University of Northern Iowa senior Tom Miller (middle in sunglasses) was seen in a video entitled “Incognito Wired For Sound” featured on the Buffalo Bills website. Miller is shown looking on as Richie Incognito (foreground, middle) speaks with offensive line coach Aaron Kromer (back, right, wearing the cap) during practice. submitted photos

Miller scores internship of a lifetime

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Football’s back!

The Hawkeyes, Cyclones and Panthers all took the field for the first time this season on Saturday, but for one former West Union resident, the football season got started a little earlier.

University of Northern Iowa senior Tom Miller joined the Buffalo Bills medical staff as an athletic training intern for training camp this summer.

Watermelon Days to rock Fayette this weekend

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Fayette will be a rockin’ good time Sept. 9-11 as the annual Watermelon Days celebration takes place.

Helena Fantz and Haley Meyer are vying for the coveted title of Miss Fayette for the chance to represent the town in various community events and in the 2017 Fayette County Fair Queen contest. Miss Fayette will be crowned at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Street Stage.

South Winneshiek High School in Calmar was recently named one of the top schools in the United States by Newsweek Magazine when it comes to preparing students for college. Contributing to the No. 298 ranking among the more than 26,000 public high schools in the nation is South Winn’s offering of over 38 college credit courses that are taught within the building. Guidance counselor Connie Euans and Superintendent/Principal Kris Einck (l-r) are quick to say that it is a schoolwide effort that contributed to the honor, including that put forward by students like seniors Amber Brincks and Sawyer Breitsprecher. When they graduate next spring, the two students will have received a combined 78 college credits over the past four years. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SWHS named to elite list

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Among the over 21,000 public high schools in the United States, South Winneshiek High School in Calmar was recently named the No. 298 school by Newsweek magazine when it comes to preparing students for college.

Cody Imoehl was born and raised in Ossian. That was part of the reason the 23-year-old mechanic decided to move home and open his own repair shop, “Imoehl Power Sports,” on the north side of the small town. Working by himself, Imoehl brings a “fix it all” approach to the newly opened shop, which repairs anything from motorcycles and ATVs to chainsaws and gasoline-powered weed trimmers. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Imoehl eyeing success for hometown business

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

For Cody Imoehl, the 23-year-old owner of Ossian’s newest business, turning wrenches is something that comes naturally.

“My dad has been a mechanic all my life,” shared the owner of Imoehl Power Sports. “But if you asked me in high school what I would be doing in five years, I would have never guessed that this is where I would be.”

Clermont churches are coming together to host a 9/11 Clermont Service Dedication Meal. Those involved in the event include (l-r) Legion members Roger Amundson and Ron Jesperson, Fayette County Deputy and EMT Ben McCready, EMT Kami McCready, retired Navy man Mike Erickson, fireman and EMT Randy Wiedenhoff, and fireman Brant Schrader.

Clermont to honor service personnel

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

On Dec. 18, 2001, Congress approved a joint resolution to designate Sept. 11 of each year as Patriot Day. Years later, in 2009, Congress requested the observance of Sept. 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance. Americans are encouraged to participate in community service activities on this day, as well as observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and remembrance services.                

  That is exactly what Clermont churches and community organizations hope to do on  Sunday, Sept. 11, as they plan to honor local service personnel with a 9/11 Clermont Service Dedication Meal.

Mildred and Robert Steinbronn Sr. (l-r) were named Fayette’s Watermelon Days grand marshals to honor the for their devotion to the town they call home. Chris DeBack photo

Steinbronns named Watermelon Days grand marshals

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

For Robert and Mildred Steinbronn Sr., being named the 2016 Watermelon Days grand marshals is the icing on the cake of a long and happy life living in Fayette.

“Fayette has been very good to us,” Mildred said, “Someone must think we are okay. It’s an honor to represent the town we get to call home.”

Joshua Grau (center) of Grau Funeral Homes recently purchased Burnham-Wood Funeral Home in West Union from S.K. Rogers Funeral Home in Sumner. The new owner takes over operation of the funeral home on Sept. 1. Grau noted that between himself, funeral directors Ryan Kester (left) and Mike Ellis, and three other part-time funeral directors, his company has approximately 175 years of funeral director experience to offer West Union.

Grau Funeral Homes purchases Burnham-Wood

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

As of Sept. 1, Grau Funeral Homes of Monona will take ownership of the Burnham-Wood Funeral Home operated by S.K. Rogers in West Union.

“It is extremely exciting,” said Joshua Grau, owner of Grau Funeral Homes. “You always look at towns that you’d like to be able to serve, and this was one of those towns that was appealing to us. It has a great downtown and very nice churches.”

“Welcome to the River” took on a whole new meaning during the Turkey River flooding on Thursday. Aug. 25. The river hit a peak of 22.32 feet, which is 6.32 feet over the minor flood stage.

Northeast Iowa assesses damage after floor

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Heavy rain in Allamakee, Howard, and Winneshiek counties on Wednesday, Aug. 24, caused severe flooding of the Turkey and Upper Iowa rivers, in those counties, as well as in Fayette and Clayton County, on Thursday, Aug. 25, and Friday, Aug. 26.

New to DeSales School this upcoming school year are teachers Tonya Vagts and Michelle Vonachen (l-r). Vagts will be teaching math, art, vocabulary, and grammar, while Vonachen will teach sixth grade and Lego League this fall. (Zakary Kriener photo)

New faces at DeSales School

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

With the new school year getting underway today (Wednesday), there will be several fresh faces within the classrooms at DeSales School in Ossian.

Michelle Vonachen will be the new sixth-grade and Lego League instructor,  while Tonya Vagts will teach math (third, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade), middle school art, and seventh/eighth-grade vocabulary and grammar.

Mark Winings will also spend part of his days in Ossian, as he will have a shared position as a physical education teacher at both DeSales School and CFS.

Other new staff members for the 2016-2017 school year at DeSales School include Helen Peters as an assistant cook and a new preschool paraeducator, Tina Bodensteiner.

To help the parents, students, and members of the community become familiar with the new staff, a short biography for each teacher is provided.