Local News

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Tue
24
May

Marquette Council hears update on Evans agreement

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Marquette city attorney Dan Key updated the council, at its May 17 meeting, on the status of the agreement with Dave Evans for completion of his home at the Timber Ridge Subdivision and removal of a mobile home, which was placed in violation of city code. 

At the last council meeting, Key stated that the agreement says the city agrees not to enforce its laws as long as the permanent structure is completed by Nov. 1, 2016.

Tue
17
May

Mar-Mac Rescue Squad seeks additional volunteers


Members of the Mar-Mac Rescue Squad include (front, left to right) Liz Gilman, Kayla Thompson, Samantha Kohls, Mike Gilman; (middle) Ember Martin, Sarah Ferrel, Dana Ferguson, Dale Reinhart; (back) Burt Walters, Ryan Bacon, Tyler Thornton, Dylan Rumph and Dillon Thompson. Not pictured are Dan Bickel, Jerry Thornton, Trampus Thornton, Justin Mezera, Briana Pazour and Nick Stavroplus. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

May 15-21 is National EMS Week, a time to honor the commitment of emergency responders. Locally, those emergency responders are volunteers, and at Mar-Mac Rescue Squad, they’re hoping to increase their numbers in order to sustain the service.

Founded in 1968, Mar-Mac Rescue Squad is the oldest ambulance service in Clayton County, said EMT Mike Gilman. Seventeen volunteers currently make up its roster. They respond to an average of 15 to 20 calls each month (162 last year), and are rarely unable to field a crew.

Tue
17
May

The Left Bank Shop and Gallery opens for the season, debuts changes


The Left Bank Shop and Gallery, formerly known as the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts (MMCA), opened for the season May 13 in downtown McGregor, debuting not only a new name but also a new interior layout. The retail shop was expanded into part of what was the special exhibits gallery (shown here) in order to accommodate more art from regional artists. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Just over 70 regional artists, including several new people, are featured in the retail shop at The Left Bank Shop and Gallery this year.

“The Left Bank Shop and Gallery” name hopes to better convey that the establishment offers both a retail sales shop and a show gallery.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Left Bank Shop and Gallery, formerly known as the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts (MMCA), opened for the season May 13 in downtown McGregor, debuting not only a new name but also a new interior layout.

The name change for the retail shop and show gallery  to “The Left Bank” honors the beauty of the nearby Mississippi River, while also capturing the spirit of the building in which The Left Bank Shop and Gallery resides, the historic McGregor First National Bank. In addition, it pays homage to the historic area in Paris known for its many talented artists.

Tue
17
May

Monona Council approves annexation of property for Casey’s General Store

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its May 16 regular meeting, the Monona Council approved the annexation of 1.4 acres of commercial property adjacent to South Main Street/Falcon Drive, next to Birdnow Chevrolet, for the site of a Casey’s General Store.

Casey’s voluntarily requested that the city annex the property, which was purchased from Birdnow and is currently zoned as a C-1 highway commercial district in Clayton County.

With the council’s approval, said city administrator Dan Canton, the paperwork will go on to the county recorder, utility providers and the Iowa Secretary of State, who will make the final approval.

Tue
17
May

MFL Ambulance Service needs your help


Members of the MFL Ambulance Service and Farmersburg First Responders include (front, left to right) Nick Torkelson, Claire Pape, Cynthia Tokelson, Mary Bissell, Melanie Cahoon, Scott Henkes, Carla Pester; (back) Scott Torkelson, Wendy Gress-Yearous, Jenny Torkelson, Preston Landt, Rachel Fritz, Billie Jones, Jim Schellhorn and Brian Berger. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

Actually, you need help!

The MFL Ambulance Service and Farmersburg First Responders need your help. The service is totally staffed by volunteer EMTs, EMRs and drivers. The volunteer numbers have gone from over 30 EMTs 25 years ago to just around 15 volunteer EMTs, four first responders and six drivers. Some drivers are also volunteer firemen.

The service has averaged over 220 calls per year for the past several years. This, combined with the fewer number of volunteers, has put a high stress load on the remaining volunteers.

Tue
10
May

Reynolds tours construction site of Swiss Valley Luana plant expansion


Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, with Swiss Valley CEO Chris Hoeger (left) and Luana plant manager Rod Kregel, visited Swiss Valley’s cheese manufacturing facility in Luana May 4 to tour the construction site of the plant’s $21 million expansion. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Reynolds, who visited with members of the Swiss Valley management team, along with Luana plant manager Rod Kregel, Swiss Valley employees and city officials from both Luana and Monona, cited the dairy industry’s importance in Iowa. “We need to look for ways to expand and grow the market,” she said, commending Swiss Valley for making a commitment to doing that.

Reynolds chats with some of the Swiss Valley Luana plant employees during her stop May 4.

The 49,000-square-foot expansion project centers around improvement of the cheese manufacturing operating equipment. It will increase the plant’s capacity by six tankers of milk per day of additional milk volume. Extra production is set to begin in late 2016 or early 2017.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds visited Swiss Valley’s cheese manufacturing facility in Luana May 4 to tour the construction site of the plant’s $21 million expansion.

Announced in Nov. 2014, the expansion centers around improvement of the cheese manufacturing operating equipment, including replacement of the current press vats with a moulding system solution and installation of additional system automation, press tunnels and new buffer tanks. The project includes a 49,000-square-foot expansion that will allow room for the new equipment and additional warehousing space.

Tue
10
May

City of Marquette seeking new city clerk

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Marquette Council agreed at a special meeting May 6 to advertise for a full-time city clerk following the sudden departure last week of Sue Weipert, who served as city clerk for roughly seven years.

Mayor Larry Breuer said two former city clerks—Denise Schneider and Maryanne Trudo—are on board to consult the city until the position can be filled.

The council agreed to pay each woman $45 per hour for up to a combined 12 hours of work per week, with Schneider putting in eight hours and Trudo four.

Tue
10
May

MFL MarMac continues support of Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

MFL MarMac will continue support of the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative next year. Through the program, which serves Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties, representatives work with school districts’ wellness committees, teachers, food service and administrators to improve each school’s food, fitness and wellness policies.

Tue
10
May

Middle schoolers gain a hands-on, interactive learning experience at UI Health Care


On May 3, middle school students from MFL MarMac participated in interactive educational sessions with University of Iowa Health Care faculty, staff and students, with the intent to pique interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The visit was a reward for MFL MarMac for being one of the top two schools to collect pennies for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Pennies for Patients drive. (Submitted photos)

Students had the opportunity to engage in health care and research experiences.

The experiences provided them with real-life medical simulations and situations in which critical thinking and problem-solving are necessary.

Faculty, staff and students at the University of Iowa hope to inspire appreciation and excitement toward STEM as the foundation for understanding health while shaping the next generation of health care professionals.

On May 3, middle school students from MFL MarMac participated in interactive educational sessions with University of Iowa Health Care faculty, staff and students, with the intent to pique interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These students had the opportunity to engage in health care and research experiences that provided them with real-life medical simulations and situations in which critical thinking and problem-solving are necessary.

University of Iowa Health Care partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to host an educational experience, Pennies for Patients. LLS challenged middle school students to collect pennies, which would be donated to LLS. The top two schools, one of which was MFL MarMac, had the opportunity to visit UI Health Care for an educational experience. MFL MarMac raised $2,200.

Tue
03
May

Governor talks TLC with MFL MarMac staff


Gov. Terry Branstad, pictured with MFL MarMac Superintendent Dale Crozier, stopped at MFL MarMac April 27 to visit with staff from both MFL MarMac and Eastern Allamakee about their experiences with the Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) Program. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Gov. Terry Branstad listens as MFL MarMac instructional coach Melissa Haberichter talks about the district’s experience with the Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC) Program.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Gov. Terry Branstad stopped at MFL MarMac April 27 to visit with staff from both MFL MarMac and Eastern Allamakee about their experiences with the Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) Program.

This year, both districts implemented the state program, which works to attract the best possible teachers, to retain both newly-hired and veteran teachers, to promote extensive collaboration among teachers, to reward professional growth and effective teaching, and to improve overall student achievement.

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