Do you have an appliance that you need to dispose of? Check out our Applicances page for directions on where to take your item. Appliances must be dropped off during office hours. Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers (appliances with freon) should be taken to the Winneshiek County Landfill appliance trailer- $20.00 fee per appliance. Microwaves, stoves, washers and dryers (appliances without freon) can be dropped at the Freeport Recycling Center door 6am-3pm M-F without a charge.
Month: July 2023
Scam Alert
Media Release
Date: Thursday, July 27, 2023
Authority: Chief Tricia Thein
The Decorah Police Department was notified of an advertising campaign soliciting donations that, based on appearances, supports the Decorah Police Department. It is important that community members know that the Decorah Police Department is not affiliated with this group, and does not receive any monetary support from this organization. The organization, “Citizens Behind the Badge” participates in a direct mail “survey”, usually surrounding a hot topic associated with policing, in an attempt to manipulate and take advantage of people’s emotions for money. This specific organization is based in Virginia and is not listed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the IRS.
This particular “scam” is not new and has been reported in New York, Arkansas, New Jersey, Iowa, and many other states.
The Decorah Police Department does not solicit donations by mail, and we encourage all residents to research organizations prior to making their donations.
We encourage individuals with concerns or questions to reach out to the Decorah Police Department via the non emergency line at 563-382-3667.
Can I buy an EV, Already?!
According to Autolist.com’s 2023 Electric Vehicle Survey, new car buyers’ top concerns with EVs include sky-high prices, range limitations, and a lack of public charging. As their data suggests, year-over-year progress has been made on all three of these fronts, with consumers increasingly warming to the idea of EV purchases. Nevertheless, significant obstacles remain. The average MSRP of an EV has narrowed relative to that of gas powered models, albeit
Nordic Fest Week
Media Release
Date: Monday, July 24, 2023
Authority: Chief Tricia Thein
Happy Nordic Fest Week! On behalf of the city of Decorah, we wish all a wonderful Nordic Fest Celebration. To help ensure this, please be advised that there will be street closures to facilitate different festival events, and set up of booths and food/beverage garden areas. Opening ceremonies begin Thursday July 27 around 6:45 pm at the courthouse square. Expect restricted traffic movement in that area during this time.
On Friday and Saturday July 28 and 29, in the downtown area, expect road closures and traffic delays throughout the day. Saturday’s scheduled events include the Elvelopet Run and parade. These two events will consist of many road closures including College Drive and Heivly Street during the run and Montgomery Street for parade activities, as well as cross streets to E. Water Street from Montgomery Street to Mill Street for the duration of the parade.
Preplan your need to navigate the downtown area and expect congestion and time delays as we celebrate Nordic Fest 2023! We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Her er til en trygg og lykkelig feiring for alle
(Here’s to a Safe and Happy celebration for all)
NOTICE TO BIDDERS: Festina Sewer Bid Notice
SECTION 00 11 13
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements
Winneshiek County (Festina)
SEH No. WISHK 159244
Notice is hereby given that the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors will conduct a public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project at a Board of Supervisors meeting on August 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Winneshiek County Courthouse Annex, Decorah, Iowa. Any interested person may appear and file objections to the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract or estimated cost. After hearing objections, the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors shall, by resolution, enter its decision on the plans and specifications.
More information in the link below:
Winneshiek County Supervisors Meeting 2023 07 24
Significant Decorah Properties List
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Historic Preservation Commission
Contact: Mark Z. Muggli, DHPC Chair (historicpreservation@decorahia.org; 612-720-5795)
Historic Preservation Commission Announces “Significant Decorah Properties” List
Decorah, IA (July 23, 2023) — The Decorah Historic Preservation Commission has created an inventory of “Significant Decorah Properties” not on the National Register. The list is available as a downloadable PDF from the Commission’s city webpage at https://www.decorahia.org/commission-and-boards/historic-preservation/historic-tours.
There are approximately 125 properties on the list, including cemeteries, parks, businesses, and residences. The properties were designed by a variety of Decorah architects, builders, and property owners over the past 175 years, including William S. Bucknell, H.O. Ball, Lars Seim, A.R. Coffeen, Borger Hanson, Lully Lund, William Sihler, William Lockard, Lowell Erdman, and, most notably, Charles Altfillisch.
According to Commission secretary Judy van der Linden, the list incorporates many properties discussed in other local tours and histories. “But this list should be helpful because it’s considerably more comprehensive than any other one source. And we’ve identified many new significant properties as well.”
Added Commission member Kathy Buzza, “Everyone recognizes that local National Register properties are significant. Our new list applies the National Register standards for significance integrity to properties throughout Decorah–although often at a somewhat lower level.”
Commission chair Mark Z. Muggli noted that next steps will be to develop Iowa Site Inventories for some of the properties, with some properties eventually being nominated for the National Register.
The commission hopes that the public will find the inventory a useful resource and for self-guided touring. They encourage people to send corrections and potential additions to the new list through the Commission’s city email address, “historicpreservation@decorahia.org.”
The Decorah Historic Preservation Commission is a state-certified city board established in 2007 to promote the public’s educational and economic welfare through the recognition of historic sites.
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Gnomes in the Park 2023
Starting Monday, July 24th Gnomes in the Park returns for Nordic Fest 2023! Stop by the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce to pick up or download a Gnomes in the Park Scavenger Hunt Form and Map for a list of clues to find gnomes for your chance to win a drawing prize.
Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With Decorah – Jeff Abbas
Jeff Abbas poses with agates and polishing equipment at his studio in rural NE Iowa. / Photo by Sara Friedl-Putnam
Jeff Abbas has been connecting communities, chasing passions, and picking up rocks for most of his life. A self proclaimed “agatographer”, his passion for Lake Superior agates and photography have found him producing stunning images of billion-plus year old agates. His ability to connect friends through photography led to the creation of the “Morning Coffee Shots” Facebook group that proceeded to connect hundreds of friends and soon-to-be friends through the pandemic and beyond.
(You can read the entire feature on Jeff from the Summer 2023 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine here – special thank you to Sara Friedl Putnam for that profile, and the photos noted on this episode page).
Jeff Abbas holds a polished agate. / Photo by Sara Friedl-Putnam
An Iowa native, Abbas set across the US after school to see the country, and by the mid-1970s found himself in the US Navy, and then Central California. It was here that he found a passion for all that California offered – including the Sierra Foot Hills. Early jobs included using early generation digital cameras (a Sony Mavica to be exact), to capture wildflower images in the Sierra – an idyllic job in many ways that would send him out into the wilderness for a few days at a time. Jeff also had an interest in broadcasting, and a voice to back it up – but flipped a coin to decide if he should pursue education in broadcasting or culinary arts. The culinary path won, but his part time volunteer work at KUOP 93.1 FM in Stockton, CA would lead him into a career in broadcasting (including a short stint at a smooth jazz station – you’ll have to listen to hear Jeff’s on-air pseudonym!).
But the draw of the midwest, and the boom of California helped Jeff circle back to NE Iowa in the early 2000s. It was a chance opportunity to jump back into community radio at the now defunct KPVL 89.1 FM in Postville that put Jeff back on the air. There was no way to know it, but Jeff would be at the center of community information when the 2008 ICE Immigration raid of Agriprocessors (the largest ever immigration raid in the US at that time). That event would also connect him to his now wife, Mary, who was working with Catholic Charities in the aftermath of the raid.
Photo by Jeff Abbas Agate Photography
Although Jeff had been interested in agates his whole life, he credits the book “The Other Lake Superior Agates” by John D Marshall for sparking an even deeper appreciation and fascination with discovering the intricacies of these marvelous creations. Jeff describes an amazing intersection of “art and interest” in coaxing the almost magical designs and features of these billion-plus year old treasures. Tie in his love of photography and sharing with community, and Jeff has found at least another life’s work in his passion for “agatography”.
More information:
– Full “Community Builder” Profile on Jeff Abbas from the Summer 2023 Issue of Inspire(d) Magazine
– “Morning Coffee Shots” Facebook group
– “Lake Superior Agate Life” Facebook group
“Rhymes With Decorah” is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming