driftless
US POSTAGE PAID DECORAH, IA PERMIT #6
POSTAL CUSTOMER
www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, January 30, 2024 | Vol. 6 Issue 5
Saturday event will honor infant’s life, help family with medical costs Callie Rae Tweten, infant daughter of Tyler and Nicole (Baumler) Tweten of Decorah, was born healthy at 12:20 a.m., Oct. 14, 2023, at six pounds one ounce. Callie enjoyed a couple weeks at home after she was born with her mommy, daddy, and brother Tade, before she experienced a medical issue of low platelets in her blood that needed attention at the LaCrosse Hospital. Callie was transferred to American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH), at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she stayed until her passing Jan. 22 snug- UTV/ATV Ride gled in the - Meal arms of her parents. - Silent & Live In total, CalAuctions lie spent 77 days in the hospital, having to endure about 400 platelet transfusions and around 1000 blood pressure checks, along with an array of other medical interventions. A celebration of Callie’s life and a fund-
Feb. 3 benefit includes:
Foodie
the driftless jessica woodward
Birria Tacos
There is nothing more than I love than cooking. (Photo by All. Day. Long. Jessica I love me a nice long and slow braise of some sort Woodward) in the oven to warm up the house and fill it with all the yummy smells. Things that cook low and slow sometimes just taste better and are good for the soul! Growing up, I hated stew nights. This, my mom did cook low and slow. But I absolutely hated it. In fact, my childhood best friend, Sarah, enjoyed the dish; and so, whenever our families got together and ate it, I would shovel my plate onto hers when our parents weren’t looking. Luckily for me, she loved it and still loves it to this day. (Sorry mom!) So instead of a stew recipe to cook on your next snow day, I have a recipe for braised birria tacos to enjoy! For this, you will thank me. These are so addicting; you may even add them to your meal planning even after winter. I’m pretty sure my husband had eight of these tacos alone this last storm. It can be put together with common ingredients found at our local stores, so don’t be intimidated by the name. The word “birria” just means a flavorful stew of meat. The meat is served with its braising liquid- in this case a dunking sauce for your tacos. The liquid is seasoned with chilis and gives off a beautiful red hue. I will admit, this recipe is a bit hands on… but ahhh what else are you
Driftless Foodie
continued on page 12
raiser to help her family with costs related to Callie’s hospital stay and medical needs will be held Feb. 3. A UTV/ATV ride will leave the Mabel Community Center at noon that day, with registration from 9:30-11:30 a.m. There is a registration cost. Other vehicles are allowed in lieu of a side-by-side. The ride will end back at the Community Center in Mabel at 5 p.m., where there will be a free-will donation meal that will include soups, sandwiches and bars. The meal will be open to anyone — not just ride participants. A silent auction will also be open at the time of the ride registration, and it will end by 8 p.m. A live auction will begin at 7 p.m. For information on the fundraiser and other ways to donate, the public should feel free to call Christine Tweten at 507-450-5586 or Chelsey Tweten at 563-419-0632. For specific information about the UTV/ATV ride, call Scott Fairchild at 515-291-6708.
Three-month-old Callie appears to fold her hands in prayer, while napping in her mother’s arms during her threemonth birthday on Jan. 14. (photo courtesy of Caring Bridge)
NICC: Higher Learning Commission finds no merit in former president’s complaints
Dr. Riedel files lawsuit against community college By Zach Jensen A special report from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has stated that Northeast Iowa Community College’s (NICC) former president’s complaints lack merit, but that same former college president is questioning the authenticity of the report and the thoroughness of the Dr. Herbert commission’s inRiedel vestigation. In November 2023, the NICC Board of Trustees voted to terminate the con-
tract of its then-present, Dr. Herbert Riedel, for undisclosed reasons. But, a later Driftless Journal article showed that Riedel had no intention of going quietly; that he was going to fight the termination any way he could. “This letter is to inform you that the Higher Learning Commission (HLC or “the Commission”) has reviewed the response provided by Northeast Iowa Community College (“the Institution”) to the complaint received by HLC on November 15, 2023,” said the Jan. 9 letter from the HLC. “Thank you for submitting this information. “As you recall, HLC initially reviewed the complaint to determine whether it suggested potential substantive noncompliance with the Institu-
tion’s ability to meet the Criteria for Accreditation or other HLC requirements,” the letter continued. “Based on that initial review, HLC determined that the information contained in the complaint raised potential concerns regarding the Institution’s compliance with the HLC requirements noted in the letter dated November 20, 2023.” The HLC letter went on to say that NICC was given the opportunity to provide evidence that it continued to meet the requirements noted in light of Dr. Riedel’s complaint. NICC submitted its response to the HLC on
NICC
continued on page 6
Waukon resident charged with first-degree murder recent phone conversation with Jami, there seemed to be a dispute between Jami and Brandon. BranBrandon Kasemeier, a 39-yeardon took the phone away from old resident of Waukon, has been Jami while the family member charged with the first-degree murwas on the other end of the call, der of his wife, 38-year-old Jami the affidavit said, and the call was Kasemeier. disconnected. Later, according to According to the Jan. 22 Allathe affidavit, Brandon used Jami’s makee County Court complaint phone to call the family member, filed by Waukon Police Chief Paul but Brandon would not allow the Wagner, “On or about January 21, Jami Kasemeier Brandon Kasemeier family member to talk to Jami. Brandon did commit murder in Courthouse information said the the 1st degree by willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation, kill kon Police Department (WPD) after family member stated Brandon soundnot being able to get a hold of her and ed “off”. The last time Jami was heard Jami Kasemeier.” As explained in the affidavit on file requested the WPD perform a wel- from by the family member was during at the Allamakee County Courthouse, fare check on Jami. The affidavit said the disconnected call, and WPD also a relative of Jami’s contacted the Wau- the family member said that during a attempted to reach Jami but were unBy Denise Lana
REACH 20,000+ HOMES WEEKLY
in the
able to make contact with her, the affidavit said. Neither Brandon nor Jami showed up for work Monday, Jan. 22, court documents said, and WPD was granted a warrant to search Brandon’s house at 103 1st Street, Waukon. The affidavit said that upon entering the home, police found Jami inside, deceased, with extensive injuries to her face. An empty handgun case and .22-caliber casings were also located, court documents said. Due to physical evidence found at the scene, an Iowa warrant and nationwide pickup were issued for Brandon’s arrest. Brandon, who had fled the state sometime between Sunday and
driftless
+ thousands more online daily at DRIFTLESSJOURNAL.COM
Contact a Driftless Journal sales rep today!
Monday, was arrested in Loveland, Colo., at 12:54 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 23. According to an online report from KCRG News, Colorado police found a .22 revolver in the vehicle Brandon was driving when he was arrested. KCRG reported that Brandon and Jami were married in 2013, and several years into their marriage, Jami admitted to police that Brandon was threatening her and her family members, and a no-contact order was issued. Brandon called Jami around 90 times during the no-contact order, and
Waukon murder
continued on page 2
563.382.4221 Megan Warner
megan.warner@driftlessjournal.com
Kathy Simpson
kathy.simpson@driftlessjournal.com
Kate Klimesh
kate.klimesh@driftlessjournal.com