South Winneshiek junior Avery Humpal (right) and her cousin, Skylar Phillips from New Hampton, shared a hug after Humpal presented her with a $2,485 check to go toward the construction of an all-inclusive playground in her community. Phillips has spinal muscular atrophy, which is a condition that deteriorates her muscles and doesn’t allow them to grow properly. The new playground, which will be built this summer, will be handicapped accessible so she and others can enjoy the same outdoor activities as other children. (submitted photo)

Baking for a good cause

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

It all started as a way to raise money for a family member, but the idea quickly took off and exceeded everyone’s expectations!

“My cousin, Skylar Phillips, has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which basically means that her muscles are deteriorating, and she is not able to function like a healthy child,” explained Avery Humpal, a junior student at South Winneshiek. “She is bound to a wheelchair and is not able to enjoy many of the same activities that other children her age do, like experiencing a playground.”

Humpal went on to explain that Kindness Square is a benefit that was organized to help fund the construction of an all-inclusive playground in Skylar’s hometown of New Hampton.

Several local residents listened Monday as the West Union City Council discuss an Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) State Recreational Trails (RT) Project agreement for the Echo Valley Friendship Trail. The DOT agreement and a separate engineering agreement for the previously approved trail project were both passed by council members 3-2 and 4-1, respectively.

Echo Valley Friendship Trail engineering and DOT agreements approved

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

The West Union City Council approved a pair of agreements related to the Echo Valley Friendship Trail Monday. An engineering agreement with Fehr Graham passed 4-1 with no council discussion. Council members Andrew Smith, Kennon Gumm, Marty Miller and Linda Croal voted in approval of the agreement, while councilman Matt McElree voted against the proposal. Meanwhile, an Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) State Recreational Trails (RT) Project agreement was approved 3-2. Smith, Gumm and Croal approved the measure. McElree was joined by Miller in casting the dissenting votes.

With nearly 35 years of real estate experience, Lisa Wescott of Homestead Realty LLC looks forward to continuing to work with residents and business owners to fulfill their purchasing or selling needs. Wescott, who has opened her business in downtown West Union, provides residential, commercial, acreage and farm realty services. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Homestead Realty prepared to make dreams come true

by Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Longtime realtor Lisa Wescott has opened Homestead Realty LLC in downtown West Union. While licensed to serve anywhere in Iowa, she and real estate agent Deb Merrill will mainly provide their residential, commercial, acreage and farm realty expertise in a 25-mile radius of West Union.

A native of the Clermont/Elgin area, Wescott received her real estate license in 1992. First employed with Stahr Realty in West Union, she was named a sales associate with Homestead Associates Iowa Realty in West Union three years later.

Rhonda Dales

Over $130,000 of improper disbursements identified in Elgin special investigation

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Auditor of State Rob Sand has filed his special investigation report regarding certain financial transactions processed by former Elgin City Clerk Rhonda Dales with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Fayette County Attorney’s Office, and Attorney General’s Office. According to the report, which covered the period October 1, 2017, through June 30, 2021, the special investigation identified approximately $131,212.73 of improper disbursements and $7,531.67 of unsupported disbursements. 

The improper disbursements identified include approximately $104,282.70 of unauthorized payroll and additional checks issued to Dales and related payroll costs, $19,204.10 of unauthorized reimbursements issued to Dales, and $5,881 of excess insurance premium payments issued to her. Sand also reported the improper disbursements identified includes personal purchases made using the city’s debit card and interest and late fees to IPERS.

Winneshiek Co. Cattlemen's Banquet is Saturday

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The 2023 Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Beef Banquet is this weekend! 

Taking place at the Festina Community Center on Saturday, the evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a prime rib dinner by U-2 Catering being served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the meal are $20 each. 

The night will continue after the meal with the crowning of 2023 royalty, as well as awards and both a live and silent auction to benefit the scholarship program.

SW presenting 'Night at the Wax Museum'

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

South Winneshiek High School students are set to present their spring play this week as they will perform “Night at the Wax Museum.”

The hysterical meets the historical in this comic romp through the wackiest wax museum in history!

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Calmar.

New button options for 2023 Fair

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Winneshiek County Ag Society recently announced new options for fair buttons for the 2023 Winneshiek County Fair in Decorah. Instead of one button like in years past, there will be a three-day button for the Tuesday (July 11) through Thursday (July 13) Grandstand events and a regular button for all five nights of the fair.

The three-day pass is currently available for $25 each ($30 once the fair starts) and the full pass is available for $50 apiece ($60 once the fair starts). Children age 6 and younger are free.

With over 34 years of experience in the plumbing, heating, and cooling service industry, Darin Rauch of rural Elgin is excited about the opportunity to serve the needs of customers in northeast Iowa. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Rauch brings nearly 35 years of experience to area

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

  There’s a new service in the area when it comes to meeting the plumbing, heating, and cooling needs of northeast Iowa residents. Darin Rauch and his wife, Cindy (Stolka), recently moved to rural Elgin where he will continue his longtime business, Rauch Enterprises.

“I started my business in 2006 back in Fremont (Iowa),” explained Rauch. “Cindy retired and we decided to move back to her home area, so I moved my business here.”

Fayette County Secondary Roads Department employee Carston Baumler begins spreading gravel on some of the county’s 900-plus miles of rock roads. County engineer Joel Fantz acknowledges spring is the most critical time to maintain gravel roads in northeast Iowa.  (Courtesy photo)

Secondary Roads Department springing into action

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

  Spring is nearly upon us. Flowers bloom, trees bud, fresh colors of nature reappear and — frost heaves up on Iowa’s roadways. Fayette County’s Secondary Roads Department is accountable for maintaining nearly 910 miles of gravel roads, which is the nearly the same length as driving to New Orleans, Louisiana, during this and all seasons of the year.

Fayette County Engineer Joel Fantz acknowledged spring is the most critical time to maintain gravel roads in northeast Iowa. He estimates the crews have an approximate eight-week period to doing the right type of roadwork at the right time to make the roads better for the remainder of the year.

The duties include cutting grass-covered shoulders and reestablishing the crown of the road to restore the proper drainage. Ideally, the proper size of rock is applied when the ground is still frozen or firm in the early morning hours. This allows for the rock to be worked into the ground as it thaws throughout the day.

Jim and Joyce Moss stand alongside BP Express manager Melinda Schroeder (far left) Monday. Jim and Joyce officially sold the West Union business to Kulig Chauhan of Johnston, Iowa, today (Wednesday, March 1). Schroeder and the current staff will continue to serve their loyal customers under the new ownership. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

BP Express under new ownership today

By Zachary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

  There’s a new business owner in town. Kulig Chauhan (K.C.) assumes ownership today (Wednesday, March 1) of BP Express from longtime proprietors Jim and Joyce Moss. 

“The support has been absolutely wonderful over the years, both from the local residents and our loyal customers from throughout the entire area” Joyce said.