February 20, 2025

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Vol. 160, Issue 8 www.decorahleader.com

Decorah, Iowa 52101 email: editor@decorahleader.com

NEI3A Chief Executive Officer Mike Donohue challenged several supervisors’ previous claims regarding county funding for the nonprofit. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

Local land investment cooperative hopes to promote sustainable ag

Humble Hands Harvest north of Decorah raises sheep as well as vegetables, and the operation also incorporates beneficial native plantings, which officials said seem to have aided the return of several species to the farm. (Photo

by Seth Boyes)

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

Building off a past model Fellow FLIC Board member Steve McCargar said the use of a similar model was central to procuring land which is now occupied by Humble Hands Harvest – a worker-owned cooperative farm operation north of Decorah led by Hannah Breckbill and Emily Fagan.

McCargar said, when about 22 acres of land near his own home was expected to be put up for auction a number of years

NEI3A CEO addresses county supervisors’ previous statement on funding Questions arise regarding Public Health budget

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Steve McCargar noted Humble Hands Harvest relies on numerous individuals rather than large-scale machinery. He said the small operation’s approach reduces soil loss and benefits local water quality. (Photo by Seth Boyes) ago, he and a number of neighbors as well as community members from the Decorah area were concerned a large confined animal feeding operation or similar business might secure the land, which McCargar felt would be environmentally devastating to the local eco-

Price $1.50

phone: 563-382-4221

‘This is a kernel of hope’

A budding local land investment cooperative hopes to foster greater community awareness of area land practices and sustainable agriculture as organizers work to replicate a purchasing model they said has seen success locally in years past.

The Farmers Land Investment Cooperative – or FLIC – was created in 2023, and board member Klaus De Boer said he and other coop members have spent the past year discussing the nuts and bolts of how the cooperative’s shareholders might provide financial support to area farm operations practicing sustainable agriculture – and now they’re beginning to look for their first official project.

One Section

Several past statements made

by Winneshiek County supervisors were called into question Monday, when Mike Donohue, chief executive officer of Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, addressed the board during its regular meeting. Donohuye asserted several claims board members made regarding county funding of NEI3A — some as recently as during that same meeting — weren’t true.

Some of the supervisors and the county auditor were previously under the impression the county hadn’t funded NEI3A in the last 10 years, but Donohue said the county funded the nonprofit in 2022.

The supervisors denied a recent $4,700 funding request from NEI3A for Fiscal Year 2025-26, which the organization presented during the Jan. 13 board of supervisors meeting. Winneshiek County Supervisor Mark Vick voiced frustration with the agency during that meeting, saying NEI3A had not

Supervisors continued on page 12

system. He said about 15 families were able to generate more than $122,000 in about three weeks to purchase the land

Snyder forms Farmers Land Winneshiek Emergency Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers.com Preparedness Coalition in case disaster strikes continued on page 8

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Monday’s city council meeting saw (l to r) Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski, councilmembers Steven Zittergruen and Randy Schissel, and Councilmember at Large Cody Whittle facing off regarding whether the recently released Alliant Energy feasibility study should be added to the city’s educational materials section of its webpage. Schissel was one of two council members who requested the study be considered. The study rejected by a 4-2 vote, due to fact that the city’s government page cannot contain external links or references short of affiliate partners like the chamber of commerce. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Decorah City council votes down request for Alliant study to be added to city webpage

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER A request to add a recently released feasibility study to the voter education information available through the city of Decorah’s website was voted down by the Decorah City

Council 4-2 on Monday.

Decorah voters are less than two weeks away from deciding whether the city of Decorah should be authorized to establish a municipal electric utility. The city had previously posted informational materials on its website for the benefit

of voters ahead of the March 4 referendum. A study, conducted by Concentric Energy Advisors on behalf of Alliant Energy — which currently supplies electricity to most of Decorah — released a study on Feb. 5, estimating the cost of the proposed transition to be $85.6

million.

Decorah City Council member Christopher Miculinich, one of the two council members requesting the Concentric study

City council continued on page 12

Townspeople don’t often know what to do after a community-wide disaster, and local emergency responders said that lack of awareness can devastate a town by causing even more turmoil for residents who’ve potentially lost everything they owned. Winneshiek County Emergency Management Coordinator Sean Snyder hopes to avoid that “disaster within the disaster” by establishing the Winneshiek Emergency Preparedness Coalition — a countywide network of volunteers who will collaborate to provide resources and relief if any of the county’s towns experience a disaster.

Snyder described a hypothetical scenario in which a tanker truck carrying a hazardous chemical is involved in a collision in downtown Decorah, causing the tank to leak. In that case, Snyder said, those within up to half-a-mile would need to be evacuated — essentially the distance from the corner of Wa-

Sean Snyder ter and Winnebago streets to the intersection of Water and Montgomery streets.

Snyder explained there may be other factors aside to consider during such a response.

Aside from organizing an evacuation and arranging temporary shelter, he said some residents’ health might depend on an oxygen supply or electricity.

“These questions need to be

Emergency continued on page 7

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Don’t Miss Hearing,

2 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

“I Love You ”

Happy Feet:

this Valentine’s Day!

Public Health clinic helps keep county residents on their toes County toenail clipping service growing with aging area population Water Department Superintendent Todd Ihde holds an old water meter (left) and a new water meter (right). The old meter contains moving parts (see below) which should spin freely as water flows through the cylinder, but those parts fail as they become worn out, break or mineral deposits build up on them, like the light green coating pictured. The new meter is ultrasonic and does not have moving parts, but instead uses a signal to measure water movement and depth. That data is then sent via a transponder to a central database that is monitored 24/7. (Photos by Denise Lana)

Outdated, failing water meters to be replaced citywide

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER New water meters for all Decorah residences and businesses are expected to be installed by mid-fall this year, as the city is weeks away from finalizing the project’s budget and funding. New high-tech meters will replace antiquated ones, which city staff hopes will all but eliminate water loss and provide more accurate water bills for residents.

Typically replaced every 10 years, many meters in the city were installed 25 years ago and have more than served their useful lifespan, according to Water Department Superintendent Todd Ihde, who has worked with the city nearly 35 years. The parts inside the meter are worn out and are slow-moving, he said, resulting in inaccurate readings for billing purposes as well as city water loss reports.

“If you turn a faucet on just a little bit to fill a glass with water, not a huge volume of water is going through that meter and sometimes with an old meter, it won’t pick up the trickle of water running through,” Ihde said.

Currently the water department has a dedicated employee tasked with traveling to every res-

idence and building in the city to take physical readings from dedicated meters showing how much water was used at each location — nearly 3,200 reading in total. The city is divided into three sections, and the employee spends one

Water meters

continued on page 3

Choose Alliant Energy If approved, the initial costs of Measure E are projected to cost Decorah residents

$85.6 million*

Vote NO on Measure E • March 4

No government takeover No higher taxes

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER Winneshiek County residents are aging, and as a result, the number of clients using the Happy Feet Clinic — Winneshiek County Public Health’s foot-health service — has grown exponentially since 2023. Officials there say the steady growth in numbers demonstrates an increasing need and appreciation for the more-than-30-year-old clinic.

“Some people could argue that it’s not a required service, but it is a needed service in the community,” said Winneshiek County Public Health Administrator Krista Vanden Brink.

“The fact that we’re booked out two months really says something about the service we provide and how much it’s needed and appreciated.”

The foot-health clinic, which focuses on clipping toenails, originally began in 1994 through a collaboration with then-Public Health Administrator Marlene Fenstermann and Dr. Craig Sullivan, a podiatrist at Gundersen Clinic’s Decorah location.

“People needed their toenails clipped, but insurance wouldn’t pay for it,” said Lois Frana, who has been with public health since 1985. “Insurance will only cover the service at a doctor’s office if the patient is diabetic or if they have another foot condition, and that’s only a certain number of times per year.”

Happy Feet doesn’t provide the same service as a doctor — nor does it provide pedicures, Frana said, but for $30, clients can soak their feet and have their toenails clipped and filed before receiving a “mini-foot-massage” over the course of one 45-minute session. And, the clinic isn’t just about toenails, either. Vanden Brink said public health’s nurses also assess a client’s overall foot health by checking under the toenails,

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*Projection of $85.6M is for initial municipalization costs and is based on Concentric Energy Advisors 2025 Preliminary Feasibility Study.

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looking for in-grown nails, swelling and ulcers.

“People like the attention,” Vanden Brink said. “They like the foot soak, they like how we trim their nails, but they also really like the mini-foot-massage afterwards. Our nurses do really well with that foot massage, so you feel really relaxed before you leave. It’s the whole package, and people appreciate that. Some people think they’re being pampered, but we’re really just providing a health service for them.”

The service is available to anyone of any age and any level of ability, Vanden Brink said, although those who typically use the service often have limited mobility, vision impairments or they’re just not as flexible as they once were.

“There are always a number of individuals who cannot get their toes to their nose,” she said. “Maybe they have some limited mobility issues — like from a bad back or a new joint that’s been put in — so they just don’t have that flexibility. There are also individuals with visual impairments, and if they try to cut their toenail, they’re going to cut a chunk of their skin off, which opens it up to bleeding and possible infection.”

Vanden Brink said seniors often choose to retire in the Decorah area, which she said may contribute to the community’s aging population. She said many of those seniors become Happy Feet clients, because Medicare and other insurance no longer pays for the service.

“Medicare has changed the rules about who can go to podiatry for their toenails and have it covered by insurance,” Vanden Brink said. “If you are diabetic and if you have a known foot problem, you can go to a podiatrist to have your toenails cut and have it paid for by Medicare — which means most of us can’t go doctor to have our toenails cut.”

Between July of 2023 and

®

©2025 Starkey Laboratories,

Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1/25

1578300205

July of 2024, Happy Feet provided a total of 465 individual in-office foot-care sessions, generating almost $14,000 in revenue for Public Health. And those numbers are still increasing.

“We’ve talked about possibly increasing how much we charge,” said Frana, “but some of the people who come in are very, very poor, and they save so they can come in every two months, because they can’t afford coming more often.”

And Vanden Brink indicated she and her staff wouldn’t want to see a decrease in the number of people they assist in staying healthy.

“I love my work,” said Mary Raatz, one of the Happy Feet nurses. “I’m helping people with a part of life they’re not able to take care of themselves.

It makes them feel good again, and that makes me feel good.”

For information, or to schedule an appointment, visit winneshiekhealth.org/happy-feet-clinics or call 563-3824662.

Mary Raatz, RN, cares for a client’s toenails at Winneshiek County Public Health’s Happy Feet Clinic. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

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3

Former Decorah man pleads not guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse

Hammel to serve 10 years in jail

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

A former Decorah resident has pleaded not guilty to allegations of sexually abusing multiple children over a period of several years.

Court records filed earlier this month show 18-year-old Isaiah Alexander Yos-Eddy of Waterloo has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of second-degree sexual abuse. The case is currently scheduled to go to trial in August.

Criminal complaints filed against Yos-Eddy said an employee of the Iowa Health and Human Services informed the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office of the allegations in late May of 2024. The complaints said three children had made statements to their parents regarding multiple incidents of abuse which allegedly occurred between 2019 and 2023, and Yos-Eddy was identified as the suspect — court documents filed earlier this year specified each child was under the age of 12.

The now 18-year-old Yos-Eddy was interviewed by the sheriff’s office as part of the investigation, according to the

A Decorah man accused of trying to kill his mother pleaded guilty to all but the most serious charge against him and has received a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Daniel John Hammel was initially charged in April of 2024 with attempted murder, willful injury, first-degree harassment and domestic abuse/assault.

Hammel initially pleaded not guilty to the charges as part of a filing in June of 2024, but the 28-year-old entered a new plea with the court on Feb. 4, pleading guilty to three of the counts against him — willful injury, first-degree harassment and domestic abuse/assault — with the expectation the attempted murder charge would be dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

An initial criminal complaint filed against Hammel said he had been involved in a physical altercation with his mother around 10:45 a.m. April 26, 2024, at their shared address

Isaiah Alexander Yos-Eddy criminal complaints, and he allegedly admitted to abusing the children in multiple ways while he lived in Winneshiek County — the complaint went on to say Yos-Eddy allegedly “stated these sexual assaults occurred several times a week” during the period in question.

A warrant was issued for Yos-Eddy’s arrest on Jan. 16, according to court records. The teen was served with the warrant and arrested after turning himself in at the Winneshiek County Jail the next day. Court records show he was released Jan. 19 after posting a $50,000 bond but must not leave the state of Iowa, according to court records.

Attempted murder charge dismissed

Daniel John Hammel in the 1000 block of Bruening Drive in Decorah. The complaint alleged Hammel “made statements of wanting to kill the victim, while striking her in the head with a dumbbell.” The complaint went on to say Hammel’s mother sustained serious injuries to her head and defensive wounds to her arm.

A written statement from Hammel’s mother was read for the court during Tuesday’s sentencing. She told Hammel that, while a mother’s love is unconditional, he scared her that

pay it.”

The new billing would also be recorded and measured in gallons, which would be a change from the current measurement, which is reported in cubic feet.

“Most people don’t understand cubic feet unless you’re in the industry — you don’t go to the gas station and put a cubic foot of gas in your car or go to the grocery store and buy a cubic foot of milk,” Ihde said.

“It’s easier to understand a gallon, and we are going to measure water by gallons — it’s a measurement people understand.”

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken and Ihde have worked closely with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for nearly a year to ensure the meter replacement project is eligible for financial support from Iowa’s State Revolving Fund.

“We are finalizing the SRF paperwork with Steve Van Dyke and Strand and Associates,” Ihde said. “Hopefully we will get that approved very soon so we can start talking about which direction we want to go and who we want to go with.

With the average cost of a residential meter starting at $160 and a large industrial meter topping out at more than $5,000, the project’s price tag is around $1.5 million, according to Goedken. He remained optimistic the city-wide upgrades will go without a hitch, despite the rapidly approaching project start date and the necessary task of coordinating with 3,200 residences and businesses for the removal of their old meters and the installation of new ones.

“We are shooting for an early April bid letting with a substantial completion date of Oct. 31,” Goedken said. “We want this project wrapped up before the holiday season.”

said Hammel is to remain in the county jail until space becomes available at the another correctional facility. Hammel will be required to pay approximately $3,300 for the victim’s medical expenses and counseling in addition to a $1,370 fine.

The judge also noted Hammel will be required to complete an Iowa Domestic Abuse Program and that the 28-year-old’s conviction carries no minimum sentence — meaning Hammel would be immediately eligible to apply for parole.

The judge went on to tell Hammel that the harm done to his family during the April incident was obvious to the court, but Heavens said the plea agreement reached in Hammel’s case seemed to be aimed at allowing the 28-year-old to take advantage of rehabilitation programs offered during his time in prison.

“You’re still a very young man, so you’ve still got a large part of your life to go,” Heavens told Hammel.

Willitts pleads guilty to pair of drug charges

Seven other Water meters defendants continued from page 2 maintain not month in each section — water bill for three months and all of bills are sent out quarterly, with a sudden getting a bill for $150 guilty pleas the meters only being read once and finding myself struggling to every three months.

“The way we read meters now, if we read your meter the first week of January, and you had a toilet that started leaking the second week of January, you wouldn’t know unless you caught it or until we read your meter again in April,” Ihde said. “In a three-month period, it really adds up. You’re talking thousands of gallons.”

But with new, accurate meters, every water meter in the city would be constantly monitored. Any unusual water usage would be flagged immediately and the resident would be notified. Additionally, the new technology could allow homeowners to view their meters and personally monitor their usage — an option which might appeal to owners of rental properties, Ihde said.

“There are also meters that have automatic shut offs in them,” Ihde said. “If the city wanted to go that route, we could shut the flow of water off automatically to a residence or business if it was necessary.”

With round-the-clock monitoring, city officials expect the need for physical meter reading may not be necessary, and billing would move from quarterly to monthly. Ihde said more frequent bills may also benefit the city, noting it’s often easy for residents to forget a bill when it is only paid four times every year.

“Instead of getting a bill for three months of water usage, people are going to get a smaller bill, so they should be able to better manage that bill,” Ihde said. “They can look at their bill and say, ‘If my water bill is $50 this month, chances are it’s going to be $50 next month, and I can plan ahead knowing it’s going to more than likely be $50 every month,’ instead of forgetting about my water

morning, saying her son seemed to “just snap” and adding that Hammel’s family would continue to be there for him.

“I can forgive but not forget,” she wrote. “I’m always thinking of you, how you’re doing and I miss you.”

The court deemed Hammel competent to stand, following a professional evaluation last year, and the case was at one point expected to go to trial in January of 2025. That trial was cancelled by the court on Jan. 14.

A judge accepted the 28-yearold’s new plea earlier this month, and he was sentenced Tuesday. Iowa First Judicial District Court Judge Alan Heavens said Hammel is to serve up to 10 years for willful injury charge, and two years for both the remaining charges — all three prison sentences are to be served concurrently. He is also to be given credit for time already served — Hammel has remained in the Winneshiek County Jail since he was initially booked in April. The judge

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A New Hampton man, who was one of nine people charged in November as part of what local law enforcement called a lengthy drug investigation, has pleaded guilty and is expected to serve several years on probation.

Jacob Wayne Willitts initially pleaded not guilty in early January to charges of failure to affix a drug tax stamp and possession of a controlled substance — third or subsequent offense — but he changed his plea in a Feb. 3 filing. A judge sentenced the 28-year-old the next day, suspending a jail sentence of up to five years and placing Willitts on probation for a period of five years.

Court records indicate the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office had been following a pattern of possible drug sales in the area dating back as early as February of 2023, which later resulted in charges against 21-year-old Ckaiden Dean Nelson-Coonradt of Elmore, Minnesota. Investigators claim Nelson-Coonradt travelled to the state of Oregon in April of 2024 and messaged a number of Winneshiek County residents the next month to arrange the sale of illegal substances, including marijuana, THC wax and THC cartridges. A sheriff’s deputy reported in resulting court documents that Nelson-Coonradt returned to Winneshiek County in October of 2024 and made several brief stops outside local businesses and at area residences — including a home in the 2200 block of Highway 9 west of Decorah, which Nelson-Coonradt briefly visited again the following month, according to court documents.

The sheriff’s office later be-

Correction: Feb. 13, 2025 A cutline within an article entitled “Alliant releases updated feasibility study ahead of March referendum,” which was published in the Feb. 13, 2025, Decorah Leader, inaccurately stated the upcoming March 4 referendum to establish a municipal electric utility would require 60 percent approval from voters in order to pass. The referendum only requires a simple 50 percent majority. Should the city choose to issue general obligation bonds to fund the proposed MEU, voters would need to approve the issuing of the bonds with a 60 percent majority. Staff regrets the error.

Jacob Wayne Willitts came aware Nelson-Coonradt was in Calmar the afternoon of Nov. 27, 2024, and law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the SUV Nelson-Coonradt was driving. Later court documents noted a passenger in the vehicle, 26-year-old Tyler James Westcott of West Union, was believed to have previously travelled to Oregon with Nelson-Coonradt, and a search of the vehicle revealed 300 grams of bud marijuana, 200 grams of THC wax and more than 100 THC cartridges. Nelson-Coonradt was also found to be in possession of almost $1,200 in cash. He was charged with two counts of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, failure to affix a drug tax stamp — Class D felonies — and possession of a controlled substance. Westcott was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, failure to affix a drug tax stamp and possession of a controlled substance.

Investigators executed a separate search warrant several hours later at the residence Nelson-Coonradt had been seen visiting west of Decorah. Court records said at least one resident there “made admissions to purchasing the drugs from the defendant, Ckaiden Coonradt, and had been purchasing from Coonradt for approximately one year.”

Investigators found approximately 2 pounds of marijuana inside the house as well as other THC products in the basement of the building, according to court documents. Criminal complaints filed against multiple occupants of the home said authorities found “a child’s sippy cup and children’s toys on the floor” near the drugs and “nine juvenile children were located in the residence at the time.” One resident was “located in the basement, holding one of his two children under the age of 3,” according to court

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

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

Court filings earlier this month labelled Willitts as a habitual offender — the 28-yearold’s recent plea noted four previous drug-related convictions between 2016 and 2024 — and said he potentially faced additional sentencing for his most recent charges.

Court documents showed six other occupants of the Decorah residence were charged with drug-related offenses following the November search. Authorities charged 31-year-old Zachary Alan Sorenson of Decorah with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and failure to affix a drug tax stamp as well as child endangerment and gathering where marijuana is being used. Later court filings indicated Sorenson had paid Nelson-Coonradt approximately $7,780 between November of 2023 and June of 2024.

Separate court records also show 26-year-old Luke D. Price of Decorah was charged with possession of a controlled substance, failure to affix a drug tax stamp and child endangerment, while three other individuals — 29-year-old Ashleigh Ann Sorenson of Decorah, 36-yearold Lexus Briann Six of Decorah and 25-year-old Tyler John Dozark of Decorah — were each charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Willitts and 26-year-old

Devan Patrick Forbes of Manchester were both charged with possession of a controlled substance and failure to affix a drug tax stamp.

Willits is the first among the nine defendants to have entered a guilty plea — available court records have yet to show the entry of a plea by Nelson-Coonradt, and the remaining six defendants have each entered pleas of not guilty.

The court’s Feb. 4 order said Willitts’ newest probation period is to be served concurrently with those imposed as part of previous court decisions in two other cases — Willitts was sentenced to five years of probation in September of 2024 after being convicted of possession of methamphetamine, and he was sentenced to two years of probation in December of 2024 after being convicted of third-degree burglary. Court records in the latter case accused both Willitts and Forbes of removing items from a vehicle at Don’s Sales and Service in Decorah the night of July 8, 2024 — Forbes pleaded not guilty to that charge on Oct. 7, 2024, and the case against him is currently scheduled to go to trial in July of 2025.

Willitts’ recent sentencing order also instructed him to reside at a residential facility in West Union for one year or until he “has obtained the maximum benefit from available programming.” Information from the sheriff’s office indicates Willitts reported to the county jail as required by the court the morning of Feb. 5 to await availability at the West Union facility. He was still listed on the county jail roster as of press time.

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OPINION

4 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

‘Let’s vote to get some facts’ Why would anyone vote I don’t know about you, but what a municipal electric utility against obtaining information? I’m more than tired of being will actually cost — whether it

Editor, As a rural Decorah resident who is served by Alliant Energy and will be affected by the potential formation of a Decorah MEU, I will be impacted by whatever your vote on March 4 decides. As I understand it, this vote is not to establish the MEU, or to take on debt, or to commit Decorah to anything except to be able to obtain the information it needs as a community to make a good decision on possibly establishing a MEU. Lots of letters have spilled much ink on both sides of the issue, but the only way to get clear and unbiased information is by voting yes. Once Decorah has the information, if it will be too expensive for customers, or will be unreliable, then I trust

electricity to that area. Disaster cover several communities.

If we have our own utility, can we expect a quick response from other neighboring municipalities that may be affected?

Alliant’s reliability is one of the best in Iowa. During our 44 years living in Decorah, we have had only a few short term electrical shortages. Alliant has been a positive, reliable force in Decorah for 100 years.

A no vote will prevent the city from wasting taxpayers’ dollars. The several million dollar gamble will only get the potential city utility before the state utility board. They have not approved one since 1974.

Decorah has many infrastructure needs where money could be used.

Don Arendt Decorah

MEU: pipe dream or reality?

When I voted “no” to the city of Decorah establishing and operating a municipal electric utility seven years ago, I was convinced it just was not financially feasible. While there were many other negative factors against Decorah establishing an MEU, the driving factor was that it was just going to be too expensive and put the city of Decorah and its taxpayers in a perilous financial position for many years.

The latest preliminary feasibility study by Concentric Energy Advisors — go to www. alliantenergy.com/Decorah — confirms again in a big way that the cost of Decorah establishing and operating a MEU is just not financially feasible. The estimated costs just blow this deal out of the water. Note: the information provided by Alliant Energy to Concentric Energy

Kirk Larsen Decorah

Importance of sustainability

A no vote will prevent waste of taxpayer dollars

I encourage all Decorah city taxpayers to vote no on the municipal utility March 4 ballot. If approved it will be a green light for the city council to spend millions of dollars to try and seek Iowa Utilities Board approval. My major concern is the support a local electric utility can provide during an emergency.

During my 20-plus years of city service — 12 as mayor — I spent many hours in the emergency operations center during the 2008 and 2016 disastrous floods. Alliant Energy was very quick to respond both times.

In 2008, Alliant’s power line was washed out by Bruening’s pond. This caused a blackout for the area northeast, including Walmart and Freeport. Alliant quickly brought in a large portable substation to supply

the city will vote it down. But if the information shows Decorah residents can generate their own renewable energy, that the MEU will be just as reliable, that costs to customers will be cheaper and keep money local, then I expect the city will vote for the MEU. Decorah doesn’t have reliable information, and after the last MEU vote, it was shown that accurate information was withheld. Decorah will never get reliable information on our electric grid unless you vote yes on March 4.

Why would anyone vote against the Decorah community obtaining the information it needs to be able to make an informed decision?

Advisors for this study should be all the city council needs to make the intelligent decision to give up on a MEU. My concern is not that Decorah will establish a MEU — it will never work — but that a “yes” vote will enable the city council under the misguided direction of a few council members to waste a lot of taxpayer money and time finding that out. That money and time would be much better spent on many other more important issues facing our community — better streets, new fire department and city hall, a community recreation center, etc.

If you do not want the city wasting your hard earned tax dollars, vote “no” on March 4 and put this MEU pipe dream to rest for good!

Dave Olson 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.

I find it interesting that the Decorah Sustainability Commission is funding the educational material, but sustainability is not cited as a reason to create an MEU. According to the Decorah Sustainability Commission’s website, the vision of energy use in Decorah is as follows: Decorah is a leader in energy efficiency, renewable energy generation and use. Energy conservation is a means to save money and protect the environment. Through innovative and sustainable practices, both public and private energy users strive to make Decorah a net-zero community by 2040.

The sustainability commission’s goals include achieving carbon-neutrality by 2040, increasing distributed generation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. MEU supporters have discussed contracting with another energy provider to serve Decorah. Interestingly, the potential provider’s power supplier shows less than 20 percent of the energy they produce is via renewable energy assets.

On the other hand, in Iowa, Alliant Energy is already generating nearly 46 percent of its energy from carbon-free, re-

newable energy resources — up from 26.5 percent in 2019. Alliant Energy is proud of its sustainability efforts and focused on further reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their utility operations.

It’s also unclear whether net-metering would continue to be an option for homeowners and businesses with solar. Net metering is a billing program that allows customers with solar panels to send excess electricity back to the grid. In return, they receive a bill credit, reducing their future electricity bills. In Decorah, approximately 8.5 percent of residents participate in Alliant Energy’s program.

Alliant Energy is able to spread this cost across all customers in Iowa — about 500,000. For small utilities or municipal electric utilities this type of program can be financially challenging, because there are fewer overall customers to divide it amongst, thereby leading to higher overall customer costs.

The question is this: How important is sustainability and who is equipped to help Decorah achieve its sustainability goals? An MEU with significantly fewer renewable energy resources or Alliant Energy, an energy company with 100-plus years of proven experience and commitment?

For sustainability, the choice on Measure E, March 4 is clear – vote no.

Randy Bauer, Director of Operational Resources Alliant Energy

County Democrats voice support for Sheriff Marx’s stance on enforcement An open letter to the good people of Winneshiek County and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds: We support our county sheriff, Dan Marx, in what should be an easy-to-make decision for an elected official, to do his job and to lead his department accordingly by enforcing the rule of law and adhering to the Constitution of the United States of America when it comes to detaining people. Said Sheriff Marx, “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 detentions are violations of our Fourth Amendment protection against warrant less search, seizure and arrest, and of our Sixth Amendment right to due process.”

We have a safe community here in northeast Iowa because Sheriff Marx and the department he was elected to lead act

in the best interest of Winneshiek County and therefore our state. We support and encourage the sheriff and his department to continue to serve the people of Winneshiek County in such a manner. Gov. Kim Reynolds is acting contrary to the rule of law and to the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution; the document that sets a standard recognized around the world.

Following the rule of law established by our Constitution safeguards our citizens and, when applied appropriately, holds elected officials in-check. We applaud Sheriff Marx’s office — and other law enforcement officers — who do their job “by the book” and who adhere to the rule of law. Constitutional adherence is bigger than any party. It is an American value.

Submitted on behalf of the Democratic Party of Winneshiek County by chair John Beard

lied to and of the constant attempt by those who try and scare me into doing something to profit only themselves and who are shameless and do not care at all about what is good for me or my community. And often are actually opposed to what is good for us when it conflicts with the opportunity for them to gain power and money.

I can only wonder why Alliant Energy continues to use such tactics and so much of its resources — the money it has collected from us — to try and keep us from knowing

would actually be a benefit for our community.

That will take facts. Something that Alliant thus far has not provided.

They have demonstrated even to the Iowa Utilities Board that they are not willing to engage in a good faith effort to determine the best electric service to us without being forced to.

Let’s vote to get some facts and find the truth.

Rick Brown Decorah

Governor’s threat is premature Dear Editor, Winneshiek County is fortunate. We have a constitutional sheriff. Dan Marx understands that his loyalty to the U.S. Constitution supersedes all state, county and local laws. The Iowa Legislature it seems, in their creation of Iowa Code Chapter 27A, may not have vetted sufficiently for constitutionality.

In his widely disseminated letter to the people of Winneshiek County, Sheriff Marx details how 27A violates the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights. Of course, when 27A is challenged, it will ultimately remain for the courts to determine which, if any, sections are unconstitutional. Because such

a determination does not yet exist, Gov. Reynolds is premature in threatening legal jeopardy for Sheriff Marx’s failure to comply, thus depriving him of due process. We trust this will play out under the rule of law.

Iowa’s motto is “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” Dan Marx sees his high duty to insure Iowans enjoy this common goal. It is a comfort that Winneshiek County is protected by our constitutional sheriff. Too bad Iowa does not appear to have a constitutional governor.

David Bakken Decorah

‘Treat every customer like you would want to be treated’

When I was in my early 20s I found a “new” car of my dreams at a local dealer, we’ll call Steve’s Autos. We agreed upon a price, with Steve’s promise to fix a few obviously needed repairs. After paying for and driving the car home the next day, I realized upon closer inspection that the promised repairs hadn’t been made. Furious, I called Steve and told him I was bringing the car back for a full refund. After a couple personal insults, he claimed that he had made the repairs. When I explained the proof that he hadn’t, he said, “OK, I’ll make the repairs, or you can trade it for another car on our lot.” I flatly told him I had already cancelled the check. After a moment of silence, he said “Bring the car back, Tim.” I did, and never went back.

I am reminded of that shady car dealer by how Alliant Energy is again, like 2018, purposely misleading Decorah ratepayers, and scaring them into believing a yes vote on March 4 automatically commits us to an MEU — not true — that we’ll spend taxpayer dollars to start an MEU — not true — we’ll have higher electric rates — not true — service will be unreliable — not true — and the cost of Alliant’s electrical infrastructure is $85.6 million. Not. True.

Remember the $50 million billboards they plastered around Decorah in 2018, and how the Iowa Utilities Commission reprimanded them for purposely misleading voters? Interestingly, their updated estimate represents almost an 85 percent increase in value on a system that generally depreciates.

A disclaimer on Alliant’s new study by Concentric Energy says, “This preliminary feasibility study is based on public information and non-public information provided to Concentric Energy Advisors, Inc. by Alliant Energy. Concentric did not independently validate such information and does not provide an opinion on its accuracy.

Moreover, this preliminary feasibility study is not an audit and was not undertaken to express a financial or legal opinion or to provide investment advice.”

Right there! This study is not verified, and it is not intended as investment advice.

Like any feasibility study done without the oversight of the Iowa Utilities Commission,

it’s all just Alliant’s biased estimates. And this study is laden with bias.

Moreover, Alliant is including millions in costs that the city would not need to incur, including purchasing their new $15 million regional service center, where over 85 percent of the customers served by this facility don’t live in the Decorah area. They included the cost of buying the $3 million battery near Venneheim, which was paid for by federal dollars.

They also included roughly $16 million for building a new substation and its reintegration, which would be unnecessary if we served the entire Decorah area. They also throw in more inflationary costs, labeled as “growing concerns.”

Right. And I’m an astronaut.

When you strip away all the unnecessary fluff used to scare us, you come up with around $30 million. It could very well be lower than this, and yes, it could be more. However, even $30 million is tangible when buying a $10-$15 million/year business that isn’t bound by investor dividends and a multimillion dollar annual CEO salary. It’s more than tangible, it’s a good investment.

The only way to get the real numbers that detail actual costs and revenues verified by the IUC is with a yes vote. Otherwise, it’s just Alliant’s words, which 2018 taught us is worth no more than that of Steve the car dealer.

Alliant is treating its Decorah customers — yes, we are customers — just like Steve treated me. They took us for suckers once, and now they’re doing it again. It flies in the face of the basic business principle I learned years ago. Treat every customer like you would want to be treated. If not, expect your customers to look elsewhere, which is all Decorah is doing, at a minimal cost.

Lastly, for those who didn’t attend the recent presentation by the Ames Municipal Electric Utility CEO Donald Kom, please consider watching it.

It can be viewed at Decorah Power’s Facebook page. At the end of his very informative presentation, Kom said, “There’s nothing about municipalization that should scare you.”

Tim Wagner Decorah

OPINION

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

5

Decorah small businesses in favor of MEU

In support of Sheriff Marx

Welcome to Iowabama

If it benefits Decorah in the long run, then that’s what we’ll do

Local dollars are the heartbeat of Decorah, and small businesses understand that like no other.

In a time when so many costs of running a business have continued to rise, we as business owners have to focus more on every expense and innovate in order to stay viable.

A vote yes this March is a unique opportunity for Decorah to have a voice in our energy future, and a chance to explore keeping energy dollars local.

By supporting this referendum, you are choosing to invest in our community.

Electric costs are a significant financial consideration in operating our businesses, with the most recent rate increases from Alliant meaning many of us will be experiencing 15 percent higher electric costs in the coming year. Reliability of electrical service is also vital to our business. We understand that any future electric utility provider, be that Alliant or an MEU, would need to offer the same — or higher — level of reliability as we currently experience.

Our vibrant local business community is part of what makes our small town a unique and desirable place to live and visit. We are committed to of-

I support Sheriff Marx. The U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, is the supreme law of the United States.

It protects our liberty. No state law, state official, state legislature or government agency — national, state or local — can diminish our rights. Everyone present in the United States is entitled to “due process of law” by a court before being confined — or deported. Law enforcement officers can arrest a person for a crime committed in their presence, or if they have “probable cause” to believe a crime was committed based on a sworn statement by a person with direct knowledge of the facts. They may detain a person for the reasonably short time it takes to bring the person before the court to determine whether, or under what conditions, they will be held or released. Federal arrest warrants are based on sworn statements. Detainers issued by a federal agency may imply that a crime has been committed, but may not be a sworn statement under oath.

Our constitution requires that we not be removed from our families, jobs and communities without “due process of law.”

Sheriff Marx has taken an oath “to support the constitution” and “faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office” — politics notwithstanding.

In keeping with the hot, new trend of renaming places to reflect our political aspirations, I propose we rechristen our state Iowabama.

Granted, our aspirational model, Alabama, still leads our state in important quality of life measures like high infant mortality, poor access to health care, low educational outcomes and high rates of poverty and disease. It’s clear that our one-party state government has put us on a clear track to match their achievements.

How is this possible? Simply continue the current state policies of impoverishing county governments in order to put more of our state’s wealth into the pockets of large agricultural conglomerates while depriving small family farms and the communities they nourish of the local infrastructure, medical care and educational opportunities they need to thrive. Push more responsibility for all of these public goods and services onto the county governments while simultaneously depriving them of the taxing authority to pay for them. Easy peasy.

The federal government, under its new leadership, will do their part by cancelling programs that provide crop subsidies and grants to family farmers, thus pushing their farmlands into the waiting arms of Big Ag. Go Iowabama!

I’m writing this letter to voice my support for a yes vote on the March 4 referendum to establish a municipal electric utility, because I know that a yes vote will give us more rights as a community. A yes vote would make it possible for us to learn what kind of options we may have available to us, without binding us to anything we wouldn’t be prepared to move forward on. If the vote passes and we gain access to the information that allows us to do a proper study into what an MEU would cost but find out that it’s not something that would make financial sense to move forward with, then we don’t have to and Alliant remains our provider. However, If we find that it would actually benefit Decorah in the long run, then that’s what we’ll do. If Alliant truly is our best all-around option, as they claim to be, it seems they would want to be open and transparent with the information that would prove this claim to be true.

I’ve been frustrated by Alliant’s division-inducing scare tactics that call this referendum a “government takeover” when in reality it is citizens and neighbors trying to find out if

fering quality goods and services to our community for many years to come. We know that when we keep our money local, we make an investment in our own future. We consider this vote as a chance for the city of Decorah to explore innovation and investment for all local electricity users.

Thank you to the city of Decorah for calling this referendum and giving an opportunity for voters to participate. We will be voting yes on March 4 - please join us.

Signed, Hannah Garry - Blazing Star Kendra and Aaron Marable - JUBILEE Kelsey Vanney - Magpie Lisa Lantz - The Getup Kevin Roberts Meadowlark Provisions Ellen Rockne - StoryPeople David Wadsworth Wadsworth Construction Megan Wachholz - Hexom Gardens Gabriel Eide - an owner of Hometown Taxi Melissa Koch - B&B on Broadway Eric Sovern - Cardboard Robot

Questions for my fellow Decorahians

The March 4 ‘yes’ vote regarding the Municipal Energy Utility is a vote to begin the process of being able to properly evaluate whether or not an MEU will be a good fit for our Decorah community.

We can’t make a good judgment without good information. So let’s get the information straight from the horse’s mouth. Alliant Energy (AE) would need to provide it to the city and Decorah residents if we have the MEU legal status as a utility.

1.) If AE is so sure of their operation costs, pricing structure here in Decorah, why not tell everyone in Decorah to vote yes? Then the Decorah community will see what is what.

2.) Is AE spending wheelbarrows full of money on their campaign to defeat the MEU effort?

Yes. Ya you bet ‘ya. But only the CEO and the bookkeeper knows for sure how much. We will never know! And of course it’s our money, dollars from Decorah, which could be better spent here in Decorah rather than in Madison.

3.) Why are so many complaining about the money the city of Decorah is spending to explore the possibilities of a MEU with a ‘yes’ vote and not complaining about all of our money AE is spending on their campaign against the ‘yes’ vote?

4.) Do the AE stockholders believe their stock value will fall significantly if Decorah votes ‘yes’ on the MEU? If you do, then maybe you should rethink your investment strategy.

5.) Why are so many gray hairs not wanting to vote ‘yes’?

This is an opportunity for you to do another good thing for your children’s generation and your grandchildren’s generation and more generations to follow them. This will be a wonderful long-term gift to our Decorah

community and future generations.

6.) Did AE sell off several of their rural service areas in southeast Minnesota a handful of years back? Yes. Why? Wanna bet that town and city communities are much more profitable than the rural countryside services? But yet, Minnesota/ lowa — MI Energy — seems to be doing just fine in those rural service areas and in communities like Spring Grove, Minnesota, with their MEU. 7.) Where are the independent voices, the conservatives voices and the libertarians voices who say they believe in ‘local control’ but yet, are not voting ‘yes’ on the MEU? 8.) How many of the AE decision makers — who would not be voting ‘yes’ if they lived in Decorah — do you bump into on the street, meet at church, greet in a restaurant or perhaps chat with at the grocery store here in Decorah? Zip, zilch, nada, zero.

9.) Does Decorah have municipally owned utilities? Yes. There is the water utility, the sewer utility, and the forestry utility. The city of Decorah is also exploring the possibility of expanding current fiber optics services, eventually making it available as a public utility for all Decorah businesses and citizens.

How am I voting? ‘Yes,’ of course. I favor local control. I favor keeping our money in our community, managing it locally — approximately $10 million-plus. I favor us...you, me and our Decorahian neighbors and generations to come. I hope you’ll join me in voting ‘yes’.

Let’s find out what our community possibilities are. It just might be electrifying.

Steven Nelson Decorah

Time to keep score If you like to keep score, especially in sports, there may be a carry-over into politics. You may have voted for the current party in power and are now wondering what’s the score. It will take effort on your part, but in the end, you will know the score.

Try to keep tabs by following politics on a daily basis. What is it that seems to make your life better or not so better? No doubt

it was the promise for the good benefits that would accrue. Record those promises that were delivered. And those that were not. It’ll be worthwhile.

Hopefully it will confirm the voting choice for your candidate. But in case it doesn’t, you’ll realize the vote went the wrong way.

John Carver Decorah

Jim Beeghly Decorah

we have another option other than the no-choice monopoly we currently fall under, or claiming that this will raise our taxes when they know that this could be paid for with the revenue that it generates — through our monthly electric bills — and that we wouldn’t actually need to raise taxes, or that we should be afraid of debt even though, according to Alliant’s website information for investors, Alliant Energy itself has over $8 billion in long term debt, (information found at investors. alliantenergy.com) which gets passed on to the customers while the investors get dividend payments. Our hard-earned money goes to outside investors who have no understanding of what it means to live here when that money could stay within the community and help pay for the things that we need. That is why I am voting yes to see if we can make our electricity publicly owned instead of corporate-controlled. I express these views as a private citizen and do not speak for city council as a whole.

Cody Whittle Decorah

Echoes of the Past

Tom St.Clair Decorah

Be content with your MEU vote I have been observing the MEU debate as one who has no vote, due to living outside the city limits, but with an interest in the discussion. I recently received my monthly MiEnergy REC magazine. In the CEO message on page two, it was mentioned that Whalan, Minnesota, voted to disband its MEU in November and become part of MiEnergy. Their vote should not be considered in the Decorah MEU debate, since comparing Walen’s 60 electric accounts to Decorah’s 3,900 would be similar to looking at Decorah vs. a city of about 500,000 — I’m using people, not accounts, for this comparison.

What came next I found more interesting. It was noted that MiEnergy supports 10 southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa communities with “municipal-owned utilities through a power supply contract from Dairyland Power Cooperative, along with operations and maintenance agreements, billing, metering, collections, construction, outage restoration, customer service, energy management or anything else necessary for their municipal system operations.”

Hum, I wondered. If Decorah’s MEU vote passes, perhaps the city could make a similar agreement with MiEnergy, since the dollars to buy out Alliant’s systems and hire people to administrate and maintain it will be very high.

Well, I found my answer in the next heading of “City of Decorah.” It states that “the city has asked if we would be willing to enter into a maintenance and operation agreement, similar to what we do for our 10 wholesale members with municipal-owned systems.” Now, the city already asking MiEnergy this question can be looked at a couple of ways, depending on your point of view. One would be that the city council is being proactive and looking into options on how this could be made to work. The opposite would be that the council is confident the people will vote the way the council wants them to and that this vote is a formality.

Either way the vote goes, I

believe it is important that all of us who call this area of Iowa home keep an eye on costs. I am affected by the recent voter approval to tear down John Cline and build a new elementary school. This is another significant expense we will be paying for, and one that I feel is likely higher than it need be. I believe I am correct that, some time in the 1990s, we approved a school bond that included installing air conditioning in John Cline. But after the vote passed, it was decided by the school board to take the AC money and put it also into the high school, thus leaving the AC-less John Cline to be at times the tail that wags the dog.

Since then, I have felt that John Cline has been under a “planned neglect” fate, as most school leaders have been talking about needing a new building for literally decades.

To me, a school built in 1964 should not normally need replacing, not when there are innumerable public buildings around the world and even in the U.S. that are hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of years old, that have had good upkeep or refurbishment and continue to work well. If John Cline is truly as decrepit as we are told, I hope the next building will be better planned and built and maintained than some of our other school buildings have been, while taking into account the declining enrollment trend!

In summary, my point is to be content with what expenses you sign up for. With our national government continuing to spend far more than it takes in, no matter who is in Congress or the presidency, at some point, more will be required, or demanded, of us to fill in the gap. The new elementary school may turn out to be a wise investment or another poorly designed and constructed building. I don’t know. Likewise a Decorah owned MEU may be a good use of member dollars, but it as likely may make one pine for “the good old days” of Alliant Energy.

Jeff Leeper Decorah

Basketball starters in 1945 The Decorah Viking basketball team starters are pictured in this vintage photograph from 1945. Coach A.F. Hancer is at far left. The “first team” back in that era included Homer Taylor, Wally Grant, Joe Fjelstad, Howard Bernatz, John Carlsen, Don Roseth and David Nelson. Wally Grant finished the season as high point man.

Athletic banquet was always a big hit

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER The 1930s brought plenty of good fun to Decorah, especially when the annual athletic banquet was held at the high school. Back in February of 1935, the annual event was scheduled to be held on Valentine’s Day. A “genuine clairvoyant” was scheduled to astound audiences at the benefit party in the high school auditorium. The advertisements from the era showcased the long list of attractions for the Valentine’s Day program, which would not only include the clairvoyant, but also some music, stunts, tableaus, and dancing, along with table tennis (which was billed as a new game for young and old which was sweeping the country like wildfire), Bingo, and a “corn game”. Huge crowds were anticipated to take in all the side shows. It was Madam Calypso, the genuine clairvoyant, capturing the top billing. She was to astound the most sophisticated audiences with her revelations of the past and the future.

Those not wanting to pierce the veil separating the future from the past were encouraged to

steer clear of her booth. Oh, to have been around to see such exciting entertainment – all for a whopping 50-cent admission fee.

Here are some other newspaper headlines from that extraordinary era:

100

YEARS AGO1925: Genevieve Hilger, superintendent of the Decorah Hospital, shared the annual hospital report with the public last week. The number of patients treated at the hospital in 1934 increased from 491 a year ago to 632 in 1934.

There were 57 obstetrical cases (34 boys and 23 girls). There were 171 surgical operations performed at the hospital and of those, 102 were considered “major” operations. The Lutheran Hospital Association has operated the Decorah Hospital since World War days, and the group is to be congratulated on a record of careful financing and outstanding leadership. …One of the big dances of the season will be held later this month at Haugen’s Ball Room.

The event benefits the V.F.W.

Echoes

continued on page 15

NEWS/OBITUARIES

6 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Row-Heyveld to discuss the ‘Art of Phelps Cemetery’

Lindsey Row-Heyveld will present “How to Read a Graveyard: The Art of Phelps Cemetery” at the Feb. 22 meeting of the Decorah Genealogy Society. The meetings are held at 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month January through March in the Senior Center. Starting in April, the group will return to meeting at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month.

Lindsey Row-Heyveld is an associate professor of English at Luther College, and she teaches courses on medieval and early modern English literature, Shakespeare and disability studies. She won a 2024 Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities for her work as a calligraphy artist. She honored persons buried in the potter’s field of Phelps cemetery by researching their details and creating a calligraphic work

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER

Lindsey Row-Heyveld of art featuring their names, even though many were buried without a marker. In 2023 and 2024, in connection with a class studying ghost stories, she produced a series of podcasts interviewing students about their month-long focus on a person buried in Phelps Cemetery. She gave this Graveyard Art lecture at the Porter House Museum to a full house in the fall of 2024.

Obituaries

Joanne Hageman

May 31, 1945 - Feb. 1, 2025

Joanne Rose (Kuhn) Hageman, 79, of Ossian, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Veteran’s Memorial Hospital in Waukon, surrounded by her loved ones.

Joanne was born May 31, 1945, to Joanne James and AlHageman ice (Riehle) Kuhn in Decorah. Jo grew up on a family farm near Spillville.

Joanne graduated from South Winn High School in Calmar with the class of 1963.

Joanne was united in marriage with Earl Cecil Meyer, who passed away in November 1964. Joanne was united in marriage with Kenneth John Hageman on Feb. 4, 1967.

Throughout the years, Joanne sewed bridesmaid dresses and was an accomplished seamstress. She was part owner of a fabric store in Ossian. Joanne worked alongside Ken at his construction business for many years in Ossian. Jo also was a childcare provider at the Ossian De Sales Day Care Center.

“Jo”, as she was affectionately known, loved gardening, baking, canning, crafting and

crocheting. She valued time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving Joanne are her children: Earl S. (Lourene) Meyer of Ossian and Carla Sue (Tony) Helmkamp of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren: Brianna Sue Harris, Matthew Kenneth Helmkamp, Noah William Harris and Mitchel Donald Helmkamp; siblings: Alice Barloon, Richard (Becky) Kuhn and Rita (Roger) Fjelstul; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Joanne in death were her husbands, Earl Cecil Meyer and Kenneth John Hageman; parents, James and Alice (Riehle) Kuhn; daughter, Cindy Harris; brothers: James Kuhn, Art Kuhn, Robert Kuhn and Gerald Kuhn; brother-in-law, Joe Barloon; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Kuhn.

Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Inurnment will follow at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery in Ossian.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian is assisting with arrangements.

Donald Swanson

Nov. 23, 1938 - Feb. 3, 2025

Donald Lee Swanson, 86, died Feb. 3, 2025 at his home in Decorah from complications related to his battle with cancer.

Don was born on Nov. 23, 1938 to Lloyd and Marie Swanson. He grew Donald up in Sweet Swanson Home, Oregon with his older brother Bernard Swanson. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy from 1961-66. For most of his remaining years he lived in Chariton, Iowa, where he met his wife, Sandra (Sandy) Lee Swanson. Don and Sandy were married in July 1968 and had two daughters: Kristin and Kerry Swanson.

He worked in the maintenance department for the HyVee Warehouse & Distribution Center in Chariton for nearly 40 years; retiring and returning to work part-time, a total of three times! His dedication and hard work for the company

City officials eye naming rights for proposed Decorah sports complex

gained him many friends and fishing buddies along the way.

He enjoyed old westerns (Gunsmoke), Old Milwaukee beer, watching NFL football and college basketball, rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes, gardening and going for cruises around Lake Rathbun or anywhere the road would take him on his Sunday drive. He had a true passion for fishing and spent many years vacationing at Bull Shoals Lake in Diamond City, Arkansas.

Don is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra Swanson; brother, Bernard; daughters, Kristin Swanson (Austin Harper) and Kerry Swanson (Jeremy Olsgard); four grandchildren: Alyssa, Zoe, Ella and Blake; nieces, Gail Noel (Mike) and Nora Swanson-Borek (Robert); and sisters-in-law Dianna Turner (Beecher) and Sharon Greiman (Dan).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Marie Swanson, and his sister-in-law, Verline Swanson.

No services are planned at this time.

Service Notice CHARLES MARTIN, 87, of Waucoma, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at WinnMed in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 215 East Main St., St. Lucas, with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to the service Friday at the church.

The first phase in the construction of Decorah’s future multi-purpose sports facility is scheduled to begin this spring but, with $1.5 million of the estimated $2.6 million construction cost still needed, city officials have held numerous meetings to discuss ways to raise additional funds.

The future sports facility site, located along Old Stage Road just past Walmart, will be developed in at least two phases, and about two-thirds of the costs are expected to be covered by funds set aside in the city’s FY25 budget.

City Manager Travis Goedken met with members of the Decorah Parks and Recreation Board on Thursday, Feb. 13 to see if the group could come up with a solid plan of attack for raising the remaining funds. He said, with construction scheduled to start in the next several months, he hopes to have funds secured or pledged before bids for the project are awarded.

“By early to mid-March, we’ve got to have this fundraising plan underway,” Goedken said. “We’ve gotta hit it pretty hard and heavy to have everything secure in time for a late April bid letting.”

Naming rights have remained a potential priority for fundraising — organizations could ascribe their business name to features such as ball fields, dugouts, score boards, the concessions stand and pickle ball courts. City officials indicated the name of the park itself might also be available as part of the fundraising effort, but they

have yet to decide on how to fairly offer such an option — some suggested holding an auction, others proposed the idea of a bid system, and still others put forward the idea of a first-come-first-served model.

Parks and rec board member Zach Kerndt, who has a long history of fundraising with the local fire department and county fairgrounds, said a bidding process has worked well in his experience.

“It gives folks a good chance,” Kerndt said. “Anything with wind banners and naming rights, I do a lot of fundraising with both of them.”

Kerndt added selling banners for advertising is a surefire hit with people in town.

He indicated the 12-by-24 foot advertising banners around the racetrack at the county fairgrounds were a hard sell at first, but he said that changed once the banners were installed.

“Now that they are up, I have a waiting list of businesses wanting to advertise,” Kerndt said. “Signs on the outfield fence might be bigger, but might be harder to see, whereas if it’s at the backstop, it’s smaller but easier to see.”

Other fundraising suggestions included a retaining wall displaying the names of donors or incentivizing donations with experiences, such as throwing out the first pitch at a ball game.

The parks and rec board will meet Thursday, Feb. 20 to discuss specific fundraising levels for naming rights.

Those interested in donating to the park project are asked to contact Mark Holtey at 563-382-4158 or Travis Goedken at 563-382-3651.

New funds established to support Decorah Parks and Recreation Department The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department and the city of Decorah have established two new funds with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aimed at enhancing recreational opportunities in Decorah. These funds — the Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Project Fund and the Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund — will support improvements to the city’s recreational infrastructure.

The Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Project Fund has been created to support the construction of new recreational facilities in Decorah. The project, spearheaded by the city of Decorah and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department, will expand opportunities for sports, recreation and events. Planned implementation of the project’s first phase includes the construction of two 280-foot ball fields with batting tunnels and dugouts, four pickleball courts, a 100-stall parking lot with a drop-off area, an extended mowed trail system, native plantings with a stormwater detention basin, and a plaza with a portable restroom enclosure. Planned implementation of the project’s second phase are expected to bring additional amenities, including two more ball fields, four more pickleball courts and infrastructure to support an even broader range of programs and events. The project site is located along Old Stage Road adjacent to the Decorah Dog Park and Freeport Trail.

“We are thrilled to establish this fund and bring these much-needed recreational facilities to Decorah,” said Marc Holtey, director of the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department. “This project represents our commitment to providing modern, accessible spaces for all to enjoy.”

The Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund was created to replace the existing basketball hoops in Decorah’s Wayside Park, near the intersection of College Drive and Fifth Avenue. The initiative seeks to improve the park’s playability and accessibility for individuals of all ages.

“The new basketball hoops at Wayside Park will create an improved experience for players of all ages,” Holtey said. “This upgrade reflects our dedication to maintaining high-quality recreational spaces for our community.”

Financial gifts of cash or check as well as stock are being accepted through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa — 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613. Checks to the funds should be made payable to the Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Fund or the Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund. Gifts can also be made through the Community Foundation’s secure website at cfneia.org/donations/ball-fields-and-pickleball or cfneia.org/donations/waysidepark. Donors to the fund may take advantage of federal deductions for charitable gifts.

Questions may be directed to Terry Gaumer, charitable advisor with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, at 319-2431354 or tgaumer@cfneia.org.

For more information about the Winneshiek County Community Foundation, visit www.winneshiekccf.org.

Organizers preparing for 15th annual Oneota Film Festival The Oneota Film Festival board recently announced the 15th annual Oneota Film Festival will take place March 6-9 in downtown Decorah. The weekend will provide many opportunities to make connections with filmmakers, friends and other members of the broader-Decorah community during special events, filmmaker Q&A discussions and film screenings. This year, the Oneota Film Festival board has selected more than 60 new, independent films, including documentaries, dramas,

family-friendly animated and short films as well as student films.

Highlights of the festival this year include the opening night screening of “Songs of the Earth,” which features Norway; the Oneota Film Festival Social with Driftless Jazz at Impact Coffee on Friday night; a showing of “Climbing Into Life,” which focuses on Dierdre Wolownick, who is the oldest woman to ascend El Capitan in Yosemite and is the mother of Alex Honnan — of

the film Free Solo. Organizers also highlighted a morning coffee event with filmmakers from 9-11 a.m. Sunday, March 9 at Porter House Museum in Decorah.

Films will be screened at Hotel Winneshiek, Drift: Strength and Yoga Center, T-Bocks Upstairs, ArtHaus, Vesterheim Commons, Pulpit Rock Brewery and the All Vet’s Club.

Dozens of filmmakers will be screening their films and hosting Q&A discussions after the screenings, including students

from local middle and high schools. Filmmakers will be honored at the Meet the Filmmakers Reception at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 8 at Upstairs T-Bocks. The Oneota Film Festival events are free and open to all.

The festival schedule and film descriptions are now available online at www.oneotafilmfestival.org, and festival guides are available now at sponsor locations throughout Decorah.

Aase Haugen physical therapy helps Hove walk again In a quiet hallway of Aase Haugen nursing home, amidst the hum of conversation and the soft shuffling of feet, a story of recovery unfolded with each step, each stretch and each carefully executed movement by Susan Hove and physical therapist, Arnie Larson, on Hove’s journey to walk again.

Hove, an independent woman who lives at Aase Haugen, suffered a broken hip that caused mobility challenges.

“When I came back after surgery, I didn’t want visitors and I thought, ‘this is no fun,’ I want to do better and walk,” she said.

The first sessions weren’t easy, yet Larson patiently encouraged and guided Susan through each exercise, breaking down complex movements into manageable steps.

“I feel fortunate to have worked in this community for so many years, and now I feel equally fortunate to help serve the needs of the residents at Aase Haugen,” Larson said.

“The strength and tenacity of people like Susan, and the support of the Aase staff really make the therapy here very suc-

cessful.”

With each therapy session, Hove gained a bit more independence, first mastering the ability to stand with support, then confidently navigating the hallways with a walker.

“I have worked very hard,” said Susan. “I am here every morning for my therapy, and I come in on weekends with the restorative team to keep moving and gaining strength.”

Aase Haugen partnered with Fox Therapy in 2024 to revitalize therapy programming at the nursing home. Fox specializes in physical, occupational and speech therapy for long-term residents and people needing short-term skilled recovery. Fox also manages the facility therapy reimbursement program.

“Many people may shy from looking for therapy at a nursing facility,” Larson said. “But the team at Aase is proving it is the best choice for recovery in the area. We are looking forward to the new building and being able to provide even more therapy options for the community in the coming months.”

Physical therapist Arnie Larson (right) is a member of the therapy team at Aase Haugen. Aase therapy programming is available for people in need of short-term skilled recovery and for long-term residents of the nursing home. Susan Hove (left) is successfully walking again after suffering a hip fracture. (Photo submitted)

COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

7

Emergency

Nordic Fest announces 2025 theme The Nordic Fest Board of Directors is excited to announce the 2025 Nordic Fest theme — Commemorating Crossings 1825-2025.

With this year’s theme, Nordic Fest joins international, national and local organizations, including Vesterheim – the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School — in commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Norwegian Emigration.

On July 4, 1825, a group of 52 Norwegians set sail from Stavanger, Norway, on the ship Restauration to make the first organized migration from Norway to North America.

Since the Restauration was a type of vessel called a sloop, the immigrants onboard became known as “Sloopers.”

More than 800,000 Norwegians have followed since then, in search of new opportunities. In North America today, nearly five million people claim Norwegian ancestry. Members of the Nordic Fest Board said they are looking forward to commemorating the 200th anniversary

and celebrating the strong ties between Norway and North America.

“Norwegian heritage is strong in the Decorah community, and we are excited to be able to commemorate the 200th anniversary of that first crossing, and the crossings that followed, at this year’s Nordic Fest,” Nordic Fest Board President Cole Steffen said. “We look forward to seeing local businesses, organizations and groups incorporate this special theme into Nordic Fest offerings and beyond.”

Businesses, organizations and groups are encouraged to incorporate the 2025 theme into food specials, window displays, activity offerings and parade float entries at this year’s festival in July.

Nordic Fest is an annual three-day summer festival held in Decorah, which celebrates community and the area’s Scandinavian heritage.

The 58th annual Nordic Fest will take place July 24-26, 2025.

For more information, visit nordicfest.com.

answered before that happens so everyone has a better understanding of what that looks like and what needs to be done when it happens,” Snyder said.

The WEPC was originally called the Winneshiek County Healthcare Coalition and was hosted by Winneshiek County Public Health. Public Health Administrator Krista Vanden Brink said, thanks to the relationships established prior to the 2009 swine flu pandemic, the county was not only prepared for the disease, but it also became an example of preparedness for surrounding counties. Public Health was able to vaccinate 1,200 school children in one day and 1,200 county residents one week later to help slow the spread of the disease, she said.

“By having those meetings prior to the vaccine becoming available, we already had those relationships between clinics and nurses, so the response was great because of that,” Vanden Brink said, adding that Public Health will also be involved in the new WEPC. “And, other counties were shocked, because they hadn’t even considered having those conversations yet. So, we were ahead of the game.”

Snyder said his primary objective for establishing the WEPC is collaboration.

“A major part of emergency management is the public/private partnerships, and this is the perfect way to ignite those partnerships in our communities,” he said. “In the case of a tornado, the government doesn’t come in and save the community. It’s the private entities within that community that are the true post-disaster heroes. It takes the local hardware stores and lumber yards and other businesses that truly help the community

continued from front

rise up from the ashes and get it moving again. I’m trying to bring those organizations and entities to the table, so we’re not meeting for the first time right after a disaster hits. I want all sides to understand their roles.

I have a role, but as a private business and a private resident, you have roles as well, and that’s what I’m hoping to find through this process.”

The first Zoom meeting of the new WEPC will take place at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and Snyder believes the group will meet quarterly at first.

“I want to start small and get the group’s foundation built first and then grow it through word of mouth,” he said. “In my role with the county, I’m required by the state to do various community exercises, and I’d love to have those private partnerships included in those exercises.

We can talk about general preparedness, the various resource applications I have — just bring awareness to Winneshiek County through collaboration.”

Snyder hopes other locally established emergency preparedness groups will want to be involved in WEPC’s efforts, and he said he also wants to know how WEPC can help local businesses.

“Maybe there’s a way we can talk with you, as a business owner, and say, ‘Your business handles hazardous materials in the county,’” he said. “How can we help you be better prepared, and what would you need from us in the event of a disaster?”

Snyder said one challenge is that Winneshiek County doesn’t currently have a longterm recovery coalition — a group which brings together government agencies, non-profit organizations, faith-based communities, businesses and community members to collab-

Photo of Emergency Management window decal. oratively address the needs of individuals and families after a disaster.

“Let’s say we have a Greenfield tornado,” Snyder said.

“The emergency response side of things is going to be over fairly quickly. After a day or two or a week — depending on the type and level of disaster — the emergency responder portion goes away. You, the business owner or private individual, are left with what’s next. I’ll still be coordinating the governmental side of things, but we don’t have anyone local who is designated to connect community members to needed tasks.”

Examples of those needed tasks include connecting residents to resources and coordinating donations. Snyder said there are a variety of helpful actions the public often takes following a disaster, but he also said it’s necessary to establish organizers to ensure such efforts are effective. “ There are a lot of logistics involved in a long-term recovery coalition, and I’d love to have those building-block pieces in place, so we can transition quickly should we have such an event,” he said.

Snyder hopes a core group of leaders will evolve from the WEPC’s meetings, consisting of representatives from Public Health, WinnMed, local media, banks, private businesses and

public citizens. He said that core group could then reach out to other members of their communities to be available when needed.

“I would like to establish something central to Winneshiek County, where we could have one voice announcing where to donate, how to donate, where donations are going and how the donations will be used,” he said. “I need the bankers to be part of this group, because they’re the ones that have the expertise in that field.

It’s not Sean running it — it’s a long-term recovery coalition that Sean’s a part of. That’s the kind of thing that keeps me up at night.”

Snyder will share his vision for the WEPC during the Feb. 26 meeting — after which he’ll talk with participants about how to expand the group.

“This is something I feel is very important, and I hope other people feel as strongly as I do about it,” Snyder said.

“Then, hopefully, we end up with a good cross section of representation to keep driving this forward. I implore anyone who wants to be part of this to contact me. You’re more than welcome.”

For information on the group and how to participate, call Snyder at 563-387-4095 or email ssnyder@co.winneshiek.ia.us.

Academic Achievements UW-Stevens Point announces December graduates

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point conferred degrees to 462 graduates for the fall 2024 semester. Among them was Gus Grimstad of Decorah, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.

Hawkeye Community College announces fall 2024 Dean’s List

Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo recently announced its Dean’s List for the fall 2024 semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, an

individual must be a full-time student and successfully complete 12 or more credits in the fall or spring semesters with a semester GPA of 3.50 or better for courses taken at Hawkeye.

Among the honorees were: Calmar- Aiden Feickert and Breanna Moudry. Cresco-

Samuel Brace, Travis Brace, Shelby Burnikel, Shannon Lane and Zane Wemark. DecorahTyler Dintaman and Avery Shelton. Ft. Atkinson- Carson Busta. Ridgeway- Breanna Dvorak.

WaukonSean Bieber, Isaac Cooper, Tanner Marting and Jack O’Neill.

Milestone

85th birthday card shower The family of Joyce Hageman is hosting a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday on Feb. 27.

Please send birthday greetings and good wishes to Joyce at 300 Becker Ave., Ossian, IA 52161.

The family will also have a private birthday celebration.

Joyce has six children: Lloyd (Mary) Hageman, Wanda (Alan) Lansing, Alene (Rick) Gates, Milan (Deb) Hageman, Duane (Pam) Hageman and Renee (Craig) Bohr; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

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80TH BIRTHDAY OPEN HOUSE celebrating

Jim Ehrie Saturday, Feb. 22 4:00PM at the Decorah VFW 104 State St., Decorah

Stop by and wish Jim “Happy Birthday” and have a bite to eat!

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No gifts please

Congratulations to DRiFT: Strength + Yoga Center on their rebranding and upgraded space! Pictured is the DRiFT team along with Chamber Ambassadors Tade Kerndt, Amanda McIntosh, Dallas Steffen, Marcia Madrigal, Cindy Hoyme, Maureen Duncklee, Heather Benzing and Ray Rinkol.

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8 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

During the fall 2024 semester, Luther College welcomed 27 new transfer students, representing 10 states, including Iowa, and four countries. Luther is preparing to welcome more transfer students in the future. (Photo submitted)

Emily Fagan, co-owner of Humble Hands Harvest, treats a herd of sheep to some greens on a winter afternoon. Organizers with the Farmers Land Investment Cooperative — or FLIC — hope to replicate a funding model which helped make Humble Hands a reality. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

Farmers Land

continued from front Luther College faculty, staff aim to forming Hidden Falls LLC industry.

Iowa going forward — this is improve pathways for transfer students after – named for the road on which “If I hadn’t had this kind of a kernel of hope about how we Students who transfer to Luther College from other institutions have traditionally been a small part of the college’s new student population each year.

But through participation in the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative and the efforts of the college’s faculty and staff, Luther is preparing to welcome more transfer students in the future.

The project started when Luther and 18 other four-year institutions formed the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative.

With support from a three-year grant from the Arthur Vining Davis and Teagle foundations, the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative brings faculty from community colleges and fouryear institutions together to ensure the seamless transfer of academic credit.

Luther has addressed several challenges for student transfers, including streamlining processes, designating an admissions staff person to assist prospective students, and easing access to transfer course equivalencies. Art professor Ben Moore explained how Luther’s curriculum committee reviewed approximately 8,000 courses from regional institutions last summer and determined the equivalent course credit at Luther — something he said was no small task.

Once the curriculum committee completed their work, the information was added to Transferology, a free online tool to help students explore

Luther junior Jermaine Dizon believes Luther is well on its way to becoming a transfer-friendly institution. (Photo submitted) their transfer options and help confirm whether their course credits will transfer.

“Now it’s all in one spot,” Moore said. “We are dedicated to making the process of joining the Luther community smooth for transfer students.

Transferology is one part of Luther’s ongoing goal to be a transfer-friendly college.”

Another aspect of the project is the Iowa Private Transfer Guarantee agreement, which guarantees admission for students who have earned an associate of arts or an associate of science degree at a community college in Iowa. A group of 15 Iowa community college presidents approved the Iowa Private Transfer Guarantee agreement with the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative in October of 2024. The agreement stream-

lines the transfer process for students at Iowa community colleges.

“As a proud partner of the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative, we are excited to offer more students a pathway to thrive and succeed at Luther College,” said Matt Beatty, vice president for enrollment management at Luther. “We welcomed 27 new transfer students to Luther College last fall, representing 10 states, including Iowa, and four countries. We are especially proud that 18.5% percent of these students are first-generation.”

Luther junior Jermaine Dizon believes that Luther is well on its way to becoming a transfer-friendly institution.

The global health major from Charles City described his experience as “smooth.”

“My teammates, coaches and professors took the time to ease me into everything Luther and Decorah-related and made sure I was adjusting well,” Dizon said. “They put me in contact with fellow students within my area of interest. Residence life made it easy to get adjusted by sending me all the necessary information, and the admissions team answered all of my questions and concerns.”

Dizon is a member of Luther’s men’s cross country and track and field teams.

“Transferring to Luther has been the best decision I’ve made; my only regret is not coming here sooner,” he said.

the property is located.

The group then began hashing out their vision for the use of the newly-acquired land, choosing to emphasize alternatives to not only confined animal operations but chemical pesticides and other traditional applications. Gradually, the group began transferring their individual shares of the land to Humble Hands Harvest – McCargar said many members sold their shares at the same price they were initially purchased for, and some even discounted their sales to ensure Humble Hands could afford the purchase.

De Boer said, though that type of funding model might not result in monetary returns, it does yield what he called cultural returns for the community. And it’s a model FLIC aims to replicate across the broader Decorah area in years to come.

“It’s a hopeful model for how we grow food for people, and it lends itself to small pieces of land, as opposed to hundreds of thousands of acres under the ownership of person, one family or one corporation,” McCargar said.

Overcoming financial challenges De Boer went on to say many traditional agricultural loan models are often time consuming, which he said can leave farmers who are looking to purchase land at a disadvantage amid fast-paced land sales.

Both he and Fagan also noted financial challenges can be more difficult for beginning farmers and those hoping to enter the

land purchasing option available to me, I would probably not be in charge of a farm at this point in my life,” Fagan said of Hidden Falls’ approach. “It felt like that creative way of paying for it and getting community support for paying for it made it possible for people to farm who might not otherwise be able to make it happen. And land access is just so hard for young people who aren’t going to be given land by their families. It just seemed smart to try and make it happen again.”

De Boer also said he feels a cooperative investment structure allows a greater number of people to hold a degree of agency over portions of the local landscape, which he feels promotes community engagement when it comes to questions of best practices. In addition, McCargar compared FLIC’s approach to that of a revolving loan fund and said it may also minimize individual debt.

“With less debt, there’s more possibility of surviving — not guaranteed, but more possibility,” he said.

A continued focus on the local ecosystem FLIC also aims to emphasize environmentally responsible agriculture practices, similar to Hidden Falls’ approach.

Klaus said many traditional agricultural practices – such as tillage or pesticides – seem engrained in the broader ag industry, and he sees certain tradeoffs with those practices.

He indicated that, while large machines allow for a small number of workers to cultivate large swaths of land, a macro approach to agriculture can also potentially lead to environmental issues — such as water runoff from farm fields, which can carry nitrogen into local rivers and tributaries.

“We have a system that’s kind of blanketed across the entire state, and it seems like it’s hard to fight against that tide, but if we can focus on preserving land and putting it into regenerative water — responsible practices — around this community, I think everybody can get behind the idea of clean water,” De Boer said. “And for better or worse, we have to look at the surface of the land the water’s filtering through.”

Fagan said, since alternative practices have been implemented at Humble Hands Harvest, she has seen an increase in wildlife, such as meadowlarks and bobolinks – De Boer said the bobolink return is particularly noteworthy, saying suitable habitat for the birds is often sparse.

“We have, in this state, basically conceded the health of our waters, our air and our soils and our human beings — to say nothing of all the other lifeforms — to the unintended but very real toxic affects of the inputs to confinement agriculture and to commercial crop production,” McCargar said. “So this is a little hope in the galaxy of possibilities for how we be in

can do things.”

Fagan said the local operation’s emphasis on environmental practices is particularly important considering the karst topography within the greater Decorah area. Karst areas are often defined by dissolving bedrock, according to information from the University of Iowa, which can create caves, springs, sinkholes and other porous features in the landscape. Information from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said “karst bedrock aquifers are some of the most susceptible to contamination” and are most abundant in areas of northeast Iowa.

“Water goes everywhere unexpectedly, and what you do on the surface really can travel and impact the water quality way downstream, far away in unexpected places,” Fagan said.

“It’s very connected. Having practices happening on the land that are good for the water supply here particularly feels really important.”

First steps De Boer said he sees FLIC’s proposed financing model is one which can involve not only individuals interested in farming but also those seeking to help shape local land use or those who simply want to address environmental concerns.

“It’s also applicable to people who have property and are looking for a way to move in a different direction or feel like they’re leaving a legacy that they can be proud of, but maybe they don’t know how to do that on their own,” he said. “We’re hopefully giving people an opportunity to say ‘These are the values we have, and we’re committed to being responsible with this land.’ There’s a lot of ways for people to engage.’”

De Boer said organizers with FLIC have been in contact with at least one landowner to discuss a possible land transfer, and the cooperative has also been in touch with an area farmer interested in potentially buying land which is currently being rented.

De Boer said FLIC is still hammering out details of its proposed offerings, saying the board will likely limit themselves to investments within 30-50 miles of Decorah. FLIC’s charter prevents the cooperative from buying property across the state line in Minnesota, according to McCargar, but he said the group could potentially support an individual based in Minnesota if the proposal is deemed acceptable – De Boer noted the group has been looking into a possible opportunity which is across the state line but within 20 miles of Decorah.

De Boer said, other neighboring counties could potential create their own local investment cooperatives to better serve local operations.

Those interested in joining FLIC are encouraged to visit farmersland.coop/membership and read the cooperative’s bylaws before submitting a completed membership form.

| THURSDAY, | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221 LEADER FEBRUARY October 20, 2025 | 5, WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM 6DECORAH Decorah Public Opinion Thursday, 2023

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National

FFA WEEK FEBRUARY 15-22, 2025

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Decorah FFA

Front row (l-r): Kamryn Werges, Eden Scheidel, Karlie Einck, Gabe Monroe, Brinlee Courtney, Derek Tieskoetter and Lyla Lovstuen. Second row: Natalie Holthaus, Izabella Kos, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Madelynn Dahl, Elora Schnitzler, Ella Mann, Hadley Alexander, Brandi Nehls and Brock Anfinson.

Third row: Mara Lovstuen, Isabella Schnitzler, Jordyn Roberg, Daric Sheffield, Peyton Schultz, Karlee Bullerman, Kiele Eberling, Rylee Averhoff, Mason Brumm and Andrew Carolan. Fourth row: Advisor Joni Bruvold, Lauren Holthaus, Nicholas Farley, Jacob Hageman, Michael Clement, Aiden Helgerson, Ayden Guevara, Zander McConnell, Colton Elsbernd and Jackson Irwin. Fifth row: Jerikah Dodd, Annika Schmelzer, Thea Zidlicky, Allison Bigler, Dylan Brincks, Ryan Rocksvold, Bentley Smith, Ryan Bigler, Jordan Sims and Kale Christopher. Back row: Ethan Hill, William Kruse, Tristan Hunter, Landyn Quandahl, Karter Orris, John Toby Schnitzler, Henry Brynsaas, William Hahn, Brooks Courtney, Dominick Duffield, Jake Teslow and Brooks Dodd. Not pictured: Logan Frye, Noah Heiselman, Braden Hemesath, Austin Helgerson, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Kayden Osborne and Hunter Quandahl.

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Front row: (l-r): FFA Advisor Melissa Hageman, Grace Baker, Ivey Franzen, Hanna Vagts, John Donovan, Kelsey Timp, Cloey Zweibohmer, Chloe Wiltgen, Haley Fisher and Jayden Timp. Second row: Jadrienne Langreck, Ethan Oyloe, Alivia Kuennen, Gracyn Humpal, Hayden Steffens, Vanessa Bullerman, Allison Hageman, Emily Hovden, Brinley Linderbaum and Odessa Oyloe. Third row: Clayton Kuboushek, Matthew Donovan, Adam Schmitt, Jackson Hemesath, Charlotte Hageman, Gracie Walz, Mackenzi Maxwell and McKenna Stanley. Fourth row: Hayden Zweibohmer, Paxton Brincks, Ayden Hovden, Tyler Fels, Gavin Feickert, Landon Hemesath, Maya Lensing and Kennedi Vagts. Fifth row: Kaden Cook, Myles Green, Amira Frana, Mason Zweibohmer, Brady Leibold-Doughan, Jaden Brincks and Brodie Olson. Back row: Alayna Hageman, Henry WIlley, Grace Jansen, Allanda Kuennen, Emaleigh Gehling, Helen Frana, Cameron Einck, Ethin Timp and Jordan Einck.

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Turkey Valley FFA

Front row (l-r): Hunter Kruse, Taylor DeSloover, Brooklyn Kuennen, Autumn Maklenburg, Emma Brincks, Luella Reicks, Nicholas Bernhard and Drew Kray. Second row: Hailey Hanson, Ella Drilling, Raelen Manderfield, Kendall Kuennen, Hazel Nieman, Theresa Hanson, Anna Reicks, Ava Kuennen and Jadeyn Mueterthies. Third row: Bree Balk, Avery Franzen, Brady Blong, Wyatt Maklenburg, Tucker Tlusty, Trae Keel, Brayden Hoffert and Grace Bouska.

Fourth row: Chloe Schmitt, Ethan Orvis, Parker Reicks, Graham Schmitt, Heath Brendal-Ray, Caden Tiedt, Courtney Ball and Nora Chicken. Back row: Grant Balk, Ty Moudry, Jonah Orvis, Ryan Lukes, Dawson Humpal, Eli Holthaus, Levi Kruse, Jacob Wurzer, Dominick Reicks and Jocelynn DeSloover.

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COMMUNITY

10 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Public to hear from Eskens Pair of 4-H students collect, donate hygiene during author event items for area schools

Ruby Timp and Caylie Adam shopped for items at Dollar General. (Photo submitted)

Caylie Adam, a member of the Prairie Shooting Stars 4-H club, and Ruby Timp, a member of the Turkey Valley Clovers 4-H club, recently organized and led a successful 4-H County Council Leadership project, organizing a drive for hygiene essentials to benefit local students and schools. Donation boxes were placed at local churches and businesses throughout Winneshiek County, and the drive was promoted through radio, social media, church bulletins and community flyers. Collected items included shampoo,

conditioner, soap, body wash, feminine hygiene products, combs, brushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss.

Thanks to the remarkable generosity of the community and a Thrivent Action Team grant, more than 5,000 items were donated or purchased as part of the effort. The collected items were distributed to six area schools — Turkey Valley, Postville, Decorah, St. Teresa, South Winneshiek High School and South Winneshiek Elementary/Middle School — to provide support to students in need.

! u o y k Th an

The public is invited to join Allen Eskens, author of “The Quiet Librarian” at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 in T-Bock’s Upstairs at 206 W. Water St. in Decorah for a presentation followed by a Q&A and book signing. This free event is sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation with support from T-Bock’s and Dragonfly Books.

In “The Quiet Librarian,” Eskens weaves a tale of transformation, vengeance and buried secrets. Hana Babic, a reserved Minnesota librarian, is thrust back into her dark past when her best friend is murdered—a chilling echo of her life as Nura Divjak, a legendary Bosnian militia fighter known as the Night Mora. Now, with her friend’s

grandson in her care and a killer closing in, Hana must confront the horrors she fled to protect the child and herself.

Eskens is a recipient of the Barry, Minnesota Book, Left Coast Crime, and Silver Falchion awards. Eskens has also been a finalist for the Edgar, Thriller, Anthony, and Nero awards, with his work translated into 23 languages.

This event is part of Dragonfly Books and the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s author event series, which brings writers of all genres to northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing. To learn more about this event and other events with Dragonfly Books, visit www.dragonflybooks.com.

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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)

110 Washington St., Suite 4, Decorah, IA 52101 | 563-382-4221 |

www.decorahleader.com

Bus ine ss + Ind ustr y

PUBLISHED

THURSDAY,

AUGUST 29,

2024 BY THE

DECORAH

LEADER

COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

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Community briefs Diabetes Support Group Meeting at Veterans Memorial Hospital

Both robotics teams pose in their pit areas after the league tournament on Saturday. Pictured are Phuong Doan, Jerald Thompson, Kellen Roffman, Mason Myers, Andie Gegax, Emily Myers, Bryce Elsbernd, Juniper Maret, Joey McFarlane, coach Brett Wilker, Evan Madsen, Leo McNown-Beck, Owen Rix and Wyatt Birdsell. (Photo submitted)

DHS robotics teams advance to state competition The Decorah High School robotics teams participated in their league tournament Saturday, Feb. 8 at Peet Junior High School in Cedar Falls. The tournament featured 28 different area robotics teams, all competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge competition.

At the beginning of the school year, FTC high school teams were given an obstacle course-style scenario. Teams then designed, built and programmed a robot no more than 18 inches in any direction, which they could control in order to score as many points as possible within that scenario. This year’s competition is called “Into the Deep” and requires teams to retrieve sample blocks from a metal container and either lift them up to place in suspended baskets or clip them onto hanging poles. Teams could also score

points for suspending their robots from the support beams on the metal container along with other scoring options in both an autonomous period and a driver-controlled period.

The freshmen/sophomore team from Decorah, named The Valiant Vikings, competed in five matches at the competition, earning a high score of 120 points. Their robot was designed with a two-claw system.

The first claw was designed to pick up samples from the floor and transfer them up to the second claw. The second claw was connected to a drawer-slide tower which could slide up to place the samples in high baskets.

The junior/senior team, named the Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Men and Women, ended the qualification matches in 11th place, after facing many difficulties

with their robot, including a motor dying, their tower coming apart and a wire getting caught. Their robot was designed to lower a claw to the floor in order to pick up samples. The arm was attached to a tower which could raise the samples to the high baskets. In the playoff rounds, they partnered with the SabreHoof Tigers from Cedar Falls to form the fifth-place alliance. There, they defeated the fourth-ranked alliance and the sixth-ranked alliance, before losing to the eventual championship alliance.

The Wacky Wavers received the Control Award at the competition. The award is given to the team with the best computer programming and code documentation. The team used different programming languages, like Java and Block programming, along with odometry

sensor wheels in order to detect where the robot was on the field and to call different functions in order to move the robot’s motors.

Winning the Control Award qualified the junior/senior team to compete at the state championship on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Xtreme Arena in Coralville.

“I am very proud of our teams as they both had to overcome many challenges throughout the year and did so in a way that shows they have a high level of perseverance and grit,” said Decorah Robotics Coach Brett Wilker. “Many of the students in our robotics programs are interested in pursuing careers in engineering, robotics or computer science, and through this program, they are given the opportunity to learn the skills that will make them successful in these fields.”

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This month’s topic is exercise, specifically the importance of gaining muscle mass. Amy Robinson, VMH physical therapist, will share ways to build muscle.

This diabetes group is open to everyone who has diabetes as well as those who have a friend or loved one with diabetes. In case of inclement weather, the Diabetes Support Group will cancel if Allamakee Community School is closed. If school starts late, the support group will still occur as usual. Attendees are encouraged to stay home if they feel the sidewalks or roads are too slippery to safely go outdoors. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, please call Angie Mettille, registered dietitian and diabetes educator, with Veterans Memorial Hospital at 568-3411.

Decorah Lion’s Club to host Wilkerson

The Decorah Lions Club will be meeting at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the All Vets Club in Decorah. Jeff Wilkerson will be speaking about his new book “23 Woodcock in 22 years” reflections on hunting, the night sky and humanity’s place in the universe. He may also talk about his appointment to be interim provost of Luther College.

Wilkerson will be the guest of

New school record set as 17 DHS performances nominated to Large Group Speech All-State Festival Decorah High School students participated in the Northeast State Large Group Speech Contest at Decorah High School on Feb. 8. Judges at the state contest selected 17 of Decorah High School performances as outstanding, breaking the school record. These 17 All-State Speech nominations ave been invited to participate in the All-State Speech Festival on Feb. 22 at Iowa State University, which will include performances by the best speech students from across the state of Iowa.

Organizers said being designated a non-performing group at All-State is an honor. However, scheduling limitations prevent all nominees from performing.

A total of 12 of the Decorah High School groups nominated will perform at the festival.

More information about the festival, including a schedule, can be found at https://www. ihssa.org/contests/large-group/ all-state/.

DHS speech students are coached by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, Carrie Kauffman, Lyra McKnight, Kristen Underwood and Johanna Bergan.

DHS speech groups nominated as an All-State Honoree include a choral reading, three ensemble actings, two group improvs, three solo mimes, two musical theatres, three radio broadcastings, a readers theatre, a one-act play and one television newscasting.

The nominated groups include: 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 and Margaret Hahn.

Ensemble Acting “How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery,” directed by Lyra McKnight. Participants include Karmyn Bak-

ken, Elliana Brodbeck, Klaara Short, Shawn Holzer, Alex Mercado-Arneson and Ryan Northup. (Non-performing) 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.

(Non-performing) 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 was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight and Kristen Underwood. Varsity: Oliver Brummel, Liam Chamberlain, Jack Sovern, Beau Newhouse and Ansel Kowitz. Ninth grade: Isaac Bentley, Brody Darling and Raelyn Newhouse Solo Mime “Flight Frenzy” by Clarence Nimrod - directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Solo Mime “Miss Adventurefuls” by Margret Zook - 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. (Non-performing) Musical Theatre “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 Theatre “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.

(Non-performing) Radio Broadcasting “KREK,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. Participants include Karmyn Bakken, Evynne Downing, Camryn Holland, Leah Suhr, Sam Cline, Lyla Lovstuen, Lulu Bellrichard and Evan Madsen.

Pictured are (front row) Elliana Brodbeck, Lily Sandhorst, Hannah Arendt, McKenzie Riley, Greta Jones, June Breitenbach-Dirks, director/coach Kristen Underwood (back row) Noah Potvin, Ezra Vorvick, Caleb Johnson, Grace Blikre and Elsa Johnson. (Photo submitted) 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 Theatre “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette

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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.

One Act Play “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” directed by Kristen Underwood. Participants include Hannah Arendt, Elliana Brodbeck, McKenzie Riley, Ezra Vor-

Call (563) 382-9691 to learn more

563-382-4662

County Democrats to meet

Winneshiek County Democrats will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 in the social hall at Decorah’s UCC Church. Newly elected District Two chairs Sarah Corkery and Sarah Eastman will visit the meeting to speak about plans going forward and will solicit input. Attendees will also hear from Fayette County Chair Amy Adams with a presentation on Progress Iowa.

Other items of discussion will include a report on the use of the downtown office’s window for messaging and an update on plans for the March 16 St. Patrick’s Day event. County Chair John Beard said all Democrats are invited to attend.

Trees available for purchase by Alliant customers

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is encouraging the public to begin planning for spring and consider planting a tree, whether it be in a residential yard, local park or outside a school. The DNR highlighted several upcoming opportunities where the public may procure trees for spring planting. Alliant Energy customers may purchase up to two trees per planting address at $25 per tree. Interested parties may reserve trees by ordering online through either Alliant’s One Million Trees program or through the DNR’s Residential Tree Distribution Program. Local pickup for tree order is scheduled from 4-6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22 at the Chuck Gipp Fish Hatchery — 2321 Siewers Spring Rd. in Decorah.

NEICAC accepting LIHEAP applications

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation is taking applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program through April 30. LIHEAP customers will need to provide the following when applying for LIHEAP: • The social security number of each household member, regardless of age, must be provided for that household member to be eligible. At least one household member must provide a social security number documentation for the household itself to be eligible.

• A copy of their most recent heating and electric bill.

• Documentation of gross income for everyone living in the home for the previous 30 calendar days, the most recent 12 months or for the previous calendar year.

Visit www.neicac.org to schedule an appointment or to download and complete a LIHEAP application. Customers may also complete an online application by visiting https://liheapapply.hhs.iowa.gov/s/. For more information, chat with an NEICAC Team Member at www.neicac.org, contact your local NEICAC Family Services Office or call the central office in Decorah at 563-382-9608.

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vick, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Caleb Johnson, Noah Potvin, Elsa Johnson, Greta Jones, Grace Blikre and Lily Sandhorst.

Television Newscasting “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. (Non-performing).

Lion Karl Henrickson. For more information or a membership application, contact Lions Club member Brad Schwartz by email at beschwartz@salamander.com or by text at 563-419-4020.

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NEWS

12 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Supervisors accepted the county’s offer of a space in the new Community Services Building.

Donohue noted that NEI3A, which claims to have served 1,500 Winneshiek County residents in the last three years, was already a tenant in the Community Services Building for more than seven years before the county purchased the building from Spectrum Industries. NEI3A provides caregiver programs and case management as well as dementia, nutrition and wellness programs in addition to transportation and elder abuse services for seniors and disabled adults. Donohue said the county’s terms for continuing to rent space in the Community Services Building didn’t meet the agency’s needs.

“The offer, while appreciated, did not fit our needs as the lease term offered was shorter in length, with a less desirable layout, half the square footage of our previous space and an all-in cost that would result in higher premise costs than the options at the time,” Donohue said. “This was a business decision on behalf of the agency to manage premise costs while providing our staff with the necessary space to do their work. Like all non-profits you support, we work hard to be efficient and make sure dollars remain in our programs while trying to minimize operating costs, such as premise costs.”

Supervisor Steve Kelsay had also suggested during the Jan. 13 meeting that the county didn’t need to fund NEI3A, saying he believed it’s already funded by federal income taxes.

Donohue said that claim wasn’t entirely accurate.

“Our budget of $6.3 million — 44 percent of that is federal funding, 38 percent of that is state funding and 9 percent consists of local contributions from local governmental entities,” Donohue said. “It could be counties, municipalities townships, and we even have libraries that are organized in that way.”

Kristie Wiltgen, NEI3A regional coordinator, added that

no other agency in Winneshiek County provides the various service types offered by NEI3A — helping seniors and disabled adults navigate what she called “complex and challenging situations.” She said the majority of the agency’s work is done in clients’ homes — connecting them to resources of which they’re unaware, providing meals, application assistance, funding direct in-home supports and protecting them from fraud and abuse.

“Sometimes, we’re the only advocate they have,” Wiltgen said. “And, our advocacy work that we provide is not any cost to our consumers.”

Wiltgen said NEI3A partners with other agencies such as the EARL transit system, Loving Touch Home Care, RSVP, Winneshiek County Public Health, WinnMed and Gundersen Clinic to provide their consumers with additional services.

The board took no action regarding NEI3A’s previously denied funding request.

Public Health’s budget debated Later during Monday’s meeting, Vick took issue with Winneshiek County Public Health’s budget. Vick sits on the county’s board of health and said that WCPH’s budget includes approximately $225,000 in home health services for about 14 Winneshiek County residents, which he feels is irresponsible budgeting.

“You’re looking at $14,000 to $15,000 for less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the population,” he said. “To me, that’s not really … what public health is supposed to be used for. It’s supposed to be used for the whole public.”

Kelsay agreed and said he looked up the section of Iowa Code relating to public health.

“It specifically charges the board of health with services that are a benefit for the public,” Kelsay said. “Any individuals can be (served) at a fee commensurate with services provided. But, the focus of Public Health is to be the public itself.”

Vick said that the expense might be more justifiable if 100 county residents were using the service instead of 14.

Supervisor Mark Faldet added that he would like Winneshiek County Public Health Administrator Vanden Brink to come to a meeting so she can answer the supervisors’ questions and discuss whether it is feasible to transfer some budgeted funds from WCPH to NEI3A for FY25-26.

“We’re better off giving money to (NEI3A),” Vick said. “It would serve more people.”

Faldet said he’d also like Vanden Brink to clarify which home health services WCPH is providing.

“That is not the county’s obligation,” Vick said. “We are not in the home healthcare business. We’re here to provide public health for the county.”

Supervisor Vermace said she would like to see WCPH, NEI3A and WinnMed attend a supervisors meeting to compare programs and determine where there may be overlapping services “so we can do the best we can for the elders in this community.”

Many of the nonprofit agencies the county helps fund, including Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation, seem to have overlapping services, Kelsay said.

The board agreed to invite both Vanden Brink and Wiltgen to the next supervisors meeting to compare services and answer questions.

In other business: • Winneshiek County Planning and Zoning Administrator Tony Phillips informed the supervisors of several concerns he has regarding how the board is using and not using the county’s pay matrix for county employees. He asked that the matrix be discarded, if the supervisors aren’t going to use it. He said, if the county wants to continue to use the matrix, it needs to decide on the hourly basis of the matrix values with immediate implementation. The supervisors didn’t discuss Phillips’ in-

continued from front

formation during the meeting.

• County Auditor Ben Steines presented the second and third runs of the FY26 county budget fund worksheets. Changes from the first run included increased funding for veterans’ grave maintenance, increased payroll for the sheriff’s office’s wages and uniforms as well as an increase in the infrastructure fund.

• The supervisors unanimously approved the final plat for the third addition to Cedar Heights.

• The supervisors unanimously approved a motion to close the concrete steps leading from Broadway Street to the old county jail, due to potential safety hazards. The stairs are expected to be removed and filled in with soil and grass.

• A public hearing on the county’s Fiscal Year 26 tax levies will be held at 9:30 a.m.

Monday, March 31 in the courthouse annex.

• The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office FY26 wages and reimbursements were unanimously approved. Pay for patrol deputies, office deputies, the canine handler, Diana Willharm, Christina Goeden and Detective Chris Wuebker was increased by various amounts.

• The supervisors unanimously approved a statewide records release authorization request from Health and Human Services for county records kept in a separate Information and Communication Technologies computer system managed by the Iowa State Association of Counties.

• The supervisors discussed the possibility of installing poles or a barrier of some sort in the courthouse parking lot between the southeast corner of the courthouse and the northwest corner of the old jail. The board said a motorist recently attempted to leave the parking lot by driving across the lawn on the courthouse’s east side.

The next meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 24, in the courthouse annex.

City council continued from front be made available through the city’s website, said he felt the council would be doing a disservice by not making the information available to the public, adding he felt it was the council’s responsibility to provide balanced information regarding the proposed MEU to their constituency.

“Public perception, in conversations I’ve had, has the city in a pro stance rather than an unbiased stance,” Miculinich said. “My goal is to ensure we are providing diverse and balanced information.”

Fellow Councilman Kirsten Olsen said he believes the information distributed on behalf of the city is not biased.

“I’m not sure where this misconception came from that the information on the website is pro-MEU. It is just there to answer questions that people might have,” said Olson. “Decorah is not pro-MEU, and the information on Decorah’s website is not pro-MEU.” Concentric’s feasibility study was forwarded to the Iowa Ethics Commission by Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken, who said he received word prior to Monday’s council meeting that the study had passed muster with the board.

“It does not run afoul,” Goedken said of the study during the meeting.

Councilman Randy Schissel echoed Miculinich, saying he also felt the study should be made available on the city’s website.

“Both sides should have their day, and some of the emails say this study has not been vetted

for truth, but the ethics board isn’t vetting for truth, they are vetting for violations of whether we are advocating for one side or the other,” Schissel said. “This has come back from them as being OK, and I think it would be a total disservice if we didn’t put it out to the public.”

Proponents of the upcoming referendum have pointed out the Concentric study contains a disclaimer, stating the company did not validate the information contained in the study and did not have an opinion on its accuracy. The disclaimer was enough for city council member Steven Zittergruen to vote against sharing the study on the city’s website.

“We would be directing people to a non-sort of fact-based stance,” Zittergruen said. “Our goal as a council is to provide our voters as much accurate and unbiased information as we can.

The page after the cover page is a disclaimer — if that is one of the first things in the feasibility study, then it is very clearly a different thing than what the city is trying to do with its educational materials.”

The educational material provided on the city’s website was placed there in late 2024 at the request of Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski to educate the public regarding a number of basic questions about municipal electric utilities. Much of the information was gleaned from a 36-page study performed in 2018 by a dedicated MEU Taskforce comprised of city residents. Other files available through the “Taskforce Files” portion of the city’s MEU in-

formation page include a 2018 letter signed by several area businesses which opposed a similar MEU referendum which was ultimately voted down that year.

“When the mayor first asked for an educational piece to be put on the website, it was for simple questions — what is an MEU, what does a yes vote mean, what does a no vote mean, that’s what we tried to do — we went through questions with a fine-tooth comb,” said city council member Kirsten Olsen. “We didn’t want any information included that would sound misleading or disingenuous. I think we have done a great job with the information we have provided to be accurate and factual and put out there for the public to consume.”

Goedken also told the council that the city receives numerous requests each week from for-profit and not-for-profit entities asking the city to add links to their respective organizations’ websites.

“For example, resource pages for senior citizens might ask the city to add their organization’s link to our page because our site’s .gov gives their website more legitimacy and pushes them higher up on hits on search engines,” Goedken said. “Our policy is we do not have external links or references short of our affiliate partners like Decorah Chamber of Commerce, Decorah Jobs — partners like that.”

The city’s newest city council member, Councilman at Large Cody Whittle agreed with Goedken, saying he felt it was

unfair to allow corporations like Alliant to have a place on the city’s website.

“Alliant’s information is out there, and it’s easy to find. It doesn’t need to be on the city’s website — I feel it’s misleading,” Whittle said.

Olson agreed, saying he didn’t think the city’s government public webpage was the place to put a link sharing a multibillion-dollar corporation’s viewpoints, and “would lend itself to a bad precedent.”

Councilperson Brent Parker shared Olson’s sentiment, later saying the study was already available to the public and adding that he himself had received three fliers regarding the MEU referendum at his home.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily appropriate for us to put that corporation on the city website, just like I don’t think it is appropriate to put Decorah Power, who wants to have this MEU, on the website,” Parker said.

Schissel countered, indicating the precedent had already been set.

“I don’t think we should have gone down this road of even putting anything on our website if we are not going to present both sides,” Schissel said. “It’s too late, we’ve already opened that gate up.”

The council eventually put the matter to a vote. Four members voted against the study being added to the website — Zittergruen, Olsen, Whittle, and Parker — while Miculinich and Schissel voted in favor of the idea.

Law Enforcement Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office Kaden James Alstad, age 18, of Decorah was charged with possession of marijuana — first offense — at approximately 11:12 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 in the 400 block of Claiborne Drive in Decorah. A criminal complaint said Alstad had arrived at the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office to speak with law enforcement about an incident in which he was the victim. While examining the vehicle, authorities saw a decorative mason jar containing a green leafy substance in the vehicle’s cupholder. The teen denied deputies access to the interior of the vehicle and left the law enforcement center, but returned upon request — the mason jar was not inside the vehicle upon his return, but he eventually surrendered it to authorities, and it was found to contain about 14 grams of marijuana and a package of rolling paper.

Tracy Lynn Leuchtenmacher, age 33, of Cresco was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 4:10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10. Court records said Leuchtenmacher was serving five years of supervised release after being sentenced in July on drug charges. Separate court documents show she was charged in mid-November with fifth-degree theft and violation of a no contact order after an off-duty Cresco Police officer noticed Leuchtenmacher with a particular individual at the Decorah Walmart, and security footage revealed she failed to pay for approximately $38 of merchandise before leaving. Court documents filed later that month said multiple attempts to contact Leuchtenmacher had failed, and three warrants were issued for her arrest.

Timothy Ray Sersland, age 61, of Decorah was charged with trespassing — first offense — at approximately 4:37 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 at Wellington Place Assisted Living in Decorah. Sersland was previously charged with public intoxication on Jan. 31, after being removed from what court filings referred to only as a local nursing home while visiting a relative. Court documents show Sersland was issued a written trespassing warning by staff on Feb. 1 as well as a separate verbal warning from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office. Sersland eventually pleaded guilty to the public intoxication charge, and he was ordered to pay a fee of approximately $123 as well as a $105 fine as outlined in a Feb. 10 court decision. That same day, Sersland was found inside Wellington Place, according to a recent criminal complaint, and he refused to leave.

Amber Baker, age 20, of Calmar was arrested after turning herself in at the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 8:48 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Information from the sheriff’s office said two warrants had been issued for Baker’s arrest after she failed to provide fingerprints as ordered. Court records show Baker had previously pleaded guilty possession of a controlled substance as well as operating while under the influence, and the warrants noted she was to be fingerprinted “immediately after (her) arrest and booking, and then be released from jail.”

Ryan Vaughn, age 42, of Cresco was arrested and transported to the Howard County Jail on a Howard County arrest warrant for failure to appear on Feb. 25, 2024.

Michael Johnson, age 65, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 12:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 to serve two consecutive days.

Peter Russell Lingen, age 69, of Decorah was charged with operating under the influence — first offense — at approximately 1:43 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 near the intersection of Locust Road and Canoe Ridge Road. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office came upon a disabled vehicle in that area, and identified Lingen as the driver. The 69-year-old was uninjured, according to the sheriff’s office, and he was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:40 p.m. the same day.

Justin Amos Pritchard, age 43, of Decorah was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 1:40 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 on the charge of public intoxication — first offense.

Sierra Grinna, age 26, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:50 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17 to serve two consecutive days.

Joshua Eubanks, age 36, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 5:05 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 for violation of a no contact order.

Decorah Police Department The Decorah Police Department was dispatched to the Decorah Walmart on Friday, Feb. 7 for a report of a male subject who had switched ticket prices on multiple items. The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Aaron Taylor Hernandez of Chico, California. Hernandez was charged with fifth-degree theft, and officers learned Henandez had committed similar acts during six previous visits to Walmart. He was additionally charged with fourth-degree theft for the previous incidents.

A Postville man was cited for failure to maintain control after an incident the night of Friday, Feb. 7. Information from the Decorah Police Department said 42-yearold Vanel Kerlegrand of Postville was traveling east on Highway 9 when his vehicle left the roadway, moving onto the south shoulder.

He reentered the highway but lost control before entering the westbound lane of traffic, striking the passenger side of a truck driven by 26-year-old Brooke Price of Patch Grove, Wisconsin. Kerlegrand and his passenger were taken to the WinnMed emergency room by WinnMed ambulance for an assessment. The Decorah Police Department was assisted on scene by WinnMed ambulance, Decorah Fire Department, Don’s Towing Sevice and the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Guadalupe Espinosa III, age 19, of Robstown, Texas, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 on the charge of disorderly conduct/ fighting/violent behavior — first offense. A criminal complaint filed against Espinosa said he was involved in a verbal dispute which turned physical at approximately 12:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at Your Place in Decorah. Espinosa “did not want charges on the other two males in the altercation,” according to the complaint. Court documents show he was also charged with public intoxication.

Izaiah Jordan Domenget, age 26, of Lacrosse, Wisconsin, was charged with domestic abuse/ assault at approximately 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 17 inside the Miller Hall dormitory on Luther College’s campus. A criminal complaint said Domenget had been drinking and an argument took place. The complaint said Domenget then made comments indicating he might harm himself, and the victim attempted to prevent him from leaving. A physical altercation took place, and Domenget took the victim’s phone “when she attempted to call either Domenget’s mother or law enforcement, whoever would answer.” Domenget was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:30 p.m. the same day.

Raymond Delagarza, age 41, of Decorah was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 5 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 13 on two counts of domestic abuse/assault, two counts of first-degree harassment, possession of methamphetamine — first offense — and possession of marijuana — first offense.

Criminal complaints said the Decorah Police Department received two separate reports last week, saying Delagarza had physically abused the victim in January and held her against her will on at least two occassions. Police were shown electronic communications corroborating the claims, including a text from Delagarza in which he threatened to kill the victim. Police searched Delagarza’s residence and discovered a white crystal substance and a vape cartridge containing THC. Court filings said Delagarza admitted to using methamphetamine and knowing the vape cartridge contained THC, but he claimed the victim’s injuries “were from sexual intercourse.” He was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17.

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 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 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 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 Decorah Community School Board Regular School Board Meeting Minutes Central Administration Office Monday, February 10, 2025 6:30 p.m.

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

President Goodner called to order the first public hearing at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing was to hear comments oral or written concerning the 2025-2026 type of school calendar (hours versus days). There were no comments oral or written. President Goodner adjourned the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.

President Goodner called to order the second public hearing at 6:31 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing was to hear comments oral or written concerning the 2025-2026 school academic calendar. Superintendent Dr. Cronin addressed the comment regarding the school start date; if the State of Iowa legislature allows schools to begin prior to August 23”, the district will revisit the academic school calendar. President Goodner adjourned the public hearing at 6:31 p.m.

President Goodner called to order the regular school board meeting at 6:31 p.m. Director Zander read the mission statement.

Old Business: Motion: Director Darling moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve the second reading of code #406.1 Cell Phone Policy. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Staff will receive stipends effective July 1, 2025, in place of a district cell phone.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Darling to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Darling moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve the consent items: January 13, 2025 minutes, bills and personnel as listed below. Director Sand recognized Middle School staff retirements and inquired about the district’s monthly electric expenses. Motion carried by all voting aye.

New Hires: a. Traci Marcum (9’ Grade Volleyball Coach) Level D, Step 1 b. Lori Martin (John Cline Associate) Step 1 c. Annika Headington (9” Grade Softball Coach) Level D, Step 1 d. Keaton Solberg (7” Grade Boys Basketball Coach) Level E, Step | e. Victoria Watson (Elementary Principal) Resignations: a. Kelli Gapinski (High School Special Education Teacher) b. Jennifer Larson (Middle School Orchestra Teacher) c. Andrew Davis (Assistant Boys Soccer Coach) d. Dean Beckman (Middle School Vocal Music Teacher)

e. Lisa Witzke (6 Grade Social Studies Teacher) f. Dawn Schweizer (Interim Viking Academic Success Associate) Transfers: a. Lynnette Borsheim (John Cline Para to Middle School Para) b. Frederic “Andy” Carlson (High School 504 Coordinator to Social Studies Teacher) Approved as a Volunteer Coach: a. Loran Storts (High School Volunteer Assistant Boys Track Coach) Communication from the public: TK teacher Janet Falck and parents Laree Schouweiler and Brittany Todd commented on the benefits of Transitional Kindergarten.

Presentation: Positive Behavior Supports.

Carolin Remmen, Elise Bennett, and Beth Baumann explained as PBS teachers, they work with students with exceptional needs such as mental health, homelessness, and abuse. The students are taught empathy and friendship skills and are provided with a place where they are heard, loved, and accepted.

New Business: Superintendent Dr. Cronin updated the board on the transitional kindergarten and kindergarten student count and staffing.

The district is predicting around 92 students in 2025-2026 compared to 121 students this year. Currently there are five kindergarten teachers and one transitional kindergarten teacher. With the decline in enrollment, the district will only need a total of five sections in 2025-2026. The board discussed what would be best for the students, staff, and district moving forward. The district’s Kindergarten meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 25th and the district is hoping to gain more information regarding the enrollment numbers. The board expressed their interest in maintaining TK. Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Darling to approve the 2025-2026 type of school calendar (hours versus days).

Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Darling moved, seconded

by Director Zander to set the 2025-2026 academic school calendar as presented. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Darling moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve the 2025-2026 fees, letters A-D, as presented. The early childhood special education fee was increased $2.00 and TK through 12” grade instructional fees were increased $5.00. The percussion fee was set at $30.00, and the technology, towel, and instrument fee were unchanged.

Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Zander moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve the budget guarantee resolution for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Darling moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve the district agreement between Northwestern College Department of Education and Decorah CSD. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Darling moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve the professional services agreement with Shive-Hattery Architecture+Engineering for a fee of $40,000 for the High School and Carrie Lee Elementary School roof projects. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Superintendent Dr. Cronin updated the board on upcoming district projects that will be paid from the PPEL and SAVE funds. A robotic painter will be purchased to help with man hours and a LP filling station will be purchased to be used for buses. Motion: Director Sand moved, seconded by Director Darling to approve the Capital Projects as presented.

Motion carried by all voting aye. Items over a $50,000 threshold will be brought to the board as needed.

Superintendent Dr. Cronin stated the debit service resolution will be at an upcoming special board meeting or at the regular March board meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Cronin updated the board on the two vehicles that will be put out for bid and an immigration letter that went to the district.

Open Enrollments: Anthony Kocian, 11” grade for 2024-2025, from Decorah CSD to Clayton Ridge-Iowa Virtual Academy Malia Sorenson, 6’ grade for 2025-2026, from North Fayette Valley to Decorah CSD Amara Sorenson, Kindergarten for 20252026, from North Fayette Valley to Decorah CSD Remi Sorenson, Kindergarten for 20252026, from North Fayette Valley to Decorah CSD Dawson Koch, 6” grade for 2024-2025, from North Fayette Valley to Decorah CSD Adelina Koch, 1* grade for 2024-2026, from North Fayette Valley to Decorah CSD Levi Uhlenhake, 1* grade for 2025-2026, from Decorah CSD to South Winneshiek Logan Uhlenhake, PK for 2025-2026, from Decorah CSD to South Winneshiek Jack Hageman, Kindergarten for 20252026, from Decorah to South Winneshiek Emberlyn Oster, Kindergarten for 20252026, from Howard-Winneshiek to Decorah HSAP Director of Business Services, Cathy Dietzenbach, presented the monthly financial reports for January 2025.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

Darlene Woodhouse, Board Secretary Claims for January 2025 Food Service Fund Anderson Erickson, Dairy.............. 6,371.60 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Repairs948.76 Decorah Activity Fund, Produce......... 46.50 Decorah General Fund (BMO), Misc................................................869.34 Elliott, Chad, Reimbursement........... 109.92 Iowa Food Hub, Produce/Dairy........875.00 Kingsley Mercantile & Rental, Repairs............................................407.95 Kwik Trip, Ala Carte...........................45.72 Martin Brothers, Food/Produce/Supplies..............32,155.62 McConnell, Angela, Lunch Account Refund..................... 14.45 McWilliams, Megan, Lunch Account Refund....................... 5.25 Pan-O-Gold, Bakery.......................... 944.85 White, Bridget, Lunch Account Refund..................... 11.65 Total Food Service Claims.........$42,806.61 Claims for January 2025 – Activity Fund ASPI Solutions, HS Track Registration......................60.00 Bahr, Jason, HS Boys Basketball Official..........100.00 Befour, Inc., HS Scale....................1,020.00 Benzing, Brady, Arlin Falck Scholarship..................996.66 Bockman, Dana, Reimbursement CL-Supply..............31.66 Briddell, Catherine, Guest Instrumentalist........................50.00 Camp, Bob, HS Girls/Boys Basketball Off................................. 140.00 Cedar Falls High School, Boys Swim Entry...........................125.00 Charles City CSD, HS Choir Reg. Fee.........................272.00 Chatfield CSD, HS Boys Basketball Fee.................100.00 Clarion Goldfield Dows, HS Wrestling Fee...........................100.00 Darrington, Andy, HS Supplies.........146.00 Decker Sporting Goods, HS Boys BBall............................1,210.00 Decorah Cleaners, HS Tux Cleaning............................190.00 Decorah CSD Gen. Fund(BMO) C.C..........................7,962.87 Decorah CSD Nutrition Dept., Catering-CL...................................... 89.10 Fareway, JC Supplies.......................... 34.88 Fort Dodge High School, HS Wrestle Entry............................ 200.00 Frese, Jeff, HS Boys Basketball Official.......... 100.00 Galvez, Luis, Guest Instrumentalist.... 50.00 Glawe, Gene, HS Boys Basketball Official............ 70.00 Hoffert, Casey, HS Boys Basketball Official.......... 280.00 Holthaus, Kelly, HS Boys Basketball Off.................100.00 Iowa Dept. of Revenue, Gambling Tax Craft..........................64.63 Iowa HS Athletic Association, HS XC Plaq.................................... 200.00 Iowa HS Music Assoc., March Band Reg............................. 175.00 Iowa Sports Supply, MS Equipment.............................1,649.00 Jacobson, Andrew, HS Boys Basketball Off.................340.00 Kuisle, Dennis, HS Wrestling Supplies................... 350.00 Leber, Brandon, HS Boys BB Official......................140.00 Linderbaum, Luther, HS Boys BB Official......................100.00 Letterwerks, HS Supplies...............6,493.75 Lundtvedt, Dwayne, MS Wrestling Official....................100.00 Mabe’s Pizza, FFA Pizza/MS Pizza.. 570.50 McCone Foods, HS FFA Supplies.. 2,560.00 Minn Tex Citrus, HS FFA Supplies.......................24,398.16

Nordschow, Marissa, HS Boys BB Official...................... 100.00 Northeast IA Bandmasters MS/HS Reg.................................... 424.00 Osage High School, HS Wrestling Entry Fee.................. 200.00 Prouty, James, HS Boys Basketball Official.......... 140.00 Ratchford, Rob, HS Boys Basketba Official............. 140.00 Rhodes, Andrew, Arlin Falck Scholarship.................. 996.67 Rinken, Tyler, HS Winter Livestream Video......... 500.00 Rosholt, Grace, Guest Instrumentalist.50.00 Sahr, Nathan, HS Boys Basketball Official..........140.00 4 Seasons, FFA Supplies................8,836.40 Sickles, Daniel, HS Boys Basketball Off...................70.00 Steege, Nate, HS Boys Basketball Official..........140.00 St. James High School, HS Wrestling Fee...........................150.00 Swenson, Tanner, HS Boys Basketball Off.................100.00 71 Visuals, HS Blue Ribbon School Sign......1,140.00 Waterloo CSD, HS Girl Wrest. Entry Fee...............250.00 Waterloo West HS, HS Boys Swim Entry..................... 115.00 Williams, Maleek, MS Wrestling Official....................100.00 WW Homestead Dairy, FFA Supplies...............................3,132.00 X-Grain, HS Girls Wrestling Supplies.......... 660.00 Yeomans, HS Girls Soccer Uniforms...........2,306.80 Total Claims:..............................$45,946.92 Claims for February 2025– General Fund Prepaids: Alliant Energy, Electricity............. 4,390.77 Nimrod, Jake, Lego League Meals....139.50 U.S. Cellular, Phone Usage-district...691.19 Total General Fund Prepaid Claims........................................$5,221.46 General Fund Payables: Access Elevator & Lift, Inc., WS Repairs.......................................53.44 Ace Hardware, CL/MS/HS Repairs..194.66 Acentek, Internet...............................540.00 Ahlers Cooney, Legal Services.........591.50 Alliant Energy, Electricity............ 18,476.20 ByteSpeed, LLC, District Contract.6,400.00 Carlson, Jonathan, Reimbursement Fuel......................109.00 Carquest, Misc. MS Repairs................98.28 CDW-G, Contract...........................1,259.00 CEC, Clocks for Classrooms-dist... 1,796.24 Clinicare Corporation, Tuition..... 89,088.22 Crown Lift Trucks, District Equipment.................... 10,000.00 Culligan Water Conditioning, Cooler Rental.................................... 65.00 Culver Hahn Electric, Supply/Repair-dist....................... 1,486.50 Dean’s Repair, Bus Garage Labor.....612.50 Debauche Truck & Country, Bus Repairs....................................457.35 Decorah Activity Fund, Rev Trak Yrbook......................... 2,856.00 Decorah Leader, Advertising/Publishing...................730.37 Decorah Music Boosters, Rev Trak Mem................................575.00 DHS Cashier 1st Floor, Medicaid Direct ........................12,555.30 Don’s Towing Service, Vehicle Repairs.................................50.00 Dragonfly Books, HS/HSAP Books....83.03 Fareway, MS Supplies........................... 2.88 Fisk Farm & Home, Supplies-district.............................. 319.81 Hawkeye Stages, HS Bowling Meet........................2,189.00 Himegarner, Samantha, MS Solo Judge.................................50.00 Hovden Oil, Diesel.........................2,853.63 Howard Winn. CSD, Open Enroll...............................29,805.34 Imperial Dade, Cleaning Supplies-dist............... 11,125.06 Iowa Communications Network, Internet........................................1,882.50 Iowa One Call, Custodian Purchase Service...............9.00 John Deere Financial, MS Supplies..109.41 J.W. Pepper, MS Band Supplies..........69.60 Kinderhaus, 4-Year Old Preschool Prog..........2,808.40 Letterwerks Sign City, JC Supplies.....45.00 Light Source Central, HS Repairs.....190.00 Malcom Enterprises, Garbage Service............................. 938.00 Marco, Copier Expenses/Repairs... 3,484.06 McDonald Supply Company, Supplies-dist...................................680.58 McGraw Hill, HS Farm Management ...............1,558.64 MFL Mar Mac CSD, Open Enrollment......................... 4,181.26 Midwest Bus Parts, Bus Garage Parts.20.00 Midwest Group Benefits, 2025 Admin. Fee............................400.00 Napa Auto Parts, Bus Parts/Repairs........................1,831.85 NewsGuard, HS/MS Renewal...........424.00 Nisse Childcare/Pre., 4 Year Preschool..........................7,622.80 North Central International, Bus Repairs......................................91.44 Northeast IA Montessori, 4 Year Pre....................................2,407.20 Novak, Perry Electric, MS/JC Repairs.............................7,369.77 Oelwein CSD, Open Enrollment....9,477.84 Perfect Edge, District Supplies..........985.80 Perfection Learning, HS ELA Assessment....................... 716.24 Pitney Bowes, Postage......................248.13 Retrofit Environment, HS Disposal Fee.............................340.36 Rollins, Gunnar, Reimbursement Fuel......................105.32 Rogue, HS Supplies...........................915.94 Sherwin Williams, HS Paint................28.90 Social Thinking, WS Supplies...........213.24 South Winneshiek CSD, Open Enroll...............................83,893.46 Spahn & Rose Lumber, HS/HSAP Supplies.........................248.90 SSE Music, HS Instrument Repairs/Supply.......738.73 St. Benedict School, 4 Year Preschool .........................8,024.00 Sunflower Childcare Center, 4 Year Pre....................................8,024.00 Tandem Tire, Vehicle Repairs/Maintenance.........177.50 Timberline Billing Service, Medicaid .....................................1,296.44 Tri-State Sound & Light, Antennas.....49.83 Truck Country, Vehicle Repairs/Maint................. 1,511.86 Uline, Bus Garage Shelving...........1,792.41 University of Northern IA, HS Exams....................................3,300.00 Vital Source, HS Ebooks...................900.10 Winneshiek County Recycling, Disposal Fee.....................................36.50 Total GENERAL Fund Claims ...................................$353,575.33 SAVE Fund Payables: Racom, District Equipment........149,920.35 Total SAVE Fund Payables: ...$149,920.35 Total Add’t February GENERAL Fund Payables Jonathan Carlson, Fuel Reimbursement........................35.03 Farmers Win Coop, Diesel.............1,149.18 Gerk, Katelyn, Fuel Reimbursement...39.00 Holkesvik, Bob, Fuel Reimbursement.45.50 ISFIS, Inc., Workshop....................... 300.00 Kwik Trip, Fuel..............................8,247.98 Pioneer Valley Books, JC Books.. 14,904.00 Playaways, MS Playaways.............1,958.21 Reilly Construction Co., Bus Garage Rep......................... 20,000.00 RevTrak, January RevTrak Transaction Fee...........................1,458.52 Rollins, Gunnar, Fuel Reimbursement........................72.14 Safe Harbor Piano Tuning, HS Piano Tuning............................ 110.00 Total Add’t February GENERAL Fund Payables...................................$48,319.56 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 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 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF DECORAH BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Decorah, Iowa, has set 5:15 PM, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 for a regular meeting to be held at the Council Chambers of City Hall, in Decorah, Iowa, 52101, as the time and place for consideration of requested variances from the Ordinance requirements to-wit: Steve & Brenda Finholt for 406 Hillcrest Drive, legally described as L 34 OF W 3/4 OF N 1/2 OF S 1/2 SE in the City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa is requesting permission to construct a 6’ tall fence in the front yard, contrary to City Code Section 17.16.135 – Fences.

All interested persons may appear at said time and place to be heard for or against the granting of variances from the Ordinance requirements.

Sue Sander, Chair Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025 Notice of 2025 Postville CSD Special School Election Public Notice is given that for the Postville CSD in the County of Winneshiek, State of Iowa, a Special Election will be held on Tuesday March 4, 2025. The polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

For all Winneshiek County Precincts, Postville CSD residents will vote at: Ossian Community Center – 123 W Main St, Ossian, IA 52161 A public test will be held to demonstrate the Unisyn Freedom Vote voting system which will be used to count the votes. The public test will begin at 10:00 am Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the Winneshiek County Courthouse and will continue until all tests are completed.

The polling sites are handicapped accessible. Any voter who is physically unable to enter the polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle. For further information, please contact the County Auditor’s office at (563) 382-5085 or auditor@co.winneshiek. ia.us.

Pre-registered voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a regular ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered – such as voters registering to vote on election day – and voters changing precincts must also provide proof of residence. A voter who is unable to provide an approved form of identification (or prove residence if required) 1) may have the voter’s identity/residence attested to by another registered voter in the precinct, 2) prove identity and residence using Election Day Registration documents, or 3) cast a provisional ballot and provide proof of identity/residence at the County Auditor’s office by Noon, March 10, 2025. Election Day Registrant attesters must provide an approved form of identification. For additional information about providing proof of identity and/or residence visit: https://sos.iowa.gov/ voterid or phone (563) 382-5085.

The Post-Election Audit of the ballots cast in one precinct will be held Thursday March 6, 2025 in the County Auditor’s Office.

The ballot will contain the following race and public measure: Postville CSD Director At-Large (TFV) Vote for one: Mary Huinker Public Measure AM Shall the following measure be adopted?

Summary: To adopt a Revenue Purpose Statement specifying the use of revenues the Postville Community School District will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund.

In the Postville Community School District, the following Revenue Purpose Statement which specifies the use of revenues the Postville Community School District will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund shall be adopted.

To provide funds to acquire or install information technology infrastructure (including improving buildings or sites for the purpose of accessing broadband digital telecommunications) and school safety and security infrastructure.

To provide funds to build and furnish a new school building or buildings; to build and furnish addition(s) to school buildings in the District; to remodel, reconstruct, repair, expand, and improve the school buildings in the District; to purchase and improve grounds; for demolition work; to furnish and equip district facilities.

To provide funds for the purchase, lease or lease-purchase of buildings, equipment (including transportation and recreation equipment), or technology and to repair transportation equipment for transporting students as authorized by law, to implement energy conservation measures, sharing or rental of facilities including a joint infrastructure project for the purposes of offering classes under district-to-community college programs as authorized in Iowa Code Section 423F.3(3) (c), procuring or acquisition of libraries, or opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings.

To provide funds to purchase land as part of start-up costs for new student construction program or if the sale of the previous student construction was insufficient to purchase land, and to purchase construction materials and supplies for a student-constructed building or shed intended to be retained by and used by the District.

To provide funds to make payments to a municipality or other entity as required under Iowa Code Section 403.19(2).

To provide funds for demolition, cleanup, and other costs if such costs are necessitated by, and incurred within two years of, a disaster.

To provide funds for radon testing and mitigation.

To provide funds to establish and maintain public recreation places and playgrounds; provide for supervision and instruction for recreational activities; or for community education purposes.

To provide funds for the payment of principal and interest or retirement of general obligation bonds issued for school infrastructure purposes, energy improvement loans, loan agreements authorized by Iowa Code Section 297.36, sales, service and use tax revenue bonds issued under Iowa Code Section 423E.5 or Iowa Code Section 423F.4.

To provide funds for property tax relief; and To provide funds for other authorized expenditures and purposes as now or hereafter permitted by law and designated by the Postville Community School District.

It being understood that if this public measure should fail to be approved by the voters, such failure shall not be construed to terminate or restrict authority previously granted by the voters to expend receipts from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund.

If approved, this Revenue Purpose Statement shall remain in effect until replaced or amended by the Postville Community School District.

Additional Information for Public Measure AM: If a majority of eligible electors voting on the question fail to approve this Revenue Purpose Statement, then upon expiration of the current Revenue Purpose Statement, revenues received by the School District from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education fund shall be expended in the following order: The payment of bonds for which SAVE Revenue has been pledged; Reduction of bond levies under Iowa Code

Sections 298.18 and 298.18A and all other debt levies; Reduction of the regular and voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy under Iowa Code Section 298.2; Reduction of the public educational and recreational levy under Iowa Code Section 300.2; For any authorized infrastructure purpose of the school district as defined in Iowa Code Section 423F.3(6); and For the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued under Iowa Code Sections 423E.5 and 423F.4.

This notice is given by the Winneshiek County Commissioner of Elections.

Benjamin D. Steines Winneshiek County Auditor & Commissioner of Elections Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LILLIAN R. CHIPERA DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016370 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of LILLIAN R. CHIPERA, Deceased, who died on or about December 30, 2024: You are hereby notified that on February 11, 2025, the Last Will and Testament of LILLIAN R. CHIPERA, deceased, bearing date of November 23, 2019 , was admitted to probate in the above-named court and that JOYCE M WALKER 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 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.

Dated February 13, 2025.

Joyce M Walker, Executor of Estate 132 N YORKTOWN PIKE MASON CITY, IA 50401Andrew P. Beth A Becker, ICIS#: AT0011045 Attorney for Executor Tremaine & Becker 110 E. 1st Street Sumner, IA 50674 Date of second publication: February 27, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20 & 27, 2025 Notice of March 4, 2025 Special Election for the City of Decorah Public Notice is given that a Special Election for the City of Decorah in the County of Winneshiek, State of Iowa, will be held on Tuesday March 4, 2025. The polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

A listing of polling locations is as follows: Decorah Wards 1 & 2 – Winneshiek County Courthouse Annex, 201 W Main St, Decorah Decorah Wards 3A & 3B – First Lutheran Church, 604 W Broadway, Decorah Decorah Wards 4 & 5 – Good Shepherd Church, 701 Iowa Ave, Decorah A public test will be held to demonstrate the Unisyn Freedom Vote voting system which will be used to count the votes. The public test will begin at 10:00 am Thursday February 27, 2025 at the Winneshiek County Courthouse and will continue until all tests are completed.

The polling sites are handicapped accessible. Any voter who is physically unable to enter the polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle. For further information, please contact the County Auditor’s office at (563) 382-5085 or auditor@co.winneshiek. ia.us.

Pre-registered voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a regular ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered – such as voters registering to vote on election day – and voters changing precincts must also provide proof of residence. A voter who is unable to provide an approved form of identification (or prove residence if required) 1) may have the voter’s identity/residence attested to by another registered voter in the precinct, 2) prove identity and residence using Election Day Registration documents, or 3) cast a provisional ballot and provide proof of identity/residence at the County Auditor’s office by Noon, March 10, 2025. Election Day Registrant attesters must provide an approved form of identification. For additional information about providing proof of identity and/or residence visit: https://sos.iowa.gov/ voterid or phone (563) 382-5085.

The Post-Election Audit of the ballots cast in one precinct will be held Thursday March 6, 2025 at noon in the County Auditor’s Office.

The following public measure will be included on the ballots: Public Measure E Shall the following measure be adopted?

Shall the City of Decorah, in the County of Winneshiek, State of Iowa, be authorized to establish a Municipally-Owned electric utility?

This notice is given by the Winneshiek County Commissioner of Elections. Additional information is available at: www.winneshiekcounty.iowa.gov.

Benjamin D. Steines Winneshiek County Auditor & Commissioner of Elections Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT, IN AND FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY (JUVENILE DIVISION) IN THE INTEREST OF JUVENILE NO. JVJV002015 A Child.

TO: ANY AND ALL PUTATIVE FATHERS YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that there is now on file in the office of the Clerk of the above court, a petition in the above-entitled action, a copy of which is attached hereto, which prays for a termination of your parent-child relationship with the above-named child pursuant to Subchapter IV of Iowa Code Chapter 232.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that a hearing to determine whether your parental rights should be terminated to the child in interest pursuant to Iowa Code Section 232.117 shall be held before the Juvenile Court on the 9th day of April, 2025, at 9:00 AM, in the Juvenile Courtroom of the Winneshiek County Courthouse in Decorah, Iowa. If you fail to appear and defend at said time and place, judgment by default may be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

If you need assistance to participate in Court due to a disability, call the disability coordinator at (319)833-3332. Persons who are hearing or speech impaired may call Relay Iowa TTY (1-800- 735-2942). Disability Coordinators cannot provide legal advice.

THIS CASE HAS BEEN FILED IN A COUNTY THAT USES ELECTRONIC FILING. You must register to eFile through the Iowa Judicial Branch website at https://www. iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile and obtain a log in and password for filing and viewing documents in your case and for receiving service and notices from the court.

• For general rules and information on electronic filing, refer to the Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16 Pertaining to the Use of the Electronic Document Management System, available on the Iowa Judicial Branch website.

• For court rules on the Protection of Personal Privacy in court filings, refer to Division VI of the Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16.

• If you are unable to proceed electronically, you must receive permission from the court to file in paper. Contact the clerk of court in the county where the petition was filed for more information on being excused from electronic filing.

NOTE: The attorney who is expected to represent the child’s parent should be promptly advised by the parent of the service of this notice.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 27 & March 6, 2025

13

NOTICE TO BIDDERS CITY OF DECORAH, IOWA General Notice City of Decorah (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project: DECORAH 2025 HEIVLY STREET IMPROVEMENTS Sealed bids for the construction of the Project will be received at the Decorah City Hall Office located at 400 Claiborne Drive, P.O. Box 138 in Decorah, Iowa 52101, until Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM local time. At that time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read.

The Project includes the following Work: Pavement removal, replacement of sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer utilities, concrete paving, hot mix asphalt paving, sidewalk removal and replacement, and temporary traffic control.

The project location(s) is as follows: Heivly Street from Julian Street to River Street; all in the City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa.

Bids will be received for a single prime contract. Make bids on all items of Work.

One contract will be awarded. The Contractor may begin construction upon execution of the Notice to Proceed (NTP) with a Substantial Completion date of November 15, 2025, as shown in the NTP. Final payment will be made upon final acceptance of the Work.

Submit a Bid Bond with each Bid in accordance with the Bidding Documents. The Bid Bond will be a certified or cashier’s check payable to the Owner, drawn on a solvent Iowa bank or a bank chartered under the laws of the United States, or a certified share draft drawn on a credit union in Iowa or chartered under the laws of the United States, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the Bid, or a Bid Bond executed by a corporation authorized to contract as a Surety in the State of Iowa, in the penal sum of five percent (5%) of the Bid. The Owner may, at their discretion, reject any or all bids, waive informalities, irregularities or technicalities, or accept the bid and award the Project.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish bonds and insurance, in accordance with Article 6 of the Contract for Construction of a Small Project, when the Contract is delivered to the Owner.

All Work and material are to be in strict compliance with the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost now on file at the office of the City Engineer, and by this reference made a part thereof as though fully set out and incorporated herein.

By virtue of the statutory authority, a preference will be given to products and provisions grown and coal produced within the State of Iowa and to Iowa.

In accordance with Iowa statutes, a resident bidder shall be allowed a preference as against a nonresident bidder from a state or foreign country if that state or foreign country gives or requires any preference to bidders from that state or foreign country, including but not limited to any preference to bidders, the imposition of any type of labor force preference, or any other form of preferential treatment to bidders or laborers from that state or foreign country. The preference allowed shall be equal to the preference given or required by the state or foreign country in which the nonresident bidder is a resident. In the instance of a resident labor force preference, a nonresident bidder shall apply the same resident labor force preference to a public improvement in this state as would be required in the construction of a public improvement by the state or foreign country in which the nonresident bidder is a resident.

Obtaining Bidding Documents Bidding Documents for the Project may be obtained either in printed or electronic formats for free.

Information and Bidding Documents for the Project may be obtained in electronic format at the following designated website: QuestCDN.com Ebid Reference No.: 9533487 Bidding Documents may be downloaded from the designated website. Prospective Bidders are urged to register with the designated website as a plan holder, even if Bidding Documents are obtained from a plan room or source other than the designated website in either electronic or paper format.

The designated website will be updated periodically with addenda, lists of registered plan holders, reports, and other information relevant to submitting a Bid for the Project.

Information and Bidding Documents for the Project may be obtained in printed format from the Issuing Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM: The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: City of Decorah Street Department 108 Railroad Avenue Decorah, IA 52101 Ph: 1-563-382-2157 / E: cityengineer@decorahia.org Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available in any format. All official notifications, addenda, and other Bidding Documents will be offered only through the designated website and Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the designated website or Issuing Office.

This Notice is issued by: Owner: City of Decorah By: Lorraine Borowski Title: Mayor Date: February 17, 2025 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025 PUBLIC NOTICE OF STORM WATER DISCHARGE Skyline Construction Inc plans to submit a Notice of Intent to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to be covered under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit No. 2 Storm Water Discharge Associated with industrial Activity for Construction Activities.

The storm water discharge will be from site grading and related activities for construction of a new water control structures and retention area located in NE, Section 30, Township 98, Range 8, Winneshiek County.

Storm water will be discharged from eight point source and will be discharged to the following streams: Dry Run Creek.

Comments may be submitted to the Storm Water Discharge Coordinator, IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Environmental Protection Division, 502 E 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0034. The public may review the Notice of Intent from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the above address after is has been received by the Department.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025 PUBLIC NOTICE OF STORM WATER DISCHARGE City of Decorah plans to submit a Notice of Intent to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to be covered under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit No. 2 Storm Water Discharge Associated with Industrial Activity for Construction Activities.

The storm water discharge will be from Site grading, utility construction, street paving and related activities for reconstruction of Heivly Street located in Section 16, Township 98, Range 8, Winneshiek County.

Storm water will be discharged from one point source and will be discharged to the following streams: Unnamed stream to the Upper Iowa River.

Comments may be submitted to the Storm Water Discharge Coordinator, IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Environmental Protection Division, 502 E 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0034. The public may review the Notice of Intent from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the above address after is has been received by the Department.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICES/CLASSIFIEDS 14 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@DECORAHNEWSPAPERS.COM | 563-382-4221 Board Minutes February 10, 2025 The Board of Supervisors met at 9:30am February 10, 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.

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

Moved by Vick and seconded by Vermace to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes of the last meeting, the claims filed with the Board, the liquor license for the Bluffton Bar, and to accept and file the monthly report of the County Recorder. Motion carried unanimously.

The Board discussed the request from the previous meeting for additional funds to cemeteries for the care of Veterans Graves.

Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to increase the payment from $3 to $5 for FY26. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to approve the hire of Jeffrey Kuboushek as Recycling Supervisor effective March 3, 2025, acknowledging his years of service to the county his salary will be set at step 8 ($83,947.01). Motion carried unanimously.

A formal Memorandum of Understanding was also signed setting forth the terms of the parties’ agreement.

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

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to open the public hearing on the proposed Easement to Dairyland Power. Motion carried unanimously. Elizabeth Mueller, Dairyland Power Right-of-Way agent, met with the Board to give details about the project. No written or verbal comments were received.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vick to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Vick and seconded

by Kelsay to adopt resolution 25-20, granting the easement as requested. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

The Board reviewed the first run of the budget.

Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to adjourn to 9:30am Monday, February 17, 2025. Motion carried unanimously.

Benjamin D Steines, County Auditor Daniel Langreck, Chair Board of Supervisors Claims 02-10-2025 General Basic Fund AcenTek, Internet Service................. 511.87 Air Chek, Inc., Supplies....................180.00 AireSpring, Telephone Service.......... 417.32 Alliant Energy, Utilities...................5689.28 Amazon Capital Services, Supplies.1979.90 Anderson Law Office, Legal Services..............................3420.00 ArcaSearch LLC, Services..............4584.00 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service....1028.08 BDH Technology LLP, Maintenance Agreement.................250.00 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service........................ 128.15 Calmar Courier, Publications.............. 67.50 Capital One, Payment.......................... 39.16 Carquest Auto Parts, Parts...............2839.97 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Inc, Services..........................................190.00 CDW Gov’t, Supplies...................... 3627.19 CenturyLink, Telephone Service.......798.77 City of Decorah, Services..................997.37 Column Software PBC, Publications....................................554.92 Copyland, Printing............................644.77 Court View Place LLP, Payment.....1970.00 Culligan, Services..............................268.93 Roger Dahlen, Reimbursement...........25.00 Decorah Ace Hardware, Supplies........ 26.57 Decorah Community Schools, Services.......................................... 187.70 Decorah Electric Inc, Services.......... 105.64 Decorah Heating & Plumbing LLC Services..........................................375.94 Decorah Leader, Publications..........1963.46 Decorah Veterinary Clinic, Services... 62.60 Valerie Erickson, Mileage................... 30.87 Fareway Stores, Supplies................1250.48 John Fels, Reimbursement..................25.00 Fisk Farm & Home Inc., Supplies.......69.99 Fixxit, LLC, Services...................... 3495.00 Franzen Sales & Service, Parts.......5594.89 Fredericksburg Vet Clinic, Services.. 245.58 Hageman Cleaning, Services.............250.00 Kayla Hageman, Reimbursement........ 40.00 John Halverson, Reimbursement......... 25.00 Healthcare First, Services.................. 111.02 Rachel Herold, Mileage.......................44.10 Sally Herold, Mileage.......................448.00 Byron Hook, Reimbursement.............. 10.00 Logan Hopp, Reimbursement........... 656.66 IACVS, Registration......................... 150.00 Ice Snow Control Services, Inc,

Services.......................................... 100.00 ICRA, Membership...........................200.00 ImperialDade, Supplies..................... 521.09 Inovalon Provider, Inc., Services......499.31 Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Registration.................................... 300.00 Iowa Recycling Association, Membership...................................... 72.92 ISACA District II Auditors, Dues....... 20.00 Fatimetu Jatri Emhamed, Reimbursement.................................25.00 Jim’s Appliance, Appliances............. 318.67 John Deere Financial, Supplies.........515.46 Keltek Incorporated, Equipment...20721.55 Ethel Barbara Krueger, Services.......145.32 Kwik Trip Extended Network, Fuel...............................................5256.83 Kwik Trip Inc, Fuel...........................726.39 LA Communications, Inc, Advertising.....................................408.00 Chuck Lensing, Services................. 2250.00 Leon’s Auto Repair, Services..........2301.45 Dr. Kevin Locke, Services.................410.00 Logistics Recycling, Inc., Services...423.78 Mail Services, Services.....................715.57 Anna Mark M.D., Services................330.00 Martin Bros. Distributing, Supplies..723.62 Jamie McConnell, Reimbursement.....25.00 Midwest Computer Brokers, Inc., Services........................................1632.40 Steven Nesvik, Reimbursement..........10.00 North Slope Estate’s LLC, Rental.....336.00 Olson Explosives, Fuel........................27.60 Optum360, Publications....................139.95 Lance Peters, Reimbursement.............10.00 Mary Raatz, Mileage.........................176.75 Reliable Dumpster Services Inc, Services..........................................105.00 Ricoh USA Inc, Maintenance Agreement...................10.51 Sanitation Resources, Inc, Services... 781.00 Schilling Supply Company, Supplies.......................................... 338.67 Schumacher Elevator, Services......... 287.98 Casey Smith, Reimbursement.............55.16 Gordon Snitker, Reimbursement.........25.00 Ben Steines, Reimbursement...............25.00 Storey Kenworthy, Supplies.............. 160.61 John L. Storkamp, Reimbursement.....25.00 The Sherwin-Williams Company, Paint..................................................53.64 Thompson Construction, Services...4709.08 Thryv, Advertising............................... 21.00 Krista Vanden Brink, Mileage........... 142.80 Steve Vanden Brink, Services...........510.00 Shirley Vermace, Reimbursement.....458.48 Windridge Implements, LLC, Parts...102.43 Windstream, Telephone Service.......... 55.23 WinnMed, Services............................. 24.00 Wright Way Computers, LLC, Services........................................7404.43 Christopher Wuebker, Reimbursement.................................10.00 General Supplemental Fund Amazon Capital Services, Supplies..312.36 Henry M. Adkins & Son, Inc, Services........................................2788.24 Rural Services Basic Fund AgTerra Technologies, Inc, Services.700.00 Jed Becker, Meeting............................50.00 Teresa Berg, Meeting........................... 50.00 Roger Bergan, Meeting.......................50.00 Sharon Borcherding, Meeting............. 50.00 Loren Broszeit, Meeting...................... 50.00 Tom Bushman, Meeting....................100.00 Column Software PBC, Publications..23.06 Decorah Leader, Publications.............. 23.18 Melvin Elsbernd, Meeting.................100.00 Everest Property Group, LLC, Site Rent........................................... 80.00 Jeff Feickert, Meeting..........................50.00 Ted Frana, Meeting..............................50.00 Doug Groux, Reimbursement...........422.40 Carleton Haugen, Meeting.................. 50.00 Dale Johnson, Meeting........................ 50.00 Gary Lansing, Meeting......................100.00 David Lensch, Meeting.....................100.00 Rodney Lensing, Meeting................... 50.00 Russel Lensing, Meeting..................... 50.00 John Lubke, Meeting...........................50.00 James Ludeking, Meeting...................50.00 Dawn Marlow, Meeting.......................50.00 Randy Numedahl, Meeting............... 100.00 Rodney Ollendieck, Meeting............... 50.00 James Olson, Meeting......................... 50.00 Tony Phillips, Meeting......................148.26 Kevin Quass, Meeting.......................100.00 Myron Rediske, Meeting..................... 50.00 Kelvin Rue, Meeting...........................50.00 Byron Schultz, Meeting.......................50.00 Bruce Sersland, Meeting...................100.00 The Union/Ossian Bee, Subscription.. 48.99 Winn Co Credit Bureau, Subscription.93.46 Winn Co Landfill, Fees.................... 1200.04 Secondary Road Fund AcenTek, Telephone Service.............266.27 Alliant Energy, Utilities...................3652.35

SERVICES

Amazon Capital Services, Supplies..137.07 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service...... 480.77 Black Hills Energy Natural Gas Service........................ 496.49 Bodensteiner Implement Company Services........................................1357.85 Carquest Auto Parts, Parts...............1379.84 City of Ossian, Utilities....................... 32.80 Culligan, Services................................ 11.50 DeBauche Truck & Diesel, Parts.........48.52 Decorah Tire Service, Services.......5010.31 Fisk Farm & Home Inc, Supplies......713.35 Todd Hill, Mileage.............................. 36.52 Housby Heavy Equipment, Equipment.................................... 1320.76 Hovden Oil Co, Fuel....................... 3892.62 Huber’s Store, Supplies.........................6.44 Iowa One Call, Services...................... 17.10 Iowa Prison Industries, Signs............179.00 Krivachek Janitorial Supply, Supplies..........................................200.00 Jeffrey Kuboushek, Reimbursement...18.30 LetterWerks Sign City, LLC, Signs...165.00 Mabel Co-op Telephone E911 Service.....................................80.69 Martin Equipment of IA/IL, Inc, Supplies........................................2108.50 Marv Smith Electric, LLC, Services.187.04 MiBroadband, Services..................... 210.36 Mower Power, Parts.......................... 258.63 MSC Industrial Supply Co., Parts.....894.93 Napa Auto Parts, Parts.......................752.25 Norsolv Systems, Supplies................253.95 Perry Novak Electric, Inc, Services.1514.54 Reilly Construction Co, Inc, Services........................................1059.81 Ronco Engineering, Supplies............ 855.56 Sadler Power Train, Parts....................86.48 Sanitation Resources, Inc, Services...160.00 Shuck-Briston Inc., Services........... 1305.00 Skyline Salt Solutions, Materials..15739.22 Society of Land Surveyors, Fees.......295.00 TGi Clean Air & Water, Equipment..360.00 Truck Country of Iowa, Services.....1990.16 Verizon, Services............................. 1142.17 County Assessor Agency Fund Mailing Services Inc, Services........2500.00 E911 Surcharge Fund AcenTek, E911 Service.....................512.66 Alliant Energy, Utilities.....................531.09 American Tower Corporation, Rental...........................................2009.04 Greenlawn, Services..........................433.16 Mabel Co-op Telephone, E911 Service...................................121.58 Power Services Company, LLC, Services........................................2471.04 Emergency Management Comm Amazon Capital Services, Supplies..444.43 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service...... 132.55 Decorah Leader, Publications.............. 46.37 Elan Financial Services, Payment..... 952.18 Olson Explosives, Fuel......................233.31 Racom Corporation, Services............ 247.50 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service............14.04 Burr Oak Sewer Sinking Fund Winn Co Treasurer, Services.........12723.00 Winneshiek Co Health Ins Fund Midwest Group Benefits Health Insurance.........................27616.20 Grand Total..................................207183.65 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025 RIDGEWAY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 11, 2025 The Ridgeway City Council met in regular session February 11, 2025, at the Ridgeway Community Center, at 5:45 p.m. with Mayor Schnur calling the meeting to order. Council persons present were: Linderbaum, Novotny, Engelhardt, Schnur and Hauber. Absent: None.

Schnur made a Motion to approve the consent agenda, minutes, and claims, seconded

by Engelhardt. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Linderbaum to approve the renewal of the liquor license for The Chatterbox Café.

All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Linderbaum, seconded by Novotny to approve the renewal of the Class E Retail Alcohol License for Engen Express. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Schnur, seconded by Hauber to approve the renewal of the liquor license for The Fireman’s Inn. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

TCUP, Inc. gave a check to the City of Ridgeway for the Ridgeway Fire Department to go towards the purchase of their new fire truck. Due to the rules of the organization, the donation had to be given to the City to then be given to the Ridgeway Fire Department. A Motion was made by Linderbaum, seconded

by Schnur to approve the $2,000.00 donation check be deposited into the City of Ridgeway Betterment Bank account at CUSB, and then a $2,000.00 check will be written out of the City of Ridgeway Betterment Bank account at CUSB to the Ridgeway Fire Department.

All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

The 2025-2026 City Budget was discussed.

A Motion was made by Schnur, seconded

by Engelhardt to set the Property Tax Levy Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 City Budget for April 1, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. to be held at the Ridgeway Community Center. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Schnur to approve the fund accounting journal entries. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

The community center rental fees were discussed. A Motion was made by Schnur, seconded by Linderbaum that the fees for the rental of the community center will be as follows: $200.00 for half building, $350.00 for the whole building, and the extra day fee will be $75.00. The fees will be effective as of February 12, 2025. All aye. Nay: none.

Motion carried.

A discussion was held regarding new paper towel dispensers for the community center and for the Gisleson Park bathrooms. A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Schnur to order paper towels from City Laundering and then the new dispensers will be free and also free delivery. Hauber abstained from the vote. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

There will be a City Event planning meeting on March 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ridgeway Community Center.

The maintenance man report was given by Mayor Schnur.

The next City Council meeting will be March 11, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. at the Ridgeway Community Center.

Hauber made a Motion to adjourn, seconded by Engelhardt. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Sharla Berns City Clerk WARRANTS FOR CITY OF RIDGEWAY – February 11, 2025 Alliant Energy, Utilities.................. $3,455.54 Badger Meter, Orion cellular unit..........$5.10 Black Hills Energy, Utility-shop........ $381.70 CardmemberServices,Shop-postage, carwash, wastewater....................... $489.20 Dan Pitz, Insurance & phone reimbursement...................... $550.00 Engen Express, Shop fuel and supplies...................... 146.55 Enterprise Media, Publishing............... $73.42 Fehr Graham, Wastewater project....................... $2,000.00 Hacker Nelson, State efiling.............. $468.00 Hawkins, Chemicals.......................... $387.41 Iowa DHS, Child Support payment...................$596.28 IPERS, Ipers....................................$1,235.12 Mabel Telephone , Shop$109.01, Office$104.93,Hall$35.73...............$249.67 Microbac, Lab tests............................$207.00 National Rural Water, Water meter loan payment..............$385.07 Pat Sands, Com. Cen. Cleaning........................$120.00 Payroll.............................................$6,137.27 Payroll tax.......................................$1,945.78

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Local Government Property Valuation System

The Board of Hospital Trustees of this County will conduct a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year budget as follows: Meeting Date: 3/5/2025 Meeting Time: 03:00 PM Meeting Location:Hospital Meeting Room B At the public hearing any resident or taxpayer may present objections to, or arguments in favor of, any part of the proposed budget.This notice represents a summary of the supporting detail of receipts and expenditures on file with the secretary.

Contact Name: Benjamin W. Stevens Contact Telephone Number: (563) 382-2911

FUND

1. General 2. FICA 3. IPERS 4. Emergency 5. Ambulance 6. Unemployment Comp.

7. Debt Service 8. Tort Liability/Ins. 9. Restricted Funds 10. Board Designated 11. Total Proposed taxation rate per $1,000 valuation: 1.08000 Virtual Meeting Information: -

F I E B C G Estimated A Estimated Estimated H Expenditure Expenditure D Beginning Estimated Amount Expenditure Ending Transfers June 30, June 30, Transfers Fund Other To Be June 30, Fund In 2025 Re2026 Out Balance Receipts Raised By 2024 Actual Balance estimated Proposed FY 2026 Taxation FY 2026 99,061,717 127,141,594 142,083,254 0 -41,863,704 -11,291,311 109,941,723 0 1,569,138 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 99,061,717 127,141,594 142,083,254 0 -41,863,704 -11,291,311 109,941,723 0 1,569,138

Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025

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MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT

SECONDARY ROAD DEPARTMENT WINNESHIEK COUNTY will be accepting applications for the position of “Maintenance Superintendent” for the Secondary Road Department until 4:00 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2025 or until the position is filled at the office of the Winneshiek County Engineer, 201 W. Main, Decorah, IA 52101.

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HELP WANTED Part-Time ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

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

Females and minorities are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA

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WINNESHIEK COUNTY TREASURER’S OFFICE The Winneshiek County Treasurer's Office is seeking a detail-oriented, organized, and reliable individual to join our team as a full-time Clerk.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is dedicated to public service and enjoys working in a fast-paced, professional environment.

Job Responsibilities: • Assist customers with motor vehicle, property tax, and driver’s license transactions • Process financial transactions and records accurately • Answer phone calls, emails, and in-person inquiries • Provide excellent customer service to residents and businesses • Perform other administrative duties as assigned Qualifications: • High school diploma or equivalent (associate’s degree or higher preferred) • Strong computer skills and general office equipment proficiency • Customer service experience is required • Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team What We Offer:

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING --- PROPOSED BUDGET Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 WINNESHIEK MEDICAL CENTER

Call 563-382-2901

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Aase Haugen provides our community with

Public Notice of Storm Water Discharge DAIRYLAND POWER COOPERATIVE plans to submit a Notice of Intent to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to be covered under the NPDES General Permit NO. 2 (Storm Water Discharge Associated with Industrial Activity for Construction Activities.)

The Stormwater discharge will be from construction activities associated with stringing optical ground wire on the existing N-8 and N-320 69 kV transmission lines. The project is located in Sections 4-6 and 8-12 in Township 97N and Range 7W; Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30, and 31 in Township 98N and Range 7W; Sections 1, 12-15, and 22-24 in Township 98N and Range 8W; Sections 18, 19, 30, and 31 in Township 99N and Range 7W; Sections 1, 2, 12, 13, 24, 25, and 36 in Township 99N and Range 8W; Sections 18-20, 27-30, 34, and 35 in Township 100N and Range 8W; and Sections 8-10, and 13-15 in Township 100N and Range 9W in Winneshiek County.

Storm water will be discharged from a nonpoint source and will be discharged into the following waterways: Upper Iowa River, Canoe Creek, North Canoe Creek, Silver Creek, East Pine Creek, and Pine Creek, as well as 83 unnamed waterways and drainages, which are crossed by the project. Some waterways may be crossed multiple times.

Comments may be submitted to the Storm Water Discharge Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Services Division, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0034. The public may review the Notice of Intent from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the above address after it has been received by the department.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025

REGIONAL ADVERTISING

HELP WANTED

WILLIAM R. MILLER

Join Us

Postmaster, Utility billing postage..................... $265.00 Ruppert, , Shop – cable ties, UPS...................................................$39.39 Sharla Berns, Reimbursement ...........$100.00 Shimek Sanitation, Garbage............ $2,225.44 Treasurer – State of Iowa, Sales tax.......................................... $470.04 Upper Explorerland, Wastewater Improvement Project CDBG........... $802.09 Upper Explorerland, Wastewater Improvement Project CDBG........... $445.60 USA Bluebook, Rebar-multi tool....... $249.76 Expenditure Accounts Summary to date: General Fund................................... $4,438.07 Community Center............................. $311.34 Cemetery Road Use............................................ $256.65 Water Fund......................................$1,291.60 Sewer Fund.....................................$3,282.78 Revenue Accounts Summary to date: General Fund................................... $2,397.23 Community Center Cemetery Road Use Tax Local Option Sales Tax Water Fund......................................$3,207.86 Sewer Fund...................................$14,996.06 Decorah (Iowa) Leader February 20, 2025

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

• Competitive wages • Exceptional benefits package • Excellent health insurance rates • Paid time off and holidays How to Apply: Applications are available at the Winneshiek County Treasurer's Office or online at winneshiekcounty.iowa.gov. Please send your completed application and resume to the Winneshiek County Treasurer’s Office, 201 W Main St, Decorah, IA 52101, or email them to treasurer@co.winneshiek.ia.us by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

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8-2-L-12 Winneshiek County Treasurer’s Office, 201 West Main Street, Decorah (563) 382-3753 • www.winneshiekcounty.org

AUCTION CALENDAR

1/23

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SATURDAY, MARCH 15 Guns & Sporting Good Auction Located at Sweeney Auction Center Waukon IA Call to Consign Sweeney Auction Service. www.sweeneyauctionservice. com Waukon, Ia 563-568-2464.

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CLASSIFIEDS/COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@DECORAHNEWSPAPERS.COM | 563-382-4221

15

Decorah High School’s FBLA Team excels at district contest

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GARAGE SALE Save the Date, May 4, for Decorah's Citywide Garage Sale.

Watch for details in the Decorah Leader.

Photo submitted

• TRIMMING • REMOVAL • STORM DAMAGE DECORAH BASED • UTILITY FULLY INSURED LINES FREE ESTIMATES • CLIMBERS dotzenrodtreeservice@gmail.com AVAILABLE 319-361-6856 CARDS OF THANKS

NORTHEAST IOWA FOX & COON CLUB

Archery • Trap Shooting • Hunter Education

The Northeast Iowa Fox and Coon Club would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the donors, sponsors and those that helped out and attended the annual wild game feed and made it a great success. *Please keep in mind for next year which will be the Fox & Coon Club Associations 80th year.

8-2-LD-15

REGIONAL ADVERTISING

About three dozen members of the newly formed Decorah High School Future Business Leaders of America traveled to NICC’s Calmar campus Jan. 28 to compete at the District Leadership Conference. The conference included workshops, a keynote speaker, networking activities and competitive events. In live presentation events, Decorah students came home with three first place finishes and five second place honors. In objective test events, 18 students placed first, 11 placed second, seven came in third, and another seven finished in fourth place. All of these entries qualify for state-level competition at the Iowa FBLA State Leadership Conference, which will be held March 30 through April 1 in Cedar Rapids. Those who place in the top four in each event at the state level will qualify to compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference June 29 through July 2 in Anaheim, California.

“I am so impressed by DHS students’ enthusiasm to participate in FBLA,” said DHS FBLA adviser and business teacher Alyssa Marso. “Many of our chapter’s members have very busy schedules - between

other school activities, athletics and working. The students not only joined a new student organization, committing to attending monthly meetings, but also put in a lot of time and energy outside of school hours to develop their projects and presentations.”

At the district contest, the live presentation first place winners included Kelby Kerndt, Addy Lukes-Smith and McKenzie Tollefson in Broadcast Journalism; as well as Hunter Quandahl in Client Service; and Keaton Riehle in Introduction to Business Presentation. Those earning second place were Oliver Bollinger, Ian Giddings and Mitchell Stemper in Digital Video Production and Data Analysis; Sara Johanningmeier, Addy Lukes-Smith and Ellie Rolfs in Graphic Design; Jaidyn Duvel, Sophia Fahey and Savannah O’Reilly in both Social Media Strategies and in Website Design.

Many Decorah FBLA members also participated in objective test events at the district level. Winning first place include Max Grimstad in Banking & Financial Systems; Mitchell Stemper in Business Management and Organization-

al Leadership; Bryce Elsbernd in Computer Problem Solving; Brynnah Hanson in both Entrepreneurship and Hospitality & Event Management; Brayden Miculinich in Future Business Leader and Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure; Sophia Fahey in Healthcare Administration; Kahri Oberbroeckling in both Introduction to Business Communication and in Introduction to Event Planning; Kennadi Schuman in Introduction to FBLA; Keaton Riehle in Introduction to Financial Math; Addy Lukes-Smith in Marketing; Hunter Quandahl in Parliamentary Procedure; Jaidyn Duvel in Personal Finance; Jackson Pipho in Securities & Investments; and Ian Giddings in Sports & Entertainment Management.

Those earning a second place included Hunter Quandahl in Agribusiness; Jace Buddenberg in Banking & Financial Systems; Jackson Pipho in Entrepreneurship; Savannah O’Reilly in Healthcare Administration; Addy Lukes-Smith in Hospitality & Event Management; Keaton Riehle in Introduction to Business Communication; Erika Valdez in Introduction to Event Planning;

Gavin Luzum in Introduction to Financial Math; Max Grimstad in Securities & Investments; Oliver Bollinger in Sports & Entertainment Management; and Austin Helgerson in Supply Chain Management.

Third place winners included Bryan Ajzac in Accounting I; Austin Helgerson in Accounting II; Brynnah Hanson in Business Communications; Grant Remington in Business Management; Jenna Leuenberger in Introduction to Business Communication; Dak Sabin in Personal Finance; and Keaton Nalean-Carlson in Sports & Entertainment Management.

Fourth place finishers included Gavin Luzum in Accounting I; Kelby Kerndt in Entrepreneurship; Jaidyn Duvel in Hospitality & Event Management; Kennadi Schuman in both Introduction to Business Communication and Introduction to Marketing Concepts; Savannah O’Reilly in Personal Finance and Cashton Riehle in Sports & Entertainment Management.

Other students who participated in district competitive events included McKinley Massman, Andrew Olson, Hunter Matthews, Stella Pole, Sydney Thompson and Jasera Tweten.

Echoes continued from page 5 Drum and Bugle Corps of Decorah. …The window of the local newspaper office is filled with old-time Decorah football photographs. Many of the best-known residents of the city and vicinity are portrayed in the pictures. …J.C. McArthur, who has operated a refrigeration business here for the past year, will move from his West Water Street location to a new building on the corner of Water and Court Streets. The building is being handsomely redecorated and will be a real treat for visitors on the upcoming opening day. …Luther College will take on the Famous Diamond Oilers next Friday night. Admission is 40 cents. …Anne’s Beauty Shop, situated over the East End Bakery, has a special on a hot oil

shampoo and finger wave – 75 cents! It costs so little to look your loveliest when you visit Anne’s Beauty Shop! …Shop The Ness Store for these February bargains – 1 pound box of codfish for 23 cents; two boxes of Bran Flakes, 15 cents; Palmolive soap, four bars for 15 cents; bananas – 25 cents for 6 pounds. …The talent was abundant at the recent Catholic Ladies Aid Home Talent Play sponsored at the Olympic Theater in Calmar the other evening. A three-act comedy starred Hugo Gehling, John Chatval, Woodrow Buck, Ruth Richert, Loretta Frana, Mayme Neuzil, Lois Becvar, Florence Yager, George Neuzil, Father Dostal and more. …The local fire department was called to the Jacob Young residence in the city’s first ward the other day. Sparks from the chimney ignited the roof. The fire was quickly extinguished by the fine group of fire ladies on the scene. …Chris Hoeg sold nearly $7,000 worth of furs in recent weeks. He said the principal kinds were muskrat and skunk.

He still has a large quantity available, including mink and racoon. He reports most of his sales were to St. Louis and Chicago customers. It’s a big money crop locally. …A big group gathered at the Henry Lubke farm last Saturday to celebrate his birthday with delicious food, cards and dancing.

90

YEARS AGO - 1935: An appeal is being made to U.S. senators to stop stalling and pass some sort of relief legislation for the 455 families of Winneshiek County on the relief rolls. If nothing is done, they will be without food, fuel or shelter. …The letting for Decorah’s new high school is scheduled this month. It will be a busy day, as between 75 and 100 contractors, representatives of manufacturing companies and others will be in town in connection with the awarding of the bids. …Rick Island trains were stalled here in town the other night, as tracks near Nordness became coated with heavy ice, preventing the trains from op-

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erating. The Milwaukee Road also encountered some ice troubles on the tracks between Decorah and nearby Conover. …Clay Hill Dairy delivers – get a dozen ½ quarters of milk for $1, plus 2 cents tax. …A large crew of men and their teams of horses have been hauling the snow away from the main streets of Decorah. The streets appear in fine shape after an early morning scraping. …Initial cost of the new sewage disposal system in Decorah is $56,000 – of which $15,000 is a gift from the federal government. …Enrollment at Luther College has increased for the second semester, from 313 students to 320 students. An increase of enrollment also is indicated at the Decorah Girls’ College, with 49 registered now. …Dr. A.F. Fritchen and Harry McAndrews, both of Decorah, met personally with President and Mrs. Roosevelt at a reception at the White House recently. …Carl’s East End Bakery has fresh bread for 6 cents a loaf, sweet rolls for 15 cents per dozen and doughnuts for 10 cents per dozen. They deliver too! …The Decorah Lutheran Hospital Association reports only seven “regular patients” died at the hospital in 1934. …More than 650 dancers jammed the Haugen Ball Room in downtown Decorah to dance to the tunes of Herb Gross and the Kentucky Homers at the annual firemen’s benefit ball.

Although 900 miles of roads in Winneshiek County were blockaded by snow, the dancers came from as far away as Minnesota to attend the affair. The firemen raised more than $160. …Mrs. Henry Sellman of 603 West Water Street was hurt in a tumble on the ice the other day, breaking her arm. This is a peril all pedestrians are facing this time of year.

SPORTS

16 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Easy district game for SW boys

Matson Winings goes up for a turn-around jumper during Monday’s quarterfinal win over Starmont. The junior led the Warriors with 23 points to go with three rebounds and three blocked shots. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Defense and turnovers led to easy buckets for the Warriors Monday night as the South Winn boys basketball team (185) defeated Starmont (6-16) in the Class 1A District 6 quarterfinal 69-28.

The win advanced the Warriors to the district semifinal at home Thursday, Feb. 20 versus Maquoketa Valley (15-6) with tip-off set for 7 p.m. If South Winn survives the Wildcats they will return to the court for the district final against either Don Bosco (17-6) or Kee (139) at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25.

The location would be at the highest remaining seed, which means if Kee wins, the Warriors will play at home as the No. 2 seed of the district. If Don Bosco is the victor, South Winn will travel to Gilbertville to play on the Dons’ home court.

Taking the hardwood Monday, it was up and down the court without success for either team through the first 1:30 before Kaden Barton-Franzen

hit the first of two charity tosses. A quick bucket by freshman Jordan Einck and South Winn was off to the races, pulling away to a 20-4 lead after the first eight minutes. South Winn restrained the Stars’ second chance opportunities under the hoop, pulling defensive rebounds right and left. That combined with the fast paced offense of the Warriors, put Starmont at a 37-14 deficit at halftime.

By the end of the third quarter, South Winn had built a 60-21 lead and left its starters on the pine in the fourth with Logan Tieskoetter leading the charge as the junior scored seven of the Warriors’ fourth frame points.

Matson Winings had a hot hand with 23 points, including two slams. Barton-Franzen put up double figures as well with 12 points. Nolan Sabelka contributed 10, while Braiden Todd added eight. Einck and Tieskoetter added seven

Splitting the Starmont defenders Monday was freshman Jordan Einck who provided seven points and three assists in the Warriors’ victory. (Photo by Becky Walz) apiece. Carver Wenthold had the Warriors’ final two points.

Starmont 4 10 7 7 28 South Winn 20 17 23 9 69 Scoring – Matson Winings 23; Kaden Barton-Franzen 12; Nolan Sabelka 10; Braiden Todd 8; Jordan Einck 7; Logan Tieskoetter 7; Carver Wenthold 2

Rebounds – Barton-Franzen 8; Todd 5; Sabelka 4; Winings 3; J. Einck 3; Cale Kleppe 2; Tieskoetter 1; Assists – Todd 7; Sabelka 5; Wenthold 4; Barton-Franzen 3; Winings 2; Cameron Einck 1; Steals – Sabelka 5; Wenthold 4; Winings 3; Kleppe 3; Todd 2; J. Einck 1; BartonFranzen 1; Tieskoetter 1; Irving Flores 1; Blocks – Winings 3

No. 7 Denver ends Lady Warriors’ season In each of the Lady Warriors’ final two games, there was little doubt as to which was the better team as the South Winn girls basketball team handed Postville a first round loss Saturday and fell to Class 2A No. 7 Denver Tuesday night in the regional quarterfinal.

South Winn ends the year 1013 overall and went 8-8 in the Upper Iowa Conference.

Opening postseason The Warriors had everything going for them throughout Saturday’s opening regional contest, rolling up a 79-30 win at home over Postville (1-19).

A pass between seniors Karissa Wenthold to Allison Hageman put South Winn on the board first, and the shots continued to fall for the Warriors as SW led 20-6 after the first eight minutes which included a 6-for8 effort from the charity stripe.

The second frame was even bigger for the Warriors that kicked off with Wenthold hitting her first of two shots from behind the arc. Through the final 4:24 of the second quarter, SW outscored the Pirates 17-3 to carry a 44-15 lead into the second half.

Postville may have hit the first shot of the third quarter, but once again it was all South Winn with freshman Vanessa Bullerman doing a lot of damage with 10 of the Warriors’ 22 points in the period. With eight minutes remaining, the Warriors had a 66-21 cushion with the clock running continuously.

Bullerman led the team with 25 points, four rebounds and three assists. Alexis Johanningmeier added nine points to go with eight boards, three assists and two blocks. Wenthold contributed eight points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals.

Allison Hageman and Ella Theis also put up eight points while Charlotte Moonen was the force under the basket with 11 caroms.

“We shot 49 percent from the field which was by far the best we shot all year,” said coach Mike Gehling. I’m proud of our girls for how they have battled all year. We got to 10 wins and the first time for us since 20181019.”

Postville 6 9 6 9 30 South Winn 20 24 22 13 79 Scoring – Vanessa Bullerman 25; Alexis Johanningmeier 9; Karissa Wenthold 8; Allison Hageman 8; Ella Theis 8; Emmy Gehling 7; Chloe Wiltgen 6; Adele Conway 4; Charlotte Moonen 4 Rebounds – Moonen 11; Johanningmeier 8; Bullerman 4; Wenthold 3; Theis 3; Conway 3; Wiltgen 2; Al. Hageman 1; Gehling 1; Assists – Wenthold 5; Bullerman 3; Johanningmeier 3; Gehling

3; Conway 1; Moonen 1; Wiltgen 1; Steals – Gehling 4; Al. Hageman 3; Conway 3; Wiltgen 3; Wenthold 2; Theis 2; Bullerman 2; Moonen 2; Johanningmeier 1; Annie Hageman 1; Blocks – Johanningmeier 2; Moonen 1

Against No. 7 The size and strength of Denver’s squad overwhelmed the Warriors during Tuesday’s quarterfinal as the seventh-ranked Cyclones (21-2) swallowed the Warriors 58-18.

It took the full first frame for South Winn to settle in as Denver kept the Warriors out of the scoring column to lead 21-0 at the end of the period. The Warriors put up six in the second and faced a 31-6 deficit at halftime, a hole that only continued to grow in the second half as the Cyclones outscored South Winn 27-12.

Unofficial stats showed Chloe Wiltgen led the Warriors with six points, five rebounds and a steal.

Emmy Gehling put up four points to go with three boards and one block. Alexis Johanningmeier added two points, two caroms and four blocks. Bullerman contributed two points and six rebounds while Karissa Wenthold had two points and two steals.

Allison Hageman and Ella Theis had one point apiece.

“This season I saw great growth from all the girls on the team not only basketball wise but as leaders and being great teammates. Our seniors will be missed next year but they had great careers for us. Allison Hageman was our defense of stopper and did whatever I asked of her. Karissa Wenthold had a wonderful career for us, she is the all-time leader at South Winn in 3-pointers made with 107.

This year she really was a complete basketball player for us. We had a very young team this year and I know the future is looking good for us,” said coach Gehling.

South Winn Denver

0 6 8 4 18 21 10 11 16 58

Trojans Bella Stika (31) and Delaney Busta trap a pair of Blue Devil players in the corner during last week’s first round regional matchup. (Photo by Becky Walz)

TV junior point guard Addison Steinlage goes up for a contested layup following a steal midcourt. (Photo by Becky Walz)

TV girls fall 46-28 to Kee in regional quarterfinal

By Bob Fenske editor@nhtrib.com

As far as Turkey Valley girls basketball coach Steve Hoffert is concerned, one game can’t mar what was a tremendous season for his Trojans.

Tuesday night’s 46-28 loss to Kee High stung, but as the bus carrying his Upper Iowa Conference co-champions made its way from Lansing to Jackson Junction, he was just as proud of his girls as he was before Tuesday night’s Class 1A region quarterfinal game.

“We didn’t have it tonight, we just didn’t shoot the ball well, but that’s girls basketball sometimes,” Hoffert said. “It’s a tough deal, and it’s kind of like the last time we came up here back in December, but you know what, this team came so far this year, that’s what I want them to remember.”

The loss to Kee ended a season in which Turkey Valley went from 7-15 to 17-6 and snapped a

five-game winning streak.

In many ways, it came down to one quarter.

After struggling to find traction for much of the first half, the Trojans got a huge boost late in the second quarter when Addison Steinlage drained a 3-point shot, was fouled and converted the free-throw for a relatively rare four-point play that cut the Kee lead to 23-20 heading into the break.

But they couldn’t sustain the momentum as Kee held Turkey Valley scoreless in the third quarter to build a 37-20 lead and cruised to the win and a semifinal date on Friday at Riceville.

Turkey Valley got 12 points from Steinlage but another one of its top players, sophomore Bella Stika, battled foul trouble all night and finished with six points.

The loss to Kee, came five days after the Trojans throttled West Central 61-13 in its regional opener. In that game, Stika had a double-double with 15

points and 17 rebounds and added eight steals in a game Turkey Valley seized control of early as it built a 27-2 lead after a quarter of play and extended the advantage to 47-13 at the break.

Despite the loss to Kee, Hoffert had nothing but positives to say about his team.

“I told them that I was proud of their maturity and just the tremendous progress they made from the start of the season to tonight,” he said. “We’ve gone through a lot this year, and I think it’s a testament to these girls’ work ethic. They dug deep this year, and one loss doesn’t change what they accomplished.”

And while the Trojans will welcome back plenty of talent, the Turkey Valley coach singled out his three seniors — Delaney and Ashlyn Busta and Layni Schuchhardt — for their contributions to the program over the course of the past four years.

“It’s always hard to say goodbye to seniors,” he said. “There

are fewer and fewer of them, and I think it says a lot about the commitment they gave to our program for four years. I told them I appreciated them, and I meant every word of it.”

West Central 2 11 0 0 13 Turkey Valley 27 20 8 6 61 Scoring – Bella Stika 15; Addison Steinlage 9; Layni Schuchhardt 9; Delaney Busta 9; Emersyn Hoffert 7; Hazel Nieman 6; Annika Bodensteiner 2; Ella Ives 2; Ellaney Bodensteiner 2 Rebounds – Stika 17; E. Bodensteiner 7; Hoffert 6; Nieman 4; Schuchhardt 3; Brynlee Hayek 2; Steinlage 1; D. Busta 1; Makinley Lutgen 1; Ashlyn Busta 1; Kendall Kuennen 1; Assists – Schuchhardt 2; Stika 2; Hayek 2; Steinlage 1; A. Bodensteiner 1; D. Busta 1; Steals – Stika 8; Nieman 5; Steinlage 2; Schuchhardt 2; A. Bodensteiner 1; D. Busta 1; A. Busta 1; Hoffert 1; E. Bodensteiner 1; Blocks – A. Bodensteiner 2; E. Bodensteiner 1 Turkey Valley 7 13 0 8 28 Kee 11 12 14 9 46 Scoring – Steinlage 12; Stika 6; D. Busta 4; Hoffert 2; E. Bodensteiner 2; Schuchhardt 1; Nieman 1

Trojans keep it close for three quarters versus Kee High

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com After an injury in the first game of the season, junior Alyssa Holthaus returned to the floor for a shot Saturday night. (Photo by Becky Walz) SW’s Annie Hageman fights for a offensive rebound late in Saturday’s first round win over Postville.

(Photo

by Becky Walz)

Success and improvement is almost tangible in the sport of basketball.

And John Izer’s Turkey Valley hoopsters may have a bright future ahead.

In the third and final meeting between Kee High and the Trojans on Monday night – which amounted to the final chapter of the trilogy in 2024-2025 – the Trojans boys basketball team demonstrated that advancement in play in a district loss to their league foe.

TV’s final game of the season was a lot closer than the 89-63 tally that stared back at fans from the scoreboard.

TV (10-13) lost by an average margin of over 31 points in two losses in the regular season to Kee (13-9) – 70-40 and 61-28.

Not this time around as TV trailed just 39-34 at the break and hoped to cut a 12-point deficit (61-49) at the beginning of the final period.

“They pounded us by 30 points two other times this year.

We did feel good. We had a good walk through yesterday morning. I felt good getting on the bus and the locker room was in great shape. They showed it on the court,” said Izer, who just completed his fourth season as head coach of his Trojans.

Izer’s Trojans ended up losing by 26, but this postseason tilt had a much different feel

than the first two meetings and gives Trojans fans an indication that brighter days could indeed be just down the road.

Kee – who plays Don Bosco (17-6) tonight (Thursday) in the semis of Class 1A, District 6 – used a 28-14 advantage in the final period to put the game out of reach for Turkey Valley, who will bring back all its starting lineup next year plus almost its entire bench.

TV’s two star players – all-conference performer Logan Busta and J.D. Kruse – combined to score 45 points against the Hawks.

Kruse, a junior forward, hit for a game-high 23 points versus the Hawks. He drilled two 3-pointers.

Busta, a junior guard, registered 22 points. His workload was extreme according to Izer.

“We had his responsibilities at the max last night,” said Izer. “That’s the only chance we had. We had to go with it.

We had Logan in overload and never did take him out.”

Turkey Valley 11 23 15 14 63 Kee 14 25 22 28 89 Scoring – JD Kruse 23; Logan Busta 22; Jordan Kriener 6; Cale Langreck 5; Kaden Schmidt 3; Treyton Franzen 2; Tucker Reicks 2 Rebounds – Langreck 5; Kruse 4; Jayden Rausch 2; Busta 1; Alex Hanson 1; Reicks 1; Franzen 1; Kriener 3; Assists – Busta 3; Kruse 3; Langreck 2; Franzen 2; Reicks 1; Steals – Kruse 3; Busta 1; Reicks 1; Franzen 1; Kriener 1

SPORTS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

17

Keglers are headed back to state for third year in a row

picked up our spares and struck as much as we have all year.”

After collecting regional and district titles Monday and Tuesday, the Decorah girls and boys bowling teams show off their banners. Pictured are (front, l-r) Jasera Tweten, Karlie Einck, Marri Feuerhelm, Addison Wicklund, Asmere Jensen, Rylee Averhoff; (back) assistant coach Michael Bruening, Gavin Luzum (alternate), Bryce Elsbernd, Tyler Novak, Alex Maki, Jordan Sims, Jace Buddenberg, Cain Monreal-Rice, Beau Newhouse (alternate) and head coach Keith Bruening. Not pictured are the girls’ alternates Kennady Riehle and Kaelyn Kuhn. (Photo courtesy of Amy Averhoff) They did it again.

Decorah’s girls and boys bowling teams have earned a berth to the state tournament for the third year in a row. The Vikings hosted the Class 2A meets at King Pin Entertainment Center Monday and Tuesday.

Girls champs Decorah entered Monday’s regional as the favorite as the Lady Vikes are second in Class 2A with a 10-0 record and proved to be a powerhouse topping the field with a score of 2,875, well ahead of second

place qualifier Clinton who finished the 15-game baker game portion of the tournament with a 2,514.

Baker game scores for Decorah were 155, 182, 213, 192, 180, 226, 181, 180, 198, 161, 175, 216, 155, 203 and 258.

Members of the title team were Asmere Jensen, Rylee Averhoff, Jasera Tweten, Karlie Einck, Addison Wicklund and Marri Feuerhelm with Kennady Riehle and Kaelyn Kuhn as alternates.

Einck was also crowned the individual regional champion for the second time in her ca-

reer putting up a three-game combined score of 623 (185, 235, 203) to earn her second trip to the individual tournament. Feuerhelm also punched a ticket individually with a 594 (170, 235, 189).

Other scores in the individual competition were Wicklund with a 556 (167, 200, 189), Jensen with a 513 (203, 179, 148), Tweten with a 513 (177, 148, 188) and Averhoff with a 500 (162, 174, 164).

“It was as good of girls’ bowling that one could watch as the girls were having fun all day,” said coach Keith Bruening. “We

Swimmers close out season at state Saturday Four swimmers dove into the pool for the final time this season Saturday at the 2025 boys state swim meet held at the University of Iowa’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City.

Qualifying as the 200 free relay, Reid Kuehner, Dane Burns, Landon Humpal and Ian Giddings were seeded 23rd in the event with a time of 1:32.25.

Saturday, the quartet posted a similar time of 1:32.32 to finish 22nd overall.

Winning the event in 1:23.35 was Dubuque Hempstead, who also won the team title with 213.5 points.

The Vikings will have numerous key roles to fill next year with the graduation of 13 seniors — Oliver Brummel, Ethan

For the boys The Viking boys also hit it big with a district title Tuesday in Class 2A to advance to the state tournament.

Decorah posted a 946 in the first set of five baker games and sat in fifth place but came roaring back in the last 10 to grab the title with a 3,130 over second place Waterloo East who garnered a 3,096.

Scores of the baker games for the Vikings were 198, 163, 203, 194, 206, 224, 201, 183, 246, 207, 255, 218, 191, 256 and 185.

Senior Jordan Sims tied for the runner-up spot to earn a trip to the individual portion of the state meet with a three-game total of 300 (208, 223, 269). Jace Buddenberg will join Sims in the Class 2A competition after finishing seventh with a 659 (199, 235, 225).

Also competing for Decorah were Alex Maki (195, 246, 202, 643), Bryce Elsbernd (181, 253, 205-639), Tyler Novak (207, 245, 180, 632) and Cain Monreal-Rice (189, 173, 205, 567).

Alternates for the boys’ team were senior Beau Newhouse and sophomore Gavin Luzum.

State tourney info The 2025 State Bowling Tournament runs Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 24-26, with the Class 2A Viking teams competing at 3:30 p.m. Monday, and the individual qualifiers at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Cadillac XBC in Waterloo.

Des Moines bound

Viking girls basketball team enters playoffs with 10-11 record The NEIC champion Decorah girls’ basketball team (1011, 5-1 NEIC) polished off the regular season with a win over Waterloo East (8-12) Thursday 54-34, putting a stop to the four-game skid.

The Vikings hosted the same Waterloo East Trojan squad Wednesday night in the Class 4A quarterfinals; however, results were unavailable at press time. A win puts Decorah in the semifinal at Xavier against the Saints at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22.

Decorah started Thursday’s game strong, outscoring the home Trojans 11-6 and continued to build its lead in the second to lead 25-11 at halftime. A 22-point third frame gave the Vikes enough to come home with the win.

“It is awesome to see us get back in the win column and win

a commanding game. It’s fun to see the girls gel in stretches like tonight’s third quarter and continue to get better. We will use this momentum as we head into the playoffs next week in a rematch with East,” said coach Blake Moen.

Grace Tangen had the hot hand of the night with 18 points. Renae Wilson put up 14 with Liz Bucksa joining in the ranks with double digits as well with 10 points. Brooklyn Fromm added eight.

Decorah 11 14 22 7 54 Waterloo East 6 5 13 19 43 Scoring – Grace Tangen 18; Renae Wilson 14; Liz Bucksa 10; Brooklyn Fromm 8; Natalie Stevens 2; Kelby Kerndt 2 Rebounds – Wilson 9; Fromm 9; Tangen 9; Bucksa 7; Clara Hjelle 4; Kerndt 4; Assists – Fromm 4; Hjelle 2; Bucksa 2; Kerndt 2; Steals – Hjelle 4; Bucksa 4; Fromm 2; Tangen 2; Stevens 1; Blocks – Wilson 1; Fromm 1

NEIC title goes to No. 2 Vikes

Those representing the Decorah boys swim team at state last weekend as the 200 free relay quartet were (l-r) Dane Burns, Reid Kuehner, Ian Giddings, Landon Humpal. (submitted photo) Casper, Davis Coppola, Aitor Cuevas, Phuong Doan, Dalton Ellickson, Thomas Hammel,

All alone at the top.

A year removed from sharing the Northeast Iowa Conference title with former league foe Waverly-Shell Rock, the Decorah boys basketball team secured the crown with an 8-0 record and is now 19-1 overall after defeated Charles City Monday in a postponed game from Friday.

Nail-biter The Vikings escaped the

Landyn Hook, Reid Kuehner, Andrew Olson, Jack Sovern, Garrett Willie and Grant Zilka.

Bucksa signs to play at Bemidji State Decorah High School senior Louis Bucksa recently signed his national letter of intent to participate in football at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Decorah head girls coach Blake Moen draws up a play during a time out in an early season contest. Wednesday, the Vikes hosted Waterloo East in the Class 4A quarterfinals. (Photo

by Becky Walz)

Bucksa has been a two-year letter winner for the football program as the starting quarterback while helping lead the Vikings to consecutive Class 4A playoff appearances in 2023

and 2024, including a District Championship in the 2024 season. During the 2024 season, Bucksa had a standout season amassing more than 1,200 yards passing in eight games with 14 touchdowns through the air and four on the ground.

This success led Bucksa to be named the Class 4A District 2 Player of the Year, and he earned 2nd Team All-State honors while leading the Vikings to an undefeated regular season and an appearance in the Class 4A State quarterfinals.

In addition to participating in football, Bucksa participates in basketball, golf and National Honor Society and is the son of Jared and Alecia Bucksa.

Warrior Henry Willey gets tipsy as he wraps up Dever’s Kamden Teisinger for the fall in the consolation bracket Saturday. The junior went on to finish fourth at districts, falling short of a state bid. (Photo by Becky Walz)

grip of the Green Devils late in Thursday’s non-conference contest, defeating Osage (16-5) on the road 58-56.

While close throughout the first half, Decorah rolled into the break with a 34-26 deficit.

The Viking offense got rolling in the third to tie the game 40all with eight minutes remaining and did just enough in the final frame to get the win, outscoring Osage 18-16.

Cael LaFrentz had the hot hand with 25 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks. On the board with 13 points apiece were Zachary Driscoll and Noah Milburn. Driscoll added six board and five steals to the stat book, while Milburn was there for six assists and five boards. Trevor Kuennen provided six caroms and six assists.

Decorah 16 10 14 18 58 Osage 18 16 6 16 56 Scoring – Cael LaFrentz 25; Zachary Driscoll 13; Noah Milburn 13; Gavin Groux 5; Carter Dlhy 2 Rebounds – LaFrentz 19; Driscoll 6; Trevor Kuennen 6; Milburn 5; Dlhy 4; Groux 2; Assists – Kuennen 6; Milburn 6; Driscoll 5; LaFrentz 1; Jackson Pipho 1; Steals – Milburn 2; LaFrentz 2; Driscoll 1; Kuennen 1; Blocks – LaFrentz 3; Milburn 2; Groux 1

Trevor Kuennen squares up for a shot in an home game earlier this season. (Photo

by Becky Walz)

“We are very excited for our three state qualifiers Kyle, Landen and Ray. Overall I thought we wrestled our best Saturday. We had some really good wins from Gavin Thuente who just missed qualifying himself for the state tournament.

Matt Donovan was able to get a big win over the third seed and Henry Willey also came up with some big wins and showed how mentally tough he is. Rounding our wrestlers from the district tournament were Gavin Feickert and Clayton Kuboushek, both have made some nice improvements this year and will continue to improve with work in the off season,” concluded the SW coach.

Individual results 113 – Gavin Thuente, 3rd place Quarterfinal – WBF in 3:45 over

NEIC finale With heavy snow moving through the area last week, the conference finale with Charles City (8-12, 6-2 NEIC) was postponed to Monday, with a

positive result for Decorah who won 82-47 at home.

The Comets kept the game within reach in the first quarter, trailing 22-15 at the break before the Vikings turned on the jets to lead 43-26 at the half. The NEIC squads battled evenly in the third period before Decorah nearly shut down the Charles City offense, giving up just six points in the fourth.

Individual stats were unavailable at press time.

Charles City Decorah

15 11 15 6 47 22 21 16 23 82

Postseason coming The Vikes have one more regular season contest at home versus Mason City tonight (Thursday, Feb. 20) before turning their attention to a return trip to state.

As the top seed in Class 3A Substate 4, Decorah will host all games leading up to the big dance. The first game will be against Clinton (0-19) at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24. A win puts the Vikings in the semifinal round against the winner of the Independence (8-12) and Charles City contest Thursday, Feb. 27. The substate final is scheduled for Monday, March 3. Other teams in the bracket include Xavier (12-7), Maquoketa (7-14), Wahlert Catholic (11-9) and Western Dubuque (5-14).

continued from page 18 Rylan Fogt (Hudson); Semifinal – LBF in 1:35 to Kayden Landers (Denver); Cons. semifinal – WBF in 3:31 over Chance Neal (Starmont); 3rd place match – WBF in 0:54 over Adam Kloser (Central); 2nd place match – lost 5-4 dec. to Jacob Rauch (NL) 120 – Clayton Kuboushek, DNP Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – LBF in 0:44 to Joe Hackett (Col); Cons. rd.

1 – WBF in 3:28 over Justin Gavigan (Hudson); Cons. semifinal – LBF in 1:52 to Isaac Smith (Starmont) 126 – Matthew Donovan, DNP Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – WBF in 3:20 over Carson Zimmerman (NL); Semifinal – LBF in 0:41 to Mason Fogt (Hudson); Cons. semifinal – LBF I 1:19 to Daniel Spooner (Newman) 165 – Kyle Kuboushek, 1st place Quarterfinal – WBF in 0:38 over Andrew Wolter (Col); Semifinal – won 17-1 tech fall over Braven Beaumont (Denver); Final – won 7-2 dec. over clay Wilgenbusch (EB) 175 – Landen Schnuelle, 2nd place Quarterfinal – WBF in 0:38 over

Andrew Wolter (Col); Semifinal – WBF in 3:30 over David Warrior (Denver); Final – LBF in 3:59 to Kanen Decker (WV); 2nd place match – won by no contest over David Warrior (Denver) 190 – Gavin Feickert, DNP Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – LBF in 2:47 to Jonah Frost (WV); Cons. rd. 1 – bye; Cons. semifinal – LBF in 0:07 to Carter Ites (Hudson) 215 – Ray Lienau, 2nd place Quarterfinal – WBF in 1:39 over Aydden Reson (Newman); Semifinal – won 5-4 dec. over Greysen Miller (WV); Final – LBF in 3:57 to Donavon Farrell (Denver); 2nd place match – won by no contest over Greyson Miller (WV) 285 – Henry Willey, 4th place Quarterfinal – LBF in 3:53 to Conner Davis (Central) Cons. rd. 1 – WBF in 2:34 over Kamden Teisinger (Denver); Cons. semifinal – won 4-1 sudden victory over Jackson Sable (Newman); 3rd place match – LBF in 1:32 to Conner Davis (Central)

SPORTS

18 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Decorah sending six matmen to state meet Class 2A District 5 team scores 1. Hampton-Dumont-CAL 186; 2. Decorah 166; 3. Iowa FallsAlden 119; 4. Clear Lake 118; 5.

Crestwood 117; 6. Forest City 84.5; 7. North Butler-Clarksville 79.5; 8.

Garner-Hayfield/Ventura 70.5

Six athletes will represent the Decorah boys wrestling program this week in Des Moines after earning bids to the big stage at the Class 2A District 5 meet in Clear Lake Saturday.

Five of the six have experience at state, and two have wrestled in front of the big crowds twice before.

How they qualified Wrestlers in all Class 2A districts needed to finish in the top two of their weight to advance to state.

At districts, wrestlebacks are utilized to determine true second place. If the finals loser and consolation finals winner (second and third place) have not competed against each other, they wrestled for second.

Ready for the big time As a team, the Vikings finished second at Clear Lake with 166 points, behind Hampton-Dumont-CAL.

ed the need for a wrestleback.

Heading to Des Moines, Knutson has a 26-17 record and looks to improve on his sixth place finish a year ago. His first match came against Owen Nepple (23-14) of Kuemper Catholic Wednesday evening.

Then came No. 2 Mason Avila, a junior who has already competed at state twice, finishing seventh as a freshman and fifth as a sophomore. He is looking to climb even higher on the podium this year. The 132-pound Viking missed most of the first half of the season recovering from a football injury but has made an impression on opponents late in the season to finish second at the district meet. Avila received a quarterfinal bye before eliminating Sam Robinson of Iowa Falls-Alden by an 18-2 tech fall in the semifinal. Dropping the 7-1 decision in the final to No. 7 Charlie Showalter of Hampton-Dumont-CAL and a win by Tyler Fox of Forest City in the third place match, forced Avila into a wrestleback position for second. The Viking was able to put Fox’s shoulders to the mat in 3:27 to earn true second and a state bid.

Meison Tollefson came up just shy of qualifying for state at 106 pounds, finishing third at the district meet in Clear Lake Saturday.

No. 10 Gavin Knutson was the first Decorah grappler to snare a bid to the big stage.

Wrestling at 126 pounds, he will make his second trip to Wells Fargo Arena as the runner-up at the district meet. In the quarterfinal, Knutson threw Keith Johnson of Garner-Hayfield/ Ventura in 25 seconds and got his second pin of the day in the semifinal over Maddox Morrison of North Butler-Clarksville in 55 seconds. Fellow NEIC grappler and third-ranked Carter Schmauss of Crestwood threw Knutson in the final in 1:55; however, the Viking’s win over Morrison earlier eliminat-

With an 11-2 record this season, Avila kicked off his third state tournament with a bye Wednesday night and faced the winner of the match between CJ McGregor (23-9) of Algona and Joshua Hoffmann (33-10) of South Central Calhoun match in round two.

Will Larson, ranked eighth, will also be making his third trip to Des Moines for the big finale meet at 138 pounds.

Heading straight into the semifinal match after a bye, the junior erupted for a 10-0 major decision over Brody Strother of Hampton-Dumont-CAL and threw Jaxson Miller of North

Butler-Clarksville in 4:41 to be crowned the district champion.

Carrying a 30-13 match record, Larson also had a first round bye and opened the state tournament in round two against either No. 9 Jacob Harrison (38-7) of Ballard or Zach Richards (25-13) of PCM. Ranked 12th at 144 pounds, freshman Kasen Tyler was also crowned the champion at Saturday’s district meet, winning the semifinal by a 15-5 major decision over Jaymes Stevens of Hampton-Dumont-CAL propelled Tyler into the final versus Aiden Frascht of Forest City where the freshman picked up the fall in 2:30.

Tyler is 34-12 this year and faced Gavin Day (29-16) of Winterset to start his quest for a title.

Making his second trip to the state meet, No. 7 Bill Fullhart won the 165-pound title Saturday. As Larson and Tyler, Fullhart had a quarterfinal bye. The sophomore opened the district meet against Drake Sanders of Iowa Falls-Alden in the semifinal with a fall in 1:41. Fullhart’s 17-6 major decision over Raif Baack of Clear Lake secured the title and punched his ticket

Decorah had four grapplers crowned district champions and a pair of runners-up Saturday at Clear Lake. All six punched their tickets to this week’s individual state tournament in Des Moines (l-r) Mason Avila, Will Larson, William Fullhart, Tommy Sexton, Kasen Tyler and Gavin Knutson. (All photos courtesy of Madison Tollefson) fourth place finish from a year ago, Sexton carries a 38-5 record into the state meet with a first round bye. His first action was either Bridge Anderson of Burlington Notre Dame (3212) or No. 10 Drew Wheater (38-4) of East Marshall/GMG Wednesday evening.

Individual results 106 – Meison Tollefson, 3rd place Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – LBF in 2:52 to Madox Strother

At 215 pounds, Ethan Kuennen defeated Preston McCabe of Crestwood to earn a wrestleback, falling in the closing seconds of the match to finish third. to Des Moines.

Fullhart is 39-7 this season.

He will take on the winner of the first round match between Josh Fink (22-3) of Gilbert and Ethan Prior (26-8) of Williamsburg in round two after a bye.

Joining the ranks of the qualifiers at 190 pounds is No. 5 Tommy Sexton, having wrestled just once at the district meet. A bye led to a semifinal 15-0 tech fall over Clear Lake’s Jack Hackman and a medical forfeit by No. 7 Parker Moritz of Garner-Hayfield/Ventura in the final, giving Sexton the district crown.

Looking to improve on his

(H-D-C); Cons. rd. 1 – WBF in 2:43 over Gunner Fry (G-H/V); Cons. semifinal – WBF in 1:22 over Zane Gillespie (IF-A); 3rd place match – WBF in 3:25 over Tegan Umbaugh (FC); 2nd place match – lost by no contest to Madox Strother (H-D-C) 113 – Lucas Wymer, DNP Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – lost 17-2 tech fall to Noah Bergan (Crest); Cons. rd. 1 – WBF in 1:41 over Carter Janssen (H-D-C); Cons. semifinal – lost 14-9 dec. to Kaleb Feld (G-H/V) 120 – Kelton Casterton, 4th place Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – WBF in 1:36 over Samuel Katter (G-H/V); Semifinal – LBF in 1:50 to Mitchell Schmauss (Crest); Cons. semifinal – won 11-6 dec. over Weston Miller (NB-C); 3rd place match – LBF in 1:59 to Deegan Moore (FC)

126 – Gavin Knutson, 2nd place Quarterfinal – WBF in 0:25 over Keith Johnson (G-H/V); Semifinal – WBF in 0:55 over Maddox Morrison (NB-C); Final – LBF in 1:55 to Carter Schmauss (Crest); 2nd place match – won by no contest over Maddox Morrison (NB-C) 132 – Mason Avila, 2nd place Quarterfinal – bye; Semifinal – won 18-2 tech fall over Sam Robinson (IF-A); Final – lost 7-1 dec. to Charlie Showalter (H-D-C); 2nd place match – WBF in 3:27 over Tyler Fox (FC)

Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – LBF in 0:53 to Taylor Mahler (H-D-C); Cons. rd. 1 – WBF in 3:54 over Logan McCabe (Crest); Cons. semifinal – LBF in 4:55 to Tate Ziesman (IF-A) 165 – William Fullhart, 1st place Quarterfinal – bye; Semifinal – WBF in 1:41 over Drake Sanders (IF-A); Final – won 17-6 maj. dec. over Raid Baack (CL) 175 – Bradan Darling, DNP Rd. 1 – bye; Quarterfinal – lost 21-5 tech fall to Sean Heilskov (H-D-C); Cons. rd. 1 – bye; Cons.

Freshman Lucas Wymer went 1-2 at his first district meet at 113 pounds Saturday in Clear Lake.

138 – Will Larson, 1st place Quarterfinal – bye; Semifinal – won 10-0 maj. dec. over Brody Strother (H-D-C); Final – WBF in 4:41 over Jaxson Miller (NB-C) 144 – Kasen Tyler, 1st place Quarterfinal – bye; Semifinal – won 15-5 maj. dec. over Jaymes Stevens (H-D-C); Final – WBF in 2:30 over Aiden Frascht (FC) 150 – Justin Fortman, DNP Quarterfinal – lost 12-4 maj. dec. to Dominic Ohmart (FC); Cons. rd.

1 – WBF in 4:59 over Jose Lievano (Crest); Cons. semifinal – lost 16-0 tech fall to Ryder Strother (H-D-C) 157 – Steven Munoz, DNP

semifinal – LBF in 2:53 to Izaiah Duncan (FC) 190 – Tommy Sexton, 1st place Quarterfinal – bye; Semifinal – won 15-0 tech fall over Jack Hackman (CL); Final – won by medical forfeit over Parker Moritz (G-H/V) 215 – Ethan Kuennen, 3rd place Quarterfinal – lost 8-0 dec. to Preston McCabe (Crest); Cons. rd.

1 – WBF in 1:13 over Nathan Maas (G-H/V); Cons. semifinal – won by medical forfeit over Max Orchard (CL); 3rd place match – won 6-3 dec. over Preston McCabe (Crest); 2nd place match – LBF in 5:47 to Brody Robertson (H-D-C)

Three Warrior grapplers are off to the big meet in Des Moines Class 1A District 2 team scores 1. Denver 226; 2. Wapsie Valley 173.5; 3. North Linn 94; 4. Starmont 88.5; 5. South Winn 87.5; 6. Hudson 82.5; 7. Central Elkader 80.5; 8.

East Buchanan 56.5; 9. Newman Catholic 39; 10. Columbus Catholic 36.5

The junior trio of (l-r) Landen Schnuelle, Ray Lienau and Kyle Kuboushek will be representing the South Winn boys wrestling team at state this week, vying for titles. (submitted photo)

Gavin Thuente works to roll Starmont’s Chance Neal in the consolation semifinal Saturday. After dropping his semifinal match, the Warrior sophomore battled back to third place and earned a wrestle back at 113 pounds, coming up short of second by a 5-4 decision. (Photo by Becky Walz)

There is excitement in the wrestling room at South Winn as the junior trio of Kyle Kuboushek, Landen Schnuelle and Ray Lienau are headed to the state wrestling tournament. The three advanced from their Class 1A District 2 meet at Denver.

The individual state wrestling meet opened Wednesday, Feb. 19 and will run through Saturday, Feb. 22, with the championship matches for all three classes beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Saturday.

It will be Kuboushek’s third trip to state, while Schnuelle is making his second appearance at Wells Fargo Arena, and it will be a first-time experience for Lienau.

How they qualified Wrestlers in all Class 1A districts needed to finish in the top two of their weight to advance to state.

At districts, wrestlebacks are utilized to determine true second place. If the finals loser and consolation finals winner (second and third place) have not competed against each other, they wrestled for second.

The mighty three South Winn finished fifth at the district meet with 87.5

points. Denver won the team title with 226 points.

Fifth-ranked Kuboushek (165), who didn’t wrestle at the Upper Iowa Conference tournament as he had broken a bone in his hand a week prior, dominated the mats Saturday with a quarterfinal fall in 1:08 over Macoy Winn of North Linn. A 17-1 tech fall in the semifinal round against Denver’s Braven Beaumont gave the Warrior junior a ticket to the final versus No. 9 Clay Wilgenbusch of East Buchanan. Kuboushek led throughout the match, taking 3-1 lead after the first period and holding on to a 3-2 advantage with one period remaining.

An escape and late takedown

by Kuboushek earned him the district title and his third trip to state.

“Kyle will be looking to get a medal this year as he has had an incredible year and been very consistent with his performance,” noted coach Jacob Elsbernd.

Kuboushek will have a first round bye at state and will face either Blake Schwartz of Panora or Mason Allen of Central Decatur in round two to open his state meet. The SW grappler has a 51-5 record heading into state. Last year at 165 pounds, Kuboushek went 3-2 and just missed a medal.

Picking up a pair of falls Saturday, Schnuelle was the runner up at 175 pounds. It took the matman 38 seconds to pin Andrew Wolter of Columbus Catholic in the quarterfinal match

and 3:30 to turn Denver’s David Warrior to his back. In the final, Schnuelle fell to fourth-ranked Kanen Decker of Wapsie Valley in 3:59 and was able to avoid a wrestleback, having defeated Warrior earlier in the day.

Schnuelle is 42-15 this season. He will face Regina’s Leren Fernandez, who brings with him a 39-9 record into the state tournament, in the first round. Last year in Schnuelle’s first state meet, he lost his two matches by decision.

“Landen is looking to build on his strong junior season and win some matches in Des Moines this week. He has become a real leader for this team and I expect him to keep moving in the right direction,” said coach Elsbernd.

Competing at 215 pounds, this will be Lienau’s first trip to state. He also finished second without a necessary wrestleback to advance. The day began with a fall over Aydden Reson of Newman Catholic in 1:39,

moving Lienau into the semifinal. Trailing 4-1 into the final period, Lienau managed to earn the 5-4 decision with a nearfall in the final 15 seconds to win and advance to the final. Denver’s Donavan Farrell was a force in the final, getting Lienau out of position and to his back as the second period expired.

“Ray has made some major improvements from last season as he is bigger and stronger and has really found a way to win matches. He had a real gritty performance in the district semifinal. I think this experience in Des Moines will only help build his confidence as a wrestler,” added coach Elsbernd.

Lienau is 36-16 for the season heading to Des Moines; however, it will be a rematch of the district final for the Warrior and Denver’s Farrell, who has a record of 52-24, in round one.

Des Moines bound

continued on page 17

South Winn’s Clayton Kuboushek and Hudson’s Justin Gavigan were a tangle of arms and legs during the first round of the 113-pound consolations Saturday. (Photo by Becky Walz)