Local News

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Tue
21
Jun

McGregor P&Z asked to take a look at Main Street zoning

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its June 15 meeting, the McGregor City Council expressed a desire for the city’s planning and zoning commission to review and revise McGregor’s code in regard to zoning, citing community concerns over downtown storefronts being used as apartments rather than for commercial purposes.

“If we lose storefronts, it hurts other businesses,” said city administrator Lynette Sander.

It also hurts the city in regard to taxes, added councilwoman Rogeta Halvorson.

Tue
14
Jun

Discover Monona during Hay Days

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Discover Monona during its annual Hay Days celebration, Friday and Saturday, June 17-18. 

The fun begins Friday, June 18, with the Monona Volunteer Fire Department’s Glow Run 5K/1 mile Family Fun Run/Walk, now in its third year. Registration is from 8 to 9 p.m. at the city park. The Glow Run, which starts and finishes at the park, will begin at dusk. Stick around after the event for the After Glow Party. For those who need some food to fuel their running efforts, stop by the walking taco supper sponsored by the Smith and Bulldog Childcare and Learning Centers, held from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tue
14
Jun

Born into dairy


Emily Moses is Clayton County’s 2016 Dairy Princess. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

Moses is 2016 Clayton County Dairy Princess

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Clayton County’s 2016 Dairy Princess, Emily Moses, has had a love of dairy since she was a child.

“I was born into dairy farming, “ said Moses, the daughter of Travis and Nancy Moses, of Monona. “I’ve always been around it.”

Growing up on the family farm, where Holsteins were the breed of choice, Moses said she always found the calves interesting. She later enjoyed milking, when she became old enough to help. 

Tue
14
Jun

MFL grad Larry Meyer to be MFL MarMac’s new high school principal

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The MFL MarMac School Board approved a contract for Larry Meyer as the new high school principal at its June 13 meeting.

A 1977 MFL graduate, Meyer most recently taught math, science and physical education at Maquoketa Valley, where he’s been since 2005. From 1981 to 2002, he taught and coached in the Garnavillo School District. Meyer’s duties will begin July 1.

In addition, the board approved a special education contract for Elise Martins, as well as the resignations of McGregor Center secretary Julie Mullarkey and bus driver Jim Elliott.

Tue
07
Jun

Students find success in young robotics program


Monona Robotics members Max Havlicek (left) and Karter Decker recently took second place for best creative programming in the Iowa Tech Hub Hyper Stream Competition. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Robots are created using Legos and Lego extensions, Max said. Each robot has a “brain” and is controlled by a remote control. “The brain holds the programming, which you download from a computer,” he explained.

Max and Karter described robotics as a fun, educational and rewarding experience.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Local students are finding success with the Monona Robotics program, created in 2014 through the Clayton County ISU Extension Office. Middle schoolers Max Havlicek and Karter Decker recently earned second place for best creative programming in the Iowa Tech Hub Hyper Stream Competition.

Tue
07
Jun

Hoping to help others, elementary student donates wheelchair to school


Cooper Echard, pictured with his first-grade class, teacher Ashley Sickles (back, left), elementary principal Kathy Koether and mom Kelly Echard, donated his pediatric wheelchair to the school to help other kids. Cooper used the wheelchair during the school year, while recovering from surgery. (Submitted photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Seven-year-old Cooper Echard was born with club feet, a condition where the feet are twisted out of shape or position. At 5 days old, he had his first set of casts. Then, every week, for his first 3 months of life, doctors in Rochester outfitted him with a new set.

Cooper’s Achilles was then split to correct the issue. He wore braces with shoes 24/7 until he was 9 months old, and then only when he was sleeping from the age of 9 months to 13 months old. From age 2 to 3, he wore casts off and on.

Tue
07
Jun

Monona Council approves C-1 zoning classification for Casey’s General Store

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its June 6 regular meeting, the Monona Council approved and adopted an ordinance designating the zoning classification of the property for a Casey’s General Store as C-1 commercial.

The 1.4-acre property, located adjacent to South Main Street/Falcon Drive, next to Birdnow Chevrolet, was recently annexed into the city, following approval by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.

Casey’s voluntarily requested that the city annex the property, which was purchased from Birdnow. It was zoned C-1 highway commercial in Clayton County.

Tue
31
May

Staycation opportunities abound in McGregor-Marquette


A Mar-Mac staycation wouldn’t be complete without fishing. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Enjoy a cold drink while soaking in the sun on the Marquette riverfront during the Lazy River Beer and Wine Festival, held Saturday, June 25, from noon to 4 p.m.

Let captain Robert Vavra show you the wonders of the Mississippi River on his Maiden Voyage boat tour. Tours leave the McGregor riverfront every Monday through Saturday, at 2 p.m., through the end of October (weather permitting). On these two-hour excursions, Vavra highlights river history, local points of interest and wildlife.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Summer vacations offer the perfect opportunity to get away from the daily grind and make memories with family and friends. However, if you’ve only got a short amount of time, don’t relish waiting in long lines at the airport or are simply trying to save money, McGregor and Marquette provide plenty of options for a staycation—a vacation spent at home, visiting local attractions.

It’s also a chance to discover (or re-discover) all the area has to offer.

Tue
31
May

Moving Wall to offer a means of healing


Veteran Cheri Leachman spoke about her experience with the Moving Wall committee during McGregor’s Memorial Day program at Pleasant Grove Cemetery May 30. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Cheri Leachman, a Vietnam War-era veteran and member of the McGregor American Legion Post 267, was the speaker at this year’s Memorial Day program at McGregor’s Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Over the past few months, said Leachman, she’s been part of the committee that’s worked to bring the Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to the Clayton County Fairgrounds in National June 30 through July 5.

When the idea of bringing the Moving Wall to Clayton County was first posed, Leachman admitted she was skeptical.

Tue
31
May

Primary election is June 7

Iowans will head to the polls Tuesday, June 7, for the primary election, whittling down the candidates for the Nov. 8 general election. Voters must declare a party affiliation in order to vote in this election.

For. U.S. Senate, incumbent Charles Grassley is the only candidate on the Republican ballot for the six-year term. In November, he will face one of four Democratic challengers: Thomas Fiegen, Robert Hogg, Patty Judge or Bob Krause. 

Incumbent Rod Blum, the District 1 U.S. Representative, is the lone candidate on the Republican ballot. Pat Murphy and Monica Vernon are on the Democratic ballot. The term is two years.

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