Monday, November 28, 2005

15/100 OF AN INCH OF RAIN LAST NIGHT. WARM THIS MORNING...54...THEN FALLING TEMPS AND NOW A WINTER FORECAST FOR MOST OF WEEK AHEAD.

THEIVES BROKE INTO SUNSHINE SCHOOL OVER HOLIDAY PERIOD AND TOOK
A VCR AND $500 IN CASH. POLICE HAVE LEADS.

BABIES BORN...
BOY TO JULIE BROWNAND MARK LIPPENS OF MAQUOKETA...BORN NOV 22 AT OUR HOSPITAL. GRANDMOTHER IS JOYCE BROWN OF MAQUOKETA.

JEFF AND JULIE GILMORE OF WINFIELD, IOWA, HAD A GIRL NOV. 28TH AT MOUNT
PLEASANT. GRANDPARENTS ARE LONNIE AND NANCY GILMORE OF MAQUOKETA.

DON BABCOCK, AGE 78, DIED FRIDAY AT MAQUOKETA CARE CENTER. COMPLETE OBITURARY AT WWW.CARSONANDSON.COM

RONALD FOWLER, 71, DIED TODAY AT HIS HOME IN MAQUOKETA. HIS COMPLETE OBITURARY IS AT WWW.LAHEYS.COM

I AM OFF TO BRANSON TOMORROW WITH A BUSLOAD OF PEOPLE FOR KMAQ TRAVEL.

MAY HAVE A REPORT THIS WEEKEND, BUT IF NOT, EARLY NEXT WEEK.

DENNIS VOY

Friday, November 25, 2005

WINTER LIKE DAY...HIGH OF 25.

DR. PAUL SKELLY, AGE 91, DIED MONDAY AT JOPLIN, MISSOURI, WHERE ONE OF HIS SONS LIVED. AS A YOUNGSTER, HE GREW UP SPENDING MANY HOURS WITH
HIS BROTHER, KEN SKELLEY, AT THEIR FATHER'S SNOW WHITE PHARMACY
SODA FOUNTAIN. HIS BROTHER KEN, DIED EARLIER THIS YEAR. HE WAS A LONGTIME DUBUQUE SURGEON.

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

SUNNY THIS MORNING...CLOUDY AND WINDY THIS AFTERNOON. 51 THE HIGH TODAY.

THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL HOST SOME MEETINGS WITH CITY OFFICIALS TO TALK ABOUT A PROPOSAL FOR A COUNTY-WIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. WAYNE FRANTZEN OF MAQUOKETA, JACKSON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN, SUGGESTED THE IDEA, SAYING WITH LINDA STURTZ LEAVING HER POSITION AS MAQUOKETA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

FOR YEARS, I HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD A GOOD IDEA TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE JACKSON COUNTY PUBLIC HOSPITAL AND TAKE THE WORD COUNTY OUT.
TODAY, AFTER WEEKS OF DISCUSSION AND STUDY, THE HOSPITAL HAS A NEW NAME.
IT WILL NOW BE CALLED THE JACKSON COUNTY REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER.
(YES... THE WORD COUNTY IS STILL IN THE NAME). THE BOARD VOTED IN THE NEW NAME AT THEIR MEETING LAST NIGHT. THE OLD NAME WILL REMAIN THE THE FACILITY'S LEGAL NAME AND A MARKETING PROJECT BEGINS ON MARCH 1ST.

FORMER MAQUOKETA RESIDENT VIRGINIA YOCUM CELEBRATES HER 90TH BIRTHDAY NOVEMBER 27TH. SHE NOW LIVES AT 437 GUILLEMONT STREET, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 89526. LIVING NEAR HER SON BOB AND FAMILY. SHE AND LATE HUSBAND DUDLEY OWNED AND OPERATED THE WESTERN AUTO STORE IN MAQUOKETA FOR MANY YEARS. SHE WAS A GOOD KMAQ LISTENER AND I ALWAYS GOT NICE COMPLIMENTS FROM HER ABOUT THE STATION. I HAVE SENT HER A CARD AND HOPE SOME OF YOU WILL ALSO. BY THE WAY, SON JIM LIVES IN MASSACHUSETTS AND DAUGHTER MARGIE LIVES IN GEORGIA. SHEHAS THREE GRANDCHILDREN.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE AREA DROPPED IN OCTOBER. IN JACKSON COUNTY, THE RATE WENT DOWN TO 4.6 PERCENT. IT WAS 4.8 IN SEPTEMBER.

THE MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THEY WILL POSTPONE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SIDEWALK ON SOUTH 5TH STREET FORM SUMMIT TO WASHINGTON, UNTIL NEXT SPRING. ALSO, THE COUNCIL SET 5:30 P.M. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1ST AT MAQUOKETA CITY HALL TO HAVE THEIR GOAL SETTING FOR NEXT YEAR. FORMER CITY MANAGER PAT CALLAHAN, WHO IS NOW THE CITY MANAGER OF ANAMOSA, WILL HEAD UP THE DISCUSSION AND THE MEETING WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

COSTELLO'S OLD MILL GALLERY HAS A NICE NEW WEB SITE. THEY NEVER HAD ONE BEFORE. PICTURES OF PAT AND THE GALLERY, AND MANY OF HIS PAINTINGS, THAT CAN BE PURCHASED ON THE WEB SITE. LOOK IT UP AT www.patrickjcostello.com

THE OHNWARD FINE ARTS CENTER AUDITORIUM AND ART GALLERY HAS A PART TIME MANAGER WHO HAS BEEN ON THE JOB FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. HE IS FROM DUBUQUE AND COMMUTES. HIS NAME IS STEVE SHEPHERD AND HE SPOKE TO ROTARY THIS NOON. HAS LOTS OF GOOD IDEAS AND IS VERY BUSY WORKING AT HIS TEMORARY OFFICE WHILE HIS NEW PERMANENT OFFICE IS BEING BUILDT AT THE CENTER. HIS OFFICE PHONE NUMBER IS 563-652-9815. HE SOLD A BUSINESS IN DUBUQUE AND WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING AND AFTER SEEING THE OHNWARD CENTER, LET IT BE KNOWN HE WOULD LIKE WORKING FOR IT. SO, HE WAS HIRED BY THE BOARD AND WORKS MOSTLY AFTERNOONS. HE IS ALSO A COUNTY MUSIC SINGER AND SONGWRITER AND GAVE ME HIS CD SO I COULD PLAY A SONG OR TWO ON KMAQ. HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO LISTEN YET. HIS WIFE TEACHES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE AND THEY HAVE A COUPLE MARRIED CHILDREN. THE CENTER IS GETTING ADDITIONAL BOOKINGS ALMOST DAILY.
HEALSO HAS LOTS OF "WANT" NEEDS. HE TOLD THE ROTARY A NEW MARQUE
IS ON TOP OF THE LIST.....BUT IT HAS A COST OF $20,000. HE HAS WRITTEN A COUPLE GRANTS TO HOPEFULLY GET MONEY FOR IT.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. GO AHEAD, EAT ALL THE TURKEY YOU WANT AND CUT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THAT'S WHAT I PLAN TO DO. AND HAPPY SHOPPING FRIDAY.

DENNIS VOY






SUNNY THIS MORNING...CLOUDY AND WINDY THIS AFTERNOON. 51 THE HIGH TODAY.

THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL HOST SOME MEETINGS WITH CITY OFFICIALS TO TALK ABOUT A PROPOSAL FOR A COUNTY-WIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. WAYNE FRANTZEN OF MAQUOKETA, JACKSON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN, SUGGESTED THE IDEA, SAYING WITH LINDA STURTZ LEAVING HER POSITION AS MAQUOKETA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

FOR YEARS, I HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD A GOOD IDEA TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE JACKSON COUNTY PUBLIC HOSPITAL AND TAKE THE WORD COUNTY OUT.
TODAY, AFTER WEEKS OF DISCUSSION AND STUDY, THE HOSPITAL HAS A NEW NAME.
IT WILL NOW BE CALLED THE JACKSON COUNTY REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER.
(YES... THE WORD COUNTY IS STILL IN THE NAME). THE BOARD VOTED IN THE NEW NAME AT THEIR MEETING LAST NIGHT. THE OLD NAME WILL REMAIN THE THE FACILITY'S LEGAL NAME AND A MARKETING PROJECT BEGINS ON MARCH 1ST.

FORMER MAQUOKETA RESIDENT VIRGINIA YOCUM CELEBRATES HER 90TH BIRTHDAY NOVEMBER 27TH. SHE NOW LIVES AT 437 GUILLEMONT STREET, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 89526. LIVING NEAR HER SON BOB AND FAMILY. SHE AND LATE HUSBAND DUDLEY OWNED AND OPERATED THE WESTERN AUTO STORE IN MAQUOKETA FOR MANY YEARS. SHE WAS A GOOD KMAQ LISTENER AND I ALWAYS GOT NICE COMPLIMENTS FROM HER ABOUT THE STATION. I HAVE SENT HER A CARD AND HOPE SOME OF YOU WILL ALSO. BY THE WAY, SON JIM LIVES IN MASSACHUSETTS AND DAUGHTER MARGIE LIVES IN GEORGIA. SHEHAS THREE GRANDCHILDREN.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE AREA DROPPED IN OCTOBER. IN JACKSON COUNTY, THE RATE WENT DOWN TO 4.6 PERCENT. IT WAS 4.8 IN SEPTEMBER.

THE MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THEY WILL POSTPONE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SIDEWALK ON SOUTH 5TH STREET FORM SUMMIT TO WASHINGTON, UNTIL NEXT SPRING. ALSO, THE COUNCIL SET 5:30 P.M. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1ST AT MAQUOKETA CITY HALL TO HAVE THEIR GOAL SETTING FOR NEXT YEAR. FORMER CITY MANAGER PAT CALLAHAN, WHO IS NOW THE CITY MANAGER OF ANAMOSA, WILL HEAD UP THE DISCUSSION AND THE MEETING WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

COSTELLO'S OLD MILL GALLERY HAS A NICE NEW WEB SITE. THEY NEVER HAD ONE BEFORE. PICTURES OF PAT AND THE GALLERY, AND MANY OF HIS PAINTINGS, THAT CAN BE PURCHASED ON THE WEB SITE. LOOK IT UP AT www.patrickjcostello.com

THE OHNWARD FINE ARTS CENTER AUDITORIUM AND ART GALLERY HAS A PART TIME MANAGER WHO HAS BEEN ON THE JOB FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. HE IS FROM DUBUQUE AND COMMUTES. HIS NAME IS STEVE SHEPHERD AND HE SPOKE TO ROTARY THIS NOON. HAS LOTS OF GOOD IDEAS AND IS VERY BUSY WORKING AT HIS TEMORARY OFFICE WHILE HIS NEW PERMANENT OFFICE IS BEING BUILDT AT THE CENTER. HIS OFFICE PHONE NUMBER IS 563-652-9815. HE SOLD A BUSINESS IN DUBUQUE AND WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING AND AFTER SEEING THE OHNWARD CENTER, LET IT BE KNOWN HE WOULD LIKE WORKING FOR IT. SO, HE WAS HIRED BY THE BOARD AND WORKS MOSTLY AFTERNOONS. HE IS ALSO A COUNTY MUSIC SINGER AND SONGWRITER AND GAVE ME HIS CD SO I COULD PLAY A SONG OR TWO ON KMAQ. HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO LISTEN YET. HIS WIFE TEACHES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE AND THEY HAVE A COUPLE MARRIED CHILDREN. THE CENTER IS GETTING ADDITIONAL BOOKINGS ALMOST DAILY.
HEALSO HAS LOTS OF "WANT" NEEDS. HE TOLD THE ROTARY A NEW MARQUE
IS ON TOP OF THE LIST.....BUT IT HAS A COST OF $20,000. HE HAS WRITTEN A COUPLE GRANTS TO HOPEFULLY GET MONEY FOR IT.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. GO AHEAD, EAT ALL THE TURKEY YOU WANT AND CUT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THAT'S WHAT I PLAN TO DO. AND HAPPY SHOPPING FRIDAY.

DENNIS VOY






Tuesday, November 22, 2005

MOSTLY SUNNY TODAY, HIGH IN LOW 40'S.

THE MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL IS UNDECIDED ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT FILLING THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POSITION FOR THE CITY. LINDA STURTZ IS RETIRING DECEMBER 31ST.
SHE HAS BEEN HALF-TIME CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE OTHER HALF-TIME
AS CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. SHE HAS HER ONLY OFFICE AT THE CHAMBER BUILDING DOWNTOWN. I'M NOT SURE WHAT HER TOTAL SALARY IS, BUT THE CITY HAS PAID $29,000 OF IT, PLUS $250 PER MONTH TRAVEL EXPENSE, PLUS HER HEALTH INSURANCE. THAT TOTALS ABOUT
$35,000 AS THE CITY SHARE. SHE HAS EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN KEEPING A PART-TIME POSITION WITH THE CITY AS THEIR DIRECTOR. THAT WOULD LEAVE THE CHAMBER TO PAY
FOR A CHAMBER EXECUTIVE ON THEIR OWN, EITHER FULL OR PART-TIME. AT THE COUNCIL MEETING LAST NIGHT, THE CITY COUNCIL SAID THEY HAD NOT MADE UP THEIR MIND ON THE ISSUE AND VOTED TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHAMBER.

THE PRESTON AND EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE VOTED TO
JOIN THEIR FOOTBALL PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE NEXT FALL. ALL GAMES WOULD BE PLAYED IN PRESTON.

HELEN SCHROEDER, OF MAQUOKEKTA, AGE 83, DIED YESTERDAY AND HER FULL OBITUARY CAN BE READ AT www.carsonandson.com

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

DENNIS VOY

Friday, November 18, 2005

NO REPORT TODAY....

TODAY'S "JUST TALK" SHOW IS ON THE KMAQ HOME PAGE....CLICK ON THE PICTURE OF "HOST" LEIGHTON HEPKER.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

MUCH BETTER WEATHER TODAY...SUNNY, NO WIND AND HIGH OF 25

MAQUOKETA SCHOOL BOARD IS THINKING OF INCRESEING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS TO START WITH THE 2008-09 SCHOOL YEAR.
THEY WOULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF SCIENCE AND AN EXTRA SEMESTER OF ENGLISH. WILL SEEK PUBLIC INPUT AT THEIR DEC. 12TH MEETING.

GOT AN EMAIL FROM CAROL EDWARDS (ASHER SCHROEDER'S YOUNGEST SISTER IN ELIZABETH, CO) AND SHE SAYS THEY HAD 3-INCHS OF SNOW UP IN HER TOWN, 6,448 ELEVATION AND A LOW TUESDAY NIGHT OF 11. THEY MOVED FROM CALIFORNIA IN OCTOBER....LIVE ON A FIVE ACRES PLACE WITH LOTS OF FIR TREES. GOOD HEARING FROM YOU CAROL. YOUR BROTHER CONTINUES TO BE BUSY BUSY HERE IN TOWN.....THE ROTARY, HISTORICAL SOCIETY, DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND MORE.

ALSO GOT AN EMAIL FROM STEVE AND KAREN SPAETE IN GOLDEN, CO.
BEEN THERE NEARLY 5 YEARS AND LOVE IT. KAREN RUNS HER OWN GOODYEAR STORE STEVE IS A PRO-SHOP SPECIALIST AT A GOLDEN GOLF COURSE. CLOSED TODAY BECAUSE OF SNOW, BUT THE COURSE STAYS OPEN YEAR AROUND AND KEEPS BUSY WHEN WEATHER IS GOOD. THEIR SON AND WIFE LIVE IN SAN DIEGO AND THEY HAVE TWO GRANDKIDS..A GIRL AND BOY. THANKS FOR THE EMAIL STEVE AND KAREN AND ALSO FOR BEING A REGULAR READER OF THIS NEWS REPORT.

TAKE CARE EVERYONE.

DENNIS VOY

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

WOW....WINTER HAS REALLY ARRIVED EARLY IN THE TIMBER CITY.

1/4 INCH OF SNOW LAST NIGHT....WINDY AND COLD TODAY..HIGH OF 24....TONIGHT...DOWN TO
12-15 DEGREES...AND THE WIND MAKES IT FEEL EVEN COLDER.

BUT, EVEN WORSE TO THE NORTH. GOT AN EMAIL FROM ANN (COOK) DOMINIK....FORMER MAQUOKETAN WHO READS THIS DAILY....AND LIVES UP AT SAVAGE, MINNESOTA. SHE SAID TODAY THEY GOT BOTH ICE AND SNOW AND COLD WINDS TOO...AND IT WAS 17 DEGREES UP THERE THIS AFTERNOON. SHE WORKS IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL. DEAN TILTON SAYS ITS NICE IN FLORIDA AND SHIRLEY MILLER SAYS ITS NICE IN MESA. YEA YEA...BUT THEY WON'T HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS. PROBABLY WON'T GIT A GOOD OLE
MIDWEST RUNNY NOSE COLD EITHER.

AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ASKED SUPT. KIM HUCKSTADT
TO GET SOME ESTIMATES ON THE COST TO BUILD A NEW GYM, CAFETERIA AND OFFICES AT THE MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL SITE. ITS THE SECOND PHASE OF A BUILDING PROJECT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. THE FIRST PHASE WAS COMPLETED EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHICH INCLUDED NEW RESTROOMS AND CLASSROOMS.
THE SECOND PHASE IS TO BEGIN IN THE SPRING OF 2007 AND SOME PLANNING NEEDS TO START NOW.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY TO DEAN BICKFORD OF MAQUOKETA...62 TODAY. HE HAS WORKED FOR THE FAREWAY STORE FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS, THEIR OLDEST EMPLOYEE.

ROBERT EBERHART OF DESOTO, MISSOURI, AND FORMERLY OF MAQUOKETA, WILL HAVE A BIRTHDAY THIS FRIDAY. HE READS THIS DAILY FREQUENTLY AND IS A ST. LOUIS CARDINALS FAN TOO. HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM HIS LOVELY WIFE FOR 31 YEARS, JACALYN.

ANYONE HAVE THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE UP YET? OUTSIDE OF MAQUOKETA? OR HERE IN MAQUOKETA?

SUPT. KIM HUCKSTADT GOT THE TWO BUSH STADIUM SEATS HIS WIFE BOUGHT HIM FOR HIS BIRTHDAY.
HE'S ALSO A CARDINAL FAN..MAQUOKETA AND ST. LOUIS OF COURSE. THE SEATS WERE SHIPPED-IN LAST WEEK, BUT HE HAS NOT HAD A CHANCE TO SET THEM UP AND FIND A PLACE IN HIS HOUSE FOR THEM.
THE PEOPLE THAT SAT IN THE SEAT FOR THE FINAL PLAYOFF GAME, SIGNED THE SEATS WITH A
BLACK MARKER. THE CARDINALS SOLD THOUSANDS OF THE SEATS AS A FUND RAISER.

ANY OF YOU OUT-OF-TOWNERS, IF YOU SEND A PHOTO CHRISTMAS CARD THIS CHRISTMAS, SEND ONE TO ME ALSO AND I'LL PUT UP ON MY PHOTO PAGE.

KEEP WARM....OR COOL....WHEREVER YOU ARE.

DENNIS VOY

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

NASTY DAY TODAY....COLD AND RAINY AND WINDY...AND MORE OF THE SAME FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.
ONE TO THREE INCHES OF SNOW EXPECTED TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT, IT IS GOING TO GET DOWN TO AN OVERNIGHT LOW OF 15.

MARK HILLEBRAND RESIGNED AS MAQUOKETA FOOTBALL COACH LAST NIGHT AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. HE HAS BEEN COACH FOR 22 YEARS. HE WILL CONTINUE AS A HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER.

THE FOLLOW EMPLOYEES HAVE ASKED FOR EARLY RETIREMENT: CARDINAL PRINCIPAL SUSANNE BATY....
JEFF TAMPIR, HISTORY TEACHER FOR 36 YEARS AND FORMER LONGTIME WRESTLING COACH....PAM CRAWFORD, MUSIC TEACHER FOR 21 YEARS....ENGLISH TEACHER MARY ANN LINGREN....RANDY KOSKOVICH, MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER....JAME DEUTMEYER, LIBRARIAN PAST 34 YEARS....MELITA HANSEN, FOOD SERVICE WORKER FOR 27 YEARS...KAREN DAVISON, LIBRARY ASSOCIATE AT BRIGGS FOR 28 YEARS.....AND
DEB DRESSLER, A TITLE 1 TEACHER AT BRIGGS.

A VANDALISM INCIDENT IN MAQUOKETA. MAQUOKETA POLICE OFFICERS SAY A STOP SIGN AT CRESLAND AND GERMAN STREET HAD BEEN PAINTED OVER WITH THE WORDS "POLICE BRUTALITY".

A BOY BORN MONDAY TO BRIAN AND ANN CLARK OF DES MOINES. GRANDPARENTS ARE GARY AND NANCI CLARK OF MAQUOKETA.

JOHN R. BROWN, 66 OF DUBUQUE AND FORMERLY OF MAQUOEKTA, DIED NOV. 12TH AT A CARE FACILITY AT DUBUQUE. QUITE A FEW YEARS AGO, HE WAS A DRUG COUNSELOR IN MAQUOKETA. SURVIVED BY 6 DAUGHTERS. NO SURIVORS IN MAQUOKETA.

THANKS FOR THE VISIT.

DENNIS VOY

Monday, November 14, 2005

WE GOT SNOW SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON....
RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS TONIGHT, BUT NO ACCUMULATION...
HOWEVER, 1 TO 3 INCHES POSSIBLE TOMORROW NIGHT.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT. THERE ARE 9 REQUESTS FOR EARLY RETIREMENT.

THE OWL FURNITURE STORE HAS BEEN SOLD AND MAY RE-OPEN AS A FURNITURE STORE.
NO DETAILS YET.

A MAQUOKETA COUPLE, MARVIN JORGENSEN, AGE 75 AND HIS WIFE, GLORIA, AGE 68, WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT AT 12:09 A.M. SATURDAY IN RURAL CLINTON COUNTY. MARVIN WAS DRIVING AND FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND THE CAR CROSSED THE CENTERLINE, WENT INTO THE DITCH, CAME OUT OF DITCH, CROSSED BOTH LANES AND WENT INTO THE NORTH DITCH, ROLLING ONCE, AND CAME TO REST ON ITS WHEELS IN A CORNFIELD. DAMAGE TO 2002 CAR, $15,000. THEY BOTH DECLINED AMBULANCE TRANSPORT AND MARIVIN WAS CHARGED.

DAVID WILLGUS, AGE 48, DIED SUDDENLY AT HIS HOME THURSDAY IN MAQUOKETA. HIS OBITURARY CAN BE READ AT WWW.CARSONANDSON.COM

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

DENNIS VOY

Friday, November 11, 2005

PARTY SUNNY AND A HIGH IN LOWER 60'S.
LOOKING AHEAD, THE FORECAST IF FOR SNOW SHOWERS AND A HIGH IN THE UPPER 30'S NEXT TUESDAY.

CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINSTG SEVERAL JUVINILES AND AN ADULT WHO WERE INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS MAILBOX VANDALISM INCIDENTS THE LAST 3 WEEKS. NO NAMES RELEASED YET.

SOMEONE BROKE INTO THE BACK DOOR OF THE "MAQUOKETA COMMUNITY SERVICES STORE" OVERNIGHT AND TOOK $30 IN CASH. THAT, MAINLY USED CLOTHING STORE , IS ON NORTH MAIN STREET.

A BOY BORN NOVEMBER 4TH AT A DUBUQUE HOSPITAL TO JANN AND LAVERNE TRENKAMP OF PRESTON.
GRANDMOTHER IS MURIEL ARROWOOD OF MAQUOKETA.

THE ANNUAL BEEF BANQUET IS TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS. AFTER THE RIBEYE STEAK DINNER, A COMEDY SHOW FOR ENTERTAINMENT.

"HOLIDAY EXPO", THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOPPING KICK-OFF EVENT IS SUNDAY AT BOTH THE KC HALL IN DEWITT AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER. KMAQ WILL AGAIN BE A PARTICIPANT IN THE FREE SHOW.

BRUSH FIRE AT RURAL MAQUOKETA THIS AFTERNOON....NO DETAILS YET.

MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAMES, BOYS AND GIRLS, WILL START THE SEASON NEXT WEEKEND.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY

Thursday, November 10, 2005

TODAY, COOLER...HIGH IN LOW 50'S.

A TRAGIC EVENT IN BELLEVUE.
NEARLY ALL OF THE GAS CUSTOMERS IN THE BELLEVUE AREA HAVE HAD SERVICE RESTORED TODAY AFTER A GAS LINE WAS SEVERED YESTERDAY MORNING. JOSH SCHECKEL, OWNER OF JJ SCHECKEL
CORPORATION, AGE 27, IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS AFTER SUFFERING BURNS TO HIS HANDS AND FACE. HE WAS OPERATING ONE OF HIS BULLDOZERS, LEVELING GROUND BEHIND HIS BUSINESS WHEN HE SEVERED THE PIPLINE. SHERIFF RUSS KETTMAN SAID FLAMES WERE SHOOTING 30 TO 40 FEET IN THE AIR WHEN HE ARRIVED. HE SAID THE WINDS WERE BLOWING THE FIRE IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE BULLDOZER, ENOUGH FOR SCHECKEL TO BE ABLE TO JUMP AWAY FROM THE DOZER. OVER 40 TECHNICIANS WERE BROUGHT INTO BELLEVUE TO RELIGHT GAS APPLIANCES AND DO SAFETY AND GAS PRESSURE CHECKS.

THE MAQUOKETA VETERANS DAY PROGRAM WILL BE AT 8:45 TOMORROW MORNING AT THE MAQUOKETA MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM. CLIFF MERRICK, LEGION COMMANDER, WILL GIVE THE VETERANS DAY ADDRESS. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

BIRTH: BOY BORN NOV 4TH TO CHRI AND SHARON LASACK BENTROTT OF SPRING LAKE, MINNESOTA.
PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS ARE JANE BENTROTT OF MAQUOKETA AND CRAIG BENTROTT OF BETTENDORF.
GIRL, BORN YESTERDAY, TO MARK AND AMY STEFFEN OF KILLINGSWORTH, CONN.
PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS ARE FLORIAN AND KAREN STEFFEN OF MAQUOKETA.
GIRL, BORN NOV. 3RD TO SHAWN AND JENNIFER MEYER OF CRYSTAL, LAKE, ILLINOIS. GRANDPARENTS ARE FRED AND IRMA MEYER OF MAQUOKETA AND GREAT GRANDMOTHER IS
HELEN MEYER OF MAQUOKETA.

VERNA LUKE, AGE 92, OF MAQUOKETA DIED YESTERDAY. HER FULL OBITURARY CAN BE READ AT
www.carsonandson.com.

HAVE A GOOD VETERANS DAY. MANY OF YOU WILL HAVE TOMORROW OFF.

DENNIS VOY

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

WINDY AND COLD TODAY....
SHOULD BE DOWN INTO UPPER 20'S TONIGHT. NO SNOW IN FORECAST.

A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF MAQUOKETA WAS ELECTED TO THE MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL YESTERDAY.
JASON HUTE DEFEATED THREE CHALLENGERS FOR THE POSITION. HE WILL TAKE OFFICE JANUARY 1ST FOR COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, REPLACING LONGTIME COUNCILMAN JOHN CRESSEY. HUTE CARRIED ALL FIVE WARDS IN MAQUOKETA AND GOT A TOTAL OF 454 VOTES. JAMES SEWARD WAS NEXT WITH 229. FORMER COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR JACK ROSENBERG CAME IN THIRD WITH 152 VOTES AND KRISTI SCHECKEL TALLIED 33. INCUMBANT MAYOR TOM MESSERLI, FIRST WARD COUNCILAMAN MATT WINEGAR, SECOND WARD COUNCILMAN TIM CLARK AND 4TH WARD COUNCILMAN GALEN SAUNDERS WERE ALL UNAPPOSSED AND WON RE-ELECTION. ALSO YESTERDAY, MAQUOKETA RESIDENTS GAVE THEIR APPROVAL TO THE CITY TO FORM A TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY. THE YES VOTE WAS 553 AND 312 VOTED NO. LOTS OF MONEY WAS SPENT TRYING TO GET VOTERS TO VOTE NO ON THIS ISSUE. MAQUOKETA HAS NO PLANS TO FORM A UTILITY, BUT BECAUSE OF YETERDAY'S VOTE, THE DOOR IS LEFT OPEN FOR THE COUNCIL TO FORM ONE IN THE FUTURE.

MAQUOKETA PART-TIME ANNOUNCER , JIM KELLOGG, OF LOST NATION, WAS RE-ELECTED TO THE LOST NATION CITY COUNCIL. HE HAS SERVED 8 YEARS AND THIS WILL BE HIS THIRD TERM. THERE WERE 6
RUNNING FOR THE 3 SEATS.

I HEARD YESTERDAY, THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 75 EMPLOYEES WORKING AT THE BIG GENERAC PLANT AT THE SOUTH EDGE OF MAQUOKETA IN THE INDUSTRIAL PARK. FOR A LONG TIME, ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN OR SO WORKED THERE. THE COMPANY MAKES MODULAR ELECTRIC GENERATORS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT
THE BAD HURRICANES DOWN SOUTH CAUSED A BIG DEMAND FOR GENERATORS.

YES, A MAQUOKETA POPULAR RESTURANT HAS BEEN SOLD, BUT THE SALE HAS NOT BEEN
OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED AND I HEAR THE NEW OWNER WILL NOT TAKE OVER UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR. THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY NOW. NO, THE OLD KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN BUILDING HAS NOT BEEN SOLD AND STILL IS LOOKING FOR A NEW OWNER. DEAN TILTON AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SELLING IT.
EVERYTIME I GO OUT TO PIZZA HUT AND SEE THE EMPTY KFC BUILDING NEXT DOOR, I GET HUNGER PAINS FOR THAT FINGER-LICKEN-GOOD CHICKEN. DEAN ALWAYS KEPT THE SECRET RECIPE IN HIS BILLFOLD, SO I'M SURE THAT'S WHERE IT IS TO THIS DAY, DOWN IN THE VILLAGES IN FLORIDA, WHERE DEAN AND KAREN MOVED TO A NEW HOME.
ANYWAY, THE PRICE OF THE OLD KFC BUILDING HAS BEEN REDUCED, IN CASE YOU ARE INTERESTED OR KNOW OF SOMEONE THAT IS.

A NEW MAQUOKETA LITTLE THEATRE GROUP IS GETTING READY TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR A PRODUCTION OF "ANNIE" AT THE NEW OHNWARD FINE ARTS CENTER. MORE LATER.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

DENNIS VOY

Monday, November 07, 2005

NICE DAY AGAIN...HIGH OF 63. SHOULD BE WARMER TOMORROW FOR ELECTION DAY.

JUST ONE CONTEST IN MAQUOKETA....FOUR RUNNING FOR A COUNCIL SEAT.
POLLS OPEN FROM 7 A.M. UNTIL 8 P.M.

A FIRE NORTHEAST OF MAQUOKETA TODAY. MAQUOKETA FIREMEN GOT THE CALL AT 1:30 THIS AFTERNOON TO THE TIFFANY COSTELLO PROPERTY ON 288TH AVENUE, NEAR CODFISH HOLLOW ROAD. TWO SMALL SHEDS CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN FIREMEN ARRIVED, THEY WERE FULLY ENGULFED. BOTH BUILDINGS AND CONTENTS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FIRE CHEIF MARK BECK SAYS HE DOESN'T THINK IT IS A SUSPICIOUS FIRE AND FIREMEN WERE AT THE SCENE ABOUT 90 MINUTES.

CITY COUNCILL MEETING TONIGHT. QUITE A FEW ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

ORVILLE REYNOLDS, 94, DIED FRIDAY AT THE DEWITT HOSPTAL. HE WAS A CAR MECHANIC AND SALESMAN IN DEWITT UNTIL RETIRING. SURVIVORS INCLUDE A BROTHER, MERLE REYNOLDS IN MAQUOKETA.

LARRY COOK, SR., AGE 82, DIED NOVEMBER 3RD IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI. A MEMORIAL MASS WILL BE HELD SATURDAY AT 11 A.M. AT SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MAQUOKETA. HE WAS A WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND WAS AN AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS THE MANAGER OF THE HI-HO LANES IN MAQUOKETA MANY YEARS AGO. HE IS SURVIVED BY 3 DAUGHTERS, .... JUDI BRITT OF DAVENPORT, KITTY OESTERN OF MAQUOKETA AND THERESA AURAND OF DIXON, ILLINOIS AND 3 SONS.....LARRY COOK, JR. OF MAQUOKETA, DICK HICKS OF BELTON, MISSOURI AND TONY COOK OF PORT BYRON.

WHEN YOU BROUGHT UP THE PICTURES OF THE HURST HOTEL RESTORATION PROJECT, DID YOU ONLY GET ONE TO COME UP? IF SO, YOU DID NOT CLICK ON THE PICTURE OF THE HOTEL. WHEN YOU DO THAT, YOU GET TO SEE AROUND30. AROUND 400 PEOPLE HAVE LOOKED AT THEM. GO TO WWW.KMAQ.COM AND CLICK ON THE CAMERA. I WILL HAVE SOME NEW PICTURES FROM MAQUOKETA SOON.

GOOD READER OF THIS REPORT, DEL WULF, EMAILED ME TO TELL ME THAT ABE HURST OF MAQUOKETA BUILDT THE LAKEHURST DAM AND EASTERN IOWA POWER WITH IT, IN 1923. JOHN HAMMERAND OPERATED IT FROM 1929 UNTIL 1959. DEL WULF FROM L159 UNTIL 1984 AND LARRY HENEKE FROM 1984 UNTIL 1998. HE ALSO SAID SOME OF THE BIG GENERATION YEARS WERE IN THE 70'S, WHEN HE SAID THEY GENERATED OVER 8-MILLION KILOWATTS A YEAR, AND OPERATED IT 98-PERCENT OF THE TIME.
HE SAID HE IS GLAD IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPERATING. THANKS FOR THE INFO DEL.

THE HAWKEYES LOST THEIR FOOTBALL GAME IN THE LAST MINUTE SATURDAY AT EVANSTON.
NORTHWESTERN SCORED TWO TD'S IN THE FINAL MINUTES. THE BIG HEADLING IN THE SPORTS
SECTION OF THE QUAD CITIES TIMES SUNDAY MORNING SAID "OUCH"!

SAW A GREAT COMEDY SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE OHNWARD CENTER IN MAQUOKETA, PUT ON BY
THE HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA DEPARTMENT. IT WAS REPEATED SUNDAY AFTERNOON. ALL DID A GREAT JOB (BIG CAST) BUT MY HERO WAS MATT GERLACH, WHO PLAYED "KNUCKLES". MATT IS ONE OF MY MANY GOOD EMPLOYEES AT THE 61 DRIVE-IN THEATRE. NICE JOB DEE KRUMM, DIRECTOR. GOOD TURNOUT IN A GREAT PLACE FOR A PLAY....THE NEW OHWARD AUDITORIUM. OH YES...FOR THOSE WHO WERE INTERESTED, SATURDAY NIGHT'S PERFORMANCE WAS PRECEDED BY A DINNER AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND IT ALSO WAS A HIT WITH ME AND ABOUT 75 OTHERS THAT ATTENDED.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

VOTE TOMORROW.

DENNIS VOY

Friday, November 04, 2005

ANOTHER NEAT FALL DAY, WITH SUNSHINE AND HIGH IN 60'S.

FIRST...THERE WAS A THURSDAY DAILY REPORT, BUT BECAUSE OF A TECHNICAL PROBLEM, IT DID NOT GO UP ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB UNTIL THIS MORNING. SO, IF YOU DID NOT READ THE THURSDAY REPORT YET, DON'T FORGET TO READ IT AFTER READING THIS ONE.

ALSO, TODAY'S "JUST TALK" CALL-IN SHOW, HOSTED BY LEIGHTON HEPKER, IS UP NOW AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT ANYTIME.

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR ROBERT MELVOLD WAS AT 11 THIS MORNING AT THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH. A VERY NICE SERVICE, LASTING OVER AN HOUR. IT WAS LEAD BY REV. JAY KEPPEL, PASTOR OF THE MAQUOKETA UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. IT FEATURED THE MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE PLAYING THE "STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER" EARLY IN THE SERVICE AND NEAR THE END, "ANCHORS AWAY". THE MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR AND ENSEMBLE ALSO SANG "THE NAVY HYMN" AND LATER, "WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN". BOB AND FRANCIS WERE MARRIED IN NEW ORLEANS AND BOB LIKED NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FUNERALS. PASTOR KEPPEL IS ALSO A NATIVE OF NEW ORLEANS. PERSONAL TRIBUTES WERE GIVEN BY MARY RUETER OF DEWITT, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEWITT OBSERVER, OWNED BY BOB AND FRANCIS AND BY GRANDSON TIM MELVOLD AND DAUGTHER JANIS MELVOLD. A LUNCH WAS THEN SERVED IN THE CHURCH SOCIAL ROOM.

HAD A SHORT VISIT AT THE FUNERAL LUNCH WITH PETE LEHMAN, LONGTIME FRIEND OF THE MELVOLDS. HE AND HIS WIFE LIVE IN BAY CITY, MICHIGAN. HE WAS THE MANAGER OF THE J.C. PENNEY STORE IN MAQUOKETA UNTIL 1979. I USED TO CALL ON HIM WEEKLY FOR ADVERTISING ON KMAQ. RETIRED NOW AND LOOKS GOOD.

MORE VANDALISM IN MAQUOKETA. A CAR HAD A SIDE MIRROR SHATTERED WHILE PARKED ON NORTH NIAGARA. LINDA HAYES ON SOUTH 5TH STREET REPORTED A NEW MAIL BOX WAS SMASHED ON TUESDAY. WAUGH AUTO ON EAST GROVE SAID TWO TRUCKS WERE DAMAGED. IN THE COUNTY, SAK KLEIN AND WINDY WINEGAR BOTH REPORTED MAIL BOXES DAMAGED.

A MAQUOKETA MAN, STEVEN BREUER, AGE 41, RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AFTER HIS MOTORCYCLE HIT A DEER LAST NIGHT ON HIGHWAY 64, NEAR PRESTON. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL HERE IN TOWN AND DAMAGES LISTED AT $1,000 TO HIS HONDA. AFTER HITTING THE DEER, THE CYCLE SKIDDED 160 FEET BEFORE COMING TO REST. HE WAS WEARING A HELMET WHICH THE DEPUTY SAID PREVENTED LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

"TAKE TWO VIDEO" ON SOUTH JONES IS CLOSING. SIGN IN THE WINDOW.... AND THEY ARE SELLING
OUT THERE VIDEOS AND GAMES. IT HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR AROUND 20 YEARS. RUMOR HAS IT A NEW VIDEO STORE IS COMING TO TOWN LATER THIS YEAR OR EARLY NEXT YEAR, A BIG ONE.

NO DEATHS TO ANNOUNCE.

BIG HUMAINE SOCIETY DINNER THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE EAGLES CLUB AND THE BIG ANNUAL
HISTORICAL SOCIETY DINNER IS THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING AT THE PEARSON CENTER AT THE FAIRGROUNDS.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY

STATE SENATOR ROGER STEWART IS HOSTING A FUND-RAISER SOUP SUPPER TONIGHT AT THE GROSSMAN HALL IN DELMAR FOR ALL GOOD DEMOCRATS.



Thursday, November 03, 2005

NICE TODAY...BUT DID NOT MAKE IT INTO THE 70'S. 68 WAS THE HIGHS.

THE LAKEHURST DAM AND ELECTRIC GENERATORS, AT THE EDGE OF MAQUOKETA ON THE MAQUOKETA RIVER, HAVE BEEN SOLD AND WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE. NORTH AMERICAN HYDRO OUT OF WISCONSIN PURCHASED THE DAM AND ALSO THE DAMS AND GENERATING FACILITIES IN ANAMOSA AND IOWA FALLS. ALL THREE SYSTEMS WERE PURCHASED FROM ALLIANT ENERGY.
THE DAM AND ITS GENERATORS HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR AT LEAST 70 YEARS AND RICHARD FOREMAN, SOUTHERN REGIONAL PROJECT MANAGER, SAID THEY WILL RUN FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 70 YEARS. CREWS ARE WORKING NOW TO REPAIR THE TURBINES AND GENERATORS ON ONE OF THE UNITS AND THE SECOND UNIT IS WORKING OKAY. FOREMAN ANTICIPATES GENERATION IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. FOREMAN SAID THE COMPANY WILL SELL THE ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY THE DAM BACK TO ALLIANT. FOREMAN SAID HE AND THE OPERATOR, TERRI BEMMAN, PLAN TO LIVE ON SITE AND WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS A HOME RIGHT ADJACENT TO THE DAM.
HE SAID THEY WANT TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE GENERATING FACILITY AND STUDENTS
ON RENEWABLE ENERGY. HE CALLED THE RIVER THEIR FUEL, BUT THEY THEY BORROW IT FOR JUST A SHORT TIME. AMERICAN HYDRO HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 23 YEARS.

NORBERT K. DANIELS, AGE 67, OF MAQUOKETA DIED WEDNESDAY AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. HIS FULL OBITUARY CAN BE READ AT www.laheys.com

A LONGTIME MAQUOKETA BUSINESS IS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. MORE LATER.

HAVE A GOOD THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY.

DENNIS VOY