News

Wed
23
Jan

Federal government shutdown affects reach Fayette County

 

Other than being closed in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service Office is still open for business in West Union. There’s a note on the door stating the the office is still open. However, the USDA’s Farm Agency Service Office, located in the same building, is closed while the government is shut down.  Chris DeBack photo

 

Federal government shutdown affects reach Fayette County

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

It has been over a month since the United States government shutdown because President Donald Trump and Congress couldn’t come to terms on an appropriations bill to fund the government for fiscal year 2019. 

While the shutdown stems from larger immigration issues, it is mostly about President Trump’s request for $5.7 billion to build a border-wall along portions of the United States and Mexico border.

With the writing of this article on Monday, Jan. 21, and no end in-sight to the shutdown as both President Trump and House Democrats have dug in their heels over the border-wall, the shutdown is affecting people in northeast Iowa.

The biggest issue facing residents of Fayette County is the loss of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. According to CNN, on Sunday, Jan. 20, the final payment of SNAP benefits made with non-reserve appropriated funds was mailed to the 40.3 million Americans in the program. The agency said that it has $3 billion in reserve funds to help cover the cost of February’s payments; however, that’s almost a third-less than the $4.8 billion the program expended in September 2018. It amounts to approximately $90 per household for the 19.8 million households in the program.

If the government shutdown continues through February, it is unknown what the agency will do in terms of providing benefits to the low-income Fayette County residents within the program. Duane Willhite, North Fayette Valley superintendent, said that it could have an affect on food insecurity in the county.

Wed
23
Jan

FCS featured in Dirt Monthly

 

Several members of the Fayette County Speedway Race Committee, including (l-r) Keith Koch, Brian Boess, Mike Darnall, and Julie Games, show off pages from Dirt Monthly magazine. The nationally distributed publication, which covers all types of dirt track racing throughout the United States, recently published an article about the uniqueness of the local speedway and its $5 admission. Additional members of the Race Committee include Alan Boess, Bill Suckow, Aaron Becker, Kevin Gerst, Daniel Hope, Paul Sobolik, and Jon Francis. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

FCS featured in Dirt Monthly

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

Fayette County Speedway and its $5 admission for Friday night racing is no longer a local secret. The nationally distributed publication, Dirt Monthly, recently published an article highlighting the local speedway and the many great things that are being accomplished by the Race Committee and track supporters.

“This magazine goes out to people all over the country, so I think it is something that is really good for us,” said Race Committee member Brian Boess. “It’s a great way to let everyone know what’s going on and to make people want to travel to West Union and race at or watch races at the track.”

Wed
16
Jan

Catholic Schools Week to kick off

 

During last year’s Catholic School’s Week celebration, DeSales School student Anna Dietzenbach participates in one of the many fun activities held for students of all ages at the school. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Catholic Schools Week to kick off

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

The annual Catholic Schools Week celebration is just around the corner for local Catholic schools, including DeSales School in Ossian.

The local elementary/middle school will enjoy the week, beginning Sunday, Jan. 27, by celebrating their faith through various activities and theme days.

The week begins with an 8 a.m. kick-off Mass on Sunday, Jan. 27, at St. Francis DeSales Church in Ossian. A KC breakfast and bake sale will also be held at the school following the Mass.

Wed
16
Jan

Meet your new Ossian Casey's manager

 

Karma Knospe, a native of West Union, is excited about her opportunity to work in the Ossian community as the new manager at Casey’s General Store. (Jerry Blue photo)

 

Meet your new Ossian Casey's manager

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

Casey’s General Store in Ossian is now under new management. On Sunday, Jan. 6, Karma Knospe of West Union officially began her role as manager of the local store.

“My focus is to promote good teamwork and to embrace the company’s values – being positive, polite, professional, and proud,” said Knospe, who has worked for the Casey’s General Store family for nearly two years. “I am excited to be working here in Ossian and look forward to greeting the community with a big smile.”

Wed
16
Jan

The Centre can beat winter

 

The Great Race America Training Centre between Elgin and the Valley Middle School is a cavernous (84’x240’) fabric-covered building that can host a wide variety of athletic and social events. The weight machine is on the right and the basketball court and one of the two backboards is on the left. In the background is the artificial turf that can host soccer and football, as well as other track events, baseball/softball-batting cages, and even the potential to practice golf swings. The building can also host parties like wedding receptions and graduation parties. The outside grounds have a picnic area, flower beds and a full cross country course. (Jerry Wadian photo)

 

The Centre can beat winter

 

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

With the onset of winter, many athletes in spring, summer, and fall sports are idle. However, a few are busy honing their skills at The Centre outside of Elgin. The complex features a picnic area, a full cross country course, flower gardens, and a massive (84’x240’) fabric covered building called the Great Race America Training Centre (GRATC). 

The complex uses the British spelling of center because, as president of the board of Trustees Lowell Lyngaas explained, “Sometimes I like to be a little different.”

With a little twist of the anagram, people who use the facility a lot refer to it as “The RAT Centre.”

“What do you call someone who spends countless hours in the gym?” Asked Lyngaas. “They’re called gym rats. So kids who use our facility a lot, we nickname, G-RATS,” laughed the former teacher/coach who built state powerhouses with the girls’ cross country and track programs at Valley.

Wed
16
Jan

Koch's service trip changes her perspective on culture

 

fter graduating from Iowa State University in December 2018, Hawkeye native Kayleigh Koch (far left) went on a service trip to Zanzibar with the organization GIVE Volunteers. She left on Dec. 16 and returned 14 days laster on Dec. 30. She said the experience was eye opening and helped change her perspective on culture and diversity. Submitted photo

 

Koch's service trip changes her perspective on culture

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

Growing up in the small town of Hawkeye instilled a sense of service in Kayleigh Koch. 

Her first memory of participating in community service was helping to build Hauth Park in Hawkeye. That helped impart a willingness to help others when needed. During her time at North Fayette, and then North Fayette Valley, Koch was an active member of her community lending a hand whenever possible. She tried to get involved in service projects at Iowa State University, but the larger college had less opportunities readily available. 

“In college, I didn’t get quite as many opportunities to volunteer, and I felt like I was really missing out,” Koch said. 

It wasn’t until she discovered a poster for an informational meeting for the group GIVE Volunteers that she found the service opportunity for which she had been searching. 

Wed
16
Jan

Meet the new Hawkeye Fire Chief

 

The Hawkeye Community Fire Department recently announced the appointment of George Streeter as Chief. Streeter has been a member of the local volunteer department for 26 years. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Meet the new Hawkeye Fire Chief

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

The Hawkeye Community Fire Department has a new Chief, as 26-year veteran George Streeter has assumed the role as of Monday, Jan. 7.

“I am really looking forward to doing my part to keep both the department and the community safe,” said Streeter, who first joined the local volunteer fire department in 1992.

Throughout his career, Streeter has held several titles, including Second Lieutenant, Assistant Chief, and Assistant Jaws Captain.

Wed
16
Jan

Special committee appointed for House District 55 contested election

Special committee appointed for House District 55 contested election

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

It could be a while before the saga in the Iowa House District 55 race between incumbent Republican Michael Bergan and Democratic challenger Kayla Koether is solved. 

 

Five members of the Iowa House have been appointed to serve on the House’s Contested Election Committee. Those five members are Republicans Steven Holt, Jon Jacobsen, and Matt Windschitl and Democrats Brian Meyer and Mary Wolfe. 

 

On Friday, Dec. 21, Kayla Koether filed to contest the election results of Iowa House District 55 with the Iowa House of Representatives.

 

Wed
16
Jan

After twenty years, Elgin's Maze is lost to the pages of history

 

After two decades of devoting their time and engergy at the Maize Maze, LaVerne and Grace Swenson will not be in the field this spring next to Gilbertson Conservation Area east of Elgin. Last week the Fayette County Conservation Board along with the County Heritage Community stated that the maize would be closed in 2019. Over the past 20 years, the Maize Maze had visitors from all 50 states and many foreign countries. It was highlighted in literature worldwide, including being featured on Country Music televisions Small Town Amercia Series.

 

After twenty years, Elgin's Maze is lost to the pages of history

 

Vicki Rowland
Contributing Writer

 

 

After twenty years of devoting his time and energy as Maize Master for the Elgin Maize Maze, LaVerne Swenson will not plant a maze design in the spring of 2019.

 

It’s the classic case of the story of “Which came first--the chicken or the egg?” Did the Elgin Maize Maze start because a farmer cared that young people were becoming distanced from the land and did not know the story of agriculture? Or did the Maize Maze start because there was an opportunity to promote a program when financed by a grant?

 

LaVerne Swenson was working the fields in his tractor in autumn 1996, thinking about the need to tell the story of agriculture when he heard an advertisement on the radio about a group called Silos and Smokestacks. The group had up to one million dollar grants available to promote tourism, get kids out in the fields, and to preserve the story of our agricultural past. He contacted other interested farmers in the Clermont area and formed the Turkey River Tourism committee. In the fall of 1997, it was decided to contact area businesses, boards of supervisors, tourism and economic development in northeast Iowa counties. Sixty-four people responded, and that group formed the Country Heritage Community (CHC). CHC was a partnership of the four counties in northeast Iowa — Fayette, Allamakee, Clayton, and Winneshiek.

Wed
16
Jan

Get ready to skate!

 

West Union Parks and Rec director Kathy Guyer is ready to hit the ice this weekend for the grand opening of West Union’s ice rink from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 in the Rotary Park parking lot. The grand opening will feature Euphoria Coffee and hot chocolate, as well as skates to rent or buy from Keith Kovarik.  (Chris DeBack photo)

 

Get ready to skate!

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