Pat Franzen was an orphan during World War II near London, England. She still has 7 brothers and a half sister in England that she keeps in touch with from time to time. Franzen has been a U.S. citizen since the mid 1960s and is grateful for the opportunities her country has provided  her. 

Thankful for America and opportunity!

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

For some, life doesn’t always start out on the most positive of notes. While so many of us have been blessed with family, friends, and a feeling of safety and security, there are those who were largely unfamiliar with such things as they started out in life. When one is faced with less than optimal circumstances in one’s youth, it would be understandable if one’s outlook on life should take a negative turn.

Not so, for Pat Franzen of Hawkeye, whose journey has taken her to a very positive place.

SW approves biggest early-retirement package

The South Winneshiek school board met Monday evening, leading off with a discussion regarding an early-retirement package.

Due to the continuing trend of declining enrollment at South Winn, an estimated negative impact of $225,610 will affect the general fund in the upcoming school year. To help offset the loss, Superintendent Kris Einck proposed an early-retirement package that could potentially save an average of $34,8333 per classified staff member by hiring first-year teachers as replacements.

Winneshiek Co. Supervisors re-elected, Trump victorious

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

As 2016 general election results poured in early Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, Republican Donald Trump emerged victorious over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the race for the U.S. presidency.

With an 81.6 percent voter turnout in Winneshiek County, a total of 11,479 ballots were cast on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Sean Buhr is a former resident of Wadena who now lives in New York City. He works as an adjunct professor at NYU when not performing in his group called Van and Sean. The duo will be performing at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Williams Center for the Arts in Oelwein. 

Buhr excited about performing in Fayette County

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

When Sean Buhr of Van and Sean takes the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Williams Center for the Arts in Oelwein, he does so as a proud former Fayette County resident.

Sean Buhr was born in Dubuque but was raised in Wadena until the age of 5. The talented musician remembers riding his tricycle around the small town and stomping through water puddles in the park.

The Otter Creek Flood Reduction Project was a pilot project to map and model the impact that certain flood mitigation practices can have. This pond located along Golden Road is one of 28 other structures completed as part of the project. (Chris DeBack photo)

Otter Creek Flood Reduction Pilot Project complete

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

While driving down Golden Road between West Union and Elgin, an area resident might notice some new concrete structures along the road.

The structures, along with countless others that can’t be seen from the road, were built as part of the Otter Creek Flood Reduction Project.

The project was paid for with $1.5 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that came through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Otter Creek was one of three watersheds selected for this pilot program, which was created to analyze at the potential impact of flood reduction strategies in different parts of the state.

Troy Buchholz (center), a native of Fayette and current family practitioner at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner, recently received the Iowa Hospital Association Heroes Award. Buchholz is congratulated by Community Memorial Hospital CEO Dustin Wright (left) and the banquet’s guest speaker, Sugar Ray Leonard. (submitted photo)

Buchholz honored with Hero Award

In the state of Iowa, there are over 71,000 hospital employees who commit themselves to serving and caring for those in need. This fall, family practice physician Troy Buchholz, a native of Fayette who currently practices and lives in nearby Sumner, was honored with the Iowa Hospital Association Heroes Award.

Full Circle Services is excited about making the move to a new location in downtown Fayette. Program director Johanna Lovig; Jimmy Lansing; Setha Lim; Kenneth Boyd; Britney Barker, lead community assistant; and Laci Swatek, program manger (l-r) stand near the front door of the new location, which has been open since Oct. 1. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Full Circle Services joins Fayette community

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Saturday, Oct. 1, marked a milestone for Full Circle Services. On that morning, the local company, which provides supported community living, respite, consumer-directed attendant care, day habilitation programs, and supported employment services to persons with disabilities throughout northeast Iowa, opened its doors at a new downtown Fayette location.

Nick McIntyre, West Union’s new city administrator, is learning the ins and outs of local government, such as tax-increment financing, urban renewal and other governmental budget issues, on the fly. Chris DeBack photo

McIntyre adjusts to role in local government

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

There’s going to be a learning curve for new West Union City Administrator Nick McIntyre, but one that he is excited to tackle head on.

McIntyre was hired to replace Teresa Pape, who moved to Bellevue earlier this fall. He officially started work on Oct. 10, during Pape’s final three weeks on the job, so that he could get some first-hand training before she departed.

Echo Valley sold

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Both the Echo Valley Banquet Center and Reception Center, as well as the Echo Valley Speedway, in West Union have officially been sold.

With both entities owned and operated by Lee Hansmeier for 17 years, the property was sold to Mark and Denise Nelson.

The annual West Union Holiday Open Houses are set for Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 17-19, when area residents are encouraged to shop locally. Many West Union businesses are participating, including (front, l-r) Reid Buchheit (Unionland Feed & Supply), Lonnie Voshell (West Union Hardware), and Amy Christensen (Sims TV & Electronics); (back) Gail Hackman (Old Mill Floral), Jackie and Rick Trumm (Tindell Shoes, Melody Patrick (West Union Chamber Board member), Travis Roving (122), Jessica Sadler (McJ’s Embroidery), and Mel Metcalf (Union Drug) Chris DeBack