Community News

During a special meeting Monday, January 11, the Waukon City Council worked for three hours on the city budget before turning its attention to discussing the need for housing lots and how the City might encourage housing development. The mayor and all council persons were in attendance.

Roxanne Conlin (standing in photo at right), who has announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Charles Grassley, made a campaign stop at Gus and Tony’s Pizza and Steakhouse in Waukon Sunday afternoon, January 17. Conlin told those in attendance that she comes from humble beginnings, growing up in a poor family and working her way through college and law school. “I have dedicated my career to speaking up for those who have no voice,” Conlin said.

Dwight Jones of Waukon is scheduled to be a contestant on the nationally televised game show “The Singing Bee” Friday, February 5 at 8 p.m. Contestants compete using their knowledge of song lyrics to score points, following the motto “You don’t have to sing it well, you just have to sing it right”.  The show airs on the CMT television network.
Jones auditioned for the show in Chicago, IL in mid-October and visited Hollywood, CA for the taping of his show in early November.

It may be the first baby of the year who grabs the media headlines but according to H&R Block, it’s the last baby of the year who yields the tax savings. Babies born before the stroke of midnight New Year’s Eve could save their parents thousands on their 2009 returns.

A fire was reported at Wings Supper Club in Dorchester at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday, January 9. Area fire departments from nearby Houston County, MN responded to the incident, which originated between the ceiling of the dining room area of the facility and the floor of an upstairs apartment. No cause of the fire has been determined as of yet.

Allamakee County’s Corner of Hope Growing Project has completed another successful year. Receipts from harvesting and selling crops of corn, soybeans, oats and straw from six different plots across the county, along with generous contributions from churches, banks, agri-businesses, and individuals, and with many contributions of products and services to help plant, grow, and harvest the crops, all combined for a grand total of $28,530.

Bill Maske announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Iowa’s 4th District Congressional seat during his visit to Waukon December 17. He is running for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Tom Latham.
Maske is married and has four children and five grandchildren. He is a lifelong educator and is stepping down from his position as superintendent of the Interstate 35 School District in Truro to devote his time to pursue the Congressional seat.

by Dwight Jones
 
The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, January 4, 2010 with a full council in attendance. This was the first official meeting for Councilman John Ellingson and new Waukon Mayor Loren Beneke.

The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations from community residents for Waukon’s “Person of the Year” honor. This is the 13th year the Chamber will bestow the honor upon a Waukon resident fitting the award’s criteria.

The local snowmobile trails are now open. The Allamakee Sno-Blazers encourage riders to show respect and stay on the designated trail. Many hours of preparation by trail bosses and crews have prepared a 150+ mile trail system to showcase the natural beauty of the county. However, it is a privilege trails are accessible and groomed. Several landowners have graciously allowed access across their property and the Sno-Blazers ask riders to show respect so that all may enjoy this winter sport. Trails have been closed when snowmobilers have not respected property rights in the past.