Local News

A long‑awaited rebuild on two of Buena Vista County’s busiest roads is about to hit the calendar — and the first crews could roll out in just a few weeks. The county board of supervisors got its clearest picture yet Tuesday of how the Iowa Highway 71 and County Road N14 reconstruction will unfold, after county engineer Bret Wilkinson shared

A crackdown on chronic nuisance properties in Storm Lake is now officially on the books — with tougher fines set to take effect after the city council signed off Monday night. The Storm Lake City Council unanimously approved the third and final reading of an ordinance raising municipal infraction penalties tied to property maintenance and nuisance violations. Building and Code

Storm Lake is seeking applicants for a housing rehabilitation program that will provide roof repairs for qualifying owner‑occupied homes. The city expects to assist up to six households through the grant‑funded effort. To qualify, applicants must own and live in the home, and all residents must verify income and legal residency. Household income must fall within federal low‑to‑moderate income limits,

Storm Lake’s Harmony Garden project is getting statewide attention as it competes in the Iowa League of Cities’ 2026 People’s Choice All‑Star Community Award Tournament.  The bracket‑style contest highlights standout community projects across Iowa, and residents can help Storm Lake advance by voting online. Supporters can find the tournament on the Iowa League of Cities’ Facebook page and cast a

Storm Lake residents will have a chance to combine exercise with local history later this month.  Buena Vista County Public Health and the Buena Vista County Historical Society are partnering to host the first‑ever Storm Lake History Walk at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, starting and ending at the Historical Society Museum at 214. W. Fifth Street in Storm

Storm Lake’s e‑bike, e‑scooter and personal mobility device ordinance is getting closer to the finish line, but Monday’s work session made one thing clear: city council members aren’t pedaling in the same direction yet. The council spent about a half hour revisiting the draft ordinance, which now includes a few updates since last month — including a new parking restriction

Storm Lake has won two rulings in its tax increment financing lawsuit against Buena Vista County, allowing the case to move forward and opening the door to a deeper probe of the county’s tax management system.  The lawsuit, filed in March 2025, stems from the city’s allegation that Buena Vista County misallocated more than $5 million in TIF revenue over

Laurens authorities arrested a local woman early Saturday morning after a Pocahontas County deputy stopped her vehicle and allegedly found methamphetamine during the search.  According to the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office, the traffic stop happened around 1 a.m. on Aug. 1 at Section Line Road and North Rush Lake Road, where deputies pulled over a red Toyota Corolla driven by