December 2014

Wed
24
Dec

Building Christmas traditions

Gearharts and tree photo: Gathered in front of the festive hand-cut tree in their home, the Gearhart family is ready for all the fun and joy that Christmas 2014 will bring. The young family, including (l-r) Micah, Adaleigh, Josiah, Alyssa, and Aleczander, will be spending their first Christmas in Elgin this year.

 

Building Christmas traditions

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

 

“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.”

Wed
24
Dec

NFV receives teacher leadership funding

NFV receives teacher leadership funding

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com
 

North Fayette Valley was among 74 schools to be chosen Friday to launch local teacher leadership plans through Iowa’s new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System during the 2015-2016 school year. An additional 51 Iowa schools were selected to begin the program in 2016-2017.

In announcing the awards, the Department of Education noted that this effort to tap into the expertise of top teachers to improve classroom instruction and raise student achievement is the centerpiece of the state’s landmark education reform package passed by the Legislature in 2013. The system was developed to pave the way for more support and greater collaboration for all teachers to learn from each other, instead of operating largely in isolation within their classrooms. 

Wed
24
Dec

Pertussis cases appear in Winn. Co.

South Winneshiek students Isaiah Ott and Adrianna Zweibahmer practice proper hand-washing techniques. Washing one’s hands frequently is one of the most effective ways to reduce the chances of contracting pertussis or other airborne illnesses. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

 

 

Pertussis cases appear in Winn. Co.

By Zakary Kriener
News/Sports Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com
 

Winneshiek County health officials have confirmed that pertussis (whooping cough) is present in Winneshiek County. Local healthcare providers are working with affected individuals and those with whom they have been in contact.

Wed
24
Dec

Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas)!

Theresa Hertges, who grew up in Polsnitz, Germany, around the time of World War II, sits in front of one of the Christmas trees at Ossian Senior Hospice. The 81–year-old has many heart-warming stories from her time growing up in Germany, including how their family celebrated the holidays. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

 

Frohe Weihnachten
(Merry Christmas)! 

By Zakary Kriener
News/Soprts Writer
zkreiner@fayettepublishing.com

 

For Theresa Hertges of Ossian, the holidays have always been a special time. Her Christmas experiences date back to the 1930s, when she was a young girl growing up in the city of Poslnitz, Germany, during World War II.

Wed
24
Dec

Library roof replacement scrutinized

 

 

 

Library roof replacement scrutinized

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.co
m

The responsibility of a new roof at the West Union Community Library was brought into question during the City Council’s departmental budget capital project discussions last week. 

After library director Jill Clark reported the need to construct a new roof on the 15-year-old building, Councilman Kennon Gumm questioned replacing the roof without first seeking litigation against the original contractor for alleged faulty construction. He noted the roof was the proven cause of a large number of water damage incidents at the library over a number of years.  

Wed
24
Dec

A first Christmas in WU

 

The Elliotts made the move to West Union this past summer upon Travis Elliott’s hiring as the new North Fayette Elementary principal. This marks the Elliotts’ first family Christmas in their new home, and they are thrilled for many more to come. Kendall and Peyton join their mom, Kelly, baby sister, Shay, and dad, Travis, in wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

 

 

 

 

 

A first Christmas in WU

Megan Mohlis
Contributing Writer

As families sit down to enjoy their traditional holiday festivities, the Elliott household will be embracing new ones as they experience their first family Christmas in their West Union home. 

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