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Tue

Mar

Capturing the world from a different perspective

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/08/2016 - 12:34

Father and son Todd (right) and Austin Berry started the Luana-based company Driftless Drones, which captures aerial photos and videos using drones. (Submitted photo)

The drones are fully-automated and computer-controlled. They are manned with controllers by two people, with one person flying the drone while the other operates the camera.

According to Austin, the perspective from the air is what sets drone imagery apart. (Photos courtesy of Driftless Drones)

As drone usage soars, local company gets in on the ground floor

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

“We’ve always got our heads in the clouds these days.”

Well, technically, 400 feet above the ground, at the most. But the sky is where the Berry family has set its sights lately, said Taylor, who’s part of Driftless Drones, a company created by her husband, Austin, and his father, Todd, to capture aerial photos and videos using drones. Todd’s wife, Dianna, also helps with the operation, which is based in Luana.

Tue

Mar

Monona Council reviews city’s property valuations

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/08/2016 - 12:30

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

As part of the city of Monona’s 2016-2017 property casual insurance renewal, the council reviewed the city’s property valuations at its March 7 meeting.

“We’re looking for red flags, to know if you think it’s not enough [coverage],” said agent Kelly Bulman, referencing the suggestions given by EMC Insurance.

Tue

Mar

Art center partners with Great River Care Center to offer art programming

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/01/2016 - 11:18

Maureen Wild has offered two chalk pastel classes at the Great River Care Center as part of a partnership between the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts and the care center. (Submitted photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Last year, McGregor’s Great River Care Center began offering art and music therapies to its residents as a way to help combat dementia. Helping the care center offer some of its art activities is the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts.

Art center board president Maureen Wild said Great River Care Center activity director Debbie Johnson approached the art center about offering some services. They agreed and, so far, Wild has taught two chalk pastel classes, one with 14 participants and another with around 16.

“They really love it and do a great job,” Wild said of the residents.

Tue

Mar

Monona receives grant for master planning

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/01/2016 - 11:16

Iowa Network Services (INS) announced the award of a $5,000 Ripple Effect grant to the city of Monona, which will assist the city’s efforts in master planning for a business park development. The INS grant was applied for and matched with another $5,000 grant by Northeast Iowa Telephone Company (NEIT). Pictured (left to right) are Monona Chamber and Economic Development Executive Director Rogeta Halvorson, Steve Hanson with NEIT, Monona City Administrator Dan Canton, Monona Mayor Barb Collins and Sue Cosner with the Iowa Area Development Group. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

Iowa Network Services (INS), located in West Des Moines, announced the award of a $5,000 Ripple Effect grant to the city of Monona. The grant will assist the city’s efforts in financial, geographic and infrastructure exploration, and planning for a business park development. The INS grant was applied for and matched with another $5,000 grant by Northeast Iowa Telephone Company (NEIT), headquartered in Monona.

NEIT is Monona’s full-service telecommunication provider and along with many of Iowa’s independent telecommunications companies, has been an owner-shareholder of INS since its inception, and recently completed its investment in fiber-optic-to-the-premise network throughout Monona.

Tue

Mar

NIT celebrates 160th anniversary this year

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/01/2016 - 11:15

A look at the newspaper’s founder, A.P. Richardson

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The North Iowa Times was founded on Oct. 10, 1856, and this year celebrates 160 years of covering McGregor, Marquette and other area communities. We will commemorate the anniversary of Iowa’s third oldest weekly throughout the year with periodic updates highlighting some aspect of the newspaper. In October, around the true 160th anniversary, we hope to hold a special promotion. Now, we take a look at the founder of the North Iowa Times, A.P. Richardson.

Tue

Mar

Friends Helping Friends Winter Triathlon and Benefit is March 4-5

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/01/2016 - 11:09

The bed races are one of the most popular aspects of the Mar-Mac Friends Helping Friends Winter Triathlon and Benefit. This year’s event will take place Friday and Saturday, March 4-5. (North Iowa Times file photo)

Mar-Mac Friends Helping Friends will have its 12th annual Winter Triathlon and Benefit on Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5, in McGregor. This year’s proceeds will benefit Sue Krugger and Mike Kricke, who are both battling cancer. Both individuals are very well-known; Sue worked for many years at the Riverview and Mike has been with the band Mama’s Worry since 1978.

On Friday, March 4, there will be bar bingo at Pocket City Pub beginning at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, March 5, the day starts with a bake sale at the Riverview at 9 a.m. If you would like to donate baked goods, please call Donna Staples at (563) 873-2713, or just drop items off at the Riverview beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Tue

Feb

Mathis enjoys adventure of dog sledding

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/23/2016 - 12:06

Kevin Mathis, who lives near Monona, has participated in dog sledding races for two seasons. Here, he nears the finish line of a race in Duluth, Minn., last winter. (Submitted photo)

Mathis currently has 13 dogs, who are all Alaskan Huskies, like Mini (shown here). (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

As the temperature rose last weekend, Kevin Mathis was one of the few who mourned the loss of the snow. Its absence puts a damper on dog sledding, a pastime he’s enjoyed for the last two years.

Mathis said he’s always had an interest in dog sledding, but finally decided to give it a try when one of his sons became intrigued after watching a movie.

“It seemed like a challenge,” Mathis said. “I like the outdoors and adventure.”

So he went about procuring a sled and other equipment and, of course, dogs.

Tue

Feb

New Marquette mayor, council member appointed

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/23/2016 - 12:04

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Marquette Council unanimously approved the appointment of Larry Breuer as mayor and Steve Eagle as a council member at its Feb. 16 meeting.

Eagle attended the meeting and immediately took the oath of office. Breuer was not in attendance, but expressed his interest in the position in a letter, promising to display dignity and professionalism.

Tue

Feb

Marquette councilwoman: BOA was allowed to issue variance in Evans case

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/23/2016 - 12:03

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Marquette councilwoman Pam Brodie-Fitzgerald says the city’s board of adjustment (BOA) could have issued a variance to property owner Dave Evans in order to temporarily keep a mobile home on his property at the Timber Ridge subdivision while he finishes building a permanent home. That’s contrary to what Marquette city attorney Jim Garrett told BOA members, when he said they did not have the authority to do so, noted Brodie-Fitzgerald.

Tue

Feb

McGregor Council declines offer to purchase former Holiday Shores property

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/23/2016 - 12:02

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

At its Feb. 17 meeting, the McGregor Council chose not to entertain an offer from Trilogy Partners, LLC, to purchase the former Holiday Shores Motel property for $1.05 million.

Trilogy, which purchased the property in June and tore down the motel at the end of summer, made the offer through a letter from their attorneys to McGregor city attorney Mike Schuster. In the letter, the group also expressed disappointment over the city’s decision earlier this year not to re-zone the property so that condominiums could be built at the location along the riverfront.

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