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A Thursday, January 17 single-vehicle accident has claimed the life of a New Albin teenager and injured two others, according to a report from the Minnesota State Patrol. That report indicates the accident resulted in the death of 15-year-old Caleb Ryan Colsch of New Albin, who was a passenger in a 2002 Mazda Protege being driven north on Minnesota State Highway 26 by a 16-year-old male driver whose name has yet to be released by the Minnesota State Patrol due to the ongoing crash investigation involving a minor driver, according to Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol.

The initial report further indicates that the unnamed driver lost control and the car entered the ditch, striking a tree at approximately 4:10 p.m. that Thursday afternoon near mile marker number 8 in Crooked Creek Township, just north of Reno, MN. The report also indicates that road conditions were dry at the time of the accident.

by Lissa Blake

When someone is commuting to work, there are a number of considerations that affect where and how far they are willing to travel for a good job. Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) recently released the results of a laborshed study completed in a number of northeast Iowa communities, including Waukon.

A laborshed study is a “supply-side labor availability study that documents labor sources (workers) traveling to a particular employment center for work. It is based upon current commuting patterns with no restrictions by county or state lines,” explained a release from IWD.

HOW IT WORKS
Val Reinke, executive director for Allamakee County Economic Development, explained the study will assist local employers in understanding what it is that motivates individuals to take certain types of employment.

Award nominations due by February 8; Princess applications due by March 1

The 2019 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet will be held Saturday, March 16 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The meal will be served from 7-8:30 p.m., with the program starting at 8 p.m. The annual celebration recognizes the importance of the dairy industry in Allamakee County and the contributions dairy families make to the industry.

Every year, top producers from the county are recognized at the banquet. In addition, several other awards are presented that evening. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension Office are accepting nominations through February 8 for the following awards:

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 14 to address a full agenda of items including the National Mentoring Month proclamation, funding requests from Helping Services and Main Street Lansing, and the consideration of a personnel matter due to a resignation. There was no Public Comment.

This past fall marked the fifth consecutive season the Waukon High School cross country program has most recently been represented at the Iowa High School State Cross Country Meet. The Indian girls have represented that program in each of the last two seasons and the Waukon boys team earned that honor of season grand finale qualification the three seasons prior to that, each ending multiple-season absences from that ultimate destination.

A total of five Allamakee County officials elected or re-elected to their respective offices in the general election this past November were sworn into office by District Judge John Bauercamper at the Allamakee County Courthouse prior to the start of business for the new year 2019. Pictured in the photo above with Judge Bauercamper (center of photo), four of those officials were sworn in Wednesday morning, January 2, including, left to right, re-elected Allamakee County Supervisor Dan Byrnes, newly-elected Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke, re-elected Allamakee County Supervisor Larry Schellhammer and re-elected Allamakee County Recorder Deb Winke. Pictured in the photo below, left to right, Judge Bauercamper swore in re-elected Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse, with her husband, Randy Hesse, assisting, in a swearing-in ceremony held Friday, December 28 due to Hesse not being available for the January 2 swearing-in event. Standard photos by Joe Moses.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met three times within a week around the transition between calendar years for the final meeting of 2018, the first meeting of 2019 addressing organizational matters and the first regular Monday session of the new year held January 7. Coverage of all three meetings follows.

DECEMBER 31
During the Public Comment portion of the Monday, December 31 meeting, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed grant funding to be used in the creation of an Allamakee County promotional video. Reinke indicated that director and filmmaker Jack Meggers will be involved in the project showcasing area businesses, companies and activities within the county, and she also advised that the video will be shared on social media and by various organizations and businesses on their websites.

Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff are pleased to announce that the First Baby of the Year Contest was won by Harrison Dean Sandry, son of Emily and Kevin Sandry of Cresco.  

Harrison was born January 3, 2019 at 4:09 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring 20 inches long. Dr. Dave Schwartz assisted with the delivery.

This fortunate child and his family received the following generous gifts compliments of these area merchants:

Waukon Boy Scout Troop 64 will be picking up live, undecorated Christmas trees in Waukon this Saturday, January 12, beginning at 8 a.m. The real trees (not artificial) should be left curbside by that time and be free of any decorative material.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 26 to address a full agenda of items including a workers compensation dividend presentation, discussion of city and school combined election expenses and the consideration of quotes to remove and salvage a two-way communication tower on the County Farm.

During Public Comment, Leon Mohn presented a petition signed by approximately 150 individuals that are against the potential paving of Heytman Drive and are requesting that the project be removed from the county’s five year plan. Mohn asked the Supervisors to consider this petition when making their final decision.