Auryana and James Davis are the proud parents of Ja’Leia Patricia Davis, who became the first baby born at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union in 2024. Ja’Leia was born at 7:11 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

It’s a girl: GPLH delivers first baby of 2024

By Mike Van Sickle

      The Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital (GPLH) OB unit in West Union delivered its first baby of the new year Wednesday, Jan. 3. Ja’Leia Patricia Davis, the first child of Auryana and James Davis of Fayette, was born at 7:11 p.m. The newborn weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and measured 20 inches. Awaiting the opportunity to personally meet their granddaughter are grandparents Kenneth and Jaunet Parlove of Michigan and Tracy Marshall of Ohio.

New Fayette Fire Chief Kenny Schulmeister was recently sworn in to serve the local fire department. With over 30 years of firefighting experience, Schulmeister reports the biggest challenge the department faces is recruiting and training new volunteers. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Veteran firefighter to serve as Fayette fire chief

By Jan Bear

Contributing Writer

      “I’ve been with the Fayette Fire Department over 30 years and have been on over 1,000 fire or rescue calls, but I have never been the fire chief, so this will be a new experience,” new Fayette Fire Chief Kenny Schulmeister admits. “I’m happy to have had the experience of working with both Jason Rhode, the previous fire chief, as well as his brother Vincent for helping me receive my Firefighter I certification.

Beginning on Jan. 1, West Union’s Shane and Nicole Havenstrite became the new owners of Euphoria Coffee! The young couple stands in front of the mural inside the downtown West Union café that Nicole had painted on the wall when she first began working for the local coffee shop in 2018. (Zakary Kriener photo)

New year, new owners at Euphoria Coffee

By Zakary Kriener

      For West Union’s Shane and Nicole Havenstrite, the 2024 new year is bringing on a new endeavor as the young family officially took ownership of the Euphoria Coffee café in downtown West Union. Euphoria Coffee first established itself in West Union in 2017 and has been a staple in the community ever since.

Caucus night is Monday

By Mike Van Sickle

      The Iowa caucuses will take place at 7 p.m. Monday at individual precinct locations in all 99 counties. To participate, persons must be a legal resident of Iowa and a registered Iowa voter of the political party they are participating. Unregistered voters may register at their respective caucus location Monday.

WU City Council approves appointments 

By Mike Van Sickle

      The West Union City Council approved the council appointments submitted by Mayor Cam Granger during its regular Tuesday, Jan. 2, meeting. The appointments included:

      Mayor Pro Tem – Matt McElree;

      Landfill/recycling – Chair Kennon Gumm and Randy Tope;

      Grievance/Employee Benefits – Chair Randy Tope and Kennon Gumm;

      Buildings/Grounds – Chair Marty Miller and Matt McElree;

      Finance/Purchasing – Chair Chris DeBack and Kennon Gumm;    

      Utility – Chair Randy Tope and Chris DeBack;

      Fire – Chair Chris DeBack and Randy Tope;

      Street – Chair Marty Miller and Matt McElree;

      Planning and Codification – Chair Matt McElree and Kennon Gumm;

      Police – Chair Matt McElree and Marty Miller;

      Library/Park and Rec – Chair Chris DeBack and Randy Tope;

      Cemetery – Chair Marty Miller and Matt McElree

      TIF – Chair Kennon Gumm and Randy Tope;

      Chamber – Chair Chris DeBack;

      Safety – Chair Paul Becthold, Cam Granger, Amie Johansen, Rory Starks, Lee Barness;

      Trail – Chair Cam Granger, Mallory Hanson, Jon Biederman, Lee Barness, Chris DeBack, Kennon Gumm.

The Fayette County supervisors made their annual county appointments Tuesday, Jan. 2. Former Fayette County Supervisor chairperson Janell Bradley is pictured standing alongside (l-r) newly appointed chair Bruce Lehmann and vice chair Jeff Bunn. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Lehmann appointed chair of Fayette County supervisors

By Mike Van Sickle

      Bruce Lehman was appointed as the chairperson for the Fayette County supervisors as part of the supervisors’ annual appointments Tuesday, Jan. 2. In addition, Jeff Bunn was appointed as the vice chair.

      Additional supervisor appointments were as follows.

City of Fayette embarks on new path

By Jan Bear
Contributing Writer

      Due to the New Year’s holiday, the Fayette Council met Tuesday, Jan. 2, with newly elected Mayor Nathan Post calling the meeting to order and addressing the five-member council and audience with his vision for the city.

       “I am very excited to start off the next two years and know that as a group we will accomplish a lot together,” Post said. “My hopes are for us to bring a sense of community minded focus to the council. I want to help solve issues with permanent or at least near-permanent solutions.”

Elgin Council approves TRRC funding request

By Brian Smith
      The Elgin City Council approved a funding request from the Turkey River Recreation Corridor (TRRC) in the amount of $3,500, as well as raised the Alliant Energy franchise fee from 1% to 5% during its Monday meeting.
         During the previous council meeting, TRRC director Mallory Hanson reported the impact the TRRC has on the communities of Elgin, Clermont and Elkader. Among the services the TRRC provides having significant impact on Elgin are grant writing for small projects as well as larger infrastructure, marketing and advertising promotions, online content maintenance and development, and maintaining Iowa Great Places status TRRC communities.

Clermont City Council considers GIS technology

By Vicki Rowland

      Fehr Graham employees Greta Elsbernd and Jon Biederman provided a presentation on the advantages of having GIS mapping at Monday’s Clermont City Council meeting.

      The Fehr Graham representatives explained GIS (Geographic Information System) programming would allow the city to keep important data in one location. GIS can be tailored to the city’s needs, but commonly consists of street maps, water/sewer data, parcel data, photos, etc.  It helps with organization, saves time, and is an aid in effective planning.  The council requested the firm prepare an estimate of cost for the program.

Chad Gossling, a 2003 graduate of South Winneshiek, shows off a small portion of the selection of craft soda pops he offers at his new business, Kanpai Soda Shop in downtown Decorah. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Cheers to Kanpai Soda Shop’s grand opening

By Zakary Kriener

      If you’re not fluent in speaking Japanese, here’s your lesson for today: the word “Kanpai” is a traditional toast in Japan. Although often translated as “cheers,” literally it means to “drink one’s glass dry.” For Chad Gossling, a 2003 graduate of South Winneshiek High School and current Calmar resident, ‘Kanpai Soda Shop’ is the name of his brand-new soda bar in downtown Decorah.