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Veterans Day 2026

Heavy lifting

Angelo Normand builds muscle at Anytime Fitness in Storm Lake.
Who is this muscular man working out five hours a day at Anytime Fitness? He’s Angelo Normand of Rembrandt, a retired Navy veteran who competes as an amateur body builder and fights a daily …

City of Storm Lake leaves Upper Des Moines, non-profits out in the cold

Mohr: city, county should settle TIF lawsuit before racking up more lawyer fees The Storm Lake City Council voted Monday to suspend all outside agency funding next budget year, including $15,000 …
The contestants for the Catrina/Catrín contest at Saturday’s Día de los Muertos event at VeSo Coffee.
The Día de los Muertos celebration at VeSo Coffee has established itself as a local tradition. The second annual event on Saturday saw a crowd of around 300 people. The free event featured …
Adelis Burgos Medrano, right, is ready to shows some cards to Lorenzo Salcedo. In the background is Maria Maldonado of The Grand Line. The Storm Lake business is expanding its hours and is now open Thursday through Monday.
Vendors took full advantage of the chance to dress up for the Halloween card show sponsored by The Grand Line Cafe & Games Oct. 31 at the Sunrise Golf Course Clubhouse. Vendors came from …

Big tree for the littles

Storm Lake Community School District’s effort to bring the “awe effect” to the third and final wing of Storm Lake Early Elementary School was successful with this giant tree in the media …

SL asks its airport to ‘think outside the box’ for funding

The Storm Lake City Council suggested the Storm Lake Municipal Airport Commission get creative about increasing its revenue before they make a decision on funding. Both parties met Oct. 26 for a …

City approves mini golf agreement

The Storm Lake City Council passed a resolution Monday to finalize a lease agreement with Severson Properties LLC, the new owner of the Pirate's Pointe miniature golf course, which is located on city …

Festival of Storm Lake Lights debuts Nov. 26-Dec. 29

Storm Lake United and Storm Lake Radio have announced the First Annual Festival of Storm Lake Lights, happening Nov. 26 through Dec. 29 at Sunrise Campground. “We think it will be fun,” said …

Eager for an e-bike ordinance, Storm Lake begrudgingly scraps helmet requirement

The Storm Lake City Council once again begun on the path to an e-bike and e-scooter ordinance, this time leaving hard hats at the starting line. The council held a work session on Monday to …
From left: Julie Steinfeld and Michelle Patten of Santa’s Castle; Brooklynn Chips and Harry Schaller of Citizens First National Bank.
Citizens First National Bank has announced a $3,000 donation to Santa’s Castle to support outreach and advertising for the 2026-2027 holiday season. The gift will help the family-focused nonprofit …

Massop Legacy Park dedicated

Family, supporters and friends attended the ribbon cutting and dedication held Oct. 29 for Massop Legacy Park. Marlene Massop is seated and her daughters Karen Keenan and Rachael Kies Ennis are behind her. Third from left is Doug Massop beside his wife Katie.
A 3.8 acre donation of land directly south of the outlet dam in Lakeside has been donated by John and Marlene Massop to Buena Vista County to become Massop Legacy Park. A ribbon cutting and …
Lynn Evans, left, shares a lighter moment with Keith Glienke at the Republican watch party Tuesday night at the Depot in Cherokee. Both candidates won.

Merten, Evans, Republicans win in BV on Tuesday night

Republicans swept Buena Vista County on Election Night.  Incumbents Lynn Evans and Paul Merten won their races against their Democratic challengers, Mike Frantz of Storm Lake and Tom Grau of …

Police and Courts

Assaults, burglaries and handguns in Newell domestic assault string

A Newell man was arrested for a string of incidents of domestic misconduct over the last two years, ranging from the burglary of a North Fulton Street residence, pointing a handgun to his wife’s …

Sports
BVU aims for first league win in road matchup against Loras
Buena Vista enters the home stretch of the season with a pair of favorable games on the slate. First up for the Beavers will be a game at Loras on Saturday where both teams will be looking for …
Ridge View lands five players on all-Western Valley volleyball team
The Western Valley Conference has released its all-conference volleyball team and five players from Ridge View were represented. Olivia Feilmeier and Cora Tesch were voted to the first team by …
Charley Hernandez (left) and Nora Konz.
Hernandez, Konz sweep weekly volleyball awards
The American Rivers Conference has announced its weekly volleyball Performers of the Week, and Buena Vista has again swept the honors for the period ending Nov. 1. Charley Hernandez has been …
Pairings announced for 2026 Times Pilot/Kiwanis jamborees
Pairings for the 2026 Storm Lake Times/Hy-Noon Kiwanis Girls and Boys Basketball Jamborees have been announced. The girls jamboree will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Storm Lake High School. …
Nichols receives award at state cross country meet
Jim Nichols of Storm Lake (left) was honored at the state cross country meet in Fort Dodge by being awarded as the outstanding official in girls cross country by the National Federation of Officials …

SL youth tackle football program wraps up season with scrimmage

Storm Lake Youth Tackle Football wrapped up the program last Thursday with an intra-squad scrimmage. Storm Lake Youth Tackle Football is a competitive football program that teaches participants the …

BVU’s Bakke first in program history to earn all-conference in consecutive seasons

The American Rivers Conference Championships took place last Saturday at the BVU Golf Course at Lake Creek, and Megan Bakke highlighted the day on her home course by claiming all-conference accolades …

BVU beats Central to clinch No. 2 seed in ARC tournament

For the second straight match, the Buena Vista volleyball team recovered after dropping the opening set at Central last Saturday by rolling to three straight wins to knock off the Dutch for the first …

Opinion

Veterans saved democracy. Can politicians keep it?

Our long national nightmare is over. The elections are finished and now we’ll find out if all those nasty ads made a difference. All politicians claimed they were bipartisan. We’ll see if they …

‘We don’t ride bicycles in Iowa’

It’s November, and I’m still riding my bicycle to work. Iowa Congressional hopeful Joe Mitchell boasted to the president recently that Iowans don’t ride bicycles. Huh. I guess that makes me a …
Iowa voters have spent this fall hearing two men who want to be the next governor call each other rich, rootless and dishonest. What Iowans have not seen, however, are documents that would settle …
“There’s Got to Be a Morning After” — 1973 hit song, sung by Maureen McGovern (no relation to George McGovern) I’m writing this column before Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. That’s by …
This letter is being composed on Election Day. The ballot boxes are still open; no ballots have yet been counted. However, this life-long Republican has committed the ultimate act of rebellion. …
Music has always been a staple of my life. I can remember being a little kid and listening with my parents to such names as Frank Sinatra, The Association, Neil Diamond and Neil Sedaka. For those of …
Family & Friends
My Favorite Recipe

Centenarian shares favorite recipes

Arlene Grienke on her birthday.
Turning 100-years-old is an amazing accomplishment. Arlene Grienke of Aurelia is an amazing lady. When I asked Arlene her secret about living to be 100, she commented, “Be honest and have …
Front row from left: Diane Porter, Patti McKenna, Barb Argotsinger and Ruth Paulsen. Middle: Mary Drey, Kathy Pomrenke, Ginger Blatchford, Jolene Davis, Cheryl Plagman, Lisa Alesch, Barb Anderson and Shirley Jonston. Back: Sue Lyngaas, Stefanie Williamson, Lisa Rolls, Marla Nees, Jan Mason and Katie Schwint.
The Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Auxiliary annual meeting was held in October. BVRMC Gift Shop presented the Auxiliary with a check for $18,000 from the proceeds of the Gift Shop over the …
Supporters surround Carlos Barreda and his wife Paige Storm who are standing behind the table along with BVU women’s basketball coach Kylee Boettcher. In front at right are organizers Marian Riner, Wind Goodfriend and Bailey Storm.
Friends, family and co-workers got together last Saturday at St. Mark Lutheran Church for a pancake fundraiser to assist Carlos Barreda, a Storm Lake Street Department employee, who is battling a …

Harvest ride to remember

Steve Lange’s brother-in-law Jeff Jensen of Alta, left, is ready to help help Bob out of the wheelchair, which is guided by Steve. Below, giving directions to the loader driver is Zack Sutton.

Steve Lange, who farms south of Storm Lake, made a special effort to give a combine ride to his uncle Bob Lange who is in hospice at Methodist Manor. The deed was done carefully with a little …

Operation Christmas Child kicks off

Angie Ehsa and Laurie Wilcox show some of the over 100 Operation Christmas Child boxes already packed by the Storm Lake United Methodist and Micronesian services. Storm Lake United Methodist Church …

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Independent film features SL pastor

“Littles” features 32 kids.

The public is invited to Vista 3 Theater in Storm Lake for a double feature of family-friendly films by Ketcham Pictures Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. A special screening will mark the premiere of …

Cherokee Symphony opens season with Pops Concert Nov. 8

The Cherokee Symphony will present its Fall concert with the theme, “American Composers and Friends,” on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. in the upper level of the Cherokee Community Center. This will be …

Hear ye, hear ye, Raptor Nation!

The Ridge View High School Music and Theater departments invite the public to step back in time for an enchanting evening of music, theater and feasting! The Madrigal performance will be …
Joel Wernimont

Iowa native to perform at Fonda Arts Center

Joel Wernimont will take the stage at Fonda Arts Center on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. The location is the northwest corner of Fourth and Main. Admission, as always, is free, as are refreshments! …
Obituaries
Marilyn Monson
A funeral service for Marilyn Rae Monson, 77, of Spirit Lake and formerly of Newell, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. A livestream of …
Donald Peterson
Donald Eugene Peterson, 96, of Albert City died Nov. 3, 2026, at Laurens Care Center.  Private family services will be held. Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the …
Lester Ness
Lester John Ness, 73, passed away after a long struggle with declining health on October 30, 2026, at his residence in St. Anthony, Idaho. He is survived by his sisters, Mary (Wade) Ward of Sugar …
Delmar Carlson
Delmar “Del” Carlson, 78, of Albert City died Nov. 1, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, S.D. Funeral services will take place Friday, Nov. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in …
Darwin Schmidt
A private family graveside service for Darwin “Butch” D. Schmidt, 88, of Fairmont, Minn., formerly of Early, will be held in Union Cemetery in Early. Darwin passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, …