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Thunderstorm leaves 1,800 without power

Workers with American Tree Service of Holstein rake up debris along West Cedar Street Tuesday afternoon. 

A severe thunderstorm that tore through Cherokee Monday evening left over 1,800 county residents without power.  MidAmerican Energy restored power ...

First Sergeant (Ret.) Dale Tokheim to Speak at Star Spangled Spectacular Patriotic Ceremony on July 3

The SSS is honored to announce that First Sergeant (Ret.) Dale Tokheim will be the featured speaker at this year’s Patriotic Ceremony on Wednesday, July 3, at 5:30pm at Sunset Park as part of …

Aurelia couple charged for abandoning dog in filth

An Aurelia couple was arrested and charged with animal neglect for allegedly abandoning a dog inside their shared residence for two months, leading to the animal’s death amid unsanitary living …

Shared custody family denied waterpark pass

Dr. Sabrina Martinez alleges an employee at King’s Pointe Resort denied her son access to a family waterpark pass because she shares custody.  Her complaints about the experience …

Alta AgState office demolished

A small construction crew demolished the AgState Alta office building on Tuesday, June 17. The building endured substantial damage during a straight-line windstorm that tore through Buena Vista …

SL residents declare ‘No Kings’

Julie Schmidt of Spencer wears a simple ‘No Kings’ sign with an Uncle Sam-style hat during Saturday’s protest.
Nearly 300 people from Storm Lake and surrounding communities gathered Saturday to peacefully protest the Trump Administration’s increasingly harsh conduct on what was deemed “No Kings Day of Defiance.” The nationwide …
Sports
Estherville ace limits Storm Lake to two hits in 9-0 win
Rylee Yager fired a two-hit shutout and struck out six to help send Class 3A No. 5-ranked Estherville Lincoln Central to a 9-0 win over Storm Lake in a Lakes Conference game on Monday at Estherville. …
Alta-Aurelia stymied on two hits in loss to South Central Calhoun
South Central Calhoun scored two runs in the first inning and freshman pitcher Halas Steig made it stand up as he fired a two-hit shutout in the Titans’ 2-0 win over Alta-Aurelia on Monday. …
Newell-Fonda scores early, often to defeat East Sac County
Newell-Fonda needed only two innings to do enough damage. The Mustangs scored two runs in the first inning and six in the second to build an 8-2 lead as they went on to beat East Sac County in a …
Alta-Aurelia uses 10-run first inning to beat South Central Calhoun
Alta-Aurelia scored 10 runs in the first inning and tacked on eight more in the second as the Warriors defeated South Central Calhoun 20-1 in a Twin Lakes Conference game on Monday at Lytton.
Newell-Fonda uses big third inning to beat East Sac County
Newell-Fonda scored seven runs in the bottom of the third inning to pull away as the Mustangs went on to beat East Sac County 10-2 in a Twin Lakes Conference game on Monday at Fonda. The …
Opinion
The Storm Lake Times Pilot welcomes your opinions. Letters to the Editor must include the writer’s name, address and telephone number. Mail: P.O. Box 487 Storm Lake, IA 50588-0487 E-mail: times@stormlake.com

Letters to the Editor: No labels, please

This letter is being written in regards to an article published in your paper last month referring to Storm Lake Senior Housing at 210 E. 13th St.  We are the “people” living …

How was your Saturday?

Storm Lake, Iowa — June 14, 2025, 8:28 am It was 66 degrees when I ran errands. As I drove along the shore of Storm Lake, the water was uncharacteristically smooth in this shallow lake. …
One of the issues that I have heard about most often and most consistently, throughout the past three years, concerns the carbon capture pipelines and the potential use of eminent domain to complete …
When you're 8 or 9 years old, you don't see the world as you will as a 50- or 60-year-old. Much of what seems perfectly ordinary to a child often becomes quite extraordinary with the passing of time. …
We’re on the road again with cinematographer Jerry Risius, not quite gypsies, trying to find out what grinds Iowa’s gears. Jerry and I toured the state from Alleman to Algona making …
Martial law was imposed last weekend on Los Angeles when President Trump ordered in the California National Guard to disband lawful protests over the deportation of Latino immigrants. The military …
Family & Friends

Hundreds of hours of stitchery brought back to life at BVU

Barb Dvergsten admires a needlepoint chair cover of the Victory Arch and Schaller Memorial Chapel. Ballou Library (now the president’s office) was named after Barb’s grandfather L.E. Ballou. Her father E.L. Ballou was a trustee.
Needlepoint scenes that once served as chair covers in Buena Vista University’s Larsen Dining room are now preserved as wall art in the hallway behind President Brian Lenzmeier’s …

Eagle Scout

Emma Wilkinson, daughter of Bret and Angie Wilkinson, has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the first female Eagle Scout in Buena Vista County. She joined BSA Troop 104 in 2019, when girls …
Decked out in red, white, and blue, this float carried the festive Kapsch crew ready to celebrate.

Varina’s Quasquicentennial parade draws a crowd

Varina marked its 125th anniversary with a weekend of events, including Saturday’s parade featuring floats, vintage fire trucks, and community members celebrating the milestone.

Grassley meets with students participating in history day contest

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) met with students from across Iowa this week who were in Washington, D.C. to participate in the National History Day Contest. The contest celebrates student scholarship …

Area students on dean’s list

Kirkwood Community College Rodrigo Cortes of Storm Lake.   Nebraska Wesleyan University Hailey Anderson of Storm Lake.   South Dakota State Pamela Vang …

Kelly retires after 45 Years of service to health care in Storm Lake

After more than four decades of dedicated service to health care in Storm Lake and beyond, Michele Kelly, RN, MSN, CPHQ, will retire from her role as chief clinical officer at Buena Vista Regional …
My Favorite Recipes
Jeff and Lindsay DeHaan with Avery, Cooper and Reagan.

DeHaan named assistant principal at Storm Lake Middle School

Lindsay DeHaan of Storm Lake is looking forward to her new position as assistant principal at Storm Lake Middle School. “I’m excited to bring new energy to the Middle School this …

Card showers
90 years young! Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you! Please help Gordon Haefner on his 90th birthday on June 24 with a card shower. Cards can be sent to 2387 Quail Ave., …
Ronald Hinners of Storm Lake turns 90 on July 1. An open house will be held at the Cobblestone on June 29 from 1-5 p.m. Ronald was the owner/operator of Ron’s Farm Service, retiring in 1998.
Open House
A surprise 70th birthday and retirement party for Dean Stough will be held on Sunday, June 29 at 2 p.m. at Connor’s Lounge in Remsen. Be there a little early! An open house will be held after.
Obituaries
Anna Huseman
Anna Marie Huseman, 93, passed away on June 17, 2025, in Knoxville. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 30, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Knoxville. Family will greet guests at …
Janet Zumach
Janet Zumach, 85, of Lake View passed away on June 18, 2025, at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 27, at …
Christina Heitman
Dr. Christina E. (Schnoebelen) Heitman, 50, of Storm Lake died June 16, 2025, surrounded by her family in her home. Funeral Mass will take place Friday, June 20, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake with …
Keith Geyer
Dr. Keith A. Geyer, 89, of Alta died Sunday, June 15, 2025, at his home. Funeral services will take place Friday, June 20, at 10 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Alta. Burial will be in …
Sally Jennett
Sally Ann Jennett died peacefully at Methodist Manor on Monday, June 16, 2025. At the age of 93, she no doubt walked briskly with clear vision into the arms of God. Funeral services will take place Monday, June 23, at …