Ossian native Matthew Schmelzer (right) gets his Iowa State Patrol badge pinned to his chest by his wife, Kaitlyn. Schmelzer recently completed the 10-week training program to become a trooper after previously working as a police officer for the City of Oelwein. (submitted photo)

Schmelzer ready to make impact as new ISP trooper

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Matthew Schmelzer – a law enforcement veteran of seven years – is taking his professional career to the next level. After becoming a police officer in Oelwein in 2015, the young Ossian native recently graduated from the Iowa State Patrol Basic Academy and has begun his duty as a trooper out of ISP District 10.

Area Easter egg hunts this weekend!

Easter weekend is ahead! That means that many Fayette County communities will be holding Easter egg hunts. A list of area events is as follows:

Mia Gibson, NFV graduate and 2021-2022 Iowa FFA president. (submitted photo)

Mia Gibson reflects on year as Iowa FFA president

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

In Iowa, there are a total of 252 FFA chapters and over 18,0200 members. For Mia Gibson, who completed her year as the State FFA president earlier this week, that meant that she spent her last year visiting every corner of the state and putting on over 32,000 miles to help promote and grow the organization that she loves.

“I’ve been involved with FFA for eight years, since I was in seventh grade,” said the 2020 North Fayette Valley graduate. “I have served as chapter officer, chapter officer, State secretary, and currently State president.”

RAGBRAI public forum is April 20

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

A public forum meeting is set to take place from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, to continue discussions on the upcoming RAGBRAI event that will overnight in West Union on Friday, July 29.

“We are ahead of schedule right now in terms of planning,” said Chamber Director Matt Marsala, who will be heading the meeting at the Dance Pavilion at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. We want to maintain the pace that we are on and make sure everything continues coming along as it is intended.”

South Winn Prom is this weekend!

South Winneshiek High School will be hosting its annual Prom on Saturday, with the theme of an “enchanted evening.”

A Grand March will be held in the high school gymnasium in Calmar at 6 p.m. with doors opening to the public at 5:15 p.m. There will be a $5 entrance fee.

A dance will follow for students, which will be held from 7-10 p.m. at PIVO Event Center in Calmar.

Check out next week’s issue of the Ossian Bee for photos from the Grand March.

Over the past two years, Keagen, Steve, and Chris (l-r) have spent countless hours in this Hawkeye garage working on this 1982 Chevrolet pickup. The project began during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the family is finally in the final stages of the restoration process. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Streeters share restoration process of '82 Chevy truck

By Zakary Kriener

zkriern@fayettepublishing.com

For Calmar’s Keagen Streeter and his great-uncle, Steve, of Hawkeye, it was more about the journey than the actual destination. Fortunately, the destination turned out pretty cool as well!

“I’ve had the truck and a bunch of parts for it sitting around for a long time and always had the goal of getting it restored,” said Steve, who along with his 16-year-old nephew are nearly finished bringing the 1982 Chevy square body back to life. “Our initial goal was to have it done by the time Keagen turned 16. Unfortunately, I had a house fire in 2020, which delayed the process. Our new goal was to have it ready for his junior prom.”

Highway 52 work begins this week in Ossian, Castalia

A hot-mix asphalt resurfacing project on U.S. 52 in Winneshiek County within the city limits of both Ossian and Castalia will require intermittent lane closures with pilot cars used to control traffic beginning on Monday, April 4, until early September, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office. Occasional side street closures may occur with access to businesses maintained during the project.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts. 

Logo ready to greet RAGBRAI riders when they come to town July 29

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

West Union has officially adopted its own logo for everything RAGBRAI when the riders hit town on Friday, July 29.

T-shirts, signs, patches and banners will soon be emblazoned with the design that was put together from many suggestions and ideas from the public and then brought together by Chamber Director Matt Marsala and graphic designer Steve Murray.

The design shows a bike and rider in front of the upside down West Union symbol WU, representing hills,  and says “It’s All Downhill From Here!”

Mick and Stacey Mack are shown with the award Mick received after being inducted into the University of Northern Iowa School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services Hall of Excellence. Mick and Stacy are both Valley High School graduates. (Submitted photo)

UNI Hall of Excellence

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

A former Clermont resident and graduate of Valley High School whose study and practices in sports psychology have earned him state, regional and national recognition, was inducted into the National Hall of Excellence for the University of Northern Iowa’s School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services. This is one of the highest honors bestowed on members of that department.

“I feel honored, humbled and embarrassed by all of the attention. I love what I do. I don’t do it for honors but this is amazing,” said Mick G. Mack, one of the 2022 Hall of Excellence inductees following the induction ceremony over the weekend.

More details emerge on Whittle murder

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

More details in the death of 74-year-old Lawrence Whittle of Decorah became available in an official criminal complaint last week. The complaint states that on March 20, during an interview with law enforcement officers with the defendant, Aaron Whittle, he admitted that he fatally shot Lawrence Whittle with a firearm on Thursday, March 17. 

The complaint went on to say that observations by law enforcement at the scene of the shooting were consistent with the defendant’s description of the incident.

The criminal complaint also stated that the murder occurred in the 2600 block of Sand Rock Road, which is located north of Freeport.

Aaron Whittle was subsequently charged with first degree murder in the death of his stepfather.