The News/Buchanan County Review, Iowa

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The News is proud to be a 2010 Iowa Newspaper Association Award-Winning Newspaper.

The News is an official newspaper for Buchanan County,
the Cities of Independence, Quasqueton, Rowley, Hazleton and Winthrop
and East Buchanan and Independence Community School Districts.
Click on “Legal Notices” at the right side of this page for this week’s notices!

Here we go again ... Flood waters ravage area

Last week’s torrential rains caused major flooding in northeast Iowa over the weekend.

On Monday, Governor Chet Culver added Buchanan, Clayton, Dickinson and Jackson counties to a disaster proclamation that already included Dubuque, Delaware and Jones counties.

Pictured: the approach to the Lake Delhi dam in Delaware County broke on Saturday, adding to flash flooding of the Maquoketa River downstream. The Mill in Independence as the Wapsipinicon River races in and out of its lower windows. The rising Buffalo Creek just north of Winthrop quickly flooded this farmstead. Justin Shaffer is shown in a kayak.

(Photos Courtesy Iowa Highway Patrol, Charlie McCardle and Chad Hazen.)

More Photos in THE NEWS this week!

News Briefs
(See THE NEWS this week for full stories!)

Flood is topic of discussion at Council Meeting

By Tari Robertson, Features Editor

Last weekend’s flood was a major topic of discussion at Monday night’s Independence City Council meeting. The council also received public petitions from the Absolutely Indee Marketing Group, Jim Rodemeyer from INRCOG to review the housing grant program, and a review of Independence Day Celebration Committee’s plans for the August 28 5th Annual Brew-B-Q.

Discussion and review of the flood situation dominated the first half hour of the meeting, with comments by Buchanan Co. Economic Director Nate Clayberg starting things off.

Read the rest of the story in THE NEWS this week!

Getting to know ... East Buchanan’s Beth Weepie

By Tari Robertson, Features Editor

Beth Weepie, East Buchanan’s new business manager/board secretary, was a bit surprised at her eventual involvement with school districts around the region. “I trained as an administrative assistant at Hawkeye Community College, but never expected work in the educational field,” she shared. “Perhaps because my mother and husband were teachers ... However, I really like what I do. I love the fact that I am doing something for kids and education.”

Read the rest of the story in THE NEWS this week!

Supervisors approve proclamation of disaster

By Tari Robertson, Features Editor

Buchanan County Supervisors Mike Ferreter, Ellen Gaffney and Ralph Kremer approved the drafting of a local Proclamation of Disaster regarding last weekend’s flooding incident. According to Buchanan County Emergency Services (EMA) Director Rick Wulfekuhle, U.S. Congressman Bruce Braley and Governor Chet Culver have been in the area to look at the situation.

By drafting the proclamation, it is hoped the county will be reimbursed for matters pertaining to flood clean-up and recovery and for the overtime put in by departments such as the conservation district, public works and secondary roads. The initial cost of this disaster is estimated at $40-$50 thousand.

Wulfekuhle also visited with supervisors regarding Multiple Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which would allow Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) to handle and assist with writing a disaster plan as they have in the past for Buchanan County towns. Supervisors were in favor of INRCOG’s involvement, pending approval of the county attorney.

Read the rest of the story in THE NEWS this week!

New BCHC CEO announced

By Brenda Fuller, BCHC

It has been recently announced that Danielle Gearhart, FACHE has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of Buchanan County Health Center (BCHC), replacing retiring administrator Bob Richard, who has led the hospital for the past 34 years.

Gearhart comes from Sidney NE, where she has been working as the CEO of Memorial Health Center. She will begin her new post in mid-September.

She is a graduate of Oelwein High School and the University of Iowa. Gearhart received her master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Her parents are Dr. John A. Johnson of Oelwein and Linda Johnson of Urbana. She and her husband Mike recently welcomed a baby daughter, Sophia Marie.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work for an organization that has such a strong community focus,” said Gearhart. “The organization has had so many successes including the recent building projects and it is primed for moving forward with many initiatives coming in the future- it is a great place to be.”

“My husband, Mike, and our daughter are also thrilled about ‘coming home’ and being close to friends and family.” said Gearhart. “We grew up in Oelwein and already feel a close connection to the area.”

Plans are underway for a retirement party to honor Bob Richard for his many years of service to Buchanan County Health Center. A welcoming reception for Gearhart is also being planned.

In THE NEWS this week:

Buchanan County Fair Keepsake Edition, 32 pages of color photos, results, feature stories, and much more!
Emergency flood briefing held
Rowley Days (lots of great color photos)
Area towns gearing up for RAGBRAI
Joe’s Coaches Corner!
High School Baseball (GREAT color photos!)
“Rough Rider President” visits Independence Public Library
Running in Circles with Joanne
Business Briefs
Public Notices for area schools, cities and Buchanan County Supervisors
Photos and events from all around the area
Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns
The Recipe Box

Living well with Buchanan County Health Center
Area Weddings, Anniversaries, Births, Graduations, Birthdays
And, so much more!

The News is available at these locations:

Independence: Fareway, Music Station, S&K Collectibles, Hartig Drug
Winthrop: The NEWS Office (back issues also available), McElroy’s, Speede Shop
Manchester: Pronto, Widner Drug

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Lois and Gerald Gaffney spent eight days visiting their son and daughter-in-law Scott and Kristi Gaffney and family in Green Acres Washington, located 20 minutes from Spokane.

They traveled by Amtrak, along with their daughter Renae Kanellis and granddaughters Kayla and Isabella.

On June 24, they traveled to Seattle with their son and daughter-in-law where they attended the Chicago Cubs/Seattle Mariners game at Safeco Field. The Cubs won 3-2 in 13 innings.

Pictured here, after the game, are Lois and Jerry Gaffney enjoying THE NEWS from home along with their family. Back row: granddaughters Kyra Gaffney and Kayla Kanellis, daughter-in-law Kristi Gaffney, grandson Alex Gaffney, son Scott Gaffney and daughter Renae Kanellis. Behind the paper are grandson Keaton and Isabella Kanellis.

The Gaffneys spent the rest of the weekend sightseeing in Seattle.

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Community Calendar

Let us know your non-profit organization’s coming events!
Call 319-935-3027
email to news@thewinthropnews.com or send it to PO Box 9, Winthrop IA 50682.

Winthrop C & C Meetings, third Monday of each month at Winthrop City Hall, 6 PM. Everyone invited.

Parent Support Group – on parenting a challenging child. Regular meetings, family activities. For information, call Michelle 319-721-4310 or mkopf7@netins.net

Second Thursday of month - Free Blood Pressure Screenings, K&S Quasky Mart, Quasqueton, 2-3:30 PM.

Third Tuesday of month - Buchanan Co. Tobacco Free Coalition meeting, 10 AM, Buchanan County Volunteer Co-op, 309 First Street East, Independence. Public is welcome to attend. Call 319/334-4218 for information.

Third Monday of month - Buchanan Co. Democrats monthly meetings, at 7 PM at the Buchanan County Senior Center in Independence.

Third Thursday of month - Foto Friends meet at Prairie Hills Assisted Living, Independence, 7 PM. Dues-free, just for fun, open to anyone interested in photography.

Mondays at 6 PM - Gamblers Anonymous Meetings. Location: Room 135, Linn Hall, Kirkwood Campus, Cedar Rapids. For more information 888-771-6771.

Mondays at 8 PM – Winthrop A.A. new/old meetings, at Fellowship Hall, 534 West Madison St., Winthrop. “As Bill Sees It” topic meeting. For more information, call 319-935-3710 or 319-210-6373.

Wednesday evenings - Open Horseshoe Pitching at Buchanan County Fairgrounds, come any time after 5 PM. Not a league, any gender, all ages, free of charge. Call Lee for information at 563-920-1116.

Saturday mornings - Independence Farmers Market from 8 AM-noon at the Wapsipinicon Mill Museum.

Rowley Historical Center is open during the summer from 11 AM to 2 PM each Sunday through Labor Day.

Aurora Historical Society museum open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 PM and by special appointment. For more information contact Rich Roepke at 319-634-3363.

Quasqueton Area Historical Society Museum, 103 N. Water St., is open to the public through September, on holidays and weekends from 1-3 PM.

Through July 31 - Civil War Quilts, presented by Iowa Masonic Library and Museum, Cedar Rapids. A 150-year retrospective. Monday - Friday, 8 AM-12 PM and 1-5 PM. Saturday tours available by appointment. Quilts made by Mary Belden of Westgate, Ellen Foland of Independence and Brother Roderick C. Ferry of Council Bluffs. Quilts tell stories of Civil War and Underground Railroad.

Through August 10 – Grace United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School, in Lamont. The program will be every Tuesday from 6-8 PM at the church. This year’s theme is “Sailing the Seas with Jesus.”

2010 Summer Independence Back Pack Program needs volunteer businesses, groups and individuals to help assemble food that registered kids can pick up each week. Come and join in preparing bags of food for the kids at First Presbyterian Church at 5 PM. Remember, that if the only meals some children eat are at school, what do they eat when they’re not in school? Contact Jon Holland, 319-361-3126 or jholland@indytel.com, or First Presbyterian Church office, 334-3523. Next date available August 11, assembly time 5 PM.

July 29-31 – Walker Pickle Days. Kids games, kiddie tractor pull, 3^rd Annual Pickle Days 5K, kids and pets parade, boys baseball tournament, live music, Parade Saturday at 6 PM. Something for everyone, information at www.walkeriowa.com

July 31 – Independence Night at the Kernels. Special seating and interaction on the field featuring youth of Independence area. Call Independence Chamber of Commerce for more information, 319-334-7178.

August 1 – Sweet Corn Supper Fundraiser for 5^th and 6^th grade East Buchanan football. Serving 4-6:30 PM, St. Patrick’s Hall in Winthrop. For more information, 319-935-3230.

August 1 – Omelet Waffle Breakfast, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM, Common Grounds Coffee House, Lamont. Sponsored by Lamont Kid’s Corner, free will offering.

August 1 – Hazleton Alumni School Reunion, Hazleton City Park. Register 11:30 AM-12 PM, lunch served at 12:30 PM, please bring a covered dish to share. Coffee and lemonade will be furnished, the cost is $2.00.

August 2 - Sheehan-Tidball Unit #30 of the Independence American Legion Auxiliary monthly meeting, begins 5:30 PM to pack troop boxes; regular meeting at 6 PM. Please bring items for the troop boxes!

August 2-6 - Church of Christ United Vacation Bible School. “High Seas Expedition” will be held from 5:30-8 PM at the church, 354 N. 2nd St. in Winthrop. Bible school is open to all kids from age three years old thru those entering 5th grade. To register call Trish Cook at 319-934-3814 or the church office at 319-935-3353.

August 4 – Grilled Pork by Karen Murley, from 11 AM-1 PM, Common Grounds Coffee House, Lamont.

August 6 – Friday Night Live at Five, Riverwalk Parks, free to public, 5-9 PM. Live music, food, drinks available.

August 6-7 - Winthrop Women’s Fellowship annual “Garage Sale” at Fellowship Hall. Friday August 6, 2-7 PM and Saturday August 7, 8 AM - noon. Bake sale (Stella’s donuts available Saturday only.) Free coffee served both days!

August 6-7 – Lamont Days “Hollywood Comes to Lamont.” Steak fry, talent show, Terry German Softball Tournament, pedal pull, kid’s games. Parade 11 AM on Saturday and much more!

August 7 - During Lamont Days, Grace United Methodist Church Grilled Pork Loin Dinner at newly remodeled American Legion air conditioned building at south end of main street (Bush St., formally The Coach House) in Lamont. Grilled pork loin and brat sandwiches, corn on the cob, coleslaw, watermelon, pies and drinks. Serving just after the parade that begins at 11 AM.

August 6-7 – Brandon Hillbilly Days, car cruise, tractorcade, Big Ball tournament, parade, kids games, smoked pork chop dinner and dance. For more information, call 319-474-2166 or 319-474-2306

August 6-7 – 18th Annual Country Cruisers Car Show and Cruise. A weekend of fun for whole family, Corcoran Furniture parking lot, Manchester. For information, contact Fuzzy Durey at 563-927-4231, Del Rose Hentges at 563-920-0614 or Chris McDowell at 563-927-3453.

August 7 - Backpack of Blessings Event, at Independence Wal-Mart 10 AM - 3 PM. Buchanan County has many students in needs of school supplies. Please support a student by bringing a backpack filled with required school supplies for students at East Buchanan, Independence or Jesup schools. For more information contact Lizz Cabalka at 319-34-2475 or email liz@holyspiritministries.us (Cash donations also accepted.) Thank you for helping our area youth start the school year!

August 8 – Stanley Firemen’s Ice Cream Social. For more information, call 319-634-3310.

August 8 – 10th Annual Hobo Day. Illinois Central Railroad Depot, Hwy, 150 N, Independence, 5 PM (meal 5-6:30 PM.) Hobo stew, music, stories, door prizes and train displays. Tickets at S&K Collectibles, Rush Park Motel or by calling 319-334-6616.