December 27, 2006

A Guttenberg, Iowa man has tentatively been charged with homicide by vehicle after a 32-year-old Guttenberg woman was found dead on Christmas Day along U.S. Highway 52 just south of Guttenberg, according to the Clayton County Sheriff's Department.

Curtis Pierce, 44, is accused of intentionally striking Terri Petit with the vehicle he was driving. Petit's body was found by authorities at 11:22 p.m. Monday.

The investigation led to Pierce being arrested and transported to the Clayton County Jail. The Sheriff's Department has requested a charge of homicide by vehicle.

The incident continues to be investigated by the Clayton County Sheriff's Department, the Guttenberg Police Department, the Iowa State Highway Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

On December 24, at about 9:22 p.m., a one vehicle rollover resulted in the death of a Prairie du Chien man.

Anna Lessard, 71, was eastbound on Clayton Rd near Garnavillo when she encountered icy conditions. The vehicle entered the ditch and hit a creek bed, rolling over one time, sustaining serious damage.

A passenger in the vehicle, Kenneth Lessard, 71, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anna Lessard was transported to Guttenberg Hospital, and then transferred to a hospital in Madison Wis. Her condition has not been reported.

Responding to the scene were Clayton County Sheriffs, Iowa State Patrol, Garnavillo Police, Fire and First Responders, and Guttenberg Police and Ambulance.

A one-vehicle rollover accident north of Guttenberg claimed the life of Eric Connolly, 24, of Colesburg on Friday, December 22.

Connolly lost control of a Chevy Silverado he was driving north on Mississippi Rd. The vehicle entered the ditch and rolled, coming to rest on the driver's side. Connolly was trapped under the vehicle.

He was freed by emergency personnel, and taken to Guttenburg Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A passenger in the vehicle, Joshua Knockel, 22, of Colesburg, was treated and released from Guttenburg Hospital. Clayton county Sheriff's department and Guttenburg ambulance responded.

Both accidents remain under investigation.

The Prairie du Chien School District is losing another valued member of the administration. Business Manager Michael Coughlin has resigned to take a position with the Waterloo Community School District in Iowa. Coughlin will be the Executive Director of Administrative Services at Waterloo.

"I've enjoyed working here. It's a quality school district," said Coughlin, who began his duties in Prairie du Chien in April of 1997. Coughlin's last official day will be Jan. 15, 2007.

Some of the noteworthy challenges that were met and overcome during Coughlin's years in Prairie du Chien include the completion of the building project, building up the technology of the district and passing the facility improvement referendum.

The building project involved the remodeling of B.A. Kennedy Elementary School, adding onto the high school and the construction of Bluff View Intermediate School.

The district has built up its technology in recent years by installing hundreds of new computers and having all of the school buildings connected by fiber optic cable. In addition, computer labs have been set up in all of the buildings and all teachers have a computer. There is also a good computer support staff in place to maintain the state-of-the-art system. Coughlin noted that the upgraded technology has enhanced the teacher's abilities as well as the educational opportunities so that Prairie du Chien students are very well prepared for the use of technology in college or in the business world.

The $1.2 million referendum that was passed in November of 2005 is being used for much-needed repairs and upgrades to roofs, heating systems and other improvements to buildings and grounds.

"The future at Prairie du Chien has many challenges ahead," said Coughlin. "But, good solutions can be found with everyone working together, including the school board, the staff and the public."

"My office staff of Rita Hinkel, Patti Schauf and Linda Wright have been great to work with and have made my job here at Prairie du Chien much easier," Coughlin said.

Governor Jim Doyle has issued an official proclamation designation Dec. 31, 2006 the Day of the Carp Drop in Prairie du Chien. The proclamation reads:

The framed proclamation, complete with an official seal, was dated Dec. 18.

Highlighting the afternoon and evening entertainment will be 'Not So Pure Prairie League,' an international group known individually as Suzanne Shaw, Jade Halverson and Shane Hazen. Shaw was the winner of the Colgate Country jamboree held this year in downtown Prairie du Chien. Halverson and Hazen were among the eight finalists in that contest.

The schedule for the events is as follows:

3 p.m.- The Carp Bowl football game on St. Feriole Island between Prairie du Chien Firemen and the Marquette/McGregor, Iowa Fire Department. Winners will receive $500 for their department. This is sponsored by Go America.

9:30 p.m. - Bonfires will be lit; hot chocolate and chili will be available; T-shirts will be on sale throughout the night.

10:30 p.m. - Breaking of the pinata for the young children; on-stage entertainment by 'Not So Pure Prairie League.'

11:40 p.m. - Crowning of the King and Queen; Countdown to Midnight (the clock will be checked somehow with the Atomic Clock in Boulder, Colorado, or we will just go with Central Carp Time).

Midnight - The Droppin' of the Carp; "Auld Lang Syne," Pledge of Allegiance and "God Bless America"; Fireworks.