News briefs

Marengo City Council approves administrator’s contract

MARENGO — The Marengo City Council approved a contract for new City Administrator and City Clerk Ellen O’Rourke during its last meeting of 2025.

Councilman John Hinshaw voted against the contract because it allows the city administrator to live outside the city limits. Hinshaw said he believes the city administrator should live in the city limits and pay city taxes.

“I have no intentions in moving from where I’m at,” said O’Rourke during the Dec. 30 City Council meeting. However, she doesn’t want to have to choose between her job and her family if, in the future, her family moves outside the city limits, she said.

“I’m not leaving the community,” O’Rourke assured the city council.

Councilman Travis Schlabach said he doesn’t want to say that O’Rourke can’t buy a house right outside the city limits in the future.

The contract sets O’Rourke’s base salary at $84,760.

Council members Bill Kreis, Karen Wayson-Kisling and Schlabach voted for the contract. Councilwoman Jenni Olson was absent.

Marengo looks for first responder volunteers

MARENGO — The City of Marengo will have an informational meeting Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. to discuss the formation of a first responders department.

An Iowa County EMS Facebook post says increasing ambulance call volumes can increase response times to 15-20 minutes. First Responders will provide basic emergency medical care at the scene until an ambulance arrives.

Marengo is looking for volunteers who live in the response area, want to serve the community and are willing to take an EMT class and respond to calls.

The meeting will take place at the Iowa County Ambulance Building, 355 W. Lucas St. in Marengo.

For more information, contact EMS Director Adam Rabe at 319-654-2555 or arabe@iacoambulance.org.

The organization is also looking for fundraising support for equipment and training. Anyone interested in fundraising for the department may also attend the meeting.

Central College releases fall dean’s list

PELLA — Each semester, Central College recognizes students who have earned a semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while completing a minimum of 12 graded credit hours with its dean’s list.

Area students on the list are Ty Alcott and Benjamin DeMeulenaere, of Belle Plaine; James Brant, of Tama; and Samuel Demeulenaere and Lane Vokoun, of Chelsea.

Also Kennedy Harms, Kylie Krumm, Julio Parmley and Brielle Sherman, of Grinnell; Leah Bontrager, of Wellman; Crew Klingner, of Williamsburg; and Lauryn Venema, of Amana.

SNHU Announces president’s list

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Southern New Hampshire University released its president’s list for the fall term.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 are named to the list.

Area students on the list are Logan Schlesselman, of Williamsburg; Burgandy Frese, of Montezuma; Nathanael Miller, of Wellman; and Elias Ehlen, Megan Beck and Zachary Burns, of Belle Plaine.