Dennis' Daily Report

Beautiful day in Iowa.....highs in the 40's with sunshine...and tomorrow will be nice again.

Mary and Charlie Stock lived in Maquoketa in the 60's and moved away.
Charlie wrote and recited poetry and Mary played the organ. She also worked in the front office for KMAQ and we got an organ loaned to us from a music store so Mary could have a daily show. Later, she also opened Maquoketa's first bridal store. Both were nice people. About 3 years ago, John Larkey (now deceased) told me he had visted Mary and Charlie and I got her addess from him and wrote her. She sent a VHS tape, playing the organ still. This month, going through my Christmas card list, I decided I'd send them a card. Yesterday, I got a short letter. Dear Dennis: It was a pleasure to hear from you. I'm sorry to report that my dear Mary went to be with Jesus on January 17, 1998. She was 81 years old. I am 86 and lonely. May the New Year bring the best to both you and Nancy. Charlie Stock.
He lives in a mobile home in Alamo, Texas. E-mail me if you'd like his address.

Coming soon on the KMAQ WEB SITE....KMAQ taped audio. We'll be able to let you listen to an entire chosen KMAQ show. For instance, I might decide to send a Bill Flemming Coaches Show. Or, a Views & Interviews Program. Or a Just Talk Show. Might even treat you to a Polka Show. "Live" KMAQ RADIO SHOWS...all the time? Possible now, but expensive on our end. But, we'll have it someday.

The woman (Valerie Reeve's) who was convicted of murdering Eugene Malone of Andover in 1997 has won an Iowa Court of Appeals ruling which sends her motion for a new trial back to Clinton County.

A Maquoketa woman was charged after she collided with a semi truck at 11:35 A.M. yesterday on Quarry and Main Streets in Maquoketa.
Police charged LaVonne Mary Gavin, age 65, with failure to yield when entering a street. A Muscatine man was driving the simi. No injuries.

More Christmas decorations stolen last night in Maquoketa.

Y2K hopefully won't be a problem at KMAQ. When I do this report tomorrow, we'll see what date will be at the top. Much of the KMAQ
equipment is old, non computerized, so we should be on the air at regular time tomorrow. My part-time Engineer...who also does work for a radio station GROUP OF 5 stations near here, is being paid $1,000 tonight to be at the site of the 5 transmitters from 9 til 1 or longer if needed. They are paying this to other engineers at other locations where they have multiple 24-hour stations.

41 years ago tomorrow morning, January 1, 1959, I was given the sign-on shift for KMAQ on New Year's morning......tomorrow morning I'll do it again, at 5:53 A.M. In radio...Holidays are no different than regualar days. So, no party for me tonight. A few minutes ago, I talked to some friends who are dining tonight at TIMMERMANS in Dubuque....a favorite supper club for over four decades. Still is today! A filet you can cut with your fork, is still a favorite.

Popular places tonight in Maquoketa will be: The Decker Hotel...The Depot...Hov's Pub....The Maquoketa Country Club...Timber Lanes...Obie's...The Eagles Club...Fife's Sports Bar...The Loft.
A few may even take in a movie before dinner....and the Voy 3 Theatre is featuring 3 of the top movies in the country right now.

Faye Moeller stopped in to see me the other day. Been a KMAQ fan since we went on the air....played with some Country bands in the area and also drove school bus a long time. He's 90 now and sharp for his age. His son and daughter have a popular restaurant out East and it was recently used for a scene in a new movie starring Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman and Brooke Langdon. "THE REPLACEMENTS" is to be released in April. Faye thought I'd like hearing about it and brought along his son's Christmas letter which mentioned it.

Red Henton called up to wish me a Happy New Year. Red is still very active at 80, but Bernice is having some health problems.

Its been a GOOD YEAR in Maquoketa...new super highway...new bridge over the Maquoketa river...new large industry announced, with construction already underway...new bike/walking path (to be expanded
in 2000...low unemployment...and new business places, including a credit union(like a bank) in new building...Senior Housing Development...new carwash...restaurants...bakery...and much more.
2000 should be a good year too.

And....I need to end this and get back to work.

Plan now to pay Maquoketa a visit in 2000.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'll try to have a short report tommorrow.

DENNIS VOY
 

Above normal temps again today...high of 44 after yesterday's 47 and tomorrow again is expected to be sunny with a high around 40. The snow is disappearing.

Very little to report.

The Hospital Board met this week and mainly talked about the nurse shortage...and okayed some incentive pay.

A major theft....Dave Stockham reported a Stihl Cut=Off Saw was taken from a construction site here in town. The value of the saw, over $2,000.

A birth..Sue Davis of Maquoketa and Paul Fitzpatrick of Park View, are parents of a boy born Tuesday here at the JCPHospial.

Brandon and Renee Starr of Maquoketa, a girl, born Monday at the local hospital.

Y2K is getting close.

See you tomorrow.

DENNIS VOY  

HIGH OF 41 TODAY.

Wayne Graves of Monmouth reported that on Christmas Day someone killed his dogs and broke the windshield and damaged the drivers side of his pickup, with $700 in damages.

Melodie Schueller of 503 West Platt reported two animated deer were vandalized overnight last night....damages estimated at $500.

Maquoketa firemen were called to McDonalds this morning, where a smoke odor was evident.....but no smoke found...possibly a light fixture odor.

New WELCOME TO IOWA SIGNS are being put up around the state this week, including on major highways in the KMAQ area. They say WELCOME TO IOWA....FIELDS OF OPPORTUNITIES.

Clifton Yappen, age 76, of Maquoketa...died last night at the local hospital...and is survived locally by his wife LaVonne and a sister, Christine Daehler of Maquoketa.

Iowa HOSTS Drake tonight.

GO HAWKS!

DENNIS VOY

 

Hope you all had a nice Christmas. I did.

Great weather for Christmas..especially having snow.

Got 1 more inch of snow last night...total for the month, 9 and a half
inches.

Today, high of 25...down to 15 tonight and tomorrow high of 30.

Christmas Eve...a drunk driver hit the car driver by the Jackson County Sheriff...and spent the rest of Christmas Eve in jail. Joel A.
Brown of Monmouth, Iowa faces numerous charges following the incident with the Squad Car. Maquoketa Police report the Sheriff had turned left on highway 62 from highway 64, at East edge of town, at 8:07 Christmas Eve. Brown, who was behind the Sheriff ...also made a left turn, and ran into the rear of the unmarked squad car. He was charge with 2nd degree theft (had stolen the car earlier in evening)...operating a vehicle while intoxicataed, 3rd offense...possession of drugs and paraphenalia, barred driving license and more. Minor damage to the vehicles.

Carl Ehl, age 88 of Maquoketa died Saturday. Survived by 2 sons, William of Flower Mound, Texas and Dan of Centerville and 2 daughters, including Mary Armbruster of Maquoketa.

Florence Beck, age 85, of Maquoketa, died Sunday. Survived by a brother, Lester Beck of Maquoketa.

Dasil Baguss, 49, of Red Wing,Minnesota and formerly of Mauqoketa, died of a heart attack Friday. He is survived by daughter, Sarah Baguss of Maquoketa. And, two sons, Matt of Andrew and Tony of Minnesota.

So much for today.

Thanks again for your visit....and for the nice comments many of you have made on the KMAQ Guest Book about these (almost) daily reports.

DENNIS VOY



 

17 FOR A HIGH TODAY...SUNNY THIS MORNING AND CLOUDY THIS AFTERNOON.
WE RECEIVED 4 INCHES OF NEW SNOW YESTERDAY. WARMER TOMORROW AND STILL WARMER ON SUNDAY.

NO NEWS...NOT ONE DEATH.....WE HAVE NO OBITS TO READ IN THE NEWS FINAL TODAY.

ONE BIRTH...RON AND SHERRYL WILMS ARE PARAENTS OF A BOY BORN TUESDAY AT ST. LUKES HOSPITAL IN CEDAR RAPIDS. GRANDPARENTS ARE AUDREY AND
ROGER WILMS OF MAQUOKETA. GREAT-GRANDPARENTS ARE MIKE AND BERNICE HILL OF MAQUOKETA.

BE SURE AND PUT A CHRISTMAS GREETING TONIGHT OR TOMORROW ON THE KMAQ GUEST BOOK.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

DENNIS VOY  

It has been snowing all afternoon and it is expected to end by midnight, with 1 to 2 inches expected.

Nick Willey, a MCHS Grad (son of Jerry, grandson of Francis) is the new General Manager of the new Arena Football Team, THE QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS, with the first home game of the season, at THE MARK
of the Quad Cities, scheduled for April 15th. For 7 seasons, he was a Sports Marketing person for the IOWA CUBS pro baseball team in Des Moines. Then, a year ago, he joined the QUAD CITY BANDITS pro baseball team. He attened Iowa State University for Sports Marketing. Arena Football is getting to be quite popular around the Country. There is a team in Des Moines that plays in Veterans's Auditorium.

The NO-SMOKING ORDINACE for Maquoketa restaurants is a dead issue.
At the Council meeting this week, the City Attorney issued an opinion
that the proposed ordinace was "stricter" than the State Law allows for cities. Iowa already has a law governing smoking and the new Maquoketa one would have been too prohibitive...to strict. Council members were therefore off the hook. Had Council members voted on the issue, it probably would be been defeated, as there were a lot of people in Maquoketa that did not want the ordinance. They all believed it should be up to the restaurant, and not dictated by ordinace.

Mayor Jack Rosenberg tried to give Council members a raise from $40 a regular meeting to $100. But, they didn't want it. Would not take effect, by law, for 2 years anyway. Members are not paid for Committee Meetings...and the "cap" is $1,200. They average 30 meetings a year.

At a GOAL meeting,held recently, the Maquoketa City Council named top GOALS for the year 2000. Number ONE is to establish a new Communicatiions Network for the City....a locally owned network (I assume fiber optic) that would carry Cable-TV, Telephone .....and Internet Connections. SECOND on the GOALS list ...an Inspection Program for Landlord and Tenants in the City. Apparently there are some pretty bad living conditions in Maquoketa. Solving the City Wastewater Treatmen problems and a new Swimming Pool, also are high on the GOALS list.

Brad Deery, of Burlington, and owner of BRAD DEERY MOTORS in Maquoketa, is getting married New Year's Eve in Burlington, where he also owns a car dealership. Some Maquoketans have been invited, so I hear. I'm told it will be a big wedding and that the bride-to-be is a former Miss Iowa.

The snow is still coming down...big flakes...beautiful. Eat your heart out Southerners!

One more shopping day until Christmas.

Check back tomorrow for my Christmas Eve report.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

DENNIS VOY  

SEVEN BELOW LAST NIGHT...10 ABOVE TODAY....AND LOOKING FOR 5 BELOW AGAIN TONIGHT.......GREAT WEATHER. WILL BE IN 30'S CHRISTMAS DAY.

Sabula Police Chief Russ Long, has been hired as a new fulltime police officer for Preston, to replace Kenny Sparks who has joined the Maquoketa PD. He will leave Sabula and begin his new job on Janurary 11th. Long, his wife Jane (McDonald) and 2 sons live in Maquoketa. Melissa Unke (her dad is Ritch Skrivseth, MCHS Grad) is the Chief at Preston and works part-time. Long was a member of the Maquoketa Police Department from l980 to 1989. He later worked for the Iowa City police department.

A birth...a girl born this morning to Jason and Stacy Heitland at Mason City. Maternal grandmother is Sharon Witchelo of Maquoketa.

Laverne Wiegert, age 68, of Maquoketa died yesterday at Mill Valley Care in Bellevue. He worked as a farm equipment mechanic for Cornelius Farm Store, which later became Dague Equipment, retiring in l998. He is survived by his wife, Mary, 1 sister in Preston, and 3 brothers, including Harold and Albert Wiegert of Maquoketa.

Jimmy Round, age 87, died yesterday at the local hospital. He was a teacher and Baldwin High School girls basketball coach many years ago. He later worked for Manning Meat Market, then owned and operated Barker Coal Company and Thrifty Boot Store all in Maquoketa. He is survived by his wife , Doris, and 3 sons, Jim and Steve of Maquoketa and Dr. Phil in LasVegas and a daughter Claudia Round in Seattle.
....also 9 grandcildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

A Fulton, Iowa woman's home received minor damage from a fire this afternoon. Maquoketa firemen were called about 1:30 this afternoon to the Clarice Sutton residence near Fulton. When firemen arrived, small flames were scene. A malfunctioning oil burner is to blame for the fire. Minimal damage done to the home.

Should we try a Maquoketa CHAT SESSION over the Holidays?
Let me know, via e-mail.

DENNIS VOY  

Two inches of snow last night and cold...6 above. Sunny, cold and windy today. Great weather. Going to be cold for a few days,
warming up to near 30 by Christmas eve.

The downtown Bellevue Hotel, there since 1840, may close after the first of the year, unless the owners can find a buyer. Donna and Junior Medinger own it..and want to retire. Doing good business, but no buyer yet.

I purchased my new Maquoketa Chamber calendar today...for $25. Third year for it and it is the Chambers chief fund raiser. They have many drawings throughout the year, so when you buy one, you have an opportunity to win up to $1,000. There is a Maquoketa historic picture for every month and some coupons to the back of it. Like to have one? E-mail me and I'll get you one and send it to you. You can figure an additional dollar to mail it. Or, might be a good gift for someone you know where in Maquoketa.

City Council meeting tonight.

A fire this morning on North Matteson. A Ford Bronco caught on fire.
It was destroyed...an 84 model, owned by Amy Demichael.

Several deaths, but no one from Maquoketa.

SANTA came to the KMAQ CHRISTMAS PARTY last night....always good to see the old fellow. He brought along his guitar and led a Christmas Carol sing-a-long.

5 more shopping days until Christmas.

Go dancer and vixin....

Have a Merry Tuesday.

DENNIS VOY

 

Overcast Sunday and chance of some snow late in afternoon.

No report yesterday...

and a short one today...

because there is nothing happening....

in Sports, the Maquoketa Boys lost to Camanche Friday night,
59 to 43...

and the Maquoketa Girls lost also to Camcanche Friday night,
49 to 37....

Maquoketa Wrestlers took 3rd yesterday in the big 9-team Saber Wrestling Tournament at DeWitt.

Maquoketa kids are on Christmas vacation already...Friday was last day of school...so they have 2 full weeks off. Most of the school districts around here have school through Wednesday of this week.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK

DENNIS VOY

 

An inch of snow on the ground today. Will it last until Christmas?
Cold last night, 15...down to 5-10 tonight.

The city's pool committee met this week...checking out possible sites for a new pool. Neal Morehead, a member of the committee talked to retired attorney J.E. Goodenow about land he owns across from Goodenow Football Field. He said he would be interested in selling. Next meeing of the group on Janury 11th.

Land values went down in Iowa in 1999, except in 39 counties, including Jackson County. Jackson County land, per acre, $1,663, up from $1,607 in 1998. But, because of the hills of the County, our per acre is the lowest in the area. Scott County, just down the road (highway 61) is again tops in the state, at $2,970.

Maquoketa defeated Western Dubuque last night, in wrestling, up there.
Wins by Maquoketa's.....Luke Gorney(Freshman)...Derek Fuglsang(Freshman)...Travis Saunders...Casey Taylor...Mike Vorbeck...
Shamus Veach...Nic Hahn...and Abe Dostal. Pins by the last 5.
A Glasgow boy,also a Freshmen, didn't wrestle because of a shoulder injury. Maquoketa, winning 43 to 23, with a very young team. Only one Senior wrestled last night.

Maquoketa boys (2 AND 0) HOST Camanche tonight and the Maquoketa girls(1-7) play at Camanche.

Gosh it was fun shoveling this morning. Don't you guys down South get bored with the sun all the time?

"til tomorrow.

DENNIS VOY

 

Sunny this morning, cloudy this afternoon...high mid 20s...after low last night of 15. And..winter doesn't officially start until just after midnight Tuesday.

Maquoketa wrestlers wrestle up at Epworth tonight and Dr.Paul Koob and Leighton Hepker will be there to describe the matches.

Iowa Wrestlers are #1 in the Country again and Hawkeye Eric Juergens is also #1 in the Conference at his weight.

The City Council this week turned down the offer to accept Clinton Engines as a "gift"...tax write-off for its owner...because estimates for clean-up of the site were escalating. The owner wanted l999 tax write off and that won't be possible now, but he told Maquoketa's City Manager over the phone this week that he would be willing to work with the Council next year and apparently come up with a new proposal.

Dr. Samuel Willilams, age 64, of Bettendorf, former Maquoketa doctor, died Tuesday at his home. He began his career as a pharmacist when he and Nyla purchased a pharmacy in Preston. After 2 years, he began medical school and then in 1969, he purchased the Maquoketa practice of Dr. Frederick Swift. He left Maquoketa later for a position in Texas and then moved to the Quad Cities a couple years later. In 1988 he was diagnosed with MS. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons and two daughters.

Old Time Radio Christmas Shows begin today on KMAQ....I'm listening now to THE GREAD GILDERSLEEVE. A different half-hour Christmas show every afternoon until Christmas. My favorite is FIBBER McGEE & MOLLY.

KMAQ is again this year...playing LOTS of Christmas music....we promo....the statiion that plays more Christmas Music than any other station.

15 degees last night....peace of cake.

Great for the lungs and rest of the body.

Just off the FAX to my left....Fred Bomia, age 69, of Lost Nation died yesterday at the DeWitt hospital. Survived by his wife Ann, 2 daughters and 3 sons.

Thanks for your visit again today.

DENNIS VOY  

Light snow today..but with high in the mid 30's....it didn't stay.
Nerts. Cold tonight...in the teens. We have people now living in Maquoketa (the Mitchells) who are used to San Diego weather....what a nice change this is from those "boring" 72-degree days. Charlies' birthday tomorrow too....be sure and dress warmly...you don't want to catch a cold on your big day. Since he's a retired General...we former NCO's say, Happy Birthday, Sir.

Now...lets talk basketball...the Maquoketa boys beat DeWitt last night, down there.... and the Maquoketa girls lost to DeWitt here in town. Oh yes....for Bill Schroeder...who would like the official scores...here they are: Boys..Maquoketa 57, DeWitt 48.....Girls..DeWitt 55, Maquoketa 38. Heard that Bill's dad..Asher...took an hour to thread-up a l6mm projector at the museum...and it still didn't work.

Four-laning of highway 30 from DeWitt to Cedar Rapids has been put in the new DOT 5-YEAR plan. Will make many happy.

Yesterday, 5 vehicles scratched by vandals ...$1,500 estimated damage.

Chad and Christine Spain of Maquoketa, parents of a boy born Monday at the JCPHospital.

The County Superviors have set March 7, 2000 for the special election to raise the Sales Tax in the County by 1-cent...with that money to be used by all County school districts for infrastructure needs.
The date set at their meeting yesterday.

And so much for now. LET IT SNOW,LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW.

DENNIS VOY  

Not a bad day today...high of 40...but....snow and cold weather is coming....1 to 2 inches by tomorrow at this time.

Maquoketa Girls host DeWitt in basketball tonight.....and the boys are at DeWitt. DeWitt girls are 11th in the State. And, the boys game will be the first time for new head Coach George Pickup of DeWitt...going against his former coach Bill Flemming.

The Maquoketa middle school may be the first in Maquoketa to have surveliance cameras. Principal Kim Huckstadt proposed the idea to the school board last night and they are interested. Monticello has them and they feel the cameras have helped control vandalism problems.

Pat Bollman was hired last night to be the new MCHS varsity baseball coach, to replace Curt Nelson. This was expected, as Bollman has been Curt's assistant for years. He'll receive over $3,000 in additional pay.

Nothing more...short report..sorry.

DENNIS VOY  

LOUSY DAY WEATHERWISE.......dense fog this morning....was to clear by mid-morning, but didn't.....was to clear by mid-afternoon, but didn't...stayed foggy all day and will be bad again tonight.

All school districts in the area went on a two-hour delay this morning and then around 8:30, several called-off classes for rest of day.
Maquoketa went on the delay, then started classes at 10:20.

A lot of school events, and others, cancelled tonight.

We have a 50% chance of some snow tomorrow night...which would be the first of the season.

Schools of Jackson County, including Maquoketa, want to have another election to get approval of an additonal 1% sales tax for school infrastructure needs. Last June, that issue was voted down but all schools are confident it will pass next time. Supt. Rod Montang of Maquoketa will go before the Jackson County Board of Superviors tomorrow and ask that the election be scheduled for next March.

Jim Steines of Maquokta worked on his carb yesterday afternoon...went for a test drive and the car caught on fire near the Country Club.
Maquoketa firemen came and contained the fire to the engine.

There were at least 6 car-deer accidents in Jackson County over the weekend.

Edna Eberly-Durkop, age 82, died yesterday at Briarwood Care Center in Maquoketa. She is survived by son Dallas Eberly of Davenport and formerly of Maquoketa...also two stepsons, Bob Durkop of Maquoketa and Roger Durkop of Baldwin. Also step-daughter Alberta Owen of Delmr...and two brothers, including Earl Lietz of Maquoketa.

Freda Losey, age 79, of Clinton and formerly of Maquoketa died Saturday at her home. She lived and worked in Maquoketa (husband the late Jack Losey) ...she worked at the Fishing Tackle Company here in town. Remember that Industry?

Fog...cold...wet....snow comin'....can't beat Maquoketa weather.

Come back tomorrow.

DENNIS VOY

 

Partly sunny, and high today was in upper 30's...supposed to be warmer
tomorrow.

I'm back..rolled in shortly after 7 last night...earlier than normal.
Had a good trip. New MotorCoach driver, but did an excellent job.
Branson was pretty busy. Saw 7 shows, including Shoji Tabuchi. His as always......the best show by far. His show was a substitute for the Wanye Newton Show, which he cancelled last week because he got an invitation to the White House. Everyone was glad he did cancel and
they got to see Shoji. Robert Goulet and Deb Boone were fill-ins for Andy Williams, with voicebox problems. He's 72, but plans a full season next year, we were told. Mel Tillis was good.....they all were. And, lots of food. And Holiday lights. Good weather, except for rain Thursday. Rain was the apparent cause of a plane crash that afternoon that killed 6....all connected to the College of the Ozarks
at Branson. That college is one-of-a-kind....no tuition....it has a farm, bakery, restaurant, floral shop and more...and students work their way through college. On the trip from Maquoketa were:
LaVonne Morehead and daughter, Jan.......Don and Pat Krantz...Madonna Sagers and Heloyce Sagers....Loras and Mary Ann McLaughlin....Darrell and Winona Henry and Darlene Soenksen. Julie Kirby (MCHS GRAD IN 1960) joined us for a day and night, to see her Aunt Mae Mohlenhoff of Andrew, who was on the trip with us. Julie is doing well in Little Rock and plans to come home for high school reunion next summer.
Branson continues to grow and has had a good year. Don't know what they would do without Seniors and MotorCoaches.

Maquoketa will have a Community Christmas Dinner again on Christmas Day, at the KP Hall, in memory of Imogene Despeghel, longtime active Volunteer who died this year. The event is being sponsored by the Christian Community Church. Jim Lucy is the Pastor.

We have a foreign exchange student this year from Russia..about 100 miles from Moscow. Her "host" family is Linda Schueler and Doug Manders of rural Maquoketa.

Max Ray Jewelers is having their annual Christmas Sale with almost everything in the store at 50% off.

Jeannie Holst was in and gave us (KMAQ) some home-made fudge....her speciality. EVERY Christmas she remembers us. She has an apartment at River Village...still drives...still alters clothes.

Tipper Gore was in Maquoketa Wednesday for a 45-minute stop at the Museum on the fairgrounds. Talked to about l50. Last night, Ernestine Bradley (Mrs. Bill) was in Bellevue for about an hour at the City Hall. About 30 there to greet her. She was born in Germany.
Came to US in 57 (pretty good year, eh) and still has a German accent. I didn't meet her, but News Director Sheri Melvold got a taped statement from her.

Speaking of News Director, I learned today that a KMAQ News Director (and Sports Play-by-Play announcer) in the 60's and early 70's, John Wenberg, died earlier this year. This word came in a Christmas card to someone in Maquoketa, from wife Betty. No details, but I assume he died in Milwaukee. They had two sons, Bill and Keith. Did a nice job for us. Can't remember why he left......some people just can't stay away from Wisconsin forever.

Twenty years ago, First Lady Rosalyn Carter visted Maquoketa...on
Dec 20th ... at the Pearson Center on fairgrounds. Yes, I covered it
"live", but didn't talk to her....she strolled past me though.
And 10 years ago, The Maquoketa Bottling Company closed. Remember their "Goody" pop?

The Maquoketa girls got their first win of season Tuesday night, beating Monticello, but last night, lost to Cascade. Last night, here in town, the Cardinal boys trailed Cascade all the way and won the game in the last second. Good game to broadcast.

Red Brown, age 78, died Tuesday. Was a Postal Employee for 25 years here in town. Survived by his wife Virginia, 2 daughters...Barbara in Nebo, North Carolina and Bobbie in Parkersburg and son William in Maquoketa. Eunice Brown of Maquoketa is a sister.

Dorothy Blossfield, age 92, died this week. I knew a couple of her sons, Jack and Seaman. Jack ran the SPOT CAFE back in the 50's and 60's.

Harold Allen, age 84, died in Waterloo...a brother Clyde lives in Maquoketa. Survived by 2 sons, Dr. Thomas in Fort Collins and John of Marion, Iowa.

Ready for this? Right here in Maquoketa. David E. Reistroffer, age 30, was charged this week with domestic assault. Maquoketa Police say he bit Leah Felderman in the abdomen at 11:05 Thursday night, causing a 2 and one-half-inch-wide wound ...during a disagreement.

Sundown Mountain Ski kicks off the season at Dubuque tomorrow with 12-15-inches of snow, man made. They normally open around Thanksgiving.

Coach Bill Flemming told me he is getting married in the State of Wyoming next June and later in month, will have a Maquoketa reception.
She's a Lawyer in Des Moines. This is his last year as Coach.

Iowa beat Iowa State in Wrestling yesterday and Maquoketa's Eric Juergens won again....winning in the last 30-seconds of his match.

The Dwight Zimmerman Annual Wrestling Tournament is going on today at the MCHS Gym....named in honor of the late longtime popular teacher and Cardinal sports-backer. His wife, Ruth, still lives here.

Two weeks from today is Christmas. Got a Christmas card today from the Statler Brothers.

Jim Hohnecker, (ex-Mayor) has his Christmas Display up again this year
and it looks good. Not quite like years ago, but nice. His daughter Kate works for me at the theatre.

If you are coming home for Christmas, stop in. But, ahead of your visit, let it be known on the KMAQ GUEST book that you are coming.
Who knows, you might get a coffee invitation from an old friend or classmate.

Some of you still need to be "checking" and "using" the KMAQ Guest Book more often....if not for a first time.

Well, better end this...have lots of catch-up work to finish today.

I know...you didn't miss me....but thanks for checking in today anyway.

Have a good week.

DENNIS VOY
 

Sunny and cool..high today, 37.

Davenport got 2-3 inches of un-expected snow yesterday afternoon in a short perioid....2 traffic fatalities because of storm. But it did not come as far North as us.

Not much news...over the weekend...more Christmas decorations stolen from several residences...and a few minor accidents.

One death....l00 year old Zatha Winger died last night at the home of her granddaughter in Maquoketa, Judy (Winger) Beller.

Maquoketa defeated Dubuque Senior in Varsity basketball Saturday night.

I, Nancy and a busload, leaving at 4 A.M. tomorrow for Branson...be back Friday night.

My next report will be Saturday or Sunday for sure. I'll try and catch up with a few stories then.

Have a good week.

DENNIS VOY  

Foggy this morning....rain coming this afternoon...chance of snow in the next couple days...but not much.

Maquoketa boys lost last night...by about 4 points... to Benton Community in basketball at the MCHS gym....the Sophomores won though.
Tonight...they host Dubuque Senior. George Pickup, MCHS Grad, is new coach at DeWitt and they lost last night too.

James C. Kopp, age 25, of Maquoketa was sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling Methamphetamine. The sentence was announced yesterday in US District Court in Cedar Rapids. He pleaded guilty in August to conspiring to distribute at least 1,000 grams of Methamphetamine. After the prison sentence, Kopp will be on 5 years of supervised release. Kopp was involved with trafficking Methamphetamine with several area residents who have been sentenced to prison, including, Shane E. Clark, John M. Vaughn, Cindy Miller, James Hyatt and Jeff Jordan. He was arrested following an undercover operation by the Bear Creek Narcotics Task Force, composed of Police Officers from Maquoketa, Bellevue, Anamosa and Monticello and Sheriff's Department Deputies in Jackson, Jones and Cedar Counties...plus State and Federal Officers.

Matthew Sams, age 38, of Delmar, formerly of Dallas, died Friday at his parents home in Delmar. Parents are Philip and Kathleen Sams.

Testing your Maquoketa history. Who was Otto Klinefelter?

Don't tell anyone, but we've had a little problem here at KMAQ this week.......in one word....mice. Still running loose in fact.

The little Motel on the West edge of Wyoming.....the Sunset.......did you know that the same couple has owned and operated it for 45 years?
They are still running it and in their 80's...and tomorrow will be lighting the Wyoming Christmas Tree. Read about them in the Wyoming newspaper which I get every Saturday.

Time to be thinking of baking some Christmas Cookies....Christmas is 3 weeks from today. Mail one of those cookies to Box 940, Maquoketa...that's my box number.

I LOVE COOKIES.

Buddy Olson just chuckled and said...."Looking at you, one would never know it".

Buddy's not so trim either.

Gotta get back to work.

DENNIS VOY  

Warm and wet today.....high of 55...more light rain tonight and for the next couple days.

Maquoketa Girls lost their opening Big Bend game of the season last night to Western Dubuque...but played a good game, says play-by-play announcer Bob Warner.

The Maquoketa wrestlers lost last night to West Delaware of Manchester and also defeated Monticello.

The Maquoketa Boys are hosting a tournament tonight and tomorrow night at the local gym...hosting Benton Community tonight.

The Maquoketa Country Club annual Stockhlder's Meeting was held last night. Three new Directors were elected....Mary Baker, Diane Frandsen and Tom Daurelle. Mary is retired business owner...Diane works at City Hall and I'm not sure what Tom does, but he is married to Allison Risser, who some of you might know. Larry McCaulley was re-elected President, Dean Engel Vice-President and Diane Frandsen, Secretary.
Membership Dues will remain the same for 2000 and new members are welcome. For quite a few years, there has been a waiting list to join but now..they have 24 current openings. Robin Nims is the Club Manager.

Emmett Bush, my neighbor, (retired Bellevue Lutheran Minister) reported to the Maquoketa PD that 2 outside Christmas Decorations were taken from his display yesterday. And..there will be more around town I'm sure. Lots of nice decorations around the city. Santa arrived just a few minutes ago, by Fire Truck.....he then helped light the Community Christmas Tree next to the Post Office..and later will be down at Timber City Shirtworks to talk to the kids for the first time this Christmas. Downtown Maquoketa looks really good...lots of lights...and the Christmas music is play all daylong on the downtown PA system. There's a Snowman show also going on this weekend at the Maquoketa Community Center.

And..KMAQ is playing lots of Christmas Carols....

IT'S THE MOST...WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Have a nice weekend.

DENNIS VOY  

59 today, 3-degrees short of the record.

CEO for the JCPHospital in Maquoketa at the Board meeting this week says he is planning to meet with Community Leaders to find out what they would like to see at the hospital. Curt Coleman would like to hire a consultant to help with this project. Approval will possibly come at the next Board meeting. JCPH is short of nurses, so it "contracts" for nursing help from Dubuque...but this is more costly and Coleman is looking at what to do about this, especially since these higher-wage nurses work side-by-side with the lower-pay local nurses.

Mark Willey was named in a Libel Lawsuit in a suit filed in Jackson County District Court Tuesday. County Attorney Phil Tabor filed the suit, using a Davenport Law Firm, which alleges Willey libeled Tabor in the October 4th Issue of Willey's Maquoketa WEB Newspaper, called the Maquoketa Sediment Press. Willey told KMAQ this morning the lawsuit is a "joke". I'll keep you posted. E-mail me if you want his WEB newspaper address. I don't have it handy now.

I here the new DUTRAC CREDIT UNION (LIKE A BANK) opens next Monday on Highway 64 West, across from Wal Mart. They have put up a nice looking building there, with parking.

Maquoketa High Girls Basketball Team has their first Conference Game here at home, hosting Western Dubuque...tonight.

Thanks for your visit.

DENNIS VOY

 

Nice day...high 49.

The Burning Ban in Jackson County has been lifted as of 9 A.M. tomorrow.

Maquoketa has a new Police Officer. He is Kenny Sparks, from Preston.
He started as a Patrolman Monday. Kenny replaces Curt Gruver, who took the new position of Schools Resource Officer through a COPS
grant. The grand requires the Police Department to replace the officer put into the schools. Sparks brings the department to 12 officers, with 10 on patrol fulltime. The other 2 are Gruver and Sgt. Dave Coffman who is working with the Bear Creek Task Force as part of a State and Federal Grant. Sparks is 31, married and they have one child. He has been on the Preston Department for 4 years and the family will be moving to Maquoketa.

A dishwasher caught fire at the Maquoketa Head Start school yesterday afternoon. Employees put the fire out with an extinguisher before the fire department members arrived. No dishwasher....so no school the rest of this week.

Laurene Rockrohr, 79, of Maquoketa died today at University Hospitals in Iowa City. She is surived by a daughter, Mrs. Ralph Elaine Schroeder of Des Moines and a son, Richard, at Mt. Vernon. Also a sister, Joy Hovey of Maquoketa.

Kathy (Kirchoff) Greeson of California has joined those checking this Daily Report. Got an e-mail from her today saying it has been many years since she lived in Maquoketa and her sister told her about this Daily Report. Thanks Kathy. Hope all of you are telling others not only about this report, but also the KMAQ Guest Book. Many check it every day for information around the Country. Kathy might like to leave a message in the Guest Book as to what she does out West...tell about her family, etc....as well as what her connection to Maquoketa was. I have around 100 former Maquoketans checking in daily or weekly here....but MANY OF YOU have NOT left a Guest Book message.
Christmas-time is a great time to do it. And because of it, you might hear from some long ago classmates or friends.

THE COTTAGE...had a busy day, so I've been told... secondhand. For lunch I guess there was a waiting line. I suppose next they will want t franchise.

24 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS. HO HO HO.

DENNIS VOY