The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as interpreted by the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller decision, affirms individuals’ right to keep and bear arms in their homes for legal purposes, such as self-protection. Now, as of July first, concealed carry, even without a permit, is legal in Iowa. The right of hunters to own and use the weapons designed for this purpose has never been seriously threatened.
In light of these well-protected gun rights, we have to wonder just what it is that those who advocate making our county a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” want? Are there additional gun rights that they seek? If so, precisely what rights? The right to carry military-style assault weapons on the streets of our peaceful towns? Do they seek sanctuary for right wing militia groups?
Deadlines/Dates
September 17: Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP)
October 12: Coronavirus Food Assistance 2 (CFAP2)
October 15: Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers
Is Another Dust Bowl in Our Future?
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist
In Northeast Iowa we have been blessed with timely rain this summer, but a large portion of the United States has not been so lucky. According to a recent article in Mother Jones rising temperatures and worsening droughts caused by global warming are making some scientists ask if we are headed for another Dust Bowl. The article shares some developments that climate “experts” say are pointing to that scenario:
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University announces funding of over $1.4 million to support 11 new water quality and nutrient management projects for 2021-2022.
“These projects represent new areas of research, as well as further study of areas where we need to refine understanding to improve our ability to make sound recommendations,” said Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center director and professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State. “These studies reflect a number of research priorities identified by a broad group of stakeholders, including farmers and researchers, who met in early 2020.”
The new projects, listed below, fall into INRC’s edge-of-field, multi-objective and nutrient management categories.
The City of Lansing will be holding a special election Tuesday, September 14 to elect a new mayor following the June resignation of Kyle Walleser from the mayoral office after a change in his employment would no longer allow him to fulfill the mayoral duties. With no candidate stepping forward to express interest in being appointed to the office within the designated timeframe for that option, the special election was called for.
Walleser had been elected in November of 2019 and served about a year and a half of Lansing’s four-year mayoral term. The newly-elected mayor will take office within 10 days of the official canvassing of Tuesday’s election results and then serve out the remainder of the current mayoral term through the year 2023.
Community effort makes rescue vehicle upgrade possible ... Some of the members of the Lansing Fire Department and Rural Fire Board stand together next to the department’s new rescue vehicle made possible by their collaborated efforts and the support of Lansing residents and the surrounding community. Pictured, left to right: Tim Rethwisch; Chief Stephen Darling; Jeff Darling; Bill Bartels; Tony Becker; Greg Rea, rural board member; Dan Conway, rural board member; Jamie Rasque, treasurer; Ben Ghelf, vice president; Gene Bay; Kenny Johnson, safety officer. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
by Julie Berg-Raymond
The Lansing Fire Department recently acquired a new rescue vehicle, thanks to a community effort that began in April 2020.
“The key players in this game were the truck committee made up of various members from the (fire) department, the citizens of our fire district and also our rural board members,” Lansing Fire Chief Stephen Darling said.
The truck is a 2019 Chevrolet 6500 medium rescue vehicle. “It is designed for rapid response and hauls all our department’s rescue equipment - ice rescue, high angle, grain bin, auto extrication, to name a few,” Darling said. “It can haul five personnel and enough air packs to suit up eight firemen. The truck itself ended up costing around $210,000. The funding was done 100 percent by the rural board. They set aside money for fire equipment to maintain and purchase new equipment whenever necessary.”
Inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame ... Mark and Barb Howe of Waukon were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame August 22 during a ceremony held at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Pictured above during the induction ceremony are, left to right, Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director Emily Saveraid, Barb and Mark Howe, and Iowa 4-H Volunteer Development Specialist Tillie Good. Submitted photo.
The Iowa 4-H Foundation sponsors the annual Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Counties nominate volunteers, community leaders and Extension staff members who have exemplified outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H youth program in their county.
Only one individual or couple per county can be nominated each year. Inductees can also be recognized posthumously.
The Allamakee County 4-H Program nominated Mark and Barb Howe of Waukon as the 2021 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductees from Allamakee County. The Howes were recognized at the Iowa State Fair 4-H Hall of Fame ceremony Sunday, August 22. They have been active supporters of the Allamakee County 4-H program for over 30 years.
As a youth, Mark was a member of the West Ridge Riders 4-H Club where he served as vice president and president. He participated in sheep, swine, crop production and tractor project areas throughout his years in 4-H.
The weekly update by the Iowa Department of Public Health of positive COVID-19 case numbers continues to show a significant increase in positive cases for Allamakee County, the past reported week marking one of the highest new case counts in a week’s time thus far for this year 2021. As of the last available official positive case update Wednesday, September 1, Allamakee County showed 43 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the previous seven days prior to September 1.
Allamakee County 4-H Iowa State Fair Static Exhibit honorees... Left to right - Front row: Issac Johanningmeier, Addison Donahue, Mallory Berns, Diana Davison, Cheyanne Troendle; Middle row: Ethan Palmer, Olivia Enyart, Hannah Hagen, Breelyn Dahlstrom; Back row: Tegan Dahlstrom, Isabell White, John Melcher, Alaina Gebel. Not pictured: Ashlin O’Neill, Memphis Miller, Hailey Stein. Photo courtesy of Allamakee County ISU Extension and Outreach.
Allamakee County 4-H members’ exhibits were on display in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair held August 12-22 in Des Moines. The exhibits were displayed this year, showcasing excellence in project area learning by 4-H members across the state of Iowa.
Divisions young people may exhibit in include agriculture and natural resources, creative arts, family and consumer sciences, personal development, and science, mechanics and engineering.
“Each exhibit is an outgrowth of year-long project area work done by the 4-H member,” explains Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H youth development program specialist. “The exhibits display at the Iowa State Fair is a celebration of the educational and personal accomplishments of our Iowa 4-H members. It is a way for our members to share what they’ve learned with the public.”
John Elliott, Shelly Elliott, Maranda Elliott and Mara Dickens of Elliott Jewelers in Waukon recently attended the exclusive 2021 Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO) Summer Buying Show in Cincinnati, OH. Pictured in the submitted photo above are, left to right, Serge Fischler of Fischler Diamonds holding a 3.94 carat diamond that had recently been cut, Shelly Elliott, Maranda Elliott, Mara Dickens and John Elliott. To kick off its comeback, RJO chose “Come Together” as the theme to celebrate a return to in-person buying. Jewelers from across the nation attended the three-day event to purchase up-and-coming items at prearranged prices, collaborate with peers, contribute new business ideas and check out the latest industry trends.
NEIA Walk to End Alzheimer’s Planning Committee ... Pictured above is the Northeast Iowa Walk to End Alzheimer’s Planning Committee. Left to right: Debra Masek of Harpers Ferry, Michaela Collins of Waukon, Cindy Torkelson of Elgin, Connie Strom of Decorah, Sue English of Decorah. Not pictured: Sally Emerson of New Albin, Bethany Ellingson of Waukon, Judy Sweeney of Waukon, Amy Loera of Postville, Lisa McTaggart of Strawberry Point. Submitted photo.
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® will be held in Decorah Saturday, September 18, and participants have the option to walk from home or join locally at Decorah City Hall. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 9 a.m.
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with Promise Garden flowers which signify solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers - purple, yellow, blue and orange - represent the different reasons why people walk to end this disease.
This year, the Alzheimer’s Association has a goal of raising $25,000 at the Decorah Walk. The money raised will help the Association provide care and support to families in Iowa, while also advancing critical research toward methods of treatment and a cure.
