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The staff at The Waverly Newspapers continues the look-back at the year that was 2024. The second half of the year brought many changes to the city, notably the closure of the main route connecting the east and west sides of Waverly. Check out our picks for the biggest news stories of the second half of 2024.

No stranger to flooding from the Cedar River, Waverly got a scare in July 2024 when high waters threatened to crest over and flood parts of the city. Thankfully for local residents, that did not happen, and the city avoided a larger disaster.

However, the high water in the Cedar River at Waverly delayed the start of the Bremer Avenue Bridge Replacement Project, which was slated to begin in early July and was put off for a few weeks due to the water level. The replacement project eventually began with the closure of the bridge on Aug. 5.

“We were hoping to get going [July 8], but the river’s just too high,� said Pete Hjelmstad, Field Services Coordinator for the District 2 Office of the Iowa Department of Transportation. “The contractor’s monitoring it, and as soon as the river allows, we will get started.�

The bridge was eventually fully closed in early August as work started on the bridge. Motor vehicle traffic was detoured to 10th Avenue SW/Cedar River Parkway to the south, as well as on Cedar Lane to the north.

Construction has continued through the falls months and will continue during the winter. City officials have said the bridge reconstruction should be finished by the end of August 2025, with a planned-for reopening by Labor Day of 2025.

“The reason we’re starting late in the year is so that during the winter and late fall, when the river levels are usually low, we can get all the work done that depends on river levels,� Hjelmstad said. “That way, when the spring comes along and the river’s usually at the highest, that work that is so dependent on the river levels will hopefully be done and high water won’t delay it.�

The water needs to be low to remove the current bridge support pillars and build new ones. Once that foundational work is done, water level isn’t as much of an issue in the bridge construction.

DOT officials hope to have the project finished by Labor Day 2025, “but with an asterisk that a lot’s going to depend on the river level, and a lot’s going to depend on when we get started, and a lot’s going to depend on the severity of the winter,� Hjelmstad said.

The contractor for the project is Peterson Contractors, Inc., out of Reinbeck, Iowa. The bridge closure has angered many residents, said Mayor Mark Anderson, who admitted it has been a challenge for the city — especially downtown businesses — to cope with.

Waverly City Council Member Julie Meyers told The Waverly Newspapers in a prior interview that the bridge closure is “pretty high up on peoples’ minds these days.�

“The (first) three weeks have certainly brought challenges to anyone traveling through our community, and the initial signage that the Iowa Department of Transportation erected has been less than helpful, to say the least,� she said in August. In addition, significantly increased traffic along the official detour route (10th Avenue SW and Cedar River Parkway) and Cedar Lane, which helps access the northern sections of town, will continue for the foreseeable future, and that’s something that we all need to be cognizant of and exercise extra caution about.

One month after the Aug. 5 closure of the bridge, many owners and managers of downtown businesses told The Waverly Newspapers that a range of effects from the closure were from minimal impact to “tragic.�

Deb Mummelthei, owner of Love and Lace on the east side of the Cedar River, commented on how little traffic was going through downtown there, either by car or on foot.

“We miss it,� Mummelthei said, speculating that some parts of her business sales were down while noting that detour signage was not adequate. “People can’t find us! They can’t figure out how to get here. I don’t think it’s as bad as people were expecting it to be, because we do have access. What we need is signage.�

Waverly Public Works Director Justin McGlaun said, “The city has also expressed concerns to the DOT about the east intersection of IA 3 and Cedar River Parkway, but the intersection does not seem to meet their metrics for a signal.�

Tiffany Schrage from the Waverly Chamber of Commerce indicated that the chamber will be highlighting downtown businesses on social media every Tuesday and Thursday in an effort to support them.

In early November, construction crews began conducting tests to prepare for the new Bremer Avenue bridge. Crews had begun drilling test shafts to confirm soil conditions below, according to a social media post from the Waverly Chamber of Commerce. This will allow the workers to pour future shafts appropriately and ensure a solid foundation for the new bridge.

In late summer and early fall of 2024, officials from the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District celebrated the completion of two new state-of-the-art elementary schools, Prairie West Elementary and North Ridge Elementary, as well as the renovation of Shell Rock Elementary.

Construction on the elementary projects began in May of 2022 and was completed just in time for students to start the year. All three of these projects stemmed from the need to accommodate growing enrollment and expanded learning opportunities for students. Additionally, high school students will head back to school in an entirely air-conditioned building, marking the first time ever that all district facilities can provide year-round climate control.

Three ribbon-cutting ceremonies and public walk-throughs were hosted at each of the elementary schools; on Aug. 25 at Shell Rock Elementary and on Sept. 23, 2024 at Prairie West Elementary and North Ridge Elementary

New W-SR Superintendent David Hill said officials were “extremely grateful to our district patrons and parents for their support of not only our facility improvement projects but also our district’s educators.�

“As your new superintendent, I invite you to come and be a part of the excitement happening at Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools.

“First of all, it’s great for the kids. But, to me, it was really important for the town. It’s maybe a little selfish on my part, I’m not sure. The kids first, but if we would lose the school from the town, that affects the kids.�

Former teacher Cheryl Willson, who taught fourth grade at Shell Rock from 1970 to 1977, was on hand to tour the revamped building.

“I’m glad that they kept us in the system. That was foremost in our concern,� she said. “It’s the heartbeat of the town.�

Kathy Henrichs, who had a boy and a girl attend the school before they graduated in the 1980s, was looking forward to getting a look inside.

“It looks nice,� she said from the outside. “We’ll find out.�

A leaflet handed out by the architectural firm involved in the project, INVISION, reported that the renovation included 28,800 square feet spread over more than 5.5 acres, was bid at a cost of $5 million, and has a building capacity of 336 students.

The modernized building includes shared resource rooms, a media center and a secure entrance. Sustainable building choices led to a predicted 33% reduction in energy use.

“It’s been a crazy amount of excitement,� said Mitch Parker, North Ridge school principal. “There’s obviously tons of excitement to open all the new schools—North Ridge, Prairie West and Shell Rock.�

The addition of air conditioning to the buildings has been greatly appreciated as temperatures pushed into the 80s and upper 90s at the start of the school year.

“How awesome it’s been, because we’re blessed,� said Parker. “It’s 90-something degrees, and we’re here in air conditioning, and last year at West Cedar we were boiling.�

The annual battle for Iowa State Fair corn stalk supremacy was won by Ron Zelle of Waverly, with a winning entry of 16 feet, 5 inches. Zelle bested 24 other competitors in the Tall Corn Contest judged prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Second place was claimed by Mary Beth Zelle of Waverly with an entry of 16 feet, 3 ½ inches. Third place was claimed by Doug Gardner of Urbandale with a stalk measuring 16 feet in height.

The contest was part of “Rural Americana Olde Tyme Competitions� in Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall. A first prize of $5 and ribbons were awarded to each class.

Dick Peth, Wartburg College’s head men’s basketball coach, announced he will retire from his coaching position. He was at the time the second-longest-tenured coach in program history and longest-serving current head coach in the Athletics Department.

“I want to express my gratitude to Wartburg College, the athletic department, my fellow coaches and most importantly, our student-athletes for their unwavering support throughout my tenure,� said Peth. “It has been an incredible journey, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished together.�

A member of two Hall of Fames, Peth owns a career record of 622-425, which includes a record of 401-302 since coming to Wartburg in 1997 (27 seasons). He earned his 400th victory at Wartburg this past season and surpassed the 600 career win mark in 2021. Peth was one of two active Division III men’s basketball head coaches with at least 600 career victories in 2023-24.

“Dick Peth has been the cornerstone of the Wartburg men’s basketball program for 27 years, and he has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of so many young men, for whom he always exhibited a great deal of individual care and compassion,� said Wartburg’s Athletic Director, John Cochrane. “He conducted himself and his program with integrity at all times; his over 400 wins here will stand as a lasting testament to his leadership and to the depth of his commitment to our program. We certainly wish Dick and his family peace and happiness in his retirement, as we look forward to continuing to build on the foundation that he established.�

Peth led the Knights to back-to-back conference championships in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and a record-setting fifth consecutive season of 20-plus wins in 2004-05. The 2001 and 2005 Conference Coach of the Year, he has also earned the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association’s Paul Maaske award in 2005 and 2000, and D3News Coach of the Month honors in 2001-02.

During his time in Waverly, Wartburg won three Iowa Conference championships (2000-01, 2004-05 and 2005-06) and one American Rivers Conference tournament championship (2017) and earned two NCAA Division III national tournament berths (2001 and 2017). The Orange and Black advanced to the Sweet Sixteen round in 2017.

Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School Principal Jeremy Langner resigned his post at the end of the school year in May 2024.

“A servant leader has the opportunity to care for and love others more than themselves,� he said in a social media post. “I have been given that responsibility and it’s a blessing from God. I, however, am a product of those who supported me at Schaller-Crestland, University of Northern Iowa, Waterloo West and Waverly-Shell Rock. Each individual cared for me and supported me in allowing me to be better.�

Langner noted that he will be joining the Hubbard Financial Group and Northwestern Mutual and will remain in Waverly. He first joined the district, in 2012, as the assistant principal at W-SR High School. Langner told Waverly Newspapers that his motto in life was to aim high and to work hard to achieve his goals.

The middle school welcomed the new principal in the fall of 2024, and she is a familiar face who has been there before.

The new W-SR Middle School principal hired was Stacy Meisgeier, who had taught fifth and sixth grade special education at the middle school when she moved to Iowa in 2012. She went on to become an instructional coach at the middle school, and then, in 2020, she started her current position as director of special education and principal of the Lied Center and the W-SR Residential Program, giving her 12 years of experience at W-SR so far.

While returning to the middle school is a kind of homecoming for Meisgeier, moving on is not without its drawbacks.

“It’s really a little bittersweet,� she said. “The Lied Center is a phenomenal place, and it has been an amazing four years. The staff at the Lied Center do great things for great kids. It’s been an honor to serve.�

Before moving to W-SR, Meisgeier taught middle school special education in Illinois, from 2007-12. She has a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose University, a master’s degree from Aurora University and is currently pursuing her Certificate in Advanced Studies from the University of Northern Iowa, according to a May 20 social media post by the Waverley-Shell Rock Community School District.

In the 2024 general election, local voters made their voices heard.

Dan Pickett, a Republican, was re-elected Bremer County Sheriff, beating out challenger David Lahmann, according to the unofficial results in Bremer County.

Pickett received 11,394 votes, or 85.35%, while Lahmann received 1,887 votes, or 14.14%.

Bob Brunkhorst, a Republican, was elected to the Bremer County Board of Supervisors from District 1, according to the unofficial results in Bremer County. Brunkhorst received 2,216 votes, or 51.17%, while his challenger, Pam Egli, a Democrat, received 2,105 votes, or 48.6%.

Waverly voters split their support of proposed bond issues when they cast their ballots in this election.

Public Measure A, the question of whether the city of Waverly should issue bonds in an amount up to $5,475,000 to build a new clubhouse at the golf course, failed with 3,745 people, or 67.13%, voting against it, and 1,834 people, or 32.87%, voting in favor of it.

In contrast, Public Measure B, the question of whether the city of Waverly should issue bonds in an amount up to $8,950,000 for a new swimming pool, received 3,960 votes, or 70.25%, in favor and 1,677 votes, or 29.75%, opposed.

The Bremer County Fairgrounds are relocating in 2025, and preparations for the big move have been underway in 2024 for months, said fair board facilities co-manager Roy Petersen

“We have committed to not be at the old fairgrounds. We’re going to be at the new fairgrounds next year, regardless if we’re ready or not,� said Petersen, who is acting as project manager on the new fairgrounds.

Petersen spoke with Waverly Newspapers Nov. 21 while waiting for a portable building to be moved from the former Southeast Elementary School in Waverly to the new fairgrounds on the east side of town.

“We’re basically repurposing the old annex building at Southeast school and turning that into our administration building for the fair board and the Iowa State Extension,� he said, noting that the building will also contain a conference room.

Other new buildings require considerably more work, but progress is being made. The new swine building has a floor. The 4-H/µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø building is just starting the construction process, with trusses being delivered. The livestock building also has a floor. The stage on the northwest corner of the grounds has a foundation but nothing else built yet.

Petersen said the entire project needs more donations and funds to be completed.

“Our main objective right now is find more money,� he said. “We’ve got to continually fundraise for the fairgrounds.�

The 4-H/µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø building requires another $500,000 to finish the inside of the building, and the stage needs another $25,000, Petersen estimated. The swine building needs another $25,000 to finish it off, and the livestock building needs at least another $500,000, he estimated, because the huge roof will cost so much.

People who would like to contribute to the new fairgrounds can contact Petersen at 319-961-2535 or the Bremer County Fair through their website at .

Waverly-native Christine Shea Robbins said she has been “a Christmas lover� her entire 62 years on Earth. Now a resident of rural Clarksville, Shea Robbins was able to give back to her hometown this holiday season in a big way.

After being contacted by officials at the Waverly Chamber of Commerce, Shea Robbins — known by friends and others as the “Christmas Queen� — put her skills as an interior designer and Christmas fanatic to work and redecorated and renovated Santa’s House in Kohlmann Park.

Schrage said Shea Robbins completed the renovation of Santa’s House just in time for the big event on Dec. 12. The space got a full re-painting, new carpet, furniture and a wealth of Christmas decorations for the five Christmas trees inside the abode.

“This year, we had a wonderful citizen and member of the community (Christine) give it a nice refresh. (Christine) was kind enough to help us out. I gave her the keys Friday (Dec. 6), and over the weekend, she totally transformed it into the magical place it is,� Schrage added. “She has probably made it the prettiest Santa’s House in the land.

“It went from being a perfectly nice, normal house, to when you walk in now, it is definitely a “wow factor.� The community is so blessed that we have that wonderful space to make great memories.�

Shea Robbins said her friends refer to her own home as “the holiday house� because of her love of Christmas ornaments and decorating. She said the state of Santa’s House was decent, but not up to date.

“It means family to me. And showing love to one another,� she added. “I just love it. I grew up in Waverly, and I have wonderful memories of the Santa’s House as a child and visiting it as a child, I felt it was important to keep that going. It is a piece of Waverly history, and I want today’s Waverly children to enjoy it like I did.�

A new adaptive and all-inclusive playground designed to be inclusive for children and others with developmental or physical disabilities is now open for use in Cedar River Park, and city officials say the playground is a needed addition to the city’s recreational offerings.

Garret Riordan, director of the Waverly Leisure Services Department, said city officials saw an opportunity to add an adaptive, all-inclusive playground at Cedar River Park when other renovations were being done at the park.

“We wanted a playground out there anyway, and seeing that area by the Miracle League field…that is where we decided to go with an all-inclusive playground, and it fit in there so well,� The new playground was finished in late November and opened in early December. Equipment for the playground was delivered in early September and construction continued for more than two months at a cost of more than $528,991.

Adapative or all-inclusive playgrounds have been being constructed in cities around the world and across the United States as families seek recreation activities that are usable by children with different physical and mental disabilities or conditions.

Many residents and families in Waverly had inquired over the years about an adaptive, all-inclusive playground or amenities, Riordan added. Now that it is open, residents have been appreciative, he said.

“People have stopped in and said their kids have used it and love it,� Riordan added. “I know we are getting a lot of good feedback on it. There are already 130 ‘likes’ (on the city’s Facebook page). It was good to see that, and to see the good, positive comments.

A grand opening ceremony for the new playground is planned for a date to be determined in spring 2025, Riordan said. Any resident with questions about the facility can telephone the city’s Leisure Services Department at (319) 352-6263.