Community News

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the National Weather Service have designated March 25-29 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state of Iowa. Spring weather brings warmer temperatures and the threat of severe weather, including tornadoes.

The Allamakee County Emergency Management Agency wants to take this opportunity to notify the public of the intent to conduct a countywide Tornado Drill and test city emergency warning sirens Wednesday, March 27 at 10 a.m. during the Statewide Tornado Drill as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week activities.

Waukon High School welcomed the newest members into its local chapter of National Honor Society at an annual induction ceremony held Tuesday, March 12 at Waukon High School. Starting in January of their junior year, eligible students are invited to complete the application process to gain membership into National Honor Society. Membership is based on the four pillars that National Honor Society represents: Scholarship, Character, Leadership and Service. Pictured above are this year’s new inductees.

Doug Wolfe of Elkader announces he is seeking the Republican nomination for Iowa House of Representatives District 64 currently held by Anne Osmundson of Volga. District 64 encompasses all of Allamakee County and Clayton County, and a portion of Dubuque County which includes the town of Holy Cross.

Wolfe was born and raised in Cedar Rapids where he graduated from George Washington High School. He then attended Kirkwood Community College and later received a bachelor’s degree from Life Christian University.

Wolfe is a real estate broker/businessman and co-founder of Marriage Minded Ministries. Wolfe has been owner/operator of dental studios, cafes and sporting goods stores. In more recent years, Wolfe has served as a campaign advisor and manager for Arizona Congressional candidates focusing on the constitution and important issues for the people.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Free water taxi service between Lansing and Crawford County, WI was initiated Monday, March 18. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), this service is expected to be in place until late April, when repairs to the existing bridge connecting the two states are anticipated to be complete.

The water taxi will travel between the Lansing Marina and Big Slough Landing on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River and will be available seven days a week during the following hours: 7 to 10 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and 3 to 6 p.m. A one-way trip is estimated to take about 30 minutes. All riders will be required to get off the water taxi at each stop. The water taxi leaves the Iowa side on the hour, and leaves the Wisconsin side on the half hour during those time frames listed above.

The Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (NEIRHTF) program is designed to provide financial assistance to income-qualifying individuals, families, and senior citizens who live in Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties. This program aims to help them with necessary home repairs so that they can continue living in a safe and affordable environment. Additionally, this fund offers support to first-time home buyers to help them with their down payment.

An 1854 plat map of Lansing, which played a pivotal role in the early development of the city, has been donated to the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library by Lansing resident Bill Burke.

While Ellen Modersohn, also of Lansing, was talking with Burke one day last fall he mentioned that he knew of the map’s existence but did not know where it was. Modersohn later realized she had found the map listed for sale online while researching Lansing history. The tab for the site with the map was still open on her computer, so she passed the information along to Bill and Derva Burke.

“My interest in the map was spurred when I came across the will of Charles Clifton Aird when looking for another document in the Allamakee County Recorder’s Office several years ago,” Burke said.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 11 to address a full agenda of matters including the Canvass of the March 5 LOSST Special Election, discussion of the use of the Allamakee County Courthouse parking lot during the resurfacing of the municipal parking lot in Waukon and an overview of the County’s insurance policy renewal.

The meeting was called to order by Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisor Mark Reiser present. Supervisor Dennis Keatley was not present at the meeting due to a scheduled absence.

The Waukon Easter Egg Hunt has been scheduled for Saturday, March 30 and will be held at a new location than in the past several years. This year’s event is being held at the Waukon City Park, with registration at 10 a.m. and the Easter Egg Hunt beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Those attending will register as they drive into the park and then be directed to their appropriate age locations. Those age groupings will include 5 and under, 6-8 years old, and 9-11 years old. There will be bicycles, cash and other prizes available to win through registering for the event. In case of inclement weather, a make-up date has been scheduled for the following Saturday, April 6.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee Energy District (AED) held a workshop Friday afternoon, February 23 for non-taxable entities with representatives of city, county, and school district leadership, among other stakeholders, in attendance at AJ Bar & Grill, formerly AJ Steakhouse in Waukon.

St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon will be hosting its weekly Lenten Breakfast events again this year in the basement of the church. Both a weekly Women’s Lenten Breakfast and a Men’s Lenten Breakfast are scheduled to be held near the end of each week throughout the Lenten Season, beginning this Friday and Saturday.

Lois Votsmier will be the featured speaker at the Women’s Lenten Breakfast scheduled to be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon this Friday, March 8. Coffee, rolls and fruit will be served starting at 6:30 a.m. with the program starting at 7 a.m., hopefully allowing women to attend before starting their work schedule for the day.