Below are the stories used in this week’s summary:
Three people died following an early morning house fire on Monday on 430th Street in Granville. The Granville Fire Chief updated the public on the investigation on Thursday, saying, “Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, preliminary findings indicate that an accidental electrical fire originated in the living room area of the home.” Three teenagers, Kolten Hofmeyer, age 16, Bryleigh Koob, age 16, and Ashton Koob, age 17, died as a result of their injuries. A third victim, a 16-year-old male of Alton, IA, remains in critical condition at a hospital burn unit in Minnesota. Several northwest Iowa communities are rallying around the families. Donation accounts have been set up at American State Bank, and schools and local businesses are holding fundraisers. Bank officials say donations need to be directed to a specific family account; there is one for each of the four teenagers. Donations can also be mailed to American State Bank directly at PO Box 167 | Granville, IA 51022. More details are available here.
Sioux Center is moving ahead with plans for a new water tower that will hold up to a million gallons—more than the city’s two existing towers combined. The project, planned near Walmart and targeted for completion in 2028, will help meet peak demand, which recently hit 1.8 million gallons in a single day. Officials say the tower is critical for reliability, fire protection, and future growth, and will also boost use of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System. Long-term plans may include raising or replacing older towers, including one built in the 1960s.
Lewis Drug is officially joining Sanford Health, bringing its 60 pharmacy and retail locations in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota under the Sanford name. The deal is expected to close this fall. Sanford and Lewis Drug have partnered for more than 25 years, including co-located clinics and pharmacies. The Lewis Drug name will stay, and CEO Mark Griffin will serve in an advisory role during the transition. All 1,300 employees, including nearly 200 pharmacists, will become Sanford Health staff.
The 2025 Harvest Festival is set for Friday, September 12th, and Saturday, September 13th, at Heritage Village in Sioux Center. The free, family event will feature live demonstrations like woodworking, rug weaving, Dutch Oven cooking, plus tours of the blacksmith shop, sawmill, and more. Maid Rites and root beer will be served at Doc’s Café, and visitors are encouraged to bring apples to make cider. Harvest Festival Board Members John Scholten and Larry Te Grotenhuis were on Wednesday’s edition of the Daily Grind, and you can listen to the program at SiouxCountyRadio.com.
Diamond Vogel, the Orange City-based paint manufacturer, is shifting its strategy in the architectural coatings market. As part of the move, the company is selling several of its retail stores—including locations in Orange City, Spencer, Ames, Des Moines, Newton, Iowa City, Hiawatha, and Cedar Falls—to Spectrum Paint. Diamond Vogel says it will continue to operate its Sioux City store, which remains under company ownership.
Law enforcement is investigating a shooting east of Hartley. O’Brien County Sheriff Bruce Devereaux says a 911 call came in Wednesday afternoon reporting a man had been shot in the head at a home on Yew Avenue. First responders found 50-year-old Robert Leroy Peters Jr. of Hartley, who was taken to Spencer Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The sheriff says the investigation is ongoing, but there’s no threat to the public, and it’s unclear if the wound was self-inflicted.
Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon has set a new record with fall enrollment topping 2,000 students for the first time. The college reports 2,009 students enrolled this fall, up more than 5% from last year. NCC leaders say it marks the second straight year of record-breaking growth and nearly a 25% increase over the past decade. They credit the college’s strong reputation for affordable, hands-on education and recognition as one of the nation’s top community colleges.
Sioux Center’s Vernon Arena has a brand-new Zamboni. The sleek, black machine replaces the arena’s 22-year-old model and comes with major upgrades, including laser-leveling technology, faster-charging lithium batteries, and new safety features. Officials say it will create smoother, safer ice for hockey and skating. The Sioux Center Youth Hockey Association covered about half the cost, with Dordt University and the city splitting the rest. Fans can see it in action starting September 7th.
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