Koether contests election results

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

On Friday, Dec. 21, Kayla Koether filed to contest the election results of Iowa House District 55 with the Iowa House of Representatives. 

Koether, who was the Democratic challenger in the House race, trails Incumbent Republican Michael Bergan by nine votes. She is contesting the election to have 29 absentee ballots counted. 

On Nov. 29, she filed a petition in Polk County District Court to have to the 33 unpostmarked absentee ballots that were received after Election Day counted. Twenty-nine of them were received the Wednesday after Election Day. Koether contended there isn’t any way those ballots could have been put in the mail after the deadline and arrived in the Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office the Wednesday after Election Day.

In pro football, this would be a personal foul for putting full weight on a quarterback. However, this is basketball Friday, Dec. 14, in Postville. NFV’s Alyssa Bohr and a Pirate player each grabbed the ball, trying for a rebound. As the two struggled for control, the Postville player fell to the floor with Bohr hanging on to the ball almost all the way to the floor to cause a jump ball. (Jennifer Olsen photo)

Girls' win streak over

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

The NFV girls’ win streak came to a screeching halt last week as they lost a pair of home games to some very good teams.

Due to early press deadlines imposed by the holiday, results from the game Friday in Guttenberg will appear in next week’s paper.

NFV was no match for 14^th-ranked Kee High, dropping a 54-11 decision Tuesday, Dec. 18, in West Union.

Kee, a conference co-favorite, came in at 6-1, losing only its opening game to Waukon.

With 43 years of combined experience as commissioners on the Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District board, Paul Hoeger (left) of Maynard and Dick Jensen of Elgin are retiring. The two men were honored for their dedication to conservation with a plaque and coffee mug on Monday, Dec. 17, at Gus and Tony’s Town House Café in West Union. (Chris DeBack photo)

Jensen and Hoeger retire from FCSWCD

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Fayette County’s soil health, water quality, and conservation in general have always been important to Paul Hoeger of Maynard and Dick Jensen of Elgin. 

With a combined 43 years of experience as commissioners on the Fayette County Soil and Water Conservation District (FCSWCD) board, the two men have decided to hand over the fight for conservation to the next generation. 

Area pilot Bruce Lehmann (left) of Clermont is excited about the West Union Airport now offering fuel for sale, as he no longer has to go elsewhere to get fuel before taking off for his destination. Here, he gets a little help filling up his airplane from West Union Mayor Adam Keller.  Chris DeBack photo

New fuel farm provides economic opportunities for WU

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

For years the West Union Airport was missing a critical piece to the flying process: fuel.

It goes without saying that an airplane can’t fly without fuel for its engines to consume, yet the airport didn’t have fuel for purchase. Local pilots who keep their planes in the hangar at the airport had to fly elsewhere to get fuel, and the City was missing out on an opportunity to get people to stop in town.

Josh Turner with special guest Clare Dunn will play at the Winneshiek County Fair Saturday, July 13, at 7 p.m.

Turner, Dunn to highlight Winn. Co. Fair

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Winneshiek County Fair Board is happy to announce that its complete Grandstand entertainment lineup for the 2019 Fair is now official as country music star Josh Turner and special guest Clare Dunn have come onboard.

Turner, whose most notable songs include “Hometown Girl,” “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” and “Would You Go With Me,” will take to the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday night, July 13.

The opening act for Turner will be up-and-comer Clare Dunn, whose most notable song is “Tuxedo.”

Everett Rowland of Clermont writes a report to the judge after meeting with his CASA (court-appointed special advocate) assignment and caseworkers at a staffing at Bremwood in Waverly on Dec. 13, 2018. (Vicki Rowland photo)

The gift of advocating for a child

Vicki Rowland
Contributing Writer

Going to court can be scary. Facing the somber rule of law is intimidating.  There is so much unknown.  And for some unfortunate children, it must be downright terrifying.

It would seem that some kids just have bad luck.  They may be born into a family wracked by drug or alcohol problems. Perhaps a parent has gotten into criminal activity or is abusive.  Or maybe it is just a really messed-up family relationship—perhaps the child is unwanted and unloved. This is a really sad thing to see happen.

Judges are not uncaring, but they do not see the child frequently. Social workers are overwhelmed. The child needs someone to look out for his or her interests – an advocate.  

That is where CASA comes in.  CASA stands for court-appointed special advocate. This is a volunteer for the court who is a liaison among the child, the judge, and all service workers who work with the child.  

Mark and Rose Harberts of Elgin have long enjoyed their rides throughout northeast Iowa on Mark’s bikes.  A few years ago, they decided to share their love of the open road through fundraising efforts for a variety of area residents.  The annual WHOO (We Help Our Own) ride has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help area families with medical bills and other expenses.  (photo by Megan Molseed)

The gift of helping our own

By Meagan Molseed

mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

“It truly is in the spirit of paying it forward,” said Rose Harberts earnestly.  “So many have benefited from this ride, and it has been very important to us to keep it going and going each year!” 

It started as a motorcycle ride to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation many years ago.

“We wanted to help someone who really needed it, and people in the area, including me and Rose, put together this bike ride,” remembered Rose’s husband, Mark Harberts, of the beginning of northeast Iowa’s own WHOO (We Help Our Own) annual motorcycle ride.  

Fayette County Conservation recently turned the lounge on the first floor of the Fayette County Courthouse — across from County Social Services — into the Fayette County Pocket Nature and Visitor Center. Area residents visiting the courthouse can now learn a little bit about conservation while taking care of other obligations. Members of Fayette County Conservation that helped make it possible include Sam Hanson, Upper Iowa University intern; Rod Marlatt, Fayette County Conservation executive director; and Blake Gamm, Fayette County Conservation Roadside Vegetation manager, among others who are a part of the organization. Chris DeBack photo

Learn about conservation at the Courthouse

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The Fayette County Courthouse in West Union is a place where most of the business of the County takes place. People go there to get a driver’s license, pay their taxes, get a marriage license, and can listen in on a Fayette County Supervisors meeting, among other things. 

Now, you can also learn a little bit about conservation, as well. Fayette County Conservation recently turned the lounge on the first floor of the courthouse — across from County Social Services — into the Fayette County Pocket Nature and Visitor Center. People can relax in the lounge and read different conservation displays that have been set up. 

A smiling Bruce Day and his sister Jeanna Woullet share a hug just after transplant surgery in which Bruce donated a kidney to Jeanna shortly after she was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Submitted photo

The Gift of Life: Brother donates kidney to save sister's life

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

When Jeanna (Day) Wuollet first found out she had the kidney disease focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), she had no idea what she would be facing over the next few years.

“I had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) years before this diagnosis,” the Arlington native explained.  “I was at a regular appointment with my RA doctor when they noticed my kidney was functioning poorly.  It was operating at about 13 percent of the normal level.” 

In May 2017, the oldest child of Mary (Derr) Day of Postville and the late Dave Day was sent to see a kidney specialist for further diagnosis. 

Father Richard Kuhn holds a Seven Sorrows rosary as Pope Francis blesses it on Nov. 12. Kuhn intends to give the rosary to Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish in Festina. (photo by The Vatican Media Services)

Former Ossian priest meets Pope Francis

By Father Richard Kuhn

Editor’s Note: This story is being republished courtesy of The Witness, the official publication for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. For more information, visit www.thewitnessonline.org.

On Thursday, Nov. 8, I flew from Dubuque to Chicago. Then it was nonstop, first class to Miami for overnight there. Father Jim McEvery, a classmate from Conception Seminary (Class of 1953) joined me. We were set to complete our celebration of 65 years of Catholic priesthood by shaking Pope Francis’ hand. Jim joined me the next day to board an Al Italia plane for an overnight ride to Rome!