Dennis' Daily Report

Partly cloudy and cool..high in upper 70's. Not as nice as Jackie
in Anchorage has it. Thanks for your e-mail Jackie. People have been asking who you are? Why don't you put something about yourself on the KMAQ Guest Book? And the rest of you....do the Guestbook too, if you have not already done so. And...also enter same on www.maquoketa.com Guest Book. Many of you are making it a point to check...at least once a week...both of those Guest Books, in addition to this Daily.

Election Day yesterday...was slow. The NO'S won in all tree yes-no
questions. "No" in Jackson County to both constitution amendments and statewide also....both defeated 52 to 48% statewide. And, in Jackson County, the sales tax 1% increase that would have been used by school districts, was defeated by about 400 votes. However, in Maquoketa, it passed in 4 of the 5 Maquoketa wards. Other school boards in the County didn't push it much.

A birth, John and Jane Swieter of Dallas, Texas, are parents of a boy born Tuesday in Dallas. Maternal grandparents are Don and Betty Swieter of Maquoketa.

Home baked cake....and ice cream....and Red Henton...and the Timber City Community Band...tonight from 5 til 7 at the First Ward Park in Maquoketa. Can't wait! Sponsored by the Maquoketa Rotary Club.
This will be the 24th Annual....Ted Maze and I have co-chaired all of them. Used to make the Icecream there in the park, but stopped that about 10 years ago. We buy it ready made now.....not as good as the home-made, but safer.....

Sorry I won't see you at the park. You'll miss a couple "Sousa" marches.

DENNIS VOY  

Nice day in the 70's today.

Nothing to report on the election today......voter turn-out is slow as of mid afternoon. What election, you say? Check yesterday's report.

Platt Street from East to West through town was scheduled to be resurfaced this year, but because of all the work being down on highway 61 at West edge of city and the work being done on North Main approaching the new Maquoketa River bridge, it was decided to postpone the work a year, especially since the project calls for some detour routes. We might have had some serious traffic problems. City and State are also looking at possiblity of a sidewalk from Western Avenue in Maquoketa, (McDonald's corner) Westerly to the area of the Wal Mart store.

The RELAY FOR LIFE event held Saturday night until 6 Sunday morning at the high school TRACK, with proceeds for the American Cancer Society, was a big success. Lori Fye and Judy Moore, co-chair, reported today the amount raised is over $29,000....nealry $7,000 more than last year. The number of luminaries also doubled and the over 11-hundred was a "record" for this District.

No births or deaths.

I hear the new Preston Golf Course which opened yesterday is busy.

Also, the new Aquatic Center (community pool, plus) at DeWitt is going great, with over 800 using it a day. It opened June 1.

My '83 Olds Wagon has a new muffler.

Keep smilin'....

DENNIS VOY

 

A little cooler weather has arrived.

Had a good trip to wedding in Michigan, just south of Grand Rapids.
Got back home around 4 yesterday afternoon, but didn't get around to doing this report.

It is election day in Iowa tomorrow. On the ballot, two constitutional amendments. One of the measures would limit legislaltors to spend no more than 99 percent of the State's budget and the other amendment would require a 60 percent majority vote before any tax issue could be approved. The Governor and most members of the legislature are opposed to both. So are most School Administrators. In favor of both, former Governor Terry Branstad, the Farm Bureau, and those who believe there should never be new or raised taxes, ever. The absentee ballots are high, indicating the turnout could be better than first expected. Here in Jackson County, also on the ballot, to raise the sales tax an additiional 1-percent, with that money to be used by all School Districts in the County, with the money to be spent only for infrastructure spending.
This is a 10-year deal. Maquoketa, the largest school district in the county, would get around $390,000 a year from the tax. Polls are open from 7 AM until 9 PM tomorrow. It is costing the State around l to 2 millions dollars to hold this special election tomorrow.

The farm tour yesterday, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce AG COMMITTEE...at the Dark Hollow Bison Ranch about 3 miles northeast of Maquoketa, was well attended. About 2000 showed up and over l,600 bison burgers were served. Dan and Sheri Palmer are owners of the 640 acre ranch and have about 200 head of bison on it.

Two Maquoketa teenagers were in a single car accident last night. The car crashed into a cornfield and flipped. The driver was Allison Neis, age 16 and she is listed in satisfactory condition at the local hospital. A passenger, Katherine Bollinger, age 14, was released from the hospital today. Neither girl was wearing seatbelts.

Two births: Matt and JoMarie Coons of Kansas City are parents of a girl born June 22nd at Overland Park, Kansas. Maternal grandmother is Jean Coons of Maquoketa. AND....a girl was born this morning to Carlos and Debbie Smith of Maquoketa, at Mercy Birthing Center in Dubuque. Maternal grandparents are Ken and Dixie Dietzman of Maquoketa.

Have a good week everyone.

DENNIS VOY  

TODAY, SUNNY AND....HOT...AROUND 90.

A well known Andrew farmer died last night after his tractor apparently ran over him when he tried to start it. Dead is Allan
Deppe, age 77. Services pending at Haylock, O'Hara and Lahey
Funeral Home in Maquoketa.

I will be attending Trent Tilton's wedding tomorrow in Michigan and so there will be no report tomorrow or Sunday. Hopefully, I'll have a report again for you late Monday afternoon.

Have a nice weekend.

DENNIS VOY

 

It's been a hot one....89 today.

Fire this morning at Ron Trenkamp farm home, rural Spragueville.
Major water and smoke damage. No damage estimate and the cause was apparently electrical.

Dennis Barr home, rural DeWitt destroyed by fire early this morning.
Cause unknown. No injuries at either fire.

A Wisconsin firm is seriously looking at Maquoketa for a major expansion. Bigwigs have been into town and like it. Need 20 acres and the land available is just south of the city limits. Name of company not being released. They would employ up to 600 people and the wages would average l0-to-13-dollars an hour. Last night the Maquoketa City Council, Maquoketa Municipal Electric Board and the Jackson County Board of Superviors met for 3 hours discussing the prospect. The State of Iowa Economic Development officials are in constant touch with both Maquoketa officials and the 40-year-old firm in Wisconsin. Decision could be made in about a month. Two other Iowa towns are being considered, but Maquoketa seems to be the first choice.

I have 3 people on vacation this week, so ....this has to end as I head for the FM control room.

KEEP COOL! Wonder if Jacque is cool up in Alaska?

DENNIS VOY  

Just a so-so day today, with lots of clouds and ocassional rain...a high of 70.

Mississippi Gambling Boats.....they DO make more money than most of their players.....and they are popular. Once or twice a year, they have to award charitable grants. Today, the Dubuque Racing Association announced grant awards totaling $1,876,973. And Jackson County got a lot of that. Examples: Andrew Fire Department, $10,035.....Bellevue Ambulance, $9,000.....Bellevue Community Schools, $10,600.....Bellevue Fire Department, $11,000....Bellevue Police
Department, $3,734.....Bellevue Public Library, $25,300.....Jackson County Public Hospital, $20,500...and many more, including $4,000 for the Maquoketa Fire Department for radios. So, I guess I shouldn't complain when I loose a few dollars playing video poker. I average a visit-a-month on one of the boats, generally the PRESIDENT in Davenport. Have been a winner my last two visits...$20 and a couple weeks ago, $55. Don't tell anyone, but I think I now have those machines figured out.

Jackson County Hospital Board members held a short meeting yesterday and discussed the one board member vacancy. They want to get it filled and are looking for county citizens to think about running for the board. Contact Dave Johnson at the Maquoketa State Bank if you are interested. It was announced that the recent Hospital golf outing netted around $15,000.

There's a big meeting tonight regarding a big industrial prospect for Maquoketa. Maybe I'll have more tomorrow about it.

At the school board meeting last night, it was announced that a bigger number of students than expected have signed up for Spanish next fall..and an additional Spanish teacher may have to be hired. This won't be easy with the recent cutbacks in the budget.

June Winegar, age 81, who died yesterday, will be buried in Chester, Iowa. She had no survivors and requested no public visitation and no public funeral. She taught in Maquoketa, mostly kindergarden, 41 years, retiring in 1982.

The Two Brother's Family restaurant (years ago, Hayes Maidrite) has closed and I hear the government is selling equipment.

The old SOUTH INN SUPPER CLUB on South Main Street (operated by Curley and Vivian Miller for many years, then Jim and Nancy Gran after them)
is being remodeled. I hear Bob Jones bought the building, which has slight fire damage from a fire earlier this year. I suppose he will make it into some kind of eating place.

The Decker Hotel got a new kitchen window this week....installed by Brent Rathje, ace installer for Dub and Clay Romer's CONNELL SUPPLY COMPANY. Brent does nice work. The old window was in pretty bad shape...wouldn't open anymore. More progress for Maquoketa. You an imagine how nice it must be for the cooks to now have a window that opens again for freshs Maquoketa air.

The bulldozers have been busy moving dirt next to the Maquoketa River shorline at the north edge of the city. A housing development company is doing it and what an improvement.

The Maquoketa girls high school team defeated Camanche twice last night and improved their record to 10 and 9.

Finially, the parking lines(stripes) on Main Street have been re-painted...now easier to park.....

THAT'S IT FOR ANOTHER DAY. Thanks to the Millers for their Guest Book message.

DENNIS VOY  

First full day of summer and we knew it here in Maquoketa..a high today of 89...then a shower cooled things off around 4 this afternoon.

The Maquoketa City Council met last night and talked about the Clinton Engines property, which is an "eyesore" to passing motorists, especially the old "foundry" area. The ground is probably contaminated and therefore the clean-up could be very costly. The owners of the plant are interested in possible donating the land to the city for an industrial prospect, if the city would do the clean-up. Clinton Engines, which in the firm's best years, in the 50's when employment was as high as 2,200, is still in operation. The office is still used and a building behind the office. They do "job" work for other industries and employ around 20. It is good that discussion has started on the clean-up of the industry. A "committee" of the City Council will meet at 3 tomorrow afternoon to discuss the matter.

Unemployment rates for May are again VERY, VERY low....which means two things...the economy is good....and workers are hard to find. In May, the U.S. rate was 4.2 percent. Iowa, a record low of 2.7.
Jackson County, also 2.7 and probably a record.

A burglary of the Iron Hill Quarry, rural Maquoketa....sometime over the weekend. Quite a "haul". A microwave...two phones...an air-compressor...a battery charger..50 foot of electrical cable...two am-fm radios (probably tuned to KMAQ and now the thief is enjoying good music)...four 24-packs of pop...$5 in cash and 100 company pens.
Any information....call Jackson County Crimestoppers at 1-800-518-2283.

The new PLUM FAULT golf course just North of Preston is going to open a couple days earlier than planned. Over the weekend, board members and stockholders will play the first rounds and there will be a dinner in the clubhouse. Then, the public can start playing next Monday.
Ritch Skrivseth, formerly of Maquoketa, now a Preston banker, was one of the key indivduals reponsible for getting this new course.

June Winegar, age 81, a popular kindergarden teacher for many years in Maquoketa, died today at the hospital. Services are pending at the Carson & Son Funeral Home.

It's hooked up! The new chocolate machine at the Dairy Queen. Now, one can enjoy a chocolate or twist cone. Thanks Lois! And their new drive-up window is already popular.

Bob's Electronics Store in downtown Maquoketa has closed. Owned by Bob Koranda.

Mary Bee's going out of business sale is winding down! The longtime women's wear store will close soon.

Larry Hagar, longtime sign-painter in Maquoketa, turned 78 recently.
Visited with his wife, Alice, today. She reports they are going out to the LA area of Southern California in July to visit Larry's sister.
Daughter Laurie will go along. Son Brock is already there, working this summer at a church camp and son Bruce can't go along, as he just started a new job in DeWitt. There, you are now somewhat up to date on the Hagar family. By the way, neither Larry or Alice are retired.

The firemen had 817 for their Father's Day Breakfast Sunday. Good, but not a record. Food was very good.

And..so it goes for a Tuesday.

VERY BUSY THESE DAYS, SO, AS YOU HAVE NOTICED, I MAY NOT HAVE A REPORT EVERY DAY.

Sorry about that!

DENNIS VOY
 

Mostly sunny and nice again.

NO NEWS TODAY.

DENNIS VOY  

Another terrific weather day in Maquoketa.

Next month, will mark the 20th Anniversary for a popular Maquoketa Business. It was 20 years ago when Patrick J. Costello was introduced to a deterioated stone grist mill just East of Maquoketa.
The first floor was rotted out and there were no windows, no plumbing, no wiring, and the roof needed to be completely replaced. Costello fell in love with the Mill at first sight. With the help of many workers and many friends, he restored the 1867 Grist Mill into what is today COSTELLO'S OLD MILL GALLERY. To mark the 20th Anniversary, Costello will have an open house July 2-4. There will be tours of his studio where he does his painting. Costello says, "Living in the old Mill and having Jackson County as his backyard, has been an inspiration for him". The gallery will be open from 9 A.M. until 5:30 P.M. during the open house and tour times will be at 11, 2 and 3:30 each day. The popular place for locals and tourists is located just East of Maquoketa on highway 64.

Jacque in Alaska...thanks for your kind words about the KMAQ WEB
SITE and this Daily Report. And to Steven who dislikes my grammar...keep after me about this. Both made entries in KMAQ's GUEST BOOK. How many of you check out the KMAQ GUEST BOOK regularly?
It has a few entries every week.

No other news....it has really been quiet around this little city.

CARSON & SON FUNERAL HOME will have their OPEN HOUSE to let people see the work done during 22 months of remodeling. It is tomorrow afternoon. No refreshments, but in place of refreshments, $1 will be given for every visitor, to the church of their choice. I had a sneak preview recently. It is a fine, beautiful facility. Congratulations to Rod Carson and his son, Don.

MAQUOKETA FIREHOUSE FATHER'S DAY BREAKFAST is Sunday at the fire station. Nearly a thousand go to this biggest breakfast of the year in Maquoketa.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS VOY.

 

Perfect weather day in Maquoketa...high 75.

The Maquoketa Area Foundation BOARD met this morning and voted to give $3,000 to the NEW SIGNS FOR MAQUOKETA goal of $20,000.....for two new signs at the entry to the city. A "grant" is also being sought by the city.

NO OTHER MAJOR MAQUOKETA NEWS TODAY, SORRY.

DENNIS VOY  

SORRY, NO REPORT TODAY  

This is a Test

David Voy
KMAQ WebMaster  

Another cool day...sunny this morning, partly cloudy this afternoon.

Yesterday, I don't know what happened, but this report finished up right in the middle of a sentence. However, there wasn't much after that.

Heidi and Archie McNeil of rural Preston recently donated 60 acres of their land to the Jackson County Conservation Board to be used as a
preserve. Its a wooded area near highway 64 near Preston, dominated
by Red Cedar trees. It has been named the McNeil Nature Preserve and future plans call for the preserve to be used for classroom work and some public programs and a trail might be built through it later.

The Maquoketa girls split a doubleheader with Marion, here, last night and now are 5 and 8 in the young season. Coach again this year is
Dick Davis.

Maybe I mentioned this yesterday..the Maquokta band got home at 11:30 yesterday morning from a Florida trip. Kent Crawford was in charge and reports they all had a good time.

No births, no deaths...its another slow day in Maquoketa.

IS EVERYBODY HAPPY OUT THERE??

DENNIS VOY

 

Beautiful,cool day...and cool weather in 70's is expected all week.

The Maquoketa Chamber of Commerce released information today on the July 3rd Parade in Maquoketa. It will be at 4 that Saturday afternoon and will start at the fairgrounds....come downtown....and end back at the fairgrounds, before the stock car races start.

A few minor accidents over the weekend and a few court cases...  

Nice day, then rain around 7 P.M.

NO NEWS REPORT TODAY.

DENNIS VOY  

Nice today, high of 86...

Maquoketa's $166,000 walking path is nearing completion....it was started last year. It goes from the new Summitt Street highway 61 over-pass EASTERLY. It is on the North side of Summitt. Trees were taken down for it....and in some places, earth was taken down to keep it fairly level. In fact, retaining walls were necessary on the corner where it crosses South Main Street. Goodenow Field football-stadium now has a 4-foot wide sidewalk all along the South edge, right next to the bleacher sections. From the over-pass all the way to Goodenow field, it is all concrete. From Goodenow Field through the Industrial Park, it will be asphalt and that work is being done now. It will end up on East Platt Street, next to Hermes Auto Sales.

A German foreign exchange student at Bellevue was hit by a car while riding his bike at the North edge of town yesterday aftenoon.
He was struck by Larry Temple, age 63 of Bellevue. I guess no one at fault...just an accident.

A couple in their 30's ...not married yet..loved to fish...and yesterday, struck by lightning in Quad Cities, WHILE FISHING. Not from here.

Two big breakfast events tomorrow....going against each other...which was a mistake. The dairymen's breakfast at a rural Delmar farm and the Maquoketa Optimist fly-in breakfast at the airport. Fly in...and you get a free breakfast. Not sure yet which one I'll go to.

Maquoketa boys high school team, coached by Curt Nelson, won their first game yesterday, l0 to 9, over Muscatine. They have lost a couple, but still have most of season ahead. The Maquoketa girlls highschool softball team, coached by Dick Davis, is off to a so-so start. This weekend, yesterday and today, the played in a CLASSIC at Iowa City and beat West Branch, but lost to an Iowa City and a Des Moines Team by close scores. They'll improve. Both Nelson and Davis are talented coaches.

Another week just about over. Have a good week ahead.

DENNIS VOY  

HALF INCH OF RAIN YESTERDAY, MOSTLY SUNNY AND HOT TODAY, HIGH 87.

NO NEWS REPORT TODAY.  

Another hot day and storms forecast for later on.

Two area teenagers are in good condition at the hospital here in Maquoketa after they were pinned beneath a tractor last night. Missy Gerlach of Maquoketa, age 13, and Nick Taplin, age 14, of Preston, had to be extracated from beneath the tractor by the Maquoketa Rescue Squad. Missy Gerlach was driving the open cab tractor 3.5 miles northwest of Maquoketa, near the Caves Road, at around 8:30 last night. She was backing the tractor to hook up to a wagon and stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake....and the tractor went into the ditch and the youngsters were pinned underneath. Rescuers at the scene said they were lucky they landed on soft soil, which cushioned them under the tractor. It took rescue workers more than 30 minutes to lift the tractor with air bags and jacks.

Maquoketa has a "spec" building out in the Industrial Park and a Dubuque man would like to buy it and land next to it. He then plans to add another building on the site. The buildings would be storage buildings and would be used primarily by a Maquoketa Industry, Pacific Coast Feather Company to house their products. Then, Pacific would be able to hire more employees. Deal pending a satisfacatory price.

Brad Deery Motors in downtown Maquoketa reported new vehicles on their lot were damaged by scratching last night, with damages estimated at
$1,600.

Judy Bickford, (Mrs. Jake Bickford) was on our JUST TALK show today talking about her career as an English Teacher for over 30 years in Maquoketa. She and Warren Roberts are the two with most years at the High School. Both will be back next August. Jake...let's see..its Thursday...he's on the golf course right now. Thursday is still Men's Day at the Maquoketa Country Club.

FORE...from Maquoketa.

DENNIS VOY  

Hot and Humid..in 90's.

Four conterfeit 20-dollar bills were found in Maquoketa yesterday and officials are warning residents to look at their 20-dollar bills. Maquoketa Police Chief Robert Andersen said the bills looked fairly authentic, but the green color was off a bit. The Secret Service has been called in to help with the local investigation.

The Maquoketa Country Club manager is no longer working at the Club...and I'm not sure if this situation is permanent or not. Its the talk of the membership, but facts are not known. I'll keep you posted. This is the 3rd or 4th manager in around a year.

No births, no obits. A quiet day. At Rotary today, Denice Flemming talked on her Massage business. There are 3 or 4 massage offices in town. The demo today was down by Denice on Rotarian Ken Wright.....and he seemed to enjoy it. Dr. Broman's guest today was son John, who is vacationing in Maquoketa from State of Georgia, where he has taught music at a college, for around 8 years.

Till tomorrow.

DENNIS VOY

 

SUNNY AND HOT.....HIGH 91.

Maquokta service clubs, through the city, are planning on going after a Casino grant to fund new entrance name signs for Maquoketa...the first two would be coming into Maquoketa from the South on highway 61 and coming into Maquoketa from the West on highway 64. Total cost estimated at $20,000. Two others would be added later.

Dorothy Mommsen, age 90, of Maquoketa died Monday evening at the local hospital. She is survived by nieces and nephews.

Betty M. Jetter, age 78, of Maquoketa died yesterday at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque. She was preceded in death by Husband Harold Nisse. For many years, they operated Nissen Cleaners across from the post office.
She was also preceded in death by Husband Delbert Jetter. She then worked at the Maquoketa State Bank until l982 when she retired. She is survived by special friend Mel Stiles, and 2 step-daughters and 2 step-sons.

THANKS FOR COMING BY.

DENNIS VOY  

Sunny and hot today...pushing 90....sounds like the whole week will be like this.

Three students had a perfect 4.0 gradepoint at yesterday's MCHS graduation......Michael Hora, Abby Stockham and Lance Tilll....rounding out the top ten.....Cale Wilson, Karl Arensdorf, Beth Drescher, Leslie Rubel, Ilene Banowetz, Jill Gjerde and Sasha Rosenfels.

Sabula was hit by high winds yesterday afternoon...with 12 houses being damaged by falling trees, according to Sabula Police Chhief Russ Long. It was cleanup day today and the Iowa DOT sent in some trucks to help. Winds clocked at 83 MPH.

A Charlotte woman was charged by Maquoketa police Saturday with domestic assault. She alledgedly assaulted the father of her children by hitting him in the face, pulling his hair, attempting to choke him and spitting on him. And I thought my Nancy could be bad!

Todd and Kayleen Barten are parents of a boy born last Thursday at the JCPH here in Maquoketa.

TIME WARP...the Nascar, Games and Toys Store across the street from KMAQ moved over the weekend to East Platt Street, just a short distance form Main. Years ago, it was the building of Marcucci's Tavern and the most recent business in it was Simpson Heating and Air-Conditioning. The last 2 years it has been empty. Ron Horan is the owner of TIME WARP.

VETERLI TOWER SERVICE from Monroe,Wisconsin, was here this afternoon to change all the light bulbs on the KMAQ 400-foot tower. Two side lights were already burned out. Have to do this about every 18-months. I made arrangements with them to come back this summer or fall and re-paint the tower....a 2 or 3 day job. Will be off-the-air some of the time while the painting is being done.

In case you have not checked, I did have a report yesterday, but didn't do it until last night. A long one.

I'll keep this one shorter today.

STAY COOL.

DENNIS VOY

 

Rain, then clouds, then little more rain, then cloudy...nice late in day.

142 Seniors at Maquoketa High School received their diploma today. The Commencement Ceremonies were scheduled for outside on the East lawn of the High School, but shortly after noon, it was decided to move the chairs inside to the gym. Been a few years since the graduation was inside, which is not really big enought for everyone and can get a little warm, as I'm sure it did today. I did not go. We broadcast the ceremonies on KMAQ-AM, but Leighton Hepker hosted the broadcast.

Nancy and I were invited to three graduation parties this year. One was held last Sunday and one will be this Tuesday night. Today, we went to the party for Abby Stockham, daughter of Dave and Diane Stockham. They live in a beautiful home on the hill East of Maquoketa, but not very visable. Abby has been very active in High School...had a 4-point average and was one of 3 Validictorians. She will go to Wartburg this fall. The party, held in a big white tent,featured delicious food and capped off with famous Whitey's Ice Cream from the Quad Cities.

Last night, Nancy and I went to the Saturday night service at First Lutheran Church and a Gospel group from Minneapolis sang during the service.
The nine member group, together only 4 years,was very good and one of the group was Erin Sebbert, who lived in Maquoketa for quite a few years when going to school. She is now married and has 2 boys. Also in their group was Barb Meyer, daughter of the Marv Meyers of Dubuque. Marv for many years was the Social Security man that came to Jackson County once a week and also did a weekly guest appearance on KMAQ's Views & Interviews to explain all the parts of Social Security. Marv and his wife came down to see their daughter last night and I had a chance to visit with him for a few minutes. Now retired, and looks good. His daughter is an excellent singer...has a Masters Degree in Music from Iowa. Anyway, I was so impressed with their singing that I took daughter Lonna to the 10:30 service this morning. Very good again, more singing this time. And, at the service, the Sebbert family. Gary and Judy still live in Muscatine. Paige, is married and she and her husband have a baby boy and just moved to New York. Amy is a school teacher, has a boy,and she and husband live in Dubuque. She is an elementary teacher here in town.

Can you believe it. I made a mistake in this report...a couple days ago. Jerry Willey's son is Nick, not Jason. Jason is Jack's son. Nick had a top job with the Iowa Cubs baseball team
and this year, moved to Davenport, and works for the Quad City Bandits Midwest League baseball team...in their marketing department. Jason, and his wife just had a baby boy, their first child, and he is a police officer for the Davenport Police Department.

Spruce Harbor Inn....one of my favorite places to eat ... at Bellevue. Went their tonight....great catfish dinner...overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. You'll have to visit the place soon. Nancy's steak was darn good too...had a couple bites...and my mother-in-law's chicken also good..had a couple bites of it...not as good as KFC's of course.
Did you know that many years ago,Jerry and Cleo Manning once owned the restaurant...mostly a tavern then. Has a great view of the river. Jerry is the head jailer here in town and a good one...also a heck of a good fisherman. Enters and wins or places in lots of
big fishing events in the midwest.
Meanwhile, Cleo keeps busy taking care of grandkids and helping out at Floridinos's Pizza in downtown Maquoketa, owned by daughter Christy and her husband. Good pizza. Big, good Calzones.

At Spruce Harbor, ran into Bill and Peg Bowen of Maquoketa. He is the longtime meat department manager at Fareway.
They did live in Maquoketa, but the Iowa DOT bought their house as it was in the way of new 4-lane 61....so they built a new home on the Caves Road northwest of Maquoketa. Peg works at one of the industries out in Maquoketa's Industrial Park and listens to my morning show on KMAQ-FM. When I have a mystery singer contest several times a month or more..she wins quite a few as she really knows her singers, especially from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Well...first my report was too late and now it is too long. Sorry twice.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK!

DENNIS VOY  

88 AND HUMID IN MAQUOKETA.

Little to report again.

Richard and Martha Beck of Mundelein, Illinois, are parents of a boy...grandparents are Bill and Verla Beck of Maquoketa.

Brenda and Jim Mosher of Conrad, Iowa, are parents of a girl born at Ames hospital. Grandparents are Dave and Elaine Luett of Maquoketa...their second grandchild.

Maquoketa has a big new banner across Main Street..advertising the big July 3 Fest...something new this year. More later.

Happy Sunday!

DENNIS VOY
 

Rainy day In Iowa.

For months, everyone has been worrying about the new (but not completed) intersection North of Maquoketa on highway 61 where 61 and
the Maquoketa Caves road intersect....that it was dangerous. A light was added last fall. Yesterday, 5 people were taken to the hospital here in town following a 2-vehicle accident at that intersection. All were treated and released for minor injuries. One car was driven by 23-year-old Jennifer Jo Beck of Maquoketa and she was charged with failure to maintain control. Passengers in the other car were from Illinois. Anyway...there will now be more complaints about that area. But, once the highway is finished, I believe it will be okay.

Have a nice weekend. A busy one for Maquoketans....as MCHS Commencement Ceremonies are Sunday afternoon at 2.

DENNIS VOY  

SORRY, NO REPORT TODAY  

High of 73 today...mostly sunny. Late yesterday, a tornado was seen in Eastern Clinton County and a Tornado Warning was issued for Green Island and Sabula, but no damage reported. We got a downpour for while during the storm...9/10 of an inch.....it was needed.

At Maquoketa Rotary today, Police Chief Bob Andersen spoke...told about the Grant to pay for a policeman that will be assigned fulltime during the school year at both the Middle School and High School...one policeman to share time at both locations. The Grant is for 3 years and after that, it will be part of the Department budget. Lots of bigger school districts are going with this....not because of major problems, but to have someone interact with students and prevent trouble. Chief Andersen also talked about the 4 policemen who have purchased bikes, had training with them and now they will use them for patrol work.

New Jackson County Auditor Phylis Gerlach, who defeated Shirley Ritenour last November and took office Janaury 1st...came before the Board of Supervisors this week and said the office is too busy for jsut 2 people and asked for a part-time assistant. After much discussion, the Board gave her permission to advertise for help. One duty that is growing....boat registrations...I was surprised to learn that there are over 3,000 boats in Jackson.

The East Doors of the Courthouse now have electric openers...to aid the handicapped. The high school is also getting one this summer.

Jerry Willey has retired from Caterpillar in Peoria and is moving back to Maquoketa. His mother is Francis and brother is Jack. Wife died of cancer. Son Jason is a Davenport policeman.

Larry and Bonnie Thede are back in Maquoketa after spending the winter in Arizona. Their son and wife own the Decker Hotel. They will be up here for just a month, then visit more kids in Colorado (they have 12) and then head back to a new house they are building that will be completed in August, near the city of Bullhead. Both in their upper 70's and looking good. Have a new dog too. The six new 3rd floor guest rooms at the Decker are almost done.

At the Senior Citizens Center, a breakfast buffet is now being served, since June 1, from 7:30 to 9:30...cost, about $1. Noon meals still avialable at $2.25. Turnout for breakfast has so far been good. For noon dinner, the average per day is around 45 Seniors. The nice Senior Center is on East Quarry Street, just before you get to the fairgrounds. Has a paid manager and paid cooks of course.

Time to call it a day and head for home.

DENNIS VOY



 

Happy June first....first day of June Dairy Month. Cloudy day..a little rain this afternoon and more expected tonight.

A rumor of a bomb threat this morning and local officials searched both Briggs and Elementary School...found nothing. While doing this, Brigg's kids all went over to First Ward Park and Cardinal's kids went to the Pearson Center on the fairgrounds. All went home at noon, a half-hour early, and school was officially out for 1998-99 year. No disruptions at the Middle School or High School.

Had lunch today with Bob Osterhaus, owner of Osterhaus Pharmacy and our State Representative....and big news from him is that he is going to have a knee replacement operation later this month.

Have a good June. See you tomorrow.

DENNIS VOY