February 22, 2024

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Vol. 159, Issue 8

Decorah, Iowa 52101 www.decorahnewspapers.com

One Section email: news@decorahnewspapers.com

Price One Dollar phone: 563-382-4221

fax: 563-382-5949

Decorah’s 40-year-old Two Decorah High School Speech groups wastewater treatment honored with critics’ choice banners plant to receive $3.9M facelift

By Denise Lana During a special session Monday, Feb. 19, Decorah City Council and staff met with Project Manager Steve Van Dyke of Strand and Associates Inc., to discuss the city’s long-overdue necessary updates and replacements to Decorah’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

According to Van Dyke, most facilities have a lifespan of around 30 years. With four decades under its belt, the health of the city’s WWTP is on the precipice of unpredictable failure. When a treatment plant suffers failures, it can result in untreated wastewater, watershed contamination or even sewage spills. Additionally, failed equipment would put the city in violation with the Environmental Protection Agency and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and fines could be issued until the equipment is running properly.

The WWTP project is included in Decorah’s FY25 capital improvements budget, with $3.9 million for equipment replacement. Van Dyke explained that equipment to be replaced includes the plant’s influent screen, digester heat exchangers, activated sludge aeration

system, seven aeration blowers, five clarifier drives, heat exchangers and electrical power and controls equipment.

In addition, an estimated $1 million would be considered if a solar power system is installed.

The entire project would then cost $4.9 million.

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken has been working with Strand and Associates to secure loan options from the State Revolving Funding (SRF) program.

Strand and Associates would be paid a fee not to exceed $534,800 — with $296,500 spent on design services, $29,800 for bidding-related services, $178,500 for construction-related services and $30,000 tagged for Iowa State Revolving Fund assistance-related services.

At the session, Van Dyke presented the official agreement outlining the project, which will be in the design phase through the end of October. Bids for the contract will then be accepted before being awarded at the end of December. Construction is slated for two years, from December 2024 through December 2026, but could extend into 2027 if a solar energy system is installed.

Two Decorah High School groups were selected as banner recipients at this year’s AllState Speech Festival held in Ames over the weekend. A Musical Theater performance of “tick, tick…BOOM!” and a Radio Broadcasting performance entitled “KWAK” made school history as this is the first time Decorah has won a banner in the area of Musical Theater, and the second time Decorah has won a banner in Radio Broadcasting.

Approximately 90 Decorah High School students made the trip to Ames to perform at the festival at the Iowa State Center on the ISU campus.

Sixteen Decorah High School events were nominated as outstanding performances and joined other elite speech students from across the state to share their performances with a professional critic.

At the All-State Speech Festival, each critic selects one performance at the end of the day and awards a banner to that entry, signifying them as “best of center” in that category. In the eyes of the critic, the banner winner represents a “state championship” quality performance that stands out above the rest.

Cast members of the musical theater performance of “tick, tick…BOOM!,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and

Banners

continued on page 3

Cast members of the Radio Broadcasting “KWAK,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman, include Tommy Hammel, Hannah Arendt, Lily Sandhorst, Alex McGohan, Jerald Thompson, Addison Wicklund and Camryn Holland.

Cast members of the musical theater performance of “tick, tick…BOOM!,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman, include Libby Phillips, Hayley Stowe, Gwen Thompson, Oliver Brummel, Ezra Vorvick, Connor Evelsizer, Lucas Hanson and Bethany Hanson. (submitted photos)

The Oneota Film Festival: Stories that connect us Council votes down proposed The Oneota Film Festival (OFF) board recently announced the 14th Annual Oneota Film Festival will be held Feb. 29-March 3 in downtown Decorah.

The weekend will provide many opportunities to make connections with filmmakers, friends and other members of the Decorah community and beyond at the many special events, filmmaker Q&A discussions and film screenings.

This year, the OFF board has selected over 45 new independent films including documentaries, dramas, family-friendly animated and short films and student films.

Festival attendees and filmmakers will have ample opportunity to make connections as the films will be shown in six locations in downtown Decorah. Films will be screened at Hotel Winneshiek, Driftless Yoga Center, T-Bocks Upstairs, Convergence CiderWorks, ArtHaus and the All Vet’s Club.

Dozens of filmmakers will be screening their films and hosting Q&A discussions after, including students from local middle and high schools. Filmmakers will be honored at the

changes to Decorah’s ordinance related to digital and electronic signs

Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers.com

By Denise Lana

Meet the Filmmakers Reception at T-Bocks Upstairs on Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m.

Highlights of this year’s festival include the opening night film “Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary” featuring northeast Iowa and Lansing; the OFF Social with Driftless Jazz at Impact Coffee on Friday night; “Labor of Love”, a film about the problems on the frontline childcare crisis followed by a panel with the directors and a local representative from Sunflower Childcare and Discovery Center; and “Greybeard: The Man, The Myth, The Mississippi”, a film about an 87-year-old man that kayaked the Mississippi River.

The festival schedule and film descriptions are available

By a 4-3 margin, the Decorah City Council voted against proposed amendments to Chapter 1216 of the city’s ordinance regarding digital and electronic signs during its regular semi-monthly meeting held Feb. 19.

According to the current ordinance, all types of lit signs are prohibited, unless the business received a variance from the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment (BOA), or the building site plans included lit signs and was approved by city council at the time of construction.

Put forth for consideration by the Decorah Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission, recommended changes would allow digital signs to be permissible across all commercial zoning districts except C3, and electronic signs would be allowed across all districts but be limited to hours of operation in the C3 district.

A public hearing was held with two residents coming forth to address the council.

Benji Nichols served with

P&Z from 2007-2017 and addressed to the group. Nichols emphasized that during his tenure with P&Z, there were multiple sign issues that were not addressed. He voiced his concerns that at the time, P&Z agreed and voted to say “no” to all digital signs and billboards, but the BOA went ahead and approved some of the signs. “While redoing the code is good, I would caution opening it up to all districts,” he said.

Mark Muggli spoke on behalf of the Decorah Historic Preservation Committee. He shared that the committee was impressed that P&Z looked at this ordinance as closely as it did, and the committee was appreciative of the time and action taken to discuss the changes put forth.

The public hearing closed, and members debated with one another regarding the minutia of electronic versus digital, existing signs that are not approved and have no variance, as well as the BOA’s authority

Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers

at www.oneotafilmfestival. org, and festival guides will be available soon at sponsor locations throughout Decorah.

The Oneota Film Festival events are free and open to the

public due to the generosity of business sponsors and individual supporters.

For more information, visit www.oneotafilmfestival.org.

Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers.com

Signs

continued on page 3

2 Decorah Public Opinion Thursday, February 22, 2024

Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates 100 Years The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce marks its 100year anniversary as a community organization in 2024.

The Chamber looks forward to celebrating alongside its members and the community during this landmark year.

The organization recently released its 2024 events schedule as part of its membership drive. The line-up includes longstanding events like the 24th Annual Chamber Golf Outing, the 21st Annual “Stay Safe, Take a Break” Farmer Appreciation Event and the Chamber Gala.

To complement its traditional offerings, the Chamber will offer new events and programming options this year.

For a comprehensive list of all Chamber events and programming and for additional information, call 563-382-3990.

Spaghetti supper fundraiser slated

The annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser is Saturday, March 9, from 4:30-7 p.m. at Decorah Lutheran Church dining hall. A live auction of items from local businesses and homemade pies is planned at 6 p.m.

RSVP: Sowing seeds in the community

On a mild day in early November Jerrine Osenga sprinkled some Smooth Blue Aster seeds into the Decorah Prairie Butterfly Garden on the city’s west side. She had harvested them from another city park.

“We can always use more asters,” she said. A butterfly garden needs diversity of plants and colors, and blue can be a rare hue among wildflowers.

Jerrine, known as Jerri, has been looking out for the well-being of the garden for the past dozen years. She is one of many volunteers over the past 23 years, who have indulged their passion for prairie plants to keep this Upper Iowa River-side acreage thriving. Jerri became a key member of the garden’s community of tenders when she answered a newspaper ad in 2011 from then Parks and Recreation Director Rick Edwards and wildlife biologist Terry Haindfield, who had worked to create the Decorah Community Prairie in the early 2000s. They wanted volunteers to help restore the prairie. The flood of 2008 had wreaked special havoc on the prairie and butterfly garden, and they were overgrown with goldenrod, sunflowers, compass plant and non-native plants.

“I fell into a beautiful situation,” Jerri said.

She recently turned 95, and with a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and decades of involvement devel-

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Using her expertise in nurturing wildflowers and creating nature centers, Jerri Osenga, 95, has logged more than volunteer 1,100 hours at the Decorah Butterfly Garden through Northeast Iowa RSVP. (photo courtesy Ellen Modersohn) oping nature centers near Milwaukee, she likely has greater experience than any other volunteer here in encouraging wild plants to grow. Jerri has logged more than 1,100 hours as a Northeast Iowa RSVP volunteer at the Decorah garden alone.

Jerri knew just what to do to get the restoration underway.

“Initially,” she said, “We dug.”

Out came the invasive plants, roots and all. Volunteers— many recruited by Jerri—have worked hard through the years, meeting Tuesday mornings to cull, plant, mulch and admire the beauty. Over time, the butterfly garden became more of cultivated space. Visitors to the

Some of the RSVP volunteers who worked in the butterfly garden on Tuesdays last summer included, front row (l-r): George Hagen, Mary Glock, Jerri Osenga and Drew Pellett. Back row: Diane Kruse, Robert Fischer, Green Americorp volunteer Matt Novotny and Miriam Patton. (photo courtesy of Miriam Patton) garden can now walk along an encircling sidewalk and wander mulched paths between plots of Prairie Smoke, Ironweed, Milkweed, Stiff Goldenrod, Black-eyed Susan, Purple Aster, and many more varieties.

Butterflies — such as Buckeye, Meadow Fritillary, Monarch and Red-spotted Purple — really do flit among flowers, continuing their own life cycles.

Andy Nimrod, who became Decorah Parks and Recreation Director a few years after Jerri joined the garden project, finds Jerri’s commitment indispensable: “I think Jerri’s calling has been her passion and persistence to keep a core group of volunteers going when peo-

ple can sometimes go off in a hundred different directions.

Having someone anchored to that spot to watch out for it and bring things to our attention is really important.”

Jerri brought Miriam Patton into the prairie and garden project last year, and this year Miriam is serving as a liaison and volunteer coordinator to Parks and Rec. The beauty and serenity of the park naturally draw visitors, but part of Miriam’s job is to plan programming to introduce even more people to the area, which also includes a community garden space.

The County Conservation Board and some schools use the butterfly garden for program-

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ming, Miriam said, but she’d like to see more people out there. “This year we did a monarch tagging program, and we’ll continue that. We had an open house, and we’re going to try to do some more things like that.”

Jerri said her intent in helping to reviving the butterfly garden “was a very short, directed goal.

I wanted people to appreciate the prairie that they had so they could learn about the plants in the prairie by way of the butterfly garden.”

She enjoys what she calls the mystery of the prairie and wants others to become as captivated as she is by what makes the plants return each year, the various systems that create their sustainability, their interdependence, their adaptability — even how they came to be in the first place. Jerri doesn’t expect to definitively answer any of these questions, though. “To me, it’s just awesome. I’m not of a scientific nature. I’m more of a spiritual nature,” she said.

Like Nimrod, Decorah Parks and Facilities Assistant Corey Meyer appreciates Jerri’s commitment to the garden: “Jerri is a very important cog who ensures we keep our reputation of community involvement and volunteerism. Her quiet leadership fosters harmony in our park system. You will see her working with others or by herself digging out weeds or transplanting new prairie plants to park facilities throughout our system. Her gentle mannerisms, knowledge and a quick wit inspire you to want to make the Decorah community a better place. We are truly blessed to have volunteers like her work side by side with us.”

As with the native plants she nurtures, Jerri has deep roots in the Decorah area. Her father, Silas Erickson, grew up near Burr Oak and her mother Charlotte, grew up near Hesper. Silas, a cream separator salesman, moved his family often, starting out in Decorah. Jerri was born in West Union. Eventually, the Ericksons and their several children settled in the Madison, Wisconsin, area. Later, Jerri and her husband, Donald Osenga, made their home near Milwaukee.

She was drawn back to Decorah because her parents had retired here in 1970 and when Jerri’s husband died, her mother asked her to move nearby. Jerri is happy she could spend that time with Charlotte, who lived to the age of 106½. Even at that advanced age, Jerri said, “She was able to recognize all of us.

So, I don’t make much of my age.”

Although it’s too late in the year now for volunteers to gather at the butterfly garden each Tuesday, Jerri still goes out there many days. She’s still sowing seeds and watching to see what will happen next.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, contact Northeast Iowa RSVP by stopping by their office at the Decorah Public Library, calling 563-277-5181 or send an email to rsvp@decorahlibrary.org .

Council hears reports, project updates

By Denise Lana Decorah City Council held its semi-monthly meeting Monday, Feb. 19, at 5:45 p.m. Highlights from the meeting follow.

The city is taking bids for the construction of the Decorah 2024 Dry Run Diversion Channel Improvements Project. The channel is located northwest of the Highway 9 and Highway 52 intersection and will include excavation, grading, revetment, gabion baskets, stream bank stabilization, erosion control and seeding. A public hearing was set for March 18 at 5:45 p.m., during the city council’s regularly-scheduled meeting.

Sealed bids will be received at the Decorah City Hall office until March 14 at 10 a.m.

Mark Muggli, Chair of the Decorah Historic Preservation Commission, presented the commission’s annual report, highlighting accomplishments from 2024. Also submitted was the Decorah Library’s annual report.

The council unanimously approved the plat of survey for the new Aase Haugen facility. Additionally, the council reviewed the site plan for a proposed addition to be built at Hearthside

Fireplace and More; it was approved unanimously with contingencies.

Decorah Parks and Recreation completed and submitted for review an updated set of rules and regulations for the city’s parks and recreation facilities Although no action was required, City Manager Travis Goedken stressed to the council that parks and rec establishes their own rules, and if council wants to make any changes, it needs to be in ordinance form that the council has adopted.

The Sustainability Commission is applying for a grant through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). The commission had discussed applying for the grant for a year and will use it for the commission’s carbon neutrality goals like completing a greenhouse gas study. More information is forthcoming as the application progresses.

There are numerous boards and committees that have vacancies and are actively rallying for candidates, including the Human Rights Commission, Sustainability Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Civil Service Commission.

ReRooted Connections to host Winter Wander Lantern Walk Feb. 24 ReRooted Connections is hosting its second annual Winter Wander Lantern Walk from 5-8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24.

Participants are encouraged to hike at their own pace while exploring the moon-lit sights and sounds of the winter during a hike along the woodland trail at ReRooted Connections, 1575 Manawa Trail Road, about 7.5 miles north of Decorah off of Canoe Ridge Road. A fire with hot cocoa and tea will be available following the hike, and the trail is marked and will be

lit with luminaries at dusk. All are welcome to this free family-friendly event.

The approximately .75-mile trail is sloping and may be snowy, so winter boots and layered clothing are recommended. Participants are encouraged to walk part or all of the trail and are asked to leave their pets at home.

To register for the hike, visit https://forms.gle/uVFuNidpJLYkQuUK6. For more information, e-mail info@rerootedconnections.org.

Decorah Public Opinion Thursday, February 22, 2024

Decorah Rotary Club ‘binzebo’ project breaks ground at Carlson Park

In the cold early morning hours of Feb. 16, volunteer Travis Grawin dug a series of eight holes at Carlson Park.

They don’t look like much yet, but they are the beginning of a new phase of development for the park, and the site of the Decorah Rotary Club Binzebo. The binzebo (a gazebo made out of a grain bin) will eventually become the entry hub of a brandnew series of bike-optimized trails that can connect back to the park’s existing two-mile loop.

Carlson Park is a 115-acre park sitting on Siewers Spring Road in Decorah near the Catholic cemetery. Donated by the Rick and David Carlson families in 2016, Carlson Park is one of the newest parks in Decorah and is in the early stages of development. The current park includes options for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Decorah Rotary Club secured a $5,000 District Grant from Rotary District 5970 and donated $7,000 of club funds to cover the cost of the binzebo, which will be the first element built in this new phase of development.

Other preliminary projects will include completing profession-

Decorah Park and Rec board member Brian Fuhrman and Park Superintendent John Geiger work on the “binzebo” in the Park and Rec shed prior to building it at Carlson Park. The two built a jig to the exact specifications of the binzebo, which they were able to use to mark off where to dig at the park. (submitted photos)

al planning and construction of the NW Feature Trail, which will allow pedestrian and bicycle traffic into the park, as well as novice and intermediate trail systems. Trails will be bike optimized for riders of all abilities, and include additional

Winneshiek County Development and Tourism (WCDT) announced a partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) aimed at fortifying College and Career Services within the Decorah Community School District.

The College and Career Connection (CCC) program is a flagship program offered

by NICC to district-wide high schools and is available to high school students at no cost. The CCC program guides participants through work-based learning experiences following a career continuum of awareness, exploration and workplace preparation by connecting businesses and high schools through work-based learning activities.

“This partnership between WCDT and NICC exemplifies a shared commitment to fostering educational excellence and workforce development within our community,” said Amy Lasack, NICC Vice President, Business and Community Solutions. “Together, we look forward to empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators in Winneshiek County and beyond.”

The cornerstone of this partnership lies in the provision of comprehensive academic advising on career pathways. Together, WCDT and NICC will serve as catalysts in guiding students toward fulfilling educational and career opportunities, ensur-

ing they are equipped with the knowledge and support needed to make informed decisions about their future endeavors.

This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to empowering students with the resources and guidance necessary to pursue successful academic and professional pathways.

“We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with Northeast Iowa Community College,” said Stephanie Fromm, Executive Director of Winneshiek County Development and Tourism. “By pooling our resources and expertise, we aim to cultivate a supportive ecosystem that empowers students to chart their own paths towards success, all while featuring local businesses and sharing local career opportunities available throughout Winneshiek County.”

This partnership will open doors to an array of workbased learning opportunities.

Through the coordination of job shadows, business tours and attendance at various events, students will gain first-hand exposure to diverse professional environments, enabling them to explore and refine their career aspirations in real-world settings.

For information, visit www. nicc.edu/ccc or e-mail director@winneshiekdevelopment. org.

hiking, running and snow sports options.

“Carlson Park is a fabulous new addition to the Decorah Park Trail System. It will offer beginner to expert hiking and biking for all ages!” said Rotary Board Member Dr. Kelly Rea-

gan, “The Decorah Rotary Club is proud to take the lead, once again, on enhancing the trail system in beautiful Decorah.

Sponsoring the central hub gazebo is a perfect catalyst for additional growth and expansion for this wonderful new outdoor opportunity for Decorah.”

Park organizers have established a fund through the Winneshiek County Community Foundation, with a goal of raising $250,000 to complete this phase of park development.

The Rotary’s contribution of $14,000 is the first major gift towards the completion of this project. Decorah Rotary Club funds are raised through events like pork chop booths at the Winneshiek County Fair and Nordic Fest and the Decorah Rotary Club Chili Supper.

Iowa Tourism Insider meeting Banners continued from front in Decorah Feb. 27-28 Carrie Kauffman, include Libby dating apps. The critic praised

Last year, the Iowa Tourism Office launched a new series of meetings called Tourism Insider Meetings. The intention of the events is to provide opportunities for industry partners from across the state to gather, collaborate, share ideas and network, while also learning about the assets found in and around host locations.

Visit Decorah, in partnership with the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce and Winneshiek County Economic Development & Tourism, has teamed up with the Iowa Tourism Office to

host the next Tourism Insider Meeting in Decorah Feb. 27-28.

The Iowa Tourism Office is the official voice of the state’s tourism industry. The office works collaboratively with local destinations and partners to elevate Iowa’s unique visitor experiences and hidden gems to inspire travel and create lasting memories. The Iowa Tourism Office’s efforts enhance and strengthen the state’s economy.

For more information and to address any questions, contact Alyssa Ritter at alyssa@visitdecorah.com.

Signs continued from front

Winneshiek Co. Development and Tourism partners with NICC to bolster DCSD college, career services

3

regarding issuing variances.

“I don’t think we should be allowing digital signs in the city limits,” said Emily Neal, councilwoman at-large. “Why are we not enforcing the ordinance we have instead of accommodating the signs that are there?”

“How do we write code that can’t be superseded by the BOA,” added Councilman atlarge Ross Hadley, “since they are more forgiving, and we want to preserve historical status?”

John Anderson, attorney for the city, explained that the BOA is involved with zoning decisions, detailing that if the council wanted to remove the BOA from any decision regarding electronic and digital signs, the ordinance would have to reflect that no electronic or digital sign is allowed anywhere within the city limits.

Anderson stressed, “As long as there are zones that can and some that cannot, the BOA has

health

a say.”

That brought about more questions, like “are some signs able to be grandfathered in?” and if so, “what would the qualification be?” Several members noted that the ordinance, as written, is very confusing — with several paragraphs contradicting other paragraphs.

“I am usually inclined not to tell people what to do on their own property,” said Ward 4 representative Stephen Zittergruen. “How can [council] ensure the BOA operates properly?”

Ultimately, the ordinance changes did not pass, with Ward 5 Randy Schissel, Ward 2 Chris Miculinich, and Ward 3 Olson voting “yea” and Ward 1 Brent Parker, Hadley, Neal and Zittergruen voting “nay”.

The ordinance will now go back to P&Z for review and possible changes that will be resubmitted to council in the next few months.

Phillips, Hayley Stowe, Gwen Thompson, Oliver Brummel, Ezra Vorvick, Connor Evelsizer, Lucas Hanson and Bethany Hanson.

The critic praised the musical theater cast for their creative storytelling, dynamic musical acting skills and a “performance that stuck with her throughout the day.” The critic was curious about how the story of “tick, tick…BOOM!” would be told, as it is not traditional musical theater storytelling.

The critic loved the way that the focus was on the ensemble, even though most of the songs are traditionally written for 1-3 performers. This piece told the story of musical theater writer Jonathan Larson while exploring the themes of living a life governed by love and passion instead of by a fear of failure.

Cast members of the Radio Broadcasting “KWAK,” directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman, include Tommy Hammel, Hannah Arendt, Lily Sandhorst, Alex McGohan, Jerald Thompson, Addison Wicklund and Camryn Holland.

The radio broadcast follows the Waddleton duck family as they deliver news from the pond at the “quack of dawn.” However, as the broadcast unfolds, the family starts to fall apart, all while delivering fowl-related news and commercials for duck

“KWAK” for the memorable writing, perfect vocal delivery and delightful sound mixing.

The critic explained that once they heard the performance, “there was no other choice for the critic’s choice. It was undeniable. Perfection.”

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4 Decorah Public Opinion Thursday, February 22, 2024

Decorah airport to receive $448K from USDOT Airport Infrastructure Grants program

By Denise Lana The Decorah Municipal Airport was awarded a $448,000 grant Jan. 30 on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Infrastructure Grants program. Twenty airports across Iowa were selected to receive portions of a $15 million program geared at modernizing aging airport infrastructure and ensuring safe air travel.

According to City Manager Travis Goedken, Decorah Airport will utilize the grant money to help complete its airport terminal and hangar project, which was part of the city’s FY24 budget at $1.5 million.

Cited in Decorah’s FY25 budget statement, the project was not awarded due to the bid received being much higher than

the city engineer’s estimate.

Rebid for the project will take place in March, and if the project is awarded, the expenses will mostly occur in FY25.

Goedken said, “This would include demolishing the existing maintenance hangar (large building next to fuel tanks at airport) and replacing it with a larger hangar that is sufficient to hold all aircraft based at the airport with an attached terminal building.”

Goedken elaborated, “The current ‘terminal’ has a sign labeled ‘Pilot’s Lounge’ that requires people walk across the apron to enter. The new terminal building would allow people to access the building directly from the parking lot and people would avoid walking through the apron in front

of existing hangars and near the fueling area.”

The airport project is scheduled to be phased over two years, according to Goedken, and will utilize secured funding from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), the Federal Aviation Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) improvement initiative, Iowa DOT Aviation Bureau General Aviation Vertical Infrastructure (GAVI), and BIL’s Airport Terminals Program.

More grants will be applied for as necessary as the project progresses.

Plans for the airport hangar project are nearing completion, according to Goedken. “We hope to have the plans ready for the March city council meetings.”

Oneota Valley Community Orchestra to present ‘Folk Songs, Dances & Beethoven’ The Oneota Valley Community Orchestra (OVCO) will present the “Folk Songs, Dances & Beethoven” at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Decorah High School Auditorium. Award-winning OVCO Music Director Matthew Cody will conduct the orchestra in a program that culminates in Ludwig van Beethoven’s classical-era masterpiece “Symphony No. 2”.

Beethoven often used folk music, which found its way into his compositions. The first

Jeffrey Schmitt, 36, of Fort Atkinson, was arrested Feb. 13 at 9:50 a.m. and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail on an arrest warrant for felony stalking, violation of a protective order, violation of a no contact order and two counts of contempt-violation of protective order.

Emily Clauson, 32, of Waukon, was cited for following too close following an accident on Highway 9 East on Feb. 13. Cindy Leonhart, 68 of Decorah, was reportedly slowing to turn left into 1580 US Highway 9 when her vehicle was struck from behind by Clauson’s vehicle. A passenger in Leonhart’s vehicle, 93-year-old Mary Sanderson of Decorah, complained of pain to her neck and refused ambulance services and was taken to the Win-

half of the program provides a great sampling of folk song and dance in orchestral music from around the world, including Hugo Alfven’s “Swedish Rhapsody No. 1”, Percy Grainger’s “Shepherd’s Hey”, William Grant Still’s “Danzas de Panamá,” and Arturo Marquez’s “Conga del Fuego Nuevo”.

Cody has 20 years of conducting experience. As founder and only music director of the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra (2014), he has conduct-

Law Enforcement neshiek Medical Center emergency room by private vehicle.

Thomas Cameron, 32, of Decorah, was cited for driving while license was denied, suspended or cancelled after his vehicle struck a deer on US Highway 52 North on Feb. 13.

Travis McIntyre, 49, of Eldorado, was arrested Feb. 15 at 11:44 p.m. and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail on an arrest warrant for felony stalking.

Decorah Police Decorah Police Officers conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 9 (IA 9 E) and Oil Well Road in Decorah Feb. 20 at approximately 1:53 a.m. An investigation was conducted, and it was determined that the driver

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Decorah Public Opinion | Driftless Journal

ed Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Bruckner symphonies; Mozart’s Requiem; a fully-staged production of Amahl and the Night Visitors; and a variety of suites, overtures, and chamber music.

Currently, he serves as associate director of bands in the Decorah Community School District, a position he has held for the past 16 years.

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.ovcorchestra.org.

was impaired. Subsequently, Kelly Richard Ludeking, 51, of Decorah, was arrested for violations of OWI, 2nd offense, driving while license suspended and failure to file SR22. Ludeking was transported to the Winneshiek County Jail where he was transferred into jail staff’s custody without incident. Decorah Police Department was assisted by Winneshiek County Dispatch and Winneshiek County Jail staff.

Service Notices

Phyllis Riehle, 87, of Spillville, passed away Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 23, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday morning.

Janelle Pavlovec, 83, of Decorah, passed away Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday morning.

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563-382-4221

Decorah Public Opinion

(USPS# 151-000) is published weekly by Driftless Multimedia LLC, 110 Washington Street, Suite 4, Decorah, IA 52101. Periodicals postage paid at Decorah, IA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Driftless Multimedia LLC, P.O. Box 350, Decorah, Iowa 52101-0350.

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Lowell Corlett

Echoes of the Past

By Roz Weis

65th anniversary of Decorah may be celebrated this summer

1924

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO: The Decorah Commercial Club has called a special meeting for late next week at the Elks Lodge for purpose of determining whether or not the City wants to put on a big pageant here in June. The pageant would celebrate Decorah’s 65th anniversary on June 10, 1924.

Miss Mildred Chamberlain of the Thurston Amusement Company was here to explain a potential entertainment program to be put on by her company.

It would be a two-day affair, possibly at the fairgrounds, and the program would start with early history of Decorah up to the present time. A committee has been formed, including Phil Hexom, W.F. Baker, Geo. A. Baker, Ed Bear and A. Laytze.

They are currently looking into the matter. …Republicans held precinct caucuses the other night in Decorah. County convention delegates will gather at the courthouse Feb. 23. At this convention, those delegates will be selected to attend the March 4 state convention in Des Moines.

It is at that March convention, when delegates will be named to the national convention in Cleveland. There will be a total of 29 delegates from Iowa to attend the national convention. …A new Marriage Health Bill has been passed by congress. The law requires a physician’s certificate as to the health of a man within 10 days of his marriage. …A fair number of local residents have sustained broken limbs from falls on the icy sidewalks this week. Many of those injuries were sustained on Water Street. …While in New York City on his 96th buying trip for his Decorah business, local clothier Ben Bear heard a talk by President Calvin Coolidge at the Lincoln Day Dinner of the National Republican Club. The dinner was held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. …A magnificent corner lot building, extending from Water Street to the alley, formerly owned and occupied by the Citizens Savings Bank, was recently conveyed to the Winneshiek County State Bank. Price was $20,000, and it was a great bargain. It is known as the best, or perhaps the next best corner in Winneshiek County. The building is built of substantial quality, and is fully occupied, except for the quarters formerly occupied by the Citizens Bank.

It is rumored around town that the old bank area will be rent-

Photo from another era

Nancy (Yarwood) Rosendahl shares this photo from a bygone era. Identifications for the photo are: from left: Leo (?), Everett Yarwood and Gleora Yarwood. She is curious if Echoes of the Past readers know Leo’s last name or recognize him. The photo was taken on the Conrad Johnson farm east of Burr Oak. (Submitted photo) ed out to the Interstate Power Company, and their general offices may soon move here from nearby McGregor.

1934

NINETY YEARS AGO: An acreage at the top of the hill just east of Ice Cave has been sold. H.W. Haas, who owns 200 acres just a mile north of town, sold between 15 and 20 acres to Decorah’s City Park Commissioners. The land reaches down the south side of the hill east of the cave, part of it entering the river. …The extra cost to taxpayers for the Decorah School District’s new proposed addition to the high school will be 30 cents for each $50 now paid on taxes for a period of seven years, in addition to the levy now made for school building purposes.

Debate continues. …Mike Musser, who is employed as the City Street Commissioner, has ordered out the city’s street sweeping machine.

A touch of spring was in the air, and the pavement was prime for a thorough cleaning. The last time the sweeper was used was the day before Christmas. …A plot of land on the John Jewell farm just north of town is being considered as a possible location for an airport for the

City of Decorah. …Nearly 200 books a day was the lending record for the month of January at the Decorah Public Library. This is an all-time high, according to Mrs. Norman Wilett. She spoke to the local Chamber of Commerce at their recent luncheon.

Mr. Ben Bear of this city was so impressed by her talk that he mailed her a substantial check to help out the library. …D.R. Shepherd, the agent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has reported approximately 3,400 harmful barberry bushes were destroyed on 77 farms in the vicinity of Decorah last fall. …Luther College’s K.O. Eittreim, a member of the faculty, has received a collection of 3,000 hymnals to be placed in the college library. It is perhaps the largest collection of hymn books in the world. The donation was from the Rev. Carl Doving, D.D., a Luther alum. …LOST: Anyone finding a leather pocketbook in Decorah with about $12 and some small change inside should report finding to the Public Opinion newspaper office. …The notorious kidnappers from South Dakota who were captured in Chicago recently reportedly passed through Calmar on the westbound train. They were heavily guarded by half a dozen or so federal officers.

Obituary

Lowell Robert Corlett, 74, Lowell hauled milk for most of Castalia, lost his battle with of his adult life, making a lot Leukemia on Feb. 16, 2024, at of friends along the way. He his home in was a longtime member of the (USPS# 151-000) Castalia.

Castalia slow pitch softball isLpublished

by Driftless Multimedia LLC, Street, o w e lweekly l team, in 110 theWashington sixties they won Suite 4, Decorah, IA 52101. Periodicals postage paid at Decorah, IA. was born to against the Postville Fast Pitch POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Driftless Multimedia LLC, Earle and P.O. Box 350, Decorah, League and later won numerous Iowa 52101-0350.

Irene (Kishtitles against the Ossian Softball man) CorLeague. As a Member of the lett on April Amvets, Lowell and Steve won 30, 1949, in two Golf State Championships, Decorah. He Lowell Corlett they even paid their own entry was baptized, confirmed and a fee.

Phone: 563-382-4221 lifetime member of Zion LuLowell was a member of the Subscription Rates ....................... One Year ...................... Six Months theran Church in Castalia. He Castalia Fire Department for Decorah Trade Areas ..................... $57.00 ..............................$35.00 attended Castalia Community $70.00 over..............................$42.00 50 years and was very inElsewhere .......................................

School through the fifth grade strumental in organizing and Single copies $1.00, mailed $3.00. Official publication for Decorah and and graduated from Iowa.

Postville helping the annual panWinneshiek County, Periodicals postagewith at Decorah, Iowa.

High School in 1967. He then cake and sausage breakfast into Driftless Multimedia LLC DEADLINE POLICY attendedDecorah Wisconsin State Colwhat it is4 today, serving 1,200 Public Opinion display advertising: p.m. Monday. lege in La Crosse, two entertainment to 1,400 every RealWis., estate,for classified, andyear. He was also Driftless display 4 p.m.for Thursday. years. Lowell wasJournal drafted intoadvertising: a member fifty years on the News, submissions: 12 Noon Friday and Tuesday. thePublisher Unitedreserves States Army in 1970 Castalia Fire Department and right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. and was stationed in Vietnam American Legion. Other memfor one year, he was honorable berships that Lowell held indischarged in 1971. clude the Tri-City Golf Couse.

Decorah Public Opinion

Where he had two “holes-inone” and the Silver Springs Golf Course. He was a past member of the Castalia City Council and a past trustee of Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia.

Lowell was a proud supporter of the Ossian Veterans Memorial and a “Grand Marshall” with his brother for Tractor Days in 2016. He was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and an all-around sports fan; in recent years he had moderate success with sports betting. Lowell enjoyed deer hunting for many years, fishing on the river and his fishing trips to Canada and North and South Dakota. He loved socializing and card playing at Bambinos.

In closing, one of Lowell’s sayings was, “You can’t buy friends, you have to be one.”

Lowell is survived by his children, Sara (Sean) Malone of Chicago, Ill., and Michael Corlett of Ankeny; his brother,

Wayne (Bev) Corlett of Castalia; his oldest sister, Carmen Paddock of Tacoma, Wash.; and five nieces and nephews.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9-11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 117 W. Greene Street, Castalia.

Funeral Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. Daryl Schultz officiating.

Inurnment will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia.

Fellowship and luncheon will follow at the Castalia Fire Department, Castalia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital and Home Care or Castalia Fire Station.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian is assisting the family.

Decorah Public Opinion Thursday, February 22, 2024 5

Help Wanted

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EVELYN M. BIGLER, DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016276 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Evelyn M. Bigler, Deceased, who died on or about January 18, 2024: You are hereby notified that on February 13, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Evelyn M. Bigler, deceased, bearing date of November 29, 2010, was admitted to probate in the above-named Court and that Rhonda Olsgard and Roxanne Johnson have been appointed executors of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

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

Dated 2-24-2024.

Rhonda Olsgard, Co-Executor of Estate 2084 Town Line Rd. Decorah, IA 52101 Roxanne Johnson, Co-Executor of Estate 23065 County 22 Harmony, MN 55939 William J. Shafer, ICIS#: AT007218 Attorney for Executors Shafer & Shafer Law, PPLC 23 Allamakee St. Waukon, IA 52172 Date of second publication: February 29, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 22 & 29, 2024

Full-time Legal Secretary. Law firm setting. Looking for someone with good interpersonal skills and attention to detail. Computer knowledge is a must, and prior experience with dictation software preferred. Send a cover letter and resume to P.O. Box 70, Decorah, IA 52101.

6-6-JP-x-12

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Roger W. Goulson DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016275 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Roger W. Goulson, Deceased, who died on or about January 18, 2024: You are hereby notified that on the 8th day of February, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Roger W. Goulson, deceased, bearing date of March 28, 2016, was admitted to probate in the above-named Court and that Mark Goulson and Karen Allen were appointed coexecutors of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

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

Dated this 9th day of February, 2024.

Mark Goulson 131 Pleasant Hill Drive Decorah, IA 52101 Co-executor of estate Karen Allen 2019 Catalina Place Marshalltown, IA 50158 Co-executor of estate Lee E. Wilmarth and Dustin H. Noble ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: dustin.noble@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: February 22, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 15 & 22

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

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY ELLEN HOLTHAUS DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016274 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Mary Ellen Holthaus, Deceased, who died on or about January 26, 2024: You are hereby notified that on the 5th day of February, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Mary Ellen Holthaus, deceased, bearing date of November 6, 2007, was admitted to probate in the above-named Court and that Michael A. Holthaus was appointed executor of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

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

Dated this 10th day of February, 2024.

Michael A. Holthaus Executor of estate 4190 Rhoades Ave., NW South Haven, MN 55382 Daniel L. Fretheim ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: dan.fretheim@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: February 22, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 15 & 22 IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LLOYD A. OAKLAND DECEASED PROBATE NO. ESPR 016272 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Lloyd A. Oakland, Deceased, who died on or about November 1, 2023: You are hereby notified that on January 30, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Lloyd A. Oakland, deceased, bearing date of January 16, 1995, was admitted to probate in the above-named Court and that Lori Oakland was appointed executor of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

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

Lori Oakland, Executor of Estate 2100 Meadow Chase Lane Unit 403 Des Moines, IA 50320 Michael R. Horn Attorney for Executor Moore, McKibben, Goodman & Lorenz, LLP 26 South 1st Ave., Suite 302 Marshalltown, IA 50158 Date of second publication: February 22, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 15 & 22

Auction Calendar Online Sporting Goods Auction Closing February 22. Karmer Auction, 300 S. Marquette Rd., Prairie du Chien, WI. www.kramersales. com Guns & Sporting Goods Auction - Saturday, March 16. Sale held at Sweeney Auction Service, Waukon. 563-568-2464, www.sweeneyauctionservice.com.

Thank You!

We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for your many acts of kindness and sympathy. It is a great comfort to us in this time of sorrow for Duane.

Thanks to Father Nick Radloff and Deacon Jim Zajack for the beautiful Mass, for the choir and music, and to the ladies who served lunch. Thank you for the memorials, food, flowers and cards. Thank you to Hugeback, Johnson Funeral Home and Gundersen Lutheran Hospice.

– The Fritz Balk family Wilma, Janet, Ken & Emi, Greg & Angela

563-382-4221 Services

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Decorah Community Schools for the 2023-2024 School Year:

Anticipated School Technology Technician Decorah High School

JOB DESCRIPTION Individual will provide assistance to technology staff and other district employees by repairing computers, peripherals, computer network problems, installing cable, and maintaining hardware, software, and networks for the benefit of staff, students and administrators.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The technician will be responsible for maintaining workstations, peripherals, operating systems, hardware, and software applications. The technician will also be responsible for installing operating systems, structured cabling, hardware, and software applications or assisting contractors in the same. Position reports to the Director of Technology & Information Systems.

The job demands the ability to bend and lift 50 lbs, crouch, kneel and walk in order to perform essential functions. Work may involve occasional lifting of heavy equipment.

Normal working hours are 7:30 AM-4:30 PM. Flexible hours may be required to address urgent technical issues or system maintenance during non-standard hours.

SALARY/BENEFITS Salary ranges from $35,000 to $56,000 per year, depending on factors such as experience, education, and the specific requirements of the school district.

Additionally, benefits such as health insurance and PERS may be included in the compensation package.

QUALIFICATIONS • Associate’s degree in a related technical field or equivalent training.

• Computer Network Certifications or equivalent training and experiences.

• Experience installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting audio-visual systems.

• Experience working in an academic institution, preferably K-12 education, is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of information system hardware and software troubleshooting skills and problem resolution.

• Ability and willingness to learn new systems and technology.

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential matters in an ethical manner.

• Knowledge of Apple hardware and software.

• Sound organizational skills and an ability to recognize and change work priorities in a timely fashion.

• A valid state-issued driver’s license is required for travel between district school buildings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 1. Set-up, install and maintain district computer systems. Recommend and/or install workstation hardware and software upgrades.

2. Set-up, install and maintain printers, computer peripherals, and their related software.

3. Install and troubleshoot computer software while maintaining license requirements.

4. Perform repair of computer hardware, printers, and peripherals, including acquisition of parts and maintaining service-related records.

5. Coordinate the annual cleaning and preventive maintenance of district equipment.

6. Provide support to end users through their requests for services by troubleshooting site hardware, software, and wiring problems.

7. Provide basic training on the care and operation of district computer equipment as needed.

8. Provide technical support to faculty, staff, and students.

9. Provide support to the network administrator(s) by being able to backup/restore files on the network, shut down and/or reboot servers in the correct sequence in case of need, and perform basic administration tasks on user accounts while maintaining data integrity and network security.

10. Provide input as needed for school technology planning and network operation.

Other functions include: Maintain currency of technological skills and knowledge base; promote a positive image of the District at all times; participate in district technology meetings as required; operate in coordination with district technology staff; perform other responsibilities as assigned by Director of Technology & Information Systems; Help with Student Information System (SIS) [PowerSchool SIS] (including management of student information in PowerSchool including data entry, report generation and semester grade storage); and other duties as assigned.

8-2-JP-12

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF DECORAH BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Decorah, Iowa, has set 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2024 for a regular meeting to be held at the Council Chambers of City Hall, in Decorah, Iowa, 52101, as the time and place for consideration of requested variances from the Ordinance requirements to-wit: Scott Timm for 210 5th Avenue legally described as LOTS 12 & 13 BLK 5 WEST

DECORAH in the City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa requesting permission to construct a fence contrary to the R2 Zoning District regulations.

Matthew Nahan and Melissa Koch for 305 West Broadway legally described as LOT 3 & N 50’ LOT 8 BLK 24 ORIG DECORAH in the City of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa requesting permission to construct a fence contrary to the R2 Zoning District regulations.

All interested persons may appear at said time and place to be heard for or against the granting of variances from the Ordinance requirements. /s/ Sue Sander Sue Sander, Chair Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 22, 2024

Regional Advertising

8-1-P-15

RIDGEWAY CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 13, 2024 The Ridgeway City Council met in regular session February 13, 2024, at the Ridgeway Community Center, at 5:45 p.m. with Mayor Schnur calling the meeting to order. Council persons present were: Linderbaum, Novotny, Engelhardt, Schnur and Hauber. Absent: None.

Engelhardt made a Motion to approve the consent agenda, minutes and claims seconded by Novotny. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Schnur, seconded by Novotny to approve the renewal of the liquor license for The Chatterbox Café. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Schnur, seconded

by Linderbaum to approve reimbursing the Lincoln Leaders 4-H Club $200.00 for the Easter egg hunt. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

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

The 2024-2025 City Budget was discussed.

A Motion was made by Engelhardt, seconded by Schnur to set the Property Tax Levy Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 City Budget for April 2, 2024, at 5:45 p.m. to be held at the Ridgeway Community Center. All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

A Motion was made by Hauber, seconded

by Schnur to add to the Community Center Guidelines: The cost to rent just the community center parking lot will be $300.00. The Community Center will be closed. The renter will have the parking lot from 7:00 a.m. on the day of their rental and must be out and have everything cleaned up by 1:00 a.m. If they want to reserve the parking lot an extra day, it will be a cost of $50.00 per extra day.

The renter will be responsible for contacting the electric company to get necessary connection for the electric pole for the parking lot. The renter will be responsible for the connection fee to the electric pole and the cost of electricity used. The renter will pay a $250.00 damage deposit at the time of their rental. The renter will be responsible for fencing off the parking lot. It must be all fenced in with proper entrance gates. If the renter is selling alcohol in the parking lot, they must acquire the proper insurance, liquor license and dram shop.

The maintenance man report was given.

A Motion was made by Schnur, seconded

by Hauber to allow the Ridgeway Fire Department to use the City floor scrubber/buffer and store it at the Fire Department. The City will have access to the machine when it is needed by the City. Ridgeway Firemen Novotny and Engelhardt abstained from voting.

All aye. Nay: none. Motion carried.

The next City Council meeting will be March 12, 2024, at 5:45 p.m. at the Ridgeway Community Center.

Novotny made a Motion to adjourn, seconded by Linderbaum. All aye. Nay: none.

Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Sharla Berns City Clerk WARRANTS FOR CITY OF RIDGEWAY – February, 2024 Alliant Energy, Utilities ................. $1,794.76 Anderson Law Firm, Legal fees 11/13/23/-1/16/24 ............ $48.00 Black Hills Energy, Utility ................ $101.33 Cardmember Services, Shop-postage and supplies..................................... $156.43 Carquest, Shop parts ........................ $105.92 Cresco Times Plain Dealer, Shop – bulk copies ............................ $50.10 Dan Pitz, Insurance & phone reimbursement ..................... $ 550.00 Department of Treasury, Quarterly report............................ $1,333.94 Driftless Multimedia, Publishing ....... $66.04 Engen Express, Shop fuel .................$440.46 Fehr Graham, Wastewater Improvement Project.................... $4,168.25 Force America Distributing, Shop - part ....................................... $129.76 Hacker Nelson, Federal e-filing ........$216.00 Interstate Power & Light, Wastewater Project – Electricity Agreement . $20,925.94 Iowa DHS, Support payment ............ $596.28 Iowa DNR, NPDES Permit Fee – Wastewater Project ............................ $85.00 IPERS, Ipers...................................$1,247.38 Johnson Computers, Office Printer ...$299.00 Johnson Computers, Shop – software .............................. $174.99 Mabel Telephone, ...................Shop $109.26, Office $104.77, Hall $35.57...........$249.60 Marv Schnur, Repair work on City truck .....................................$75.00 Microbac Laboratories, Lab tests ........ $16.50 Pat Sands, Com. Cen. Cleaning ........ $120.00 Payroll ............................................$5,534.01 Payroll tax ......................................$1,746.63 Postmaster, Office and utility postage ................ $280.00 Ridgeway Lumber, Boards-office .......$84.74 Ruppert, Inc., Shop supplies ...............$75.53 Sharla Berns, Reimbursement...........$100.00 Shimek Sanitation, Garbage........... $2,254.65 Sue Schnur, Reimbursement-shop supplies ......... $95.55 Treasurer – State of Iowa, Sales tax .. $202.65 Treasurer-State of Iowa, Withholding tax............................$1,419.51 Expenditure Accounts Summary to date: General Fund..................................$4,254.13 Community Center ............................$155.57 Cemetery ........................................... $100.00 Road Use ........................................... $666.66 Water Fund ........................................$222.50 Sewer Fund .................................... $4,374.25 Revenue Accounts Summary to date: General Fund..................................$1,594.20 Community Center ............................$350.00 Road Use Tax .................................$1,636.44 Local Option Sales Tax Water Fund .....................................$2,873.80 Sewer Fund ....................................$4,802.33 Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 22, 2024

Cards of Thanks

7-14-JP-14 50-4-JP-pd-14

Public Notices

Letter of interest must be submitted to Director of Technology, Shawn Gordon, 1732 Old Stage Road, Decorah, IA 52101, by end of the day on Feb. 23, 2024, or until the position is filled as provided for in the Agreement between the Decorah Community School District and the Decorah Education Association 2023-2024.

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

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Iowa high school students, college students and their Iowa high school seniors mayup register fora achance chanceat toa parents or guardian can sign now for receive one ofinto 25 scholarships worth account. $2,000 each. $1,000 deposit a college savings To be considered, students should: Iowa high school seniors may register for a chance to Register online

by March 2024,and Register between Nov. 1,29,2021, March 11, 2022, at receive one of 25 scholarships worth $2,000 each. at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Savings. www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Know-How To be considered, students should:

Follow the emailed instructions to planning complete online All participants receive free college Register between Nov. 1, 2021, and March 11,two 2022, at tutorials and a related assessment before 4 p.m. on March 11. and financing tip emails. www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Know-How Follow the emailed instructions to complete two online tutorials and a related assessment before 4 p.m. on March 11.

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6 Decorah Public Opinion Thursday, February 22, 2023

Happy Birthday Grandma Cheryl!

Decorah children’s Barnetimen at Vesterheim

In recognition of Valentine’s Day, hearts were the theme of the Banetimen Children’s Hour, held by Vesterheim Feb. 20. Prior to making heart-shaped crafts, participating children were treated to an exhibit of antique Liliana Erickson, left, and Dani Rodriques, both Scandinavian items containing heart-shaped designs. Northeast Iowa Montessori School students, decorate hearts during the Barnetimen Children’s Hour at Vesterheim the morning of Feb. 20. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Zach Jensen) Northeast Iowa Montessori School student Josie Kuennen concentrates on decorating her heart during the Feb. 20 Children’s Hour at Vesterheim.

G&E 9-1-P-X

Public Notices

PROPOSED GROUND MOUNT SOLAR LOCATION

PROPOSED ROOF MOUNT SOLAR LOCATION

N

The scope of the project includes excavation and grading, aggregate base and choker layer, amended soil layer, mulch, plantings, subdrain, topsoil, and seeding.

The project location(s) is as follows: Adjacent to the parking lot at the Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center located at 902 Commerce Drive; 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. /s/ Keri Sand Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Officer Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 22, 2024

Preliminary Public Notice for Potential Impacts to Floodplains Farmers Union Cooperative intends to seek financial assistance from USDA, Rural Business Service (RBS) for a construction project. The proposed project consists of installation of a roofmounted solar array and a ground-mounted solar array. The proposed project will be located at 100 pt St NE, Fort Atkinson, IA 52144. If implemented, the proposed project may have a potential effect on the floodplain. In accordance with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management and USDA Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Use Policy, the purpose of this notice is to inform the public of this proposed conver-

sion or effect and request comments concerning the proposal, alternative sites or actions that would avoid these impacts, and methods that could be used to minimize these impacts.

The environmental documentation regarding this proposal is available for review at 1510 3rd Street SW, Waverly, IA 50677. For questions regarding this proposal, contact; Travis Peters, Area Specialist at 319-4830096.

Any person interested in commenting on this proposal should submit comments to the address above by February 29.

Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 15 & 22, 2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JURISDICTION OF CITY OF DECORAH Decorah 2024 Stormwater Improvements 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 2024 Stormwater Improvements Project at its meeting at 5:45 P.M. on March 4th, 2024, 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/83012353919?pwd=cnVzQlBwWitlZUUvbmtLeDIyVTFhdz09 Meeting ID: 830 1235 3919 Passcode: 152294 The scope of the project includes Clearing and grubbing, excavation and grading, subdrain installation, and seeding.

The project location(s) is as follows: The oxbow wetland project is located along Dry Run Creek to the east of Mill Street between Frances Street and Vernon Street.

The infiltration basin project is located on the east end of Phelps Park near the intersection of Upper Broadway Street and Vernon Street; 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. /s/ Keri Sand Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Officer Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 22, 2024 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JURISDICTION OF CITY OF DECORAH Decorah 2024 Bioretention Cell 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 2024 Bioretention Cell Project at its meeting at 5:45 P.M. on March 4th, 2024, 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/83012353919?pwd=cnVzQlBwWitlZUUvbmtLeDIyVTFhdz09 Meeting ID: 830 1235 3919 Passcode: 152294

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Robert M. McQueen, DECEASED. PROBATE NO. ESPR 016277 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, OF APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR, AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Robert M. McQueen, Deceased, who died on or about January 20, 2024: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 13th day of February, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Robert M. McQueen, deceased, bearing date of December 21, 2001, and First Codicil dated February 13, 2006, were admitted to probate in the abovenamed Court and that Decorah Bank & Trust was appointed executor of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

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

Dated this 16th day of February, 2024.

Decorah Bank & Trust Company Executor of Estate 202 E. Water Street Decorah, IA 52101 Jana Evelsizer Olson ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: jana.olson@ andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: February 29, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 22 & 29, 2024 Decorah Community School Board Public Hearings & Regular School Board Meeting Minutes Central Administration Office Monday, February 12, 2024 6:30 p.m.

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

Director Petersburg participated via Zoom.

President Goodner called to order the first public hearing at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing was to hear comments oral or written concerning the 2024-2025 type of school calendar (hours versus days). There were no comments oral or written. President Goodner adjourned the public hearing at 6:31 p.m.

President Goodner called to order the second public hearing at 6:31 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing was to hear comments oral or written concerning the 2024-2025 school academic calendar. Supt. Dr. Cronin read comments he had received: Friday start date, add calendar Google calendar, and number of colors used. President Goodner adjourned the public hearing at 6:35 p.m.

President Goodner called to order the regular school board meeting at 6:35 p.m. Director Fadness read the mission statement.

Old Business: Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Zander to approve the second reading of code #401.5 Employee Records & 401.5Rl Employee Records Regulation. Motion carried by all voting aye.

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

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Sand to approve the consent items as presented: January 8 & 31, 2024 minutes, bills and personnel as listed below.

New Hires: a. Aaron Hanson (Middle School Wrestling Coach) Level E, Step I @ 50% b. Bill Fullhart (Middle School Wrestling Coach) Level E, Step 1 @ 50% c. Kasey Nikkel (2024-2025 Student Support Facilitator) Resignations: a. Regina Kirkeby (High School Custodian) b. Jim Samuelson (Transportation Director) c. .Abby Spore (Assistant Varsity Softball Coach) d. Tonya Remick (Middle School Associate) e. Shirley Smith (Middle School Food Service) f. Louann Ptacek (High School Food Service) Modifications: a. Hans Finanger (High School Spanish Teacher 1.0 FTE) b. .. Dennis Benzing (Bus Driver addition of P.M. Shuttle) c. Christopher Pronschinske (Acting Transportation Director) Transfer: a. Brigit Storhoff (Middle School Teacher to High School Counselor) One-Year Transfer: a. Andrew Davis (Asst. Varsity Boys Soccer Coach to Head Varsity Boys Soccer Coach) Level B, Step 2 Communication from the public: Birgitta Meade presented information to the board regarding building a Net Zero energy elementary facility. Benefits include healthy environment, cost effective and financially responsible, dependable technologies, and community expertise.

February Presentation: ELL (English Language Learners) teachers, Julie Giese and Catherine Moeller, updated the board on the ELL program and increased student enrollment. The ELL teachers help the students socially and academically, along with working collaboratively with classroom teachers and communicating with the families. The district currently has thirty-eight ELL students, an increase of fourteen students in 2023-2024, and the expectation is for the ELL population to grow.

New Business: Neil Schraeder of Hacker, Nelson & Co., P.C., presented the Decorah CSD 2022-2023 audit to the board. The district received a clean opinion on the financial statements. Mr. Schraeder explained the reported findings were lack of segregation of duties, transfer of funds item, and non-issuance of one 1099.

Schraeder stated these findings were not serious. Graphs were presented to the board representing revenues, expenditures, solvency position, spending authority, and student enrollment. Schraeder commented on the declining enrollment trend. Overall, there were no areas to be concerned with and the audit went well. Mr. Schraeder thanked the staff members and appreciated working with the district. The board accepted the audit report.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded

by Director Sand to approve the 2022-2023 audit. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Zander to approve hours as the 2024-2025 type of school calendar, as currently used by the district. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Petersburg moved, seconded by Director Sand to approve the 20242025 academic school calendar as presented. The academic calendar is similar to the current calendar with the first day of school scheduled for Friday, August 23, 2024, per state law, and the last day of school scheduled for May 22, 2025. Motion carried by all voting aye. Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Zander to approve the first reading of code #405.2-Licensed Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Sand to approve the Decorah CSD Special Education Service Delivery Plan 2024. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Sand moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve the revised Agreement to Establish a Consortium to Jointly Administer and Instructional Program at the Decorah Crossroad Site, with the addition of Riceville CSD. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Supt. Dr. Cronin presented a request from a full-time staff member to go part-time in the 2024-2025 school year. This position is the elementary P.E. teacher. This situation is unique allowing one staff member to be located at the John Cline building and the other would be at Carrie Lee. Supt. Dr. Cronin stated the approval should be contingent upon not increasing the current FTE, does not increase the financial expenditures, finding a suitable replacement, building administration approval, sharing is easily done, and the administration reserves the right to review each request individually. The board stated they could support this request with the acknowledgement that it does not set a precedent.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Zander to approve the staff request to go from full-time to parttime in the 2024-2025 school year, subject to finding a suitable replacement. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Zander introduced the Resolution to Consider Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program and moved its adoption, seconded by Director Petersburg. Motion carried by all voting aye.

The board set Monday, March 11, 2024, at 5:30 for the Instructional Support Levy public hearing.

The board discussed two options for filling the open IT position in the district. The board discussed submitting Request for Proposals (RFP) to the AEA and tech companies versus posting the position for a district hire.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded

by Director Zander to approve the issuance of RFP’s for IT Purchased Services simultaneously with the district posting for the IT position. Motion carried by four votes. Director Petersburg opposed.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Petersburg to approve Shive-Hattery Architecture+Engineering for a fee of $48,000 for the Middle School roof project. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Sand moved, seconded

by Director Fadness to approve the 20242025 instructional fees as presented. The

technology fee was increased $5.00 to account for PK-8 headphones and digital software for the High School. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Zander to set the two budget public hearings dates to be April 8, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. and April 15, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Motion carried by all voting aye.

The board discussed the conference affiliation recent updates. The Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) declined the district’s request for a meeting. Athletic Director Adam Riley stated he has visited with state officials and the UIC email that declined to meet with Decorah staff is not the same as an official rejection. Decorah has to formally apply before they can be formally rejected. Howard Winneshiek’s request to join the UIC has been approved. Additionally, New Hampton and Allamakee have been invited to join the UIC. The district needs to proceed to join a conference and it was stated the UIC provides the best options for the district.

Motion: Director Fadness moved, seconded by Director Zander to send an application to join the UIC. Motion carried by all voting aye.

Supt. Dr. Cronin updated the board on the Sunflower tour and the facility committee meeting.

Open Enrollment Out: • Malia Sorenson -5th Grade for 20232024, from Decorah CSD to Howard-Winneshiek. Parents: Ashleigh & Zachary Sorenson • Anthony Vaughn - 6th Grade for 20232024, from Decorah CSD to Howard-Winneshiek. Parent: Mindy Vaughn • Brianna Medina - 5th Grade for 20232024, from Decorah CSD to Clayton Ridge.

Parent: Chantel Perez Director of Business Services, Cathy Dietzenbach, presented the monthly financial reports for January 2024. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

Cindy Goodner, Board President Darlene Woodhouse, Board Secretary Claims for February 2024– General Fund Prepaids: Acentek, Internet ................................. 540.00 Alliant Energy, Electricity ..................................... 21,932.77 Century Link (Lumen), Telephones-dist. ................................ 603.93 U.S. Cellular, Phone Usage-district .1,175.01 Verizon Connect, Supplies-district...... 962.66 Total General Fund Prepaid Claims ......................................... $24,674.36 General Fund Payables: Ace Hardware, Supplies-district ......... 230.75 Ahlers Cooney, Legal Services ........1,378.00 Allamakee CSD, Open Enrollment 22,471.98 Allamakee County Auditor, Election Cost ..................................... 500.96 Alliant Energy, Electricity.............. 12,502.68 Blick Art Materials, Art Supplies-HS/MS ...................... 1,192.23 Bodensteiner Implement, Repairs ....1,440.59 Brecke Mechanical Contractors, Repairs ........................................... 1,800.00 Bruening Rock Products, Ice Control . 340.70 Cambium Assessment, Supplies-District ............................1,104.50 Capital Sanitary Supply, Cleaning Supply .............................3,663.61 Carlson, Jon, Fuel Reimbursement ....... 25.00 Carquest, Misc. Vehicle Repairs ......... 245.91 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Maint. ........................................... 12,850.39 CEC, Labor-2023-24 Year ............... 1,380.00 Chileda Institute, Tuition ................. 6,688.00 Clinicare Corporation, Tuition ....... 79,027.68 Culligan Water Conditioning, Cooler Rental ......................................31.00 Culver Hahn Electric, Repairs-MS .....406.68 Dalco, Cleaning Supplies .................. 2575.59 Debauche Truck & Country, Repairs ........................................... 1,115.76 Decorah Activity Fund, RevTrak Year .................................3,928.00 Decorah Chiropractic, Bus Driver Physicals ......................... 300.00 Decorah Music Boosters, RevTrak Payment .............................. 100.00 DHS Cashier 1st Floor, Medicaid Direct ..........................15,815.42 Donovan Group, Other Service Purchase .................. 2,500.00 Dragonfly Books, HSAP Books .......... 265.28 Driftless Multimedia, Advertising ......783.04 Fareway, Supplies-district ................... 104.79 Farmers Win Coop, Diesel .................. 811.55 Fastenal, Parts/Repairs .....................2,717.87 Fisk Farm & Home, Supplies-district . 254.23 Five Star Telecom, Tech Services ....2,049.96 Fixxit, LLC, Repairs-HS ..................3,248.37 Gophermods, Repairs-district ............. 119.00 Hawkeye Stages, HS BBB Transportation ....................756.00 Hoglund Bus Company, Vehicle Repairs .................................304.29 Hovden Oil, Diesel/Lubricants ........3,377.86 Howard Winn. CSD, Open Enroll/TLC ......................... 38,112.84 IASBO, Spring Conference Reg.-CAO .......... 490.00 Iowa Communications Network, Tele. ................................................1,882.50 Iowa One Call, Custodian Purchase Service .................. 9.00 Jostens, HS Supplies ............................. 12.50 Kennedy High School, Orch. Honor Reg. .............................. 270.00 Kinderhaus, 4 Year Old Preschool Prog. ............ 3,505.41 Knox, Brian, HS Tuning-Choir Room 130.00 Kwik Trip, Fuel .............................. 11,571.38 Lakemary Center, Inc., Tuition ........ 7,030.00 Luther College, CL Ticket/Admission 512.00 Mabel-Canton School, 2nd Quarter Tuit. ..........................48,181.50 Mabe’s Pizza, HS Pizza Interview Group .................. 39.60 Malcom Enterprises, Garbage Service 855.00 Marco, Copier Expenses/Repairs ..... 4,819.45 McCain, Kevin, Fuel Reimbursement ..55.07 McDonald Supply Company, Supplies-dist........................................ 45.07 Mercy One Occupational Health, Drug Test ...........................................323.00 MFL MarMac CSD, Open Enrollment ............................ 3,885.40 Midwest Alarm Services, Repairs .... 2,522.04 Midwest Group Benefits, Admin Fee .806.00 Napa Auto Parts, Misc. Vehicle Repairs .......................191.28 Nisse Childcare/Pre., 4 Year Preschool............................. 6,231.84 North Central International, Vehicle Repairs ................................... 28.38 Northeast IA Community College, Training ............................................ 100.00 Northeast IA Montessori, 4 Year Pre. ...................................... 3,505.41 Novak, Perry Electric, Repairs............221.37 Oelwein CSD, Open Enrollment......3,712.72 Phonak, MS Supplies ..........................241.18 Pitney Bowes, Postage ........................ 248.13 Quandahl, Shannon, Fuel Reimbursement ...........................62.09 Racom Corporation, Software License .75.00 Rausch, Jason, Conference Reimbursement .............. 175.00 RevTrak, January Transaction Fees .1,510.30 Riddell, MS Helmets........................2,647.70 Ridgeway Lumber, HS Supplies ......... 113.70 Riley, Adam, Mileage Girls State Wrestling .............88.40

Roger’s Lock & Key, Repairs ............. 120.00 Samuelson, Jerry, Meals HS Girls Wrestling ..................87.89 School Bus Sales, Vehicle Repairs........ 23.37 School Health, Supplies-district..........735.68 School Specialty, JC Supplies .............303.70 Schultz Strings, MS Repairs ............... 127.00 Shar Music, MS Supplies...................... 11.99 Sherwin Williams, Paint-HS ................. 57.80 South Winneshiek CSD, Open Enroll .................................. 52,114.51 SSE Music, HS/MS Repairs ............ 1,062.25 St. Benedict School, 4 Year Preschool ............................ 7,010.82 Stewartville Auto Center, Bus Towing ....................................... 279.43 Storhoff, Brigit, Fuel Reimbursement... 64.44 StreetSmarts LLC, HS Driver Education ...................... 2,601.54 Sunflower Childcare Center, 4 Year Pre. ...................................... 7,789.80 Tandem Tire, Repairs/Maintenance ....415.00 Timberline Billing Service, Medicaid ....................................... 1,696.44 Trane, MS Building Repairs ...............866.00 Truck Country, Vehicle Repairs/Maint. ...................1,394.06 Turf Etc. LLC, Esser Equipment ... 16,113.56 Value Inspired, HSAP Equipment ..12,345.00 Vick’s Plumbing & Heating, Repairs-WS ....................................... 199.78 Viking Pest, Pest Control, District ...... 100.00 Wilson Language Training Corp., JC Suppl. .......................................... 423.36 Yahr, Erv, Bus Physical Reimbursement ........... 100.00 Total GENERAL Fund Claims .. $438,661.35 Management Fund Payables: IA Local Govern. Risk Pool Comm., N.G. ..............................................72,039.71 Total Management Fund Payables: ...........................$72,039.71 PPEL Fund Payables: KAR Auto Group, 2024 Chevrolet Malibu ................23,945.00 Total PPEL Fund Payables: ........ $23,945.00 Total Add’t February GENERAL Fund Payable Acentek, Internet ................................. 540.00 ActionEducate, LLC, HS Contract Renewal........................ 500.00 CAM CSD, Open Enrollment ........16,793.56 Enabling Devices, Freight..................... 22.00 Hawkeye Stages, Bowling Transportation ................. 2,013.00 ISFIS, Inc., Workshop Registration ....300.00 John Deere Financial, Supplies-district .........

271.42 Kennedy High School, Orchestra Registration ........................30.00 NoRedInk Corp., Software-MS/HS .5,355.00 Pitney Bowes, MS Postage ................. 180.57 Riddell All American Sports, Helmets/ Pads10,054.95 Scholl, Kayla, MS Solo Festival Judge ....................100.00 Tyler Technologies, Purchase Service-district ................... 205.00 West Music, Repairs-MS/HS ...........1,018.82 Total Add’t February GENERAL Fund Payables.........$37,384.32 Claims for January 2024-Food Service Fund Ace Hardware, Supplies........................ 23.98 AE Dairy, Dairy Products ................ 6,104.81 Country View Dairy, Dairy ..............1,275.00 Decorah Activity Fund, Produce from Garden .......................... 38.00 Decorah General Fund-BMO, Expenses ........................................... 855.00 Elliott, Chad, 1st Semester Mileage......90.00 Fareway, Food ......................................... 6.38 Fisk Farm and Home, Supplies ........... 114.32 Henry, Jean, Mileage from DHS to St. Bens ...........50.29 Hernandez, Juridiana, Refund Lunch Acct. ............................25.00 Iowa Food Hub, Produce/Food ........ 1,656.60 Joe’s Restaurant & Equipment, Repairs .............................................. 493.56 John Deere Financial, Supplies ............... 3.98 Kwik Star, Ala-Carte ............................. 52.92 Martin Bros, Food/Produce/Supplies ................ 38,479.15 Pan-O-Gold, Bread .......................... 2,268.90 Partstown, Repairs .............................. 504.91 Rapids, Supplies.................................... 83.62 Wilson Restaurant Supply, Inc., Supplies ............................................. 213.19 Total Food Service Claims ........... $52,339.61 Claims for January 2024 – Activity Fund Ace Hardware/Kitchen, Supplies-HS ...53.98 Armel, Ray, BB Official...................... 120.00 Bergman, Scott, MS Wrestling Official ....................... 200.00 Berland, Jonathan, BB Official ........... 250.00 Berland, Larry, BB Official ................. 225.00 Brehmer, Isaac, BB Official ................ 140.00 Cedar Falls Robotics, Pizza League Tourn. ..........................108.00 Charles City High School, Band/Choir Reg. ............................... 680.00 Country Garden, Senior Swim Parent Flower ................35.00 Darrington, Andy, FFA Soil Samples .. 220.00 Decorah CSD, Gen. Fund (Credit Card) ..............14,219.25 Decorah CSD-Nutrition Dept., JC Catering..........................................30.00 Elsbernd, Nancy, HS Mend Football Jersey .................. 125.00 Fareway, Supplies-HS/MS/JC/WS ..... 388.60 Four Seasons Fundraising, FFA Supplies ..................................6,021.80 Gallery of Tops, MS Lego League Tops ...................... 108.27 Greene County Act. Boost HS Coach Clinic ....................... 50.00 Hoffert, Chris, BB Official..................120.00 Holthaus, Ethan, Arlin Falck Scholarship.................3,320.00 Howard Winneshiek CSD, Wrestling E. Fee ................................100.00 Hupke, Dewey, Wrestling Official ...... 200.00 Iowa FFA Association, Workshop Reg. 40.00 Iowa HSAA, Cross Country Plaque...... 25.00 Iowa HSBCA, Registration 23-24 Member. ...............35.00 Iowa HSSA, Large Group Speech Reg. .................629.00 Letterwerks, HS Bowling ................ 3,111.00 Lundtvedt, Dwayne, Wrestling Official ..............................200.00 Luzum, Richard, BB Official ..............150.00 Mabe’s Pizza, HS Officials/FFA Officers ...................78.25 McCone Foods, FFA Supplies .........2,720.00 Medco Supply Company, Supplies-HS ...................................2,472.37 Monroe, John, BB Official ..................150.00 Mount, Sami, Arlin Falck Scholarship..................3,320.00 Osage High School, Wrestling Entry Fee .......................... 200.00 Rosendahl, Marc, MS Basketball Official...................... 225.00 Sportsworld, HS Boys Track Apparel .432.63 Stille, Brandon, MS Wrestling Official ....................... 100.00 SwimOutlet.com, HS Swim Parkas .... 776.00 Tyler, Ryan, MS Wrestling Official.....200.00 Waterloo West High School, Swim Entry Fee.................................100.00 Williams, Maleek, MS Wrestling Official ....................... 100.00 Total Activity Claims ................... $41,779.15 Decorah (Iowa) Public Opinion February 22, 2024

Decorah Public Opinion Thursday, February 22, 2024 7

The Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Men and Women pose in their pit area, (l-r): Seated: Emily Myers and Montana Jump-Gerleman; Middle Row: Chloe Sabin, Andie Gegax, Quinton LaBelle, Brock Christensen, Bryce Elsbernd; Back Row: Mason Myers, Cody Carolan, Jerald Thompson, Phuong Doan, Kellen Roffman and Travis Nordheim.

Decorah robotics teams have a strong showing at league tournament The Decorah Robotics teams finished their season by competing at their league tournament competition this Saturday at Peet Junior High School in Cedar Falls. The tournament featured 26 area robotics teams all competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) competition.

At the beginning of the school year, these FTC teams, comprised of high school students, were given an obstacle course scenario. Teams then designed, built and programmed an 18 x 18 x 18 inch robot that they could control in order to score as many points as possible within that scenario.

This year’s competition is called Centerstage and required teams to place hexagonal pixels onto a slanted backdrop, launch paper airplanes into landing zones, suspend their robots onto trusses, along with many other scoring opportunities in both an autonomous and driver-controlled playing period.

The freshmen/sophomore Decorah team, Thor’s Thunder Squad, competed in their six qualification matches, going 3-3 and placing 12th at the competition. Their robot excelled at efficiently picking up pixels from the center using two widening pinchers, and the team could suspend their robot on the trusses using flexible hooks attached to two rack-and-pinion raised towers. Thor’s Thunder Squad also finished second in the Control Award category, which is awarded to teams who demonstrate innovative thinking to solve game challenges through the use of sensors, machine learning and autonomous control. The team had programmed their robot to sense where a randomly-placed scoring element was located, using machine learning and a webcam on their robot that allowed them to score bonus points during their autonomous program.

The junior/senior Decorah

team, The Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Men and Women, went 4-2 during their qualification matches, earning them a 6th place finish.

They were the first team drafted in the playoff round but lost to the eventual league champion team, the Falcon Bots from Parkersburg. The Wacky Wavers designed their robot to funnel pixels through two boot flywheels into a 3D printed box. The box was then raised up on a set of drawer slides and dropped onto the backdrop using a servo motor to tilt the box.

The junior/senior team finished in second in the Connect Award category, which is awarded to teams who best connect with their local STEM community.

Thor’s Thunder Squad poses in their pit area, (l-r): Joey McFarlane, Evan Madsen, Alec Fleshner-Einck, Eden Scheidel, Keagan Steines, Elias Sassaman, Owen Rix and Jack Hammel. (submitted photos)

The team did outreach events throughout the year with Boeing engineers, Gemini, Inc., and the high school freshmen, along with livestreaming many of their practices and competitions.

“I am very proud of our teams this year as both placed high in the standings and ranked higher than we ever have in their two award categories,” said Decorah Robotics Coach Brett Wilker. “Many of the students in our robotics programs are interested in pursuing careers in engineering, robotics, or computer science; and through this program, they are given the opportunity to learn the skills that will make them successful in these fields.”

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Letter Excellent local government reporting Dear Editor, I wish to express my appreciation for your coverage of local government, from city council to community boards and other groups. I am a newcomer to Winneshiek County. As such I need some context and background to fully appreciate why particular actions are taken and how various constituent groups are affected by these actions.

Zach Jensen’s article “Following public hearing, supervisors unanimously vote to reject bids on Freeport property” is an example of what I consider excellent local government reporting. From it, and from stories leading up to it, I understand what is being discussed, who it affects, and what is at stake. Jensen’s reporting places complex local issues on the front page, where they firmly belong.

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PAGE 8

THURSDAY

FEBRUARY 22, 2024 Sports Editor: Becky Walz

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DECORAH, SOUTH WINNESHIEK, TURKEY VALLEY

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sports@decorahnewspapers.com

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Two Vikes named All-District bowlers

Vikes near century mark in scoring

Driving into the lane and by a Hawk defender in the fourth quarter Monday night is Viking junior Jackson Pipho. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz) Monday’s score was well above the Class 3A No. 1 Vikings’ average of 78.3 points per game as the Decorah boys’ basketball team handled West Delaware with ease in the Class 3A Substate 3 semifinals, 9841.

Decorah enters the substate semifinal with a 20-2 record as the Vikes will host Wahlert Catholic (10-12) Thursday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. West Delaware ends the season with a 2-20 record. If Decorah wins, the substate final will be held in Decorah against the winner of the Charles City and Hampton-Dumont semifinal Monday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m.

It was slow going in the scoring department for both squads,

with the score tied 10-10 at the 4:44 mark of the first period.

Ben Bockman lit the fire for the Vikes on a shot-and-one, a pair of threes and another basket as Decorah outscored West Delaware 15-2 to close out the period, taking a 25-12 lead.

Carrying that momentum into the second quarter, Decorah’s Zach Driscoll had a pair of early steals that led to layups for the Vikes by the 6:56 point on the clock to push ahead, 31-12. The Hawks suffered another three minute scoring drought as Decorah continued its hot streak, leading to a 52-20 halftime advantage.

By the end of the third period, Decorah led 77-34 and emptied the bench in the fourth, with the reserve players maintaining the offensive attack with 21 points.

Individual stats were unavailable at press time.

W. Delaware Decorah

12 8 14 7 41 25 27 25 21 98

Trey McCain drives by a pair of West Delaware defenders Monday on his way to the hoop. (Driftless Multimedia photo

by Becky Walz)

Warriors’ comeback halted in OT

Free throws can make or break a game, and the Warriors left at least 10 points off the board from the charity stripe Tuesday night in the Class 1A District 6 final. The South Winn boys basketball team made the short trip to Waukon to battle No. 10 Kee, coming up short 59-56 in overtime.

The Warriors finished the season 15-9. The Hawks (22-2) will take on Gladbrook-Reinbeck (20-5) in the substate final Saturday, Feb. 24, at Waterloo East High School, with tip-off at 7 p.m.

Of the 10 points the Warriors scored in the first period, Matson Winings accounted for seven of them, including a three-pointer, as the Hawks put up 15. In the second quarter, Winings continued his hot stretch with South Winn’s first eight points of the period. Backto-back treys by Kole Hageman put South Winn on top, 25-22, with 2:53 to play before the break. Braiden Todd added seven points for the Warriors in the second, with Kee sinking a three-pointer at the buzzer to pull within one of South Winn, 30-29.

Kee came out hot in the third, pulling ahead by as many as 10 points with 2:53 left on the clock; however, a long shot from Hageman and a deuce from Winings pulled South Winn back within five, 43-38, with eight minutes remaining in regulation. Little by little the Warriors scratched their way back into contention with Todd connecting from behind the arc at the 3:32 mark to give South Winn the lead once again, 4846. In the final 2:06, both teams had multiple chances from the free throw line to put the game away, but nobody could get the job done as the UIC squads went a combined 4-of-14 in free throws, leaving a 51-51 tie to send the game into overtime.

In the extra four minutes of play, the Hawks sunk a free

Finishing their senior campaigns as part of the Decorah girls’ basketball program Saturday were (l-r) Brooke Anfinson, Gabbi Dixon, Brynn Storhoff and Yazmeen Whitsitt. (Photo courtesy of Tami Bohr)

Decorah girls bow out in semifinals The amazing careers of four seniors came to an end Saturday night in the regional semifinals, held at Western Dubuque, 6236.

Western Dubuque took a 17-6 record into the Class 4A Region 2 final against undefeated Waverly-Shell Rock (22-0) Tuesday, Feb. 20, for a chance at a trip to the state tournament.

Decorah finishes the year 15-8 and was second in the Northeast Iowa Conference with an 8-2 record.

The Vikings couldn’t get the offensive rhythm flowing in the bookend quarters as the Bobcats rolled out to a 15-6 lead in the first. That early momentum for the home team carried into the second, as Western Dubuque put up 17 points to lead 32-16 at halftime. Decorah cut into the lead in the third quarter but continued to trail 45-32. That was as close as they got as the Vikings scraped out just four points in the final eight minutes.

Yazmeen Whitsitt led the

team with 22 points to go with four rebounds. Sydney Thompson produced six points while Brynn Storhoff provided four.

Gabbi Dixon had six boards and two points. Completing the scoring was freshman Liz Bucksa with two points.

Decorah graduates four seniors off the squad — Yazmeen Whitsitt, Gabbi Dixon, Brynn Storhoff and Brooke Anfinson.

However, they return with a wealth of underclass experience in Clara Hjelle, Claire Storhoff, Renae Wilson, Sydney Thompson, Liz Bucksa and Brooklyn Fromm.

Decorah 6 10 16 4 36 W. Dubuque 15 17 13 17 62 Scoring – Yazmeen Whitsitt 22; Sydney Thompson 6; Brynn Storhoff 4; Gabbi Dixon 2; Liz Bucksa 2 Rebounds – Dixon 6; Whitsitt 4; Claire Storhoff 4; Bucksa 4; Thompson 2; B. Storhoff 1; Assists – B. Storhoff 1; C. Storhoff 1; Thompson 1; Steals – Whitsitt 1; C. Storhoff 1; Thompson 1; Clara Hjelle 1; Blocks – Whitsitt 1; Dixon 1

N. Simon finalist for Ms. Dan Gable Wrestler of the Year

ABOVE: Kole Hageman splits a pair of Kee defenders in the paint on a fast break to the hoop during Tuesday’s district final. RIGHT: Matson Winings gets fouled on a turn-around jumper. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Becky Walz)

throw early only to see Winings answer with a free throw of his own. Back-to-back Kee baskets pulled the Hawks out front 5652 before Carson Streeter put up a three to pull the Warriors back within one. In the closing 14 seconds, Kee’s 3-of-4 free throws were enough to secure the win.

Individual stats were unavailable at press time.

South Winn will graduate three seniors — Kole Hageman, Eric Kriener and Brody Tieskoetter, but has a bunch of young talent returning in juniors Nolan Sabelka, Kaden

Barton-Franzen, Irving Flores as well as sophomores Braiden Todd, Matson Winings, Carver Wenthold, Logan Tieskoetter and Carson Streeter. Also picking up experience on varsity this season were freshmen Landon Livingood and Landon Humpal.

South Winn Kee

10 20 8 13 5 56 15 14 14 8 8 59

563-382-4221

Fareway Stores, Inc., IAwrestle, and Iowa Corn present the 2024 Dan Gable Ms. and Mr. Wrestler of the Year Awards in coordination with the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA).

The top three award winners have showcased their talents throughout the season to be voted the Mr. and Ms. Wrestlers of the Year. Dan Gable and Mark Ironside will be special guests handing out awards.

Among the top three for the Ms. Wrestler of the Year Award is Decorah senior Naomi Simon, along with Molly Allen of Riverside (Oakland) and Reanah Utterback of Sigourney-Koeta. The winners will be announced at the luncheon awards banquet taking place at the Fareway Conference Center in Boone on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at noon.

The two runner-up student athletes in each class will each receive finalist award plaques.

A duplicate Wrestler of the Year trophy and duplicate Wrestler of the Year runner-up plaques will be provided to each high school where finalists attend, for permanent placement in the high school trophy case.

N. Simon finished off her career with a historic fourth state title. She won two IWCOA state championships prior to the IGHSAU sanctioning girls wrestling. At this year’s state tournament, she recorded four falls on the way to the finals where she finished on top of her bracket by earning a 15-2 major decision in the finals. Prior to her finals match Simon had recorded an impressive 44 straight pins on the year. Simon is also a USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals champion, a Fargo freestyle national champion, and is ranked

Decorah’s Jordan Sims and Brock Christensen have been named to the Class 2A East District first and second Jordan Sims teams by the IGCA and Iowa High School Bowling Coaches Associations.

In addition, head coach Keith Bruening received Brock Coach of the Christensen Year honors.

Sims, a junior, leads the Vikings with a high series of 533 and high game of 279 this season to earn a first-team nod, averaging 215.67 pins per outing.

Earning a second team designation, Christensen finished the season with a 206.71 per game average with a high game of 257 and high series of 479.

Having put together the bowling program at Decorah eight seasons ago, Coach K. Bruening has had 15 total state qualifiers, with two punching tickets to state twice in their careers. At the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, both the girls and boys teams competed at state with the boys the Class 2A runners-up and girls finishing eighth. This season, both squads once again qualified.

Class 2A East District list First team – Trey VanWyk, Jr., Oskaloosa; Jacob Shaffer, Sr., Marion; Charlie Pelham, Jr., Clinton; Ethan Potter, Jr., Western Dubuque; Tyler Peterson, So., Waterloo East; Jordan Sims, Jr., Decorah Second team – Lucas Persson, So., North Scott; Teegan Cross, Sr., Independence; Carsten Bahl, So., Western Dubuque; Cole Angell, So., Marion; Ian Mason, Jr., Burlington; Brock Christensen, Sr., Decorah Coach of the Year – Keith Bruening

SAVE THE DATE

Decorah’s Spring

Citywide Naomi Simon #3 in the country at 170 pounds.

She was a finalist for the Ms. Wrestler Award in 2023 and she is committed to wrestle for the University of Iowa next season.

MAY 4 Watch for details and registration forms!

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