NFV school board hosts public hearing

      The North Fayette Valley school board on Monday hosted the first of two state-required public hearings regarding the school districts proposed fiscal year 2024-25 property tax levy. Hearing no citizen opinions or receiving no written comments for or against the proposed levy, the public hearing was closed.

Denning to headline Winn. Co. Fair Saturday entertainment

By Zakary Kriener

      The Winneshiek County Fair announced Tuesday morning that its 2024 headliner for Saturday night’s (July 13) Grandstand entertainment will be country music up-and-comer Travis Denning featuring RaeLynn.

      Denning has had multiple songs make it to country music radio throughout his career, with his biggest hit being “After A Few.” Other top songs that he has released include “ABBY,” “Dirt Road Down,” and “Beer with My Buddies.”

Cory Farley coming to Ossian Fest 2024

By Zakary Kriener

      Big changes are coming to Ossian Fest 2024 and the Ossian Crown Club is excited to make the announcement.

      “As many now, there will not be a parade this year,” said Clark Goltz, longtime community volunteer and Crown Club member, “Instead, we are changing the look of Ossian Fest! We will have numerous activities throughout the day, including a car show, kids’ tractor pull, inflatable attractions, and numerous food trucks. In the evening, we will have Nashville star and Winneshiek County native Cory Farley on the stage.”

Five file for primary election in Winneshiek County

By Zakary Kriener

      Unofficially, five Winneshiek County residents filed to run for partisan County offices for the upcoming Primary Election on June 4, with just one office seeing a challenger.

West Union Police Chief Paul Bechtold (left) recently joined his entire department in welcoming Tyler Hollingsworth as its newest police officer. Hollingsworth first served in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, before more recently serving with the Oelwein Police Department. (Photo submitted)

New West Union officer on duty

      The West Union Police Department has officially welcomed Tyler Hollingsworth into its ranks. With a distinguished background in law enforcement spanning from the hills of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to the heartland of Iowa, officer Hollingsworth brings a unique perspective and a touch of Southern charm to the department.

      A seasoned law enforcement professional with experience in both municipal and county policing, Hollingsworth was approved for hiring by the West Union City Council during its Monday, Feb. 19, meeting.

Email contains bomb threat
Local law enforcement sweep UIU campus

By Mike Van Sickle

      After being informed of an external threat regarding a possible explosive device at Upper Iowa University, local law enforcement completed a sweep of the Fayette campus Wednesday, March 13.  According to the Fayette Police Department, UIU admissions and facilities staff notified the local police department at approximately 8:30 a.m. of an email which contained the bomb threat.

      “After evaluating the threat, which was also forwarded to over 290 other schools across the nation, it was decided to follow protocol and conduct a sweep to ensure no threat existed,” Fayette Police Chief Ben Davis later reported, while praising UIU for its swift notification of the information, working with the local law enforcement, and trusting that the response was adequate and necessary to ensure the safety of the entire campus community. 

Fayette Police Department K-9 handler/officer Nicole Ball and K-9 recently compiled a perfect score to take top honors at the recent Regional Narcotics Trial in Wright County, Minnesota. (Courtesy photo)

Fayette K-9 Unit fetches top honors

By Mike Van Sickle

      The Fayette Police Department K-9 Unit earned top honors at the recent Regional Narcotics Trial in Wright County, Minnesota. At the conclusion of the event, Fayette’s K-9 handler/officer Nicole Ball and K-9 Odin led the competition in returning home with the Best Overall Dog Award.

      “The department and city could not be prouder of this award,” Fayette Police Chief Ben Davis said. “The unit works tirelessly to ensure the safety of the public; ensuring that the response of the K-9 Unit is among the best the area has to offer.”

Fort Atkinson preservation work to begin this spring

      The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 22, at Fort Atkinson State Preserve (302 2^nd Street, Fort Atkinson) to discuss upcoming repairs to several of the historic structures at the preserve. The open house will feature a short presentation, with DNR staff on hand to answer questions.

Randy Buddenberg (center) of Ossian uses the parallel bars that he donated to the Veterans Memorial Hospital rehabilitation department in Waukon after remodeling his own home and no longer having a use for them. Randy is pictured with (left) Brad Krambeer and Dacia Johnson of the VMH rehabilitation department. (submitted photo)

Buddenberg donates, utilizes own rehab equipment at VMH

      Randy Buddenberg of Ossian recently donated these parallel bars to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Department after remodeling his own home and no longer having a need for them. The bars are being utilized regularly by physical therapy patients at the hospital, and whenever Buddenberg returns to the hospital as a patient, the bars are here for him to use.

The West Union Family Dollar/Dollar Tree parking lot and store aisles were filled throughout the day Monday when members of the public were made aware that a 50% clearance sale was ongoing and the local store will be one of the 600 Family Dollar stores to close in the first half of fiscal 2024. West Union Mayor Cam Granger stressed the city would be working diligently with the building owner, West Union Main Street Chamber, and Fayette County Economic Development to find a new tenant at the location. (Zak Kriener photo)

West Union Family Dollar/Dollar Tree closing 

By Mike Van Sickle

      The parking lot and aisles of the local Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store were full of customers throughout the day Monday. Unfortunately, the 50% clearance sale is going to be a permanent one. After less than two years in operation, the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store in West Union will be closing its doors.

      “Although I have not been contacted or informed of any plans for closure of Dollar Tree/Family Dollar locations in Fayette County at this time, I have been told locally that the West Union location will be closing,” said Mallory Hanson, Fayette County Economic Development and Tourism director, Monday. “It is always disappointing when an existing business closes. It is my hope that the location will be utilized for another purpose that will benefit the community and Fayette County."

      The Dollar Trees corporate office announced Wednesday, March 13, its intentions to close 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of fiscal 2024. Approximately 370 additional Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores will close over the next several years at the end of each respective store’s current lease term.