February 13, 2025

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Vol. 160, Issue 7

Decorah, Iowa 52101

www.decorahleader.com

One Section

email: editor@decorahleader.com

Price $1.50

phone: 563-382-4221

Sheriff Marx under investigation for alleged violation of immigration enforcement law

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER State officials confirmed Monday that Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx is being investigated for allegedly violating a section of Iowa Code related to federal immigration law.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird launched the investigation in response to complaint filed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Feb. 5. The governor claimed Marx violated Iowa Code on Feb. 4, when the sheriff's office posted a letter authored by Marx on his office's Facebook page, which the governor said “indicates the sheriff's office will not comply with a detainer request from U.S. Immigration and Customs

Enforcement, a federal law enforcement agency.”

Winneshiek County officials have been instructed by legal counsel not to provide comment for publication.

Marx prefaced his written remarks by saying he had “fielded a fair number of concerns” regarding the tactics of federal immigration officials and the role the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office might play in any potential enforcement actions in Winneshiek County.

A Jan. 22 executive order signed by President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the Department of State “to take all necessary action to immediately repel, repatriate and remove illegal aliens across the

southern border of the United States,” according to a whitehouse.gov fact sheet.

“Through the exercise of his authority, President Trump has further restricted access to the provisions of the immigration laws that would enable any illegal alien involved in an invasion across the southern border of the United States to remain in the United States, such as asylum,” the executive order said.

Federal officials have also rescinded guidelines, which previously prevented personnel with Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Customs and Boarder Protection from conducting enforcement

Sheriff

continued on page 6

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird

Iowa Judiciary Chair Steven Holt

‘The kids can’t afford for us to cut classes’

Transitional kindergarten teacher Janet Falck spoke Monday in support of maintaining the Decorah School District’s current TK program. The Decorah School Board took no action on the issue, but the topic was discussed at length.

(Photo by Seth Boyes)

Decorah School Board, community members hope to avoid cutting TK program

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR The Decorah Community School Board was largely united Monday night in their opposition to potentially cutting the district’s transitional kindergarten program. No formal action was taken during the board meeting, but the topic was discussed at length as school officials consider the potential effect of projected enrollment numbers.

“I would not be in favor of cutting TK and moving those students more quickly through kindergarten, because I think we’re going to end up paying for it later, financially and in terms of students learning,” Decorah School Board member Carole Sand said.

Decorah Schools currently offers five sections of standard kindergarten and one section of transitional kindergarten, serving a combined total of about 120 children grouped into classes of 18-20

students. Elementary Principal Rick Varney said an estimated 117 students in the community will be eligible to begin kindergarten during the 2025-2026 school year, yet the district expects only about 92 to enroll — a projected drop of about 30 students compared to this year’s numbers. In addition,

TK program continued on page 3

Visit us online -CONSIDERING www.decorahnewspapers.com

A SWITCH

(Photos by Seth Boyes)

Alliant releases updated feasibility study ahead of March referendum

Ames MEU director speaks with Decorah residents in support of March 4 vote

Officials with Alliant Energy released an updated preliminary feasibility study last week, estimating costs related to the city of Decorah’s latest proposal to establish a municipal electric utility.

Alliant Energy currently pro-

Don Kom, director of electric with Ames Municipal Utilities, spoke Monday night at Luther College at the behest of nonprofit group Decorah Power – a group which is currently advocating in favor of passing a March 4 referendum which

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

vides electrical services to most of Decorah, and the new study was released less than four weeks before Decorah voters will head to the polls to decide whether the city may establish its own electric utility.

The updated study estimates the city of Decorah would need to spend approximately $72.1 million to acquire Alliant’s

existing local systems in addition to about $13.5 million in startup costs and other expenses — for a total cost of about $85.6 million. Alliant’s updated study was conducted by Concentric Energy Advisors, which

Alliant continued on page 12

“Great rates got us the car.”

“Great service keeps us coming back.”

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER

would allow the city of Decorah to establish its own municipal electric utility.

Kom, who has overseen the electric department of the Ames utility for the past 19 years, said Ames Municipal Utilities supplies energy for approximately 65,000 people – Decorah, by comparison had an estimated population of 7,578 in 2023,

according to the U.S Census Bureau. Recent estimates released by Alliant Energy, which currently supplies electricity to most of Decorah, said the company expects Decorah would serve approximately

MEU continued on page 12

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NEWS

Don’t Miss Hearing, “I Love You ”

2 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

this Valentine’s Day!

Decorah Leader earns armfuls of awards at 2025 state newspaper contest Staff at the Decorah Leader were pleased to come away with almost two dozen awards during the annual Iowa Better Newspaper Contest, which was held Thursday, Feb. 6 in Des Moines. The Decorah Leader earned 23 separate honors, including nine first place awards, two Best In Class Advertising Awards and a second place General Excellence Award, which is awarded based on total points earned in each of the contest’s five newspaper classifications. The Decorah Leader competes in the state’s largest class of weekly publications.

“A lot has been asked of our staff in the fairly short period since the Decorah Leader debuted this past summer, and everyone here rose to the challenge,” said Seth Boyes, news editor at the Decorah Leader.

“A good majority of our entries were ads, photos and news stories published during the two-month window between Enterprise Media’s purchase of the paper in July and the close of this year’s state contest cycle at the end of August, but the staff’s dedication to providing a quality local newspaper shone through. Standing on the proverbial podium in 21 competition categories and bringing home literal armfuls of firstplace plaques isn’t something that happens without the hard work and dedication our staff here has put in each week, and I’m very pleased they received the recognition they deserve.”

The Decorah Leader’s overall results were enough to catapult the newspaper to a second-place finish in the state

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• Best Special Section INA Executive Director Advertising Debbie Anselm said • Best Advertising Iowa has at least one Series or Campaign local newspaper in Featuring Any Service or each of its 99 counties.

Merchandise: Samantha Contest organizers said Ludeking approximately 3,200 • Best Ad Featuring entries were received Agriculture: Kayla during this year’s Thompson contest. Competition • Best Newspaper Website categories are based • Best Newspaper on circulation, and Marketing the Decorah Leader competed in the state’s Second place awards largest class of the • Community Leadership weekly newspapers.

• Best Headline Writing • Best Photographer: Staff was Becky Walz recognized for: • Best Sports Feature • General Excellence, Story: Denise Lana Weekly Class III: Second • Master Columnist: Seth place Boyes ®

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ABOVE- Staff at the Decorah Leader brought home nine first place award plaques and a Best in Class Advertising award from the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest last week.

Pictured (from left to right) are News Editor Seth Boyes, Production Manager Samantha Ludeking, Production Associate Crystal Busch and Staff Writer Denise Lana.

LEFT- Decorah Leader ad designer Kayla Thompson was selected as Best Ad Designer in the Weekly Class III category. Thompson’s work also earned four first place awards and one third place.

contest’s General Excellence category behind the Northwest Iowa Review.

“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve this level of success without our subscribers and advertisers, so our staff is particularly thankful for the community’s support during our first year under the Decorah Leader’s masthead,” Boyes said. “We’ve treasured the kind notes included with your subscriptions, the cards wishing us well and the emails expressing your thanks for coverage of certain topics. In some cases, we included a sam-

pling of those comments in our entry materials so contest judges could hear from our readers rather than simply from us.”

Boyes went on to say at least two of the paper’s recent awards were almost certainly secured because of the added context the community’s expressions provided to contest judges.

“It is great to see a small town newspaper bought and rejuvenated,” one contest judge wrote in awarding the Decorah Leader second place in the Community Leadership category.

The Decorah Leader also

took first place in the Best Newspaper Marketing category, after sharing community comments the newspaper received during its “Pints and Papers Brews and News” subscription special. The paper partnered with several area businesses to provide new subscribers with vouchers for free beverages or ice cream. The special drew almost 170 new subscribers within 10 weeks.

Awards

continued on page 14

First place awards

• Best in Class Advertising • Best Ad Designer: Kayla Thompson • Best Ad Featuring Financial, Insurance or Other Professional Service: Kayla Thompson • Best Ad Featuring Furniture, Furnishings, Appliances or Hardware: Samantha Ludeking • Best Ad Featuring Automotive, Boats, Aircraft, Tires, Gasoline, Etc.: Kayla Thompson

ed. 1/25 1578300205

Third place awards

• Best in Class Advertising • Best Ad Featuring Financial, Insurance or Other Professional Service: Kayla Thompson • Best Special Section Editorial • Best Use of Social Media • Best News Story: Zach Jensen • Best Breaking News Story: Seth Boyes • Excellence in Editorial Writing: Seth Boyes

Decorah’s 40-year-old WWTP to receive numerous upgrades

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER Decorah’s wastewater treatment plant was constructed 40 years ago and, despite a predicted 20-year lifespan, the facility is still going strong. The plant serves residents of Decorah and Freeport as well as a number of large industries, and this year it will undergo a massive $4.2 million upgrade which is expected to not only keep it running but also make it more energy efficient and cost effective. It’s all about proper maintenance and proper care, according to Decorah Public Works Director Mike O’Hara.

“There are so many similar

plants from this same era that have been wiped out. We do checks on our equipment every month, and if something’s not right, we get it repaired or replaced. Our staff is constantly looking for projects we can do that can be funded by city council,” he said. “There are numerous projects we have done through the decades — we have reinvested in the equipment, and that is why this plant has lasted so long.”

Many of the planned upgrades will replace original equipment which is starting to fail or show signs of wear. Other original equipment requires parts which are no longer manufactured, and the equipment could not be fixable if it were to fail.

The plant squeaked by such a situation about two years ago, when its original power transfer switch failed and repair parts could not be located.

The plant was without a transfer switch for nearly a year, and O’Hara said, every time a storm came through, he and fellow employees were beyond stressed knowing they didn’t have the means to switch the plant to generator power if a storm knocked out the plant’s main power.

“It is getting to the point where, if we lose a component, it is all but impossible to find a replacement component, and it’s not cost effective,” said O’Hara. “Other equipment is just worn out — places where

Waste Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Andy Kruse (left) and Decorah Public Works Director Mike O’Hara illustrated the three stages of wastewater treatment. The darkest beaker contains wastewater as it arrives at the facility; the foggy beaker at the far right has gone through the local plant’s aeration basin, where billions of microorganisms have removed nearly all the waste from the water. The third beaker is filled with clean, clear water which has been processed and can be deposited into the river. (Photo by Denise Lana) we are having to band-aid to keep them functional.”

The facility has five clarifying tanks which are scheduled to be rehabilitated this year as well.

“Our clarifiers have gears in the center that have been churning for 40 years, and they are

worn out,” O’Hara said.

The facility also has seven original 1985 blowers which work but are starting to show signs of failure, and they will

WWTP continued on page 3

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DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

3

County approves Dairyland Power easement for fiber-optic cable

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to update an easement and allow Dairyland Power Cooperative of La Crosse, Wisconsin, to run new fiber-optic cable from Decorah to Harmony, Minnesota.

Elizabeth Mueller, with Right of Way Agent for Dairyland Power, presented the six-month project to the supervisors during a public hearing Monday in the county courthouse annex. The easement is for approximately a quarter-of-an-acre located just south of Decorah.

“What we’re doing is installing a new static wire,” Mueller said, adding that the project will run from June to December.

“This new static wire has 72 strands of fiber optic running through it. We’ll take the old wire off and replace it with the new static wire.”

Dairyland Power is requesting updated easements, saying

the prior easements don’t match the new technology, and Mueller said the new easements also allow third party rights which would allow the cooperative to sell the fiber-optic cable to a communications company for use with broadband internet.

“This static wire is not energized,” Mueller said. “It’s the very top wire. It protects the conductor — the three wires that do have electricity running through them — from lightning.”

Mueller said restoration for any damages will be addressed after the project’s completion and that the only thing being replaced is the wire itself — not the poles. Dairyland Power will use the new cable to communicate between substations, according to Mueller.

The supervisors approved the easement resolution following the public hearing.

First run of FY25-26 budget approved Winneshiek County’s levy

Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines presented the county’s first run of the FY2025-26 budget during Monday’s board of supervisors meeting. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

rates are slightly decreasing for Fiscal Year 2025-26. County Auditor Ben Steines presented the first run of the FY25-26 budget during Monday’s board of supervisors meeting.

“We must have done a very good job as far as our budgeting,” Steines said, referring to county departments. “Not considering payroll, nobody asked for increases in their total budget. So, our first run came out right where it needs to be.”

Steines explained the county’s total expenses are lower than last year, which he attributed to the completion of a sewer project in Festina, and he explained the county’s revenues don’t reflect that decrease because of new fees from the county treasurer’s office, interest and other sources which Steines said made up for the absence of the Festina project’s revenue.

“The revenue doesn’t look much different, but we’re replacing that half-a-million with actual revenue,” Steines said.

“That’s why it turned out halfway decent here.”

Total resources for the county’s General Basic Fund total $12.5 million — nearly $1.5 million less than FY24-25, according to the budget information Steines shared with the supervisors. Total resources for the General Supplemental Fund are projected to be $6.6 million — approximately $300,000 more than last year. And, the county’s total resources for the Rural Services Basic Fund are forecast to be $7.6 million — about the same as the previous year.

Steines also reported the county-wide levy rate for the

Dairyland Power Cooperative Right of Way Agent Elizabeth Mueller shows a piece of static wire containing 72 strands of fiber optic cable to the county board of supervisors Monday morning. (Photo by Zach Jensen) General Fund will decrease to $4.44 per $1,000 of valuation in FY25-26 — down from $4.48 per $1,000 each of the previous two years — due to Iowa House File 718, a bipartisan Iowa law which passed in 2023 and places limits on how much property tax counties can collect.

“This is our new maximum rate,” he said. “This is the rollback amount. That’s the max.

You can go less, but you can’t go more than that. The General Fund rate and the rural fund rate are the new maximums as calculated using the restrictions in the current law.”

The levy rate for the General Supplemental Fund, however, will stay at $3.24 per $1,000 of valuation — the same rate

it was in FY24-25 and 7 cents less than the levy rate in FY2324. That brings the total county-wide levy rate to $7.68 per $1,000 of valuation for the next fiscal year — 4 cents per $1,000 less than in FY24-25. The Rural Fund levy rate will be reduced from $9.67 per $1,000 of valuation last year to $9.61 per $1,000 in FY25-26, according to the first run of the county’s budget.

The county-wide valuation for FY25-26 is at $1.5 billion, marking a 3.3 percent increase from last year, the auditor’s information said — a 0.2 percent increase over the last five years.

The county’s rural value is at $923 million — up nearly 4 percent from one year ago.

In other business: • Current Winneshiek County Roads Superintendent Jeff Kuboushek was unanimously approved to be the county’s new recycling supervisor. Kuboushek will begin his new duties on March 3.

• The supervisors unanimously approved a motion to increase the maintenance stipend for veterans’ grave markers from $3 per grave each year to $5 per grave each year. The stipend had remained at $3 per grave each year since 1999, according to information presented in the meeting.

The next meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 17, in the courthouse annex.

TK program continued from front Decorah School Superintendent Tim Cronin said the district screens students for entry into its TK program, using recommendations from daycares and preschools as well as a scoring system, and he said the district receives about 28 requests each year from families hoping to enroll their child in Decorah’s TK program — a number he noted is too many for the district’s lone section of TK but too few to create a second section.

“There’s always disappointment every year when children don’t get into TK,” Cronin said.

“But we don’t have enough for two sections.”

The district’s administrative team agrees its TK program is beneficial to students, Cronin said, but he and other school officials felt they needed to at least discuss potential changes light of expected enrollment.

“Nobody is wanting to cut TK,” said Shanna Putnam Dibble, facilitator of social emotional behavioral health and community partnerships at Decorah Schools. “That’s no one’s goal. I think everyone here sees the benefit of TK.” Discussion during Monday’s board meeting mainly focused on two potential options — cut-

ting the section of transitional kindergarten in order to maintain five sections of kindergarten or decreasing the number of standard kindergarten sections in order to continue offering a TK program.

“We know how important TK — how awesome it is — and I would advocate for it any day of the week, if we can keep six sections,” Putnam Dibble said.

“But if we can’t, I do think we really have to look at the ripple effect on the system and how it’s going to impact hundreds of kids and staff members all the way through middle school.”

She and Cronin both explained a potential decrease in the number of incoming first grade students would likely prompt the district to lower the number of classes in each grade level as that graduating class passes through. And both agreed such a situation would lead to uncertainty and stress among teaching staff as individual teachers might be shuffled around within Decorah’s K-6 system.

Similarly, school employees told the board that offering no TK program at all would likely result in the district providing an increased number

of individual education plans for struggling students. Janet Falck, who currently teaches TK students at Decorah’s John Cline Elementary, said expectations for kindergarten students have changed over the years, but not every 5-year-old who enters a classroom is ready to meet them. She said programs like transitional kindergarten provide students with an extra year to develop the social and academic skills they will lean on later in their education.

She also told the board that, even if enrollment is low, the diversity of needs among those students won’t necessarily decrease, and she feels cutting services like TK would be detrimental to the young students.

“The kids can’t afford for us to cut classes,” she said. “We have to make the decision to be proactive, not reactive. Cuts to lower elementary should be every school’s last resort, not a first choice.”

Putnam Dibble recommended the school board wait to make any formal decision about the future of Decorah’s TK program until after enrollment numbers are more solid. She noted a planned meeting for parents of prospective kindergarten

Members of the Decorah School Board took no action Monday regarding the future of the district’s transitional kindergarten program, but none of the members present expressed support for eliminating the TK program. (Photo by Seth Boyes) students had been scheduled for Feb. 4 but was postponed — the meeting is now scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Carrie Lee Elementary in Decorah. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. that day.

The school did not put the future of the district’s TK program to a vote, but board president Cindy Goodner did ask her fellow board members their general thoughts on the matter — none of the four members present Monday expressed sup-

WWTP continued from page 2 be replaced with state-of-the-art blowers that are much more efficient.

Those blowers feed the aeration basins at the plant, where billions of microscopic organisms work around the clock to help process the organic matter found in the water.

According to O’Hara, the Decorah’s plant processes a million gallons of water every day – from toilets, showers, sinks, washing machines, dishwashers, restaurants, agriculture, etc. — which can contain anywhere from 2,500 to 3,200 pounds of organic matter.

Currently, it takes an over-

abundance of air from the blowers to provide what O’Hara called a borderline amount of oxygen for the microorganisms in the basins. But new lines, new blowers and a new bubble grid system in the basin are expected to provide oxygen more efficiently and help the microorganisms be more productive.

“Right now in our aeration basin, there is no real good transfer of oxygen, but when we go to a fine bubbler system, the oxygen transfer to the microorganisms will be unbelievable,” O’Hara said. “We spend around $160,000 a year to run the plant, and we are hoping for a more

than 50 percent energy reduction with this new system.”

Control and data technology will also be installed at the plant to monitor equipment and automatically shut down motors which aren’t needed, providing

additional cost-savings for the facility.

Bidletting is estimated to take place within the next six to eight weeks, and construction could span from two to 24 months.

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port for cutting the TK program.

“I feel more in favor of keeping the section of TK and potentially looking at how many sections of regular kindergarten we have to have,” school board member Aaron Zander said. “If we have to look at downsizing — I’m not saying we have to — I’m saying if we have to look at the number of sections, that’s the direction I would go versus the elimination of TK.” Similarly, Sand expressed support for finding financial

solutions outside the realm of early childhood education.

“I think I would rather look at other cuts that we might be able to make in other places in the district that do not affect our earliest learners,” Sand said. “I think it is giving students the best advantage we can to be ready to learn. They’re learning better for 12 — with kindergarten 13 — years, and I think it’s emotionally, academically and financially our best move.”

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OPINION

4 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

A lot of ‘ifs’ are at play following governor’s response to Sheriff Marx I’ll admit, I didn’t think the letter Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx wrote last week would turn out to be front page news. To me, the sheriff was simply explaining what actions

BY SETH his office might take if immiBOYES gration officials were to make News Editor a local stop or began some sort of local enforcement action. It simply struck me as an effort to executing valid warrants but provide helpful information and “block, interfere and interrupt” context for area residents and things like non-judicially vetfamilies. ted detainers. I had to look up Apparently the governor that particular term, and I found thought different — as evi- that the nonprofit American Imdenced by her forwarding of migration Council says such the sheriff’s letter to the Iowa detainers are only requests, Attorney General as part of a adding that a law enforcement complaint, claiming Marx may agency “has discretion to dehave violated state law. cide which detainers to honor But, assuming I’m reading and under what circumstances.” things correctly — and mind So I’d say the governor’s you, I’m no law expert — there concerns are at least debatable. are a lot of “ifs” at play on both I don’t think it’s unreasonsides of the issue. And the word able to expect paperwork to be “if”can be a very important one. in order before law enforcement Marx didn’t say he’d resist takes particular action. Years all federal enforcement actions. ago, I had to hold law enforceRather, he said he’d assist in ment to that sort of standard

while working as a lowly shipping clerk, so I don’t think it’s out of line for the sheriff to do the same from his elected position.

You see, I worked at a packing and shipping outlet in Iowa City for a number of years, and part of our employee training specified that, if law enforcement ever wanted information on any of the dozens of individuals renting a mailbox inside our store, we were legally prohibited from providing that information so without a warrant being presented. We only ever had to cross that bridge once in all my years there, but we did as we were required to do. We kindly turned down the officers’ request, but told them they could go up the street to the postmaster’s office and ask for the same information there, but it couldn’t be through us without that warrant.

They had to go through the proper channels.

Things had to be in order.

Kind of like Sheriff Marx is saying.

Now for the other side of this issue. Gov. Reynolds’ response to Marx’s letter stated that a sheriff and the county “can become ineligible to receive state funds if the local entity is found to have intentionally violated the provisions” in a certain section of state law. That last sentence of the governor’s letter generated a lot of headlines ahead of the weekend but, if you’ll notice, that word “if” is in there again.

She didn’t actually say she plans to withhold state funding — though one could infer that. She said, if the sheriff is found to have violated the law, funding could be withheld. And I think that’s an important difference. Things would be a little different if she unilaterally declared the sheriff is in violation.

So, in short, the way I see it, everyone can still be satisfied, despite the sense of tension surrounding the situation. Marx

Reliability of the Decorah Electric System

To be or not to be, that is the question Have you ever wondered why this state requires so many disciplines to be educated and licensed? And in all probability, there are good reasons to know that someone has met them.

Chances are, you wouldn’t visit a doctor who wasn’t licensed.

Likewise, the lawyer must pass a bar test and a CPA be certified.

And now this discussion reaches a level where education and licensure are not required.

Yes, you may have guessed it, our legislators and governor have no means to guarantee a good outcome. Why not? Their positions hold tremendous influence over our lives. It would seem we deserve a dedicated

outcome from them.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no school at this point for legislators or a governor.

It seems those seeking office would want to first learn how to qualify. The likelihood of that happening, of course, is beyond any horizon. There is little doubt that, if the legislators’ school existed, things would be better for everyone. Learning how to compromise, being more informed on the very subjects which need attention and generally educated in your work.

John Carver Decorah

Decorah Leader

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On March 4, Decorah residents will go to the polls to vote on whether the city should be authorized to create a Municipal Electric Utility, of which the initial costs are estimated at $85.6 million, according to a 2025 Preliminary Feasibility Study by Concentric Energy Advisors. Those advocating for this say the reliability of the proposed MEU electric system will be as good – maybe better – than the current reliability. How can that be?

According to MEU supporters, you should simply trust them. I find it hard to simply trust they will be equipped to deliver service at least equal to the service you’ve been receiving from Alliant Energy for the last 100 years.

Alliant Energy has employees with experience in electric distribution operations and maintenance – and they live right here in the community.

This staff is experienced in substation operations, working with customers and, should Mother Nature wreak havoc, can call upon hundreds of nearby employees for help to quickly get the lights back on. Is this something you want to take

chances on and simply trust a new MEU? To keep the lights on, inventory is key. Over the past five to six years, we’ve seen record inflation and tremendous increases in prices. With our vast network, Alliant Energy can negotiate lower prices. Plus, if our inventory is low, we have access to inventory stored at over 30 warehouses located across Iowa – and access to even more equipment located at warehouses in Wisconsin.

In addition, Alliant Energy stores portable and spare substation transformers that can be installed in the event of a local failure. Will a Decorah MEU have access to large mobile or portable transformers? Will a Decorah MEU be able to afford a multi-million-dollar repair bill or the cost to find, replace and install a new substation transformer?

Are you willing to trust that the lights stay on in Decorah? A no vote on March 4 ensures the lights stay on in Decorah.

Randy Bauer Director of Operational Resources Alliant Energy

Litigation, liability and debt

Does anyone else remember the published opinion given by an independent expert at the time of the last MEU vote? He said that a community must not take on municipalization solely for rate relief, and that going through the lengthy process is only worthwhile if its citizens are passionately committed to the cause. Since 2018 showed that half of Decorah’s voters are not in favor of creating an MEU, clearly our city should not pursue this.

Has everyone forgotten that the big six companies in Decorah were against the last MEU vote (Rockwell Collins, Gemini, Toppling Goliath, IRP, Stanley and Deco)? Are merchants of small business in Decorah intimidated about speaking up so as not to risk alienating any potential customers?

And now the council is concerned about the city’s diminishing tax base? Losing Alliant is unwise in this regard, but creating the uncertainty for many years about the city’s power discourages any important business from locating or building here. We are looking at over five years of costly litigation, with outside counsel and experts and a terrifically expensive application process to the Iowa Utilities Commission.

This would remain a problem until 2029 and beyond. Tens of millions of dollars in start-up costs would burden the city for a long time. The potential debt incurred would be staggering to tax payers.

Residents of Altadena are suing Southern California Edison for billions of dollars. The news tells us that some of the most destructive disasters have been traced back to problems with utility poles and power lines. High winds causing power lines to collide are cited in Texas and Oregon as cause of disasters costing millions.

Could a city practicing deferred maintenance escape the kind of extreme liability that lack of know-how might produce?

Decorah’s city council is badly out of step with today’s realities, having long been preoccupied with secondary and tertiary issues. Citizens must insist that our city governance focus responsibly on primary, essential things. The city council could unite us, but instead manipulates and creates division and controversy – bad for the reputation of our town and a source of great concern to many of us who live here.

David Wright, Jr. Decorah

seems to be saying he’ll comply with the law if things are in order, and Reynolds seems to be saying she won’t withhold funding if Marx is found to be in compliance with the law. And that’s a determination that will be made by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.

Some might remember Bird previously served as chief of staff and legal counsel for former U.S. Rep. Steve King. And some may remember King was a big proponent of what he called “the rule of law.”

I’m no lawyer but, to me, if a county sheriff uses what discretion he’s granted when considering an enforcement request which hasn’t come through a court system, that would seem to fall pretty squarely within the lines when it comes to the rule of law. That sounds like the kind of careful consideration one would want from local law enforcement.

The trouble is the context.

Given the pronounced priori-

ties of the Trump Administration and a state attorney general who worked closely with a man whose views on race and immigration ultimately cost him his seat in the U.S. Senate, some may see the governor’s actions as an attempt to remain in step with the White House.

And if that’s truly the case — emphasis on the word “if” — it wouldn’t be hard for voters to see the complaint against Marx as a deterrent against other sheriffs in Iowa who might take similar stances during the next four years or so.

But I admit, that would be an assumption — an if — and the word “if” can be a very important one.

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.

Absentee voting for the municipal electric utility special election begins Feb. 12 Absentee voting begins this week, Wednesday Feb. 12, for the March 4 municipal electric utility special election. The Decorah City Council called for this MEU special election because of ongoing concerns from residents about Alliant’s high costs, and because of a recommendation from the Decorah’s Municipal Electric Utility Taskforce. That taskforce - which I chaired - spent two years studying the potential advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a MEU in Decorah.

We compared costs, held public meetings, sought community input, invited managers from other regional MEUs and made a good-faith effort to consider all relevant information. We volunteered our time and energy for these tasks, because we shared an interest in doing what is best for Decorah. We learned that municipal electric utilities and rural electric cooperatives, or RECs - are often able to provide reliable service at lower costs than investor owned utilities - despite lower average customer geographic density impacting their delivery costs because MEUs are not required to provide a profit for corporate shareholders. We presented a full report to the Decorah City Council, and made a unanimous recommendation that the Decorah City Council call for a special election regarding the next steps in the MEU process.

One of the very first actions of the MEU Taskforce was to

ask Alliant, on behalf of the city of Decorah, for information that could have allowed the city to conduct a feasibility study based on solid data, rather than estimates. Alliant refused our request, and our taskforce determined that it would be financially irresponsible for the city to spend taxpayer money conducting a feasibility study grounded only in estimates. The Iowa Utilities Commission will compel Alliant to share the necessary information - operating expenses, revenues and infrastructure details for the Decorah service territory - with the city of Decorah only if there is first a positive referendum result indicating community support for pursuing a MEU. Details about the many steps required to establish and operate a Municipal Electric Utility are contained in the MEU Taskforce Report, available on thecCity of Decorah’s website - www. decorahia.org/decorah-meu A yes from Decorah voters will allow Decorah city council members to get the information they need to make informed decisions about whether or not to take the next steps towards establishing a municipal electric utility. Between now and March 4, I encourage Decorah residents to read the MEU Taskforce Report, watch the video interviews, make an informed decision and vote.

Carly Hayden Foster Decorah

Gov. Reynolds attempting to bully Sheriff Marx into compliance Many have seen Sheriff Dan Marx’s letter outlining his department’s response regarding ICE. The USA Constitution prohibits search and seizures.

Warrants issued by judges are required to do so, not detainers.

I agree!

And, you should have read Gov. Reynolds’ reply letter, attempting to bully Sheriff Marx into unreserved compliance with ICE. Her bully letter makes one think she only read the newspaper headlines of Marx’s letter.

Sheriff Dan Marx is extremely knowledgeable about Iowa and US laws. Reynolds has to rely on her sidekick, Attorney General Brenna Bird.

This looks like an attempt to regain the status she lost while testifying during the House Oversight Committee Hearing on Iowa’s version of DOGE. Representative Shontel Brown grilled her about spending $4.15 million dollars to settle state sexual harassment law-

suits, about moving millions of dollars from public schools to private schools and gutting the ability of State Auditor Robert Sand to keep Reynolds and state agencies accountable. Reynolds admitted to doing all three.

I do have to say Iowa’s DOGE and Trump’s DOGE are different. Iowa’s was created by the legislature and is pursuing waste. Trump’s was by his fiat and is using the word “efficiencies” as a more palatable word for “political opponents.” Case in point, the firing of all the people involved in investigating his wrongdoings.

Reynolds should spend her time protecting Iowa from president Musk’s seizure of our personal data from the Treasury Department – Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. Will he seize our payments? I am truly scared.

Dave Ameling Ossian

OPINION

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

City spending is out of control Spending by the city continues to be completely out of control. It started or continued when the city became involved in the school bond referendum as a way to “elevate Decorah.”

“The committee consisted of approximately 20 members of various backgrounds who met monthly for six months to review and determine the best option for an elementary facility.

The committee evaluated wants versus needs with intent, fiscal responsibility and community voice. This process was in collaboration with the city of Decorah and the community to keep wants vs. need in balance and to be fiscally responsible.”

There was no approved school board plan at the time of the school bond referendum vote. From the standpoint of a community member, that was a huge mistake, as the community wrote a blank check for $38 million dollars for the project. Although I am disappointed regarding the deferred maintenance of John Cline, a new school is needed. Deferred maintenance that spans over many years highlights the total disrespect of the taxpayer.

Were the youngest children used as pawns in order to “elevate Decorah?” We need a new school. We didn’t need a $38 million school bond. We do not need a 90,000 squarefoot building nor do we need a 55,000 square-foot commons area. What are the state requirements for a preK-2 school in terms of room size? I believe the school enrollment is down.

It is also projected that families in the future will have less children.

Although I completely support the Dahlen family, the sports complex offers potential problems. Some of the parents are genuinely concerned, as they do not like the idea of their child/children biking out to the sports complex. There is a “stranger danger” component that needs to be addressed if the sports complex is linked to the isolated trout hatchery trail.

I believe the sports complex is to be paid for by grants, donations and the general budget.

I can support a sports complex and the activities, but the taxpayer should not pay anything for the sports complex. While in high school, the current Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand approached the parks and rec department, wanting a skateboard park. Sand spearheaded a successful campaign, and the skateboard park continues to exist in Decorah. Cresco has a fantastic fitness center that is used by the community and it was community funded. The sports complex should not be part of the general budget.

Since the planning team included 20 people, I hope there were representatives from the law enforcement, fire department and emergency management as part of the planning and design team. Each department should sign-off on a safety plan, as they will be the first to respond to emergencies or “stranger danger” situations should they occur.

In order to “elevate Dec-

orah,” Decorah needs — 1.) complete transparency and honesty, 2.) state of the art law enforcement, fire and emergency management facilities, 3.) affordable housing, mother-inlaw suites are not affordable housing unites for families, 4.) affordable healthcare, 5.) secure and healthy food sources, 6.) expanded job market, 7.) livable wage. There are too many people who have two to three jobs in order to support their basic needs. 8.) clean water quality and air, 9.) quality education, 10.) continued street, sidewalk and sewer improvements, 11.) zero cancer rates, 12.) a healthy and supported business district, 13.) heating assistance in the winter and cooling in the summer, 14.) preservation of natural resources. The preceding was a list of needs — the order varies.

The business district must be totally supported. Due to construction of the new school, will traffic patterns change and how will this affect the response time within the community for emergency vehicles? The construction of the school should not negatively impact the community. People fall in love with Decorah because of the natural beauty. How many parking spaces will the business district lose because of the school?

How many mature trees will be cut down near North Alley and Goose Island? Did the city give/sell the land to the school?

At one time, this land was used as a park, and this area lies between the city hall and the ball fields. People who own buildings downtown need to charge reasonable rates to those people who would like to rent buildings. If a roundabout is being considered, a series of traffic studies needs to be undertaken to determine if the roundabout is safe, if it saves an appreciable amount of time and it is cost effective and it does not interfere with the services of law enforcement, fire and emergency management.

Although the taxpayer should be upset with the school board, the city should never have gotten involved. The school bond referendum focused more on recreation than it focused on the youngest children. It appears that the children were used as pawns so that the adults could get what they wanted. John Cline, a publicly funded school, will be demolished without any chance of repurposing the building. All bond referendums in the future should be approved by the governing body prior to any votes being taken.

Finally, “The committee outlined key points for their recommendation: critical need for a tear down and rebuild, the time is now, moving forward on a long collaboration with the city of Decorah, fiscal responsibility and a recommendation for a November 2024 vote. A financial advisors presented options for funding a project of this scope and not leaving the district ‘house poor.’”

Let no dollar go unspent, Laurie Worcester Decorah

Good experience with MEU

Dear fellow Decorah residents, As I have been reading the various arguments, both pros and cons, towards the approval of a Municipal Electric Utility for Decorah, I noted that I had not seen anyone relating past experience with MEUs. We are recent transplants to Decorah: a city which we love! The previous two communities we lived in were both serviced by municipal utilities, and our experience was outstanding with both operations.

First, they operate in a way that you come to expect in a small town: personalized service and quick response. From the general manager and office staff to the linemen, you were always dealing with neighbors. They always had a genuine concern for our satisfaction and service.

Second, the existence of a community MEU contributed to our small business’s success.

Due to the revenue generated by the local community, the utility operated as the economic development arm of the city and provided financial assistance that allowed our business to add employees and grow. One of the significant advantages of MEUs is their potential to act as community investors. By reinvesting revenues back into the

community, they can fund local projects, improve infrastructure and provide financial support for schools, parks and other essential services. This reinvestment fosters a sense of community ownership and pride, as the benefits directly impact the lives of residents We have had excellent reliability of our electrical service from Alliant in Decorah, but this is expected in the utility business and is the same reliability we experienced with our previous two MEUs. Based on information that has been shared, it appears that Decorah residents are being charged more than almost every other utility in Iowa. Because of these high rates, combined with the potential economic development advantages the MEU might provide, I feel that we owe it to the community to allow our city council to do a full analysis of the pros and cons of forming an operating utility.

For that reason, I encourage all of us to vote yes on March 4 to support the formation of the MEU in Decorah to allow that analysis to go forward.

Best regards, Carl Proescholdt Decorah

Being broken v better alternatives The proposal before us on March 4 to establish a Municipal Electrical Utility represents quite a potential change, no question. And this is variously seen as either a threat or an opportunity. Your vote will reflect that.

A simple response to the idea of change is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I mostly react that way. However that begs the simple question, “is what we have broken?” But it should also trigger other questions like “what does ‘ain’t broke’ mean?” and “might there, instead, just be better overall alternatives?”

If your definition of “ain’t broke” means that, mostly, we can depend on our electricity to flow, then yes. It ain’t broke. On the other hand, that’s not a very high bar. That happens regularly throughout the world, under all kinds of ownership arrangements. Does it require an investor owned utility to accomplish that feat, or could we, like all the customer-owned rural electrical utilities surrounding us and the 135 other municipal utilities in Iowa also distribute our own electrons? If not, why not? Is there a magic sauce to electricity distribution in Decorah?

If you feel that universal public services should only be provided by a profit-making enterprise operating in a capitalist world, then your answer is easy. It ain’t broke. But if you realize that electric utilities actually have no competition for customers and operate as territorial monopolies, and you are open to considering local customer ownership that can keep those profits in the community, maybe “it ain’t broke” is not so obvious an answer.

Alliant says that the system

purchase price of their local assets has magically increased by 82 percent over the past seven years — as the new study Alliant commissioned through Concentric, using Alliant-provided data, indicated. If you think this is reasonable, then your answer is easy. It ain’t broke. But if you are skeptical about this increase in value of new and depreciating assets — conducted by the same consultant group — then, you may think further exploration for facts is reasonable.

Concentric qualified their report by stating that, “This is a preliminary estimate that can only be refined after a complete system inventory is conducted.” Alliant stated that, “In this community, it’s important to be able to give the town some solid numbers so that you can figure out just what you’re voting for.”

If you think these statements are consistent and forthcoming from Alliant, then for you “it ain’t broke.” But the only way for Decorah to get solid numbers from Alliant is to force that through the Iowa Utilities Commission, which would determine the actual acquisition value using the process state law outlines – by first voting to establish a municipal utility authorized to begin the process of getting the facts and examining our actual alternatives. If this concerns you, then maybe “it ain’t broke” may not seem so obvious.

So, is “it ain’t broke” an absolute conclusion? I suggest it is worth examining the alternatives. Voting yes will allow us the ability to find out. And I am OK with the answer either way.

Lyle Luzum Decorah

Support for Sheriff Marx and team I stand with the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, and I especially stand with Deputy Sheriff Mak Kriener and Sheriff Dan Marx.

Wow, drama always seems to find its way into the spotlight, but let’s not forget what really matters — our freedoms and the rights that come with them.

I deeply appreciate having good, wholesome, down-toearth and approachable people

like Mak and Dan protecting our safety and well-being.

Thanks to them, I can raise my family and enjoy our close-knit community. We are truly blessed to have such dedicated individuals in our circles.

Our communities and the events that we hold annually, like the Spillville fireworks, would not be as smooth and safe without the support of our local peacekeepers. Through

my years of involvement in the Spillville Fireworks Freedom Celebration, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of the sheriff’s team, and people like Mak and Dan have always been there, ensuring everything runs safely so we can fully enjoy our freedoms.

As all of this drama surrounding unconstitutional overreach unfolds, let’s all take a step back and remember to support those

who work every day to make our great communities great!

We can not have a strong community without strong community involvement, and the Winn County Sheriff’s team is absolutely providing all of that.

With appreciation, Paul Wermers Spillville

5

Request constituent help from your representatives in Congress It seems as if the recent chaos in Washington DC has, inevitably, come home to roost in our community. And you and your neighbors will suffer the consequences – see “Federal funding freeze causes uncertainty for local nonprofits,” Decorah Leader, Thursday, Feb 6, 2025.

Dismantling Article 1 of the Constitution - the one that gives Congress the “power of the purse” and the one Elon Musk is flouting - while nullifying an entire section of the 14th Amendment can seem like fun and games. Until it isn’t anymore. Once broken, a Constitution is hard to put back together again.

None of this had to happen.

It’s a power grab by a small number of ultra-wealthy people. There are plenty of good people - yourselves included - who can, and should, stand up to shout a loud no. Unfortunately, your elected federal representatives seem to meekly endorse the thievery and their growing irrelevance.

If you have a problem with a federal agency, my advice is to try to make your representatives work for you, not the rich and powerful.

File a request for constituent services if you are told the support you need is frozen, or no longer available. Constituent services are designed to help you navigate federal agencies that aren’t working like they are supposed to work.

Opening a case will require you to fill out a form, sign it and send it in. Follow-up with fre-

quent phone calls requesting an update on your case. I’ve filed one myself! We’ll see what happens.

Constituent Services U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, https://hinson.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency U.S. Sen. Chuck Grasley: https://www.grassley.senate. gov/services/help-with-federal-agencies U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst: https:// www.ernst.senate.gov/assistance/casework Incidentally, you have to actually sign a request for help because “the Privacy Act of 1974 requires that members of Congress or their staff have written authorization before they can obtain information about an individual’s case.

While you are at it, you might request that your federal representatives do some oversight.

Ironically, what Elon Musk is doing – gathering your tax information, SSN, Medicare/ Medicaid information, as well as contract information of competitors, etc. – is clearly a violation of the Privacy Act since you - and his competitors - probably didn’t sign a form telling him he could have it. So, you might point out that you don’t approve of Mr. Musk stealing your stuff to line his own well-stuffed pockets. Who knows what he’s doing with it? A man like that knows the market for such information.

Sincerely, Steve Peterson Rural Winneshiek County

An MEU is a long term community investment To the Editor, When I moved here 37 years ago, I soon fell in love with Decorah and knew I wanted to stay a long time. Good services, friendly businesses; excellent schools; active churches, intelligent, involved citizens, Decorah seemed to have it all.

There was a continuous flow of change where new improvements were being considered with public debate that covered almost every aspect of any matter before a final decision was made. Controversy was constant but intelligent, articulate perspectives were voiced on all sides. We even had a newspaper that encouraged citizen expression. We still do. Wow. In the middle of down town was the headquarters building of what seemed like a very local company that provided our utilities. You could go there and pay your monthly bill.

The management lived in your neighborhood.

Then the company merged with a larger corporation and all the local decision making management people were moved to Dubuque or Madison, Wisconsin. And the headquarters building on Water Street downtown was abandoned. Perhaps it is now sold. Corporate mergers in America seem to be the thing.

Bigger is better, more efficient they say. Unfortunately that efficiency didn’t seem to trickle down to customer cost savings. Perhaps it flowed up to the stockholder benefit.

Now again Decorah is considering establishing a publically owned municipal utility. May I address not the nuts and bolts of transition but the long term philosophy of having an MEU? A main reason why Decorah is such a great place is because our founders had a long range vision. They were willing to invest in a high quality town. One reason 130 towns in Iowa won’t sell their MEUs is because their costs are reasonable and their services are good, and they can make their own decisions because their founders had a long range vision.

Actually I have no beef with Alliant services. In both normal

times and storm-challenged disasters, I have found their workers to be professional and efficient. Their public brochure says they have 20 workers here.

If that is what is needed, I see no reason why those jobs would not be here with equal pay and benefits, regardless of who owns the company.

One main reason Aliant’s costs are among the highest in Iowa is because, as a privately owned corporation, they have to show a profit to pay benefits to their stockholders. In an MEU the customers are the stockholders and receive their benefits in lower costs. However, since there is an enormous value in the infrastructure that would need to be purchased, the upfront cost of purchase would require some financing. I think the best comparison is, when moving to a new town, you have to decide if you want to own or rent a house – there are plenty to buy but few to rent. If you are going to be here for a short time, probably renting is the easiest and most reasonable.

If you plan to stay over seven years, buying your own home is not only best but financially most efficient. And you are building equity. However, your upfront costs are higher so you take out a mortgage, perhaps 20 or 30 years. But when the mortgage is paid off, hallelujah, you are suddenly flush with cash.

You are your own landlord.

Certainly the status quo is always the easiest way to go, but in many ways an MEU is a long term investment for our children and grandchildren.

Does Decorah have the resources and personnel to accomplish this? Well, Decorah is one of the highest educated towns in Iowa. Our public services of streets, water and sewer, fire protection, police and parks and recreation are the envy of everyone. I think the answer is yes. Let’s consider one more high quality aspect for our town by voting yes to continue the investigation.

Jim Dale Decorah

OBITUARIES/NEWS

6 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Myles Pitzenberger Quinn

Jan. 28, 2025 - Feb. 2, 2025

Our little ray of sunshine, Myles Lawrence Pitzenberger Quinn was born on Jan. 28, 2025, in Decorah to Tegan Quinn and Gina Pitzenberger. After complications from delivery, Myles was transferred Myles to Mayo Pitzenberger Clinic NICU Quinn in Rochester where he gained his angel wings on Feb. 2.

In this very short time, Myles blessed his family with the chance to get to know him.

From him grasping our fingers, diaper changes, bathing, finding a birthmark, getting peed on, seeing his beautiful eyes, lots of pictures and the chance to hold him and hear his heartbeat one last time. The family will cherish these moments with this blue-eyed, red-haired angel forever.

Myles is survived by his father, Tegan Quinn; mother, Gina Pitzenberger; grand-

mother, Nicole Strand (Rodney Hodges); grandfather, Andrew Quinn; grandmother Diane and pappy, Scott Pitzenberger; uncles: Mason Quinn, Aiden Strand and Tony Pitzenberger; great-great-grandfather, Lawrence (Larry) Pitzenberger; great-grandmother, Kris Mincks; great-grandmother, Rita Hotvedt; great-grandfather, Carol Mincks Jr.; cousins, Katie Pitzenberger, Madison Pitzenberger and Destinee Mincks; and many other great aunts, uncles and cousins.

Myles was preceded in death by great-grandmother, Marcia Pitzenberger; great aunt, Sarah Mincks; great-grandmother, Jane Houck; great-great-grandfather, Maynard Hotvedt; great-great-grandparents, Carol Sr. and Doris Mincks; and great uncles: Dennis Panos, Kenny and Gene Thompson.

A celebration of life service will be held from 12-5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Heritage Events Center in Cresco.

Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home of Cresco is assisting the family.

Susan Renee Zeman May 28, 1955 - Feb. 6, 2025

Susan Renee Zeman, 69, of Mechanicsville, Iowa, died Feb. 6, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids after a long struggle with kidney disease.

A devoted homemaker, she loved lengthy conv e r s a t i o n , Susan Zeman sharing recipes, traveling & sightseeing, horses, and quilting. Faith was important to her, and she was a strong believer in the power of prayer.

She was preceded in death by

her husband, Francis Zeman; parents, Wilhelmina and Rene Malli; and brothers, Sylvester and Duane Malli.

She is survived by her sons, Brian (Megan) Zeman and Clinton Zeman; sisters, Katherine Dwyer and Margaret Dick; brother, Bernard Malli; nieces, Roberta Dick and Roxanne Byers (Malli); cousin, Barb Van Alst (Zeien); and many other relatives and friends.

Susan’s memory will forever live in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known her.

Funeral Mass was held Feb. 10, 2025, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah.

Service Notices ARLENE ESTHER STENDEL, 83, of Castalia, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Feb. 8 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian with Rev. Henry Huber as celebrant. Inurnment followed at Centennial Cemetery in Ossian.

SHIRLEY KRUSE, 82 of St. Lucas, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 215 East Main St., St. Lucas, with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church Friday.

RODNEY JACOBSON, 80, died Feb. 9, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15 at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., Decorah with Pastor Randy Kittelson presiding. Visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids from 4-7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 13. Visitation will also be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at Helms Funeral Home, Decorah.

ALEXIS ANN FRANZEN, 24, formerly of Decorah, died Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. A celebration of life service will begin at 3 p.m. Feb. 17 at The Elks Club in Decorah. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories of the life she lived.

JOHN C. FRANZEN, 72, of Decorah, died Tuesday, Feb.

4, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17 at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., Decorah with Pastor Peter Kowitz presiding. Burial will be held in the spring at St. Luke Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Sheriff continued from front

actions in what was referred to as sensitive area. Acting U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman indicated in a Jan. 21 statement that such areas include schools and churches.

In his letter, Marx said that if a federal law enforcement office’s actions or paperwork “are within constitutional parameters," such as proper and valid judicial warrants or court orders, his office will “assist if needed or requested to ensure their actions are carried out professionally and in the least intrusive fashion possible.” However, his letter went on to say that, if the federal office’s actions or paperwork are not within constitutional parameters, which Marx said includes “non-judicially vetted ‘detainers,’” his office “would make every effort to block, interfere and interrupt their actions from moving forward.”

“The only reason detainers are issued is because the federal agency does not have enough information or has not taken the time to obtain a valid judicial warrant,” Marx said in his letter. “Simply put, they are not sure they are detaining the right person and need more time to figure it out. For the person who could be held erroneously — or determined to be someone other than who ICE is seeking — there is a gross violation of rights at hand. Specifically, these detainers are violations of our Fourth Amendment protection against warrantless search, seizure and arrest, and our Sixth Amendment right to due process.”

The sheriff went on to say in his letter that he isn’t interested in “political agendas or propaganda stunts by either side” and that his role “is to be fair, impartial and constitutional.”

In a Feb. 5 Facebook post, Reynolds announced she had sent a letter to Marx and the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors, reminding them to follow state and federal immigration law.

“Specifically, Iowa law provides a sheriff shall not adopt or enforce a policy or take any other action under which the sheriff prohibits or discourages the enforcement of immigration laws," the letter from Reynolds said, citing Iowa Code chapter 27A. "Iowa law further requires that a sheriff shall not prohibit or discourage a law enforcement office from assisting or cooperating with a federal immigration officer as reasonable or necessary, including providing enforcement assistance.”

The governor’s letter went on to say she was filing a complaint regarding Marx with the Iowa Attorney General’s office, adding that “a sheriff and county can become ineligible to receive any state funds if the local entity is found to have intentionally violated the provisions of chapter 27A.” Winneshiek County received approximately $7.5 million in funding from the State of Iowa in Fiscal Year 202324, an Iowa State Association of Counties report said.

Bird reiterated on Feb. 6 that counties and cities must comply with that section of Iowa law, “which specifically requires law enforcement to comply with ICE detainers or risk loss of state funding.”

State Rep. Steven Holt (R-Denison), who serves as chair of the Iowa legislature's Judiciary Committee, weighed in on the topic through social media as well.

“His statement alone could violate state law by declaring not only that he will not cooperate but will impede immigration enforcement efforts,” said Holt said in a Feb. 9 post. “No one is threatening the county. The law is the law.

If there’s not compliance, state funding could be withheld.

That is a statement of fact.”

Bird said last week that her office has opened an investigation, and representatives of the Iowa Attorney General's Office indicated Monday the investigation is meant to determine whether the complaint against Marx is valid.

Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten confirmed he, Bird and Marx spoke by phone on Friday, Feb. 7, and Van Der Maaten said the AG’s investigation is continuing — the county attorney was unable to provide further details as to what was discussed during the Friday phone call.

Sheriff Marx’s letter as submitted to the Decorah Leader Editor’s note: The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office sent a copy of Marx’s letter to area news outlets, including the Decorah Leader, the afternoon of Feb. 4. Staff had already prepared the pages of the newspaper’s Feb. 6 edition for publication at that point, and Marx’s letter was initially slated for print in the Feb. 13 edition. The sheriff’s letter appears in full below.

People of Winneshiek County, With the recent news, chatter and happenings surrounding federal agents from three letter agencies including ICE, FBI and others, I have fielded a fair number of concerns about their tactics and questions regarding the level of involvement or role the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office would play during such a visit or operation. Given what we have seen from these agencies, I share your mistrust and many of your concerns with the legitimacy of how these federal agents conduct business. Hopefully, the following helps clear things up as to my position and the role of my office in these situations.

The elected sheriff (sheriff’s office) serves as the chief law enforcement officer/peace officer of each respective county. You can (and should) always contact us, or the respective sheriff’s office of the county you are in, to help navigate these situations should you find yourself or others in an encounter with any federal agents.

We are always willing to assist with verifying credentials and the legitimacy of any paperwork federal agents should have to make certain your rights are not being abused.

Our sole oath and allegiance are to the Constitution and the protection of an individual’s rights. Therefore, if the fed’s actions and paperwork are within constitutional parameters (such as proper and valid judicial warrants/court orders) we will assist if needed or requested to ensure their actions are carried out professionally and in the least intrusive fashion possible. If their actions or paperwork are not within constitutional parameters (such as non-judicially vetted “detainers,” which are very different than warrants and are simply an unconstitutional “request” from ICE or other three letter federal agency to arrest or hold someone), then we will make every effort to block, interfere and interrupt their actions from moving forward.

The only reason detainers are issued is because the federal agency does not have enough information or has not taken the time to obtain a valid judicial warrant. Simply put, they are not sure they are detaining the right person and need more time to figure it out.

For the person who could be held erroneously (or determined to be someone other than who ICE is seeking), there is a gross violation of rights at hand. Specifically, these detainers are violations of our 4th Amendment protection against warrantless search, seizure and arrest, and our 6th Amendment right to due process.

You may say, “Those who entered our country illegally are not US citizens and, therefore, are not afforded constitutional rights!”

But what if the person being held is a US citizen who happens to have the same name or shares other similarities with the subject of the detainer? Are you willing to sit in jail or a federal prison on an unconstitutional detainer with no right to due process until ICE clears your name? Or, if it were you or a loved one falsely arrested and/or detained, would you feel differently?

My office’s actions and involvement will solely be based on constitutional standards. They will not be based on opinions, politics or emotions.

Bottom line – due to my long-time stance on not recognizing detainers, I have acquired two labels from opposing political parties – both intended to negatively impact my reputation as sheriff.

The first is “Sanctuary Sheriff” and the second is “Constitutional Sheriff.” Regardless of labels that others impose on me, I am uninterested in political agendas or propaganda stunts by either side.

My job is to be fair, impartial, just and constitutional. Period. That is what I have done and will continue to do.

Thank you for your continued trust and confidence in me and my office to protect and defend your rights and freedoms.

Respectfully, Sheriff Dan Marx

Law Enforcement Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office

A Decorah man was cited after a sheriff’s deputy responded to an overturned pickup in northern Winneshiek County. A report from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said a 2001 GM Sierra was reported near the intersection of North Bear Road and Bear Creek Road, but no one was in the vehicle or near the scene. The report said the pickup, owned by 30-year-old Tanner Scott Stoffregen, seemed to have been traveling east on North Bear Road before coming too close to the ditch and leaving the road and entering the south ditch. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $10,000, and Stoffregen was cited for failure to maintain control.

Jeremy Dunn, age 28, of Ridgeway was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 on an arrest warrant for violation of probation. Original charges listed in the court record showed multiple violations of the state sex offender registry. Other court records also accuse Dunn of using illicit substances following his release from prison in May of 2024 and said he failed to report to a residential facility in West Union in mid-December of 2024. A parole officer reported just before the New Year that Dunn’s whereabouts were unknown, and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Dec. 31, 2024. Information from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said Dunn was served a second warrant for sex offender registry violation while being

held at the jail.

Justin Cody Bigler, age 35, of Dorchester was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 on an arrest warrant for violation of probation. Court records said Bigler was originally sentenced in early October of 2023 after pleading guilty to domestic abuse/ assault. Bigler failed to report to the Department of Corrections at that time, according to court documents, and was arrested in Allamakee County before entering a residential facility in West Union in June of 2024. Court records said Bigler completed the intake assessment and orientation but did not obtain full-time employment, and he “violated many of the residential rules; some of them repeatedly,” according to court documents. Authorities filed a request on Jan. 13, 2025, asking that a warrant be issued for Bigler and that he be held until a probable cause hearing could be scheduled. The warrant was issued three days later.

Jacob Olias Erickson, age 33, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 on an arrest warrant. Court records show the warrant was issued on Nov. 25, 2024, after Erickson’s probation officer reported Erickson’s whereabouts were unknown at that time — Erickson had been placed on probation for a period of five years after pleading guilty in October of 2024 to eluding, operating while under the influence — third or subsequent offense — and assault on persons in certain occupations. Court re-

cords filed on Jan. 15, 2025, said Erickson was arrested on a warrant in Fillmore County, Minnesota, and was being held to address violations of his probation in that state. The Winneshiek County warrant for Erickson’s arrest was amended on Jan. 23 to include the state of Minnesota, and Erickson was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail a week later.

Regina Price, age 46, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 to serve three consecutive days.

A Fort Atkinson man was cited after the discovery of a rollover late last month south of Ridgeway. A report from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy responded to a report of a 2024 Polaris UTV which had rolled into a ditch in the 2300 block of County Road W14. The report estimated the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 and stated no one was present at the scene when the deputy arrived. The deputy later spoke to 36-year-old Brandon Jeremy Albertson of Fort Atkinson, who the report said was one of the UTV’s registered owners.

Albertson denied driving the vehicle when it crashed and claimed he did not know how it arrived in the ditch. The deputy spoke with another individual who claimed to have been ejected from the UTV during the rollover and claimed Albertson had been driving. Neither individual sought medical treatment, according to the report. Damage to the UTV was estimated at $10,000, and

Albertson was cited for reckless driving and interference with official acts, the latter of which was based on Albertson “lying and failing to provide necessary information about the crash,” according to the sheriff’s report.

Timothy Ray Sersland, age 61, of Decorah was charged with public intoxication at approximately 10:04 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 in the 900 block of Montgomery Street in Decorah. A criminal complaint said Sersland had been removed from a local nursing home at the request of the staff while Sersland was visiting a relative. The complaint indicated Sersland was transported to WinnMed’s emergency room for evaluation but refused treatment and left. A Winneshiek County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the scene and found Sersland in the parking lot, and the 61-year-old’s blood alcohol concentration was determined to be more than twice the legal limit to operate a vehicle in the state of Iowa, according to a criminal complaint. He was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 10:33 a.m. the same day.

Kurt Hageman, age 41, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 7 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 2 to serve seven consecutive days.

Dakota Troyna, age 22, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:20 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 on the charge of driving while license denied/cancelled or revoked.

Duane Gulbro, age 56, was booked into the Winneshiek

County Jail at 6:40 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 on an arrest warrant. Court records show a warrant was issued for Gulbro in November of 2024, after he failed to maintain contact with a probation officer.

He had been placed on a fiveyear probation period after pleading guilty in October of 2024 to two counts of possession of a controlled substance — third or subsequent offense — as well as interference with official acts.

Information from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said Gulbro was transported to the jail from the Houston County Jail.

Jacob Willits, age 28, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5 and held for another agency.

Jerome Sanderson, age 46, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7 on an arrest/bench warrant.

Hayden Pearce, age 22, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 to serve five consecutive days.

Cole Peterson, age 20, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 1:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 to serve 10 consecutive days.

Keaton Boydston, age 21, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 6:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 to serve seven consecutive days.

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

NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

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Contractors aim to stay on track as construction at WinnMed continues project’s budget, and about $900,000 of those dollars were available as of August. Numbers shared during last week’s hospital board meeting indicated contingency expenses are nearing 6 percent, but project organizers told the WinnMed trustees they are tracking costs closely.

Organizers also expect to meet with various crews working on the project, such as electrical and HVAC professionals, to potentially identify ways in which the planned renovation schedule might be tightened to keep the project closer to its original timeline. Hospital officials noted WinnMed’s new OB unit was completed on schedule, despite delays earlier in the process, and some at last week’s

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Organizers handling WinnMed’s Transforming Tomorrow project said they hope to keep construction of the hospitals’ newest additions as close to their original schedule as possible while navigating necessary changes.

The $50 million improvement project includes expansion of the county hospital’s clinical spaces as well as its surgical services and obstetric unit — work on the OB unit was the first aspect of the Transforming Tomorrow campaign to reach completion, and staff held an open house in the newly renovated space during December of 2024. WinnMed is also constructing a two-story addition estimated to add 30,000 square-feet to its facility on Montgomery Street. Plans call for specialty services on the addition’s lower level and family practice spaces on the second floor. In addition, the hospitals’ operating rooms will be both remodeled and expanded and an endoscopy room will be added.

Contractors with the construction project told WinnMed’s Board of Trustees last week they expect to modify the project’s schedule by a matter of four weeks as they address issues which have recently arisen — such as added time and expense to properly address water connections as well as running tens of thousands of feet of electrical conduit in certain portions of the hospital.

“We’re really criticizing and critiquing all of the change orders to make sure we are getting the best possible value for some of those issues,” Jesse McDannald with Graham Construction told the board.

WinnMed officials previously said they expected the

Construction on the new clinic and surgical additions at WinnMed in Decorah have largely transitioned indoors. The hospitals' board of trustees recently approved changes to the project schedule and costs as crews take on aspects of the project which required additional time and resources. Contractors hope to keep the project timeline as close to its original schedule as possible and plan to credit the hospital for the recently approved extension if work is completed as initially expected. (Photos by Seth Boyes)

board meeting noted many contractors involved in the project have been putting in extra hours to get ahead of known issues.

McDannald and other construction organizers said, if crews can potentially complete work on the hospitals’ decontamination room as part of an earlier phase of the project, they may be able to minimize delays in the project schedule.

Members of Graham Construction received approval of the expected changes — both in terms of scheduling and funds — from the board. The company expects to credit the approved increases back to the hospital if crews are able to complete their work as originally anticipated.

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Transforming Tomorrow improvements to be complete by January of 2026, and organizers indicated last week that estimate may still be largely accurate.

Contractors expect staff will be able to move into the hospital’s

two new operating rooms in May of this year, before crews begin remodeling other existing surgical rooms. Some of the hospital’s clinics are expected to transition to new spaces in September before the overall

construction project concludes a few weeks after the New Year.

Brian Mrozek, project manager with Graham Construction, had previously said a 5 percent contingency was factored into the Transforming Tomorrow

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8 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Pictured are Scholastic Art Award winners (left to right) Evynne Downing, Addison Maki, Dillan Johnson, Ezra Hegdahl, Shelby Jochola-Rodriguez and Brooklyn Anderson. (Photos submitted)

Decorah High School art students win Scholastic Art Awards Six art students from Decorah High School were named recipients of Scholastic Art Awards, presented by the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development.

Those receiving Gold Key awards include Addison Maki for her photography entry, entitled “Frederick the Frog,” Ezra Hegdahl for a sculpture entry, entitled “Knight/Chocolate Horse,” and Dillan Johnson for an untitled pho-

ABOVE- An untitled photograph by Dillan Johnson.

tography entry.

Brooklyn Anderson received a Silver Key award for her drawing, entitled “Black and White.”

Honorable mentions were given to Evynne Downing for her mixed media entry, entitled “Sisters,” and Shelby Jochola-Rodriguez for her digital art entry, entitled “Alcohol Abuse.”

Gold Key works will be judged at the national level in New York City.

“Frederick the Frog” by Addison Maki.

“Knight/Chocolate Horse” by Ezra Hegdahl.

Local businesses to raise funds to support Ukraine Local Decorah businesses and others will partner to host a fundraiser Monday, Feb. 24 at The Landing Market in Decorah – the same date on which Russian forces began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Funds raised during the event will be put toward materials used in creating protective camouflage netting for Ukrainians on the frontlines.

The fundraiser will feature a traditional Ukrainian meal, a beer developed with locally grown Ukrainian wheat and a raffle of Ukrainian cake and meat. Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or until supplies run out.

The meal, prepared by Ukrainian native and Luther College Professor of Anthropology Maryna B. Nading, her husband Scott and close friends, will feature a Ukrainian smoked brat from Twin Cities-based Kramarczuk’s on a bun; T-Bock’s potato salad; and homemade Ukrainian-style stewed sauerkraut. The meal

Groups in Ukraine weave camouflage nets that help protect troops and equipment. (Photos submitted)

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will be available for $15 per person. A children’s meal of a hot dog on a bun and chips will also be available for $5. Ukrainian candy and small souvenirs will be available for donations. Participants may also enter a raffle to win prizes, including a Kyiv Cake and a Kramarczuk’s Holiday Gift Box. Freewill donations will also be accepted. Reservations are not required.

All proceeds will help support Maskuty and Masknet, two volunteer groups in and around Nading’s hometown of Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. The two groups weave camouflage nets, which help protect troops and equipment, such as evacuation buses and supply trucks.

A small portion of funds will go to help Volunteers of Podillia, a group that repairs cars for units on the frontlines.

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DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Milestone

Hjerleid to celebrate 90th Homer “Mr. Hjerleid” is turning 90 on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Send good wishes to 707 Mechanic St., Decorah, IA 52101.

Academic Achievements UW-Platteville recognizes area students’ academic acheivements

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently announced its Dean’s List, honoring full-time students who earned a grade-point average of 3.75 and above during the fall 2024 semester. Among the honorees were Justin Schulte, a civil engineering major form Decorah, Megan Hageman, a biology major from Fort Atkinson, and Isaiah Kruckman, a civil engineering major from Spillville.

Hageman was also named to the university’s Chacellor’s List, which honors students who attain a perfect 4.0 gradepoint average for the fall 2024 semester.

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Myers named Bradish Scholarship recipient Decorah High School recently named Mason Myers as the recipient of the Norman C. Bradish Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. He is the son of Mindy Myers and Jim Myers.

Myers is currently deciding where he will attend college, but he plans to major in either mathematics or international relations.

He has applied to Princeton, Carnegie Mellon University and Yale. School officials said he has been active at Decorah High School and in the Decorah community. He has successfully completed a number of college credit and AP courses and was named an AP Scholar with honors, a National Merit semifinalist, a Hagan Scholarship finalist, and received the National Recognition Award through the College Board Corporation. He has been involved in the Silver Cord volunteer recognition program, Envi-

rothon, robotics, Community Club/TAATU, speech, Music Listening Contest and National Honor Society.

“I feel very honored to receive this scholarship,” Myers stated. “I’d especially like to thank the Bradish Scholarship Trust for giving me this award. It will be instrumental in allowing me to pursue a brighter future, and it has inspired me to keep trying my hardest in high school, college and beyond.”

Norman Bradish created a scholarship to be awarded to a graduate of Decorah High School who possesses high academic ability and curiosity, is well-perceived by peers and adults, and displays high standards of character. The recipient must agree to attend a non-religious college outside the state of Iowa. In addition, the student must remain unmarried until finishing their studies.

! u o y k Th an

Mason Myers

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Decorah Leader staff earn nearly two dozen newpaper awards at annual contest

Staff at the Decorah Leader earned almost two dozen awards during the annual Iowa Better Newspaper Contest Feb. 6. The Decorah Leader earned 23 separate awards, including nine first place awards, two Best In Class Advertising Awards and a second place General Excellence Award.

The Decorah Leader competes in the state’s largest category of weekly newspapers.

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First place awards

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Best Ad Designer: Kayla Thompson Best Ad Featuring Financial, Insurance or Other Professional Service: Kayla Thompson Best Ad Featuring Furniture, Furnishings, Appliances or Hardware: Samantha Ludeking Best Ad Featuring Automotive, Boats, Aircraft, Tires, Gasoline, Etc.: Kayla Thompson Best Special Section Advertising Best Advertising Series or Campaign Featuring Any Service or Merchandise: Samantha Ludeking

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Best Ad Featuring Agriculture: Kayla Thompson

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Best Newspaper Website

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Best Newspaper Marketing

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Second place awards

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Community Leadership

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Best Headline Writing

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Best Photographer: Becky Walz

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Best Sports Feature Story: Denise Lana

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Master Columnist: Seth Boyes

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CHRISTOPHER & KRISTIN HALL PUBLISHERS, ENTERPRISE MEDIA

Third place awards

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Best Ad Featuring Financial, Insurance or Other Professional Service: Kayla Thompson

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Best Special Section Editorial

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Best Use of Social Media

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Best News Story: Zach Jensen

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Best Breaking News Story: Seth Boyes

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Excellence in Editorial Writing: Seth Boyes

PUBLISHED THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

BY THE DECORAH LEADER

AT I N G R B E CEL

h a r o c e D

175 YE AR S ary of its annivers a mayoral the 175th event with celebrated orate the and now 15, Decorah to commem ally in its history “On June pleasure tanti ent. It is . It was my grown subs es founding ral developm orah has history mak and cultu tion. Dec economic logies. The proclama cant ideo ifi visitors that s and eved sign ancestrie with all the has achi of diverse to share le and peop live home to place to Mayor , Decorah a beautiful .”

Borowski Decorah has to offer — Lorraine t the city enjoy wha Decary celebration, 175th annivers tion of the city’s off Decorah’s the proclama To officially kick this June.

Borowski read people earlier orah Mayor Lorraine of about 50 an audience Jensen) anniversary to photo by Zach (Decorah Leader

PROGRESS

2024EDITION

Looking back at Decorah’s 1949 centennial

keepsake phoThese are just some of the many parade tos captured during the 1949 centennial the pictures in Decorah. Tom T. Henning took College Drive. from the Weis GMC location on Sarah Iversen The pictures were submitted by cases, the of Decorah. Iversen said, in many of the phonames of those who ordered copies were recorded which of tos at that time — some — are the on the reverse of the original prints phoeach in subjects the who only indication of Theaters to may be. The photos of the Decorah such indication, and Army/Airforce floats bore no of the Luther but several others did. The reverse Larson. (Photos College float bore the name Will Family and courtesy of the Decorah Genealogy Local History Research Center)

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PUBLISHED

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DECORAH

LEADER

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Turkey Valley debuts care closet

Thanks to the assistance of Turkey Valley Education Foundation and other supporters, Turkey Valley now has a care closet. This rolling closet contains various items which may be needed and helpful to students experiencing food shortages or difficult financial situations at home.

A variety of food items, such as granola bars, cereal, popcorn, macaroni and cheese cups, ramen noodle cups, crackers and fruit cups will be available. Personal care items like deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and feminine Photo submitted products will be kept in the closet as well.

The care closet will be locatDonations for the care closed in or near the school counsel- et may be dropped off at either ing office. Students can take any school office. Monetary doitems they need at no cost, and nations can be sent to Turkey any student in pre-K through Valley Community School Dis12th grade may use the closet. trict’s student needs account.

2/14

2/12

2/15

3pm

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ArtHaus seeks emerging area artists for exhibition Luther College to

ArtHaus in Decorah is seeking artists ages 18-25 to submit artwork for the 2025 Emerging Artists Exhibition. The exhibition will run from April 4-26 and is open to residents and students of the Driftless Region of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin and those living within a 200 mile radius of Decorah.

Applicants interested in this juried show are asked to submit artworks completed within the last two years. Each applicant may submit up to three artworks, and all forms of media are welcome, including but not limited to painting, drawing, ceramic, fiber arts, jewelry, printmaking and photography.

Applicants must send digi-

Photo submitted tal images with an application form, brief artist statement and entry fee of $25 to ArtHaus —

107 West Broadway, Decorah, IA 52101. The deadline for submission is Friday, March

7. Instructions for submitting materials electronically are outlined at arthausdecorah.org/ emerging-artist-2025-application/. Artists will be notified by Friday, March 21 if their work has been selected. Works must be delivered to the gallery by 5 p.m. Monday, March 31.

The recipient of the Jurors’ Choice Award, as chosen by three jurors, will receive a $200 cash prize and a solo exhibition in December of the 2025, as part of the ArtHaus exhibition cycle. The People’s Choice winner will receive a cash prize at the end of the show. The public is invited to a reception for the artists of the selected works from 6-8 p.m.

Friday, April 4.

Solberg selected for Excellence in Collaboration Award Decorah Area Chamber business members and community leadership gathered Monday, Jan. 27 at Luther College for the 34th annual January Luncheon in Peace Dining Room. More than 150 people attended to hear this year’s program, which included words of gratitude from Luther College President Jenifer Ward, a keynote address

by Luther’s President-Elect Brad Chamberlain, and the announcement of Brian Solberg as the recipient of the Excellence in Collaboration Award.

Solberg, who serves Luther College as assistant professor of health and exercise science, was praised for his lifetime of facilitating connections between campus and community, with notable mention for his 18-plus years and 3,000 hours of service with Nordic Fest — the town’s largest annual event, which celebrates Scandinavian history, food traditions and cultural vibrancy. Solberg attended the luncheon event with his mother Carrie Solberg and expressed appreciation for being recognized.

“I grew up in this town and on campus, and for me, they have always existed together,” Solberg said. “When I’m in town I’m representing Luther, and when I’m on campus I’m

Pictured are (from left to right) Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski, award recipient Brian Solberg, Robert Clay, Luther College President-elect Brad Chamberlain and Decorah Area Chamber Director Jessica Rilling. (Photo submitted) connecting students, faculty and staff to town. It just makes sense to help people meet each other, to help people feel happy about being here. It happens on a very real level for me, as daily acts of relationship building.”

The Excellence in Collaboration Award was presented to Brian Solberg by Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski and Luther College’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer and Assistant to the President for Community Engagement Robert Clay.

Borowski spoke of Brian’s professional and personal contributions, through which she said he has strengthened both Luther College and Decorah in a vari-

ety of ways.

“Brian is a true witness to the wide range of valued partnerships that are essential for the growth and beauty of Decorah,” said Borowski.

The mayor’s sentiment was echoed by Clay who added, “Brian represents a true intersection of campus and community, showing us how one person can foster collaboration that leads to a stronger, more connected place.”

The Excellence in Collaboration Award is now in its second year. The award is presented at the January Luncheon to an individual or team which demonstrates successful cooperation,

collaboration or innovation to positively impact the quality of life for Luther College campus and the community of Decorah.

The recipient may have worked on a specific project, event, effort or initiative that ultimately benefits campus life, community vibrancy, health and wellness, open communication or the local economy. The review committee includes representation from both community and campus. The nomination form for the 2026 award will be made available in the fall on the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce website.

Youth invited to learn embroidery with Decorah Library

OVCO to perform this month

Community briefs County Republicans to hold meeting The regular meeting of the Winneshiek County Republican Central Committee will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the All-Vets VFW Club in Decorah.

New committees will be discussed, and all towns in Winneshiek County are encouraged to have representation present at the meeting. All Republicans are welcome to attend. Questions may be directed to the Winneshiek County Republican Central Committee by calling 563-379-4224.

Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa accepting scholarship applications The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa is now accepting scholarship applications for 2025, offering students the opportunity to receive a share of more than $700,000 in scholarships. The deadline to apply is 8 p.m. March 12. The CFNEIA scholarship program supports high school, college and adult students in pursuing higher education. In 2024, CFNEIA awarded 253 scholarships, averaging more than $3,000 per recipient. Scholarship notifications for 2025 will be sent in June, with selections

finalized in May. Students interested in applying should visit www.cfneia. org/scholarships to view the eligibility checklist and access the application. The common application requires basic personal and academic information, transcript of academic record, summary of extracurricular activities, an essay portion and a letter of recommendation.

Some scholarships may require additional materials, which will be outlined in the application.

Scholarships will be awarded based on factors, such as financial need, academic performance, field of study and community involvement.

For more information, contact Staci Mueller, director of scholarship impact, at 319-2431359 or smueller@cfneia.org.

LifeServe to host two local blood drives LifeServe Blood Center will be hosting two blood drives in Decorah next month. The first will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company in Decorah. The second will take place from 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Mach 27 at Stone Ridge Community Church in Decorah. For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 800-287-4903 or visit lifeservebloodcenter. org.

Children ages 8 and up are invited learn the basics of embroidery from 3:15-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Decorah Public Library. Registration is required for this program.

No experience is necessary.

ArtHaus, Decorah Public Library to present Word Salad The public is invited to join ArtHaus and the Decorah Public Library during Word Salad.

This evening of writing will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17 in the Pulpit Rock Brewing Company Events Room. Sign up for performers begins at 6:45 p.m. that day. The event is free and open to the public.

Participants will have the opportunity to take the stage and share their original works, be they poetry, short stories or excerpts from the participants’ writings. The theme for this month’s Word Salad is “Short.”

Readers will be limited to three-minute time slots to allow as many people to participate as possible.

For more information, contact Zach Row-Heyveld, assistant director at Decorah Public Library at zrow-heyveld@decorahlibrary.org.

The Oneota Valley Community Orchestra will present “Capriccio Espagnol” at 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 23 in the Decorah High School Auditorium. The program will feature musical selections from around the world. The concert is free and open to the public. The orchestra is sponsored by the Marion E. Jerome Foundation and the Depot Outlet. Further support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council.

commemorate Black History Month with series of events

Luther College will host events to commemorate Black History Month in February. The events include a distinguished lecture, a film screening, a dance performance and several social gatherings at local businesses. The events are open to the public.

“Black History Month honors the resilience, brilliance and contributions of African Americans and others of the African diaspora who have shaped our nation and our world,” said Robert Clay, diversity, equity and inclusion officer and assistant to the president for community engagement at Luther. “We are called beyond Black History Month to uplift the profound legacies of African Americans who contributed to the fabric of this country, fought for justice and equality that has benefited all, while inspiring us to take meaningful action in our communities and carry this legacy forward.”

Ailey II, the renowned second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall. Tickets for the show and the pre-show dinner are available at tickets.

luther.edu or at the Luther Box Office in the CFL. Cameron C. Beatty, associate professor in the educational leadership and policy studies department at Florida State University, will give the Black History Month Keynote Address on Feb. 25. During his lecture, entitled “The Power of Belonging: Reimagining Equity and Leadership in Higher Education,” Beatty will examine the role of belonging in shaping equitable and inclusive institutions. He will also offer actionable strategies to empower leaders and communities.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, Luther College’s Black Student Union will host a screening of “Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Valders Hall of Science 206.

Directed by Salima Koroma, this documentary highlights the Black cultural renaissance that existed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and investigates the 100-yearold race massacre’s stain on U.S. history.

Black History Month activities wrap up with a Cultural Community Connections event from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Landing Market.

Area schools among IALF grant recipients The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation recently awarded nearly 120 grants to schools across Iowa in an effort to bolster the integration of agriculture into classroom instruction and after-school programs with an academic focus. The Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grants are designed to help teachers initiate new projects and/or expand upon existing programs which promote agriculture literacy for students. Grants can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, field trips and other projects.

Teachers received up to $200 to fund their projects. The grants are made possible through organizations and individuals, including the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Among the award recipients were: Julie Haskovec, Notre Dame Catholic School, Cresco Erika Bruess, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah Kirsten Burrett, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah Jennifer DeLaRosa, Carrie Lee Elementary School, Decorah Annika Krieg, Carrie Lee Elementary School, Decorah Jackie Panos, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah Christina Carlton, Turkey

Valley Schools, Jackson Junction Josie Guerin, Little Bulldog Childcare Center, Monona Amy Kruse, Little Bulldog Childcare Center, Monona Angela Pape, MFLMarMac Schools, Monona Sarah Wille, MFL MarMac High School, Monona Some of the innovative projects launching this spring include farm robotics, culinary and nutrition programs, crop and animal lifecycles, tree propagation, pollinators, ecosystems, renewable energy, aquaponics, farm-to-fork projects, dairy field trips, egg hatching and agricultural history tours.

Kelly Foss, IALF executive director, highlighted the quality and variety of awarded projects, noting a strong emphasis on integrating agriculture into subjects like science, social studies, math, language arts and nutrition as well as career and technical education curriculum.

“Through this ag literacy initiative teachers are empowered, and challenged, to create experiences that will reinforce core curriculum learning and inspire their students, who are the next generation of agriculture advocates and innovators, to recognize the importance of agriculture and visualize their role in it,” Foss said.

Congratulations to Rendered Unique on their new downtown location! Pictured are the Rendered Unique crew with Chamber Ambassadors Tade Kerndt, Marcia Madrigal, Lashelle Evans, Joe Hammel, Joanie Rollins, Amanda McIntosh, Heather Benzing, Tara McConnell, Cindy Hoyme, Chris Hick, Maureen Duncklee, Dallas Steffen and Adam Baker.

507 W. Water St., Decorah 563.382.3990 decorahareachamber.com

NEWS

12 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Alliant continued from front produced a similar study on behalf of Alliant in 2018 ahead of a similar referendum. That study had estimated the acquisition costs at about $38.7 million with another $12.3 million in other costs for at total of about $51 million.

“The utility industry in particular has seen some extraordinary price escalation, so that is partly driving some of the cost increases,” said, Briana Adams, a senior project manager with Concentric, later noting the price for a specific type of transformer rose by 79 percent in 2022 alone.

The firm also added a disclaimer to the updated study, saying its findings are based on public and non-public information provided by Alliant Energy and that Concentric “did not independently validate such information and does not provide an opinion on its accuracy.”

Concentric says MEU would result in net cost to Decorah Concentric noted the projected $85.6 million cost of municipalization is several times larger than the city of Decorah’s budget for the current fiscal year. Concentric estimates the proposed electric utility would serve about 3,900 customers in Decorah — which had a total population of almost 7,600 people in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau — and Concentric said those customers would ultimately pay for the cost of establishing the city’s utility in some form or another.

In addition, he said Concentric expects increased energy costs under the city’s proposed MEU could result in low income customers spending an additional 3 percent of their income to cover energy costs.

“This is potentially very costly thing for the city to move forward with and it will have a disproportionate impact on low income customers,” Concentric Project Manager Michael Buckley said last week.

Concentric personnel said the updated study also factored for Alliant assets which would be lost or stranded if municipalization ultimately takes place — such as Alliant’s operations center in Decorah or the company’s $4 million battery near Vennehjem Park in northern Decorah. The firm also noted the transition process to a cityowned utility could take years and would require the involvement of the Iowa Utilities Commission in setting specific costs.

The firm estimated, if Decorah establishes an MEU, the city would see a net cost of about $30 million over 10 years and possibly $43 million over 20 years, and Concentric said the city would need to set its rates at a level capable of recouping such loses. Concentric used what Adams called a conservative estimate when calculating Decorah’s future capital expenditures, and the city’s projected energy rates could potentially become approximately equal to Alliant’s rates at some point beyond 2050, according to projections the firm presented last week. However, Adams stressed such projections become less accurate as time goes on, and the intersection of the two rates would be pushed further out if the city encounters unexpected major expenses in the future.

“A lot of the municipal utilities that are out there now have been out there for a long time.

They don’t have to absorb the debt costs that a new municipal utility would have to,” Adams said. “That highlights why municipalization is so difficult to do these days, and a big hurdle is the high cost involved.”

Adams went on to reiterate several points previously made by officials with Alliant, saying the most recent MEU formed in the state of Iowa was established in 1974 by the city of Aurelia. A

handful of other cities in the state have attempted to do the same since that time, with a group of five cities petitioning the state utilities commission around 2008 — all of which were denied. Adams said, in each case, the cities underestimated the cost of municipalization and, while each of the five estimates from utility providers like Alliant were higher than the figures ultimately calculated by state officials, she said the state numbers averaged out to about 76 percent of the utilities’ estimates. She specifically highlighted the city of Sheldon’s attempt to municipalize around 1990, saying that city had estimated a cost of about $5-6 million, while the utility had estimated a cost of about $14 million — the Iowa Utilities Commission found the cost to be approximately $13 million.

Study also examined financial affects of solar in Decorah Both Adams and Buckley said a previous effort to municipalize Decorah’s electric service in 2018 seemed to largely be focused on pursuing a greater emphasis on local renewable energy. But Buckley said affordability seems to be a major factor behind this year’s referendum — Alliant has sought at least two rate increases since the 2018 referendum failed, and city officials previously indicated they aim to explore alternatives for providing electricity to Decorah residents, should Alliant’s rates become cost prohibitive for locals.

However, Buckley said the prevalence of renewable energy in Decorah would also be a factor when considering the financial impact of establishing a municipal electric utility.

He explained, when customers take advantage of net metering options — offsetting their electric rates by generating energy through solar panels or other renewable energy — other customers under the same electrical provider make up what he called the resulting revenue shortfall.

“The reason this is important for Decorah is because it’s a much smaller population of customers that would be paying that revenue shortfall,” Buckley said. “So this cost-shift, instead of being spread out across hundreds of thousands of Alliant’s customers in Iowa, it would be spread out over the roughly 3,900 customers in the city of Decorah. Every Decorah resident that does not have solar would therefore have to pay more to make up that revenue shortfall.”

Buckley went on to say about 3.6 percent of Decorah’s electric customers took advantage of net metering in 2018. That figure was close to 8.5 percent as of 2023, he said. He also noted Alliant has been investing in more renewables, saying renewable energy made up about 16 percent of the company’s portfolio in 2014 and stood at about 46 percent as of 2023 — Wagner confirmed the company at times purchases energy generated by Luther College’s wind turbine west of campus across off Highway 52.

Randy Bauer, director of operations with Alliant Energy, previous estimated only five municipal electric utilities in the state of Iowa offer net metering. Company officials said last week that, if the city of Decorah does not offer net metering under its proposed utility, residents who currently offset their energy costs by generating solar energy may see a decrease in financial benefits. “”I think they would still be able to use their solar to cover their energy when they need it — they could potentially in stall batteries in their house

DECORAH CITY LIMITS

Voters in the city of Decorah will decide on March 4 whether city officials will be authorized to establish a municipal electric utility. The upcoming referendum requires at least 60 percent at the polls in order to pass. A similar referendum was held in 2018 and failed by three votes.

IUC declines to weigh in on Alliant’s current messaging

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Officials with the Iowa Utilities Commission have declined to issue an order which the city of Decorah had hoped would place limits on messages Alliant Energy could share with the public ahead of a March 4 referendum to potentially establish a municipal electric utility.

The question of establishing a municipal electric utility was proposed to Decorah voters in 2018. That referendum failed by three votes, and the city of Decorah said in a petition filed in December with the Iowa Utilities Commission that inaccurate information provided to the public at that time by Alliant and Interstate Power and Light Company — the division of Alliant Energy which serves Iowa — may have affected the outcome. Specifically, the city argued Alliant, which currently provides electricity to most of Decorah’s residents, did not include planned rate increases in its feasibility study and cost projections at that time, and the company pursued multiple increases in the years following Decorah’s failed referendum.

Alliant released an updated study last week, but Mike Wagner, community development manager with Alliant, indicated the state’s concerns with the 2018 study were limited to the omission of the planned rate increases.

“There were no other issues raised about any other information in the study,” said Mike Wagner, community development manager with Alliant, “and there’s a lot of information in the study about system costs, acquisition costs, reintegration costs, financing — all of that — that isn’t dependent on this one issue. So I think to completely discount the whole feasibility study just because of a discussion point over one item – I don’t know if that’s a really fair assessment.”

The state utilities commission issued an order in 2019, saying it found the company’s opposition to Decorah’s 2018 municipalization effort had demonstrated “a lack of management efficiency by withholding from and not providing to the citizens of Decorah accurate information about anticipated rate increases.”

The commission also required

to absorb that excess energy,” Buckley said. “But basically, at night and when it’s not sunny, they would have to purchase electricity from the utility, so they would lose a big benefit of what they have right now under the net energy metering contract.”

Officials with Alliant said the company has hosted at least five small-group informational sessions since mid-December of 2024 to discuss the city’s pro-

Iowa Power and Light to submit a plan outlining how the company would improve its customer relations.

The city sought a decision from the Iowa Utilities Commission as to whether those previous requirements regarding Alliant’s messaging to the public also apply to information the company has shared ahead of next month’s vote.

City officials have pointed to data Alliant previously posted to its website, saying the company’s figures seemed to be drawn from the 2018 study — the online information in question has since been replaced with data from last week’s updated study.

The Clean Energy Districts of Iowa, an organization which was added as a party in the city’s recent petition to the state utilities commission, argued in a Jan. 24 filing that previous indications from Alliant that the company planned to update the 2018 study ahead of next month’s referendum were “an admission by IPL that its 2018 feasibility study is not accurate and that it is not up-to-date.”

City officials spoke with representatives of the Iowa Utilities Commission on Jan. 22 as part of an informal meeting. The commission felt the specifics of Decorah’s petition required further deliberation regarding state law and potentially questions of constitutional rights under the First Amendment.

The state utilities commission responded to the city’s petition on Feb. 6, saying Iowa Code limits the commission’s ability to issue orders which will affect parties that have not agreed to be bound by the commission’s decision — which the commission noted Alliant had not.

“Consequently, the commission must decline Decorah’s petition to issue a declaratory order,” last week’s decision said. “With that said, however, the commission understands and appreciates Decorah’s concerns, which appear to be reasonable given the past and current interactions between the two entities. As a general principle, a rate-regulated utility should strive to ensure its customer communications are reasonably based in fact and not made with an intent to deceive.”

posed utility, and will continue to host them through this month — those interested in potentially attending an informational session are asked to email decorah@alliantenergy.com. Cindy Tomlinson, director of operational resources with Alliant, said as of Feb. 5, the company was still evaluating whether to hold a broader public forum before Decorah residents head to the ballot box on March 4.

Don Kom, director of electric with Ames Municipal Utilities answered questions about the organization during a presentation Monday on the campus of Luther College. Decorah residents asked Kom a number of questions, as they prepare for next month’s referendum to potentially establish an local municipal electric utility. (Photo by Denise Lana.)

MEU continued from front 3,900 customers if it were to establish its own municipal electric utility.

Kom said the Ames utility is comprised of 138 employees who work together to keep their power plant running around the clock, with a 99.2 percent reliability rating.

“It’s a completely paid-for plant,” Kom said. “And our rates are lower than Alliant.”

The Ames utility also employes nine linemen dedicated to providing local service and maintenance.

“Electricians can call us and we can be there within the hour, it’s very localized,” said Dillon Christopher, a lineman with Ames Municipal Utilities. “We work for that town only. We know the businesses.”

Christopher told Monday’s audience he has been employed with Ames Municipal Utilities for nine years, and his base salary is nearly six figures – but he said, with overtime, can well exceed his baseline salary.

Kom explained that an MEU does not have shareholders like investor-owned utilities, which he indicated to be a benefit for residents of Ames.

“The people benefit by being part of the city and using some of the city resources,” Kom said. “The city doesn’t use one single tax dollar — the revenue from running the utility offsets the city attorney’s pay, the city manager’s pay, human resources, purchasing, etc. There are some benefits in doing that.”

Kom also said, in Ames, 5 percent of gross assets are paid to the city from the electric de-

partment — Kom said the utility pays an average of $2.4 million back to the city each year, based on a $77 million budget.

He said, 15 percent of the city manager’s salary was paid as well. Kom advised Monday’s audience to take a chance on establishing an MEU in Decorah.

“I know you’ve got a vote coming up, but the beauty of it, in a nutshell, there is nothing about municipalization that should scare you,” Kom said.

“If you get to a point where the numbers don’t work, the numbers don’t work. You can’t argue with that, but at least you can look at it with good information. And you can either say ‘yep, it works,’ or ‘no, it doesn’t.’”

Johanna Bergen, a representative of Decorah Power, echoed Kom, encouraging those in attendance to support the referendum at the polls next month.

“A yes vote gives us the opportunity to get data and facts from the Iowa Utility Commission that will allow us to figure out if this is a good idea,” Bergen said. “In the state of Iowa, we don’t get to vote ever for who our utility provider is. That is a state-made decision for us, and we pay the electric provider who runs electrons to our house. But on March 4, we have the opportunity to ask our city council to ask the state if there might be a better option for rate payers in our community.”

Early voting for next month’s referendum began Feb. 12 at the Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office.

Academic Achievements Conway named to Luther Dean’s List

Congratulations were extended to Abraham Conway, who recently was named to the Dean’s List at Luther College for the fall 2024 semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Area students named to South Dakota State Dean’s List

More than 3,900 students were recently named to South Dakota State University’s fall 2024 Dean’s List in recognition of their academic performance. Among the honorees were Emma Schultz of Decorah, who earned a 4.0 grade point average and is enrolled in the SDSU’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Abby Wiemerslage of Dorchester, who is enrolled in SDSU’s College of Education and Human Sciences. To earn dean’s list distinctions in SDSU’s colleges, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credits and must have earned at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Overall, 3,901 students from 40

states and 32 foreign nations are on the list. More than 1,600 students received a 4.0 GPA.

UW-Platteville announces graduates

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville awarded diplomas to approximately 400 undergraduate students during its winter commencement ceremony, held Dec. 14, 2024. Ashley Elsbernd, a dairy science major from Calmar, was among the graduates.

Bohr named to Riverland Community College Dean’s List

Riverland Community College recently announced Nick Bohr of Ridgeway was among the students whose academic achievement placed them on the 2024 Fall Dean’s List. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must have completed six credits per semester and have earned a gradepoint average of 3.25 to 3.74 on a 4.00 scale. Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State system, serves approximately 4,300 students, with campuses located in Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna, Minnesota, in addition to online courses.

PUBLIC NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@DECORAHNEWSPAPERS.COM | 563-382-4221

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CARL A. KUHN, DECEASED. PROBATE NO. ESPR 016364 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, OF APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR, AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Carl A. Kuhn, Deceased, who died on or about October 7, 2024: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 19th day of January, 2025, the Last Will and Testament of Carl A. Kuhn, deceased, bearing date of June 23, 2000, was admitted to probate in the abovenamed Court and that Michelle A. Kuhn 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 abovenamed 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 29th day of January, 2025.

Michelle A. Kuhn Executor of Estate 3055 128th Street Fort Atkinson, IA 52144 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: February 13, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 6 & 13, 2025 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LAWRENCE EHLER DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016366 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Lawrence Ehler, Deceased, who died on or about December 18, 2024: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 28th day of January, 2025, the Last Will and Testament of Lawrence Ehler, deceased, bearing date of July 18, 2022, was admitted to probate in the abovenamed Court and that Bonnie Ehler 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 abovenamed 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 30th day of January, 2025.

Bonnie Ehler Executor of Estate 4701 90th Street Urbandale IA 50322 Jana Evelsizer Olson ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: jana.olson@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: February 13, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 6 & 13, 2025 Spillville Minutes & Claims The Spillville City Council held the regular meeting at the Spillville City Hall at 6:00 PM. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Mayor Wermers called the meeting to order at 6:00 with the following councilmen present Backes, Kelsay, Taylor, Straube and Schmitt. Absent, none.

Motion by Straube. second by Kelsay to approve the consent agenda. Voice vote Ayes unanimous, Nayes none. Motion carried.

Discussed the progress of the street and water projects.

Received the Clocks report.

Kate Klimesh presented ideas for park beautification from a group of individuals involved in Master Gardner classes.

Motion by Straube, second by Backes to allow them to proceed with the projects. Voice vote Ayes unanimous, Nayes none. Motion carried.

Matt Frana was present to discuss rain garden ideas which could be implemented at the Bily Clocks and would be funded by an IDNR grant.

Motion by Straube, second by Taylor to proceed with the project. Voice vote Ayes unanimous, Nayes none. Motion carried.

Matt also gave an update on the groundwater protection grant as well as talking about the availability of grants that will pay for capping abandoned wells in the city.

Received the finance reports.

Motion by Taylor, second by Straube to cash in the general fund CD that matures soon and transfer the funds to the checking account. Voice vote Ayes unanimous, Nayes none. Motion carried.

Committee appointments were reviewed.

The deadline for applications for the city clerk position is February 14th.

The Turkey River Corridor Map will be discussed next month.

Discussed the 2026 budget. Received the 2026 library budget request.

Motion by Taylor, second by Straube to adjourn. Roll call vote: unanimous. Motion Carried.

Meeting adjourned 7:10 pm.

Attest: Reed Backes, Council Fund, Income ..............................Distribution General, $3325.07 ...........................$7872.14 Clocks, $0 .......................................$1356.55 Library Trust , $1331.86 .................$3104.26 Campground, $992.19.........................$59.58 Road Use, $15028.68 ......................$8399.68 LOST, $8174.79 .........................................$0 Debt Service, $243.84 ................................$0 Capitol, $0 ..................................................$0 Water , $51444.37 ....................... $218067.67 Water Sinking Fund, $7000.00 .................. $0 Water Deposit, $0.......................................$0 Sewer, $5200.79 ..............................$4950.33 February 2025 Meeting Claims Type, Date, Num, Name, Memo .......Amount Check, 01/09/2025, EFT, IPERS, October, IPERS...........................................-1,431.88 Check, 01/09/2025, EFT, CENTURYLINK ..

City Telephones...............................-137.00 Check, 01/09/2025, EFT, GIGFIRE, Internet Service...............................................-70.00 Check, 01/14/2025, EFT, CENTURYLINK ..

City Telephones...............................-231.00 Check, 01/15/2025, eFile ....IOWA DEPT OF REV & FINANCE, Sales Tax ..........-1043.96 Check, 01/15/2025, EFT .. IA DEPT OF REV & FINANCE, Sales Tax Penalties ......-7.52 Check, 01/17/2025, 22506 .......... U. S. Postal Service, Postage ..............................-409.00 Check, 01/21/2025, EFT, VISA ......Clerk CC Fees ...................................................-74.82 Check, 01/21/2025, EFT, CITIZENS SAVINGS BANK, Utility Bank ACH Fees ...................................................-19.10 Check, 01/21/2025, EFT, MEDIACOM ........

Clocks Internet Access ....................-104.97 Check, 01/22/2025, eFile, IPERS, IPERS...........................................-4,049.87 Check, 01/22/2025, eFile, IPERSIPERS Late Fees & Interest ..................................-42.97

Check, 01/24/2025, 22509, MAGANA, ENRIQUE MORALES, Utility Deposit.................................-100.00 Check, 01/24/2025, EFT, VISA, Shop Supplies..................................-401.71 Check, 01/27/2025, 22507, Summers Enterprise, INC, Contact Payment 1.................................-172,494.81 Check, 01/27/2025, 22508, SOUTH WINNESHIEK REC DEPT, SW Rec Contract.................................-5,000.00 Check, 01/27/2025, eFile . IA DEPT OF REV & FINANCE, Sales Tax Penalties ....-33.58 Check, 01/29/2025, EFT, QUILL CORPORATION, City Office Supplies ...........................................-214.68 Check, 01/31/2025, 22510, PHILLIPS, LARRY J, Payroll .....-3,493.91 Check, 01/31/2025, 22511, Craft, Susanna-Virginia, Payroll ...............-333.52 Check, 01/31/2025, 22512 Elsbernd, Sandra A, Payroll ............-501.03 Check, 01/31/2025, 22513, KUHN, RUTH. Payroll .............................................-787.93 Check, 01/31/2025, 22514 KULISH, JOANE Payroll ..........................................-3,067.80 Check, 01/31/2025, 22515, Shimek, Julie M Payroll .............................................-314.12 Check, 01/31/2025, EFT, CITIZENS SAVINGS BANK, Service Charge .....-1.60 Check, 02/04/2025, 22517, SHIMEK SANITATION, Shimek Sanitation Contract ........................................-2,983.70 Check, 02/04/2025, 22518 ... BILY CLOCKS PETTY CASH, Postage, Souvenirs, etc. ....................-86.48 Check, 02/04/2025, 22519, KULISH, JOANE, Postage Reimbursment .........-8.95 Check, 02/04/2025, 22520, IROC WEB DESIGN SERVICES, City Hosting & Domain Renewal.............................-233.00 Check, 02/04/2025, 22521, BADGER METER, Water Maintenance ..........-116.70 Check, 02/04/2025, 22522, CLERKBOOKS, INC., City Software ..................................-200.00 Check, 02/04/2025, 22523, CONTINENTAL ART CRAFT, Clocks Souvenirs .....-685.95 Check, 02/04/2025, 22524, NE IA RC&D Flood Control ..................................-250.00 Check, 02/04/2025, 22525 .HAWKINS, INC, Water-Supplies ................................-336.73 Check, 02/04/2025, 22526, IOWA ONE CALL, Water & Sewer Locates Inv 258737...............................................-12.60 Check, 02/04/2025, EFT, CENTURYLINK ..

City Telephones...............................-366.99 Check, 02/04/2025, 22527 ..............Microbac Laboratories, Inc, Water & Sewer Testing ...............................................-44.75 Check, 02/04/2025, 22528, Origin Design ....

Water Engineering........................-3,200.05 Check, 02/04/2025, EFT, DRIFTLESS SECURITY, Library Alarm...............-70.00 Check, 02/04/2025, EFT, GIGFIRE Internet Service .................................-70.00 Check, 02/04/2025, 22529FENCL OIL & LP CO., Library LP ..............................-606.91 Check, 02/04/2025, 22530, Decorah Leader Publications .....................................-322.69 Check, 02/04/2025, EFT, JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, Shop Supplies ............-39.55 Check, 02/04/2025, eFile, IPERS, January IPERS .............................-1,687.72 Check, 02/04/2025, eFile ....IOWA DEPT OF REV & FINANCE, Sales Tax ...........-22.02 Check, 02/04/2025, eFile ....IOWA DEPT OF REV & FINANCE, Sales Tax ...........-25.45 Check, 02/04/2025, eFile ....IOWA DEPT OF REV & FINANCE, Sales Tax .........-630.53 Check, 02/04/2025, EFT, IPERS, IPERS Interest on Adjusted Accounts ..........-20.01 Check, 02/04/2025, EFT, ALLIANT, Electricity .....................................-3,568.74 Check, 02/07/2025, EFT, VISA, Shop Supplies....................................-96.69 Check, 02/07/2025, 22531, CITY OF CALMAR, Fire Dept 28E ............-3,000.00 Check, 02/07/2025, 22532, READER’S DIGEST LARGE PRINT, Library Serials...................................-32.10 Check, 02/07/2025, 22533, OUR, IOWA Library Serials...................................-24.98 Check, 02/07/2025, 22534, Mr Computers USA, Library Equipment & Repairs ............................................-189.95 Check, 02/07/2025, eFile ..........United States Treasury, Federal Payroll Taxes ...-1,295.26 Total ............................................-214,595.28 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13, 2025 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LYLE JAMES OLSON, DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016350 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Lyle James Olson, Deceased, who died on or about January 9, 2025: You are hereby notified that on February 6, 2025 the Last Will and Testament of Lyle James Olson, deceased, bearing date September 13, 2021, was admitted to probate in the above-named Court and that Steve Olson 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 February 6, 2025.

Steve Olson, Executor of Estate 508 W. Main Street Decorah, IA 52101 Sandra Benzschawel, ICIS#: AT0013038 Attorney for Executor Meyer, Lorentzen & Nelson 101 1/2 E. Water Street, P.O. Box 126 Decorah, IA 52101 Date of second publication: February 20, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13 & 20, 2025

Public Notice ORDINANCE NO. 25-252 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM A-1 AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT TO A-R AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT FOR THE HEREIN DESCRIBED PROPERTY. WHEREAS, a request for amendment to the zoning ordinance of Winneshiek County was submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission, said request having been acted upon by the Planning and Zoning Commission following a public hearing; and, WHEREAS, the request for amendment of the zoning ordinance pertains to the following described real estate: A portion of Lot 1-B in the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, in Section 25, of Township 97 North, Range 9 West of the 5th P.M. Winneshiek County, Iowa.

WHEREAS, the said zoning request requested that the property be rezoned from A-1 Agricultural District to A-R, Agricultural Residential District; and, WHEREAS, a notice of the time and place of a public hearing on said request was published pursuant to law; and, WHEREAS, a public hearing as required has been conducted by the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors.

WHEREAS, the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors has considered the Winneshiek County Comprehensive Plan in their review of the Applicant’s request and does find that the request is consistent with the policies and goals set out in the Winneshiek County Comprehensive Plan; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

BY THE WINNESHIEK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: 1. That the zoning classification as to the following described real estate: A portion of Lot 1-B in the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, in Section 25, of Township 97 North, Range 9 West of the 5th P.M. Winneshiek County, Iowa. is hereby changed from A-1 Agricultural District to A-R, Agricultural Residential District.

2. That the zoning map of Winneshiek County, Iowa, be modified to reflect this change.

Repealer. All ordinances or parts of ordi-

nances in conflict with this zoning ordinance or inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, are hereby repealed to the extent necessary to give this Ordinance full force and effect.

Severability Clause. If any section, part or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole, or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after its passage and publication as provided by law. . PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of February 2025.

WINNESHIEK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, Daniel Langreck, Chairman Attest: Benjamin D. Steines Winneshiek County Auditor Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13, 2025

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID ALAN RYAN, DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016350 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of David Alan Ryan, Deceased, who died on or about April 19, 2024: You are hereby notified that on the 29th day of January, 2025, the undersigned was appointed as Executor of the estate.

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 5th day of Februar, 2025.

Tracy Ryan, Executor 3566 236th Ave. Decorah, IA 52101 Jon Specht AT0012576 Attorney for Executor Meyer, Lorentzen & Nelson 101 1/2 E. Water Street, P.O. Box 126 Decorah, IA 52101 Telephone: (563) 382-4226 Facsimile: (563) 382-3783 Date of second publication: February 20, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13 & 20, 2025

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EULALIA PATRICIA MADRIGUERA, DECEASED. PROBATE NO. ESPR 016361 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Eulalia Patricia Madriguera, Deceased, who died on or about December 1, 2024: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 23rd day of January, 2025, the undersigned was appointed Administrator of the estate.

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 abovenamed 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 6th day of February, 2025.

Michael J. Sagnella, Administrator 366 Washington St. Decorah IA 52101 Miller Las Office, P.L.C. Jon Specht AT0012576 Attorney for Executor 301 West Broadway, P. O. Box 28 Decorah, IA 52101 Telephone: (563) 382-4226 Facsimile: (563) 382-3783 Date of second publication: February 20, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13 & 20, 2025 February 3, 2025 The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Lorraine Borowski at 5:48 PM. The meeting was held at the Decorah Council Chambers and electronically.

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members present: Randy Schissel, Emily Neal, Kirsten Olson, Christopher Miculinich, Steve Zittergruen, Cody Whittle, City Manager Travis Goedken Absent: Mayor Lorraine Borowski, Council Member Brent Parker, City Clerk Keri Sand Police Officer Cody lmoehl spoke regarding the Cops and Rodders event. The event is scheduled to take place May 17th , 2025, in downtown Decorah.

The consent agenda was presented. a. Minutes of January 21, 2025 b. Claims c. Class E Retail Alcohol License Renewal - Hy-Vee Stores d. Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service Renewal - T-Bock’s Sports Bar & Grill e. Tax Abatement for Hearthside Fireplaces and More at 802 Commerce Drive-Ren Properties LLC Zittergruen made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, Neal seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Ayes: Zittergruen, Neal, Miculinich, Olson, Schissel, Whittle.

Motion carried.

Neal made a motion to approve the funding request from Decorah Jobs to support an application for a USDA Rural Business Development Grant in the amount of $60,000.00 to come from the Sustainability Funds. This funding would be used for technical support in working with an engineer on potential design for housing. Olson seconded the motion.

Roll call vote. Ayes: Neal, Olson, Schissel, Zittergruen, Whittle, Miculinich. Motion carried.

Zittergruen made a motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 1340 amending Section 17.36.20 of the Decorah Municipal Code regarding site plans. Olson seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Ayes: Zittergruen, Olson, Neal, Schissel, Miculinich, Whittle.

Nays: None. Motion carried. Zittergruen made a motion to waive the third reading and adopt Ordinance 1340. Schissel seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Zittergruen, Schissel, Neal, Whittle, Miculinich, Olson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Olson made a motion to approve a professional service agreement with WHKS & Co. for improvements to College Drive, Whittle seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Ayes: Olson, Whittle, Schissel, Miculinich, Neal, Zittergruen. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Olson made a motion to add the City Manager, Department Head, and Council Reports to be moved behind public comment in the agenda order, Zittergruen seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Ayes: Olson, Zittergruen, Whittle, Neal, Schissel, Miculinich. Nays: None. Motion carried. Olson made a motion to approve the Council Rules of Procedure with the amendment. Zittergruen seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Ayes: Olson, Zittergruen, Miculinich, Whittle, Neal, Schissel.

Nays: None. Motion carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:30PM Travis Goedken, City Manager Monday, February 3, 2025 Payroll, For January 31, 2025 ...190,293.51 Connell Flying Service January 2025 Services ...............3,977.97 Delta Dental, February 2025 Dental .................1,179.00 Hageman, Deana, Reimbursement Mileage And Supplies ...................413.98 Petty Cash, Fuel..................................40.00 Petty Cash, Postage ............................17.15 Szabo Construction, Dry Run Diversion Channel #3 Final ...................... 11,479.69 Aia Services, Biddy Basketball .....1,081.00 Alden Pool & Municipal Supply, Parts ...............................................248.50

Anthem Archery, Supplies ................ 903.32 Baker & Taylor, Books ..................1,295.17 Bruening Rock Products, Railroad Water Leak(Bolson Feed Service) ........ 9,368.37 Capital One, Supplies ......................... 48.18 Casper Plbg & Htg , Boiler Check ... 142.50 Center Point Large Print, Books.........96.00 Dalco, Supplies.................................269.80 Decorah Electric, Decorah Electric Misc. .................. 140.00 Dell Marketing , Computer Monitor ...................... 1,397.43 Dog Waste Depot, Dog Waste Bags .259.98 Ems Detergent Services, Fd Laundry Detergent And Peroxide ................176.10 First Supply, 6X121/2 Repair Clamp.................. 409.12 Hawkins Fluoride/Chlorine/Tank Rental.......................................... 2,737.21 Impact Coffee, Program Expense ....... 93.50 International Owl Center, Owl Program ................................. 485.00 Iowa One Call, Iowa One Call Services .................. 27.20 Iowa Parks And Recreation Assoc, Conference Registrations ...........1,925.00 Kirkeby Welding, Materials .............458.80 Mabes Pizza, Vita Tax Pizza...............94.84 Macqueen Equipment, Partial Bill For New Helmets .....3,352.00 Midland Scientific, Supplies............. 188.34 Mike’S Fabricating, Truck Tires ......719.40 Napa Auto Parts, Fd Antifreeze & Washerfluid ...........16.33 Perry Novak Electric, Ballast ...........128.89 Randy’S Auto Parts , Parts ...............140.68 Sand, Keri, Mileage For Neirl City Cars Being Worked On/Supplies ...........136.53 Schimberg, Philmac Adptr................ 124.83 Strand Associates, Wwtp Upgrade/Water Meter Replacement Project ...... 12,688.00 Ups, Postage .......................................42.59 Usa Blue Book, Fluoride Injector..... 218.28 Uscellular, Hotspots ........................... 59.58 Winn. Co. Engineer, Diesel For 2024 ..........................2,702.00 Ahlers & Cooney P.C., Foia Request/Iuc/Educational Material ....................................29,138.00 Anderson Wilmarth Van Der Maatten, Legal Fees...................................2,856.00 Casper Plbg & Htg ................ Filters/Water Heater Replacement ...................2,150.56 Decorah Leader, Minutes And Claims Publication... 146.19 Farmers Union Cooperative, LpGas ............................................470.40 Hagensick, Debra, Health Ins Reimbursement ..............43.60 Northeast Iowa Task Force, November 2024 Jag ....................2,296.53 Perry Novak Electric Inc, Street Light Repairs ....................2,921.26 Storey Kenworthy, Name Plate/Supplies........................98.31 True North Companies, Volunteer Fire Ins ..........................437.00 Voltmer, Traffic Signal Repair - Hwy 9 And Short St Nb Yellow ........................340.00 Windstream, Airport ..........................38.34 Revenue To Date - January 31, 2025 General Fund ..........................3,671,775.69 Street Electric Franchise Fee .....102,006.35 Road Use Fund ..........................639,210.79 Employee Benefits.....................961,698.40 Hotel/Motel ...............................231,606.92 Emergency Fund.......................... 67,093.19 Local Option Sales Tax .............839,231.58 Tiff .............................................108,904.20 Ssmid ...........................................13,148.26 Park Special Gifts ........................12,007.38 Library Special Gifts ...................32,569.12 Street Equip Fund .......................... 6,496.84 Debt Service Fund ..................... 738,607.43 Special Projects Water Utility Fund ..................... 804,156.01 Sewer Utility Fund .................... 843,945.88 Enterprise Project Interest ............. 8,984.13 Metronet ...................................... 60,791.00 Forest Utility.............................. 103,347.86 Storm Sewer Utility ..................... 72,308.91 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13, 2025 ORDINANCE NO. 1340:AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 17.36.020 OF THE DECORAH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING SITE PLAN WHEREAS, the City of Decorah is committed to fostering sustainable growth, increasing housing opportunities, and supporting efficient development processes in alignment with the City’s strategic goals; and WHEREAS, the current site plan submission requirements mandate that any proposed residential development exceeding single-family or two-family dwellings per lot submit a site plan for review and approval by the City, which can be a time-consuming and costly step for developers; and WHEREAS, in order to promote higher-density residential development where appropriate and encourage the construction of additional housing to meet the needs of the community, the City Council finds it beneficial to amend the site plan requirements to increase the threshold number of residential units permitted on a lot before triggering the need for a site plan submittal; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on the proposed resolution, where public comment was made in favor of and against the request; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the proposed changes increasing the threshold for triggering site plan requirements ·1n Decorah is beneficial to the City.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Decorah, Iowa, as follows: Section 17.36.020 of the Municipal Code of the City of Decorah, regarding Site Plans, is amended by deleting said section and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 17.36.020 - Procedure.

A. Whenever any person, firm, corporation or other group wishes to develop any tract, lot or parcel of land within the city located in any zoning district for all uses except single-family dwellings up to four-family dwellings such person shall cause to be prepared a site plan of such development and shall submit ten copies of the site plan to the zoning administrator. The provisions of this section shall also be applicable to the conversion of a single-family residence to a duplex or multi-unit dwelling and to the redevelopment, enlargement or extension of square footage of more than twenty-five percent of any commercial or industrial uses and structures existing at the time of the adoption of the ordinance codified ln this title and for all uses including single-family and two-family dwellings subject to the COS regulations. The site plan shall contain such information and data as outlined herein.

B. The zoning administrator shall review the site plan for compliance with this title and shall refer a copy of the site plan to the city engineer, or such other person as shall be designated from time to time by the city council, who shall review the site plan as to its compliance with other ordinances of the city and its effect upon public utilities and the public street system and submit findings as soon as possible to the planning and zoning commission.

C. The zoning administrator shall also forward a copy of the site plan to each member of the planning and zoning commission. The planning and zoning commission shall, after receiving the report of the engineer and the zoning administrator, review the site plan for conformity with the regulations and standards contained herein and may confer with the developer on changes deemed advisable in such site plan.

D. The planning and zoning commission shall forward its recommendation, either for approval or disapproval of the site plan, to the city council within forty-five days of the date of the submission of the site plan. If the commission does not act within forty-five days, the site plan shall be deemed to be approved by the commission, unless the developer agrees to an extension of time. The commission may, in its discretion, hold a public hearing on the site plan of the proposed development and prescribe the notice thereof and to whom such notice shall be given.

F. The city council shall, upon receipt of the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission, either approve or disapprove the site plan for the proposed development.

G. No building permit or certificate of zoning compliance for any structure within any district in which a site plan is required shall be issued until the site plan has been approved as provided herein.

H. Upon final action by the planning and zoning commission on any site plan, a copy of the site plan, with the action of the planning and zoning commission noted thereon and signed by the chairperson of the commission, shall be filed with the city clerk.

I. If the zoning administrator finds that any construction or proposed construction or occupancy of a development on a tract of land for which a site plan has been approved will not substantially comply with the site plan as approved, or if the administrator finds that the

construction and development of the tract is not being carried out in accordance with the development schedule filed with the site plan, the administrator shall suspend all building permits for the development and order all construction stopped until such time as the owner of the project, or the successors in interest, shall have provided satisfactory proof that the site plan will be complied with. The zoning administrator shall not issue a certificate of zoning compliance for any structure within the development while the permit for the development has been suspended pursuant to this subsection. Any person aggrieved by any decision or action of the zoning administrator under this subsection may appeal such action or decision to the board of adjustment.

J. If the owner or developer of a tract of land for which a site plan has been approved determines that an extension of time is necessary or that a modification of the site plan would provide for a more appropriate or more practicable development of the site, the owner may apply for an amendment of the site plan.

The planning and zoning commission may grant an extension of time or a modification of a previously approved site plan if it determines that such modification of the site plan would provide for a more appropriate development of the site.

Repealer. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.

Severability Clause. If any section, provision or part of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole, or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

When Effective. This Ordinance shall be in effect upon its passage, approval and publication as provided by law.

Date of First Reading: January 21, 2025 Date of Second Reading: February 3, 2025 Roll Call Vote: Councilmen Voting Aye: Zittergruen, Schissel, Miculinich, Olson, Whittle, Neal Councilmen Voting Nay: None PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of February, 2025.

CITY OF DECORAH Lorraine Borowski, Mayor ATTEST: Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Officer Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13, 2025 Board Minutes February 3, 2025 The Board of Supervisors met at 9:30am February 3, 2025 with Kelsay, Vick, Langreck, Vermace, and Faldet present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, and the meeting was called to order.

Jon Lubke, IT & GIS Director, met with the Board. He updated the Board on the research he has been doing on a new contract for copiers and printers. He had hoped to present a recommended vendor for this meeting, but is still doing research. He will meet with the Board again at a future meeting.

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

Moved by Vick and seconded by Faldet to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes of the last meeting and the liquor licenses for Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins, Oneota Golf & Country Club, and Silvercrest Golf Club. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to open the public hearing on the proposed re-zoning request by the Stenseth family.

Motion carried unanimously. Tony Phillips, P&Z Administrator, reported on the actions taken by the P&Z Commission with a unanimous recommendation for approval. No written or verbal comments were received.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Vick and seconded by Kelsay to hold the first reading of the proposed ordinance. Motion carried unanimously and the reading was held. Moved by Vick and seconded by Vermace to waive the additional readings. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to adopt ordinance 25-252, approving the rezoning of the property as requested.

Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

The ordinance will be on file in the County Auditor’s and Recorder’s offices and will be published as required.

Ray Koshatka met with the Board to discuss the funding the County gives to cemeteries

13

for care of veterans’ graves. The rate has been $3 per grave for over 25 years, and he requested the Board consider an increase in the amount as the budget allows. The Board will consider this again at a future meeting.

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

He reviewed the proposals for appraisal services at the HHS (formerly DHS) building.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vermace to approve the proposal by Appraisal Analysts LLC to do the appraisal as requested for a fee of $2400. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Vick to approve the Health Insurance renewal rates, premiums, and tier multipliers as presented at the last meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The Board may still make changes to the plan design before the open enrollment period.

The Board reviewed several budget items in preparation of a first run. Auditor Steines will use the recommendation in preparation of the first run to be reviewed at the next meeting.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to adjourn to 9:30am Monday, February 10, 2025, with a special meeting to be held February 4th at 1:45 to interview candidates for the Recycling Supervisor position. Motion carried unanimously.

The Board and TJ Schissel, Landfill Director, met at 1:45pm on February 4, 2025.

They discussed the questions and procedures for interviewing the Recycling Supervisor candidates. Each candidate requested their interview be held in closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) for evaluation of their professional competency for employment selection. The interviews were held and the Board discussed the outcome. The committee of Faldet, Kelsay, and Schissel will negotiate with the candidates and bring a recommendation to the Board at a future meeting.

Benjamin D Steines, County Auditor Daniel Langreck, Chair Board of Supervisors Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13, 2025

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN C. W. HEADINGTON, DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016367 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of John C. W. Headington, Deceased, who died on or about October 16, 2024: You are hereby notified that on January 30, 2025, the Last Will and Testament of John C. W. Headington, deceased, bearing date of February 14, 2022, was admitted to probate in the above named court and that Kara Headington 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 date of 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.

Kara Headington, Executor of Estate 2999 Old Locust Road Decorah, IA 52101 Jeremy L. Thompson, ICIS#: AT0009569 Attorney for Executor Putnam, Thompson & Casper, P.L.L.C. 801 Commerce Drive, Suite 1 P. O. Box 70 Decorah, IA 52101 Date of second publication: February 20, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 13 & 20, 2025

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PUBLIC NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS 14 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@DECORAHNEWSPAPERS.COM | 563-382-4221

Awards

Steffens Scholarship applications available to Winneshiek County 4-H/FFA members

continued from page 2

that the reader would like to know.”

Staff writers Denise Lana and Zach Jensen earned awards for their writing as well. Lana dipped a toe into the Best Sports Feature Story competition and came away with a second place award for her feature on Festina’s annual Kicking It Forward kickball tournament, which raises funds to support families during medical emergencies. The yearly fundraiser was established after the family of then 7-year-old Kort Steffens found themselves in need following a UTV accident in 2018.

“A good retelling of Kort’s accident and the reason for pay-

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Applications and job description are available at the Engineers Office and www.winneshiekcounty.org/jobs.html EOE

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

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Send application, resume and cover letter to Barbara Schroeder, Winneshiek County Conservation, 2546 Lake Meyer Road, Fort Atkinson, IA 52144.

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Apply within or send resume to: tbocks@mchsi.com 206 W. Water Street, Decorah

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Winneshiek County Fair for at least three years of the past four years to apply for the scholarship.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March, 15.

Application and more details are available on the Winneshiek County Extension website www.extension.iastate.edu/ winneshiek. Applicants may also contact the Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach Office by calling 563382-2949.

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ing it forward,” the judge said of Lana’s work. “The reporter handled the retelling with grace and appropriately.”

Jensen’s work conveyed words of caution from Winneshiek County emergency personnel regarding potential for local flooding in the future, and the story earned him third place in the Best News Story category.

“Great information and resources shared,” the judge wrote. “The article flowed well, answered a lot of questions and explained the issue thoroughly.”

This year’s contest entries were judged by the Kansas Press Association.

Erbie and Gerry Steffens

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On the podium The Decorah Leader also earned a number of second and third place finishes this year.

Judges made not comment on the newspaper’s second place award for Best Headline Writing or for Sports Writer Becky Walz’s second place finish in the Best Photographer competition — another category in which entrants must submit a portfolio of up to 10 examples of their work for judging. Boyes earned second place recognition as a Master Columnist behind Mike Putz of the Dyersville Commercial, and Boyes earned third place in the Excellence in Editorial competition — both categories requires a sampling of three opinion columns, and no single column can be submitted in both categories.

“All three entries are topical and timely, from reaction to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump to Joe Biden’s withdrawal from his campaign for re-election as president to the controversial issue of a carbon capture pipeline through Iowa,” one of the contest judges wrote.

Boyes also earned a second place award for his initial coverage of the local case against James Bachmurski — a former Decorah resident who now stands accused of murdering a teenage girl in 2017, after authorities launched a renewed investigation into the teen’s disappearance.

“This was a good news story,” the judge wrote. “Meat and bones plus some background

Decorah Leader Production Manager Samantha Ludeking received the newspaper’s Best in Class Advertising award from Iowa Newspaper Association Director Debbie Anselm.

The newspaper won the award for its special August publication celebrating the 175th anniversary of Decorah’s founding.

(Photo courtesy of the Iowa Newspaper Association)

A scholarship, in memory of Erbie and Gerry Steffens is being offered for Winneshiek County youth. Both Erbie and Gerry Steffens were active 4-H club leaders for many years and volunteered long after their children graduated. Erbie Steffens was also a past fair board member and was instrumental with his vision, fundraising and development of the show barn at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds.

The recipient of this $1,000 scholarship must be an incoming freshman or sophomore at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, or Iowa State University in Ames, with plans to eventually pursue a degree in agriculture or pre-veterinary medicine. The applicant must have been a 4-H/FFA member and shown livestock at the

CODE

Top marks Ad designer Kayla Thompson earned several of the Decorah Leader’s first place plaques during this year’s contest. She earned first place in the Best Ad Featuring Agriculture category with an entry showcasing a local Earth Day Festival. The category judge described the ad in one word — “beautiful.” Judges also praised Thompson’s ability to tie area businesses to local history as part of a special section which celebrated the 175th anniversary of Decorah’s founding — the commemorative publication as a whole received first place recognition as Best of Class Advertising, earned first place in the Best Special Section Advertising category and received a third place award in the Best Special Section Editorial category.

“Decorah’s 175th anniversary edition was jam-packed with history, interesting anecdotes and features about interesting properties,” the judge’s comments said. “I especially liked the idea of interviewing members of the 50th class reunion members about what they remembered about growing up in the community and the 125th anniversary.”

Thompson was also selected as Best Ad Designer in the Weekly Class III category, beating out designers at Waverly Newspapers and the Northwest Iowa Review — entrants must submit a portfolio of up to 10 examples of their work to be considered. Thompson’s selected work included advertisements designed for local retail businesses, community events and other organizations. The categories judge said Thompson’s work “stood out even if the competition was close.

Great use of fonts, color and images, but most importantly putting them all together in a readable and eye-catching layout. I am positive this designer gets requested by customers.”

Fellow ad designer Samantha Ludeking earned first place recognition for an ad featuring

Rockweiler Appliance in Decorah, which was entered in the Best Ad Featuring Furniture, Furnishings, Appliances or Hardware category.

“I loved this ad,” the contest judge said. “It was bright, showed longevity of the company, friendly faces and good information.”

Ludeking’s work on a series of advertisements highlighting local student musicians for the Decorah Music Boosters also earned a first place award.

“Love the idea of spotlighting local students,” the judge wrote.

“Layout with photos and short write ups for each kid make it inviting to read. Nice idea, well executed.”

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“Creative concepts,” the category judge said. “My favorite was the shoutout from a subscriber that left and decided to come back!”

(Decorah High School)

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COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

15

DHS students excel at state large group contest Decorah High School speech students hosted and participated in the State Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Decorah High School.

The performers earned 27 Division I ratings out of 31 total entries. The ninth-grade team performed in eight entries and the varsity team performed in 23 entries.

All State nominations were expected to be posted on the Iowa High School Speech Association website after 5 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 10.

Varsity groups which received a Division I rating at state contest were: Choral Reading “Emotional Warfare: Welcome to High School,” directed by Molly Holkesvik and Johanna Bergan. Participants include Natalie Goodner, Tommy Hammel, Camryn Holland, Klaara Short, Klara Kelly, Ezra Harman-Wood, Ava Hanson, Jillian Volz, Jayden Lundtvedt, Emma Cline, Olivia Rissman, Lauren Severtson and Margaret Hahn.

Ensemble Acting “How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery,” directed by Lyra McKnight. Participants include Karmyn Bakken, Elliana Brodbeck, Klaara Short, Shawn Holzer, Alex Mercado-Arneson and Ryan Northup.

Ensemble Acting “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” directed by Kristen Underwood. Participants include Elsa Christman, Nora Lesmeister, Isis Timm, Kaylie Wemark and Margaret Hahn.

Ensemble Acting “These Shining Lives,” directed by Molly Holkesvik and Kristen Underwood. Participants include Teagan Menke, Noah Potvin, Vivian Searcy, Grace Stockman, Olivia Volkmann and Jillian Volz.

Group Improv, directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight and Kristen Underwood. Participants performed in multiple groups — Group one consisted of Oliver Brummel, Liam Chamberlain, Jack Sovern, Beau Newhouse and Ansel Kowitz. Group two consisted of Jackson Irwin, Tommy Hammel, Grace Stockman, Kyle Pattison and Landyn Hook.

Group Mime “Family Bonding,” directed by Lyra McKnight and Kristen Underwood.

Participants include Elsa Johnson, Myla Leitz, Isis Timm and Kaelyn Kuhn.

Group Mime “The Library,” directed by Lyra McKnight and Kristen Underwood. Participants include Leah Suhr, Ariana Albert, Marley Harmening, Nina Sessions and Teagan Menke.

Solo Mime “Flight Frenzy”

by Clarence Nimrod, directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Solo Mime “The Red Shoes”

by Vivian Searcy, directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Solo Mime “Miss Adventurfuls” by Margret Zook, directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Musical Theater “Once,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. Participants include Liam Chamberlain, Gwenyth Thompson, Mikayla Hiner, Jameson LaBelle, Caleb Johnson, Ezra Vorvick, Emma Cline and Colin Thompson.

Musical Theater “Something Rotten,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Participants include Oliver Brummel, Spencer Christensen, Davis Coppola, Greta Jones andy Kruger, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Elsa Christman and Kealy Hines.

One Act Play “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” directed by Kristen Underwood. Participants include Hannah Arendt, Elliana Brodbeck, McKenzie Riley, Ezra Vorvick, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Caleb Johnson, Noah Potvin, Elsa Johnson, Greta Jones, Grace Blikre and Lily Sandhorst.

Radio Broadcasting “KREK,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. Participants include Karmyn Bakken,

Pictured are (front row, left to right) Luke Thompson, John Lippe, Sky Pasche, Johnathan Bean, Daniel Bean, Brenden Tangen, Kamryn Leuenberger, (back row, left to right) Braden Ramstad, Haley Stinson, Makenzy Hope, Donnie Hrdlicka, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, Emily Green and Coach John Dunt. (Photo submitted)

“Once” Musical Theater: Pictured are (front row) Emma Cline, Gwenyth Thompson, Mikayla Hiner, Caleb Johnson, (back row) Jameson LaBelle, Colin Thompson, Liam Chamberlain and Ezra Vorvick. (Photo submitted)

Decorah Special Olympians participate in Wartburg Unified Sports Day The Decorah High School and Middle School Special Olympics teams traveled to Waverly on Saturday Feb. 8 to participate in the annual Wartburg Unified Sports Day. This event pairs Wartburg College students and athletes with Special Olympians from various parts of

northeast Iowa to participate in a wide range of activities such as pickleball, basketball, hitting in a batting cage, bocce ball, yoga and musical chairs. Decorah Special Olympians will be in action again Sunday, March 2 at the Northeast Iowa Regional Track and Field event at

the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

On March 13, they will play in a Unified Sports basketball game against a team from Ankey during halftime at the Iowa Boys State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines.

Ensemble Acting “These Shining Lives”: Pictured are Vivian Searcy, Grace Stockman, Jillian Volz, Teagan Menke, Olivia Volkmann and Noah Potvin. (Photo submitted)

Evynne Downing, Camryn Holland, Leah Suhr, Sam Cline, Lyla Lovstuen, Lulu Bellrichard and Evan Madsen.

Radio Broadcasting “KMCD,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. Participants include Asmere Jensen, Mason Myers, Jerald Thompson, Addison Wicklund, Gavy Smith, Stella Pole, Deborah Hougen and Oskar Swanson.

Radio Broadcasting “KORN,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. Participants include Grant Zilka, Ezra Harman-Wood, Lily Sandhorst, Eden Scheidel, Kamryn Steines, Kyan Oftedahl, Carter Riley and Claire Storhoff.

Readers Theater “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. Participants include Hannah Arendt, Davis Coppola, Annika Keefe, Ansel Kowitz, Andy Kruger, McKenzie Riley, Margret Zook, Grace Blikre, Mikayla Hiner, Jameson LaBelle, Nora Lesmeister, Kaylie Wemark, Lulu Bellrichard, Gwenyth Thompson and Sawyer Courtney.

Short Film “Anxious,” directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight and Johanna Bergan. Participants include Thomas Davis, Jack Hammell, Evynne Downing, Asmere Jensen, Marley Harmening, Lyla Lovstuen, Jerald Thompson, Ariana Albert, Kylie Lemke and Kyan Oftedahl.

Short Film “Cyber-Bully,” directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight and Johanna Bergan. Participants include Marri Feuerhelm, Drew Zwart, Deborah Hougen, Alynne Brandel, Will Robinson and Gavy Smith.

TV News “Iowa Adventures: Cinema Road Trip,” directed

by Molly Holkesvik and Gabriel Twedt. Participants include Natalie Goodner, Jayden Lundtvedt, Clarence Nimrod, Beau Newhouse, Grant Zilka, Alynne Brandel, Marri Feuerhelm, Stella Pole, Will Robinson, Drew Zwart, Jack Hammell, Thatcher Brown, Sawyer Courtney, Olivia Rissman and Oskar Swanson.

TV News “Iowa Cold Case: Decoding a Murder,” directed

by Molly Holkesvik and Gabriel Twedt. Participants include Elliot Berland, Ava Hanson, Kaelyn Kuhn, Naomi Kutz, Myla Leitz, Landyn Hook, Jack Sovern, Kamryn Steines, Carter Riley, Lawrence Christman, Nina Sessions, Claire Storhoff, Spencer Christensen, Sam Cline and Lauren Severtson.

Varsity groups which received a Division II rating at state con-

test were: Short Film “Fractured Connections,” directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight and Johanna Bergan. Participants include Chester Kvamme, Will Duder, Logan Smith, Patrick Gallagher, Shawn Holzer, Alex Mercado-Arneson, Ryan Northup, Hector Vargas and Izzy Alley.

Nineth grade groups which received a Division I rating at state contest were: Choral Reading “The Complete History of America (Abridged),” directed by Molly Holkesvik and Johanna Bergan. Participants include Poppy Bellrichard, Kennedy Carlson, Leah Garcia-Prats, Max Goodner, Kaya Johnson, Kora Kelly, Claire Ko, Charlotte LaBelle, Ana Leibold, Gavin Wilkins and Cooper Ewing.

Ensemble Acting “The Substitute,” directed by Molly Holkesvik and Johanna Bergan.

Participants include Pranav Caton, Eva Hurley, Kaya Johnson, Rachel Weis and Stella Witt.

Group Improv, directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight and Kristen Underwood.

Participants performed in multiple groups. Group two consisted of Isaac Bentley, Brody Darling and Raelyn Newhouse.

Radio Broadcasting “KHTL,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. Participants include Kira Dowden, Emma Neebel, Evelyn Opheim, Kate Pattison, Cassie Stammeyer, Anders Wicklund and Gavin Wilkins.

TV News “Iowa Extreme: The Land Hurricane,” directed

by Molly Holkesvik and Gabriel Twedt. Participants include Poppy Bellrichard, Isaac Bentley, Kira Dowden, Leah Garcia-Prats, Jay Jensen, Evelyn Opheim, Kate Pattison, Nils Peterson, Ava Burreson, Simone Downing, Ezra Hegdahl, Frankie Kollasch and Cooper Ewing.

Nineth grade groups which received a Division II rating at state contest were: Group Improv, directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight and Kristen Underwood.

Participants performed in multiple groups. Group one consisted of Ava Burreson, Nils Peterson, Pranav Caton and Eva Hurley.

Group three consisted of Max Goodner, Matthew Burkholder and Sophia McGee. Short Film “The Final Goodbye,” directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight and Johanna Bergan. Participants include Matthew Burkholder, Brody Darling, Jay Jensen, Ana Leibold and Stella Witt.

Photo submitted

DHS Jazz Band earns superior rating at state festival Decorah High School’s 7 O’clock Jazz Band, under the direction of Matthew Cody, traveled to North Fayette Valley High School on Jan. 27 to participate in the Iowa High School Music Association’s State Jazz Band Festival.

The band performed their set for three expert judges and were given comments and a rating. Students earned a division 1– or superior – rating from all three judges.

“It’s a good feeling when all of their hard work, effort and time come together with a result

we can be proud of, regardless of the rating, but we’re thrilled the judges liked what they heard,” Cody said.

The students who form the 7 O’clock Jazz Band are as follows: on alto saxophone – Grant Zilka and Elsa Christman; on tenor saxophone – June Breitenbach-Dirks and Mikayla Hiner; on baritone saxophone – Davis Walter; on trombone – Evan Madsen, Vivian Searcy and Colin Thompson. In addition, Aitor Cuevas, Nils Peterson, Max Goodner and Klara Kelly play trumpet, Oliver Brummel

plays guitar, Natalie Goodner plays the piano, Jameson LaBelle and Liam Chamberlain play drums, and Ezra Vorvick plays the bass.

The 7 O’clock Jazz Band, along with the middle school jazz band, will host the annual Jazz Coffeehouse at 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 6 in the Decorah High School cafeteria.

Selections will include music performed at the state festival along with famous numbers from the Big Band era.

Winneshiek County 4-H County Council members recently attended Regional County Council Retreat. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Lyla Lovstuen, Kinsey White, Rylee Averhoff, Addison Wicklund, Brinley Linderbaum (back row, left to right) Jackson Irwin, Henry Schmitt, Anders Wicklund, Kaden Barton Franzen and Adam Schmitt. (Photo submitted)

4-H Teen Leadership Retreat aims to empower youth A group of 30 teens recently gathered in the Community Building at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds for the annual 4-H County Council teen leadership retreat, where organizers said they identified key leadership characteristics, developed strong communication skills and honed their personal leadership potential.

Team building challenges and groups discussions throughout the retreat focused on three core elements vital to effective leadership — characteristics of a leader, communication skills

and person leadership development. In addition to building their skills, the teens participated in a series of team-building challenges designed to foster collaboration, trust and problem-solving skills. The handson activities required participants to work together, navigate obstacles and celebrate team successes. Participants were also able to make connections with their peers from other counties in 4-H Region 5.

Teens also had the opportunity to learn about the numerous state and national 4-H opportu-

nities. State 4-H Council Representative Addison Wicklund shared information on state and national programs, offering participants insight into how they can become involved in leadership and career-building activities through 4-H. For more information on upcoming 4-H programs and events or to schedule a leadership training event, contact 4-H Youth Program Specialist Kendra Crooks at kcrooks@iastate. edu or call 641-394-2174.

SPORTS

16 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Trojan girls win share of UIC title

By Bob Fenske editor@nhtrib.com

The starters of the South Winn girls basketball team, Ella Theis, Alexis Johanningmeier, Vanessa Bullerman, Allison Hageman and Karissa Wenthold (l-r) get last minute instructions before Friday’s tip-off against Central Elkader. (Photo courtesy of Jodi Wenthold)

Second half lifts SW girls over Central

A big third quarter with a stronger defensive fourth gave the South Winn girls basketball team (9-12, 8-8 UIC) a victory in the final regular season game Friday, knocking off Central Elkader (9-13, 7-9 UIC) at home 35-28.

The Warriors fell behind early 8-7 after the first frame and tumbled to a 14-9 deficit at halftime. Coming out of the locker room with vigor SW narrowed the margin to 25-23 with eight minutes to play. In the final quarter the South Winn defense held the visiting Warriors to just

three points while pouring in 12 to take the win.

“Our defense once again was the difference, only allowing 28 points. It was a team effort on offense where almost everyone contributed,” said coach Mike Gehling. “Chloe Wiltgen had a good second half scoring all 10 of her points. I am very happy with the way we finished out the regular season and I can’t wait to see how we do in the postseason.”

Wiltgen led the Warriors with her 10 points in addition to claiming five rebounds. Vanes-

sa Bullerman put up six points and nabbed six boards. Senior Karissa Wenthold added five points and five steals in the effort.

Central Elkader 8 6 11 3 28 South Winn 7 2 14 12 35 Scoring – Chloe Wiltgen 10; Vanessa Bullerman 6; Karissa Wenthold 5; Allison Hageman 3; Ella Theis 3; Alexis Johanningmeier 3; Adele Conway 3; Charlotte Moonen 2 Rebounds – Johanningmeier 7; Bullerman 6; Wiltgen 5; Wenthold 2; Emmy Gehling 2; Hageman 1; Moonen 1; Assists – Bullerman 3; Theis 1; Steals – Wenthold 5; Johanningmeier 2; Hageman 1; Bullerman 1; Wiltgen 1; Blocks – Hageman 1; Johanningmeier 1

SW boys take down Central 72-38

The South Winn basketball team (17-5, 12-4 UIC) closed out the regular portion of the season Monday, winning its last five games and finishing third in the Upper Iowa Conference.

Doubling up Friday night South Winn was on target all night, as the SW Warriors hosted the Warriors of Central Elkader (9-13, 6-10 UIC) picking up the lopsided victory 72-38.

Out of the gate, SW seemingly couldn’t miss as it took a 22-10 lead after the opening frame and stretched the lead to 43-16 at the break. Central had a better third period, but it wasn’t enough as SW outscored the visitors 29-22 in the second half.

South Winn had four players

Irving Flores takes a look around following a steal against Central Friday. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Sabelka)

Senior Nolan Sabelka is stopped at the top of the key by a Central defender Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Sabelka) in double figures with Kaden Barton-Franzen pacing the squad with 15 points and five rebounds. Freshman Jordan Einck had a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards while Matson Winings put up 13 points and pulled down seven caroms. Nolan Sabelka added 10 points, six assists and three steals. Braiden Todd fell short of the double digits with nine points to go with seven assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Central Elkader 10 6 16 6 38 South Winn 22 21 17 12 72 Scoring – Kaden Barton-Franzen 15; Jordan Einck 14; Matson Winings 13; Nolan Sabelka 10; Braiden Todd 9; Irving Flores 4; Cale Kleppe 4; Logan Tieskoetter 2; Carver Wenthold 1 Rebounds – Einck 10; Winings 7; Barton-Franzen 5; Todd 4; Flores 3; Sabelka 2; Wenthold 2; Kleppe 2; Tieskoetter 1; Assists – Todd 7; Sabelka 6; Wenthold 3; Winings 1; Flores 1; Steals – Todd 3; Sabelka 3; Flores 3; Barton-Franzen 2; Winings

2; Einck 1; Blocks – BartonFranzen 2; Flores 2; Winings 2

Regular season finale The Warriors will take a five game win streak into the postseason after Monday’s 51-41 win over Kee (12-9, 10-6 UIC) at home.

The Hawks pulled ahead to an 11-8 lead in the first eight minutes and extended their lead to 23-16 as the UIC teams went into the locker room at the half.

South Winn returned to the hardwood with work to do, and work the Warriors did, outscoring the Hawks 19-6 in the third to go ahead 35-29 and rolled to the win in the final frame with 16 additional points.

Individual stats were unavailable at press time.

Kee South Winn

11 12 6 12 41 8 8 19 16 51

The Turkey Valley girls basketball team had plenty to celebrate last week.

There was the victory Tuesday over their arch-rivals. There was Bella Stika’s school-record 26 rebounds in that 39-36 win over South Winneshiek. There was the 68-13 Senior Night victory over West Central on Friday.

There was Kee High’s 38-28 win over MFL MarMac the same night that gave the Trojans a share of the Upper Iowa Conference title.

And, maybe most importantly, there was the return of a senior player who was the victim of a Jet-Ski accident this past summer.

“The biggest celebration belonged to Ashlyn Busta and her family on her return to the court,” Turkey Valley coach Steve Hoffert said. “The Busta family has been through so much the past year. To see Ashlyn playing the sport her and her family-love was nothing short of remarkable. Ashlyn epitomizes the way her team plays; they play with heart, they are resilient and no matter what situation, they find a way to persevere.”

Add it all up and it was quite a week for the Trojans, and it wasn’t like this week started off on the wrong foot, either, as Turkey Valley beat Class 2A 14th-ranked Jesup 48-46.

In other words, the remarkable turn-around season continues for Hoffert’s Trojans.

A year ago, Turkey Valley finished 7-15 overall and sixth in the Upper Iowa standings. On Friday, they celebrated winning a share of the Upper Iowa Conference title.

“It’s just a testament to the girls … They’ve grown up, and they’ve gotten better,” Hoffert said after his team finished

Senior Ashlyn Busta moves quickly around a West Central defender late in Friday’s UIC finale. The game marked Busta’s first time on the floor since an accident last summer.

(Photo courtesy of Leah Kruse) with a 14-2 conference record.

“They came to practice every day willing to get better. It’s just their resiliency and their maturity that has put them over the top.”

And while Kee was winning a defensive showdown with MFL MarMac, the Trojans completely dominated West Central jumping out to a 28-2 first quarter lead and extending the advantage to 35-6 at halftime.

They did so without Steinlage but got an emotional lift from Ashlyn Busta, who started, scored two points, grabbed a rebound, dished out an assist and made a steal.

Turkey Valley had 11 players break into the scoring column.

Emersyn Hoffert led the way with 18 points while Delaney Busta and Stika both added 10 points. Stika again dominated the boards with 15 rebounds.

“Playing without Addi, I don’t want to do it obviously,” Hoffert said, “but it was good to see other girls step into her role.

It was a really good night, and I’d say that with or without Kee

Girls basketball Brackets for the girls Class 1A, 2A and 3A have been released. Decorah is in Class 4A and those brackets were due to be released Wednesday, Feb. 12, after this publication.

South Winn is in Class 2A Region 8 and have a first-round game at home against Postville at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15. A win will move South Winn into the quarterfinal against Denver on the Cyclones’ home court at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, The regional semifinal will be at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21, at Denver with the regional final set for at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, at site to be determined Turkey Valley in Class 1A Region 5 and opens the postseason at home against West Central tonight

(Thursday, Feb. 13) for opening round action at 7 p.m. The winner moves on to play Kee in Lansing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18. The regional semifinal will be held at 7 p.m.,Friday, Feb. 21, in Riceville with the regional final at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Thursday, Feb. 20. The district final to be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the highest remaining seed.

Decorah is in Class 3A and those brackets will be released Monday, Feb. 17, with the opening round of substate games tipping off Monday, Feb. 24.

SW, TV boys basketball Postseason boys basketball pairings have been announced for South Winn and Turkey Valley who are both in Class 1A District 6.

South Winn will host Starmont while the Trojans will travel to Lansing to battle Kee in the district quarterfinals at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 17. A win for the Warriors would advance them to the semifinals against the winner of Maquoketa Valley and Edgewood-Colesburg.

If Turkey Valley survives Kee they would battle Don Bosco, Clayton Ridge or West Central in the district semifinals, which are scheduled for at 7 p.m.,

District wrestling Saturday District wrestling assignments for all three classes have been announced for Saturday, Feb. 105, with wrestling starting at 10 a.m. The top two place winners in each weight class from each sectional will move on to the state meet. The individual state meet runs Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 1922, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Decorah is in Class 2A, District 5 and will compete at Clear Lake. Other teams there include Crestwood, Forest City, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Iowa Falls-Alden and North Butler.

West Central 2 4 5 2 13 Turkey Valley 28 17 15 8 68 Scoring – Emersyn Hoffert 18; Bella Stika 10; Delaney Busta 10; Ellaney Bodensteiner 8; Hazel Nieman 5; Annika Bodensteiner 5; Kendall Kuennen 4; Makinley Lutgen 3; Ashlyn Busta 2; Ella Ives 2; Layni Schuchhardt 1 Rebounds – Stika 15; D. Busta 7; Nieman 4; Hoffert 4; Schuchhardt 3; Brynlee Hayek 3; E. Bodensteiner 3; A. Bodensteiner 1; A. Busta 1; Kuennen 1; Ives 1; Miyah Byrne 1; Assists – D. Busta 3; Kuennen 3; A. Bodensteiner 2; Schuchhardt 2; Stika 1; A. Busta 1; Hayek 1; Ives 1; E. Bodensteiner 1; Steals – Hayek 3; Stika 2; D. Busta 2; Kuennen 2; E. Bodensteiner 2; Nieman 1; A. Bodensteiner 1; Lutgen 1; A. Busta 1; Hoffert 1; Blocks – Ives 1; E. Bodensteiner 1

Press works for TV boys in victory over WC The plan was simple for the Turkey Valley boys basketball team on Friday night — the Trojans, as their coach put it, were going to go 100 miles per hour and see what happened.

It worked out quite well as Turkey Valley pressed the dickens out of West Central, building a 66-27 lead on its way to a 68-40 Upper Iowa Conference victory that allowed the Trojans to reach one of the goals they set for themselves this season.

The win over the Blue Devils came after an 89-42 loss to South Winneshiek last Tuesday — and head coach John Izer and his coaching staff were at their wit’s end.

“We can’t find a middle this year,” Izer said, “and honestly, the press was [assistant coach] Justin [Izer’s] idea. The short version is he said, ‘What we’re doing ain’t working, and I have

an idea.’ And I totally agreed that without a ‘big,’ the best way for us to play is fast and take advantage of the athletes we have.”

It worked wonders against a West Central team that came into the game with just one win this season.

Turkey Valley forced the Blue Devils into 36 turnovers, 23 of which came via Trojan steals, many of which led to easy layups.

And the Turkey Valley head coach says he will remain committed to the press the rest of the season; one he hopes will be extended on Monday night when the Trojans open the Class 1A district tournament with a game at Kee High in Lansing.

The big win over West Central had plenty of stars as Logan Busta hit 12 of 16 shots from the field, including 4-for-6 from 3-point range, and finished with

Postseasons getting underway for basketball, wrestling, bowling With district boys swimming already completed and girls state wrestling wrapping up this past weekend, other area athletic teams are gearing up for the postseason action.

winning.”

That Kee win left both Turkey Valley and MFL MarMac with 14-2 UIC records while Kee finished third in the standings with a 13-3 mark.

The Trojans, however, will in all likelihood have to go to Lansing for its second playoff game. Turkey Valley plays host to West Central tonight (Thursday) and a victory sends them to Kee on Tuesday.

28 points. J.D. Kruse added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Cale Langreck had 10 points.

Jordan Kriener led the thievery with seven steals while Kruse and Alex Hanson had four apiece.

The win over West Central pushed Turkey Valley’s record to 9-12, which includes a 6-9 record in the Upper Iowa Conference.

West Central 14 5 8 13 40 Turkey Valley 20 25 21 2 68 Scoring – Logan Busta 28; JD Kruse 15; Cale Langreck 10; Alex Hanson 7; Tucker Reicks 4; Jordan Kriener 2; Jayden Rausch 2 Rebounds – Kruse 10; Treyton Franzen 5; Busta 4; Langreck 4; Kriener 4; Reicks 4; Hanson 3; Kaden Schmidt 3; Jonah Orvis 2; Rausch 1; Assists – Kruse 4; Hanson 4; Langreck 3; Busta 2; Rausch 2; Kriener 1; Ryan Lukes 1; Schmidt 1; Franzen 1; Steals – Kriener 7; Kruse 4; Hanson 4; Busta 3; Langreck 3; Orvis 1; Reicks 1

Coming up in sports

The Warriors are in Class 1A District 2 at Denver along with Central Elkader, Columbus Catholic, East Buchanan, Hudson, Newman Catholic, North Linn, Starmont and Wapsie Valley.

New Hampton/Turkey Valley is also in Class 2A, but District 9 and will host Aplington-Parkersburg/Grundy Center, Charles City, North Fayette Valley, Oelwein, Vinton-Shellsburg, Waukon and West Delaware in New Hampton.

32 qualifiers per class (top eight per site).

The Viking girls’ will be on the lanes first Monday, Feb. 17, with Waverly-Shell Rock, Waterloo East, Xavier, Marion, Central Dewitt, Clinton and Western Dubuque.

Tuesday, Feb. 13, will be the boys’ turn to compete for a return trip to state against Ballard, Independence, Marion, Waterloo East, Waverly-Shell Rock, Western Dubuque and Xavier.

Bowling The Decorah bowling teams will host qualifying meets at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 17, and Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Kingpin Entertainment Center.

In team action, each squad will bowl 15 baker games with the top pin total advancing to the state meet with eight qualifiers per class (top two teams per site). Individuals will bowl three games each with the top pin total advancing to state with

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Feb. 13 – Dec b bb at Osage, 7 p.m.; TV g bb vs. West Central (regional), 7 p.m.; Dec g bb at Waterloo East, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14 – Dec b swim at state (Iowa City), 4 p.m.; Dec b bb vs.

Charles City, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 15 – Dec b wr at district (Clear Lake), 10 a.m.; SW b wr at district (Denver), 10 a.m.; Dec b swim at state (Iowa City), 12 p.m.; SW g bb vs. Postville (regional), 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 – Dec g bowl at regional (Decorah), 10 a.m.

Feb. 18 – Dec b bowl at district (Decorah), 10 a.m.; SW g bb at Denver (regional quarterfinal), 7 p.m.; TV g bb at Kee (regional), 7 p.m.

Feb. 19-22 – Dec/SW b wr at state (Des Moines), TBD

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DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

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Second half lifts No. 2 Vikes over Winterset A different venue was the backdrop for the Decorah boys basketball team (17-1, 7-0 NEIC) Saturday as the Vikings played Winterset (4-15) at Wells Fargo Arena, earning the 58-46 win over the Huskies.

It took a strong second half effort by the Vikings to claim the victory as Decorah trailed 17-10 after the first eight minutes and continued to lag 3122 at the break. Then the tides turned in the Vikes favor as the

ball began to fall through the net at breakneck speed while the Decorah defense buckled down, giving up just five points in the third. That gave the Vikes a 45-36 lead with eight minutes left in the game, a lead Decorah never relinquished.

Pacing Decorah offensively with 25 points was Cael LaFrentz. The junior also provided 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. Zachary Driscoll put up 22 points, pulled down

11 boards and came away with four steals. Under the basket, Carter Dlhy had a monster game with 18 rebounds.

Winterset 17 14 5 10 46 Decorah 10 12 23 13 58 Scoring – Cael LaFrentz 25; Zachary Driscoll 22; Trevor Kuennen 5; Noah Milburn 4; Carter Dlhy 2 Rebounds – Dlhy 18; LaFrentz 12; Driscoll 11; Milburn 4; Tanner Caddell 2; Gavin Groux 1; Peyton Webb 1; Assists – Driscoll 2; Kuennen 2; Caddell 2; Milburn 1; Dlhy 1; Steals – Driscoll 4; Groux 2; Kuennen 2; Milburn 1; Dlhy 1; Blocks – LaFrentz 5

Jansen finishes season at state It wasn’t the finish to the season she dreamed of, but South Winn’s Maddy Jansen was just one of nearly 450 girls to reach the state meet last week, which is an accomplishment of its own.

“Maddy had an up and down season with some minor illness and injury, but was able to put another solid season together, concluding at the state meet. She didn’t necessarily meet her goals and may have left some out there at the state meet, but that is the nature of this sport. Not everything is perfect, and you have to figure out how to respond and move forward in adverse situations,” said coach Ethan Adams.

“Girls wrestling is evolving at an extremely rapid pace, and if you are not getting better at a higher clip than your peers, it will be

easy to be left behind. This is a truth that our girls are going to need to embrace and overcome in the off-season.”

Wrestling at 135 pounds in Class 1A, Jansen opened her meet against Williamsburg’s Cecelia Gryp, falling by a 7-0 decision. In the first round of the consolation bracket the Warrior faced third seed Mia Luck of Oskaloosa and looked to have her pinned late in the third but came up short, falling by a 10-9 decision to end her quest.

“The good news about our program is that we have everyone coming back, as we graduate no competing wrestlers this season. Gracie Walz will look to improve on an impressive freshman season, and Izzy Goltz, who came on strong at region-

als, and the rest of our returners will need to work hard and make strides to improve on their seasons. All of our girls seemed to wrestle their best at the end of the season, which is ideal.

However, I think we took a little too long to get rolling in that direction, and some of that is on me to improve our prep heading into next year. I’ll do what I can to put us in a good spot and appreciate all the work Isabel Ihde did and will do as an assistant coach. She has been a positive and impactful addition to our program. We bring in a good crop of eighth graders, which will help. The work still needs to be done, but the future looks relatively bright,” concluded coach Adams.

South Winn’s Maddy Jansen looked to have Mia Luck of Oskaloosa pinned late in the first round of the consolations, but dropped the match by a 10-9 decision, ending her quest to win a medal at 135-pounds during the state wrestling tournament last week. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Relay team headed to state swim meet District team scores 1. Cedar Falls 491; 2. Dowling Catholic 422; 3. Southeast Polk 341; 4. Decorah 195; 5. Spencer 168; 6. Mason City 152; 7. Fort Dodge 101; 8. Bishop Garrigan 78

They are headed to state.

The Decorah boys swim team will have one event representing it at this weekend’s state meet in Iowa City. The state meet is Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15 at the University of Iowa’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City.

Events are qualified on having the 24 fastest times across the state. There are no classes for swimming; all schools compete against one another.

As a team, the Vikes finished fourth at the Mason City district meet Saturday. Decorah put up 195 points. Cedar Falls claimed the district title with 491 points.

“We had another outstanding swim at the District Meet in Mason City. Each of three relays had significant time drops. In each of the individual events we saw season best performances as well,” noted coach Loran Storts.

The 200 free relay will dive into the state competition Saturday afternoon. Reid Kuehner, Dane Burns, Landon Humpal and Ian Giddings had the fourth fastest time at 1:32.25 at the district meet to qualify on time as the 23rd seed.

Decorah’s other two relays

had fine finishes; however were unable to snag a state bid.

The 200 medley relay of Max Grimstad, Humpal, Weston Cote and Kuehner touched the wall third Saturday in 1:45.30.

In 3:26.03, the 400 free relay took fourth. Members combining their talents in the relay were Kuehner, Humpal, Grimstad and Burns.

Cote, Burns and Grimstad also took top 10 finishes in individual events. Cote posted a time of 56.73 seconds in the 100 butterfly to finish sixth while Burns was ninth in the 50 freestyle in 23.09 seconds.

Grimstad came in 10th in the 100 freestyle, stopping the clock at 52.27 seconds.

Race results 200 medley relay – 3. Max Grimstad, Landon Humpal, Weston Cote, Reid Kuehner, 1:45.30 200 free – 13. Landyn Hook 2:07.10; 15. Thomas Hammel 2:07.80; 18. Kyan Oftedahl 2:14.27 200 IM – 11. Ethan Swizdor 2:20.74; 12. Will Robinson 2:24.41; 13. Jordan Snitker 2:27.45 50 free – 9. Dane Burns 23.09; 10. Kuehner 23.14; 11. Ian Giddings 23.35 100 fly – 6. Cote 56.73; 11. Kyle Pattison 1:02.10; 100 free – 10. Grimstad 52.27; 11. Humpal 52.45; 16. Keaton Vobr 56.12 500 free – 13. Hammel 5:49.51; 14. Snitker 5:53.17; 19. Esteban Fernandez 6:48.83 200 free relay – 4. Kuehner, Burns, Humpal, Giddings, 1:32.25 100 back – 11. Swizdor 1:00.99; 13. Vobr 1:05.91; 15. Hook 1:08.70 100 breast – 11. Robinson 1:08.21; 15. Cote 1:10.44 400 free relay – 4. Kuehner, Humpal, Grimstad, Burns, 3:26.03

The Decorah girls bowling team claimed the top spot at the North Central Bowling Conference tournament last week and finished the season with a perfect 10-0 record Friday night.

Members of the varsity squad contributing to the victory Wednesday, Feb. 7 were (front, l-r) Kennady Riehle, Kaelyn Kuhn (both alternates); (back) Head Coach Keith Bruening, Asmere Jensen, Marri Feuerhelm, Karlie Einck, Jasera Tweten, Rylee Averhoff, Addison Wicklund and Assistant Coach Michael Bruening. (Photo courtesy of Amy Averhoff)

Girls first, boys second at bowling conference tourney The Decorah bowling teams geared up for the state-qualifying meet next week with top-notch finishes in the North Central Bowling Conference Wednesday and a match win over Columbus Catholic Friday at King Pin Entertainment Center.

Big finish Having already secured the dual conference title for the third straight season last week, the Viking girls went after the tournament title and earned it.

In the baker-style tournament, the Lady Vikes finished the qualifying round as the top seed. Against Forest City in the bracket action, Decorah defeated the eight seed with baker games of 169 and 255 to advance to the semifinals. There it took two games (221, 195) to defeat Sumner-Fredericksburg.

Second seed Charles City gave the Vikes a run for their money in the championship match.

Decorah won the first baker game with a 168 before dropping the second with a 170. The girls bounced back to win game three with a 187.

“The girls were outstanding with spares and strikes on all day,” noted coach Keith Bruening. “Our girls made up their minds they were going to and all of the squad contributed.

I could not be prouder of the

eight girls.”

Competing for the Vikes were Addison Wicklund, Asmere Jensen, Marri Feuerhelm, Karlie Einck, Rylee Averhoff and Jasera Tweeten with Kaelyn Kuhn and Kennady Riehle as alternates.

The boys also had a good day, finishing as the conference runner-up. Qualifying second, the Vikes first match was versus the seventh seed Forest City. Decorah started strong with a 226 win, then dropped game two to Forest City with a 181, but fired a 254 to win game three and stay alive in bracket play.

Decorah started the semifinal round with a big win over Denver with a 264, but once again saw the opponent battle back in game two as the Vikes rolled a 178. Coming back together, the Vikes won the tie breaker with a 223 to advance to the finals against Columbus. The top-seeded Sailors took the title despite Decorah’s game one victory (269).

Knocking down the pins for the Decorah boys were Tyler Novak, Jace Buddenberg, Cain Monreal-Rice, Alex Maki, Jordan Sims and Bryce Elsbernd as Beau Newhouse and Gavin Luzum served as alternates.

Final dual Hitting their strides before the state-qualifying meets Mon-

day and Tuesday, the bowling teams defeated Columbus Catholic Friday.

Finishing 10-0 in duals this season, the Decorah girls routed the Sailors 2,677 to 2,372. Baker games were 166, 210, 177, 145 and 152.

Wicklund, a senior captain, paced the Viking girls with a 439 (213, 226) with Einck a close second with 418 (228, 190). Jensen was contributed a 355 (160, 195), with Averhoff (155, 152), Feuerhelm (139, 169) and Tweten (128, 145) also on the lanes.

The Decorah boys finished the regular season with a nail-biter against Columbus Catholic, winning 3,045 to 3,012 taking a 9-1 record into the postseason. In the individual round, the Vikes led the visitors by 142 pins, but baker rounds of 176, 200, 215, 253 and 158 gave Decorah just enough to hang on for the win.

In the individual round Monreal-Rice shot strikes in the front eight as he looked for the perfect game, coming up short with a 266 and 202. Novak was on the board with a 406 (160, 249). Others on the lanes in varsity action included Buddenberg (197, 188), Elsbernd (215, 158), Maki (181, 194) and Sims (221, 185).

Decorah girls stumble with out-of-state teams

The Decorah girls basketball team had a goal of winning the final Northeast Iowa Conference title and did so at Waukon recently and took the opportunity to pose for a photo. (submitted photo) It’s been a tough road lately for the Decorah girls basketball team (9-10, 5-1 NEIC) who has dropped its last three contests to out of state squads.

Two halves Traveling to the other side of the Iowa-Minnesota border, the Vikes were on the Spring Grove (18-5) hardwood Thursday, dropping the contest 62-51.

Playing by Minnesota rules of two halves in place of four quarters, Decorah trailed 29-20 at half and couldn’t dig out of the hole as the Lions outscored the Vikes 33-31 in the second half.

Two Vikings hit double digit scoring with Sydney Thompson leading the way with 14 points to go with four rebounds. Renae Wilson put up 12 points

and nabbed five boards, while Grace Tangen just missed the double digits with nine points.

Liz Bucksa added eight points, six caroms and two steals with Clara Hjelle and Brooklyn Fromm pulling down five boards apiece.

Scoring – Sydney Thompson 14; Renae Wilson 12; Grace Tangen 9; Liz Bucksa 8; Brooklyn Fromm 6; Kelby Kerndt 2 Rebounds – Bucksa 6; Clara Hjelle 5; Wilson 5; Fromm 5; Thompson 4; Kerndt 3; Tangen 3; Natalie Stevens 1; Assists – Hjelle 2; Wilson 2; Bucksa 2; Kerndt 2; Fromm 1; Tangen 1; Steals – Bucksa 2; Kerndt 1; Tangen 1

Scoring woes Less than 24 hours later the Vikes were back in action at home, hosting Prairie du Chien (19-2) in a make-up game from January. Fatigue may have played a factor in the Decorah’s

59-28 loss to the Blackhawks The Vikings managed just 11 points in the first half and were left trailing 32-11 at the break and put in another 17 in the second half.

Five players had at least three points with Tangen leading the way with nine along with seven rebounds. Wilson added eight with Thompson putting in five.

Bucksa and Natalie Stevens had three each.

Prairie du Chien 18 14 16 11 59 Decorah 8 3 6 11 28 Scoring – Tangen 9; Wilson 8; Thompson 5; Bucksa 3; Stevens 3 Rebounds – Tangen 7; Hjelle 6; Bucksa 3; Fromm 2; Wilson 1; Stevens 1; Kerndt 1; Assists – Bucksa 2; Wilson 1; Kerndt 1; Steals – Bucksa 2; Hjelle 1; Blocks – Wilson 1

Final home game It came down to the final

seconds Tuesday for the Vikes who hosted Lanesboro (15-9) in Decorah’s final regular season game at home.

The Burros kicked off the game with a 13-8 first quarter lead over Decorah. The Vikes edged closer by the half 2521 but continued to trail 3630 with one frame remaining.

In the final eight minutes, the home team worked its way to within two 44-42 but they had no luck sinking a basket to tie things up in the closing seconds and forced to foul to stop the clock. Lanesboro went to the charity stripe, sinking the two free throws and closing out the game 46-42.

Individual stats were unavailable at press time.

Lanesboro Decorah

13 12 11 10 46 8 13 9 12 42

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18 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Medal-worthy performances by Viking girls; Simon second at 145 pounds

Class 1A team scores (top 10) 1. East Buchanan 105; 2. Mount Vernon 94; 3. Osage 79.5; 4.

Decorah 74; 5. West Liberty 65.5; 6.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 64.5; 7. Logan-Magnolia-Woodbine 62.5; 8. Woodward-Granger 62; 9.

Denver 61; 10. Charles City 48

Viking junior Ana Simon fell short of the 145-pound crown by an 8-7 decision in final against Eve Skrocki of Wahlert.

In the quarterfinal round, Lauren Luzum battled the eventual 155-pound title winner Destiny Kolheim of Charles City.

A stellar wrestling season wrapped up for girls around the state last weekend in Coralville, including five Vikings with one in the finals.

Heading into the big meet, Decorah was looking to defend its state title; however, the Vikes would come up short of a trophy, finishing third with 74 points. East Buchanan tallied 105 points to win the Class 1A title, followed by Mount Vernon and Osage.

A great finish for Simon Heading into the state meet, junior Ana Simon was the topranked wrestler at 145 pounds with a 38-2 record, and showcased why as she pinned her way to the finals.

Simon took 20 seconds to throw Treynor’s Liz Young (36-14) in round one and spent just 48 seconds to get Addision Hochstetler (37-5) of North Tama on her back in the quarterfinals Thursday. Friday morning, the Viking stepped back on to the mats in the semifinal with Lauren Rodgers (41-6) of Woodward-Granger and held a 3-1 lead into the second before getting a takedown and turning Rodgers for the fall in 3:16.

It was an epic battle in the finals between the top two seeds as Simon went toe-to-toe with Eve Skrocki of Wahlert Catholic who entered the state meet at 37-2. Skrocki struck first with a takedown just over a minute into the match and had a 4-point nearfall as time expired. The Viking chose down in the second, and managed an escape and a takedown of her own to make it 7-4. In the third period, Skrocki took the opportunity to go down and got an escape. Late in the third period, Simon came within one with a takedown but ran out of time as she fell by an 8-7 decision to take second place.

Simon finished the year with a 41-3 overall record.

More medals Decorah had three others on the medal stand Friday night, including Chloe Sheffield (100) in third, Lauren Luzum (155) in fifth and Amelia Wadsworth (135) in seventh places.

Sheffield entered the state tournament ranked No. 1 with a 39-5 record and faced Rylin Casey (20-19) first, getting the fall in 1:34. No. 7 Audrey Cummings (39-10) of Wilton didn’t seem to be an obstacle for the Viking senior either as Sheffield won by a 13-2 major decision.

The battle of the tournament came for Sheffield during the match between her and No. 2 Ainsley Hemann (46-4) of Osage, who had defeated the Viking at the regional tournament. Following a scoreless opening period, Sheffield took the bottom position and quickly got the escape. Hemann soon got the takedown only to get reversed before a nearfall. The Osage grappler got her own reversal and nearfall to lead 9-7 with a period to go. As the two continued to battle, Sheffield got a take down and escape in the third and trailed 12-11 with just under a minute remaining, and she was unable to score

Amelia Wadsworth gets a fall as coaches Casey Kohls (left) and Gene Adams watch intently.

Ana Simon (left) is consoled by father and coach Matt following Friday’s finals.

A sign of true sportsmanship, Chloe Sheffield (right) hugs Osage’s Ainsley Hemann after the Vikes’ semifinal loss.

McKenzie Tollefson Chloe Sheffield

ABOVE LEFT: Decorah cheerleaders, Jenna Johnson, Ava Bahr, Lyla Lovstuen (l-r) were intent on the match at hand at the state meet while Ana Simon’s family (above right) showcased a mix of emotions during Friday’s 145-pound finals. TOP PHOTO: Members of the Decorah girls wrestling team were matside with encouragement while Ana Simon competed in the finals. (All photos

by Becky Walz)

again to drop into the consolation bracket. There she pinned No. 6 Mara Davis (41-11) of Algona in 34 seconds to advance to the third-place match versus No. 5 Lily Webster (446) taking third by a 4-0 decision on a first period takedown and a second period escape. Sheffield ended her senior campaign with a 39-5 record.

Following a first round medical forfeit, Luzum, ranked second, found herself on the mat in the quarterfinals with No. 5 Destiny Kolheim (27-5) of Charles City. Luzum fell behind in the first 3-0 and trailed 3-1 with one period to go. Luzum’s escape wasn’t enough to overcome the eventual 155-pound champion Kolheim as she fell 6-1.

That put Luzum in the consolation bracket, where she needed a win in order to medal.

She faced No. 10 Kasee Huss of MOC-Floyd Valley (39-6), picking up the fall in 52 seconds.

Next up was sixth-ranked Miley Walz of East Buchanan (396). Luzum went up 3-1 in the first but the tides turned as Walz got the takedown and nearfall in the second to lead 8-4 and took the win 10-5. Luzum dominated Ryley Marcum (42-14) of Missouri Valley in the match for fifth place with a 19-0 tech fall.

Luzum ended her season 44-4 overall in fifth place.

Fourth seeded Amelia Wadsworth came into the tournament unranked and took her first match by a 20-2 tech fall over No. 11 Lila Miller (28-6) of Pekin.

In the quarterfinal, the Viking battled for 4:40 with Isabelle Harris (23-6) of GTRA before falling into the consolation bracket. Leading 7-0 over Mia Luck (34-3), who had been ranked eighth at 130 pounds, Wadsworth turned the Oskaloosa wrestler to get the fall in 3:49.

In the third round of the consolation bracket, the Decorah grappler dropped the 13-10 decision to No. 4 Evy Marlin (44-7) of Creston to move to the match for seventh place. It was there that Wadsworth finished her tournament with a fall in 2:27 over Clarinda’s Kylar Downey (39-14) to finish her season with a 28-8 record.

One more at state Decorah had one more on the state mats as fifth ranked McKenzie Tollefson entered the tournament with a 36-6 record as the fifth seed. The senior threw Montana Mitchell (18-5) of Winterset during round one in 1:42. In the quarterfinal, Tollefson took on No. 6 Lucy Konechne (38-5) of Central Lyon-George Little Rock, dropping the match by an 8-1 decision.

Her quest to the podium ended with Katelyn Brandhorst of Woodward-Granger. Takedowns in the first and second periods had Tollefson leading 6-5. However, the Viking struggled in the third period after getting taken to the mat, falling 8-6 and ending her season with a 37-8 record.

Many more photos from the 2025 Girls State Wrestling Tournament will be posted online.