Clermont native Gabrielle Hemesath, who was selected by the American Beekeeping Federation as the 2015 American Honey Queen in January, embraces the opportunity to travel around the country to teach people about the beekeeping industry. (submitted photo)

Nothing's sweeter than American honey

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

“Life is a flower of which love is the honey.” There couldn’t be a more perfect quote to describe  Clermont native Gabrielle Hemesath. The Iowa State University freshman has recently been selected to represent the American Beekeeping Federation as the 2015 American Honey Queen, and she loves the responsibilities and opportunities that it brings.  

  Hemesath got her start in the honey industry when she was in seventh grade, working at Fassbinder Apiaries near Elgin. She quickly learned the tricks of the beekeeping trade as she discovered her love of the honey industry.

The 2014 graduate of North Fayette Valley was selected to represent the Iowa Honey Producers Association last year when she was named the 2014 Iowa Honey Queen.

Fayette to hire police chief

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

The City of Fayette has decided to hire a police chief.

Since the resignation of Police Chief Brad Gardner the city has been operating with a police officer and reserve officers. Mayor Andrew Wenthe said at the Fayette City Council meeting Monday night, the response from residents following a recent survey indicates that full-fledged law enforcement is most desired. As a result, a search process for a new police chief will begin.

Dakota Noggle, a West Central High School senior enrolled in the Charter School, is pictured at his job at Hardee's in West Union. When Dakota graduates from high school this May, he'll have also earned an associate degree from Northeast Iowa Community College – virtually tuition free. (Janell Bradley photo)

West Central seniors receive associate's degrees

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

As with most high school seniors, the Class of 2015 at West Central looks forward to Graduation Day with anticipation.

However, a particular achievement of note, is that five of the class's 13 seniors will already have two-year college degrees in hand when they walk across the stage to get their high school diplomas. That's right, FIVE of 13 seniors will have earned associate’s degrees at the age of 17 or 18.

That's because West Central is one of only three schools in Iowa to be a tuition-free charter school in which students can earn college credit while completing the requirements for graduation from high school.

Michael Foland began his duties Monday as the new assistant police chief/police investigator of the West Union Police Department. An Independence native, Foland has approximately 25 years of experience in emergency services. (Mike Van Sickle photo) 

Assistant police chief begins duties

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

An Independence native was sworn in Monday as assistant police chief/police investigator of the West Union Police Department. Assistant Police Chief Michael Foland brings approximately 25 years of experience in emergency services to the local police department.

“I feel Officer Foland is a great addition to our staff,” said Police Chief Matthew Walker prior to the oath of office ceremony. “I look for good things to come from this department as we continuously look to better serve our community and its residents.”

A certified medical technician, Foland has served on the Hazleton Fire Department for 20 years. He currently serves as the department’s assistant fire chief.

Floyd Winter(second from right) of Waucoma is pictured here holding the Million-Mile Club plaque he earned as a rural mail carrier. With Floyd are (l-r) Thomas Allen, manager of Post Office Operations; Jim Herrmann, district manager of the Hawkeye District; and West Union Postmaster Sheila Soppe.

Million-mile rural postal carrier retires

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer

Friday, Jan. 30, marked the end of an era for rural postal patrons in the Waucoma area. Floyd Winter, who has been a postal employee for 31 years, put in his final day as a rural mail carrier for the Waucoma Post Office. During that time Winter has also achieved a milestone for safe driving as he becomes a member of the Million-Mile Club, an award given by the National Safety Council and the U.S. Postal Service to recognize safe drivers.

CFS students Devin Lansing, Mark Flores, and Dylan Hageman (l-r) show off their football jerseys during Catholic Schools Week 2014. Students will be able to dress up throughout this year’s celebratory week, Jan. 26-Feb. 1. (file photo)

Catholic Schools Week celebrated at local schools

National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Local Catholic schools DeSales and C.F.S., along with schools all across the country, will be celebrating the week of Jan. 25 – Feb. 1. Local students will be celebrating with unique projects, events, and dress-up days. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service.”

DeSales kicked off the celebration on Monday by having eighth-grade students take the reins. The students paired up with younger students and led an hourlong session that consisted of literature, Bible study, prayer, and a craft or project. The dress theme was “Career Day.”

On Tuesday, students celebrated “We Love DeSales” Day by dressing in red. The activity for the day was “Drop Everything and Read”; every time the bell rang throughout the day, students would stop what they were doing and begin to read.

Today (Wednesday) is “DeSales Rocks” Day. Students will participate in a talent show, as well as dress up in grade-specific colors.

Thursday will be “Celebrating Our Faith and Our Faith Community” Day at DeSales. Students will travel to Luther College for the All-Schools Mass. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the school will host its annual soup supper, including games, a cake walk, and more. Students are also encouraged to wear their DeSales clothing.

Friday will be “Kick-Back Day.” students will be able to enjoy hot chocolate and treats while watching a movie and wearing comfy clothes.

Norwegian Mutual Insurance of Decorah and Bushman Insurance & Real Estate of Ossian recently donated funds to the Ossian and Castalia fire departments for the purchase of rescue equipment. The equipment can be used for grain bin rescues, trapped automobile victims, and other rescue and recovery missions. (l-r) Tara Hoffert of Bushman Insurance and Real Estate, Ossian Fire Chief Denis Holien, Tom Bushman of Bushman Insurance and Real Estate, Castalia Fire Chief Mark Imoehl, and James Clark of Norwegian Mutual Insurance exchange checks as they proudly display the table of new rappelling and rescue equipment. (submitted photo)

Fire departments acquire rescue equipment

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Ossian Fire Department and Castalia Fire Department recently acquired important equipment to assist the departments with grain bin and other rescues.

Norwegian Mutual Insurance of Decorah and Bushman Insurance and Real Estate of Ossian donated funds to the local fire departments, which they used for the purchase of $5,700 worth of rescue equipment.

The Ossian Fire Department had previously acquired the grain bin rescue tube, but lacked the necessary equipment to use and operate it. The new equipment consists of many ropes and rappelling gear, as well as an auger that is to be used with the grain bin tube.

Supervisors tackle budget issues

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer

bsmith@fayettepublishing.com            

The Clayton County Supervisors have been working hard on the budget during the month of January and hope to have a draft of a budget package available very soon. Supervisor Ron McCartney, who was re-elected as a Supervisor in the last election, said that the Supervisors continue to be very fiscally minded as they approach their responsibilities for Clayton County.

            “The budget is usually the main project we are working on during this time of year, and I feel we are making good progress on it. At this point the Supervisors have had discussions with all the department heads and have made their decisions regarding budgeting for the different departments,” explained McCartney.

1997 Valley graduate Travis Medberry participated in the on-field national anthem ceremony before the NFC Championship playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Jan. 18. A Chicago Bears fan, Medberry serves in Washington’s Army National Guard. (Courtesy photo) 

Medberry part of NFL national anthem ceremony

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

            Northeast Iowa native Travis Medberry participated in the on-field national anthem ceremony before the NFC Championship playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Jan. 18. The game, which was played at Seattle’s Century Link Field, determined who would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

            “The Seattle Seahawk organization has always been very involved with the military and regularly involves all the different branches with the presentation of the flag during the national anthem at all of their home games,” said the 1997 Valley High School graduate.

Fayette Opera House board member Annette Butikofer stands outside of the Opera House. The exterior of the building was able to receive fresh paint thanks to fundraising from last year’s Mid-Winter Gala. The doors to this year’s evening of fun will open at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Fayette Opera House to host 'Mid-Winter Gala'

The Fayette Opera House and Fayette Lions Club are excited to invite you to a Mid-Winter Gala at the community’s Opera House on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Annette Butikofer, who has been a member of the Opera House board for over four years, notes that the event will not only be a fundraiser, but also an opportunity for the facility to be shown off to visitors.

The Opera House, which has been at the center of Fayette both geographically and culturally for the past 117 years, has served as the home to weddings, class reunions, holiday gatherings, concerts, and much more. The venue is available for rent by community organizations as well as private citizens; it is also used for town festivals.