News

Tue
12
Mar

Jazzing things up at the middle school

North Fayette Valley Middle School band director Abigail Toussaint leads the school’s new middle school jazz band in a recent practice at the Valley center. The participating students have learned the basics of jazz improvisation, 12-bar blues form, and jazz articulation and style. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Jazzing things up at the middle school

By Mike Van Sickle

      The strong rhythm and soulful sounds of the blues is once again resonating from the North Fayette Valley Middle School band room as the complex chords of jazz music has returned to the middle school program. Under the direction of NFV Middle School band director Abigail Toussaint, participating students are not only learning more about the genre, but also acquiring the art of improvisation and expressing themselves through jazz music.

Tue
12
Mar

Fayette County Dairy coronation March 23

Fayette County Dairy coronation March 23

By Staff

      Fayette County Dairy Promotion members will crown the 2024 royalty during the organization’s annual banquet Saturday, March 23, at the West Union Event Center. Doors open to the rural West Union facility at 6 p.m., with the awards program and coronation ceremonies to follow the 7 p.m. meal. An ice cream social, raffle drawings, and door prizes will conclude the evening’s festivities.

Tue
12
Mar

Primary candidate nomination papers due March 22

 

Moellers, Peterson, Becthold file candidacy

Primary candidate nomination papers due March 22 

By Mike Van Sickletified 

(Editor's note: This story was updated after the newspaper office was informed West Union Police Chief Paul Becthold had officially filed after the Union Echo Leader had went to press Tuesday morning.)

      With the Friday, March 22, deadline fast approaching, two county candidates have filed nomination papers for Fayette County’s Tuesday, June 4, primary election. At the county level, the ballots will include the positions of auditor, sheriff, and one seat on the board of supervisors.  

      Incumbent Republican Fayette County Auditor Lori Moellers, who was first elected to office in 2008, has filed to seek reelection. In addition, Jay Peterson of rural Arlington has submitted the required paperwork to run for Fayette County supervisor and West Union Police Chief Paul Becthold has filed his nomination for Fayette County sheriff. Current supervisor Janell Bradley has announced she will not seek another term (see page A-3).

Tue
12
Mar

Town hall Saturday

Town hall Saturday

      A town hall meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Arlington Event Center. Among the state officials expected to be in attendance are representatives Anne Osmundson, Chad Ingels, Michael Bergan, and senators Mike Klimesh and Dan Zumbach.

 

Tue
12
Mar

Supervisors further discuss Inspiring Lives property

Supervisors further discuss Inspiring Lives property

By Kaci Maire

      With the recent announcement of the decision for Inspiring Lives to vacate their building in rural Fayette, Supervisor Bruce Lehmann opened a discussion during the supervisors’ regular meeting Monday regarding potential building demolition costs and feasibility, alternative uses for the buildings and land, and a timeline surrounding the upcoming occupants’ move.

Tue
12
Mar

NFV enters into Apple buyback program

NFV enters into Apple buyback program 

By Sharon Drahn
Contributing Writer

      In the absence of North Fayette Valley School Board President Emily Koch, vice president Richard Klosterman called the meeting of the North Fayette Valley Board of Education to order Monday evening.

      The buyback quote for Apple devices was reviewed and approved by the Board with the estimated total being $344,478. The buyback offer is valid through Sunday, March 31, and a minimum guarantee of 70 percent is based on the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement.

Tue
12
Mar

County taxpayers to receive budget and tax rate mailing

County taxpayers to receive budget and tax rate mailing

      A recent legislative change to lowa Code 24.2A requires county auditors to mail a statement to county taxpayers by Wednesday, March 20, with state-specified information related to proposed local government budgets and proposed property tax rates.

      The information is for taxes payable in September 2024 and March 2025. Residents should receive a statement if they expect to receive a property tax bill in September.

Tue
12
Mar

Winneshiek County Fair Appreciation Night features free concert

Winneshiek County Fair Appreciation Night features free concert

By Zakary Kriener

      The fun and excitement at the Winneshiek County Fair will include an additional night in 2024 with a free concert on Monday night, July 8.

      Winneshiek County Fair Board Appreciation Night will feature the sounds of Iowa-based band Not Quite Brothers. The show will be free and open to the public with a start time of 7 p.m.

Tue
12
Mar

Winneshiek County Cattlemen royalty

Newly crowned and capped royalty at the 2024 Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Banquet, which was held Saturday night in Decorah, included (front, l-r) Little Miss Cowgirls Emma Drahn and Eloise Lechtenberg, and Little Mr. Cowhand McCoy McConnell; (back) Beef Princess Keira Myers and Beef Queen Lauren Holthaus. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Tue
05
Mar

‘Chaos in Wonderland’ at NFV Middle School

Alice (played by Sophia Gardner) is joined by (back, l-r) The King of Hearts (Aleczander Gearhart, who was filling in for Wyatte Herriage during the recent rehearsal), the footman (Adaleigh Gearheart) and Queen of Hearts (Annabel Murray) in being somewhat dismayed when Jack (Tytus Stansbery) kneels before her. The curtain rises on the North Fayette Valley Middle School drama production, "Chaos in Wonderland," at 7 p.m. Friday. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

‘Chaos in Wonderland’ at NFV Middle School

By Mike Van Sickle

      It will be "Chaos in Wonderland" when the curtain rises on the North Fayette Valley Middle School drama production at 7 p.m. Friday.

      Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Father Time get all mixed up in this rhyming comedy about stolen tarts, rabbit holes, and magic beans.  The Knave of Hearts (played by Bella Hoover) is put on trial for stealing the tarts Tweedle Dee (Abby Wolcott) and Tweedle Dum (Aleya Popenhagen) have baked.

      How many times will the Queen of Hearts (Anabel Murray) say, "Off with his head!"?  Will Alice (Sophia Gardner) and Jack (Tytus Stansbery) form a romantic attachment? 

      The only way to tell is to attend the performance, which is directed by NFV High School junior Mattison Goddard. Meanwhile, junior Bella Smoltz is the set and stage manager.

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