Local News

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Tue
10
May

MFL MarMac continues support of Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

MFL MarMac will continue support of the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative next year. Through the program, which serves Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties, representatives work with school districts’ wellness committees, teachers, food service and administrators to improve each school’s food, fitness and wellness policies.

Tue
10
May

Middle schoolers gain a hands-on, interactive learning experience at UI Health Care


On May 3, middle school students from MFL MarMac participated in interactive educational sessions with University of Iowa Health Care faculty, staff and students, with the intent to pique interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The visit was a reward for MFL MarMac for being one of the top two schools to collect pennies for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Pennies for Patients drive. (Submitted photos)

Students had the opportunity to engage in health care and research experiences.

The experiences provided them with real-life medical simulations and situations in which critical thinking and problem-solving are necessary.

Faculty, staff and students at the University of Iowa hope to inspire appreciation and excitement toward STEM as the foundation for understanding health while shaping the next generation of health care professionals.

On May 3, middle school students from MFL MarMac participated in interactive educational sessions with University of Iowa Health Care faculty, staff and students, with the intent to pique interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These students had the opportunity to engage in health care and research experiences that provided them with real-life medical simulations and situations in which critical thinking and problem-solving are necessary.

University of Iowa Health Care partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to host an educational experience, Pennies for Patients. LLS challenged middle school students to collect pennies, which would be donated to LLS. The top two schools, one of which was MFL MarMac, had the opportunity to visit UI Health Care for an educational experience. MFL MarMac raised $2,200.

Tue
03
May

Governor talks TLC with MFL MarMac staff


Gov. Terry Branstad, pictured with MFL MarMac Superintendent Dale Crozier, stopped at MFL MarMac April 27 to visit with staff from both MFL MarMac and Eastern Allamakee about their experiences with the Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) Program. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Gov. Terry Branstad listens as MFL MarMac instructional coach Melissa Haberichter talks about the district’s experience with the Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC) Program.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Gov. Terry Branstad stopped at MFL MarMac April 27 to visit with staff from both MFL MarMac and Eastern Allamakee about their experiences with the Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) Program.

This year, both districts implemented the state program, which works to attract the best possible teachers, to retain both newly-hired and veteran teachers, to promote extensive collaboration among teachers, to reward professional growth and effective teaching, and to improve overall student achievement.

Tue
03
May

McGregor vet enjoys once-in-a-lifetime Honor Flight trip


Bob Eggen, a Korean War veteran from McGregor, enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington, D.C., April 18, through the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. Here, he visits Arlington National Cemetery. (Submitted photos)

Eggen said visiting the Korean War Memorial, which features life-size statues of soldiers, was a memorable experience. “I remember those crazy ponchos we had to wear,” he remarked.

Eggen was one of 87 Eastern Iowa veterans—58 Korean War veterans and 26 Vietnam veterans—who made the one-day trip.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

McGregor veteran Bob Eggen enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Washington, D.C., April 18, through the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, a non-profit organization that sends veterans to the nation’s capital to visit a variety of war memorials and historic sites.

A Korean War veteran, Eggen was one of 87 Eastern Iowa veterans—58 Korean War veterans and 26 Vietnam veterans—who made the one-day trip.

Tue
03
May

McGregor Whistle Stop Cafe, Uncle Sam’s Saloon opening May 5


Linda Boeke will open the McGregor Whistle Stop Cafe and Uncle Sam’s Saloon Thursday, May 5, in McGregor. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Linda Boeke will open the McGregor Whistle Stop Cafe and Uncle Sam’s Saloon Thursday, May 5, in McGregor. The business will operate out of the McGregor’s Landing building, located on First Street, along Triangle Park.

“The building has been up for sale, and I hated to see it sit empty,” Boeke said of the impetus behind opening the business. “It needs to be used. Hopefully someone comes along to run it.”

Tue
03
May

MFL MarMac posting for secondary assistant principal; considering administrative revamp

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The MFL MarMac School District will post for a secondary assistant principal to fill an administrative hole that will be left at the end of the school year by the resignation of high school principal David Ross. The school board made the decision at a special meeting April 28, but chose not to define the role of the individual until going through applicants.

Tue
26
Apr

Mock crash shows students potential consequences of distracted driving


Mother Michele Berger is restrained by EMTs as “death” takes her son Michael during the Every 15 Minutes Mock Crash held at MFL MarMac High School on April 20. The event was meant to show students the potential consequences of distracted driving. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

The day began with the mock crash, a fake head-on collision on Davis Street in Monona, near the school parking lot. Students watched as some of their classmates, bloodied and broken, were extracted from the two vehicles by firefighters and EMTs.

Following the mock crash, “death” went around to different classrooms and took one student, like Derek Larson, every 15 minutes for several hours. Each student’s obituary was then read over the intercom.

Senior Hunter Fletcher played the teenage driver responsible for the crash and the deaths of his classmates. “The consequences are not worth it,” he told those gathered at an assembly.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

On April 20, local law enforcement, rescue squads, firefighters and other volunteers presented the Every 15 Minutes Mock Crash, showing MFL MarMac high school students the potential consequences of distracted driving, whether it be texting and driving or drinking and driving.

Tue
26
Apr

Marquette restores chamber funding

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Marquette Council unanimously approved restoring funding to the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce at its April 19 meeting. The city will contribute $700 per month, or $8,400 per year, the same amount it was contributing when funding  ceased in 2013.

Tue
26
Apr

Interim allows students to explore hobbies, potential career paths


Intro to guitar was among the 22 different sessions offered at MFL MarMac High School’s Interim on April 22. The bi-annual event is meant to help students explore a variety of hobbies and potential careers. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Archery was another session offered at Interim. Most of the activities offered were hands-on, allowing students to not only learn about their interests, but also do the activity itself.

Todd Berry, with Driftless Drones, speaks with some eager students about drones.

The majority of sessions were free, but a few, like trapshooting and cake decorating, required a small fee.

Tang soo do self defense was one session offered on-campus at Interim.

“The kids have a day to explore really cool things,” noted teacher Anne Wuebker, who was also one of the Interim organizers. “They learn about things they don’t learn in the classroom, and those outside-school aspects are valuable.” Here, students learn about air brush makeup and hairstyles.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

MFL MarMac High School students had the opportunity to experience a variety of hobbies and potential careers during Interim, held April 22.

“It’s career-oriented,” said teacher Angie Killian, one of the organizers, of the bi-annual event. “It’s an opportunity to allow students to explore career interests, opportunities and hobbies they’ve never tried before or didn’t know they could do.”

Tue
26
Apr

McGregor council, dock commission support Maiden Voyage catering boat

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its April 20 meeting, the McGregor Council approved the dock commission’s recommendation to allow Robert Vavra, captain of Maiden Voyage Tours, to lease a space for a catering boat by the city docks.

Vavra, now in his 10th year in the business and sixth year in McGregor, said he’s looking to establish a physical presence in McGregor when his boat is not there.

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