News

Tue
20
Feb

City prepares for trail bid letting

West Union resident and Echo Valley Friendship Trail supporter Frank Olson (standing) addressed the city council and those attending Monday’s regular meeting. The bids for the project are proposed to be opened Thursday, March 21, and after the required approval of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Council is expected to review and potentially approve bids at its Monday, April 1, meeting. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

City prepares for trail bid letting

By Mike Van Sickle

Editor

      In preparation for bid letting, Jon Biederman, Fehr Graham Engineering and Environmental branch manager, provided the West Union Council an update on estimated construction costs and funding sources for the Echo Valley Friendship Trail Monday.

      Biederman’s latest estimated construction cost is approximately $962,650, with an additional $135,000 in design and engineering expenses. The estimate comes in approximately $116,000 higher than the estimate provided to the council in July 2023.

      When asked by councilman Randy Tope for the reason of the increase, Biederman replied one cause is a decrease in in-kind construction due to contractors no longer being involved with the project. With nearly $930,000 in grants, donations, and in-kind labor and equipment, the estimated cost to the City of West Union is approximately $253,660.

      Prior to Biederman’s presentation, West Union resident Frank Olson addressed the council and those citizens and city employees attending the meeting. Olson reminded the council that the trail project originated approximately 20 years ago with the creation of the Jensen Trail at Echo Valley State Park. Jensen’s vision included the trail’s expansion and connection to West Union.

      After sharing over 900 signatures of people in and outside of the community who support the trail have been collected, Olson noted the project has been discussed at length with, by and previously supported by the West Union City Council.

Tue
20
Feb

Scholarship to lessen tuition for 20 incoming UIU freshmen

 

Ralph and Erica Kauten of Madison, Wis., have provided a contribution to Upper Iowa University which will be used to award annual scholarships to 10 qualifying students from each of the two incoming classes. A native of rural Fayette County and student at UIU in the late 1960s and early 70s, Ralph has committed $500,000 to establish the Kauten Scholars program at UIU. (Photo submitted)

Scholarship to lessen tuition for 20 incoming UIU freshmen

      An Upper Iowa University (UIU) education will become even more affordable for 10 members of each of UIU's next two incoming classes due to the ongoing support of Ralph and Erica Kauten.

      The contribution will be used to award annual scholarships to 10 qualifying students from each of the two incoming classes. The Kauten Scholars recipients will receive up to $24,000 in tuition aid funded by this program during their four-year educational journey at UIU, provided they remain in good academic standing.

Tue
20
Feb

FFA Week celebrates 95-plus years of tradition

FFA Week celebrates 95-plus years of tradition

The area FFA chapters are celebrating National FFA Week through Saturday, Feb. 24. In 2024, National FFA Week embraces more than 95 years of FFA traditions while looking forward to the organization’s future. Information on the North Fayette Valley, South Winn and West Central FFA chapters can be found in the special FFA section of this week’s Union Echo Leader.

Tue
20
Feb

FCCF funds to provide Elgin Library improvements

With the help of the $9,794 recently awarded by the Fayette County Community Foundation, the Elgin Public Library building will soon receive improvements to help improve and sustain accessibility to the building and further its efficiency. Among those happy to announce the capital improvement project are (front, l-r) Friends of the Elgin Public Library Board members Sue Patterson, Trudy Hanson, Karen Bement, Carol Katsumes; (back) Elgin Library Board Trustee members Leon Griebenow, Steve Kittelson, Amanda Pasket, and Fayette County Community Foundation Committee member Pat Hunsberger. (Courtesy photo)

FCCF funds to provide Elgin Library improvements

      The Friends of the Elgin Public Library have announced their intentions to use the funds recently received from the Fayette County Community Foundation (FCCF) to help with capital improvements to the library building. The proposed improvements include automatic doors for better handicap accessibility, more insulation in the roof of the building to lower energy costs, and new lighting fixtures to further improve energy efficiency.

Tue
20
Feb

Elgin sets dates for public hearings

Elgin sets dates for public hearings

By Brian Smith

Contributing Writer

   The Elgin City Council considered dates and times for upcoming public hearings regarding property tax levies and a loan agreement proposal during its meeting Monday. Resolutions for both public hearings were passed unanimously.

   The public hearing for proposed property tax levies for fiscal year 2025 will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 1. Iowa Code requires that a city hold a public hearing which allows Elgin taxpayers to present objections or arguments in favor of use of tax dollars before a budget is adopted and certified. Comments for or against the proposed property tax rate may also be presented by Elgin residents and taxpayers at the hearing.

Tue
20
Feb

Clermont Downtown Housing Project funding progressing

Clermont Downtown Housing Project funding progressing

By Vicki Rowland

Contributing Writer

      The Clermont City Council voted Monday to authorize the State of Iowa to make full payment of $180,000 for the Downtown Housing Grant Project at the former Brick City Bar and Grill on Mill Street/Highway 18.

      Councilmembers Amy Cummings, Rich Mitts, Greg Larson, and Kayleen Schrader voted aye on a roll call vote. Councilman Troy Schott was absent. The City of Elgin has not had to make payments up front on the project but can send expenses directly to the State.

Tue
20
Feb

Seven combat tours to the Middle East

 

Jeff Kleppe (right) reenlisted for the fourth time on Dec. 1, 2023. Pictured with the Valley graduate was his commanding officer, Commander Keith King, at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. (Submitted photo)

Seven combat tours to the Middle East

By Jerry Wadian
Contributing Writer

      “Join the Navy and see the world” has been a slogan of the U.S. Navy for many years.

      Valley High graduate Jeffrey Kleppe has seen much of the world during his 18 years in the Navy.  In all, he has been in 16 different countries. Strangely enough, he has never served aboard a ship. Sometimes one of the old-line sailors will kid Kleppe with a line like, “You need more salt in your diet.”

Tue
20
Feb

Elevated lead levels in Ossian drinking water

Elevated lead levels in Ossian drinking water

      The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the City of Ossian are concerned about lead in your drinking water.  Some drinking water samples taken from this city have lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter of water (mg/L). Under Federal law, we are required to have a program in place to minimize lead in your drinking water by Feb. 18.

      This program includes:

·  Corrosion control treatment (treating the water to make it less likely that lead will dissolve into the water);

·  Source water treatment (removing any lead that is in the water at the time it leaves our treatment facility);

·  A public education program.

      If you have any questions about how we are carrying out the requirements of the lead regulation, call (563) 532-9465 or (563) 532-8939.

Tue
20
Feb

Get inked at newly opened ‘FierceNatured’ tattoo shop

The chair is open and ready for clients as Ossian’s Jaimie Trezona recently began taking appointments at her new tattoo shop, FiercedNatured Ink LLC, in nearby Calmar. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Get inked at newly opened ‘FierceNatured’ tattoo shop

By Zakary Kriener

      There’s a new place to get inked now open in the area as last week, FierceNatured Ink LLC started booking tattoo appointments in downtown Calmar. The woman behind the tattoo gun of the new shop is Jaimie Trezona of Ossian, and she is looking forward to her new venture.

      “I have always enjoyed art and had a desire to pursue tattooing for my entire life,” said Trezona, who has been a nurse for over 20 years and currently works at Ossian Senior Hospice. “My husband Aaron and I have raised three kids, who are all grown up now and out of the house, so I thought it was time to pursue this!”

      Over her lifetime, the Pennsylvania native has always had a passion for visual arts.

Tue
13
Feb

A supreme invitation to courthouse celebration

Members of the Iowa Supreme Court, including (front, l-r) Justice Thomas D. Waterman, Chief Justice Susan Christensen, Judge Edward M. Mansfield; (back) Judge Matthew McDermott, Judge Christopher McDonald, Judge Dana Oxley and Judge David May, have been invited to attend the Fayette County Courthouse 100th anniversary celebration scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12. (Courtesy photo)

A supreme invitation to courthouse celebration

By Mike Van Sickle
Editor

      The Fayette County Courthouse could receive a judicial review during the upcoming 100th anniversary celebration of the historic building as justices and other officials at the state and local level have been invited to the special event scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12.

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