River Valley

Main Street Lansing will be hosting its Annual Meeting Tuesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. at Shep’s Riverside Bar and Grill in Lansing. All are invited to attend and hear about Main Street Lansing’s efforts over the past year and plans for the future. For a meeting agenda or any questions, email Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andrew Boddicker at director@lansingmatters.com.
 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list (303(d) list). Data recently released by the Iowa DNR shows a reduction in 96 impairments relative to the 2022 303(d) impairment list, once the 2024 list is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Iowa’s 2024 303(d) list includes waterbody segments that are not meeting all applicable state water quality standards for their designated uses. A water on the 303(d) list is referred to as an impaired water. Once the DNR creates a water quality improvement plan for the segment (called Total Maximum Daily Loads, or TMDLs), the segment does not need to be included on future 303(d) lists.

Join Upper Iowa Audubon Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m. for a program on Bluebirds. The program will be held at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center, Lansing. Brian Preston, director of Dubuque County Conservation, will be the presenter.

The program will include life history, house placement, management and general information about Bluebirds. Everyone is invited to come and learn how to bring Bluebirds to their own backyard. There will also be Bluebird house kits available.
 

by Julie Berg-Raymond

During the regular meeting of the Lansing City Council Monday, March 4, the council set a public hearing for Monday, April 1 in regard to the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 property tax levy. The proposed levy rate is $18.20, down from last year’s rate of $18.86.

PUBLIC HEARING: CDBG GRANT APPLICATION
After a public hearing on Resolution #1003 authorizing submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) water/sewer improvement project application held during the regular meeting of the Lansing City Council Monday, March 4, the council approved the resolution. The project for which funding is being sought involves replacement/upgrade of existing water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer utilities along Platt Street, North Street and 4th Street.

Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will host a day of art and fun Friday, March 29 from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. This is a drop-in event with stations for make-and-take art such as watercolor painting, make a bookmark, collage-making and crafts from old books. Additional on-site activities include Lego building, puzzle table and STEM station.

Children ages 3-8 are welcome with their caregivers and older youth can come on their own. Teens are also welcome. There will be light snacks served all day. Check the “Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library” Facebook page for any further updates.
 

With construction underway of the new bridge replacing the historic Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing, The Standard invites anyone to share their stories, sentiments and memories of the Black Hawk Bridge for printing. Email those items to news@waukonstandard.com or mail them to The Standard, P.O. Box 286, Waukon, IA 52172 to be considered for publication. Include name and town of current residence for publication, and telephone number for possible further contact.
 

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Local youth in Kindergarten through 12th grades can showcase their talent, display their patriotism and express their creativity while competing for their share of $2,000 in national awards.

Contestants must submit a recorded live unedited video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The video must be recorded between July 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. The student shall state name, age and grade level prior to the vocal performance. The student may sing acapella, with backing tracks or instruments, and in the arrangement and genre of their choice.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Following a brief discussion, the Lansing City Council decided during its regular meeting Monday, February 19 to hold a special meeting Thursday, February 22 to vote on Resolution #999a - declaring necessity and providing for notice of public hearing on proposed Urban Revitalization Plan. (NOTE: According to the Iowa League of Cities, the terms urban revitalization plan and tax abatement program “are somewhat interchangeable terms as tax abatement programs, generally speaking, must be done within an urban revitalization plan/area.”)

Residents and visitors are invited to come and find their treasure at the end of the rainbow in Lansing in early March. From March 1 through March 17, one “gold coin” will be hidden in downtown Lansing each day. Each coin is a “treasure” from one of the Lansing businesses - perhaps a gift card, or free haircut, or gift basket.

Local residents and visitors from anywhere are welcome to search and enjoy time in downtown Lansing. When a gold coin is found, instructions for claiming the prize associated with that coin will be on the back.

Participating businesses include Red Geranium, Driftless Edit, Driftless Gypsy, 2nd Hand Heaven, Arla’s Sewing Room, Lansing Hardware, Welsh’s Village Farm and Home, Shep’s Riverside Bar & Grill, Coffee on the River, Main Street Lansing, Studio K, Safe House Saloon, Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank and The Buck Stops Here. Watch for advertisements within the pages of this publication for additional information.
 

Lansing VFW Auxiliary #5981 is holding a Soup & Sandwich Supper to honor all Veterans Thursday, March 21 from 3-7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church Hall, 648 Main Street in Lansing. A special ceremony, to commemorate National Vietnam Veterans Day and to honor Veterans and widows of Vietnam Veterans, will begin at 5 p.m. Keynote speaker is Steve Bartels, Vietnam Veteran and Lansing native, who now resides in Indiana. Everyone is invited to attend.