What We’re Talking About

LANSING, Iowa – Aug. 5, 2024 – If you drive on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing you need to be aware that intermittent closures on the bridge will resume on Thursday, Aug. 8, weather permitting.

The temporary closures were delayed by high river levels in June. Construction crews will continue work on constructing a new pier and driving the pier foundation for the new bridge that will replace the current bridge.

Intermittent closures of up to two hours will happen on the existing bridge between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to reduce vibration from construction activity and traffic, limiting the chance of damage occurring.

Weather permitting, these closures will be done by Friday, Aug. 16. We will be updating the Lansing Bridge Facebook page with the approximate closure time a day in advance. There will not be any closures on Friday, Aug. 9, in respect of the annual Lansing Fish Days celebration.

Work on the new bridge is moving forward. For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge where you can sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

Photo Credit:  Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing via Facebook

In 2005, Carrie Underwood was the winner on American Idol’s 4th Season. That achievement launched the career of the multiple Grammy-winning country superstar. Now Underwood is set to return to familiar territory, as she is replacing Katy Perry as a judge on the upcoming season of American Idol. In an Instagram video announcing the news, young clips of Underwood were featured from her time on the show, captioned by: “🌟CARRIE🌟 From #AmericanIdol hopeful, to global icon…to IDOL judge! Home-grown superstar @carrieunderwood will join us for Season 8! ✨” “Carrie Underwood is the first American Idol alum ever to join the judging panel. Her global superstar status as the most successful Idol winner to date makes her a perfect fit for the show,” said Megan Wolflick, Idol showrunner and executive producer. The new season of American Idol will kick off in the spring of 2025. (Billboard)

Who needs the Olympics when you have the 2024 Snail Racing World Championships in England.  The action happened last month, but snail news travels a bit slow.  They put the snails n the middle of a table with a ring at the outer edge, and the snail that makes it to that ring first wins.  This year’s champion was a snail named Jeff.  He clocked in with an impressive time of 4 minutes and 5 seconds.

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – July 29, 2024 – If you drive on Iowa 76 north of Waukon you need to be aware of upcoming construction work that may slow down your trip.

Beginning on Monday, Aug. 5, until late August, weather permitting, crews will need to intermittently close lanes from Waukon to the Minnesota state line so micro-surfacing work can be done to the pavement. You will travel through the work zone with the assistance of flaggers and a pilot car.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

Photo Credit:  Iowa DOT

The iconic Wienermobile took a tumble Monday on an Illinois highway. Fortunately, no one was injured during Monday’s incident, when the 23-foot-long vehicle shaped like a hot dog rolled over on the Tri-State Tollway. The highway was shut down for an hour while police investigated. “We’re grateful that everybody involved is safe and there were no injuries,” an Oscar Mayer representative said. “Safety on the road is top priority for us.” There are six Wienermobiles currently traveling through the country and spreading the word about Oscar Mayer.

Weinermobile had a little accident. #oscarmayer pic.twitter.com/GhTnMejfS2

— CHICAGO CRITTER (@ChicagoCritter) July 22, 2024

ANKENY, Iowa – Eight young women involved within Iowa’s dairy community will compete to win the title of 71st Iowa Dairy Princess. The coronation ceremony will be held Wednesday, August 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The Iowa Dairy Princess and Alternate connect with consumers and help them understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows, their land and the milk they produce.

The contestants are:

• Harley Baumler, 20, daughter of Mike and Amy Baumler of Fort Atkinson, representing Fayette County;

• Kiele Eberling, 17, daughter of Kevin and Donna Eberling of Postville, representing the Iowa Brown Swiss Association;

• Kendra Elsbernd, 18, daughter of Peter and Kristi Elsbernd of Calmar, representing Winneshiek County;

• Libby Hageman, 17, daughter of Bob and Amy Hageman of New Vienna, representing Dubuque County;

• Oliva Johnson, 17, daughter of Allen and Tanya Johnson of Elma, representing Howard County;

• Leah Jo Koehler, 17, daughter of Ted and Karla Koehler of Monticello, representing Jones County;

• Mallory Mohn, 18, daughter of Clint and Noelle Mohn of Lansing, representing Allamakee County; and

• Haley Ronnebaum, 18, daughter of Mitch and Jenny Ronnebaum of Earlville, representing Delaware County.

The winners are chosen based on their knowledge and enthusiasm about dairy, personality and communication ability during judging which begins Tuesday, August 6. Candidates, along with the princess and alternate, will receive scholarships from Midwest Dairy, which sponsors the contest and princess program on behalf of Iowa’s dairy farmers.

The outgoing 2023-24 Iowa Dairy Princess is Ashley Elsbernd, daughter of Peter and Kristi Elsbernd of Calmar, and the Alternate Princess is Elizabeth Fossum, daughter of Kevin and Julie Fossum of Waterville. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the month, and the new Princess and Alternate will begin their duties September 1.

In an update from her social media accounts, singer Ingrid Andress admits she was intoxicated while she performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” last night.

4-time Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” last night before the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby.  Let’s just say her a cappella rendition was not a hit on social media….some are calling it the worst ever.  You be the judge.

Definitely one of the anthems of all time pic.twitter.com/LvSYSmR1wF

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 16, 2024

Photo Credit:  Jomboy Media via X

Pickles are a hot item these days, especially with Gen Z. So why not pickle cupcakes? Pickle brand Claussen and Baked by Melissa have joined forces to create this first-of-its-kind dessert.
The “dill-icious pickle-infused cake and pickle buttercream icing complete with festive red and white sprinkles on top” was introduced this week, in celebration of “Pickle Month”.
Claussen says it expects that pickle cupcakes “will be the perfect unexpected twist for pickle fanatics everywhere” this summer.

 

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The Iowa State Fair is set for next month, and they are rolling out the food.  Yesterday they announced that 84 new foods will hit the fair this year!

• Apple Fries
• Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll
• Barbie Era Funnel Cake
• Beer Belly Fries
• BLT on a Stick
• Breakfast Sandwich
• Brisket Burnt End Link
• Brunchy Burger
• Butter Beer Ice Cream
• Calamari
• Candied Bacon Gnocchi
• Cheeseburger Corn Dog
• Chicken Flautas
• Chicken Mac Attack Bowl
• Chicken Nest
• Cinnamon Crunch Apple Taco
• Connecticut Style Lobster Roll
• Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Nachos
• Corn in a Cup
• Crème Brulée Stuffed French Toast
• Deep Fried Bubble Gum
• Deep Fried Hot Cheetos Pretzel
• Deep Fried PB& J
• Deep Fried Pepperoni Chips
• DG Chicken Strips
• Disco Stick
• Dough-Chos
• Fabulous Fries
• Fiesta Egglote
• Fire Cracker Shrimp
• Flight Fry Bread
• Hot Cheeto Float
• Funnel Cake Burger
• Garlic Ranch Pickle Pizza
• Golden Fried Veggie Samosas
• Handheld Charcuterie
• Hot Chick Chicken
• Hot Mess Biscuit
• Ice Cream Nachos
• Iowa Street Corn Specialty Pizza
• Iowa Sm’oak’ed Roll
• Italian Meat Ball Sub
• AE Party Balls
• Lamb Snack Sticks
• Lemonade Donut Drops
• Lil’ L’roy’s Bites
• Lobster Corn Dog
• Loose L’roy Sandwich
• Louisiana Mac Bowl
• Maple Bacon Bliss Sundae
• Nachorito
• Not Your Daddy’s Burger
• PB&J Biscuit
• Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies
• Pickle Pizza
• Piggy in a Donut
• Pink Lemonade Whoopie Pies
• Pork Belly Corn Dog
• Pork Belly Corndog Bites
• Porky’s Bloody Mary Buffet
• Protein Bowl
• Pulled Pork Smoked Snacks
• Puppy Chow
• Ragin’ Raspberry Ravioli
• Raspberry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt
• Salted Beef Bagel
• Shoot Tequila Funnel Cake
• Sriracha Pickle
• Spicy Fever Beefburger
• Standby Biscuit
• Strawberries and Cream Waffle on a Stick
• Sunrise Sugar Pearl Waffle Sandwich
• The Big Daddy Burger
• The Illusion Ice Cream
• The Party Biscuit
• The Regular Biscuit
• Bacon Brisket Smash Burger
• Tipsy Peach
• Tornado
• Two Foot Connecticut Style Lobster Roll
• Two Foot Lobster Roll
• Up In Smoke Snacks
• Up on the Dill Fries
• Walking Frito Pie
• Walleye Fish Tacos
• What’s Your Wonton

For more details check out the fair website.

This summer, communities around Spirit Lake, Iowa, have been affected by heavy rains and flooding. Daily routines have been disrupted and property has been damaged.

The softball team in Spirit Lake wanted to do something to help nearby teams get back to normal, so they collected sports equipment and donations – and offered it to the competing teams in a gesture of friendship.

Thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of the players in Spirit Lake, the nearby teams were able to resume normal practices while the flood waters receded.

The coach of the one of the nearby teams – Kait Van Der Zwaag – was amazed by the effort.

“It was heartwarming,” said Kait. “You just don’t have any other words to say for that, it’s literally like that’s what northwest Iowa is.”

Miranda Lambert was doing a show in Minnesota last week when she spotted her mini-me and brought her on stage.  Their interaction was priceless.

Miranda invites the “cutest little cowgirl” onstage in Minnesota … only to discover she’s also called Miranda and was named after her 🥹💞

🎥: krpeterson1987 pic.twitter.com/reinc1IQiG

— Miranda Lambert Fan (@ranfancentral) July 6, 2024

Photo Credit:  Miranda Lambert Fan via X

We had a great chat with Jay Goodvin, the Chief Explorer for The Iowa Gallivant!  Jay talked about his travels across Northeast Iowa, including stops in Clermont, Harpers Ferry, New Albin, Edgewood and more!  He’s currently on quest to find his favorite Pork Tenderloin…he’s visiting all of Iowa’s 99 counties to figure it out.  Hear our visit with Jay below!  For all things Iowa Gallivant, check out his Facebook page.

After 37 years, a Western Wisconsin music festival is changing it’s name.  Country Fest in Cadott, WI is rebranding to “Hoof Beat”.  The festival will feature the same ownership and crew according to a video released this past weekend.  Lainey Wilson will headline Hoof Beat 2025.

Photo Credit:  Country Fest via YouTube

Josh Turner has announced his 10th studio album “This Country Music Thing”. Out Aug. 16, it will feature the songs ‘Down in Georgia’ and ‘Heatin’ Things Up’, both out now. He has posted an album trailer on Instagram.  Josh is currently on his Greatest Hits Tour, you can find dates here.

 

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Willie Nelson has had to miss the first three dates of his Outlaw Music Festival because he is ill. The 91-year-old country music legend was unable to perform during the three Outlaw Music Festival dates over the past weekend. Willie’s son Lukas Nelson stepped in and performed with the Family Band in his father’s absence, along with the other scheduled performers Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Celisse.

According to Willie’s Instagram announcement, he should be better soon: “We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctor’s orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days. He is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week. In the meantime, Lukas Nelson and the Family Band, along with a few guests, will perform a special set to include Willie’s classics and other songs.” Willie should rejoin the Outlaw Music Festival tour beginning on Wednesday, June 26 in Virginia Beach. (Consequence of Sound)

 

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Last year’s runner up Wild Thang finally took this year’s crown in California’s World’s Ugliest Dog Contest! The 8-year-old Pekingese survived distemper but was left with some permanent damage, like a paddling front leg and a tongue that always sticks out. Apart from these issues, he’s a happy boy! Wild Thang and his owner Ann Lewis won $5,000 in prize money. Last year’s winner was a Chinese Crested dog named Scooter who was born with deformed legs and saved from a shelter. According to the contest’s website, the event “event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.”

 

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Photo Credit: wildthangofficial via Instagram

Road work set to to begin on County Road W4B in Winneshiek County on Monday, June 24th.

Beginning Monday, June 24th, the Frankville Road, Co. Rd. W4B, will be closed to through traffic from Iowa Highway #9 to the Winneshiek / Allamakee County line, east of the town of Frankville. The entire width of the roadway will be unpassable due to roadway excavation as crews remove and reconstruct the crossroad culverts. The road is expected to be closed the duration of the summer months.

Photo Credit:  Google Maps

LANSING, Iowa – June 19, 2024 – Due to high water levels on the Mississippi River, the Iowa Department of Transportation is postponing the intermittent short-term closures on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing until water levels are safe to resume work.

Currently, we do not have an estimation of when work will resume. We will keep you updated when the water level returns to a level that will allow the construction of a new pier and driving the pier foundation for the new bridge that will replace the current bridge.

For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge where you can sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

Country music legend Mark Chesnutt announced via Instagram that he experienced a heart issue over the weekend, and needed quadruple bypass surgery.

“I send my love and gratitude to my family and friends, the band and fans for your understanding, prayers and support, and look forward to seeing you all again soon at a honky tonk near you.”  Chesnutt said in his Instagram post.   He has cancelled his upcoming shows indefinitely.

 

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A post shared by Mark Chesnutt (@officialmarkchesnutt)

A fast and strong piglet in California led police on a foot chase when they tried to grab it because the piglet was running all over a highway. Here is the video from a police bodycam when the officer was in pursuit of the piglet.

“Officers arrived and located the described piglet, who proved to be very fast and strong for an animal of its size,” police said in a Facebook post. The piglet turned out to be a pet named Pickles and was returned to its rightful owner.

Photo Credit: Sebastopol Police Department via Facebook

George Strait has reached another historic milestone in his prestigious music career. At Strait’s show on Saturday night at Kyle Field at Texas A&M in College Station, the country legend set a new U.S. attendance record for a ticketed show. 110,905 fans came out to see Strait’s performance, breaking the previous record set in 1977 by the Grateful Dead, who drew 107,019 fans to their show at Raceway Park in New Jersey. Strait billed his historic show as “The King At Kyle Field,” with support coming from opening acts Parker McCollum and Catie Offerman. It was Strait’s only scheduled live performance in the state of Texas in 2024. Strait also just shared his new single, “The Little Things,” on Friday, which is drawn from his forthcoming album, Cowboys And Dreamers, due out on September 6. It will be Strait’s 31st studio album of his illustrious career.

The King of Broken Records 🤠
Last night George Strait broke the record for largest US ticketed show with 110,905 fans at Kyle Field!
Gig ‘Em George 👍🏻

📸 @alivecoverage for Messina Touring Group pic.twitter.com/TAYlUqqQjE

— Texas A&M Athletics (@12thMan) June 16, 2024

Photo Credit:  Texas A&M Athletics via X

Longtime rivals Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi will compete in a hot dog eating contest on Netflix on September 2nd. The event, titled Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, will feature the 16-time champion Chestnut against the six-time champion Kobayashi. This follows the news that Chestnut was banned from the Nathan’s July 4th contest due to a deal with Impossible Foods. Both competitors expressed excitement for the showdown, with Chestnut acknowledging Kobayashi as his fiercest rival and Kobayashi is determined to defeat Chestnut before retiring. This event marks their first face-off since 2009 when Chestnut won in a sudden death eat-off. (COS)

Billy Ray Cyrus has filed for divorce from his wife, Firerose. Cyrus has cited irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct as reasons for him filing for divorce. The couple had only been married for less than nine months, and don’t share any children together. Firerose was Cyrus’ third wife, after Cindy Smith, whom he divorced in 1991, and Tish Cyrus, whom he divorced in 2022. Cyrus and Tish got married in 1993, and the couple had three kids together: Miley, Braison and Noah. Cyrus also adopted Tish’s two kids from a previous marriage, Brandi and Trace. Cyrus has been more focused on kickstarting his music career as of late, with a new album apparently called Gone coming out in the fall of 20204, and the album’s emotional lead single, “You Came Along,” released last month. (Taste of Country)

A California man was in his kitchen washing dishes when he was visited by an intruder who probably would have been happy to help him lick the dishes clean.

Jason Wightman was in his Sierra Madre home when a 300-pound bear walked through his backdoor and entered his kitchen. Wightman grabbed his phone and started capturing the encounter on video, which he later shared on Facebook. In in, he can be heard talking the bear asking, “Hello, are you nice?” He then informed the intruder, “You’re in my house. Get out of my house.”

The bear spent a few minutes in the doorway thinking about what to do, and eventually returned to the backyard where he met up with a second bear. Wightman continued talking to them and telling them to leave, which they eventually did after a few minutes when they climbed a fence and entered a neighbor’s yard. Luckily there was no damage and no one was hurt.

Photo Credit:  Jason Wightman via Facebook

A Tennessee man is under arrest after he got drunk, assaulted deputies, and then told them he’s Garth Brooks.

Knox County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about an intoxicated man screaming for help outside a Hobby Lobby store, but when they arrived he was already gone. But employees at a nearby Lowe’s said he was inside their store’s restroom yelling. Deputies found him there and noticed he was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.

As they led him out of the store, he continued to yell and scream profanities and tried to get away from them. He told them his name was Garth Brooks, but deputies used facial recognition software to confirm that he was not in fact Garth Brooks and was actually 47-year-old Truman Wayne Chapman and he has several outstanding warrants. He was arrested and ordered to stay away from Hobby Lobby. (WVLT-TV)

The winners of June Dairy Month Giveaway are:

-Sue Hanson, registered at the 1^st Southeast Bank in Harmony

-Josie Hageman, registered at Decorah Kawasaki

IT’S JUNE DAIRY MONTH AND WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR AREA DAIRY PRODUCERS BY AWARDING TWO NEW GRIZZLY 45 COOLERS FILLED UP WITH $150.00 OF DELICIOUS WW HOMESTEAD DAIRY PRODUCTS! YEP, TWO BIG WINNERS! STOP IN TO THESES PARTICIPATING SPONSORS AND GET SIGNED UP TODAY:

· Caledonia Lumber

· The Country Store in Caledonia

· Hanson Tire in Cresco

· First Southeast Bank – Canton & Harmony

· Carquest Waukon

· Elliot Jewelers, Waukon

· Drilling All Season Sports, Calmar

· Napa West Union

· Baumler Implements, West Union

· Jets Meat and Café, Waukon

· Decorah Auto Center

· Decorah Chevrolet/ Chrysler

· Ridgeway Lumber

· Randy’s Carquest Decorah

· Headington Repair, Decorah

· Windridge Implement Decorah

· Decorah Kawasaki

· Allamakee County Farm Bureau, Waukon

· Double D Liquor, Waukon

· Blake Electric, Waukon and Postville

· Bodensteiner Body Werks, Waukon

· Floors Plus, Waukon

· New Albin Savings Bank

· Becker Hardware in Ossian

· Meyer auto of Monona

· Community Insurance of Iowa of Ossian

· Citizens Savings banks of Fort Atkinson, Spillville, and Protivin

· Superior Building Center in Calmar

· Farmers Union Coop—in Fort Atkinson and Ossian

· Kelly Concrete, Waukon

· WW Homestead Dairy, Waukon

MUST BE 18-OR-OLDER TO REGISTER AND CLAIM PRIZES. WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN BY RANDOM DRAWING OF ALL ENTRIES ON JUNE 28TH, 2024. LA COMMUNICATIONS AND ALL PROMOTION PARTNERS ASSUME NO LOSSES OF ANY KIND. CONTEST RULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. 

UPDATE: Flooding at the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing construction site is delaying the scheduled short term bridge closures. The contractor has pulled off the project and the closures will not start next week as planned.

LANSING, Iowa – June 5, 2024 –  If you drive on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing you need to be aware of upcoming construction work that may affect your trip.

Starting the week of June 17, weather permitting, crews will continue work on constructing a new pier and driving the pier foundation for the new bridge that will replace the current bridge.

Intermittent closures of up to two hours will happen on the existing bridge between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to reduce vibration from construction activity and traffic, limiting the chance of damage occurring.

Work on the new bridge is moving forward as expected. For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge where you can sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

What happens on the floor of the House of Representatives is usually a clown show, but when a congressman brings his six-year-old son to work, it can get downright silly. Representative John Rose of Tennessee was trying to deliver a speech on the House floor, but his son Guy stole the show — making faces, waving at the camera and playing with a green squeeze toy.

This is what I get for telling my son Guy to smile at the camera for his little brother 🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/L8sLBDJt35

— Congressman John Rose (@RepJohnRose) June 3, 2024

Photo Credit: CSPAN via X

The annual WinnMed Hospice Memorial Ride is set for Sunday, June 23. The event will begin on the WinnMed campus in Decorah with a free-will donation breakfast, and will be held rain or shine.  Nancy Haberichter from WinnMed shared all the event details with us.

The 2024 event will support specialty therapies for hospice patients: Pet Therapy, Music Therapy and Massage Therapy. Additionally this year’s donations will support WinnMed Hospice’s “We Honor Veterans” program.

“There are many benefits to the complimentary therapies provided through WinnMed Hospice,” says Nancy Haberichter, director of WinnMed Hospice. “For hospice patients dealing with both physical and emotional pain and anxiety, the therapies can provide positive changes in mood, relaxation, peace and comfort. They reduce anxiety and stress and bring on more social interaction with caregivers and families. These therapies inevitably bring a smile to the faces of patients, which in turn, is a gift to both hospice staff as well as to families.” She adds, “This year we are hoping to add more services to our hospice patients who are veterans by providing them with specialized care geared toward their service to country.”

Breakfast is open to the public from 9 -10:30 am in the WinnMed Cafeteria. Convenient parking is available in Lot E. Anyone is welcome to come and have breakfast, whether riding or not.

All vehicles are welcome to participate in the poker run. The ride entry fee is $20 per person and sign-in is available at WinnMed from 9-10:30 am (during the breakfast). Bikes and cars will take off at 11:00 am from WinnMed to begin the poker run. The ride will take a tour of the beautiful roads of Northeast Iowa and Southeast Minnesota and end at Pivo Brewery in Calmar at 4:30 pm with a silent auction, door prizes and refreshments.

WinnMed Hospice provides end-of-life care that ensures quality of life, compassion and comfort for patients and their loved ones. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients and families in Allamakee, Clayton, Chickasaw, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties. Haberichter says, “We have received such wonderful support from the communities we serve. We are extremely happy to provide all these therapies to our patients and excited to offer Veteran services as well. The Hospice Memorial Ride donations will help to keep these therapies available for a long time to come.” For more information on the Hospice Memorial Ride, contact WinnMed Hospice at 563-387-3024.

Severe weather has been dominating the headlines the past week, with 20 confirmed tornados in the state of Iowa last week.  How about some real crazy weather for late May…SNOW!  The National Weather Service from La Crosse remembers the forgotten snow storm of May 27-29, 1947.

“On the morning of May 27, 1947, a developing low pressure system was located over central Nevada. It was this low which would be responsible for the snow storm over the Central Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Upper Michigan from May 27th through May 29th. A strong arctic high pressure system was located over the Mackenzie Basin in northwest Canada. This high would provide the cold air needed for a winter storm to develop. A mixture of rain and snow developed over Colorado and Wyoming during the day on May 27th and changed to all snow during the night as the low deepened and moved slowly east through southern Colorado.

On the morning of the 28th, the high pressure center had moved rapidly south to southern Saskatchewan. This high pressure area brought unprecedented cold for late May to North Dakota. Temperatures fell to as low as 15 degrees at Eckman, which is located near the Canadian border. In addition, the mercury fell to 23 degrees at Bismarck which is the lowest ever recorded there after May 20th. Meanwhile, below freezing temperatures were found across Montana, Wyoming, northeastern Colorado, western Nebraska, northern Minnesota, and western South Dakota. The sub freezing temperatures caused a partial to total loss of fruits and tender plants. During the day, this cold air surged southward across eastern Nebraska, eastern South Dakota, Iowa, southern Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Many cold maximum temperatures were established across the region for the day.

At the same time this was occurring, the area of low pressure was continuing to strengthen as it moved east through southern Kansas. From the evening of the 27th through the 28th, this low produced a 6-12″ snow band from southeast Wyoming east across northern Nebraska into northwest Iowa. The heaviest snow in this band was found in Alliance and Harrison, Nebraska where 12″ had fallen. The weight from the heavy wet snow caused considerable damage to power lines, telephone lines, telegraph lines, trees, and shrubs.

During the late afternoon and evening of May 28th, the surface low began to move northeast across northern Missouri, northwest Illinois, and southeast Wisconsin. The reason for this change in direction was due to a strong upper level disturbance that had dropped into the base of the upper level trough over Nebraska during the day. This upper level disturbance caused an amplification of the upper level ridge over the Ohio Valley and much of New England. As a result, temperatures in this region climbed into the 80s instead of the 50s and 60s which were seen the day before. However on the cold side of the system, temperatures remained in the 30s and 40s in the Upper Mississippi Valley. In addition to the cold temperatures, rain changed to snow across southern Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and across much of Wisconsin. This was the latest snow ever reported in a season in this area, with some places experiencing their biggest May snow storm on record.

From the late afternoon of the 28th into the early morning hours of the 29th, 7-10″ of snow fell across Allamakee County in northeast Iowa, and Vernon, Crawford, southern Monroe, and Richland Counties in southwest Wisconsin. The heaviest snowfall amount was 10″ in Gays Mills, WI. Meanwhile, a 7-9″ band of snow fell across northern Adams, Waushara, Winnebago, Outagamie, and Waupaca Counties in central and east central Wisconsin. The weight of the heavy snow caused severe damage to power lines, telephone lines, bushes, and trees.”

Memorial Day is the traditional start of summer, with barbecues and trips to the pool, lake or beach. But it’s also a solemn holiday meant to commemorate those who gave all to protect our great nation. Here’s a quick primer on the history of Memorial Day.

Shortly after the Civil War, many communities organized their own commemorations for fallen soldiers. Notably, formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina put together a remembrance just a month after the end of the war in 1865.

Waterloo, New York is considered to the official birthplace of Memorial Day, first having held an event in 1866.

In 1868, General John A. Logan, a leader of a group of veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance called Decoration Day. On May 30th, 1868, President James A. Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and more than 5000 people decorated the graves there.

For nearly a century, the holiday was held unofficially on May 30th — the anniversary of the first Decoration Day. But legislation in 1968 moved the holiday to the last Monday in May, and that change went into effect in 1971, making Memorial Day a federal holiday.

Today, parades are held around the nation — including major ones in Washington, New York and Chicago. Many people will wear a red poppy to remember those who’ve fallen — a tradition that began with a poem written in World War 1. A National Moment of Remembrance happens at 3:00 p.m. on Monday.

About 656,000 U.S. military members have died in combat, and there are now more than 260,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

Over the weekend in Toronto, a Blue Jays fan named Liz McGuire was in the stands for a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. A 110-mile-per-hour foul ball landed in the stands and plunked McGuire on the forehead, leaving a nasty bump and a black eye. She didn’t get the ball that bounced off her face – but she did stick around for the rest of the game. To celebrate Liz, the Topps trading card company created her very own card. It’s a limited-edition card. Only 110 were produced. And Liz gets all 110 copies.

PROPS TO @Topps THIS RULES🏆🏆🏆 https://t.co/g57zWOb0Cq

— Liz McGuire (@lizzzzzzzzzzy) May 20, 2024

The storms yesterday brought wind, hail, and significant rainfall to our area.  Check out some the totals reported to the National Weather Service in La Crosse.

La Farge- 3.18
Prairie Du Chien Airport- 1.83
Rochester- 2.55
Lanesboro- 1.21
Hokah- 1.37
Ionia 2W- 2.65
Monona- 1.74
Mcgregor- 2.73
Saratoga- 1.96
Decorah- 2.07
1 ENE Jackson Junction- 1.17
3 S Dorchester- 1.86
La Crosse Regional Airport- 1.29
Readstown- 2.08
New Hampton- 2.42

For a full list and storm reports click here.

The National Weather Service in La Crosse WI has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Iowa…

Turkey River at Spillville affecting Winneshiek County.

Turkey River at Elkader affecting Clayton County.

.A strong low pressure system will lift through Minnesota this afternoon bringing additional precipitation amounts of 1 to 2 inches. This river basin has already seen 1.5 to 3 inches of precipitation and the river has begun to rise rapidly at Spillville. With additional precipitation expected and the river already responding, will issue a flood warning for Spillville and Elkader at this time.

* WHAT…Minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE…Turkey River at Spillville.

* WHEN…From this evening to tomorrow evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– At 10:30 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 4.9 feet.
– Bankfull stage is 8.0 feet.
– Forecast…The river is expected to rise above flood stage this evening to a crest of 10.9 feet tomorrow morning. It will then fall below flood stage tomorrow afternoon.
– Flood stage is 9.0 feet.
– Flood History…This crest compares to a previous crest of 10.9 feet on 04/29/1991.

FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT TO FRIDAY MORNING…

* WHAT…Minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE…Turkey River at Elkader.

* WHEN…From late tonight to Friday morning.

* IMPACTS…At 12.0 feet, Minor flooding occurs in areas near the
river.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– At 10:45 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 7.1 feet.
– Bankfull stage is 12.0 feet.
– Forecast…The river is expected to rise above flood stage late tonight to a crest of 13.8 feet Thursday morning. It will then fall below flood stage early Friday morning.
– Flood stage is 12.0 feet.
– Flood History…This crest compares to a previous crest of 13.8 feet on 02/27/2023.

While cicada-geddon may be drawing all of the attention of entomologists in the eastern part of the country, there is another insect-ageddon going on in parts of the West.

Swarms of crickets are taking over towns in Nevada and Idaho. In some areas, roadways have been completely covered and briefly shut down so that Department of Transportation crews could plow the noisy buggers off the road. The crickets, specifically Mormon crickets, are drawn to areas that are stricken by drought because they feed on dead crops and vegetation. They also travel in very large groups, which is why they often cover road. Residents say they leave a slick, bloody mess on the road when they’re run over by cars and also emit a horrible smell.

Our maintenance crews see a little of everything in Southwest Idaho…🦗🦗

This video is from State Highway 51 last week. Mormon crickets are taking over the road this season! Watch out for slick spots. (If you get queasy easily, don’t watch this with the volume on🤢) pic.twitter.com/DzeItd0oYr

— Idaho Transportation Department (@IdahoITD) July 21, 2022

Photo Credit: Idaho Transportation Department via X

The Winneshiek County Sherriff’s Office has shared an update regarding missing kayaker Justin Limkemann.

On Monday, May 27, around 2:25pm the Iowa DNR reported seeing what they believed was a body in the Upper Iowa River near Lundy Bridge in Winneshiek County. A short time later, the Decorah Fire Department was able to confirm the sighting and recover the body of missing kayaker Justin Gerald Limkemann (39). Justin Gerald Limkemann has been missing since Saturday, May 18, 2024, after he went kayaking. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and all agencies involved in the search and recovery efforts extend their heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Here is the latest regarding the missing kayaker from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

Update 5/22/2024 – 10 am: Justin Gerald Limkemann (39) of Frederika, Iowa, has still not been located after he went kayaking on the Upper Iowa River on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Due to mother nature and high-water levels, search and recovery efforts have been altered. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office along with search and recovery crews have been working closely with Justin’s family throughout this operation. Search and recovery efforts will continue throughout the next several days as conditions allow.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office released some updated information this morning(5-21-24) regarding the missing kayaker on Upper Iowa River…..

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management, and Iowa DNR continued search and recovery efforts throughout the day and evening hours Monday 5/20/24. In addition, Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue, Illinois Team, was deployed to the Upper Dam area. Advanced equipment, technologies and experts did an extensive search of the area. These latest efforts were unsuccessful.

Today (5/21/24) search and recovery efforts will continue.

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, at around 12:16 pm, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing 39-year-old male kayaker. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office immediately began investigating. The kayaker was alone and had launched onto the Upper Iowa River around 2 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024 (the day prior). The last known location of the kayaker was on the river near the Freeport area at around 6 pm, Saturday, May 18, 2024. A short time after the investigation was initiated, the capsized kayak was located in the middle of the Upper Iowa River just below the Upper Dam. Several other items belonging to the kayaker were also located in the river below the Upper Dam.

The Decorah Fire Department and the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive search of the river from Freeport to the Lower Dam. This search included a jet boat, sonar, and drone technology. The kayaker has not been located and search and recovery efforts are continuing.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. If anyone has any information regarding this situation, please call the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

Pipe down! Seniors of Richwoods High School in Illinois hired a professional bagpipe player to follow their principal around blaring music for a whole hour. The seniors initially wanted to hire a mariachi band for the prank, but it was out of their price range due to higher demand for Cinco de Mayo. “We get a fair amount of gig requests,” bagpiper Scott Whitman said. “But this was my first senior prank request.” Principal Robison appreciated the spirit of the stunt. “I thought it was awesome and very creative, and all credit to the students for coming up with something that is not destructive to the school and the custodians don’t have to clean up after,” he commented.

Two Richwoods High School seniors decided to prank their principal but it had to be interesting and different. They succeeded:
Read more here: https://t.co/uIHcKCmoy9 pic.twitter.com/Jm8QQdl4M7

— WMBD News (@WMBDNews) May 10, 2024

Photo Credit:  WMBD News via X

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Lisa Bluder announced on Monday her retirement from coaching after 40 years as a collegiate head coach, including 24 at the University of Iowa.

Jan Jensen, who has served the last 20 years as the associate head coach under Coach Bluder, has been named the program’s sixth head coach by Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz. Jensen has more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, working alongside Bluder the past 24 years at Iowa and eight at Drake University.

“It is bittersweet news for all of us who love the University of Iowa and who have incredible admiration and respect for what Coach Bluder has accomplished and for how she did it. Lisa has left an indelible mark on this program, touched countless lives, and brought joy to all who know and love the Hawkeyes. Words can’t appropriately express the gratitude I share with so many for the impact she has made on the game of women’s basketball and the University of Iowa.” said Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz. “While we are saddened that she will no longer lead our young women on the court, we are thankful for what she has given to all of us and are comforted knowing she will continue to be our biggest champion and fan.”

Among her many accolades, Bluder was named the Naismith Coach of the Year (2019), was a three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2001, 2008, 2010), four-time regional coach of the year (2001, 2008, 2018, 2019), and the Carol Eckman Award winner (2015) in addition to being an inductee into the Des Moines Register Hall of Fame (2016), the Quad City Times Hall of Fame (2012), the Linn-Mar Athletic Hall of Fame (2008) and the Northern Iowa Hall of Fame (2000). Bluder amassed 884 career wins, 10th most in NCAA women’s basketball history.

“I am thrilled to share with you that current Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen has agreed to become the next P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach. This program has always been about family, and the contributions to its incredible culture are shared by alums, current, student-athletes and the entire staff. One of those contributors has been in the team circle for 24 years as a tireless recruiter, skilled teacher of the game, and charismatic personality that has endeared her to the Hawkeye community. Coach Jensen has been an instrumental part of our success, assisting in all aspects of the program. After several conversations with Coach Bluder and President Wilson over the last few days, it is clear that everything that we are seeking in a head coach, we have found right here.”

Bluder was named head coach at the University of Iowa in 2000 and retires as the all-time winningest coach in Big Ten history with an overall record of 528-254 and a Big Ten record of 262-145. Under her leadership, the Hawkeyes advanced to the last two National Championship Games and made 22 postseason appearances overall (18 NCAA and 4 WNIT), including 14 of the last 16 NCAA Tournaments. Bluder led the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament titles, and two shared Big Ten regular season championships.

Under her tutelage, Hawkeye players were named the National Player of the Year three times with two others named consensus All-Americans. Three different players were named the Big Ten Player of the Year and also three different players recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Sixty-five Hawkeyes earned All-Big Ten honors. Seventeen former Hawkeyes went on to play professionally. In the classroom, her student-athletes were named Academic All-Big Ten more than 150 times, while Ally Disterhoft (2016, 2017) and Caitlin Clark (2023, 2024) were both recognized as the Academic All-American of the Year.

Bluder began her coaching career as head coach at St. Ambrose University for six seasons (1985-90) followed by a 10-year head coaching stint at Drake (1991-2000). Bluder and the Bulldogs won four Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000) and three regular season titles (1997, 1998, 2000).

“It has been the honor of my career to be a part of the Iowa Hawkeye family, and to lead a women’s basketball program filled with so many talented and remarkable young women, who have gone on to do great things in their careers and, more importantly, in their lives,” said Bluder. “There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am thrilled she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation established. I’m committed to help her, and her staff, in whatever capacity they need moving forward.”

Jensen, helped guide Iowa to 22 postseason appearances, including 18 NCAA Tournaments, will enter her 25th year as a Hawkeye coach in 2024-25. Jensen was instrumental in mentoring the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament titles, including three straight, and sharing two regular season conference championships. Jensen and the Hawkeyes advanced to back-to-back National Championships (2023, 2024), and made the Elite Eight three times (2019, 2023, 2024) and the Sweet 16 five times (2015, 2019, 2023, 2024).

She began her coaching career at her alma mater in 1993 as an assistant to Coach Bluder, winning four MVC Tournament and three regular season championships (1997, 1998, 2000) on the Drake coaching staff.

Jensen quickly gained attention for her recruiting prowess and development of post players. Jensen and the Hawkeye recruiting classes consistently rank among the nation’s elite. Since arriving in Iowa City, she has been integral in attracting top recruits to the University of Iowa, including McDonald’s All-Americans (Samantha Logic, Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson and Caitlin Clark) and developing and maintaining consensus All-Americans Samantha Logic, Megan Gustafson, Kathleen Doyle and Caitlin Clark. Gustafson (2019) and Clark (2023, 2024) were ultimately voted the Naismith Player of the Year.

Coach Jensen is a native of Kimballton, Iowa, and played her college ball under Coach Bluder at Drake University, earning a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 1991, followed by a master’s degree in higher education in 1996. As a senior, she led the nation in scoring and was the Gateway Conference Most Valuable Player, a Kodak Honorable Mention All-American, a member of the All-Gateway team, and the GTE Academic All-American Player of the Year. She currently ranks fourth on Drake’s all-time scoring list, sixth in field goal percentage and eighth in rebounds, and is one of only two Drake players to have her number retired in the Knapp Center. After college, Coach Jensen played professionally in the European Professional Basketball League for BTV-Wuppertal in Germany, winning the German Cup.

 Off the court, Coach Jensen has been involved in the United Way of Johnson County and was recognized as the United Way of Johnson County Volunteer of the Year. She was also a recipient of the Corridor Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award and was named a recipient of the `Women of Influence’ Award by the Corridor Business Journal.

“I have been so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa. That ride started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege to work alongside of her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her mentorship, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I am so proud of all we accomplished and grateful for all the memories we created,” Jensen said. “I am now beyond elated to begin my new role and want to thank President Wilson and Beth for the opportunity to lead this program. I truly love The University of Iowa and I am profoundly honored and excited to continue building on our success. The support we have in every realm from our administration, donors, alumni and fans is unmatched and I am so proud to be a part of this special university.”

Coach Jensen and her spouse, Julie Fitzpatrick, have a son, Jack, and a daughter, Janie.