Year in review

Big moves and warm memories of 2024

Top stories fill Index pages

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One would think there isn’t much news in a small community like West Liberty, but trying to narrow down the top 10 or so stories of 2024 was no easy task.

Major projects – some completed and others underway – like the new $7.5 million football/soccer/softball and baseball sports fields complex that opened south of the high school.

And the proposed $2 million new Activity Center planned for the Muscatine County Fairgrounds in West Liberty, including getting a $500,000 naming rights donation from Kent Feeds in Muscatine and dozens of other donations from businesses and families through the year.

The famous Eulenspiegel Theatre, a landmark entertainment attraction established through the work of Monica Leo in West Liberty, celebrated 50 years of putting on shows.

There were celebrations throughout the year, from a special Puppeteer fair to the 27th annual Children’s Festival that continues to attract hundreds with continuous puppet shows and fun activities for kids of all ages.

Looking ahead

There’s a lot of talk about a brighter future for West Liberty:

Putting a school resource officer in the district

Considering the possibility of replacing the 94-year-old Kimberly Park community pool

Continually increasing housing construction options to fill a void.

Creating better choices for child day care.

With a major Hispanic population in the community, immigration was also a key issue in the community and legislative campaigning by Eucuchi Mi Voz and others may pave the way for reform.

St. Joseph Catholic Church got a $15,000 grant to aid their Family Faith Club.

Major accomplishments

There were some major accomplishments like the settlement of a 28-E agreement between the city of West Liberty and the West Liberty Fire and Ambulance Department, which began in 2021.

The West Liberty Heritage Foundation moved the historic Stagecoach Inn structure three miles to their grounds near the Rock Island Railroad Depot museum.

Liberty Communication completed $15 million in high speed fiber optic cable in the city but rural areas.

The school district also approved over $200,000 in technology advancements.

Business news

Arty’s Sunnyside Café opened on the corner of Third and Calhoun downtown.

The new Three B’s Floral shop on North Columbus was opened by Charles Brooke.

Dr. Jason Aird opened the Iowa Audiology office at 1011 N. Columbus.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City took over Mercy’s Family Medicine.

Wertzbaugher Services on the northwest edge of the community was among three businesses annexed into the city.

Brick Street Gallery moved down the street after a safety issue in their downtown location forced a change late in the year.

Wiele Chevrolet is also building a development west of its building on Route 6 for commercial use.

Achievements

The Rotary of West Liberty celebrated its 100th anniversary in December.

Jodi and Bill Simon of All-American Concrete were recognized as grand marshals in the Muscatine County Fair parade.

Mike Kessler of Kessler Electric and Pat Rossberg, a New Boston graphic artist, were named honorary Muscatine County Fair board members.

The city recognized Francisco Martinez for his work in the Hispanic community and chairing the annual Latino Festival.

Simpson HomesMichelle Wheeler was named the Iowa Support and Professional of the Year.

School district paraprofessional Marci Goulette was Iowa State Education Association Educator Professional of the Year.

Sophia Buysse and Ryker Dengler were crowned royalty at the West Liberty High School Homecoming.

Bonnie Reeb, a former school nurse in West Liberty, was named the county’s Master Gardener of the Year.

Graduating with 78 other WLHS seniors, Betsy Bejaro was the WLHS solitarian and the valedictorian was Lila Guerra.

Key appointments

Iowa City Regina football coach Jason Dumont was named the to lead the Comet program.

The high school welcomed new volleyball coach Brittney Boffeli.

Joshua Houser was appointed the new West Liberty police chief.

Cody Franklin became head of the city’s electric department.

FFA excellence

West Liberty FFA Chapter earned a Gold Medal of Excellence in state competition this year.

Tom Brown's friends

There was an old-fashioned farm harvest for the late Tom Brown where dozens participated in a “final harvest,” director by Tom’s daughter, Jessica Schroeder.

Dorianne Rees directed a first-ever double cast performance of Neil Simon’s Odd Couple – female version.

Mayor Smith's first year

Mayor Mark Smith completed his first year in running the city, solving some key issues and supported a new housing development rising on the northwest edge.

Community pride

Muscatine County Sheriff’s department led a drive to get bikes for kids.

Pam Schnittjer and the Voluntary Action Committee members provided nourishment and household supplies through the local food pantry, and put warm coats on people’s backs.

They also helped provide bedding and Christmas gifts for families that otherwise might have gone without.

West Liberty’s Police Department put together the annual Shop with a Cop program to help nearly two dozen local families for the holidays.

A GoFundMe drive helped the New Strand Theatre get a new projector, keeping the movie house alive and showing the best of Hollywood, plus a bingo night to raise funds for he children’s playground at the West Liberty Child care Center.

Atalissa lights up

Atalissa may have seen their last Atalissa Days fireworks show from Alfredo Plata.

The community fire department put on a great family event that featured long-time volunteer father/daughter team Randy and Amy Windus.

Mother nature caused some havoc as well in the area, dumping a couple feet of snow early in the year and tossing around limbs with 50-70 mile an hour winds mid-year.

Sports success

The boyssoccer team got back to state for the fifth straight season.

Comets excelled in track and field, cross country and boys and girls wrestling.

The softball and baseball teams had great success and the football team got into the playoffs.

All those teams inaugurated their fields in the new WLHS sports complex.

West Liberty schools launched a new e-sports program.

Veterans remembered

Tom Wertzbauger spoke at the annual Veteran’s Day ceremony and at least four Veterans went on a Quad City honor flight including Duane Forbes, C. Dean Phillips, Joe Meyers and Larry Brenner.

A total of 227 veterans were honored in the annual Index Veteran’s salute and dozens more in the Oak Ridge Cemetery’s annual flag salute on Memorial Day.

Kauffmans lead Trump campaign

On the political scene, Wilton’s Jeff Kauffman, the Iowa Republican chairman, provided the nomination speech at the GOP National Convention in Milwaukee to name Donald Trump their candidate.

Jeff and his son, Rep. Bobby Kauffman, helped lead a Trump campaign in Iowa that won the January Republican caucuses, and swept the state in early November.

Publisher Bill Tubbs remembered

Former Advocate News/West Liberty Index/North Scott Press owner/publisher Bill Tubbs died in September. His emphasis on publishing ethical, community-based newspapers was legendary.

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