Morgan Finke
Published: October 15, 2008

DUBUQUE- Forklifts, paintbrushes, and sheetrock have all become very familiar items for independent home renovator Julie Lott.

“My husband and I we do this we’ve been doing it for probably the last 10 years we done work in the west 11th historic district which is where we are now,” said Lott.

Julie does it because she loves it.

“It’s nice when people work in the historic districts to preserve the old houses and keep the historic look of them, it’s important for the country,” said Lott.

But with a housing market that is on the rocks, how steady is Julie’s business?

“People are scared to make any moves and i definitely see a slow up,” adds Lott.

Real Estate agent Peggie Nesler says that Dubuque should rest easy for now.

“They keep talking about the market crash, and it isn’t as bad as it is in other areas in the country,” said Nesler.

But Julie believes that lucky streak might be coming to an end

“The housing market was holding its own for a while but you’re definitely seeing the trickling effect of the economy,” said Lott.

Regardless of what the current situation might be, Julie hopes that history will repeat itself.

“After the election, things usually pick up better. Overall, people are kind of scared and they want to see who is getting elected. They want to hear good things,” said Lott.

Morgan Finke can be reached at Morgan.Finke@lctv13.com

Morgan Finke
Published: October 1, 2008

DUBUQUE - The number 777 is usually considered a lucky number, but on Monday the number took on a whole new meaning.

Financial advisor, Joe Bernardi explained why, “It was an interesting day because what we had happen was the bailout package that was being voted on to raise 700 billion dollars to free up the credit markets was voted down”

Bernardi continues, “As a result of that (Congressional Bailout Bill) being voted down, there was a panicked reaction which caused the stock market to crumble.”

With such a dramatic change, you can understand why the initial response was enormous.

But Dennis LeGrand, store manager of Truck Country, is looking at the bigger picture.

“It just kind of trickles down and it affects all of our markets so that’s more of the impact that I’m concerned with than the actual dollar amount that the stock market is,” said LeGrand

With all of this in mind, professionals around Dubuque have one bit of advice: Don’t panic, don’t panic, do not panic.

Banks and financial firms in Dubuque urge citizens to be hopeful.

“All is not lost, and these are cycles and its going to come back and it’s going to get better,” said Greg Nissen, a mortgage banker at Liberty bank in Dubuque.

Morgan Finke can be reached at Morgan.Finke@lctv13.com

Morgan Finke
Published September 24, 2008

DUBUQUE- The basketball team has had some time off, since their NCAA tournament appearance last season and Coach Gorton hopes they will come prepared to work as the new season approaches,

“Hopefully at this point they have already prepared themselves in terms of skill work, so now it’s just a matter of trying to get their physical, their body ready for the wear and tear of a year,” said coach Gorton.

Despite an impressive finish last season, the team is looking to be even bigger and better this year.

“Our guys have great goals and aspirations this season to achieve things that have never been done, never been accomplished here at Loras,” explained Coach Gorton.

However, with a few key players lost through graduation, there is some doubt that the team will be able to match last year’s success.

“The other conference coaches think we’ll be down and it’s a great rally cry for us,” added Gorton.

That confidence is reassuring, but what is the source of the confidence?

Gorton explained, “I love our mixture of young fresh talent coming into the program, I think all of the Duhawk fans will be really excited about some of things new guys”

Come November 12th we’ll see if his confidence and the team’s hard work will pay off.

Morgan Finke can be reached at Morgan.Finke@lctv13.com

Morgan Finke
Published: September 17, 2008

Dodgeville, WI–The sound of barking dogs, and meowing cats, is music to Sheri Phillmore’s ears,

“I’ve always been an animal lover,” said Phillmore.

Since December of 2005, that love has been able to accomplish great things at the Iowa County Humane Society.

“In ten years, we’ve facilitated finding homes for over 6000 animals,” said Phillmore.

But with the help of members of the community, Teresa Duerst believes the next ten years can produce an even greater outcome. She explains, “it’s a small organization and it’s growing every year, and it’s exciting to see the growth and how the community is kind of stepping up and seeing the humane society as an important part of the community.”

The employees of the Iowa County animal shelter see an importance in humane societies nationwide.

“It’s important because it’s a place for the animals to come, you know the homeless animals out there so that they’re not on the streets causing more trouble,” said Teresa Duerst.

“We’re here to care for the animals 24/7, 365 days of the year,” Phillmore adds.

That goes to show that caring for our communities animals is not a part time job.

The Iowa County Humane Society has made tremendous strides toward successfully housing and caring for our community’s animals in the last ten years. But they are always looking for more ways to keep improving.

“It’ll definitely keep us busy for the next ten years, said,” said Phillmore on the future of the humane society.

If you would like to help the Iowa County Humane Society visit their website at www.ichs.net.

If you live in Dubuque County and would like to help visit: www.dbqhumane.org

Morgan Finke can be reached at morgan.finke@lctv13.com

Morgan Finke
Published: September 3, 2008

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Those three R’s are believed to be the answer to everyone’s lingering question of how we can help the environment.

Bev Wagner, DMASWA Education and Communication Initiative Coordinator explained, “We’re really focusing on the green initiative here at Loras.”

But what many students struggle with, is what exactly that means to them.  “There are recycle bins in every dorm room this year,” Bev explains.

To be truly environmentally friendly, however, takes more than just a recycling bin. Student and environmentalist Kelsey McElroy concisely summarizes her advice, “basically, if you’re not using it, unplug it.”

That’s Kelsey’s tip to not only protect the planet, but also protect your pocketbook. “Don’t leave your laptop charger or your cell phone charger or hair dryer or any products like that; which is a good habit to get into when you’re paying your own bills it’ll save you a lot of money.”

But Bev hopes that a green attitude in the residence halls, carries out to the sidewalks as well, “just a general attitude and behavior change, like when you see litter on the sidewalk, pick it up, stuff like that”

Morgan Finke can be reached at Morgan.Finke@lctv13.com

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DUBUQUE - Smoke-free, a law in Iowa that bar owners have been dreading for years, and that anti-smoking groups have been hoping for. As of July 1 a state wide smoking ban in all public places, excluding casinos, will go into effect in Iowa, leading Iowa smokers outside to smoke.

“The smokers will get used to smoking out front but for the city’s bar and restaurant owners it is going to be messy because there will be people smoking in the entry ways,“ says The Dog House bar owner Bob Leytem.

Leytem explains other states that have enacted a state wide smoking ban have been affected negatively by the change.

“Other states have said their business has dropped off quite a bit, Illinois has dropped around 20 to 25 percent and Minnesota even more,” added Leytem.

For Anti-Tobacco groups in Dubuque these numbers are up for debate.

“Illinois and Minnesota have gone smoke free and we have seen no detrimental effects yet, it seems like business as usual,” says Hillcrest Anti-Tobacco Coordinator Angie Brandel.

One of the exemptions to the ban has business owners questioning the government’s decision.

“I think it is hypocritical to allow smoking in casinos, if they are going to ban smoking for one business it should be all businesses,” says owner of Players Sports Bar David Loreny.

Regardless of the mixed feelings towards the ban, this summer the smoke free bill will go into effect in Iowa, requiring bar and restaurant owners, along with their patrons to make a change.

Morgan Finke can be reached at Morgan.Finke@loras.edu