News

New Vienna Garage and Home Damaged by Fire

A New Vienna home was damaged by by smoke after a garage fire Tuesday. At about 4:50 Tuesday afternoon, members of the New Vienna/Luxemburg Fire Department noticed smoke coming from a structure at 2048 Mill Street in New Vienna. Fire Fighters were dispatched and when members arrived on scene, they found the fire was located in the garage area of the residence. Fire Damage was contained to the garage and attic area, with smoke damage to the living area. Mutual Aid was provided by Dyersville Fire Department, Bi-County Ambulance and the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office. There where no injuries.

Dyersville City Council Approves Repairs to Bridge

The Dyersville City Council has approved work to fix deterioration showing on the Third Avenue Southwest bridge over the North Fork of the Maquoketa River. City Administrator Mick Michel stated in a letter to the council that the bridge is a vital transportation link for the city, the loss of which would be a big connectivity problem for the city. The bridge has started to show some deterioration, with concrete and rebar becoming exposed on the bridge’s south side. It was proposed that minor repair work be done to address the issue in the short term, including removing the exposed portions, improving the drainage and patching concrete around the drains and the bridge edge at an estimated cost of $25,400. In his letter, Michel noted that while the work will help extend the bridge’s lifespan, it will not address the long-term issues and a larger rehabilitation or replacement will need to be planned, as it doesn’t address the core structural issue with the bridge — the use of timber abutments. Council members were advised that the city was not yet in the position where it needed to seek bids for the work, with Michel advising they should not look to start planning that until the loan for the First Avenue West bridge was paid off and that the more minor repairs would allow them “to buy a little time” before committing to another renovation. In the meantime, the bridge is still functional and no weight restrictions are necessary to keep it that way. Annual testing will be performed to monitor its structural integrity. The repairs were approved unanimously.

Dyersville Citywide Water Pressure Loss Due to Communications Failure

The City of Dyersville says the citywide water pressure loss that occurred on Sunday was caused by a communications system failure in the pump system. City officials have determined that the loss in pressure in the City’s water system was not due to a water main break, as first thought. The incident was due to two simultaneous communication failures within the City’s water supply system. At approximately 5:00 PM on Saturday, the City’s Water Tower required Well 4 to pump additional water. However, this need was not appropriately communicated due to a communication system failure. A second communications system designed to notify the City of a loss in pressure also failed to operate. City staff were notified of a potential water main break causing water pressure loss at around 10:15 AM on Sunday. Upon arriving on site at approximately 10:20 AM, City staff discovered the communications failures. By 11:30 AM, City staff had the system back up and operating. Due to the water pressure loss, a citywide boil order was issued. City staff communicated this boil order to the public at around 11:35 AM using the Alert Iowa system. The City initially believed that the notification had reached all utility users on the system. However, it was later discovered that some citizens had not received the message due to a wrong setting. The City has since corrected this issue with the vendor. In accordance with Iowa DNR protocols, water samples were sent to labs on Monday morning for testing. If the 24-hour bacteria tests pass on Tuesday morning, a final water sample will be sent to the lab on Tuesday afternoon. As of now, the earliest the boil order can be lifted is this Wednesday. For the latest updates on this incident, please visit the City’s website at cityofdyersville.com.

Boil Order Issued for Dyersville

A Boil Order has been issued for Dyersville and will be in effect for at least Tuesday. Officials with the City are issued the boiled water advisory for the entire City after pressure was lost to the distribution system from a water main break Sunday. The city reminds you to follow these guidelines. You can use tap water and soap to wash hands during a boil water advisory. Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water. Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first. If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils. Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if: The water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees, or The dishwater has a sanitizing cycle. Sanitize all baby bottles. To wash dishes by hand: Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water. In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water. Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute. Let the dishes air dry completely before using again.It is safe to wash clothes as usual. Clean washable toys and surfaces with: Bottled water, Boiled water, or Water that has been disinfected with bleach. Pets can get sick from some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Give pets bottled water or boiled water that has cooled. If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute After boiling, allow the water to cool before use. Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water). Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.

Home South of Dubuque Damaged by Fire

A Dubuque area Home was damaged by fire Tuesday. According to a press release from the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department, and area fire departments responded to a fire at about 9:45 PM at 9111 Lauderville road South of Dubuque. Upon arrival at the scene, the family reported that the returned home to find their residence filled with smoke. The fire was located in the kitchen area of the home. Firefighters were able to isolate the fire to the kitchen area and extinguish it. Damage to the home and it's contents was estimated at about $100,000. The cause of the fire is undetermined , but the release states that it doesn't appear to be suspicous in nature.