News

Wed
18
Jul

Fayette City Council

 

Fayette City Council

 

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

The Fayette City Council met Monday evening and began discussions with the appointment of individuals to the Revolving Loan Fund Review Committee.

The appointments of Amy Tucker, Bill Dohrmann, David Scott, Kevin Converse, and Tim Wulfekuhle were made.

Later in the meeting, the council discussed and approved a decision to waive the requirement that nonprofit organizations are not eligible for the Downtown and Neighborhood Revitalization Program. The request came from Fayette Community Church, as it is planning to demolish an old structure and build a new parking lot.

Wed
18
Jul

Reflecting on the past: The WU Downtown Streetscape Project

 

Wednesday, July 11, was the five-year anniversary of the grand opening of the West Union Downtown Streetscape Project. The following evening, the Civic Plaza at the corner of Vine and Elm streets was filled with local residents enjoying the beauty of the streetscape during the Playin’ on the Plaza concert.  Chris DeBack photo

 

Reflecting on the past: The WU Downtown Streetscape Project

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

Wednesday, July 11, marked the five-year anniversary of the official grand opening of the West Union Downtown Streetscape Project. 

West Union’s downtown certainly looks much better today than it did a decade ago, when the project was in its infancy. The pilot project didn’t come without controversy, which still exists today, mainly in the form of failing pavers and maintenance of the planters and bioretention areas. However, that doesn’t make it a failure, either. Thousands of people from across the United States and Iowa have visited West Union for a glimpse at the pilot project and what it has offered. 

The most important detail to remember in all of this is that it was a pilot project. New things were tried, not all will be successful, but five years later is a perfect time to reflect on the past, note the present, and think about the future, especially when dealing with something as vital as the look of small community’s downtown. 

Wed
18
Jul

Plenty of fun at the 165th Fayette County Fair

Plenty of fun at the 165th Fayette County Fair

 

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

With the Fayette County Fair kicking off on Tuesday, July 24, there are plenty of family-friendly activities the first two days for people to enjoy while on the fairgrounds in West Union. Please keep in mind that this article will only showcase events marked under the entertainment or community subcategories from the Fayette County Fair website. For a complete list of activities, including 4-H showtimes, please visit www.fayettecoiafair.com. All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Wed
11
Jul

Buchheit notches impressive 1,000th strikeout

 

A five-year starter for the South Winneshiek softball team, Taylor Buchheit recently wrapped up her senior season with a giant milestone. The young pitcher achieved the 1,000 career strikeout mark, something accomplished by very few pitchers around the state. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

 

Buchheit notches impressive 1,000th strikeout

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

For Ossian’s Taylor Buchheit, a 2018 graduate of South Winneshiek High School, the path toward eclipsing 1,000 strikeouts throughout her high school career is one that started long ago.

“I started playing T-ball when I was very young and progressed up into Little Leage,” explained the young athlete, who plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa in the fall. There, she will study elementary education and play in a highly competitive intramural softball league. 

Wed
11
Jul

2018 Winneshiek County Fair underway

2018 Winneshiek County Fair underway

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

The Winneshiek County Fair in Decorah is officially underway as of Monday morning. While Tuesday’s fun and entertainment are already in the books, four full days of entertainment are still on tap to ensure an exciting fair.

Wed
11
Jul

Clermont council approves garbage hauler bid

 

Soon-to-be Eagle Scout Hunter Cummings (center) unveiled his Eagle Scout Project, a digital sign at the Clermont Opera House on Highway 150, to the Clermont City Council on Monday, July 2. Clermont now has the capability to display community events and info on the sign. With Cummings are (l-r) Brian Schroeder, Clermont city superintendent; Troy Schott, city councilman; Sharon Harris, city councilwoman; Dina Taylor, (city councilwoman); Bruce Lehmann, city councilman; and James Matt, mayor. Not pictured is Clermont City Council member Roger Craig. Chris DeBack photo

 

 

Clermont council approves garbage hauler bid

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

At its regular meeting on Monday, July 2, the Clermont City Council opened bids from three garbage haulers to provide waste removal services for Clermont residents. 

Black Hawk Waste Disposal of Waterloo, Waste Management of Waterloo, and Malcom Enterprises of Decorah placed a bid. 

Wed
11
Jul

Clermont BBQ 'all about having fun'

 

Clermont Community Club member Tracy Johnson stands with just a few of the items that will be available during the silent auction at the Third Annual Clermont BBQ in the Park on Monday, July 16.  In addition to the auction, which includes prizes such as gift certificates to local restaurants, passes to water parks, golf passes and products from area stores, the event will also include a variety of fun events such as a freewill-donation meal, face-painting, bouncy houses, giant bubbles, lawn dice, a pedal tractor pull and a Yucky Ducky that will be sponsored by the North Fayette Valley FFA.  (photo by Megan Molseed)

 

Clermont BBQ 'all about having fun'

 

 

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

“It’s a fun day for all,” said Clermont Community Club member Tracy Johnson of the upcoming Third Annual Clermont BBQ in the Park.  “The whole day is full of good food, fun games, face-painting and goodies galore!” 

The annual event, which started three years ago when the Clermont Community Club decided to begin a summer park event, will also feature a silent auction from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. with a variety of goodies donated from a multitude of area businesses; items up for bid include gift certificates to local restaurants, passes to water parks, golf passes and products from area stores.

“We have over 50 businesses contributing to the silent auction.  There will be a lot to choose from,” smiled Johnson, gesturing to the large pile of baskets the club has already put together.  

Wed
11
Jul

Supervisors donate to UIU Rec Center Project

 

The Fayette County Supervisors agreed to donate $5,000 to the Upper Iowa University and City of Fayette Recreation Center Improvement Project. The Supervisors donation will allow UIU to submit an Iowa Economic Development Authority Community Attraction and Tourism Grant for the $1.15 million project.  Jerry Wadian photo

 

Supervisors donate to UIU Rec Center Project

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

At their regular meeting on Monday, July 2, the Fayette County Supervisors discussed a possible donation to the Upper Iowa University (UIU) and City of Fayette Recreation Center Improvement Project. 

The Supervisors met with Andrew Wenthe, UIU vice president for external affairs and mayor of Fayette.  Wenthe noted that UIU is seeking is seeking an Iowa Economic Development Authority Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant. The grant typically awards 16 to 18 percent of the final negotiated cost of a project. With the renovation project estimated to cost $1.15 million, UIU could receive up to $230,000 from the grant. 

Wed
11
Jul

Davis updates Fayette council on deadly hit-and-run

Davis updates Fayette Council on deadly hit-and-run

 

 

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

Fayette Police Chief Ben Davis spoke to the Fayette City Council during its regular meeting Monday, July 2, regarding the deadly hit-and-run incident that occurred on Thursday, June 28.

“We arrived at the scene fairly quickly and unfortunately found very little to go on,” said Davis.  “Fayette County Sheriff Deputy Kristina Thyer is staying on top of the case and is following up on any and all tips we receive.” 

Davis added that any information is welcome in this ongoing investigation, which took the life of West Central student Kaiden Estling.  

Wed
11
Jul

Hawkeye's South Street vacation headed to litigation

 

These two hoop houses owned by K&K Gardens are located on what is called South Street, a right-of-way owned by the City of Hawkeye. Hawkeye had given Keith Kovarik, owner of K&K Gardens, until July 30 to move the hoop houses; however, Kovarik claims that he was given permission many years ago by the City to place them there. It was brought up last year, when Tim and John Bruihler thought the hoop houses were located on their farmland. Chris DeBack photo

 

Hawkeye's South Street vacation headed to litigation

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

The vacation of South Street has been before the Hawkeye City Council for little over a year now. It was up for discussion at the council’s last meeting on Monday, July 2. 

South Street is a city right-of-way along the southern border of Hawkeye that runs between John and Tim Bruihler’s farmland and K&K Gardens and Trinity Lutheran Church, among other Hawkeye residents.  

Mayor Don Kelly opened the meeting by asking if there was at least a 4-to-1 vote (supermajority) to pass the vacation of South Street as discussed at a special meeting in June. Councilmembers John Campbell and Josh Hanson both said they wouldn’t vote in favor of the vacation. When asked after the fact why neither would vote in favor of the vacation, both declined to comment due to pending litigation. The Bruihlers also declined to comment.

According to the minutes from the June special meeting, Councilmember Angela Weidemann asked for clarification on a land swap between the City and the Bruihlers. Mike Shimak of Shimak Surveying stated that in 1959, an easement was established with a previous property owner for the city to enter the old lift station where Scott Zell lives. When the City had the property surveyed, it turns out that the easement was actually on the Bruihlers’ land. The survey also discovered that the Bruihlers had been farming a portion of City property by the lift station and City shop bunkers. 

It was noted during the meeting that Tim Bruihler had sent the City a land-swap proposal that included property owners along South Street vacating any property currently on the City-owned land. After further discussion, the mayor asked that the City Attorney and Kovarik’s attorney, Jerem White, step outside to discuss the matter.

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