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| 19-month old Brooklyn Honn, left, of Waterloo, gets as close as she can to DJ, the ring tailed lemur during Bixby's Inflatable Rainforest Tour held at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. |
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| 19-month old Brooklyn Honn, left, of Waterloo, gets the attention of DJ, the ring tailed lemur during Bixby's Inflatable Rainforest Tour held at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. |
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| Pallbearers prepare to transport Russell Piehl, to Fairview Cemetery in Denver, Iowa on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. Piehl was a Mercy AirMed flight paramedic and was killed along with two other crew members in a crash of the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa AirMed helicopter north of Ventura on January 2nd. |
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| The Patriot Guard stands holding flags during the funeral of Russell Piehl, of Forest City, at Fairview Cemetery in Denver, Iowa on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. Piehl was a Mercy AirMed flight paramedic in Mason City, and was killed along with two other crew members in a crash of the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa AirMed helicopter north of Ventura on January 2nd. |
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| Melody Piehl, front left, of Forest City, wife of Russell Piehl, reacts as she is surrounded by family and friends during her husbands funeral at Fairview Cemetery in Denver, Iowa on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. |
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| From left to right, Ben Roussell, 7, Joe Roussell, 9, and Joshua Heine, 9, all of Cedar Falls, race down a hill in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. |
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| Ben Prostine, of Cedar Falls, cross-country skis through Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. |
On Wednesday, December 5th, I was with my boyfriend at a large auction for the liquidation of Russ Wasendorf Sr's property, and was scheduled to work later in the day. My editor was covering the auction, and told me that a press conference had been called in Evansdale, in about an hour. I told him I was going, even though there was another photographer there. It may sound strange, but I needed to go. On my way there, he called and said it sounded like they had found the bodies, and he was glad I was on my way. My heart raced, and sank at the same time. My heart ached for the girls' families. My job as a photographer in covering stories like this seems pretty far removed, but I have children too. As a mom, thankfully, I've never had to deal with such loss, but I can empathize. It's every parent's fear that something like this should happen.
After nearly five months of covering the search for Lyric and Elizabeth, I felt like I knew them and their families. Strange. I do know my place; I am aware that I am the media. I do my best to respect their privacy. I am also compelled to tell their story. Memory is fleeting...which is one of the many reasons that I do what I do. This has been the toughest story that I have had to cover, and my heart has been in it every step of the way. I will tell their story because they deserve to be remembered. They won't be forgotten.
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| Captain Rick Abben, Chief Deputy of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office speaks at a press conference in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Abben said that today, at approximately 12:45 pm, law enforcement were notified by hunters that they had discovered two deceased bodies in a wooded area. The bodies are being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for positive identification. The families of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 11, of Waterloo and Elizabeth Collins, 9, of Evansdale who have been missing since July 13, have been notified of the finding. |
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| Sarah Curl addresses those gathered at a vigil held at Meyers lake in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. The meeting was called in light of an afternoon press conference where Captain Rick Abben, Chief Deputy of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office speaks at a press conference in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Abben said that today, at approximately 12:45 pm, law enforcement were notified by hunters that they had discovered two deceased bodies in a wooded area. The bodies are being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for positive identification. The families of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 11, of Waterloo and Elizabeth Collins, 9, of Evansdale who have been missing since July 13, have been notified of the finding. |
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| Michelle Bruno, front left, is leaned on by Nate Johannes, front center, 10, and joined by daughter Olivia Riley, 12, behind Johannes, all of Waterloo, as they come together for a vigil held at Meyers lake in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. The meeting was called in light of an afternoon press conference where Captain Rick Abben, Chief Deputy of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office speaks at a press conference in Evansdale, Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Abben said that today, at approximately 12:45 pm, law enforcement were notified by hunters that they had discovered two deceased bodies in a wooded area. The bodies are being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for positive identification. The families of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 11, of Waterloo and Elizabeth Collins, 9, of Evansdale who have been missing since July 13, have been notified of the finding. |
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| Crime scene tape remains on a log near the Wapsipinicon River where the bodies of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins were discovered by hunters last week, in Seven Bridges Park in Readlyn, Iowa on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. |
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| Pictured, is the scene where officials have been investigating the finding of the bodies of missing cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins, at Seven Bridges Park in Readlyn, Iowa on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. |
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| Heather Collins, left, and Drew Collins, right, both of Evansdale, speak at a press conference before the Life and Love of Elizabeth Celebration at Heartland Vineyard Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. |
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| Heather Collins, front center at bottom, receives a hug from Megan Dobbs, of Stratford, while hundreds wait in line during the visitation held before the Life and Love of Elizabeth Celebration at Heartland Vineyard Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. |
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| Heather Collins, left, and husband Drew sit together with their children Callie Collins, Amber Collins, and Kelly Collins during The Life and Love of Elizabeth Collins celebration at Heartland Vineyard Church at Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. |
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| Drew Collins, center, left, hugs his daughter Callie, 4, while his wife Heather worships on her knees during the Life and Love of Elizabeth Celebration at Heartland Vineyard Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. |
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| Bows are secured on the pillars marking the entrance of Heartland Vineyard Church before the Celebration of Lyric's Life in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012. Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, and her cousin Elizabeth Collins, 8, were abducted while riding bicycles in Evansdale, Iowa on July 13. The girls bodies were found Dec. 5 in Bremer County, ending a five month search. |
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| Bows are secured on the pillars marking the entrance of Heartland Vineyard Church before the Celebration of Lyric's Life in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012. The public was invited to attend the celebration for Lyric, but the media was asked not to attend. |
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| Taylor Morris, left, and his girlfriend Danielle Kelly, center, thank guests and volunteers for all of their hard work in organizing the fund raising, Unstoppable Event at the Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. Morris lost all four limbs in an IED blast while stationed in Afghanistan, as a Navy EOD technician, in May. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Nancy Swartzel, front right, snaps a photo of, from left to right, her son Dan Swartzel with Patrick McKenna, Cliff Sabo, all of Virginia Beach, Taylor Morris, a Cedar Falls native, and Nick Matics, of Virginia Beach, during the Unstoppable Event at the Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. The men are five of the nine that were on Morris' Navy EOD team serving in Afghanistan for two and a half years. Morris lost all four limbs in an IED blast while stationed in Afghanistan, as a Navy EOD technician, in May. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| A large canvas rests on an easel in the lobby that guests are encouraged to sign with silver Sharpies, while Taylor Morris, second from right, and Danielle Kelly, right, greet guests at The Unstoppable Event fund raiser for Morris at the Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. Morris lost all four limbs in an IED blast while stationed in Afghanistan, as a Navy EOD technician, in May. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Northern Iowa's Jacqui Kalin during University of Northern Iowa media day at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Northern Iowa's head coach Tanya Warren speaks during University of Northern Iowa media day at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Northern Iowa's women's basketball players gather for a photo during University of Northern Iowa media day at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| From left to right, Kaley Bertch, Tammy Brousseau, Misty Cook, and Wylma Cook are joined by others to walk the bike trail around Meyers Lake as part of a lantern vigil in Evansdale, Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. The vigil marks three months since the disappearance of Misty Cook's daughter Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 11, and her niece Elizabeth Collins, 9, who were abducted, and their bikes found near the lake in July. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Shalee Boyles, left, roasts her marshmallow while her little sister match Syleena Swanson, right, 9, both of Waterloo, adjusts her own marshmallows at the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Halloween party at George Wyth Memorial State Park in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The two have been a match for about two and a half years. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Andrea Comini, of Verona Italy, participates in a hot yoga class at Sol Yoga in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The class is taught in a dimly lit room with a minimum temperature of 95 degrees farenheit, and humidity of 40 percent. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Kathy David, front right, owner/instructor of Sol Yoga, instructs Jed Smith, front left, of Cedar Falls, while leading a hot yoga class in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The class is taught in a low-light room with a minimum temperature of 95 degrees farenheit, and humidity of 40 percent. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Robin Arnold, front, reads a poem that she wrote, while Drew and Heather Collins, at back, also of Evansdale, looks on during a prayer vigil held at Countryside Vineyard Church in marking two months since the abduction of the Collins' daughter Elizabeth Collins, 9, and her cousin Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo,in Evansdale, Iowa on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012. Today also marks the 15th wedding anniversary for the Collins. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| The audience looks on at the Bengal Tiger Encounter show during Kids Day at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| An audience volunteer participates in the Wild About Monkeys show during Kids Day at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Bengal Tiger Encounter tigers perform during an early afternoon show at the National Cattle Congress Fair in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Swift Swine pigs race down the track during an early afternoon performance at the National Cattle Congress Fair in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| A hummingbird rests on a branch at Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Holmes Junior High students, from right to left, Kenneth Lind, 12, Kyle Lovell, 12, and Sophie Blanchard, 12, wear their 3-D glasses during a presentation of the The Virtual Reality Experience in the Alliant Energy/Lee Liu Auditorium in Howe Hall at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012.(DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Vijay Kalivarapu switches between the virtual reality screen and a power point presentation at the control board during the The Virtual Reality Experience in the Alliant Energy/Lee Liu Auditorium in Howe Hall at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012.(DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Patrick Murphy of Gaelic Storm performs at Lincoln Park during Iowa Irish Fest in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 04, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| David LaMar, left, of Ames, competes in the Caber Toss, while Mark McVay, right, of Rock Island, looks on during the Highland Games at Lincoln Park during Iowa Irish Fest in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 04, 2012. Both LaMar and McVay wear pink in support of finding missing cousins Lyric and Elizabeth. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Katie Steingraeber, of LaCross, Wisconsin, competes in the Caber Toss event of the Highland Games at Iowa Irish Fest in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. Earlier in the day, Steingraeber broke the world record in the Sheaf Tossing event by tossing her sheaf a total of 32 feet, 1/4 inches, breaking the world record by more than two feet. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Jessie Burns, center, plays violin as Gaelic Storm performs, with the Trinity Irish Dancers, right, in Lincoln Park during Iowa Irish Fest in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| From back left to right, Mark Drahos, Tim Hoffman, and Joe Ayala look on while teammate Nate Gordon, front, all of Waterloo, and team, "The Good, The Bad and the Muddy", dives for the ball during the Evansdale Mud Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2012 in Evansdale, Iowa. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Gabby Borwig, left, gets pulled down by Kelsey Baxter, right, both of Evansdale during the Evansdale Mud Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2012 in Evansdale, Iowa. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Brandon Smith, 6, front right, of Waterloo, takes a turn with the binoculars after Deon Talbor, 6, front left, of Waterloo finishes while Tyler Anderson, 6, back left, of Waterloo, Matthew Bordeaux, 7, back center, of Waterloo, and Javez Galloway, 7, back right, of Waterloo, wait their turns and leader Dale Tanner, of the Waterloo Boys and Girls Club, looks on during a campout at George Wyth State Park in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Brian Geist, right, of the Waterloo Boys and Girls Club, looks on while Javez Galloway, center, 7, of Waterloo, Matthew Bourdeaux, left, 7, of Waterloo, and Brandon Smith, 6, of Waterloo fish off of a dock during a campout at George Wyth State Park in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Laverne Lehman, of Lehman Trucking and Excavatiing, Inc., moves debrit into the back of a truck while the former Francis Grout School continues to be demolished on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, in Waterloo, Iowa. (DAWN J. SAGERT/ Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| President Barack Obama, reaches into the crowd to shake hands after speaking for supporters at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| President Barack Obama, right, shakes hands as he makes his way through the crowd after speaking at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| President Barack Obama waves as he exits the stage and makes his way through the crowd after speaking at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| President Barack Obama, center, reaches for a Sharpie to sign an autograph as he makes his way through the crowd after speaking at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| The Crowd reacts while President Barack Obama speaks at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| President Barack Obama looks back and points as he exits the RiverLoop Amphitheatre after speaking to supporters at a rally in Waterloo, Iowa on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Young fans wait for President Barack Obama to speak on the the tops of shoulders at a campaign rally at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, in Waterloo, Iowa. (DAWN J. SAGERT/ Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Martha Ives, left, of Waterloo and friend Celinia Feruglio, right, of Argentina wait for President Barack Obama to speak at a campaign rally at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, in Waterloo, Iowa. (DAWN J. SAGERT/ Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, in Waterloo, Iowa. (DAWN J. SAGERT/ Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Performer Vanessa Taylor, left, of Des Moines, moves to the edge of the stage to receive money from audience members Hoagie Hohenberger, front right, and Pam Jensen, back right, while Taylor performs during Cedar Valley Pridefest, in downtown Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Zach Wahls, author of My Two Moms, speaks during Cedar Valley Pridefest, in downtown Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Lane Rodenburgh, 9, front, and his mother Robyn Rodenburgh, back, both of Waterloo, look at merchandise in a vendor tent during Cedar Valley Pridefest, in downtown Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| The Comfort Kings perform during Cedar Valley Pridefest, in downtown Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Justin Collins, center, of Des Moines, wins the final heat in the Drag Race event during Cedar Valley Pridefest, in downtown Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Sissy's Sircus performs during Cedar Valley Pridefest in downtown Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. (Photo by Dawn J. Sagert) |
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| Prosecution's first witness Robert Roquet, left, is questioned by defense attourney Tom Frerichs, right, during the trial of Dunkerton Mayor Michael Schares and his nephew Thomas Adamson at the Black Hawk County Courthouse in Waterloo, Iowa on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| Cedar Falls' Jared Farley, right, works to pull down Iowa City High's Amos Lavela, left, during the first half of the game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
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| The sun sets as Union takes down Aplington-Parkersburg as the sun sets in Parkerburg, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. Union would win 41-14. (DAWN J. SAGERT / Courier Staff Photographer) |
