Saturday, March 31, 2007

THE MAQUOKETA KIWANIS CLUB HELD THEIR ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT THIS MORNING BEHIND THE JACKSON COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, NEAR THE FAIRGROUNDS. IT WAS CLOUDY AND A LITTLE COOL, BUT NO RAIN AND A NICE CROWD FOR KIDS AND PARENTS. KATHY SHILLING SEYFERT SHOWN HERE HAS BEEN THE CHAIRPERSON FOR THIS EVENT FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. I TOOK A FEW PICTURES, BUT THEY ARE SLIGHTLY OUT OF FOCUS BECAUSE I HAD A SETTING WRONG ON MY LITTLE DIGITAL CAMERA. SORRY. THE KIDS HAD A GREAT TIME AND THANKS TO THE KIWANIS CLUB FOR SPONSORING THIS EVENT.
LEFT TO RIGHT: KARYSA CARSON, BROOKLYN WALLER AND TAYLOR THEIDE,
JUST BEFORE THE EASTER EGG HUNT.
RICK HALEY AND DAUGHTER JO-JO AT THE EASTER EGG HUNT TODAY IN MAQUOKETA.

Friday, March 30, 2007

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN...ABOUT AN INCH LAST NIGHT AND TODAY.

SUNSHINE PRE SCHOOL AND DAYCARE AND KMAQ WILL PRESENT THE 4TH ANNUAL RADIO AND TELETHON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FROM 5 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON KMAQ-FM (95.1) AND THE ACCESS TV CHANNEL HERE IN TOWN.'
SUNSHINE CURRENTLY SERVES ABOUT 180 CHILDREN. IT HAS BEEN IN OPERATION MORE THAN 30 YEARS. IT HAS NEVER BEEN PRIVATELY OWNED AND IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS. PART OF THE MONEY RAISED SATURDAY WILL BE USED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, AND THE REST WILL GO INTO THE FUND FOR OPERATIONS. LEIGHTON HEPKER, SHERI MELVOLD, TOM MESSERLI AND I WILL HOST THE SHOW. ALLIANCE PIPELINE OF MAQUOKETA HAS SAID IT WILL MATCH PLEDGES MADE SATURDAY NIGHT UP TO $10,000, ACCORDING TO JENNIFER CONNELLY, THE SUNSHINE MANAGER AND DIRECTOR.

JACKSON COUNTY REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER, ALONG WITH MEDICAL ASSOCIATES AND MAQUOKETA FAMILY CLINIC WILL BECOME TOBACCO-FREE BEGINNING SUNDAY. GOING TOBACCO FREE WILL REQUIRE ALL EMPLOYEES, PATIENTS, PHYSICIANS, VOLUNTEERS, CONTRACTORS AND VISITORS TO REFRAIN FROM USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN THE BUILDINGS,VEHICLES, WALKWAYS, AND PARKING LOTS.

APIRL DUHME AT 611 S. NIAGARA STREET, REPORTED LAST NIGHT TO POLICE THAT SOMEONE HAD THROWN EGGS AT HER HOUSE.

JIM WATTERS, AGE 57, OF MAQUOKETA, DIED SUDDENLY THIS MORNING.
HIS FULL OBITUARY CAN BE READ AT www.carsonandson.com

BELOW THIS REPORT, A FEW MORE PHOTOS TAKEN LAST SATURDAY NIGHT IN MAQUOKETA AT THE HOSPITAL BENEFIT DANCE.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY



CINDY AND LEIGHTON HEPKER (STATION MANAGER HERE AT KMAQ) WERE IN CHARGE OF TICKET SALES (WEEKS BEFORE AND SATURDAY NIGHT) FOR THE DANCE TO BENEFIT THE HOSPITAL HERE IN MAQUOKETA AND ARE SHOWN HERE AT THE ENTRY TO THE COMFORT INN THAT NIGHT. CINDY MAY HAVE BEEN YOUR KINDERGARDEN TEACHER. SHE STILL IS, AT CARDINAL SCHOOL. NOTE, THE REGISTRATION BOX. MAX RAY JEWELER DONATED A VASE AND FLORAL ARRANGMENT FOR THE ATTENDANCE DRAWING. THE FUN EVENT (MUSIC FOR LISTENING AND DANCING BY "The BureauCats Band") AND GOOD FOOD, WAS A BIG SUCCESS, RAISING SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE HOSPITAL CARDIAC REHAB UNIT.
NANCY MOORE (SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER HER FROM SUNSHINE SCHOOL DAYS)SELLING PIZZA AT THE DANCE BENEFIT LAST SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE COMFORT INN BALLROOM IN MAQUOKETA. THANKS TO HAPPY JOES, PIZZA HUT, KJ'S GODFATHER'S PIZZA AND TIMBER CITY TRAVEL PLAZA FOR SUPPLYING PIZZA FOR THE EVENT.

PAT DECKER AND GRACE OTTING AT THE DESSERT TABLE AT THE DANCE SATURDAY NIGHT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE HOSPITAL CARDIAC UNIT. OTHER PICTURES FROM THAT NIGHT ARE A FEW DAYS AGO ON THIS DAILY REPORT.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

CLOUDY AND WINDY TODAY...HIGH IN MID 50'S.

THE IOWA HOUSE LAST NIGHT VOTED FOR PRESCHOOL FOR ALL 4 YEAR OLDS. THE STATEWIDE PRESCHOOL PLAN COMMITS AN ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION EACH YEAR OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
ST. REP. TOM SCHUELLER OF MAQUOKETA, VOTED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY PRESCHOOL. CURRENLY 28,000 FOUR YEAR OLDS IN IOWA DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PRE-SCHOOL.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN JACKSON COUNTY IN FEBRUARY WAS 5.6 PERCENT. IN JANUARY, IT WAS 5.8 PERCENT.

A MAQUOKETA WOMAN THIS WEEK REPORTED THE THEFT OF A HORSE TRAILER. ACCORDING TO LUCRECIA HOUSTON OF 1009 CARDINAL DRIVE, THE THEFT HAPPENED ALMOST A YEAR AGO, IN MAY OF 2006.

KRISTINO'S PIZZERIA ON THE CORNER IN DOWNTOWN MAQUOKETA WILL CLOSE AFTER BUSINESS SATURDAY NIGHT. THE SIGN THANKING CUSTOMERS IS IN THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW. THE PIZZA STORE HAS BEEN THERE AROUND 10 YEARS AND WAS OWNED BY KRISTY MANNING HOSCH, WHO DIED OF CANCER EARLIER THIS YEAR. WORD IS THE BUILDING HAS BEEN SOLD AND ANOTHER RESTAURANT WILL BE GOING INTO THAT LOCATION.

THE JACKSON-CLINTON ANNUAL DAIRY BANQUET IS THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE FAIRGOUNDS IN MAQUOKETA AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

HAVE A GOOD FRIDAY.

DENNIS VOY



Tuesday, March 27, 2007

ANOTHER WARM DAY IN MAQUOKETA...78.

MAQUOKETA'S FIRE STATION WILL BE ENLARGED!

IN THE SPECIAL CITY ELECTION TODAY, NEARLY 80-PERCENT OF THE VOTERS
APPROVED A $2-MILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE, TO ENLARGE THE FIRE STATION.
GUESS YOU COULD CALL IT A LANDSLIDE VICTORY.

A FORMER MAQUOKETA RESIDENT, DR. LARRY LOOS, AGE 65, DIED MARCH 15TH
AT HIS HOME IN CALIFORNIA, OF CANCER. HE WAS AN OUTSTANDING ATHLETE FOR MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL IN THE LATE 50'S, EXELLING IN FOOTBALL, ESPECIALLY BASKETBALL AND IN TRACK. SEVEN OF HIS BASKETBALL RECORDS STILL STAND AT MCHS. HIS FOLKS WERE MR. AND MRS. IRV LOOS. HIS DAD WORKED IN GROCERY STORES MUCH OF HIS LIFE. LARRY WAS MARRIED TO MARY JESSEN, ALSO A MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL GRAD AND THEY HAD TWO SONS....AND TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS. MARY ALSO DIED OF CANCER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 11 THIS SATURDAY MORNING AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA. KEATON'S MORTUARIES ARE ASSISTING THE FAMILY. HE GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA DENTAL COLLEGE AND THEN SERVED IN THE US NAVY. HE WAS A PIONEER IN DENTAL IMPLANT TECHNOLOGY AND LECTURED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE PACIFIC DENTAL SCHOOL STAFF FOR 30 YEARS.

THE MAQUOKETA SCHOOL BOARD LAST NIGHT AWARDED 18 CONTRACTS FOR A NEW GYM AND RENVATION OF THE CAFETERIA AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. THERE ARE SEVEN MORE CONTRACTS YET TO BE AWARDED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT, $6.6 MILLION. THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST OF 2008.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

DENNIS VOY
ANOTHER WARM DAY IN MAQUOKETA...78.

THE POLLS CLOSE AT 8 TONIGHT...ON THE
FIRE STATION YES OR NO BOND ISSUE QUESTION.

I WILL PUT UP THE ELECTION OUTCOME AND
A FEW OTHER THINGS AROUND 8:30 TONIGHT,
SO CHECK BACK LATER IF YOU CARE TO.

DENNIS VOY

Monday, March 26, 2007

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND IN MAQUOKETA ...
TEMPS IN THE 70'S, ABOUT 25 DEGREES OVER NORMAL
AND THE WARM WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL FRIDAY. HIGH TODAY, 80.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT...MOST DISCUSSION
WILL BE ABOUT THE NEW GYM AND CAFETERIA ADDITION TO HIGH SCHOOL.

ELECTION TOMORROW IN MAQUOKETA, SEEKING BOND ISSUE OK FOR ADDING ON TO MAQUOKETA.FIRE STATION. POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 A.M. UNTIL 8 P.M. IT SHOULD PASS, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.

ADAM AND ANGELA RULEY OF MAQUOKETA ARE PARENTS OF A GIRL BORN LAST TUESDAY AT MERCY HOSPITAL IN DUBUQUE. GRANDPARENTS ARE BARRY AND KAREN WATTERS OF BALDWIN.

FERN WARNER, MILLIE WAUGH AND MARGARET SCHOLLENBERGER, ALL FROM MAQOKETA, AND ALL THREE DIED OVER THE WEEKEND. THEIR COMPLETED OBITUARIES CAN BE READ AT www.carsonandson.com

DON'T FORGET TO LOOK AT THE 4 NEW PHOTOS BELOW THIS REPORT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY
THE "DANCE TO THE MUSIC" EVENT LAST SATURDAY NIGHT WAS A HIT AND THERE WAS A BIG TURNOUT OF ALL AGES. A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD.
A SUCCESSFUL AUCTION, ENJOYABLE MUSIC FOR LISTENING AND DANCING,
AND PLENTY OF GOOD FOOD. SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS RAISED TO BENEFIT
THE HOSPITAL'S CARDIAC REHAB UNIT HERE IN MAQUOKETA. SHOWN HERE:
RICK DECKER OF MAQUOKETA (LONGTIME TIRE MAN AND NOW SEMI-RETIRED) AND ROCHELLE RAY, CO-OWNER OF MAX RAY JEWELERS. SHE HEADED UP THE FOOD COMMITTEE WHICH INCLUDED A VARIETY OF FOOD, FROM PIZZA TO EGG ROLLS.
KENDRA BECK (WIFE OF FIRE CHIEF) WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE EVENT,
WITH HUSBAND MARK ASSISTING. THANKS TO ALL WHO WHO CAME OR WORKED TO MAKE THE FIRST EVER EVENT A FUN, SUCCESSFULL EVENT. AND SPECIAL THANKS ALSO TO THE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICIANS THAT ENTERTAINED EARLY AND TO "The BureauCats" BAND FOR A SWINGING NIGHT OF MUSIC.
A
ANN HAWKS (SHE AND HUSBAND OWN TACO JOHNS IN MAQUOKETA AND SHE IS PRESIDENT OF THE MAQUOKETA SCHOOL BOARD) SINGING WITH "The BureauCats"
SATURDAY NIGHT IN MAQUOKETA. SHE'S A REGULAR WITH THIS LOCAL AND AREA BAND AND ALSO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE MAQUOKETA KIDS CHORUS. BEEN A SINGER ALL HER LIFE (DAUGHTER OF THE M.O. PITCHERS) AND HER SINGING WAS ENJOYED BY ALL.
THREE MEMBERS OF THE DANCE COMMITTEE SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 24, 2007, AT THE COMFORT INN IN MAQUOKETA ENJOYING THE MUSIC BY "The BureauCats" AND ENJOYING SOME ROOT BEER AND COKE. THEY WERE ALSO SEEN MORE THAN ONCE AT THE FOOD STAND. LEFT TO RIGHT, JOEL DIECKMAN, WITH U.S. BANK; CURT COLEMAN, CEO OF THE HOSPITAL; AND KEVIN BURNS OF MAQUOKETA STATE BANK.
THE EVENT (FIRST ANNUAL) FROM 6 UNTIL 11 P.M. WAS A BIG SUCCESS WITH STANDING ROOM ONLY AND IT BENIFITED THE CARDIAC REHAB UNIT AT THE HOSPITAL HERE IN MAQUOKETA. THE MUSIC WAS VERY GOOD....DANCERS LIKED THE MUSIC AND DANCED A LOT AND THE FOOD ALSO WAS VERY GOOD.

Friday, March 23, 2007

OVER AN INCH OF RAIN IN MAQUOKETA THE LAST 24 HOURS.
MISTY AND CLOUDY TODAY.

MAQUOKETA FIREMEN WILL HOST AN OPEN HOUSE BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT THE FIRE STATION TO RESIDENTS CAN TAKE A LOOK AT TEH FIRE STATION.
THE HOURS WILL BE FROM 9 A.M. UNTIL 3 P.M. EACH DAY. FIRE CHEIF MARK BECK SAID WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSTS ITS ANNUAL BREAKFAST IN JUNE, ALL THE TRUCKS ARE MOVED OUT OF THE STATION AND THEN IT LOOKS LARGE.
WITH THE TRUCKS INSIDE, BEK HOPES TO ILLUSTRATE THE NEED FOR AN EXPANSION OF THREE TRUCK BAYS. THE CITY OF MAQUOKETA IS ASKING RESIDENTS TO APPROVE A $2 MILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE IN A SPECIAL ELECTION THIS TUESDAY. THE REGULAR POLLING PLACES WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 A.M. UNTIL 8 P.M. AND IT TAKES A 60-PERCENT MAJORITY TO PASS. THE PROPOSAL CALLS FOR ADDING THREE TRUCK BAYS AND BUILDING A NEW TWO-STORY TRAINING AND COMMUNITY ROOM. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.

ANN TIMMERAN, AGE 66, OF DICKEYVILLE, DIED WEDNESDAY. SHE WAS FORMERLY OF BERNARD AND SURVIVORS INCLUDE A BROTHER, PAUL SHANAHAN OF MAQUOKETA.

BOB VASQUEZ, AGE 56, OF LOVES PARK, ILLINOIS, DIED WEDNESDAY.
SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS MOTHER, MADONNA OF MAQUOKETA AND A SISTER, JOYCE LANSING, OF MAQUOKETA.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

A HALF INCH OF RAIN OVERNIGHT...
AND PROBABLY ANOTHER INCH TODAY...WITH THUNDER AND LIGHTNING...
AND HIGH TODAY AROUND 60.

BARB TABOR OF BALDWIN WON THE MAQUOKETA FFA JOHN DEERE GATOR
RAFFLE DRAWING THIS AFTERNOON. SHE'S THE WIFE OF DENNIS TABOR AND THE MOTHER OF COUNTY ATTORNEY PHIL TABOR. IT'S BELIEVED SHE SHE PURCHASED THE WINNING TICKET FROM HER GRANDSON MICHAEL TABOR, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL FFA CHAPER. AND...I HEAR THIS RAFFLE FOR THE FFA WAS A SUCCESS...MADE THEM SOME MONEY. THE FFA ANNUAL BANQUET IS COMING UP ON APRIL 22ND.

SCHOOL BOARD NEWS: THE BOARD HAS ACCEPTED THE LOW BID ON ASBESTOS ABATEMENT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL. ASBESTOS WAS FOUND IN THE CAFETERIA AND THE LOW BID TO GET RID OF IT WAS $17,300.
THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED A NEW CONTRACT WITH BUS DRIVER. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR THE BUS DRIVERS WILL BE COVERED BY THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION. THE CONTRAT CALLS FOR HOURLY RATES BETWEEN $13.50 AND $16.50 AN HOUR FOR DRIVERS HIRED BEFORE JUNE 30, 2006. AFTER THAT DATE, FIRST YEAR DRIVERS WILL MAKE $15.00 AN HOUR. AND IN YEARS, 6-7, THE RATE WILL BE $16.50 PER HOUR.

LONGTIME KMAQ SALES PERSON DOTTIE BAYLES IS CELEBRATING HER 65TH BIRTHDAY TODAY. SHE HAS BEEN WITH KMAQ FOR OVER 30 YEARS. AND, GLAD TO SAY, SHE WILL CONTINUE WITH US. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOTTIE. NANCY (MRS. DAVE) MOORE HAS RESIGNED HER SALES POSITION WITH KMAQ AFTER 8 YEARS AND KMAQ IS NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR HER POSITION. ANYONE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE JOB SHOULD SEND A BRIEF RESUME TO KMAQ, BOX 940, MAQUOKETA, IOWA 52060. KMAQ IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. THE TWO OTHER SALES REPRESENTATIVES HERE AT THE STATION ARE ROXANNE CLAUSING AND LOIS ANN FISCHER.

THREE MONTHS FROM TODAY, ON THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER (JUNE 21, 2007), THE 5TH ANNUAL KMAQ ROTARY CLUB DUCK RACE WILL BE HELD AT THE COMFORT INN SWIMMING POOL IN MAQUOKETA. AND SOMEONE, WITH THE WINNING DUCK, WILL WIN $1,000. AND FOUR OTHERS WILL EACH WIN $100. AND YOU CAN
BUY A DUCK FOR $5. YOUR NAME AND DUCK NUMBER WILL BE ON THE ROTARY WEB SITE SOON AFTER YOU BUY YOUR DUCK. THE DUCK TICKETS ARE DONE (THANKS TO KMAQ'S THERESA HANSEN CELENTANO) AND WILL GO ON SALE NEXT WEEK .....AND IF YOU WANT ONE, OR MORE, SEND ME A CHECK, MADE OUT TO MAQUOKETA ROTARY CLUB AND MAIL IT TO BOX 940, MAQUOKETA, IOWA 52060. EVERY PERSON THAT BUYS A DUCK WILL ALSO BE MENTIONED IN THIS DAILY REPORT. THE RACE HAS ALWAYS BEEN RUN ON THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER.
PROCEEDS ARE USED TO FUND MANY LOCAL PROJECTS BY THE ROTARY. THE LOCAL MAQUOKETA ROTARY CLUB, WITH ABOUT 40 MEMBERS, MEETS AT NOON EVERY WEDNEDAY AT THE EAGLES CLUB ON EAST PLATT STREET. GUESTS , AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TOO, ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. I'VE BEEN A MEMBER
FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN AND TAKE CARE.

DENNIS VOY

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

NICE DAY TODAY...HIGH OF 50. RAIN IN FORECAST TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

STACY DRISCOLL, MAQUOKETA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, UPDATED THE CITY COUNCIL LAST NIGHT ON BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN THE CITY. SHE REPORTED....
MAQUOKETA MEDICAL ASSOCIATES HAS PURCHASED THE FORMER JACK AND JILL BUILDING AND IT WILL BE RENOVATED FOR THE DOCTOR'S OFFICES. THEIR EXISTING OFFICE ON WEST QUARRY STREET WILL LIKELY BE PUT UP FOR SALE OR RENT.

TWO DUBUQUE RESIDENTS HAVE PURCHASED THE FORMER WHOLLY SCRAP BUILDING ON THE CORNER OF MAIN AND PLEASANT AND IT WILL BE USED FOR A PICKLE BARREL SUB SANDWICH SHOP THAT WILL OPEN IN ABOUT 60 DAYS. IT WILL SEAT UP TO 40.

JOHN LONG WITH BERTHEL FISHER AND COMPANY IN MAQUOKETA ANNOUNCED THAT THEY HAVE PURCHASED THE FORMER B & C LIQUOR BUILDING ON THE CORNER OF EAST PLATT AND MATTESON AND WILL REMODEL IT INTO TWO OFFICE SUITES. BERTHEL FISHER WILL OCCUPY HALF THE BUILDING AND WILL HAVE 600 OR SO SQUARE FEET AVAILABLE TO LEASE.

MAZAK CORPORATION WILL OPEN AN OFFICE AT 112 N. MAIN STREET. IT IT THE NORTH AMERICAN MANUFACTURING, SALES AND SUPPORT ARM OF AN INTERNATIONAL MACHINE TOOL BUILDER, YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION OF JAPAN. THEY SELL EQUIPMENT TO INDUSTRY AND THE OFFICE IN MAQUOKETA WILL SERVICE THIS TRI-STATES AREA. TWO OR THREE WILL WORK IN THE OFFICE.

MAQUOKETA POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A VANDALISM INCIDENT. BRAD DEERY MOTORS REPORTED SIX VEHICLES RECEIVED MINOR SCRATCHES MONDAY AFTERNOON.

EARL LIETZ, AGE 86, DIED LAST NIGHT. HIS COMPLETED OBITUARY CAN BE READ AT www.carsonandson.com

A REMINDER, THERE IS A PHOTO JUST BELOW TODAY'S REPORT. TAKE A LOOK. A PHOTE OF ROCKY LAMAR, ADAM HEPKER, AND BILL FLEMMING.

THANKS FOR THE VISIT.

DENNIS VOY
GOOD DAY.
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTER.
I ENTERED A PHOTO A FEW MINUTES AGO...DO LOOK FOR IT BELOW.
AND BELOW IT ....IS MY MONDAY DAILY REPORT.
BELOW THE PICTURE...FOR SOME REASON, THE WORDS "IS THE COACH"
DID NOT COME OUT AFTER ROCKY'S NAME, BUT BELOW MINE INSTEAD.
I MANY TIMES TRIED TO TELL FLEMMING HOW TO COACH, BUT HE NEVER LISTENED.
ENJOY THE PHOTO. I PLAN ON HAVING MORE IN FUTURE.
ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY IN MAQUOKETA.
DENNIS VOY
GOOD DAY!
BELOW, A PHOTO I JUST PUT UP MINUTES AGO.
THE COMPUTER MADE A GOOF.
AFTER ROCKY'S NAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE WORDS: "IS THE COACH". INSTEAD, THE WORDS "IS THE COACH" FOR SOME REASON, SHOWED UP FARTHER BELOW, AFTER MY NAME. SORRY ABOUT THAT. THERE WERE MANY TIMES I TRIED TO TELL FLEMMING HOW TO COACH...BUT UNFORTUNATELY, HE NEVER LISTENED.
ANYWAY, ENJOY THE PICTURE. I PLAN MORE PHOTOS IN THE FUTURE. AND DON'T FORGET
TO READ THE MONDAY DAILY REPORT TOO, IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO.
A BEAUTIFUL TUESDAY IN MAQUOKETA!
DENNIS VOY
THE MID AMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY IS LOCATED IN OLATHE, KANSAS AND IT'S BASKETBALL TEAM LAST WEEK BECAME THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. THE TEAM WON THE DIVISON II TOURNAMENT PLAYED IN BRANSON. ROCKY LAMAR, FORMERLY OF MAQUOKETA, IS EXTREME LEFT IN THE PHOTO. JUNIOR, POINT- GUARD IS ADAM HEPKER, CENTER ABOVE, OF MAQUOKETA. HE WAS ALSO NAMED THE MVP OF TOURNAMENT AND IS SON OF LEIGHTON AND CINDY HEPKER OF MAQUOKETA. TO THE RIGHT, BILL FLEMMING, WHO IS ONE OF ROCKY'S ASSISTANTS AND FORMER LONGTIME HEAD BASKETBALL COACH HERE IN MAQUOKETA. NOTE, THE MONDAY DAILY REPORT IS BELOW THIS PICTURE.
DENNIS VOY
IS THE COACH

Monday, March 19, 2007

HIGH TODAY, 58. TOMORROW, COLDER.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT.

ROBIN GIBSON ON EAST PLEASANT REPORTED HER WINDOWS WERE BROKEN OUT IN HER CAR AT 7:27 A.M. SUNDAY.

HERB MEYER ON NORTH ELIZA SAID SOME TOOLS WERE TAKEN FROM HIS CAR OVER THE WEEKEND.

SCOTT DALZIEL REPORTED HE HIT A DEER OVER THE WEEKEND FIVE MILES WEST OF MAQUOKETA.

JOHN BRONSON, AGE 42, OF MAQUOKETA APPEARED IN COURT TODAY AND WAS FINED $300 ON CHARGES OF POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIA.

THE JACKSON COUNTY SUPERVISORS ARE IN A SCHOOL AT DES MOINES, TODAY AND TOMOROW AND THEREFORE THEIR WEEKY MEETING THIS WEEK WILL NOT BE ON TUESDAY MORNING, BUT AT 1 WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

DENNIS VOY


Friday, March 16, 2007

CLOUDY, WINDY AND COLD TODAY.

THERE WILL BE A 7TH GRADE FOOTBALL PROGRAM THIS FALL IN MAQUOKETA.
THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED $4,400 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO PAY FOR COACHES AND BUS SERVICE TO AWAY GAMES AND KEVIN BOWMAN, MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SAID HE WOULD RAISE THE MONEY FOR EQUIPMENT, PROBABLY WITH HELP FROM THE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS.

A VEHICLE REPORTED STOLEN BY KIMBERLY STREEPER FROM PACIFIC COAST FEATHER COMPANY PARKING LOT ON THURSDAY, ENDED UP NOT BEING STOLEN.
STREEPER'S BOYFRIEND HAD TAKEN THE CAR AND HAD NOT TOLD HER.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE REPORTED STOLEN. DEREK SULLIVAN
SAID HIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FROM 1205 EAST PLATT STREET THURSDAY AFTERNOON. IT IS STILL MISSING.'

THERE IS A SOLD SIGN UP AT THE FORMER JACK AND JILL STORE IN MAQUOKETA.
I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN I FIND OUT WHO BOUGHT THE LARGE BUILDING ON WEST PLATT STREET.

HAPPY ST. PAT'S DAY TOMORROW.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY

Thursday, March 15, 2007

THE SUN CAME OUT THIS AFTERNOON AND WE GOT UP TO 44.

MONDAY NIGHT, NORTHEAST OF GOOSE LAKE HIGH SCHOOL LOST ITS OPENING BOY'S STATE TOURNAMENT BASKETBALL GAME IN DES MOINES, BY QUITE A MARGIN.
AND TUESDAY NIGHT, DEWITT ALSO LOST ITS OPENING GAME BY AROUND 10 POINTS. KMAQ-FM BROADCAST BOTH GAMES.

BILL WEICK, HEAD WRESTLING COACH AT MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL IN THE
MID TO LATE 50'S, HAS BEEN ELECTED AS A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME. I MET HIM AND BELIEVE HIS FINAL YEAR HERE IN MAQUOKETA WAS THE 1958-59 SCHOOL YEAR. YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ABOUT HIM AT www.sportsfeatures.com

CIGARETTE TAXES GO UP $1.00 A PACK IN IOWA. THE RAISE WAS SIGNED INTO LAW THIS MORNING BY GOVERNOR CULVER. IOWA STILL LOW COMPARED TO MANY OTHER STATES.

JACKSON COUNTY'S 2007-2008 BUDGET WAS APPROVED THIS WEEK, FOR
$13.9 MILLION DOLLARS. THERE WILL BE A 25-CENT PER $1,000 ASSESSED VALUATION INCREASE. SUPERVISORS CALL IT A BARE-BONES BUDGET, BUT DOES PROVIDE FOR SOME NEDED UPKEEP ON THE 1959 COURTHOUSE AND EMPLOYEE RAISES.

THE MAQUOKETA 2007-2008 BUDGET WAS ALSO APPROVED THIS WEEK BY THE CITY COUNCIL. IT WILL BE $10.3 MILLION DOLLARS AND THE TAX RATE WILL GO UP FROM $11.61 PER $1,000 ASSESSED VALUATION TO $11,96. IT INCLUDES TAKING $165,588 FROM RESERVES. IT INCLUDES THE RAISE FOR THE CITY MANAGER, WHO EARLIER HAD INDICATED HE WOULD NOT TAKE HIS RAISE IF THE BUDGET COULD NOT BE BALANCED. IT INCLUDES KEEPING THE 11TH POLICE OFFICER.

JACKSON COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY WAS UP TO 5.85 PERCENT, UP FROM 5 PERCENT IN DECEMBER.

MAQUOKETA POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A STOLEN VEHICLE. KIMBERLY STREEPER
SAID HER BROWN 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WS STOLEN FROM THE PARKING LOT AT PACIFIC COAST FEATHER YESTERDAY MORNING. THERE IS A DENT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE B ACK DOOR. THE KEYS HAD BEEN LEFT IN THE VEHICLE.

HAVE A GOOD THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY.

DENNIS VOY

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

SPRING LIKE WEATHER LEAVES US TONIGHT.

MID-AMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY BASKEBALL TEAM MADE IT TO THE FINAL FOUR IN THE DIVISION II TOURNAMENT AT BRANSON AND MONDAY NIGHT, DEFEATED NORTHWESTERN OF ORANGE CITY, 71 TO 61. AND LAST NIGHT, THEY DEFEATED MAYVILLE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA, 78 TO 60 AND WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. THE TEAM IS COACHED BY ROCKY LAMAR, FORMERLY OF MAQUOKETA. HE IS NEARING 500 VICTORIES WTH THE COLLEGE. HIS ASSISTANT IS FORMER MCHS HEAD COACH FOR MANY YEARS, BILL FLEMMING. THE MVP OF THE TOURNAMENT WAS ADAM HEPKER OF MAQUOKETA, SON OF LEIGHTON AND CINDY. HE IS A JUNIOR. HE HAD 21 POINTS EACH OF THE TWO FINAL FOUR GAMES. THE TEAM FINISHED THE SEASON WITH A 36 AND 2
RECORD, AND ALSO FIRST PLACE IN THE NATIONALY POLL FOR DIVISION II.

JAY YEAGER, 44, OF MAQUOKETA, WHO WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK
FOR SPEEDING IN SCOTT COUNTY AND WHEN ARRESTED, RIDING IN HIS CAR WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO HER HIP, WAS KAREN FRANZEN, AGE 39,
HAS NOW BEEN CHARGED WITH KINDNAPPING IN THE FIRST DEGREE, A CLASS A FELONY AND WILFUL INJURY, A CLASS C FELONY. HE REMAINS IN THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL UNDER $1 MILLION DOLLAR BOND.

THE MAQUOKETA SCHOOL BOARD MET LAST NIGHT AND ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF LONG TIME SOPHOMORE BOY'S BASKETBALL COACH, DENNIS STREETS, HE THIS YEAR, RECORDED HIS 500 CARDINAL WIN AND WILL CONTINUE HIS TEACHING DUTIES.
THE BOARD ALSO ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF A TECHER WHO HAS BEEN ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR TWO WEEKS. HE IS MARC MOAD.
MOAD HAS BEEN IMPLICATE IN AN INCIDENT ON FEBRUARY 26TH OUTSIDE THE MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL GYM, AT WHICH TIME HE ALLEGEDLY PULLED A KNIFE ON A STUDENT. THIS WAS HIS FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING IN MAQUOKETA, AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND HAS 14 YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

DENNIS VOY

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

NEW RECORD HIGH OF 73 IN MAQUOKETA TODAY.

NO NEWS REPORT TODAY.

Monday, March 12, 2007

WOW...60 DEGREES IN MAQUOKETA.

A GIRL, BORN WEDNESDAY TO STEPHANIE AND BRIAN SUTTON OF MAQUOKETA. GRANDMOTHER IS MAXINE SUTTON.

A GIRL, BORN FRIDAY, TO BOBBI AND SHAWN GERARDY OF MAQUOKETA.
GRANDPARENTS ARE CONNIE AND MIKE YAROLEM OF MAQUOKETA AND
CLETE AND INES GERARDY OF MAQUOKETA.

LEROY REGENWETHER, 68, OF DELMAR, DIED SUNDAY EVENING.
HE AND HIS WIFE RAN A BED AND BREAKFAST FOR MANY YEARS AT
DELMAR. SERVICES ARE PENDING AT CARSON & SON FUNERAL HOME IN MAQUOKETA.

MAQUOKETA'S 23RD ANNUAL HUGHE INDOOR GARAGE SALE IS THIS SUNDAY AT THE FAIRGROUNDS.
OVER 80 GARAGE SALES UNDER ONE ROOF.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

DENNIS VOY

Friday, March 09, 2007

IT RAINED ALL AFTERNOON. HIGH OF 45. NICE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW AND SUNDAY AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.....FINIALLY.

A MAQUOKETA WOMAN, KAREN FRANZEN, AGE 39, IS IN A DAVENPORT HOSPITAL WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO HER HIP AND IT IS UNCLEAR HOW SHE WAS INJURED. JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF RUSS KETTMANN SAID THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT, BUT HAVE NOT FILED CHARGES CONCERNING THE SHOOTING. JACKSON COUNTY DEPUTY RUSS LONG SAID SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTIES CALLED JACKSON COUNTY AT 9:55 LAST NIGHT. THEY SAID JAY YEAGER, AGE 44, OF MAQUOKETA, WAS DRIVING 100 MPH ON HIGHWAY 61 IN SCOTT COUNTY AND DEPUTIES THERE STOPPED HIS VEHICLE. THEY FOUND FRANZEN IN THE BACK SEAT SUFFERING FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HIP. SHE WAS TAKEN BY PRIVATE VEHICLE TO GENESIS EAST HOSPITAL AND LATER TRANSFERRED TO GENESIS WEST. SHE UNDERWENT SURGERY THIS MORNING AND HER INJURIES ARE NOT CONSIDERED LIFE THREATENING. DEPUTY LONG SAID THEY HAVE NOT DETERMINED WHAT HAPPENED. THE SHOOTING MAY HAVE OCCURED IN JACKSON COUNTY, BUT DEPUTIES ARE NOT CLEAR ON THE SITUATION OR LOCATION. YEAGER APPARENTLY DROVE HIS TRUCK TO HIS FATHER, MERLIN YEAGER'S RESIDENCE IN RURAL MAQUOKETA, AND THEN TOOK HIS FATHER'S VEHICLE WITH FRANZEN IN IT TOWARD SCOTT COUNTY. LONG SAID TWO BULLET HOLES WERE FOUND IN JAY YEARGER'S TRUCK. YEAGER IS N OW IN THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL ON UNRELATED DRUG CHARGES. HE IS BEING HELD ON $1,975 CASH BOND AND THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CALLED IN TO ASSIST WITH THE INVESTIGATION.

THAT'S MY REPORT FOR ANOTHER WEEK. NOTE THE PHOTO
THAT WAS ENTERED HERE EARLIER TODAY...
AND..
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND.'

DENNIS VOY
PLEASE NOTE:

THERE WAS A THURSDAY SHORT REPORT. MAYBE YOU HAVE ALREADY READ IT.

AND THIS MORNING, I PUT UP A PHOTO OF THE NEW ARC ON THIS SITE.
I MADE A MISTAKE ON ITS LOCATION....IT IS ACROSS FROM GOODENOW FIELD, BUT THAT IS IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF MAQUOKETA, NOT
SOUTHWEST.

A SHOOTING LAST NIGHT JUST WEST OF MAQUOKETA. SHOULD HAVE A STORY ON IT LATER TODAY HERE ON MY FRIDAY REPORT.

LITTLE SUNSHINE, SOME RAIN AND HIGH IN MID-40'S TODAY (FRIDAY).

TWO BIG FRIDAY NIGHT FISH FRIES IN MAQUOKETA TONIGHT....AT THE EAGLES CLUB ON EAST PLATT AND THE FFA SUPPER AT THE CAFETERIA AT THE MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL.

DENNIS VOY
A BUSY PLACE....THE CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR THE ARC, GOING UP AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MAQUOKETA, JUST WEST OF GOODENOW FIELD.
THE $6-MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY WILL HAVE A GYMNASIUM AND SWIMMING POOL.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

A RATHER DISAPPOINTING DAY....NOT AS MUCH SUNSHINE AND NOT AS WARM AS FORECAST. DID GET UP TO 39 HOWEVER. BUT, SUN COULD COME OUT AFTER THIS REPORT IS FINISHED.

A MAQUOKETA MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITY WORKER IS IN A CEDAR RAPIDS HOSPITAL AFTER HE FELL FROM A POLE THIS WEEK WHILE WORKING. LYLE FLATNESS IS IN ST. LUKE'S WITH LEG INJURIES.
ACCORDING TO DOUG OWEN, MMEU MANAGER, FLATNESS WAS ON A LIGHT POLE NER BRIDGEPORT AUTO TUESDAY AT THE SOUTH EDGE OF MAQUOKETA, REPAIRING SOME SAGGING LINES. HE HAD HIS SECURITY BELT ON. BUT APPARENTLY THE SPIKES USED TO KEEP HIMSELF ATTACHED TO THE POLE CAME LOOSE, HE FELL BETWEEN 16 AND 18 FEET DOWN THE POLE TO THE GROUND. ANOTHER EMPLOYEE, DANNY CLARK, WAS ON THE GROUND AND CALLED FOR AN AMBULANCE. HE WAS FIRST TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND THEN TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO ST. LUKE'S AND IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO MAQUOKETA IN A FEW DAYS.

A MAQUOKETA MAN, ZAK BRAUER'S FORD TRUCK THAT WAS STOLEN OVER THE WEEKEND HAS BEEN RECOVERED. FOUND ON WESTERN AVENUE IN MAQUOKETA. THE TRUCK WAS NOT DAMGED.

KENDALL CLARK REPORTED THAT HE HIT A DEER LAST NIGHT ON HIGHWAY 64. DAMAGES TO HIS 93 MERCURY ESTIMATED AT $500.

NO DEATHS OR BIRTHS.

NOTHING MORE FOR TODAY.

DENNIS VOY



Wednesday, March 07, 2007

WE WERE PROMISED SUNSHINE TODAY, BUT LITTLE OR NONE.
COLD, HIGH IN MID 30'S.

THE ANDREW BOYS LED THE FIRST 3 QUARTERS AND THEN FELL BEHIND IN THE FINAL MINUTES TO LOOSE THEIR GAME LAST NIGHT TO LONE TREE AND WILL NOT BE GOING TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT. BUMMER!
ANDREW BOYS HAVE NEVER BEEN TO STATE....NEVER.
THE ANDREW GIRLS LOST THEIR STATE GAME MONDAY....ARE HOME NOW....BUT WILL GO BACK TO DES MOINES FOR THE CLOSING GAMES OF THE TOURNAMENT LATER THIS WEEK.

AT THE BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT NEXT WEEK, NORTHEAST OF GOOSE LAKE PLAYS NEXT MONDAY NIGHT AND CENTRAL OF DEWITT PLAYS NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT. WE WILL BE DOING BOTH GAMES ON KMAQ-FM.

NO LOCAL NEWS REPORT TODAY.

SORRY!

TAKE IT EASY.

DENNIS VOY

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

MOSTLY CLOUDY DAY..AND COLDER...HIGH IN 20'S ONLY.

MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS LAST NIGHT AT THEIR MEETING WERE NOT HAPPY THEY HAD TO PAY SOME EXTRA COSTS FOR THE ARC CONSTRUCTION THAT THE ARCHITECT HAD NOT INCLUDED. ONE
BILL WAS FOR $5,303 AND THE OTHER $1,114.
AND OTHER ARC TALK LAST NIGHT. WILL YMCA RUN IT? A CONTRACT WITH YMCA HAS STILL NOT BEEN FINALIZED.
AND, DISCUSSION ON PLEDGES. MAYOR TOM POINTED OUT THAT PLEDGES HAVE NOT BEEN COMING IN TO PAY FOR THE ARC. HE SAID THEY HAVE FALLEN SHORT ON THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS WHICH WOULD BE PAYING OFF THE BONDS. HE ASKED WHO IS COLLETING THE PLEDGED MONEY?
COUNCIL PERSON MARSHA MYERS ALSO AGREED AND NOTED THERE ARE A LOT OF PLEDGES MADE IN 2001 WHICH HAVE HAD NOTHING PAID ON THEM. MEANWHILE, THE 6-7-MILLION DOLLAR ARC IS GOING UP
NEAR THE CEMETERY. PRETTY NICE LOOKING BUILDING, FACING SOUTH.

A TRUCK BELONGING TO ZACHARY BRAUER WAS TAKEN EARLY LAST FRIDAY MORNING FROM THE PARKING LOT AT OBIE'S. THE DOOR WERE NOT LOCKED AND THE KEYS HAD BEEN LEFT IN THE 1997 FORD F250.

SERVICES ARE PENDING AT CARSON'S FOR BARBARA JO GARTMAN, AGE 54, OF MAQUOKETA, WHO DIED OF CANCER THIS MORNING AT BRIARWOOD CARE CENTER.

THE DEWITT BOYS WON LAST NIGHT AND ARE GOING TO THE STATE
TOURNAMENT, COACHED BY GEROGE PICKUP. THE LAST TIME DEWITT WAS THERE WAS IN 1996.

IF ANDREW BOYS WIN TONIGHT, THEY ALSO GO TO STATE.

THANKS FOR THE VISIT.

DENNIS VOY

Monday, March 05, 2007

MUCH NICER WEATHER WEEKEND JUST ENDED AND TODAY, SUNNY AND HIGH IN THE MID 30'S. MAY HIT 50 BEFORE THE WEEK IS OVER.

THE MAQUOKETA BOYS LOST TO DEWITT SATURDAY NIGHT AND ENDED THEIR SEASON. THE DEWITT SABERS NOW PLAY TONIGHT AND IF THEY WIN, THEY GO TO STATE.

THE ANDREW GIRLS LOST THEIR STATE GAME THIS AFTERNOON, 63 TO 38.

THE NORTHEAST OF GOOSE LAKE BOYS ARE GOING TO STATE.

MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT.

MARION CLARK, AGE 92, OF MAQUOKETA DIED SUNDAY, AND EMMA STEINES, AGE 86, OF MAQUOKETA, ALSO DIES SUNDAY AND THE COMPLETED OBITUARIES OF BOTH ARE AT www.carsonandson.com

SERVICES ARE PENDING AT THE LAHEY FUNERAL HOME FOR
CARTER R. MARTIN, AGE 3, THE SON OF GREG AND CAROLYN MARTIN OF MAQUOKETA, WHO DIED YESTERDAY AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS IN IOWA CITY.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

DENNIS VOY

Friday, March 02, 2007

STILL BAD WEATHER IN KMAQ-LAND.
LIGHT SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW ALL DAY. 32 THE HIGH.
TOMMORROW AND SUNDAY, SHOULD BE BETTER, BUT STILL COLD.
WARMER WEATHER COMING MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS IN AREA TODAY.

THE MAQUOKETA-DEWITT GAME HAS AGAIN BEEN POSTPONED....UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7 AT THE YOURD GYM IN CLINTON. WE WILL BROADCAST IT ON KMAQ-FM.
THE BELLEVUE - ANDRW TOURNAMENT GAME HAS AGAIN BEEN POSTPONED UNTI 2 TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND IT WILL BE BROADCAST ON KMAQ-AM. TOMORROW AFTERNOON ON KMAQ-FM, WE WILL HAVE THE ST. LOUIS-FLORIDA EXHIBITION BASEBALL GAME.

A MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN PLACED ON SUSPENSION AFTER ALLEGEDLY PULLING A KNIFE ON A STUDENT AT THE BASKETBALL GAME IN MAQUOKETA THIS PAST MONDAY NIGHT.
KMAQ HAS LEARNED THERE APPARENTLY NO INJURIES TO THE TEACHER OR THE STUDENT. NO INFORMATION ON WHAT PROMPTED THE INCIDENT. SUPT. KIM HUCKSTADT SAID THIS AFTERNOON HE COULD NEITHER CONFIRM OR DENY THAT REPORT. HE DID SAY HE COULD CONFIRM HE WAS DEALING WITH A PERSONNEL MATTER AND THAT IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE AND POSSIBLY ILLEGAL TO SAY ANYTHING FURTHER. THE NANES OF THE TEACHER AND THE STUDENT HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED. THE INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY HAPPENED OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL, NOT IN THE GYM. MAQUOKETA POLICE CHIEF BRAD KORANDA SAID OFFICERS WERE NOT CALLED TO THE INCIDENT MONDAY NIGHT. KORANDA SAID HE HEARD RUMORS BUT HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY CONTACTED. HUCKSTADT SAID HE WOULD NOT COMMENT ON WHY POLICE WERE NOT CALLED MONDAY NIGHT. HUCKSTADT ALSO COULD NOT SAY WHETHER THE ISSUE WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE MAQUOKETA SCHOOL BOARD. AND HE SAID HE IS DOING EVERYTHING WITHIN THE LAW TO DEAL WITH WHAT HE CALLED A DIFFICULT AND SERIOUS MATTER.

THE HEAD OF THE MAQUOKETA WATER AND WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN FIRED BY THE COMPANY THAT MANAGES THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE CITY. CITY MANAGER BRIAN WAGNER SAID HE WAS INFORMED THURSDAY AFTERNOON THAT ROGER KIRBY HAS BEEN FIRED BY ALLIANCE WATER RESOURCES. ALLIANCE IS CONTRACTED BY THE CITY OF MAQUOKETA TO OPERATE THE SYSTEM AND THE CITY HAS NO CONTROL OVER THEIR PERSONNEL. AN OFFICIAL WITH ALLIANCE DECLINED TO SAY WHY KIRBY AS FIRED. WAGNER SAID HE WAS INFORMED THAT ANOTHER EMPLOYEE, GARY LAUGHLIN, HAD BEEN FIRED THE WEEK BEFORE AND HE DOESN'T KNOW IF THE TWO ARE CONNECTED. THE ALLIANCE OFFICIAL TOLD THE CITY MANAGER THAT HE PLANS TO BRING IN TWO EMPLOYEES WHO WILL WORK TEMPORARILY IN MAQUOKETA UNTIL NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED.

PLANS ARE AVAILABLE NOW FOR BIDDERS FOR THE GYM AND CAFETERIA AT THE MAQUOEKETA HIGH SCHOOL WITH BID OPENINGS MARCH 21ST.
GROUNDBREAKING IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 1ST. A LAST MINUTE CHANGE WAS ADDED TO THE PLANS. THE STATE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE NOW SAYS THE AREA MUST HAVE A SPRINKLEY STYSTEM. THIS WILL ADD ANOTHER ESTIMATED $100,000 COST TO THE PROJECT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE.

DENNIS VOY

Thursday, March 01, 2007

NOT MUCH TO REPORT TODAY.

THE WEATHER CONTINUES TO BE THE BIG STORY.

BIG STORM GOING THROUGH IOWA NOW AND TONIGHT.
MAQUOKETA MAY GET MAINLY RAIN.
ALL 99 COUNTIES HAVE NOW BEEN DECLARED A DISASTER AREA, BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE MAQUOKETA-DEWITT GAME HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL
TOMORROW NIGHT AND AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION, THE WESTERN DUBUQUE GYM AT EPWORTH.

FIRE DESTROYED THE DOUG DRURY HOME AT GREEN ISLAND EARLY THIS MORNING. HE AND FOUR OTHERS IN THE HOME ESCAPED IN TIME.
BELLEVUE, MILES AND PRESTON FIREMEN WENT TO FIGHT THE FIRE.

BY THE WAY, MAQUOKETA GOT 13 AND 1/2 INCHS OF SNOW IN FEBRUARY, UP FROM 1 AND 3/4 INCHS LAST FEBRUARY.

THE GOOD NEWS IS.....MARCH IS HERE.
IT HAS TO BE BETTER THAN FEBRUARY WAS.

TAKE CARE.

DENNIS VOY