Local News

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Tue
19
Jan

Mullarkey takes over as director of Driftless Area Wetlands Centre

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Marquette’s Driftless Area Wetlands Centre has a new director. Alicia Mullarkey recently took over the position, bringing a wealth of outdoor knowledge.

“I’ve always loved the outdoors,” said Mullarkey, an Iowa native who grew up south of Des Moines. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science fields. While pursuing her master’s, she studied invasive plants. She’s served with AmeriCorps, working in state parks, and interned with the Missouri Department of Conservation, where she studied rare plants. Mullarkey said she most recently worked for the University of Nebraska-Omaha, in the biology department. She managed the nature preserve, most notably focusing on prairies.

Tue
19
Jan

Monona Council receives MCED update

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Monona Chamber and Economic Development (MCED) Executive Director Rogeta Halvorson shared MCED’s latest pursuits with the Monona Council at its Jan. 18 meeting.

The number of visitors to MCED’s website and Facebook page has grown, further promoting the community and chamber members, she noted. Halvorson recently developed an employment page on the website, allowing members to post job openings.

Tue
12
Jan

Trappe, Russett switch real estate roles


Steve Russett and his real estate business have served Monona and the surrounding area for 30 years, for the last 10 years with the help of Nathan Trappe. At the start of the year, Russett transferred it to Trappe. (Submitted photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Steve Russett and his real estate business have served Monona and the surrounding area for 30 years, for the last 10 years with the help of Nathan Trappe. At the start of the year, Russett transferred it to Trappe. 

“It’s coming under me now. We’re just switching roles,” explained Trappe, noting that Russett wants to slow down but will still remain active with the company. “The only thing that’s changing is the name.” 

Tue
12
Jan

Students taking advantage of chance to earn college credits in high school

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

A number of MFL MarMac High School students are heading off to their post-secondary education destinations with college credit already under their belts, thanks to a partnership between the school district and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). Katie Gilbert, from NICC, spoke before the MFL MarMac school board at its Jan. 11 meeting, explaining some of the options open to students. 

Tue
05
Jan

Mason’s tenure as Marquette mayor comes to a close


Norma Mason’s six-year tenure as the mayor of Marquette came to a close at the end of December.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

When the Marquette Council meets for its regular monthly meeting Jan. 19, for the first time in six years, someone new will call the meeting to order. December marked the end of Norma Mason’s tenure as the city’s mayor, with her passing the gavel on to David Schneider, who was elected in November.

Mason’s involvement with city government began nearly 20 years ago. Curious about an upcoming meeting, Mason ventured to city hall, where she learned Marquette was looking to fill an open seat on the council due to a resignation. Recently retired, she decided to give it a shot.

“That got me hooked,” she said with a smile.

Tue
05
Jan

NIT turns 160 in 2016

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

1856: James Buchanan was elected 15th president of the United States, the Republican Party held its first national meeting, the Crimean War ended in Europe and the tin-type camera and accordion were both patented. On Friday, Oct. 10, the North Iowa Times was established in McGregor.

The newspaper was founded by Col. A.P. Richardson and F.W.D. Merrill, the brother of Iowa Governor Samuel Merrill, although Merrill’s name appeared on the masthead for just two weeks. In the first issue, Richardson stated, “The commercial interest of McGregor to say nothing of the demands of a country west of us unsurpassed in fertility required the establishment of a newspaper.” 

Tue
05
Jan

Monona Council accepts revised proposal for lot purchase

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At a special meeting Dec. 28, the Monona Council accepted a revised purchase and sale agreement for part of lot two in the Monona Commercial Park for the construction of a new office for Family Dentistry Associates of Monona.

Rather than purchase the entire 2.14-acre lot, located between Fisk’s Farm and Home and the Monona Family Aquatic Center, as originally anticipated, Dr. Mark Fohey said he would like to purchase a portion of the lot. Deemed parcel A, the portion is 1.42 acres. 

Tue
29
Dec

NaNoWriMo a ‘novel’ experience for eighth graders

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Each November since 1999, hundreds of thousands of writing enthusiasts have participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), an online creative writing project that encourages writers to complete a novel (50,000 words) in just 30 days.

Since 2005, NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program has offered the opportunity to students. Five years ago, MFL MarMac Middle School teacher Scott Boylen took advantage of the program, challenging his eighth grade language arts students to write a 10,000-word novel in that time span.

Each year, enthusiasm has grown.

Tue
29
Dec

Pikes Peak to celebrate the new year with a First Day Hike on Jan. 1

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Pikes Peak State Park is one of 17 Iowa state parks that will sponsor a free, guided hike on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. 

America’s State Parks First Day Hikes give people an opportunity to begin the New Year connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Friday, Jan. 1, at a state park close to home.

“It’s a big initiative that’s really taken off,” noted park ranger Rylan Retallick.

According to Priscilla Geigis, president of the National Association of State Park Directors, last year, hundreds of state parks across the country hosted a record-breaking 41,000 people who hiked 72,442 miles.

Tue
22
Dec

McGregor Council weighs need for special deer hunt

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Iowa DNR park ranger Rylan Retallick went before the McGregor Council at its regular meeting Dec. 16, seeking the city’s opinion on whether another special deer bow hunt is needed in Pikes Peak State Park and the McGregor city limits.

The last hunt was conducted four to five years ago, said Retallick, noting that “it got to a point where hunters weren’t seeing deer.” An outbreak of bluetongue disease also contributed to that, he said.

“Now, we’re starting to see more deer and more deer damage in Pikes Peak,” Retallick added. “It doesn’t take them long to rebound when the pressure’s off.”

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