News Center newsletter

Park & Recreation project benefiting from the funding is designed to improve safety, usability, health benefits of Mt. Hosmer trail system

The City of Lansing and the Lansing Park and Recreation Board announce the awarding of a Wellmark Foundation Grant to be used in mapping and marking the trails that emanate from the Mt. Hosmer Park at the north end of 6th Street North. The $25,000 Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant will benefit the Lansing Trails Expansion & Promotion Project, one of 29 initiatives to receive this year’s funding.

“We are grateful that the Wellmark Foundation sees the value in formally mapping this treasured trail system and helping us make the trails more discoverable and usable, as well as safe, for both residents and visitors,” said Maryann Baldwin, Lansing Parks Board Chair.

Eric D. Haler, a 1995 graduate of Waukon High School, was recently promoted to Colonel (O-6) in the United States Air Force. Participating in the August 2 promotion ceremony, where they were able to pin on his new rank, were (pictured left to right with Colonel Haler in the photo below) his parents, Don and DiAnne Haler of Waukon, his nephew, Elijah, his son, Hobbs, and his wife, Becky.

Colonel Haler is the Director of Customer Operations for the Defense Logistics Agency Energy headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA. In this role, he is responsible for providing customer relations management for the worldwide supply and distribution of fuels for the Department of Defense and federal agencies.
Haler’s grandparents are the late Lloyd and Elaine Weber, and the late George and Phyllis Haler. Colonel Haler and his family reside in Springfield, VA. Submitted photos.
 

In honor of the 95th birthday and 70 years since being ordained into the priesthood for Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg of Lansing, the Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) received a gift of $2,500 from Msgr. Lechtenberg’s nephew and his wife, Paul and Lauren Fischer. Pictured above at the donation presentation are, left to right, LIFT Board President Karen Galema and Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Tuesday, September 7 following the Monday, September 6 closure of Waukon City Hall in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The council addressed a full agenda of items including an update relating to the former JCPenney/Tierney building and the Resolution Ordering Detailed Plans and Specifications, Notice of Hearing, Notice to Bidders and Form of Contract for the NW Utility Improvements Project.

There was no Public Comment made and the meeting moved into Department Reports with City Clerk Sarah Snitker providing Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub’s report in his absence. Strub’s report indicated that the State of Iowa is offering a Fitness Center Relief Grant to benefit centers experiencing a 15 percent or more decrease in revenue from 2019 to 2020. Strub’s report noted that an application for this grant has been made.

Jessica Wagner has always wanted to own her own business. Her September 7 opening of Aztec Parlor at 15 West Main Street in downtown Waukon has helped her fulfill that desire, while also meeting a need she saw for the community in which she lives. Wagner’s desire to be a business owner has been ingrained in her since growing up in La Crosse, WI. She credits her family for her entrepreneurial spirit.

Sydney Strong of New Albin was one of more than 90 students in the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health who volunteered at non-profit and community service organizations in the greater Iowa City area the Friday (August 20) before the start of the University of Iowa’s 2021 fall semester. The community service provided the students an opportunity to connect with the greater Iowa City community and get to know each other prior to the start of classes.

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association is offering ten $1,250 scholarships for the 2022 academic year to college students pursuing careers, as well as two $1,000 scholarships for students earning degrees from technical colleges/short courses.

“Equity Livestock is proud to help students further their educational endeavors by offering scholarships,” says Curt Larson, president/CEO. “Education can make a difference, and the expense to attend college can be a challenge. Offering scholarships can help make it affordable, and we believe in investing in our future leaders.”

To be eligible, applicants must be a member or the son or daughter of an Equity Cooperative Livestock producer pursuing higher education from an accredited college, university, or technical school. Scholarship winners are selected based on their scholastic achievements, extracurricular activities, application essay response and letter of reference.

Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) recognizes three exceptional teachers - one each from the elementary, junior high and high school levels - for their outstanding commitment to teach Americanism and instill patriotism in their students. These teachers are prime candidates for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award Citations, nominations for which are due to any VFW Post no later than October 31 of this year.

Founded in 1899, the VFW highly supports the education of America’s youth. VFW and its Auxiliary have developed a slate of programs dedicated to helping America’s educators. VFW Citizenship Education programs stimulate interest in America’s history, traditions, Americanism, civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism.

Eligibility for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award Citations includes the following:

by Julie Berg-Raymond

In its regular meeting held Tuesday, September 7 due to the Labor Day holiday being observed on its usual Monday meeting day, the Lansing City Council approved a request by long-time Lansing dentist Bruce Carlson to hold a community-wide “thank you” event at the City sports complex Saturday, October 9.

According to the Lansing Parks & Recreation Board August 16 meeting minutes, the now retired Dr. Carlson described the event as “a thank you to the community for the support of his dental practice and to introduce the new dentists who have taken on the practice.” He said he would also like to recognize several new businesses in Lansing.

Attendees will be permitted to bring their own beverages into the complex, but there will be no alcohol for sale. No alcohol consumption will be allowed outside the complex, including in the parking lot. Fences from Fish Days will be used to block off the event.

Lansing Village Creek boat channel dredging will begin Wednesday, September 15 and is expected to continue through October 15. The boat ramp will remain open, but space will be limited.

The navigation channel from the boat ramp to the main channel Mississippi River will be dredged hydraulically. Hydraulic dredge materials will be pumped into geo-fabric bags that will remain in place for drying on the northwest corner of the parking area. Once material is sufficiently dried, it will be hauled away at a later date. The channel beyond the railroad and highway bridges will be excavated and removed by barge.

Boaters will still have access to the middle and north ramps. Expect delays while equipment is in the area. The northwest corner of the parking lot will be closed to parking. Boaters are urged to use caution and follow signage to avoid active work zones. Work will occur Mondays through Saturdays.