The chair is open and ready for clients as Ossian’s Jaimie Trezona recently began taking appointments at her new tattoo shop, FiercedNatured Ink LLC, in nearby Calmar. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Get inked at newly opened ‘FierceNatured’ tattoo shop

By Zakary Kriener

      There’s a new place to get inked now open in the area as last week, FierceNatured Ink LLC started booking tattoo appointments in downtown Calmar. The woman behind the tattoo gun of the new shop is Jaimie Trezona of Ossian, and she is looking forward to her new venture.

      “I have always enjoyed art and had a desire to pursue tattooing for my entire life,” said Trezona, who has been a nurse for over 20 years and currently works at Ossian Senior Hospice. “My husband Aaron and I have raised three kids, who are all grown up now and out of the house, so I thought it was time to pursue this!”

      Over her lifetime, the Pennsylvania native has always had a passion for visual arts.

Members of the Iowa Supreme Court, including (front, l-r) Justice Thomas D. Waterman, Chief Justice Susan Christensen, Judge Edward M. Mansfield; (back) Judge Matthew McDermott, Judge Christopher McDonald, Judge Dana Oxley and Judge David May, have been invited to attend the Fayette County Courthouse 100^th anniversary celebration scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12. (Courtesy photo)

A supreme invitation to courthouse celebration

By Mike Van Sickle
Editor
      The Fayette County Courthouse could receive a judicial review during the upcoming 100^th anniversary celebration of the historic building as justices and other officials at the state and local level have been invited to the special event scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12.

From information gathered in an investigation last week, the Fayette Police Department deemed there to be a credible threat to individual NFV students at the middle school. After further investigation local law enforcement and school officials believe all safety concerns have been evaluated and all safety measures have been put in place to ensure a threat no longer exists. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Law enforcement neutralize middle school threat 

By Mike Van Sickle

      North Fayette Valley families were informed by Superintendent Joe Griffith Thursday that the school district was contacted by law enforcement on Wednesday, Feb. 8, regarding threats a NFV Middle School student made towards eight other students at the school.

      In his email message, Griffith explained law enforcement quickly responded to the situation and it was neutralized even before the school district was notified.

Natalie Mathers and Collin Cassady will enjoy a “Pampered Night Out” after the Natalie’s name was drawn Friday as the local Valentine’s Day contest grand prize winner. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

WU couple to enjoy Pampered Night Out

By Mike Van Sickle

      A West Union woman has been named the grand prize win­ner of the 2024 Pampered Night Out.

      As this year’s winner of the annual contest, Natalie Mathers and her boyfriend Collin Cassady, also of West Union, will enjoy (on a date of their choosing) a dinner for two at Senor Cantina Grill Mexican Restaurant, one dozen roses from Old Mill Floral, a $20 gift certificate at China Kitchen, up to two games of free bowling at Lilac Lanes Bowling Center, a $25 gift certificate at Gus & Tony’s Town House, and a one-year subscription to the Union Echo Leader.

A need to bridge the gap in infrastructural funding

By Kaci Maire

      On the heels of the completion and reporting of required routine bridge inspections, information pertaining to the maintenance and repair of Fayette County bridges continues to be a topic of discussion for Fayette County Engineer Joel Fantz and the Fayette County Board of Supervisors.

      During Monday’s supervisors’ meeting, as a follow-up from last week’s meeting, Fantz provided additional details to supervisors Janelle Bradley and Jeff Bunn regarding funding sources and described how funds from the federal government are distributed to each state and subsequently allocated at a city and county level. Supervisor Bruce Lehmann was not in attendance Monday.

NFV 2024-25 school calendar approved

By Sharon Drahn
Contributing Writer

      Following a public hearing Monday, the North Fayette Valley Board of Education approved the school calendar for the 2024-25 school year.

      The first day for students will be held Friday, Aug. 23, with the first semester ending Friday, Dec. 20. The second semester will begin January 6, 2025, with school being dismissed for summer break May 23, 2025. Graduation is scheduled for May 18, 2025.

Malachi Rothlisberger, Nick Hohenbrink and Scott Hohenbrink (l-r) will be among the NFV students recognized at the Saturday, Feb. 17, Large Group Speech All-State Festival in Ames for their group improvisation titled “At Secret Service School.” (Mike Van Sickle photo)

NFV All-State Large Group Speech honors

By Mike Van Sickle

      A trio of North Fayette Valley speech groups have received Large Group All-State recognition.  Honored for their performances at the recent Northeast State Speech Contest held at Dubuque Senior High School were:

·       Solo Mime - “Can I Have This Dance?” by Mady Ney

·       Short Film - "The Cycle" by Zeke Stansbery, Keagan McGrane, Lukas McGowan, Nick Hohenbrink and Robert Huck

·       Group Improvisation - “At Secret Service School” by Malachi Rothlisberger, Nick Hohenbrink and Scott Hohenbrink

NFV Kindergarten Roundup April 5

      North Fayette Valley’s Kindergarten Roundup will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, at the Valley Elementary and West Union Elementary centers. In addition to meeting all the kindergarten teachers during the event, students will take part in different activities throughout the morning.

Ingels and Zumbach in WU Feb. 24

      State Representative Chad Ingels and Senator Dan Zumbach will host a constituent meet-up from 9-10 a.m. at the West Union Community Library Saturday, Feb. 24.

      The meet-up presents an opportunity for constituents to engage directly with the elected officials, share concerns, and discuss issues facing the community. 

Author Laura Williams was a recent exhibitor and presenter at the Future of Education Technology Conference held in Orlando, Florida. While there, she promoted her book “The Improvement Game” and inspired educators to consider implementing authentic learning opportunities within their classrooms. (Courtesy photo)

'The Improvement Game’ promotes real-world educational opportunities

By Jan Bear
Contributing Writer

      West Union educator Laura Williams, the author of a new book “The Improvement Game,” is doing her best to bring authentic learning experiences to Iowa and the rest of the country. In her role with the Iowa AEA, she is the coordinator for the Clearinghouse for Work-based Learning, a Future Ready Iowa program.