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Tue
15
Sep

Trail improvements make Pikes Peak even more accessible to visitors

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 15:10

Many of Pikes Peak’s 11.5 miles of trails have received extensive improvements in the past two years, including the Deer Ridge Trail shown here. To make the trail safer, workers chopped off roots and used tools to shave out the trail where it was leaning, making it flat. (Submitted photos)

For the bridge on the Deer Ridge Trail, Pikes Peak State Park Manager Matt Tschirgi said workers “got some long, 16-foot railroad ties to use as bridge beams and trusses and did decking out of treated lumber so the bridge is solid now.”

These images show the before and after of the Deer Ridge Trail Bridge. The little wooden bridge was constructed in the 1980s or 1990s and had badly deteriorated.

The bridge railings in the park will be made of black locust logs with the bark shaved off. Jack and Lori Tibbs are shown here completing that task. The trees, which park manager Matt Tschirgi said are non-native invasives planted by the CCC in the 1930s to help with soil erosion, were harvested in Pikes Peak State Park. They have a natural resistance to rot, so the railing will be almost like a treated log.

A bridge on Horn Hollow was also replaced this summer. The park's crew included Carl Davis, Vincent Schmelzer and Jerrett Euans.

This image shows the before and after of the Horn Hollow Bridge.

Railroad tie steps on the Myotis Trail that goes from the park shelter to Bridal Veil Falls and on the Bridal Veil Trail going up to Hickory Ridge were also replaced this year. “There were several railroad tie steps that rotted or washed out. The guys dug out or cut out the old ties, replaced them with a new tie and pinned it in with rerod. They hauled a generator down there and a large, half-inch drill, then drilled a hole into the tie and took a 12-inch piece of rerod and sledge hammered it in,” Tschirgi detailed. Now, the boxes are being filled with crushed lime with help from a local Eagle Scout project.

Other 2019 updates included work to spread and pack rock on Point Ann Trail, the east Hickory Ridge Trail and some of the Weeping Rock Trail, which had portions washed out from heavy rain. Local contractor Bob Thornton completed the work thanks to FEMA funds. He’ll do more on Weeping Rock and the Chinquapin Trail this fall, said Tschirgi, but with funds from the park’s budget.

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

In his 22 years as manager at Pikes Peak State Park, Matt Tschirgi has realized the importance of trails to the park located just south of McGregor.

“What a lot of people come here to do is hike on our trails,” he said.

That’s been especially true in 2020, when Pikes Peak has seen a record-breaking number of day visitors, as well as revenue at its campground and concession stand. While the COVID-19 pandemic has limited many social activities, people can still visit parks and other natural areas.

“That’s one of the positives that’s come out of the pandemic,” said Tschirgi. “There’s more appreciation for outdoor spaces and shows a need for parks.”

Tue
15
Sep

Central homecoming activities come together amid change

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 14:17

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

As school recommences, all the best efforts are made to return to normal, including maintaining school traditions like homecoming. 

For Central, this year comes with a Hawaiian beach theme for the dance, a speech via Zoom and a truncated schedule of events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While the student council is largely responsible for making the decisions regarding the events, advisor Christie Burlingame, who is entering her fourth year in the role, assists them. 

Tue
15
Sep

MFL MarMac celebrates homecoming with abbreviated schedule

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 14:07

Image courtesy of MFL MarMac Community School District

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

MFL MarMac will celebrate homecoming next week, Sept. 21-25, with the theme “Can’t Hide Our Bulldog Pride.” The annual school tradition will look a bit different this year, though, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“First and foremost for us is what’s best and safest for our students, to keep them in a face-to-face educational setting and the athletes on the field, on the court and running,” said Megan Schellhorn, teacher and advisor of the MFL MarMac High School Student Council, which typically organizes homecoming activities each year. “But we also want to provide the community with something.”

Tue
15
Sep

Voters raise question about absentee ballot request form

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 14:06

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Last week, all Iowa registered voters received an absentee ballot request form from the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office. The mailing confused some voters who have already applied directly to their county auditor for an absentee ballot. Should they complete the form sent by the Secretary of State or wait for a mailing from the local auditor’s office?

“We have been receiving numerous inquiries as to whether or not a voter has to submit an additional absentee ballot request form if they have already done so,” said Clayton County Auditor Jennifer Garms. “The answer is no.”

Tue
15
Sep

Marquette continues steps to limit dog issues in the city

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 14:03

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

The city of Marquette continued steps at its regular meeting Sept. 8 to deal with dog issues in the community—whether threatening behavior toward humans or other pets, or running at large without a leash.

The council approved second readings of two different ordinance amendments, one regarding animal protection and control and another about a dangerous or vicious animal. The first readings were approved at the council’s August meeting.

Tue
15
Sep

CAMPAIGNING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Mike Klimesh (R), Senate District 28

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 14:01

In the midst of an election year, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted how political candidates typically connect with voters. Over the past few weeks, the Times-Register has been sharing how some local candidates have adapted—how they’re “meeting” constituents and continuing to share their ideas.

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

The third time’s a charm, or so the saying goes, and no one hopes those words are truer than Mike Klimesh. After suffering defeats in both 2010 and 2012, he’s currently running for the Iowa Senate in District 28, and expecting a different, more favorable result. 

Tue
15
Sep

Another top 10 finish for MFL MarMac's Moser

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 13:59

The MFL MarMac girls, led by Clare Grau, burst off the starting line at North Fayette Valley. (Photos by Bev Hamann)

(Front to back) Bulldogs Kole Pape, Cody Moses, JJ Lynd and Reilly Franzen compete in the Sept. 10 cross country meet at North Fayette Valley.

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

The MFL MarMac cross country team ran in its second meet of the season at North Fayette Valley on Sept. 10. 

Junior Sydney Moser earned her second top-10 finish of the season, placing eighth with a time of 22:05. Freshman Clare Grau also performed well, completing the course in 22:33, which was good for 13th place. Other Bulldog finishers included freshmen Kaylee Walch and Ayla Gerndt, who were 40th and 45th, respectively, with times of 25:11 and 25:37. Sophomore Alexis Ross came in 54th at 27:14, while freshman Ruby Koeller was 58th at 27:49 and freshman Kaylee Nuehring 65th at 29:12. 

Tue
15
Sep

Muddy track limits Central runners

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 13:57

Parker Vaughn was the Warriors’ only varsity boys runner at NFV. (Photos by Bev Hamann)

Maci Kluesner and the Central cross country team competed in a meet at North Fayette Valley on Sept. 10.

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

It was a week of adversity for Central’s cross country team, starting with the cancellation of the Clayton Ridge meet on Tuesday and ending with a muddy track on Thursday at the Fayette Valley meet, where the weather conditions led to the team underperforming.   

Tue
15
Sep

Warrior volleyball team picks up first win

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 13:55

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

The Central volleyball team got its first win of the season this past week at the Jesup Tournament, but the season struggles continued as the Warriors dropped the other three matches in straight sets. 

Central first played the Jesup J-Hawks, losing both sets, 21-10 and 21-2. Ava Pensel led the team in assists with three and had one of the team’s two aces. Chelsia Larson finished with one of the team’s four kills and its only block of the match, and Maddy Wille secured four of the team’s six digs. 

Tue
15
Sep

Central loses 78-12, but offense shows improvement

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 13:54

Running back Sean Wilwert runs toward the end zone, capping off a 52-yard touchdown run for Central during Saturday’s loss to Midland. (Photos by Bev Hamann)

Nick Deitchler runs toward the sideline to get around the Midland defense.

Warrior quarterback Evan Schroeder hands the ball off to fullback Noah Diersen.

Brandon Whittle (52), CJ Polkinghorn (42), Noah Diersen (21) and other Central teammates tackle the Midland ball carrier.

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

The struggles continued for the Central football program amid a chaotic week of unsavory weather, position shifting and an injured starting quarterback. 

Heavy rainfall led to the game being postponed on Friday night and rescheduled to a Saturday morning kickoff. Due to field conditions at Midland, the game was relocated to the turf field at Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville. 

As for the team, according to head coach Joe Koehn, adjustments were made to the rush defense along the defensive line and linebackers, and Evan Schroeder, nursing a groin injury, split time at quarterback with Elliott Kelly. 

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