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Tue
10
Jan

2017: A look at the year ahead

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 13:06

The U.S. Mint will launch the Effigy Mounds quarter Feb. 6-7.

In February, MFL MarMac choir members James Slama (left), Micah Decker, Spencer Rose and Chris Wright will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

An Effigy Mounds quarter, a choir performance at Carnegie Hall, a veterans motorcycle ride, a public art mural and continued fundraising efforts for big community projects—they’re all some of the local stories on tap for 2017.

Effigy Mounds to be commemorated on U.S. quarter

On Feb. 6-7, the U.S. Mint will launch its first national park quarter of 2017. Started in 2010, the program unveils five new quarters per year, each commemorating a national park or monument in each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and each of the five U.S. territories.

Tue
10
Jan

School board honors retiring kitchen staff

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 13:00

The MFL MarMac school board honored retiring kitchen staff Celia Brown (35 years of service) and Glee Sass (nine years of service) at its meeting Jan. 9. Pictured (left to right) are food service director Pat Echard, Celia Brown, superintendent Dale Crozier and school board president Gina Roys. Sass was not present at the meeting. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The MFL MarMac school board honored retiring kitchen staff Celia Brown and Glee Sass at its meeting Jan. 9. Brown, who was in attendance at the meeting, had 35 years of service. 

“I’ll miss the kids a lot,” Brown said.

Sass had nine years of service.

Early separation consideration

The board agreed to offer early separation to up to four staff members, offering up to $60,000 over four years, or $15,000 per year.

Tue
03
Jan

Ruff ready to take McGregor and Marquette to the next level as new chamber director

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/03/2017 - 09:57

Patti Ruff took over Jan. 3 as executive director of the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Patti Ruff has lived in the McGregor-Marquette area since she was 6. After graduating from Mar-Mac High School, she earned a degree in history from Loras College and settled in the area with husband Dan. They have three sons—Liam, Bryar and Tucker.

“I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” she said. “I just love McGregor and Marquette.”

When the position of executive director of the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce became available a couple months ago, it was a dream come true.

Tue
03
Jan

NaNoWriMo continues to engage eighth graders

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/03/2017 - 09:55

Scotlyn Coenen and Ella Hanson

Braden Landt

Tyler Trappe

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Every November since 1999, hundreds of thousands of writing enthusiasts around the world have participated in the online creative writing project NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which challenges writers to complete a 50,000-word novel in only 30 days.

The project opened up to students in 2005, with the creation of the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program. For six years now, MFL MarMac eighth graders in Scott Boylen’s language arts class have taken part, just on a smaller scale. They’re challenged to write a 10,000-word novel in that time span.

Tue
27
Dec

The little bar with a big heart

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 12:39

Pocket City Pub owners Bart and Linda Knight sit with Sally Schneider (center) among the roughly 50 presents collected through the giving tree. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

Great River Care Center residents were thrilled to receive their gifts from Santa on Friday, Dec. 23. (Submitted photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Christmas season was a bit brighter for residents at McGregor’s Great River Care Center this year thanks to the patrons of Pocket City Pub.

This year, “the little bar with a big heart,” located in downtown McGregor, established a giving tree. Instead of hanging ornaments on it, however, the tree was covered with tags, each noting gifts residents at the care center would like for Christmas. 

Tue
27
Dec

Alpine bringing fiber optic to McGregor

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 12:37

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Alpine Communications is bringing fiber optic internet service to the city of McGregor. Construction will begin this spring, noted Alpine’s chief operating officer, Chris Hopp, who shared details at the city council’s Dec. 21 meeting.

Fiber optic service means the typical copper wires used for carrying internet and cable service to homes and businesses will be replaced by fiber optic cables. According to Alpine’s website, these cables are made up of hundreds or thousands of fiber optics, which are long thin strands of pure glass about the diameter of a human hair.

Tue
20
Dec

Assessment sheds light on housing needs of county, its communities

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 14:38

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Over the last few weeks, communities throughout Clayton County have hosted public open houses to evaluate and discuss their housing needs, as determined by a recently-completed Clayton County Housing Needs Assessment.

The assessment, prepared by Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, has been in the works for over a year. It’s the first of its kind in the county.

“We’ve never done a study before because we’ve always had adequate housing,” shared Darla Kelchen, executive director of the Clayton County Development Group, which commissioned the study. “Now, millennials are coming in who want to rent, not own. That’s changing our process.”

Tue
20
Dec

McGregor searching for economic development lead

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 14:37

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The McGregor City Council gave the go-ahead, at a special meeting last week, to begin searching for an economic development lead for the city.

McGregor City Administrator Lynette Sander said the city’s acting deputy clerk, Sue Dolan, has tentatively stated her desire to retire in the coming spring, opening the door to create the economic development position.

“We’d like to start looking as soon as possible,” Sander said.

Tue
20
Dec

Marquette moving forward with bench evacuation route

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 14:36

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its Dec. 13 regular meeting, the Marquette City Council selected Delta 3 Engineering, of Platteville, to complete plans and oversee bidding and construction for an emergency evacuation route off the bench, at a cost of $24,950.

The council received proposals for the project several months ago, but chose to take more time to consider researching and planning a route. It also needed to wait until the leaves were off the trees, so a survey could more easily be performed.

“I’d like to have that [the survey] done before spring, before the leaves, so we can start the route,” said councilwoman Cindy Halvorson.

Tue
20
Dec

Prairie Farms Dairy, Swiss Valley Farms announce merger agreement

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 14:31

Prairie Farms Dairy and Swiss Valley Farms announced last week that the two companies have entered into a merger agreement. Both companies are farmer-owned dairy cooperatives and recognized leaders within the dairy industry. The combined entity will bring together two well-known brands and will expand sales opportunities for both cooperatives.

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