and student incentives. With a goal of $10K, staff were pleased with the achievement. “At a time when schools are underfunded, this is necessary, but it’s also fun,” said Superintendent Stacey Cole, watching from the sidelines.

Cake dig winner

Digging it The annual cake dig at Paxtons Jewelry pitted pearl winners in the balloon bash against one another Saturday. Here are Maleia Miller, Holly Schipper and Elissa Doebel looking for the gem and the chance to advance

The High School Annex is Community Ed’s new home.

Community Ed moves to High School Annex

Storm Lake Community Education has moved from the portables at 930 E. Fifth St. to 824 Flindt Drive. The new space is in the High School Annex, the former AEA building now owned by Storm Lake …

Former KFC building sells

Foreclosure lawsuit dismissed The building that used to house Storm Lake’s Kentucky Fried Chicken sold last month.  FNS Properties of Grundy Center acquired the building from the …
Community leaders signing proclamations from left: Mayor Kenny Billings (Estherville), Supervisor Chair Bill Leupold (Dickinson County), Supervisor Chair Allen Batschelet (Clay County) and Mayor Mike Porsch (Storm Lake).

Iowa Lakes Corridor communities proclaim October as Manufacturing Month

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) was joined by county supervisors and city officials on Oct. 2 to proclaim October 2025 as Manufacturing Month in their respective …

Rembrandt man airlifted to Sioux Falls after Hwy. 3 collision

A collision at the intersection of M31 and Highway 3 on Wednesday night injured an Algona man and a Rembrandt man. Jay Lockwood, 46, of Rembrandt, and Fidel Rodriguez, 37, were hospitalized at …

Winchell appeals $2M judgment against Holzhauer

Dan Winchell is appealing a judge’s order that ordered him and the defunct Holzhauer Motors to pay over $2 million in connection with a $6.5 million loan on which the dealership defaulted last …

Read More

Click here to sign up for our newsletter
Sports
Ridge View defeats Alta-Aurelia to clinch playoff berth
Fort Dodge defense stifles Storm Lake offense in 35-0 win
SL boys win Lakes cross country title for first time in 14 years
BVU pulls away in second half to beat Luther
Storm Lake drops last-ever Lakes Conference match to Spirit Lake
BVU excited for chance to play ‘Beaver football’
Each week presents another opportunity to get better. Buena Vista has been doing just that lately — getting better. The Beavers will look to take their progress level up another notch when …
Week 8 preview: Playoff berth on the line for Sioux Central
Brandon Goodchild didn’t beat around the bush when putting Friday’s clash between his Sioux Central football team and Sibley-Ocheyedan into perspective. “This is a huge game …
Week 8 preview: No. 10 Ridge View to fine-tune for playoffs in matchup with MVAOCOU
Now that Ridge View has clinched a playoff berth, the Raptors can begin the process of fine-tuning some things before the postseason starts. Ridge View (4-3) will utilize that opportunity on …
Week 8 preview: Storm Lake faces old rival Spencer in home finale
Two old rivals renew acquaintances when Storm Lake and Spencer square off on Friday at Tornado Stadium. Each team is 2-5. Spencer’s offense, which averages 26.4 points a game, goes through …
Week 8 preview: Newell-Fonda looks to finish season right way
Newell-Fonda will be looking to end the season the right way when the Mustangs (2-6) entertain Riceville (5-2) on Friday in a game that starts at 6 p.m. Newell-Fonda coach Nathan Baron expressed …

Week 8 preview: Alta-Aurelia visits Hinton looking for some positives

Alta-Aurelia will look turn the misfortunes of the last four games into something positive on Friday when the Warriors travel to take on Hinton. Alta-Aurelia coach Chris Reinert expressed his …

Read more sports

Area volleyball teams begin road to state with regionals on Monday

The road to the state volleyball tournament begins with regional play for area teams on Monday. In Class 1A, Storm Lake St. Mary’s will play Glidden-Ralston in Glidden while Newell-Fonda …

BVU picked to finish ninth in ARC coaches wrestling poll

The American Rivers Conference has announced its 2025-26 Men’s Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll. Defending NCAA Division III national champion Wartburg enters the new campaign as the favorite. …

Police Blotter and Court Files
Traffic stop in BVU parking lot yields stolen Glock
A Storm Lake man was arrested on Sunday for being in possession of a stolen handgun during a traffic stop on West Fourth Street.  Christian Cervantes, 22, was booked into the Buena Vista …
Two juvenile males arrested for ransacking SL home
Storm Lake police arrested two juvenile males on charges of felony burglary...
police & courts
SL woman arrested for making threats while wielding hammer  A Storm Lake woman was arrested and charged with assault for allegedly threatening a victim with a hammer near the Asian Snack …
Ledesma trial moved to Clay County
A future jury trial for a lawsuit leveled by a former health inspector against Buena Vista County has been moved to Clay County and scheduled for 2027.  Buena Vista County District Court …
Two arrested over counterfeit watch scam
The Storm Lake Police Department received a report last Wednesday Sept. 24 regarding a victim who traded a 2010 Camaro for a Rolex watch which the victim later realized the watch was …

More police blotter and court files

Opinion

Editorials – We can do better

We approach the November municipal elections colored with the fact that Storm Lake cannot afford to keep up. The city council had to beg off from a $300,000 state grant to replace blowers at the …

Confusion results from differing applications of teachers’ rights

The nation’s founders got right to the point when they laid out how to treat the First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, the press and the rights of people to assemble and to petition the …

More opinion

Rick Morain
As I write this column on Sunday, October 12, the United States government is still shut down. Federal employee are not getting paid. No, wait, that’s not quite true. MOST federal …
When I walk, I like to git ‘er done. No shillyshallying, no ambling, no strolling, no sauntering, no rambling. Git. ‘Er. Done. It’s not that I count my steps; I don’t. I just …
The nation’s founders got right to the point when they laid out how to treat the First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, the press and the rights of people to assemble and to petition the …
You may have noticed in the Sept. 19 issue Opinion section of the Times Pilot our annual report of newspaper circulation and ownership. It’s required of all publications every year by the U.S. …
Facebook
Family & Friends
My Favorite Recipe

From truck driver to cook, Teegardin is new dietary supervisor at Wel-life

Scott Teegardin was a truck driver for 34 years.
New dietary supervisor at Wel-life in Alta, Scott Teegardin, had a big career change several months ago, from driving a truck for 34 years, to his new position. “My wife, Nancy Greenke, …
Adorable Corgi puppies were special guests last Friday afternoon at Storm Lake Library’s Aquacadets meeting. The puppies belong to Valaree Woods of Nemaha (center back with glasses). Her male …
Read more
The new kid-friendly space.
Buena Vista Regional Medical Center created a new area for pediatric patients. This kid-friendly space was added to meet the growing need for pediatric rehab services, as more children are being …
Read more
Schaller welcomes Northwestern Station
The former Bode’s Service at 200 W. 2nd St. in Schaller has been reopened as Northwestern Station by brothers Russ, left, and Troy Segebart. Both experienced mechanics, the duo offers …
Jamie Bral with his dog, Dory.
Real Estate Specialists welcome Jaymie Bral
Real Estate Specialists is proud to welcome Jaymie Bral as the newest member of its team of realtors serving the Storm Lake area. Jaymie brings a unique blend of community connection, energy, …
Fithawit Tsige, originally from Eritrea, is making great progress with her English.
EB Academy guides newcomers at SLMS
Now in its second year, the Emergent Bilinguals Academy, or EB Academy is in full swing at Storm Lake Middle School. The program helps Storm Lake’s newest newcomers – students who …

Celebrity judges announced

 Former Storm Lake Community School District Superintendent Carl Turner and State Representative Megan Jones have agreed to serve as judges for the Caring Paws Pet Costume Contest coming up Oct. …

Jim Mcdonnell scholarship to host local event

Jim McDonnell was a respected educator, coach, fishing guide and outdoors advocate in Northwest Iowa. To honor his legacy, the Jim McDonnell family will host a “Halloween Harvest Soup …

Estate and succession workshop to be held in Storm Lake on Nov.18

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cherokee, Ida and Sac Counties will offer an Estate and Succession Planning Workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from noon to 4 p.m. …

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia to celebrate 100 years

You are invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Paul Lutheran Church at a special Centennial Banquet Dinner and Celebration program on Saturday, Nov. 8.   The event will take place at …

Nature Sprouts

Nature Sprouts is for children up to five years of age. It is held once a month, May through October at Storm Lake Marina. Each month will be a new theme and will have story, crafts, snacks and hands …

Hope for Life annual banquet

Hope for Life Women’s Resource Center will host its annual banquet on Oct. 28 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. at Summit Church in Alta. Guest speaker will be Adam Timmeran, two-time Super …

Donate at your community blood drive and help patients during the holiday season

This November, in the spirit of gratitude and giving, LifeServe Blood Center is encouraging individuals to schedule an appointment to donate blood and support patients who depend on blood …

Golden anniversary

Dave (Oscar) and Cindy Meyer will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 25. They were united in marriage in 1975 at Storm Lake United Methodist Church. Dad and Mom, your devotion, …

40th anniversary

Mary and John Cullen of Storm Lake are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this week. They were married Oct. 19, 1985, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. They have two …

Spring or fall?

Sharon McConkey shared an interesting sight in her yard. Her lilac bush is taking a second run at it, and at least the top part is in bloom.

Watch ‘Storm Lake’ free in October

PBS will re-stream the documentary “Storm Lake” free of charge throughout the month of October. The 2021 film traces the story of The Storm Lake Times newspaper and explores whether …

Johnna Fulcher crowned Illinois fair queen

Congratulations to Johnna Fulcher, granddaughter of subscribers John and Kayleen Fulcher of Geneseo, Ill., formerly of Storm Lake. Johnna (named after John), was crowned as the 2025 Miss …

‘Stay Independent: Planning Ahead for Future Care’ comes to Storm Lake on Nov. 6

Stay Independent is a nutrition and well being program offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for adults who are sixty and older. The program Stay Independent Planning Ahead for …
ENTERTAINMENT
CHILI COOK-OFF fundraiser
Witter Gallery organizes Chili Cook-Off on Nov. 8
Get ready for Fiesta Latina
The cast, front row left to right: Jordan Robles Escobar, Hope Balo, Nicole Gibbins, Aubrey Naughton, Jessa Fetrow, Carissa Elsden, Eden Smith, Chloe Bergen and Emerson Smith. Second row: Annabell Gyi, Amelia Gonzalez, Neely Bacon, Jazzelle Jacuinde, Gabrie Strom, Grace Beck, Chelsey Gibbins, Ruby Phelps, Lily Fetrow and Leah Enriquez Pineda.
St. Mary’s School presents ‘Dr. Experimentor and the League of Evil’
Prost!
4th Annual Storm Lake Oktoberfest at the Cobblestone Oct. 18
Bango Haunted Crib in Schaller welcomes visitors again this year to scare the bejeebers out of. Bango is open Friday and Saturday nights in October from 7-11 p.m. including Halloween night. Live music is scheduled for each night and Saturday, Oct. 25, is paranormal night. Profits from Bango go back into the community. Saturday, Nov. 1, will be the last night of the season.
Bango open for business
Calendar of events
Obituaries
Wanda Marie Moller
Wanda Marie Moller, age 82 of Cherokee, IA, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at her daughter’s home near Meriden. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, …
Shirley Simon
Shirley Ann (Robeson) Simon, 91, of Urbandale, formerly Sioux Rapids, passed away peacefully on Oct. 10, 2025. Services will be held in the spring of 2026. Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids …
Michael Flanigan
Michael Flanigan, 66, of Early died Oct. 14, 2025, at his home surrounded by family, friends and with his dog, Midgee, on his lap. He was a devoted husband, dad, grandpa and brother. A come and go Celebration of Life will be held …
Debra Meusburger
Debra Kay Meusburger, 66, of Pocahontas died Sept. 19, 2025, at her residence. Celebration of Life services for Debra Kay Meusburger and Tonya Lynn Fonder will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, at 2 …
Leo Strait
It is with great sadness that our family announces the death of our dad, Leo W. Strait, who passed away Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, peacefully at home. Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at …

More obituaries

© Copyright 2025 Storm Lake Times Pilot | All Rights Reserved | ISSN 2993-5865
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions