Friday, March 30, 2012

NO WEATHER-NEWS REPORT TODAY

CHECK TODAY'S PHOTO ENTRIES BELOW
SCOTT WARREN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MAQUOKETA AREA FAMILY YMCA, SAYS....
"AT THE YMCA WE COUNT OUR BLESSING ONE AT A
TIME AND CHERISH EACH AND EVERY ONE! ONCE AGAIN OUR COMMUNITY HAS COME AROUND OUR MISSION, DONATING GENEROUSLY TO ALLOW US TO
EXCEED OUR CAMPAIGN GOAL OF $72,000, RAISING
$77,000. ALL FUNDS GO TO SCHOLARSHIP NEEDY CHILDREN, FAMILIES, SENIORS AND PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY CHALLENGED INDIVIDUALS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM EVERYONE IS WELCOME AT THE YMCA, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY".
IN PHOTO ABOVE, JAN MUNDT (LEFT) AND KATHY BECKER ARE PLACING THE LAST PIECE ON THE FUNDRAISING THERMOMETER.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
THE MAQUOKETA COMMUNITY CUPBOARD IS OPEN EVERY
FRIDAY MORNING.
THE PARKING LOT WAS FULL
WHEN I DROVE PAST IT AROUND 9:30 THIS MORNING.

DENNIS VOY

Thursday, March 29, 2012

60 DEGREES TODAY....MOSTLY SUNNY AND SOME WIND.
RAIN TOMORROW...AND SUNNY AND IN THE 70'S FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

THE MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL WILL TAKE A LOOK AT HIRING ITS OWN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR INSTEAD OF CONTRACTING THOSE SERVICES WITH THE MAQUOKEA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
LAST NIGHT, THE COUNCIL MET AND INSTRUCTED CITY MANAGER BRIAN
WAGNER TO TAKE A LOOK AT HIRING A FULL-TIME DIRECTOR FOR THE JOB.
WHAT PROMPTED THE DISCUSSION WAS STACY DRISCOLL RESIGNING
MONDAY AFTERNOON AS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIRECTOR.
TOM DEVINE, PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER, WAS AT LAST NIGHT'S MEETING
AND SAIKD THAT HE WILL SHORTLY BE NAMED THE NEW CHAMBER DIRECTOR. HE WORKS FULL TIME FOR THE YMCA IN MAQUKETA AND SAID HE
WILL RESIGN FROM THAT POSITION. DRISCOLL WAS ALSO THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PERSON FOR THE COUNTY AND NO DEFINITE WORD YET FROM THE SUPERVISORS AS TO WHAT THE COUNTY WILL DO N OW.

SHORT REPORT TODAY, SORRY.

DENNIS VOY




MAQUOKETA IS BECOMING KNOWN AS AN "ARTS" COMMUNITY! AND THAT INCLUDES
"BARN QUILTING"! SOME EXAMPLES ABOVE OF QUILTS IN THE MAQUOKETA AREA. MANY ON BARNS, BUT ON OTHER BUILDINGS TOO.
PHOTOS BY DENNIS VOY

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

ANOTHER SUNNY AND WINDY DAY. HIGH OF 64.
TOMORROW, SUNNY, LITTLE COOLER AND LESS WIND.
TOMORROW NIGHT AND FRIDAY, RAIN IS FORECAST AND THE WEEKEND SHOULD BE GREAT.

AT LARGE CITY OF MAQUOKETA COUNCILMAN TODD MANG HAS RESIGNED FROM THE COUNCIL. HE WAS APPOINTED THIS PAST JANUARY TO REPLACE DON SCHWENKER WHO WAS ELECTED MAYOR LAST NOVEMBER. MANG SAID HE IS MOVING OUT OF STATE TO FOCUS ON WORK AND FUTURE PROJECTS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME HE HAS SERVED ON THE COUNCIL AND RESIGNED. TWO YEARS AGO HE GOT A JOB OUT OF TOWN THAT INTERFERED WITH THE COUNCIL POSITIION. MANG OWNS T-N'-T CONE SHOW ON EAST PLATT STREET.

A MAQUOKETA MAN, RICHARD ALLEN, AGE 42, WAS IN A ONE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT LAST SATURDAY MORNING ON IOWA 136 IN JONES COUNTY.
HE WAS TAKEN BY CASCADE EMS TO MERCY IN DUBUQUE WITH INCAPACITATING INJURIES. HIS CONDITION IS NOT AVAILABLE. HE WAS GOING NORTH ON THE HIGHWAY, WAS DISTRACTED AND WENT INTO THE DITCH AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. DAMAGE TO HIS RAM TRUCK, $10,000.
HE WAS CHARGED WITH FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL.

THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TONIGHT IN SPECIAL SESSION FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE WINDOW PROJECT FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH
SCHOOL. THE LOW BID, $605,000. THE BOARD IS EXPECTED TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR THE NEW WINDOWS AT BOTH BUILDINGS.

SOMETIME BEFORE 10:30 THIS MORNING, A MAN DIED IN THE 5TH WARD PARK. HIS BODY WAS FOUND ON A SLIDE AT THE PARK. THE NAME HAS NOT BEEN
RELEASED PENDING NOTIFICATION OF NEXT OF KIN. THE CAUSE OF
DEATH WAS NOT SUSPICIOUS.

STARTING THIS WEEKEND, THE HURSTVILLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER WILL BE OPEN WEEKENDS.....NOON UNTIL 5 P.M. SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
WEEKDAYS OPEN FROM 9 AM UNTIL 4 PM. NO ADMISSION. THE OUTDOOR
AREA, INCLUDING TRAILS AND THE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FISHING POND, IS OPEN FROM DAWN UNTIL DARK EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR.
THE ANNUAL SOUP SUPPER AT THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER WILL BE THIS
SUNDAY AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

VICE-PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WAS IN DAVENPORT THIS MORNING AND
MY SON RICK (DAVENPORT POLICE DETECTIVE) TALKED TO HIM.

IT IS REALLY GREEN ALL OVER MAQUOKETA..... AND LAWN MOWING HAS
STARTED.

DENNIS VOY

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

BREEZY...PARTLY SUNNY AND AROUND 70 TODAY. A LITTLE COOLER
TOMORROW.

THE MAQUOKETA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNED AT NOON TODAY
THAT STACY DRISCOLL, CHAMBER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAS RESIGNED.
CURRENT BOARD PRESIDENT TOM DEVINE, A FULLTIME EMPLOYEE AT THE YMCA, WILL SERVE AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY.
NO OTHER DETAILS WERE PROVIDED IN A NEWS RELEASE ISSUED DURING
THE MONTHLY CHAMBER LUNCHEON AT NOON.
SHE ALSO SERVED AS ECONOMIC DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF MAQUOKETA
AND ECONOMIC DIRECTOR FOR JACKSON COUNTY. SHE ANSWERED TO THREE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LEAVES ALL THREE POSITIONS.

THE LONG TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE JACKSON COUNTY SUPERVISORS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT SHE WILL RETIRE JUNE 30TH.
MARTHA GANZER HAS WORKED FOR JACKSON COUNTY FOR OVER 22 YEARS.
THE JOB WILL BE POSTED INTERNALLY AT THE COURT HOUSE AND IF THERE
ARE NO QUALIFIED APPLICANTS, THE SUPERVISORS WILL OPEN UP THE JOB POSITION TO THE PUBLIC.

AN EAST MOLINE MAN WON $10,000 IN A SCRATCH-OFF TICKET HE BOUGHT
IN MAQUOKETA AT CASEY'S ON WESTGATE DRIVE. HE HAD LUNCH IN MAQUOKETA AND STOPPED FOR GAS AT CASEY'S.

THE BIG DELMAR METHODIST FISH FRY IS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AT
GROSSMAN HALL. IT'S A GOOD ONE!

THE ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT SPONSORED BY THE KIWANIS CLUB WILL BE
AT 11 THIS SATURDAY MORNING, BEHIND THE JACKSON COUNTY SENIOR
CENTER, JUST BEFORE THE ENTRANCE TO THE FAIRGROUNDS. FREE FOR BABIES THROUGH AGE 9.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

DENNIS VOY
THE FILL-DIRT IS WHERE
THE "BEER HOLE" WAS AT THE
OLD MAQUOKETA COUNTRY
CLUB GOLF COURSE.
THE DIRT CAME FROM ACROSS
THE ROAD WHERE WEB
PRINTING IS ADDING ON TO THE BACK OF THEIR
BUILDING.
THIS SITE WITH THE FILL WILL
ALSO BE USED FOR A NEW BUILDING, BUT I HAVE NO
DETAILS.
DENNIS VOY
THE NEW SIGN IS UP...
ON THE NEW
DAC BUILDING
ON WEST PLATT STREET...
THE FORMER ALDI'S
FOOD STORE BUILDING.

DENNIS VOY

Monday, March 26, 2012

SOME LIGHT RAIN EARLY THIS MORNING....THEN WINDY, CLOUDY AND COLD
ALL DAY.....IN THE 40'S.
BACK TO THE 70'S TOMORROW.

A MAQUOKETA MAN, BEN BOLINGER, AGE 29, WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE
TO THE HOSPITAL IN MAQUOKETA AFTER HE CRASHED HIS ATV ON THE
CAVES ROAD, AROUND 4 YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. DEPUTY TERRY ROLING
SAID THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO THE 6-B'S
CAMPGROUNDS WHEN BOLINGER WAS JUMPING A PRIVATE DRIVE AND LOST
CONTROL. HE LANDED ON A CEMENT DRIVEWAY. HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN.

TWO VANDALISM ISSUES OVER THE WEEKEND. JANET GIDDINGS REPORTED HER MAILBOX ON 64TH STREET WAS SMASHED SATURDAY MORNING AND
SOMEONE THREW ROCKS THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE OLD JAIL
IN ANDREW.

"THE HUNTER GAMES" WAS A BIG MOVIE NATIONWIDE OVER THE WEEKEND
AND DID WELL HERE IN MAQUOKETA ALSO. OUR BEST NIGHT WAS THE 7 PM
SHOWING FRIDAY NIGHT, WITH 181 IN ATTENDANCE. SELDOM DO WE GET
THAT MANY. THE THEATRE HOLDS JUST OVER 200. I SAW IT AND IT WAS GOOD, BUT NOT REALLY MY FAVORITE TYPE OF MOVIE.

I DIDN'T MAKE THE GLEN MILLER BAND SHOW SATURDAY NIGHT AT OHNWARD
FINE ARTS HERE IN MAQUOKETA, BUT KMAQ'S RUSTY LIETZ DID GO! HE LIKED
THE CONCERT VERY MUCH AND SAID THE ATTENDANCE WAS VERY GOOD.

THE TRACK TEAM FROM MCHS ...TRACK MEET... TODAY AT WESTERN DUBUQUE
HAS BEEN CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER.

VELMA WITT OF MAQUOKETA , JUST MINUTES AGO, WAS OUR KMAQ BINGO WINNER TODAY. SHE HAS NOT WON ON THE SHOW FOR A COUPLE YEARS OR MORE.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

DENNIS VOY
YESTERDAY, A BEAUTIFUL DAY , AND A VISIT TO LAKEHURST DAM ON THE MAQUOKETA RIVER!
SEVERAL WERE FISHING WHEN WE ARRIVED. AND, SINCE I HAD MY CAMERA
ALONG, TOOK A FEW PHOTOS.
THE ELECTRIC GENERATING DAM IS OWNED BY A WISCONSIN FIRM AND
THEY HAVE 3 IN IOWA. MAQUOKETA IS THE LARGEST OF THE 3 AND NEXT IN SIZE, IOWA FALLS AND THE SMALLEST IS AT ANAMOSA. PETE AND JUDY
SCHULTZ OVERSEE ALL THREE AND LIVE IN THE HOME NEXT TO THE
LAKEHURST DAM. THEY CAME DOWN FROM WISCONSIN ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO.
I TALKED TO BOTH. A NICE COUPLE! ALSO A 12 YEAR OLD PONY AND A DOG AND ABOUT A DOZEN GRANDKIDS. AND, I WAS HAPPY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY NOW ALLOW PEOPLE TO WALK ON THE DAM TO THE OTHER SIZE. WHEN
YOU WALK ACROSS, YOU CAN NOT STOP....YOU HAVE TO KEEP WALKING WITHOUT STOPPING TO THE OTHER SIDE AND THE SAME, COMING BACK.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT LAKEHURST DAM, THE PARKING AREA AND THE AREA TO RIGHT IS OWNED BY JOE AND DARLENE COX. THEY HAVE DONE A NICE
JOB OF CLEANING UP THE AREA, AND CLEARING SOME TREES. THEY ARE
IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING ON THE OLD LAKEHURST SUPPER CLUB FOUNDATION. THE SUPPER CLUB BURNED DOWN MANY YEARS AGO. YOU'LL RECALL, RED AND BERNICE HENTON AND FAMILY RAN IT FOR AWHILE. YOU'LL SEE A PHOTO BELOW OF THE BUILDING GOING UP.
THE PHOTOS BELOW......
#1 IS OF THE BACK SIDE OF THE DAM.
#2 THIS ROPED AREA KEEPS BOATS COMING DOWN RIVER FROM GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE DAM.
#3 LOOKING AT THE MAQUOKETA RIVER DOWNSTREAM FROM THE DAM.
#4 GOOD SHOT OF THE DAM FROM THE PARKING AREA WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
#5 AFTER CROSSING THE DAM, LOOKING ACROSS THE RIVER TO THE PARKING
AREA.
#6 THIS IS PHOTO OF THE FOUNDATION FROM THE VERY FIRST DANCE HALL
THAT WAS THERE AND A VERY POPULAR PLACE. IT BURNED DOWN! IT
STOOD WHERE YOU PARK NOW. I THINK LAWRENCE WELK'S BAND MIGHT
HAVE PLAYED THERE. THE AMERICAN LEGION BUILDT A SECOND DANCE HALL ABOUT A HUNDRED YARDS TO THE SOUTH AND IT EVENTUALLY WAS SOLD BY THE LEGION AND WAS RENAMED THE LAKEHURST SUPPER CLUB. AS I MENTIONED, IT TOO BURNED DOWN.
#7 HERE YOU CAN SEE THE NEW BUILDING JOE AND DARLENE ARE PUTTING
UP ON THE FORMER FOUNDATION OF THE LAKEHURST SUPPER CLUB.
#8 ANOTHER GOOD SHOT OF THE DAM.
#9 LOOKING ACROSS ONE END OF THE DAM, FROM THE OTHER SIDE, LOOKING
TOWARD THE CARETAKER'S HOME.
#10 ANOTHER PHOTO OF THE RIVER AND THE OTHER SIDE. UP ON THE CLIFF
FROM THERE, A NICE NEW HOME WAS BUILDT LESS THAN 10 YEARS AGO AND IT OVERLOOKS THE LAKEHURST DAM AND RIVER. THE OWNER GETS TO IT
FROM THE CAVES ROAD.
NEXT TIME YOU VISIT MAQUOKETA....TAKE SOME TIME TO VISIT LAKEHURST
DAM.
DENNIS VOY








Friday, March 23, 2012

FOGGY THIS MORNING....PARTLY SUNNY THIS AFTERNOON....LOW 70'S....POSSIBLY A LITTLE RAIN LATER TODAY AND THEN A NICE WEEKEND COMING UP.

AT A SPECIAL MEETING LAST NIGHT, THE MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL AGREED NOT TO REPLACE THE BULBS ON PLEASANT STREET (HISTORIC DISTRICT) WITH THE WHITE ENERGY EFFICIENT BULBS. NEW BULBS WERE PUT IN TWO FIXTURES SO PEOPLE COULD SEE HOW THEY LOOKED AFTER DARK.
RESIDENTS IN THE AREA SAID THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE "LOOK" AND THE BULB
DIDN'T FILL UP THE TOP PART OF THE GLOBE. I AGREE....I DROVE DOWN THE STREET....AND WHILE THE OLD BULBS "GLOW'....THE NEW ONES ARE "COLD" IN COMPARISON....NO "GLOW".
THE CITY COUNCIL IS PLANNING TO ADD SOLAR LIGHTING FOR THE "MAQUOKETA" SIGNS AT THE FOUR ENTRANCES TO MAQUOKETA. THEY ARE SEEKING A GRANT TO HELP DO PART OF THIS PROJECT.

AN ACCIDENT LAST NIGHT AROUND 11:20 ON HIGHWAY 64 EAST OF MAQUOKETA.
RONALD STOLL, AGE 54, WAS DRIVING NORTH ONF 254TH AVENUE AND FAILED TO STOP AT THE INTERSECTION WITH HIGHWAY 64. THE CHEVY CAR WENT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND INTO THE DITCH AND HIT A FENCE. NO INJURIES.
DAMAGES LISTED $4,000 TO THE CAR AND $150 TO THE FENCE OWNED BY
SUSAN WALSH OF MAQUOKETA. STOLL WAS CHARGED WITH DRUNK DRIVING.

THE BIG, ANNUAL, IKE'S FISH FRY DINNER IS TOMORROW FROM 11 'TIL 6 AT THE
IKE'S CLUBHOUSE AT SOUTH EDGE OF MAQUOKETA.

MAQUOKETA WILL BE 175 YEARS OLD NEXT YEAR. THERE WILL BE A PARTY!

THE FIRST STOCK CAR RACES OF THE SEASON, IN MAQUOKETA, WILL BE
ON SATURDAY NIGHT, APRIL 6TH, AT THE FAIRGROUNDS.

IT IS SPRING CLEAN-UP TIME AT MT. HOPE CEMETERY! CHARLIE DIETZ,
HEAD OF THE CEMETERY BOARD FOR MANY YEARS, IS ASKING RESIDENTS
TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS, PICKING UP
STICKS AND BRANCHES AND PUTTING THEM ALONG CEMETERY ROADS FOR PICK UP BY THE CARETAKER.
ALSO, REMOVE YOUR DECORATIONS BY APRIL 15TH. LATER, YOU CAN
RETURN THEM AFTER THE CLEAN-UP IS FINISHED.

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND!

DENNIS VOY
ELENA LANZ AT LEFT IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MAQUOKETA PUBLIC LIBRARY. I TOOK THIS PHOTO
EARLIER THIS WEEK JUST BEFORE SHE WAS INTERVIEWED ON KMAQ'S "JUST TALK" SHOW. ELENA GOT HER B.A. FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND AFTER A LONG CAREER AS A HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE IN LA AND CHICAGO, SHE MOVED TO
SHREVEPORT TO WORK AT THE SHREVE MEMORIAL LIBRARY.
THEN MOVED A YEAR LATER TO FLORIDA AND MORE WORK IN LIBRARY SYSTEMS. ELENA AND HER HUSBAND
DECIDED LAST YEAR TO MOVE CLOSER TO HIS AGING PARENTS IN EASTERN
IOWA, AND SO HERE SHE IS, IN MAQUOKETA. SHE IS AN AVID READER OF OF LITERARY FICTION...ENJOYS HAWAIIAN QUILTING...WRITING...AND BOOK REPAIR. SHE HAS SOME NEW THINGS TO START AT THE MAQUOKETA LIBRARY,
INCLUDING A WEEKLY SUMMER MOVIE FOR KIDS. ON FRIDAY, MARCH 30TH,
IN THE ROTUNDA OF THE MAQUOKETA PUBLIC LIBRARY, THE PUBLIC IS
INVITED TO A "MEET AND GREET" RECEPTION HONORING ELENA.
FROM 4 UNTIL 6 P.M. PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR.
DENNIS VOY

Thursday, March 22, 2012

STRANGE DAY TODAY....SOME SUNSHINE....ON AND OFF RAIN...MOSTLY CLOUDY....
VERY LITTLE RAIN...AND HIGH OF 72.

THREE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON COUNTY.
THE BOARD AWARDED $9,000 TO THREE GROUPS.
FRIENDS OF JACKSON COUNTY LIBRARIES GOT $5,000.
HURSTVILLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER, $3,500
AND
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE, $500.
THERE WERE 21 APPLICATIONS SEEKING MORE THAN $200,000.
TOM BREUCH, BOARD PRESIDENT, SAID THE ECONOMY IS HAVING A FINANCIAL IMPACT ON ORGANIZATIONS. SOME ORGANIZATIONS ARE SEEKING FUNDS FOR OPERATING EXPENSES, WHICH THE FOUNDATION DOES NOT FUND.
HE SAID BOARD MEMBERS MAKE THEIR DECISION BASED ON THE NUMBERS
IMPACTED IN JACKSON COUNTY BY A PROJECT OR INITIATIVE, SELF SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROJECT AND LENGTH OF TIME A PROJECT WILL TAKE PLACE. THE NEXT GRANT DEADLINE IS JUNE 1ST.

THE GLEN MILLER ORCHESTRA PLAYS AT THE OHNWARD FINE ARTS CENTER
THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7. ADVANCE TICKETS ARE $25 AND AT THE DOOR
THEY WILL BE $30.00.

YOU MAY RECALL THAT ONE OF THEIR HITS WAS A TELEPHONE NUMBER.

DON'T FORGET....EVERY FRIDAY THE KMAQ "JUST TALK" SHOW, FROM 9:05 UNTIL 10 A.M.....TAKES PHONE CALLS FROM LISTENERS ON A VARIETY OF
SUBJECTS. AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE SHOW ON YOUR COMPUTER OR LAPTOP. JUST GO TO www.kmaq.com AND CLICK-ON THE LISTEN BUTTON.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD FRIDAY.

DENNIS VOY
I STOPPED IN AT BANOWETZ ANTIQUE MALL TODAY AND CHECKED OUT THE NEW STORE.....SMALLER, BUT STILL LARGE AND VERY NICE.
SHOWN HERE, OWNERS VERL AND KATHY BANOWETZ IN JUST ONE AREA OF THE STORE.
THEY ARE HAPPY THE WAY IT TURNED OUT AND WILL HAVE A RE-GRAND OPENING EVENT SOON.
BUT DON'T WAIT....PAY A VISIT SOON....RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEIR
FORMER LOCATION WHICH THEY SOLD AND WHICH IS FOR SALE AGAIN BY
THE NEW OWNER. KATHY AND VERL ALSO HAVE A LOT OF ANTIQUES
AT THE ORIGINAL LOCATION BEHIND THEIR HOUSE, NOT VERY FAR NORTH OF MAQUOKETA, OFF HIGHWAY 61 AND OFF THE CAVES ROAD. BANOWETZ
ANTIQUES HAS BEEN ONE OF IOWA'S MOST POPULAR STORES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
AND KATHY AND VERL ALSO STILL OWN AND MANAGE ONE OF IOWA'S NICEST
"BED AND BREAKFAST" HOMES.....SQUIRES MANOR.....IN MAQUOKETA.
CLICK-ON THE ABOVE PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT.
DENNIS VOY




MAQUOKETA IS GETTING COLORFUL.....EARLY!
I TOOK THESE PHOTOS YESTERDAY.
CLICK-ON EACH PHOTO TO ENLARGE AND ENJOY IT.
DENNIS VOY

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

80 TODAY
1 DEGREE SHORT OF THE RECORD
COOLER AND RAIN TOMORROW
WEEKEND LOOKING PRETTY GOOD

NO MAQUOKETA "BIG NEWS" TODAY

DENNIS VOY
THE KMAQ FAMOUS FEMALES-HALF DOZEN! THE STAFF HAD A PIZZA PARTY BIRTHDAY PARTY AT NOON TODAY TO CELEBRATE DOTTIE BAYLES 70TH. DOTTIE, SEATED, TREATED! PHOTE TAKEN OUTSIDE OF KMAQ AND A REFLECTION OF THE DECKER HOTEL IN THE WINDOW. STANDING, LEFT TO RIGHT: THERESA CELENTANO (RECEPTIONIST/BOOKKEEPER).....ROXANNE
CLAUSING (SALES).....LOIS FISCHER (SALES)....SHERI MELVOLD (NEWS DIRECTOR)....AND ASHLEY STARR (ANNOUNCER).
DOTTIE HAS BEEN WITH KMAQ IN SALES FOR 35 YEARS. SHE STARTS HER
36TH YEAR IN SEPTEMBER. STATION MANAGER LEIGHTON HEPKER IS THE LONGEST EMPLOYEE, STARTING IN 1975. AND OF COURSE, THIS IS MY 54TH
YEAR AT KMAQ. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOTTIE. THE PIZZA WAS ALSO ENJOYED BY LEIGHTON, JIMMY SAUNDERS, JACK JONES AND ME.
RUSTY LIETZ (UNDER THE WEATHER)TOMMY MESSERLI (WORKING ELSEWHERE TODAY) AND MARY ROSE RICKERTSEN...WERE MISSING FROM THE PARTY. JIMMY, RUSTY AND MARY ROSE ARE ANNOUNCERS, JACK JONES (MANAGER OF VOY THEATRES) WAS A GUEST TODAY) AND TOMMY IS OUR ENGINEER AND SATURDAY MORNING ANNOUNCER ON FM.
DENNIS VOY

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

ANOTHER WINDY, SUNNY, 80-DEGREE DAY! WE BROKE THE 1921 RECORD OF 77.
MORE NEEDED RAIN IS STILL IN THE FORECAST FOR REST OF THE WEEK ...AND...
COOLER WEATHER. FRIDAY FOR INSTANCE, THE HIGH WILL ONLY BE
IN THE 60'S.

THE MCHS PROM WILL BE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 21ST.
AND AGAIN THIS YEAR, THE MAQUOKETA KIWANIS CLUB WILL PUT ON THE
AFTER-PROM PARTY....AT TIMBER LANES. THE MAIN ENTERTAINMENT, AT 2:30 A.M. WILL BE DR. JIM WAND, HYPNOTIST AND THERE WILL ALSO BE BLACK JACK AND TEXAS HOLD-EM AND FOOD AND DRINKS AND MANY DOOR PRIZES.
LAST YEAR, AROUND 175 ATTENDED AND THIS YEAR, THERE ARE 300 THAT COULD ATTEND. HELP THE KIWANIS WITH A CASH DONATION. SEND CHECK TO DIANE HENRY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, 600 WASHINGTON STREET, MAQUOKETA.

THE NEW GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING PROJECT AT BRIGGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL GET STARTED SOON. THE CONTRACT WAS
AWARDED LAST NIGHT. THE LOW BID WAS $1.458 MILLION, LESS THAN
THE ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $2 MILLION. THE WINNING BID WENT
TO PORTZEN CONSTRUCTION IN DUBUQUE. A SLIGHTLY HIGHER BID
OF $1.470 MILLION WAS BY SHEETS DESIGN BUILDING OF MAQUOKETA.
BY LAW, THE DISTRICT HAS TO TAKE THE LOWEST BID. THE CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE PROJECT COMPLETED BY AUGUST 3RD. THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX WILL PAY FOR THE PROJECT AND THEN AFTER, BRIGG'S HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING BILLS WILL BE A LOT LESS THAN THOSE USING THE OLD SYSTEM.

THE JACKSON COUNTY FAIR WILL BE CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE HOME ECONOMICS OPEN CLASS DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR.
IN 1982, THE FIRST OPEN CLASS WAS ORGANIZED BY BEVERLY BERNA,
THE HOMNE ECONOMIST FOR JACKSON COUNTY EXTENSION AND CAROL RASK, THE FAIR BOARD PRESIDENT AT THE TIME. TO HONOR THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY, A SPECIAL CLASS HAS BEEN CREATED. THE TITLE IS "30 SOMETHING" ANNIVERSARY DESIGN. ENTRIES MUST CONTAIN 30 OR MOR LIKE PIECES OR ARTICLES.
EXAMPLE: 30 OR MORE CARDS, SUCH AS POST CARDS, PLAYING CARDS, OR
GREETING CARDS. ANYONE MAY ENTER ONE OF TWO CLASSES....15 AND YOUNGER OR 16 AND OLDER. ENTRY FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE
STARTING AROUND JUNE 1ST.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

DENNIS VOY



OVER THE COURSE OF 10 MONTHS, THEIR BILLS AND FEET HAVE CHANGED FROM PINK TO BLACK AND THEY GAINED NEARLY 23 POUNDS. NOW, THESE
SIX CYGNETS (YOUNG SWANS) RAISED BY FRED AND FREDRICKA AT THE
HURSTVILLE INTERPRETIVE CENTER (JUST NORTH OF MAQUOKETA) AS PART OF THE IOWA TRUMPETER SWAN REINTRODUCTION PROGRAM, ARE READY TO BE ON THEIR OWN.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO WATCH THE RELEASE OF TWO OF THE CYGNETS AT GREEN ISLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE TUESDAY, APRIL 3RD AT 5 P.M. THEY WILL BE
RELEASED FROM THE FISH LAKE ROAD PARKING LOT.
PRIOR TO BEING RELEASED, THE TWO CYGNET WILL VISIT AREA SCHOOLS AND
STUDENTS WILL LEARN ABOUT THE SWANS' HABITAT NEEDS, WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT AND CLEAN WATER RESOURCES. ANN BURNS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR JACKSON COUNTY CONSERVATION WAYS THE KIDS REALLY LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE YOUNG SWANS UP CLOSE.
SWAN SPONSORS THIS PAST YEAR WERE DAVID AND BETH SYBESMA.
CYGNET SPONSORS WERE: THE CASCADE 2ND GRADERS....CHRIS AND CONNIE DOMEYER....KEATON OBERBROCKLING....SAGEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL....
BETHANY SHEIFELBEIN AND MATT BURNS....SUSAN AND JEFF SIEMS....AND
FRANK AND BARB STRATHMAN. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A SPONSOR NEXT YEAR, CALL THE CONSERVATION OFFICE AT HURSTVILLE
INTERPRETIVE CENTER, 563-652-3783.
DENNIS VOY
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Monday, March 19, 2012

THE RECORD HIGH ON THIS DAY WAS 77 IN 1921.
TODAY WE HAD A HIGH OF 76.
FIRST DAY IN NEARLY A WEEK WE DID NOT BREAK THE RECORD.
WE DID HAVE A NICE LITTLE RAIN THIS MORNING....BUT WE NEED A LOT
MORE AND MORE IS IN FORECAST FOR THIS WEEK.

THE MAQUOKETA SCHOOL BOARD HAS A SPECIAL MEETING AT 5:30 TODAY FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BRIGGS THERMAL PROJECT. THE BIDS CAME IN UNDER BUDGET. THE BOARD MAY AWARD THE CONTRACT TODAY.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA, AN UPDATE ON THE WELDING ADDITION AT THE HIGH
SCHOOL.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT AT 7.
ON THE AGENDA...
PROPOSED ATV ROUTES IN MAQUOKETA THIS SUMMER.....AND
JOHN WELLS IS ON THE AGENDA TO TALK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S "TORQUEFEST".
AND THE COUNCIL WILL TALK ABOUT LIGHTS IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT
ON WEST PLEASANT STREET.

THE MAQUOKETA KIWANIS ANNOUNCED THAT THEIR ANNUAL
CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT AND AUCTION THIS YEAR WILL BE ON MAY 22ND AT THE MAQUOKETA COUNTRY CLUB. AGAIN THIS YEAR, BOB GAVIN IS IN CHARGE. ANY QUESTIONS? HIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS: bgavin@maquoketasb.com

BOTH MAQUOKETA GOLF COURSES ARE OPEN!

BARGES ARE GOING THROUGH THE LOCK AND DAM AT BELLEVUE.

THE GRASS IS STARTING TO GET GREEN IN MAQUOKETA.

TOMORROW IS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING.

THE 61 DRIVE-IN WILL OPEN FOR THE SEASON FRIDAY THE 13TH OF APRIL.

BUT...THERE CAN STILL BE A BIG SNOW STORM AHEAD.....IT HAS HAPPENED
MANY TIMES BEFORE.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

DENNIS VOY
HAVE YOU CHECKED ROBERT CHRISTENSEN'S WEB SITE LATELY?
HE ADS NEW PHOTOS EVERY WEEK!
www.listjacksoncountyia.com

DENNIS VOY

GOT THIS FROM PAM CRAWFORD OVER THE WEEKEND.
INSTEAD OF RE-WRITING IT, DECIDED TO
JUST MOVE IT DIRECT TO HERE.
CLICK-ON-IT TO ENLARGE IT FOR EASIER READING.

DENNIS VOY

Friday, March 16, 2012

FOR THE 3RD DAY IN A ROW, A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE IN
MAQUOKETA.
COULD HAPPEN AGAIN TOMORROW, AS THE FORECAST IS FOR 80 DEGREES
TOMORROW.

THE STATE FIRE MARSHALL ISSUED A "BURNING BAN " FOR JACKSON COUNTY TODAY, EFFECTIVE AT NOON. IT IS DRY OUT THERE.

THE MAQUOKETA PD RECENTLY CONDUCTED A CHECK OF AREA BUSINESS PLACES THAT SELL TOBACCO PRODUCTS. THE STATE MANDATES THAT PERIODIC CHECKS BE DONE. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SENT AN UNDERAGE YOUTH INTO AN ESTABLISHMENT TO BUY CIGARETTES. AS A RESULT OF THE CHECK, FOUR MAQUOKETA RESIDENTS WHO WORK IN MAQUOKETA BUSINESSES THAT SELL CIGARETTES WERE CHARGED
WITH AN EMPLOYEE PROVIDING TOBACCO TO A MINOR.
CHARGED:----- ABBY BOLLINGER, AGE 24, WORKING AT KJ'S....ADRIAN MORALES, AGE 28, WORKING AT SPAIN OIL....NORMA LAFRENZ, AGE 47, WORKING AT B & C LIQUOR AND VERL HOWELL, AGE 65, WORKING AT LEN'S BP.

THE DISTRICT 8 ALL DISTRICT BOWLING TEAMS FOR THE JUST CONCLUDED
HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING SEASON WERE ANNOUNCED RECENTLY.
FOR THE GIRLS, SOPHOMORE KAISEE SCHNOOR OF MAQUOKETA WAS NAMED TO THE FIRST ALL-DISTRICT TEAM. SOPHOMORE KENDRA SHAW
OF MAQUOKETA WAS NAMED HONORABLE MENTION.
FOR THE BOYS, MAQUOKETA SENIOR NICK CLASEN WAS NAMED TO THE
FIRST ALL-DISTRICT TEAM AND SOPHOMORE LUKE QUINLAN OF MAQUOKETA WAS NAMED TO THE SECOND ALL-DISTRICT TEAM. SENIOR BRENT PAULSEN
OF MAQUOKETA WAS NAMED HONORABLE MENTION.
THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING TEAMS AT MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL. LOUIE CLASEN, OWNER OF TIMBER LANES, WAS THE
BOWLING COACH.

THE CIRCUS IS IN MAQUOKETA TONIGHT IN THE PEARSON CENTER AT THE
FAIRGROUNDS, SPONSORED BY THE MAQUOKETA ROTARY CLUB.

AND THE MAQUOKETA FFA FISH FRY IS TONIGHT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

AND BASKETBALL FANS ARE HAPPY THAT BOTH THE IOWA HAWKEYE MEN
AND IOWA STATE CYCLONES MEN WON THEIR OPENING TOURNAMENT
GAME THIS WEEK AND PLAY AGAIN THIS WEEKEND. IOWA IN THE NIT
TOURNAMENT AND IOWA STATE IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY
THIS SIGN WENT UP TODAY ON THE EMPTY LOT
WHERE THE BIG FIRE WAS IN DOWNTOWN MAQUOKETA.
PHOTO BY:
ROBERT CHRISTENSEN

Thursday, March 15, 2012

YESTERDAY, THE HIGH IN MAQUOKETA WAS 76 AND IT BROKE THE RECORD
OF 72 IN 1995.

TODAY, THE HIGH WAS 79 IN MAQUOKETA AND IT BROKE THE RECORD
OF 71 IN 1935.

TOMORROW, WE EXPECT ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING HIGH IN THE
UPPER 70'S.

AND 70 PLUS WEATHER IS FORECAST INTO NEXT WEEK.

WE ARE GETTING NEW AIR-CONDITIONING HERE AND IT IS ON ORDER.
NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD NEED ANY THIS EARLY......THE FRONT AND
BACK DOOR IS OPEN AND NOT TOO BAD.

A STEER GOT LOOSE FROM ITS PEN THIS MORNING AT THE NFO LIVESTOCK
LOCATION ON PERSHING ROAD.
IT WAS CHARGING ANYONE WHO CAME NEAR IT.
IT WAS OWNED BY JOE IMMELL AND HE SHOT THE ANIMAL WITH HIS
OWN GUN.

THE COURTROOM AT THE COURT HOUSE WILL BE COMPLETELY RE-DONE DURING TWO WEEKS IN JULY.
NEW CEILING, CARPET, DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION TABLES, SEATS
FOR THE PUBLIC AND IT WILL BE PAINTED OF COURSE.
THE OLD COURTROOM NEEDS A NEW LOOK. I WAS IN IT LAST MONTH ON JURY DUTY.

HAD A PROBLEM YESTERDAY ON THE KMAQ TRIP TO CHICAGO.....FOLLOWING
A COFFEE STOP ON THE WAY, THE BUS WOULDN'T START UP AGAIN.
90 MINUTES LATER...THEY GOT IT GOING AGAIN AND WE WERE ON THE WAY.
SO, WE STAYED AN HOUR LONGER. CHICAGO (AND NAVY PIER) WAS BUSY
BECAUSE OF THE NICE WEATHER. I TRUST EVERYONE, DESPITE THE DELAY,
HAD A GOOD TIME. I THINK THEY DID. FIRST TIME A BUS HAS CAUSED
A DELAY LIKE THAT.
NOW WE KNOW IT CAN HAPPEN.

ENJOY THE WEATHER.

CHECK BACK TOMORROW.

THANKS!

DENNIS VOY

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

68 DEGREES TODAY....BEAUTIFUL DAY IN MAQUOKETA.
TOMORROW, SUNNY AND 77.

NO NEWS REPORT TODAY.

AND...SINCE I WILL BE IN CHICAGO TOMORROW WITH A KMAQ TRAVEL
BUS TO THE FLOWER SHOP....NO DAILY REPORT TOMORROW.

DENNIS VOY

Monday, March 12, 2012

SUNNY, BREEZY AND 58 HIGH TODAY.
TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 70'S THE REST OF THE WEEK AND THE
WEEKEND.

THE NEW LEAD PASTOR AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MAQUOKETA
IS ERICK SWANSON, WHO WILL LEAVE TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH IN BURLINGTON TO COME TO MAQUOKETA. HE WILL START AROUND JUNE 1ST AND IS THE REPLACEMENT FOR PASTOR GERALD GJERDE WHO RETIRED IN
JANUARY OF 2011. PASTOR JUDY HEINRICH WILL REMAIN AT FIRST LUTHERAN
AS ASSOCIATE PASTOR.

OVER 500 ATTENDED THE "DANCING WITH THE CARDS" EVENT SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, SPONSORED BY THE MAQUOKETA ATHLETIC
BOOSTER CLUB. ABOUT $3,000 WAS RAISED. FIRST PLACE WAS WON
BY ASHLEY WING AND HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR JAKE HOPSON. WING IS
THE SECRETARY AT CARDINAL SCHOOL.
SECOND PLACE WENT TO CHANCE JENKINS AND HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE
ASHLEY BECKER.
BRIELLE REICKS AND HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PERRY HAWKS TOOK HOME
THE THIRD PLACE TROPHY.
THE PEOPLE CHOICE AWARD WENT TO THE FATHER-DAUGHTER TEAM OF
CHRIS AND TESS NISSEN.
MISS IOWA, JESSICA PRAY WAS A SPECIAL GUEST AND SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND A SONG AT INTERMISSION. RON BURNETT OF BURNETT-THIEL FORD IN MAQUOKETA PRESENTED THE BOOSTERS WITH A CHECK FOR $6,000....THE MONEY RAISED LAST FALL IN THE FORD "DRIVE-ONE FOR YOUR SCHOOL EVENT".

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK ENJOYING THE LATE-WINTER SPRING-WEATHER.

DENNIS VOY
PICTURED ABOVE, MAQUOKETA YMCA MARLIN SWIMMERS THAT DID WELL
AT THE IOWA STATE SWIM MEET HELD EARLIER THIS MONTH AT MARSHALLTOWN. NO ONE TOOK A FIRST, BUT ALL SHINED AT THE MEET.
BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: CASEY NELSON...MATT KEITEL AND GARRETT PETTYJOHN...
AND...
FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: ROBBIE WARREN...
SHELBY PETTYJOHN AND BEN DAVISON.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MAQUOKETA'S STATE QUALIFIER SWIMMERS!
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
DENNIS VOY

Friday, March 09, 2012

SUNNY BUT STILL COOL TODAY AND LESS WIND.
WARMER WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND AND TEMPERATURES IN THE 70'S ARE FORECAST FOR NEXT WEEK.

THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVED A NEW VETERANS
AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER FOR JACKSON COUNTY TO REPLACE RETIRING
LARRY BRAMER. MARION "JUNIOR" MILLER, RETIRED EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL
DISTRICT PRINCIPAL, WILL BEGIN HIS DUTIES ON APRIL 16TH. HE AND BRAMER WILL ATTEND THE SPRING SCHOOL IN APRIL.

BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WILL CONVENE THE COUNTY CONVENTIONS TOMORROW.
THE DEMOCRATS WILL MEET AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE MAQUOKETA COMMUNITY
CENTER ...
AND ...
THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION WILL START AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE CLINTON ENGINES MUSEUM. IOWA GOP CHAIRMAN A. J. SPIKER WILL BE IN
MAQUOKETA SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE CONVENTION.

THE MAQUOKETA FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO A GRASS FIRE THIS MORNING AT 6535 - 80TH ST.
FIREMEN WENT TO THE GARY BEEDLE PROPERTY WHERE THE GRASS FIRE
HAD SPREAD TO A WOOD PILE. FIREMEN WERE THERE FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES.

KMAQ RADIO, WITH THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS RADIO NETWORK FOR THE 28TH SEASON, WILL BROADCAST THE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY EXHIBITION GAMES
THIS WEEKEND. TOMORROW AGAINST THE FLORIDA MARLINS AND SUNDAY AGAINST THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS. BROADCAST TIME BOTH DAYS WILL
BE AT 11:45 A.M.
ST. LOUIS CARDINAL GAMES WILL NOT BE BROADCAST ON OUR WEB SITE.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY
THE MAQUOKETA COMMUNITY CENTER
NEW LOOK IS HAPPENING!
NEXT TO PHOTO BELOW OF CALE GENT,
I MENTIONED THAT 4-H AND CLUB
HOPE KIDS TURNED PAINTERS AT THE
CENTER.
NOW, I HAVE LEARNED THAT 7 LOCAL
GIRL SCOUTS ALSO JOINED-IN WITH
THEIR BRUSH.
SHOWN HERE, GIRL SCOUT HALEY
KLEMME.
A GOOD START TODAY TO A MUCH NEEDED
PROJECT!
THANKS TO...
4-H
CLUB HOPE
AND
GIRL SCOUTS
DENNIS VOY
CALE GENT WITH JACKSON COUNTY 4-H
IS SHOWN PAINTING THE WALLS AT THE
MAQUOKETA COMMUNITY CENTER.
OVER 30 VOLUNTEERS FROM 4-H AND
CLUB HOPE PAINTED ALL THE WALLS.
THE CITY OWNS THE BUILDING AND
IS PROVIDING FUNDS TO RE-DECORATE
THE CENTER, WITH PAINT, FLOOR COVERING, CEILING IMPROVEMENTS
AND MORE. A GOOD START THIS WEEK!
DENNIS VOY

Thursday, March 08, 2012

SUNNY, WINDY AND COLD TODAY....HIGH OF 41.

NEXT 60 DAY WON'T BE UNTIL MONDAY.

THE JACKSON COUNTY SUPERVISORS THIS WEEK DECIDED NOT TO REPAIR
THE GREEN ISLAND LEVEE. THE JULY FLOOD FLOOD TWO YEARS AGO CAUSED
TWO BREAKS IN THE LEVEE AND TO REPAIR IT, WOULD COST AROUND $70,000.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS OFFERED A PROGRAM TO PUT THE LAND IN A PERMANENT EASEMENT FOR WETLANDS WITH NO CROPS PLANTED. NEARLY ALL OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE OFFER. THERE ARE NO HOMES WHICH WOULD BE EFFECTED WHEN THE AREA FLOODS AGAIN.

THE CITY COUNCIL PASSED THE NEW BUDGET THIS WEEK AND IT CALLS
FOR A TAX INCREASE OF 40 CENTS PER $1,000 ASSESSED VALUATION TO
TO PAY FOR A MANDATED CONTRIBUTION TO THE STATE POLICE PENSION
FUND.

THE COUNCIL ALSO DECIDED THIS WEEK TO SET UP A PAINT AND SIDING
PROGRAM THAT WOULD PAY A HOMEOWNER, THAT LIVED IN HIS OR HER HOME,
UP TO $250 FOR PAINT OR SIDING. THE COUNCIL HAS ALLOCATED $2,000
TO BE USED FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. SO, 8 PEOPLE WILL GET HELP AT THEIR HOME THIS YEAR, WHICH MUST SHOW A NEED FOR PAINT OR SIDING.

DAISY CLASEN, 94, OF LAMOTTE, DIED YESTERDAY AND THE FUNERAL WILL
BE AT 10:30 SATURDAY AT HACHMANN FUNERAL HOME IN BELLEVUE.
HE IS SURVIVED BY 3 SONS AND 2 DAUGHTERS, INCLUDING ANITA WATTERS OF MAQUOKETA.

IN SPORTS, AT THE IOWA HIGH SCHOOL BOY'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, THERE WILL BE MORE "HALL OF FAME" INDUCTEES,
INCLUDING MARK MOHL, WHO PLAYED FOR LOST NATION HIGH SCHOOL,
CLASS OF 1983. HIS PARENTS, GARY AND ALICE MOHL LIVE IN MAQUOKETA.

IOWA WON THEIR BIG 10 TOURNAMENT GAME TODAY AND HOPEFULLY IOWA STATE WILL WIN TONIGHT IN THE BIG 12 TOURNAMENT.

DENNIS VOY

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

HERE ... TODAY...62 AT KMAQ.....NO SUNSHINE AND PLENTY WIND.
YESTERDAY, 64.
TOMORROW, DOWN TO THE 40'S.

THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVED NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN TAXES.
THE SUPERVISORS SAID YESTERDAY MORNING AT THEIR MEETING THAT TAXES RESIDENTS PAY MAY GO UP BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN ASSESSMENTS, BUT
NOT BECAUSE OF A TAX LEVY INCREASE.

ON THE POLICE BLOTTER:
JEFF DOYLE OF MAQUOKETA TOLD POLICE MONDAY THAT A GUITAR WAS STOLEN FROM HIS HOUSE TRAILER AT THE WOODLAND NORTH TRAILER COURT
ON NORTH MATTESON STREET.
AND JUDY ZISMER ON SOUTH 2ND STREET REPORTED THAT A FENCE ON
HER PROPERTY HAD BEEN DAMAGED.

THE MAQUOKETA "Y" ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THEY HAVE REACHED $60,000
OF THEIR GOAL OF $72,000.....SO FAR.....TOWARD THEIR "PARTNER WITH YOUTH AND KIDS TO CAMP" CAMPAIGN. THE MONEY THAT IS RAISED GOES DIRECTLY TO THOSE IN NEED OF SCHOLARSHIPS.

A WEEK FROM TODAY, THE KMAQ TRAVEL BUS GOES TO THE CHICAGO
FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW AT NAVY PIER. WE HAVE OVER 30 GOING
AND ROOM FOR MORE. CALL US HERE AT KMAQ IF YOU WANT TO SIGN-UP.

HAVE A NICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY.

DENNIS VOY




TOOK MY CAMERA ALONG TO ROTARY MEETING TODAY. WE HAD A PROGRAM
TODAY ON THE "MAQUOKETA ART EXPERIENCE" IN DOWNTOWN MAQUOKETA.
TOP PHOTO IS SHEILLAH BENTLEY, AN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER AT MAE.
HER ARTISTIC ABILITY INCLUDES HER "EGG ART" DISPLAY AT MAE.
NEXT PHOTO DOWN IS AMANDA RODENBORN .... ANOTHER VOLUNTEER AND
CURRENTLY DESIGNING A NEW WEB SIGHT FOR MAE THAT WILL BE PUT UP ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB SOON, WITH LOTS OF NEW FACTS AND FEATURES.
NEXT, DOWN, SCOTT WARREN, WHO RUNS THE YMCA IN MAQUOKETA AND
WILL BE ROTARY'S NEXT PRESIDENT JULY 1ST. LAST WEEKEND, HE ATTENDED
A ROTARY ORIENTATION EVENT ON HOW TO BE A GOOD PRESIDENT, SO ALL
ARE EXPECTING BIG THINGS FROM SCOTT. NEXT PHOTO DOWN IS OF
CONNIE TJARKS, CURRENT ROTARY PRESIDENT. SHE HAS HER OWN INTERNET
BUSINESS AT www.knotenoughthyme.com
AND THE BUTTON PHOTO IS OF THE POSTER PASSED OUT TODAY TELLING ABOUT A SPECIAL WEEKEND AT MAE LATE THIS MONTH. THEY ARE DOING SOME EXCITING THINGS THESE DAYS AT THE MAE LOCATION (FORMERLY OSTERHAUS PHARMACY BUILDING) AND THEY WANT YOU TO STOP AND SEE HOW MAQUOKETA IS WORKING TO BE A TOP ART AND CULTURE CENTER FOR THE TRI-STATE AREA. SOMEDAY, ROSE FRANTZEN'S FAMOUS "PORTRAIT OF MAQUOKETA" WILL BE THE KEY ATTRACTION AT THE ART CENTER. THOSE PORTRAITS ARE NOW (FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD)ON DISPLAY AT THE FIGGE ART MUSEUM IN DAVENPORT.
AT MAE, ALL AGES ARE GETTING ACTIVE IN ART, INCLUDING A LOT OF KIDS.
CLICK-ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM.
DENNIS VOY

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

SUNNY, A LITTLE WINDY AND IN THE MID 60'S TODAY.
TOMORROW, GOOD CHANCE OF RAIN AND AROUND 60 AGAIN.
BUT, COOLER FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.
SURE WAS NICE TODAY!

THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TODAY APPROVED A RESOLUTION
WHICH WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR ATV'S TO RIDE ON COUNTY ROADS DURING
DESIGNED PLANNED RIDES THIS SUMMER. THE PROPOSAL CALLS FOR
10 CONTROLLED RIDES BETWEEN JUNE 9 AND OCTOBER 20. THE NEXT STEP BY THE ATV COMMITTEE WILL BE TO TALK TO CITY COUNCILS TO SEE IF THEY ARE OK WITH THE PLAN.

MORE THAN $10,000 WAS RAISED FROM THE "HEARTS ON FIRE" BENEFIT
IN MAQUOKETA LAST MONTH, SPONSORED BY THE HIGH SCHOOL'S "CLUB HOPE". OF THAT, $2,500 WILL GO TO THE MAQUOKETA RESCUE SQUAD FOR A GRAIN BIN RESCUE TUBE AND THE OTHER FUNDS RAISED WILL GO TO HELP A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT FOR SURGERIES AT THE MAYO CLINIC TO
REPAIR BURNED AREAS RECEIVED AS A BABY. THE MAYO CLINIC WILL DO
THE SURGERIES AT NO COST, BUT THERE WILL BE MAJOR EXPENSES BY THE
GIRL AND PARENTS TO GET TO AND FROM THE HOSPITAL AND HOTEL
EXPENSES. "CLUB HOPE" AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE PROJECT SINCE AUGUST AND ARE VERY HAPPY AT THE
AMOUNT RAISED AT THE BENEFIT IN FEBRUARY.

THE MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIKL WILL SPEND SOME CITY FUNDS TO RENOVATE THE MAQUOKETA COMMUNITY CENTER, ACROSS FROM GOODENOW FIELD.
"CLUB HOPE" MEMBERS ARE GOING TO DO SOME PAINTING AND NEW FLOORING WILL BE INSTALLED, THE KITCHEN REMODELED WITH NEW APPLIANCES,
AND SOME CABINETS WILL BE INSTALLED. REPAIRS TO THE CEILING TOO.

A MAQUOKTA WOMAN'S VEHICLE WENT INTO BEAR CREEK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON EAST OF BALDWIN. THE DRIVER OF THE CAR, MARY BROOKS, AGE 53, WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH POSSIBLE INJURIES. SHE WAS GOING WEST ON HIGHWAY 64, LOST CONTROL, AND INTO THE CREEK, IN ABOUT 3 FEET OF WATER. DEPUTY TERRY ROLING SAID SHE MAY HAVE AD A DIABETIC
ATTACK. HER 2001 DODGE CARAVAN WAS TOTALED AND NO CHARGES FILED.

MARY PRIEST, AGE 58, OF RUNNELLS AND FORMERLY OF MAQUOKETA, DIED
YESTERDAY AT MERCY HOSPICE IN JOHNSTON. SHE AND HER HUSBAND
OWNED AND OPERATED A LAWN CARE BUSINESS. SHE IS SURVIVED BY
HER HUSBAND, DUANE AND 2 DAUGHTERS. OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE
3 BROTHERS IN MAQUOKETA, JAKE, DEAN AND BRAD BICKFORD. THE FUNERAL WILL BE AT 11 A.M. FRIDAY AT THE HAMILTON FUNERAL HOME AT DES MOINES.

THE NORTH CEDAR KNIGHTS LOST THEIR STATE TOURNAMENT GAME
LAST NIGHT AT DES MOINES, LOOSING BY ABOUT A DOZEN POINTS TO MOUNT'
VERNON. KMAQ BROADCAST THE GAME, AS WE HAVE A LOT OF LISTENERS
IN CLARENCE AND LOWDEN.

MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL JUNIOR DEVON O'CONNELL WAS NAMED TO THE 2ND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE. NO ONE WAS NAMED TO THE
FIRST TEAM. THE CARDINAL GIRLS HAD A 5 AND 17 SEASON.

TORQUE FEST 2012 IN MAQUOKETA IS GETTING CLOSE, MAY 4TH AND 5TH.
PROMOTOR JOHN WELLS SAYS 14 BANDS HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO
PLAY HERE, WITH 3 MORE PENDING.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

DENNIS VOY
THE OHNWARD FINE ARTS CENTER IN MAQUOKETA PRESENTS OPERA IOWA AND ITS PERFORMANCE OF THE MAGIC FLUTE BY MOZART, SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH AT 7 P.M. TICKETS IN ADVANCE ARE $17 FOR ADULTS AND $10 FOR STUDENTS. AT THE DOOR, $20 AND $13.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

Monday, March 05, 2012

NICE SUNNY DAY TODAY....
BUT STILL COOL...
TOMORROW, 60 DEGREES PLUS....
AND WEDNESDAY, RAIN AND 57.

SEVERAL WEEKEND ACCIDENTS IN THE NEWS TODAY, INVESTIGATED BY BOTH THE JACKSON COUNTY AND CLINTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS....
BUT NO MAQUOKETA RESIDENTS WERE INVOLVED. AND NO SERIOUS
INJURIES IN THE ACCIDENTS.

HERE IN MAQUOKETA, A SNOW PLOW HIT A VEHICLE IN THE WALMART
PARKING LOT FRIDAY AFTERNOON. MAQUOKETA POLICE OFFICER KEENAN
MEINECKE SAID BRIAN SCHWOOB OF BERNARD WAS PLOWING SNOW IN
THE LOT AND HIT A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY TERRY SCHROEDER, 26, OF
MAQUOKETA. $2,000 DAMAGE TO THE 99 OLDSMOBILE DRIVEN BY
SCHROEDER AND NO DAMAGE TO THE FORD TRUCK WITH THE BLADE ON
IT.

MAQUOKETA CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT. THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING ON NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, THAT CALLS FOR A TAX INCREASE
OF 40-CENTS PER $1,000 ASSESSED VALUATION. THE INCREASE BECAUSE
OF A STATE REQUIREMENT FOR FUNDING THE POLICE PENSION FUND.
ALSO, THE COUNCIL TONIGHT WILL GET AN UPDATE ON THE RE-LIGHTING
PROJECT IN THE CITY AND WILL TALK ABOUT SOME WORK PLANNED FOR THE
COMMUNITY CENTER.

HUNTER MANNING, PLACED 5TH PLACE AT THE PEE-WEE STATE WRESTLING
TOURNAMENT YESTERDAY AT THE YOUNG ARENA IN WATERLOO. HE WAS IN A 32-MAN BRACKET AND WRESTLED 8 MATCHES TO EARN HIS METAL. HUNTER
WRESTLES FOR THE MAQUOKETA LITTLE CARDS, COACHED BY GARY KOPPES AND HIS DAD, RANDY. HUNTER IS THE SON OF RANDY AND JEANIE MANNING
AND A SECOND GRADE STUDENT AT CARDINAL ELEMENTARY.

MARC JUERGENS IS THE WRESTLING COACH AT WEST BRANCH AND ONE OF HIS WRESTLERS WAS A 195 STATE CHAMP LAST MONTH IN DES MOINES.
MARC FINISHED HIS 3RD SEASON AT WEST BRANCH AS COACH. HE AND
HIS BROTHER ERIC HAD GREAT SEASON FOR MCHS IN THE LATE 90'S.

THE CHICAGO CUBS LOST THEIR SPRING TRAINING OPENING GAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY THE WORLD CHAMPION ST. LOUIS CARDINALS LOST THEIR
OPENER TO THE MARLINS. WE WILL BROADCAST TWO OF THEIR SPRING
GAMES THIS WEEKEND ON KMAQ ....AND THE SEASON OPENER FOR THE CARDINALS WILL BE ON APRIL 4TH. THIS WILL BE OUR 28TH SEASON SEASON
OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ON KMAQ.

THE NORTH CEDAR BASKETBALL TEAM (HIGH SCHOOL IS IN STANWOOD
AND ATTENDANCE CENTERS ARE IN CLARENCE AND LOWDEN) PLAYS
MT. VERNON AT THE 2-A STATE TOURNAMENT IN DES MOINES AT 8:15
TONIGHT. BOTH TEAMS 24 AND 4. DURING THE REGULAR SEASON, MT.
VERNON DEFEATED NORTH CEDAR BY 9 POINTS. MATT CLARK
WILL BROADCAST THE GAME TONIGHT ON KMAQ-FM, STARTING
JUST AFTER 8. THE TWO TOWNS ARE 15 MILES APART ON HIGHWAY 30.

A BIRTH: MARTY AND ASHLEY MARSHALL OF MAQUOKETA ARE PARENTS OF
A BOY, BORN LAST TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT MERCY IN DUBUQUE.
MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS ARE BRIAN (BUCK) AND KAREN WATTERS
OF MAQUOKETA. PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS ARE MIKE AND CATHY
MARSHALL OF MAQUOKETA AND MARSHA CORNELIUS OF MAQUOKETA.

TODAY'S BINGO WINNER ON KMAQ, WAS DEAN PENNINGROTH OF MAQUOKETA.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

DENNIS VOY

Sunday, March 04, 2012



ENJOY WILDLIFE BEAUTY DAILY AT THE HURSTVILLE INTERPRETIVE
CENTER JUST NORTH OF MAQUOKETA.
CLICK-ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM.
PHOTOS BY: ROBERT CHRISTENSEN

Friday, March 02, 2012

ANOTHER BAD WEATHER DAY...
SNOWED MOST OF AFTERNOON....
NO LONGER....
BUT IS MELTING FAST.
NICER WEATHER COMING, ESPECIALLY EARLY NEXT WEEK.

A SABULA MAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS BATHTUB YESTERDAY AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF BEING IN THE WATER-FILLED TUB. RELATIVES FOUND HIM.
SHERIFF RUSS KETTMAN SAID RICKY SANDER, 57, MAY HAVE BEEN DEAD TWO
OR THREE WEEKS AND NO FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED, BUT HIS BODY WAS SENT
TO ANKENY FOR AUTOPSY.

MAQUOKETA CITY MANAGER BRIAN WAGNER IS OUT OF TOWN BEING
INTERVIEWED FOR A JOB IN NEW RICHMOND, WISCONSIN. HE IS A FINALIST
FOR THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND UTILITIES MANAGER JOB THERE.
HE HAS BEEN IN MAQUOKETA SINCE 1997.

A GALENA MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT WHERE A MAQUOKETA MAN DIED BACK ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.
KENT HOFFMAN, 39, TURNED HIMSELF IN YESTERDAY AFTER A WARRANT
WAS ISSUED FOR HIS ARREST. HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY
MANSLAUGHTER AND OPERATING A BOAT WHILE INTOXICATED. JAMES
SUTTON, AGE 45, OF MAQUOKETA, DIED IN THAT ACCIDENT.

A MAQUOKETA WOMAN, CONNIE STUTTING, AGE 67, WAS IN AN ACCIDENT
LAST NIGHT WHILE GOING NORTH ON 200TH AVENUE. SHE SAID HER
HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND THEN HER VEHICLE DRIFTED OVER AND HIT
A GUARD RAIL. $3,000 DAMAGE TO HER 2002 FORD AND $1,000 DAMAGE
TO THE GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES AND NO CHARGES FILED.

A MAQUOKETA WOMAN, JAIME WISOR, AGE 21, HIT A RACOON LAST SUNDAY NIGHT ON 250TH AVENUE IN CLINTON COUNTY. $2,000 DAMAGE TO
HER 2005 VEHICLE. NO INJURIES.

MAQUOKETA BASKETBALL SENIOR PEYTON RIVER HAS BEEN NAMED A MEMBER OF THE FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THE WAMAC EAST DIVISION. THE LONE CARDINAL TO MAKE THE FIRST TEAM.
RIVER, WAS A PROLIFIC THREE-POINT SHOOTER FOR THE CARDINALS THAT
HAD A GOOD YEAR AT 16 AND 6. COACH MATT UTHOFF, IN HIS SECOND
YEAR, WAS NAMED AS COACH OF THE YEAR IN THE EAST DIVISION.

THE FFA FISH FRY TONIGHT....POSTPONED TWO WEEKS BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. THEIR CONSIGNMENT SALE IS STILL ON FOR THIS SUNDAY
MORNING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

BUSINESS NEWS....NO DETAILS YET, BUT THE MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN MAQUOKETA WILL RE-OPEN WITH NEW OWNERS, AFTER REMODELING AND RE-DECORATING. THEY WERE IN TOWN YESTERDAY
SEEKING HOUSING.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY

Thursday, March 01, 2012

CLOUDY MOST OF TODAY AND A HIGH OF 40.
LOOKING AHEAD...OUR FIRST 60-DEGREE DAY SHOULD BE NEXT TUESDAY.

THIS MONDAY IS THE FIRST DAY FOR CANDIDATES TO FILE FOR COUNTY
OFFICES. IN JACKSON COUNTY, OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR
ARE: AUDITOR, SHERIFF AND ONE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS POSITION.

THE HOSPITAL BOARD DID VOTE THIS WEEK TO INCREASE THE TAX
ASKING $100,000 TO $950,000 A YEAR. THE INCREASE WILL MEAN
ABOUT $16.49 A YEAR FOR A HOME VALUED AT $125,000. AN INCORRECT
DOLLAR AMOUNT WAS REPORTED EARLIER THIS WEEK HERE.
THE BIGGEST REASON FOR THE TAX INCREASE IS BECAUSE OF BAD DEBT.
IN 2,000 IT WAS $360,482.
THE CURRENT BAD DEBT, $995,791, UP FROM LAST YEAR'S $924,281.

THE LOCAL GRAVESIDE SERVICE FOR DORIS BROWN OF FORT DODGE AND FORMERLY OF MAQUOKETA, WILL BE AT 2 P.M. TOMORROW AFTERNOON, FOLLOWED BY A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT 5 P.M. AT THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN MAQUOKETA, WITH FELLOWSHIP TO FOLLOW.

ALGEAN HAYWARD, AGE 95, OF GREEN ISLAND DIED TODAY. THE FUNERAL WILL BE AT 10:30 MONDAY MORNING AT THE GREEN ISLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. VISITATION WILL BE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MILLER-LAW-JONE FUNERAL HOME IN PRESTON. SURVIVORS INCLUDE FROM
MAQUOKETA, DAUGHTER ARLIS KRABBENHOFT, AND DAUGHTER DIANNE BARKER.

HAVE A GOOD FRIDAY.

DENNIS VOY