After the Rain

INDEPENDENCE — Gone. In a turnaround following months of freezing weather and repeated winter storms, March weather has been much warmer.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 9:36 AM CDT

No Layoffs at EB

WINTHROP —Soon, East Buchanan elementary students will fill the hallways of the new addition. The ongoing project began about one year ago, and it’s getting even closer to completion.

Monday, March 15, 2010 5:06 PM CDT

New City Manager Begins Monday

INDEPENDENCE — Steve Diers has not even started his new job yet, but he is already busy with one key part of his duties.

Monday, March 15, 2010 2:06 PM CDT

Connell Recognized with Aviation Award

INDEPENDENCE — Airport Manager Jim Connell has been presented the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award in recognition of his fifty-plus years of aviation maintenance experience.

Monday, March 15, 2010 10:25 AM CDT

Few Answers

WINTHROP — It will impact the community. That much is a given. Just how much impact will be felt, though, remains up in the air.

Monday, March 15, 2010 10:25 AM CDT

Indee Wins First Place at NEIBA

Independence High School Jazz Groups and Jazz Orchestra have scored several recent big wins. Recent victories saw them win at the Tallcorn Festival, Coe Festival and NEIBA district jazz festival. IHS also has three students who made jazz All-State. Shown here, Independence students are pictured during their performance over the weekend as they went on to grab top honors ahead of the number two finisher, Vinton-Shellsburg. Pictured here: top row (l-r) on trumpets are Kayla Fleming, T.J. Peters, Luke Crawford, Kyle Harms; middle row with trombones are Peter Haverkamp and Aaron Allen and bottom row starting with sax to right of Mr. Lang are Lyndzi Roth, Ben Crawford, Kevin Mills and Julia Grover. Indee took 1st place in the NE Iowa district festival, which automatically qualifies them for the state jazz championships. Also, TJ Peters was named outstanding soloist of the day. Check out Saturday's Independence Bulletin Journal for more on what is shaping up to be a very successful winter for the program.

Monday, March 15, 2010 10:25 AM CDT

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March 15th, 2010

No Layoffs at EB

WINTHROP —Soon, East Buchanan elementary students will fill the hallways of the new addition. The ongoing project began about one year ago, and it’s getting even closer to completion.

New City Manager Begins Monday

INDEPENDENCE — Steve Diers has not even started his new job yet, but he is already busy with one key part of his duties.

Connell Recognized with Aviation Award

INDEPENDENCE — Airport Manager Jim Connell has been presented the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award in recognition of his fifty-plus years of aviation maintenance experience.

March 12th, 2010

Wapsi Warriors Show Their Stuff

INDEPENDENCE —Communications Day was held on Saturday, March 6 at Heartland Acres Event Center in Independence, and 4-H clubs from Buchanan County participated in the day's activities. Wapsi Warriors 4-H Club was among the many participants.

Jesup FFA 75th Anniversary Banquet

On March 26, 1935, Marshall Grosscup, along with ten Jesup High School students, started the Jesup FFA Chapter. It was the 51st chapter to be chartered in Iowa, but it was only the beginning of a longstanding tradition of leadership and excellence.

Rowley Historical Society Hosts Event

ROWLEY — The Rowley Historical Society held a fund raiser Saturday night at the Community Center to benefit the Rowley Museum. After a great meal, topped with homemade desserts, everyone was invited to tour the museum and see the new exhibits. Among some of the new sights are a train set (donated by Mike Rasmussen) and a Rowley Rock Island Train Depot replica; a wall of antique farm implements (donated by Nels Wehner); and a quilt dating back to a 1930s sewing club. Pictured with the quilt are wedding dresses from Ruth Grover Hansen (left) and Connie Williams Brown (right). The Museum will be open Sundays, Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend or by appointment. Anyone interested in joining the Rowley Historical Society may contact Rita Knutson at 319-938-2864 or Lorrie Rasmussen at 319-938-2833.

March 11th, 2010

Projects, Plats and Progress

INDEPENDENCE — Monday's City Council meeting set the stage for a very busy year as it was filled with project discussions, preliminary plats and public hearings, all in the name of progress.

Few Answers

WINTHROP — It will impact the community. That much is a given. Just how much impact will be felt, though, remains up in the air.

March 10th, 2010

Indee Wins First Place at NEIBA

Fleeting Moment

Jae Eun Kim, a senior from Seoul, Korea as TupTim and Ben Baron, a senior from Walker, as Lun Tha were among youth from Cono Christian School performing in "The King and I." Also performing this weekend were students from North Linn who put on a variety show at the high school. Check out scenes from both events, only in today's Independence Bulletin Journal. Coming Saturday, the Independence High School Musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Republicans Rally for Convention

INDEPENDENCE — Across Iowa, the state’s 99 counties saw Republicans gather for county conventions, a tradition wherein party faithful gather to select delegates to district and state gatherings down the road and to draft a platform. Their counterparts across the aisle will gather later this week for the Democratic county conventions. The weekend gathering, held Saturday at the Independence Middle School for Buchanan County party members, was an in-party affair, a chance to get a feel for some of the candidates who will be seeking voter support in the primary. Rebecca Wearmouth, who is seeking the office of Buchanan County Treasurer and Dan Rasmussen, who is seeking to return to the Iowa House of Representatives after being defeated in 2008, were among candidates who spoke during the event.

March 9th, 2010

WCD Scholarship Dinner Tickets on Sale

INDEPENDENCE — The 16th Annual Women Celebrating Diversity Scholarship Dinner will be held Monday, March 29, at 6 p.m. at Heartland Acres Agribition Center in Independence. A buffet dinner will be served and entertainment provided.

NL Takes Careful Budget Approach

wa are spending their budget money very carefully.

Health Center Auxiliary Offering Scholarships

The Buchanan County Health Center Auxiliary is again offering four $750 scholarships to assist Buchanan County residents pursuing a career in the human health care field.

March 8th, 2010

ICSD Board Eyes New High School Project

After Thursday's special session, the Board went immediately into a work session to discuss several proposals of building a new facility incorporating a 7 – 12 configuration.

Spring Fling Promises Respite from the Cold

INDEPENDENCE —It’s been a very long, very cold, very snowy winter.

Winter Formal

Indee's Winter Formal Dance brought a cheery respite from winter's cold, bleak days. Pictured here, Justin Grover and Katie Fischels pause for a quick picture as they share a slow dance together. Check out more scenes page 7, only in the Independence Bulletin Journal.

World Day of Prayer

St. John's students took part in an African-themed World Day of Prayer event Friday. Pictured here, 3rd and 5th grade students under the direction of Shelly Reck are dressed in African "kangas," singing, dancing and playing tambourines. Susie Toale was featured soloist. Kangas are brightly colored rectangles of fabric that Cameroonian women use as shawls or tie around their waists, and even double as totes to carry home produce from the marketplace.

March 5th, 2010

Indee Speech Team

The Independence High School Individual Speech Team participated in their WAMAC and District meets the last two weekends. The team took first place at the WAMAC Conference. A total of 23 out of 34 entries received one ratings at the District contest at Maquoketa and will advance to the upcoming State Speech Contest on March 13th in Starmont. Pictured are members of this year’s individual speech team. Laying in Front: Mackaela Shulz. Front Row L-R: Caleb Martin, Hannah Butler, Emily Goedken, Anna Lahey, Garrett Clampitt, Jeanet Clampitt, Natasha Heister. Middle Row L-R: Jonney Schwarting, Christopher Kurt, Katie Zieser, Amy Keierleber, Sydney Embray, Austin Wright, and Chelsea Fischels. Back Row L-R: Coach Dan Putz, James Miller, Scott Miller, Logan Halverson, Zach Shulz, Tony Lake, and Alisha Thompson. Good luck to those advancing to State!

Ficken Will Chair Education

INDEPENDENCE — Rep. Gene Ficken will take on extra responsibilities as the freshman legislator assumes the duty of temporary chairmanship of the Education Committee in the Iowa House of Representatives.

Indee Food Pantry Receives Donation

The Independence Area Food Pantry will benefit from a donation by the Trailblazers Off Road Club. The club donated $500 Friday and the donation will count toward the Feinstein Challenge for some matching funds. The donation comes from money raised from a quilt, designed by Alice Hanson of Raymond, which was raffled off at the group's Christmas party with the group then donating the remainder to bring the total up to $500. For more information about the Trailblazers, visit www.trailblazersoffroadclub.com. Pictured are: Club President Shawn Hoaglan, Teresa Thompson, Alice and Elmer Hanson.

March 4th, 2010

Rasmussen Announces Run for Iowa House

INDEPENDENCE —Former Rep. Dan Rasmussen of Independence announced today that he will be running for the Iowa House in District 23 which is comprised of all of Buchanan County and six of the Eastern townships in Black Hawk County.

Former Indee Resident Joins Hills

Patty Webster recently joined Hills Bank and Trust Company as Real Estate Loan Officer in the Marion branch. Patty has over 14 years of banking experience and was formerly with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Cedar Rapids. Patty is originally from Independence and currently lives in Cedar Rapids.

Scouts Experience Polar Bear Campout

Cub Scout Pack 75 held a Polar Bear Campout weekend Feb. 20 and 21 at the Winnebago Scout Ranch near Marble Rock. "I am so grateful to the entire staff who spoiled us with sledding, crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing and crafts Saturday," said Dale Breitsprecher. "We were in for a treat as they prepare a feast for us which was followed by their traditional Polar Bear Hunt. This is done in the dark with flashlights and as you can tell from the photo he was a friendly bear. "

March 3rd, 2010

County OK's Budget

INDEPENDENCE — Buchanan County Supervisors approved a new budget this week. As expected, the budget approved Monday contains no raises for most county employees. Union employees, governed by negotiated contracts, were the only exception. “Otherwise, we haven’t increased anybody,” said Supervisor Ralph Kremer. While holding wages static, the budget nonetheless avoids the big staffing cuts other public bodies have faced. The heads of county departments helped that by submitting proposals for their respective departments that did not impose large demands on the county’s resources.

Becker Jury Decision Reached

ALLISON — “The jury has found the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree.” Judge Stephen Carroll read the verdict at the Mark Becker trial at approximately 11 a.m. this morning at the Butler County Courthouse in Allison. The courtroom remained silent as the defendant, Mark Becker, dressed in a blue and white pinstriped shirt, was escorted out of the courtroom.

'No Tax On Tax'

INDEPENDENCE — Freezing cold wasn’t enough to deter area activists from staging the city’s first Tea Party rally. Taxes were a key emphasis of the day. Placards held by attendees proclaimed “No Tax on Tax” and “I’m Not An ATM.” “As you look around, you can see a revolution is brewing,” said Jeff Luecke, of Dubuque, a speaker at the event.

March 2nd, 2010

Meet the Black Hawks

INDEPENDENCE — The Waterloo Black Hawks will appear at the Independence Public Library Monday, March 15. Residents will have the opportunity to meet several of the players and the Community Relations Director Tim Harwood beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Waterloo Black Hawks will bring some of their hockey equipment, like hockey sticks, skates, and pads, to show. There will be a trivia contest with the trivia teams including a mix of players and audience members. Also, bring your questions for the question and answer segment. There will be a time at the end of the event for autographs.

Feel The Energy

INDEPENDENCE — Independence High School students will join student in four other Iowa schools competing in the Iowa School Energy Challenge, a project helping students understand and improve their schools' energy use.

March 1st, 2010

Apples And Oranges

INDEPENDENCE — Representatives of the Independence Community School District presented representatives of the Independence Teachers Association with an initial contract proposal for the 2010-11 school year. Bill Stone and Brett Nitzschke, with the Cedar Rapids law firm of Lynch Dallas PC, introduced themselves as part of the ICSD negotiating team.

Branstad Eyes 'Comeback'

INDEPENDENCE — Terry Branstad does not want to rest on his laurels. Even with polling numbers showing a double digit lead, the Republican gubernatorial hopeful is quick to point out the limits of such polls. "The only poll that counts is election [day]," insisted Branstad Friday as he took questions from a couple dozen residents who turned out for his "Iowa Comeback Tour."

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