The Schultz family (l-r) Wendy Schultz, Jim and Sharon Schultz, Rebecca and Michael Perez. (submitted photo)

Schultz family creates lasting legacy through Walden Pond donation

The Schultz Family—James (Jim) and Sharon Schultz and their daughters Wendy Schultz and Rebecca and her husband Michael Perez—have donated their family property in rural Castalia to the Winneshiek County Conservation Board.

The 133-acre property will be known as “Walden Pond: Roy and Genevieve Schultz Memorial Outdoor Discovery Area” and includes a 5-acre pond; several miles of hiking trails; a walnut, oak, and maple “sugar bush” woodland; and restrooms and an enclosed picnic shelter for classroom spaces.

Upper Iowa Speedway is a ¼-mill dirt race track located in Decorah. The track was recently sold to the Winneshiek County Ag Society, which will operate the facility going forward with a 10-member group. (submitted photo)

Upper Iowa Speedway sold to Ag Society

By Zakary Kriener

On Tuesday (Nov. 16), Upper Iowa Speedway announced that it had sold all assets and equipment to the Winneshiek County Ag Society. The track, which is a ¼-mile dirt semi-banked racetrack, is situated in downtown Decorah and features five weekly classes of racing (USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks, USRA Tuners, and 600 Mod-Lites). 

County plans to sell former Prairie View property

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

The Fayette County Board of Supervisors have started the initial steps to sell the building and grounds that was once known as Prairie View, a county-owned care facility.

The facility north of Fayette is now being operated by a private entity, Inspiring Lives. They plan on buying the building and grounds and have already paid the County $5,000 in earnest money to initiate the sale.

Brian Thomas is wearing and holding the Optune device he uses to help stop cancer from reoccurring in his brain. He tries to wear the device as much as he can and now wears it 95 percent of the time. (Jack Swanson photo) 

Accident 'thankfully' alerts Elgin man to fast gowing cancer

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Who would think that someone would be thankful for a car crash that could have killed them?

For Brian Thomas, if it hadn’t been for an accident that could have ended his life, he might not ever have found out until it was too late, that he had a cancerous, fast growing,  potentially deadly brain tumor.

The newest Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Logan Hopp (right) was recently sworn into his new role by Judge Richard Stochl. Hopp, a New Hampton native, has served as a member of the Decorah Police Department since 2018. (submitted photo)

Hopp joins Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office recently hired Deputy Logan Hopp. 

Logan comes to the sheriff’s office as an experienced, certified law enforcement officer. He grew up in New Hampton and graduated from New Hampton High School in 2012. Hopp attended Upper Iowa University, where he wrestled and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice.   

South Winneshiek will present the musical The Addams Family this week with shows on Friday, Nov. 19, Saturday, Nov. 20, and Sunday, Nov. 21, in Calmar. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SWHS to present 'The Addams Family' this weekend

South Winneshiek High School is set to present the musical The Addams Family, which will debut Friday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. The show will also be presented Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 21, at 1:30 p.m.

Scott Pharmacy won four major awards last year. The pharmacy’s four pharmacists proudly display the awards. The pharmacists (and the award) are (l-r) co-owner Jeff Scott (FTP certificate of Achievement for being in the top 25-percent of all pharmacy’s submitting z total -ecare plan), Josh Formanek (Fayette Mayor’s Award) co-owner Dave Scott (Pharmacy of the Year Award), and the newest pharmacist, Alyssa Riniker (Gold Pathway Award winner for “excellence: Pharmacies helping  patient navigate Medicare. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Scott Pharmacy, 'Pharmacy of the Year'

By Jerry Wadian

If there seems to be a special aura around Scott Pharmacy and its employees, there is a reason: the Fayette pharmacy has won the 2021 Flip the Pharmacy Award for being the Pharmacy of the Year.

Sponsored by the Community Pharmacy Foundation (CPF) the Flip the Pharmacy program has over 1,000 community pharmacies actively engaged in practice transformation.

The Community Pharmacy Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing community pharmacy practice and patient care delivery through grant funding and resource sharing. 

Scott Pharmacy was selected, in part, according to the award, for “optimizing the role of technicians in their Medication Synchronization program and expanding the number of enrolled patients by over 200.” 

West Union Chamber of Commerce director Matt Marsala (right) and his family, including (l-r) wife Hali and daughter Scarlett were among the first to get a sneak preview of this year’s Festival of Lights display in West Union. Final preparation steps are being taken as the show is set to officially open Wednesday night, Nov. 24. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Festival of Lights set to begin Nov. 24

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The West Union Festival of Lights display is back and better than ever! The 14^th annual version of the holiday display is set to begin Wednesday, Nov. 24, with a night of holiday-themed fun and activities.

“Santa is scheduled to arrive on a fire truck around 5:30 (p.m.) and he will be available for drive-by visits,” explained Judy Roach, who along with Laurie Thompson and Tammy Steinlage have been influential in making one of the largest holiday lights displays in the area come together. “Young visitors are encouraged to bring their Santa letters to deliver. They can also get a treat!”

Visitors can enter the display through the pool entrance, where they will be directed to drive past Santa before they make their way through the Festival of Lights display at the Rec Center.

State Auditor Rob Sand stopped at the Fayette County Courthouse Wednesday, Nov. 10, to deliver a pie to County leaders in recognition of being the best overall performing county in the State PIE (Public Innovations and Efficiencies) contest. Pictured are (l-r) GIS Coordinator Joseph Biver, County Recorder Karen Ford, Economic Development and Tourism Director Mallory Hanson, Assessor Vicky Halstead, Sand, Emergency Management Director Lisa Roberts, Conservation Director Rod Marlatt, Supervisor Janell Bradley, Auditor Lori Moellers, Pam Shores from the Treasurer’s Department. (Jack Swanson photos)

Fayette County has best PIE entry in the State

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Auditor of State Rob Sand hand-delivered a pie to the leaders of Fayette County, Wednesday, Nov. 10, in recognition of their Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) Award. Fayette County is the best overall performing county in the state.

 It is also the best county in the second fifth category based on its population (19,650) according to the 2019 Census. 

Auditor Sand made good on his campaign promise and established the PIE program in 2019. It serves to guide Iowans as well as state and local governments on the steps they can take to save money and promote efficiency.

South Winneshiek bond referendum vote fails

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The results are in and the referendum on whether a bond for a new South Winneshiek high school facility did not receive the 60 percent required super majority to pass.

The measure received 703 “yes” votes to 685 “no” votes, which is 50.65 percent in favor.