December 5, 2024

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Vol. 159, Issue 49 www.decorahleader.com

Decorah, Iowa 52101 email: editor@decorahleader.com

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City council candidates sound off ahead of special election COMPILED BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

Kent Klocke Occupation:

Those in line at the community Thanksgiving dinner at St. Benedict Catholic Church had an assortment of trimmings to choose from, in addition to homemade turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing and green bean casserole. More than a dozen salads, various desserts and pies were donated to this year’s event. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

Annual community Thanksgiving dinner offers attendees homemade food, camaraderie

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER The COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on Decorah’s annual community Thanksgiving dinner, hosted by St. Benedict Catholic Church and First United Methodist Church, but the dinner’s volunteers say the meal’s numbers are on the rise once again.

Judy Holthaus, who has volunteered at the event the last 18 years, said 270 meals were carried out and delivered this year to area first responders who couldn’t leave their posts and residents who couldn’t leave their homes.

“This is what we’re supposed to do as human beings,” said Thomas Hansen, the event’s coordinator, who’s been volunteering for

the dinner for 26 of its 37 years.

“We’re supposed to care for one another. We’re not supposed to just talk about unity — we’re supposed to do it. This is my favorite holiday, because it’s a time we can set aside our differences and

Dinner continued on page 7

‘Tis the season for shopping ‘small’ Shoppers were out early for Black Friday bargains in Decorah. Numerous locations welcomed visitors following the Thanksgiving holiday.

Deal-seekers browsed through clothing stores, gift shops and eateries that morning, as business owners added some black ink to their year-end ledgers.

Wanda Walter of Decorah is pictured at left assisting shoppers at Double Windsor Clothing Company on Water Street. (Photos

by Roz Weis)

Voters will soon decide which of the Residential contractor, retired three candidates seeking to join the Decorah City Council will ultimately take the Family: Wife oath of office. Candidates Kent Klocke, Marla; daughters Chelsea and Paul Wanless and Cody Whittle are seekAndrea; and two ing the public’s support in their bids to granddaughters fill an at-large seat on the council. Former Decorah City Council member Ross Hadley stepped down earlier this fall he and his family plan to move outside of the community. The city chose to hold a special elecPaul Wanless tion to fill the vacancy, and voters will head Occupation: to the polls on Dec. 10.

Semi-retired – The successful candidate in this month’s Spectrum Network special election will need to earn more than Day Habilitation 50 percent of the vote in order to be deFamily: Spouse clared the winner. If none of the three canSarah Wanless, didates do so next week, a run-off election married 44 years; four grown will be held four weeks later between the children: Erica, two most popular candidates — the run-off Katy, Alissa and election would tentatively be held on Jan. Christopher; and 7, 2025. Whomever succeeds Hadley on 11 grandchildren the council will serve until at least Dec. 31, 2025, when Hadley’s most recent term was Cody Whittle set to expire. The at-large council seat will Occupation: then be placed on the ballot once again, Self-employed/ and the winner of the upcoming special Seed Savers Seed Rack election will need to file candidacy papers Program and again in order to seek a full term. occasional The Decorah Leader contacted each of Pulpit Rock the three prospective councilmen and inbartender vited them to respond to a questionnaire for the benefit of local voters ahead of next week’s special election. Their responses are printed below to help inform voters of each candidates views and opinions before polls officially open. cost effective now and lasting into the future?

Having policies that are efficient, sustainable What is the role of a city council and forward thinking. member in your opinion, and what Wanless: To provide guidance to city staff would you say that looks like when to help steer the direction of the communiput into practice? ty, to assist with and approve a city budget, Klocke: The role is to listen and be educated in the subject at hand and make the best decision going forward. How is this

Candidate Q&A

continued on page 6

Bachelder granted change of venue for upcoming trial

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Small Business Saturday was celebrated on Nov. 30 at PIVO in Calmar. The event, aimed at promoting local establishments during the holiday season, was hosted by several businesses — Storied Folk, Skrap Work, Timber Louise, Wonder Joy Candles, Nomad Camper Boutique, Baked by Bre and Blooms on Main and Ossian Perk. Clothing, home decor and sweet treats were on display during the Saturday event. Iowa is home to more than 272,000 small businesses, according to statistics from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Nearly 30,000 of those were considered part of the retail trade market. ABOVE- Jake Feller assists his wife Emily with goods at their Nomad Camper Boutique. RIGHT- Pam Buddenberg’s wreath workshop was sponsored by Blooms on Main and Ossian Perk.

VOTE DEC 10 A voice for the people that listens to the people Paid for by Klocke for Decorah Committee

Court opts to ‘err on the side of caution’ in moving sexual exploitation case

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A Decorah area businessman accused of using hidden cameras to capture explicit images of individuals in his home will now have his case heard outside of Winneshiek County.

C o u r t documents filed in July charged Kelly Jon Bachelder with two counts of sexually exploiting a miKelly Jon Bachelder nor – both are considered aggravated misdemeanors. The 48-year-old entered a plea of not guilty less than two weeks later. Bachelder’s defense attorney Martk Brown requested in August

that the case be tried outside Winneshiek County, saying the individuals involved in the case are “entrenched in the local community” and “shall know many prospective jurors.” The court agreed to the change of venue as part of a Nov. 12 filing.

“It is best to move the trial of this case to a county where Bachelder is not well known and try the matter in a community where this case has not been fodder for the rumor mill,” Iowa First Judicial District Court Judge Richard Stochl wrote.

Brown had also cited past media coverage of the case, claiming local and regional reporting of Bachelder’s case had likely “tainted the local jury pool.” Winneshiek County Attorney Andrew Van Der Maaten filed resistance to Brown’s request, saying the reports cited by the defense were not enough to merit a change of venue.

“The nature of news articles concerning this case have been factually accurate, will have pre-dated the trial by several months and should not be viewed as to presume prejudice,” Van Der Maaten said.

“The reports included language from the criminal complaints but no further details

Bachelder

continued on page 8

KENTKLOCKE

DECORAH CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE

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Mila Schmitt of Cresco was all smiles during her visit with Santa Claus during the Holiday Lights walkthrough event on Nov. 27. She is the daughter of Spencer and Chelsey Schmitt of Cresco.

The Panos family from Decorah volunteered at the Live Nativity set up at the campground for the Holiday Lights walk-through.

Jason Shaw served up hot soup from Rubaiyat in Decorah.

LAST CHANCE

Step in to the light

Annual Holiday Lights display kicks-off with walk-through event

Louise the Donkey was a bit skittish during the holiday lights event and made her debut on the opposite side of the campground bridge. The Regan and Tara McConnell family helped at the Live Nativity. (Photos by Roz Weis) Helping Services for Youth and Families welcomed hundreds to the walk-through kickoff night during the 20th annual Holiday lights event n Nov. 27 at the Decorah Campground. Visitors had the opportunity to walk through the campground and get a closeup, sneak peek of the nonprofit’s lighted displays before the drive-through event officially began on Thanksgiving night. Soup, coffee, hot chocolate, cider, cookies and ice cream were available, and the public enjoyed holiday choirs, a live Nativity scene, rides on the Decorah Lions Club’s Pokey Pete and a visit with Santa. The drive-through event is open now through Dec. 25.

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Shoppers keep it local

Pictured clockwise from above- Bre Hemesath of Baked by Bre welcomed visitors at the Small Business Saturday event, Nov. 30 at PIVO in Calmar. Isaiah Bonnet, son of Kim and Andy Bonnet of Decorah, was helping customers who visited the Black Friday gift shop area at Rubaiyat in downtown Decorah. Bonnet was selling salad dressing to fund his eighth grade trip to Wash-ington, D.C. Saturday shoppers at PIVO in Calmar enjoyed a wreath workshop offered by Blooms on Main and Ossian Perk. (Photos by Roz Weis)

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Norwegian Christmas Celebration December 7 • 10 AM-4 PM Live music, Juletrefest & Julenisse, Scandinavian Treats, Holiday Crafts, Folk Art Demonstrators & Sales, Live Goats, and more!

Find more information at vesterheim.org.

Supported by Bill and Kathi Wild, Dr. James Bullard, and Muriel Stone.

In Scenic Decorah, IA

NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Othman signs plea bargain in amended sexual abuse case

3

Image courtesy of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

Judge returns plea, cites unaddressed aspects of agreement

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR An area man accused of raping a 17-year-old earlier this year is expected to plead guilty to amended charges as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Nandoya Ramadhan Othman signed the proposed agreement on Nov. 26, pleading guilty to assault with intent to commit sexual abuse and assault causing bodily injury – both misdemeanors. Othman had initially been charged with third-degree sexual abuse — a Class C felony.

Court documents indicate prosecutors plan to recommend the court suspend a two-year sentence for the first amended charge and all but 90 days of a one-year sentence for the second. Othman is to be given credit for time already served, and the proposed agreement would also allow Othman to be released to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during his 90-day jail term, if federal authorities choose to pursue deportation. Othman would be placed on supervised release for a period of two years following his prison sentence, under the agreement.

Iowa First Judicial District Court Judge Laura Parrish has since scheduled the case for further proceedings, noting the proposed agreement did not address whether a no contact order should be imposed as part of the sentencing or whether Othman will be subject to sex offender registry requirements.

Those issues are expected to be taken up Dec. 10.

Othman has waived his right to be personally present and address the court during his eventual sentencing. He is currently being held at the Winneshiek County Jail.

Teen reports rape in July Othman was originally arrested after a 17-year-old female told Decorah Police officers on July 18 she had been raped by Othman earlier that day. The officers were initially responding to a possible fight in the parking lot of the Decorah Walmart — a criminal complaint said the individuals involved in the disturbance “stated they were not fighting but just slap-boxing.”

The officers observed scrapes on some of the individuals’ legs and bodies, which the group attributed to their time jumping into rocky portions of the Upper Iowa River earlier that day near Will Baker Park — about 3 miles west of the local Walmart.

The complaint specified the officers also saw blood on the 17-year-old girl’s pants as well as a red abrasion on her neck.

Blood was also observed on Othman’s pants, according to the complaint.

Police saw an open container of alcohol inside a nearby vehicle, and they cited Othman as well as others for possession of alcohol under the legal age.

A pair of juvenile females in the group — one of them being

Tyler John Dozark

Nandoya Ramadhan Othman the 17-year-old victim — were then transported to the Law Enforcement Center in Decorah to await the arrival of their parents, according to court documents.

While there, the girls told law enforcement they and another female had travelled to Decorah with Othman, and they had indeed been swimming near Will Baker Park around 7 p.m. that day. The 17-year-old said she at one point went 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.” Court documents said a sexual assault nurse performed an examination following the report and observed evidence which indicated a sexual act had taken place. The alleged assault continued until another juvenile female arrived at the vehicle and pushed Othman off the victim, according to the complaint.

A warrant was issued for Othman’s arrest on July 19. Police executed a search warrant that same day, seizing a fitted sheet found in the backseat of the Impala — which court documents indicated was located at a rural address in Waukon — as well as clothing from Othman’s dormitory at Luther College in Decorah. Othman was initially booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 9:25 p.m. the same day.

The 20-year-old pleaded not guilty to the original charge on July 19, and the court later agreed to release the him on several conditions — including that he be placed under pre-trial supervision by the Department of Correctional Services and not leave Decorah without the court’s permission.

Terms of pre-trial release unmet Court records say Othman did not attend scheduled appointments with his supervising officer and allowed the battery in his GPS bracelet to become low enough authorities could not track its signal at least five times in less than a week during the month of September.

The court issued an arrest warrant for Othman on Oct. 1 for violation of his pre-trial supervision. Othman was served the warrant at 2:50 p.m. the next day and booked into the

Othman

ney the jour

continued on page 10

Devan Patrick Forbes

Ckaiden Dean Nelson-Coonradt

Drug investigation results in multiple arrests ahead of Thanksgiving

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A group of nine individuals were taken into custody on drug charges the day before Thanksgiving, according to information released Monday by the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office executed a search warrant during a traffic stop at approximately 1:45 p.m. that day in the 300 block of South Maryville Street in Calmar, after what law enforcement called a lengthy investigation.

Court records said authorities discovered 21-year-old Ckaiden Dean Nelson-Coonradt of Elmore, Minnesota, had been distributing controlled substances in Winneshiek County and was in Calmar the afternoon of Nov. 27, along with 26-year-old Tyler James Westcott of West Union.

A criminal complaint filed in the case said more than 300 grams of bud marijuana, 200 grams of THC wax and more than 100 THC cartridges were discovered inside the vehicle Nelson-Coonradt was driving.

He was also found to be in possession of almost $1,200 cash.

The sheriff’s office said Nelson-Coonradt and Westcott were charged with controlled substance violation and failure to affix a drug tax stamp — both Class D felonies. Nelson-Coonradt was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:26 p.m. that day, and Westcott was booked into the jail four minutes later.

Authorities said the case remains under investigation.

The sheriff’s office also executed another search warrant less than five hours later at a residence in the 2200 block of Highway 9 west of Decorah.

Investigators found approximately 2 pounds of marijuana as well as other THC products in the basement of the building, according to court documents.

Criminal complaints filed against occupants of the home said authorities found “a child’s sippy cup and children’s toys on the floor” near the drugs and “nine juvenile children were located in the residence at the time” — one resident was “located in the basement holding one of his two children under the age of 3,” according to court documents, and another resi-

Luke D. Price

Lexus Briann Six

Ashleigh Ann Sorenson

Zachary Alan Sorenson

Tyler James Westcott

Jacob Wayne Willitts

dents’ wallet was found in the basement “with his identification out, which appeared to be used to cut the product.”

Court records said at least one resident “made admissions to purchasing the drugs from the defendant, Ckaiden Coonradt, and had been purchasing from Coonradt for approximately one year,” a criminal complaint said.

A total of eight individuals were charged following the search — one of them being Nelson-Coonradt, who was already in custody.

Nelson-Coonradt and 31-year-old Zachary Alan Sorenson of Decorah were both charged with intent to distribute marijuana — a Class D felony. Sorenson was additionally charged with failure to affix a drug tax stamp and intent to distribute marijuana — both Class D felonies — as well as child endangerment and gathering where marijuana is being used — both misdemeanors.

The sheriff’s office also said

29-year-old Ashleigh Ann Sorenson of Decorah, 26-year-old Devan Patrick Forbes of Manchester, 26-year-old Luke D. Price of Decorah, 36-year-old Lexus Briann Six of Decorah and 25-year-old Tyler John Dozark of Decorah were each charged with possession of marijuana — first offense — while 28-year-old Jacob Wayne Willitts of New Hampton was charged with possession of a controlled substance — third or subsequent offense.

“Jacob has numerous prior drug convictions as well as a conviction for the possession of methamphetamine,” a criminal complaint in the case said.

The individuals at the Highway 9 residence were booked into the Winneshiek County Jail between approximately 7:35 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. the same day.

That investigation also remains open, the sheriff’s office said, with additional search warrants, arrests and charges pending.

Luther student accused of terroristic references to anime series pleads not guilty

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A Luther College student accused of making what law enforcement called threatening references to a violent anime series last month has pleaded not guilty to the charge of making terrorist threats.

Court documents said 20-year-old Peter Lincoln Bumba of Frankfort, Illinois, admitted to posting the messages to an Instagram account, suggesting Bumba ‘kill 80 percent of the students at Luther” — Bumba told law enforcement he was frustrated after not being selected for a position with one of the college’s plays, according to a subsequent criminal complaint. The Decorah Police Department noted the messages were references to the popular anime series “Attack on Titan,” in which a character “kills 80 percent of humanity.”

The Decorah Police Department was notified of the posts shortly after 1:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25. Luther College’s own security informed officers they

had received multiple complaints concerning Bumba’s Instagram posts, and security personnel were able to show screen shots of at least three posts to law enforcement.

“A subsequent search warrant was executed on Bumba’s room and vehicle,” the police said in a statement the next morning.

“No weapons were discovered during the search of the property.”

The Decorah Police Department said Bumba confessed to posting the messages, one of which had been removed shortly after it was posted, according

to the criminal complaint.

“When asked how these posts would make people feel, he understood it would cause concern, which is why he deleted it and rephrased it so only anime fans would get the reference and it would sound less harsh,” the complaint said.

Bumba was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 3:05 a.m. the same day and was released on bond that afternoon.

Bumba’s defense attorney entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of the 20-year-old as part of a Nov. 26 filing.

Making terrorist threats is

VOTE DEC 10

KENT

KLOCKE

considered a Class D felony, according to court documents.

A preliminary court hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 16.

Luther College’s student handbook indicates Bumba may also be subject to additional disciplinary action from the college.

PRIORITIES

Fiscally responsible spending

Economic Development Business Retention Affordable Housing Listening to the people

DECORAH CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE

Resident of Decorah for 30+ years

A voice for the people that listens to the people

Independent business owner, operating with honesty & integrity for 30+ years

I am a listener, rather than a talker in many situations.

As a contractor I was successful because I listened to my clients and was a problem solver.

I am methodical yet efficient in decision making, weighing the pros and cons, deciding and moving on to the next task.

I ask for your vote December 10!

­

Peter Lincoln Bumba

Paid for by Klocke for Decorah Committee

Supporting local mindset Philanthropic support includes

- Sunflower Child Development & Discovery Center - Fire Department - Carlson Park - St. Benedict Church & School - Donated picnic tables to the park system - Pheasants Forever - Winneshiek County Fair - NICC Advisory Board for Carpentry 25 years - Past Park & Rec Board for 16 years - Rotary/Decorah for 20+ years

OPINION

4 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Biden pardoning his son won’t help restore public’s trust in government I had it all planned out in my head. I was going to write a post-Thanksgiving column inspired by some of Norman Rockwell’s well-known art. It was going to make some great points on things like togetherness and community by juxtaposing Rockwell’s “Freedom from Want” (you know the one, it’s got the family and the turkey dinner) with one of his notquite-as-well-known pieces titled “Shuffleton’s Barbershop.”

Then President Biden had to go and grant an unconditional pardon for his son Hunter (and as someone who is occasionally referred to as a wordsmith, I feel I ought to point out the intentionality in choosing the preposition “for” rather than “to” in this instance).

So much for my thematic Thanksgiving column. I suppose I could try to draw parallels between Biden’s pardon and the campy pardoning of turkeys by elected officials across the country — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds pardoned a pair of turkeys named in reference to the state’s premier women’s basketball player last week.

But let’s just stick to the topic at hand.

The younger Biden was found guilty of lying about his drug use on a form to purchase a gun in 2018. We can all have our own feelings on the verdict, but that is what a federal jury decided.

Now, President Biden obviously isn’t the first commander in chief to pardon somebody — not by a long shot. However, the standard language of the pardon — specifically, the part that says “for any offenses against the United States, which he has committed or may have committed” — brings to mind (at least for me) the mono-tone voice of President Gerald Ford as he read the pardon for his predecessor in the wake of the now infamous Watergate scandal. And that pardon in itself has become an enduring undertone of the process, especially in this week’s case I think.

I might have even been able overlook President Biden’s

BY SETH BOYES News Editor decision, if it weren’t for the fact that he had already said he would not become involved in his son’s court case. But he didn’t keep his word on that.

The president said in a Dec. 1 statement that he believes in the justice system, but he also claimed Hunter Biden was “singled out only because he is my son” adding “raw politics has infected this process, and it led to a miscarriage of justice.”

Again, I might be the only one, but that statement reminds me of some words spoken during previous — but relatively recent — presidential races.

Biden’s reasoning smacks of the same sentiment we heard from President Donald Trump back in 2020, when he said during a campaign stop in Wisconsin that, “the only way we’re going to lose this election is if the election is rigged.”

There must be something about living in the White House that makes folks think fairness means things must always work out in their favor.

Biden initially did the right thing, in my opinion, when he said he’d keep his executive powers in his pocket and let blind justice decide his son’s case rather than the Oval Office.

And I don’t think anyone doubts that was a difficult promise to make, let alone keep. So, on the one hand, I understand the impulse to go back on his word, but on the other, I’m still disappointed he did. I’ll echo the words of Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio, who said Monday in a social media post that, “As a father, I get it.

But as someone who wants people to believe in public service again, it’s a setback.”

And that’s really the issue from where I’m sitting. This will do nothing to restore the

public’s trust in its government.

In fact, it just might have the opposite effect. Biden’s decision to issue the pardon builds upon an already bad precedent within present day politics. A jury found Hunter Biden guilty, not Biden’s partisan opposition. Political chessmen may have pushed the case into the courtroom, but a jury of Hunter Biden’s peers decided the allegations were true and that he should be held accountable.

There’s been plenty of finger pointing over the last few administrations, saying this relative or that business partner of a sitting president or lawmaker has been given special treatment or benefited financially thanks to some action within the federal government — and let’s be honest, people don’t get elected to office in our country because they know absolutely no one in the public sphere. But for Biden to give his own son a do-over with only weeks left in his presidency, while thousands of other clemency petitions are reportedly still pending, seems to be the very definition of favoritism.

On the up side, this decision may serve as a prime example in showing us as well as future generations of voters that neither side of the aisle is fully capable of setting aside familial favoritism or personal biases when performing their official duties. It’s a truth we probably already knew at some level but don’t often want to admit applies to those in our preferred camp.

It’s not the kind of leadership we need, but it is the kind of leadership we seem to be getting these days. It cuts the legs out from under the office, and it makes it even harder for future presidents to stand with integrity on the same footing.

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.

Approving potential Decorah MEU would provide an option — nothing more I was thrilled to recently hear that local business owner and Decorah resident Cody Whittle has announced his candidacy for the upcoming Dec. 10 city council election. One reason why is that Cody supports the exploration of a municipal electric utility option for Decorah, while his main opponent does not.

For background, Decorah held a city-wide municipal vote to consider establishing its own Municipal Electric Utility in 2018. The measure was defeated by just three votes. According to state regulations, a city must wait five years minimum before considering this again.

Then, as is now, all of Decorah business and residential customers rely on Alliant Energy — a Wisconsin based investor-owned utility, or IOU — for its electrical needs. Alliant is a power-generating utility, meaning it owns most of its generating capacity, whether in coal or natural gas-fired plants, as well as a portion of wind and solar. Under a contract with the Iowa Utilities Commission, Alliant provides power to much of eastern Iowa, which means they have little to no competition.

This is often called a regulated monopoly.

Iowa’s other large-scale IOU is Mid-American Energy, based in Des Moines and owned by Warren Buffet.

The power needs of some parts of Iowa and smaller cities and towns are also met by either rural electric cooperatives

— RECs — or, as in the case of more than 135 Iowa communities, their own MEUs. The main difference RECs and MEUs have from big IOUs is that, instead of owning their own generation capacity, they typically buy some or all of their power on the open market, through contracts for electrons put on the power grid, and then resell it to their community customers through their own distribution system.

This is a very common practice and often very economical.

Iowa communities which use this arrangement — and have done so for generations — include Waverly, Ames, Maquoketa, and Osage, just to name a few. And because they are not beholden to shareholders to produce quarterly dividends like IOUs, they can often sell the power for less than IOUs. This is the option that Decorah tried to pursue in 2018 and is now proposing again. By regulation, however, it cannot do so without approval from the citizens, or the Iowa Utilities Commission. Hence the March 4, 2025, vote. It is very important to understand that a citizen vote to pursue this option is just that: an option for Decorah. Outside of education and administering the vote, it commits the city to nothing, in spite of what Alliant and others may claim.

Why should we investigate or pursue this power option? In a word, money. State records clearly show that Decorah res-

idents and businesses and other Alliant Energy customers are paying higher electrical rates than nearly all of Iowa. In most cases, 49-60 percent higher.

Yet, Alliant continues to put out propaganda to Decorah customers that they are very competitive with much of Iowa — not true — or we will lose reliable service through our own MEU —not true — and that a “yes” vote will automatically commit us to higher utility rates — not true — and hundreds of millions of dollars in equipment investment — certainly, not true.

Meanwhile, in spite of promising to not raise rates for two years, approximately six months after the 2018 vote, Alliant filed for a 24 percent rate increase with the IUC. Since then, they have raised our rates twice and have now filed for another rate increase.

The bottom line, a “yes” vote in March only gives Decorah the legal option to explore the feasibility of an MEU. That’s it.

Nothing more.

Tim Wagner Decorah

Echoes of the Past

Snow drifts In the early 1900s, travelers could be stranded for weeks if snowdrifts blocked the roadways. The drifts appear measurable in this vintage photograph from the Porter House Museum collection. There is no date or identification listed on the picture.

The automobile has a sign stating “Decorah Livery.”

All eyes on Decorah

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER Back in 1934, all eyes were on Decorah as Santa Claus was expected to attend the biggest Christmas Parade around.

According to the front-page story back on Dec. 5, 1934 “All eyes are on Decorah and all roads lead to Decorah and almost everyone within miles of Decorah will be here for Santa Claus Day Dec. 7. Without doubt the visit from Santa will bring one of the largest crowds to Decorah that has ever been known. In every block, hundreds and thousands will be packed in a vast happy throng to witness the great all-day spectacle – for it is all free”.

Local merchants peppered the newspaper with ads for their various “Santa Day” specials – including the Bake-Rite Bakery who boasted 2 dozen cookies for 15 cents; a dozen doughnuts for 12 cents; and coffee cakes – 13 cents each!

A dog and pony circus was to be held at the courthouse. A morning parade was planned. A chance to see Little Red Riding Hood’s Shetland ponies and Santa’s Alaskan wolf hounds.

The list of events was ongoing.

The story continued, “Starting at the Elks Home at 10:30 o’clock in the morning, Santa’s gigantic pageant will move east on Main Street to Ronan’s Barn, turn north one block to Water Street, then go west the entire length of Water Street to the Bernatz Store, then south to Main Street and east on Main Street to the courthouse square.

Santa will locate his cabin at the courthouse for the remainder of the day.” Rev. Oswald Sanbach was to deliver an address of welcome to Santa, and then “Santa’s very own voice will be heard over his radio broadcasting system in response to the welcome!”

In conclusion, Santa himself asked that every child in Winneshiek and adjoining counties come to Decorah for the visit.

He reminded everyone that his Christmas visit to Decorah is early, but it cannot be avoided as he has much ground to cover and needs to start his long trip far ahead of Christmas. More on the crowd turnout in a future Echoes column…

100

YEARS AGO – 1924: Hundreds attended the St. Bridget Community Bazaar at St. Bridget’s Hall the other day to partake in the opening of a fine new edifice. More than 200 dance tickets were sold. Of course, there were hundreds who did not dance. The ladies of the church served up turkey and chicken

meals and lunches in the bill of fare. The new hall is 32 by 96 feet and is equipped with a kitchen and large dining room.

A large part of the work was done by members of the parish, helping keep the entire money outlay for the building to about $6,000. The Hall is a fine monument of usefulness to the enterprise and public spirit of Father Herbers and his parishioners. … Experts on the subject say the radio in a home puts the crimp on the divorce courts. A jazzy girl can now get the latest dance steps right at home with her hubby, tuned in to some orchestra music. The man who spent his evenings at his club or in a pool room, now stays at home with his wifie – enjoying the radio instead of hunting around for some exciting diversion while the wife mopes around at home or is also out on some other tangent. Everybody stays right at home and is satisfied. …Get 50 clothes pins for 10 cents at Gust Winger Grocery on Winnebago Street. …The Willing Workers of Madison township have donated $10 to the rest room fund. …Following the trail of the stork from 1924: Mr. and Mrs. David Alaric Musser of Glenwood Township had a girl Nov. 28. …Following the big Thanksgiving football game, Decorah High School’s team voted on their captain for next year – Ted Ellingson was the choice. …The freshmen class entertained at a grand program at a recent assembly. The show started off with a bang when eight young ladies rendered “Mistress Shady” in true Follies style. The sophomores entertained with some unexpected

talent by Luther Baker (few knew he could play piano). The seniors ended the show with a rousing “On Decorah” well played on their special madeto-order instruments – combs. …Geo. Taylor of Jackson Junction and G.A. Meyer of Calmar have bought the Gilchrist Elevator at Jackson Junction.

90

YEARS AGO – 1934: The tightening of federal and state relief strings was brought home to Winneshiek County when the state division of the Federal Emergency Relief informed our county relief worker that the county is asked to give $3,589 toward relief funds for December. There are now 469 families listed on the relief roll here. The County Supervisors think the amount is too high and plan to go to Des Moines to discuss the situation. …A whopping 17 inches of snow fell here over the past few days. Roads are blocked and telegraph service is interrupted.

It is the first major snowstorm of the season and arrived right on schedule – Thanksgiving evening! Scores of Decorah folks were marooned. A great number of Decorah men were given temporary employment in the city as streets were slowly cleared of snow. It is reported that Ray Kremer, proprietor of Ray’s Foot Comfort Shop, had a trying experience returning home from a Thanksgiving visit with his parents in Dyersville.

IT took him 11 hours to negotiate the 103 miles from Dyersville to Decorah. He bucked big drifts all the way home. Mr. and Mrs. George Taylor report it took them 4 hours to drive 41 miles to get home from a nearby community.

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NEWS/OBITUARIES

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Council approves $15,000 budget for MEU informational materials

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER

The Decorah City Council voted 5-1 Monday in support of a resolution allowing the city’s sustainability commission to spend up to $15,000 on flyers, mailers and similar materials regarding a proposed municipal electric utility. The question of whether to establish an MEU will be put to local voters on March 4, 2025.

The creation of a local MEU was posed to the public in 2018 and failed by three votes. The topic of a proposed MEU was discussed again earlier this year, following rate increases by provider Alliant Energy — council members in mid-March considered joining a coalition who opposed the rate increases.

“The election in March is not about the robustness of Decorah’s presentation to the Iowa Utilities Board, demonstrating our competency at taking over an electric grid. This is not an election for forming a utility that actually provides power, that is a later step — this is simply step one,” said Decorah City Council member Steve Zittergruen. “It’s good for us to remember that step one is simply having this utility that operates but doesn’t necessarily provide any electric service yet. It’s important to keep people from being distracted by things that are after that.”

At the Nov. 18 city council meeting, members voted for the Decorah Sustainability Commission to work with MEU representatives and design educational literature to be shared with Decorah residents, and Monday night’s resolution provided the funds for the infor-

Jerry Donlon addressed city council regarding the Municipal Electric Utility, asking them to look at the bigger picture and not get tunnel visioned by a potentially better electric rate. (photo by Denise Lana) mational materials. Additionally, a webpage is to be created, displaying a list of facts for the public. All aspects of the effort were passed by 5-1 vote, with council member Randy Schissel casting the dissenting vote in each instance.

Council member Kirsten Olsen said a few people from the community had voiced concerns regarding city funds being spent on the project. He explained the sustainability commission’s funds are made up partly of funds the city receives from Alliant as part of the 2020 electric franchise fee agreement.

“Alliant collected 4 percent of people’s bills … and paid

that to the city for right-of-way for their infrastructure, and the city has chosen to use that for sustainability,” Olsen said. “I don’t think this money is being wasted if we do it in the right way. Don’t take a brochure and just throw it in the trash. It will contain a lot of information.”

Zittergruen noted the approved cost was a sizable amount — he said $15,000 could improve safety at a street intersection or help cover employee benefits — but he indicated his support for the expenditure.

“I can’t imagine too many better investments for our city than ensuring the people who

turn out in March have access to as good of information as possible,” he said.

Decorah resident Tim Wagner expressed his support Monday night for the city’s efforts to educate the community.

“We don’t know how Alliant Energy is going to conduct themselves during the upcoming vote with the misinformation campaign,” Wagner said.

“I applaud the city for getting out the information and making sure the voters have information they can trust about the rates in Iowa.”

Zittergruen said he had just moved to Decorah when the 2018 MEU election was being held, and he recalled misinformation circulating during that time.

“I had earnest people sharing information and flyers, and a lot of what was heard turned out to be inaccurate and not true,” Zittergruen said. “Without access to good data about what my vote meant, it would have helped me to get a letter from the city – not taking a side — but simply saying ‘We’ve called this special election, and here’s why we did it. Here’s what Iowa law says about what we can do. Here is what a yes vote would mean.

Here’s what a no vote would mean.’ I would have been a more informed voter.”

Decorah resident Jerry Donlon shared concerns with the council, saying some residents may not be in town during the March 4 election, noting many residents travel to warmer areas during the winter months.

Olson pointed out early voting for that election is expected to begin Feb. 12, and residents can request an absentee ballot be sent to them.

County Road W14 resurfacing completed Project marks new county engineer’s first road project

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER The resurfacing of County Road W14 from Fort Atkinson to Ridgeway has been completed.

Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny reported the project’s conclusion Monday, during the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors meeting, and he said all that remains to be done is the road striping, which is to be done in the spring.

“W14 is my first road project, and I feel fortunate to get the project let and to get it finished before the winter,” Kueny said after the meeting. “This was a huge effort by the Winneshiek County design staff, office staff, auditor’s office and the Winneshiek County roads crew. I cannot thank every person that I worked with on this project enough to provide the effort to get the job done.”

The total cost of the project, which began earlier this fall, was approximately $4.4 million. That total cost was mostly covered by grant funds. River City Paving of Kieler, Wisconsin, won the bid for the resurfacing project.

“The project went well,” Kueny said. “Weather, contractors and the design staff made

Supervisor Steve Kelsay reported during Monday’s board of supervisors meeting that he has received numerous compliments regarding County Road W-14’s new surface. (Photo

by Zach Jensen)

good on a project that was let late in the year. This is an impressive feat. I can now drink hot liquids and drive W14 at the same time.”

Supervisor Steve Kelsay of Spillville said he’s heard numerous positive comments from the public on the new road.

Kueny agreed, adding that he hopes motorists will keep their speed down while driving on the new surface — especially in the winter.

“So far, I am really happy the project is where it is at,” the county engineer said. “I pray

that the nice surface doesn’t make drivers too complacent this winter.”

Other business • Kueny reported that work on Bridge 5 on Centennial Road, 1.8 miles north of Castalia, is complete.

• The county engineer has been informed of safety data that will help guide decisions for future improvements in the county. Kueny said the Safe Streets and Roads for All program is overseeing the information in regard to the intersection

Historic preservation commission preparing to release new booklet

The Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission was created in 1985 to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the recognition, enhancement and perpetuation of sites and districts of historical and cultural significance. Among many goals the group aims to promote public awareness of historic preservation within the county, and for several years the commis-

sion has published color booklets highlighting the role early historic icons — from school houses to stone structures and mills — have played in the local community’s development.

The commission is now preparing to release its next booklet, entitled “A History of Barns of Winneshiek County, Iowa.” Organizers are currently conducting a reconnaissance survey of Winneshiek County barns with the goal of docu-

menting 120 barns built before 1900. It is estimated that there were more than 200,000 such barns built in Iowa, with only somewhere around 60,000 left today. It is also estimated that Iowa is losing around 1,000 barns per year. The local commission’s survey is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2025. “A History of Barns in Winneshiek County, Iowa,” is expected to be available for sale by late fall.

of County Road B32 and 227th Avenue as well as the intersection of Iowa Highway 52 and Madison Road. The grant program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is aimed at funding initiatives to prevent serious injuries and deaths on roadways by providing grants to local, regional and tribal communities implementing safety improvements on their streets.

• Kueny is coordinating with Fillmore and Houston counties in Minnesota to update their memorandums of understanding, which is a formal agreement outlining how the counties will work together to achieve common goals. Kueny said this is a Minnesota state requirement.

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

5

Financing for fiber a slow process

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER Fiberoptic may be significantly faster than other internet connections, but financing for fiber for Decorah is proving to be somewhat slow, according to Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken.

Goedken has been working on preparations and potential financing of a fiber plant for Decorah residents and businesses ever since he arrived three years ago, and city staff had been working toward the same goal for four years prior. Bids for the project were received in November, but the process has bottlenecked amid financing plans, Goedken said.

“We’ve done bid letting – we have received six bids – and are running one through the pro forma, the take rate and the financing,” Goedken said during Monday’s city council meeting.

“Right now, it is still a bit in limbo, there are lot of moving parts that have to come together at the right time.”

According to Goedken, of the six bids, the two lowest are not being considered due to inconsistencies in the bids, and the city is currently using the third lowest bid — $10.5 million — as the benchmark for its financing efforts.

Decorah currently has no operating telecommunications

or municipal electric utility to provide a revenue stream which could be used as collateral to get the project rolling financially, according to city officials.

Additionally, taxpayer funds are not allowed to be pledged to a municipal telecommunication under Iowa law.

“We can’t even pledge the asset – the actual fiber in the ground, the plant, the electronics — as collateral,” Goedken said. “The only collateral we hold would be the net revenues from the system. Essentially we’ve got to promise to repay the loan if we operate in the black.”

Currently, Decorah is home to an installed fiber ring with Metronet, but it is only available to Luther College, city and county offices, Decorah Community Schools, the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds and WinnMed. If Decorah is able to secure funding, the expanded fiber plan is expected to give all city businesses and residents access to significantly faster and more reliable internet and phone speeds and service.

“We would be the second city – the first being Fort Dodge – to achieve this without being backed by an MEU,” Goedken said.

Updates on the status of the fiber optic expansion are expected to be be shared during future city council meetings.

Obituary Elaine Grimes

Nov. 7, 1930 - Nov. 6, 2024 Elaine Joyce (Gottschalk) Grimes, 93, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at her home following a short illness.

Elaine was born Nov. 7, 1930, in Elkader, the daughter of Elmer and Leona (Gusta) G o t t s c h a l k . Elaine Grimes She married Jackie (Jack) Grimes on Nov. 18, 1956, at Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Elkader.

Elaine graduated from Elkader High School, completed her teaching certificate at Upper Iowa College and achieved her BA at Luther College. Elaine taught a total of 32 years in the West Union and Decorah School Districts. She was an active member of Decorah Congregational UCC women’s groups, the Retired School Personnel Association Decorah Chapter, a Vesterheim volunteer, Clayton and Winneshiek County Genealogy Societies, and Women’s

Hospital Auxiliary.

Elaine is survived by her four children: Jan Grimes of Oelwein, Lynn (Bruce) Tiemann and Julie Grimes of Marion and Lee (Sharon) Grimes of Omaha; six grandchildren: Ben (Fabienne) Tiemann, Andrew (Kathryn) Tiemann, Ryan Grimes, Meghan Grimes (Alex), Madeline Grimes and Aaron Grimes; and four great-grandchildren: Caitlin, Sophia, Liam and Finn Tiemann; and sister-in-law, Sara (Don) Gottschalk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Leona Gottschalk; husband, Jackie Grimes; mother and father-in-law, Jesse and Muriel Grimes; brothers, Don and Glen Gottschalk; and sister-in-law, Deborah (Glen) Gottschalk.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov.14 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah. Burial was at Phelps Cemetery.

Memorials can be designated to the Decorah Congregational UCC building fund or WinnMed Hospice.

Service Notices LYNNE SEABROOKE, 64, of Calmar, died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at her home after battling cancer. A celebration of life was held Tuesday, Dec.3 at the South Winn Golf & Country Club in Calmar.

A private family graveside service was held for her at St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery.

get’s Cemetery in Bluffton.

ELAINE HIPPEN, 86, of Decorah, died Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Evans Senior Living Community in Cresco. Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 2 at Good Shephard Lutheran Church in Decorah with burial following.

MARY ALICE (WILSON) RODMAN, 92, died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, due to complications from a fall. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7 at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., Decorah, with Reverend Catherine Stokes officiating.

Burial will be at Phelps Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

DERALD TIESKOETTER, 82, of Decorah, died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at Aase Haugen Nursing Home. Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Dec. 4 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah.

Burial followed at St. Brid-

ALICE J. RUFFRIDGE, 76, of Decorah, died Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at her home after a short illness. A private family service was held Nov. 30. A public celebration of life event followed at the Elks Club.

JERRY ZBORNIK, 76, of

Decorah and formerly of Waterloo, died Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at WinnMed in Decorah surrounded by family. A small memorial service with full military rites will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Garden of Memories Cemetery & Mausoleum, 3669 Logan Ave., Waterloo. A celebration of life will follow from 1-3 p.m. at the American Legion, 728 Commercial St., Waterloo.

VaLOIS MANDSAGER, 82, of Northfield, Minnesota and formerly of Decorah, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway in Decorah with Rev. David Severtson presiding. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday.

NEWS

6 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Decorah officials to prioritize housing, other goals in 2025

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER Housing remains a top priority for the city of Decorah, following discussion during a recent goal setting session late last month. Other topics, like the city’s C-3 business district landed somewhere in the middle of the city’s list.

“We recognize housing is our foremost problem – maybe we can get some more changes in the upcoming year,” said Decorah City Councilman Kirsten Olsen.

Decorah City Councilman Steve Zittergruen said he would like to see more focus on lowcost and affordable housing within the city, as well as an added emphasis on fostering multiple ways for residents to invest in Decorah. The council was praised for their work earlier this year amending city code to help residents with low to moderate incomes receive energy assistance and lower energy costs.

“We did pretty good, but let’s keep housing on the front burner,” Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken said.

Additionally, city facilities, including the wastewater treatment plant, the municipal building/fire department and the new athletic fields, which are being planned on the former Dahlen property, were elevated as higher priorities for the upcoming year.

City officials are still considering options for the municipal building. The city council was previously presented with several options for remodeling portions of the current facility or completely rebuilding the historic structure — a decision which has yet to be determined.

“We need to know what we are doing by next budget session,” Zittergruen said. “I would like to know where we are going as early as possible.”

Upgrading fiberoptic services in the city — an issue which is currently pending while financing is being worked out — was also tentatively added to the priority list.

“Fiber is taking a lot of staff time, and, if successful, that’s gonna be a big undertaking in 2025,” Goedken said.

Other topics discussed included directional signage for local businesses and infrastructure maintenance across all city

departments.

Multiple council members also expressed their support for prioritizing the entire city staff’s ability to create, increase and diversify revenue sources to meet the city’s budgetary needs.

“We’ve done a lot of good with this particular target in the past year — a lot of cost cutting, finding deficiencies — saving us money and finding ways to steward our taxpayer dollars,” said Zittergruen.

Mayor Lorraine Borowski agreed, as did councilman Olsen.

“I commend all the department heads for figuring out ways to cut their budgets, and more are coming down the road,” Olsen said. “We are going to have to get creative down the road, figuring out how to make our budget work for us.”

Mid-level priorities discussed during the recent session included supporting permanent residents whose property is made available for short-term rentals.

“We can’t regulate short-term rentals per state regulation, but the city can regulate the utilities rate structure for utilities where the base rate is higher with a lower consumption rate,” said Goedken. “That way, the shortterm rental that sits vacant for all but four weeks out of the year is at least contributing more in utilities.”

Goedken said he and the city’s financial advisor plan to review options for potentially changing the city’s rate structure.

City officials said childcare remains a mid-level priority for the Decorah area, despite the opening of Sunflower Child Development Center’s new facility earlier this summer.

Sunflower is ramping up their enrollment to accommodate families placed on waiting lists, according to Goedken, and Olson added he has seen a handful of home day cares shutter since Sunflower opened.

The council took no action during the goal-setting session, but the discussion is expected to give city officials direction as they prepare for potential changes.

“It’s gonna be a busy year for 2025, but there’s a lot of good things for staff to be working on,” Goedken said.

Candidate Q&A continued from front stablish policies and procedures and enact ordinances all while listening to the needs and desires of the public. Base decisions on “what’s best for Decorah?” When put into practice, it is a collaborative effort of the seven council people, the mayor and city staff along with the public.

Whittle: The role of a city council member is to be a representative of the citizens of Decorah and to work with the other council members to make decisions that best suit the wants and needs of the community. City council members are in a sense surrogates for the population as a whole. When put into practice, that looks like someone with an open ear to the people of the community, and a willingness to be available to the public. It looks like someone who loves their community and is up to the challenge of making hard decisions while seeking innovative solutions.

What personal or professional experiences do you feel have prepared you to fulfill the role of a city council member?

Klocke: I grew up in a family that started a business in 1953, K&S Super Valu grocery store, in Decorah. I learned early a good work ethic; you need to work for what you need or want.

Learning how to work with and treat people respectfully and professionally was very important. I graduated from Decorah then attended NIACC for building trades and general classes.

Since then, I have attended various business and trade classes and seminars throughout my career. I worked construction for several years with notable contractors here in Decorah. I have worked in three factories as a lead person, department head and supervisor. I have learned efficiencies in production methods, safety in the work place.

How to meet production needs and timelines. As well to work with people, management and employees. My wife Marla and I managed and owned the family grocery store, K&S Foods, for 12 years, employing over 100 people. The store supported many organizations in the area, including parks and rec programs, aluminum picnic tables in parks, fairgrounds, 4-H, cattlemen, dairy producers, pork producers, Sunflower, Nordic Fest, Pheasants Forever, Luther organizations, Decorah School organizations, Decorah Chamber of Commerce, Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, Decorah Jobs and many

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more. I started Klocke Contractors Inc. in 2004. I enjoyed working on the older houses in Decorah, while striving to keep the original character and yet use modern sustainable materials and methods. I built a loyal client base by listening to my clients and filling their needs at a good value. I was on the parks and recreation board for 16 years. During that time, the Trout Run Trail was developed, sledding hill and more multipurpose trails developed and maintained. I have been on the NICC advisory board for the carpentry program for 20-plus years. I am currently a substitute instructor for the carpentry program. Being a local business person, I feel it is very important to support locally owned businesses. Support local industry, manufactures and producers. Marla and I are members of St. Benedict Church, Decorah Rotary, Decorah Chamber of Commerce, Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, Decorah Human Powered Trails and Decorah Elks. My family enjoys biking, downhill skiing, walking the trails, traveling and exploring, being with our grandchildren and showing them lifelong healthy activities. My family has been well respected in Decorah since the 1950s. I have been a well-respected business person in Decorah for 32 years.

Wanless: I previously served on the council for 19 years — 1996 to 2015 — and was the chairperson of the budget and finance committee for 15 years.

During that period, the city completed and participated in numerous improvement projects, including Water Street improvement project, Hotel Winneshiek and North Alley improvements, Highway 9 improvements, Trout Run Trail, Decorah Library expansion and joint law enforcement center.

We established a good record of intergovernmental and interagency cooperation to complete projects while also establishing economic development incentives for several businesses. I worked for 29 years in the dairy manufacturing industry as a supervisor and manager in both union and non-union environments. We have also owned and operated our own small business in Decorah.

Whittle: I started my business, Big Driftless, in early 2018 and built it from the ground up, often handling all elements of business myself. From product design to manufacturing, marketing to website management, sales, shipping and everything in between, I have done a little of everything and can adapt to different situations. In that time, I also renovated three separate downtown spaces for my business, seeing potential in each one and breathing new life into the different buildings.

As a small business owner in Decorah, I also understand the ups and downs of entrepreneurship in a small town and, as our costs of living increase nationally, I know the challenges faced by both employers and employees to keep up. Additionally, I have had many jobs throughout my life that trained me to be a personable character, whether serving beers at Pulpit Rock Brewery, waiting tables at various service jobs or leading guided horseback tours in the mountains of Lake Tahoe.

I have learned to interact cohesively with all types of people and work efficiently with many different coworkers. Finally, my degree in design and my love for curiosity and creativity will drive me to ask good questions and be excited to seek creative solutions.

What advantages and disadvantages do you see in potentially serving Decorah residents as an at-large council member

When and where to vote Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 — absentee voting began Nov. 21 and will be available in the county auditor’s office through Monday, Dec. 9. Information from the Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office reminded voters election law requires they provide proof of identification, such as an Iowa driver’s license, passport, military ID card, veteran ID card or voter ID card. Voters within the city of Decorah may cast their votes at one of three locations on Dec. 10.

Polling sites • Decorah Wards 1 and 2: Courthouse Annex, 201 W. Main St., Decorah • Decorah Wards 3A and 3B: First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St., Decorah • Decorah Wards 4 and 5: Good Shepherd Church, 701 Iowa Ave., Decorah

rather than representing a specific ward?

Klocke: The advantages of the at-large is that you serve the whole city and you hear from all the residents to find solutions for the whole. The disadvantages are that I have a larger population to listen represent.

Wanless: Personally I have not seen a difference in an atlarge council person vs. a particular ward. When previously serving on the council, I took calls from, had meetings with and listened to all residents of Decorah.

Whittle: I see the advantages and disadvantages of the at-large position to be one and the same. The advantageous freedom of not being bound by the borders of a specific ward or group of citizens allows for a wider sample of the population to draw from and work with, but this can also be a disadvantage in trying to find solutions that satisfy all Decorah residents.

What do you feel is currently the most pressing issue for the city of Decorah, and how do you plan to address it as part of the council if elected?

Klocke: Being creative to accomplish more affordable homes for families to be able to live, work and prosper in Decorah. How do we fill our home inventory with families that will be in our schools, purchase goods locally and grow our economy from within? At the same time having the facilities that the people want and need to live here. Attract new industry and businesses as well be supportive of current industry, business and services to keep a wide employment base. Need to prioritize spending. The city has a list of projects that need funding in the very near future.

Some of these are: new school, Heivly Street rebuild, fire station and city hall updates. Street repair and rebuilds, the new ball fields and park, development of Carlson Park, telecommunications network, the ongoing updating of current facilities and utilities. I will have the city put its resources into projects and policies that improve the city of Decorah. Develop incentives for families and businesses to move to Decorah.

Wanless: Fiscal responsibility. I say this not because it hasn’t been practiced in the past but because we face an uncertain future. Many of the projects mentioned in the second question above, along with others, were accomplished with cost sharing programs, grants, matching grants and other monies returned to the city from other taxing entities. As both the state and federal governments seek to realign their priorities, it very well may mean fewer dollars returned to Decorah.

We need to ensure that we are maintaining our existing infrastructure and assets and then use thoughtful planning on new projects and purchases. The city has identified a list of needed projects that include the fire department, city hall and athletic

fields. There will be a referendum next spring on establishing a municipal electrical utility.

All of these projects may or will require substantial investments from the city, which does have a limit to its resources.

Whittle: From my perspective, the most pressing issue for the city of Decorah is the lack of available housing options.

Not only is it difficult to find affordable places to buy or rent, but sometimes there are just no options available at all. It is difficult to find quality, affordable long-term housing in Decorah, and I also see this issue to be intrinsically linked to the number of empty storefronts on Water Street. When it comes to starting a new business downtown, it is becoming increasingly difficult to pay rent for a place to live while also paying rent on a place to run a business. The costs of living have become prohibitive to starting a new business and keeping it going long enough to succeed. If elected, I would like to explore potential incentive programs for property owners to offer long-term rentals over short-term rentals, and for vacant unused spaces in downtown buildings to be renovated into more housing options. I also like the idea of ADU — Accessory Dwelling Unit — programs that would allow homeowners to transform things like detached garages or in-law units into rental property options.

Which aspects of city government do you feel most prepared for if elected, and which aspects will you need to learn more about?

Klocke: To bring my variety of business and life experience to the council and operation of the city. As well working with different departments and utilities. Learning all of the departments and employees, including regulations the city needs to work within.

Wanless: I am prepared to listen and find the answers to questions. I will be comfortable getting involved in the budget process. I will refresh myself on the current structures and identified needs of each city department.

Whittle: I feel most prepared for interacting with the public and entering into meaningful discussions with citizens of Decorah that build and maintain relationships. It’s not news to anyone that we are living in polarizing times, and this element of the work can be an intimidating one, but I feel that I am well suited to be able to listen to and hold respectful civil discussions with all types of people. Areas in which I’ll likely need to ask questions and learn from senior members will be that of the more formal aspects of city government, and the specifics of decorum and process regarding council meetings. I understand that leading and participating in them is different from attending them. I recognize that this will be a new challenge for me, but I’m eager to learn and grow as a person in this position. I learn by asking questions and am curious about what I don’t know.

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Landas family supports Community Building improvements Darryl and Beth Landas of Decorah recently made a monetary donation toward improvement of the Community Building at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. The Community Building, as well as the Danan Lansing Building, are used throughout the year for numerous events including weddings, trade and craft shows, fundraisers and quilt shows. Beth Landas has exhibited in quilt shows at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds Community Building as well as at events throughout the state and country. For further information on fairground bookings, contact Events Manager Nancy Sacquitne at wcfbuildingeventmanager@gmail.com. General inquiries about the Winneshiek County Fair may be directed to Sandra Lien at businessmanager@winneshiekcountyfair.org. Pictured at the fairgrounds in early November are (from left to right) Winneshiek County Fair Board John Schnitzler, Winneshiek County Fair Auxiliary Roxie Schnitzler, Beth and Darryl Landas, Winneshiek County Fair Queen Annika Schmelzer and Winneshiek County Fair Board member Gordy Tangen. (Photo submitted)

Community briefs Porter House Museum to provide holiday cheer

The public is invited to attend the Porter House Museum from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 7 for an afternoon of holiday cheer. Visitors may explore the historic home, enjoy treats, listen to a live pianist and brass band, and view the museum’s unique collections. A limited number of “Historic Decorah” gift bags will be available for sale on a first come-firstserved basis. The event is free, no registration required.

Open hours at city yard waste site ending for the season

The last day for open hours at the Decorah City Yard Waste Site will be Saturday, Dec. 7. After Dec. 7, keys may be checked out from Decorah City Hall until conditions require the site to be closed for the season. The site will re-open in the spring as soon as weather permits. Questions may be directed to city hall at 563-382-3651 with any questions.

Haenel to speak with Lions Club

The Decorah Lions Club will meet at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the All Vets Club on State Street in Decorah. The guest speaker will be Lon Haenel, publisher of DecorahNews.

com. He will be talking about his transition from print to online newspapers and how reporting the news is changing.

Haenel will be the guest of Lion Rick Jourdan. The Decorah Lions Club meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information or a membership application, contact Lion Brad Schwartz by email at beschwartz@salamander.com, or by text at 563-4194020.

Johnson to present on Cold Water Cave

The monthly program at the Senior Citizens Hospitality Center will be held at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at 806 River St. in Decorah and will feature Cheryl Johnson, who serves as the Iowa Grotto president.

She will give a slide show on Cold Water Cave, talk about the caves of Winneshiek County and welcome questions from guests. The Senior Center hosts a public program on the second Friday of each month and encourages the public to attend.

Refreshments and fellowship follow the meetings.

Madison Lutheran to host Christmas Open House

The Madison Lutheran Church will host a Christmas Open House at 2 p.m. Dec. 15.

The event will feature Christmas music and the Christmas

story, presented by the Madison Sunday School youth. Refreshments and Norwegian treats will be served, following the program. A freewill offering will be collected, with proceeds going to Living Waters Cherokee Church in North Carolina, an ELCA member, for hurricane relief. Proceeds will also go to local law enforcement, where they will be put toward funds for K9 service dogs and funds to support abused families. Donations may also be mailed to Madison WELCA, Box 2, Ridgeway, IA 52165.

Santa Keys available at Decorah Chamber

Driftless Security Owner Mike Kozelka is offering Santa Keys to the Decorah area for a second year. “The holiday season is a good time to be thoughtful about locking homes and vehicles,” said Kozelka.

“The Santa Key offers parents a way to talk about safety when kids are especially invested in listening - of course they want Santa to be able to get inside.”

The Santa Key fits any locked door without compromising home safety and can be hung on the front door knob on Christmas Eve night. A total of 100 Santa Keys are now available at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce. The keys each cost $10 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Decorah Police Department and the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael Thompson drizzles some homemade gravy over a meal during this year’s community Thanksgiving dinner at St. Benedict Catholic Church. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

Dinner continued from front enjoy a meal together.”

The meal featured real mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey, green bean casserole, cranberries, dressing and a number of homemade salads, desserts and pies — the meal is made possible through free-will donations and volunteers.

“My friend asked me to come help five years ago, and I just love it,” said Ruth Skertrud.

“We’re serving the community, and to be a part of Thanksgiving is just wonderful.”

Holthaus said the meal isn’t only for people who can’t afford dinner but also for those who can’t visit family over the holiday or who don’t have others with whom to share Thanksgiving.

“I was invited by a few friends in town,” said Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski, who enjoyed this year’s dinner. “It was great to see the large number of volunteers making the event possible. The conversations were lively, and it was fun seeing people I had not seen for a long time. I’m grateful for the work that is put forth for making this event such a success.”

Holthaus said the community meal also offers those in attendance something they might not even realize they’re missing.

“There are so many people who are in need of not only a meal but love,” she said. “The

Thomas Hansen, long-time coordinator with the annual Thanksgiving dinner at St. Benedict Catholic Church, carried flats of fried onions as he and other volunteers prepared for the free community meal. The yearly event relies on donations and volunteers in serving hundreds of meals each Thanksgiving. (Photo by Roz Weis) conversation, having people around them — to be able to provide that is such a good feel-

Reservations open for WinnMed’s annual Christmas Dinner The public is invited to WinnMed in Decorah for the hospital’s annual Christmas Dinner. Dinner will be served on Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25. The annual dinner will be a curbside pick-up event only, serving approximately 250 meals to the community.

This year’s meal includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, stuffing, steamed carrots, coleslaw, cranberry

sauce, dinner roll with butter and apple pie. Each meal is individually plated, and costs $12.

Orders for Christmas Dinner may be placed online by visiting https://winnmed.org/events.

Payment is required at the time of the order and will not be accepted the day of pick-up. The deadline to order is noon on Friday, Dec. 20.

Orders for pick-up are avail-

Winneshiek County Conservation working to improve water quality The Winneshiek County Conservation Board has collaborated with communities and organizations in Winneshiek County for 65 years to improve local water quality and provide parks for outdoor recreation. This spring, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources highlighted successful watershed improvements at Lake Meyer Park made by Winneshiek County Conservation officials, local landowners and other partners.

Local conservation officials said two high-priority projects were complete this year, and they plan to start work on the Dry Run Creek Flood Control Basins.

Projects began with streambank restoration work at Sindelar Wildlife Access, located along Bluffton Road northwest of Decorah. The project’s first phase was completed in the fall

of 2023, and its second phase began in 2024 with improvements to fish habitat, streambank stabilization and removal of floodplain sediment. The additions are expected to reduce sediment and nutrient inputs into the stream, protecting the native Iowa brook trout population. The county conservation board was awarded state Fish Habitat grants and a federal U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service DARE TU grant to initiate this project, with additional support in the form of donations from Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Mid-Missouri Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the North Bear Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Iowa Coldwater Conservancy, the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association and Upper Iowa Audubon.

The Dry Run Greenbelt Stormwater Wetland, which was completed in 2024, was designed to help reduce flooding in the city of Decorah and the Upper Iowa River, as well as reduce pollutants entering Dry Run Creek. This stormwater wetland, located west of Decorah, catches runoff from a 30acre area. Funding and technical support for this project were provided by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Water Quality Initiative Grant, the city of Decorah, USFWS and Northeast Iowa RC&D. This new wetland is expected to be one of just a few publicly owned wetlands in Winneshiek County.

Winneshiek County Conservation’s next water quality improvement project, the Dry Run Creek flood control basins, will begin construction in 2025. A

ing. Even though they’re not blood-related, they’re family when they come in here.”

total of five embankments will be constructed within the county’s Dry Run Greenbelt west of Decorah. These five structures are meant to provide temporary storage to reduce flash flooding, which impacts downstream farmland as well as the city of Decorah and the Upper Iowa River. The project was made possible through a mix of federal, state and local funding.

Each of the construction sites is supported by grant funding from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to establish a high-quality pollinator prairie for the federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, the Monarch Butterfly and other pollinators. The deep-rooted prairie will also act as a filter around each project site, buffering the streams from the impact of stormwater. Both the construction work and the prairie plant-

ings are expected to provide multiple benefits to the land, wildlife and county residents.

For more information about supporting Winneshiek County Conservation’s water quality improvement efforts, visit www.winneshiekwild.com.

able every 15 minutes between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25 in parking lot E, door E-1 on WinnMed’s Decorah campus. There is limited availability for each time slot, and pick-up times may be selected online using the clock icon in the website’s checkout cart.

Protivin American Legion Post 605

Fish Fry & Chicken Fundraiser

Friday, Dec. 6 4- 7:30 p.m. at McAllisters in Cresco (Lower Level)

$18 per person | Carry out or dine in Auxiliary Bake Sale on site!

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Business & Professional Bulletins Gundersen Palmer nurse wins national award

Angie Meyer has dedicated her career to caring for the elderly, but it’s a calling she almost missed out on until it affected her personally. Now, she is making an impact in her beloved sector of healthcare far beyond her community of West Union.

Angie Meyer, manager of Home Health and Hospice at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics, will be recognized as the 2025 Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse of the Year Award in February. She and a contingent from Palmer will travel to Denver for the ceremony. Meyer was nominated by her coworkers for the national award, which is given annually by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center.

“It’s a big, big deal for us,” Meyer said of the award. “It’s an honor to be selected as the best certified hospice and palliative care nurse in the United States.”

Meyer has worked at Palmer for more than a decade and actively advocates for hospice care at the state and national levels. She earned her CHPN certification in 2017 and recently became an end-of-life nursing education consortium instructor – one of three people in the state to hold the title. She became a registered nurse in 2014 and earned her Master of Science in nursing in 2020.

“I worked at the nursing home in my hometown of Postville, where my passion for the elderly escalated. But it was when my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and went through the hospice journey that I knew my calling,” Meyer said.

Meyer was voted president of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Iowa on Nov. 7.

She has been a member of the organization since 2021. The

Photo submitted

statewide organization aims to assist its members in providing quality end-of-life care, educate the public about hospice care, advocate and represent the interests of Iowa hospices at the state and federal level, and form coalitions that support hospice. In addition, she has contributed to the American Nurses Journal and participated in various initiatives, including the Iowa LEAD Conference, the Iowa Hospice Veterans Partnership and Hospice Action Week in Washington, D.C. Meyer said the elderly have many stories and wisdom to share. She has learned cooking techniques as well as arts and crafts skills from some of those under her care.

“Hospice care is rewarding, in the sense that I know my loved ones and community members will live their final days to the highest quality possible,” she said. “It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.”

Meyer also has a soft spot for veterans, who make up about 25 percent of patients in Palmer’s Home Health and Hospice. She helped usher in the We Honor Veterans program at Palmer. The program provides education not only for Palmer

staff but to others in the community as well, and the program also allows Palmer to provide specialized care to that segment of the population. As part of the requirements, staff hold pinning ceremonies for veterans and their families, which honor their service and give them the opportunity to share their story.

They also plan and carry out many other community activities for veterans each year.

“As we started doing the community activities, we saw how important it was to our veterans to be recognized,” Meyer said. “Then we just kept expanding because of need and desire of the community.”

Meyer said all the effort she puts into end-of-life care and her career wouldn’t have happened had it not been for the support of her husband, her parents and the administration at Palmer.

“I’m very proud to be able to represent Palmer and receive this award,” she added about the CHPN honor, “but I couldn’t have done it alone.

This is something I did, but only because of the support I had.”

Former Deputy Legal Director returns to lead civil rights and liberties litigation in Utah The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah Foundation, Inc. recently named Jason M. Groth its new legal director. Groth, a Decorah native, will succeed John Mejia, who served in the role for Jason M. Groth 15 years.

Groth joined the ACLU of Utah in 2018 and served as the organization’s deputy legal director.

Groth began his legal career as a public defender in Colorado, representing juveniles and adults in misdemeanor and felony cases. After moving to Utah in 2018, he led the ACLU’s Campaign for Smart Justice,

advocating for criminal legal reform across the state. His role later expanded to litigating civil rights cases as deputy legal director.

“I am honored to rejoin the ACLU of Utah to continue the fight to protect all Utahns’ civil rights and liberties. I look forward to working with our staff, supporters, and community members on strategies to take on the new challenges we will face in the coming months. We are ready,” Groth said.

Most recently, Groth worked with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association, representing indigent clients in felony cases, and with the Indigent Appellate Defense Division, focusing on post-conviction relief. He has also volunteered extensively with the S.J. Quin-

ney College of Law Pro Bono Initiative.

In his new role as legal director of the ACLU of Utah, Groth will lead the organization’s legal advocacy for civil rights and liberties.

Luther College recently earned a silver award from Bicycle Friendly University after completing a assessment conducted by the League of American Bicyclists.

“We’re thrilled to earn a silver-level designation,” said Jon Jensen, director of Luther’s Center for Sustainable Communities. “It’s great to see the efforts of our students recognized by the League of American Bicyclists. I’m particularly proud of the work the students did in last year’s environmental studies course ‘Sustainability, Systems, and Solutions.’ Their project paved the way for this recognition.”

Senior Madison Major and juniors Evan Hansen and Sophie Chadima, in association with Luther’s Center for Sustainable Communities, evaluated campus parking and bicycle storage systems. They surveyed Luther students and employees about bicycle use. The students also assisted in gathering data required for the BFU application.

“It feels amazing to see our hard work pay off,” Major said.

“I cannot wait to see where this award can take us in the future.”

Luther is listed among 209 colleges and universities in 44 states as well as the District of Columbia which received BFU awards. The University of Iowa is the only other silver-level BFU campus in the Hawkeye State. Grinnell College received a bronze-level award.

Photo submitted More than 500 higher education institutions have applied for an BFU award during the program’s history. Notably, Luther College received a silver award in the college’s first-ever application. Five other campuses received bronze-level recognition on their first-time applications this year, and three campuses received honorable mentions.

In its Oct. 24 announcement, the League of American Bicyclists highlighted Luther College and its efforts to empower students and staff to make choices which benefit their health, their environment and their communities.

“Luther College’s commitment to bicycling is grounded within a deep commitment to sustainability and community,”

the league said.

Bicycling is a main component of Luther’s long-standing sustainability strategy and goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Luther ranks seventh among baccalaureate institutions nationally on the Sustainable Campus Index.

Luther’s Center for Sustainable Communities has been the home for the college’s bicycle share program and its Bicycle Advisory Committee, which includes students, faculty, staff and administrators who work to improve biking safety and awareness.

“Biking reduces our need for cars, but it’s also a great way to experience the beauty that is all around Luther and throughout the Driftless Region,” Jensen said.

Law Enforcement Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office

Omar Munoz Gonzales, age 46, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26 to serve seven consecutive days.

Terri Perry, age 35, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26 to serve five consecutive days.

Jon Moreland, age 44, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 11:09 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 to serve five consecutive days.

Ayden Burrow, age 18, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 to serve four consecutive days.

Noah Spilde-Maki, age 19, of Decorah was arrested for violation of probation and possession of a controlled substance at approximately 8:07 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 in the area of Sumner Street in Decorah.

Court documents said a Winneshiek County Sheriff’s deputy discovered a THC vape pen in Spilde-Maki’s coat pocket during a pat down search after the teen was served with the warrant.

Rithea Veang, age 43, of Decorah was served an arrest warrant and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at approximately 8:53 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29 in the 900 block of Short Street in Decorah for violation of probation.

Decorah Police Department

Jake Scott Olsen, age 38, of Avon, Illinois, was charged with public intoxication and obstruction of emergency communication at approximately 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 28 in the 100 block of Winnebago Street in Decorah. A criminal complaint accused Olsen of destroying the victim’s cell phone during a verbal altercation. He was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 8:25 p.m. the same day. Court records show Olsen has since pleaded guilty to the charges and was ordered to pay $105 fine as well as court costs.

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

Bachelder surrounding the allegations.”

Judge Stochl acknowledged coverage of the case existed, but he said the court “can’t say it has been extensive.”

“Bachelder has not introduced any substantial evidence that there is any prejudice existing in Winneshiek County which would result in an inability to pick a fair and impartial jury,” Stochl wrote, adding

Holiday Greetings Send a message of thanks and holiday cheer from your business to 15,000+ homes in the Driftless region. Add a personal touch with a staff photo, submit your own or call us to take your staff photo!

The popular Holiday Greetings Edition publishes on Dec. 24 with holiday photos, recipes, Santa letters and more.

Deadline to get into this edition is Monday, December 9 Call 563-382-4221 or email:

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that a vigorous jury selection process would likely insure a fair trial. “However, this court believes it best to err on the side of caution. Bachelder is a well-known citizen of Decorah.

He is charged with the type of offense that will obviously generate gossip and behind the scenes discussions … To argue that this case is not being talked about around Decorah such that it might be difficult to find 12 jurors who know nothing about Kelly Bachelder ignores common sense.”

The case is currently scheduled to go to trial Jan. 23, 2025, in Chickasaw County.

The accusations Trial information in the case lists two specific victims — both were identified in the trial information only by their initials, and both resided at the same address as Bachelder at that time, according to court records. Criminal complaints filed in the case accuse Bachelder of secretly recording the victims between January of 2020 and June of 2022.

The Decorah Police Department was contacted in late June of 2022, after one of the victims in the case discovered cameras hidden in the wall outlets of her bedroom. The girl “stated she had noticed a blinking light in the corner of her room for some time, but couldn’t recall how long it’s been there,” according to court documents. The teen’s boyfriend noticed the light June 24, 2022. He later examined the

outlet and ultimately discovered small cameras in at least two outlets. The cameras were left in place, and the girl eventually informed her mother.

Bachelder was told of the cameras on June 26, 2022, according to court documents — the teen discovered one of the cameras had been removed around that time — and Bachelder allegedly said he would contact the police in the morning.

Both the victim and her mother told police they received a text message from Bachelder the morning of June 27, 2022, in which he allegedly admitted to placing the cameras in the girl’s room. Court documents say Bachelder claimed to have bought the camera through his business to investigate suspected employee theft, and he allegedly said he had placed the cameras in the girl’s room to see if her boyfriend “was the person he appeared to be on the outside.”

“Kelly Bachelder described in the text message how he destroyed the disc from the camera into 1,000 pieces,” court documents said.

The victims and their mother hav also filed a separate case, naming Bachelder’s business as a defendant and claiming Bachelder used a company computer to view and store the explicit images – the victims said in their court filings they believe Bachelder may have also “disseminated these collected images to third parties.”

The victims are seeking com-

continued from front pensation from Bachelder and his company for emotional distress and attorney fees.

Law enforcement executed a trio of search warrants in late June of 2022 — one at Bachelder’s home, one at his business and one at the local hotel where he was staying at that point.

Court records show investigators seized numerous items — the specific items are largely redacted in the public court record, but documents show multiple electronic devices, such as computers, tablets and cellular phones, were taken.

“Numerous pictures of the girls in various states of undress were found on the devices,” according to court documents.

Bachelder’s attorney had also previously requested the court address an earlier error in the court documents, which incorrectly listed the alleged crimes as felonies rather than misdemeanors. The court noted in an early September decision that the formal charging document in the case listed the offenses correctly. The prefix of the current case number indicates the offense to be a felony, and the defense had previously asked the court to order the case number be amended to reflect the correct severity of the charges. However, the court said it found no legal authority for such a change and indicated doing so may not be feasible from an administrative standpoint.

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Winneshiek County 4-H holds 2024 Awards Program The annual Winneshiek County 4-H Awards Program was held Nov. 10 in the Community Building at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. The evening program was planned and conducted by members of the 4-H County Council, 4-H Youth Development Committee and local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff members.

The Overall Achievement Awards were bestowed upon a number of 4-H members. Organizers said the awards are the highest available to 4-H members at the county level. Recipients included: Achievement in Agriculture Rylee Averhoff and Karlee Bullerman.

Achievement in 4-H Experience Caylie Adam, Rylee Averhoff and Ruby Timp.

AK-SAR-BEN Jadrienne Langreck and Addison Bentley Achievement in Leadership Kendric Langreck, Kinsey White and Addison Wicklund.

Achievement in Citizenship Caylie Adam and Addison Wicklund.

Achievement in Communication Henry Schmitt, Kendric Langreck and Addison Wicklund.

Lamp of Knowledge Jadrienne Langreck and Addison Wicklund.

I Dare You Award Ruby Timp and Addison Wicklund.

The following youth received an officer award in 2024, recognizing their dedication to the service club: Kendric Langreck - president, Rylee Averhoff - vice president, Jack Hammell -secretary, Kinsey White - secretary, Karlee Bullerman - secretary, Jadrienne Langreck - historian, and Caylie Adam historian.

Herdsmanship Awards were presented to the Decorah Chiefs 4-H Club and the Bloomfield 4-H Club for their work in the livestock barns during the 2024 Winneshiek County Fair. The Decorah Chiefs were recognized for their club's community service work completed throughout the past year.

A number of club leaders recieved the “Award of the Clover,” which recognizes five-year intervals of service to the 4-H program in Winneshiek County.

Andrew Darrington and Dave Broghammer were recognized for 20 years of service. Carlena Gallagher, Patrick Gallagher and Brenda Broghammer were recognized for 15 years of service. Brittany Allen was recognized for 10 years of service.

Melissa Wicklund, Chris Wicklund, Eric Wemark, Darcy Wemark and Jaqueline Langreck were recognized for five years of service.

Clubs receiving a certificate for their donation of $4 per member or more to the Iowa 4-H'ers for 4-H Campaign include the Washington Prairie Peppers, Madison 4-H'ers,

South County Innovators, Hesper Helpers, Glenwood 4-H and the Turkey Valley Clovers.

4-H members recognized with 4-H Volunteer Awards this year included junior 4-H member Theodore Raabe and intermediate 4-H member Kenzie Monroe as well as senior 4-H members Caylie Adam and Addison Wicklund. The 4-H Family Volunteer Award was awarded to the Mark Bean and Shirley Zafft Family.

The 2024 recipient of the Meritorious Service Award was Julie Strom for her continued support to the Winneshiek County 4-H program. Organizers said Strom has been a valuable volunteer in the Share a Horse Project, offering 4-H members with the opportunity to develop a meaningful connection with horses. She has also assisted with 4-H horse practices and the 4-H/FFA Horse Show at the Winneshiek County Fair.

The 2024 recipient of the Alumni Award was Laura Brincks in recognition of her continued support in the Clover Cafe at the Winneshiek County Fair. Brincks has served as a shift manager for the last eight years.

The 2024 Honorary 4-H Award, which is given to an individuals who was not a 4-H member but has still given their time and talents to benefit the program, was awarded to Jay Raabe. Organizer described Raabe as enthusiastic and eager to assist with club and county events. He serves as a member of the Youth Development Committee and helps plan annual events.

Clover Kid – Record Book Completion Orvalene Ruen-Rolfe, Audrey Hemesath, Bo Schmitt, Hayden Schmitt Junior — First Year 4-H Record Keeping Bryer Tarwater, Ida Sauer, Camille Rueckert -Reading Award, Elsa Propson, Bethany Curtis - Reading Award, Kendra Bushman Junior – Outstanding Achievement in Record Keeping Ossie Nordschow, Anya Volkmann, Aiden Hemesath, Taylor Hammell, Theodore Raabe, Charlotte DeLaRosa, Jorgan Lee-Juve, Lydia Fankhauser -Reading Award.

Intermediate - Outstanding Achievement in Record Keeping Carlton Nordschow, Adam Schmitt, Justice Nelson - Reading Award and Communication Pin, Lucas Fankhauser Senior – Outstanding Achievement in Record Keeping Kinsey White, Karlee Bullerman - Visual Arts Pin, Rylee Averhoff, Caylie Adam - Vet Science Pin and Animal Science Pin, Jadrienne Langreck - Clothing Pin, Photography Pin, Poultry Pin, and Food and Nutrition Pin, Henry Schmitt, Ruby Timp, Kendric Langreck -Food and Nutrition Pin, Atticus Raabe -Visual Arts Pin, Addison Bentley, Jack Hammell -Dairy Cattle Pin and Poultry Pin, Addison Wicklund - Clothing Pin and Communication Pin.

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Feed the Pig fundraiser sees success A recent Feed the Pig fundraiser successfully raised $11,089.04 in approximately one month to support local food pantries. The fundraiser focused on three area food pantries — Decorah Community Food Pantry, NEIACA Food Pantry of Winneshiek County and Greater Area Food Pantry in Calmar — ahead of the holiday season.

Organizers described the community’s support as outstanding, with more than $3,589 in donations. Decorah Bank joined the efforts with a sponsorship of $2,500, GPC matched this amount with another $2,500 and the Lynch Family Foundation donated $2,500 worth of pork. Individuals interested in making additional donations may still do so. Each pantry accepts monetary and food donations year-round.

Decorah Chorale receives grant The Decorah Chorale, led by director Jason Rausch, was recently given a local grant from the Depot Outlet Board Of Directors. The grant of $2,500 will be used to purchase new sheet music for

the chorale for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Members of the Decorah Chorale and its board thanked the Depot Outlet for its continued support of the chorale over the years.

Music purchased for this com-

ing season will be performed at the annual “Home For Christmas” concert at 7 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Decorah Lutheran Church; and the annual spring concert in May of 2025.

The Decorah Chorale is an

auditioned mixed chorus of community members from northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. The group practices each Sunday evening during the fall and spring terms.

Luther College presents 2024 Homecoming music awards Luther College presented the Singing Society since 1975.

Weston Noble, Dr. Carlo A. Founded by Norwegian immiSperati and Hemp grants in 1868, Prize awards to the Luren Singstudents and aluming Society is the ni, in recognition oldest and largest of excellence and male chorus in the achievement in Norwegian Singmusic and music ers Association of education.

The America. Under award winners are Judisch’s leaderrecognized each ship, the chorus year during the has flourished with college’s annual a membership of homecoming conbetween 70 and cert.

80 singers. JuDavid Judisch disch has led the

Weston Noble Luren Singers on Award five tours to NorDavid Judisch, way, performing Luther College for royalty multiprofessor emeritus ple times, includof music, is the ing King Harald 2024 recipient of and King Olav. the Weston Noble He also facilitated Award.

Weston international tours Noble served on with the NSAA. the music faculAdditionally, Juty at Luther Coldisch has recorded lege from 1948 to albums with the 2005. During that Luren Singers and Justin Knoepfel time, the college participated in bigrew in numbers ennial Sangerfests. and national repuThe 2024 Sangertation, and Noble fest was held at became a leader in Luther College in training trailblazJune. ers in the field of music education.

He has served The Weston Noble as a voice cliniAward was estabcian, adjudicator and conductor, lished in 2004 and including signifirecognizes music educators who cant contributions honor and continto the Decorah ue Noble’s legacy.

Lutheran Church Judisch earned choir for 24 years.

Mark Severtson his doctor of muHe was a foundsical arts degree ing member of the from the University of Iowa. He New Minowa Players commutaught at Luther College for 40 nity theater, has volunteered years, and many of his students with Nordic Fest since 1975 and achieved notable success. Ju- is involved with the Decorah disch has directed the Luren Community Meal program. He

helped to establish Path to Citizenship, an organization whose mission is to aid people navigating the path to citizenship in northeast Iowa.

Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award Justin Knoepfel, Luther College class of 2004, is the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Carlo A. Sperati Award. Sperati was the conductor of the Luther College Concert Band for 38 years until his retirement in 1943.

His work ethic and demand for perfection and patience when working with music students are part of the identity of the Luther College music department to this day. This award recognizes those traits in music educators who follow in Sperati’s footsteps.

Knoepfel received a B.A. from Luther College before earning a master of music in viola and a doctorate of musical arts in viola performance and music theory from the University of Minnesota. Knoepfel joined the faculty of Gustavus Adolphus College in 2009. An associate professor of music, Knoepfel serves as the conductor of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and is chair of the department of music. He is also a viola instructor. In demand as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator, Knoepfel most recently served as a guest festival conductor at the Dorian Orchestra Festival. As a violist, Knoepfel has performed with distinguished orchestras like the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Opera, and at venues across the United States and Europe. He has also collaborated extensively with members of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and others. He has also performed with artists such as Id-

ina Menzel, Amy Grant and the Eagles, and he has played privately for King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Hemp Prize Mark Severtson, Luther College class of 2025, is the 2024 recipient of the Hemp Prize.

The Richard C. and Joann M. Hemp Family Prize for Orchestra Performance is given annually to a senior member of the Luther College Symphony Orchestra. The $8,000 scholarship is funded through an endowment established by Richard, class of 1964, and Joann (Harr) Hemp, class of 1965. Richard Hemp is a regent emeritus, former chair of the Luther College Board of Regents and former interim president of Luther College. The auditioned prize awards students of exceptional performance, talent, musicianship and leadership.

Severtson is a music performance major at Luther College.

He has served as the principal tubist in the college’s symphony orchestra, concert band, and the Noble Brass Quintet. As a soloist at Luther, Severtson won the 2023–24 Band Concerto Competition and was the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Joan deAlbuquerque Prize in Music.

He was a finalist in the 2023 Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and received the Tim and Sandra Peter Music Leadership award in 2022.

In addition to his solo performances and recitals, Severtson was the tuba fellow at Lutheran Summer Music Festival in 2023. Outside of music, Severtson enjoys reading books, learning German, throwing pottery and spending time with his parents and two brothers in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

COMMUNITY

10 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

DHS and DMS Special Olympics bowling team members perform well at regional competition

The Decorah Schools Special Olympics team competed in the Northeast Iowa Regional Bowling Tournament Saturday, Oct. 19 at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo.

Competing and placing for Decorah High School were first

place finishers Donnie Hrdlicka, Kamryn Leuenberger, Paxton Remick and Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, as well as second place finishers John Lippe, Haley Stinson, Peyton Rentschler and Braden Ramstad. Wyatt Pleggenkuhle

Turkey Valley High School announces honor roll

Turkey Valley High School announced its most recent honor roll on Nov. 12. Students selected for the honor roll must have obtained an overall quality point average of at least 3.0 without any single score recorded below 1.67.

3.75-4.0 Alexa Mueterthies, Anna Reicks, Annie Raymond, Ava Kuennen, Bree Balk, Brynlee, Hayek, Cale Langreck, Caleb Kriener, Cole Fencl, Cooper Dietzenbach, Hazel Nieman, Honora Chicken, Isaiah Wheeler, Jacob Wurzer, Jadeyn Mueterthies, Jocelynn DeSloover, Karstyn Lukes, Karsyn Reicks, Kinsey Reicks, Morgan Vsetecka, Mya Ives, Nicholas Bernhard, Sofia Rivera and Tucker Tlusty.

3.50-3.74 Aisha Ouenas, Andrew Brown, Annebelle Scheidel, Annika Bodensteiner, Ashlyn Murray, Brody Hayek, Brooklyn Kuennen, Calen Franzen, Courtney Ball, Delaney Busta, Dominick Reicks, Elizabeth Hyer, Ellaney Bodensteiner, Ethan Orvis, Grace Bouska, Hunter Kruse, Jonah Orvis, Jor-

dan Kriener, Kinzey Rausch, Lauren Ball, Larry Vrba, Lauryn Dagit, Lilly-Rose Buat, Luella Reicks, Mitchell Kriener, Theresa Hanson and Treyton Franzen.

3.25-3.49 Adysen Wurzer, Alexis Gruenberg, Annika Kuennen, Austin Wemark, Autumn Maklenburg, Avery Lantow, Brady Blong, Colton Kurtenbach, Emersyn Hoffert, Emma Brincks, Jenna Throndson, Kaden Schmidt, Keira Fencl, Kesley Reicks, Layni Schuchhardt, Levi Kruse, Liam Langreck, Lucy Steinlage, Lydia Chicken, Mason Gebel, Morgan Reicks and Raelen Manderfield.

3.00-3.24 Addison Steinlage, Alexis Elsbernd, Avery Franzen, Avery Vsetecka, Braxton Steinlage, Callie Busta, Dawson Humpal, Ella Carolan, Ella Drilling, Gracyn Dagit, Haylee Hanson, Hugo Busta, Jacob Hanson, Traejin Keel, Jaya Quail, Jayden Rausch, John Kruse, Kendall Kuennen, Kole Adams, Kole Stika, Madalyn Vsetecka, Serenity Geisler, Ty Moudry and Kaydin Wells.

Send letters to santa claus c/o Decorah Leader P.O. Box 350, Decorah, Ia 52101 The letters will be printed in the Driftless as space allows and any art sent with letters may also be published.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Letters will be forwarded to the North Pole before Christmas Eve!

was also the torch bearer for the opening ceremony.

Representing Decorah Middle School were first place finishers Daniel Bean, Aiden Farley, Zoey Lollar, Sky Pasche and Luke Thompson, as well as third place

finisher Johnathan Bean.

First place finishers had the opportunity to compete Nov. 23 at the state bowling event in the same location.

“Our athletes have been working hard to improve their scores

all fall, and we had exceptional results at this event,” Decorah Schools Special Olympics Coach John Dunt said. “To make it even better, everyone had a fun time competing and making new friends.”

Members of the Decorah High School and Decorah Middle School Special Olympics bowling teams are pictured above at the Northeast Iowa Regional Bowling Tournament held Oct. 19 in Waterloo.

Photos submitted

DMS Mock Trial teams successful at regional competition

Decorah Middle School’s four mock trial teams competed in regional competition Nov. 9 in Waterloo. Decorah’s two eighth-grade teams advanced to the state tournament, which were held Dec. 2-4 in Des Moines.

One of the state-bound teams consisted of Simon Potvin, Isaiah Bonnet, Ellis Thompson, Kylie Zoulek, Harper Menke, Sofia Hageman, Lula McAbee, Veda Shimek, Crosby Butler and Austin Bohner.

The other team included Nathaniel Crose, Charly Courtney, Rosie Burkholder, Kelbi Schuman, Noah Alexander, Robert Davis, Abby Stevens, Ruth Kueny, Edith Marable and June Fassbinder.

Other participants who competed included Anya Volkman, Haylyn Stowe, Avery Garcia-Prats, Brent Burkey, Amelia Krueger, Johnny Crose, Elliana Nyanjenga, Carter Todd, Hattie Sauer, Theo Raabe, Lilly Richmond, Emma McFarlane, Anna Bailey, Iris Wadsworth, Abby Shaw, Niva Anderson, Elsa Propson, Logan Kuennen, Kellan McGee and Eben Tripp.

This year’s competition is based on a fictional civil case set in the fictitious city of Hawkins. The hypothetical case involved a wrongful death claim filed against Hawkin’s House of Horrors — or H3 — by the estate of Will Byers, alleging the company’s negligence led to a preventable tragedy. The case centered on the unsafe design of the haunted house, which was located near a highway and included hazardous elements such as strobe lights which allegedly disoriented guests. The Byer’s estate argued the haunted house failed to take reasonable safety precautions, contributing to Will Byers’s death, while H3 claimed they met all necessary safety standards and that Byers voluntarily assumed the risks associated with the haunted house experience.

A large number of Decorah students earned outstanding witness and attorney nominations from mock trial judges. Outstanding Attorney Award winners included Rosie Burkholder, Kelbi Schuman, Robert Davis, Sofia Hageman, Simon Potvin, Kylie Zoulek, Brent Burkey, Johnny Crose, Amelia Krueger and Kellan McGee. Outstanding Witness Award winners included Rosie Burkholder, Austin Bohner, Veda Shimek, Brent Burkey, Theo Raabe, Elliana Nyanjenga, Iris Wadsworth, Emma McFarlane and Lilly Richmond.

“I am proud of how great the students competed,” said Decorah Mock Trial Coach Dana Hogan. “The day was filled with challenges, and the students responded to each one to ensure their trials were successful.”

Many mentors and experts assisted the

The team of Simon Potvin, Isaiah Bonnet, Ellis Thompson, Kylie Zoulek, Harper Menke, Sofia Hageman, Lula McAbee, Veda Shimek, Crosby Butler and Austin Bohner will advance to the state competition in Des Moines. (Photos submitted)

The team of Nathaniel Crose, Charly Courtney, Rosie Burkholder, Kelbi Schuman, Noah Alexander, Robert Davis, Abby Stevens, Ruth Kueny, Edith Marable and June Fassbinder will advance to the state competition in Des Moines.

Pictured is the middle school mock trial team consisting of Lilly Richmond, Emma McFarlane, Anna Bailey, Iris Wadsworth, Abby Shaw, Niva Anderson, Elsa Propson, Logan Kuennen, Kellan McGee, and Eben Tripp.

Pictured is the middle school mock trial team consisting of (row one) Anya Volkman, Haylyn Stowe, Avery Garcia-Prats, Brent Burkey, Amelia Krueger, (row two) Johnny Crose, Elliana Nyanjenga, Carter Todd, Hattie Sauer and Theo Raabe. middle school students in preparing for mock trial competition, including attorney Jeremy Thompson, attorney Andrew Casper, attorney John Anderson, attorney Bekah Krueger and attorney Jacob Stock. Retired Extended Learning Program Teacher Carole

Sand also shared her mock trial expertise with students through the season. Numerous high school students also volunteered as coaches and mentors to assist students with writing and delivery. Teams are coached by Dana Hogan and Scott Boylen.

Othman Winneshiek County Jail approximately 15 minutes later.

He admitted to contempt in an Oct 8 court filing and was ordered to serve five days in jail.

Court documents said Othman continued to violate the terms of his release after returning to campus later that month – missing appointments with

his supervising officer and repeatedly allowing the battery of his GPS monitor to become low.

Othman’s supervising officer said Luther College’s Director of Behavioral Intervention and Care reported on Nov. 1 that Othman was being “administratively withdrawn from campus

due to continued instances of concerning behaviors” and had until 5 p.m. that day to leave the college grounds. Othman’s supervising officer recommended the court revoke his pre-trial release and hold him in custody until the case was resolved.

The 20-year-old returned to the Winneshiek County Jail at 3:50

continued from page 3 p.m. that day and was held on a $25,000 bond.

Othman’s attorney said in a Nov. 12 filing that the 20-yearold did not wish to contest the court’s revocation of his pre trial release – Othman signed the plea agreement with prosecutors approximately two weeks later.

PUBLIC NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

11

Public Notices

Board Minutes November 25, 2024 The Board of Supervisors met at 9:30am November 25, 2024 with Kelsay, Vick, Langreck, Vermace, and Faldet present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, and the meeting was called to order.

Barb Schroeder, Conservation Director, met with the Board to give updates on completed and upcoming projects.

Michael Kueny, County Engineer, met with the Board to discuss road matters.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Vermace to approve the hire of Michael Linderbaum as a Driver for the Recycling Department with a start date of December 3rd; and to set the start date for Evan Neubauer as Interim Recycling Supervisor as December 3rd with transition to Supervisor after the retirement of Scott Logsdon. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Vick and seconded by Faldet 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 Vick to adjourn to 9:30am Monday, December 2, 2024. Motion carried unanimously.

Benjamin D. Steines, County Auditor Daniel Langreck, Chair Board of Supervisors Claims 11-25-2024 General Basic Fund A-OK Well Service, LLC,Services.1699.51 Allamakee-Clayton Electric, Utility.. 118.97 Alliant Energy, Utilities...................1850.58 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service........................ 520.53 Bruening Rock Prod, Materials...........69.25 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Inc, Services.......................................... 115.21 Fallon Cassidy, Reimbursement........ 386.31 Citrix Systems, Inc., Services.......... 1027.20 Column Software PBC, Publications.213.79 County Wide Plumbing, Services...... 179.00 Christian Cutsforth, Reimbursement... 20.00 Roger Dahlen, Reimbursement.........199.99 Decorah Community Schools, Services..........................................187.70 Decorah Electric Inc, Services............ 65.91 Decorah Leader, Publications............ 426.00 Decorah Tire Service, Services........... 39.02 Don’s Truck Sales, Inc, Equipment.1496.51 Elan Financial Services, Payment..... 965.40 Franzen Sales & Service, Parts........... 23.88 Government Forms & Supplies, Supplies..........................................345.62 GrapeTree Medical Staffing LLC, Services........................................2192.00 Hawkeye Sanitation, Inc, Services.... 720.00 Heron Consulting, Inc., Services..... 1800.00 Faith Hlubek, Reimbursement.............17.76 HUB International, Services........... 3875.00 Huber’s Store, Supplies.......................25.95

Public Notice from Board of Supervisors The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will be accepting applications for appointments to several Boards and Commissions including the following: Pioneer Cemetery Commission, Board of Health, Historic Preservation Commission, Conservation Board, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, Compensation Commission for Eminent Domain, and others as needed. Interested citizens should complete an application which is available at winneshiekcounty.iowa.gov or at the County Auditor’s office. Applications are due to the county Auditor’s office by December 6th.

Thanks, Ben Steines Winneshiek County Auditor Decorah (Iowa) Leader November 21, 28 & December 5, 2024 Monday, November 18, 2024 To whom it may concern, The City of Decorah is requesting proposals for energy planner services to assist with a project awarded funding under the Energy Efficiency and Community Block Grant (EECBG) program through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

The proposed project, the “Decorah Low-Income Energy Savings Initiative,” includes assisting low-income residents in pursuing energy efficient home improvements, resulting in beneficial energy and cost savings, and reducing fossil fuel emissions. For this project an Energy Planner will be contracted by the city to 1) provide free energy audits to 30 low-income, owner-occupied households, culminating in the identification of potential cost-saving energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electrification measures to pursue, and 2) following completion of the energy audits, to provide the same households with energy coaching regarding Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and local utility incentives that can assist in the implementation of the energy efficiency measures identified.

The following outlines work specifications and the request for qualifications: I. Scope of Work: The scopes of services that the firm must be prepared and qualified to provide are as follows: • Program Application Process: • Create and implement an application process for low-income, owner-occupied household participation in the Decorah Energy Savings Initiative. Select 30 households to participate on a first-come basis, pending confirmation of low-income status: • Low-income status for the purpose of program participation will be determined based on comparing application-identified annual income and family size information on the application to the 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Median Income Limits (effective June 15, 2024), found under Iowa Economic Development Authority’s website, under “Recipient Income Requirements and Census Information,” at iowaeda.com/cdbg/program-guid-

ance/. Applicants shall be within the “low-income” limit set for the applicable family size for Winneshiek County.

• Ensure the application gathers information on annual income, family size, and location, along with other information deemed necessary.

• Energy Audits: • Conduct comprehensive energy audits for the 30 selected households, including: • Visual inspections, diagnostic testing, and data collection.

• Using specialized equipment (blower doors, infrared cameras, combustion analyzers) to assess the energy performance of homes.

• Identifying and documenting areas of energy inefficiency, such as air leaks, inadequate insulation, inefficient heating and cooling systems, and lighting.

• Provide homeowners with detailed reports outlining energy-saving recommendations and potential cost savings.

•Maintain accurate records of audits.

• Energy auditors and energy audits must meet federal standards for qualifying for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) energy rebate and tax credit programs.

• Energy Coaching: • Educate homeowners on available incentives or rebates to assist in implementation of energy efficiency measures, including those available from local utility programs and the Inflation Reduction Act (as implemented by the Iowa Energy Office).

• Connect households with information on contractors and other professionals that could assist in implementing identified energy-saving measures.

• Adhere to all safety protocols and company policies during audits and interactions with customers.

• Maintain accurate records of program application process, auditing and coaching, and submit EECBG reimbursement requests to City of Decorah on established schedule.

II. Statement of Qualifications. Proposals to the city should include the minimum information: • Description of similar projects the firm has successfully completed.

• Description of organizational capacity to complete all necessary activities, including resumes of all employees who will be or may be assigned to this project. Energy auditors must meet federal standards for qualifying for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) energy rebate and tax credit programs.

• Description of the anticipated timeframe necessary to complete activities.

• References from previous clients of related work within the past five years.

• Description of the firm’s errors and omissions coverage, including amount of coverage.

III. Evaluation criteria. The city will evaluate, and rank proposals received according to the following criteria: Maximum Qualifications necessary to complete project (including experience w/energy audits + coaching).......................................... 50 points Previous work performance: ........ 25 points Capacity to complete scope of work: ..................................... 25 points Total:............................................ 100 points IV. ..................................................Deadline for submission. Proposals must be submitted no later than December 11, 2024 at 4:00 pm.

Please send five (5) sets of qualifications and one (1) digital set to the attention of: Travis Goedken, City Manager City of Decorah 400 Claiborne Dr., PO Box 138 Decorah, IA 52101 Questions regarding this request for proposals should be directed to Travis Goedken at (563) 382 - 3651 or citymanager@decorah. iowa.gov. If the City of Decorah has questions or finds two or more firms with equal qualifications, you will be contacted.

The City of Decorah is an EEO Employer; MBE/WBE firms are urged to respond.

Sincerely, Lorraine Borowski, Mayor City of Decorah Decorah (Iowa) Leader December 5, 2024

Help Wanted

CONTACT US!

EM

NOW HIRING

SIGNMAN

EntErprisE MEdia the

SECONDARY ROAD DEPARTMENT WINNESHIEK COUNTY will be accepting applications for the position of “Signman” for the Secondary Road Department until 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2024 or until the position is filled at the office of the Winneshiek County Engineer, 201 W. Main, Decorah, IA 52101.

563-382-4221 110 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101

Winneshiek County Courthouse, 201 W. Main St., Decorah • 563-382-5085

www.winneshiekcounty.org

For Rent

Vesterheim seeks a detail-oriented and proactive

Human Resources Administrator

Apartment for Rent: 1-bedroom, upstairs apartment. NS/NP. 326 Washington St. Decorah. 563-4192621. 46-tf-LD-x-9

that will plan, coordinate and direct all employee relations activities including staffing, payroll, hiring, legal compliance, and benefit administration.

The role combines human resources management with essential payroll accounting tasks to support the institution. The responsibilities of this position require experience in employee relations, performance evaluations, legal and institutional regulations and policies, benefit administration, best hiring practices, payroll and payroll tax processing, and organizational and salary structure. The ideal candidate will have an associate or bachelor’s degree and 5 or more years of related experience. Reporting to the CFO, this position is a full-time, exempt position with the possibility of remote work part of the time.

Salary range: $52,000 – $57,000. This employment opportunity is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

For the complete job description, visit: https://vesterheim.org/job/human-resources-administrator-onsite/ To apply, e-mail a cover letter, resume and the names of three references to sadube@vesterheim.org. Vesterheim is an EOE/AA. -code-

AUCTION CALENDAR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 8 a.m. Online Auction Closes.

End-of-year Emporium Gun and Sports Auction by Kramer Auction Service 608-326-8108. www.kramersales.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 - 10 a.m. Farm Machinery Estate The City of Decorah Street Department is currently accepting Auction. Marvin Hovden Esapplications for the position of Street Operator. Minimum tate, 2828 Middle Hesper Rd, qualifications include high school diploma or equivalent. Valid driver’s license with Class B CDL and airbrake endorsement Decorah. Sweeney Auction Ser(must obtain within one month of hire). Minimum of one year of vice Waukon Ia. 563-568-2464 experience in maintenance, construction, repair work, or related www.sweeneyauctionservice.

NOW HIRING occupation. Familiarity with maps, engineering plans, blueprints com and utility markings. Position is subject to post-offer physical

Street operator

SIGNMAN

examination including drug testing, background and motor vehicle records check. Starting pay is dependent on qualifications SECONDARY ROAD DEPARTMENT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 and experience. Competitive benefit package offered.

- Bidding will open Tuesday

WINNESHIEK COUNTY Application and complete job description may be obtained at will the be accepting applications for the December at 10:00until AM of “Signman” the Secondary Road10th Department City Clerk’s office, Decorah Municipal position Center, 400 Claibornefor Drive andorstart at 10:00 AM 4:00 p.m.

Friday, December untilclosing the position is filled or online at www.decorahia.org. For more information call (563) 6, 2024 382-3651. Return city application to: City Michael at of theDecorah, office of Attn: the Winneshiek County Engineer,December 201 W. Main, on Tuesday 17th.

O’Hara, Public Works Director, PO Box 138, Decorah, IA, 52101 or Decorah, IAAll 52101.

Equipment Will Be At Gemohara@decorah.iowa.gov.

Applications and job description are available the State hling Auction Co. - at 27741

Applications will beand received Engineers Office www.winneshiekcounty.org/jobs.html Highway 16 Preston, Minnesountil position is filled, with first EOEta For Inspection. To consign 47-5-LD-12 a review of applications 4:00 PM, December 13, 2024. 201 W.complete Winneshiek County Courthouse, Main St., Decorah • 563-382-5085 farm line or a single

item call Gehling Auction Co. 1-800-770-0347 or e-mail denny@gehlingauction.com

M/F Disabled and Veteran EEO/AA www.winneshiekcounty.org Employer.

FT/PT WORKERS & DRIVERS WINNESHIEK COUNTY RECYCLING

Adult Education and Literacy Coach/Instructor Work as a member of the Adult Education and Literacy Team using contemporary, researched-based curriculum to build students’ academic skills to prepare them for the HiSET and/or learn English as a Second Language. Help students navigate the systems, services, resources, and training available to successfully facilitate a pathway to a career or further education.

Assist the student to troubleshoot barriers through education and training and work with the student to obtain employment or additional training.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. Experience teaching Adult Basic Education, high school equivalency (HSED) and/or ESOL classes, and developing and adapting curriculum to meet student needs is preferred. Bilingual and/or Spanish proficiency and experience working with a diverse student population is preferred.

Please access https://nicc.peopleadmin.com to complete the application online. For more information about NICC and other position openings visit the NICC website at www.nicc.edu or Human Resources Office at 844-642-2338, ext. 1302.

NICC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Miscellaneous Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-954-5087 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

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Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-913-1560 Miscellaneous Safe Step. North America’s #1 WalkIn Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today!

Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-844-376-4154 Sporting Goods GUN SHOW: December 13-15, 2024, Centre Hall, Waverly, IA Fri 4-9pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 9am3pm. $10 (under 14 FREE) . Large selection of GUNS and AMMO for sale! More info: 563-608-4401 www.marvkrauspromotions.net

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POSTAL C

www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, July 9, 2024 | Vol. 1 Issue 1

Applications and job description are available at the Engineers Office and www.winneshiekcounty.org/jobs.html EOE 47-5-LD-12

48-4-LD-12

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ALLEN F. KRUMME DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016348 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Allen F. Krumme, Deceased, who died on or about November 7, 2024: You are hereby notified that on the 20th day of November, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Allen F. Krumme, deceased, bearing date of January 19, 2017, was admitted to probate in the abovenamed Court and that Jacqueline V. Jessen 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 this 21st day of November, 2024.

Jacqueline V. Jessen Executor of Estate 182 Church Street Elmhurst, IL 60126 Daniel L. Fretheim ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: dan.fretheim@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: Decmeber 5, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Leader November 28 & December 5, 2024

IA Dept of Public Safety, Services..1031.25 IACCBE, Registration.......................280.00 Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Registration.................................... 375.00 IROC Web Design Services, Services.16.00 ISSDA, Membership.........................675.00 John Deere Financial, Supplies...........89.72 KnowBe4, Inc, Services..................1443.75 Kwik Trip Inc, Fuel...........................909.68 Law Enforcement Targets, Inc, Supplies..........................................361.36 LetterWerks Sign City, LLC, Signs...297.00 Anna Mark M.D., Services................300.00 Martin Bros. Distributing, Supplies..602.82 McKesson Medical Surgical, Supplies..........................................532.08 Mediacom, Services.......................... 251.43 Hanna Meyer, Reimbursement............ 20.00 Microbac Laboratories, Inc., Services............................................42.50 Midwest Computer Brokers, Inc., Services........................................1868.70 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities.....1064.33 NE IA Comm Action, Rent Payment...............................3079.74 Netsmart Technologies, Inc., Maintenance Agreement............... 3446.71 Evan Neubauer, Reimbursement......... 20.00 Plunkett’s Pest Control, Inc, Services..........................................513.57 Brittany Provost, Reimbursement....... 26.99 Racom Corporation, Services............ 680.00 Rapids Reproductions, Inc, Services.250.00 John Scheeler, Transport.....................90.00 Schilling Supply Company, Supplies..56.99 Barb Schroeder, Reimbursement.......228.24 Jayne Schultz, Reimbursement.........158.74 Schumacher Elevator, Services......... 281.29 Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc, Services........................................2797.21 Casey Smith, Reimbursement........... 189.95 State Medical Examiners Office, Services........................................6283.00 Deb Thorstenson, Transport................ 60.00 Thrifty White Pharmacy, Services..... 657.33 Tieskoetter Lawn Care, LLC, Services............................................90.00 UnityPoint Clinic, Services.................42.00 Upper Explorerland RPC, Services... 500.00 US Cellular, Cell Service.................. 252.10 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service.......... 952.43 Weis Buick GMC, Services.............2274.70 WinnMed, Services.............................59.00 General Supplemental Fund Mark Albers, Election Worker............. 15.00 Cathryn Baldner, Election Worker......32.42 Jennifer Halton, Services.....................21.00 ICAP, Insurance...............................1675.00 North Iowa Juvenile Detention, Services..........................................360.00 Elaine Saint Clair, Election Worker....15.00 Storey Kenworthy, Supplies............ 1100.00 Water Testing Grant Fund Elan Financial Services, Payment.......63.16 Mike Kleiboer, Plug Well..................700.00 Kevin Reicks, Chlorination...............400.00 Rural Services Basic Fund Alliant Energy, Utilities.......................25.61 Bruce Bergsgaard, Meeting................. 50.00 Allen Dahlen, Meeting........................50.00 James Ehrie, Meeting..........................50.00 IWWA, Membership......................... 130.00 Kwik Trip Inc, Fuel........................... 123.51 Danny Leidahl, Meeting...................... 50.00 James Ludeking, Meeting...................50.00 Tony Meyer, Meeting.......................... 50.00 Gary Smorstad, Meeting..................... 50.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............ 37.80 J Wayne Wicks, Meeting..................... 50.00 Winn Co Landfill, Fees.................... 1588.40 Winn Co SWCD, Appropriation.... 30000.00 Secondary Road Fund Agvantage FS Inc, Propane........... 39999.94 Alliant Energy, Utilities.....................141.02 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service........................ 176.39 Blackhawk Env, Services................4093.71 Bruening Rock Prod, Materials...272444.81 City of Ridgeway, Utilities.................. 29.26 Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, Services.32826.15 Housby Heavy Equipment, Equipment.................................... 1290.02 Hovden Oil Co, Fuel......................... 634.22 Iowa DOT, Payment........................ 1115.00 Iowa Prison Industries, Signs............132.70 John Deere Financial, Materials........240.09 Krivachek Janitorial Supply, Supplies..........................................160.00 Marv Smith Electric, LLC, Services.247.85 Midwest Patch, Supplies................. 1829.00 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities....... 995.38 Norsolv Systems, Payment................253.95 Perry Novak Electric, Inc, Services...971.25 Rausch Construction, Inc., Materials.........................................500.00 River City Paving, Materials...........2757.85 Road Machinery & Supplies Co, Supplies.......................................... 241.51 UnityPoint Clinic, Services.................84.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service..........547.54 Vestis, Services................................1513.55 Winn Co Landfill, Fees.......................... 9.88 WinnMed, Services........................... 232.00 Ziegler Inc, Services........................6604.87 Co Conserv Capital Improv Fund Erdman Engineering, Services........1898.00 County Assessor Agency Fund Kwik Trip Inc, Fuel...........................104.46 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............75.60 E911 Surcharge Fund Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service.......................... 36.89 CenturyLink, E911 Service................. 52.38 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities....... 542.33 Emergency Management Comm Casey’s Business MasterCard, Fuel....86.59 Comfort Inn & Suites, Lodging.........416.64 NICC, Registration............................ 234.00 Sean Snyder, Reimbursement............100.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............40.01 Winneshiek Co Health Ins Fund Midwest Group Benefits, Health Insurance.........................13976.39 Midwest Group Benefits, Fees..........952.50 Grand Total.................................. 477006.33 Decorah (Iowa) Leader December 5, 2024

Winneshiek County is accepting applications for Full and Part Time Recycling Workers & Drivers. Job descriptions and applications are available at the Winneshiek County Recycling Center and online at www.winneshiekcounty.iowa.gov. Send completed application to The Recycling Center, 2510 172nd Ave, Decorah, IA 52101 or email to eneubauer@co.winneshiek.ia.us.

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IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR FAYETTE COUNTY RE THE MARRIAGE OF DAWN MARIE FRICK AND JEREMY JACOB FRICK CASE NO. CDDM003022 Dawn Marie Frick, Petitioner vs. Jeremy Jacob Frick, Respondent TO THE ABOVE NAMED RESPONDENT: You are notified that a petition has been filed in the office of the clerk of this court, naming you as the respondent in this action. A copy of the petition (and any documents filedwith it) is attached to this notice. The attorney for the petitioner is Linda Ressler and her address 744 Main St., Suite 1, Dubuque, IA 520016825. Ms. Ressler’s phone number is (563) 588- 4653; facsimile number (563) 588-4656, and email address is lressler@iowalaw.org.

You must serve a motion or answer within 20 days after service of this original notice upon you and, within a reasonable time thereafter, file your motion or answer with the Clerk of Court for Dubuque County at the county courthouse located at 720 Central St., Dubuque IA 52001. If you do not, judgment by default may be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

This case has been filed in a county that utilizes electronic filing. Please see Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16 for general rules and information on electronic filing. Chapter 16, division VI contains specific information regarding the protection of personal information in court filings.

If you require the assistance of auxiliary aids or services to participate in court because of a disability, immediately call your district ADA coordinator at (319)-833-3332 (If you are hearing impaired, call Relay Iowa TTY at 1-800-735-2942).

CLERK OF COURT 114 N Vine St Suite 200, West Union, IA 52175 IMPORTANT: YOU ARE ADVISED TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE AT ONCE TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS Iowa Judicial Branch Case No. CDDM003022 County Fayette Case Title DAWN FRICK VS JEREMY FRICK You must file your Appearance and Answer on the Iowa Judicial Branch eFile System, unless the attached Petition and Original Notice contains a hearing date for your appearance, or unless the court has excused you from filing electronically (see Iowa Court Rule 16.302).

Register for the eFile System at www. iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile to file and view documents in your case and to receive notices from the court.

For general rules and information on electronic filing, refer to the Iowa Rules of Electronic Procedure in chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules at www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ ACO/CourtRulesChapter/16.pdf.

Court filings are public documents and may contain personal information that should always be kept confidential. For the rules on protecting personal information, refer to Division VI of chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules and to the Iowa Judicial Branch website at www. iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/protect-personal-information/.

If you need assistance to participate in court due to a disability, call the disability access coordinator at (319) 833-3332. Persons who are hearing or speech impaired may call Relay Iowa TTY (1-800-735-2942). For more information, see www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/ada/. Disability access coordinators cannot provide legal advice.

Date Issued 09/06/2024 10:19:11 AM District Clerk of Court or/by Clerk’s Designee of Fayette County /s/ Rhonda Bouska Decorah (Iowa) Leader November 28 & December 5 & 12, 2024

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COMMUNITY

12 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Decorah Chorale to host annual fundraiser concert The public is invited to attend Decorah Chorale’s 24th annual “Home for Christmas” concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Decorah Lutheran Church.

This year’s concert will raise funds for the Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity and the Decorah Community Food Pantry. Admission is free for all, and a free-will offering will be accepted. The chorale has raised nearly $45,000 for local charities over the years, thanks to attendees.

The hour-long program will

feature Christmas classics, including “While by My Sheep,” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” along with other seasonal pieces. The chorale will be joined by collaborative guest artists, including Melissa Bills, Dustin Bliven, Crystal Duffy, Chris Hadley, Peter Kowitz and Ezra Vorvick. Vocal soloists Kelsey Vanney and Jenny White will add their voices to the evening. The Decorah

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High School Madrigal Singers will also perform a selection of Christmas carols as a prelude to the concert.

The Decorah Chorale, led by

Jason Rausch with collaborative pianist Nicholas Shaneyfelt, is an 80-member mixed choral ensemble with voices from Decorah and six neighboring

communities in both Iowa and Minnesota. For more information, visit www.decorahchorale. org or email decorahchoraledirector@gmail.com.

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The public is invited to attend the 48th annual Allamakee Ecumenical Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at St. John’s Lutheran Church — 8 Fifth St. SW in Waukon.

The concert has brought people together for nearly five decades, and organizers said this year’s event may be viewed online via St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Facebook Page. The evening will feature local clergy sharing the Christmas Story, congregational carol singing and organ accompaniment. The

evening will feature performances by the Heartland Barbershop and Gospel Singers, the mass Ecumenical Choir, St. John’s Youth and Adult Handbell Choirs, the WHS Saxophone Quartet, piano accompaniment by Kristie Roeder and organ performances by James Bieber with the assistance of Kathy Murray.

Postville Band Director Shauna Johnsen will be a featured baritone soloist, and Sarah Hagen, a member of the Allamakee Community Players

and WHS’s assistant musical director, will join the Men’s Choir and during a performance of “Pie Jesu” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Requiem.”

Hagen will perform the duet with the concert’s assistant director Sarah J. Bieber, who also serves as the Waukon Middle School and High School choral director and musical director.

Immediately following the concert, attendees are also invited to join organizers in the church’s basement for refreshments and fellowship.

Winneshiek County Community Foundation now accepting grant applications Grant applications can now be submitted to the Winneshiek County Community Foundation

for the 2025 grant cycle.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2025.

Grants will be awarded to projects within the program areas of arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, and health and human services.

The online grant application can be found on the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa’s website at www.cfneia. org/grants/grant-opportunities.

Technical support will be available to applicants until the application deadline at 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2025. Grant recipients will be announced in March.

Grants are available to 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Tax-exempt organizations classified as other than 501(c)(3) are also eligible, if and only if, the project is deemed charitable.

Applicants may contact Dotti Thompson at 319-243-1358 or dthompson@cfneia.org to discuss the project’s eligibility prior to submitting a proposal.

Applications are also being accepted by county community foundations in Chickasaw, Franklin, Grundy and Tama counties.

SPORTS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

13

TV now a veteran squad in Hoffert’s third season at the helm

Members of the Turkey Valley girls’ basketball program for the 2024-25 season are (front, l-r) Ashlyn Busta, Delaney Busta, Layni Schuchhardt; (middle) Makinley Lutgen, Kendall Kuennen, Addison Steinlage, Hazel Nieman, Madalyn Vsetecka, Brynlee Hayek, Miyah Byrne; (back) volunteer coach Frank Wilson, head coach Steve Hoffert, Emersyn Hoffert, Annika Bodensteiner, Ella Ives, Ellaney Bodensteiner, Bella Stika, Callie Busta, Haylee Hanson and assistant coach Ashley Walz.

(Photo by Becky Walz)

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com Turkey Valley girls basketball coach Steve Hoffert is bringing back nine letter winners for theTrojans, who are looking to make some noise this year – the kind that brings home banners in 2024-2025.

The Trojans played to a 7-15 mark and sixth place finish (610) in the Upper Iowa Conference a season ago, and the veteran bunch sports four returning starters this year.

While a conference championship and a state tournament berth is high on the to-do list for TV, the Trojans aim to take it one game at a time this year in order to pick up some speed and build some confidence early on.

“We are excited about this group of girls. We have a great nucleus of returning letter winners. We will have a good mix of height and quickness. We will have a lot of depth that we will use to our advantage.

We will need to come to every practice and game with a positive attitude and willingness to put team goals before personal goals,” said Hoffert, now in his third year at TV as head coach after taking over for Carla Nymeyer.

“I’ve got nine returning letter

winners. One, I played a lot of kids last year, but the purpose was for the next year – for this year,” said Hoffert.

Bella Stika, a sophomore forward who was the only starter on the floor to not return a year ago against Postville, scored eight points on 4-4 shooting against the Pirates. She came close to a triple double with 11 steals and nine rebounds.

“I really have four post players. We will work more on a four-out, one-in offense as the season progresses,” said Hoffert. “Most nights we will have a height advantage. We have to fight through the contact, get the ball up on the backboard and put it in.”

The Trojans were just 29 percent as a team last year and 19 percent from beyond the arc.

TV also has some room to improve its free-throw percentage – which was below 50 percent (49.5).

Hoffert talked about his team’s circle-motion offense.

“We call it a ‘butt cut’ and we have the long cut,” said Hoffert. “The long cut’s that girl from the corner all the way up because all that action is going towards the basket. I’ll have a girl standing about 15 to 18 feet away, and she’s just gotta knock down that shot, and we have

that capability.”

The coach indicated TV’s main goal is to force turnovers off its full-court trapping press and get easy layups underneath the hoop in its half-court set — outside shots made are an added bonus. If the perimeter shooting game starts to heat up and consistently drops shots – that puts defenses in a pickle as to which facet of TV’s game the opposing team ought to try and stop.

“All of our stuff, we want to go to the basket. We want to make the official decide if they’re fouls or not,” said Hoffert.

Bodensteiner is TV’s top returning scorer at seven points a game. She averaged more than five rebounds a tilt. Bodensteiner’s long-range artistry from beyond the arc helped her lead the team in three-pointers this past winter with 17. She also cracked the UIC honorable-mention team.

Steinlage clipped out to a 6.6 scoring average and was the team’s steal leader with 55. She also came up with 43 assists – also No. 1 on the team.

Schuchhardt is another athletic standout for TV and averaged 4.5 points to go along with 3.4 rebounds. Busta, a left-hander like Steinlage, provides height and rebounding ability. She grabbed three rebounds a game

last year and averaged just over three points a contest.

TV junior forward Haylee Hanson is a valuable player off the bench that will surely start some games as well. She averaged 5.8 points per game and 5.5 rebounds along with 16 blocks – which led the team.

Emersyn Hoffert – a sophomore guard returning letter winner – notched 13 points on 6-8 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds against Postville.

Other letter winners back for TV are senior guard Ashlyn Busta and sophomore guard Hazel Nieman.

Also on Hoffert’s roster is junior Makinley Lutgen, sophomores Ellaney Bodensteiner, Ella Ives, Kendall Kuennen and Miyah Byrne, as well as freshmen Madalyn Vsetecka, Brynlee Hayek and Callie Busta.

Hoffert likes his team’s chances this year, and he mentioned that his squad is working well together and improving every day.

“So far our chemistry has been really good and the girls have been really supportive of each other,” said Hoffert.

“They’re not afraid to pick each other up. They’re not afraid to share the basketball. They’re not afraid to communicate with each other.”

Trojans will bring a new lineup out on to the hardwood

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com

“Trust the process.”

Those are John Izer’s words about his Turkey Valley boys hoops squad.

He’s ready to get the season started.

Turkey Valley lost four starters from a squad last winter and went 12-11 overall and 7-9 in the UIC (sixth place). TV’s lone starter back is junior forward Logan Busta – an honorable mention UIC pick last year.

“We’re an easy scout right now. Nobody knows the names of seven out of our 10 guys – unless you’re talking football,” said Izer. “J.D. (Kruse) and Logan – we’ll be asking a ton out of them.”

Kruse did start three games last year but was more or less a key reserve on Izer’s squad – who like to push the ball up the floor in a fast-paced, high-energy style of hoops play.

Izer said the physical size of his players will give the team another reason to continue focusing on setting a break-neck pace against their opponents — no one on Izer’s roster is taller than 6-2.

“We’re going to have periods where we’re going to have a hard time scoring,” said Izer.

“We need to generate some stuff. We’re going to have to generate some turnovers. We’re going to have to find some fast breaks and Logan can lead all of that. He’s one of the best at leading all that.”

Justin Izer – the coach’s son – was the head girls hoops coach at South Winneshiek last year but will be his father’s top assistant this winter. Also on John Izer’s coaching staff are Steve Busta and Adam Hanson. Those four coaches will attempt to mold a team brimming with potential and talent.

Izer is excited about a new bunch who will take center stage in Jackson Junction and help turn over a new leaf – hopefully the winning variety for all the red, black and white-clad Tro-

Warrior Sophia Dvorak eyes her opponent during the opening tournament of the season held in Decorah. Tuesday, the junior finished sixth at the Central tournament at 120 pounds.

(Photo by Becky Walz)

Jansen takes silver at Central tourney Central Girls tnmt. team scores 1. West Delaware 154; 2.

Alburnett 146; 3.

SumnerFredericksburg 121.5; 4. North Fayette Valley 114.5; 5. Saint Ansgar 111.5; 6. Postville 86; 7.

North Butler-Clarksville 79; 8. MFL MarMac 78; 9. Central Elkader 68; 10. Oelwein 56; 11. South Winn 50; 12. Union 35; 13. Nashua-Plainfield 32; 14. Riceville 25; 15. Starmont 20; 16. Waterloo Columbus 3; 17.

Charles City 0

With the Thanksgiving break in the rearview mirror, the South Winn girls’ wrestling team was back on the mats Tuesday night at the Central Elkader Girls Tournament with four place winners.

West Delaware won the night with 154 points with Alburnett a close second with 146. The Warriors finished the night with 50 points in 11th place among the 17-team field.

Junior Maddy Jansen was the lone SW grappler to reach the finals. She received a firstround bye at 140 pounds, then put Crystal Goodrich of Central on her back in the first period.

In the semifinal, Jansen threw Gracie Kuhn of North Fayette Valley in 5:01 before falling to Union’s Jillian Worthen in 1:28 to earn silver.

At 135 pounds, Gracie Walz won her first two rounds by fall over Chelsea Brumm of St. Ansgar and Oelwein’s Jaylynn Craun. The freshmen dropped her final two matches of the night, a fall to Alburnett’s Lyni Gusick and a 6-1 decision to Josi Munger of Starmont, to

take fourth.

Taking fifth at 115 pounds was Violet Schmelzer and sixth went to Sophia Dvorak at 120 pounds.

Individual results 110 – Izzy Goltz, DNP Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – LBF in 1:10 to Brielle Starkweather (NFV); Cons. rd. 2 – LBF in 1:44 to Jasmine Bassett (Union) 115 – Violet Schmelzer, 5th place Quarterfinal – LBF in 0:38 to Ryley Hartman (Oelwein); Cons. rd.

1 – WBF in 1:29 over Veda Torkelson (MFL MM); Cons. semifinal – LBF in 0:19 to Cameryn Judisch (SumnerFred); 5th place match – won by injury def. over Ryley Hartman (Oelwein) 120 – Sophia Dvorak, 6th place Quarterfinal – bye; Semifinal – LBF in 1:03 to Alivia White (WD); Cons. semifinal – LBF in 1:07 to Bernice Garcia (Postville) 125 – Odessa Oyloe, DNP Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – LBF in 1:33 to Sophia Salinas (Postville); Cons. rd. 2 – bye; Cons. semifinal – LBF in 3:14 to Tori Keonigs (Riceville) 130 – Jena Peters, DNP Rd. 1 – LBF in 1:04 to Kylee Shoop (WD); Cons. rd. 1 – LBF in 3:59 to Jayla Patten (N-P) 135 – Gracie Walz, 4th place Rd. 1 – WBF in 2:41 over Chelsea Brumm (St. Ansgar); Quarterfinal – WBF in 2:36 over Jaylynn Craun (Oelwein); Semifinal – LBF in 0:34 to Lyni Gusick (Alburnett); 3rd place match – lost 6-1 dec. to Josi Munger (Starmont) 140 – Maddy Jansen, 2nd place Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – WBF in 1:43 over Crystal Goodrich (Central); Semifinal – WBF in 5:01 over Gracie Kuhn (NFV); Final – LBF in 1:28 to Jillian Worthen (Union)

Viking girls fall at Wahlert Tabbed as members of the Turkey Valley varsity team this season are (front, l-r) Jordan Kriener, Kaden Schmidt, Jayden Rausch, Logan Busta, Caleb Kriener, Wyatt Maklenburg, Cale Langreck, Tucker Reicks; (back) head coach John Izer, Mitchell Kriener (manager), Treyton Franzen, JD Kruse, Alex Hanson, Jonah Orvis, assistant coach Justin Izer and volunteer coach Adam Hanson. (Photo by Becky Walz) jans this winter.

“They’re going to be thrown in,” said John Izer. “They’re hungry in practice. They’re wanting to work. They’ve been real easy to work with so far.”

Izer’s projected lineup – at least the one that recently played North Fayette Valley in Monona during a jamboree scrimmage – will be Busta and Kruse, as well as sophomores Cale Langreck, Jordan Kriener and Kaden Schmidt.

“That sophomore class – I’ve got a great lock-down man-toman defender in there. I’ve got a guy who’s full of energy and just won’t stop,” John Izer added.

The starters TV lost due to graduation from a year ago are seniors Oliver Schmitt (first team all-conference), Caleb Kurtenbach (honorable AllUIC), Russell Nieman and Braylen Byrne.

TV’s newcomers will help fill the void. John Izer said he’ll play eight or nine deep on his roster – at least that’s the plan before the Christmas break rolls around.

“They’re working hard. They want to be challenged. They’re not whiny about what we’re doing. They’re asking for it,” said Izer. “We’ve got a good group.”

Trojan juniors Tucker Reicks

and Alex Hanson will also look to shine for Izer and his Trojans this winter.

“We’re going to ask a lot of Tucker Reicks,” said John Izer.

“He’s gotten bigger. He’s gotten stronger. We’re going to push him inside a little bit just because we like the way he works inside. Alex’s our best 3-point shooter.”

TV’s starting rotation could also be a fluid situation until everything falls into place.

“We’re mixing and matching,” said Izer. “We gotta get combinations down.”

Schmidt – the Trojans’ leading rusher last year on the football field – has impressed the TV head coach so far during his first taste of varsity hoops play.

“He’s quick. He’s tough. He doesn’t bring a lot of scoring, but he brings a lot to the defensive side,” John said.

Langreck averaged 2.2 points and made good on three threepoint shots during his freshman season.

TV lost more than 60 percent of its scoring from last year.

Busta is the Trojans’ top scorer back as he averaged 9.4 points per game and over five rebounds a contest. The Turkey Valley signal caller out on the gridiron knows how to distribute the rock

as well as the pigskin as evident by his average of 4.2 assists a game. His 96 assists total led TV in that category.

Kruse is a jumping-jack that can bounce out of the gym with his athletic ability and racked up over seven points of offense a contest and 5.2 rebounds a game.

TV senior Jonah Orvis, junior Wyatt Maklenburg, sophomores Treyton Franzen and Jayden Rausch as well as freshman Caleb Kriener will also look to contribute to the Trojans’ cause this winter.

John Izer also stated that his team can’t be afraid to get dirty, get on the floor and come up with those 50-50 loose balls.

“I believe we’ve got guys that want to do that,” said Izer.

Kee High was the conference champ (15-1) last season, while NFV and MFL MarMac tied for second at 13-3. South Winn and Postville tied for third with 9-7 league marks.

“Our conference is loaded this year. North Fayette was in the substate game. Kee was in the substate game. South Winn brings everybody back and they are loaded with athletes,” said John Izer. “It’s about as tough of a conference as we’ve seen for a long time.”

A f t e r opening the season with a win last week, the Decorah girls’ basketball team fell on the road to Claire Class 3A No. Storhoff 3 Wahlert Catholic Tuesday night, 67-34.

The Vikes struggled offensively throughout the night, producing 10 points in the first eight minutes and seven in the second frame. At halftime, Decorah trailed 37-17. Wahlert’s lead was extended in the third quarter when the Golden Eagles outscored the Vikes 17-6.

“I’m proud of our girls continued effort, even though the score wasn’t in our favor.

Dubuque Wahlert is an excel-

lent team who brings back 4 of its 5 starters from last year’s state tournament run,” said coach Brooklyn Fromm Blake Moen.

“We’ll watch the film, get better, and use this to keep growing as a group. I’m already looking forward to getting back in the gym with the team.”

Decorah was led by Claire Storhoff with 18 points, two steals and two assists. Brooklyn Fromm added eight points and three rebounds. Sydney Thompson put up five points to go with four boards and three assists. Liz Bucksa had three points while Renae Wilson nabbed five rebounds.

Split start to week for Lady Warriors

After a second loss to open the season, the South Winn girls’ basketball team (1-2, 1-1 UIC) got in the win column Tuesday night.

Monday, the Lady Warriors traveled to Lanesboro, Minnesota and came home with a disappointing 50-28 loss. No stats or other information was available at press time.

However, the squad rebounded to defeat Postville (0-2, 0-2 UIC) on the road Tuesday night, 48-11. SW started Tuesday’s conference game slow, holding just an 8-5 lead after the first quarter, but pulled away in the second to a 26-7 advantage at the half. In the second half, the Warriors kept the Pirates off the board in the third and only allowed four in the final period while putting up a combined 22 points. Individual stats were unavailable at press time.

SPORTS

14 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Pair of wins for Decorah

The topped-ranked Decorah girls’ wrestling team took on a pair of fellow powerhouse teams Tuesday night and came out victorious.

It was a close battle with host Independence with the Vikings taking the win 42-33. Decorah wrapped up the win with six falls and a forfeit. Throwing their opponents were Chloe Sheffield (105), Simone Downing (125), McKenzie Tollefson (140), Ana Simon (145), Lauren Luzum (155) and Isabelle Alley (170). At 235 pounds, Madysen Lippe received a forfeit.

Then Decorah squared off with No. 4 Mount Vernon and emerged triumphant 53-24. In the dual, Simon earned a tech fall, 16-1, in 2:53 to win at 145, while four other Vikes threw their counterparts — Sheffield (105), Ellie Adams (125), Luzum (155) and Lippe (235).

Four others had forfeits including Izabella Kos (120), Downing (130), Bristol Parker (135) and Amelia Wadsworth (140).

Decorah 42, Independence 33 100 – Double forfeit; 105 – Chloe Sheffield (Dec) WBF in 1:02 over Natalie Nichols (Ind); 110 – Audrey Feuerhelm (Dec) LBF in 0:40 to

Sophia Hurley (Ind); 115 – Cassie Wilkins (Dec) LBF in 5:34 to Sarah Greiner (Ind); 120 – Ellie Adams (Dec) lost 9-7 dec. to Morgan Krall (Ind); 125 – Simone Downing (Dec) WBF in 2:38 over Madison Arnold (Ind); 130 – Dec lost by forfeit; 135 – Bristol Parker (Dec) LBF in 2:39 to Kennedi Bevans (Ind); 140 – McKenzie Tollefson (Dec) WBF in 1:23 over Kenleigh Trumblee (Ind); 145 – Ana Simon (Dec) WBF in 1:!2 over CeCe Priebe (Ind); 155 – Lauren Luzum (Dec) WBF in 0:35 over Alex Westphal (Ind); 170 – Isabelle Alley (Dec) WBF in 2:24 over Clair Priebe (Ind); 190 – Dec lost by forfeit; 235 – Madysen Lippe (Dec) won by forfeit

Decorah 53, Mount Vernon 24 100 – Double forfeit; 105 – Sheffield (Dec) WBF in 1:02 over Carly Elliott (MV); 110 – Feuerhelm (Dec) LBF in 0:30 to Kate Martin (MV); 115 – Wilkins (Dec) LBF in 1:54 to Kiersten Swart (MV); 120 – Izabella Kos (Dec) won by forfeit; 125 – Adams (Dec) WBF in 4:47 over Lexi Glaza (MV); 130 – Downing (Dec) won by forfeit; 135 – Parker (Dec) won by forfeit; 140 – Amelia Wadsworth (Dec) won by forfeit; 145 – Simon (Dec) won 16-1 tech fall over Addi Whisner (MV); 155 – Luzum (Dec) WBF in 2:58 over Kaylee Kintzel (MV); 170 – Kamryn Steines (Dec) LBF in 0:53 to Gracie Pinckney (MV); 190 – Dec lost by forfeit; 235 – Lippe (Dec) WBF in 1:56 over Josie Panos (MV)

Seniors leading the Decorah girls’ wrestling team in 2024 are (front) Chloe Sheffield; (back) McKenzie Tollefson, Kamryn Steines and Amelia Wadsworth. (Photo courtesy of Tami Bohr)

Viking boys snuff out Hempstead in opener

Scoring double digits in every period, the Decorah boys’ basketball team (1-0, 0-0 NEIC) took the season opener from Hempstead (0-1) Tuesday night on the road 73-57.

The Vikes strolled to the lead in the first 23-16 and padded it’s advantage in the second to lead 43-32 at the break. Outscoring the Mustangs 20-12 in the third gave Decorah the cushion in the fourth as Hempstead ever-so-slightly narrowed the gap with 13 points.

Individual stats were unavailable at press time.

Decorah Hempstead

SW boys open season with “W”

23 20 20 10 73 16 16 12 13 57

Four Viking gridders tabbed as All-State

Active night on mats at South Winn

Hosting its first meet of the season, the South Winn boys’ wrestling team went 1-3 in duals action Tuesday night as it hosted Central Elkader, Clear Lake and New Hampton/Turkey Valley.

First on the mat against the home Warriors was Central Elkader who fell 43-30 to the hosts. SW took control of four matches and received forfeits in four others. Freshman Clayton Kuboushek outlasted Adam Kloser to earn the 8-5 decision at 120 pounds. Later, at 150 pounds, it was Eric Greve throwing Mack Perrinjaquet in 3:56 with Landen Schnuelle picking up the 17-4 major decision over Preston Kulper at 157 pounds. Kyle Kuboushek (165) capped off the wins with a fall in 51 seconds, turning Parker Funke. Awarded forfeits were Gavin Thuente (113), Matthew Horstman (190), Ray Lienau (215) and Kolton Brummond (285).

South Winn fell short against Clear Lake in round two, 3634, despite four Warrior pins.

Thuente turned Hayden Shear in 1:17 at 113 pounds. Kuboushek picked up his second win of the night at 120 pounds over John Hamilton with fall in 2:41. In 30 seconds, senior Lucas Weiss put Cayden Vanvochris on his back to win at 144 pounds and Kuboushek got his second pin of the night in 1:01 over Cayden Campbell at 165 pounds. Steven Andera was victorious with a 12-3 major decision at 138 pounds while Greve received a forfeit at 150 pounds to aid the SW effort.

Wrestling powerhouse New Hampton/Turkey Valley controlled the third match of the night, winning 44-23 over South Winn. Four Warriors emerged victorious including Schnuelle (157) with a fall in 51 seconds over Tate Schwickerath. In 1:58, Kuboushek (165) earned the 18-1 tech fall over

Cade Carpenter. It was a pair of decision wins for Lienau (215) and Brummond (285). Lienau overcame Roy Barron by 7-0, while Brummond held on to win 3-1 over Kyson Kielman.

Thuente received his second forfeit of the night.

South Winn 43, Central 30 106 – Double forfeit; 113 – Gavin Thuente (SW) won by forfeit; 120 – Clayton Kuboushek (SW) won 8-5 dec. over Adam Kloser (Central); 126 – SW lost by forfeit; 132 – Matthew Donovan (SW) LBF in 1:20 to Collin Jaster (Central); 138 – Steven Andera (SW) LBF in 1:56 to Nolan Gaul (Central); 144 – Lukas Weiss (SW) LBF in 3:55 to Braxton Bormann (Central); 150 – Eric Greve (SW) WBF in 3:56 over Mack Perrinjaquet (Central); 157 – Landen Schnuelle (SW) won 17-4 maj. dec. over Preston Kulper (Central); 165 – Kyle Kuboushek (SW) WBF in 0:51 over Parker Funke (Central); 175 – SW lost by forfeit; 190 – Matthew Horstman (SW) won by forfeit; 215 – Ray Lienau (SW) won by forfeit; 285 – Kolton Brummond (SW) won by forfeit South Winn 34, Clear Lake 36 106 – SW lost by forfeit; 113 – Thuente (SW) WBF in 1:17 over Hayden Shear (CL); 120 – Kuboushek (SW) WBF in 2:41 over John Hamilton (CL); 126 –

Donovan (SW) lost 12-3 maj. dec. to Jeseb Prestholt (CL); 132 – Double forfeit; 138 – Andera (SW) won 15-4 maj. dec. over Reece Perry (CL); 144 – Weiss (SW) WBF in 0:30 over Cayden Vanvochris (CL); 150 – Greve (SW) won by forfeit; 157 – Schnuelle (SW) lost 11-2 dec. to Aiden Hippen (CL); 165 – Kuboushek (SW) WBF in 1:01 over Cayden Campbell (CL); 175 – SW lost by forfeit; 190 – Horstman (SW) LBF in 1:32 to Jack Hackman (CL); 215 – Lienau (SW) lost 11-2 maj. dec. to Dane Orchard (CL); 285 – Brummond (SW) LBF in 1:17 to Aaron Richstmeier (CL)

South Winn 23, NH/TV 44 106 – Double forfeit; 113 – Thuente (SW) won by forfeit; 120 – Kuboushek (SW) lost 15-11 dec. to Dominick Reicks (NH/TV); 126 – SW lost by forfeit; 132 – Donovan (SW) LBF in 0:31 to Braiden Schaufenbuel (NH/TV); 138 – Andera (SW) LBF to Carter Cahthaml (NH/TV); 144 – Weiss (SW) LBF in 3:37 to Jayden Bucknell (NH/TV); 150 – Greve (SW) lost 19-4 tech fall in 5:13 to Jax Shekleton (NH/TV); 157 – Schnuelle (SW) WBF in 0:51 over Tate Schwickerath (NH/TV); 165 – Kuboushek (SW) won 18-1 tech fall in 1:58 over Cade Carpenter (NH/TV); 175 – SW lost by forfeit; 190 – Horstman (SW) LBF in 1:04 to Jackson Kellogg (NH/TV); 215 – Ray Lienau (SW) won 7-0 dec. over Roy Barron (NH/TV); 285 – Brummond (SW) won 3-1 dec. over Kyson Kielman (NH/TV)

Freshman Clayton Kuboushek went 2-1 at the Warriors’ opening event Tuesday night, winning by a decision against Adam Kloser of Central and by fall against Clear Lake’s John Hamilton. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Coming up in area varsity high school sports

Dec. 5 – Dec g wr at Dan Gable tnmt. (Coralville), TBD Dec. 6 - Dec g/b wr at Dan Gable tnmt. (Coralville), TBD; Dec bowl at North Fayette Valley, 4 p.m.; TV g/b bb at Kee, 6:15 p.m.; Dec b bb vs. Epworth, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 7 – Dec b wr at Dan Gable tnmt. (Coralville), TBD; Dec b swim at Dubuque Hempstead,

10 a.m.; SW b wr at Wapsie Valley tnmt., 10 a.m. Dec g bb at Center Point-Urbana, 1:30 p.m.; SW g bb vs. Leroy-Ostrander (at Luther), 2 p.m.; TV g/b bb at New Hampton, 3:30 p.m.; SW b bb vs.

Mabel-Canton (at Luther), 3:45 p.m.

Dec. 10 – SW g wr at WaverlyShell Rock tnmt., 4 p.m.; SW g/b bb vs. MFL MarMac, 6:15 p.m.;

TV g/b bb vs. Central Elkader, 6:15 p.m.; Dec g/b bb vs.

Crestwood, 6:45 p.m.

Dec. 12 – SW g/b bb vs. East Buchanan, 6 p.m.; Deb g/b wr vs.

Charles City, 6:15 p.m.

Tough night for Vikings

Although the Decorah boys’ wrestling team was ranked one spot above No. 13 Independence in the preseason rankings, the Vikes couldn’t pick up the wins Tuesday on the road.

The Mustangs took the dual 5318.

Four Vikings picked up wins on the night. Starting weight for the dual was 190 and it was Class 2A No. 3 Tommy Sexton picking up the 11-1 major decision victory over Class 2A No. 8 Braylen Bieber.

Meison Tollefson threw Braeden Tegtmeier in 51 seconds to record the only fall of the night for Decorah at 106 pounds.

At 150 pounds it was Will Larson who earned the 19-1 tech fall in 4:40 over Logan Bevans.

Class 2A ninth-ranked William Fullhart took the final victory of the night at 165 pounds.

The sophomore won by a 10-4 decision over Christopher Meyer.

Decorah 18, Independence 53 106 – Meison Tollefson (Dec) WBF in 0:51 over Braden Tegtmeier (Ind); 113 – Kelton Casterton (Dec) lost 12-1 maj. dec. to Benjamin Anderson (Ind); 120 – Andrew Bjork (Dec) LBF in 0:31 to Zach Homan (Ind); 126 – Michael Clement (Dec) LBF in 4:16 to Remy Ressler (Ind); 132 – Gavin Knutson (Dec) LBF in 3:52 to Carver Wieland (Ind); 138 – Kash Turner (Dec) LBF in 1:03 to Tyler Wieland (Ind); 144 – Kasen Tyler (Dec) LBF in 1:03 to Kameron Kremer (Ind); 150 – Will Larson (Dec) won 19-1 tech fall in 4:40 over Logan Bevans (Ind); 157 – Steven Munoz (Dec) LBF in 1:34 to Owen Miller (Ind); 165 – William Fullhart (Dec) won 10-4 dec. over Christopher Meyer (Ind); 175 – Bradan Darling (Dec) LBF in 3:12 to Carter Eddy (Ind); 190 – Tommy Sexton (Dec) won 11-1 maj. dec. over Braylen Bieber (Ind); 215 – Adrian Smith (Dec) lost 11-2 maj. dec. to Mikey Bailey (Ind); 285 – Ethan Kuennen (Dec) lost 4-1 sudden victory to Gable Eddy (Ind)

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Pre-Owned

Four Decorah football players were recently named to the Iowa Football Coaches Association all state teams.

William Hahn, a second-team honoree a year ago, moves to first team for his work on the offensive line as he aided Decorah in William Hahn Louis Bucksa scoring 39 touchdowns this First Team Second Team season and amassing 3,662 Offense - OL Offense - UT yards of total offense during the 2024 campaign.

Three others were second team honorees — Louis Bucksa, Trevor Kuennen and Gavin Groux.

Bucksa, the initial starting quarterback, called out the signals for just over seven games before a seaGavin Groux Trevor Kuennen son-ending injury took him Second Team Second Team to the sidelines. Despite beDefense - UT Defense - LB ing forced to watch the final three and a half games from the team box, Bucksa completed 73-of-122 passes for 1,236 yards, finishing second-best in the district. He led the district in passing touchdowns with 14 and rushed himself for four scores as he carried the pigskin 31 times for 107 yards earning himself a utility nod on the second team offense.

Groux was a first team all-district honoree as a full safety on the Viking roster and earns his first all-state nod on the second team defense as a utility player. Instrumental on both sides of the pigskin, Groux had 36 total tackles, 27 of them solo stops to go with 501 yards rushing. Averaging 7.2 yards a carry, he scored six touchdowns on the ground. Groux also caught 21 passes for another 269 yards, scoring once.

Junior linebacker Kuennen was second on the Vikings’ roster in total tackles with 59 with 36 of them solo stops to earn a second team defense nod on the all-state list. He also had four tackles for a loss to go with four interceptions.

South Winn junior Kyle Kuboushek went 3-0 at 165 pounds Tuesday night at the quad held in Calmar with Central Elkader, Clear Lake and New Hampton/Turkey Valley. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Getting the 2024-25 season under way, the South Winn boys’ basketball team (1-0, 1-0 UIC) defeated Postville Carson Streeter (0-2, 0-1 UIC) on the road, 69-41.

“It is nice win to start the year.

The guys played hard in the first half and we had four players in double digits at halftime. We had a great balance on offense, kept the turnovers down and shot really well from 3-point line,” noted Coach Derek Taylor. “We definitely have some bugs to work out as we rotated a little slow on defense at times but looking forward to getting back it and getting better.”

Carson Streeter paced the Warriors with 16 points and five assists, while Nolan Sabelka put up 13 and Braiden Todd added 12.

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