In honor of 100 years of Iowa State Parks, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting the public to a free presentation about how Iowa was a key player in the state park movement in America, and one of the early states to set aside special places of quiet beauty as parks.

100 Years Ago

Outstanding Young Cattleman Jeb Schwager and Outstanding Young Cattlewoman Paige Deppe, both of Bellevue, pose with award presenter Ross River at the annual Cattlemen’s banquet, held a week ago Saturday night at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Schwager is a 2019 graduate of Marquette High Sc…

Marquette Catholic

Bellevue

Kyden Anthony Gabriel Decker, son of Jon and Nichelle Decker of Bellevue, turned one year old on December 24, 2019.

“Exercises” was available with the residents during the morning on Friday.

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren raises her fist in solidarity with the 2020 year of the woman as she stands in front of about 60 people at Moore’s Family Farm Store in Maquoketa last Sunday morning. She spoke for about 15 minutes, mentioning topics such as equal rights, he…

Grayson James Rapp, son of Taylor Casel and Jordan Rapp of Maquoketa will celebrate his first birthday on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020.

There’s probably still a few folks in Bellevue who still remember the old ice house and ice harvesting operation on North Riverview, which operated from the early 1900s through the early 1950s.

Members of the Bellevue City Council last week discussed possible funding to support a housing rehabilitation program via a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administered through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Housing Rehabilitation Fund.

100 Years ago

By SARA MILLHOUSE

With the 2020 Iowa Legislative session beginning Jan. 13, about 45 area residents questioned local elected officials about topics most important to them last week in Jackson County.

Iowa Hawkeye fans have the opportunity to take a special bus trip to a Hawkeye basketball game versus Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 2.

The junior parents of Bellevue High School are hosting a Trivia Night to raise funds for this year’s After Prom activities.

Jackson County Farm Bureau will be sponsoring a public legislative forum on Saturday, January 18 at Maquoketa City Hall, 201 E. Pleasant St., Maquoketa beginning at 9 a.m.  District 29 State Senator Carrie Koelker and District 58 Representative Andy McKean will be in attendance. Issues being…

The Ohnward Fine Arts Center presents “Rockin’ in the U.S.A.: A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the center, located at 1215 E. Platt St., Maquoketa.

Kaston Kettmann, son of Kevin and Tracy Kettmann of Dubuque Iowa celebrated his first birthday on January 9, 2020.  A birthday party was held on Sunday, January 12 at Kaston’s house.  Kaston’s parents, sister; Kaisley, age 3, Godparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends were …

“Exercises” was available with the residents during the morning on Friday.

Bellevue Community

State Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa was recently named to serve on Governor Reynolds' Empower Rural Iowa Board.  This initiative seeks to develop legislation to lay the foundation for vibrant rural communities.  It is currently emphasizing the rural housing shortage and restoring dil…

A special screening of Sons & Daughters of Thunder, a new film by Mid-America Emmy-nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, will be showcased at the Preston Town Hall on Sunday, January 19 at 2 p.m. The event is free to the public and sponsored by The Friends of …

The Jackson County board of supervisors have delayed a referendum on a possible new jail and sheriff's office. This week, the window of time will expire for setting a March vote.

Officers used the oldest trick in the book in arresting Garry Evilsizer for the knifepoint robbery in Miles earlier this year: Preston police chief Scott Heiar asked Evilsizer about “the knife that was in the backseat.”

The news landscape in Bellevue was positive in several aspects during 2019, with local sports teams earning state berths, new pop-up shops opening and new city infrastructure going online. At the same time, it was somewhat marred with murder trials, fatal accidents, lawsuits and two failed b…

100 Years Ago

After mourning for the past two months, some closure may have finally arrived for a Bellevue family, as a subject from Dubuque was arrested last week in connection with the death of a young woman and her unborn child.

The Jackson County Cattlemen will hold its annual banquet Saturday, January 11, in the Pearson Memorial Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. The public is encouraged to attend for great food and entertainment.

“First-in-the-nation” may not accurately describe the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses.

Farmers who planted fall cover crops are reminded that the deadline to sign up for a $5-per-acre reduction on their 2020 crop insurance premiums is quickly approaching. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will accept applications until Jan. 15.

Marquette Catholic

Finley Hospital’s Family Birthing Suites welcomed the first baby of 2020 and the new decade in the early morning of January 1. Benjamin Dennis Kerr was welcomed into the world by his parents, Samantha Schumacher and Joshua Kerr, of Bellevue, IA, on January 1, 2020 at 4:25 a.m. He was 7 pound…

The Miles Mini-Mart was robbed at knifepoint Saturday night. Police arrested a neighbor, Garry Evilsizer, about 24 hours later.

After a local family mourned for two months, a subject from Dubuque was arrested on New Year’s Eve in connection with the death of a Bellevue woman and her unborn child.

Paquita Ditzler has lived and worked here in Bellevue for nearly two decades, but she has never voted in an election.

Effective Jan. 1, Nemmers Realty of Bellevue and Kennedy-Gilmore Realty of Maquoketa joined to form Nemmers Realty Maquoketa.

100 YEARS AGO

Every light in the house will be on and focused on 6-foot-6-inch country music artist Trace Adkins as he headlines country night at the Jackson County Fair at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1

The smile returned to Tim O’Connell’s face Saturday night after he concluded the toughest test in his sport, the National Finals Rodeo.

A longtime educator, veteran and community leader passed away last week.

Land Values 2019

Mill Valley Care Center and Sunrise Assisted Living of Bellevue recently received word of a prestigious honor from the National Centers for Assisted Living and the American Health Care Association.  

Brian Roling is pictured with his retirement gift.

Brian “Bull” Roling of Bellevue was the guest of honor at a retirement party last Friday evening at the Bellevue Community Center. Roling, who was greeted by many family, friends and co-workers, will retire in January 2020 from his job as a general laborer in the Bellevue Public Works Depart…

A new Iowa State University survey reveals farmland values in the state rose 2.3 percent over the past year, despite the trade disputes and declining income.

A CHRISTMAS LIGHTING DISPLAY at 406 South 4th Street in Bellevue has been turning a lot of heads and attracting quite a bit of evening traffic. The massive lighted display, set up by Kevin and Tammy Stoecken, includes 160 yard decorations, dozens of yards of lights and 3,000 feet of extensio…

At this point it’s still just a vision, but the 50 acres of land acquired by the City of Bellevue last year for future expansion of residential property was the topic of a presentation last week by a group of University of Iowa engineering students.

A newly formed group with the goal of transitioning Jackson County to locally owned clean energy introduced itself to community members Tuesday night.

A Jackson County jury reached a verdict Friday in a lawsuit against Mill Valley Care Center.

 A free, guided hike will take place at Bellevue State Park on New Year’s Day as part of America’s ‘First Day Hikes’ initiative. The Bellevue event will take place beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1. Hikers should meet at the Dyas Unit Campground at 10 a.m., in appropriate attire w…

Lily Turnis, daughter of Travis and Alicia Turnis of Peosta, IA celebrated her first birthday December 8, 2019.

Thanks to volunteers Laurie Anderson and Sharon Konrardy for hosting Manicures for the residents at Mill Valley Care Center (MVCC) and the tenants at Sunrise Villa Assisted Living (SVAL) during the morning on Friday.

Make reservations 24 hrs. in advance to receive a meal the next day. Ph. 563-872-4666.

The 2019 Bellevue Community Club Youth Basketball Tournament for boys and girls in grades 3-8 will take place soon. The tournament for grades 3rd through 6th will be held Feb. 22, while the tournament for grades 7 and 8 will take place Feb. 23. For more information, or to get signed up, cont…

Normal residential garbage pickup for Bellevue residents this holiday season will still take place on Monday, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 27. West side recycling will take place on Thursday, Dec. 26. Bellevue City Hall and public works will be closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dec…

Steve Tebbe of Whispering Meadows Farms will be providing heated wagon rides to tour the Christmas Lights of Bellevue from now through Christmas.

Effective January 1, 2020, the Jackson County Treasurer’s Office will require customers to provide a Bill of Sale when transferring titles to motor vehicles or trailers.  This will include private party purchases as well as dealership purchases.  

Area residents will observe Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in coming weeks.

100 Years Ago

Alexis (Daugherty) Hammann of Sammamish, WA and Grant Hammann of Dyersville, IA were united in marriage on March 16, 2019 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Indiana, Officiating was Father Pat Reidy, CSC. The bride was given in marriage by her father, Tracy Daugherty,