news
Watson named new principal at John Cline, West Side Elementary
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 12:26 pm
Tori Watson of Waverly has been selected as the new elementary principal of John Cline Elementary and West Side Early Childhood Center, pending formal approval from the Decorah School Board. Watson brings more than a decade of experience in education …
Former Waukon business woman given maximum sentence for arson, animal abuse
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 12:25 pm
Judge denies Jones’ request for new trial, acquittal of charges
Decorah looks at expected income, projects in drafting FY26 budget
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 12:21 pm
Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken said Decorah’s taxable growth actually increased by 3.6 percent compared to the previous year, and the city added roughly $91,000 in property taxes to its general fund, which helps cover city services such as the police and fire departments as well as the city library and the parks and recreation department.
Federal funding freeze causes uncertainty for local nonprofits
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 12:05 pm
Several Decorah area nonprofits began the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 28 with confusion and concern after the Office of Management and Budget — part of United States President Donald Trump’s executive office — released a memorandum freezing all federal funding effective as of 5 p.m. that afternoon. As of press time, two federal judges had issued orders which temporarily halted the freeze.
Decorah School District issues guidance regarding immigration and customs
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 12:01 pm
In a letter to families early this week, Decorah Community School Superintendent Tim Cronin shared policies the school has in place regarding immigration and customs enforcement. The letter came less than two weeks after federal officials rescinded guidelines which had prevented personnel with Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Customs and Boarder Protection from conducting enforcement actions in what was referred to as sensitive areas.
IUC to weigh Decorah’s concerns ahead of March 4 referendum
Monday, February 3, 2025 2:43 pm
The city is seeking clarification from the IUC as to whether a previous ruling from the commission applies to information Alliant Energy is currently disseminating ahead of a local March 4 referendum, during which area voters will decide whether the city may establish a municipal electric utility.
Echoes: Rural kids move to town for high school
Monday, February 3, 2025 9:58 am
Back in 1925, mid-January meant it was time to return to high school classes after Christmas vacation.
Greetings from the Capital: Committee work beginning in Des Moines
Monday, February 3, 2025 9:14 am
The second week of session has been shorter than usual with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The workload has ramped up for me with the release of the governor’s recommended budget.
Community blood drives announced
Sunday, February 2, 2025 4:09 am
As LifeServe Blood Center focuses on heart health in February, several blood donation opportunities are scheduled throughout Winneshiek County in the coming weeks.
Top Decorah speech students advance to state competition
Saturday, February 1, 2025 10:48 pm
Decorah High School speech students participated in a District Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Turkey Valley High School. Directors said the performers had an excellent showing, earning 31 top Division I ratings out of 33 total entries. The ninth-grade team performed in nine entries, and the varsity team performed in 24 entries.
Supervisors mull staff cut, responses to impacts of House File 718
Friday, January 31, 2025 3:09 pm
The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors is considering either cutting a county position or having departments share a full-time employee in response to concerns over Iowa House File 718.
Trio of Cresco men charged in rural Winneshiek burglary
Friday, January 31, 2025 10:28 am
The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office said three men residing across the county line in Cresco were arrested last week and charged in connection with a burglary reported earlier this month.
ArtHaus, Decorah Public Library to host graphic novel classes for area youth
Friday, January 31, 2025 10:00 am
Decorah Public Library’s graphic novels section has become one of the most popular categories of books in its collection, and in February, the DPL is teaming up with ArtHaus to offer a series of classes to help give youth in grades 1-6 the tools to create their own graphic novels.
Reports from the Decorah Police Department
Friday, January 31, 2025 9:58 am
Angel Marie De La Garza, age 45, of Decorah was charged with possession of methamphetamine — first offense — and driving while license denied, suspended, cancelled or revoked at approximately 6:37 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 in the 700 block of …
Construction of new VA clinic slated for completion this week
Thursday, January 30, 2025 12:16 pm
The interior of the 17,000 square-foot facility is complete, but its rooms will remain empty for a few more weeks.
Former Decorah man accused of sexually abusing children for years
Thursday, January 30, 2025 10:23 am
A former Decorah man turned himself in to local authorities last week, after being accused of sexually abusing multiple children over the course of several years.
Reports from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office
Thursday, January 30, 2025 9:57 am
Michelle K. Clark, age 36, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 4:40 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 to serve seven consecutive days. Benjamin Silva-Pinales, age 20, was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 …
Radon: a serious health problem in our community
Thursday, January 30, 2025 9:06 am
January is National Radon Awareness Month. While most people are familiar with the concept of radon, many are unaware of what a serious health problem radon represents to our community.
Former Decorah school board member joins movement promoting public schools
Thursday, January 30, 2025 7:56 am
The movement aims to support public education by advocating for students and staff as well as pushing back on what members see as negative policies.
Decorah Schools Nutrition Department earns Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 10:40 pm
Decorah Community School District’s Nutrition Team recently received two Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards for improving the nutritional quality of their school meals.