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Opinion/Editorial................ Pg. 2 Milestones/Local News....... Pg. 3 Church Calendar................. Pg. 4 Records..................... Pg. 5, 10, 11 Classifieds......................Pg. 6, 7 Gone Cold........................ Pg. 12 Social News....................... Pg. 8 Local News..............Pg. 9, 10, 11 Sports........................ Pg. 13, 14
School Levy Informational Meeting
An informational meeting on the upcoming VPPEL issue is set for Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. in the Sigourney H.S. Media Center.
Blood Pressure checks in Sigourney
Wednesday, Sept. 2 is the date for Blood Pressure checks at the Sigourney Senior Center. Manor House arrives at 11:15 a.m. for this free service.
PO BOX 285, 114 E. WASHINGTON ST. SIGOURNEY, IOWA 52591
SIGNRED@LISCO.COM 641.622.3110
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 NUMBER 35, 155TH YEAR
Fountain stirs memories
By Michael Hohenbrink Regional Editor Kathy Coulter found her memories drifting back. As the late summer sun warmed the courthouse square, Coulter (nee Hammes) stopped by the old fountain she remembered from her childhood. “It’s really pretty,” said Coulter. With the water an inviting shade of blue, Coulter thought of times visiting town with her mother. “We lived outside of Sigourney,” explained Coulter. “We’d come in shopping.” On those visits, she and her mother would stop by the fountain. Decades later, Coulter, now a resident of Peoria, Ill., was back in the area of her birth. A visit to the fountain was irresistible. Coulter’s memories of the community involve the old fountain. She’s not alone in that respect.
At A Glance
What’s Up: The Lewis Memorial Fountain’s 75th Birthday Celebration When: Sunday, Sept. 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Where: Courthouse Square, Sigourney For More Information: sigourney-iowa.com
Don Northup, Public Works Director for the City of Sigourney, talks with Kathy Coulter, a former resident of Sigourney, about the historic Lewis Memorial Fountain. Coulter had stopped by the fountain while in the area for a visit while Northup has been heavily involved in restoration work on the fountain ahead of the upcoming 75th birthday celebration for the fountain. Photo by Michael Hohenbrink For many people, the Lewis Memorial Fountain is Sigourney. “The Lewis Memorial Fountain has special meaning to the community because of its uniqueness
and ability to attract families, friends and visitors and it promotes the City’s motto, ‘Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow’,” said Angie Alderson, City Clerk for
Keokuk County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Hohenbrink joins News-Review The News-Review is welcoming a ing in educational technology as well new face. Michael Hohenbrink has joined the News-Review in the role of News Editor. “I am very pleased to have Mike join our team,” said Amber Kephart, Regional Manager. “The community can look forward to the knowledge and experience he will contribute to his articles.” A graduate of the University Hohenbrink of Iowa, Hohenbrink comes to the paper from northwest Ohio, having lived in Iowa for several years before. He earned a Master’s degree from the UI in 2002. For the last four years, Hohenbrink served as news director at north-
On Thursday, Sept. 3, the Keokuk County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting will take place at the Expo Fairgrounds. The event is set to start at 6:30 p.m. and will feature Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill as speaker. For reservations, call 641-622-2310.
Alice Menne at Sigourney Health Care Center
Alice Menne will perform Thursday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. at Sigourney Health Care Center. The public is invited.
Alice Menne at Manor House
Alice Menne will perform Thursday, Sept. 3 at 3:30 p.m. at Manor House. The public is invited.
Rubio Music Jam
Saturday, Sept. 5 will be the Rubio Music Jam. There will be food and music. Eating starts at 5 p.m. and music starts at 6 p.m. Free will offering and handicapped accessible.
Sigourney Lions Club paper collection
Sigourney Lions Club will hold its regular monthly paper collection Saturday, Sept. 5. Have paper out by 9 a.m. No magazines or periodicals.
Peggy Wardenburg for Fill the Van
Wednesday, Sept. 9 will see the musical stylings of Peggy Wardenburg at 2 p.m. for Fill the Van for Fun! at Manor House.
Wardenburg at Sigourney Health Care Center
Peggy Wardenburg will sing the Oldies at 3:30 p.m. Root beer floats will be served.
Blood Pressure checks in What Cheer
Thursday, Sept. 10 is Blood Pressure checks at the What Cheer Community Center. Manor House arrives at 8:30 a.m. for this free service.
What Cheer Opera House
The Marengo Civil War Band will be performing at the What Cheer Opera House on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Delta Days
The annual Delta Days celebration is set to kick off Saturday, Sept. 12 with a parade, games and activities.
Friends of the Sigourney Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Sigourney Library will host a book sale Friday, Sept. 18 from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Keokuk Co. Historical Society Open House
The Keokuk County Historical Society Open House will be held at 402 E. Elm in Sigourney on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 1-4 p.m. Speaker Doug Wilson will give a program on Iowa Coal Mining Camps at 2 p.m. The Stone House will be open from 3-4 p.m. All are welcome. More on page 2.
the City of Sigourney and a leader in the effort to preserve the fountain. Ice cream cones, playing, making wishes with a penny, all were
done by the fountain. “Back in the day, they had several dances,” said Don Northup, Director of Public Works for the City of Sigourney. In between dances, boys and girls could take a break by the old fountain and perhaps share a kiss as the old fountain watched on. On sunny days, children played in the grass. Quiet evenings were a chance for couples to meet. Solitary winter afternoons invited thought and reflection. FOUNTAIN to page 11
The route to be taken by the Dakota Access Pipeline will run through Keokuk County as well as through other Iowa counties as oil goes from North Dakota to Illinois. Image Courtesy of Energy Transfer
Pipeline work could start this winter Nearly 2/3 of easements in place
By Michael Hohenbrink Regional Editor A $3.78 billion pipeline project linking North Dakota oil fields with a transportation pipeline in Illinois is moving along as the parent company works to secure easements. With most easements in place, the project
could see a tentative start date for construction come as early as this winter, with the pipeline running through a portion of Keokuk County. “We are currently in the process of negotiating voluntary easement agreements with landowners across the entire route,” said Lisa PIPELINE to page 11
Sigourney district heads to the polls
By Michael Hohenbrink Regional Editor Voters in the Sigourney district will head to the polls soon to determine the fate of a levy. At issue is a 10-year levy for use for the district’s physical plant and equipment. If approved, the levy would generate one dollar and thirty-four cents ($1.34) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the district. Collection would start with the new fiscal year that begins July 1, 2016. The levy is important for the district, said Sigourney Superintendent Dave Harper. “The VPPEL would provide the school district with POLLS to page 11
as for special interest publications in other areas. Previously, Hohenbrink has served as editor for papers including the Williamsburg Journal-Tribune and the Independence Bulletin Journal. Hohenbrink has been recognized by the Iowa Newspaper Association with awards in categories including Best News Feature, Coverage of Education and Best Front Page. “I look forward to working with the paper to better serve our readers,” said Hohenbrink. “We have strengths, and I want to help the paper grow in some new directions.” Hohenbrink will make his home in Sigourney, along with his wife, Nichol, and four children: Matthew, 11; Scott, 10; Nick, 10; and Joseph, 18 months. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to be back in Iowa,” said Hohenbrink. “This is a homecoming I look forward to working with the paper to better for me and for serve our readers. We have strengths, and I want my family.” History is a to help the paper grow in some new directions.” particular love – Mike Hohenbrink, News Editor for Hohenbrink, and he west Ohio’s WJTA 88.9 FM, and he enjoys music of the Big Band Era, taught Humanities, Composition Jack Benny and the history of techand Speech at Defiance College and nology. Bluffton University. At the paper, Hohenbrink can be Hohenbrink has written for nation- reached with story ideas at signred@ al publications such as THE Journal lisco.com or at 641.622.3110. and Campus Technology, specializ-
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Brown added to News-Review line-up
Violet Conrad (right) walks with her mother, Theresa Cowan, to Kindergarten on the first day of school at Sigourney Elementary. Photo by Michael Hohenbrink
Supervisors prepare for autumn roadwork • See page 11
The News-Review has added a new editor as part of a shift in staff at the Sigourney office. Hailey Brown, joined by Mike Hohenbrink, is now Regional Editor for the News-Review, as well as the Keota Eagle. Hohenbrink will also be working on both newspapers. A Digital Communication graduate of William Penn University Brown and Indian Hills Community College, Brown has been working as Regional Editor primarily for the Keota Eagle. She has been employed with Mid-America Publishing Corp. since May, helping occasionally with the News-Review as needed. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know the Keota community and learning each unique story,” says Brown. “I look forward to learning the history and faces of other small towns in Keokuk County, too.” Brown will maintain her Monday, 8 a.m. - noon schedule at the Keota location, however Hohenbrink will be present from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays, and the two of them
will be alternating Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. The Keota location will continue to be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there will be other times they will be in Keota covering events outside of regular hours. They will both be located at the News-Review office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All hours are subject to fluctuate as news is covered in different towns across Keokuk County. Brown currently resides in What Cheer, where she keeps a garden and raises bison with her roommate Gerad Clingan. The daughter of an active-duty U.S. Marine, Brown has had the opportunity to visit and live in many places across the country, from San Diego, California to New Bern, North Carolina. “No matter where I go and what I see, Iowa remains the state that embodies all of the elements of ‘home’”, says Brown. Her favorite southeast Iowa pasttimes include flathead fishing in the summer with her dogs and ice fishing in the winter. At the paper, Brown can be reached at signr@lisco.com or at 641-6223110. For more information on Hohenbrink, see the story in this issue.