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July 2020

Wed
01
Jul

Ronald Koester

Submitted by Clauer on Wed, 2020-07-01 12:30

Ronald Koester

 

The family of Ronald Koester is planning a card shower for his 80th birthday. His date of birth is July 5, 1940.

Direct cards and best wishes to: Ronald Koester, Stoney Brook Village, 705 S. Pine St., Room S14, West Union, IA 52175

Wed
01
Jul

Elgin bridge gets lit for walkers, bikers

Submitted by Clauer on Wed, 2020-07-01 12:26

The Elgin Bridge is illuminated on the horizon by the new lights that line the walking/bike trail that is part of the bridge. (Submitted photos)

 

Elgin bridge gets lit for walkers, bikers

 

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

 

Let there be light!

And now there is on the Turkey River Bridge at Elgin.

The lights were recently installed on the walking path that is part of the bridge and also part of the walking/bike trail from Clermont to Elgin.

The walking/bike path addition to the bridge was completed at the end of 2019.

“Lighting the path on the bridge was always in the backs of our minds,” said Fayette County Conservation Director Rod Marlatt, who, along with the Conservation Board, helped spearhead the project.

He said funds that were left over from the actual construction of the walkway were later used for the lighting project. Funds came from a $216,000 grant from Iowa Great Places and a $100,000 REAP grant.

Wed
01
Jul

Arrest made in two-year-old hit and run that killed a 14-year-old from Maynard

Submitted by Clauer on Wed, 2020-07-01 12:18

April Estling is interviewed by media at the Second Annual Kaiden Estling Memorial Ride, Saturday, June 27, at Maynard. (Jack Swanson photo)

 

Arrest made in two-year-old hit and run that killed a 14-year-old from Maynard

 

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

 

April Estling knew that Saturday, June 27, was going to be a memorable one for her and her family. It was going to be the second memorial ride for her 14-year-old son, Kaiden, and was only one day before the second anniversary of his death, July 28, 2019. 

Kaiden was killed by a hit and run driver while he was riding his moped home to Maynard from Fayette on Highway 150. He was about three miles outside of Fayette when the accident occurred. April said she had been looking for her son when she got the call about 10:30 p.m., that her son had been found. She traveled to the scene where rescue personnel had tried to save him but were unsuccessful. He died there with no clues left behind on who could have been responsible. The person who had hit him with their vehicle had not stopped to help him or even call for help.

That person, whoever it was, had been on April’s mind almost every day for the last two years, almost every day she thought about her son and how he died.

Now, as the day approached for a ride where people would be gathered to celebrate the memory of her son and the next day that would mark the second year of his death, April braced herself for the pain she knew she was going to feel, and for the demeanor she would need to make the family and friends attending feel recovery was possible, but all the while wishing she still had answers.

It was that state of mind that she was starting to enter when she got a phone call.

Wed
01
Jul

Fireworks, car rally & Northeast Iowa tours

Submitted by Clauer on Wed, 2020-07-01 12:10

One of the new events planned for Independence Day this year, is a Car Rally.  This rally will travel around the area, stopping for a picnic lunch in Fort Atkinson, and site seeing in the Valley. (submitted photo) 

 

Fireworks, car rally & Northeast Iowa tours

By Megan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

While the West Union Chamber’s Fourth of July committee has altered the annual celebrations to follow social distancing guidelines, there will be no shortage of celebratory fun.  

“West Union Strong” will be this year’s theme, and organizers are encouraging area households to get involved and create a visual in their yards representing “West Union Strong.”  

Judges will be touring the town during the Independence Day celebrations to judge all of the unique “West Union Strong” creations. 

This year’s celebrations will be held at the West Union town square and will feature many new events, such as a Car Rally during the day. 

Those wishing to participate in the rally are asked to arrive at 11 a.m. and park around West Union's town square to receive instructions and road map for trip.

The rally will depart from West Union and drive north traveling thru St Lucas and arriving at Fort Atkinson. 

Participants will then take a walking tour of the famous Fort and stop for a picnic lunch. Boxed lunches will be provided for the Car Rally participants.

Next, rally participants will travel along Great River road to the grounds of Montauk Historic Site in Clermont. 

There, participants will be provided walking tour of the grounds.  Patriotic music piped in from the historic 1902 Kimball organ that's housed at the Union Sunday School building, will help set the tone for the visit.

From there, the rally travel through Clermont over to Elgin, visiting several historical sites and buildings along the way.

The rally is set to arrive back into downtown West Union by 3 p.m. 

Ice cream will be provided to the Car Rally participants and live music from Patsy and the Plum Street Jam will be playing during the arrival.  

Miss West Union is scheduled to be crowned at 5 p.m., followed by a community picnic in the town square.  

At 6:30 p.m., event organizers will treat the public to a community walk and historical scavenger hunt.  

West Union’s annual magnificent fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. and will be set off near the Rec Center on the north-end of town.  

Wed
01
Jul

Fireworks display at Clermont for 4th

Submitted by Clauer on Wed, 2020-07-01 12:02

Fireworks display at Clermont for 4th

 

Skip Away Campground will be hosting a fireworks display to help the City of Clermont and surrounding communities celebrate the Fourth of July.

According to campground manager Terri Baker the fireworks will start at dark on Saturday, July 4.

“People can park anywhere, absolutely anywhere. They go high in the sky so everyone in town and around can see them, and there will be live music outside someplace by the lodge,” Baker said.

Social distancing will be up to individuals. 

Wed
01
Jul

The 'Union' of newspapers: New era begins today for Union, Echo, Leader!

Submitted by Clauer on Wed, 2020-07-01 11:59

For over 170 years, The Fayette County Union, The Elgin Echo and the Fayette Leader have been dominant products in homes throughout Northeast Iowa. Soon a new era begins for our publishing company as beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2020 all three of our Fayette County publications will be united as one under the masthead Union Echo Leader. (LeAnn Larson photo)

 

The 'Union' of newspapers: New era begins today for Union, Echo, Leader!

 

By LeAnn Larson
llarson@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

It has truly been challenging times, and your local newspapers have not been spared from the trail of devastation that has affected so many of our small town businesses throughout NE Iowa. We like to say, we are Iowa proud— but this too has put us into  ‘survival mode’ over the past few months!

Our staff is committed to small-town journalism and continues to passionately bring you local news, features, sports, local advertising, special sections and so much more!  It’s that special ‘slice of life’ you cannot find anywhere else! 

Just think, for over 170 years, we have been a dominant product in homes throughout Northeast Iowa. We were here long before the Spanish Flu and will continue long after the Covid-19 crisis is a distance memory.

With that being said, beginning today with our Wednesday, July 1 publication, we are uniting, merging, coming together as one to bring you your local Fayette County news! Yes, we are combining our efforts into one publication. 

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