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Tue

Oct

Manufacturing for the future

Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/06/2015 - 12:27

M’s Machine and Manufacturing co-owner Candace Drahn explains some of the work done at the Monona company during a tour of the facility Oct. 2. Staff gave tours as part of an open house in recognition of National Manufacturing Day, which works to stimulate interest in the industry. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

Chris Howe demonstrates how the coordinating measurement machine (CMM), which checks part quality, works.

Drahn shows off the drill vending machine, which dispenses drills rather than chips or candy bars.

M’s Machine manufactures several parts for John Deere tractors.

M’s Machine holds open house to stimulate industry interest

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Manufacturing is a thriving business in Iowa, with exports growing 165 percent in the last 10 years. In 2014 alone, Iowa exported $15.1 billion worth of manufactured and value-added goods. Advanced manufacturing contributes $28 billion annually to Iowa’s economy—three times more than farming—making it the state’s largest industry.

Tue

Oct

MCED, economic development hot topics for Monona Council at Oct. 5 meeting

Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/06/2015 - 12:21

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Economic development was a hot topic Monday evening, as the Monona City Council discussed a 2016 appropriation to the Monona Chamber and Economic Development (MCED) and heard about funding opportunities through the Iowa Area Development Group.

The council contributed $8,000 to MCED this year, an amount MCED is asking it to increase to $12,000 for the coming year, in order to bring executive director Rogeta Halvorson from 24 hours per week to 36.

“I could use the extra days to do more,” Halvorson told the council.

Tue

Sep

Swiss Valley breaks ground on $20.6 M expansion of Luana plant

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/29/2015 - 11:15

Swiss Valley Farms broke ground on the $20.6 million expansion of its Luana cheese manufacturing facility Sept. 24. Expected to be complete in 2016, the expansion will double natural cheese production and allow the Luana plant to produce new cheese varieties and sizes. Taking part in the groundbreaking were (left to right) Swiss Valley VP/GM of Natural Cheese Don Desjarlais, Luana Mayor Jerry Schroeder, Swiss Valley Board Chairman Pam Bolin, Swiss Valley Luana Plant Manager Rod Kregel, Swiss Valley CEO Don Boelens, Monona Mayor Barb Collins and Clayton County Supervisor Gary Bowden. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

“This is an exciting step forward,” Swiss Valley CEO Don Boelens said as he spoke to those gathered at the ceremony. “This expansion will be a great benefit to our customers, our members and to the Clayton County community.”

Those in attendance at the ceremony scoped out plans for the expansion, which centers around improvement of the cheese manufacturing operating equipment.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Swiss Valley Farms began a new chapter in the history of its Luana cheese manufacturing facility Sept. 24, as a special ceremony marked the groundbreaking of a new $20.6 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, installation of additional system automation, press tunnels and new buffer tanks. The project also includes a 49,000-square-foot expansion that will allow room for the new equipment and additional warehousing space.

Tue

Sep

Presentation hopes to ‘heat up’ McGregor Museum

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/29/2015 - 11:13

One of McGregor’s most interesting historic characters is Emma “Virgin Em” Eastman (right), who was known for marrying nine times. Here, she is pictured with sister Louisa and brother-in-law Jacob Klotzbach.

Stories of local characters Virgin Em, E. Leslie Spaulding to be shared Oct 3.

By Ron Harris, Special to the North Iowa Times

Stories of two of McGregor’s most interesting characters—Emma “Virgin Em” Eastman and E. Leslie Spaulding—will help heat up the McGregor Historical Museum Saturday, Oct. 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. McGregor native and historian Ron Harris will present on the two figures, providing history and anecdotes about Virgin Em and reading some of the poetry of Spaulding, who was regarded as one of the Midwest’s leading poets before his death in 1939.

Tue

Sep

Work begins on Turner Park track

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/29/2015 - 11:10

Vorwald Enterprises, of Monona, began excavation work last week on the one-fourth mile, paved walking/biking track that is part of phase I of the Turner Park: Fitness for All Ages improvement project. Workers from McGregor Municipal Utilities also moved utility poles. Once Vorwald has completed excavation (estimated for the beginning of this week), the site will be ready for Iverson Construction to lay asphalt. The track, which will be 10 feet wide, will go around the perimeter of Turner Park, which is located next to the Great River Care Center, in McGregor.

If funding comes through, phase II of the project—installation of new nature-inspired playground equipment—could take place yet this fall.

Tue

Sep

City of Marquette contemplates restoring funding to Mar-Mac Chamber

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/22/2015 - 13:00

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The city of Marquette is contemplating restoring funding to the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce. At its Sept. 15 regular meeting, the council dispatched councilmen Jason Winter and John Ries to sit down with chamber representatives to discuss the possibility and to discern if some of the city’s reservations can be addressed.

Tue

Sep

Get transported back in time with Froelich Fall-der-All Sept. 26-27

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/22/2015 - 12:59

Old-time demonstrations are one of the major attractions of Froelich’s annual Fall-der-All, held this year on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 27, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (NIT file photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Let Froelich’s annual Fall-der-All celebration transport you back in time, to the days of blacksmithing, threshing, sawing wood by steam engine and making rope by hand. This year’s event will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 27, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For over 20 years, Fall-der-All has been a local fall tradition for Froelich, which is known as the birthplace of the first gas-powered tractor to propel itself forward and backward, created by John Froelich in 1892.

Tue

Sep

Collins resigns from McGregor Council

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/22/2015 - 12:58

Cannon/Freedom Park in McGregor will be home to a veterans memorial, which will be created as part of Hunter Jensen’s Eagle Scout project.

Scout plans veterans memorial

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The McGregor Council confirmed the resignation of councilman Joe Collins at its Sept. 16 meeting.

The resignation is effective immediately, as Collins said he plans to move out of the area. Two years remain on Collins’ term, with the seat up for election in Nov. 2017.

“You have two options,” attorney Mike Schuster advised the council. “You can make an appointment or you can call a special election.”

Tue

Sep

Iowa State Education Association President visits MFL MarMac

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/22/2015 - 12:56

Wawro speaks with MFL MarMac superintendent Dale Crozier.

Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) President Tammy Wawro (standing, right) visited MFL MarMac Monday afternoon as part of a tour of northeast Iowa school districts. She toured the school buildings in Monona, speaking with staff and students. Here, accompanied by MFL MarMac second grade teacher Roberta Hass, Wawro speaks with a kindergarten class. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Wawro discusses the elementary TAG program with Emily Welper.

While visiting area schools, Wawro said she was especially interested to learn more about reading literacy. She spoke candidly with Roberta Hass, Kathy Koether and Title 1 teacher Sherri Kerr about the impact legislation has on it.

In Hass’ second grade room, Wawro asked the kids about their favorite books and why being a teacher is a good job. She also told them that what they learn in school today, particularly reading, will aid them in their future careers and as parents.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) President Tammy Wawro visited MFL MarMac Monday afternoon as part of a tour of northeast Iowa school districts.

An educator from Cedar Rapids, Wawro has served as the ISEA President since April 2012.

“It’s nice to see things firsthand,” she said, noting that touring regions of the state is a good way to gain information.

Tue

Sep

Marquette, McGregor, Luana to have contested city council races in Nov. 3 election

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/22/2015 - 12:52

The Sept. 17 filing deadline for city government offices has come and gone and the candidates are set for the upcoming Nov. 3 election.

In Marquette, Pamela Brodie-Fitzgerald, Tracy Melver and Eleanor Soulli are running for two seats on the council. Incumbents Jason Winter and Galen McShane did not file. No candidates filed for the office of mayor, which is being vacated by Norma Mason.

Incumbents Rogeta Halvorson and Joe Muehlbauer will battle Jason Echard for two seats on the McGregor council. Incumbent mayor Harold Brooks is running unopposed.

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