Category: Oelwein Post

Oelwein Post

Oelwein and West Union men sent to prison over drug crimes

Chris Baldus

Men from Oelwein and West Union were sent to prison this week after pleading guilty to felony drug charges in separate cases in Fayette County District Court. Here are some recently concluded felony cases: Thomas Daniel Wilds, 28, of Oelwein, pleaded guilty Nov. 15 to the Class D felonies of third-offense possession of methamphetamine and third-offense possession of marijuana and was sentenced by District Court Judge John Sullivan to a pair of concurrent prison terms of up to five years. Four other counts were dismissed. Fines and surcharges, which exceeded $2,000 total, were suspended. Vanessa Lynn Wilson, 38, of Oelwein, … Continue reading Oelwein and West Union men sent to prison over drug crimes

Oelwein Post

Monona man, 18, charged in West Union burglaries

Chris Baldus

A Monona man is facing multiple charges related to burglaries reported in West Union in late October. Mason Lee Schroeder, 18, of Monona, is charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, four counts of third-degree burglary from a motor vehicle, three counts of attempted third-degree burglary from a vehicle/vessel, and one count each of second- and fourth-degree theft. He made his initial appearance in Fayette County District Court on Oct. 27, and bail was set at $25,000 cash or surety. According to the criminal complaint filed by West Union Police, Schroeder was spotted through security cameras trying to enter two … Continue reading Monona man, 18, charged in West Union burglaries

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 16): Remodeling in downtown, FFA collecting food, pianists dueling on Saturday

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein area readers. It’s Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. • TODAY’S WEATHER — Cloudy skies will persist into the night. Snow is likely mainly before 9 a.m. Be careful on the slick roads. The high temp will be around 32 and the low 18. Northwest winds during the day will blow 8 to 14 mph and shift to west in the evening with gusts of up to 20 mph. (Extended Forecast) • BUSINESSES BUSY REMODELING — Sydney’s Bridal continues to remodel the 7 South building in downtown Oelwein, aiming for a January opening date. Up the street, The Purple … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 16): Remodeling in downtown, FFA collecting food, pianists dueling on Saturday

Oelwein Post

Oelwein police and fire departments to compete Saturday for most food donations

Chris Baldus

The Oelwein’s Fire Department and Police Department will try this Saturday, Nov. 19, to out-do each other in collecting food donations to help local people in need. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., department members will set up at Oelwein’s two grocery stores to accept donations of food items for the Kitchen Cupboard. The Police Department will once again partner with Fareway for its annual “Arrest Hunger” event in the Fareway parking lot. Officers will be on hand to receive food item donations and meet with the public. Community members can also take time to view the inside of a … Continue reading Oelwein police and fire departments to compete Saturday for most food donations

Oelwein Post

Ice and deer contribute to weekend crashes

Chris Baldus

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office reported a handful of crashes Nov. 12-13 Icy conditions got the best of an SUV and then a car at the Hwy. 3 round-about near Starmont High School Saturday morning. No injuries were reported but combined vehicle damage was estimated at about $2,000 At 7:19 a.m., Nov. 12, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle in the ditch near the round-about. A 38-year-old Milwaukee, Wisconsin, man lost control of the 2018 Cadillac XT5 he was driving because of icy road conditions. It slid into the ditch and received an estimated $1,500 in damage, … Continue reading Ice and deer contribute to weekend crashes

Oelwein Post

WV grad sex abuse trial scheduled to begin Dec. 7

Chris Baldus

Update: This trial has been pushed back to February 2023. A 2022 Wapsie Valley graduate is scheduled to go on trial Dec. 7 in Fayette County District Court on a charge of third-degree sexual abuse. He’s accused of forcing a sex act on a teenage girl at her Fairbank home on March 2, 2022. Holten Taylor Robinson, 19, of Parkersburg, turned himself in to the Fayette County Sheriff’s office on March 28, 2022, after a warrant was issued for his arrest on the Class C felony charge. His bail was set at a $10,000 unsecured bond, and he was released … Continue reading WV grad sex abuse trial scheduled to begin Dec. 7

Oelwein Post

West Central to host Honor Band on Monday

Chris Baldus

West Central will host the 2022 Upper Iowa Conference Honor Band on Monday, Nov. 14. Students from across the conference will be rehearsing all day long in preparation for the concert, including eight Blue Devils: Amyah Bender, GraceLyn Neumann-Birchard, Evan Recker, Charlie Sieck, Alan Streittmatter, Isaac George, Daryon Allwood, and Maria Streif. The concert will be at 7 p.m. in the Klinge Gym. Doors will open at 6:30. Admission is $5 for all attendees. The honor band will be under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Cory Near from Luther College, and the percussion ensemble will be under the direction … Continue reading West Central to host Honor Band on Monday

Oelwein Post

Gearhart honored as cross country coach

Chris Baldus

Oelwein cross country coach gets state recognition: The Iowa Association of Track Coaches included Oelwein cross country head coach Jason Gearhart in its At Large Coach of the Year selections for Class 2A boys. The others are Eric Walsh of Tipton, Tara Stein of Waukon, Mitch Timmerman of Mediapolis, Michael Buchheit of Pella Christian and Brad Peter and Erin Frerichs of Okoboji. The state Class 2A Boys Coach of the Year is Andrew Hamer of Des Moines Christian. Continue reading Gearhart honored as cross country coach

Oelwein Post

Hawkeye felon pleads guilty to possession of firearm

Chris Baldus

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office news release A man who possessed a firearm after the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office searched his Hawkeye, Iowa, home on August 10, 2022, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Cedar Rapids.               Rusty Joe Barker, age 38, from Hawkeye, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition after he was convicted of a felony offense.               In an earlier detention hearing, the evidence showed that Fayette County Deputies learned that Barker had access to a firearm and ammunition when they went to the Barker home in response to … Continue reading Hawkeye felon pleads guilty to possession of firearm

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Fayette County Election Results

Chris Baldus

FAYETTE COUNTY OFFICES Supervisor (pick 2) County Attorney County Recorder County Treasurer Fayette County vote for federal offices US Senator US Rep. District 2 Fayette County vote totals for state offices Governor and Lt. Governor Secretary of Agriculture Attorney General Secretary of State Auditor of State Treasurer of State State Rep. District 63 State Rep. District 68 Continue reading Fayette County Election Results

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 8): WV swimmer going to State, polls open until 8 p.m. and OHS to host Veterans Day assembly on Friday

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein-area readers. It’s Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 — Election Day. Here is some local news to get your day started. • WEATHER — Today will be partly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a southeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Tonight there will be a 20 percent chance of showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. (Extended Forecast) • SPORTS — Wapsie Valley junior Lily Schwickerath qualified for the 2022 Iowa Girls State … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 8): WV swimmer going to State, polls open until 8 p.m. and OHS to host Veterans Day assembly on Friday

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Fayette County polling places

Chris Baldus

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 for the general election. These are your polling places according to the legal publication the county was required to publish in area newspapers: • Auburn-Eden Township — St. Lucas Community Center 101 W. Main St., St. Lucas • Banks-Fremont Township — Westgate Community Bldg. 184 Main St.,Westgate • Bethel-Windsor Township — Hawkeye Public Library 104 S. 2nd Street Hawkeye. • Center-Harlan Township — Maynard Comm. Library 245 Main Street Maynard • Clermont Township — NFV Community Coalition Building, 23689 Canoe RoadElgin • Dover Township — West Union … Continue reading Fayette County polling places

Oelwein Post1 Comment

‘Drug house warrants’ lead to 12 arrests in Oelwein, Maynard and Sumner

Chris Baldus

Nine people from Oelwein and one each from Alpha, Maynard and Sumner were jailed after “drug house warrants” were served Friday night by 15 cooperating law enforcement agencies. According to a news release from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement seized drugs, firearms, and about $4,000 in cash. Along with paraphernalia, the drugs seized included 1.25 pounds of marijuana, 70 grams of methamphetamine, and multiple types of prescription pills and packaged pills. Weapons seized included long guns and a a pistol. More than 100 charges have been filed including seven Class B felonies, two Class C felonies, 35 Class … Continue reading ‘Drug house warrants’ lead to 12 arrests in Oelwein, Maynard and Sumner

Oelwein Post

West Central coach nominated for national award

Chris Baldus

West Central head football coach Steve Milder is the Iowa nominee for The National High School Coaches Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year. This award program has been in existence since the early 1980s and is the longest-running of it’s kind in the country, according to an announcement from the school. Eight finalists will be invited to the NHSACA National Convention in Nebraska in June 2023. Continue reading West Central coach nominated for national award

Oelwein Post

Oelwein man sentenced to 70 months in federal Prison

baldissimo

An Oelwein man who possessed eight loaded guns and fled from the police was sentenced on Oct. 19 to more than five years in federal prison. Justin James Gallmeyer, 39, of Oelwein, pleaded guilty on April 14 to possessing firearms as a felon. He has a prior federal felony conviction for possessing a firearm as a drug user. According to the news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern Iowa, evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that Gallmeyer possessed a total of eight guns over the course of about one year. In August 2020, he fled from the police … Continue reading Oelwein man sentenced to 70 months in federal Prison

Oelwein Post

Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 3): More honors for OHS musicians, 1,700 ballots cast so far in Fayette County and other notes

Chris Baldus

Good morning, Oelwein area readers. Today is Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, and here are some local news updates. 1. WEATHER — Today’s National Weather Service forecast includes increasing clouds, with a high near 70 and south winds of 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Tonight there is an 80% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Low around 53 with south winds of 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. (Extended Forecast) 2. DUO FROM OHS CHOSEN FOR HONOR BAND Oelwein High School band members Amera Schoultz (alto … Continue reading Oelwein AM Update (Nov. 3): More honors for OHS musicians, 1,700 ballots cast so far in Fayette County and other notes