November 2015

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Nov

Keeping the tradition

 

South Winneshiek sophomore and Ossian resident Austin Covell sits on the bench and cement pad that he recently completed for his Eagle Scout project. The bench is located at Ossian City Park, just feet away from the tree that Ossian’s Troop 88 planted in memory of Austin’s grandfather and longtime Scoutmaster, Jack Jaster. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Keeping the tradition

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

For Ossian resident and South Winneshiek High School sophomore Austin Covell, earning his Eagle Scout merit is something that truly means a lot to him.

Covell, who has been active in Scouts since he was old enough to enter in the first grade, is the grandson of former Scoutmaster Jack Jaster. The longtime leader of the Ossian scouts served from 1988 to 2004. Austin’s father, Chuck Covell, is also very active in the scouts. He has served as Scoutmaster for the past several years, having also served as Cub Scout leader in Ossian since the early ‘90s.

When it came time for the 15-year-old Austin to decide on a project to undertake for his Eagle Scout project, the choice was easy.

“When grandpa (Jack) Jaster died in 2011, all of the Scouts decided to plant a tree in the City Park,” explained the soon-to-be Eagle Scout. “So I decided to install a new bench near the tree in the park for my Eagle Scout project this summer.”

Wed
11
Nov

Ossian Election results are in

Election results are in

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

Election Day has come and passed and as a result, Ossian and many other local communities will have new faces in mayoral and council chairs on January 1, 2016.

Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines reported that 1,888 total ballots were cast across Winneshiek County on Tuesday, Nov. 3. That number represents 27.9 percent of the 6,768 registered voters in the county.

Wed
11
Nov

Green elected: Meet your new mayor

 

Residents of Ossian, meet your new mayor. Bill Green, a lifelong resident of Winneshiek County, will take over the mayor’s office on Jan. 1, 2016. Green stated that he is humbled by the fact that he was elected and that he is proud to have the opportunity to represent a community full of people that share as much pride for their town. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Green elected: Meet your new mayor

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

For the first time in a decade, a new person will hold the office of mayor in Ossian. That man, Bill Green, is a lifelong resident of Winneshiek County and active member of the Ossian community. He was elected in the November 3 election to serve as the next man in charge of the town.

“It is awfully humbling to be elected by the people of this town,” shared Green. “It makes me proud to have the opportunity to represent the entire community. The people in this town have a lot of pride in their town.”

Wed
11
Nov

Alzheimer's: a disease that affects the whole family

Eleanor Torkelson holds great-grandson Theo Torkelson as she sits on the couch with her son Dirk Torkelson. Eleanor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago, but the full impact of the disease didn’t touch her son Dirk and wife Cindy until Dirk’s father, Ivan, died in the fall of 2014.

 

Alzheimer's: a disease that affects the whole family

 

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

 

She is the picture of perfect health. That is what doctors told Dirk and Cindy Torkelson about Dirk’s 82-year-old mother, Eleanor’s state of physical health. To the Torkelsons, hearing those words was a blessing — and a curse because Eleanor suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

So, while Eleanor’s body may be ready to take on another decade of active living, her mind has begun a slow decline. It will slip away as memories fade, and she slowly stops responding to her environment.

“It’s not my mom anymore,” Dirk said. “She looks like my mom, but she doesn’t act like my mom. It is a different person completely.”

Wed
11
Nov

Elgin Public Library measure fails, 82-71

Elgin Public Library measure fails, 82-71

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

The citizens of Elgin voted down a public measure that would have levied $0.27 per $1,000 of assessed value to increase the operating budget of the Elgin Public Library.

Eighty-two residents voted against the measure while 71 of voted in favor of the tax increase.

Debra Kahler, president of the Elgin Library Board, said that the extra tax money was going to be used to purchase more books and materials as well as expand the libraries hours. The library was recently recognized as a Star Library, and in order to retain that designation, a specific amount of new materials must be purchased each year.

Wed
11
Nov

UIU has 3rd-straight winning season

 

UIU has 3rd-straight winning season

 

 

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

Saturday’s two-overtime thriller in Wayne, Neb., was more than just a win; it assured the Peacocks of a third-straight winning season, something that has not happened in 52 years!

Current UIU head coach Tom Shea has entered some pretty rarified air in UIU history.

The last head coach to achieve such a feat was Everett “Eb” Eischeid who had three straight 6-3 seasons from 1961-1963.

Wed
11
Nov

'Oklahoma!' rides into Maynard this weekend

 

Will Parker (Sam Hepperle, center) gathers other cowboys (l-r) Adam Cannon, Dein Gosse, Taylor Hepperle and Mason Harn around as he talks about Kansas City. West Central will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “Oklahoma!” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14.

 

'Oklahoma!' rides into Maynard this weekend

 

 

For two nights only, West Central High School will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ever-popular musical “Oklahoma!”

The 1944 Pulitzer Prize winning play will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14. Admission is $6, and tickets will be available at the door.

Wed
11
Nov

Wenthe wins second term as Fayette mayor

 

Wenthe wins second term as Fayette mayor

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

The citizens of Fayette have spoken and in the Nov. 3 election, granted Andrew Wenthe another term as mayor.

“I am very pleased with the results and thankful for the voters in the city of Fayette who re-elected me,” Wenthe said.

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