Most of Iowa’s 99 counties notified DNR in January that they plan to evaluate construction permit applications and proposed animal confinement locations by using the master matrix.
With few exceptions, most counties will use the matrix during the next 12 months. The following counties will not use the matrix in 2021: Benton, Davis, Des Moines, Guthrie, Grundy, Keokuk, Lee, Mahaska, Osceola, Plymouth, Wapello, Warren and Washington.
Additional requirements are required for animal confinement producers who need a construction permit before they can build in counties using the matrix. Producers qualify by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on air, water and the community.
The initial block of the east side of Allamakee Street in Waukon had multiple buildings destroyed and several others impacted by a fire that broke out Sunday evening, February 13 in the middle of the block. Around 6:30 p.m. the Waukon Fire Department was called to 9 Allamakee Street for smoke and flames emitting from the lower portion of the building that currently housed Tin, Rust & Harmony - a new business opened in December 2021 by owner Mindy Jones - and had previously housed Lucky Finds Consignment.
A legislative town hall meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, February 19 at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building located at 14 1st Avenue NE in Waukon. The meeting is scheduled to take place from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Iowa House of Representatives member Anne Osmundson of District 56 and Iowa Senator from District 28 Mike Klimesh are among those invited to attend. Area residents are invited to attend the meeting and ask questions of the attending legislators.
The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board continues to make plans for the 2022 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet - the date, time and location of which will be announced at a later date. The board is still seeking nominations to honor and recognize deserving producers and contributors to the dairy industry in Allamakee County. Every year, top producers from the county are recognized by the Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board, along with honoring contributors to the local dairy industry. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension Office are accepting nominations through Monday, February 21 for the following awards:
The Waterville Public Library will hold a Healthy Living Series: Mental Health Matters in February. Each discussion will be led by an individual with expertise, knowledge or experience in the subject matter.
The series will include the following remaining topics of discussion:
• February 17 - Alcohol and Substance Abuse Issues and Resources.
• February 24 - Winter Blues, Pandemic Woes, you are not alone.
Each discussion in the series will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Waterville Public Library, located at 115 Main Street inside the Waterville Community Center. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no cost.
VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual Illustrating America art contest. Local students in grades K-8 can share how they view the world through their drawings and paintings while competing for national awards.
Students must submit an original two-dimensional piece of artwork. Coloring sheets, digital art and photography are not accepted. The entry must have been completed during the current 2021-2022 school year and the application must include a teacher or supervising adult’s signature in order to be complete.
Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the District competition with District winners advancing to the State competition. The contest consists of three grade divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. The State first-place winner in each grade division will be forwarded to Auxiliary National Headquarters.
VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Local students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to compete for $33,000 in national scholarships.
Students must submit an original two- or three-dimensional piece of artwork. Digital art, photography and jewelry are not accepted. The entry must have been completed during the current 2021-2022 school year and the application must include a teacher or supervising adult’s signature.
The first-place winner from each Auxiliary will advance to District competition with District winners advancing to the State competition. State first-place winners compete for national awards.
Ice fishing shelters, left unattended, must be removed from all state-owned lands and waters by February 20. Ice shelter owners are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to get their shelter off the ice. If a shelter falls through the ice, the owner is responsible for getting it out of the water.
The Waukon Music Department will be hosting its 12th annual Pops Concert Friday night, February 25 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with concert time set for 7 p.m.
The Pops Concert is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Allamakee Music Boosters. The Pops Concert features high energy musical numbers from the 1950s through today. Groups performing will include the high school and middle school choirs, high school and middle school jazz bands, drumline, featured soloists, song and dance skits and emcees.
Monday, February 28 will be a day devoted to raising awareness for suicide prevention in Waukon and the surrounding community, as the Alive and Running Iowa organization will conduct a pair of events aimed at helping save lives and reducing suicidal behaviors.
Alive & Running Iowa began as a running event held annually in the small Iowa town of Dunkerton but has grown into a non-profit organization to help raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. Co-founders Troy Belmer and Ryan Nesbit organized Alive & Running Iowa in 2009 in honor of their friend, Roger, who they lost to suicide when they were sophomores at Dunkerton High School in 1991.
Since then, in addition to conducting the annual running event in their hometown, the two also make presentations and work with numerous other agencies toward that same goal of suicide awareness and prevention.
