Local News

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Tue
02
May

May Breakfast marks its 100th anniversary


The Monona Methodist Church’s 100th annual May Breakfast will be held Saturday, May 6, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. (Submitted photos)

The May Breakfast was originally held the first day of May, but in 1985 was moved to the first Saturday. The menu includes scrambled and poached eggs; Kermit sausages; homemade sweet rolls, muffins and bread; applesauce; juice; milk and coffee.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The weather’s growing warmer, flowers are blooming, farmers are working in the fields—all tell tale signs that May has finally arrived in Monona. The surest sign of all, however, is the Methodist Church’s annual May Breakfast. Originally held the first day of May, it’s now served the first Saturday of May. This year’s breakfast will take place at Living Faith UMC, in Monona, on Saturday, May 6, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., marking the event’s 100th anniversary.

“The May Breakfast started 100 years ago as a fundraiser for the Congregational Church,” shared organizer Ila Benzing. “The first breakfast was held in the parsonage. For the next five years, it was in the houses of the members. They could serve whatever they wanted.”

Tue
25
Apr

McGregor taking part in Iowa Source Water Protection Program

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

McGregor is one of just eight communities selected this year to participate in the Iowa Source Water Protection Program. Coordinated by the Iowa DNR, with local assistance from Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), the program helps communities identify potential contaminants to the source water of the town’s drinking water supply and create a plan to deal with those risks before a major incident impacts the quality or quantity of the water supply.

Tue
25
Apr

Casey's General Store now open in Monona


Casey’s General Store in Monona, located at 901 S. Main St., began welcoming customers April 13 and had its grand opening April 21-22. A ribbon cutting with city officials and Monona Chamber and Economic Development was held April 21, to officially unveil the new business. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

The Monona Casey’s has a full kitchen, offering subs, sandwiches and the chain’s well-known pizzas. The store also has a large line of beverages and a beer cave, along with soft serve ice cream and donuts.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

People living in and passing through Monona now have another option for gas, food and refreshments, with the opening of Casey’s General Store. The convenience store began welcoming customers April 13 and had its grand opening April 21-22. A ribbon cutting with city officials and Monona Chamber and Economic Development was held April 21, to officially unveil the new business.

Casey’s, which has over 1,900 locations throughout the Midwest, first announced plans to construct a store in Monona over a year ago. Ground was broken at 901 S. Main St., next to Birdnow Chevrolet, last fall.

“The city has been anxious for you to open,” said Monona Mayor Fran Passmore to the Casey’s staff at the ribbon cutting.

Tue
25
Apr

New wayfinding signage going up in Monona


The Monona Community Visioning team’s first project, updated wayfinding signage, will soon be up in 10 places around Monona. (Submitted photo)

It was the fall of 2015 when Monona Chamber & Economic Development, Inc. (MCED), on behalf of the city of Monona, was awarded a grant for a year-long series of technical advice and data studies from Iowa Living Roadways Community Visioning program, Trees Forever, IDOT, ISU’s landscape architect program interns and Jeffrey L. Bruce & Co. landscape architects. At that time, Monona’s Community Visioning team was made up of 14 volunteers of all ages and walks of life from around the community. Today, eight remain onboard. Together, with the public’s input and approval, the steering committee worked last year to develop enhancements and beautification projects designed to make a positive difference in the “Garden City of Iowa.”

Tue
25
Apr

April 29 is drug take back day

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Drop off unused medications at one of several locations throughout Clayton County Saturday, April 29, for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) drug take back day. 

The Mar-Mac Police Department, Monona Police Department and Clayton County Sheriff’s Office will all accept medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

When dropping off items, make sure all substances are in their original containers. All liquid containers must be sealed in leak-proof, clear bags. Any identifying information should be marked out on prescription bottles. 

Tue
18
Apr

Small pest, big killer


Although small, at just an inch and a half long, the metallic green-colored emerald ash borer is deadly. The invasive, wood-boring beetle is one of the country’s most destructive tree pests, responsible for the deaths of millions of ash trees since its discovery 15 years ago. In February it was confirmed in Clayton County. (Photos courtesy of www.forestryimages.org)

EAB larvae do the most damage to ash trees. Once they hatch in the tree’s crevices, they tunnel into and feed on the tissue between the bark and the sapwood. This disrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, essentially starving the tree.

Ash trees, like the white ash shown here, are known for their opposite limbs and opposite compound leaves, which include five to nine leaflets per leaf.

Now that EAB has been confirmed in Clayton County, communities and property owners have a difficult decision to make: do nothing, remove and replace their ash trees, or protect healthy trees from the growing threat.

Responding to the EAB threat in Clayton County

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The exotic beetle is metallic green in color and half an inch long—small enough to fit on a penny. But don’t let its diminutive appearance fool you. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is one of the country’s most destructive tree pests, responsible for the deaths of millions of ash trees since its discovery 15 years ago.

Earlier this year, EAB was confirmed in Clayton County, leaving communities and property owners with a difficult decision to make: do nothing, remove and replace their ash trees, or protect healthy trees from the growing threat. 

What is EAB?

Tue
18
Apr

Ordinance changes permit parking on Marquette’s riverfront

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Marquette residents and property owners will now have to pay $10, and non-residents  $50, for a permit to park in the city’s north riverfront lot. The rest of the riverfront parking will remain free and open to the public.

The council, at its regular meeting April 11, unanimously approved changes to the city ordinance regarding parking in that restricted area after a several months-long discussion revealed that allowing only city residents to park there, with a free, city-issued permit, could violate several laws.

Tue
11
Apr

Four long-time teachers retiring

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its April 10 meeting, the MFL MarMac School Board approved early separation agreements with four long-time district staff members. Those retiring include high school agriculture teacher Doug Martin, second grade teacher Roberta Hass, middle school special education teacher Marcia Miller and middle school special education and Title I teacher Jonelle Kann.

Together, the teachers have over 100 years of experience, said superintendent Dale Crozier.

“We will use this situation to make adjustments at our school,” he said, “but, nevertheless, I’m sad to see these people leave. We’ll miss all of them.”

Substitute pay increases

Tue
11
Apr

Mar-Mac Police searching for new officer

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Mar-Mac Unified Police District is searching for a full-time officer to fill the position vacated last month by Brad McNett.

Police Chief Jason Bogdonovich, at the public safety commission’s April 4 meeting, said he currently had two internal applicants for the position. After reviewing those, he said he would consider opening it up to outside applicants. Other area police departments, Bogdonovich noted, are also searching for officers, so he thought it might be a good idea to check their candidate pools, especially if there are certified officers.

Tue
11
Apr

McGregor holding Trash Bash

Join your friends and neighbors in giving McGregor a spring cleaning during Trash Bash, held the week leading up to Earth Day, April 22.

Due to the recent closure of the Luster Heights Correctional Facility, the city could use some extra help. Volunteers are needed to pick up litter in McGregor in several areas. Sessions will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Trash bags will be provided, but please bring your own gloves.

Litter pick-up dates and times include:

•Monday, April 17, noon — Meet at Riverfront Park to pick up litter in Riverfront Park, the adjacent parking lots and the commercial historic district from the riverfront up Main Street.

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