Jeanine Wurzer of Hawkeye has always been a crafty person. The Protivin native’s newest business venture, Modern Farmhouse Crafts, certainly gives her a chance to be creative as she designs and personalizes tumblers.

Local woman tumbling into small business success

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

There is no denying that Jeanine Wurzer of Hawkeye definitely harbors a love for anything crafty.  

“I’m always drawn to a variety of things,” said Wurzer with a smile. “The idea of finding something fun to do and then adding my own ideas or creativity to it has been interesting to me!” 

It was this love of creativity that drew the Protivin native to her newest business venture, designing and creating personalized tumblers.

Fayette Council makes some "smart" decisions

Vicki Rowland
Contributing Writer

The Fayette City Council held the first reading of Proposed Ordinance 501 at their regular meeting on Monday, January 21, 2019. Ordinance 501 deals with changes in the city water/sewer rates to accommodate the upcoming new monthly billings. One bit of controversy was over the safety of the new radio transmitted “smart” meters.   Patti Nefzger made a motion that it be mandatory that all citizens have the new radio transmitted “smart” meters on their property.  Nancy Wulfekuhle spoke for individuals having the option to continue with their old meters with the understanding that they would have to pay an extra administrative fee to defray the costs of employees having to physically read the meters and calculate the bills. The motion carried 4 to 1, with Wulfekuhle casting the nay vote. 

Other new proposals in the ordinance are a minimum monthly bill of $18.44 to meet the current system needs. Also a $10.00 monthly Water and Sewer Infrastructure /Administration Fee will be billed to go into a reserve fund for future repair and replacement needs. The second reading of Ordinance 501 will take place at the next Council meeting.

Jeremy Mueller came to the Council with a preliminary proposal to develop a ten acre field he owns on the top of a hill northeast of the Volga River bridge on Highway 150 for a housing development.  Mueller told the Council that he has been meeting with DOT officials to discuss feasibility of accessing the property from Highway 150, and that they had been very positive about working with the City.  Jon Biederman volunteered to walk the property with Mueller and sketch a concept drawing.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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. 

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.

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.