May 8, 2025

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Vol. 160, Issue 19

Decorah, Iowa 52101

www.decorahleader.com

email: editor@decorahleader.com

One Section

phone: 563-382-4221

CELEBRATION INCLUDES OPENING RECEPTION OF NEW FORGING STUDIO

Syttende Mai events to take place next week Flying of the Norwegian flag, singing the Norwegian national anthem, dressing in traditional bunads and enjoying Scandinavian music will likely be highlights of the Syttende Mai celebration on Friday, May 16 at Vesterheim in Decorah.

Chris Wuebker (left), a detective with the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, joined UCS Healthcare CEO Jen Pearson (right) and Winneshiek County Opioid Task Force co-Chair John Vagts to request $19,000 in opioid settlement funds from the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors Monday morning.

(Photo by Zach Jensen)

County supervisors unanimously approve $19,000 in opioid settlement funding for local medication-assisted treatment clinic

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Visitors of all ages will once again wave flags celebrating Syttende Mai — a day celebrating the Norwegian Constitution — during a parade through Vesterheim’s Heritage Park in Decorah on May 16. (File photo)

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER

Price $1.50

Syttende Mai celebrates the Norwegian Constitution – the signing of Norway’s Constitution in Eidsvoll, Norway, occurred on May 17, 1814. Norwegians traditionally celebrate with parades in the

Syttende Mai continued on page 6

The Winneshiek County Opioid Task Force has been granted $19,000 in opioid settlement funds by the county’s board of supervisors. The dollars are to be used at a local medication-assisted treatment — or MAT — clinic, which UCS Healthcare operates inside Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health’s office in Decorah.

John Vagts, co-chair of county’s opioid task force, Detective Chris Wuebker, with the Win-

neshiek County Sheriff’s Office, and UCS Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Jen Pearson made their case for the funding Monday morning.

“This is near and dear to my heart, because it actually works,” Wuebker said. “I’ve seen it first-hand. Being a detective and working through cases, we utilize the MAT clinic and make referrals to them, so it’s something that helps local law enforcement — to have a local resource that we know works.”

Doctors began prescribing mass quantities of opioid pain

medications in the early 1990s, and many Iowa counties have begun receiving funds to treat opioid addiction as part of a 2021 legal settlement with pharmaceutical companies for more than $50 billion. The 2021 settlement agreement required 39 states to be paid varying amounts of money over 15 years. Each county in Iowa will receive annual payments, and Winneshiek County’s

Opioid funding continued on page 15

Decorah Envirothon team headed to international contest after winning state

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER A group of five local high school students will proudly represent Decorah this July in Canada during the National Conservation Foundation’s international Envirothon competition at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta.

Envirothon is an annual environmental and natural resources competition which challenges high school students to apply

science, problem-solving and teamwork to real-world ecological issues. Students rotate through hands-on stations focused on aquatics, forestry and prairie as well as soils and wildlife before presenting solutions to a current environmental issue.

Decorah High School’s team — which goes by the name Load of Carp — consists of Hannah Arendt, Mason Myers, Lily Sandhorst, Amelia Wadsworth and Margret Zook. The

quintet won the state Envirothon championship April 28 at Granger and, as state champions, they will represent Iowa July 20-26 during the Envirothon national championship.

“In the fall of 2024, 80 students signed up to get a better understanding of their environment by taking part in Envirothon,” said Decorah Envirothon

Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers.com Envirothon continued on page 15

Members of Decorah High Schools’ Envirothon team — dubbed Load of Carp — posed for a photo in front of the Decorah High School victory bell after winning the state Envirothon championship. Pictured (from left to right) are Lily Sandhorst, Margret Zook, Hannah Arendt, Amelia Wadsworth and Mason Myers. (Photo submitted)

State athletic conference bill yet to reach governor’s desk Legislators still optimistic after sweeping bicameral support

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR Officials at the Decorah Community School District are keeping their eyes on a state bill which may help bring Dec-

orah’s student athletes under the umbrella of a new athletic conference — Decorah’s current conference is expected to dissolve next year, and the school is expected to compete as an independent district next year,

Save for football, athletic teams at Decorah High School are expected to compete independent of any state athletic conference next year, which has already made event scheduling more difficult than usual for school officials. State lawmakers approved a bill in March to address how conference affiliation changes are handled in Iowa, but that bill has yet to be sent to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for her approval. State lawmakers and local school officials are hopeful the bill will be among the many which are typically given to the governor near the conclusion of each legislative session. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

Athletic conference bill

continued on page 16

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Decorah School District’s first propane-powered bus arrives

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Chris Pronschinske, Decorah Community School District transportation director, is pictured with the school district’s first propane-powered school bus. (Photo by Roz Weis)

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER After much anticipation, the Decorah Community School District’s new propane-powered school bus arrived last week.

In an ongoing effort to create a more sustainable and cost-effective transportation system, the new 77-passenger bus was purchased from Blue Bird, and it is the first of its kind to be added to the district’s bus fleet.

Decorah School District Director of Transportation Chris Pronschinske was enthusiastic over the arrival of the bus. He said, compared to a traditional diesel bus, the new propane model could save the district approximately $4,000 in annual fuel costs.

Pronschinske said there is no need for diesel exhaust fluid and cold-weather plugins. He said, with reduced routine maintenance needs, the district anticipates saving an additional $1,500 to $2,000 each year.

When approving the purchase for the bus several months ago, Decorah Community School Board members learned about the environmental benefits of propane-powered buses.

Studies show nitrogen oxide emissions produced by propane buses are up to 96% less compared to their diesel counterparts, which is expected to help improve air quality and reduce the district’s

Propane-powered bus continued on page 3

Decorah Farmer’s Market opens for 2025 season

Work continues on the installation of the Decorah Community School District’s on-site LP fueling station. (Photo by Roz Weis)

Kevin Dotzenrod drives the North Winn/Bur Oak route and is more than happy to be the first LP bus driver for the Decorah School District. (Photo submitted)

The 2025 Decorah Farmer’s Market season opened May 3 and will run through the end of October. The market’s hours will be 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays.

Vendors will be set up in the lower level parking lot near the Oneota Community Co-op.

Baked goods, food from southeast Iowa’s local producers, live entertainment and original work by area artisans are all featured at the market.

(Photos by Roz Weis)

‘Laura’ fundraiser to support Burr Oak Mercantile restoration

Proceeds from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum’s Laura Sack Lunch Drive-thru Meal Fundraiser, held Sunday, May 4 at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church parking lot, will be put toward the museum’s Burr Oak Mercantile restoration project. The former mercantile structure will soon be used as the museum office and visitor’s center.

Area royalty was on hand to promote various organizations and package the sack lunches, including (from left) 2025 Beef Princess Madelynn Dahl, 2025 Beef Princess Alayna Hageman, 2025 Little Miss Cowgirl McKinnley McConnell, 2025 Little Mr. Cowhand Gavyn Hageman, 2025 Beef Queen Haylee Hanson and 2025 Little Miss Cowgirl Tianna Yoder.

(Photos by Roz Weis)

Dementia Awareness Pancake & Sausage Supper Decorah Lions

Leslie Cook (at left) and Lisa Bullerman, both museum board members, helped serve during the fundraiser.

RIGHT- Chad Hope and Ron Knutson grilled up the Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s favorites - ribeye steaks and burgers.

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

3

Prom for Persons with Disabilities celebrates 15 years The 15th annual Prom for Persons with Disabilities was in full swing Saturday at the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville.

Nearly 300 attendees reveled in glamour and glitz while enjoying musical hits as part of this year’s theme of “Puttin’ On the Ritz.”

Partygoers traveled from as far away as Floyd and Warren counties to enjoy a four-course

meal, dancing, games and fellowship with family and support staff. The event was sponsored by the Civic Improvement Association of Spillville, local churches, businesses and individuals — organizers specifically thanked the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa as well as The Depot Outlet and Stone Ridge Community Church.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT- Ken Kubesh shows off his dancing prowess on the dance floor. Adam Schmitt enjoys the event with his mother Betty. Brian Schilling takes time to smile for the camera while dancing with a friend. Jacob Zobeck lets loose with friends. (Photos by Denise Lana)

Mark Kuhn, who serves as Inwood’s manager alongside his wife Ruth, was excited to see the ballroom packed with what he called the largest attendance in the event’s 15 years.

The couple launched the first

special needs dance in 2009 to give those with special needs a spring formal similar to those held by area schools.

“We had 76 at our first dance,” Kuhn said. “This year is the biggest crowd we’ve seen.”

Kinney pleads not guilty to theft, mischief charges linked to Minnesota ATM theft

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A Texas man has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the alleged theft of a vehicle from Spillville, which authorities believe was used to rob an ATM in Leroy, Minnesota, earlier this year.

Markell Deshawn Kinney, of Houston, Texas, faces charges of first-degree theft and five counts of third-degree criminal mischief. The 22-year-old signed a plea of not guilty on April 18, which was then filed the next week.

Court documents accuse Kinney of stealing a 2002 Ford F350 at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 from Albertson Auto Center in Spillville. Court documents filed by authorities in Mower County, Minnesota,

Markell Deshawn Kinney said staff at the dealership confirmed the Ford was on the lot at the end of the business day on Jan. 10 — the truck was believed to have been used to rob the ATM some 35 miles away in Leroy at some point before 3:20 a.m. on Jan. 11. Court filings

said video surveillance at First State Bank in Leroy captured the truck “with what appeared to be a newer log chain attached to the rear.” Court documents said three individuals in dark clothing and white face masks exited the vehicle and used pry bars to remove the front of the ATM before “hooking the chain on and ripping the ATM off the concrete.” The thieves were captured on camera taking the cash out of the ATM — bank staff told investigators the machine likely contained between $20,000 and $50,000.

A witness provided a description of the truck, and a Mower County Sheriff’s deputy later reported seeing a dark SUV and light colored pickup matching that description at a location court documents said was approximately a 12-minute drive

from the bank in Leroy — pieces of the damaged ATM were later found near the intersection of State Line Road and 760th Avenue. The deputy attempted to stop the two vehicles, according to court filings, but the SUV and truck split up during the pursuit. The deputy attempted to follow the pickup along State Line Road and lost sight of it amid billowing dust after the truck reached a gravel portion of the road. The truck was soon found resting on its roof near the intersection of State Line Road and 680th Avenue — about a mile after the pavement ended.

The deputy reported a male — later identified as Kinney — “crawling out of the passenger side window,” and the deputy ordered him to halt, but Kinney “stumbled behind the

Trial date scheduled for man facing drug charges after cross-campus pursuit

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A West Union man charged with drug-related offenses after driving an SUV across the campus of Luther College during a late-night pursuit in February has pleaded not guilty, and a trial has been scheduled for later this fall.

Cody Richard Reisner faces charges of intent to deliver methamphetamine, eluding, interference with official acts, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, operating while under the influence — first offense — and possession of a controlled substance. The 41-year-old may also face enhanced sentencing as a habitual offender if convicted. Additional charges of reckless driving and fifth-degree criminal mischief were filed separately — the reckless driving charge will be considered as a companion case, and Reisner has also pleaded not guilty to the charge of criminal mischief.

Cody Richard Reisner

Criminal complaints filed against Reisner said a Winneshiek County Sheriff’s deputy initially attempted to stop a 2013 GMC Terrain for a registration violation around 11:40 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the area of High Street in Decorah — the street passes through the campus of Luther College. The vehicle sped away and went over a curb near a dormitory building, according to a complaint,

at which point the deputy broke off the pursuit due to safety concerns. The SUV continued to drive through campus with what the criminal complaint called wanton disregard for the safety of people and property.

Officials with Luther College previously confirmed no one on campus was injured, but a curbside sign labeling the Olson Hall dormitory showed signs of damage and stood aslant the morning after the pursuit — initial court filings estimated damages at $300, but court documents filed the following month show the college claimed it had incurred more than $5,900 in losses and damages as a result of Reisner’s actions.

Law enforcement located the SUV later the same night near a different dormitory, according to court documents, and observed a male subject running away from the vehicle.

“While Reisner was actively running away from law enforcement, he fell down a hill, resulting in several bodily inju-

ries,” a criminal complaint said.

The complaint went on to say “methamphetamine was scattered in plain view inside the vehicle,” along with a digital scale and empty ziplock bags. A K-9 unit helped locate Reisner, who was still on campus, and the 41-year-old allegedly confirmed “he had come from the vehicle and eluded law enforcement.” Reisner was arrested and was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:05 a.m.

Feb. 27. Authorities also filed a parole violation report following the pursuit, saying Reisner had “relapsed on methamphetamines” in November and December of 2024 before being terminated from his position at an area manufacturing facility in January of 2025. Officials requested Reisner be held in custody without bond, saying a hearing on the revocation of his parole will be scheduled after the current case against him is resolved.

Reisner remains in custody at the Winneshiek County Jail.

truck” and was able to escape.

The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office later detained Kinney after receiving a report of a male walking along a road in Iowa near Stacyville — about 1.25 miles from where the pickup had overturned. Investigators also discovered papers from the Spillville dealership inside the truck as well as an iPhone.

While investigating the theft of the truck in Spillville, Winneshiek County investigators also learned of three additional vehicles in Calmar which had been broken into and which showed evidence of damage to their ignition systems. Video footage obtained by the Calmar Police Department captured at least two individuals — one of whom investigators believe to be Kinney — buying gasoline at approximately 12:15 a.m. Jan.

10 from a convenience store located near one of the vehicles which was damaged. Staff at the Spillville dealership later discovered similar damage to two additional vehicles on their lot, according to court filings.

Minnesota court records filed March 21 indicate Kinney pleaded guilty to that state’s charges of theft, property damage and fleeing in a motor vehicle. He was served with a Winneshiek County arrest warrant four days later at the Mower County Jail. He was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 5 p.m. the same afternoon, and he remains in custody. Bond was initially set at $20,000 but has since been reduced to $10,000.

The Winneshiek County case is currently scheduled to go to trial on June 11.

Propane-powered bus environmental impact.

Pronschinske said two more 2026 Blue Bird 77-passenger liquid propane buses have been ordered — each bus priced at approximately $150,608. Board members approved the purchase from School Bus Sales Co. during a March meeting.

The additional buses are ex-

continued from page 2 pected to arrive before the start of the next school year.

The district also recently installed an on-site LP fueling station. The tank and station were purchased from Farmers Union Cooperative, and the company also agreed to fill the current propane bus until the district’s station is operational.

Decorah Leader

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Preemptive pledge puts Cournoyer’s campaign on the wrong foot I had to read a press release that came in Tuesday morning to be sure I understood it correctly. Iowa’s current lieutenant governor, who has been in office for just shy of five months, has announced her bid to become Iowa’s next state auditor.

Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed forBY SETH mer State Sen. Chris BOYES Cournoyer to the poNews Editor sition of lieutenant governor on Dec. 16, 2024, following the unexpected resignation of former Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg some three months earlier.

And, of course, Reynolds herself has already said she won’t be seeking reelection come the 2026 midterms, so it’s not entirely unreasonable for Cournoyer to be looking for other career opportunities, knowing Reynolds will be leaving office in less than two years.

Still, Reynolds transitioned from lieutenant governor to governor after former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad became U.S. ambassador to China in 2017, but Cournoyer evidently won’t be pursuing the same path Reynolds followed about eight years ago.

Instead, Cournoyer’s sights are set on the State Auditor’s Office, which is currently held by Decorah native Rob Sand — the only Democrat to maintain an elected statewide position after the November 2024 election.

Sand has butted heads with Reynolds, and of course, there are rumors Sand himself may be eyeing a run at the governor’s office at this point. So, it’s curious in some ways that Cournoyer should now want to become Iowa’s next taxpayer watchdog.

And no game of election time musical chairs would be complete without a little resume touting, which of course was what Cournoyer’s press release provided. For the most part, it was pretty standard stuff — “technology-drive solutions,” “proven record of fiscal discipline,” etc.

However, I also have to admit my brow was raised and then furrowed as I scrolled to page two of the campaign’s announcement.

The release went on to highlight Cournoyer’s role in centralizing IT systems across state departments, which was estimated to have saved Iowa taxpayers more than $200 million so far — hard not to support savings like that — and it described her as a key leader in Gov. Reynolds’ efforts to reduce Iowa’s cabinet-level agencies from 37 to 16. The release didn’t mention how that same decision left folks at the Abbie Gardner Cabin Historical site in Arnolds Park — one of the state’s earliest tourist attractions and one of only nine historic sites in the state — in limbo, wondering whether state officials would decide which department the State Historical Society of Iowa would fall under before the site’s historic 1856 log cabin became irreparable.

In all fairness, Cournoyer may not have known about that at the time, and work at the cabin site is gradually coming along, so evidently things worked out in the end.

Still, pursuing government efficiency at the cost of public uncertainty doesn’t strike me as the best approach.

But, it seems that’s how things are done in government these days, and efficiency seems to often be in the eye of the beholder.

Gov. Reynolds announced plans in January to establish Iowa’s own version of the Department of Government Efficiency, and Tuesday’s release from Cournoyer says the newly announced candidate plans to “make the auditor’s office a home for recommendations emerging from the governor’s DOGE Task Force on modernizing government operations” if elected.

That’s a strange choice of words in my opinion. And in the current political climate, it could be seen to presuppose Cournoyer support for future cuts to government departments and, by extension, the services they provide (I’ll emphasize the word could, because I admit I may be reading into it too much, but words are the building blocks of my job).

Local readers aren’t unfamiliar with the impact government’s funding priorities can have on small communities. Subscribers may recall this publication’s previous reporting on the uncertainty funding freezes brought to organizations like the Northeast Iowa Transit system, the effect cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture might have on local food banks or the services Northeast Iowa RSVP may no longer be able to provide if funding to Americorp does not continue.

Granted, those are all examples at the federal level, but I’d be concerned if a candidate defaulted to offering any elected office as “a home” for similar efforts. Furthermore, while it’s uncertain whether Cournoyer will become Iowa’s State Auditor, it is certain Reynolds won’t be governor when a new auditor is potentially sworn in.

Cournoyer was first elected to the state legislature in 2018, so she’s not exactly new to state processes and could possibly make a fair go as the state’s auditor given her other legislative and professional experience.

However, in my opinion, a preemptive pledge to open the door of the auditor’s office to the governor’s miniDOGE puts Cournoyer’s campaign on the wrong foot before the race has even begun.

Agree with Seth? Think he’s got it completely backwards or he’s missed the point entirely? Let your voice be heard. Letters to the editor may be emailed to editor@ decorahleader.com or dropped off at 110 Washington St. Suite 4 in Decorah.

The origination of park trails and their use, purposes

Trump’s Tariffs are a tax on consumers Iowans work hard, sometimes holding multiple jobs, to pay bills and provide for their families. Workers keep our communities thriving and small businesses keep jobs in towns. Trump’s tariffs and trade war threaten workers, small businesses and communities.

Trump unilaterally levied broad sweeping tariffs on our trading partners. Trading partners retaliated by imposing tariffs on U.S. exports. Trump, Rep. Ashley Hinson and Republicans are trying to trick us into believing China, Canada, Mexico and other countries will pay the price of tariffs. Americans are smarter than that. We know that countries exporting goods to the U.S. will offset their higher expenses by raising the prices of items. Increased prices will be paid by the American consumer. Make no mistake. Tariffs are a tax on consumers.

Already, groceries, gas and basic household goods are getting more expensive. The economy is slowing down, and economists warn of a recession where workers are laid off, consumer spending shrinks and shelves are empty.

Rep. Ashley Hinson voiced support for Trump’s Tariff Taxes and his MAGA agenda. Hinson remains a loyal Trump puppet even though Trump’s tariffs and policies harm her constituents. Iowans deserve a representative who stands up for them.

Karen Pratte Waterville

Thoughts on sleight of hand Dear Editor, Look over here while a trick is being performed over there. Donald Trump is publicly talking about two dolls instead of 30 dolls at Christmas time. The serious work of the regime is to compile all information about citizens into one giant database.

Elon Musk and his genius minions are gathering citizens’ personal information from the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security, Medicare and law enforcement to name a few agencies.

In the past, each agency protected data about citizens it serves. If someone wanted every bit of information about a citizen, each agency had many barriers to that giant data grab.

Few rules exist for an agency to keep data about people they serve in a secure information silo. There seems to be little legal recourse to this frightful invasion. An expectation that government would be an honest broker in the area of citizens’ data is shattered.

My mind is not sinister enough to guess how this giant database will be used against citizens. I do know it will not be for our benefit.

Citizens, we must keep our focus on Elon Musk and his genius minions in this regime of continuous sleight of hand.

Elaine St. Clair Decorah

My name is Tom Massman.

I have been a citizen of Decorah all my life. I started and owned businesses for 46 years in Decorah. There have been comments made from mountain bikers about being a tax paying citizen of Decorah vs. not being a city resident. First of all, I have perhaps paid more taxes to the city and county than all of you that are making remarks about this will ever pay in your lifetime. Also, comments were made that most of the bikers are citizens within the city limits and pay city taxes vs. a lot of the equine users who are not within the city limits. So horse people should not have the same privileges? Parks are not meant just for city residents, they are also for out of town visitors, which benefits our tourism.

While riding horseback on trails, numerous times we have come across hikers from out of town who were so thrilled to see horses, wanting to take pictures, pet the horses and have a nice conversation. Some expressed how this was the highlight of their trip to town and made their whole trip to Decorah amazing.

On the other hand, we have come across bikers who would come flying over a knoll or from around a corner startling our horses. They would have to slow down or even stop and sometimes voicing such anger even cursing at us. This would ruin the adventure for my guest.

We have even come across hikers and dog walkers who remarked about how they had to suddenly pull their dog out of the way and or jump off the trail from a racing bike. Using the trails should be an experience for enjoying nature, seeing wildlife, listening to birds etc. at a casual pace. Riding a horse through the park is such a peaceful feeling after a hard days work. Horses fit in well with wildlife and nature since they are around many other species of animals in pastures and woodlands. I have noticed in the past 10 approximate years that there are by far more deer within the downtown area than there ever has been. It is not natural for deer and other wildlife to be constantly startled by mountain bikes, so they are roaming to other areas where they feel safe.

The DHPT group was formed by mountain bikers. I do appreciate the work they have done, such as repairing some of the damaged trails they have

caused from biking and clearing brush and downed trees now and then from storms. I do not agree with the massive veins of trails that DHPT has created within the park system. For example, when coming in from the parking lot to Van Peenen Park, within 75 approximately yards. There are five offset veins of bike trails that spread out to many other veins — and of course all of them have no horses allowed signs.The parks are not as natural as they used to be with the enormous number of bike trails created.

A public comment was made a couple of weeks ago about how equestrian use puts our trails at risk. I believe that DHPT bikers are striving for any claims against horses they can to have mountain bike racing through our parks and not have to worry about stopping or slowing down for a horse and rider. The real focus on risk of park deterioration should be from mountain biking.

Van Peenen Park was donated to Decorah from the Van Peenens in 1976 with special covenants to run with the land.

This is a section of the deed agreement and states as follows “Shall be left in a state of nature as a wildlife preserve with facilities only for walking, horseback riding, backpacking, including simple camping.”

The Van Peenens were avid horseback riders. Duane Larson and others would ride with them throughout Van Peenen land, Palisade, Dunnings and Ice Cave parks. Duane, his family and friends helped develop trails on Van Peenen land and also Palisade, Ice Cave, Dunnings Springs, while closely working with then park director Bob Hunt, spending days and years on building the trails and maintaining them. There is never mention of credit for this.

Every Memorial Day the saddle club would be in the parade then followed by a trail ride — weather permitting — through Palisades, Van Peenen, Ice Cave, etc. There were no issues then that horses were putting trails at risk. Hikers and horses were getting along for all these years up until recently since the DHPT and bikers came into the parks.

A remark was made in last week’s opinion section that Dr. Van Peenen said that he personally had no issues with mountain bikes. Here are some

items not mentioned, though they are very important, in Dr. Van Peenens letter to the parks — “…but we were also much concerned for the wildlife. I have nothing against mountain biking as such, but it does degrade trails and promotes erosion which may or may not affect wildlife habitat.” It goes on to say, “I know that bikers like to ride loops and fear they would end up creating all sorts of new trails, which will make the problem worse…Barbara and I wanted to keep the land as close to nature as was possible.

If even hiking and cross country skiing have already laced the habitat with far more trials than it originally had, mountain biking can only make it worse.” The letter goes on a bit from there and in the end says, “I think the park is already taking just about all the use it can safely tolerate and am reluctant to agree to more.” This letter was written 19.5 years ago. Did it stop the DHPT bikers from continuing with more and more trails and going against Van Peenen’s wishes and the deed covenants? Obviously not.

Another item DHPT is focusing on to discourage horses from trails is horse droppings on the trail. Every time if we see our horse leaving droppings on the trail, out of courtesy, we have gotten off and kicked it off and even if we’ve seen — very seldom — where a rider missed knowing the horse left droppings we would remove it.

What about deer droppings and dog, raccoon and possum poop on trails? How are you going to reprimand them? If I see it, I step around it. We have been willing to share trails with the DHPT bikers and try to come up with solutions, however it is frustrating that the DHPT bikers are now even recruiting some hikers, bird watchers, etc. to side with them and have been making statements and remarks — always against horses.

Understand we as horse people have just as strong of a passion as do mountain bikers and yet are not being treated as such.

It seems as though the DHPT bikers have been given way too much authority and decision making, bringing their mainly one-sided ideas and requests to the city parks commission.

Tom Massman Decorah

Trump asks high court for DOGE access to Social Security In case you aren’t feeling well, you may want to quit watching the news and stop the paper. That prescription may help you feel better or this letter may make you feel worse.

Not being a lawyer, how does the “king” have his own court?

Note: I don’t recall the former president having been in court.

He may have had some close calls, but no judge and jury slamming him with guilty verdicts. It appears Trump has a direct connection to the Supreme

Court while it seems any other person has to work through the legal system.

President Donald J. Trump’s not-so-legal business goes back decades. In and out of court, preceded and followed by an army of lawyers, the cost must be staggering. For example, in today’s news, he is asking the Supreme Court to allow Elon Musk to access Social Security records. He is mobilizing our legal system to be his.

Let’s save the worst for last.

His felony conviction resulted from 34 fraudulent tax issues in New York. A judge suspended the fines and imprisonment due to his running for president.

Trump is currently appealing his felony conviction.

We have not been blessed with a normal leader. Therefore, it is to be expected we will not be blessed with a normal term.

John Carver Decorah

Echoes of the Past ‘Cold Cookery’ class popular with housewives

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER Modern refrigeration was in the news back in 1935 when the Decorah Furniture Company sponsored the Norge School of Home Economics and Cold Cookery at the Grand Theatre. Beginning at 2 o’clock on an April afternoon, those with a ticket to the cooking school had the opportunity to see

a new Norge refrigerator on the stage and learn modern recipes and menus for use with modern refrigeration. A Norge Home Economist gave useful and helpful hints in the new methods of using a refrigerator and the buying of food for the home. A movie about the subject also was shown.

Each ticket holder also received a “cold cookery” recipe book. Area housewives agreed that the high-

light of the afternoon program was a “capital gift” of a new, modern Norge washing machine.

The pleased winner was Mrs. Arnold Sorenson of Decorah. An up-to-date ironing board was also presented by the Decorah Furniture Company. A state-of-the-art electric iron was given by Interstate Power Company. Grangaard Food Market and the Samuelson Food Store distributed several

grocery gifts to audience members. A table lamp was awarded

by Decorah Furniture Company, and a lovely Easter lily was presented by the Crabtree Flower Shop. The popularity of the event was illustrated in the publicity

Echoes continued on page 5

OBITUARIES/COMMUNITY

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

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Obituary Richard Caddell

Sept. 1, 1952 - April 27, 2025 Richard Wayne Caddell, 72, of Waucoma, died Sunday, April 27, 2025 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.

Richard (Rick) was born on Sept.

1, 1952, in Hobbs, New Richard Mexico.

Caddell Richard grew up in the Waterloo area where he attended local schools. He later moved to the Waucoma area to a place he would come to call home for the rest of his life.

It was in Waucoma where Richard met the love of his life, Wendy Phillips. The two were married on March 29, 1971, in Osceola, Iowa, and together they built a life filled with devotion, laughter and countless adventures. Their home in Waucoma became a central gathering place for family and friends

over the years.

Richard was a dedicated and hardworking man. He spent time working at John Deere in Waterloo, Bantam Schield in Waverly and Beatrice Cheese in Fredericksburg before ultimately building a long and fulfilling career at Nestlé in Waverly.

As a maintenance repairer, he proudly served the company for over 18 years before retiring.

Richard’s love for the outdoors defined much of his free time. He found joy in fishing, golfing, boating with his grandchildren and foraging for mushrooms and asparagus. Summers were especially treasured, as his grandchildren would come to stay, and together they shared countless outdoor adventures, creating lifelong memories.

He was an avid supporter of his grandkids’ activities, rarely missing a sporting event.

Known for his warm personality and outgoing nature, Richard was truly a social soul who loved connecting with others

and being part of his community. Though his health declined in later years, his kind spirit and love for life never wavered.

Richard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wendy, of Waucoma; daughter, Lori Kuboushek of Calmar; son, Randy (Sarah) Caddell of Decorah; four grandchildren: Katelyn Kuboushek of Calmar, Kyle Kuboushek of Calmar, Lydia Caddell of Decorah, Tanner Caddell of Decorah; brothers: Jack (Penny) Caddell of Waucoma, and Lynn and Robert of Texas.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Caddell, and his brother, Michael Caddell.

Friends may greet the family from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Waucoma Event Center.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Waucoma has been entrusted with Richard’s arrangements.

The National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park, Maryland will be held in June. Students Rex LaFrentz and Gus Pole will be advancing to the national competition, with their group documentary titled, “Harvests of Change: The 1980s Farm Crisis and the Struggle Across America.” (Submitted photos)

Nina Coppola is also moving on to nationals with her individual performance, entitled “Elizabeth Blackwell and Female Education in Medicine.”

Echoes continued from page 4 offered in the local newspaper.

Here are some other news items from another era:

100

YEARS AGO: 1925 – The afternoon and midnight trains have been taken off the tracks here.

Decorah received concrete proof of the encroachment of the automobile and truck on the domain long ruled by the railroad. Due to lack of patronage, two Milwaukee trains have been suspended. It is part of a widely spread economy program. …A Decorah boy, Vernon Oehler, age 19, has been killed while engaging in work as a lineman for the Interstate Power Company. The accident was in Lancaster, Wisconsin. …FRONT PAGE NEWS – Decorah’s City Engineer, A.N. Hanson has married Miss Clara Olson at the Lutheran parsonage. The ceremony was April 10 at 5 p.m. …A 2-cent gasoline tax goes into effect all over Iowa this month. The workings of the new law include a stipulation that a refund of the tax will be made to those purchasing gasoline for tractors, for household and dry-cleaning purposes or other than road use. To get refunds, users of gasoline must sign an affidavit and present claims for payment to the state treasurer. …The courtroom over in Allamakee County was busy last week as it was time for the arraignment and sentencing of two women who tried to assist some chicken thieves in their escape from the jail last summer. …Mayor F.W. Conover is celebrating his 35th anniversary as a practicing dentist in Decorah. …Wagner School #5 of Madison Township will host a program and lunch in late April.

The teacher there is Helen Flaskerud. …The house of Hugh Foley over at Bluffton was burned to the ground the other forenoon.

During the progress of the blaze, sparks were carried all the way over to the barnyard of Pat Gallagher’s farm some 40 yards away. …Dr. Lloyd Riggs, a Castalia boy and son of ex-postmaster W.K. Riggs and his wife, has brought before the medical world a new anesthetic, promising to be a blessing both for surgeons and patients. It is called “propylene,” and it produces insensibility rapidly and the patient recovers from its effects with equal rapidity and no aftereffects. Dr. Riggs now lives in New Jersey.

St. Benedict faculty member Patty Lien was selected for the Iowa National History Day Teacher of the Year Award from among this year’s junior division nominees.

Audrey Remington and Emery Friederick placed third at the state contest with their group exhibit “Derailed Rights: The Orphan Train and the Struggle for Justice.”

St. Ben’s students take top slots during State National History Day, advance to nationals

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER

Modern refrigerators offered something new for housewives in the 1930s. “Cold Cookery” schools were planned to help navigate the modern technology and all it had to provide families of that era. (From the newspaper archives)

…Harry Wilkinson, the talented local newspaper man, has died at the Congress Hotel in Washington, Iowa. Acute indigestion as the cause of death. …A spring windstorm nearly ripped off all the tin roof of the Union Hotel and laid a large part of it onto Jonas Valder’s house last week. …Charles Falck from over at Ridgway cut his hand as he endeavored to crank a friend’s car which had become stuck in neutral. …A nearby Northeast Iowa farmer has been exhibiting his two-headed pig. The pig has two completely developed snouts.

90

YEARS AGO: 1935 – A.H. Weis, proprietor at Decorah Motor Car Company, has new Pontiac automobiles priced at $615. Stop in to see the new Pontiac’s at 105 West Main Street. …Grant Woldum is the proud possessor of a new airplane. …The Decorah CCC Camp had previously been ordered to move, but a long-distance call from Congressman Fred Biermann advises that the camp will stay. Most of the CCC boys are just out of high school. The officers in charge attempt to instill patriotism and character into the minds of the young men.

…The Decorah College for Women has been fully accredited and will be authorized to grant Bachelor of Arts degrees. …Lemonade, peanuts and balloons, along with spangled aerial artists, galloping white horses, lumbering elephants and trained dogs and clowns will take center stage when the Atterbury Brothers Circus comes to town May 6, 1935.

The circus organizers promise three hours of the most joyfilled mirth you have ever experienced. …With Old Man Winter slowly passing out of the picture, the golf bug has bitten some enthusiastic members of Oneota Golf and Country Club.

Andrew Anderson is caretaker at the club, and his capable assistant is Joseph Skaim. Some of the foresighted members of the club are proposing a swimming pool may be built south of the clubhouse in the near future.

The hitching grounds here in town may soon be secured as a Kittenball site. …FOR SALE: Small farm about four miles from Decorah.

Improvements have been made.

Priced at $900. …The Ritz Ballroom over at Calmar will be the site for an Easter Dance featuring Joe Fisher Concertinas and his Deca Recording Orchestra.

Select students representing St. Benedict School in Decorah advanced to national competition following a solid performance on April 28 during the State National History Day Contest in Ames.

The year-long program challenges students to conduct original historical research on topics of their choosing and present their findings through creative research projects.

Students Rex LaFrentz, Gus Pole and Nina Coppola were awarded first-place honors at the state contest and qualified for a trip to nationals in College Park, Maryland.

LaFrentz and Pole combined their efforts to submit a group documentary entitled “Harvests of Change: The 1980s Farm Crisis and the Struggle Across America.” The duo also earned the State Agricultural History Award for their presentation.

Coppola’s individual performance, entitled “Elizabeth Blackwell and Female Education in Medicine,” earned her a first-place medal.

St. Ben’s sent a total of 23 students to the state contest this year. Several students earned third-place honors and will serve as alternates to the national contest, moving on if the first or second-place winners in their respective categories decide not to attend.

Other award winners at the state contest included Henry Hahn, who earned third place with his individual exhibit “Hawaii Under Martial Law,” and Audrey Remington and Emery Friederick, who brought home third place with their group exhibit “Derailed Rights: The Orphan Train and the Struggle for Justice.”

St. Ben’s students Jack Gulleckson, Clara Hartley and Audrey Searcy took home the

ABOVE- The James Wengert Award from the Iowa Labor History Society was presented to Jack Gullekson, Clara Hartley and Audrey Searcy for their group performance, entitled “Lewis Hine: Wielding a Camera Against Child Labor.”

LEFT- Henry Hahn also placed third with his individual exhibit “Hawaii Under Martial Law.”

James Wengert Award from the Iowa Labor History Society for their group performance “Lewis Hine: Wielding a Camera Against Child Labor.”

Lien named Teacher of the Year Longtime St. Benedict faculty member Patty Lien was also named the winner in the junior division of the Iowa National History Day Teacher of the Year Award. Organizers said

Lien’s dedication to teaching, including classroom instruction in national, state and local history, has inspired students at the local school for decades. Lien’s past students have advanced to nationals for many years.

Fundraising is now under way to help offset expenses for representatives of St. Ben’s to attend the national contest.

For more information, contact the school at 563-382-4668.

NEWS

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

Decorah City Council to discuss future of municipal center next week

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER The Decorah City Council is expected to again take up the topic of the city’s municipal center during a special session next week.

The building houses city offices and the fire department, with connections to the county law enforcement center, and the topic of whether to remodel the building or raze it and build a new structure has been an ongoing topic of discussion among city officials.

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken told the city council Monday that, with a plethora of city projects currently taking place or scheduled to start in the near future, addressing the topic of the municipal building had fallen by the wayside under the weight of other pressing matters.

“It’s not that the building isn’t a priority. There’s just a lot

of other projects going on that are time sensitive and critical to everyday city functions,” Goedken said. “We put it on the back burner, and it hasn’t advanced right now.”

Decorah City Councilmember Emily Neal requested the stalled discussions be picked up again in an effort to move toward a decision about the building, and Goedken said the city had received design concepts prepared by Brunton Engineering and Construction.

The city had requested the designs nearly three months prior, and Goedken said he requested members of the ISG Engineering Group — which is currently working on the city’s Heively Street improvement project — review the designs as a professional courtesy.

“I sought validation from ISG about the numbers from Brunton, and ISG said the construction costs that Brunton proposed were a bit light,” Goedken said.

Neal requested that the city council meet in the next several weeks and see if a compromise for a new design can be reached, while also working within a previously-agreed upon maximum cost of $10 million.

The city’s budget for building renovations remains at $3 million, but several council members previously felt that amount could be cut in half, if not reduced by even more. Goedken indicated $3 million could cover a number of the more significant improvements on the city’s list.

“Three million would reasonably cover a new HVAC system, as well as structural issues that need to be dealt with in the fire department,” Goedken said. “Add to that a list of ADA compliancy items that need to be completed, and those items would devour the majority of that budget.”

The council’s special session has been set for 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at city hall.

Law Enforcement Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office Raymond Delagarza, age 41, was transported from the Winneshiek County Courthouse to the Winneshiek County Jail at approximately 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 29 regarding an arrest warrant for violation of his pre-trial supervision.

Kinga Redus, age 44, of Decorah was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabidiol — third or subsequent offense — at approximately 10:11 p.m. Thursday, May 1 in the 2400 block of 170th Avenue in Decorah. A criminal complaint said the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office received

an emergency call that evening from 67-year-old Michael Dean Ruroden of Decorah, who stated “he wanted someone out of his residence.” Deputies responded, and attempted to contact Ruroden before Redus eventually came to the door. Deputies found Ruroden in the basement of the home, where a “a small jar of grape soda flavored THC wax” and a metal smoking device were observed in an ash tray — court documents said Redus admitted the items belonged to her, and later filings said Ruroden had paid for the wax. Redus was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 10:40 p.m. the same day, and a criminal complaint charging Ruroden

with possession of a controlled substance was filed the morning of May 5.

Ashley Erickson, age 30, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 10 a.m. Friday, May 2 to serve seven consecutive days.

John Meyer, age 62, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 10:05 p.m. Friday, May 2 to serve 30 consecutive days.

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

CELE BRAT ING

STORIES

CHERISHING

Fourth defendant pleads guilty to drug charges following November bust Five suspects currently maintaining not guilty pleas

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR A former Decorah woman has been ordered to serve two days in prison and two years on probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Ashleigh Ann Sorenson, whom court documents indicate now resides in West Union, was one of nine people charged in November as part of an investigation into regional drug sales.

The 29-year-old initially pleaded not guilty in a January filing, but she entered a new plea on April 24 and a court filed sentencing documents later that afternoon. Sorenson was initially sentenced to 180 days in jail, but the court saw fit to suspend all but two days of her sentence and give Sorenson credit for time already served. She was ordered to begin serving her jail sentence within 60 days, and Sorenson must also pay a $430 fine in addition to room and board fees at the Winneshiek County Jail.

Previous court records showed 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. Investigators claim 21-year-old Ckaiden Dean Nelson-Coonradt of Elmore, Minnesota, had 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. A sheriff’s deputy reported in the resulting court documents that Nelson-Coonradt returned to Winneshiek County in October of 2024 and made several brief stops outside local businesses as well as area residences — including a home in the 2200 block of Highway 9 west of Decorah, which court documents indicated to be Sorenson’s residence at that time.

The sheriff’s office learned Nelson-Coonradt was in Calmar the afternoon of Nov. 27, 2024, and law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the

Ashleigh Ann Sorenson SUV Nelson-Coonradt was driving. A search of the vehicle revealed about 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. Nelson-Coonradt was charged with two counts of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, failure to affix a drug tax stamp and possession of a controlled substance. A passenger in the vehicle, 26-year-old Tyler James Westcott of West Union, was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, failure to affix a drug tax stamp and possession of a controlled substance. Court documents said investigators believe Westcott had accompanied Nelson-Coonradt to Oregon on at least four separate occasions.

Investigators executed a separate search several hours later at the rural Decorah residence on Highway 9. Law enforcement found approximately 2 pounds of marijuana as well as other THC products in the basement of the building, according to court documents. Criminal complaints filed in the case 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.”

In addition to Sorenson, six other occupants of the rural home were charged with drug-related offenses.

Previous filings showed 25-year-old Tyler John Dozark of Decorah and 26-year-old Lexus Briann Six were each charged with possession of a controlled substance — separate court documents referred to Sorenson as “Ashleigh (Six) Sorenson.” Court filings also said 31-year-old Zachary Alan Sorenson — whom court filings indicate has also relocated from Decorah to West Union — was charged with possession with intent to deliver, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, possession of a controlled substance, gathering where a controlled substance was being used and three counts of child endangerment. Luke D. Price, age 26, of Decorah was charged with possession of a controlled substance, failure to affix a drug tax stamp and child endangerment, while 28-yearold Jacob Wayne Willitts of New Hampton 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.

Ashleigh Sorenson is now the fourth of the nine defendants to have entered a guilty plea — the case against her was most recently scheduled to be heard during a July 9 trial.

Willitts pleaded guilty in February, after the court deemed him a habitual offender, and he was ordered to serve five years on probation. Six entered a guilty plea in March, and she was ordered to serve two days in jail and one year of probation in addition to paying a $430 fine. Zachary Sorenson pleaded guilty to six of the seven charges filed against him — a misdemeanor possession charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement — and the 31-yearold is expected to serve a total of five years on probation and pay court costs as well as more than $1,000 in fines.

Separate trials for the remaining five defendants are currently scheduled to take place between June and August of this year.

MEMORIES

Syttende Mai continued from front

Bring Memories Back to Life with a

streets, waving flags and singing songs.

This year’s local event at Vestherheim will be sponsored by a gift to the Vesterheim Annual Fund from Craig Trygstad and Lynne Coleman.

Vesterheim is celebrating Syttende Mai a day early this year, and the event will coincide with the ribbon cutting and opening reception of the museum’s new forging studio — located at 418 West Water St. The ribbon cutting at the forge will commence at 9 a.m. that day. The public is invited to attend an opening reception at Vesterheim Commons following the ribbon cutting.

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Schedule of events This year’s schedule features a children’s parade, Nordic Dancer performance, book signing by Amy Shaw, a live fiddle contest, free ice cream and more.

Admission is free all day, while the museum and store will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the celebration.

Vidar Skrede will perform a concert from noon to 12:30 p.m. that day in the museum’s Bethania Church during the Syttende Mai festivities.

Skrede is originally from southwest Norway, and the musician now lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Museum directors noted Skrede is a well-known freelance Nordic folk musi-

cian, playing fiddle, Hardanger fiddle and guitar.

The Children’s Parade begins at 1 p.m. and will travel throughout Vesterheim Heritage Park. The parade will be followed by a performance of Decorah’s Nordic Dancers on Mill Street near the museum building. Norwegian flags will be given out during the parade, and the public is invited to march along or cheer from the sidelines. The Nordic Dancers began in Decorah in 1966 and include a senior and junior group of dancers.

The day’s activities will also include a book signing

by Amy Shaw, author of “Ole Hendricks and His Tunebook,” from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the museum store.

A guided tour of Heritage Park will start at 10:45 a.m.

The May 16 event provides visitors with an opportunity to see the special exhibit “Hand Me Down the Fiddle: Norwegian Fiddlers, Fiddles, and Fiddle Tunes in the Upper Midwest,” which will close on May 18. Visitors can also see the new exhibits “200 Years of Norwegians in America” and “Pioneering Pages: Forming the New American Woman.”

Museum directors also reminded the public of Vesterheim’s Syttende Mai member drive. New memberships purchased between May 15-18, receive a free second member-

ship to gift to friends or family.

Member benefits include free museum admission, a subscription to Vesterheim magazine as well as discounts on store items and folk art class.

In case of inclement weather, the parade and Nordic Dancers will be canceled. All other activities will continue as planned.

Vesterheim history In 1877, Norwegian Americans started collecting and preserving objects at Luther College in Decorah. That early collection of photos, documents and pioneer stories has grown into one of the country’s most comprehensive museums dedicated to a single immigrant group. Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, now welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience.

The museum offers exhibits, classes and programs, both on the museum’s campus and park as well as online or through Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities and ways to donate or volunteer, visit vesterheim.org, call 563-3829681 or visit Vesterheim at 520 W. Water St. in Decorah.

COMMUNITY

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

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Community briefs Decorah Public Library and ArtHaus announce Coffee and Creativity programs

Decorah Public Library and ArtHaus are holding two Coffee and Creativity programs in May. Participants may make simple craft projects while chatting over coffee from 1011:30 a.m on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The sessions will be led by ArtHaus instructors. Everyone is welcome, regardless of previous experience or artistic ability.

Organizers will help attendees create animal portraits on May 6 and blackout poetry on May 20. This program is free to the public, and all materials will be provided. For more information, contact Zach Row-Heyveld at Decorah Public Library by emailing zrowheyveld@decorahlibrary.org or by calling 563-382-3717.

Driftless Water Defenders to offer livestream benefit concert

The Driftless Water Defenders will be hosting a free livestream music event at 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 8. Iowa-born singer-songwriter Greg Brown will be headlining a Driftless Water Defenders benefit concert at the Steyer Opera House in the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah. He will be performing with fellow musicians Dave Moore, Pieta Brown, Jeffrey Foucault, Eric Heywood, Chad Elliot and Kathryn Fox — The Weary Ramblers — and drummer John Convertino. Organizers said the in-person show is sold-out, and a livestream option will be available online at youtube.com/live/kRke8CZtgJA?feature=share At intermission, guest speakers John Crabtree, Birgitta Meade and Carl Homstad will briefly summarize coming Driftless Water Defenders events and the need for clean water advocacy.

Public invited to learn iPad, iPhone basics

The public is invited to join the Decorah Public Library staff for a hands-on workshop on iPhone and iPad Basics at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 21. This interactive session is geared toward beginners looking for guidance on how to get the most out of their Apple devices. During the workshop, participants will learn to navigate their device, connect to Wi-Fi safely and securely, identify and use common apps, and adjust helpful settings. Participants should bring their own devices to the workshop. Decorah Public Library staff will be on hand to provide personalized assistance and answer questions. Advance registration is required. For more information or to sign up, contact Decorah Public Library at 563-382-3717 or visit decorahlibrary.org.

Decorah Public Library offering basic cybersecurity education

Decorah Public Library is inviting community members to build their cybersecurity skills during a free presentation on cybersecurity basics at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 14. The program will take place in the library’s lower level meeting room and is open to all who wish to better protect themselves in the digital world. The session will help attendees identify secure and safe websites, create strong, memorable

passwords and recognize scams before it’s too late. No registration is required, and all are welcome to attend. For more information, call Decorah Public Library at 563-382-3717 or visit decorahlibrary.org.

may also be found there. Participants must be 14 years of age or younger as of Dec. 31, 2025.

Those age 6 and under may participate, but they may not compete during the state meet later this summer.

Quartet Winneshiek to perform inaugural concert

VMH to hold grief, diabetes support groups

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be hosting an inaugural concert by Quartet Winneshiek at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 25 at the church — 701 Iowa Ave. in Decorah. This new string quartet is comprised of instrumentalists with ties to the Decorah area. The players are Jonathon Winter and Nicole Cody - violins, Angela Kratchmer – viola, and Craig Hultgren - cello. The quartet hopes to create a chamber music festival in the area with multiple performances and an educational component aimed at coaching young chamber musicians.

Quartet Winneshiek will be performing Antonin Dvořák’s String Quartet in F, Opus 96, American. This work was written while the composer was summering with his family in Spillville in 1893. The performance will open with the Quartet in Bb, K. 589 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Also on the program is Entr’acte by American composer Caroline Shaw.

A grief support group will be holding its monthly meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The meeting will take place in the Meditation Healing Center, located just inside the main entrance of the hospital. This informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss, whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other type of grief. Attendees are welcome to bring a friend.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15. The meeting will be held at VMH in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital. The group is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the support group, call Angie Mettille, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 568-3411.

DHS choirs and orchestras to Decorah Public Library prepares team up for to kick off summer spring concert The public is invited to join reading program Organizers with the Decorah Public Library will be hosting a party to kick off its annual summer reading program. The celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 31 at the Carrie Lee Elementary field and playground. Attendees may enjoy bubbles with Absolute Science, lawn games, and the library’s mobile booth in addition to a free scoop of ice cream from the Sugar Bowl.

Sime to speak on seizure awareness, safety during Lions Club meeting

The Decorah Lions Club will meet at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the All Vets Club in Decorah. The day’s program will be presented by Jennifer Sime, an advocate for seizure awareness and safety. Sime is involved at the local, state and national levels in advocating for legislation and awareness regarding SUDEP — or sudden unexpected death in epilepsy — and multiple other causes and effects of seizures. The Decorah Lions Club meets at 6:15 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the All Vets Club on State Street in Decorah.

For more information and membership application, contact Lion Brad Schwartz by email at beschwartz@salamander.com or text 563-419-4020.

Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Meet scheduled

Decorah Parks and Recreation will host the annual Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 at the Decorah High School track. This is a free event for qualified participants. Preregistration is strongly encouraged, but late registration will be accepted beginning at 4 p.m. near the track entrance on the day of the event. Online registration may be completed through the Decorah Parks and Recreation website. Rules and qualifications for local and state meets

the Decorah High School choirs and orchestras for an evening of music during their spring concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 in the DHS Auditorium.

Each group will present their state festival repertoire, fresh from the weekend’s showing.

Participating seniors will also be recognized that evening, as they take the stage one final time before graduation.

Northeast Iowa Prolifers to sponsoring Besch presentation

Stacy Besch of Team Iowa will be discussing the topic of human trafficking during an event sponsored by the Northeast Iowa Prolifers from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Community Building on the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. The event will also include a free public showing of the documentary “Gridshock.”

NEI3A to host Caregiver Support Group in Decorah

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging will be hosting monthly in-person support group meetings from 10-11 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month. The meetings will be held at NEI3A’s office, located at 915 Short St., Suite 169, in Decorah. This month’s second meeting will take place May 19. This is a free group, and all caregivers of people with chronic illnesses or disabilities, including new caregivers, are welcome and encouraged to attend. No reservation is needed. For more information, contact Kelly Kuennen, family caregiver specialist at NEI3A, at 563-277-6024.

Decorah Lions team with UNI professor for dementia presentation

The Decorah Lions Club will be hosting a Dementia Awareness Pancake Supper from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8 at Decorah Lutheran Church.

Elain Eshbaugh, with the University of Northern Iowa’s gerontology and family studies program, will give a presentation at 7 p.m., discussing new approaches to dementia treatment, the importance of screenings and the need for community support and awareness.

Eshbaugh founded UNI’s Dementia Simulation House and now serves as its director.

She has coordinated the gerontology program at UNI since 2007. Free will donations will be accepted and donated to UNI’s Dementia Simulation House.

Pictured are (front row, left to right) Decorah fifth grade student Charlotte Yu, Decorah sixth grade student Camille Rueckert, (back row, left to right) DAR Hannah Lee chapter members Wendy Novak, Hailey Novak and Peggy Harvey.

(Photo courtesy of Wendy Novak)

DAR American History Essay Contest winners The city of Decorah will be offering free loading of wood chips and compost at the city’s advanced to the next level

City offering free loading of wood chips, compost

yard waste site located on Trout Run Road. The city will have an end loader at the yard waste site from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 9 and from 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10.

The giveaway is available to residents as well as non-residents. Questions may be directed to city hall by calling (563)382-3651.

Local climate organization to host postcard writing party, potluck

The northeast Iowa chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby will host a potluck at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 15 in Decorah’s Phelps Park, near upper playground shelter No. 4. Postcards will be written respectfully to the region’s federal legislative delegation in DC. Any member of the public interested in learning more about how to advocate for climate action is welcome to attend. Attendees may bring a dish to pass and are asked to bring their own table service and beverage. The event will include updates regarding the legislative efforts of CCL.

Decorah Area Quilters to meet

The Decorah Area Quilters will hold their ninth meeting of the year at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at ArtHaus in Decorah.

After a welcome and introductions, members are encouraged to share show-and-tell projects.

Participants in the Musical Chairs challenge will be showing their quilts to the group.

The program for the evening will be presented by Carole Daughton, who will share her experience with fusibles — a technique in which one piece of fabric is glued to another when heat is applied. The Decorah Area Quilters meet the second Tuesday of each month. The cost is $2 per meeting or $5 for the entire year. For more information, contact Mike Ellingsen at 507-602-0322 or Jarret Johnson at 563-419-6952.

A pair of Decorah Middle School students were awarded first place in their respective grades during the state for the Daughters of the American Revolution American History essay contest.

Camille Rueckert, daughter of Matt and Kelli Rueckert, was chosen as the state’s sixth grade winner, and Charlotte Yu, daughter of Andrew Hageman and Min Yu, was named the state’s fifth grade winner. The contest was sponsored by the Hannah Lee Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The two essays, along with the other grade-level winning essays from across the state, were sent on to the North Central Division of the contest for the next level of judging and both essays earned second place regional honors. Rueck-

ert and Yu were recognized at an awards luncheon on April 5 at the Iowa Daughters of the American Revolution State Conference and were awarded a state winner certificate and a silver medal.

Each year the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsors the essay contest for all area students in grades five through eighth. This year, students were asked to imagine themselves as participants in either the Edenton Tea Party or the Wilmington Tea Party protests against taxation during the 1770s, describing the events, telling why they would choose to participate in the protest and explaining whether they believed it was a good decision.

To learn more about the work of the DAR, visit www.DAR. org.

Northeast Iowa residents encouraged to leave food donations by mailboxes The National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will mark its 33rd anniversary on Saturday, May 10. Organizers said it is the largest one-day food drive in the nation, and community members may take part by simply leaving a bag of non-perishable food next to their mailbox for their letter carrier to collect.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank will once again be a local recipient of these donations and encourages participation across all 16 counties it serves, including Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Grundy, Howard, Mitchell, Poweshiek, Tama, and Winneshiek. Local donations will be redistributed through the food bank’s Cedar Valley Food Pantry and agency network.

“Each day, more than 40,000 people in northeast Iowa face hunger,” said Barb Prather, ex-

ecutive director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. “This food drive offers an easy, impactful way for community members to contribute directly to the meals we provide to those individuals and families.

Together, we can help ensure that no one in our communities has to wonder where their next meal will come from.”

Since launching in 1993, the annual food drive has collected more than 1.9 billion pounds of food nationwide, made possible by the Postal Service’s universal delivery network spanning every community across the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

All food donations are tax-deductible; please list the Northeast Iowa Food Bank on any tax deduction forms.

Financial donations can also be made online through donorbox.org.

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Congratulations to Brittany Todd as she concluded her fifth year of the R.E.S.E.T Business Conference.

Pictured is Brittany with Chamber Ambassadors Heather Benzing, Dallas Steffen, Maureen Duncklee and Laura Gronna.

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DNR says black bear sightings on the rise in northeast Iowa

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been meeting with officials from local conservation boards, police departments, sheriff’s offices and dispatchers from counties in northeast Iowa to discuss how best to respond when black bears come strolling through later this spring.

“Bears emerge in the spring looking for food, generally feeding on the early greens and don’t really care about humans, they’re just being a bear,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer and wetlands biologist with the Iowa DNR. In Iowa, a spike in bear activity typically occurs in late May and June, which is the breeding season and a few black bears are more likely to disburse from Minnesota and Wisconsin, where populations are much larger and growing. Minnesota has an estimated 16,000 black bears, while Wisconsin’s population is around 24,000.

“Black bears are not that far from Iowa’s border,” Evelsizer said. “We typically have two to five bear sightings each year, which we believe are usually younger males. They are relatively timid, and just looking for food and/or females. It’s new and exciting, but can lead to human-bear conflicts.”

Bears have been responsible for destroying bee hives and have been found on back decks and in back yards emptying bird feeders, according to the DNR. If a bear does show up around the house, Evelsizer said residents may try to scare it from a safe distance, noting bears don’t like loud noises — he indicated yelling, clapping wooden twoby-fours loudly or banging pots and pans together may be effective deterants.

“Give bears plenty of space to move on and also, take away food attractants,” he said. “Do

not feed bears, as that rewards the bear for coming into town and associate’s humans with food. Removing any outdoor pet food dishes, bird feeders, trash cans and grills into secure locations will help to avoid conflicts and encourages the bear to move on.”

He went on to stress a bear should be given plenty of room to move and not be backed into a corner.

“If a bear climbs a tree to escape onlookers, it can jeopardize the safety of the bear itself – you need to give it plenty of space,” Evelsizer said. “Folks can enjoy seeing a bear, but from a safe distance. It’s a neat thing, but give it space – as in 100 yards or more.”

DNR officials held meetings in Dubuque and Fayette with city and county officials from Winneshiek, Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette and Dubuque counties, connecting officials who will likely be involved in one way or another when a bear appears this spring.

“It would be nice, in an ideal world, that we would know when a bear is coming through ahead of time, to notify citizens so they can remove any attractants,” he said. “Sometimes that happens, thanks to our citizens, area DNR staff and local partners, and that helps us track the bear’s location occasionally to keep tabs on its travel.”

DNR officials said Iowa went from having an occasional visiting bear, to recording more frequent visiting bears and now sees two to four bears move in and over-winter. The department said state residents could continue to see more bears in the future.

“Sightings are still of individual bears. We haven’t documented cubs or a breeding population yet,” Evelsizer said.

Students from Drake Uni-

versity modeled habitat which would be favorable to black bears across northeast Iowa, as part of a capstone project, and the students determined that with its larger sections of timber, northeast Iowa could support up to 1,100 black bears.

Black bears are native to Iowa but had been eliminated by the late 1800s as the state was settled. Since the species was gone, black bears were not listed as a furbearer species by the Iowa legislature of the day, and they currently have no protection in the state. Evelsizer said the DNR realizes the public is keenly interested in bears, and officials hope to be proactive with education and outreach efforts as the bears move in to the state.

“It’s pretty exciting to think about that - there might be a bear in the woods,” Evelsizer said. “Some people love bears; some people are scared to death of bears and bear attacks, because of the amount of misinformation out there.”

He went on to say that, between 1900 and 2009, there was only one black bear fatality recorded in Minnesota, none in Wisconsin and two in Michigan. He said bear attacks are extremely rare, and most incidents involved unsecured food sources.

“We encourage Iowans to give black bears space if they see one. It is a large, wild animal. Also, enjoy the sighting and continue to enjoy the outdoors. Residents in Minnesota and Wisconsin have learned to live with bears,” he said.

The Iowa DNR is a member of BearWise, a national organization that provides information on living responsibly with black bears around the home, when recreating in the outdoors, and more at www.bearwise.org.

Secretary Naig announces investments in 14 Iowa Urban Water Quality Projects

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recently announced the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will invest in 14 urban water quality projects within communities across the state, and Decorah is among them. Secretary Naig made the announcement alongside city and community leaders from West Des Moines at an event at Legacy Woods, the location of one of the new water quality projects. The announcement was made as part of the annual Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week.

Decorah is expected to receive approximately $377,000 from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for water quality improvements on the Dahlen property north of the Decorah Walmart, where city officials intend to construct a new sports complex. The state funding would be put toward establishing sediment forebays, a native prairie buffer and grass swales to provide pre-treatment of water on the property. The measures are expected to store and treat 27 acres of runoff before the water potentially flows into the Upper Iowa River.

Other cities expected to benefit from the state funding in-

clude Algona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Cedar Rapids, Clear Lake, Clinton, Des Moines, Dunlap, Durant, Evansdale, Mount Ayr, Oskaloosa and West Des Moines. These urban conservation projects include water quality practices like bioretention cells, bioswales, native plantings, permeable pavers, rain gardens, tree trenches, native landscaping, sediment forebays, oxbows and wetlands among many other practices.

Using funding from the state’s Water Quality Initiative and other sources, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship aims to provide cost-share grants covering up to 50 percent of the total cost of each of the selected projects.

The department is investing nearly $2.7 million to support the 14 projects, which is anticipated to leverage an overall investment of more than $5.7 million.

“No matter where you live in Iowa — city, town or farm — everyone has a role to play in helping to protect our vital natural resources, like soil and water. Since 2015, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has invested significantly in 140 urban water quality projects across the state,

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collaborating with local partners to advance and accelerate the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals,” said Naig. “Our new partnership project at Legacy Woods in West Des Moines showcases innovative practices that improve water quality and protect our rich natural resources. These practices also enhance recreation, preserve our cultural heritage, and provide the public with educational opportunities.”

The department provides financial and technical assistance to the communities and organizations implementing these urban water quality practices. To receive state funding, the urban water quality projects must include education and outreach components and involve local partners. These community-based projects raise awareness about new stormwater management methods and encourage others to adopt similar practices to improve water quality.

health

Luther College President Brad Chamberlain (left) and Maren Johnson, director of the Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies (center), awarded travel writer Rick Steves (right) a doctor of humane letters honoris causa on Sunday, April 27. (Photo submitted)

Luther College awards honorary degree to travel writer Rick Steves

In honor of guidebook author Rick Steves’ four decades of promoting the value of travel as an educational tool, Luther College awarded Steves a doctor of humane letters honoris causa — or honorary degree — on Sunday, April 27. Steves gave a presentation inside the college’s Center for Faith and Life the same day.

“As a descendant of Norwegian immigrants, Steves is well known for his support of the celebration of Norwegian culture; his commitment to his Lutheran beliefs, the values of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Driftless Water Defenders will be presenting a Clean Water School at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at the old school in Highlandville. The event will include discussions about the about the science of the Driftless Area’s water quality and how to properly test surface waters and wells. This one-day event is free, but requires advance registration, which can be completed at DriftlessWaterDefenders.com/events. Environmental educators will engage up to 100 students, teachers and community members on topics of water quality history, inter-

related environmental issues, water testing instruction and the effectiveness of various political and social strategies which address water quality.

Meals will be provided. Speakers will include Birgitta Meade, an environmental science faculty member at Luther College, Driftless Water Defenders President Chris Jones, who was a research engineer at the University of Iowa, and Jim Larew, who is a private attorney focused on environmental law.

“We are on the cusp of a new social, political and legal movement in Iowa which is aimed

to improve Iowa’s water,” said Driftless Water Defenders President Chris Jones. “This event will provide excellent educational and practical information in a fun and engaging environment.”

Attendees are invited to choose between guided fly fishing, canoeing on the Upper Iowa River and a bird-watching guided tour along North Bear Creek, during the afternoon portion of the program. All attendees are invited to an evening bonfire and schoolhouse dance with music by the The Footnotes.

MiEnergy Cooperative’s incumbents re-elected to board

MiEnergy Cooperative celebrated its ninth annual meeting on April 23 at the Mabel Community Center in Minnesota.

About 108 members attended, and the organization’s directors for districts 4 and 5 were elected — a total of 1,483 ballots were cast, with more than 1,200 being submitted by mail while more than 200 were submitted electronically.

District 4 had two seats up for re-election. Incumbent Kyle Holthaus of Waukon prevailed over challengers Steve Demuth and Larry Leliefeld, both of Decorah. Incumbent Carl Reicks of New Hampton won over challenger Lois Buchheit

of Lawler.

District 4 includes the townships of Auburn, Bloomfield, Bluffton, Calmar, Canoe, Chickasaw, Dayton, Decorah, Deerfield, Eden, Frankville, Glenwood, Hanover, Jackson, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Ludlow, Madison, Military, New Hampton, New Oregon, Paris, Pleasant, Springfield, Stapleton, Sumner, Union Prairie, Utica and Washington in Iowa.

In District 5, incumbents Jenny Scharmer, of Winona, and Beth Olson, of Lewiston, ran unopposed.

District 5 board directors represent the following townships: Dover, Elba, Hart, Hills-

dale, Homer, Mount Vernon, Norton, Pleasant Hill, Quincy, Richmond, Rollingstone, St. Charles, Utica, Warren, Whitewater, Wilson, Winona and Wiscoy in Minnesota.

All directors serve three-year terms. Kim Nelson of Spring Valley was appointed to complete the remainder of the term for former District 1 board director Jeff Redalen, who passed away in November after serving as a board member for 22 years — starting with MiEnergy’s predecessor Tri-County Electric Cooperative. His decades of service were recognized during the meeting.

beauty D I R EC TO R Y Call (563) 382-9691 to learn more

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to broaden their perspectives through travel. In his newest book, “On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer,” Steves discusses how his journey through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal in 1978 changed his life.

Following the public presentation, Steves conducted a seminar with Luther students, answering their questions about the importance of travel for their lives and sharing insights of how his travel changed the course of his career.

Driftless Water Defenders announce Clean Water School

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in America, and sustainability; and his humanitarian advocacy,” said Luther College President Brad Chamberlain.

Steves’ talk, entitled “Travel with a Norwegian Sensibility,” was given to a sold-out audience at Luther as part of a yearlong commemoration of the first organized migration from Norway to North America 200 years ago. Luther College is the first U.S. college founded by Norwegian immigrants.

Steves is a popular public television host, a best-selling guidebook author and an activist who encourages Americans

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Officials gathered near the Steyer Bridge in Decorah Thursday in recognition of a new informational sign installed there. (From left to right) Decorah Historic Preservation Commission members Kathy Buzza, Adrienne Coffeen, Judy van der Linden and Mark Z. Muggl joined Michael Steyer’s great-great-grandson Mark Stanmeyer and Decorah Parks and Recreation Director Marc Holtey during the event. (Photo submitted)

New historical sign installed near Steyer Bridge Members of the Decorah Historic Preservation Commission kicked off National Historic Preservation Month by celebrating the newly erected informational sign near Steyer Bridge in Decorah. The ceremony was held Thursday, May 1, adjacent to the bridge near Twin Springs, and Mark Stanmeyer — the great-great-grandson of the bridge’s namesake builder Michael Steyer — attended the event. This year marks 150 years since Steyer was commissioned to build the stone arch bridge, which is one of the few

of its kind still standing in Iowa.

The site’s new informational sign denotes the structure as a historic Iowa bridge on the Na-

tional Register of Historic Places, and it includes biographical information and photos provided by Stanmeyer.

Decorah Community School District receives Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award The Decorah Community School District’s Nutrition Department recently received an additional Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award for making improvements to the nutritional quality of the district’s school breakfasts.

“We congratulate Decorah Nutrition Department on this important achievement,” said Rob Bisceglie, executive officer and president for Action for Healthy Kids. “The Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards are an opportunity to showcase innovative school nutrition practices that provide children with access to nutritious school meals.”

Awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service in collaboration with Action for Healthy Kids, Decorah received the Breakfast Trailblazer Award for the school’s work in moving breakfast menus toward protein-rich foods. Officials said Nutrition Director and Culinary Specialist Chad Elliott tries to avoid serving

Spectrum Network clients Francesca and Donald pose for a photo in their milk carton igloo.

(Photo by Zach Jensen)

Community helps Spectrum clients complete ‘cool’ igloo project

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Michael Steyer’s great-great-grandson Mark Stanmeyer stands in front of the Steyer Bridge, which Steyer built 150 years ago near Twin Springs in Decorah. (Photo submitted)

9

Decorah’s Spectrum Network recently announced that, thanks to several community partners, its clients constructed an igloo out of milk jugs inside the organization’s Washington Street facility.

The project, which consisted of building an igloo out of more than 1,000 empty plastic milk jugs began in February and was completed on April 26, said Lead Day-Hab Specialist Christina Symmonds.

“I thought this would be a great idea,” Symmonds said.

“It incorporates more than just working with our hands. It also (involves) math. How much did it cost? How many milk jugs did we need? How much milk did people have to purchase?”

Symmonds said Aase Haugen Senior Services began donating milk jugs to the project in February — all of which needed to be thoroughly cleaned to negate possible mold growth.

“The project started as an igloo, but it took a little longer than expected,” she said. “So, now we’re calling it a gnome home, and we’re going to paint it and hang Christmas lights in it. If you’ve ever seen pictures of gnome houses, that’s what we’re going to do, and we’ll let the clients help with that.”

Rockweiler’s Appliance and TV provided cardboard used for the structure’s floor, and Tacticam, LLC of Decorah provided staff volunteers and a glue gun to adhere all the milk jugs together.

“My favorite part of the project was that the clients were

interested in it, and they saw that we can do more with milk jugs than just drink milk out of them,” she said. “It was a collaborative effort with the community, and it showed the clients that it doesn’t only need to be Spectrum staff — it can be other people that help you to succeed, to follow through with the project and get it done. It’s been great.”

Spectrum Day-Hab Administrator Brittany Collins said was pleased each of Spectrum’s 30 clients had a hand in the igloo’s completion.

“Every client has a different level that they’re able to participate at,” Collins said. “However, because it was such a big project, we’ve been able to allow every client to participate and help build it, according to their ability, and I love that.”

Cheering for the completion of their new igloo are Spectrum Network clients Amanda, Justin, Kris, Natalie and Jane. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

Paulette Darling serving up some waffles at Carrie Lee Elementary. (Photo submitted) grain-based desserts for breakfast in middle and high school — choosing instead to serve eggs, meats and Country View Dairy yogurt and cheese in

ATTENTION: Winneshiek County veterans & surviving spouses

Are you aware of your benefits?

Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs is a department of Winneshiek County, Iowa. Our office assists honorably discharged veterans and eligible dependents in applying for County, State and Federal Veterans Benefits. We help fill out a large array of VA forms and referrals free of charge to veterans and their dependents.

We do not work for the Veterans Administration or the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and have no direct influence on the granting of VA Benefits.

However, we work with the Federal VA and Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs to inform veterans of various benefits which they are eligible. We are here to advocate for our veterans and their families.

If you haven’t inquired about your benefits, contact your local County Veterans Affairs office. For Winneshiek County Veterans and dependents contact our office.

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various dishes. For example, the school’s breakfast burrito contains scrambled eggs, sausage and cheese rolled up in a tortilla, which is served with salsa and has become a popular option.

Elliott is also gradually adding more protein items to elementary breakfast menus. For instance, a sausage patty is included on waffle day, and a local yogurt with a lower sugar content is offered on pancake day to encourage young students to consume healthier protein-rich foods.

“The phrase ‘Learning begins with nutrition’ has become our nutrition department’s battle cry,” Elliott said. “We want to serve our students a healthy and sustaining breakfast so they are ready to take on the day.”

Herold houses plentiful poinsettia Ann Herold, who lives west of Fort Atkinson, has been keeping an eye on the weather forecast as she prepares to once again plant her ever-growing poinsettia outside for the summer.

Herold waits until the potential for frost has passed each year — usually around May 15, she said — before moving the plant outdoors. She said the poinsettia’s bright red leaves gradually turn green during the warm months, and she typically brings the plant inside again in September, where it remains until warm weather returns. She said the plant needs plenty of water as it tries to drop its leaves during the months indoors, and the now towering shrub sometimes stands where her home’s Christmas tree might otherwise be placed. Herold estimated she has been cultivating her current poinsettia for seven to eight years — she previously took similar care of another poinsettia for some time, but she said that particular plant didn’t make it through the seasonal transition one year. (Photo submitted)

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Celebrated annually May 6-12, National Nurses Week is designated to recognize the contributions nurses make to communities.

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The community is encouraged to take a moment and express gratitude for area nursing professionals. Members of the public, whether they are a nurse, know a nurse or simply want to support those in the nursing field, may celebrate the critical role nurses fulfill.

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procedures, communicating test results to patients and prioritizing urgent incoming phone calls from patients to ensure they are handled efficiently and appropriately. Busta monitors patients and adjusts the dosage of specific medications as needed, under the supervision of a family practice physician, while also educating patients on certain treatments.

Some of the local nurses also noted, despite all the care they provide each day, there are times they also deliver bad news to their patients.

Knutson said those situations are always difficult and emotional, “especially in a small community where the relationships with patients often feel more personal.”

McGee agreed with Knutson, saying the situations in which there’s nothing she can do to help a patient are her least favorite part of the job.

“For example, we occasionally admit patients on hospice or actively dying,” McGee said. “I do my best to make them comfortable, but sometimes there’s nothing that helps.”

But McGee went on to say the positives of her nursing career outnumber the negatives.

“Some days are hectic,” McGee said. “They can be physically, mentally and emotionally draining, but the good days outweigh the bad. I have great coworkers, friends and family who are kind and supportive, which makes everything easier.”

Busta and Knutson each echoed McGee’s thoughts, both emphasizing that they too love their careers.

“In my current role, I have the flexibility to manage my time effectively while providing patient care,” Busta said, adding the flexibility allows her to address a range of nursing needs beyond management of patient medications like Warfarin. “I also have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with patients that extend

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There are currently more than 6.5 million people working in nursing fields across the United States, and the field is projected to grow by more than 5 percent over the next eight years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A number of nursing staff provide care to area patients at facilities in Decorah — both WinnMed and the Gundersen Clinic’s Decorah location.

“I truly enjoy caring for patients and making a difference in people’s lives,” said Tara Knutson, a nurse at the Gundersen Decorah Clinic. “I work with a great team of surgeons and nurses that make it a great place to work.”

Knutson said she wanted to be a nurse ever since she was in elementary school. Sue Busta of Calmar, a nurse with WinnMed, said she gained an appreciation for the career field after receiving treatment herself.

“During my junior year of high school, I was diagnosed with hypertension and had to visit a specialist from the Mayo Clinic,” Busta said. “From that day forward, I was in awe of the medical field and wanted to be part of it.”

But becoming a nurse and gaining experience isn’t necessarily easy. Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics said individuals looking to become registered nurses generally need to complete an accredited nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination, and the process typically involves obtaining either an associate’s degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

Even then, there are a number of more specific areas of nursing to choose from.

“I always said that I wanted to be a nurse when I grew up,” said Busta. “By the time I was done with high school, I knew I wanted to help people but was unsure if I wanted to be a nurse, physician as-

sistant or a teacher. I guess nursing was what I was always meant to do.”

WinnMed’s Hannah McGee of Decorah said she earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Northeast Iowa Community College and, throughout her education, she worked as a certified nursing assistant at the Bathell Eastern Star Home of Decorah and Ossian Senior Hospice. Once she became a licensed practical nurse, she continued working for Ossian Senior Hospice before she began her career in medical-surgical nursing, a broad specialty which provides care to patients with a wide range of medical conditions as well as those recovering from surgery.

Meanwhile, Busta earned a threeyear degree in nursing in 1983 from Allen Memorial Lutheran School of Nursing in Waterloo, now Allen College. She changed jobs several times before becoming an anticoagulation nurse — a type of nurse who focuses on managing patients receiving therapy which helps prevent blood clots.

“I say my nursing career started as a CNA at a nursing home my freshman and sophomore summers of college,” Busta said. “After graduating college in 1983, I began my professional nursing career at an intensive care unit at Franciscan Skemp in Lacrosse for seven months before relocating to Calmar.”

After her move to Calmar, Busta began her clinical nursing career in Postville. Two years later, she began working as a float nurse and family practice physician for WinnMed, and she worked alongside a number of Mayo Clinic specialists during the 25 years which followed.

Knutson currently works as a nurse in Gundersen’s general surgery department, where she’s responsible for scheduling surgeries and providing pre-operative and post-operative education to patients. Her duties also include assisting surgeons with in-office

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Area veterans receive Quilts Of Valor

Photo submitted

The Decorah Quilts Of Valor No. 541 recently presented area veterans with Quilts Of Valor at the Aase Haugen home.

Recipients were Archie Thomas, Howard Wurster, Victor Lipford, David Genkinger and Richard Eckhardt. To nominate a veteran or service member, call Mary Engan at 563-419-1711. (Photo submitted)

Decorah butterfly garden seeking volunteers The Decorah Community Butterfly Garden is seeking volunteers.

The Decorah Community Prairie was established in 2002, and the butterfly garden was planted soon after, as a sample of the grasses and flowers which can be found in the prairie. It was designed to provide larval food plants for caterpillars and nectar sources for adult butterflies. Many organizations, local businesses and individuals contributed both time and funds to make this city project possible. Decorah Parks and Recreation depends on volunteers to help in the maintenance of the butterfly garden.

Volunteers are invited to join organizers on Tuesday mornings beginning this spring.

Work may be completed on each volunteer’s schedule, but organized work sessions will

take place Tuesday mornings through the fall — from 9-11 a.m. May through June, 8-10 a.m. July through August, and 9-11 a.m. September through October.

Those who are interested in volunteering will be introduced to a specific plant plots which they may adopt. Organizers will help in identification. Volunteers are expected to care for their individual plot throughout the growing season and keep it weeded, watered if needed and mulched. Other tasks include transplanting, removing aggressive plants and collecting seeds in the fall. A few tools are provided, and volunteers may bring their own tools if they prefer.

For more information, contact the Decorah Parks and Recreation office at 563-328-4158 or email parkrec@decorah. iowa.gov.

South Winneshiek student Paxton Mashek planted his tree with Scott Sindelar. (Photo submitted)

Area first grade students participate in annual tree planting program Each year, the Fort Atkinson Nursery and Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach Office partner to bring trees to first graders in Winneshiek County. Scott Sindelar, with the Fort Atkinson Nursery, has been sponsoring the trees since 1978.

First grade students from

John Cline Elementary, St. Benedict Catholic School, South Winneshiek Elementary, St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School and Turkey Valley schools planted their own Black Hill Spruce tree to take home. They were shown how to care for their trees and learned that, while it may grow slowly,

Students in Karen Kuhn’s first-grade class at Decorah’s John Cline Elementary got their hands dirty while planting with Bruce Arendt. (Photo submitted)

each tree may grow to about the height of a school bus by the time the students are seniors in high school — Sindelar keeps a collection of pictures in his office with graduating seniors in their cap and gown posing next to their tree.

2025 seniors are encouraged to do the same and email him a

photo at ftnursery@acegroup. cc. Those assisting with the program included ISU Extension and Outreach staff Delaney Holthe and Bruce Arendt as well as Master Gardener volunteers Meg Storkamp, Miriam Patton, Linda Nelson, Vicky Hinsenbrock and Joan Greco.

Law Enforcement Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office Jamie Sue Bockman, age 44, of Decorah was charged with first-degree theft and two counts of possession of a controlled substance — second offense — at approximately 6:56 a.m. Friday, May 2 in the 1700 block of Old Stage Road. A criminal complaint said law enforcement executed a search warrant at that location and discovered new and unused merchandise from the Dollar General in Cresco, which court

documents said had been closed since January following a fire. A second search warrant was executed on a storage unit rented by 50-year-old Thomas Martin Thompson of Decorah, and stolen property was located there as well — the complaint said the two searches yielded a total of more than $15,000 in merchandise. Authorities also found marijuana, methamphetamine and paraphernalia during the search of the storage unit. Bockman was booked into the Winnesh-

iek County Jail at 6:15 p.m. the same day. Thompson was booked into the jail on an arrest warrant at 11:30 p.m. Monday, May 5.

Criminal complaints filed that day show he too was charged with first-degree theft and two counts of possession of a controlled substance — second offense.

Decorah Police Department At least three people were arrested after a Decorah Police officer stopped a group of four

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individuals around 1:22 a.m.

Sunday, May 4 near the Iowa National Guard facility on Claiborne Drive in Decorah. Criminal complaints said an officer saw 20-year-old Lanie Marie Luensman of Monticello being physically supported by 19-yearold Hannan A. Muslimovic of Schaumburg, Illinois, while the group walked down the sidewalk.

The officer activated the lights on his patrol vehicle after Luensman fell to the sidewalk and remained there. The complaint said two male subjects continued walking while Muslimovic stayed with Luensman. Muslimovic told the officer he was helping Luensman home, and Luensman indicated to the officer they were both under the influence of alcohol.

Muslimovic fled on foot as he was being detained, according to a criminal complaint, and the other two males fled as well. A second officer was able to apprehend 20-year-old Dawson John Bell of Jesup, and court records said Muslimovic was arrested at his Luther College dormitory after law enforcement matched his photo with an image on the college wrestling program’s website.

Luensman and Bell were both charged with public intoxication — first offense — and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 1:45 a.m. and 1:50 a.m. respectively. Muslimovic was charged with interference with official acts and booked into the county jail at 4:20 a.m. the same day.

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

Pictured are (from left to right) Lanei Miller, Rosie Baldus, Naomi Kravitz and Joey Maidan, who are part of the cast of “The Sweet Science of Bruising,” which will be presented by Luther College’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts this weekend in the Center for the Arts’ Jewel Theatre.(Photo

by Alyssa Keller/courtesy of Luther College)

Luther College Theatre to present ‘The Sweet Science of Bruising’ Luther College’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts will present Joy Wilkinson’s play, “The Sweet Science of Bruising,” from May 8–10 in the Center for the Arts’ Jewel Theatre. Performances start at 7:30 p.m.

“The Sweet Science of Bruising” is based on historian Vanessa Toulmin’s research for her 1999 book “A Fair Fight: An Illustrated Review of Boxing on British Fairgrounds.” Toulmin’s research provided the inspiration for Anna Freeman’s 2016 novel, “The Fair Fight” as well as Wilkinson’s play.

“I wish we knew more about women’s boxing in the 19th century, but what we do know is fascinating,” said Kristen Underwood, director of Luther’s play. “I love the way the playwright has chosen four different women’s stories to explore instead of just one, so we can imagine multiple reasons women might risk so much to participate.”

The cast includes Rosie Bal-

dus, Rocket Bennett, Phoebe Billingslea, Louis Breimhurst, Eliza Croll, Lily Gibney, Eva Kraske, Naomi Kravitz, Joey Maiden, Lanei Miller, Ethan Nelson, Annie Ondrashek, Luke Smith and Marshall Waterman.

The play features Victorian era costumes designed by Janis Martin, adjunct faculty in theatre; scenery by Tom Berger, theatre and dance technical director; assistant direction

by Luther senior Owen Gruenwald; and extensive stage combat choreography by Luther alum Mike Speck, class of 2001.

Due to depictions of violence and other material some may find disturbing, the play is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Tickets may be purchased at tickets.luther.edu, in person at the Luther College Ticket Office in the Center for Faith and Life or in the Center for the Arts on the night of the show.

Seating is limited, and advance tickets are advised. For more information, call 563-387-1357.

COMMUNITY

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

13

(Photos submitted)

Local Christians in Action group serves in Waterloo

The Christians in Action group — which is the Luther League from the Calmar, Springfield and Ossian Lutheran Churches — served the Waterloo community on Saturday, April 12 through the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the Catholic Worker Houses.

The group helped package 5.5 pallets of dough balls, totaling 3,960. These efforts brought hope to those struggling with food insecurity. More than 300 clients visit the Northeast Iowa Food Bank each day, and 3.3 million pounds of food were distributed in 2024 alone. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank serves 16 counties including, Winneshiek and Fayette counties. Organizers said there are more than 40,000 individuals in northeast Iowa suffering from food insecurity. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is currently holding a capacity campaign to expand their facility and meet the needs of people experiencing food insecurity in Iowa.

For more information about the campaign or to donate to the project, visit neifb.org/capacity.

After volunteering at the

Pictured are (from left to right) Amy Gaffney, vice president of student services at Northeast Iowa Community College, NICC Interim President Dave Dahms, Luther College President Brad Chamberlain and Bob Palmer, director of campus safety at Luther College. Officials with both institutions recently discussed a new residential campus partnership which will allow NICC students to live at Luther beginning in the fall. (Photo submitted)

Luther College and NICC sign residential campus partnership Northeast Iowa Food Bank, the Christians in Action group travelled to the Waterloo Catholic Worker Houses. The Worker Houses consist of three houses and a community park. They provide food and shelter for the homeless population in Waterloo.

The Christians in Action group broke into groups following a lunch that day. Some performed raking and other yard work at the community park.

Others washed windows. Another group painted stairs and a

deck. Still others prepared soil for a flower garden, and a fifth group completed yard work behind the houses on site.

Christians in Action brought several donations with them for the Catholic Worker Houses — over the past several weeks, the Christians in Action team had been making tie blankets to donate. For more information on Catholic Worker Houses or to donate to the organization, contact Rose Quirk at rosequirk@ mchsi.com.

Luther College Concert Band among seven small college ensembles recognized Local performance set for May 23 Luther College’s concert band was one of seven small college ensembles selected for the small band program showcase in March at the national conference of the College Band Directors National Association in Fort Worth, Texas.

Directed by associate professor of music Cory Near, Concert Band’s recording of “Bright Shadow Fanfare,” which was composed by Nicole Piunno, was selected out of hundreds of applicants through a blind, peer-reviewed process.

“When choosing repertoire, I try to find pieces that will resonate with the students,” Near said. “I felt this piece was a perfect opportunity to remind students to allow grace, both to others and ourselves.”

While the band will not per-

form at the national conference, Near will give a presentation and the attendees will hear the band’s recording of “Bright Shadow Fanfare” captured during a live performance on Nov. 24, 2024, in Luther College’s Center for Faith and Life.

“Luther students do outstanding work, and I can’t wait to share their talents with conference attendees,” Near said.

CBDNA National Conference organizers recently added a small band program showcase as “a great way to recognize the great music being created in our profession that might otherwise go unnoticed,” according to the event organizers. Other small college band ensembles selected for this year’s showcase included Dordt University, located in Sioux Center; Carthage

College in Kenosha, Wisconsin; and Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio.

While Near has attended the conference several times as a graduate student, this will be his first time attending the event as a collegiate band director.

“The opportunity to represent Luther College is a truly special moment for me,” Near said.

Luther’s concert band will perform “Bright Shadow Fanfare” during its upcoming international tour to Japan, which is scheduled to take place May 28 through June 9.

Local audiences will have the opportunity to hear “Bright Shadow Fanfare” during a concert scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 23 in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall.

WinnMed expands specialty services with new dermatologist

WinnMed recently announced the addition of Dr. Jason Zack to the medical practice. Zack is a board-certified Mayo Clinic Health System dermatologist who will provide full-time care in Decorah beginning June 2025.

“The skin is the largest organ in the body, and skin conditions and diseases can impact anyone,” Zack said. “I plan to expand upon the skin services currently offered at WinnMed so patients of all ages can receive much of their care and services locally.”

Common dermatology conditions include acne, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, pigmentation disorders, rashes, warts, psoriasis and skin cancer.

Zack received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his doctor of medicine degree from Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. He completed his transition year in-

Dr. Jason Zack ternship at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, and his residency in dermatology through the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium in San Antonio, Texas. He has since provided dermatology specialty care at the Grafenwoehr Army Health Clinic in Grafenwoehr, Germany, and at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital at Fort

Leonard Wood, Missouri. Zack is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.

“Our move to northeast Iowa will allow us to settle into a community and be close to my sister and brother-in-law and their family – both are physicians in the WinnMed Emergency department,” Zack said.

“Through our visits, my family and I have come to appreciate all the area has to offer, from the amazing outdoor opportunities to the great schools. We look forward to joining the Decorah community and getting to know the people of the area.”

Working alongside Zack will be Dayna Soukup, who received her undergraduate degree from Wartburg College and a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Des Moines University. She has provided focused skin care services at WinnMed since 2022.

Luther College President Brad Chamberlain and Northeast Iowa Community College Interim President David Dahms recently announced a residential campus partnership which will allow a cohort of NICC students to live on the Luther College campus.

Starting in the fall 2025 semester, between 20 and 50 NICC students will have the opportunity to live on the third floor of Larsen Hall while they are enrolled at the NICC Calmar campus. As campus residents, the NICC students may purchase meal plans, including cafeteria dining and on-the-go choices. They will also have

access to fitness facilities within Luther’s Regents Center and resources at Preus Library.

“We know the power of the residential campus experience, and we want to share the positive benefits of community with NICC students,” Chamberlain said. “We look forward to them becoming a positive addition to our campus community.”

In the near future, Luther will hold NICC orientation days for students interested in visiting the Luther campus. NICC will provide a forum for students to connect and identify roommates.

“We’re excited to launch this innovative partnership with

Luther College, which will provide housing opportunities that enhance the overall college experience for NICC students,” Dahms said. “This collaboration supports and enhances our students’ academic and personal growth while building a stronger bridge between two outstanding institutions. Our partnerships with four-year colleges like Luther College are a key part of our commitment to student success and opportunity.”

NICC students will be required to follow both the NICC student code of conduct and Luther’s tenant expectations.

Academic Achievements

Lawrence University students Ben Frueh on violin, Isaac Epley on piano, and Isabelle Olsen on clarinet perform during a March 22 concert at Manhattan School of Music in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Pedlar)

Pedlar tours New York City as part of conservatory tour Lawrence University celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Conservatory of Music with a trip to New York City during the university’s spring break.

Sarah Pedlar of Decorah was one of 11 students who accompanied several faculty and staff, on the trip, seeing performances at iconic arts venues, taking part in individual lessons and masterclasses, and presenting a concert for Lawrence alumni and friends at Manhattan School of Music. The concert was followed by a reception, which was hosted by Manhattan School of Music President James Gandre, a Lawrence alumnus and member of the Lawrence Board of Trustees.

Pedlar, a senior flute student, called the gathering with alumni hugely helpful. The event included a conversation with an alum about her upcoming recital, a connection made through their shared appreciation for electroacoustic music.

“The classical music community isn’t all that large as a whole, and the contemporary music community within is even more tightly connected,” Pedlar said. “Every opportu-

nity I get to share my love for contemporary classical music and expand our community is amazing.”

Students were able to choose from several artistic opportunities during their visit to New York, including a recital presented by mezzo soprano and Lawrence alum Hannah Jones, a performance by Billy Cobham’s Time Machine at the Blue Note Jazz Club, a viewing of the Broadway show Hadestown, Giacomo Puccini’s La boheme at The MET, the Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra at Merkin Hall and the Nnenna Freelon Trio at Dizzy’s.

Students also received lessons on klezmer music at OPERA America, lessons on jazz and flute as well as a Women in Music panel at Manhattan School of Music, violin lessons and a piano masterclass at The Juilliard School and cello lessons at Kaufman Music Center.

“We were told to choose any music we wanted and were encouraged to work with one another and form small chamber groups, which led to a large diversity in programming,” said

Epley Keating, a senior piano student at Lawrence. “For example, I played a movement from a clarinet trio on the piano and then sang in a Palestrina motet. This freedom created a very eclectic program of music, which, I think, brought out our individual personalities and served as an outlet for our unique musical interests.”

The response from alumni was uplifting, according to David Smith, a junior double majoring in math and physics while immersing himself in the conservatory.

“It’s amazing to see how strong the Lawrence network is and how alumni are eager to support and connect with current students, which really speaks to the lasting impact of our school,” he said.

Lawrence University is a liberal arts college located along the banks of the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. Founded in 1847, Lawrence has an enrollment of about 1,500 students drawn from nearly every state and more than 40 countries.

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

The City of DECORAH will conduct a public hearing for the purpose of amending the current budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 Meeting Date/Time: 5/19/2025 05:45 PM Contact: Keri Sand Phone: (563) 382-3651 Meeting Location: Decorah City Council Chambers There will be no increase in taxes. Any residents or taxpayers will be heard for or against the proposed amendment at the time and place specified above. A detailed statement of: additional receipts, cash balances on hand at the close of the preceding fiscal year, and proposed disbursements, both past and anticipated, will be available at the hearing. Budget amendments are subject to protest. If protest petition requirements are met, the State Appeal Board will hold a local hearing. For more information, consult https://dom.iowa.gov/local-gov-appeals.

Total Budget Current Total Budget After REVENUES & OTHER FINANCING SOURCES as Certified Amendment Current Amendment or Last Amended Taxes Levied on Property

1

6,631,570

0

6,631,570

TIF Revenues Other City Taxes Licenses & Permits Use of Money & Property

5 6 7 8

213,698 2,414,865 173,825 159,218

0 0 0 0

213,698 2,414,865 173,825 159,218

Less: Uncollected Delinquent Taxes - Levy Year Net Current Property Tax Delinquent Property Tax Revenue

2 3 4

Intergovernmental Charges for Service Special Assessments Miscellaneous

9 10 11 12

0 6,631,570 0

0 0 0

0 6,631,570 0

13 14 15

3,498,090 3,222,452 25,000 1,852,850

11,400,000 955,000 30,546,568

0 0 0 80,000

0 0 80,000

11,400,000 955,000 30,626,568

Public Safety Public Works Health and Social Services

16 17 18

2,589,209 4,791,747 0

180,000 109,500 0

2,769,209 4,901,247 0

Capital Projects Total Government Activities Expenditures Business Type/Enterprise

23 24 25

0 21,445,000 10,199,640

0 792,039 25,000

0 22,237,039 10,224,640

29

-2,053,072

-737,039

-2,790,111

Other Financing Sources Transfers In Total Revenues & Other Sources EXPENDITURES & OTHER FINANCING USES

Culture and Recreation Community and Economic Development General Government Debt Service

Total Gov Activities & Business Expenditures Transfers Out Total Expenditures/Transfers Out Excess Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) Expenditures/Transfers Out

19 20 21 22

26 27 28

5,034,886 6,713,321 1,023,539 1,292,298

31,644,640 955,000 32,599,640

310,939 100,000 91,000 600

817,039 0 817,039

3,498,090 3,222,452 25,000 1,932,850

5,345,825 6,813,321 1,114,539 1,292,898

32,461,679 955,000 33,416,679

Beginning Fund Balance July 1, 2024 30 10,954,950 0 10,954,950 Ending Fund Balance June 30, 2025 31 8,901,878 -737,039 8,164,839 Explanation of Changes: Public Safety had two officers that left, had to pay out benefits and then other officers had to cover the shifts of those officers.

Public Safety also had to send another officer to training. General Government had to account for the generator project that FEMA sponsored. The Community and Economic increase is giving SSMID the ability to expend funds that are currently available to the group. TIF will also be expending for a project not currently budgeted. Culture and Recreation represents the work that the library will be doing to the interior of the library building. Public Works had additional expense due to the compost grant and the asphalt street project bids came in higher than anticipated.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 2025 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY EQUITY NO: EQCV027116 ORIGINAL NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION US Bank Trust National Association, Not In Its Individual Capacity But Solely As Owner Trustee For VRMTG Asset Trust Plaintiff, vs.

Rhonda A. Lettington; Kevin E. Port; Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank; Parties in Possession; Casper Plumbing & Heating 05/02/2025 03:04 PM Inc.; HSBC Bank Nevada, NA; LVNV Funding; Midland Credit Management, et al.

Defendants.

You are notified that a petition has been filed in the office of this court naming you as a defendant in this action. The petition was filed on February 11, 2025, and prays for foreclosure of Plaintiffs Mortgage in favor of the Plaintiff on the property described in this notice and judgment for the unpaid principal amount of $89,217.96, with 4.625% per annum interest thereon from August 1, 2024, together with late charges, advances and the costs of the action including (but not limited to) title costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, as well as a request that said sums be declared a lien upon the following described premises from May 28, 2014, located in Winneshiek county, Iowa: Lot 1 of the West 25 acres of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter and Lot 2 of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter in Section 22, Township 98 North, Range 7 West of the 5th P.M., Winneshiek County, Iowa.

More Correctly Known As: Lot 1 of the West 25 acres of the Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter and Lot 2 of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter in Section 22, Township 98 North, Range 7 West of the 5th P.M., commonly known as 1340 250th St, Decorah, IA 52101 (the “Property”) The petition further prays that the Mortgage on the above described real estate be foreclosed, that a special execution issue for the sale of as much of the mortgaged premises as is necessary to satisfy the judgment and for other relief as the Court deems just and equitable. For further details, please review the petition on file in the clerk’s office. The Plaintiffs attorney is Richard Reinblatt, of SouthLaw, P.C.; whose address is 10855 W Dodge Road, Suite 250, Omaha, NE 68154.

NOTICE The plaintiff has elected foreclosure without redemption. This means that the sale of the mortgaged property will occur promptly after entry of judgment unless you file a written demand with the court to delay the sale.

If you file a written demand, the sale will be delayed until six months (or three months if the petition includes a waiver of deficiency judgment) from the entry of judgment if the mortgaged property is your residence and is a one-family or two-family dwelling or until two months from entry of judgment if the mortgaged property is not your residence or is your residence but not a one-family or two-family dwelling. You will have no right of redemption after the sale. The purchaser at the sale will be entitled to immediate possession of the mortgaged property. You may purchase at the sale.

You must serve a motion or answer on or before June 4, 2025, and within a reasonable time thereafter, you must file your motion or answer with the Clerk of Court for Winneshiek County, at the county courthouse in Decorah, Iowa. If you fail to respond, judgment by default may be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

If you require the assistance of auxiliary aids or services to participate in a court action because of a disability, immediately call your District ADA Coordinator at 319-833-3332.

If you are hearing impaired, call Relay Iowa TTY at 1-800-735-2942.

This case has been filed in a county that utilizes electronic filing. You may find more information and general rules governing electronic filing in Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16.

You may find information concerning protection of personal information in court filings in Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16, Division VI. BY: CLERK OF THE ABOVE COURT Winneshiek County Courthouse 201 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101 IMPORTANT: YOU ARE ADVISED TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE AT ONCE TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS. Decorah (Iowa) Leader April 24 & May 1 & 8, 2025 ORDINANCE NO. 1342 An Ordinance Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the April, 2025 Addition to the 2022 Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of lowa WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Decorah, Iowa (the “City”) previously enacted a certain ordinance providing for the division of taxes levied on taxable property in the 2022 Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa; and WHEREAS, pursuant to that ordinance, certain taxable property within the 2022 Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area in the City was designated a “tax increment district”; and WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to increase the size of the “tax increment district” by adding additional property; BE IT ENACTED by the Council of the City of Decorah, Iowa: Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to provide for the division of taxes levied on the taxable property in the April, 2025 Addition to the 2022 Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area of the City of Decorah, Iowa, each year by and for the benefit of the state, city, county, school districts or other taxing districts after the effective date of this ordinance in order to create a special fund to pay the principal of and interest on loans, moneys advanced to or indebtedness, including bonds proposed to be issued by the City to finance projects in such area.

Section 2. Definitions. For use within the remainder of this ordinance the following terms

shall have the following meanings: “City” shall mean the City of Decorah, Iowa.

“County” shall mean Winneshiek County, Iowa.

“Tax Increment District” shall mean the April, 2025 Addition to the 2022 Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area of the City of Decorah, Iowa, the legal description of which is set out below, approved by the City Council by resolution adopted on April 7, 2025: Decorah Business Park Third Subdivision, Lot 1, City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa “Urban Renewal Area” shall mean the entirety of the 2022 Decorah Business Park Urban Renewal Area as amended from time to time.

Section 3. Provisions for Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the Tax Increment District. After the effective date of this ordinance, the taxes levied on the taxable property in the Tax Increment District each year by and for the benefit of the State of Iowa, the City, the County and any school district or other taxing district in which the Tax Increment District is located, shall be divided as follows: a) that portion of the taxes which would be produced by the rate at which the tax is levied each year by or for each of the taxing districts upon the total sum of the assessed value of the taxable property in the Tax Increment District, as shown on the assessment roll as of January 1 of the calendar year preceding the first calendar year in which the City certifies to the County Auditor the amount of loans, advances, indebtedness, or bonds payable from the special fund referred to in paragraph (b) below, shall be allocated to and when collected be paid into the fund for the respective taxing district as taxes by or for said taxing district into which all other property taxes are paid. For the purpose of allocating taxes levied by or for any taxing district which did not include the territory in the Tax Increment District on the effective date of this ordinance, but to which the territory has been annexed or otherwise included after the effective date, the assessment roll applicable to property in the annexed territory as of January 1 of the calendar year preceding the effective date of the ordinance which amends the plan for the Tax Increment District to include the annexed area, shall be used in determining the assessed valuation of the taxable property in the annexed area. (b) that portion of the taxes each year in excess of such amounts shall be allocated to and when collected be paid into a special fund of the City to pay the principal of and interest on loans, moneys advanced to or indebtedness, whether funded, refunded, assumed or otherwise, including bonds issued under the authority of Section 403.9(1), of the Code of Iowa, incurred by the City to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, projects in the Urban Renewal Area , and to provide assistance for low and moderate-income family housing as provided in Section 403.22, except that taxes for the regular and voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy of a school district imposed pursuant to Section 298.2 of the Code of Iowa, taxes for the instructional support program levy of a school district imposed pursuant to Section 257 .19 of the Code of Iowa and taxes for the payment of bonds and interest of each taxing district shall be collected against all taxable property within the taxing district without limitation by the provisions of this ordinance.

Unless and until the total assessed valuation of the taxable property in the Tax Increment District exceeds the total assessed value of the taxable property in such area as shown by the assessment roll referred to in subsection (a) of this section, all of the taxes levied and collected upon the taxable property in the Tax Increment District shall be paid into the funds for the respective taxing districts as taxes by or for said taxing districts in the same manner as all other property taxes. When such loans, advances, indebtedness, and bonds, if any, and interest thereon, have been paid, all money thereafter received from taxes upon the taxable property in the Tax Increment District shall be paid into the funds for the respective taxing districts in the same manner as taxes on all other property. ( c) the portion of taxes mentioned in subsection (b) of this section and the special fund into which that portion shall be paid may be irrevocably pledged by the City for the payment of the principal and interest on loans, advances, bonds issued under the authority of Section 403.9(1) of the Code of Iowa, or indebtedness incurred by the City to finance or refinance in whole or in part projects in the Urban Renewal Area. ( d) as used in this section, the word “taxes” includes, but is not limited to, all levies on an ad valorem basis upon land or real property.

Section 4. Repealer. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.

Section 5. Saving Clause. If any section, provision, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective after its final passage, approval and publication as provided by law.

Passed and approved by the City Council of the City of Decorah, Iowa on April 21, 2025.

Lorraine Borowski, Mayor Attest: Keri Sand, City Clerk Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 2025

ORDINANCE NO. 1343 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 9.58.020 OF THE DECORAH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THROWING AND SHOOTING ARROWS WHEREAS, Section 9.58.020 of the Decorah Municipal Code prohibits the shooting of arrows and other missiles on, across or into public places, except the Decorah Municipal Airport; and WHEREAS, Decorah Parks and Recreation Department and schools hold archery classes; and Page 1 of 1 WHEREAS, the City of Decorah has constructed an archery range in a public park; and WHEREAS, the City Council of Decorah has authorized, under certain conditions, the hunting of deer using bow and arrows in public parks in order to decrease the urban deer population; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to authorize the shooting of arrows, under specific circumstances, in public places.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Decorah, Iowa, as follows: SECTION 1. That Decorah City Code Section 9.58.020, Throwing and Shooting, is amended by deleting the same in its entirety, and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 9.58.020 Throwing and shooting.

A. It is a misdemeanor to throw stones or missiles of any kind or to shoot arrows, rubber guns, slingshots, air rifles or other dangerous instruments or toys on, across or into any street, highway, alley, sidewalk or public place, except Decorah Municipal Airport property, except as follows: 1. Any person may participate in a supervised program of physical education or competitive sports for bow and arrow archery in a public or private school.

2. Any person may shoot an arrow from a bow at a public archery range maintained by the City of Decorah on city property, and such range is designated for bow and arrow archery by the director of parks and recreation.

3. Any person may participate in a supervised program for bow and arrow archery located entirely on public property, if such program is approved in advance by the director of parks and recreation.

4. As otherwise authorized by a vote of the City Council.

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

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

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

Date of First Reading: April 07, 2025 Date of Second Reading: April 21, 2025 Roll Call Vote: Councilmen Voting Aye: Schissel, Miculinich, Neal, Olson, Zittergruen, Whittle, Parker Councilmen Voting Nay: None PASSED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of April, 2025 City of Decorah Lorraine Borowski, Mayor ATTEST: Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Officer Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 2025 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JURISDICTION OF CITY OF DECORAH Decorah 2025 Carlson Park Gateway Trail Project Public Hearing on Proposed Contract Documents and Estimated Costs for Improvement.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: You are hereby given notice that a public hearing will be held by the City Council of Decorah on the proposed contract documents and proposed improvements for the Decorah 2025 Carlson Park Gateway Trail Project at its meeting at 5:45 P.M. on May 19, 2025, at City Hall in Decorah, Iowa.

The public hearing may be attended virtually using the meeting information provided in this notice and as posted in the City of Decorah City Council agenda.

The meeting can be joined virtually by computer or smartphone at: https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/89629177360?pwd=R9CsPd8tUqlrkBy3UQY1fbgzOYzTqN.1 Meeting ID: 896 2917 7360 Passcode: 480354 The scope of the project includes Excavation and grading, natural surface trail, trail features, erosion control and seeding The project location(s) is as follows: Within Carlson Park East of Pleasant Avenue and South of State Highway 9; all in the City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa.

At the meeting the City Council will consider the plans, specifications, cost estimate, and contract proposals. The City Council will also act upon the contract proposals and decide whether to enter into a contract for the project improvements.

Any person(s) interested may attend the meeting for the purpose of expressing their opinion regarding the plans, specifications, cost estimate, or the contract proposals.

This Notice is given by authority of the City of Decorah.

Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Office Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 2025

Board Minutes April 28, 2025 The Board of Supervisors met at 9:30am April 28, 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.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vick to open the Public Hearing on the proposed FY26 budget. Motion carried unanimously.

Auditor Steines reviewed the budget process and details. Several questions from the public were answered. No additional comments were received. Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to close the public hearing.

Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Vick and seconded by Vermace to adopt resolution 25-33, approving the FY26 budget as published. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. Moved by Vick and seconded by Kelsay to adopt resolution 25-34, setting the salaries for the elected officials for FY26.

Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Mike Weis, Assistant to the County Engineer, met with the Board to review road projects.

Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to approve the low bid by KAM Line for road striping for $154,436.04. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Vick and seconded by Kelsay to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes of the last meeting, the claims filed with the Board, and to accept and file the quarterly report of the County Sheriff. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to open the public hearing on the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments. Motion carried unanimously. Tony Phillips, P&Z Administrator, reported the P&Z Commission held a public hearing and unanimously recommended approval of the proposed amendments. Several comments were received from the public present regarding the change for Timber Concentration Yards to be zoned as A2. A landowner with a timber yard requested that portion be removed from the amendment. Several neighbors of the timber yard had complaints about their operation.

The Board had questions for their Attorney and more research to do before making a decision. Moved by Vermace and seconded by Faldet to continue the Public Hearing to May 12th(time to be determined) to give more time for researching the question. Motion carried with Kelsay, Langreck, Vermace, and Faldet voting aye; and Vick voting nay.

Tim Smock, County Treasurer, met with the Board to discuss the out of County convenience fee for Drivers License transactions. After discussing possible scenarios, the Board asked him to research the topic and report back.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to approve the request for Educational Grant Program funding from the Winneshiek County Solid Waste Agency for the County Recycling education program. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to adjourn to 9:30am Monday, May 5, 2025.

Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST Benjamin D. Steines, County Auditor Daniel Langreck, Chair Board of Supervisors Claims 04-28-2025 General Basic Fund Agvantage FS Inc, Fuel .................. 1521.60 Allamakee Co Solid Waste, Bale Purchase ................................ 420.20 Alliant Energy, Utilities ..................1527.25 Arnie’s Small Engine, Services ........108.03 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service ... 1002.34 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service ....................... 893.71 Carlton Industries, LP, Supplies .......163.88 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Inc, Services .......................................1290.14 Cellebrite Inc., Equipment.............. 4800.00 Column Software PBC, Publications337.98 Decorah Overhead Door LLC, Services .........................................150.00 DecorahNews.com, Advertising ....... 115.00 Dell Marketing LP, Equipment....... 1135.41 Elan Financial Services, Payment ..5444.99 John Fels, Reimbursement ............... 124.95 Galls, LLC, Supplies .......................... 69.03 Andrew Hageman, Reimbursement ... 90.00 Sam Hageman, Services ................. 1290.00 Hawkeye Sanitation, Inc, Services ..... 40.00 Headington Repair, LLC, Services ... 210.89 Faith Hlubek, Reimbursement..........630.90 Howard’s Tire & Repair, Repairs .....868.35 IA Dept of Public Safety, Services .1031.25 Ice Snow Control Services, Inc, Services .........................................200.00 Imperial Scott Specialties, Supplies . 329.68 ImperialDade, Supplies .................... 124.32 Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Registration ...................................175.00 Dr. Kevin Locke, Services................195.00 Martin Bros. Distributing, Supplies . 558.02 Mediacom, Services ......................... 335.38 Microbac Laboratories, Inc., Services 60.00 Midwest Computer Brokers, Inc., Services .........................................100.00 Midwest Group Benefits, Fees .........538.00 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities ...... 759.29 NE IA Comm Action, Services....... 3504.42 Ness Pumping Service, Inc., Services ....................................... 1125.00 Netsmart Technologies, Inc., Maintenance Agreement ..............3446.71 North Slope Estate’s LLC, Rental ...... 84.00 Chip Peterson, Payment ...................315.00 Pitney Bowes bank Inc., Postage....1500.00 Pitney Bowes Global Financial, Postage...........................................229.80 Pitney Bowes Inc, Services .............. 110.37 Plastic Recycling of Iowa Fall, Furniture ...................................... 1151.28 R & S Fiber Optic Services, Services .......................................1319.88 Ricoh USA Inc, Maintenance Agreement .................. 57.92 Lacey Rogers, Services .................... 230.00 Gregg Rude, Reimbursement ............. 20.00 Sanitation Resources, Inc, Services.... 65.50 John Scheeler, Transport ....................20.00 Schilling Supply Company, Supplies ......................................... 311.12 Jayne Schultz, Reimbursement........... 92.60 Corey Sims, Services........................ 115.00 Solutions Inc., Services ................ 10725.00 State Medical Examiners Office, Services .......................................1900.00 Storey Kenworthy, Supplies ............. 279.73 The Sherwin-Williams Company, Paint .................................................38.97 Truck Country of Iowa, Services.... 1831.75 US Cellular, Cell Service .................804.76 USABlueBook, Equipment ............3834.70 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service .......1029.12 Diana Wilharm, Reimbursement ........90.00 WinnMed Pharmacy, Services............22.57 Wright Way Computers, LLC, Services .......................................1514.14 General Supplemental Fund Decorah Leader, Publications ............. 58.27 Hattie L. Frana, Legal Services ........ 426.20 Herman Law Office, Legal Services 167.60 Whitney Reporting Services, Services ......................................... 445.50 Winn Co Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Fees......................................33.00 Water Testing Grant Fund Kyle Woodson, Chorination ............. 400.00 Rural Services Basic Fund Elan Financial Services, Payment .... 163.91 Franzen Sales & Service, Parts..... 14438.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service ........... 49.22 Winn Co Landfill, Fees.....................696.16 Secondary Road Fund Alliant Energy, Utilities .................... 436.11 AT&T Mobility, Cellular Service .....475.26 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service ....................... 618.74 Bruening Rock Prod, Materials ...... 7639.67 City of Ossian, Utilities ...................... 54.11 Freeport Water District, Utilities ......174.29 Todd Hill, Mileage .............................19.25 Huber’s Store, Supplies ......................10.19 Iowa DNR, Storm Water Coordinator .............. 175.00 Iowa Prison Industries, Signs ...........164.00 John Deere Financial, Supplies ........ 268.00 Ken’s Wood Products, Materials ......878.12 KTP Enterprises, Inc., Equipment .... 565.25 Michael Kueny, Reimbursement ...... 103.34 Marv Smith Electric, LLC, Services .......................................2368.87 Meyer Big Iron Repair, Parts..............60.00 Midwest Patch, Supplies .................. 996.50 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities ....1019.09 Mower Power, Parts ........................... 80.50 Moyson Resources, Services ..........1600.00 Perry Novak Electric, Inc, Services.. 117.47 US Cellular, Cell Service .................307.78 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service .........953.30 Vestis, Services ...............................1319.03 Ziegler Inc, Services .......................2589.10 County Assessor Agency Fund Decorah Leader, Publications ............. 57.00 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service ........... 98.45 E911 Surcharge Fund CenturyLink, E911 Service ................ 52.38 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities ...... 615.45 NBS/WahlTek, Inc, Services ..........2656.75 Emergency Management Comm US Cellular, Cell Service ...................42.18 Verizon Wireless, Cell Service ...........40.01 Winneshiek Co Health Ins Fund

Midwest Group Benefits, Health Insurance ........................ 35476.54 Midwest Group Benefits, Fees ......... 930.00 Grand Total .................................142249.52 Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 2025 City of Decorah, Iowa NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSAL TO VACATE AND CONVEY CITY-OWNED REAL ESTATE The Decorah City Council will hold a public hearing on May 19, 2025, at 5:45 P.M. local time in the council chambers of Decorah City Hall located at 400 Claiborne Dr, Decorah, Iowa to hear comments for and against proposal to vacate and convey City-owned real estate described as follows: An alley described as follows: Lot 10 in Block 14 of Wheeler’s Addition to the City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa (hereinafter referred to as “Vacation Parcel”); and In the event of vacation of the Vacation Parcel, the City desires to convey said parcel to Eric Shelton and Jennifer Shelton, Co-Trustees of the Eric and Jennifer Shelton Family Trust (“Grantee”) In the event of the vacation of the Vacation Parcel, the City Council proposes to convey the Vacation Parcel to Grantee by a properly executed Quit Claim Deed, and that said conveyance shall be “as is”, and the City shall retain an easement for utilities across the above-described real estate, if necessary. In return, Grantee, as reasonable consideration for said conveyance, shall pay all costs associated with said conveyance.

At said time and place, comments will be received at the public hearing by the City Council on the question of the vacation and conveyance of said parcel of real estate.

This notice is published at the direction of the Decorah, Iowa City Council.

Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Officer Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 2025 NOTICE OF PROPOSED ACTION TO INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS TO ENTER INTO A LOAN AND DISBURSEMENT AGREEMENT IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,500,000 (WATER REVENUE) The City Council of the City of Decorah, Iowa, will meet on May 19, 2025, at the Decorah Council Chambers, in the City, at 5:45 o’clock p.m., for the purpose of instituting proceedings and taking action to enter into a loan and disbursement agreement (the “Agreement”) and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for the purpose of paying the cost, to that extent, of planning, designing and constructing improvements and extensions to the Municipal Waterworks Utility System (the “Utility”) of the City.

The Agreement will not constitute a general obligation of the City, nor will it be payable in any manner by taxation, but together with any additional obligations of the City as may be hereafter issued and outstanding from time to time ranking on a parity therewith, will be payable solely and only from the Net Revenues of the Utility.

At the aforementioned time and place, oral or written objections may be filed or made to the proposal to enter into the Agreement.

After receiving objections, the City may determine to enter into the Agreement, in which case, the decision will be final unless appealed to the District Court within fifteen (15) days thereafter.

By order of the City Council of the City of Decorah, Iowa.

Keri Sand City Clerk Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATED COST CITY OF SPILLVILLE, IOWA WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS 2024 CONTRACT B MAIN STREET WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT REBID (2025) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: The City Council of Spillville, Iowa, will hold a public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of cost for the Water System Improvements 2024 Contract B Main Street Water Main Replacement Rebid (2025) project in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 26, Code of Iowa, at 6:00 p.m. on the 20th day of May, 2025, at City Hall, 438 S. Main Street, Spillville, Iowa.

Said proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost are now on file in the office of the City Clerk. At said hearing any interested person may appear and file objections thereto.

The Water System Improvements 2024 Contract B Main Street Water Main Replacement Rebid (2025) project consists of the replacement of approximately 840 lineal feet of 6” water main and 1,700 lineal feet of 8” water main along with water main appurtenances. Also included will be water service replacement with associated appurtenances.

Surface restoration for the project includes approximately 1,800 lineal feet of PCC curb and gutter, approximately 320 square yards of PCC pavement patching, and approximately 640 tons of HMA pavement replacement along with miscellaneous driveway and sidewalk replacements and areas of seeding.

The project will be constructed on Main Street from City Hall to just north of Mill Street in the City of Spillville, Iowa.

Published by order of the City Council given on the 22nd day of April, 2025.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 2025 Public Notice Winneshiek County is accepting applications for the appointment of Commissioner Board Member of the Winneshiek County Commission of Veterans Affairs Board. An applicant must be a veteran as defined in Iowa Code Section 35.1. Board Member applications available at winneshiekcounty.org, Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs Office or Auditors Office. Please return application and copy of all DD214’s to Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs or Auditors Office. Courthouse - 201 West Main, Decorah, IA 52101.

Applications are due by May 29th.

Decorah (Iowa) Leader May 8, 15 & 22, 2025

Legal publications must be received by Monday at 4:00 p.m. to be published in that week’s newspaper.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - AMENDMENT OF CURRENT BUDGET City of DECORAH Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025

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

portion of the funds will eventually total $283,657. Use of those dollars is limited to education about opioids and the prevention or treatment of opioid use disorder.

Pearson said the UCS MAT Clinic has been open at its Decorah location for the last five years.

“We can provide FDA-approved medications to people with opioid addiction, and that helps them with their withdrawal symptoms and their cravings, which ultimately helps them stop using the drugs,” she said. “When people stop using the drugs, there’s no risk of overdose and dying. There’s less risk that they’ll go out and commit crimes involving their addiction. There’s less hospitalizations, because they’re on the treatment we provide. People can get back to their lives and go back to work, take care of their kids and be there for their family members more consistently and ultimately become more healthy.”

Pearson said a MAT clinic must help a certain number of individuals with their addiction in order to keep the clinics hools funding, and she said reaching Year: that minimum threshold can on Teacher sometimes be difficult in a rural II: BD/LD setting.

She said the Decorah clinic has successfully helped ool) 40 area residents address their nnovative Special addiction since the clinic premier high opened in 2020. adition of high ce. Our studentswhy I’m here today “That’s her who can help — to humbly ask for your consideration in providing some ity that values opioid nesses and settlement dollars to help us sustain the operations ave a thriving arts unding hereus. inDecorah Decorah,” she said. “If corner, from we are unable to sustain those operations and have to close

ducators Our students cally, and student has ample

Envirothon this location, that means the people we’re currently treating and people actively looking to access services like ours will have to drive an hour one way to get those services, and sometimes that might be daily, which is very disruptive to people’s lives. I just hope you see the great work we’re doing and the treatment and support we’re providing the community.”

Vagts said the funds will be used to pay staff at Decorah’s MAT clinic, providing education and outreach and keeping medications and clinical support available.

“I know the numbers are small, but that’s 40 lives saved in this community,” Pearson said.

The supervisors unanimously approved the $19,000 in funding for the task force and MAT clinic.

In other business • Des Moines engineering firm Shuck-Britson, Inc. and Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny recommended the county inspect its railroad car bridges every five years.

• The supervisors unanimously approved the hiring of John Bodensteiner for the county’s bridge crew and Alex Kuennen as scoop operator.

• Construction on the Neste Valley Recreation Area began last week with the installation of a silt fence — a linear fence installed to remove solids from runoff heading from the site toward downslope waters.

• An amendment to the county engineer’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget was unanimously approved by the supervisors. The amendment was required by

continued from front

the Iowa Department of Transportation for Neste Valley Recreation Area and an assortment of corrections. A public hearing for all the county’s FY2025 budget amendments will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 27 at the courthouse annex.

• Stephanie Fromm, executive director of Winneshiek County Economic Development drafted a letter in support of designating Decorah as one of Iowa’s “Thriving Communities.” The Iowa Finance Authority and Iowa Economic Development Authority designates the title to communities which demonstrate a strong commitment to attracting and creating housing opportunities. The designation also takes into account federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Workforce Housing Tax Credit programs, which may appeal to potential developers. The board of supervisors voted unanimously in support of the letter.

• The supervisors unanimously approved the renewal of its contract with Employee and Family Resources to provide counseling services for county employees who may need them.

• The supervisors entered closed session to discuss a security audit provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security. DHS prepared a report on the security capabilities and needs of all county buildings. The supervisors will review and possibly act on the report at a later date.

The next meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 12 in the courthouse annex.

coach Larry Berland. “Throughout the course of the year, Envirothon students have supported each other as they spent hours after school and on the weekends. The parents, teachers and the Decorah community itself should all take pride in the students’ accomplishments, including at the recent regional and state competitions.”

Decorah’s second Envirothon team, which is called Duff and Duffer, earned third place at state, with 432 points — just one point behind second-place Marshalltown. Together, Decorah’s teams dominated the state competition, winning five of the six event categories.

Load of Carp took top honors in aquatics and wildlife, while Duff and Duffer led in soils, current issue and oral presentation categories.

“I’m very excited, because it’ll be a culmination of all our hard work across all four years,” said DHS senior and Load of Carp member Lily Sandhorst said of this summer’s international competition. “We will also get to meet many like-minded people and explore a beautiful place.”

Fellow teammate and classmate Hannah Arendt also hopes to explore Calgary during her time there, and said she feels the team won the state competition because its members worked hard both as individuals and as a team.

“Also, I like to think it was fate, as my brother paved the way the two years prior by also winning state,” she said.

Sandhorst said she decided to become involved with Envirothon, because she wants to change how humans treat the

Decorah Community Schools 2025-2026

NOW HIRING NEEDS: Seasonal

Driveway Specialist of Decorah is seeking Laborer (2025 Middle School motivated individuals to join our team.

Seasonal Street

Summer) Library/Media Bookkeeper/Secretary Department

The Paraprofessional City of Decorah Wastewater Treatment Plant is accepting

of educators, nals, and y to succeed nts, school vide the best

ills, a positive ment is currently accepting ts.

Experience Department ort is preferred. Worker. This is during the 2025 summer nt operation/maintenance, knowledge required in the Ps) for students red.

Valid driver’s license ool District’s vision ound check and MVR check.

Operator/Laborer

applications for Seasonal Laborer. This is a temporary apply, Duties contact Mike at 563-380-7066 (seasonal) position during the 2025 summer To season. include mowing, trimming, edging, painting and assisting with or e-mail drivewayspecialistllc@gmail.com maintenance on equipment. Valid driver’s license required.

Position subject to background check and MVR check.

Middle School Study Hall/ Office Assistant 1805 Heritage Rd., Decorah Application and complete job description may be obtained drivewayspecialistllc.com Paraprofessional

earth — especially right now,” Arendt said. “It also gives students a way to dive further into science topics that aren’t covered in school.”

The Iowa Envirothon program is sponsored by the Conservation Districts of Iowa with support from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Conservation Education Coalition, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and other conservation professionals. For more information, visit: cdiowa.org/get-involved/envirothon.

HELP WANTED

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cook

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Mail resume to: Cook c/o Decorah Leader PO Box 350 Decorah, IA 52101 15-8-LD-12

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Worker

(Carrie Lee Elementary)

continued from front

Decorah High School in Decorah, IA seeks a dynamic and innovative Special Education Teacher to join our esteemed faculty. As one of the premier high schools in the state, Decorah High School takes pride in our tradition of high academic achievement, athletic prowess, and musical excellence. Our students thrive in a culture of rigorous expectations, and we seek a teacher who can help our students reach even greater heights.

In Decorah, you will find a vibrant and supportive community that values education and the arts. Our downtown area is full of local businesses and restaurants that reflect the unique character of our town. We have a thriving arts community and a solid connection to the natural world surrounding us. Decorah is where you can find adventure and inspiration around every corner, from hiking and biking trails to fishing and kayaking opportunities.

At Decorah High School, you will join a team of dedicated educators committed to helping each student achieve their full potential. Our students consistently perform at the highest levels academically, athletically, and musically, and our teachers work tirelessly to ensure that each student has ample opportunities and support needed to graduate.

HELP WANTED

l Strategist II:

background in

implementing ng disabilities or upport to these

planet.

“I (come) from a very environmentally-conscious family, so I knew that furthering my education regarding climate change and the environment would enable me to help our earth in a more productive way,” she said.

Arendt agreed, adding that she constantly wants to learn more about how people can make a difference in the world by protecting natural resources.

“Students should participate in Envirothon, because it is so important to be educated on what is going on (with) our

19-4-DL-12

Opioid funding

15

The ideal candidate will have a valid Iowa K-12 Instructional Strategist II: BD/LD endorsement (or willingness to obtain it) and a strong background in special education. They will be responsible for developing and implementing individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with learning disabilities or behavioral disorders and providing academic and behavioral support to these students in the classroom.

The special education teacher will work closely with a team of educators, including regular education teachers, office staff, paraprofessionals, and administration, to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically and socially. They will also collaborate with parents, school administrators, paraprofessionals, and outside agencies to provide the best possible support for their students.

Qualified candidates should have strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and a commitment to meeting the needs of all students. Experience with evidence-based interventions and positive behavior support is preferred.

at the City Clerk’s office, Decorah Municipal Center, 400 ClaiPlease see jobordescription borne Drive online at: atwww. www.decorahia.org. For more indecorah.k12.ia.us formation call under (563)“Employment 382-3651. Return city application to: scription may be obtained to support each Opportunities”.

City of Decorah, Attn: Michael O’Hara, Public Works DirecMunicipal Center, 400 Clai$1,000 SIGNING BONUS tor,Send PO letter Boxof138, Decorah, IA, 52101 or mohara@decorah.iowa. application and resume orahia.org.

For more infor using data-driven gov. Applications will be 405 received until the position is filled. to Principal Justin Albers, n city application to: City

Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101,

Public Works Director, PO EEO/AA Employer, M/F Disabled and Veteran.

18-3-LD-12 or email justin.albers@decorah.school groups or one-on-

mohara@decorah.iowa.gov. by end of the day on May 13, 2025, or ­ ­

$1,000 SIGNING BONUS open until position is filled. ogress and needs 18-3-LD-12 Enjoy working outside and looking ­ The Decorah Community School Decorah, IA • 563-382-2953 for a change? We provide on the District is an EEO/AA employer. opportunities, The Decorah Community School www.olsonexplosives.com job training! Class A or B CDL District is an EEO/AA employer.

info@olsonexp.com desirable. No CDL, no problem, we 19-2-LD-12 Enjoy working outside and looking iduals with • Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for students will help you get one.

Equal Opportunity Employer for a change? We provide on the tion rules and with special needs that align with the Decorah Community School District’s vision job training! Class A or B CDL 9-8-DL-12 for teaching and learning and the Iowa Core Standards. desirable. No CDL, no The problem, we of Decorah is currently accepting applications for City mentation, The City of Decorah Wastewater Treatment Plant is accepting • Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to support each will help you getSeasonal one.

Yard Waste Site Attendant. This is a part-time position applications for Seasonal Laborer.

This is and a social-emotional temporary needs. student’s academic (up to 8-12 hrs./week) during the summer/fall 2025 season.

Good Decorah, IA • 563-382-2953 cessible and (seasonal) position during the 2025 summer season. Duties • Assess student progress and modify instruction as needed, using data-driven interpersonal and organizational skills required. Valid driver’s license www.olsonexplosives.com include mowing, trimming, edging, painting and assisting with decision-making. required.

Position subject to background check and MVR check. info@olsonexp.com maintenance on equipment. Valid driver’s license required. meets needsof of Decorah is currently accepting applications for ThetheCity Provide direct and support to students in small groups or one-onApplications job for description are available at City Hall, Position subject to background •check and instruction MVR check.

The City ofYard Decorah is Opportunity currently accepting Assispractices Seasonal Waste Site Attendant.

This isapplications a and part-time position Equal Employer one settings using evidence-based strategies and interventions. www.decorahia.org, or by calling 563-382-3651.

Applications City Clerk.

Duties would include utility billing, cash receipting, (up 8-12 hrs./week) during-codethe summer/fall 2025 season.

Good ntstant with to disabilities, are accepted until the and position • Communicate and guardians about student progress and needs Application and complete job description maywith beparents obtained issuance of building and rental permits.

Account posting rec- is filled. EEO/AA Employer Disinterpersonal and organizational skills required.

Valid driver’s license SECONDARY ROAD abled and Veteran.

Completed multiple Center, methods of400 communication. at the City DEPARTMENT Clerk’s office, Decorah using Municipal Claionciliation to maintain accounts in compliance with auditing re- applications can be dropped required. Position subject to background check and MVR check.

Winneshiek CountytoSecondary be accepting off at Cityand Hall during business or emailed Public Roads will borne Drive orapplications online atforwww.decorahia.org.

Formeetings moreand inquirements. Strong financial background customer service hours • Participate in staff professional development opportunities, Applications and job description areDirector, available at City Hall, at mohara@decorah.iowa.gov the position of “Signman” for the Secondary Road Department Works formation call (563) until 382-3651. Return city application beneficial. Position subject to background check Michael and MVRO’Hara, check. staying up-to-date on best practicesto: in special education. www.decorahia.org, or by calling 563-382-3651.

Applications n) 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 9, -CODE2025 or until the is filled atAttn: the office Cityposition of Decorah, Michael O’Hara, Public Works DirecEEO/AA Employer, M/F Disabled and Veteran.

• Follow all relevant laws and regulations, including the Individuals with Application complete job description be obtained the are accepted the position is filled.may EEO/AA EmployeratDisof the Winneshiek County Engineer, 201 Main, IA 52101.IA, 52101 or mohara@decorah.iowa. llingness to obtain)anduntil tor,W.PO BoxDecorah, 138, Decorah, Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Iowa state special education rules and City Clerk’s Decorah Municipal Center, 400 Claiborne Drive or abled andoffice, Veteran.

Completed applications can be dropped gov. Applications will be received until the position is filled. guidelines. online www.decorahia.org.

For more information call (563) 382off at atCity Hall during business hours or emailed to Public Applications and job description are available at the Engineers 3651. resume and application City of Decorah, Attn: Keri WorksSend Director, Michael O’Hara, at to: mohara@decorah.iowa.gov • Maintain accurate and 18-3-LD-12 up-to-date student records and documentation, EEO/AA Employer, M/F Disabled and Veteran.

Office and www.winneshiekcounty.org/jobs.html Sand, PO Box 138, Decorah, IA, 52101 or ksand@decorah.iowa.gov. including IEPs and progress reports EEO/AA Employer, M/F Disabled and Veteran.

-CODEEOE • Plan and prepare lesson materials and resources that are accessible and n the workplace 18-4-DL-12 This job will remain open until filled with first review being done engaging for all students of May backgrounds, 16th.

Winneshiek County Courthouse, 201 W. Main St., Decorah • 563-382-5085 g the unique needs • Create a positive and inclusive classroom environment that meets the needs of www.winneshiekcounty.org $1,00019-3-LD-12 SIGNING BONUS ers,EEO/AA we encourage Employer, M/F Disabled and Veteran. all students, using trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices • Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities, using universal design for learning principles ad Hurst, 100 Seeking applicants for Tired of losing miles and money urst@decorah. by waiting to load and unload?

Full Time Mechanic position.

tive until the This dedicated run is what you • Valid, current Iowa teaching license (or willingness to obtain) Decorah, IA • 563-382-2953 are looking for! Minimal wait www.olsonexplosives.com • K-12 Instructional Strategist II: BD/LD Endorsement (or willingness to obtain) times and high miles await you. ict info@olsonexp.com • Strong communication and organizational skills Home every weekend.

The City of Decorah Street Department is currently accepting The City of Decorah Wastewater Treatment Plant is accepting Opportunity Employer • Commitment to ongoing professional development at OlsonStreet Explosives, Inc. applications for Apply Seasonal Department Worker. This is applications for Seasonal Laborer. This is a Equal temporary -code1837 Trout Run Rd, Decorah a temporary (seasonal) position during the 2025 summer (seasonal) position during the 2025 summer season. Duties season. Knowledge www.olsonexp.com of equipment operation/maintenance, include mowing, trimming, edging, painting and assisting with Decorah High School welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace info@olsonexp.com tree maintenance, and any other knowledge required in the maintenance on equipment. Valid driver’s license required. and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, respective job description preferred.

Position subject to background check and MVR check.

Equal Opportunity Employer Valid driver’s license perspectives and skills. If you are passionate about supporting the unique needs required. Position subject to -codebackground check and MVR check. of students with intellectual disabilities and behavioral disorders, we encourage Application and complete job description may be obtained you to apply.

Application and complete job description may be obtained at the City Clerk’s office, Decorah Municipal Center, 400 Claiat the City Clerk’s office, Decorah Municipal Center, 400 Claiborne Drive or online at www.decorahia.org. For more in ­ borne Drive or online at www.decorahia.org. For more inforformation call (563) 382-3651. Return city application to: ­ ­ mation call (563) 382-3651. Return city application to: City City of Decorah, Attn: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Direc ­

of Decorah, Attn: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Director, PO tor, PO Box 138, Decorah, IA, 52101 or mohara@decorah.iowa.

Box 138, Decorah, IA, 52101 or mohara@decorah.iowa.gov. gov. Applications will be received until the position is filled.

EEO/AA Employer, M/F Disabled and Veteran.

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COMMUNITY

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

Karlie Einck received first place at state in the FFA secretary’s book competition.

(Photo submitted)

Gabe Monroe received 3rd place for his treasurer’s book. (Photo submitted)

Decorah FFA chapter excels at state The Decorah FFA competed at the 97th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 1315 at Iowa State University in Ames. A group of 26 Decorah FFA members attended this year’s conference, including Hadley Alexander, Brock Anfinson, Rylee Averhoff, Brinlee Courtney, Brooks Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Logan Frye, Lauren Holthaus, Jackson Irwin, Lyla Lovstuen, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Brandi Nehls, Jordyn Roberg, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Isabella Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Bentley Smith, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges and Thea Zidlicky.

State qualifying events Karlie Einck, the 2024–2025 secretary of the Decorah FFA, submitted the chapter’s secretary book for state evaluation, where it earned a gold rating and was named the state champion. Einck was recognized on the main stage and presented with a plaque. Gabe Monroe, 2024-2025 treasurer of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA treasurer’s book. The book received a gold rating and was awarded third place. Monroe was recognized on the main

stage during the second general session.

Five members also competed in the parliamentary procedure leadership development event.

The team of Hadley Alexander, Brinlee Courtney, Jackson Irwin, Mara Lovstuen and Gabe Monroe received a silver rating.

Ag skills career development event The ag communications team — Madelynn Dahl, Eden Scheidel, Isabella Schnitzler and Bentley Smith — competed in a contest which required them to attend an agriculture-related press conference and develop a communications and media plan based on the information presented. The team earned a silver rating.

The poultry evaluation team also earned a silver rating at their career development event.

Team members Brock Anfinson, Brooks Courtney, Brandi Nehls and Thea Zidlicky evaluated chickens and poultry products and were tested on general knowledge of poultry management. Farm business management team members Rylee Averhoff, Kiele Eberling and Lyla Lovstuen demonstrated their ability to apply economic principles and farm man-

A group of 26 Decorah FFA members attended the 97th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference at the Iowa State University Campus in Ames. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Jackson Irwin, Jordyn Roberg, Lyla Lovstuen, Brandi Nehls, Madelynn Dahl, Hadley Alexander, Jerikah Dodd, (middle row, left to right) Brinlee Courtney, Karlie Einck, Lauren Holthaus, Annika Schmelzer, Rylee Averhoff, Brock Anfinson, Isabella Schnitzler, Kiele Eberling, Kamryn Werges, (back row - left to right) Jordan Sims, Logan Frye, Gabe Monroe, Brooks Courtney, Thea Zidlicky, Eden Scheidel and Bentley Smith. Not pictured are members Mara Lovstuen, Taylor Sloan-Dahl and Derek Tieskoetter. (Photo submitted) agement concepts in analyzing and making informed business decisions. They received a silver rating. The FFA Greenhand Quiz, which assesses members’ knowledge of the FFA organization, was taken by Jordyn Roberg and Taylor Sloan-Dahl.

Roberg earned a gold rating, and Sloan-Dahl received a silver rating.

Iowa FFA degree Nine members of the Decorah FFA earned the Iowa FFA Degree — the highest honor a member may receive from the state. Rylee Averhoff, Jerikah Dodd, Logan Frye, Lyla Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter and Kamryn Werges qualified by completing the three-circle model’s participation requirements: SAE — or supervised agricultural experience — FFA and classroom/ laboratory.

State FFA officer DHS graduate Creed Monroe served this last year as the Iowa FFA State Northeast District vice president. As a state FFA officer, Monroe collaborated with other officers, members, advisors and stakeholders to advance the goals of the FFA organization. During the state FFA

Nine Decorah FFA members received their Iowa FFA Degree. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Eden Scheidel, Lyla Lovstuen, Rylee Averhoff, Kamryn Werges, (back row, left to right) Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, Logan Frye, Annika Schmelzer and Jerikah Dodd. (Photo submitted) leadership conference, he facilitated a general session, gave a retiring FFA address and collaborated with other members.

Additional contest results and activities The Decorah FFA chapter earned a bronze rating in the National Chapter Award Program, a contest designed to encourage chapters to plan activities and carry them out successfully. Chapters are recognized for

outstanding achievement in the areas of student development, chapter development and community development. Brinlee Courtney accepted the award on behalf of the chapter during the third general session. The Decorah FFA chapter was also recognized on the main stage for the ambassador award program.

Lauren Holthaus accepted the award on stage during the first general session. Members also took part in a variety of events

which took place throughout the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference and attended the career show. Kamryn Werges participated in Massing of the Flags, Jackson Irwin participated in the State FFA Chorus, Gabe Monroe and Eden Scheidel served as a state courtesy corps members and Karlie Einck and Gabe Monroe served as the chapter’s delegates attending the state FFA association’s business session.

Athletic conference bill continued from front receiving only a single dissenting vote across the board — but it had yet to be sent to the governor’s desk for final approval as of Tuesday’s press deadline.

The current legislative session was initially scheduled to adjourn Friday, but state lawmakers returned to Des Moines on Monday to continue work on policy and budget issues.

State Rep. Michale Bergan, R - Dorchester, noted it is not uncommon for a number of bills to be sent to the governor’s desk near the end of any given legislative session. He and Adam Riley, activities director at Decorah Schools, both hope HF783 will be among that group of bills sent to the governor in the coming weeks, and Bergan said he believes the bill’s final step toward becoming law may have simply been delayed as lawmakers continue to work on other priorities before the current session ends.

Bills received by the governor during the last three calendar days of a given legislative session must be signed or vetoed by the governor within 30 calendar days, according to information from the Legislative Services Agency. If the governor takes no action on a bill during that window, the bill fails to become law — a process sometimes called a pocket veto — but Bergan said he doesn’t foresee Reynolds spurning HF783.

“Our governor has vetoed very few bills — overall, there have been very few, so I really don’t expect that to happen with

this broad of support coming through,” Bergan said.

‘It’s just hard to look kids in the eye’ The Northeast Iowa Conference, in which Decorah’s athletic programs current participate, is expected to dissolve after the current school year.

The NEIC is the oldest conference in the state, dating back to 1920. Decorah Schools had previously requested entry into the Upper Iowa Conference, but that request was denied, and Decorah had unsuccessfully appealed the matter to Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow last year, after mediations between the district and the Upper Iowa Conference failed to result in a new conference assignment for the upcoming school year.

Former NEIC schools like New Hampton, Waukon and Cresco are expected to be part of the UIC next school year, while Decorah is slated to compete as an independent district — the change is not expected to affect Decorah’s football program.

Riley said officials involved in previous conference discussions expected Decorah’s student athletes could compete with school districts in Minnesota or Wisconsin, but Riley said that approach hasn’t proved fruitful as he tries to fill the school’s athletic calendar for next year. Riley said he and his counterparts at other districts often schedule events anywhere from two to four years in advance and, while he’s been

able to fill in a good portion of next year’s basketball, volleyball, wrestling and bowling calendars, there are still what he called key pinch points.

“Scheduling is challenging right now, and it’s putting our kids in a really precarious situation,” Riley said. “Just as one example, we’re trying to find a date for a conference cross country meet, which is an important date to run, and between one Wisconsin conference and two Minnesota conferences — just to be able to run as a non-scoring competitor in the meet — we’ve been rejected by three of them.”

Riley went on to estimate more than 150 middle school and high school students participate in Decorah’s cross country program, but he said, as of Friday, there’s a two-week window in the 2025-2026 schedule during which the runners will have no meets — a situation he said he would find unfair for any group of students.

“It’s just hard to look kids in the eye, knowing that,” Riley said. “While I know football gets some of the headlines at times, cross country and our running programs are a pretty big deal around here too.”

And state legislators say Decorah’s predicament isn’t unique, as a number of Iowa school districts search for solutions amid population shifts and changes to athletic programs. State Sen. Sandy Salmon, R - Janesville, previously told her fellow lawmakers that, within a matter of two or three years, districts like

Decorah and Waverly-Shell Rock, which falls within Salmon’s legislative district, found themselves in a sort of limbo — too big to compete among the state’s Class 3A schools yet too small for Class 4A. “It’s been a nightmare for these schools to get enough competitive opportunities for these kids,” Salmon said.

In the Iowa House, State. Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R - Hull, noted conference affiliation doesn’t affect athletics alone, saying it affects other extracurricular such as quiz bowl, debate and show choir competitions. In addition, he noted schools within a conference are sometimes able to pool resources to provide professional development for school employees.

Salmon: Bill ensures schools aren’t forced to go independent Legislators crafted HF-783 by adapting an approach used by the state of Wisconsin to address school athletic conference affiliations. Under the Iowa bill, a realignment committee consisting of nine school superintendents and nine activities directors from different regions of the state would be responsible for approving or denying requests from schools seeking to change their athletic conference affiliation. Riley said those decisions are expected to be made only once every two years, which he feels may prompt schools to collaborate on potential conference changes before taking such proposals

to the committee — under the bill, schools which withdraw from a conference without the committee’s approval would be prohibited from competing in a given sport or activity for a period of two years. Members of the realignment committee would be required to consider factors, such as enrollment among member schools, travel distances, compatibility of athletic programs, traditional rivalries and the number of schools in a conference, when reviewing proposals.

“The biggest change from the current process is that, if a school were to be rejected, the committee is to recommend an alternative conference alignment that would be a better fit, instead of just leaving a district to keep applying without any indication they have a chance,” Salmon said ahead of a March 25 vote on the floor of the Iowa Senate. “This is to ensure schools are not forced into an independent status and that students have competitive opportunities for extra curricular learning and awards.”

Several versions of the bill were proposed this legislative session — Salmon herself introduced one such bill, with the support of State Sen. Mike Klimesh, R - Spillville. Ultimately, House File 783 became the version to make its way through the legislature. It was approved by the Iowa House on March 13 with a 95-0 vote, and it was then approved by the Iowa Senate on March 25, with a 47-1 vote — State Sen. Adrian

Dickey, R - Packwood, was the only legislator in either legislative chamber to cast a vote in opposition to the bill.

“I think there was a general acceptance that some action needed to be taken, following the Wisconsin model,” Bergan said Friday. “And then there will still be a rule-making process done by the Department of Education that will play out once this is passed.”

Riley said, once the bill is signed by the governor, officials with the Iowa Department of Education will be tasked with determining additional specifics, such as how the committee will be formed and how long members will serve. He said Decorah Schools hopes to be able to provide general input during those early discussions, and the district anticipates student athletes who wear the red and blue of the Decorah Vikings may be able to compete under the banner of a new athletic conference as early as the 20262027 school year.

If signed, the bill would take effect July 1, and Bergan previously estimated it may take six months to update the state’s administrative rules to reflect the new committee model, but he also previously indicated the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union may have the ability to incorporate the committee structure while the new rules are being developed.

SPORTS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

17

Viking linksters poised for postseason run The Decorah boys’ golf team will compete in one more tournament in preparation for the postseason. The Vikes will tee-

off at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Ames Golf and Country Club.

That’s after Vikings defeated

Viking senior Addison Lukes-Smith works her way in front of North Fayette Valley player looking for the take-away during Saturday’s match in West Union. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Girls suffer tough losses

The scores and losses endured by the Decorah girls’ soccer team (0-10-1) continue to contraindicate how well the Vikes are playing each match as they fell to North Fayette Valley and New Hampton recently.

Johanningmeier scores Under partly cloudy conditions Saturday morning, the Vikes kicked off the match with three shots on the North Fayette Valley goal before the TigerHawks could mount an attack of any kind. But in the end it was the home NFV (6-2-2) team winning 3-0.

The first goal for the TigerHawks was actually an “own goal” where the Viking defender fumbled the ball and accidently put it in the net. NFV’s next score was on a corner kick on a ball that should have been cleared by one of two Decorah defenders was tapped in by a NFV player when neither of our defenders took charge to clear the ball to give the home team a 2-0 advantage. Later in the first half, Decorah’s Sara Johanningmeier scored on a nice volley off a corner kick before half, but that’s all the Vikes could muster.

“I think our girls are improv-

Medal rich

Continued from page 20

Sprint medley – 1. Adam, Webb, Quandahl, Kuennen 1:37.53 Distance medley – 1. Avila, Buddenberg, Stemper, Clarence Nimrod 4:02.42 South Winn boys’ team scores 1. Riceville 173; 2. Decorah 138; 3. Charles City 118; 4. South Winn 114; 5. Turkey Valley 83; 6.

West Central 28 Event results High jump – 4. Parker Low 5’8”; 6. Thomas Davis 5’6”; 10.

Kyan Oftedahl 5’0” Long jump – 2. Dakota VanGundy 17’11” 4. Kellen O’Gara 16’7”; 6. Lucas Wymer 15’8”; 9.

Zander McConnell 14’9.5” Shot put – 1. Thatcher Brown 41’10”; 5. Mason Vote 35’11”; 8.

Nathan Friend 34’3.5”; 13. Anthony Putnam 33’5.5”; 19. Ezra Harmon-Wood 30’4.25”; 23. Isaac Bentley 28’8”; 24. Nathan Rhodes 28’6.25” 28. Cooper Ewing 27’7” 31. Will Tallier 26’7.75” Discus – 3. Carter Riley 126’8”; 9. Brown 104’4”; 10. Ryan Northup 98’1”; 11. Vote 97’9”; 17.

Putnam 91’0”; 20. Tallier 85’11”; 23. Friend 84’6”; 26. Rhodes 81’11”; 29. Harmon-Wood 78’7”; 32. Bentley 73’0”; 37. Ewing 61’5” 100m – 6. VanGundy 12.36; 14. Drake Phillips 13.15; 21. Putnam 16.55; 22. Rhodes 16.82 200m – 8. Low 25.49; 11. Owen Larson 25.96; 13. Griffin Brauer 26.55; 15. Phillips 26.90 400m – 1. Brauer 55.07; 4. Riley 57.49; 6. VanGundy 59.08; 7.

Davis 59.24 800m – 5. Esteban Fernandez 2:26.15 1600m – 1. Derek Hrdlicka 5:10.37; 5. Jayven Neubauer 5:26.73; 7. Weston Cote 5:41.02; 10. Gavin Wilkins 6:09.63; 11.

Dylan Brincks 6:43.60 3200m – 2.

Fernandez 11:35.51 110m hurdles – 5. Oftedahl 19.29 Shuttle hurdle – 2. Riley, Brayden Miculinich, Oftedahl, Davis 1:15.00 4x100 – 7. Kellen O’Gara, Matthew Burkholder, Wymer, Larson 50.37; 9. Brown, Vote, Friend, Northup 52.02; 14. Tallier, Harmon-Wood, Ewing, Bentley 1:02.26 4x200 – 3. Miculinich, Burkholder, Tarwater, Archer Sims 1:41.17; 6. Northup, Wymer McConnell, Karter Orris 1:42.93 4x400 – 3. Miculinich, Carson Bohner, Kaden Tarwater, Sims 3:51.59 4x800 – 3. Cote, Hrdlicka, Neubauer, Kerner 9:38.03 Sprint medley – 1. O’Gara, Burkholder, Tarwater, Sims 1:44.32 Distance medley – 3. Orris, Bohner, Low, Brincks 4:27.27

ing, but we have yet to play a “complete” game by putting everything together,” said coach Loren Hendrickson.

Decorah had seven shots on the goal with Johanningmeier, Nora Lesmeister and Addison Lukes-Smith each with two.

Leah Garcia-Prats had the final shot on the goal for the Vikes.

Taylor Sloan-Dahl stood in goal for the Vikes with one save.

15 shots on goal Tuesday night Decorah walked off its home pitch after another heartbreaking loss to New Hampton (5-5). The visiting Chickasaws took home the 3-2 win.

After fighting their way back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to even the score with about 19 minutes left, the Vikings gave up the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal only four minutes later on a free kick just outside the Decorah penalty area.

“Every one of our games lately seems to have turned on a misjudged ball in the air, or a misjudged pass that ends up in the opponent’s possession, or some other mishap. Proper execution of little details are currently eluding us and costing us dearly. Give credit to our opponents for making us pay, but we need to be better in those crucial moments,” said coach Hendrickson.

The Vikes had numerous opportunities with 15 shots on the goal. Stella Grinna, Johanningmeier and Lesmeister had three apiece. Firing on the goal twice each were Regine Hougen and Garcia-Prats, while Vivian Searcy and Amelia Wadsworth had one shot on the goal each.

Hougen and Garcia-Prats each put the ball in the net once with Hougen getting the assist on Garcia-Prats’ score.

In goal, Sloan-Dahl had one save.

Louie Bucksa squares and takes a glance at the ninth hole before teeing off in the Vikings’ dual with Crestwood last week. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Crestwood Friday at home and finished sixth at the Lake City tournament Monday.

Scores from Monday’s tournament were unavailable at press time.

with a 41 as Jacob Stevens toured the course with a 42 to conclude the Viking scorecard.

Jackson Pipho (43) and Caden Hubka (44) were right in the mix as well.

Dlhy, Bucksa medal After Monday’s meet at Crestwood was postponed due to weather, the Vikings hosted the Cadets at Oneota Golf Course Friday, claiming victory 162 to 175 and sweeping the medals.

The senior duo of Carter Dlhy and Louie Bucksa had a solid night on the links, with Dlhy firing a 39. Bucksa carded 40 as the night’s runner-up.

“Carter Dlhy played awesome and has had some great rounds this year and needs to keep playing well for our team to keep improving,” said coach Casey Bouska. “I was also excited to see Louie Bucksa step up and be the medalist runner up with a 40 when given the opportunity.”

Tommy Sexton came through

Postseason ready The team with then move on to the Northeast Iowa Conference tournament on May 12 at the New Hampton Golf and Country Club. Teams will compete for the final NEIC golf title before the conference disbands later this year after teeing off at 10 a.m.

A short break leads the Vikes into the Class 3A sectional at the Gardner Golf Course in Marion as they square off with Anamosa, Maquoketa, Marion, Mount Vernon, Vinton-Shellsburg, West Delaware and Williamsburg at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 14.

Teams and individuals advancing from the Marion and Washington sectionals will play their district meet at 10 a.m.

Monday, May 19 at Pin Oak Links in Manchester.

Stika, three relays notch season-best times in Calmar

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com The Turkey Valley Trojans are continuing to drop times – which means peak performances might be just around the corner when it matters the most in the postseason.

The state qualifier is rapidly approaching and after Monday’s meet at South Winneshiek in Calmar, it’s clear the Trojans mean business.

TV placed third overall at South Winn with 93 points.

Crestwood won the meet with 169 points and the host Warriors were runner-up with 109 points.

Three relays for the Trojans ran season-bests in the sprint medley (1:55), distance medley (4:28) and the 4x400 relay (4:22). All those times are ranked among the top 24 in Class 1A, which is the number of qualifiers that are sent to state in each event at the qualifier. All but the sprint medley won their races at South Winn, with the foursome of Kendall Kuennen, Jenna Throndson, Hazel Nieman and Bella Stika coming in second.

Stika anchored the distance medley and sprint medley and ran to a career PR at Calmar in the open 800-meter with a golden time of 2:29.16.

Nieman ran to a gold medal in the open 400-meter at South Winn in a time of 1:03.81, setting a new meet record.

The Trojans competed in the

Clayton Ridge Invite last Tuesday in Guttenberg and finished fifth with 69 points.

Stika won the 800-meter run in 2:29.33.

The Trojans’ 4x200 relay was victorious in 1:58, as was the sprint med team in 1:56.

TV sophomore Ellaney Bodensteiner placed third in the discus at Guttenberg with a toss of 100-7.5. Her best throw this year – which is a career PR heave of 104 feet – is currently listed as the 26th-best throw in her class.

The Trojans head to Monona tonight (Thursday) to run in the UIC meet. Turkey Valley runs at the state qualifier in Edgewood-Colesburg on Thursday, May 15.

Clayton Ridge girls team scores 1. Sumner-Fred 136; 2. Ed-Co 92; 3. Kee 85; 4. Clayton Ridge 74; 5.

Turkey Valley 69; 6. MFL MarMac 7

Event results Shot put – 5.

Ellaney Bodensteiner 30’5”; 8. Raelen Manderfield 29’0”; 9. Nora Chicken 27’5”; 10. Courtney Ball 25’5” Discus – 3. Bodensteiner 100’7.5”; 5. Jenna Throndson 81’8.5”; 9. Manderfield 65’8.5”; 12.

Chicken 63’6” 100m – 8. Emersyn Hoffert 14.81; 14. Manderfield 16.15; 18.

Ball 16.76; 19. DeSloover 17.43 200m – 9. Brynlee Hayek 29.81; 11. Addison Steinlage 31.25 400m – 7. Ball 1:22.23 800m – 1. Bella Stika 2:29.33 100m hurdles – 9. DeSloover 22.14 400m hurdles – 3. DeSloover 1:41.58 Shuttle hurdle – 4. Hayek, Kendall Kuennen, Alexis Gruenberg, Hazel Nieman 1:18.11 4x100 – 3. Throndson, Hayek, Gruenberg, Steinlage 56.45

Monday, TV sophomore Bella Stika (left) anchored the distance medley to the win. She also won the 800-meter run and was a member of the winning 4x400 relay. (Photo by Becky Walz) 4x200 – 1. Kuennen, Nieman, Hayek, Stika 1:58.20 4x400 – 2. Kuennen, Nieman, Gruenberg, Stika 4:24.07 Sprint medley – 2. Kuennen, Throndson, Nieman, Stika 1:56.93 Distance medley – 4. Throndson, Hoffert, Steinlage, Gruenberg 5:17.49 South Winn girls team scores 1. Crestwood 169; 2. South Winn 109; 3. Turkey Valley 93; 4. Decorah 91; 5. Riceville 68; 6. Postville 46; 7.

Charles City 41; 8. West Central 35 Event results Shot put – 8. Bodensteiner 29’10.75”; 10. Chicken 28’7.5”; 16.

Manderfield 26’3”; 22. Ball 23’8.75” Discus – 3. Bodensteiner 98’4”; 18. Chicken 79’8”; 21. Throndson 75’2”; 27. Manderfield 63’3”

Trojan boys 4x800 relay PRs at Clayton Ridge

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com The Turkey Valley 4x800 foursome of Kaden Schmidt, J.D. Kruse, Dominick Reicks and Hugo Busta ran a season PR at the Clayton Ridge Invite last week in a time of 8:52.94 to win the event.

The Trojans also PR’d in the distance medley in a time of 3:52.84 at the Starmont Invite last Friday, snaring another blue ribbon.

More season bests were recorded during Monday’s invite as TV’s winning 4x400 relay clipped out to a PR in 3:43.72 with the squad of Schmidt, Busta, Isaiah Wheeler and JD Kruse.

The 4x100 relay squad of Schmidt, JD Kruse, Busta and Dairean Keyes ran its best time of the year in 47.29 seconds, which saw them cross the tape in second.

The Trojans won the 4x800 relay in 9:05 and also took home gold in the distance medley relay in 3:59 at Calmar.

Trojan sophomore Jayden Rausch ran a career PR in the mile run in a time of 5:11.

At Guttenberg at the CR Invite, TV’s 4x400 relay won the event in 3:53.

J.D. Kruse ran a career PR in

the open 800-meter with a time of 2:14, which placed him second. Schmidt and Busta placed third and fourth, respectively in the 200-meter dash. Schmidt’s time was 24.89 seconds and Busta ran an all-time best of 25.04 seconds.

Turkey Valley takes part in the Upper Iowa Conference

meet at Monona and hosted by MFL MarMac on Thursday, May 8. Then it’s off to the Class 1A state qualifier at Edgewood the following Thursday, May 15, which is hosted by Edgewood-Colesburg.

Clayton Ridge team scores 1. Sumner-Fred 148; 2. MFL MarMac 105; 3. Clayton Ridge 101;

4. Central Elkader 85; 5. Turkey Valley 70; 6. Kee 62 Varsity results Long jump – 7. Dawson Humpal 13’2.75” Shot put – 11. Jacob Wurzer 28’11” 12. Cole Fencl 27’3” Discus – 6. Tucker Reicks 97’8.25” 100m – 7. T. Reicks 14.02; 11.

Fencl 14.83 200m – 3. Kaden Schmidt 24.89; 4. Hugo Busta 25.04 400m – 7. Domminick Reicks 1:02.30 800m – 2. JD Kruse 2:14.21 1600m – 3. Jayden Rausch 5:15.49; 10. Brayden Hoffert 6:04.60 3200m – 4. Hoffert 13:03.79 110m hurdles – 5. Caleb Kriener 21.08 Shuttle hurdle – 3. Wurzer, L. Kruse, Tlusty, Kriener 1:22.17 4x100 – 5. L. Kruse, Wurzer, Tlusty, Tyler Forbes 56.54 4x200 – 4. Wurzer, Tlusty, L. Kruse, T. Forbes 1:55.07 4x400 – 1. Schmidt, Busta JD Kruse, D. Reicks 3:53.01 4x800 – 1. Schmidt, JD Kruse, D. Reicks, Busta 8:52.94 Sprint medley – 6. Kriener, T. Reicks, Rausch, L. Kruse 1:57.01 Distance medley – 5. T. Forbes, Tlusty, Humpal, John Forbes 5:17.28 Starmont team scores 1. Jesup 110; 2. West Delaware 87; 3. Alburnett 85; 4. Sumner-Fred 82; 5. Cedar Rapids Washington 78; 6. Starmont 55; 7. MFL MarMac 30; 8. North Fayette Valley 29; 9. Turkey Valley 16; 10. West Central 7

Trojan Isaiah Wheeler (left) takes off for a leg of 4x800 after receiving the baton from Domminick Reicks. The pair teamed up with Kaden Schmidt and JD Kruse to win the event in 9:05.59. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Varsity results Long jump – 15. Humpal 11’2” Shot put – 23. Wurzer 29’0”; 24.

Fencl 27’3.5” Discus – 14. T. Reicks 99’5” 100m – 21. D. Reicks 12.94 800m – 7. D. Reicks 2:19.82

100m – 8. Throndson 14.69; 10.

Alexis Gruenberg 14.85; 11. Hoffert 15.02 200m – 3. Hayek 29.61; 8. Hoffert 31.54 400m – 1. Nieman 1:03.81; 3.

Gruenberg 1:06.42; 6. Steinlage 1:09.93 800m – 1. Stika 2:29.16; 11. Ball 3:17.00 100m hurdles – 2. Hayek 18.93 400m hurdles – 2. DeSloover 1:31.19 4x100 – 3. Kuennen, Hayek, Hoffert, Steinlage 55.50; 13.

Manderfield, Chicken, DeSloover, Ball 1:02.86 4x400 – 1. Kuennen, Stika, Gruenberg, Nieman 4:22.69 Sprint medley – 2. Kuennen, Throndson, Nieman, Stika 1:55.57 Distance medley – 1. Nieman, Hayek, Kuennen, Stika 4:28.26

1600m – 14. Hoffert 5:52.60 3200m – 6. Rausch 11:05.61 110m hurdles – 13. Kriener 20.61 Shuttle hurdle – 8. 1:19.07 4x200 – 10. 1:50.55; 11. 2:01.77 4x400 – 5. 3:50.37; 8. 4:15.83 Sprint medley – 7. 1:43.43; 14.

2:09.73 Distance medley – 1. 3:52.84 South Winn boys team scores 1. Riceville 173; 2. Decorah 138; 3. Charles City 118; 4. South Winn 114; 5. Turkey Valley 83; 6. West Central 28 Boys results Long jump – 11. Humpal 11’7” Shot put – 25. Fencl 28’4.5”; 26.

Wurzer 28’4” Discus – 28. T. Reicks 80’9” 100m – 17. Humpal 14.23; 19. T. Reicks 14.26; 20. Fencl 15.38 200m – 7. Keyes 25.37; 18.

Tlusty 28.29; 20. Humpal 30.08 400m – 5. Wheeler 57.77; 14.

Humpal 1:08.64; 15. John Forbes 1:17.23 800m – 3. D. Reicks 2:22.38 1600m – 2. Rausch 5:11.57; 9. Hoffert 5:43.62; 12. J. Forbes 6:54.05 110m hurdles – 6. Kriener 19.75 400m hurdles – 4. Kriener 1:09.16 Shuttle hurdle – 3. Wurzer, Tlusty, L. Kruse, Kriener 1:18.37 4x100 – 2. Schmidt, JD Kruse, Busta, Keyes 47.29 4x200 – 9. Wurzer, T. Reicks, Rausch, Hoffert 1:53.89 4x400 – 1. Schmidt, Busta, Wheeler, JD Kruse 3:43.72; 5. L. Kruse, Kriener, D. Reicks, Wurzer 4:17.05 4x800 – 1. Wheeler, D. Reicks, JD Kruse, Schmidt 9:05.59 Sprint medley – 5. L. Kruse, Tlusty, Rausch, Keyes 1:50.75 Distance medley – 1. Schmidt, JD Kruse, Keyes, Busta 3:59.86

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18 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Decorah boys roll over Lions, Go-Hawks Trojan lady 2, as did Krieg and Cuevas at No. 3. The No. 1 duo of Chamberlain and K. Nalean Carlson came up short in their match 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.

Friday, Decorah senior Beau Newhouse was on the courts in junior varsity action against Clear Lake. (Photo by Becky Walz) The Decorah boys tennis team (12-0) got back on the courts Friday and Monday, picking up wins over Clear Lake and Waverly-Shell Rock.

Great day Friday was one of the few days the Vikings played when the wind was calm and temperatures comfortable as they hosted Clear Lake (6-2), winning 8-1.

In singles action, No. 2 Tristan Hunter, No. 3 Keaton Nalean-Carlson, No. 4 Elliot Berland, No. 5 Caleb Krieg and No. 6 earned victories. The double teams of Liam Chamberlain/K. Nalean-Carlson, Berland/Hunter and Krieg/Cuevas also swept the competition.

Match results Singles: No. 1 Liam Chamberlain (Dec) lost 6-4, 6-3 to Leif Lundberg

(CL); No. 2 Tristan Hunter (Dec) won 6-3, 6-0 over Walker Williams (CL); No. 3 Keaton Nalean-Carlson (Dec) won 6-0, 6-0 over Levi Reynolds (CL); No. 4 Elliot Berland (Dec) won 6-0, 6-2 over Hayden Pals (CL); No. 5 Caleb Krieg (Dec) won 6-1, 6-0 over Hayden Shear (CL); No. 6 Aitor Cuevas (Dec) won 6-1, 6-3 over Jeremy Brant (CL) Doubles: No. 1 Chamberlain/K. Nalean-Carlson (Dec) won 6-1, 6-3 over Lundberg/Williams (CL); No. 2 Berland/Hunter (Dec) won 6-0, 6-1 over Reynolds/Pals (CL); No. 3 Krieg/Cuevas (Dec) won 6-0, 6-0 over Shear/Brant (CL)

High notes Finally playing in the sun and warmth, the Vikings faced a squad full of experience Monday on the road; however, Decorah pulled out the 6-3 win over Waverly-Shell Rock (8-2).

Singles wins came from Hunter, K. Nalean-Carlson, Berland and Krieg in the No. 2-5 spots. In doubles action, Hunter and Berland won at No.

Match results Singles: No. 1 Chamberlain (Dec) lost 6-2, 6-1 to Matthew Judka (WSR); No. 2 Hunter (Dec) won 6-1, 6-3 over Brady Willis (W-SR); No. 3 K. Nalean-Carlson (Dec) won 6-1, 6-2 over Liam Jerone (W-SR); No. 4 Berland (Dec) won 6-4, 6-1 over Daniel Becker (W-SR); No. 5 Krieg (Dec) won 6-3, 6-3 over Isaiah Franzen (W-SR); No. 6 Cuevas (Dec) lost 6-1, 6-1 to Trevor Beck (W-SR) Doubles: No. 1 Chamberlain/K. Nalean-Carlson (Dec) lost 4-6, 6-3 (10-6) to Judka/Willis (W-SR); No. 2 Berland/Hunter (Dec) won Jerome/ Franzen (W-SR); No. 3 Krieg/ Cuevas (Dec) won 6-1, 7-5 over Becker/Beck (W-SR)

Tournament trail The Vikes have one final match at home at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 8, versus Columbus Catholic before turning their attention to the postseason.

Decorah will begin the trail to state as a host of the Class 1A district tournament for singles and doubles action. That meet will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14 in Decorah.

The team substate matches will take place Saturday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 21, at locations still to be released.

The state singles and doubles championships will take place at Byrnes Park in Waterloo Tuesday and Wednesday, May 27-28, while the team championships will be played Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3-4 at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center in Iowa City.

Big victory for Vikes in tie with No. 1 NFV The Decorah boys soccer team (3-6-3) continues to gain experience on the pitch as they took on the top-ranked team in Class 1A as well as a tough Wahlert Catholic squad on the road.

LaBelle with 10 saves While it wasn’t a clear victory, the Vikings can be excited with the 2-2 tie against the

top-ranked North Fayette Valley TigerHawks (10-1-1) that occurred Saturday.

Playing in West Union, the TigerHawks put the first goal in the net mere minutes into the match. Decorah’s Noah Milburn scored the tying goal at the 11:11 mark on a free kick from the sideline that went just over the head of the NFV goalkeeper.

In the second half, the competitive match rolled on with the TigerHawks scoring on a free kick to put NFV on top 2-1 before the midway point of the match. At the 18:47 mark, Ian Giddings got out front of the defenders and took a clear shot to score and tie it up 2-2.

The physical game was left hanging 2-2 as Viking goalkeeper Jameson LaBelle came up with 10 saves.

Road loss The Vikes were in action on the road Monday, taking on Wahlert Catholic (65-1) with the home team coming away with a 3-1 victory.

Decorah did have five shots on the goal with freshman Oak Pasche putting two toward the net.

Will Larson, Giddings and Milburn each had one with Milburn having on assist on Larson’s goal.

Decorah’s Riley Berns (21) tries power the header ball toward the goal LaBelle finished as teammates Will Larson (middle) and Noah Milburn (far left) prepare the match with eight for the rebound from the NFV defender during Saturday’s match in West saves in the goal.

Union. (Photo by Becky Walz)

linksters shoot season low; Bernhard once again leads boys

By Kelly Terpstra sports@nhtrib.com

The weather is heating up, and so is the Turkey Valley girls golf team.

Steve Hoffert’s Trojans shot a season-low 215 in a win at Central Elkader last Friday on the Warriors’ home course.

Trojan senior Morgan Vsetecka shot a 50 to nab medalist honors, a big reason why TV won by 33 strokes over Central (248).

TV juniors Karstyn Lukes (53) and Annika Bodensteiner (54), along with sophomore Miyah Byrne (58) rounded out Turkey Valley’s scoring.

The day before, on Thursday, May 1, TV took on MFL MarMac at the Tri-City Golf Club in Luana. The Bulldogs won by 12 strokes over TV, 217 to 205, but the Trojans occupied the top two medalist spots. Bodensteiner was No. 1 on the leaderboard with a 45, followed by Vsetecka’s medalist runner-up score of 48. Byrne (56) and Brooklyn Kuennen (68) completed the TV scorecard.

Boys action The TV boys took on the Upper Iowa Conference foes as well. MFL blistered the course at Luana with a school record 149 to defeat the Trojans (179) by 30 strokes.

Trojan sophomore Nicholas Bernhard carded a 38.

Brady Blong carded a 44 and Logan Busta mustered up a 45 for TV. MFL was led by co-medalists Ben Krambeer and Quinn McKeough, who each fired 35s.

Central Elkader topped TV on Friday by a score of 170 to 188.

Bernhard was the top shooter for TV with a 40. Busta recorded a 47 and Blong ended up with a 50. Calen Franzen fired a 51.

TV played on Tuesday at home versus Clayton Ridge, a makeup meet from Monday, April 28. The Trojans host South Winneshiek and Waukon today (Thursday) at Jackson Heights Golf Course.

This Friday the Cadets of Crestwood roll into town for a non-conference dual meet and Monday the UIC boys meet will be played at Jackson Heights. The UIC girls will play at Gutenberg Golf & Country Club the following day on Tuesday, May 13.

Decorah’s Drew Zwart gets set to chip her ball on to a green during Friday’s meet against Crestwood at Oneota Golf and Country Club. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Lady Vikes drop close ones; NEIC meet Monday The Decorah girls golf team has had several busy days on its home links, hosting Crestwood Friday, a quad Saturday and Waverly-Shell Rock Monday.

Bellrichard medals A few days later than scheduled, the Vikings hosted Crestwood at Oneota Golf Course, coming up shy of the win to the Cadets 209 to 196.

Lulu Bellrichard took the top medalist honors as she carded a 47. Crestwood teammates Ainsley Teeling and Addie Moellers each fired 48s to be the co-runners-up.

Decorah’s Olivia Brynsaas came through with a 49. With a 56 was Shelby Hageman while Anna Knaack carded a 57 to complete the Viking scorecard.

Clair Smedsrud (58) and Drew Zwart (60) toured the Oneota links as well.

Teeing off again Less than 24 hours after hosting the Cadets, Decorah linksters were back at work as the

Anna Knaack finished Friday’s NEIC dual against Crestwood with a 57 for the Viking girls’ golf team. (Photo

by Becky Walz)

hosts of an 18-hole quad. Coming away with the win Saturday with a 354 was Sumner-Fredericksburg. Crestwood took second with 375 over Decorah’s 422. Waukon rounded out the line-up with a 445.

The overall medalist for the day was Chloe Bolte of Sumner-Fredericksburg with a scorching 66. Ainsley Teeling of Crestwood took the runner-up medal with an 85.

Swinging the clubs for Decorah were Brynsaas (95), Bellrichard (99), Hageman (109), Knaack (119), Smedsrud (121) and Zwart (122).

Monday’s dual Back on the links at Oneota Golf Course Monday, the Vikings hosted Waverly-Shell Rock for a dual meet, dropping the match 229 to 197.

The Go-Hawks swept the medals with Mady Mummelthei carding a 41, well ahead of her teammate Hannah Schnell who fired a 52.

Five Vikes finished together, with Bellrichard leading the way with a 55. Riann Oberbroeckling toured Oneota with a 56. Hageman and Smedsrud finished Decorah’s scoring with 59s. Others on the varsity scorecard including Knaack (60) and Zwart (65).

On the horizon The Vikes have one more regular season meet at 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 8, as they host Caledonia at the Oneota Golf and Country Club.

The postseason begins with the Northeast Iowa Conference tournament at 10 a.m. Monday, May 12, at Cedar Ridge Golf Course in Charles City. The Class 4A regional tournament is set for 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 21, at a site still to be announced.

SW boys roll in the medals at triangulars, dual The count is now three meets and six medals for the South Winn boys golf team, which is now 19-2.

Playing par Nothing seems to be slowing the progress of the Warriors, not even the weather as rain kept South Winn off the tees and greens for a few days earlier last week. Back in action Thursday, the Warriors logged a season low scorecard with a 151 against the Indians (160) and Blue Devils (174).

Playing an even par, Braiden Todd and Cale Kleppe swept the medalist and runner-up spots after a card back broke the tie. Matson Winings carded a 39 while Carson Streeter and Jackson Goltz fired 40s. Carver Wenthold rounded out the varsity line-up with a 45.

“The boys played unbelievably well. If the boys continue to play like this, there is a pos-

sibility for a very deep postseason run,” noted boys coach Mike Wenthold.

More medals It was a short turn-around as the boys traveled to Guttenberg for another triangular Friday, winning the day with a 159 as Clayton Ridge was 30 strokes back at 189 and Postville finished with a 203.

Once again the SW boys swept the medals with Winings leading the way with a 38. Carving out 40s were Todd and Wenthold who became co-runners-up. Streeter and Goltz were right there as well with 41s, and Kleppe rounded out the varsity line-up with a 43.

“It feels like we’re exactly where we need to be right now.

The team continues to demonstrate its depth, with all six guys shooting a 43 or better,” said coach Wenthold. “Matson (Winings) had a terrific round, and it was nice to see Carver

(Wenthold) get some hardware.

After a slower start to the season it feels like he’s getting his good feel back and he’s starting to score, and it’s coming at exactly the right time.”

A big win It was one of the few good nights to golf Monday when the Warriors hosted North Fayette Valley at the South Winn Golf Course. In the end, South Winn took the win 166 to 190.

Carding 39s, Todd and Streeter took the medalist and runner-up spots for South Winn.

Coming through with 44s were Kleppe and Goltz, while Winings finished with a 45 and Wenthold carved out a 48.

“We definitely didn’t bring our best golf in this meet. I think we struggled on the greens a little bit, and there are times where I felt like some of the guys lacked some composure.

We have to be able to rebound

from bad holes and bad shots and still come up with a score,” said coach Wenthold.

Looking ahead The Warriors have their last regular season meet on Thursday at Jackson Heights in an 18-hole triangular against Turkey Valley and Waukon.

Then it’s on to the postseason with the Upper Iowa Conference meet at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 12 at Jackson Heights Golf Course in Jackson Junction.

Wednesday, May 14, the Warriors will host a Class 1A sectional meet at the South Winn Country Club near Calmar. Tee-off time is 9 a.m.

Teams and individuals advancing from the South Winn, Saint Ansgar, Nashua-Plainfield and Belle Plaine sectionals will play their district meet at 10 a.m., Monday, May 19 at the Highland Park Golf Course in Mason City.

SW junior Matson Winings sends his ball toward the hole during Thursday’s triangular with West Central and Waukon.

Friday, Winings was the medalist in Guttenberg with a 38.

(Photo by Becky Walz)

SPORTS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Best of NCTC, Vikes crown eight champs

Season low tallies for SW girls The season is winding down toward the postseason, and the scores for the South Winn girls golf team is trending down as the girls swept a pair of triangulars last week and picked up a UIC win over North Fayette Valley Monday.

Triangular win While the weather had kept the team off the links for a few days, it did nothing to dampen the season they are having as the girls broke the 200 barrier with a 196 against Waukon and West Central Thursday at Silver Springs Golf Course in Ossian.

Waukon finished the day with a 231, while West Central was unable to tally a team score with just three golfers.

Medalist honors for the girls went to Aubrey Hageman with a career low 45. Freshman Maya Lensing continues to shoot well for the Warriors day in and day out, carding a 49 as the runner-up for the day.

SW’s Claire Becker also continues a solid freshman season after shooting a 50. Rounding out the four-scorers for the Warriors’ day was senior Bailee Frana who fired a career low 52.

Julia Carnesi and Addi Timp finished the varsity roster with 56 each.

“We had some great scoring from girls not in the varsity rotation. Abby Wagner carded a very impressive career low, 46, and Avery Luzum shot a 54. We also had Delaney Steffans come in with a career low, 57. These girls just keep getting better every meet, which is exactly what we want as we near the postseason,” said SW girls coach Glenna Munuswamy.

A bounty of medals A day later, the Warriors trekked to Guttenberg to battle Clayton Ridge and Postville, in Upper Iowa Conference action, picking up more victories.

The Lady Warriors put up a 203 over the Eagles (245) and the Pirates (286).

“The girls are now consistently posting low team scores. For most of our players, this was their first time playing a difficult Guttenberg Golf Course, yet they rose to the challenge.

We went into the day focused on competition and getting a feel for the course that will host the Upper Iowa Conference Girls golf tournament,” said

SW’s Aubrey Hageman eyes the green for her ball from the ninth fairway at Silver Springs Golf Course during play Thursday. (Photo by Becky Walz)

coach Munuswamy.

Warrior Claire Becker shot a career low 49 to earn the top medalist honors. Hageman earned her second medal in as many nights as the runner-up with a 50. Touring the Guttenberg course with 52s, Lensing and Timp filled out the South Winn scorecard. Frana also shot a 52, but a card back put her in fifth place. Carnesi continued to play a steady game and finished with a 54.

Showdown in Calmar It was an Upper Iowa Conference showdown at South Winn Country Club with the Warriors versus North Fayette Valley Monday.

“These teams, depending on what averages you look at, are within two strokes of each other. South Winn, NFV and MFLMar-Mac only have a couple of strokes separating the three teams as we head closer to the conference tournament. That being said, we were anxious to see how these two teams would do head-to-head for the second time this season. The girls did not disappoint,” said coach Munuswamy.

When the scores rolled in, it was a 203-203 tie. Tie breakers are then broken by each team’s fifth golfer, putting the Warriors on top.

NFV brought in two great scores with Lainy Donnelly earning recognition as a medalist (45), and runner-up honors going to Taryn Moser (46).

The Warriors’ low score for the night went to senior, Abby Wagner (48). Lensing put up a 51 with the senior duo of Carnesi and Hageman adding 52s to finish the SW scoring. Becker (54) and Frana (54) also competed in the varsity line-up.

“Abby (Wagner) has been in a real groove lately. All the girls continue to shoot solid scores and we are right where we want to be as we head toward the postseason,” added coach Munuswamy.

Final home meet South Winn had another remarkable outing Tuesday as the Warriors hosted Charles City at the South Winn Golf Course, winning 202 to 211.

Lensing sealed her medalist position and a personal best score of 44 with an eagle on her final hole, draining it from 65 yards. Carnesi also had a career low on the night with a 48 as the runner-up.

“Carnesi is so consistent that it was only a matter of time before she brought home some hardware,” noted coach Munuswamy.

Also scoring for the Warriors were Frana (52) and Wagner (58). Becker and A. Hageman came through with 59s.

Postseason next week After a triangular with Waukon and Turkey Valley in Jackson Junction Thursday, the Lady Warriors will turn their attention to the postseason. It begins with the Upper Iowa Conference meet at 9 a.m Tuesday, May 13, in Guttenberg.

The first round of the Class 1A regional tournament will begin Friday, May 16, at a location yet to be announced.

It was a photo finish in the 4x200 relay Monday in Calmar between South Winn’s Brennan Franzen (left) and Riceville’s Owen Smith. The Wildcats won by 3/1000 of a second.

(Photo by Becky Walz)

Barton-Franzen two-time champion at SW invite The regular portion of the season is now in the rearview mirror for the South Winn boys’ track and field team as the Warriors were on the road Thursday at Crestwood and celebrated its seniors at its home meet Monday night.

Middle of the pack Trudging to Cresco Thursday for a co-ed meet hosted

by Crestwood, the South Winn boys picked up just one title as the Warriors finished fifth in the team standings with 54 points.

Osage won the night with 129, edging the host Cadets by two.

Kaden Barton-Franzen soared his way the bar at 6 feet, 2 inches. The senior was the lone gold medalist of the night but added a runner-up finish as a member of the shuttle hurdle relay. Barton-Franzen was joined on the track by Jordan Einck, Landon Livingood and Gavin Feickert for a combined time of 1:13.23 in the event. Cameron Einck also took home of silver as the freshman posted a time of 10:43.29 in the 3200-meter run.

Home invite Welcoming a handful of area schools to Calmar Monday night, the Warriors picked up 114 points to finish fourth in the team standings behind Riceville, Decorah and Charles City.

Five events stood above the rest for the Warriors.

This time Barton-Franzen took home a pair of titles, winning the high jump and 110-meter hurdles. The senior finished the high jump at 5 feet, 10 inches and broke the tape in the race in 16.93 seconds.

In the 100-meter dash, Weiss claimed gold in 11.72 seconds, and it was Greve who won the 200-meter dash in 23.91 seconds.

Greve and Weiss teamed up with Flores and Franzen once again to win the 4x100 relay in 45.65 seconds.

Postseason schedule Upper Iowa Conference teams, including South Winn and Turkey Valley will converge on Monona at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, to compete for titles.

Coming up in area varsity sports May 8 – Dec g golf vs. Caledonia (Oneota), 4 p.m.; Dec g ten at Mason City, 4 p.m.; Dec b ten vs. Columbus Catholic, 4 p.m.; SW/TV/Waukon golf vs. Waukon (Jackson Junction), 4 p.m.; SW/TV g/b tr at UIC (Monona), 4 p.m.; Dec g/b tr at NEIC (Waukon), 4:30 p.m.; Dec g soc at Union, 5 p.m.; Dec b soc vs. Hudson, 5 p.m.

May 9 – TV golf vs. Crestwood, 4 p.m.

May 10 – Dec g/b soc at Waverly-Shell Rock tnmt., 9 a.m.; Dec b golf at Gilbert tnmt., 9 a.m.

May 12 – Dec g ten at Singles/Double Regional (TBA), 9 a.m.; SW/TV b golf at UIC (Jackson Junction), 9 a.m.; Dec g golf at NEIC (Charles City), 10 a.m.; Dec b golf at NEIC (New Hampton), 10 a.m.; Dec g soc vs. Postville, 5 p.m.

May 14 – Dec b ten host Individual/Singles Districts (TBA), 9 a.m.; SW/TV g golf at UIC (Guttenberg), 9 a.m.; Dec b golf at Sectionals (Gardner Course in Marion), 10 a.m.

May 15 – Dec b golf vs. Winona Senior (Oneota), 2 p.m.; Dec g/b tr host Class 3A State-Qualifying, 4 p.m.; SW/TV g/b tr at State-Qualifying (Edgewood-Colesburg), 4 p.m.; Dec g/b soc at Denver, 5 p.m.

19

Gavin Feickert goes airborne in an effort to seal a top three spot in Monday’s long jump in Calmar. The sophomore finish third with a distance of 17 feet, 6.5 inches. (Photo

by Becky Walz)

South Winn will be at Edgewood-Colesburg for the Class 1A state-qualifying action at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.

Running events will begin at 4:45 p.m. In Class 1A, the top place winner in each event, plus the next 14 best performances statewide from qualifying meetplace winners, will advance to the state meet.

Crestwood boys team scores 1. Osage 129; 2. Crestwood 127; 3. Waukon 108; 4. New Hampton 97.5; 5. South Winn 54; 6.

Dunkerton 40; 7. Riceville 31.5; 8.

Postville 0 Varsity results High jump – 1. Kaden BartonFranzen 6’2”; 7. Jordan Einck 5’2” Long jump – 4. Gavin Feickert 17’2.5”; 8. Levi Feickert 15’9.5” Shot put – 15. Kyle Kuboushek 34’4.5”; 16. Landen Schnuelle 31’10.25; 18. Tristan Bodensteiner 31’7.5” Discus – 8. T. Bodensteiner 114’10”; 11. Schnuelle 109’8”; 16. K. Kuboushek 93’3” 100m – 4. Lukas Weiss 11.67; 10. Irving Flores 12.19 200m – 5. Brennan Franzen 23.95; 7. Flores 24.93 400m – 12. Caden Tieskoetter 1:05.68 800m – 5. Brad Dahl 2:17.55 3200m – 2. Cameron Einck 10:43.29; 6. Tieskoetter 13:07.91 110m hurdles – 4. BartonFranzen 16.82 400m hurdles – 8. BartonFranzen 1:06.21; 9. G. Feickert 1:08.53 Shuttle hurdle – 2. BartonFranzen, J. Einck, Landon Livingood, G. Feickert 1:13.23 4x100 – 3. Eric Greve, Flores, Weiss, Franzen 45.79 4x200 – 6. Livingood, K. Kuboushek, J. Einck, Schnuelle 1:40.72 4x400 – 5. Livingood, K. Kuboushek, J. Einck, Schnuelle 3:54.25 4x800 – 5. Dahl, Andy Acahua, Clayton Kuboushek, L. Feickert 9:55.65 Sprint medley – 8. Camden Bullerman, Adam Schmitt, Landon Humpal, Acahua 1:50.17 South Winn boys team scores 1. Riceville 173; 2. Decorah 138; 3. Charles City 118; 4. South Winn 114; 5. Turkey Valley 83; 6. West Central 28 Varsity results High jump – 1. Barton-Franzen 5’10”; 3. Weiss 5’8”; 8. J. Einck 5’4” Long jump – 3. G. Feickert 17’6.5”; 5. L. Feickert 15’10.5” Shot put – 11. K. Kuboushek 33’7.5”; 14. Schnuelle 33’3”; 16.

Shayde Wermers 32’5”; 17. T. Bodensteiner 30’7.5”; 21. Franzen 29’7.25”; 22. C. Bodensteiner 29’3.5”; 27. Adam Schmitt 27’8.75”; 32. Henry Willey 26’4”; 33. Mason Cox 22’9.5” Discus – 5. T. Bodensteiner 121’0”; 6. Schnuelle 120’9”; 13. K. Kuboushek 94’3”; 18. Willey 90’0”; 21. Camden Bullerman 85’5”; 22.

C. Bodensteiner 85’2”; 25. BartonFranzen 82’2”; 27. Irving Flores 81’10”; 31. Wermers 74’1”; 33.

Franzen 72’0”; 35. Cox 70’8” 100m – 1. Weiss 11.72; 9.

Livingood 12.59; 16. Humpal 13.72; 18. Yahir Macario 14.26 200m – 1. Greve 23.91; 14.

Schmitt 26.81; 19. Macario 28.04; 21. Tyler Fels 33.09 400m – 9. G. Feickert 1:00.86 110m hurdles – 1. BartonFranzen 16.93 4x100 – 1. Greve, Flores, Weiss, Franzen 45.65; 5. Bullerman, Acahua, K. Kuboushek, Schnuelle 48.42; 13. Ethan Oyloe, Brendon Riehle, T. Bodensteiner, Wermers 58.17 4x200 – 2. Greve, Flores, Weiss, Franzen 1:35.41; 4. Livingood, Acahua, K. Kuboushek, Schnuelle 1:41.88; 7. Schmitt, Hugh Conway, C. Einck, Tieskoetter 2:01.76 4x400 – 2. Barton-Franzen, J. Einck, Conway, Dahl 3:49.69; 6. C. Einck, Tieskoetter, Humpal, Fels 4:27.99 4x800 – 4. Dahl, Tieskoetter, C. Kuboushek, L. Feickert 10:10.89 Sprint medley – 2. Bullerman, Acahua, Livingood, Conway 1:44.46; 6. Riehle, J. Einck, Humpal, C. Einck, 1:55.76

The Class 1A No. 3 Decorah girls’ tennis team (11-1) are looking poised to make a run deep into the postseason with a trophy at the conference tournament Saturday and a dual win as it will wrap up the regular season Thursday at Mason City.

The postseason begins Monday, May 12 with the individual regional tournament as the Vikes host Aplington-Parkersburg, Charles City, Clear Lake, Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Oelwein, Osage, Waverly-Shell Rock and Western Dubuque (Epworth).

The team regional tournament action Friday, May 16, 20, 24 and 27. Sites have not yet been announced.

Conference champs The Vikes secured the North Central Tennis Conference title in Waverly and took home eight of the nine titles.

Held in round robin fashion, the meet has all players play against those of like positions, and teams score points based on their place finishes in each position. The Vikings dominated – securing first place finishes in all positions other than No. 2 singles where a second place finish was earned.

At the end of the day, the Vikings earned a total of 44 points to secure the conference championship title; Waverly-Shell Rock finished second with 35 points; Oelwein, third with 17.5 points; Charles City, fourth with 11.5 points; and Osage, fifth with 9 points.

First place finishes were secured by singles players Olivia Huinker, Grace Huinker, Leah Holland, Jaidyn Duvel, Klaara Short, along with doubles teams of O. Huinker/G. Huinker, Kaitlyn Bjork/L. Holland and Duvel/Camryn Holland; second place was earned by Bjork at No. 2 singles.

Singles match results No. 1 Olivia Huinker (Dec) – won 7-3 over Sofia Alinea (CC); won 8-2 over Natalie Beck (W-SR); won 9-1 over Kendra Rechkemmer (Oel); won 9-1 over Marley Kerrick (Osage) No. 2 Kaitlyn Bjork (Dec) – lost 6-4 to Addy Huisenga (W-SR); won 10-0 over Joselin Bonnstetter (CC); won 9-1 over Harley Staton (Oel); won 9-1 over Sophia Ketelsen (Osage) No. 3 Grace Huinker (Dec) – won 10-0 over Megan Heyer (W-SR); won 10-0 over Macey Schulmeister (Oel); won 8-2 over Sofia Parrott (CC); won 9-1 over Mylie Havig (Osage) No. 4 Leah Holland (Dec) – won 10-0 over Aliyah Eaves (CC); won 10-0 over Ella Sparrow (Osage); won 10-0 over Emily Taylor (Oel); won 10-0 over Nevaeh Dowlen (WSR) No. 5 Jaidyn Duvel (Dec) – won 9-1 over Brooklyn Hanson (CC); won 10-0 over Taylor Swenseon (Osage); won 8-2 over Sawyer Buhr (Oel); won 8-2 over Gracie Bulick (W-SR) No. 6 Klaara Short (Dec) – won 10-0 over Paige Mehmen (Osage); won 9-1 over Mackenzie Palmer (Oel); won 7-3 over Addie Kruse (WSR); won 10-0 over Paige Pickar (CC)

Leah Holland went 4-0 in singles action in the No. 4 spot for Decorah to win at the NCTC tournament in Waverly Saturday. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Decorah’s No. 1 player Olivia Huinker was one of five singles players to win a title Saturday at the conference tournament. (Photo by Becky Walz) Doubles match results No. 1 O. Huinker/G. Huinker (Dec) – won 6-2 over Beck/Huisenga (WSR); won 7-1 over K. Rechkemmer/ Buhr (Oel); won 6-2 over Kerrick/ Swenson (Osage); won 5-3 over Alinea/Bonnstetter (CC) No. 2 Bjork/L. Holland (Dec) – won 8-0 over Schulmeister/Taylor (Oel); won 8-0 over Ketelsen/ Mehmen (Osage); won 8-0 over Parrott/Eaves (CC); won 7-1 over Heyer/Gulick (W-SR) No. 3 Duvel/Camryn Holland (Dec) – won 8-0 over Havig/ Sparrow (Osage); won 7-1 over Hanson/Pickar (CC); won 8-0 over

Dowlen/Kruse (W-SR); won 7-1 over Aubree Rechkemmer/ Staton (Oel) Different line-up For the second time this season, the Vikings dominated the courts against Osage (1-9) for its second sweep over the Green Devils Monday night in Osage.

Sporting a different line-up, the Vikings who secured singles victories were No. 1 Duvel, No. 2 Short, No. 3 Camryn Holland, No. 4 Dylin Thompson, No. 5 Myla Leitz and No. 6 Isis Timm.

Doubles wins were earned by No. 1 Duvel and C. Holland, No. 2 Short and Thompson and No. 3 Leitz and Timm.

Match results Singles: No. 1 Duvel (Dec) won over Marley Kerrick (Osage); No. 2 Short (Dec) won 8-1 over Sophia Ketelsen (Osage); No. 3 C. Holland (Dec) won over Mylie Havig (Osage); No. 4 Dylin Thompson (Dec) won 8-2 over Ella Sparrow (Osage); No. 5 Myla Leitz (Dec) won over Addie Sayer (Osage); No. 6 Isis Timm (Dec) won 8-2 over Kylah Shoars (Osage) Doubles: No. 1 Duvel/C. Holland (Dec) won 8-3 over Kerrick/Ketelson (Osage); No. 2 Short/Thompson (Dec) won 8-1 over Havig/Sparrow (Osage); No. 3 Leitz/Timm (Dec) won 8-4 over Sayar/Shoars (Osage)

First loss The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season Tuesday at the hands of Dubuque Hempstead (11-2) on the road in a close 5-4 battle in the abbreviated pro-set style competition.

Decorah’s No. 4 L. Holland and No. 6 Klaara Short were the lone Vikes to pick up win in the singles competition. L. Holland defeated Jordan Hancock 8-4, while Short won 8-5 over Gabbi Smith.

Trailing 4-2 entering the doubles portion of the competition, the Vikings needed the sweep but fell short. Bjork and L. Holland topped Noor Kassas and Rylan Mours 6-2 at the No. 2 spot. At No. 3 Duvel and C. Holland came out victorious over Smith and Hancock 6-3.

Match results Singles: No. 1 O. Huinker (Dec) lost 8-5 to Claire Kelley (Dub); No. 2 Bjork (Dec) lost 8-4 to Mya Hoden (Dub); No. 3 G. Huinker (Dec) lost 8-3 to Noor Kassas (Dub); No. 4 L. Holland (Dec) won 8-4 over Jordan Hancock (Dub); No. 5 Duvel (Dec) lost 9-8 (7-4) to Rylan Mours (Dub); No. 6 Short (Dec) won 8-5 over Gabbi Smith (Dub) Doubles: No. 1 O. Huinker/G. Huinker (Dec) lost 8-3 to Hoden/ Kelley (Dub); No. 2 Bjork/L. Holland (Dec) won 6-2 over Kassas/Mours (Dub); No. 3 Duvel/C. Holland (Dec) won 6-3 over Smith/Hancock (Dub)

Many more photos from the South Winn invite will be available to view online with the Decorah, South Winn and Turkey Valley track stories.

SPORTS 20

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DECORAH LEADER

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THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025

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WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM

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SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ

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BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM

Split Viking boys rich in wins at Monona and Calmar

With the varsity in Monona and many junior varsity athletes on the track in Calmar, the Decorah boys track and field team have a lot to brag about afterMonday’s meets.

The Vikes dominated the MFL MarMac field, winning easily with 196 points over the host Bulldogs’ 85. In Calmar, Decorah took second in the team race with 138 behind Riceville who tallied 173 points.

At MFL MarMac Spearheading the Vikes to the team title in Monona were the 14 first place finishes.

William Hahn was a twotime champion in the throwing events. The senior had a throw of 48 feet 9 inches in the shot put and sailed the discus 140 feet, 9 inches.

In the 200-meter dash, Kade O’Hara broke the tape in 22.90 seconds. Kyle Pattison earned the 400-meter dash title in 55.73 seconds. Moving into the distance events, Mitchell Stemper was the champion in the 800-meter run. The junior posted the winning time of 2:00.44. The senior duo of Thomas Hammel and Landyn Hook took the 1600-meter and

3200-meter titles. In the shorter event, Hammel had the best time of 4:46.01, while Hook edged Kee’s Justin Wagner at the line by less than a second.

Hook had a time of 10:28.24.

Six of the seven relays also won gold with Decorah not competing in the shuttle hurdle relay.

In Calmar The Vikings won gold in four events at the South Winn invite.

Thatcher Brown was the first to win a title as he hoisted the shot put 41 feet, 10 inches for the victory. In the 400-meter

Decorah runners (l-r) Zander McConnell, Kaden Tarwater, Lucas Wymer and Matthew Burkholder are in the 4x200 exchange zone together during Monday’s meet in Calmar. (Photos

by Becky Walz)

dash, Griffith Brauer circled the track in 55.07 seconds to record the fastest time of the night in the event. Derek Hrdlicka stopped the clock first in the 1600-meter run. The freshman had a time of 5:10.37.

The sprint medley relay also had a win for the Vikings. Kellen O’Gara, Matthew Burkholder, Kaden Tarwater and Archer Sims crossed the finish line first in 1:44.32.

Picking up silvers for Decorah were Dakota VanGundy in the long jump, Esteban Fernandez in the 3200-meter run and the shuttle hurdle relay. Rounding out the top three finishes for the Vikes were Carter Riley in the discus, the 4x200 relay, 4x400 relay, the 4x800 relay and the distance medley relay.

NEIC meet Thursday Northeast Iowa Conference track teams will hit the oval at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Waukon before setting in motion the final preparations for the state-qualifying meet.

Decorah will host one of the eight Class 3A meets at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. Running events will begin at 4:45 p.m.

The Vikes will compete against Center Point-Urbana, Charles City, Clear Lake, Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Independence, Marion and Waverly-Shell Rock.

Stretching his back to clear the bar is Decorah’s Parker Low, who finished fourth at 5 feet, 8 inches. (Photo by Becky Walz) In Class 3A and Class 2A, the top two place winners in each event plus the next eight (8) performances statewide from qualifying meet place winners (1st – 8th) will advance to the state meet.

MFL MarMac boys’ team scores 1. Decorah 196; 2. MFL MarMac 85; 3. Clayton Ridge 83; 4. Ed-Co 71; 5.

Central Elkader 66; 6. Kee 46 Event results Shot put – 1. William Hahn 48’9”; 2. Henry Brynsaas 44’4”; 3. Luke Franzen 42’8”; 7. Cash Riehle 35’9” Discus – 1. Hahn 140’9”; 3.

Brynsaas 134’4”; 4. Franzen 123’9” 100m – 3. Grant Remington 11.99; 4. Kade O’Hara 12.02; 5. Ray Hayek 12.29; 7. Max Grimstad 12.43 200m – 1. O’Hara 22.90; 3. Mason Avila 23.20; 7. Kyle Pattison 23.80; 10.

Jace Buddenberg 25.70 400m – 1. Pattison 55.73; 3. Bill Fullhart 57.10 800m – 1. Mitchell Stemper 2:00.44; 2. Grant Zilka 2:01.72 1600m – 1. Thomas Hammel 4:46.01; 2. Fullhart 5:00.89 3200m – 1. Landyn Hook 10:28.24 110m hurdles – 1. Josh Adam 15.56 400m hurdles – 4. Hayek 1:02.67 4x100 – 1. Landon Quandahl, Adam, Zach Driscoll, Peyton Webb 44.33 4x200 – 1. Remington, Driscoll, Grimstad, Trevor Kuennen 1:34.70 4x400 – 1. Davis Coppola, Zilka, D’Mitry Lesser, Bennett Coppola 3:41.68 4x800 – 1. D. Coppola, B. Coppola, Garrett See, Lesser 8:43.42

Medal rich

Continued on page 17

Time to rise; South Winn girls prep for UIC meet The South Winn girls track and field team has made steady improvements throughout the spring, finishing the regular portion of the season with a third place at Crestwood and as the runner-up of its home meet Monday.

Third at Cresco The top spot eluded the Lady Warriors in Cresco Thursday; however, the girls picked up a third-place finish in the team race with 101 points thanks to five runner-up and six bronze finishes. The host, Crestwood, won the meet with 156 points with New Hampton taking second with 125 points.

A leap of 14 feet, 1.5 inches landed SW freshman Jena Peters third Monday in Calmar. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Two individuals won silver, including Maddy Jansen in the 800-meter run. The junior crossed the finish line in 2:27.79. Ava Franzen took runner-up in the 3000-meter run in 12:40.76 In the 4x200 relay it was the team of Jena Peters, Allison Hageman, Alexis Johanningmeier and Britney Hageman as the runner-up. The quartet stopped the clock at 1:56.26.

The 4x400 foursome of Cloey Zweibohmer, Jansen, Addy Conway and Katie Shimek posted at time of 4:18.05 for second. That same quartet took silver in the distance medley relay in 4:25.12.

Taking home third-place finishes were Emily Hovden in the shot put, Vanessa Bullerman in the 400-meter dash, the 4x100 relay team of Peters, Alyssa Holthaus, Al. Hageman, B. Hageman, the 4x800 relay team of Annie Hageman, Karissa Wenthold, Tessa Phillips, Bullerman and the sprint medley relay team of Simek, Al. Hageman, Zweibohmer, Johanningmeier.

While the team finished second, the depth of the Warrior squad was prevalent with a trio of gold medals, six silvers and three bronze.

The night kicked off with a new meet record set in the sprint medley by Shimek, Al. Hageman, Zweibohmer and Jansen.

The previous record was set in 2021 by a Turkey Valley squad at 1:54.90. The South Winn quartet now sits at the top of the record books at 1:53.32.

The 4x800 also won gold.

An. Hageman, Izzy Kuboushek, Lauren Ondrashek and Bullerman had the winning time of 11:04.67.

Shimek, a senior, posted a season-best time in the 200-meter dash, winning in 28.43 seconds.

Competitors finishing in second included Zweibohmer in the 100-meter dash, Conway in the 400-meter dash, Jansen in the 1500-meter run, the 4x100 relay, the 4x200 relay and the 4x400 relay. Garnering bronze for the Warriors were Alyssa Holthaus in the high jump, Jena Peters in the long jump and a 4x800 relay team.

Regular season finale Monday, the Lady Warriors hosted seven other teams, finishing second behind Crestwood. The Cadets won the meet with 169 points, well ahead of South Winn’s 109.

UIC Thursday Upper Iowa Conference teams, including South Winn and Turkey Valley will converge at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at Monona to compete for titles.

South Winn will be at

Edgewood-Colesburg for the Class 1A state-qualifying action at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.

Running events will begin at 4:45 p.m.

Crestwood girls’ team scores 1. Crestwood 156; 2. New Hampton 125; 3. South Winn 101; 4. Osage 79; 5. Dunkerton 50; 6. Postville 32; 7.

Riceville 28

Varsity results High jump – 4. Alyssa Holthaus 4’4” Long jump – 7. Jena Peters 13’5.5” Shot put – 3. Emily Hovden 32’7.75”; 5. Jayden Timp 29’2.75”; 8.

Gracie Walz 26’9.25” Discus – 4. Kelsey Timp 95’7”; 5.

McKenna Looby 88’3”; 9. Hovden 77’6” 100m – 6. Holthaus 14.43; 7. Emmy Gehling 14.53 200m – 5. Alexis Johanningmeier 29.31; 7. Charlotte Moonen 32.56 400m – 3. Vanessa Bullerman 1:10.69; 5. Ava Franzen 1:11.60 800m – 2. Maddy Jansen 2:27.79; 4. Addy Conway 2:32.71 1500m – 4. Annie Hageman 5:30.63; 9. Tessa Phillips 5:58.42; 10.

Karissa Wenthold 6:00.25 3000m – 2. Franzen 12:40.76; 5.

Lauren Ondrashek 13:09.03 100m hurdles – 9. Izzy Kuboushek 18.89 400m hurdles – 4. Kuboushek 1:19.34 4x100 – 3. Peters, Holthaus, Allison Hageman, Britney Hageman 65.85 4x200 – 2. Peters, Al. Hageman, Johanningmeier, B. Hageman 1:56.26 4x400 – 2. Cloey Zweibohmer, Jansen, Conway, Katie Shimek 4:18.05 4x800 – 3. An. Hageman, Wenthold, Phillips, Bullerman 11:09.21 Sprint medley – 3. Shimek, Al. Hageman, Zweibohmer, Johanningmeier 1:58.98 Distance medley – 2. Conway, Zweibohmer, Shimek, Jansen 4:25.12 South Winn girls team scores 1. Crestwood 169; 2. South Winn

Decorah girls hit the oval in Calmar

There were a number of different faces for the Decorah girls track and field team on the oval in Calmar Monday the South Winn invitational as many of the younger athletes got a chance to compete.

The Vikings finished the night with 91 points in fourth place behind Crestwood, South Winn and Turkey Valley.

Two of the team events picked up second place finishes, including the 4x800 and shuttle hurdle relays. In the 4x800 it was Simone Downing, Natalie Stevens, Rachel Spilde-Maki and Taya Snitker putting together a time of 11:06.22. In 1:18.97, Kennady Riehle, Camryn Elster, Harlie Larson and Lyla Lovstuen took second in the hurdle event.

Elster added a bronze finish in the 100-meter hurdles in 18.98 seconds, while Olivia Rissman took third in the 1500-meter run. The sophomore had a time of 5:53.42.

Coming up Decorah will be at the Northeast Iowa Conference meet in Waukon Thursday, May 8.

Events will kick-off at 4:30 p.m.

After a week of preparation, Decorah will then host one of the eight Class 3A meets at 4 p.m., on Thursday, May 15.

Running events will begin at 4:45 p.m. The Vikes will compete against Center Point-Urbana, Charles City, Clear Lake, Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Independence, Marion and Waverly-Shell Rock.

In Class 3A and Class 2A, the top two place winners in each event plus the next eight performances statewide from qualifying meet-place winners those in first through eighth will advance to the state meet. In Class 1A, the top place winner in each event plus the next 14 best performances statewide from qualifying meet place winners will advance to the state meet.

South Winn girls team scores 1. Crestwood 169; 2. South Winn 109; 3. Turkey Valley 93; 4. Decorah 91; 5. Riceville 68; 6. Postville 46; 7.

Charles City 41; 8. West Central 35 Race results High jump – 4. Brylee Hanson 4’4” Long jump – 4. Camryn Elster 13’11”; 5. Poppy Bellrichard 13’4”; 12.

Laylah Schissel 10’8” Shot put – 6. Margaret Hahn 30’6.76”; 7. Kate Pattison 30’4.75”; 22. Madysen Lippe 23’8.75”; 27. Kaya Johnson 21’3.5” Discus – 8. Liz Bucksa 92’9”; 12.

Hahn 86’2”; 17. Pattison 80’1”; 28.

Lippe 62’8” 100m – 14. Jenna Leuenberger 15.26; 17. Bellrichard 15.81; 26. June Belz 17.66 200m – 10. Willow Blair 31.64; 12.

Kennady Riehle 32.22 400m – 8. Simone Downing 1:10.55; 9. Addison Quandahl 1:10.94; 10. Rachel Spilde-Maki 1:11.61; 11.

Taya Snitker 1:13.27 800m – 5. Olivia Rissman 2:48.48; 6. Camryn Quandahl 2:54.20; 7.

Spilde-Maki 3:06.42 1500m – 3. Rissman 5:53.42; 6.

Natalie Stevens 6:00.53 3000m – 4. Grace Blikre 13:29.67 100m hurdles – 3. Elster 18.98; 6.

Harlie Larson 21.56; 7. Lyla Lovstuen 23.03 Shuttle hurdle – 2. Riehle, Elster, Larson, Lovstuen 1:18.97 4x100 – 8. Bucksa, Lundtvedt.

Lovsten, Blair 57.88; 9. Schissel, Hanson, Leuenberger, Bellrichard 58.13 4x200 – 5. Bucksa, Schissel, Lundtvedt, Leuenberger 2:01.83 4x400 – 4. Downing, C. Quandahl, A. Quandahl, McGee 4:48.47 4x800 – 2. Downing, Stevens, Spilde-Maki, Snitker 11:06.22 Sprint medley – 8. Blair, Riehle, Lundtvedt, A. Quandahl 2:08.68 Distance medley – 4. Scheidel, C. Quandahl, Dahlen, McGee 5:27.04

ABOVE: Rachel Spilde-Maki bursts out of the starting blocks at the gun for her 400-meter dash race. The Viking finished in 1:11.61, good for 10th place.

RIGHT: Lillian Dahlen begins her 400 leg of the distance medley relay after taking the baton from Camryn Quandahl at Monday’s South Winn invite in Calmar. (Photos by Becky Walz)

Seniors Karissa Wenthold (left) and Britney Hageman exchange the baton in the 4x200 relay at the home Warrior invite Monday night. (Photo by Becky Walz) 109; 3. Turkey Valley 93; 4. Decorah 91; 5. Riceville 68; 6. Postville 46; 7.

Charles City 41; 8. West Central 35 Varsity results High jump – 3. Holthaus 4’6” Long jump – 3. Peters 14’1.5” Shot put – 4. Hovden 31’4.5”; 15.

J. Timp 26’8.75”; 20. Looby 24’11”; 21.

Walz 24’1” Discus – 5. K. Timp 96’5”; 7. Looby 93’5”; 10. J. Timp 87’10”; 11. Hovden 86’11”; 19. Walz 78’7” 100m – 2. Zweibohmer 13.93; 6.

Holthaus 14.59; 13. Jenna Schissel 15.25; 16. Lia Vsetecka 15.63 200m – 1. Shimek 28.43; 13.

Schissel 32.37; 15. Charlotte Moonen 32.68; 18. Vsetecka 33.96 400m – 2. Conway 1:05.37 1500m – 2. Jansen 5:28.59; 4.

Kuboushek 5:56.67

4x100 – 2. Zweibohmer, Holthaus, Al. Hageman, B. Hageman 53.90; 5. Emmy Gehling, Hayden Steffans, Moonen, Peters 57.07 4x200 – 2. Shimek, Jansen, Johanningmeier, Zweibohmer 1:51.86; 4. Al. Hageman, B. Hageman, Wenthold, An. Hageman 1:59.34; 7.

Franzen, Bullerman, Peters, Phillips 2:03.26; 8. Gehling, Steffens, Moonen, Schissel 2:04.17 4x400 – 2. Shimek, Johanningmeier, Conway, An. Hageman 4:26.79; 5. Wenthold, Phillips, Bullerman, Franzen 4:53.15 4x800 – 1. An. Hageman, Kuboushek, Ondrashek, Bullerman 11:04.67; 3. Wenthold, Franzen, Phillips, Steffans 11:09.46 Sprint medley – 1. Shimek, Al. Hageman, Zweibohmer, Jansen 1:53.32; 4. Gehling, B. Hageman, Johanningmeier, Conway 2:00.54