April 2020

Wed
29
Apr

Monica Steinlage

Monica Steinlage

 

Monica L. Steinlage went on her heavenly walk with the Angels on April 21, 2020 at the age of 83.  She was a loving and committed wife, mother, and "Nanny."

Private graveside service will be held at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Cemetery in Festina. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Tony Steinlage 1709 254th St. Decorah, IA 52101. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made in Monica's memory to the Ossian Senior Hospice or to a cause that is important to you.

Monica Louise Luzum, the daughter of William and Leona (Schissel) Luzum, was born on June 28, 1936, on her parents' family farm west of Calmar. Monica was baptized, received First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, IA.  She attended St. Aloysius Elementary Catholic School.

Wed
29
Apr

NICC holding virtual commencement May 14

 

NICC holding virtual commencement May 14

 

In response to COVID-19 and the restriction on large gatherings, Northeast Iowa Community College will host a virtual commencement ceremony this spring. The recorded ceremony will be broadcast on Facebook LIVE on Thursday May 14, 2020, at 7 p.m. Students, faculty, staff families and friends are encouraged to comment and interact during the broadcast.  A recorded version of the ceremony will also be available at www.nicc.edu.

Wed
29
Apr

SW Superintendent optimistic about graduation ceremony

SW Superintendent optimistic about graduation ceremony

 

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Governor Kim Reynolds announcement Monday, April 27, that Winneshiek County would be one of the 77 counties given the okay to open up certain entities on May 1, has given South Winneshiek Schools Superintendent Kris Einck hope that there could be some type of graduation ceremony for the 2020 graduates.

“At this point we’re hoping to be able to have a face to face commencement program to honor our seniors but probably with limited guests. However, nothing is set in stone as of yet,” Einck said.

Wed
29
Apr

Winneshiek County businesses get grants from second round of funding

Heying Manufacturing Company in Calmar received a $25,000 grant in the second round of funding through the Iowa Small Business Relief Program.  It was one of eight Winneshiek County businesses to get grants in the most recent funding round. (Photo submitted)

 

Winneshiek County businesses get grants in second round of funding

 

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

 

A second funding phase of the Iowa Small Business Relief Program has resulted in eight Winneshiek County businesses getting grants. These were announced this week.

A total of 808 businesses were assisted with a total of $15.6 million in funds awarded. Businesses in Winneshiek County receiving grants include:

Ahlstrom Fitness Consulting, LLC,  $10,000

Broker Leather, LLC, $15,000

Decorah Tool & Die, Inc., $25,000

Emerson Inc. dba Marilyn's Hallmark Shops, $25,000

Heying Mfg. Co., Inc., $25,000

Mopseypoo, Inc dba Oneonta Lanes, $5,000

Red Roxy Quilt Co., $25,000

Revelation Inc. dba Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, $25,000

Wed
29
Apr

Hog industry not shutting down despite processing plant closures

Landon Wenger

 

Hog industry not shutting down despite processing plant closures

 

 

 

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

 

 

With the recent closing of the Tyson pork plant in Waterloo due to an outbreak of the CORVID -19 virus among its employees, an atmosphere of panic has arisen in its wake.

Questions on what will happen with the pigs that were supposed to the go to the plant for processing has become a major topic among pork producers.

The Tyson Waterloo pork plant accounts for four percent of pork processing in the United States. Currently, about 30 percent of Iowa’s processing capacity has been slowed in response to COVID-19 due to other plant shut downs or decreases in production due to shortage of workers. There have also been plant shut downs in South Dakota and Minnesota.

However, an Elgin man, highly involved in the local pork producing industry, said it’s not time to panic.

Wed
29
Apr

A 'School of Fish' finds a place to go as Valley Childcare Center becomes a reality

A 'School' of Fish' finds a place to go as Valley Childcare Center becomes a realty

 

 

By Megan Molseed

mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

While very few things this spring have gone as planned, one major project in the valley area is still right on track as the NFV Valley campus preschool board continues toward the goal of opening a daycare center by the start of the 2020-2021 school year. 

“Our goal is to still start renovations in May and be ready to open in September,” said Kim Kleve, a member of the board.  

“It’s exciting and it will be even more exciting when it’s done,” she continued.  “As a parent, wondering about daycare can be very stressful.  Having something like this available right here will be wonderful for so many families.” 

“A school of fish looking for a place to go,” is the motto for the center, which has been name Valley Childcare Center, as well as the motto for the fundraising efforts to make the center a reality.  

“Community support is the most important component of this project,” said Valley campus principal, Micah Gearhart.  “This center will have a positive community wide impact.” 

Wed
29
Apr

Upper Iowa will have online graduation this spring

It may be a while longer before students at Upper Iowa University in Fayette will be seeing scenes like this. The campus is currently shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Graduates will have to hold scenes like this in their memories as they won’t be coming back for graduation ceremonies. A virtual graduation ceremony will be held May 9. (Jerry Wadian photo)

 

Upper Iowa will have online graduation this spring

 

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

 

Upper Iowa University in Fayette won’t be having a normal graduation ceremony this year due to the COVID – 19 restrictions but the 2020 Spring  Graduates will still be publicly honored and recognized.

“Given the recommendations and guidance we received from local, state, and federal public health officials regarding the health and safety of graduates, employees, guests and communities during the current pandemic, our traditional Commencement ceremony was sadly no longer an option,” explained Executive Director of the Office of Communications and Marketing Karl Easttorp

UIU began exploring other options.

Wed
29
Apr

Maple Crest following guidelines, keeping staff, residents COVID-19 free

All deliveries at the Maplecrest Manor in Fayette have to be dropped off at the door. No outside visitors are admitted into the building. This is one of the ways that Maplecrest is using to stop COVID – 19 from entering the building. (Jack Swanson photo)

 

Maple Crest following guidlines, keeping staff, residents COVID-19 free

 

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

 

Despite the reports of outbreaks of the CORVID – 19 virus at numerous nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state, Maple Crest Manor in Fayette is staying healthy.

Administrator Janet Degenford says she believes that following all of the protocol set out by the Iowa State Department of  Health, the Center for Commutable Diseases, Federal Emergency Management Administration, local public health, and others, has made the difference so far.

Wed
29
Apr

Kam Miller

Kam Miller

 

Kameron "Kam" Ray Miller, 48 of Waterloo, IA passed away suddenly on

Monday, April 13, 2020 at home.

A graveside service was held at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at the West Union Cemetery on Highway 150.  Due to the restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the family asks everyone to met in their cars at the West Union Fairgrounds between 12:45 and 1 p.m.  Vehicles will then be led to the cemetery by the West Union Fire Dept.  They were directed to turn your radios to a specific station as the service was broadcast through that station.  Upon entering the cemetery, the procession of vehicles were directed by Kam’s resting spot where the family was located.

  Everyone was then directed on where to go and eventually park.  *All persons were  required to stay in their vehicles before, during and after the service. *

Wed
29
Apr

Jim Tope

Jim Tope

 

Jimmy “Jim” Dean Tope, 71, of West Union, Iowa died Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at his home in Lansing, Iowa.  Jim was born August 24, 1948 to Clarence and Violet (Reinhart) Tope in West Union, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union. Jim graduated from North High in West Union and then attended the University of Northern Iowa, graduating with a B. A. in Business. Jim joined the United States Army and served in Vietnam.  He was awarded a Bronze Star.

 

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