Pedal pulling is something that definitely runs in the Schroeder family as three members of the family, including (l-r) Bristol, Carlee, and Desmond, each made it to the State Pedal Pull competition on Saturday, Sept. 9, in Mason City. Both Bristol and Desmond took first in their respective age groups to advance to Nationals, while Carlee just missed out on the cutoff, but will certainly be back next summer! (submitted photo)

Schroeder family sending two to Pedal Pull Nationals

by Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

When it comes to being at the top of their game in tractor pedal pulling, it all just seems to come natural for the Schroeder kids. Three youngsters Bristol (10), Carlee (8), and Desmond (6), the children of John and Megan Schroeder of rural Castalia, each earned a chance to compete at the Iowa Pedal Pulling State competition in Mason City earlier this month with two of them advancing on to Nationals!

“It’s pretty cool for the three of them to all make it to State, and even cooler that two of them are headed to the National Pedal Pull competition!” said Megan on the success of her children. “Bristol made it to Nationals last year and the whole family went along to cheer her on, so this year we will have two to cheer on!”

The new iFAB location in West Union has allowed co-owners (l-r) Chad and Glen Yost to expand their fabrication and machining services. In appreciation of the shared customer and community support, the iFAB staff is hosting an open house from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

by Mike Van Sickle

mvansicklefayettecountynewspapers.com

iFAB to host open house at new West Union location

Growing up on a Kansas farm, Glen Yost has worked with a welder since the age of 14. The experiences gained from being given free range to experiment and complete most of the repairs and fabricating on the farm eventually led to the formation of iFAB.

Mainly starting out as a fabricator of equipment used to assist builders for the shed, portable building and mini barn industries, iFAB first built equipment for themselves before commercially marketing their own products in 2015. When Glen couldn’t keep up with the demand, his son, and now co-owner, Chad joined the company. 

Lisa Leuk

Elgin council discusses librarian resignation

by Brian Smith

Contributing Writer

  The Elgin City Council discussed a letter of resignation that had been submitted to the Elgin Library Board of Trustees during its meeting on Monday night, September 18. Library director Lisa Leuck submitted her resignation to the library board late last week, expressing sorrow for doing so as well as the joy she has experienced throughout her time serving as the Elgin Public Library director.
  There were approximately 50 citizens and supporters for Leuck who attended Monday evening’s meeting. Many spoke on behalf of Leuck’s work over the years as a library director. Library Board of Trustees president Leon Griebenow read Leuck’s letter of resignation aloud during the meeting and expressed his thanks to the number of people in the crowd who had come to show their support for her.

Members approve merger of Viafield and Northern Country Coop

The farmer members of Northern Country Cooperative and Viafield have voted in favor of the proposed merger of the two agriculture retail companies. The merger votes of both cooperatives resulted in a member ballot return which exceeded the Iowa requirement, and overall approval votes met the two-thirds threshold for a cooperative merger to pass. 

South Winneshiek’s FFA Dairy Judging Team earned its fifth state championship since 1940 and third since 2007 on Friday. Members of the team include (l-r) Kelsey Timp (1^st overall), Katrina Hageman (3^rd overall), Mitchel Vagts (18^th overall), Hanna Vagts (4^th overall), and advisor Melissa Hageman. The team competed against 29 other teams from across the state in Manchester. (submitted photo)

SW named Iowa Champion FFA dairy cattle team

The 2023 Iowa FFA Dairy Cattle Career Development Event was held in conjunction with the Youth Dairy Classic in Manchester on Friday. Thirty teams and individuals participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide students an opportunity to display their knowledge and skills in the area of dairy cattle selection and management.

The South Winneshiek FFA Chapter was named the Iowa Champion FFA Dairy Cattle Team. Team members included Mitchell Vagts, Kelsey Timp, Katrina Hageman, and Hanna Vagts. Their agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor is Mrs. Melissa Hageman.

Sean Snyder, Winneshiek County Emergency Management coordinator, shows off the recently debuted Ready Winneshiek County mobile app last week. The new tool aims to improve overall communication, especially in the event of a disaster event within the county. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Winneshiek County one of first to be 'Ready' with new app

by Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Last week, Winneshiek County Emergency Management released a new, free phone app that will help with communication with the public during or after a disaster event.

“We wanted to find a way to offer communication to resident of Winneshiek County both before and after any disaster event,” said Sean Snyder, Winneshiek County Emergency Management coordinator. “This new tool, which is called the Ready Winneshiek County app, is a one-stop shop that can be used to improve communication, as well as much more.”

With new blades and other equipment lying at the base of the great majority of turbines, upgrades on the Hawkeye wind farm is slated to begin in October. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Work to begin on Hawkeye turbines in October

by Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

The existing wind turbines, west of Hawkeye, will soon receive their scheduled upgrade to repower the structures. 

Justin Fike of Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company acknowledged Monday that construction is underway  and the work on the turbines themselves will begin in October. Fike estimated the project could take 4-6 months to complete.

Jerry and Joyce Dunckle, and the entire staff of Fayette Lumber Company, are looking forward to hosting a 50^th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Dinner Friday, Sept. 15, at the local lumberyard. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

The Fayette Lumber Company family celebrates Golden Anniversary!

by Jan Bear

Contributing Writer

The year was 1973. The Vietnam War was ending, Jesus Christ Superstar was a famous Broadway musical, Jim Croce’s “Bad, Bad LeRoy Brown” was blaring on the jukebox along with Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock.”  The average family income was $12,600, a gallon of gas cost $.40/gallon. Closer to home, Jerry Duncklee of Fayette was presented with a business opportunity that was too good to pass up, so he took the plunge. 

Trojans vs. deputies: A unique fundraiser for the WCSO

Turkey Valley FFA is hosting a fundraising kickball game on Sunday to raise money for the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

The game will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Turkey Valley softball field in Jackson Junction. The competition will feature Turkey Valley FFA students taking on deputies and employees of the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s office. Proceeds will go toward the WCSO’s educational outreach program. The game will also help usher in Homecoming week activities for the Trojans. Admission to the game will be a freewill donation.

The concession stand will be open during the event and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.