Postville
SERVING NORTHEAST IOWA SINCE 1892 LOCAL•2
Volume 123, Number 47 | Two Sections, 16 Pages
SOCIETY•3
AREA•4
RELIGION•6
CLASSIFIED•7
SPORTS•12
City Council approves purchase of water department vehicle; chicken and duck ordinance discussed sharon drahn herald editor
The Postville City Council met for their regular monthly meeting September 14 with all members present. Diana Johnson of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) presented the contract for services between her agency and the City for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The contract is for $25,000 and will be paid for with grant funds. A resolution to adopt policies compliant to the grant for sewer water improvements was also adopted. The policies include a code of conduct, a procurement policy, an equal opportunity policy statement, an excessive force statement, a residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan, an affirmative action plan and an affirmative fair housing policy. Sealed bids to purchase the City’s 2002 Ford Explorer were opened and discussed. The high bidder, Spencer Lone Tree, was awarded the opportunity to purchase the vehicle at a cost of $3,500. Others placing bids were Todd Cahoon, $2,112; Ron Stoffel, $1,200; Kevin Jacobs, $800; Carl Ruff, $1,150; Chris Hackman, $1,750 and Daryl Schultz, $1,150. Water and sewer rates were discussed at length. City Clerk Darcy Radloff will meet with representatives of Spear Financial
to put together a rate schedule based on a flat fee for all accounts including industrial, commercial and residential. The city currently has several items for sale including a fire truck, a variety of chemicals and a chipper. The will be offered to other area municipalities via several publications. City water employee Larry Klocke presented bids for the purchase of a new vehicle for his department. The department budget has planned for the replaced as part of the City’s budgeting process. The low bid of $27,235 from Torkelson Motors was approved to purchase a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500. The department’s current vehicle, a 2004 Chevy Silverado will be traded in. A bid was also received from Decorah Auto for a 2016 Ford F250. Klocke also explained that he did not receive a bid from Chevrolet as their vehicle prices for 2016 are to be released. The Council spent much time considering a proposed chicken and duck ordinance. In the end they decided that rather than draft a new ordinance they would leave the ordinance unchanged. The current ordinance says that anyone wishing to have these types of animals within the City Limits must come to the Council where each case will be reviewed individually. Council person Larry Moore stated that in his opinion and, in lieu of the fact that the avian flu has posed many health risks, he would
not be in favor of allowing any chickens or ducks within the City. The proximity to Agri-Star, where hundred of poultry are processed each week was also an issue discussed. Bid were opened for cleaning services at City Hall and Turner Hall. The low bid was presented by the firm Complete Clean with fees as follows: City Hall and Police Department, $115; Turner Hall (Monthly), $65 Also bidding was DarLynn Mostaert; however, her higher bid was rejected. Szabo Construction was awarded the bid for the construction of a roadway in Business Park. The cost is $520. It will be used for dumping snow. With KPVL Radio Station announcing that it will more than likely disband, the Council voted to accept the termination of the lease. If someone else should buy the antenna, the City must receive written notice to approve the purchase. If no one purchases the antenna, KPVL needs to remove it from the Postville water tower within 30 days. A resolution was adopted recognizing City Week Iowa which will be observed October 12-16. It will encourage all citizens to support activities including an open house which will be held October 14 from 4 to 7 p.m.. At this time citizens are urged to come and tour city buildings and ask questions of the staff and elected officials.
Following a Waterloo robbery Tuesday evening, suspects apprehended at the Pines Motel in Postville sharon drahn herald editor
After receiving a telephone call in the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 16, Pines Motel Managers Shawn and Angie Rodenberg were alerted to an investigation that involved suspects who were staying at the Postville establishment. As the ‘sting’ unfolded, the couple and their son, Blake, were never in harm’s way. Local police, along with officers from Waterloo, and the State Highway Patrol and officers from several counties’ agencies and Sheriff’s departments were on the scene beginning at about daybreak. A tactical SWAT team was also called to the scene. A preliminary announcement from the Iowa State Patrol indicated that the incident was in reference to an in-depth investigation with multiple agencies involved. It was later learned that the investigation was led by the Waterloo Police Department as it related to a robbery in Waterloo at the iWireless store on Tuesday evening. The store, located on San Marnan Drive in Waterloo, was robbed at about 6 p.m. Police indicated the suspects stole phones, money and were armed with a handgun. The report further states the suspects ordered an employee into a different room at gunpoint where he ordered the employee to hand over money and cell phones. The suspect’s vehicles were later spotted in the parking lot of the Pines Motel here. Waterloo police asked for help from the Iowa State Patrol’s tactical team to search one
Homecoming 2015 Students and staff at Postville High School are celebrating Homecoming this week. To Highlight the festivities the Herald has produced a special section featuring the week’s activities and the students who are involved. Please turn to pages two and three of our “B” Section for your 2015 Keepsake Homecoming Edition. Pictured here are this year’s candidates. They are (left to right) Tressa Loomis, Hannah Lage and Jenna Schutte. In back are Gavin Ruckdaschel, Mason Smith and Levi Hansmeier.
Board of Education approves purchase of wrestling mat, gym fan sharon drahn herald editor
The Postville Board of Education met for its reorganizational meeting September 14. As part of the consent agenda the resignations of migrant coordinator Blanca Campos and custodian Jack Billmeyer were accepted. Campos has accepted a position as Migrant Regional Recruiter for the State of Iowa and Billmeyer is retiring. The following paraprofessionals were hired at $11. per hour: Jennifer Benda, Laura Lubka, Elizabeth Perez, Jamie Ruckdaschel, Taylor
Pape and Heather Azurdia. Derek Friederich as tech director, Brad Bucknell as fall driver education instructor and Ben Heitland as custodian at $12.35 per hour. Noah Schaufenbuel was approved as a volunteer football and basketball coach. Following the completion of the consent agenda items, the meeting adjourned and reassembled at its reorganizational meeting. The oath of office was administered to JoAnn Jacobs, Jeff Cox and Jamie Smith were reelected at the September 8 election. Smith was reelected Board President.
The open enrollment request of Blake Grotegut from the Allamakee County Community School District was approved. After a discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to leave all athletic programs the same. A plan for developing youth programs in cooperation with the YMCA will also be developed. With the Postville Athletic Booster Club paying half the cost, the purchase of a new wrestling mat was approved. The total cost is $11,050. The purchase of a large ceiling fan for the gymnasium at a cost of $9,655 was also approved.
Glad to be back in Northeast Iowa, Kregel joins Cora B. Darling staff as third grade teacher
Law enforcement agencies unite Members of several police departments, sheriff’s offices, the Iowa Highway Patrol and its Tactical Team line the parking lot at the Pines Motel last Wednesday prior to apprehending six robbery suspects.
of the rooms. Although not documented, it is thought that one of the suspect’s female companion had previously resided in Postville. Six suspects have been apprehended and were initially incarcerated at the Clayton County Jail. The suspects, all from the Chicago area, are Roosevelt Brown, 20, Harvey, Ill, first degree robbery; James Harden, 29, Markham, Ill., first degree robbery, Don N. Redmond, 29, Harvey, Ill, first degree robbery; Jeffrey A. Kemp, 39, Chicago, Ill, first degree robbery; Lawrence D. Adkinson, 27, Hazel Crest, Ill, First Degree Robbery and Dominique Walker, 22, Harvey, Ill, accessory after the fact, first degree robbery and third degree theft. Vehicles apprehended at the scene were towed away by Reggie Lubka of Reggie’s Autobody. Following the incident, Shawn Rodenberg of the motel said, “We are very thankful to all the
agencies who worked together to solve this issue. They wee all very professional and we at no time felt threatened. Although we had substantial damage to several of our rooms, it was worth it to get these suspects apprehended. They are not the type of people we want on the streets.” He went on, “Angie and I have worked very hard to change to image and appearance of the motel and we want people to know it is a very safe place to stay. We have also been busy updating all the rooms and making sure they are clean and welcoming. The rooms that were ‘banged up’ during the incident are already being repaired. We are replacing doors, painting walls, and carpet as necessary. All of our repair crews have been more than willing to help us get everything repaired as quickly as possible. I invite anyone who is interested in seeing what we have done here at the Pines to stop out.”
Third grade teacher Katie Kregel is happy to be back in her home territory as she joins the Postville Community School District faculty. A native of Monona and a graduate of MFL MarMac, Katie received her college education at Central College in Pella. After college Katie began her teaching career at North Scott where she taught second grade. Her next career move took her to Oelwein where she taught fifth grade, junior kindergarten and, most recently, second grade for the past five years. Now living in Monona, Katie and her husband of six years, Wade have a three year old daughter, Natalie. She said, “We are both
from Monona and are very happy to be back in this part of Northeast Iowa.” “When I’m not busy with school, I like to be outside taking walks, going to the pool with my daughter, baking and spending time with family,” Katie said. As she settles in to her new position and gets to know her third grade students, Kregel commented, “Everyone in the district is very friendly and welcoming. They are very helpful and are working hard to make the school a great place for kids and their families.” Enjoy your new adventures Katie.
Katie Kregel
National Prescription Drug Drop Off Day event The Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force in cooperation with Helping Services of Northeast Iowa are participating in the National Prescription Drug Drop Off Day Event. This year’s event is being held Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Turner Hall, 119 East Greene St., Postville. There will be drop off sites located throughout Northeast Iowa September 26; to find the closest drop off site to you, please log on
to www.DEA.gov. This website will show the entire list of drop off sites throughout the United States, and this should make it easy and convenient for you to drop off your old medications. For your safety and privacy: • Keep all substance in their original containers • All liquid containers must be sealed in leak proof clear plastic bags • Mark out any identifying information on prescription
bottles • Unidentified medications will be accepted The following will be accepted: • Prescriptions and over-thecounter medications including vitamins, supplements, herbals • Needles, sharps, syringes with needles in puncture proof containers • Thermometers in zip-lock or plastic bags • Aerosols or pressurized containers
USPS 006-515
September 1-30, 2015
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