November 7, 2024

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Vol. 159, Issue 45 www.decorahleader.com

Decorah, Iowa 52101 email: editor@decorahleader.com

One Section phone: 563-382-4221

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER About 18.1 million United States Armed Forces veterans live in the world today, according to the Pew Research Center, and Winneshiek County’s communities and schools plan to honor those men and women through various Veterans Day programs.

VFW Post 1977 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1977 of Decorah has a busy Veterans Day planned.

The local VFW post will start its day with its traditional Veterans Day breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Nov. 11 in the Decorah High School cafeteria, which will be followed by the school district’s program at 9:45 a.m. in the high school auditorium.

The post’s color guard will then participate in the Decorah Middle School’s program at 1:15 p.m., and at 3 p.m. a Quilts of Valor presentation will be held at the All Vets Club at 104 State St. in Decorah.

The Lynch Family Foundation will host its annual Veterans Day dinner beginning at 4 p.m. at the new Winneshiek County Fairgrounds Community Building. Approximately 800 veterans were fed last year. All vets and their significant others may eat at no charge during the annual event, and about 60 meals are expected to be delivered to veterans who are homebound.

For more information, call the All Vets Club at 563-382-5232.

Winneshiek County Supervisor - District 3

Name ...................................Votes ........... Percent Dan Hovden...........................793............... 38.16 Shirley Vermace .................. 1,285 ............. 61.84

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

Winneshiek County Supervisor - District 4

Unofficial Election Night results show voters have selected incumbent Democrat Shirley Vermace for the District 3 seat on the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors.

Preliminary results said Vermace earned 1,285 votes for almost 62 percent support at the polls, overcoming Republican opponent Dan Hovden, who earned 793 votes for about 38 percent of the district’s total vote.

Vermace first sought election to the board of supervisors in 2020, when then incumbent supervisor Dean Thompson chose not

Vermace retains District 3 seat

Name ...................................Votes ........... Percent Dan Langreck ...................... 1,478 ............. 67.27 Cheryl Wieseler .....................719............... 32.73

WinnMed Board of Trustees (vote for three) Name ...................................Votes ........... Percent Clark Goltz ........................... 7,353 ............. 32.25 Jan Heikes ........................... 5,685 ............. 25.01 Karen McClean .................... 5,687 ............. 25.02 Christopher Miculinich ......... 3,938 ............. 17.33 Incumbent Winneshiek County Supervisor Shirley Vermace waved to supporters during Decorah’s 2024 Nordic Fest Parade. Vermace maintained her District 3 seat on the board this cycle, according to unofficial results released Tuesday night. (File photo) continued on page 10

Langreck retains District 4 supervisor seat with more than 2-1 support

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

Incumbent Winneshiek County Supervisor Dan Landgreck overtook challenger Cheryl Wieseler at the ballot box Tuesday in the race for the board’s District 4 seat, according to unofficial results from Tuesday night.

Initial tallies showed the returning Republican came away with 1,478 ballots marked in his favor before polls closed, securing 67 percent of the Dan Langreck, the current chair of the Win- vote. Wieseler received less than half that amount, neshiek County Board of Supervisors, de- earning 719 votes for about 33 percent support feated no-party candidate Cheryl Wieseler from the public in her no-party bid for office. in the race for the board’s District 4 seat, acLangreck retains District 4 seat cording to unofficial results released Tuescontinued on page 10 day night. (File photo)

Winneshiek County voters boost Klimesh in successful state senate run

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

fax: 563-382-5949

Unofficial county election results

Voters choose Vermace in District 3 supervisor race

Veterans Day to be recognized locally

Price $1.50

Name ...................................Votes Benjamin Steines................ 10,089

Winneshiek County Sheriff

Name ...................................Votes Dan Marx ............................ 10,299

Iowa State Representative - District 63 Name ...................................Votes Michael Bergan.................... 8,476

Iowa State Senate - District 32

Name ...................................Votes ........... Percent Mike Klimesh ....................... 6,853 ............. 58.79 Brian Bruening ..................... 4,791 ............. 41.10

U.S. House - Iowa District 2

Name ...................................Votes ........... Percent Sarah Corkery ..................... 4,760 ............. 40.77 Ashley Hinson...................... 6,750 ............. 57.82 Jody Puffett............................152................ 1.30

President of the United States

Name ...................................Votes ........... Percent Donald Trump ...................... 6,426 ............. 53.66 Kamala Harris ...................... 5,319 ............. 44.42 Chase Oliver ...........................46................. 0.38 Claudia De La Cruz .................8.................. 0.07 William Stodden.......................4.................. 0.03 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ............117................ 0.98 Shiva Ayyadurai .......................3.................. 0.03

Public Measure WD

ing by about 10,000 votes — statewide, Klimesh recieved 22,089, with Bruening gaining 12,075. Klimesh came away from the polls with 6,853 votes in Winneshiek County, accounting for almost 59 percent of the local total. Tuesday night’s MIKE T. KLIMESH numbers said 4,791 Winneshiek County voters cast ballots for Bruening, who gained about 41 percent support from local voters.

State Sen. Mike Klimesh was successful in his bid for reelection, according to unofficial election night results, and Winneshiek County voters helped propel him there.

The incumbent Republican defeated Democratic challenger Brian Bruen- Klimesh retains senate seat

Winneshiek County Auditor

continued on page 10

Shall the board of directors of the Decorah Community School District in the counties of Winneshiek and Allamakee, state of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $38 million to provide funds to build, furnish and equip a new elementary school building, including site improvements? (Requires more than 60 percent approval to pass) Result..................................Votes ........... Percent Yes ....................................... 5,087 ............. 66.73 No ........................................ 2,536 ............. 33.27

Constitutional Amendment 1

Shall the following amendment to the Constitution be adopted? Only a citizen of the United States of the age of 18 years, who shall have been a resident of this state for such period of time as shall be provided by law and of the county in which the citizen claims the citizen’s vote for such period of time as shall be provided by law, shall be entitled to vote at all elections which are authorized by law. However, for purposes of a primary election, a United States citizen must be at least 18 years of age as of the next general election following the primary election. The required periods of residence shall not exceed six months in this state and sixty days in the county.

Result..................................Votes ........... Percent Yes ....................................... 8,163 ............. 74.70 No ........................................ 2,764 ............. 25.30

Voters favor Hinson- over Corkery, Puffett Visit us online www.decorahnewspapers.com for U.S House in Winneshiek County

Decorah Community Schools Decorah High School will host a Veterans Day breakfast and program for veterans and their families on Monday, Nov. 11. Coffee will be served at 7:30 a.m. in the high school

Veterans Day

continued on page 8

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

lican candidate gained 6,750 votes of support from the county — for almost 58 percent support from Winneshiek County — according to unofficial election night results. Democratic challenger Sarah Corkery earned 4,760 votes for almost 41 percent support at the local polls, with

Voters in Winneshiek County expressed their support for incumbent U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in the three-way ASHLEY HINSON race for Iowa’s District 2 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Repub- Hinson retains U.S. House seat continued on page 11

Public approves $38M for new Decorah elementary building

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

Unofficial election night tallies show the $38 million bond proposed by Decorah Community Schools has been approved

by voters. A total of 5,087 voters supported the measure Tuesday for almost 67 percent of the vote — the measure needed more than 60 percent in order to pass. A total of 2,536 Winneshiek County voters cast ballots

against the measure, along with two voters from neighboring Allamakee County. The expected funds will be used to construct a new elementary building, which will replace the aging John Cline Elementary on Claiborne Drive

south of Decorah High School.

“I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead for the Decorah community,” said Decorah

$38M bond approved

continued on page 13

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Constitutional Amendment 2

11 November 7 -

Shall the following amendment to the Constitution be adopted? Lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect to become or act as governor or governor-elect. If there is a temporary disability of the governor, the lieutenant governor shall act as governor until the disability is removed, or the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office.

In case of the death, resignation or removal from office of the governor, the lieutenant governor shall become governor for the remainder of the term, which shall create a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor. This section shall also apply, as appropriate, to the governor-elect and the lieutenant governor-elect.

Result..................................Votes ........... Percent Yes ....................................... 8,724 ............. 81.33 No ........................................ 2,003 ............. 18.67

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2 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221 Students studying various sciences at Luther College hosted a Haunted Lab inside Valders Hall of Science Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. Visitors took part in simple scientific demonstrations, such as the use of invisible ink, manipulating laser projections and reversing images in a parabolic mirror.

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Young Hattie Teslow and her grandmother Rosie Teslow of Decorah stopped

by Dragonfly Books in Decorah during the store’s Halloween Party.

Families had a host of Halloween events to choose from last week. Trick or treating was held from 5-7:30 p.m. the night of Oct. 31, and several locations around town invited youngsters to have some extra fall-time fun at their locations. Area law enforcement was on hand for a trunk-or-treat event at the Decorah Municipal Center — cold winds prompted the event to move inside, but organizers reported more than 300 hotdogs were given to visitors, in addition to other treats and items. Families filed into the gymnasium of the Sunflower Child Care Center earlier that morning to watch youngsters parade in their costumes. Dragonfly Books welcomed chilLucas Sieck, a first-year student studying dren and families to a Halloween party ahead Ani and Quinn Anderson, daughters of Erin and Wes Anderson, took part in the engineering and physics at Luther College, of the city’s official trick-or-treating hours, ofactivities offered inside Dragonfly Books the afternoon of Halloween. demonstrated Bernoulli’s Principle during the fering snacks, activities and a prize drawing. college’s Haunted Lab on Friday night. The demon(Photos by Seth Boyes) stration relies on differences in air pressure, which appear to make a ball levitate.

Eighteen-month old Vera Byerly, daughter of Bryan and Cali Byerly of Decorah, was among the Halloween parade participants at Sunflower Child Development Center the morning of Oct. 31. Families snapped photos of the creative costumes worn by children during the second annual Halloween costume parade. The 2024 parade was the first to be held in Sunflower’s new facility.

NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

3

Prosecution in Adam Fravel’s trial rests after 10 days of testimony State called 68 witnesses to the stand

BY OLIVIA ESTRIGHT ROCHESTER POST BULLETIN After nearly two weeks of testimony from the state’s witnesses, the prosecution in Adam Fravel’s trial rested on Thursday, Oct. 31.

Fravel is a Winona man accused of killing Madeline Kingsbury, the mother of his two children. He is on trial for first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse with a past pattern of domestic abuse, premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder.

Throughout the state’s case, 68 witnesses — including law enforcement, Kingsbury’s family and her friends — have taken the stand. The defense was expected to make its case on Friday, with closing arguments scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4.

On Thursday morning, Winona Police Department Sgt. Adam Brommerich, the lead investigator on the case of Kingsbury’s disappearance, was recalled to the stand as the final witness.

Phillip Prokopowicz, a special prosecutor with Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension who is handling the case, questioned Brommerich first about the pillowcases and sheets recovered in the case.

Kingsbury was reported missing on March 31, 2023. An investigator found Kingsbury’s body along a remote road near Minnesota Highway 43 in Mabel around 1:30 p.m. on June 7, 2023. Her body was wrapped in gray sheets, which were similar to the ones found in their home.

Brommerich testified that he collected the gray pillowcases from Kingsbury and Fravel’s Winona residence.

Prokopowicz displayed two photos of care labels found on the gray sheets, which defense attorney Zachary Bauer objected to. The photo on the left was of the care label of the sheets that Kingsbury’s body was found in while the photo on the right was of a care label on a pillowcase from their residence.

The care label on the sheets, though faded, matched the care label on the pillowcase.

Prokopowicz began entering dozens of photos of surveillance video clips and overview maps as Brommerich confirmed the locations. Surveillance videos captured Kingsbury’s van that was driven by Fravel on March 31, 2023, as it traveled down to Choice, Minnesota.

A 20-minute video compiled by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension pieced together a timeline of the surveillance videos showing the van, text messages and activity of Fravel and Kingsbury’s phones. The demonstrative exhibit was entered, and Winona County District Judge Nancy

Adam Fravel Buytendorp reminded jurors that the computer-generated video should not be received as fact. Brommerich said the BCA created the video to “highlight the key facts” in a timeline of March 31, 2023.

“We were looking for video along the route that was provided by Adam Fravel,” Brommerich testified.

The video began at 8:01 a.m. on March 31, 2023, as Fravel and Kingsbury drove together to drop their children off at a daycare on Sioux Street.

Four minutes later, surveillance footage from inside the daycare depicted Fravel wearing a white jacket, black pants and white shoes. Kingsbury entered the daycare soon after, wearing a white and tan plaid jacket. In Prokopowicz’s opening statements, he said this was the last known footage taken of Kingsbury.

At 8:10 a.m., Fravel and Kingsbury arrived at their Kerry Drive residence. Three minutes later, the activity tracker on Madeline Kingsbury’s phone stopped and never started again, according to the video.

At 8:14 a.m., there was an Apple Cash transfer from Kingsbury’s phone to Fravel’s account. Her phone was placed into lock status two minutes later and stayed locked until April 1, 2023, when the battery died.

At 8:35 a.m., the van was parked to face the Kerry Drive residence, according to surveillance footage from a storage facility across the street. At 9:44 a.m., an individual wearing a white coat was crouching in front of the van in the driveway.

Minutes later, the subject was seen walking toward the back of the van.

At 10 a.m., the van was seen at a Kwik Trip. Fravel was pumping gas in the van, and according to the Kwik Trip surveillance footage, the license plates had been changed on the van. The license plates now on the van belonged to a different vehicle registered to Fravel.

At 10:29 a.m., Fravel texted Kingsbury. The van was then backed into the Kerry Drive residence’s driveway. Fravel texted Kingsbury, saying “You just gonna stay home?”

From 11:26 a.m. to noon, the BCA video then depicted different surveillance footage of Fravel driving the van from Wi-

nona southbound to Rushford, Minnesota.

Brommerich testified that there was no video south of 28901 Highway 43, which was the farthest surveillance footage captured of Fravel driving the van. From noon until 12:44 p.m., there was no video captured of Fravel.

The BCA added the locations of the Christmas Barn near the city of Choice, which Fravel told police is where he turned around. Kingsbury’s body was recovered near the area.

At 12:44 p.m., Fravel was seen driving northbound on Highway 43. At 1:15 p.m., the van was seen turning toward the Kerry Drive residence. At 1:28 p.m., the van was seen parked in the driveway.

Fravel proceeded to text Kingsbury’s phone at 1:33 p.m.

The text said, “Ummm I’m back and my car is still here? You get a ride or somethin?” Fravel texted Kingsbury five more times that evening.

At 4:21 p.m., Fravel picked up their children from daycare, wearing a white jacket and brown boots.

The defense began its cross-examination of Brommerich, questioning the timing of the surveillance videos “Law enforcement is taught that when they see evidence, they gather evidence, correct?”

Bauer asked Brommerich.

Bauer continued to ask about how law enforcement collects evidence and whether Brommerich checked whether there was any surveillance farther south. Brommerich responded that he didn’t personally travel that far south.

Bauer continued to question Brommerich about the surveillance footage and displayed photos of overview maps around Choice and Mabel, Minnesota. He then questioned the search parties for Kingsbury and the role of Preble Town Hall. Brommerich said the town hall was a hub for search parties in the case.

Bauer then displayed photos of texts between Fravel and Kingsbury in February and early March of 2023.

“I’m pretty sure I want to be done but we can chat about it and decide on some permanent or temporary forms of birth control from there,” Kingsbury texted Fravel on Feb. 9, 2023.

Other texts showed Fravel and Kingsbury planned to look for new places to live in March of 2023.

Brommerich was questioned again by the state, with Prokopowicz asking about Preble Town Hall.

Court was adjourned before 3 p.m. Oct. 31. Bauer said the defense plans to call five witnesses to the stand Friday morning.

He did not say whether Fravel plans to take the stand.

Defense for Adam Fravel closes its case after 5 witnesses take the stand

BY OLIVIA ESTRIGHT ROCHESTER POST BULLETIN The defense for Adam Fravel began calling its witnesses, including Fravel’s older brother and neighbors, to the stand on Friday morning, Nov. 1. The defense’s case closed soon after.

Fravel, whose trial began on Oct. 7, is charged with first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse with a past pattern of domestic abuse, first-degree premeditated murder and two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Madeline Kingsbury.

Compared to the volume of testimony introduced by the prosecution — 68 witnesses over 10 days of testimony — the defense called five witnesses to the stand, using only one day to state its case. After the de-

fense’s final witness testified, defense attorney Zachary Bauer told the court that Fravel had chosen not to testify. The defense then rested its case before noon on Friday.

The state, represented by Phillip Prokopowicz and Christina Galewski, rested its case on Thursday, Oct. 31. Judge Nancy Buytendorp told the 17 jurors on Thursday that the case will likely be handed over to them following closing arguments, which were scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 6. Previously, the court was told the jurors would begin deliberating on Monday, Nov. 4. Due to Election Day on Nov. 5, the court rescheduled closing statements for the following day. After 19 days of jury selection and testimony from the state’s witnesses, the defense, represented by Bauer and Grace Dokken, be-

gan its case by calling its first witness, investigator Nathan Smith of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

Houston County Sheriff’s Office investigators are the first witnesses called to testify Smith testified that he began investigating the disappearance of Kingsbury on April 2, 2023, and was assigned to place a GPS tracker on the car police anticipated Fravel would be driving.

Smith said he brought a tracker to the Fravel residence in Mabel, Minnesota, while he was in an assigned, unmarked Toyota Camry. Around noon, law enforcement told him there was a search warrant for GPS tracking of Fravel’s vehicle. Smith

Fravel defense

continued on page 11

Alliant Energy recently celebrated the grand opening of the company’s new operations center on Park Street in Decorah. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

Alliant Energy raises Iowa electricity rates up to 15 percent for downtown businesses, others Hike projected to strain poorlyinsulated homes, schools and government entities

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER Alliant Energy, which provides electricity services to Decorah, raised its rates for Iowa customers in October.

But, while some predict the increase may strain residents and local entities, the increased percentages could have been significantly higher.

After negotiations with the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate, Alliant Energy settled with raising its residential rates by 6 percent — down from the 13.4 percent which was originally proposed — and its general rates, which include downtown businesses, churches, other non-profits, schools and municipal government buildings, will see a 15 percent increase — down from the proposed hike of 20 percent, according to Alliant Energy Senior Communications Partner Morgan Hawk.

In the negotiations, the Iowa Utilities Commission accepted the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa’s recommendation that it reject certain rate design changes for what are termed large general service-supplementary customers, said Jim Martin-Schramm, Policy Analyst for CEDI, a nonprofit organization which provides support to Iowa energy districts.

“I’m not crazy about a 15 percent cost increase,” said Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski, “but it was supposed to be a lot worse. I’m grateful that the CEDI Coalition went to bat for the over 3,000 residential households in Decorah as well as all of our businesses and non-profits.”

The overall impact on bills will vary, depending on actual energy used, Hawk said. The rate adjustment for electric customers adds about $8 per month to the typical resident’s bill, according to Hawk, while about $49 per month will be added to the typical general service customer’s bill.

“Yes, a 15 percent increase is going to be challenging — especially for the General Fund

related departments … where recent changes in property tax law already reduced what the city could collect with property tax revenues to cover these costs, with the average being 3.26 percent over the last 10 years,” said Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken. “Most of our operations fall into the rate paying class that is limited to a 15 percent increase in revenue as a whole, but individual accounts are not capped at that 15 percent. Going into preparations of the FY26 budget, we’ll be using a 15 percent increase in our planning.”

Luther College, one of Decorah’s largest electricity consumers, also falls into the general service category.

“I am so glad that the CEDI Coalition helped to persuade the Iowa Utilities Commission not to approve Alliant’s proposed rate design scheme,” said Luther College President, Jenifer K. Ward as part of a statement released by Clean Energy Districts of Iowa. “If our costs only increase by the 15 percent class cost cap, the CEDI Coalition will have helped us save hundreds of thousands of dollars every year for at least the next five years. That’s a lot more money we can use to offer financial aid to our students and to pay our valuable employees.”

However, one issue not resolved through the state’s settlement agreement with Alliant involved a proposal from the energy company that would have increased Luther’s $1 million annual electric bill by about $400,000.

Martin-Schramm said it takes time to plug all of the numbers into a spreadsheet to estimate the total bill impact of the rate increase, but he believes it is likely Luther’s cost will increase the 15 percent class cost cap.

In addition to large general service customers, Martin-Schramm said poorly-insulated structures will see higher electricity costs.

“Residential customers who live in poorly insulated homes with older and less efficient air conditioners, and/or electric resistance heating are the most likely to experience bill increases over 6 percent,” Martin-Schramm said. “General service customers with poorly-sealed and insulated buildings and/or old and inefficient HVAC systems will likely experience bill increases over 15 percent.”

Martin-Schramm voted in 2018 to approve a referendum

for Decorah to form its own municipal electric cooperative — a proposal which failed by only three votes.

“Given Alliant’s very high costs, I continue to believe it is reasonable for the citizens of Decorah to continue to explore this option,” Martin-Schramm said. “The Decorah City Council has scheduled a second referendum for March 4, 2025. If the referendum passes, this will empower the city council to determine whether it wants to take additional steps to secure permission from the Iowa Utilities Commission to take over Alliant’s service territory in and around Decorah.”

Based on annual electric utility report data supplied to the Iowa Utilities Commission, Martin-Schramm claims almost every residential household in Iowa pays less for its electricity than the nearly 410,000 households served by Alliant Energy.

“Only two of Iowa’s 135 municipal electric utilities have higher residential rates, and all of Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives have residential rates that are lower than Alliant’s,” he said.

Hawk said the rate settlement and the IUC’s decision stabilize customer base rates until the end of the decade, “driving affordability and predictability for our customers and the communities we serve.”

But, Martin-Schramm argues Alliant’s rates are discouraging community growth.

“Alliant’s residential customers pay more for their electricity than almost every other household in Iowa, and their residential rates continue to be very high in the Midwest,” Martin-Schramm said. “These high rates discourage economic investment in Alliant’s service territory, which makes it harder for communities served by Alliant to attract new businesses and thus more residents.”

For information about CEDI, visit cleanenergydistricts.org.

For more information about Alliant Energy’s rate increases, visit alliantenergy.com/iowarates.

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OPINION

4 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

No matter who won Tuesday, I hope they’ll reach across the aisle My very first time I registered to vote, it was in a middle school gym.

I was a senior in high school, and I believe I had study hall at some point on Election Day that

BY SETH year. So I walked down a conBOYES necting hallway, passed some rattly yellow lockers, through News Editor a dated commons area and into the gym, where I told an elderly woman I wanted to vote — looking back on it, I’m lucky throwing babies in a trash can. we lived so close to the school, But I also believed then — and or I’d probably have been told I I still do — that total loyalty to was in the wrong ward. either party is a misguided apGeorge W. Bush and John proach to politics. So, when the Kerry were at the top of the elderly poll volunteer asked me ballot that year, and I consid- if I wanted to register an affiliaered myself a pretty hearty tion with either party, I said no. conservative at that time. Just I was still pretty sure I knew a few years earlier, I’d drawn who I’d vote for once I got in a cartoon on the back of my the booth though. mock ballot in eighth period soAnd like most high school cial studies, depicting Al Gore students, I found out how woewearing a surgical gown and fully ignorant I was of the state

and local races down the ballot.

I’m pretty sure I left a lot of ovals blank that year.

But my pen hovered over the names in the presidential race for a bit. It felt weighty to actually be voting in a presidential election, and I wanted to take it seriously. I thought back on conversations I’d had ahead of that election with my former TAG teacher, who was particularly good at facilitating neutral discussions. Our class had briefly looked at past examples of presidents whose party affiliation was at odds with the one who held control of Congress during their administration.

Obviously that makes it harder for a government to get things done — and I liked that idea.

I didn’t think important issues should be streamlined and approved without serious discus-

sion in the sake of a party name.

And I thought anything that did pass through Congress without much debate would surely to be the type of thing that pretty much everyone agreed was in the country’s best interest. In short, I guess I decided opposition isn’t the enemy of good government. The word bipartisan hadn’t quite taken root in my vocabulary at that time, and I had yet to read about George Washington’s fear that a partisan system would lead to a spirit of revenge among lawmakers as they sought power rather than the good of the people, so I thought the idea was pretty novel for a few years after that.

Anyway, I surprised myself and voted for Kerry — he lost of course.

Now, as I type this column, folks still have more than six hours to get to their polling lo-

cations and cast their ballots in this year’s election. I have no idea who has won the presidency, or any other races for that matter — though there’s some uncontested races I’d be comfortable calling at this point.

But no matter who has won — from the top of the ticket on down — I still feel like legislators and policymakers should have to work for things a bit.

I’d say most if not all of us are tired of political polarization, but it’s not always easy to coax ourselves out of our own camps. It feels safer there. We don’t face as much criticism there. We feel safer sharing opinions there. We don’t have to explain ourselves quite as often there.

I get it.

But staying in our camps won’t get us very far.

Talking to the other side will.

Understanding the opposition will. Working with them to find mutually effective solutions will.

It’s the kind of thing I think we used to expect of our lawmakers. Heck, they probably used to expect it of themselves, and hopefully they still do. So, regardless of who won Tuesday, I say we as the voting public make a renewed call for bipartisanship across the board.

That will, of course, mean loosening our collective grip on polarization, but I imagine it’ll be worth it.

Agree with Seth? Think he’s got it completely backwards or he’s missed the point entirely?

Let your voice be heard. Letters to the editor may be emailed to editor@decorahleader.com or dropped off at 110 Washington St. Suite 4 in Decorah.

Message from an Iowa poll worker: Mistakes are not conspiracies Poll workers are human and errors happen. But let’s stop tearing each other apart.

BY BETH HOFFMAN IOWA WRITERS’ COLLABORATIVE Poll worker training for this election happened a few days ago, and like one big democratic family, the group of mostly retirees and grandparents (many of whom have been poll workers for a decade or more) reviewed again how to properly serve the public in the voting process.And while there are differences of opinions — some were concerned about “illegals”

voting, others wanted to know why voters have to choose a gender — we are all united in our belief in the American dream, one where the populace peacefully and respectfully chooses a new leader.

One of the things covered in training were the rules for voting — which are complicated and vary by state. Thirty-six states, including Iowa, require presenting identification (not necessarily with a photo), while other states like California check signatures or other per-

sonal information when people arrive at the polls. In California, I had to vote provisionally (provisional votes go into a special pile to be considered separately) when I neglected to fill out my absentee ballot. Here in Iowa, I could have surrendered my absentee ballot by bringing it to my polling place and then been allowed to vote as everyone else does. In Iowa, an equal number of Democrats and Republicans must work at each polling station (Independents and other parties are welcome

too). New York law requires the same. It’s a lot to learn, but luckily the computerized system is set up so there is very little opportunity for mistakes.

Prompts on the computer screen remind workers what to ask and in what order (“Please state your name, address and birthdate …”) and guide us through step-by-step when handling irregularities. If a person has changed their name, for example, or moved to a new address but did not update their license, there is a process to update their

information or to register them to vote the day of the election (all legal in Iowa).Of course, nothing we humans do is foolproof and there will likely be more than one mistake made in the election this year in the United States. But mistakes are not the same as conspiracies, and it saddens and concerns me that this election is marred by so much suspicion, suspicion of everything from the poll workers and the computer systems to the voters and the election officials — suspicion of each other.

It’s enough to make countries who hate our democracy rub their hands with glee to think that neighbor is pitted against neighbor, all while our environment, the economy, and ultimately our democracy, suffers.

Let’s instead turn off the TV, the Instagram feeds, and the Facebook posts aimed at tearing us apart this election season, and work to make democracy a reality, together.

Echoes of the Past Election results via modern telegraph Newspaper office among “receiving centers” for tabulations

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER Election coverage back in a bygone era is remembered this week. The archives are filled with stories of voting results filtering in at what could now be considered “a snail’s pace.”

For the first 50 years in America, much voting took place by white men who would go to the local courthouse and publicly cast their vote out loud.

This voice voting came to an end in the late 1890s. The first paper ballots came out in the early 19th century, followed by the automatic voting machine booths dominating elections through 1980. Punch card vot-

ing and “hanging chads” would follow. And now, we have the fill-in-the-bubble scannable forms.

Back in 1924, “modern” preparations were made in advance to ensure getting the returns as early as possible. According to the old newspapers, “The Grand Opera House and the Star Theatre on Water Street had secured the “full Western Union Telegraph Service, in addition to returns coming in over the telephone and radio.”

The Elks Club, the local courthouse, the newspaper offices and private radio stations were labeled as the town’s “receiving centers” so that outside returns were obtained earlier and more

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accurately than ever before. It still took days for the results to be confirmed. Of note, the presidential election on Nov. 4, 1924, showed Calvin Coolidge defeating his opponents - John W. Davis and Robert M. LaFollette. The three presidential candidates embraced a new era in their campaigning, which included radio and popular newsreels presented occasionally at the local theatres. Voters back in that early era continued to rely upon their local newspaper when they wanted to be informed. Long gone are the days of sitting in a darkened movie theater, watching a newsreel report of the nation’s election results.

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NE HUNDRED YEARS AGO - 1924: One big question to be decided in the general election on Nov. 4, 1924 (besides the election of president of the United States) will be the question of graveling the roads of Winneshiek County. This is a question no fair-minded person in the county should ignore. The county is entitled to graveled roads. Now is the time to do it! …Several Decorah girls decided to take a hike the other morning, so they started out for Hesper. The three girls hiked for about 10 miles, and then got a lift by a passing auto into Hesper. They had a fine chicken dinner at one of the girls’ parent’s houses. After such a big meal, the girls decided they were in no condition to hike back to Decorah; so, Martin Johnson brought them home in his car.

This vintage photograph of the Winneshiek County Courthouse dates back to the early 1900s. Constructed at a cost of $125,000 back in 1904, the stately structure boasts decorative plaster, art glass dome, terrazzo flooring and marble wainscoting. From the newspaper archives. …A “mammoth” New York Cheese is the main feature during Cheese Day in Decorah.

F.J. Rosenthal’s of Decorah is showing off a 750-poiund cheese, along with many select verities for the event. …St. Bridget’s Church at Bluffton built a handsome new community hall this past summer through the efforts of the Rev. Father Herbers and members of the Bluffton parish. The building is 32x96 with a complete basement. It will be used for various amusements for the entire community in the future. …A huge bonfire was the highlight of the evening for some local seniors at Siewer’s Spring. Wieners were roasted and the evening concluded with the boys vying with the girls to see which could sing better.

There were no judges, so the outcome was not decided. After the fire had flickered out, the party departed for home …The high school library now has subscriptions for several magazines: Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, Popular Mechanics,

Geographic Worlds Work, St. Nicholas, Country Gentleman, The Bookman, Nature Magazine, American Lawn Tennis, Journal of Home Economics, Saturday Evening Post, Scientific American, Literary Digest, Scholastic, and Pictorial Review. …A new Beautte Parlor and Ladies’ Hair Bobbing Shoppe is opening soon in the back of Mr. Bucknell’s barber shop. He recently bought out the Violet Lucile Beautte Shoppe and has engaged Mrs. Carl Bernatz to be in charge of the new parlor.

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INETY YEARS AGO 1934: A new community fire truck has arrived in Decorah. The thorough test drive was completed under the direction of Decorah Fire Chief Theo. Moen. …A visit to the bass hatchery at Siewer’s Spring, currently under construction by the Decorah CC Camp, demonstrates that the project is well along towards completion. …A yield of 83 bushels of

corn to the acre was reported from a 9-acre field owned by the Winneshiek County Home. …A wild deer, a doe, has been roaming the open fields up near Canton in the southern part of Fillmore County, just across the northern boundary of Winneshiek County. …The Decorah Lodge of the Elks will host a “smoker” this week. The affair will include 15 rounds of boxing, nine rounds provided by boxers from the Decorah CC Camp. There also will be some professional wrestling matches. A fee of 35 cents will admit Elk’s members to the entire program. …The Civilian Conservation Camp here in Decorah will use coal as fuel for heating and cooking this winter. The camp burned slab wood last winter.

New coal stoves have been provided by the U.S. Army. …The Decorah Gun Club held its weekly tournament at the Decorah Hitching Grounds a few Sundays ago. There were about 30 members firing for the prizes.

NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

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Decorah man accused of mid-July rape arrested again for continued pre-trial violations Othman ordered off Luther College campus

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

Trail users were invited to share their thoughts on the use of Van Peenen Park last week during a round table discussion with Decorah Parks and Recreation officials. Many Winneshiek County Saddle Club members attended spoke at the microphone, including 92-year-old Edna Schrandt, who joined the saddle club in 1960. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Decorah Parks and Rec hears from public during Van Peenen round table

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER It was standing room only inside the meeting chambers at Decorah’s City Hall on Oct. 30, as nearly 150 people turned out to take part in a special meeting with the city’s park and recreation board to discuss issues of trail usage at Van Peenen Park.

The 120-acre park was originally deeded to the city in 1976 by resident John Van Peenen specifically for hiking, cross-country skiing, bird watching and horseback riding, with stipulations from Van Peenen that the land be kept in a natural state and not be used by motorized vehicles or for hunting. In the early 2000s, mountain biking had become popular, and Decorah Human Powered Trails, a local trail group, asked the city parks and rec department if DHPT could ride on Van Peenen’s trails and construct new trails on which to bike.

Rick Edwards, director of the city’s parks and rec in 2005, wrote to Van Peenen asking his input regarding the addition of mountain bikes to the park trails. Van Peenen replied to Edwards, writing he didn’t have anything against mountain bikes, but he didn’t think horses and bikes could peacefully co-exist on the trails. Additionally, Van Peenen felt the trails’ capacity was already being stretched at that time and doing anything further would be detrimental to the park’s longterm health. But Van Peenen did say the park was a gift to the city and the decision was ultimately the city’s to make. Soon after this 2005/2006-time frame, Edwards gave verbal permission to DHPT to build trails in Van Peenen Park, according to park

and rec meeting minutes and DHPT members.

Since then, as Van Peenen predicted, a peaceful co-existence among various trail groups has been fleeting. Officials with the city and its parks and rec departent invited trail users — not just mountain bikers and horseback riders — to a round table discussion last week to help deescalate tension and give individuals a chance to voice frustrations and share stories. No official action was taken by the city or the park and rec board following the meeting.

Many Winneshiek County Saddle Club members attended last week’s session, including 92-year-old Edna Schrandt, who joined the saddle club in 1960. She shared how in the early 1970s, she would go to Van Peenen Park to ride her horse. She claims Van Peenen told her she would be able to ride her horse at the park for the rest of her life. Today, The limited area for horseback riding compared to the trail system for mountain bike riding has been a sore spot for longtime Decorah resident Ron Juve.

“They have miles and miles and miles and unknown miles of trails in the Decorah area — I can’t ride my horse down the street, we have one small spot in Winneshiek County where we can ride,” Juve said. “Van Peenen would be unhappy if he went out there now and saw the changes. If I owned property adjacent to Decorah with the the intentions that Mr. Van Peenen did, and I knew that a few years later someone in the city was going to change it, I wouldn’t be very happy.”

Various members of the DHPT shared their proposed plan for sharing trails with the

saddle club — referred to as the 5-8 plan — which would split Van Peenen’s 8 miles of trails into 5 miles of trails deemed usable by horses and 3 miles of trails which would be off-limits to horses.

“I am a hiker, runner, cross country skier — I grew up riding horses, I understand horses have the right to be in Van Peenen Park,” DHPT member Doug Osborne said. “Three miles of trails are off-camber trails and are shored. The two types of damages we see are storm damages and horse damage, caused by the heavy weight of the horse when shoring is destroyed, and the soil is disrupted and erosion is more susceptible because the soil is loose.”

Decorah Parks and Rec Board member Kathy Bakken agreed with many attendees in saying most cities would be fortunate to have a public space even a fraction of the 600-acre Van Peenen Park to argue over.

Bakken said she hopes a compromise can be reached while working together with the groups and her fellow board members.

“I really am amazed and appreciative of everyone who showed up and corresponded by email or text,” said Bakken.

“We have a lot of things to think about and a lot of perspectives — I hope we can come to some agreement that people can accept.”

According to Parks and Rec Board President Rich Gaard, all comments and information shared will be collected by the board as they attempt to form a consensus during the next parks and rec commission meeting on Nov. 21 and look to potentially make an official decision on the matter.

Castalia man pleads guilty to sexually abusing child

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A Castalia man charged with sexually abusing a child has entered a guilty plea, according to court records.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a possible sexual assault involving a young girl on Feb. 5, 2024. Court documents indicate the girl may have initially told her grandmother she had been abused by then Gerald Joseph Holthaus on multiple occasions at the then 72-yearold’s home. Filings in the case listed offenses as early as October of 2023 and as recently as approximately two weeks before word of the abuse reached law enforcement.

The sheriff’s office searched Holthaus’ home the day after learning of the abuse. Holthaus initially told law enforcement “he had been picking up said child and bringing the child to his residence, because said child liked the cats and helped him with chores” but he denied performing any sexual acts on the child. Investigators seized items which, according to an initial criminal complaint, “corroborated statements made by

Gerald Joseph Holthaus the victim” — other court documents indicated the girl had provided details of the abuse to her grandmother, whom state prosecutors planned at one point to call as a potential witness.

Holthaus was charged with three counts of second-degree sexual abuse later that same month, and he initially pleaded not guilty in a Feb. 29 filing.

Trial had been scheduled for Oct. 30, but court documents indicate prosecutors reached a plea agreement in the case, and Holthaus was sentenced two days before the trail was to take place.

The now 73-year-old agreed to plead guilty to the second count of abuse — trial informa-

tion said that particular offense took place between Jan. 1 and Feb. 5 — and the other two counts of abuse were dismissed.

Holthaus was sentenced to a jail term of up to 25 years, and he must serve at least 70 percent of his sentence before he can become eligible for parole.

Holthaus will be approximately 90-years-old by the time he completes the required jail time — approximately 98-years-old if he serves the full 25 years.

Holthaus must immediately register as a sex offender as part of the court’s decision, and he will also be responsible for paying court costs in the case.

The no contact order previously filed against him was extended by five years as part of the court’s ruling, making the order valid until at least early February of 2029.

Holthaus was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 3:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office is to transport the 73-year-old to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale — information from the Iowa Department of Corrections indicated Holthaus was considered to be in state custody as of Oct. 28.

A Decorah man accused of raping a teenager earlier this summer has been returned to the Winneshiek County Jail after authorities say he continually failed to fulfill the terms of his pre-trial release.

Nandoya Ramadhan Othman filed an admission of contempt on Oct. 8, after failing to keep a required GPS tracking device sufficiently charged several times during the month of September and failing to meet with his supervising officer on at least two occasions.

Othman was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail on Oct. 2 for violation of his pre-trial supervision. He was later released, but a judge terminated his pre-trail release in an order filed Nov. 1 and Othman was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail again at 3:50 p.m.

Nov. 1.

“Since his release from jail, the defendant has continued to violate the terms of his pre-trial release as he has continued to not charge his GPS unit as instructed and also missed scheduled appointments with is supervising officer,” the court’s latest order said.

Othman was initially charged with sexual abuse earlier this summer, after the Decorah Police Department responded to a possible fight on July 18 in the parking lot of the Decorah Walmart. A criminal complaint in that case said the individuals involved in the disturbance “stated they were not fighting but just slap-boxing,” and officers observed an open containers of alcohol in a nearby vehicle. Othman and others were cited for possession of alcohol under the legal age. A pair of juvenile females in the group —

Nandoya Ramadhan Othman one of them being the 17-yearold victim — were transported to the Law Enforcement Center in Decorah to await the arrival of their parents, according to court documents.

The girls told law enforcement they and another female had travelled to Decorah with Othman, and they had been swimming near Will Baker Park — about 3 miles west of the local Walmart — earlier that day.

The 17-year-old said she had at one point gone to retrieve a pair of shoes from a white Chevrolet Impala, and Othman allegedly “followed her to the car, pushed her into the back seat and got on top of her.” The assault allegedly continued until another juvenile female arrived at the vehicle and pushed Othman off the victim, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.

Court documents said a sexual assault nurse examiner saw to the 17-year-old and reported finding court documents said were indicative of a sexual act.

A warrant was issued for Othman’s arrest the next day, and police seized clothing from Othman’s dormitory as well as a fitted sheet found in the back seat of the Impala, which court

documents indicated was located at a rural address in Waukon.

Othman was initially booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 9:25 p.m. July 19.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and the court agreed to release Othman on several conditions — including he be placed under pre-trial supervision by the Iowa Department of Correctional Services and not leave Decorah without the court’s permission, save for meetings with his attorney in West Union.

However, court documents said Othman allowed the battery in his GPS bracelet to drop to unacceptable levels at least five times in less than a week during the month of September.

Court documents filed Nov. 1 said Othman had again failed to keep the tracking unit charged on multiple occasions — a report from his supervising officer listed at least 12 different instances between Sept. 30 and Nov. 1. In addition, court records said Luther College’s Director of Behavior Intervention and Care reported on Nov. 1 that “the defendant is being administratively withdrawn from campus due to continued instances of concerning behavior” and was to remove himself from campus by 5 p.m. that day.

Luther officials confirmed Tuesday that Othman is no longer considered a student.

Othman’s supervising officer noted in a Nov. 1 report that the 20-year-old “has no other supports in the area and as a result has no adequate housing options” and recommended he be held in custody until the case is resolved. Othman was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 3:50 p.m. the same day. His case is currently scheduled to go to trial Dec. 18.

Law Enforcement Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office

A Postville man was cited with failure to yield and failure to provide proof of financial liability following a collision southeast of Decorah. A report from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said 51-year-old Dwayne Dean Lundtvedt of Decorah was approaching the intersection of Highway 9 and Frankville Road in a 2011 Ford F150, when a 2004 Toyota Sienna driven by 55-year-old Marvin Mejia Moya of Postville pulled onto the highway after stopping at a stop sign. The sheriff’s report said Lundtvedt braked and swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid the Sienna, but Mejia Moya’s vehicle “stopped in the roadway” and left the F150 “no where else to go.”

The vehicles collided, and the Sienna was pushed into the ditch. Both drivers were suspected of having minor injuries. Damage to the Ford was estimated at $11,000, while damage to the Toyota was estimated at $5,000.

Aaron J. Zimmerman, age 34, of Calmar was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 4:22 p.m. on a warrant for sex offender registry violation.

Isaias Acatzihua Tlehuactle, age 35, of Ossian was charged with op-

erating under the influence — first offense — no valid drivers license and failure to provide proof of financial liability at approximately 2:14 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1 along Highway 52 in Castalia. The Ossian Police Department initially responded to a report of a vehicle which “was driving all over the road,” according to court documents. Acatzihua Tlehuactle was found to be the driver of the vehicle and damage was observed to the rear of the vehicle — a criminal complaint said the vehicle had “a piece of house siding stuck to it,” and a Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Deputy located a damaged building near a bar in Catalia.

Acatzihua Tlehuactle was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 5:35 a.m. the same day.

No citation was listed after a Spillville man reported he had struck a parked vehicle on Halloween. A report from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said 44-year-old Scott Robert Balik told authorities he was driving a 2014 Volkswagon Jetta east along Park Street in Spillville and struck the rear of a 2-21 Chevrolet Colorado parked on the south side of the street. The sheriff’s report said damage to the Jetta was estimated at $3,000 and damage to the Colorado was estimated at $7,000.

A Decorah man was arrested after what the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office called a lengthy investigation. The sheriff’s office executed a search warrant on a residence along 350th Street at approximately 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. The search resulted in an arrest warrant for 47-year-old Kurt P. Krauskopf, who was charged with ongoing criminal conduct, two counts of first-degree theft and second-degree theft. Criminal complaints in the case accused Krauskopf of stealing almost 25 semi-loads of grain — both corn and soybeans — from a farm operation over the course of 2023.

The complaints said the grain was sold for a total of approximately $175,000 but not reported by Krauskopt on federal bankruptcy papers. The 47-year-old was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4. His bond was reduced to $50,000 and he was later released from jail. The case remains under investigation and additional warrants, arrests and charges may be pending, according to the sheriff’s office.

All people listed may face charges and should be presumed innocent until their case is reviewed through the legal process.

Service Notices LORETTA BACHELDER, 89 of Decorah, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11 at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St., Decorah with Rev. Michael Wilker presiding. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church.

RONALD WENTHOLD, 88, of Ossian, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, at Ossian Senior Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina with Rev. Donald Hertges officiating. Visitation

will be from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at the Festina Community Center with a rosary at 2:30 p.m. There will be no visitation prior to the service on Monday.

WILLIAM (BILL) BURKE, 93, died Nov. 2, 2024. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov.12, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the Waucoma cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma with a rosary at 3:15 p.m. Visitation will resume for one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.

NEWS

6 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Civil rights groups sue Iowa Secretary of State over potential noncitizen voting list

BY ROBIN OPSAHL IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH Civil rights groups and immigrant advocates have filed a federal lawsuit against Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate on behalf of naturalized U.S. citizens in Iowa affected by his order to challenge the ballots of 2,022 people listed as potential noncitizens in the 2024 election.

The lawsuit calls for Pate to rescind his guidance calling for county auditors to challenge the ballots of Iowa voters who are on a list compiled by the Secretary of State’s office as potential noncitizens.

The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Iowa and a law firm representing the League of United Latin American Citizens filed the lawsuit Wednesday night in the Southern District of Iowa. Four naturalized citizens, as well as LULAC as an organization and on behalf of its members, are listed as plaintiffs.

These voters were labeled as potential noncitizens because an audit conducted by the office found that in the past 12 years, they identified themselves to the Iowa Department of Transportation or another government entity as noncitizens. Since that point, the 2,022 individuals registered to vote or participated in elections. The secretary of state’s office sent lists of these individuals to county auditors last week, directing the county election officials to challenge the qualifications of these voters and have them cast provisional ballots.

Many of these individuals are expected to have gained U.S. citizenship through naturalization since reporting themselves as noncitizens to the state, meaning they have the legal right to vote. However, Pate said in a Wednesday news conference that Iowa was denied access to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to check whether these individuals were U.S. citizens, which is why the office pursued the ballot challenging strategy.

Pate argued that this approach was needed to address concerns about noncitizens participating in this year’s elections while ensuring that all legal voters could still cast their ballots.

“We want everyone to be able to vote, that is why none of them have been taken off the voter rolls,” Pate said Wednesday. “But we do have to do it.

We do (have) an obligation to make sure that they are citizens now. That’s why we’ve asked the county auditors, through

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the poll workers, to challenge those voters and allow them to confirm their citizenship status so that we can count their vote as well.”

But in a Thursday news conference, speakers with the ACLU of Iowa and plaintiffs said this action still effectively disenfranchises voters. Rita Bettis Austen, the legal director for the ACLU of Iowa said the secretary of state-issued list uses “deeply flawed, outdated information” to challenge the rights of naturalized U.S. citizen voters in Iowa. She said that violates the U.S. National Voter Registration Act requirements of a 90-day “quiet period” ahead of the election.

The federal law prohibits states from systematically removing “ineligible voters” from voter rolls during this time period — starting Aug. 7 for the 2024 general election — to prevent possible errors close to the election.

“The bottom line is … that’s one of the reasons why this is a violation of the constitutional rights of our citizen voters here who are being swept up in this, and it is just one of the reasons,” Austen said.

Austen also said the lawsuit argues that Pate’s action violates naturalized citizens’ fundamental right to vote and due process rights, as well as violating the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment by discriminating against voters on the basis of their national origin and status as naturalized citizens.

The suit names Pate as well as five county auditors in Polk, Winneshiek, Pottawattamie, Johnson and Scott counties, as defendants in the case.

Among the plaintiffs in the suit is Orçun Selçuk, an assistant professor of political science and international studies program director at Luther College in Decorah. Selçuk, a Turkey native and U.S. citizen, said he received notice from the Winneshiek County auditor after voting early in October that his ballot was being challenged on the basis of his citizenship.

The letter said he had a deadline of Nov. 12 at 12 p.m. to provide proof of citizenship, but did not specify what proof was required or where he had to go to show these documents, he said.

“After you become a U.S. citizen, one of the things they tell you is that you are now eligible to vote,” Selçuk said. “But the state of Iowa seems to have some questions about that. I’m concerned about other new, full citizens who took their time to go and vote the first time, and now maybe they have to go back again, to prove themselves once again. Maybe they won’t have the time or the transportation, or maybe they will be afraid to go to the auditor’s office. I’m concerned about their vote not being counted, and about new citizens being intimidated from voting, especially with people new to the country. They may be wrongly concerned about doing something wrong or breaking a law that

Winneshiek County Auditor among those named in federal lawsuit stemming from state election order

A group of civil rights and immigrant advocates have filed a lawsuit against Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and several county auditors — including Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines — in response to a directive from Pate’s office to challenge more than 2,000 ballots from potential noncitizens.

The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Iowa and a law firm representing the League of United Latin American Citizens filed the lawsuit on behalf of naturalized U.S. citizens who may be affected by Pate’s order.

“Acknowledging the need for election integrity, it is important that only U.S. Citizens are allowed to vote,” Steines said in a statement released Friday. “I disagree with the process and procedures currently directed by the Secretary of State, specifically on the timing and trying to put this in place too close to the election. The current procedures create extra burdens for naturalized citizens as well as election staff. That being said, I understand that the Secretary of State has the authority to direct county auditors on election procedures and policies, and I have no authority to implement procedures different from those directed.”

Pate’s office has instructed county auditors across the state to challenge the ballots of 2,022 people whom Pate’s office listed as potential noncitizens. Pate’s office conducted an audit, which found that, in the past 12 years, 2,022 individuals had identified themselves as noncitizens to the Iowa Department of Transportation or other government entity. Those names have not been released to the public, but Steines said nine of them are believed to reside within Winneshiek County’s voting precincts, and he said three of those nine had cast absentee ballots as of Nov. 1. Civil rights advocates in the case argue individuals identified during the audit may have become U.S. citizens since identifying themselves as non-citizens during the 12-year period in question.

A federal judge upheld Pate’s guidance for county auditors in a decision Sunday. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said in a social media post that afternoon she was glad to “lead the fight defending our election integrity laws.”

“This victory guarantees all Iowans that their votes will count and not be cancelled out by illegal votes,” Bird said. they were not aware of.”

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a temporary stay in the lawsuit over Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s order 90 days before the election that resulted in more than 6,000 people being removed from Virginia’s voter rolls. The stay overturns a lower court’s ruling that would have required the state restore 1,600 people to voter rolls.

Jonathan Topaz, a staff attorney in the ACLU Voting Rights Project, said there are major differences between Virginia’s and Iowa’s cases, including different constitutional rights violation claims. He also said the difference in timing is crucial when comparing the two states’ actions on alleged noncitizen voters.

“The executive order in Virginia came in August and and the secretary’s directive here came on Oct. 22 — that was exactly two weeks before Election Day, and when early voting had already been underway in Iowa,” Topaz said. “And so, this has created a much more chaotic and burdensome problem for Iowa voters, in large part because of the unreliability of the records on which it relies, because there’s simply no time for quality control here and to get folks adequate notice. And there’s absolutely no reason why these challenges needed to be brought so close to Election Day. They could have been brought months, years earlier, or they could have been brought

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after the election.”

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird released a statement on the lawsuit, saying she is “fighting to defend our long-standing election integrity laws and ensure Iowans can maintain trust in our elections.”

“Iowa law guarantees that every eligible voter can vote and every legal vote will count,” Bird said in a statement. “But now, with only a few days until the election, and many Iowans already voting, LULAC is trying to derail our election integrity systems to let noncitizens illegally vote. Every noncitizen who illegally votes cancels out an Iowan’s valid vote. We won’t let that happen.”

The secretary of state’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit, but Pate said in a news release Thursday that the Des Moines Field Office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services have completed a review of all individuals identified as potential noncitizens by the state office, but that the federal USCIS office “is refusing to let the Des Moines office share those results with us.” Pate said this information is necessary to ensure naturalized U.S. citizens can cast regular ballots rather than provisional ballots.

“We are grateful to the Des Moines Field Office of USCIS for performing this laudable task on behalf of Iowa voters,” Pate said in the statement. “We urge the Washington, D.C. Office, who refuses to release this key information, to do so and provide clarity and certainty regarding these Iowa voters and allow Iowa elections to be run more efficiently.”

Pate also said in the statement that the U.S. Department of Justice has indicated it may challenge Iowa’s process. The federal department declined to comment Wednesday and has not responded to a request for comment Thursday.

“During our initial meeting with the DOJ, we informed them that USCIS had already reviewed each and every name and has determined whether they are naturalized or are still noncitizens,” Pate said. “As such, we asked the DOJ to request their federal colleagues at the Washington, D.C. Office to release this important clarifying data to us.”

Winneshiek County Treasurer Brenda Kreitzer announced her upcoming retirement during Monday’s board of supervisors meeting (Photo by Zach Jensen)

County Treasurer Kreitzer announces retirement Neubauer to step into county’s recycling supervisor position

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER Winneshiek County Treasurer Brenda Kreitzer announced Monday she will be retiring Jan. 3, 2025, after having served Winneshiek County for the last 32 years. The announcement was made during this week’s meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors.

“After careful consideration, I have decided it is time to retire,” Kreitzer told the board.

“I can’t express how grateful I am for the 32 years I have worked for Winneshiek County. Though I am sad to depart, I am eager for the opportunity to spend more time with my family and for the chance to travel.

It’s crazy how fast that 32 years went.”

Kreitzer worked as a deputy tax clerk for Winneshiek County for 27 years and was appointed Treasurer in October of 2019 after Wayne Walter retired.

Kreitzer’s announcement was met with applause by everyone attending the meeting, and each of the supervisors thanked her for her service.

The supervisors briefly discussed with Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten how to fill Kreitzer’s position once it’s vacated. Van Der Maaten said he would research the issue, adding that the county might need to choose between appointing someone to be the new county treasurer and holding special election.

In other business: • Winneshiek County Waste Reduction and Recycling Educator Evan Neubauer was unanimously approved as the county’s new recycling supervisor.

Scott Logsdon is retiring from the position in January of 2025.

Neubauer’s start date is yet to be determined, and his annual salary will start at $68,900.

• Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny reported that three pavers are working on County Road W14, and Bruening’s Rock Products performed the work in Fort Atkinson.

Member of the public who wish to be included in the county’s W14 progress email list may

send an email to engineer@ co.winneshiek.ia.us.

• The shouldering has been completed on Big Canoe and Locust roads. Kueny said that, by the time shouldering projects are complete, there will be an extra 2 feet of shoulder on all roads in the county.

• Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines reported more than 7,000 absentee ballots have been cast for this year’s presidential election. In comparison, he said more than 9,000 absentee ballots were cast in 2020, the year of the pandemic, and most elections before that averaged between 6,000 and 7,000 absentee ballots. He added that about 500 people voted Friday, Nov. 1, and he expected about that same number Monday.

• A lease between the county and the Decorah Community Food Pantry, which is located in the county’s new Community Services Building, was unanimously approved. The lease is in the amount of $2,050 per month for the next year, with an additional $50 expected per month each subsequent year.

• The supervisors unanimously approved the purchase of a 2025 John Deere 624P loader from Martin Equipment of Dubuque for $221,400, including a trade-in value of $31,600 for the county loader that’s being replaced. Ziegler CAT’s bid was for a Model 938 loader for $241,000, including a trade-in value of $38,000.

• Supervisor Mark Faldet reported that the county has begun correspondence with a company that may eventually haul glass for recycling. The county currently pays Reliable Dumpster Services of Decorah to haul glass for recylcling, and the new company might pay the county for its glass while also paying transportation fees. As a result, the supervisors unanimously approved a motion to not renew its contract with Reliable, which will come up for renewal in January of 2025.

The next meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11, at the courthouse annex.

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DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

7

‘Courage to change’ Luther alum leads study of climate change in Tanzania

Celebration of Life raises awareness of cancer, prevention The Winneshiek County Celebration of Life community event raised funds for cancer awareness and prevention. The Whitesidewalls performed their rock ‘n’ roll revue Friday, Nov. 1 in the Steyer Opera House at Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah.

Among the many organizers setting up for Friday’s event were, (from left to right) Deb Tekippe, Margaret Walter and Peggy Lensing. (Photos by Roz Weis)

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Luther College students were studying abroad in northern Tanzania as early as 2002, and when Laura Wangsness Willemsen — a 1997 alumnus and an associate professor at Concordia University — proposed a Fulbright study examining how climate change may affect societies, she found herself returning to the east African lands she had visited during her undergraduate years.

Wangsness presented the findings of the study on Sunday in Luther’s Valders Hall of Science, alongside Musa Kamaika Lengidari, who serves as an elder among the region’s nomadic Maasai people and has acted as a cultural guide for visiting Luther students for many years.

The research project involved 150 people and four schools in northern Tanzania over a period of approximately six months, and it focused largely on how climate change has affected education among the participants.

Wangness Willemsen said all 150 participants in the study felt they had been affected by climate change in some way — be it their herds, crops or ability to access education and health care. In addition, 147 of the study’s participants agreed climate change has had a more significant impact on women and girls.

Kamaika Lengidari explained domestic responsibilities are gendered among the Maasai, with women caring for the house, collecting water, gathering firewood and traveling to the market. He said men typically seek grasslands for their herds during the dry season, often traveling in groups, while the women remain at home.

Wangsness Willemsen said there’s an increased risk of injury from animals or assault for women during such times, and Kamaika Lengidari told Sunday’s audience that instances of rape typically increase during periods of draught.

In addition, extended periods of draught followed by heavy rains often create impassible gullies across northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, where the Maasai live. The gullies can cut off access to schools, markets and health care. Researchers also found increases in hunger, diseases like malaria and instances of suicide in communities where there historically had

Laura Wangsness Willemsen (left) and Musa Kamaika Lengidari (right) presented the findings of a recent study examining the effect of climate change on the Maasai people in Tanzania. (Photos by Seth Boyes)

Musa Kamaika Lengidari, who serves as an elder among the Maasai people and has acted as a cultural guide and teacher for Luther students visiting northern Tanzania, laughed during an exchange with some familiar faces following Sunday’s presentation. been little to none — Kamaika Lengidari recounted a man who took his own life after losing all of his cattle.

“Despite difficulties, almost everyone we talked with emphasized the importance of school,” he said. “Parents spoke of education as the future.”

Wangsness Willemsen said the recent study found, while elder demographics among the Maasai felt a sense of grief over specific aspects of life which had been lost, younger generations seemed to have what she called a “living memory” and a greater drive to work toward restoration.

“Climate grief in Maasai country is also cultural grief,” Wangsness Willemsen said.

“But that grief is really rooted in love — love for the people, love for the land — and what we were seeing in that moment was just one example of that grief being transformed to courage — courage to change, courage to hope, courage to see another way — really keeping the values and the parts of yourself and your people that are important, but finding new ways to choose alternatives for a new context.”

Kamaika Lengidari himself helped found a nonprofit in 2017 called Natopiwo — meaning “lifted up” in the Maasai language. The organization,

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with support from the Decorah-based Natopiwo Partners, provides support for Maasai families through educational efforts, the economical empowerment of women and the distribution of provisions like food and water. The nonprofit also partners with local community members and native experts across the region to support Maasai communities as they adapt to climate change.

Kamaika Lengidari said adaptation can be as simple as collecting rainwater in barrels or practicing family planning to ensure every child can attend school. He said it can also mean adjusting farming practices, decreasing herd sizes and, in some cases, investing in solar energy.

He said it’s a practical approach which helps the Maasai population move from grief to hope.

“When you take some action to adapt to climate change — for example, planting trees, doing restoration plant projects, land management so you will know how to manage the small land you have — that will encourage you emotionally so you will not be disparaged or frustrated, because you are taking some action,” he said.

Wangsness Willemsen indicated many of the struggles experienced by the Maasai aren’t new to the region, but she said they are now occurring at

an increased pace due to climate change. She hopes putting a spotlight on the struggles in Tanzania will motivate people across the globe to take action in support of populations experiencing similar challenges — adding she feels such change is incumbent on those with more abundant resources.

“Now we have the understanding and the urgency,” she said, noting she and others were visiting a school in Tanzania when they learned of the recent hurricanes which affected North Carolina. “People don’t need to be convinced as much that this is real. For people in Tanzania, it’s obviously unanimous that this is happening to them — that’s how they see it.

But I think possibilities for solidarities are increased as our understanding of this increases as well.”

Luther College Tau Delta Gamma Sorority volunteered to check in ticket-holders Friday night. Pictured (from left to right) are Alana Newell of Pecatonica, Illinois, Leia Jones of Indianola and Cora Ellingworth of Waverly.

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8 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

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The King’s Singers returning to Luther College World-renowned a capella ensemble The King’s Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall as part of Luther College’s 2024–25 Center Stage Series. The group last performed at Luther in 1994. Luther’s student-led tenor-bass contemporary a cappella group Undeclared Acapella at 7 p.m. in the CFL lobby.

Their upcoming performance titled “The New World” explores the musical links between Iberia and South America. The program looks at European Renaissance music introduced by

conquistadors and merchants. It also remembers the musical traditions already in existence in South America and celebrates how these two different musical heritages fused to form the seeds of a whole new world of South American music.

The King’s Singers were officially formed in 1968, when six choral scholars from King’s College, Cambridge, gave a concert at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. By chance, the group was made up of two countertenors, a tenor, two baritones and a bass. The group has stuck to this singular formation ever

Photo submitted since its debut. Currently, the singers are Patrick Dunachie, countertenor; Edward Button, countertenor; Julian Gregory, tenor; Christopher Bruerton, baritone; Nick Ashby, baritone; and Jonathan Howard, bass.

Veterans Day

continued from front

cafeteria, and breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m.

The Veterans Day program will be held at 9:45 a.m. in the high school auditorium. VFW Post 1977’s color guard will post the colors, and the DHS Wind Ensemble and DHS Concert Choir will perform throughout the program. Parking will be available in the lot on the west side of the high school. Veterans and their family members can enter through either the auditorium doors or the doors off the west parking lot.

“Living in the United States, we are privileged to enjoy freedoms that many around the world do not,” said Decorah High School principal Brad Hurst, reflecting on the meaning of Veterans Day. “These freedoms are safeguarded by the sacrifices of veterans who have defended them and the soldiers, active-duty service members and reservists who continue to uphold them. Veter-

ans Day holds special meaning for me because of my father, who served in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam.

The values he gained through his service — hard work, resilience and discipline — not only shaped his own life but were qualities he instilled in us, his children.”

Hurst said the high school’s Veteran’s Day breakfast and program offer students an opportunity to reflect “on the significance of service” and veterans’ dedication to a cause greater than themselves.

“We hope they come to recognize the profound value of serving others,” said Hurst.

“Our veterans, active-duty service members and reservists have devoted the prime years of their lives to protecting and serving — often setting aside their dreams to safeguard ours.

They embody the values that define our nation’s strength and remind us that our freedoms have been earned and continue to be fought for. By

coming together in respect and gratitude, we honor their sacrifices and those of our current service members — embracing the principles that define our nation. In doing so, we aim to inspire students to carry these values forward in their own lives.”

Dana Bockman, DCSD associate elementary principal, said that while the Decorah Elementary School doesn’t hold its own program, Carrie Lee students create a large display in the school’s cafeteria in honor of veterans, while third and fourth grade students and CLE staff provide pictures and information about their loved ones for this display. The display is already up for students and visitors to see, Bockman said.

Decorah Middle School Principal Justin Albers said the school will host coffee and dessert from 1:15-2 p.m. with a Veterans Day program from 2:15-3 p.m.

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Tickets for the show and for a pre-show dinner are available online at tickets.luther.edu or at the ticket office in the Center for Faith and Life. Contact the ticket office at tickets@luther. edu or 563-387-1357.

4:00 P.M.- 6:30 P.M. Serving Lynch BBQ and Beverages In honor of Veteran’s Day, all area Veterans, Active Military, National Guard, or Reserves and their families are invited to a

in the Community Building at the Winneshiek Co. Fair Grounds.

Veterans will also receive a Lynch BBQ meat and seasoning gift package. There will be twenty (20) - $1,000.00 drawings at 6:15 P.M. To participate, you must be a Veteran, Active Military, National Guard, or in the Reserves. The twenty winners will each get to decide which non-profit, military-based group that the funds will be directed to. We will also be drawing for a flag to be flown over the U.S. Capital in honor of the winning Veteran’s name. The flag drawing will be held immediately following the $20,000.00 giveaway.

Sign up will be held during the event, one entry per person.

Winners will not need to be present at the time of the drawing, but must attend to sign up their name.

Please RSVP to 563-776-3046 or Email Jamee.Schmitt@lynchfamilycompanies.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Community School District South Winneshiek High School will host its annual Veterans Day assembly at 10:15 a.m. Nov. 11 in the high school gymnasium. District librarian Glenna Munuswamy said local veterans will be recognized, and there will be a presentation of quilts by Decorah Quilts of Valor. The South Winneshiek choir and band will also perform patriotic music. Veterans are invited to the high school cafeteria at 9 a.m. for coffee and rolls.

“Veteran’s Day is an important time to acknowledge those veterans and families living in our communities who have sacrificed for our country’s safety and wellbeing,” said South Winneshiek High School Principal Brennan Williams. “I think we as a society lose sight of acknowledging those who serve in the military and return to our communities. Opening up the school for a recognition opportunity is the least we can do for what they have done for us.”

Williams said the school’s Veterans Day program gives students an opportunity for a personal connection with veterans as they meet be face to face, shake their hands and thank them for their sacrifices.

Turkey Valley Community School District Turkey Valley held its Veterans Day program on Nov. 6, and Michelle Hoy, the district’s principal, said the program was an opportunity for reflection, respect and gratitude.

“Honoring Veteran’s Day allows our school to recognize the incredible sacrifices made by those who have served in the military in order to protect our freedoms,” she said. “What a great opportunity to show pause and remember the courage of our veterans as they deserve to be acknowledged for their service. In our school community, honoring this day helps connect students with not only our country’s history but also the veterans specifically in our communities. It’s a fantastic way to teach them to appreciate the values of service, courage and dedication that veterans exemplify.”

Hoy said the ceremony can help students learn how individual actions and sacrifices can make a difference.

“Veteran’s Day is so much more than a history lesson,” she said. “We hope that, through honoring our local veterans, our students see a personal connection and come to appreciate the responsibilities that come with freedom and feel inspired to contribute positively to their communities.”

Waukon events More than 25 veterans will be honored during a program at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at AJ’s Steakhouse in Waukon.

Additionally, a potluck dinner honoring Veterans Day and the birthday of the United States Marine Corp will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 at the local Farm Bureau, 14 First Ave. NE in Waukon. For more information on either of these events, call 563-568-5275.

COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

9

‘Quilts of love’

Church congregations help families around the world through Lutheran World Relief

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER Twice each year, parishioners from more than 40 northeast Iowa churches meet in Decorah to fill a semi-trailer with hundreds of handmade quilts and other supplies to be distributed to families in need all over the world through Lutheran World Relief. The second of two such events this year was held Saturday, Nov. 2 — during which organizers said nearly 1,700 quilts were collected.

“I enjoy knowing these quilts are going to people who need them,” said Carol Maki, who helps organize the event with her sister Sue Darling — both of whom are members of Big Canoe Lutheran Church. “You can only sew so much for yourself, so sewing for others is my top priority.”

Darling agreed and added that quilting for others is good for a person’s health.

“Knowing that we’re doing good for others is good for us,” she said. “We don’t realize how lucky we are, and when you see some of these places that have gotten our quilts, it gives you a good feeling — knowing you’re helping in the community, the nation and the world.”

Lutheran World Relief on was established in 1945 as a way for American Lutherans to help European Lutheran families impacted by World War II. LWR records show the first shipments included food, quilts and clothing.

“Back in the 1950’s, Lutheran World Relief sent clothing overseas,” Maki said. “My mother put her name and address in the pocket of one of her coats that she sent, and months later, she got a letter back from a lady in Germany. Of course, my mother couldn’t read German, so she had Charlotte Strinmoen translate the letter, and my mother wrote back to the German lady.

So, we’ve been serving overseas for many years.”

Saturday’s collection, held at Olson Explosives, was led by Rev. Matt Becker of Big Canoe and Highland Lutheran churches as well as Rev. David Werges of Hesper and Burr Oak Lutheran churches Parishioners, quilters and 13 South Winneshiek students did the majority of the lifting and carrying.

Before this year, LWR only distributed quilts and other needed supplies to families in foreign countries. However, because of the recent hurricanes in the southeastern United States, a portion of this year’s donations will be sent to families impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, according to LWR’s website “I had somebody tell me they were keeping their quilts to send to North Carolina — wherever they’re needed,” Darling said.

“Well, Lutheran World Relief does that now.”

LWR doesn’t only send quilts. Donors are also asked to contribute personal care kits, which include a bath towel, soap, a comb, fingernail clippers and toothbrush; school kits,

The famous mystery-solving gang and their loyal, snack-loving canine companion are played by, from left, Kamryn Steines, Greta Jones, Davis Coppola, Andrew Kruger, Elliana Brodbeck. The gang unravels a suspenseful storyline while showcasing 18 student acts in Decorah High School’s variety show presented Nov. 14-16. (Photo by Roz Weis)

‘Those Meddling Kids’ to bring talent, Skyler Breitsprecher, age 12, of Ossian helps load the Lu- intrigue, fun during 2024 Variety Show theran World Relief semi-trailer at Olson Explosives SaturPerformances are Nov. 14-16

day morning. (Photos by Zach Jensen)

Nolan Zuercher, age 12, of Luana helps load the Lutheran World Relief semi-trailer at Olson Explosives Saturday morning. which include a ruler, pen, scissors, notebook, pencils, eraser, a pencil sharpener, crayons and a handmade canvas backpack; baby care kits, which consist of a receiving blanket, jacket, gown, socks, towel, cloth diapers, diaper pins, t-shirts and soap; and fabric kits, which contain two types of fabric and thread, so recipients can make whatever they need and become more self-sufficient.

Maki said Big Canoe and Highland have been participating in the bi-annual quilt drive for the last 30 years. In May and November of each year, Lutheran parishioners representing churches from Lime Springs to Dundee and one in Spring Grove, Minnesota, bring their quilts and kits to Olson Explosives, which donates a semi-trailer and transportation costs to ship the goods up to a St. Paul, Minnesota warehouse.

The quilts are then unpacked, folded and stacked 35-high before being loaded into a baler, which binds the quilts before they’re shipped wherever they’re needed.

In May, the drive generated 1,686 quilts, 1,102 personal care kits, 119 school kits, 524 baby care kits and 27 fabric kits. On Saturday, 41 churches donated 930 boxes containing 1,650 quilts, 1,755 school kits, 762 personal care kits, 595 baby care kits 63 fabric kits and seven individual blankets.

“It has been suggested that

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we only do it once a year,” said Darling, “but I don’t think we could get it all in one semi once a year.”

The Big Canoe and Highland quilters also donate quilts to the Iowa Department of Human Services, Guardians of Northeast Iowa, Quilts of Valor, Hospice, Native American reservations, fire victims and various fundraisers for community members in need.

“We give quilts to anybody who needs some comfort,” Darling said. “I like to think of them as ‘Quilts of Love.’

It feels good, because we can make a difference, and we do make a difference.”

The Decorah High School Drama Program will present this year’s variety show “Those Meddling Kids,” which will be an original production set against the vibrant backdrop of Paris during the Olympics. This performance will combine comedy, intrigue and talent as the show’s characters – reminiscent of a famous mystery-solving gang and their loyal, snack-loving canine companion – unravel a suspenseful storyline while showcasing 18 student acts.

Those Meddling Kids performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 in the DHS auditorium. Tickets are available at a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for students.

They are available for purchase online at decorahschools.ludus. com and in the DHS office.

The box office will also open an hour before each show with house doors opening 30 minutes before showtime.

Through the generosity of the Decorah Performing Arts Boosters, one adult ticket and children’s tickets are available for families who would like to attend the show but do not have the resources to purchase tickets. Please contact Shanna Putnam-Dibble at shanna.putnamdibble@decorah.school for assistance in obtaining tickets.

The production’s original

script was written by Elliana Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, Liam Chamberlain, Davis Coppola, Greta Jones, Ansel Kowitz, Andy Kruger, Beau Newhouse, Noah Potvin, Jack Sovern, Kamryn Steines and Grace Stockman. They will perform alongside additional cast members June Breitenbach-Dirks, Elsa Christman, Mikayla Hiner, Nora Lesmeister, Gwen Thompson, Ezra Vorvick and Margret Zook.

Students presenting variety show acts include Ariana Albert, Karmyn Bakken, Lulu Bellrichard, Bridget Bentley, Reid Berns, Riley Berns, Elizabeth Bjork, Grace Blikre, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Elliana Brodbeck, Quade Bruening, Oliver Brummel, Kennedy Carlson, Andy Carolan, Liam Chamberlain, Spencer Christensen, Elsa Christman, Emma Cline, Davis Coppola, Aitor Cuevas, Livia Dix, Evynne Downing, Simone Downing, William Duder, Marri Feuerhelm, Natalie Goodner, Tommy Hammel, Ezra Harman-Wood, Mikayla Hiner, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Landyn Hook, Derek Hrdlicka, Jackson Irwin, Caleb Johnson, Elsa Johnson, Kaya Johnson, Greta Jones, Annika Keefe, Klara Kelly, Yoseph Ko, Ansel Kowitz, Caleb Krieg, Andy Kruger, Kaelyn Kuhn, Chester Kvamme, Jameson La-

! u o Y k n Tha is e citizens of th th ll a k n a th I wish to ort of my p p u s ir e th r community fo inneshiek W r fo n ig a p re-election cam r. Whether o is v r e p u S 3 t County Distric a yard sign, p u t u p , e m r you voted fo ed my ads, n ig s e d , s d r a wrote postc king, and/ c o n -k r o o d r volunteered fo ations n o d y r ta e n o or gave m

!

THANK YOU

NOTICE: YARD SIGN PICK-UP I will be picking up my yard signs around town

FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS Signs can also be dropped off at the top of my driveway or put in recycling with the wire taken out separately.

THANK YOU AGAIN WINNESHIEK COUNTY!

PAID FOR BY: VERMACE FOR SUPERVISOR CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

-

Belle, Nora Lesmeister, Jayden Lundtvedt, Caden Malanaphy, Mack McElree, Teagan Menke, Alexander Mercado-Arneson, Noah Milburn, Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Beau Newhouse, Clarence Nimrod, Carlton Nordschow, Abby Northup, Stella Pole, Noah Potvin, McKenzie Riley, Olivia Rissman, Will Robinson, Grady Sabelka, Elias Sassaman, Vivian Searcy, Lauren Severtson, Chloe Sheffield, Gavy Smith, Jack Sovern, Kamryn Steines, Grace Stockman, Leah Suhr, Colin Thompson, Gwenyth Thompson, Jerald Thompson, Sydney Thompson, Jillian Volz, Ezra Vorvick, Amelia Wadsworth, Kera Walter, Kaylie Wemark, Addison Wicklund, Margret Zook and Grant Zilka.

Crew members are Hannah Arendt, Isaac Bentley, Ava Hanson, Marley Harmening, Jay Hawthorn, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Evan Madsen, Carlton Nordschow, Grady Sabelka, Lily Sandhorst, Leah Suhr, Kera Walter and Margret Zook, under the leadership of Stage Manager Karmyn Bakken and Assistant Manager Nathan Rhodes.

Directors for “Those Meddling Kids” are Chris Hadley, Jason Rausch, Karen Trewin and Kristen Underwood.

I am honored to continue to serve this entire community in my capacity as District 3 Supervisor.

MY OATH

to this community: I am committed to continual learning. I will work to be patient and to listen with intention. I will lead with honesty, integrity, and humility. I will have the courage to strive for alignment, connection, and joint purpose.

I will have the courage to speak the truth, and to not back away from the crucial conversations that take more preparation and a bit more courage. I will lead as a public servant – I work for you."

NEWS

10 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Trump takes Winneshiek County

Trio of incumbents to return to WinnMed board

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Voters in Winneshiek County winnowed a field of four candidates seeking to serve on the WinnMed Board of Directors down to three. Unofficial results released on election night showed incumbents Clark Goltz, Jan Heikes and Karen McLean emerged as the top choices for the board’s three open seats.

Goltz, who serves as the board’s current chair, was the top choice according to preliminary tallies, with 7,353 votes — or about 32 percent of the total vote. McLean, the board’s current vice chair, gained 5,687 votes for 25 percent, with Heikes close behind at 5,685 votes for another 25 percent support. Candidate Christopher Miculinich, Decorah’s current Ward 2 city council member, was 1,747 votes behind Heikes, earning a little more than 17 percent of the vote.

Goltz said he chose to seek reelection to the board, believing an individual can make a significant difference in giving back to their community through public service. He said he and other board members are believers in what he called lifelong learning, which he said is part of the proverbial fabric throughout WinnMed. He said WinnMed, like any rural hospital, faces its share of challenges.

“The most important issues we face are staffing shortages and the rising costs for staff, supplies and medications, which are further exacerbated by complex insurance billing and reimbursement challenges,” he said. “However, WinnMed has strengths that other hospitals may not possess; a caring, dedicated and patient-centered

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

staff, strong CLARK GOLTZ and competent leadership and an incredible community that supports WinnMed. We will continue to meet any challenges that arise.”

Heikes said she pursued a seat on the board as a way to advocate for individuals after her retirements from her work in the mental health and disability field. She aims to help ensure area residents continue to have access to local services. She indicated part of that puzzle is the hospital’s Transforming Tomorrow expansion project.

“Health care is an ever changing environment, and the challenge is to provide services locally while remaining financially viable,” Heikes said. “The Transforming Tomorrow project is under way and will provide more space for current and expanded services.

In addition, WinnMed is transitioning to employing its own leadership team and physician staff rather than contracting with Mayo (Clinic). The board will need to continue to monitor these changes as growth continues with a strong financial base.”

She went on to note board members can keep up on national and state health trends through continuing education courses and Iowa Hospital Association events — something she said she plans to continue doing.

“Having been on the board for two years, I have learned a lot about the federal and state regulations applicable to the operation and financing of hospitals,” she said. “While I had some background in Medicaid, the insurance world was mostly new. Social determinants of health play a big part of a person’s healthy lifestyle. I contin-

JAN HEIKES

Unofficial tallies released Tuesday night show Winneshiek County voters supported former President Donald Trump over Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, ultimately helping send the Republi- DONALD TRUMP can back to the Oval Office. Trump and running mate U.S. Sen. JD Vance saw 6,426 Winneshiek County ballots cast in favor

KAREN McLEAN

ue to learn about what are better measurements for quality of care and patient satisfaction.”

McLean said she joined the hospital board to promote health care which was accessible, affordable and high-quality. She said she plans to learn about changes in health care, such as delivery models, new Medicare and Medicaid regulations and even cybersecurity, as part of her role on the board.

She went on to note the board’s role will become much broader as the Management Services Agreement between WinnMed and the Mayo Clinic sunsets — the hospital announced the change in its partnership with Mayo earlier this June, and WinnMed is expected to no longer be managed by Mayo before the end of 2025.

“As part of its governance role, the board guides the strategic direction of WinnMed, assures long-term fiscal health of the organization, monitors both the quality and safety of the care provided to patients and assures the medical center meets all accreditation standards and compliance requirements of a critical access hospital,” McLean said. “Board members fulfill this role by first assuring the board is comprised of individual members who bring a diverse skill set to the table.”

And she said that need for diverse viewpoints extends to the public as well, saying responses to the hospital’s community health needs assessment will help guide her and other board members as they make their decisions — the assessment is conducted every three years, she said.

of Trump — about 54 percent of the countywide vote, while Harris and running mate Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota gained 5,319 votes for a little more than 44 percent support from Winneshiek County voters.

The Associated Press called Iowa for Trump at approximately 9:40 p.m. Tuesday. Shortly after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office showed 775,385 votes cast for Trump in the Hawkeye State, with 76 of Iowa’s 99 counties reporting at that time, and 602,465 votes in favor of Harris. Trumps continued to gain ground as 11 p.m. approached.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office posted results from 10

Langreck retains District 4 seat

Vermace retains District 3 seat continued from front

to seek reelection — Vermace won the election that year by about 60 votes — she surpassed Hovden this year by more than eight times that amount.

The returning supervisor said she aims to carry on a commitment to her community while serving as a county supervisor. She previously said she intends to work alongside the county’s various department heads as well as research issues and listen to multiple perspectives when making decisions that affect the public.

“I believe I have shown I am committed to that cooperative model of county governance,” Vermace said last month. “Supervisors are not the CEOs of the county.

We are a part of the larger piece. I can guarantee this community, we are very fortunate to have the county employees who work for Winneshiek County at every level – they make it all happen.”

She previously indicated housing availability may be one of the most significant issues facing county residents. She said some on the board of supervisors have pushed for the Winneshiek County Planning and Zoning Commission to begin researching the possibility of allowing auxiliary dwellings in the county, which she feels may help alleviate the issue.

“By allowing our current residents in the county to add housing within a new shed or build a smaller, close-by or connected home for their parents, siblings, grandparents or a new young family who want to work and raise their kids in this county, we can build a beloved community and be more welcoming to new residents,” Vermace said.

“We can better care for and help grow our community.”

She also said regional water quality will continue to be a major factor for the broader community.

“We must address this issue as a whole community, with everyone at the table,” Vermace said.

The board’s first official meeting following the end of the current term is expected to take place Jan. 6, 2025.

continued from front

Langreck was one of three candidates who filed as candidates in the race for the board’s District 4 position in 2020, after then incumbent John Logsdon chose not to file for reelection. Langreck beat out his nearest opponent by almost 450 votes — he topped his third opponent by more than 800 votes.

Langreck, who currently serves as chair of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors, previously said he felt he could make a change at the county level, after serving on several city and county boards during the last 18 years. The returning incumbent feels the role of the board members is to manage the county budget and oversee spending as well as listen to constituents in their respective districts while working with their fellow county supervisors to make the most ideal decisions for the county as a whole.

He said road maintenance is a major issue for the county’s southeastern district.

“District 4 is likely the worst with no major repairs having been completed in years,” Langreck said last month. “Unfortunately, because of the new state laws, little can be done. The board of supervisors has been working hard to make every little change we can to add to the secondary road fund, while still abiding by state regulations.”

The board’s first official meeting following the end of the current term is expected to take place Jan. 6, 2025.

LOOKS LIKE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY! OPPORTUNITY !

more counties by that time, showing Trump’s total swell to 823,819 while Harris increased to 626,352. As of Wednesday morning, 97 of Iowa’s 99 counties had reported their results, showing 916,211 ballots cast for the former president, with Harris earning a little more than 700,000.

In Winneshiek County, more than 15,000 individuals registered to vote, with more than 12,000 ballots cast by the time polls closed Tuesday — a county wide turnout of more than 79 percent. Of that total, more than 7,000 local absentee ballots had been cast as of Monday, according to Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines.

Part-time Community Assistants

Klimesh retains senate seat continued from front

Klimesh previously said he served his first term as Spill ville’s mayor in the 1990s out ­ of a drive to give back to his

FLEXIBLE 8 Driftless Journal Wish List Tuesday, November 15, 2022 community, and he indicated

he sought a position in the state SCHEDULING

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school & social schedules.

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draft a bill, propose policy or Pool and Spa 36-18-DL-12 Wooden Snowflakes vote on issues. It’s important to Daily Admissions

This wooden snowflake Traeger Pro 22 and be able do your homework Punch Passes Great weekend getaway! will add to your holiday Apply at: www.fullcircleneia.applicantpro.com/jobs/ Lorraine A. Bak er Why play amateur when to those Fridays 4-7p.m.

The gift for those that have to explain your position decor. Place it on a shelf Saturdays 10a.m. - 6p.m. you can go pro? Try the oreverything. call JaredPunch Morriss at are 563-277-2029, jared.morriss@fullcircleneia.com passes or a mantle mixed in with who disagree with you. In the Sundays1-6p.m. Adults Traeger Pro 22. It’s the #1 good for the fitness center holiday greenery. Available in $8, Students $5 (4 and end, they still may disagree, but and pool and are transferable best-selling wood pellet a variety of sizes. Check out under FREE with Adults) and do not expire. Plus, grill the market.

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This book by John Van Vliet and BBQ. www.cityofcresco.com Market 52 admission prices: $40 passes is available in store or online sees The returning incumbent Bigler Family Trust, Decorah, IA 52101 Decorah & Osage Fisk Farm and Home are worth $48, $80 passes are Makes a great gift!

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by RE/MAX Select Properties, 25 W. Center St., Harmony MN This wooden snowflake Punch Passes Great weekend getaway! he sees potential solutions. will add to your holiday Fridays 4-7p.m.

Property to be sold is located on Middle Hesper Rd, Decorah – 50 acres more or The gift for those that have decor.

Place it on a shelf “Over the last four years, we Saturdays 10a.m. - 6p.m. less, in Section 35 Hesper Township, Section 2, Canoe Township, Winneshiek everything. Punch passes are orBoard a mantle Games mixed in with Sundays1-6p.m.

Adults have lowered our income tax County, Iowa – legal to govern per legal survey. Very nice quality crop good for the fitness center holiday greenery. Available in $8, Students $5 (4 and Need something to entertain and pool and are transferable land with great access right from public road on both north and south ends, rates to the sixth lowest in the a variety of sizes.

Check outgames the whole family?

Board under FREE with Adults) and do not expire. Plus, accommodating to large equipment.

Murder Mystery our other wood decor like Tro country, have enacted major make fun and unique gifts that we can keep them here, Cresco Fitness Center Christmas villages, trees,toand can be used for years come! property tax reform and have No so you can’t lose it! Passes Dinner Theater Dates Cresco, Ia candle-holders.

Donlon Pharmacy reduced the overall size of Ioare discounted from daily This Bids will be opened privately by seller and broker. The top three bidders will Market & Toy 52 Jungle November 26 • 6www.cityofcresco.com PM admission prices: $40 passes is av wa’s government by streambe notified and must be reachable by phone on November 18, 2024. The top & Osage Decorah, Ia are worth $48, $80 passes are Decorah Mak three bidders will be required to meet Tuesday, November 19, at 9:00AM at December 31 • Drift 5 PM The less Wish List, holiday gift guide, arrives at 13,000+ homes lining both agencies and their www.shopmarket52.com www.donlonrx.com worth $100 and $120 passes onlin the RE/MAX office in Harmony for a bid off. Each bidder will be able to raise rules,” he said.

“We must conare worth $156.

Empty their bids until the highest and best offer is reached. The successful bidder will Nest Winery bringing the same excitement.

The best part is, it’s all local! tinue to find ways to make Dec ruCresco Fitness Center Deco be required to immediately enter into a purchase agreement providing 1352earnest Apple Rd. Waukon • 563-568-2758 Cresco, Ia ral Iowa the best place to live, www money in the amount of ten percent (10%) down and the balance payable upon Winter Hours: Saturdays 10am-5pm & Sundays 1-5pm Snoozies! www.cityofcresco.com b.e.happe Designs grow a business and raise a closing, on or before December 19, 2024.

Slippers and socks! We carry Hats family. This will help reverse travel slippers that come in a The seller reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any and zippered pouch and A best seller, these beautiful the declining population we all technicalities in the bidding process. Sold “AS IS” condition, with no comfy non-skid full size hats will keep you warm all Board Games ALITY Uprecedence warranties. Announcements on the day of the bid opening shallQ take slippers. The socks are colorful face in rural Iowa and ensure season. Offered in a wide Need something to entertain over previous announcements. Contact the listing broker for a listing packet and infused with shea butter. that rural Iowa will remain viassortment of colors and styles the whole family? Board games You can stay warm and ond and schedule to view the property bey & to fit all head sizes, babya Are ss Murder Mystery ftle Dri brantfun forand generations to that come.” the make unique gifts moisturize at the same time! ...for exploring adult. Each month, b.e.happe DRIFTLESS can be used for years to come!

He went on to say there may donates wish list items to Margaret’s Boutique 406 W. Water Street, DecorahDinner Theater Dates children's hospitals across the be times when proposed legislaDonlon Pharmacy Decorah, Ia All bids must be in writing, signed by the person Deliver or mail to: country.

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COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

11

Community briefs Nelson to speak on time viewing Iditarod

The Senior Center’s monthly program will be held at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at 806 River St. The featured guest this month will be Elise Nelson, who will present a program on the Iditarod Sled Dog race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, which is held in March each year. Nelson will share her experiences of witnessing the race.

Holiday Lights in Decorah to celebrate 20th anniversary

Decorah Performing Arts Boosters host annual craft, bake sale The Decorah Performing Arts Boosters held its 39th annual craft and bake sale Saturday. Creative individuals filled the commons as well as two gymnasiums inside Decorah High School as visitors strolled by dozens of booths to browse handmade goods. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

Hinson retains U.S. House seat no-party candidate Jody Puffett coming in third with 152 votes — equating to less than 2 percent of the local total.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office had reported 219,045 votes cast in Hinson’s favor shortly after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, with nearly all of the 22 counties in District 2 reporting at that time. Totals for Corkery showed 155,401 votes cast in her favor at that point, with Puffett trailing at a little more than 5,000.

Hinson first took office in January of 2021 to what was then Iowa’s District 1 seat in the U.S. House, and she won re-election in 2022, after a statewide redistricting process.

Hinson previously said her two sons — and by extension their generation overall — were the inspiration for her initial run for an elected position.

“I’m proud of my work to push back on harmful policies while also delivering on Iowa’s priorities, but there is more work to do,” Hinson said last month. “We have more work to do to reduce the inflation burden on families and help lower taxes, we have more work to do to secure the border and keep our communities safe, and we have more work to do to make sure our rural communities have resources.”

Hinson described herself as a

fierce advocate for Iowa’s priorities, citing work at the federal level to build new emergency operation centers, flood infrastructure and child care centers in the 22 counties which make up District 2.

“This includes $200,000 for the Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center in Decorah,” Hinson said. “My team and I are dedicated to helping Iowans navigate challenges with the federal government, and I’m proud of the meaningful results we’ve delivered.”

The returning incumbent said federal lawmakers can also reduce the burden of inflation for taxpayers by making permanent

continued from front

tax cuts for families and small businesses as well as expanding biofuels and reopening the Keystone XL pipeline to spur good-paying jobs in the energy sector.

“I came to Congress to stand up for taxpayers, champion rural America and provide for the safety and security of Iowa families,” Hinson said. “I will always put Iowa first. I have bucked my party on many occasions to do what’s right for Iowa and have a proven track record of working across the aisle to get things done. The best way to deliver results and fix our country is through balance and bipartisanship.”

Fravel defense followed the vehicle to a Kwik Trip, waited until no one was near the vehicle, then placed the tracker on the bottom of the car. Bauer asked why it’s necessary for trackers to be hidden.

“So people aren’t aware that some sort of investigation is being conducted,” Smith testified.

Bauer continued to question the tracker, asking why it was necessary to still keep eyes on the vehicle in addition to tracking its location and who would monitor the tracker location.

“My job was to place the tracker,” Smith said. “That’s the only job I had with it.”

Bauer asked whether Smith had any other roles with searches and search parties, then questioned the role of Preble Town Hall. Smith said law enforcement used the town hall for search parties, which aligns with what Sgt. Adam Brommerich testified to on Thursday.

Prosecutor Christina Galewski cross-examined Smith, clarifying that GPS trackers need to be authorized by judges and that they don’t give an exact location every movement. Investigator Steven Garrett, another officer from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, was the second witness called to the stand. Garrett testified that he began helping with the investigation into Kingsbury’s disappearance on April 2, 2023. Garrett told the court he searched County Road 18 back to Highway 43, specifically searching ditches and a rock quarry on foot. The next day, on April 3, 2023, he brought an ATV with him to continue his search along roads west of Highway 43. Garrett testified that he searched deadend roads using the ATV, rather than by foot that day. He said

he searched 198th Street, the road where Kingsbury’s body was found, by ATV. He said at that time of the year, there was no greenery along the street.

There were steep ditches with tall, overgrown brown grass, he said. He did not see anything unusual at the bottom of the ditches on the side of the road. Garrett was also questioned by Bauer about Preble Town Hall. He testified that the search efforts were coordinated

by Winona County Emergency Management, Winona law enforcement and the Fillmore Police Department. Garrett was not questioned by the state.

Fravel’s relatives take the stand Fravel’s brother Ryan was the third witness to take the stand on Friday. Ryan Fravel said Adam was the youngest of his three siblings, with the sister being seven years older than Adam and Ryan being 12 years older. Ryan told the court he was introduced to Kingsbury around 2014 and observed the couple being “very lovey-dovey.” Though he said they were on and off, Ryan testified that the couple's two children “adored both Adam and Madeline.” Ryan said the children looked to Adam for comfort and loved playing outside with him. He continued to testify that he never witnessed any fighting between Kingsbury and Adam, nor did he ever see any bruises on Kingsbury.

After Kingsbury disappeared, Ryan said he participated in two search parties. The first search party was on April 2, 2023, which was organized by a friend of Adam and Kingsbury. The second was about a week later in Goodview, Minnesota, Ryan said. The state questioned Ryan about the age difference between him and

Adam. Galewski asked whether Adam communicated with him between the time Kingsbury went missing and April 6, 2023. Ryan said he did not hear from his brother at the time.

“He tends to be a reserved person,” Ryan said.

Bauer asked whether Ryan saw Adam angry. He testified that Adam wasn’t angry, but protective of his kids.

“In your whole life, you’ve never seen Adam Fravel angry?” Galewski questioned.

“No, never,” Ryan said.

Raymond Curtis, a neighbor of the Fravels’ residence in Mabel, said he’s lived on joint lands with the Fravels for several decades. Curtis testified that the traffic along County Road 18 increased after Kingsbury disappeared, noting he saw some marked law enforcement vehicles and some unmarked ones driving down the road during the day.

Bauer asked whether law enforcement ever searched his yard. He testified that he never saw them searching, but he did spot them on one of his cameras. The first question Galewski asked for the state’s cross examination was whether he was related to Fravel, which was not asked during the defense’s questioning. Curtis said he was the cousin of Adam Fravel’s father, Richard. Galewski asked Curtis about the backside of his property, whether it was partly wooded and whether there was an open field. Curtis said the field is on top of a hill and isn’t visible from his backyard. Curtis also testified that there are no ATV trails on his property.

Robert Albrecht said he saw an 'unidentified person' near their Winona residence The defense then called Robert Albrecht, a neighbor of

continued from page 3

Fravel's and Kingsbury’s Winona residence. Albrecht, who has been living on Kerry Drive since the 1980s, testified that on March 31, 2023, he went outside to smoke a cigarette when he saw “an unidentified person” near the Fravel and Kingsbury residence. Albrecht couldn’t recall the time he saw the individual or any identifying features, other than the person was slender. Following a long morning break while Albrecht reviewed the statement he provided to police, Juror No. 11 asked the court to be released from the case due to a vacation. She was released by both parties. The jury now consists of 12 jurors and four alternates. Albrecht was back on the stand after the break.

The defense first questioned whether it was “early morning or late morning” when he saw the unidentified person waving at him, and Albrecht said late morning. Before the break, Albrecht did not mention that the “unidentified person” waved at him.

During cross examination, Prokopowicz asked whether Albrecht testified about what he remembered or because he reread his police reports.

“I remember some of it,” Albrecht said.

Bauer then questioned Albrecht again as to whether Fravel was the one who waved at him that day. Albrecht said it was not Fravel who waved at him.

Following Albrecht’s testimony, the defense closed its case when Fravel confirmed that he wouldn’t be taking the stand.

Closing arguments were set for Wednesday. Jurors were told that they should bring an overnight bag in case deliberation lasts until Thursday.

Helping Services for Youth and Families is happy to announce the opening of the 20th annual Holiday Lights event, held at Pulpit Rock Campground in Decorah. Free will donations benefit the nonprofit’s Domestic Abuse Resource Center, substance use prevention programs, youth mentoring and family support programs. In recognition of the 20th anniversary, the agency has compiled a look back over the history of the event. Learn of the behindthe-scenes stories, fun facts and the making of this smalltown Iowa tradition by visiting HelpingServices.org/holidaylights-history. The Holiday Lights drive through event begins Thanksgiving and will be open nightly from 5-9 p.m. until Christmas night. Santa will be at Holiday Lights from 5-7:30 p.m. every Friday through Sunday leading up to Christmas. Santa’s last night will be Sunday, Dec. 22.

Open enrollment period for HealthCare.gov now open

Iowans have an opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2025 during the Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment, which began this Friday, Nov. 1 and will end Jan. 15, 2025. Anyone who is not eligible for insurance through Medicare, Medicaid or employer-based insurance may be eligible to purchase insurance under the Affordable Care Act coverage provisions is a federally funded non-profit organization which helps families and other underserved communities gain access to health coverage options through the Marketplace, Medicaid or CHIP (HAWKI).

They can assist with enrollment applications and help consumers apply for financial assistance through HealthCare.gov. About 90 percent of those who enroll receive subsidies to make the insurance more affordable. New rules have increased subsidies and made it possible for even most high-income earners to qualify for the lower-cost plans.

Call 515-978-9570 or visit www.iowanavigator.com to book an in-person or phone appointment for free assistance. For Jan. 1 coverage, sign-up must be completed between by Dec. 15. Those who already have a plan and need to re-enroll are encouraged to double-check the network and prescription drug coverage for any changes and update their information in case they qualify for additional cost savings.

42nd annual Turkey Shoot to be held

The 42nd Annual Decorah Parks and Recreation Turkey Shoot will be held from 6:30-8 Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Decorah High School Main Gym. Teams of two — each consisting of a parent and child — combine their ages to determine their competition bracket. Each team will then shoot 10 free throws in an attempt to win a certificate for a free turkey, donated by Decorah Fareway Stores. All teams are also eligible for a prize drawing. Winning teams will be posted on the Decorah Parks and Recreation website (https://parks.decorahia.org/) by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13. The Turkey Shoot is a free, open house event, and participants need not register.

Northeast Iowa Citizens’ Climate Lobby to meet

The Northeast Iowa Citizens’ Climate Lobby chapter will meet from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Decorah Public Library public meeting room. The public is invited to attend for a CCL post-election debriefing and an opportunity for collective climate action. The national monthly CCL call will be live-streamed and projected there. Attendees may bring a snack to share and a beverage in a closed container. Participants are also encourage to bring a phone or tablet with which to take action online.

Decorah Area Quilters to meet

The Decorah Area Quilters will hold their third meeting of the year at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at ArtHaus in Decorah. After a welcome and introductions, members will share any of their new projects in show and tell. The program for the evening will be Challenge Quilts, presented by Beth Landas, a local award winning quilter.

The cost to attend is $2 per meeting or $5 for the entire year. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, please contact Mike Ellingsen at 507602-0322 or Jarret Johnson at 563-419-6952.

New Minowa Players announces cast for ‘Twelve Angry Men’

Performances of the New Minowa Players’ production of ‘Twelve Angry Men’ are scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 7-9 and 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at the New Minowa Players Theatre — 906 South Mill St. in Decorah. Twelve jurors are to decide the fate of a 19 year-old boy charged with the murder of his father in what seems to be an open and shut case.

When push comes to shove, one juror stands in defiance against the rest and dissents, arguing for the possibility of the boy’s innocence. The local production’s cast includes Philip Royer as Juror 1, Jimmy Sidebottom as Juror 2, Dave Gosch as Juror 3, Mark Whelan as Juror 4, Indigo Fish as Juror 5, Paul Fadness as Juror 6, Kristina Burroughs as Juror 7, Nick Hirka as Juror 8, Alan Lerstrom as Juror 9, Rick Nance as Juror 10, Rick Scheffert as Juror 11 and David Mendez as Juror 12. This production is directed by Alex Rosenow. Tickets are being sold at $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Tickets are available online at newminowaplayers.ludus. com.

PUBLIC NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS

12 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@DECORAHNEWSPAPERS.COM | 563-382-4221

Public Notices

Board Minutes October 28, 2024 The Board of Supervisors met at 9:30am October 28, 2024 with Kelsay, Langreck, Vermace, and Faldet present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, and the meeting was called to order.

Miranda McGrath met with the Board to request a “Deaf Child” sign be placed in her neighborhood. Moved by Vermace and seconded by Kelsay to approve the request at the County’s expense. Motion carried unanimously. Road Department personnel will work with McGrath to determine the optimal location.

Michael Kueny, County Engineer, met with the Board to discuss road projects. He reviewed the results of the speed study that was conducted in the Middle Hesper Road area. Moved

by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to set the speed limit along the recommended portions of Middle Hesper Road and Canoe Valley Road at 35mph. Motion carried unanimously.

Andy Van Der Maaten, County Attorney, met with the Board to discuss county issues.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vermace to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes of the last meeting, the claims filed with the Board, and to accept and file the monthly report of the VA Commission. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to adjourn to 9:30am Monday, November 4, 2024, with special sessions to interview the Recycling Supervisor candidates on October 28th and 29th. Motion carried unanimously.

On October 28, 2024 at 3:00pm Kelsay, Langreck, Vermace, Faldet, and TJ Schissel, Landfill Director, met to interview candidates for the Recycling Supervisor position. They reviewed the interview questions and procedures. All candidates have requested their interviews be held in Closed Session allowed under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to enter into closed session for the interview of the first candidate. Motion carried unanimously and the interview was held. Moved by Vermace and seconded by Kelsay to resume open session. Motion carried unanimously. The committee adjourned to 9:00am October 29th to resume the interviews. At 9:00am October 29th, moved by Faldet and seconded by Vermace to enter closed session for the interview of the second candidate. Motion carried unanimously and the interview was held. Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to resume open session. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to enter closed session to interview the third candidate. Motion carried unanimously and the interview was held. Moved

by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to resume open session. Motion carried unanimously. The Board discussed the candidate interviews and applications. A consensus was reached to have the sub-committee of Kelsy, Faldet, and Schissel to meet with their candidate of preference and discuss the terms of the position. If the candidate and committee reach mutually agreed upon terms, the committee will bring the action to the full Board for approval at a later date.

Benjamin D Steines, County Auditor Daniel Langreck, Chair Board of Supervisors Claims 10-28-2024 General Basic Fund Alice Abbott, Mileage......................... 77.05 Alliant Energy, Utilities...................2260.81 Amazon Capital Services, Supplies....74.42 Wendy Anderson, Reimbursement.... 135.66 Mike Ashbacher, Services.................300.00 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service..........................38.78 Blackhawk Sprinklers, Inc, Services........................................5300.00 Suzanne Boeke, Mileage................... 676.76 Calmar Courier, Publications............ 141.75 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Inc, Services........................................2697.27 CHIPCO Poker Chips, Supplies........225.74 Column Software PBC, Publications....................................238.42 Custom Alarm, Services..................1764.00 Christian Cutsforth, Reimbursement................................. 37.42 Decorah Electric Inc, Services.......... 185.00 Decorah Leader, Publications.............. 57.00 Decorah Mobile Glass, Services....... 463.00 Decorah Tire Service, Services......... 838.05 Don’s Truck Sales, Inc, Equipment.....54.75 Drilling All Season Sports, Parts......... 93.97

Elan Financial Services, Payment.....207.79 Fareway Stores, Supplies................ 1108.04 Freeport Water District, Utilities.........93.98 GrapeTree Medical Staffing LLC, Services..........................................912.00 Heron Consulting, Inc., Services..... 1800.00 Faith Hlubek, Reimbursement........... 746.94 Howard’s Tire & Repair, Repairs......558.40 ImperialDade, Supplies..................... 383.73 Inovalon Provider, Inc., Services...... 499.31 Iowa State Assoc Of Counties, Registration.................................... 250.00 ISSDA, Registration..........................300.00 Kari Iverson, Reimbursement...........510.31 John Deere Financial, Supplies...........81.94 Mike Johnson, Camp Host..................32.00 Elizabeth Klimesh, Mileage..............369.02 LetterWerks Sign City, LLC, Supplies.......................................... 119.00 Dr. Kevin Locke, Services................. 645.00 Lynch Dallas, P.C., Legal Services................................150.00 Martin Bros. Distributing, Supplies.......................................... 586.52 Marv Smith Electric, LLC, Services............................................ 18.29 William Marx, Services.....................200.00 Mediacom, Services..........................250.98 Hanna Meyer, Reimbursement............ 20.00 Microbac Laboratories, Inc., Services............................................ 42.50 Midwest Computer Brokers, Inc., Services.......................................... 100.00 Midwest Group Benefits, Fees..........276.00 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities.......957.32 Robert Moudry, Mileage...................733.05 NE IA Comm Action, Rent Payment............................... 3079.74 Netsmart Technologies, Inc., Maintenance Agreement............... 3446.71 Evan Neubauer, Reimbursement.......344.64 Optum360, Publications....................140.92 Ben Pfile, Services.............................300.00 Brittany Provost, Reimbursement.....692.04 Quadient, Inc., Postage........................74.85 Carrie Quandahl, Services................. 110.00 Quill LLC, Supplies............................57.12 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Membership......................................35.00 Ricoh USA Inc, Maintenance Agreement...................52.80 Lacey Rogers, Services.....................240.00 Sanofi Pasteur, Supplies................17741.96 Jim & Sharon Schultz, Payment........735.00 Spahn & Rose Lumber Co, Materials...........................................23.49 StunTronics, Equipment..................2044.00 Sunset Law Enforcement, Equipment.................................... 2548.80 Sutton’s Car Wash, Services..............208.95 Deb Thorstenson, Transport................ 90.00 Thrifty White Pharmacy, Services.....579.36 Kristin Torresdal, Mileage.....................5.36 Tyler Technologies, Inc, Services......898.00 Upper Explorerland RPC, Services..........................................500.00 US Cellular, Cell Service..................242.71 Steve Vanden Brink, Services...........180.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service..........945.85 Ryan Wiltgen, Reimbursement..........189.20 Ziegler Inc, Services..........................754.75 General Supplemental Fund Cynthia Albers, Election Worker.......319.17 Henry M. Adkins & Son, Inc, Services......................................18433.55 Lois Kuennen, Election Worker........ 112.50 Charles Lore, Election Worker.......... 112.50 Elaine Lore, Election Worker............285.00 Emily Mineart, Election Worker....... 112.50 Whitney Reporting Services, Services............................................42.50 Water Testing Grant Fund Elan Financial Services, Payment..... 112.31 Wayne & Linda Kirkeby, Chlorination.................................... 400.00 Janet Stolach, Plug Well.................... 700.00 Doug Van Sloten, Plug Well.............. 700.00 Rural Services Basic Fund Alliant Energy, Utilities....................... 20.16 IEHA, Membership............................. 80.00 LetterWerks Sign City, LLC, Signs............................................. 1450.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............ 36.51 Winn Co Landfill, Fees....................1420.88 Secondary Road Fund Agvantage FS Inc, Propane........... 10890.64 Alliant Energy, Utilities..................... 146.19 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service........................ 114.60 Calmar Courier, Publications............150.00

CDW Gov’t, Supplies........................154.23 City of Ossian, Utilities.......................21.30 Drilling All Season Sports, Supplies............................................67.99 Folkedahl Service, Services................ 98.00 Freeport Water District, Utilities.......193.42 Iowa DOT, Payment........................7086.96 Iowa One Call, Services......................24.30 Iowa Prison Industries, Signs........30975.80 John Deere Financial, Supplies......... 245.80 Marv Smith Electric, LLC, Services............................................14.82 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities....... 621.97 Mitko Specialty Sales, Parts..............956.16 Mower Power, Parts............................ 49.98 MSC Industrial Supply Co., Parts..............................................4255.40 NE Iowa Metalworks, Inc., Services........................................1988.64 Ness Pumping Service, Inc., Services..........................................450.00 Ronco Engineering, Supplies............559.41 Safety X-treme, LLC, Supplies.........216.41 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service..........517.10 Vestis, Services................................1313.57 Weis Buick GMC, Services...............123.70 Winn Co Landfill, Fees.......................... 9.88 Co Conserv Capital Improv Fund Erdman Engineering, Services........ 2280.00 Mahr Excavating, Services............61326.44 Seed Savers, Registration....................65.00 County Assessor Agency Fund Dawn Hageman, Reimbursement......361.03 Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport, Lodging..........................................399.84 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............73.01 E911 Surcharge Fund CenturyLink, E911 Service.................52.38 Iowa Prison Industries, Signs..........5000.00 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities.......540.58 Emergency Management Comm Casey’s Business MasterCard, Fuel................................................. 112.02 Decorah Electric Inc, Services........9489.12 Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport, Lodging.......................................... 253.12 Midwest Card & ID Solutions, Services........................................2000.00 Olson Explosives, Fuel........................ 62.71 Isaac Phillips, Reimbursement.......... 340.81 Sean Snyder, Reimbursment.............120.00 The Warrior Wash, LLC, Services.......24.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............77.00 Winneshiek Co Health Ins Fund Midwest Group Benefits Health Insurance...........................7290.40 Grand Total..................................239324.53 Decorah (Iowa) Leader November 7, 2024 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARK BROICH DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016336 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Mark Broich, Deceased, who died on or about October 16, 2024: You are hereby notified that on the 25th day of

October, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Mark Broich, deceased, bearing date of August 1, 2024, was admitted to probate in the abovenamed Court and that Jina Wood was appointed executor of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

Notice is further given that all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and creditors having claims against the estate shall file them with the Clerk of the above named district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, and unless so filed by the later to occur of four months from the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice (unless otherwise allowed or paid) a claim is thereafter forever barred.

Dated 28th day of October, 2024.

Jina Wood Executor of Estate 6 Allamakee Street, Apt. 4

Help Wanted

Waukon, IA 52172 Jana Evelsizer Olson ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: jana.olson@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: November 7, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Leader October 31 & November 7, 2024 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD H. SERSLAND DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016339 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Ronald H. Sersland, Deceased, who died on or about February 5, 2024: You are hereby notified that on the 30th day of October, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Ronald H. Sersland, deceased, bearing date of June 29, 2007, was admitted to probate in the above-named Court and that Nelly B. Sersland was appointed executors of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

Notice is further given that all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and creditors having claims against the estate shall file them with the Clerk of the above named district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, and unless so filed by the later to occur of four months from the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice (unless otherwise allowed or paid) a claim is thereafter forever barred.

Dated 1st day of November, 2024.

Nelly B. Sersland Executor of Estate E9826 Buckhorn Road Reedsburg, WI 53959 Dustin H. Noble ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: dustin.noble@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: November 14, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Leader November 7 & 14, 2024

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S LEVY AND SALE State of Iowa Winneshiek County ss.

Iowa District Court Court Case # EQCV026292 Winneshiek County Freedom Bank PLAINTIFF vs.

Devin R. Humpal DEFENDANT (Judgment Debtor) Special Execution As a result of the judgment rendered in the above referenced court case, an execution was issued by the court to the Sheriff of this county. The execution ordered the sale of defendant’s real estate to satisfy the judgment. The property to be sold is Lot 2 of 2 of 1 and 2 of 2 of 2 of the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Seaction 24, Township 96 North, Range 7 West of the 5th P.M., in Winneshiek County, Iowa.

Commonly known as 1246 107th Ave., Castalia, IA The described property will be offered for sale at public auction for cash only as follows: Date of Sale: December 17, 2024 Time of Sale: 10 a.m.

Place of Sale: Winneshiek County Courthouse Homestead: Defendant is advised that if the described real estate includes the homestead (which must not exceed 1/2 Acre in within a city or town plat, or, if rural, must not exceed 40 Acres), defendant must file a homestead plat with the Sheriff within ten (10) days after service of this notice, or the Sheriff will have it platted and charge the costs to this case.

Redemption: After the sale of real estate, defendant may redeem the property within12 months.

Property exemption: Certain money or property may be exempt. Contact your attorney promptly to review specific provisions of the law and file appropriate notice, if acceptable.

Judgment amount - $413,432.75; Costs - ; Accruing Costs – Plus; Interest $6,973.76; Attorney – Wesley B. Huisinga (319) 3659461; Date – September 5, 2024; Sheriff – Dan Marx, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Deputy Andrew Hageman.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader November 7 & 14, 2024 Decorah Community School Board Special School Board Meeting Minutes Central Administration Office Friday, November 1, 2024 4:15 p.m.

Present: President Cindy Goodner, Directors: Ron Fadness, Brian Petersburg and Carole Sand. Superintendent Dr. Tim Cronin, Director of Business Services Cathy Dietzenbach, Staff, News Media, and Guests. Absent: Director Aaron Zander and Board Secretary Darlene Woodhouse.

President Goodner called to order the special school board meeting at 4:15 p.m. Direc-

tor Fadness read the mission statement.

Motion: Director Petersburg moved, seconded by Director Sand to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Sand to approve the Personnel Listing: Motion carried by all voting aye.

New Hires: a. Matt Kuempel, 7th Grade Boys Track Coach, Level E, Step 5 at $2,868 b. Elise Stammeyer, Part-Time West Side Custodian, $16.30 per hour c. Anthony Hansen, Temporary MS Wrestling Coach, Level E, Step 1 at $2,143 d. Josh Stello, MS Boys Wrestling Coach, Level E, Step 1 at $2,143 e. Dana Hogan, 7th. Grade Girls Basketball Coach, Level E, Step 1 at $2,143 f. Ryan Hogan, 7th. Grade Girls Basketball Coach, Level E, Step 5 at $2,868 Volunteers: a. Rick Samuelson, Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach b. Jerry Joe Samuelson, Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach c. Raef LaFrentz, Volunteer Boys Basketball Coach Resignations: a. Maria Dimmer (Paraprofessional) b. Steve Nesteby (7th Grade Football Coach) There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:18 p.m.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader November 7, 2024

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HWY 64 AUCTIONS - ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS!

Miscellaneous

December 6th Live & Online Auction - December 8th Timed Online Auction Auctions Start @ 8:00 AM – Auction Location: 5498 Hwy 64 Baldwin, IA 52207

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ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS STARTING MONDAY NOVEMBER 4TH 2024 MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM - SATURDAYS 8:00 AM UNTIL NOON LAST DAY TO CONSIGN FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29TH! CLOSED THANKSGIVING

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Let’s Put Children’s Mental Health First Decorah Community Schools 2024-2025

NEEDS:

Substitute Food Service Workers If interested, please stop by the Central Administration Office, 1732 Old Stage Road, Decorah, IA 52101, to fill out Food Service Substitute Application.

The Decorah Community School District is an EEO/AA employer.

JB HOLLAND CONSTRUCTION

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Females and minorities are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA 44-4-DL-12

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DETAILS No Weekends, Hours from 7:30am -5:00pm with lunch from 12:001:00 daily. Candidate may be subject to background check and drug testing. Valid drivers license and clean driving record is necessary.

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NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

$38M bond approved

13

Public invited to meet Norwegian in what was described as flex vice levy limit. The proposed photographer Lars Idar Waage continued from front

Community School District Board President Cindy Goodner.

John Cline Elementary welcomed its first group of students in 1964, but the building has been showing its age for a number of years. Decorah Superintendent Tim Cronin, who was hired by the school district in 2022, said officials had previously deferred on a number of maintenance items — including the building’s now-leaky roof — for years, believing a new elementary building was on the proverbial horizon. The building doesn’t meet many current standards and, like many buildings of the 1960s, it contains asbestos. Additions to the elementary were constructed in the 1990s, which Cronin previously said cocooned some older portions of the building, and inadequate classroom space continues to be an issue inside

the elementary.

Preliminary plans for the new elementary call for a two-story structure capable of bringing the district’s pre-K classes — currently housed in the West Side Elementary building — under the same roof. Security would also be improved at the new elementary, according to officials, as preliminary plans show a secure entry vestibule on its northeast corner. The proposed elementary would feature a separate 600-800 seat gym and a 55,000 square-foot commons area. John Cline’s gymnasium also serves as the building’s lunch room, which Cronin said limits scheduling of certain classes and can present additional challenges if Mother Nature demands students stay inside during the recess period.

School officials have also factored for the potential growth of the student body, pencilling

spaces — instruction areas which can serve as additional classrooms if and when an incoming grade level is particularly large. Cronin said Decorah’s district-wide enrollment is steady at approximately 1,600 students. The superintendent said Decorah Schools is the largest school district in the six-county area, and it has a net gain of 85 students through open enrollment.

Voters in the school district voted earlier this year to renew the school’s revenue purpose statement, which outlines how the district will use 1-cent sales tax funds from the state. Cronin said the statement will now be extended to 2051 and gives the district a leg up in bonding against the expected tax revenue. Decorah area voters also previously approved an increase in the school district’s debt ser-

Luther College vs. Buena Vista

$38 million bond is expected to collect an additional 86 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. School officials indicated the average home in Decorah would see a tax increase of $7.96 per month, or $95.47 each year until the bond is paid off. Cronin said the $38 million bond is expected to be paid over a 20-year period at 5 percent interest, which the superintendent said may come down, and he noted Decorah Schools has been able to pay off previous bonds ahead of schedule.

Cronin previously said he expects the elementary project’s design phase will last 10 months, and the district will be able to call for contractor bids in September of 2025. Construction would then be slated to start in March of 2026, and the building could potentially be complete by the fall of 2027.

Norwegian photographer Lars Idar Waage will give a presentation at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School. Waage will first discuss the new exhibit “A Dying Norway – in a Living America?” in Vesterheim Commons gathering space and then move to the gallery to discuss the photographs. The event is free, and the Museum Store will be open until 7 p.m. that day.

The exhibit features documentary photography by Waage and will be on view in Vesterheim Commons Gallery from Nov. 8, 2024, to Feb. 16, 2025.

Organizers described the exhibit as a portrait of present-day Stavanger, Illinois, by someone

who lives 6,000 miles away in Stavanger, Norway. The tiny town of Stavanger, Illinois, is the location of the first permanent settlement of Norwegian immigrants in the United States, including some of those who sailed from Stavanger, Norway, on the Restauration — the ship which brought the first organized group of Norwegian emigrants in 1825. Through these images, Waage shares how Norwegian identity and traditions are still expressed today in this area of Illinois.

The year 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of Norwegian emigration, and this exhibit is part of Vesterheim’s commemoration of that history.

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SPORTS

14 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

State education director denies DHS athletic conference appeal

tional rivalries, number of existing and proposed schools in the conference as well as comDecorah Community parability of athletic programs Schools will continue looking and other school-sponsored for an athletic conference after programs. The July mediation Iowa Department of Educa- was unsuccessful, and the mattion Director McKenzie Snow ter moved to a hearing with affirmed the Upper Iowa Con- Snow, which was held in late ference decision to deny Dec- August.

Snow affirmed the mediation orah High School’s request to join the conference. After me- team’s decision in an Oct. 31 diation between the Decorah ruling.

During the School Disdebate before trict and Upper “We are Snow, which Iowa Conferwas presentence failed, the disappointed Iowa Departed via a Zoom about the impact conference, ment of Education accepted this will have on Cronin and other advocates the mediators’ travel time for pointed out the recommendaour students, and travel schedtion to deny Decorah’s rethe imminent loss ule Decorah would be subquest. of long-standing ject to if forced “We are di sappoi nt e d to compete in a rivalries with about the imconference farformer Northeast ther from Decpact this will have on travIowa Conference orah — calling such a schedel time for schools” our students, ule exhaustive and the immiand expensive.

-Tim Cronin, Decorah nent loss of Schools Superintendent Decorah’s oplong-standing tions for a new rivalries with conference former Northeast Iowa Con- affiliation are limited, due to ference schools,” said Decorah the district’s size and location Schools Superintendent Tim in the northeast corner of the Cronin. “Although Iowa Ad- state. When looking at a posministrative Code 281 Chap- sible membership with another ter 37 states that ‘each school conference, such as the Wadesiring to be a member of a MaC, Decorah athletes would conference providing extra- need to travel an average of curricular athletic contests and 112 miles one-way for games. competitions for students is The closest WaMaC school granted this opportunity,’ the from Decorah is 68 miles away current process has left us as an in Independence – the farthest independent, without offering is Grinnell, which is 145 miles any guidance for next steps. away.

Conference officials said Moving forward, the district will evaluate all available op- Decorah would have an advantions. We will seek to engage tage due to its student body bewith key decision-makers in- ing much larger than the other volved in the process and use schools which are currently in their insights to guide our plan- the conference. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, the UIC ning.”

The DCSD Board of Di- will include New Hampton, rectors will discuss potential Waukon, Cresco — all former options for the athletic confer- NEIC schools — along with ence issue during the board’s North Fayette Valley, MFL MarMac, South WinneshNov. 11 meeting.

Decorah had requested entry iek, Postville, Clayton Ridge, to the UIC because Decorah’s Elkader Central, Turkey Valley, current conference, the North- Lansing Kee and West Central. east Iowa Conference, will dis- Decorah’s enrollment for the solve after the 2024-25 school 2023-24 school year was estiyear. The NEIC is the oldest mated at 435, and the average conference in the state, dating enrollment for the conference back to 1920. Decorah hoped member-schools is 171. to join the Upper Iowa ConSnow’s Oct. 31 ruling said ference, with officials saying the mediation team considered that joining other conferences both travel time and school size would mean longer travel for when making its decision and sports like volleyball and bas- gave more weight to the latter.

“Decorah has the burden of ketball — Decorah’s football conference will be unaffected persuasion as the district opby the change. posing the recommendation,” The matter was taken up Snow’s ruling said. “In abduring a July mediation ses- sence of convincing proof that sion with representatives of the mediation team failed to the state’s high school athletic consider factors laid out in the organizations. The mediation rules, or was otherwise biased, team was asked to consider prejudiced or predisposed, the school enrollment figures, trav- meditation’s team’s recomel distances, comparability of mendation will be implementinstructional programs, tradi- ed.”

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Warriors gridders honored by district for efforts

A host of South Winn football players were honored by being named all-district in Class A District 3.

In total, four athletes were named first team and three were honorable mention.

had 176 carries for 963 yards this season as he shouldered the brunt of the rushing duties,

to the honorable mention list — Ray Lienau, Logan Tieskoetter and Eric Greve.

Lienau a n d Tieskoetter were g i v e n the nod for their efforts First team on the The quaro f f e nTristen Braiden Kyle Carson tet of Tristen Bodensteiner sive line Todd Kuboushek Streeter Bodensteiner, which First Team First Team First Team First Team Braiden Todd, helped Kyle Kuthe Warboushek and r i o r s Carson Streets c o r e er were named 38 total to the Class A touchDistrict 3 First downs Team for Ofand gain fense for their 3,030 efforts on the t o t a l Ray Logan Eric Warrior gridyards of Lienau Tieskoetter Greve iron. offense Honorable Honorable Honorable Bodensteinduring Mention Mention Mention er, a senior, is the 2024 recognized for the second time scoring 13 times. campaign. as on offensive lineman. He Streeter earned several difGreve, a defensive back, was was part of a contingent that ferent honors on the first team fourth on the Warrior roster in aided South Winn to score 31 during his junior campaign, in- total tackles with 35.5 total rushing touchdowns and seven cluding his wide receiver/tight stops with 31 solo tackles and passing TDs as the Warriors end position where he caught four interceptions. racked up over 3,000 yards of 26 passes for 430 yards, averClass A District 3 total offense. aging 16.5 yards per reception Coach of the Year – Duane Calling out the signals this and scored four times. He also Foster, Wapsie Valley Offensive MVP – Kolt Knaack, season, Todd gets his nod at the rambled 459 yards on 36 carNorth Tama quarterback position for South ries for another six TDs. On Sr.,Lineman MVP – Luke Riordan, Winn. Last season he was a the flip side of the ball, Street- Jr., Wapsie Valley Defensive MVP – Hunter Curley, Defense Second Team honor- er was the Special Teams MVP Jr., Wapsie Valley ee. The junior was 34-for-61 in and first team kicker with 42 Special Teams MVP – Carson passing for 553 yards with five kick offs for 2,092 yards with Streeter, Jr., South Winn First team offense – Chase scores, fifth-best in the district. eight touchbacks and was 30- Ackerman, Sr., OL, Wapsie He also averaged 7.5 yards a for-33 in PATs. Streeter punt- Valley; Emmitt Petermeier, Sr., carry on the ground with eight ed 12 times for 393 yards. He OL, BCLUW; Chris Witte, Sr., OL, North Butler; Isaac Jones, Sr., OL, touchdowns as he held on to the returned 12 kick offs for 347 Nashua-Plainfield; Carter Backer, pigskin 64 times for 479 yards. yards, one for a touchdown, Sr., OL, North Butler; Tristen Sr., OL, South Winn; For the second time in his ca- along with a pair of punt returns Bodensteiner, Braiden Todd, Jr., QB, South Winn; reer, Kuboushek earned a first for 25 yards.

Kanen Decker, Sr., RB, Wapsie Valley; Kyle Kuboushek, Jr., RB, team nod. The junior was recSouth Winn; Bryar Bellis, So., WR/ ognized on offense this year op- Honorable mention TE, Wapsie Valley; Josh Dostal, Three Warriors were named Sr., WR/TE, North Tama; Carson posed to defense a year ago. He

Streeter, Jr., WR/TE, South Winn; Bo Starr, Jr., WR/TE, AGWSR; Ryan Austin, Sr., WR/TE, North Butler; Carson Streeter, Jr., Kicker, South Winn; Aiden Gelner, Sr., UT, Nashua-Plainfield; Jax Thorne, Jr., UT, North Butler First team defense – Garrett Miller, Sr., DL, Wapsie Valley; Eli Kalainoff, Jr., DL, Nashua-Plainfield; Trent Rodruck, Jr., DL, NashuaPlainfield; Jayden Griese, Sr., DL, Wapsie Valley; Andrew Tiedt, Jr., LB, Wapsie Valley; Pryor Wiederkehr, Sr., LB, North Butler; Gavin Rausch, Sr., LB, North Tama; Carter Roder, Sr., LB, AGWSR; Jack Carey, Sr., LB, Nashua-Plainfield; Dallas Tisue, Sr., DB, Wapsie Valley; Devon Blanchard, Jr., DB, NashuaPlainfield; Stroker Koop, Sr., DB, North Butler; Kayler Morris, Jr., DB, North Tama; Chase Ackerman, Sr., Punter, Wapsie Valley; Tyrus Luker, Sr., UT, North Tama; Tucker Pecha, So., UT, North Butler Second team offense – Jonah Frost, Sr., OL, Wapsie Valley; Carter Kaufman, Jr., OL, Wapsie Valley; Mason Hosek, Sr., OL, North Tama; Owen Meyers, Sr., OL, BCLUW; Clayton Van Loh, Sr., OL, AGWSR; Brody Wangsness, Jr., QB, North Butler; Eli Holmgaard, So., RB, AGWSR; Wyatt Gould, Jr., RB, BCLUW; Easton Kerns, Sr., WR/TE, AGWSR; Jaxon Miller, Sr., WR/TE, North Butler; Sam Stirling, Sr., WR/ TE, North Butler; Owen Meyers, Sr., Kicker, BCLUW Second team defense – Andrew Matthias, Sr., DL, Wapsie Valley; Chaz Hall, Sr., DL, North Tama; Dillon Eberline, Jr., DL, North Butler; Aiden Witte, Sr., DL, North Butler; Brennan Steere, Jr., LB, North Butler; Tyler Zimmer, Jr., LB, Nashua-Plainfield; Lane Rose, Jr., LB, AGWSR; Miles Carpenter, So., LB, Nashua-Plainfield; Brayden Dana, Sr., DB, Wapsie Valley; Collin Willems, Sr., DB, AGWSR; Zane Ascher, Sr., DB, North Butler; Kayvin Morris, Sr., DB, North Tama; Kingston Holman, So., Punter, AGWSR Honorable mention – Kale Dodd, So., OL, AGWSR; Diego Lazo, Sr., DL, AGWSR; Jake Smith, Jr., DB, Nashua-Plainfield; Matthew Malvin, Jr., DB, Nashua-Plainfield; Beau Morris, Jr., OL, NashuaPlainfield; Landon Foelske, Jr., UT, Nashua-Plainfield; Clayton Towsley, Sr., WR, North Butler; Brandon Witte, So., OL, North Butler; Clayton Williams, Jr., WR; North Tama; Maddox Rausch, Fr., LB, North Tama; Ray Lienau, Jr., OL, South Winn; Logan Tieskoetter, Jr., OL, South Winn; Eric Greve, Jr., DB, South Winn; Caleb Hogan, So., QB, Wapsie Valley; JJ Seeman, So., OL, Wapsie Valley; Landen Moulds, So., DB, Wapsie Valley

Eleven locals earn all-conference volleyball nods

Eleven local spikers were named to the Upper Iowa Conference all-league teams, released last week.

Six members from the South Winn squad were recognized while five members of the Turkey Valley team were honored for their efforts.

First team Four athletes were heralded as first-team honorees. South Winn’s Alyssa Holthaus, Ella Theis and Ivey Franzen along with Trojan libero Morgan Vsetecka earned the honor.

Holthaus was a unanimous decision this season to earn her first nod. The junior topped the league in kill efficiency at .331 as she pounded out 122 kills on 276 attacks this season.

Holthaus also led the Warriors at the net with 30 total blocks to go with 43 digs. She served with 94.0 percent efficiency as she went 140-for-149 with 20 aces.

A second team honoree last year, Theis, also a junior, moves up to first team with the most assists in the conference at 458.

She was second in the league in serve efficiency at 95.5 percent, going 280-for-293 at the service line with 28 aces. Theis also provided 116 digs, 34 kills and 17 total blocks.

Second in the league overall in kills with 149, Franzen skips from honorable mention a year ago to first team. She had a kill efficiency of .176 with 483 attack attempts. She added 73 digs, 15 total blocks and served 51-for-55 during her senior campaign.

Surpassing the 500 career mark in digs this season, Vsetecka earns her inaugural conference nod on the first team as a senior Trojan. Her 409 digs for this season was the best in the Upper Iowa Conference.

She also served at a 90.1 percent efficiency, going 192-for213 with 26 aces.

Second team One Warrior and two Trojans were named to the second-team list.

South Winn freshman Bailey Kuennen debuted this season as a left side hitter for 154 kills, second-best on the Warrior squad. She was there for 15 total Alyssa Holthaus Ella Theis Ivey Franzen Morgan Vsetecka blocks and 25 digs.

SW, Junior SW, Junior SW, Senior TV, Senior With the secFirst Team First Team First Team First Team ond-best serve efficiency in the state, not just league or class, Addison Steinlage was named to the second team. The Trojan setter has served with a 99.4 percent efficienDelaney Busta Bailey Kuennen Addison Steinlage cy with just two TV, Junior TV, Senior SW, Freshman Second Team Second Team Second Team missed serves this season, going 336for-338 with 34 aces. During her junior campaign, Steinlage has handed out 438 assists and come up with 209 digs.

Delaney Busta Allison Hageman Aubrey Hageman Ella Ives Kinsey Reicks debuts on second SW, Senior SW, Senior TV, Soph.

TV, Senior team as the leader Hon. Mention Hon. Mention Hon. Mention Hon. Mention in total blocks for the Upper Iowa Conference. The senior has 48 (31 assists, 6 solo) and had put Lauryn Johnson, Jr., MFL total blocks (13 solo, 35 assists) down 117 kills on 366 attempts. MarMac; Bailey Kuennen, Fr., South. Winn; Delaney Busta, to go with 87 kills on 259 attack Reicks also has 89 digs and a Sr., Turkey Valley; Addison attempts.

93.8 percent serve efficiency Steinlage, Jr., Turkey Valley; Lola Reimer, Sr., Clayton Ridge; (227-for-242) with 27 aces.

Honorable mention Ives made the move from the Hannah Schroeder, Jr., North South Winn’s Allison Hage- junior varsity level to varsity Fayette Valley; Tori Sylvester, Sr., Central man and Aubrey Hageman, midseason and made an impact Honorable mention – Alex along with Turkey Valley’s Ella with 36 total blocks (12 solo Kent, Sr., North Fayette Valley; Ives and Kinsey Reicks were all and 24 assists) with 64 kills Lila Moore, So., North Fayette named honorable mentions. on 198 attack attempts with 20 Valley; Allison Hageman, Sr., South Winn; Aubrey Hageman, Both senior Warriors were digs.

Sr., South Winn; Ella Ives, So., defensive specialists and shined Turkey Valley; Kinsey Reicks, Upper Iowa Conference at the service line. Allison Sr., Turkey Valley; Audrey All-Conference Teams Ostrander, Sr., Clayton Ridge; Hageman was second on the *Denotes unanimous decision Ella Oberbreckling, Sr., Clayton team with 165 digs and went First team – *Lily Holthaus, Ridge; Katie Royer, Jr., Central; 185-for-203 at the service line So., North Fayette Valley; Brylee Erickson, So., Central; with 28 aces for a 91.1 percent *Alyssa Holthaus, Jr., South Addison Corlett, Fr., MFL efficiency. Aubrey Hageman Winn; Jayla Cowley, Sr., North MarMac; Madelyn Keehner, Fayette Valley; Ella Theis, Jr., was there for 117 digs and was South Winn; Ella Sieck, So., Jr., MFL MarMac; Brooklyn Rose, Sr., West Central; Faith third in ace serves with 36 as North Fayette Valley; Morgan Steinbronn, Sr., West Central; Vsetecka, Sr., Turkey Valley; Leticia Dahl, So., Postville; she went 196-for-219.

Ives and Reicks have been Brianna Davis, Sr., North Sophia Salinas, Fr., Postville; Fayette Valley; Ivey Franzen, Summer Walleser, Sr., Kee; powerhouses at the net for the Sr., South Winn Isabelle Mettille, Jr., Kee Trojans this season. Reicks, Second team – Amyra a senior, is second on the TV Millard, Sr., Clayton Ridge; squad in total blocks with 37

SPORTS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

15

Just short for Warrior girls; good runs by Decorah, SW’s Conway

Grant Zilka capped off his senior campaign in 22nd Friday in the Class 3A race for Decorah.

South Winn teammates (l-r) Izzy Kuboushek, Karissa Wenthold, Maddy Jansen and Tessa Phillips share hugs and shed tears as they learned they were one point short of third place.

Standing on the deck was just not in the cards for the Winneshiek County teams Friday and Saturday following the Class 3A and 1A races at the state cross country meet in Fort Dodge.

“One of our goals each season is to field the team with the most depth,” said South Winn Co-Head Coach Kevin Kearney.

“They were able to achieve that goal for the fifth straight year as we were able to get all seven of our runners in before any other team. It is a real testament to their competitiveness and determination that they have been SW’s Lauren Ondrashek finished 18 sec- able to compete so consistently onds faster than last year at state. up and down the lineup year in and year out. It has really become the hallmark of our teams’ ability to compete at such a high level.”

When the meet wrapped up, the Class 1A South Winn girls squad finished one point out of third and making its fifth straight appearance in the top three on the deck.

The Decorah boys’ team also finished fourth, finishing ahead of Mount Vernon-Lisbon who had won the Class 3A state qualifying race over the Vikings a week earlier. The Viking girls wrapped up the season in 14th.

Touring the 5K course in 17:11.1, Landyn Oh-so-close Hook earned 55th for the Vikes.

Posting 173 points, the South Winn girls had an average time of 21:07 and a 2:02 spread of its seven runners.

“Our girls finished the season with their best team performance of the season. We had struggled with injury and illness on and off all season. But, in spite of that, they were able to maintain their focus and kept their eyes on the end of the year. We were probably the seventh to ninth best team heading into the meet, Bunched together early in the Class 1A race so the fact that they were able to for the Warriors are (l-r) Izzy Kuboushek, compete inside the top five was Tessa Phillips and Karissa Wenthold. really a fantastic accomplishment. We really could not have asked for a better effort,” said SW coach Kearney.

Earlham took the Class 1A title with 91, followed by Madrid with 109 and Treynor with 172.

Leading the Warriors to the line in 35th place was Ava Franzen, in 20:16.5, slicing 17 seconds off her time from a year

ago. She was able to finish the year as the conference champion, an individual state qualifier and then led the Warrior team with a lifetime best effort at the state meet.

“Her consistency this season at the front was really important for our team,” noted coach Kearney.

Annie Hageman and Maddy Jansen finished nearly together in 53rd and 55th places, respectively. Hageman posted a time of 20:43.4, while Jansen toured the course in 20:46.4. In her second trip to state with the Warrior squad Lauren Ondrashek had a time of 21:46.5, good for 89th place and 18 seconds faster than last year. Izzy Kuboushek was the final contributor to South Winn’s score in 99th place. She capped off her career with a time of 22:04.6.

Tessa Phillips and Karissa Wenthold were also competitive on the course. Phillips stopped the clock at 22:18.0, good for 105th with Wenthold on her heels in 106th with a time of 22:19.2.

“Our seniors - Karissa, Izzy and Katie (Shimek) - did a great job all year long. Having the right mix of hard work, determination, competitiveness and fun is important to the success of a team. Their leadership and experience will be missed next season and there will be big shoes to be filled in their absence,” concluded coach Kearney.

PR for SW’s Conway Hugh Conway was the first freshman to qualify for state for South Winn as an individual and finished Saturday’s race in 31st place with a personal record time of 17:06.5.

Throughout the season, Conway broke the freshman cross country record time multiple times, taking 40 seconds off the record over the course of the season.

“His performance at state was really outstanding. He handled everything as if he was a senior. To come in as a freshman and compete that well and with that much composure is really rare. It was great to see him

Decorah harriers Brinlee Courtney (l) and Raelyn Newhouse pace each other early on.

finish with such a great performance,” said SW coach Kearney.

Excellent day Having missed qualifying as a team in 2023, the Decorah boys’ team made the most of its return trip to the Class 3A state event, finishing with 142 points behind Gilbert (33), Des Moines Christian (78) and Pella (92).

The Vikes had an average time of 16:54 and spread of 32 seconds among the top five scoring harriers.

Garrett See and Grant Zilka crossed the finish line together in 21st and 22nd places. See had the Vikings’ best time, a personal record, of 16:36.9, while Zilka toured the course in 16:37.8. In 16:58.2, Davis Coppola earned 39th place. Posting a time of 17:08.0, Mitchell Stemper took 51st, just ahead of teammate and final scoring runner Thomas Hammel who was 52nd in 17:09.1, a personal record for the senior.

Also running for the Vikes were seniors Landyn Hook (55th, 17:11.1) and D’mitry Lesser (81st, 17:31.8).

Viking girls Among a talented Class 3A girls’ field, the Viking girls finished with 277 points in 14th place. Pella set a new record in team scoring at 23 points to win the day, well ahead of Sioux Center (142) and Mount Vernon-Lisbon (145). The Decorah girls posted a spread of 2:37 among their seven runners and had an average time of 20:48.

Posting a time of 19:35.8, Olivia Volkmann led Decorah to the finish to take 28th place.

She was the only Viking to go under 20:00. In 78th came Raelyn Newhouse with a time of 20:47.7, while Riley Christopher took 89th in 20:59.5. Leah Garcia-Prats toured the course in 21:12.4, good for 101st with Deborah Hougen capping off the scoring in 107th. Hougen posted a time of 21:28.9.

In 21:53.3, Brinlee Courtney took 119th with Amelia Wadsworth rounding out the varsity scorecard in 125th with a time of 22:13.4.

SW’s Ava Franzen (left) crosses the finish line.

Hugh Conway (right) represented the SW boys’ team with a 31st finish.

Running in a pack early for Decorah were Garrett See (194), Mitchell Stemper and Davis Coppola.

Izzy Kuboushek gets a hug from Lauren Ondrashek as Warrior teammate Annie Hageman looks on.

Running together for the Vikes were (l-r) Deborah Hougen, Riley Christopher, Leah Garcia-Prats and Amelia Wadsworth.

Decorah’s Brinlee Courtney (r) talks about her race with sister Brooke Friday.

Garrett See lays down for a rest in the finish line area. See was the Vikes’ top finisher.

Senior Thomas Hammel takes a final photo with Decorah coaches Brad Johansen (l) and Tim Hayes.

Nikki Brodbeck consoles her daughter Maddy Jansen.

Olivia Volkmann posted the fastest time for the Vikes at 19:35.8.

The Decorah girls’ cross country team leave the finish line area hand-in-hand following the Class 3A race in Fort Dodge Friday. (All photos by Becky Walz)

Decorah’s D’mitry Lesser works his way around traffic.

SPORTS

16 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Decorah’s 15-14 victory one to remember ton Webb and Gavin Groux all caught at least one pass.

Leading the ground attack with 93 yards on two carries was Groux. Kuennen carried the pigskin 14 times to move the ball 59 yards while Caddell kept the ball 14 times for 44 yards.

Dahlberg was there defensively for the Vikings with five solo and seven assisted tackles with an interception and fumble recovery. Pipho had seven solo tackles while Groux rolled up six solo stops.

Decorah Head Football Coach Michael Tangen (left foreground) wipes away a tear as the players celebrate the 15-14 win Friday over Newton to keep the Vikes’ season alive. (Photo courtesy of Sam Zoulek) Cheers could be heard throughout downtown Decorah as the Viking football team took down Newton in the first round of the Class 4A playoff in the final minute Friday night, 15-14.

And it’s probably a game players, coaches and fans will never forget.

“I am very proud of our coaches and our players. We faced a lot of ups and downs throughout the course of the game and our guys fought all the way to the end. Friday night’s game is a great example for every competitor to never give up and trust the team all the way to the end,” said coach Michael Tangen. “Obviously the final play is on everyone’s mind but there were so many key situations where our guys stepped up and executed well.”

The first year head coach also noted, “The support from our fan base was outstanding and the win was great for our community as well. This will be one of those games that we will remember forever. We now need to regroup and keep getting better to have a chance at continuing the season for another week.”

Coming from behind According to coach Tangen, “Our defense played outstanding all night and our offense did enough to give us a chance to win the game.”

That was evident by the first forced turnover by the Viking defense at the 7:00 mark of the first as Noah Milburn recovered a fumble made by the Cardinals. Unfortunately, Decorah was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and was forced to punt. Newton repaid the favor late in the period as time ran out with a scoreless first quarter.

After the Viking defense had stonewalled Newton late in the first, Decorah had an uphill battle as it was pinned against its own end zone, eventually punting back to the Cardinals.

This time, in spite of the Viking defensive effort forcing the Cardinals a fourth and goal from the one, Newton was able to put the ball in the end zone, taking a 7-0 lead with 6:48 on the clock in the second. Two plays later, Gavin Groux wove his way through traffic at the

line of scrimmage and ran away from the pack 83 yards to score for the Vikings. That carry combined with a Brayden Wemark PAT gave Decorah a slim 7-6 advantage with 6:01 remaining.

It wasn’t good enough for the Cardinals as the ensuing kickoff was returned 60 yards for Newton’s second score of the quarter. A successful two-point conversion put the visitors on top 14-7 heading into halftime.

Trailing to start the third quarter was a new thing for the Vikings as they hadn’t trailed at halftime all season. The deficit held through the third as neither team entered the red zone until there was 18 ticks remaining on the clock. Newton pushed its way to the Viking 1-yard line but the Decorah defense was there to deny the four attempts with tackles by Gatlin Dahlberg, Cash Riehle, Tommy Sexton, William Hahn and Keaton Orris. Taking over on downs at their own 1-yard line, the Vikings managed some breathing room on the legs of Tanner Caddell, Trevor Kuennen and Jackson Pipho but failed to move past their own 19-yard line.

With time winding down to

the 4:00 mark, the Vikes looked to put a drive together when Kuennen threw an interception.

Not giving up, Decorah’s defense bound together and immediately saw Dahlberg collect a Cardinal fumble at the Newton 6-yard line. It took four tries, but Caddell squeezed through the middle to score for Decorah with 41 seconds remaining making the score 14-13, still in favor of Newton. The Vikes’ swinging gate PAT set appeared to confuse the Cardinal defense as it went from one side of the field to the other, allowing Caddell to pass to Sexton for the two-point conversion and 15-14 win.

“The goal line stand was the key to the win, and the turnovers that we created were huge,” noted coach Tangen.

A closer look Decorah put up 209 yards on the ground with another 89 through the air for a total of 298, while Newton tallied a total of 261.

Caddell was 7-for-12 in passing with Milburn as a target for a pair of receptions for 57. Carter Dlhy, Jackson Pipho, Pey-

Another test Decorah has another big battle in its sights as the Vikes will host North Scott (8-2) in the Class 4A quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.

The two squads have met twice before the in the postseason. In 2021, Decorah defeated the Lancers, who were ranked No. 1 at the time. Last season, North Scott ended the Vikes’ season in the first round 35-7.

Game stats Total yards: Decorah 298; Newton 261 Passing (comp/att/yds): Tanner Caddell (7-12, 94 yds.); Trevor Kuennen (0-1) Rushing (att/yds): Gavin Groux (2-93, 1 TD); Kuennen (14-59); Caddell (14-44, 1 TD); Tommy Sexton (3-7); Will Larson (1-6); Carter Dlhy (1-(-1)) Receiving (att/yds/TD): Noah Milburn (2-57); Dlhy (1-20); Jackson Pipho (1-11); Peyton Webb (1-6); Groux (2-0) Tackles (total): Gatlin Dahlberg 8.5; Pipho 7.0; Groux 6.0; William Hahn 5.5; Sexton 4.0; Keaton Orris 4.0; Kuennen 3.5; Caleb Krieg 3.0; Luke Franzen 2.5; Jameson LaBelle 1.5; Henry Brynsaas 1.5; Cash Riehle 1.5; Mason Avila 1.0; Noah Milburn 1.0 Interceptions (no/return yds): Dahlberg (1-9) Fumble recoveries: Dahlberg 1; Milburn 1 Punts (att/yds): Milburn (4-153) Punt returns (att/yds): Groux (1-0) Kick-offs (att/yds): Brayden Wemark (3-153, 1-1 PAT) Kick-off returns (att/yds): Groux (1-24); Kuennen (1-16)

Friday night Decorah High School recognized and thanked Coach Rollinger for his commitment to Decorah track and field as well as Decorah football during the past 40 years.

(Photo courtesy of Sam Zoulek)

Coach Rollinger recognized for his retirement For 40 years, Joel Rollinger had been a fixture in the Decorah boys track and field program as an assistant and head coach. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, coach Rollinger decided to retire from the coaching ranks after an extremely successful run and his accomplishments were recognized before Friday’s football game.

In his 28 years as a head coach, Rollinger helped lead the Vikings to 15 conference championships and five state qualifying meet championships.

Over 100 individual and relay events placed at the state track meet during his tenure,

with eight individual and relay events winning state championships.

Amongst multiple top five finishes at the state track meet, Rollinger helped lead the Vikings to Class 3A State Championships in 2004 and 2012.

In addition to his service to the track and field program, Rollinger has served as assistant football coach side by side with former head coaches Bill Post and Pat Trewin. His efforts have been instrumental in 17 playoff appearances including 11 district titles, five state championship games and a state championship in 2012.

ISU loss trips up FBC entries

Nearly every entry bet on Iowa State defeating Texas Tech in week eight of the Pigskin Picks football contest, only one didn’t believe in the Cyclones among the 42 entries, making it the most missed game of the week.

Six entries missed just that game, bringing the tie breakers into the mix for the top spot. Wayne Kreitzer of Cresco correctly guessed the first tie breaker of 49 as the highest score of any one game to win the first place prize. Wartburg scored 49 versus Luther.

Kyle Sorenson of Decorah and Kevin Cervenka of Fort Atkinson were both seven away from the first tie breaker. So, by virtue of the second, the highest combined score of any game, Sorensen took second with a guess of 65. Cervenka’s guess of 72 gave him third.

UNI and North Dakota State combined for 61.

Aside from ISU getting slighted by Texas Tech, the most commonly missed games were MFL MarMac falling to Wilton, Bishop Garrigan over Riceville and the Arizona Cardinals topping the Chicago Bears.

NEIC recognizes Viking quartet

McKinley Massman First Team All-NEIC

Viking running back Gavin Groux remains in motion against the Newton defender during Friday’s Class 4A win over Newton. The senior ran for 93 yards on just two carries and scored once. (Photo courtesy of Sam Zoulek)

Noah Milburn keeps his eye on the ball as the Newton defense looks to disrupt the Vikings’ reception. (Photo courtesy of Sam Zoulek)

Decorah’s Bradan Darling closes in on the Cardinal quarterback in the pocket. (Photo courtesy of Sam Zoulek)

Dylin Thompson First Team All-NEIC

Four members of the Decorah volleyball team were honored for their work on the hardwood this fall by being named to the all-conference list.

Juniors McKinley Massman and Dylin Thompson were named to the Northeast Iowa Conference first team, while senior Ellie Rolfs and Leah Holland received second team nods.

Massman, a second team honoree last season, was third in the league and first for the Vikings in kills with a total of 260 on 712 attack attempts. The junior came up with 234 digs for Decorah, the second best on the squad to go with an 87.8 percent serving efficiency. She served 303-of-345 with a team high 42 aces.

Making her first appearance on the All-NEIC list, Thompson handed out 581 assists, the third best in the league. She also provided 218 digs, 36 kills and served with a 90 percent efficiency going 279-of-310 with 31 aces.

Rolfs, the Viking libero, had 266 digs during her senior campaign to lead Decorah defensively to earn her second team nod. At the service line she had 19 aces as she was 204-of-229

Ellie Rolfs Second Team All-NEIC

Leah Holland Second Team All-NEIC

for an 89.1 serve efficiency.

Boasting a .244 kill efficiency, Holland was third in the NEIC as she hammered out 146 kills on 409 attack attempts.

She was a force defensively at the net with 38 total blocks (10 solo, 28 assists) with 65 digs.

Holland also had stellar performances at the service line with a 93.9 percent efficiency, serving 214-of-228 with 32 aces.

Decorah ended the season in the Class 4A semifinals against Charles City, concluding the year with a 18-12 overall record.

All-NEIC volleyball teams First team – Mya Rimrod, Sr., OH, Charles City; Sofia Parrott, Setter, Jr., Charles City; Anya Ruzicka, Libero, Sr., Charles City; Braelyn Rosonke, Sr., MH, New Hampton; Maici Weber, Jr., Setter/ RS, New Hampton; Aleigha Cahoy, Fr., OH, New Hampton; McKinley Massman, Jr., OH, Decorah; Dylin Thompson, Jr., Setter, Decorah; Olivia Johnson, Sr., OH, Crestwood Second team – Jadyn Van Horn, Sr., MH, Charles City; Evelyn Mayhew, Jr., MH, Charles City; Taylor Ries, Sr., Libero/DS, New Hampton; Ellie Rolfs, Sr., Libero/DS, Decorah; Leah Holland, Sr., MH, Decorah; Lily Troender, Sr., Setter, Crestwood; Lydia Williams, Sr., MH, Crestwood; Vienna Nibbelink, Sr., DS/Libero, Crestwood; Willa Troendle, Jr., MH/OH, Waukon