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Articles by Jen Olson
Bipartisanship Aids Clients When It’s a Practice, Not a Buzzword
In Washington, “bipartisan” is one of those words that gets used so often it risks losing meaning. Politicians say it; lobby shops tout it. But real bipartisanship is neither a slogan nor a staffing model — it’s a discipline. The two of us come from different political backgrounds. One spent years on the Democratic side of the aisle. The other served on the Republican side.
Commentary | Jen Olson: Vermont’s Child Care Future Relies on Early Childhood Educators
I’m a career early childhood educator. Every day, I help young children learn and grow while supporting families with reliable care. The quality of my teaching is built on my education, and strengthened by my work with young children and colleagues. When early childhood educators are qualified, supported, and fairly compensated, children thrive, parents can work and build stability, and communities grow stronger. Vermont is closer than ever to making this vision a reality.
Vermont’s child care future relies on early childhood educators
I’m a career early childhood educator. Every day, I help young children learn and grow while supporting families with reliable care. The quality of my teaching is built on my education and strengthened by my work with young children and colleagues. When early childhood educators are qualified, supported and fairly compensated, children thrive, parents can work and build stability and communities grow stronger. Vermont is closer than ever to making this vision a reality.
Olson: Vermont’s child care future relies on early childhood educators
by Jen Olson I’m a career early childhood educator. Every day, I help young children learn and grow while supporting families with reliable care. The quality of my teaching is built on my education, and strengthened by my work with young children and colleagues. When early childhood educators are qualified, supported, and fairly compensated, children thrive, parents can work and build stability, and communities grow stronger. Vermont is closer than ever to making this vision a reality.
Welcome, welcome, welcome!
The start of the school year creates a full range of emotions, from excitement to worry and everything else in between. These emotions are present not only for students but also for our faculty, staff, families, and the global community. One of the key elements at Humphrey and Winsted Elementary Schools is creating a positive sense of community and belonging […]
Storm Lake Times Pilot
Robert Witzke Robert “Bob” Witzke, 74, of Newell died Sunday, June 23, 2024, at St. Luke’s UnityPoint Hospital in Sioux City. Funeral services will take place Thursday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Newell. Burial will be in Newell Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 26, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Water demand spurs voluntary conservation measures
Recent increases in water usage have prompted the City of Storm Lake to enact its Water Conservation Plan. “Over the past few weeks, the water treatment plant has been operating at near maximum capacity, which means that we need to request the cooperation of residents to voluntarily conserve water whenever possible,” City Manager Keri Navratil said. The demand has peaked for several days recently at slightly above 5 million gallons per day.
Editorial: New normal
You may think that climate change is a hoax, or that it is something in the future, or it is not related to the gasoline we burn to rubberneck the flooding at Sioux Rapids or Cherokee, or with the way we farm and produce protein. Shriveled night crawler corpses baked on the Sunday morning pavement, roughly marking high flow from the night before raging down from Spencer through the Valley of the Little Sioux and choking off Cherokee.
Editorial: New normal
You may think that climate change is a hoax, or that it is something in the future, or it is not related to the gasoline we burn to rubberneck the flooding at Sioux Rapids or Cherokee, or with the way we farm and produce protein. Shriveled night crawler corpses baked on the Sunday morning pavement, roughly marking high flow from the night before raging down from Spencer through the Valley of the Little Sioux and choking off Cherokee.
Call Iowa Concern, get help coping with stress after flooding, destruction of property
Iowans are assessing the damage after storms and floodwater ravaged much of Northwest Iowa. Those struggling to deal with the stress from the devastation can call Iowa Concern for help, 24/7. By calling Iowa Concern at 800-447-1985 for help, you can talk to a person who cares, learn about your legal rights, discuss financial concerns, find mental health assistance and ask many other questions.
Sac County trucker’s death ruled an accident
David Schultz, the formerly missing Sac County trucker, died accidentally of hypothermia and drug intoxication, according to a death certificate from the Iowa state medical examiner. Dr. Kelly Kruse, a state medical examiner, identified Schultz’s manner of death as an accident. The immediate cause, she reported, was “hypothermia in the setting of acute drug (methamphetamine) intoxication.” Schultz’s death, according to […]
Avian flu detected in Sac County turkey flock
A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in Sac County commercial turkey flock. This marks Iowa’s third reported poultry HPAI case this year. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship along with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service detected the case on Thursday, June 20. HPAI affects wild and domestic bird populations as well […]
No easy answers on infrastructure
There are no easy answers to fixing Storm Lake’s roads. An hourlong discussion of the Storm Lake City Council yielded few discernible solutions on fixing Storm Lake’s infrastructure, the subject of increasing complaints throughout town. Councilwoman Meg McKeon said she’s “always struggling” to explain road conditions when she’s approached by private citizens. McKeon said the matter is “very complicated.” “I […]
Council Notebook: After hours business license regulations codified
More regulations considered for food trucks and mobile vendors A newly approved city ordinance requires businesses that permit alcohol between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. to obtain a license from the city and authorizes Storm Lake police to conduct background checks on business owners and enter the business without a warrant at any time. The ordinance passed the Storm Lake City Council after a third read-through on Monday, June […]
Solis to lead Patriotic Ceremony July 3
Sergeant Liliana Solis, recruiter for the Iowa Army National Guard, will serve as speaker for the 2024 Storm Lake Star Spangled Spectacular Patriotic Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, in Sunset Park. In her speech, Solis plans to share how the military has impacted her life and “demonstrate the level of appreciation we should have for all those that wear the uniform,” she says.
Police & Court News: Drugs, illegal weapon seized in traffic stop
A Storm Lake man faces six charges related to a drug and illegal weapon bust. On Monday, Storm Lake police stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic violation. Police allege the officer detected the odor of narcotics from the vehicle, driven by Jermaine Whiteside, 44. The officer searched the vehicle and reportedly uncovered 80 grams of marijuana, numerous marijuana wax […]
Carpe diem - Cherokee Chronicle Times
With all the water rushing over the outlet dam in Storm Lake, brothers Nathan and Garret Mallory of Cherokee seized the chance to nail some carp with a bow and arrow setup last Thursday evening. Carp are getting over the dam and are especially thick in Outlet Creek on the opposite side of the road from the dam. The fish […]
Cherokee supervisors considering conflict of interest on 480th Street
The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors is exploring possible conflicts of interest in possible vacation proceedings of 480th Street from F Avenue to E Avenue, a measure that was recently considered dormant. The board of supervisors has exchanged communications with the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board on whether state statutes prevent board members who own small portions of Little Sioux Corn Processors to vote on a vacation proceeding involving 480th Street.
Cherokee School District insurance rate up 7.4%
Cherokee School District’s insurance renewal increased 7.4%, less than half of the increases other school districts across the state were facing. The board’s overall premium with EMC Insurance of Des Moines increased to $67,000. The policy covers workers compensation, property, auto fleet, general liability, linebacker and “additional umbrella,” according to a review of the district’s renewal.
Raiders of the lost aquifer
Bubbling up beneath the surface of the Iowa Utility Board’s pending decision whether Summit Carbon’s proposed pipeline is justified by “public convenience and necessity” is the equally critical question of whether granting permits allowing Summit to siphon significant amounts of public water resources meets the state’s legal standard of being “put to beneficial use . . .
Hybrid cars get plug-in boost
My column last week on electric mowers generated some interest. People have a lot of questions about how practical these new electrical devices are that are transforming our daily lives. Especially electric cars. Me too. About a year ago I bought a plug-in hybrid car. I wanted to go all-electric, but settled for the hybrid for a few reasons. First, electrics weren’t available at local dealers.
Letters to the Editor: On the same team
I usually agree with Art Cullen’s editorials, but I believe his attack on “the king can do no wrong” argument advanced by Buena Vista County misses the point.The TIF lawsuit filed by the City of Storm Lake against Buena Vista County should be dropped, not because of governmental immunity or the statute of limitations, but because this asinine lawsuit won’t provide relief to taxpayers or repair whatever damage was done by the county’s inaccurate distribution of tax dollars.
Capitol Letters: How to deal with insurance, contractors and public adjusters after a storm
The following information was provided by the Iowa Insurance Division: Dealing with damage to your home or property following a storm can be stressful. If you have a claim with your insurance company for a loss or damage to your property, you may need to seek the assistance of a contractor to make repairs. A contractor provides labor and materials to build or repair a structure in exchange for a fee.
Editorial: Thanks, Judge Locher
Our gratitude goes to federal district court Judge Stephen Locher for saving Iowa from some of its worst excesses. The judge put on hold a law passed by the legislature last session, set to take effect July 1, that would order local law enforcement to arrest and deport immigrants who previously had been deported — even if they are here legally. It’s a terrible law that would rip places like Storm Lake, Denison and Marshalltown asunder.
Making a case for TNR
Hannah Neumann, stray director at Lake Animal Hospital, urges citizens to attend the public forum next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at city hall council chambers to support TNR, or trap/neuter/release, in Storm Lake. The program targets feral cats by trapping them, neutering or spaying them, then releasing the cats back where they came from. The cats do not reproduce, but they inhabit space that would otherwise be occupied by new cats coming in.
A tornado shelter for our district’s youngest Tornadoes
New early elementary school wing to be finished next month Windows designed to withstand large projectiles The Storm Lake Community School District is undertaking an impressive initiative by building a storm and tornado shelter in the newest wing of the Early Elementary School. Jeff Tollefson, Storm Lake CSD chief operating officer, notes that this shelter has been carefully designed to withstand tornado-strength winds and structural damage caused by a storm. SLEES has been an important part […]
Council to revisit city sign ordinance
The Storm Lake City Council plans to meet with local business leaders as they reevaluate the city’s sign ordinance and regulations. On Monday, the council approved an ad hoc committee to review and potentially adjust the city’s signage regulations. Lee Dutfield, development services specialist for the city, said the committee will likely consist of six downtown business owners and three […]
Lake aquatic vegetation management treatment planned
Storm Lake vegetation management treatment is scheduled for the week of June 24, conditions permitting. The contractor, Aquatic Ecosystems Consultants, will conduct the treatment during the calmest period forecast for the week. A June application allows the summer season to be covered with a single application. This will be the third consecutive year for treatment, in response to a considerable […]
Movie themed Muni Band concert Sunday
This week’s Storm Lake Municipal Band concert will feature a few movie themes, including music from “West Side Story,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “and Despicable Me 2;” “March of the Belgian Parachutists;” Manuel Ponce’s Estrellita; and several others. A few pieces of music are brand new to the band’s library, while one was originally part of the Hayes School music library. Bring your lawn chair and refreshments, and enjoy the free performance.
‘The Hills are Alive’ in Cherokee
Cherokee Community Theater is ready to perform their summer show for audiences over the next two weekends. The epic show features over thirty cast members and some of the most well-known musical numbers in theater. Many of the cast members make their CCT or general stage debut, while others are familiar fan favorites. A Rodgers and Hammerstein production from 1959, “The Sound of Music” is based on the real-life story of the Von Trapp Family singers and is set on the eve of World War II.
Historic Lewis Hotel renovations complete
Over two years and $2 million After two and a half years and over $2 million, the renovation of the Lewis Hotel is finally complete. Property owner Zachary Zoul of Grand Island, Neb., announced to the Chronicle Times that all construction on the historic building project was completed earlier this month. “I am absolutely, very pleased with the final product,” said Zoul. “It’s a very historic […]
Storm Lake Times Pilot
Patrick David Adams, 70, of Storm Lake, formerly of Hawarden, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 17, 2024, at his home in Storm Lake. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 28, at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden, with Pastor Carolyn Salberg officiating. Burial will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery, then a luncheon at Hawarden Community Center. Partrick’s family requests those that attend come in casual attire. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.
Sac Co. trucker’s death found not a homicide
State investigators have determined that formerly missing trucker David Schultz’s death was not a homicide. The final results of the autopsy from the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner have not been publicly released. Darrell Simmons, special agent at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said the results may never be publicly released. “Normally, if it was a homicide, […]
Storm Lake Times Pilot
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Times Pilot web update coming this weekend
The Storm Lake Times Pilot and Cherokee Chronicle Times will be making significant website changes in the next few days. The new design aims to offer a more user-friendly experience with improved navigation and a fresh, modern look. The update process will begin on Saturday, June 22. While we expect the transition to be smooth, we understand there may be some unexpected issues and occasional bugs or glitches as the new site goes live.
Large Sioux Co. dairy has bird flu
One of the largest dairy farms in the state — with a herd of about 10,000 in Sioux County — has cattle that are infected with avian flu, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported Monday. It is the seventh Iowa dairy herd with a confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza infection. Five of those are in Sioux County, […]
‘Take Me to the Fair!’
BV County gets ready for 2024 fair The 2024 Buena Vista County Fair is just around the corner promising a week full of exciting events and activities for all age. The annual fair will be held at the Buena Vista County fairgrounds in Alta July 10-14. This year’s theme: “Take Me to the Fair!” certainly fits the festivities. BV County Fair attendees can look forward to traditional […]
Fernetta Siebrecht
Fernetta Siebrecht, 97, of Storm Lake died Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services will take place Saturday, June 29, at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Schaller. Burial will be in Schaller Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, June 28, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller.
Come learn the art of woodwork refinishing
While the Brummer Building has been undergoing an extensive remodel, an important phase of the project is the repair and refinishing of the windows and woodwork. Terry K. Philips of Mills Seed, LLC of Washington, Iowa, is the contractor in charge of the renovations. Every window on the second and third floors will need some kind of work done to them. Recently, Philips began on the front second-story windows.
Large Sioux County dairy has bird flu
One of the largest dairy farms in the state — with a herd of about 10,000 in Sioux County — has cattle that are infected with avian flu, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported Monday. It is the seventh Iowa dairy herd with a confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza infection. Five of those are in Sioux County, which has the most dairy cows of any Iowa county, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Infected herds are not culled like poultry flocks.
Kathleen Schmitt
Kathleen “Kay” Schmitt passed away peacefully at her home on the afternoon of June 18, 2024, surrounded by her three daughters. Private services will be held at a later date. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Kathleen “Kay” Joanne Stille Schmitt was born Feb. 12, 1929, in Storm Lake, the daughter of Henry A. Stille and Irene C. Burkhardt Stille. She grew up on the farm south of Alta and attended Maple Valley #7 Country school for eight years.
Storm Lake Times Pilot
Allan Ray Tobin, 84, formerly of Storm Lake, passed away Jan. 29, 2024, at his home in Mesa, Ariz. Memorial services will take place Saturday, June 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Internment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake.
Manilla man does after standoff south of Early
A Manilla man is believed to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound south of Early after a multi-county vehicular pursuit. The Sac County Sheriff said in a statement on Tuesday that Jason Scott French died of a contact gunshot wound to the head after a standoff with law enforcement south of Early. The cause of death was attributed to […]
JUDGE ICES IOWA LAW COLLARING MIGRANTS
Arresting those without papers would conflict with federal law On hold pending trial “As a matter of politics, the new legislation might be defensible. As a matter of constitutional law, it is not.” Judge Locher A federal judge issued a temporary block on an Iowa law that directs law enforcement to arrest undocumented immigrants. The ruling comes just a week after a civil rights group made their case in federal court against the […]
Bird flu hits Northwest Iowa dairies
7 this month Avian influenza struck seven dairy farms in Iowa this month. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on Monday reported that a dairy herd in Sioux County contracted the disease. Iowa Capital Dispatch reported it was a herd of over 10,000 head, one of the largest in the state. Five of the infected herds are in Sioux County; the […]
Police & Courts: $108K bond set in meth bust
A traffic stop on West Eighth Street yielded an arrest of a Storm Lake man who had over three-quarters of a pound of methamphetamine. Jose Nava Fernandez, 38, was booked into Buena Vista County Jail June 11 on charges of interference with official acts causing bodily injury, failure to affix a tax stamp, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and […]
Star Spangled Spectacular halfway to donation goal at campaign midpoint
After a full two weeks of collecting donations, the 2024 Star Spangled Spectacular, with a theme of “Light Up the Sky on the Fourth of July” has reached $25,000 toward a goal of $40,000. Josh Newhouse, fundraising co-chair for Star Spangled Spectacular, said many donors have increased their donations over last year, and several first-time donors sent in their contributions […]
Public forum on TNR program
The Storm Lake City Council will host a public forum to gather input on a potential trap-neuter-return program to help control the stray population. The forum will be held Wednesday, June 26, 5:30 p.m. in the city hall council chambers. All interested persons are encouraged to attend. Caring Paws Rescue, a local nonprofit formed with the intention to establish a shelter in Storm Lake, is looking to bring a TNR program in the city.
Storm Lake Times Pilot
Beavers see where the murals are made Mexican art and culture came alive for Buena Vista University students when they visited Zacatlán, the city where Storm Lake’s mosaic murals originated. BVU Professor of Spanish Steven Mills, art instructor Taylor Carlson and 10 students had the ultimate tour guide and trip planner – artist Mary Carmen Olvera – who has endeared herself to Storm Lakers on her four […]
Resort sets swimwear rule
Bare facts: Cover it up in front of kids Thong debate goes back and forth You can wear a bikini, but not a thong. You can wear a rash guard shirt, but not a regular shirt. These rules, and more, are now posted prominently at King’s Pointe waterpark after a story by Allison Moore in the Storm Lake Times Pilot appeared online. The link to the story “Refurbished waterpark makes a splash” was posted on […]
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