Council approves sewer grant application

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

            The Elgin City Council approved a USDA World Development Search Grant at its meeting Monday night, Feb. 16. If received, the grant will allow the City to do a sanitary sewer study on its sewer system that will include cleaning and televising of specified lines, a list of proposed improvements to the system, as well as a cost analysis of the suggested improvements.

            Jim Holz, a representative from MSA Professional Services, was on hand to explain the details of the grant.

The North Fayette and Valley school boards met in joint session on Monday, Feb. 16, to discuss several matters. Members present at the meeting include (front, l-r) Dawn Daughton, Randy Tope, Roy Guenther, and Marc Rue; (back) Mark Howard, Jim Clausen, Deb Loftsgard, Karen Michelson, Denise Johnson, Eileen Schlawin, and Julie Ahrens. Not pictured is Stacy Cummings. (Zakary Kriener photo)

NF and Valley boards meet in joint session

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Valley and North Fayette boards of education met in joint session on Monday, Feb. 16, in Elgin.

The Site-Based Review Council (SBRC) recommended 12 teachers for the new Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) positions. The boards agreed to the hirings of Kathy Hageman, Jeannie Krambeer, Jess White, and Sherri Imoehl as Instructional Coaches. The board approved the hires of Tina Halverson, Kim Lau, Peggy Bentley, Carol Reierson, Tracy Nuss, and Molli Steffens as Model Teachers, and Amanda Smith and Tim Feldman as Mentor Teachers.

Shared Superintendent Duane Willhite informed board members that the district has dropped the idea of the 4.5-day calendars for the 2015-16 school year. The two remaining proposed calendars were approved, one with an early start date and one without. The district will use the early Aug. 24 start date if the Legislature allows; otherwise, they will rely on the later Aug. 31 start date.

Miss Arlington Heather Anfinson poses for a photo with three of the bachelors participating in the fundraiser Thursday. From left: Austin Hamlett, Jake Fedeler and Tony Barry. (Janell Bradley photo)

'Prince Farming,' Arlington's 'Other Bachelors' charm crowd

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

Just hours before Valentine's Day, love was in the air at the Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel as Arlington, Iowa's most famous bachelor joined eight other bachelors from his hometown in an effort to raise funds for the construction of a community center.

Unlike the women on the TV show "The Bachelor" who vie weekly to become "Prince Farming's" Cinderella as part of the TV series, women of all ages at Thursday night's fundraiser were happy just to get close to Chris Soules and snap photos of him on stage.

More than $23,000 was raised in live and silent auctions, and sales of calendars that feature "The Other Bachelors of Arlington," 12 men who had a little fun playing on "The Bachelor's" fame.

"Prince Farming" himself, Chris Soules, the subject of ABC's "The Bachelor" series, was a special guest and joined in on the fun as eight other single men from his hometown were auctioned to the highest bidders with winners earning a seat at a group date.

The immense size of a wind turbine blade is evident in this photo where Hawkeye area folks gathered in August 2012 at an open house event where they were encouraged to put their names on a blade before it was erected. (Janell Bradley photo)

Wind farm continues to boost local economy

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

In the little more than two years since it first went online, the Hawkeye Wind Farm has proven that in turning wind to energy at least one aspect of Mother Nature can be harnessed for good.

The $45 million Hawkeye Wind Farm generates power that is purchased by Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), based in Marion. The two companies have a 20-year contract. As the project was being constructed, RPM estimated the Hawkeye Wind Farm would generate enough energy to power 4,000 to 6,000 homes.

Although he didn't divulge specific details, Hawkeye Wind Farm project manager Kevin Lehs commented, "We've been happy with the production numbers. As developers, we make predictions on what we think production will be, and then our lender usually trims that to be conservative."

However, in the first two years of production, power generated was actually closer to what RPM Access had predicted.

City proposes 28-cent levy increase

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

The West Union City Council will consider approving an approximate 28-cent property tax levy increase following a public hearing on the proposed 2015-2016 fiscal year budget on Monday, March 2.

If approved, the increase would raise the local city property tax levy to approximately $15.04 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. The estimated tax rate on ag land would remain at $3.

Assistant West Union Police Chief Michael Foland is among the area law enforcement personnel who welcome the opportunity to help children and teenagers better understand the pitfalls of drug use. Local officials and youth advocates encourage the entire community to attend the Valley Community Coalition/Valley Mentoring-sponsored “Marijuana Is Dangerous, Legal or Not” presentation in Clermont on Thursday, Feb. 26. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Marijuana remains a harmful drug

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

Due to legal and policy changes in other states and a growing increase in online availability, local law enforcement, public health officials, and youth advocates are reporting that it has become much easier for Iowans to access and/or order marijuana.

Marijuana use may be legal in some situations, but that doesn’t mean it is any less harmful. This is the message that Valley Community Coalition and Valley Mentoring hope to communicate to the community through a free training presentation, “Marijuana Is Dangerous, Legal or Not” on Thursday, Feb. 26.

The eighth annual North Iowa Tractor Ride will roll along the River Bluffs Scenic Byway through Fayette and Winneshiek counties July 16-18. The Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union will be the host site for the 2015 event. Stops will also take place at Klock’s Island in Fayette, Viafield in Arlington, and the communities of Elgin and Ossian. (Courtesy photo)

Tractors to roll through West Union in July

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

Over 150 tractors are expected to roll out of the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union on Thursday, July 16, to kick off the 2015 North Iowa Tractor Ride. The eighth annual event will roll along the River Bluffs Scenic Byway through Fayette and Winneshiek counties July 16-18. The ride is a cooperative effort of three north Iowa radio stations.

Noting that the route was chosen due to the surrounding scenic views, Jamie Nelson, event organizer, said, “Riders will really enjoy this year’s route.  This part of northeast Iowa is one of the prettiest parts of the state, and there are beautiful attractions everyone will want to see.”

Judy and Bob Alford (l-r) have enjoyed over 50 years of marriage together. The couple moved from Illinois to the Ossian area in 2001. Together, they enjoy the freedom that rural Iowa provides for them. (Zakary Kriener photo)

It's about the journey, not the destination

By Zakary Kriener
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Situated on a beautiful property several miles just east of Ossian sits the home of Bob and Judy Alford. Their home, secluded behind several rows of large trees to keep the noise out, has not always been the place they hang their hats at night. The Alfords, who celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on Oct. 3, moved to the small community of Ossian in 2001 after retiring from their careers in Cary, Ill., and have felt right at home ever since.

To find out what makes this couple’s love story so endearing, rewind time a half-century to when they first laid eyes on each other.

Friends of the Elgin Library member Anna Wenger examines a couple of the books that will be for sale during the organization’s annual book sale at the library Thursday-Saturday. (Photo submitted)

Elgin library book sale

The Friends of the Elgin Public Library invites all book lovers to the organization’s annual Book Sale Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 12-14, at the library.

Hours will be from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Valentine’s Day has always been special for Inez Luchsinger, who was born Feb. 14, 1925. She will be celebrating her 90^th birthday soon with many friends and family members who will be present at an open house to wish her well.

Ninety years a Valentine

Brian Smith
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

            February 14, 1925, brought a special Valentine’s Day gift to Alfred and Georgia Clark of rural West Union. Their daughter, who was named Inez Mae after two of her mother’s sisters, was born that day. While sharing a birthday with a holiday that is reserved for sweethearts proclaiming their love for one another might not sound too desirable to some, Inez Luchsinger has always enjoyed the fact that her birthday is on Valentine’s Day.

            “Often we would celebrate my birthday multiple times, with a cake at a church dinner, a family party, at a Wednesday game night, or at the Elgin Meal Site, which I helped to manage for a number of years. I have always had a lot of fun celebrating my birthday on Valentine’s Day, which just made it even more special,” said the Elgin resident, who will be turning 90 this year.