Community News

Iowa Lottery officials have confirmed that as of Tuesday morning, September 3 no one has come forward yet to claim the prize of $10,000 from a winning Mega Millions lottery ticket purchased at the Kwik Star location at 101 Rossville Road in Waukon for the Tuesday, August 27 drawing. The ticket matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball in that Tuesday night drawing to win a $10,000 prize. Tuesday’s winning numbers were 8-12-23-39-43 and Mega Ball was 6. The Megaplier number was 2.

The Gundersen Vision and Medical Clinics recently donated money to purchase a memorial bench (pictured above) which has been placed outside of Dr. Jim Rixen’s former office at the Gundersen Eye Clinic in Waukon in honor and in memory of Dr. Rixen, who passed away December 3, 2018 after a long, dedicated career of caring for his patients’ eyesight. Friday, August 23, members of the Rixen family were able to come to the clinic for a dedication ceremony for the bench. Pictured below are members of Dr. Rixen’s family at that bench dedication. Left to right - Seated in front: Debbie Rixen, Isla Rixen and Molly Haberichter; Standing in back: Jarod and Kayden Haberichter, Cael and Kiera Rixen, Korine Haberichter and Jonathan Rixen. Not pictured are Jordan and Erin Rixen and their children, Flynn, Fletcher and Elin Rixen. Submitted photo.
 

Old West Paint Creek Church in rural Waukon will host speakers Jason and Shannon Kerr Sunday, September 8 at 2 p.m., an event that had to be rescheduled from February of this year due to winter weather. The community is welcome to attend and hear their story of survival and recovery following a horrific traffic accident near their Lakeville, MN home.

This family’s story involves angels, prophetic dreams and visions, and words from God Himself. It inspires faith and hope in God’s unfailing love, care and answers to prayer.

Shannon Kerr will also have her book, “Against All Odds,” (pictured above) available at the presentation, inspired by her recovery experience. For further information about the Kerr family (pictured below), their story and the book, visit www.againstalloddsbook.com.
 

Waukon Police Officer Ed Schoenthal recently completed the 16-week Police Academy in Johnston, graduating from the Academy August 16 to achieve the designation of certified law enforcement officer. The Academy training involves a daily weekday schedule of a wide array of training including physical fitness, procedural, psychological, technical and many other aspects of law enforcement, both in classroom settings as well as in hands-on situations. Waukon Police Chief Phil Young said that Academy training needs to be completed within the first year of employment in order for an officer to achieve the designation of certified law enforcement officer. Schoenthal is a 2008 graduate of Waukon High School. Photo courtesy of the Waukon Police Department.
 

TASC, Inc. recently received notification from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) that it has been awarded accreditation for a three-year period for its Community Employment Services: Employment Supports, Community Employment Services: Job Development, Community Housing, Community Integration and Supported Living programs. TASC, Inc. is a  nonprofit organization serving individuals with disabilities in Allamakee, Winneshiek, Howard, Fayette and Clayton counties.

The Waukon Feed Ranch has created a corn maze at its Agronomy Center location along Old Highway 9 west of Waukon once again this year, and the first full weekend in September will feature events involving that maze that will benefit two local high school FFA chapters. Saturday and Sunday, September 7-8, the public can navigate the corn maze for a freewill donation that will then be disbursed between the two FFA programs at Waukon and Kee High Schools.

Bruening Rock Products, Inc. recently contributed a $5,000 donation to the tennis court project currently underway next to the Waukon High School parking lot (pictured in the photo below). Pictured in the photo above, Waukon Park and Recreation Wellness Director Jeremy Strub (center) receives that $5,000 donation check from Bruening Rock Products, Inc. engineer Jesse Delaney (right) and Bruening Rock Products, Inc. Waukon location manager Rich Johnson (left). The tennis court project currently has its foundational base completed (as pictured above) and is awaiting the paving phase of the project before the final court painting and sealing can take place, all of those final phases being heavily dependent on weather conditions but scheduled to be completed by this fall. Submitted photos.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 19 to address a full agenda of items including an interim compensation agreement for the City Manager position, retirement proposals for Police Chief Phil Young and a presentation from Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. Mayor Pro-Tem Gayle Decker called the meeting to order due to the scheduled absence of Mayor Pat Stone.

The Public Hearing on the proposed disposition of interest in real property - West Side Subdivision Lot 1 of Lot 1 was opened and closed without comment from the public in attendance. City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comments were received prior to the meeting.

Waukon Fareway Store Manager Cleve Branan (right) hands keys to new Assistant Grocery Manager Adam Peters (left), who transferred from an Omaha, NE Fareway store and has been with Fareway for 19 years. This is Peters’ third assistant manager position. He and his wife, Katie, were married in September 2018 and she works at Fareway in Decorah. They say they are excited to be in northeast Iowa and they enjoy fishing, kayaking and being outdoors in their spare time.
 

Joyce Sadler recently retired from Good Samaritan Society-Waukon, completing a 23-year career in the facility’s Dietary Department. She started with Good Samaritan Center in May of 1996 and officially retired July 28 of this year after more than two decades of faithful service to Good Samaritan Society residents. Submitted photo.