Our world has been turned upside down in the past year. We have endured so much! Some of us have lost loved ones due to the coronavirus, we fear for our own health, our financial stability is threatened, we’re unable to gather with other people the way we used to. Everyone has been affected in one way or another. So if you’re feeling exhausted and hopeless, you’re not alone.
Iowa’s battle with the coronavirus pandemic is not over. Governor Reynolds’ premature rescinding of her weak mask and social distancing ordinance, done without consulting Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), may cause the estimated death of an additional 400 Iowans before Memorial Day. The rapidly spreading variant B.1.1.7 is already in Iowa. We wish we could trust her to do the right thing..
1) We do need to trust truth and science. We again now trust CDC.gov/coronavirus under Dr Walensky MD, MPH. Go there for information and a video on double masking. Wear the best mask you can and make sure your mask is tight and doesn’t leak around the edges. Dr. Osterholm’s podcasts at CIDRAP (cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/podcasts-webinars) are good general information.
For months I have been watching and studying what’s been transpiring in my country and around the world, and I feel compelled to share what’s on my heart and mind.
What’s happening is not just about Trump vs. Biden or Republicans vs. Democrats or Conservatives vs. Liberals... it’s about a spiritual battle of Good vs. Evil.
One side stands for Truth and Justice, the Rule of Law and the American People. It stands for The Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. It stands for honoring the National Anthem and the American Flag. It stands for God in our government and God in our schools and, above all else, it stands for the Sovereignty of God and the Sanctity of Life.
Members of the 14th-rated Waukon girls basketball team celebrate with each other after posting the 60-37 victory glowing on the scoreboard above over sixth-rated and defending Class 2A State Tournament Runner-Up Osage (21-2) in their Class 3A Region 5 championship game played Saturday, February 20 at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. The Lady Indians hustled and muscled their way to a 21-10 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back, more than doubling that early lead throughout the remaining three quarters of the game to qualify for the Class 3A State Tournament for the second time in the past three seasons, following the bucket Tribe’s “final four” finish during the 2019 season grand finale effort that a couple of this season’s seniors contributed to as sophomores. The Lady Indians (19-4) will now begin their Class 3A State Tournament journey with a first-round game Monday, March 1 against second-rated Clear Lake (18-1), beginning at 9 p.m.
COVID vaccines continue to be administered ... Allamakee County Public Health continues to receive 300 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the State of Iowa weekly that need to be administered to those in tier 1B within one week. These doses continue to be distributed with help from Public Health’s collaborating vaccine partners, including Hartig Drug, The Prescription Shoppe, Gundersen Clinic and Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinic, who all administer them to individuals age 65 and older. Veterans Memorial Hospital is now offering an online sign-up option for those wishing to get on a waiting list for the vaccine (see surrounding article for step-by-step directions). Pictured above, Dorothy Bratrud, seated at left, and her sister, Theresa Helgeson, seated at right, both received the COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, February 16, and are being assisted by Veterans Memorial Hospital volunteers Rick and Cathy Larson. Submitted photo.
Shipment of vaccine doses for this week have been delayed by weather
Allamakee County Public Health (ACPH) is scheduled to continue to receive 300 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the State of Iowa weekly that need to be administered within one week to those in the Phase 1B group designated by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
However, Allamakee County Public Health officials advised Monday, February 22 that the doses slated to be received for administering to Allamakee County residents this week have been delayed by the same weather situations that have delayed a number of dose shipments across the nation.
Sworn in as new Waukon Police Officer ... Waukon Mayor Pat Stone (left) conducted a swearing-in ceremony for Hector Salinas (right) as a new full-time officer for the Waukon Police Department prior to the Waukon City Council meeting Monday, February 15. Officer Salinas has six-and-a-half years of law enforcement experience and is a certified officer in Iowa, most recently serving as a full-time officer for the Postville Police Department. Photo courtesy of the Waukon Police Department.
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 15 to address a full agenda of items including a police officer hire, discussion of waiving penalties for utility billing and the continuation of the COVID-19 closure of City Hall.
There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Department Reports with Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noting that winter youth activities are finishing up for the season with information to be provided soon about soccer. Strub said that some preparations have begun for reopening the swimming pool this summer and that use of the Wellness Center has picked up.
The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, February 15. Discussion centered around the consent agenda, PeopleService update and committee reports.
The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from February 1, 2021. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda.
PeopleService provided an update noting that a radium test of the City water well was recently sent in, and it came back with a reading in the safe zone. A motion was made and seconded to approve the PeopleService update.
Do you have a great business idea? Is your current business planning to expand services or add a new product line? Do you have a piece of equipment you wish you could purchase for your business?
Main Street Lansing is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $28,000 to expand and grow their business idea within the Lansing Main Street district. The Open 4 Business contest, launched in 2015, is an opportunity for businesses located within a state-designated Main Street district to compete for a chance to win up to $28,000 in grant funds to assist with a business development or expansion project that will help them grow their business.
Kee High School Student Council is holding a second blood drive this school year to help offset the critical need for blood in the local area. The money earned from each blood drive is dedicated for scholarship funds for Kee High School students.
The next Kee High School Blood Drive is scheduled for Friday, February 26 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Kee High School gym in Lansing. To make an appointment to give blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call Allison Fitzwater at 563-538-4201, ext. 111.
The Waukon High School and Middle School Music Departments will be hosting their 11th annual Pops Concert this Friday night, February 26 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with concert time at 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. The Pops Concert continues to feature new musical talents each year and has become a must-see event for the Waukon community.
