Local News

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Tue
06
Jun

Student service projects will help showcase Pikes Peak State Park


Hope Guyer (left) and Brenna Boland were two of the over 60 MFL MarMac high school students who performed projects at Pikes Peak State Park on May 23. (Submitted photos)

Juniors Derek Larson (left) and Gavyn Wade paint one of the 73 fire rings at Pikes Peak.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

While Pikes Peak State Park’s stunning panoramas of the Mississippi River often make  a visit to the park memorable, it’s the little things that also leave an impact: sitting around a crackling campfire, sharing lunch with your family at a picnic table, watching kids explore the playground.

This year, all of those experiences will be enhanced thanks to over 60 MFL MarMac sophomores and juniors, who performed spruce-up projects at Pikes Peak on May 23.

The students split up into eight crews, accomplishing a multitude of tasks, said teacher Dan Anderson, who led the group with the help of Brandi Crozier.

Tasks completed by the students included:

Tue
06
Jun

McGregor Council discusses short-term vacation rentals

Ordinance would make practice OK, but require permit, hotel/motel tax collection

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

With the inception, in the past decade, of Airbnb and similar vacation rental booking websites, people have found an online marketplace to rent out their homes, apartments and other spaces, when they’re not in use, on a short-term basis. The practice has boomed, with Airbnb alone boasting over 3 million listings worldwide and over 160 million total guests.

Tue
06
Jun

Monona Council considering ordinance change regarding off-road utility vehicle use

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its regular meeting June 5, the Monona Council said it will consider an ordinance change to allow off-road utility vehicle usage in the community, following a request by a resident to use city streets to reach a nearby county secondary road, where off-road utility vehicle usage is now permitted.

The city, explained city administrator Dan Canton, could not simply give permission to certain residents; an ordinance adjustment would be required.

Any change, Canton said, would allow people to take a direct route to a county secondary road. They would not be able to drive all over town, he noted.

Tue
30
May

‘It started with a three-block walk’


Jack and Pat Elliott, of Marquette, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on June 4. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

Elliotts celebrate 70 years of marriage

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

It’s an age-old question: What’s the key to a lasting marriage?

According to Jack Elliott, who will celebrate 70 years of marriage with wife Pat on June 4, it’s pretty simple.

“The secret to married life is to know when, where and how to say ‘yes, dear,’” he shared with a smile.

But for the Elliotts, who’ve lived in Marquette since 1971, a loving and supportive family, good friends, fishing trips and doses of humor have also helped.

Tue
30
May

5C video depicting the dangers of underage drinking and driving goes viral


A video created by the 5C Coalition that depicts the dangers of underage drinking and driving went viral last week, reaching over 800,000 online viewers from around the country. The final scene was filmed on May 16, at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home in Guttenberg. During filming, the “casket was closed” on Clayton Ridge student Abrianna Moore. (Photo by Molly Moser, The Guttenberg Press)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

A video created by the Clayton County Community Collaboration Council (5C Coalition) that depicts the dangers of underage drinking and driving went viral last week, reaching over 800,000 online viewers from around the country.

“We were absolutely shocked,” said Claudia McCalley, president of the 5C Coalition. “We’ve been fielding calls from all over the U.S.”

Tue
30
May

Delve into nature at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre this summer


The Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, in Marquette, will offer nature programming for youth of all ages this summer. People are welcome to stop any day, however, to explore the wetlands and native plantings and identify local wildlife. (NIT file photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

This summer, delve into nature at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, in Marquette.

Open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Wetlands Centre will offer not only a variety of programs, but serve as a destination for families looking for some daily outdoor fun.

“We want families to come out this summer,” said Wetlands Centre Director Alicia Mullarkey. “We want to be a community resource, to get kids and parents outside.”

Tue
30
May

MFL MarMac to participate in Summer Food Service Program

MFL MarMac Community School is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided, at a first-come, first-serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:

• McGregor Middle School Playground, 11-11:15 a.m.

• Farmersburg City Park, 11:30-11:45 a.m.

• Luana City Park, 11:30-11:45 a.m.

• Monona Gateway Park, 12-12:45 p.m.

Meals will be offered from Monday, June 5 through Friday, July 14.

Tue
23
May

Wicked weather wreaks havoc in area


This RV and building didn’t fare well east of Monona. (Photo provided by Steve Hanson)

Cleanup was underway soon after the machine shed on the Leon and Kim Trappe farm, east of Monona, was destroyed on May 17. (Photo provided by Kim Trappe)

“There was tin hanging all over the place,” said Kim Trappe of her property near Monona. “Most of the shed hit the house.” Kim said, when the adjustor came to her home, “with the way the damage looked, he said there was probably some rotation to it.” (Photo provided by Kim Trappe)

This shed near Farmersburg sits precariously after straight-line wind and rain whipped through the area late Wednesday afternoon, May 17. (Photo provided by Laci Meng)

This 60-foot hackberry tree came down in Richard and Dianne Pettit’s yard, near the Great River Care Center in McGregor, on May 17. It fell onto a wood shed and into a fenced enclosure where Richard has Muscovy ducks and other birds. (Photo provided by Michelle Pettit)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Wicked weather swept across the area early last week, leaving uprooted trees, damaged buildings and soggy ground in its wake.

The first bout hit Monday evening, May 15, producing large hail, damaging wind and even a short-lived EF0 tornado near Calmar, according to the National Weather Service in La Crosse. 

In Monona, 1.25-inch-sized hail was reported, along with winds of 65 mph. A farmer near Luana said the wind lifted his barn and deposited it several feet away, trapping some cattle inside.

Tue
23
May

Maiden Voyage looking for a home in Marquette


Captain Robert Vavra is hoping his Maiden Voyage tour boat can find a home on the Marquette riverfront. (NIT file photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

“I’m looking for a home.”

Those were the words of Robert Vavra at Marquette’s regular council meeting May 16, as he sought input from the city about operating his Mississippi River tour boat out of the community.

“I’m the last working eco-tourism boat from St. Louis to Winona,” shared Vavra, who’s been providing river boat tours in the area for 11 years. “I’m looking for a place to expand, a place to work. I’d like to come to Marquette to improve what I have now.”

Tue
23
May

Electronic drop-off goes awry


Two weeks after a free electronic drop-off event for McGregor and Marquette residents, piles of TVs and computer monitors were still piled outside the Marquette city shop. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

A May 6 electronic drop-off event that began as a service to McGregor and Marquette residents has turned into a headache.

Marquette City Manager Denise Schneider began working with Thede Computer Repair, from Manchester, several months ago about holding an event for the communities. The posters and other literature provided about the event—which were then publicized—all stated the electronic drop-off was free to residents. All items were to be recycled, at no cost, with the help of Quick Pickins Consumer Recycling Services, also of Manchester.

“They said no charges, no fees,” Schneider said.

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