Local News

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Tue
05
Sep

Reynolds, Gregg visit Pikes Peak State Park


Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg visited Pikes Peak State Park, outside McGregor, on Aug. 31, where Reynolds signed a proclamation declaring September “Drive the Great River Road Month” in Iowa. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Northeast Iowa District Parks Supervisor Scot Michelson (far left) and Pikes Peak State Park Manager Matt Tschirgi (far right) speak with Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Gov. Kim Reynolds and State Senator Michael Breitbach during a tour of the park on Aug. 31.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg visited Pikes Peak State Park, outside McGregor, on Aug. 31, where Reynolds signed a proclamation declaring September “Drive the Great River Road Month” in Iowa.

Tue
05
Sep

Veterans Memorial Hospital Monona Clinic set to open in mid-September


The new Veterans Memorial Hospital Monona Clinic, located at 101 Franklin St., will open later this month. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

The new Veterans Memorial Hospital Monona Clinic is set to open in the middle of September. The clinic will be located in the former Family Dentistry Associates of Monona building at 101 Franklin St., in downtown Monona, which Veterans Memorial Hospital purchased last spring.

“We have been overwhelmed by the friendly welcome we have received from the entire Monona area since we announced our plans to open a medical clinic in town,” stated Mike Myers, Veterans Memorial Hospital Administrator. “Everyone who has assisted in the remodeling of the facility has bent over backwards to work us into their busy schedules, to be sure everything was done in time for our September opening, and we are so grateful.”

Tue
05
Sep

Restore McGregor 2017 Tornado Fund applications now being accepted

Applications are now being accepted for the Restore McGregor 2017 Tornado Fund.

The fund was established shortly after the July 19 tornado, to help restore, rebuild and aid in the recovery of the destruction caused by the storm. It is intended to be as far-reaching as possible.

Private individuals, families, property owners, non-profits and business owners in McGregor may be eligible for assistance up to $1,000 for storm-related losses. 

Tue
29
Aug

MFL MarMac welcomes six new teachers


MFL MarMac welcomes six new teachers this school year: Shelly Stubbs (left), Sarah Wille, Dacia Jacobsen, Katie Kregel, Samantha Corsbie and Karen Suddendorf. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

MFL MarMac welcomes six new teachers this year: Sarah Wille, Karen Suddendorf, Samantha Corsbie, Shelly Stubbs, Dacia Jacobsen and Katie Kregel.

Sarah Wille — High School Agriculture and FFA Advisor

Wille takes over as the district’s high school agriculture teacher and FFA adviser. The oldest of four siblings, she grew up on a farm near Williamsburg, Iowa, and attended Iowa State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education.

“I wanted to teach agriculture because it is one of the most important industries there is,” she said. “I enjoy working with young people and watching them accomplish their goals.”

Tue
29
Aug

Kindness rocks bring heartwarming message to McGregor, Marquette


Two weeks ago, the “kindness rocks” movement made its debut in McGregor and Marquette. Residents are encouraged to decorate and hide their own rocks, and/or find those hidden by others, all in the hopes of spreading kind messages around the communities. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Kindness rocks can be placed anywhere—in parks, along trails or walking paths and at local businesses or offices. One was recently spotted on one of the street pianos in McGregor’s Triangle Park.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

It all started 2.5 years ago, when writer, business mentor and empowerment coach Megan Murphy began collecting rocks during her walks along the beaches of Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. Reflecting on her own life and the idea that people often search for “signs in the sand,” she began decorating the rocks in bright hues  and with inspiring messages. She then placed them on the beach, for others to find. The goal: to connect people through a small act of kindness.

Tue
29
Aug

McGregor’s annual Labor Day parade is Sept. 2

Community is 'open for business'

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

McGregor will host its annual Labor Day parade Saturday, Sept. 2, marking the community’s first big event since a  tornado ripped through the town July 19, leaving a path of destruction in fallen trees and damaged or destroyed buildings and homes.

The storm was not far from the minds of the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce board members who selected this year’s theme: McGregor Strong.

Tue
29
Aug

Viewing eclipse with loved ones a special experience for McGregor resident


McGregor resident Diane Benson, with dog Tootie, enjoyed witnessing the Aug. 21 solar eclipse with her “adopted niece and nephew,” Justice and Jasmine Olmstead. The group shared a pair of eclipse glasses, which can be seen on Justice. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Millions of Americans turned their eyes toward the sky Aug. 21 to witness the historic total solar eclipse, the first since 1918 to stretch from the west coast to the east coast. While many traveled to a portion of the country in the “path of totality,” meaning the moon entirely blocked the sun, others chose to watch from northeast Iowa, where around 85 percent of the sun was blocked by the moon.

Among them was McGregor resident Diane Benson, who experienced the site with who she calls her “adopted niece and nephew,” Justice and Jasmine Olmstead.

Tue
29
Aug

Monona police chief proposes curfew change

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Monona Police Chief Jo Amsden is proposing a change to the city’s nightly curfew, citing issues with some local juveniles who have been caught sneaking out and wandering around town.

Amsden, speaking to the city council at its Aug. 21 meeting, said she’d like to see curfew moved back one hour, from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights, and from midnight to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Officers would take school functions into account, she noted, not penalizing students who arrive home late from a sporting event or other activity.

Tue
22
Aug

FEMA gives preliminary damage figures

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

McGregor City Administrator Lynette Sander said FEMA’s preliminary damage estimate for the city’s property from the July 19 tornado is $109,500.

This “conservative estimate,” as she called it, includes $85,000 for debris removal. The remaining $24,500 is for damages not covered by insurance, including the pedestrian bridge over B Street, the banners and brackets on the street lights, storm sewer fencing and some storm sewer wall damage.

The amount was surprising, said mayor Harold Brooks.

Tue
22
Aug

Owners of former INKspiration property offer to donate it to city of McGregor

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its Aug. 16 meeting, the McGregor Council considered an offer by Fred Petrie and Melanie San Fillippo to donate the former INKspiration Tattoo property, at 330 Main St., to the city.

The building on the lot, which is next to the McGregor Public Library, was destroyed—and then demolished—following the July 19 tornado.

If accepted, the property could be used however the city would like, said city administrator Lynette Sander.

“It could be a site for a community center, a library expansion or parking,” she noted.

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