Year in Review - Part 2: Top local news stories printed from July-December 2023

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The items below summarize the top news stories that appeared in The Standard during the last six months of 2023, July-December.

JULY
Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Housekeeping Department has earned the hospital the #1 ranking in the country for cleanliness, according to the Iowa Hospital Association.

The Association’s Quality Program Measure Trends Analysis is designed to provide hospitals with a comparative review of the quality data collected over time by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  This data is collected from hospitals across the United States through the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCHAPS) survey. This is the national standard instrument and data collection method for measuring patient’s perceptions of their hospital experience.

Out of the 3,267 hospitals participating in this HCHAPS survey, Veterans Memorial Hospital was ranked #1 in cleanliness under the category of ‘Patients’ Rooms and Bathrooms were always kept clean.’ This data was collected from 2019 through the first quarter of 2023 and includes not only the critical access hospitals in northeast Iowa, but most all other hospitals across the United States.

Word was received this past Friday, June 30 that Lansing was one of three communities to receive designation as an Iowa Great Place during a recent Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board meeting. Lansing joined Grimes and Polk City as new designees this year.

Through these designations, the State of Iowa recognizes communities dedicated to improving quality of life and quality of place. The selected communities have demonstrated their commitment to stakeholder engagement and long-term planning while cultivating and lifting up authentic assets in their communities.

The designation further facilitates development for arts and culture, recreation and amenities in Lansing’s future. The City will also be able to utilize its standing as a Great Place to receive further funding for projects.

Four Allamakee County young ladies are vying for the title of 2023 Allamakee County Fair Queen. Those four candidates seeking this year’s crown include Natalie Byrnes of Waukon, Kiele Eberling of Postville, and Mallory Mohn and Riley Troendle, both of Lansing.

This year’s Fair Queen experience will be a bit different in regard to preparation and pre-coronation events for the young ladies involved. The overall end result, however, will be very similar to year’s past, where the Fair Queen Coronation will take place Tuesday, July 18 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion following the Youth Showcase that starts at 7 p.m. The coronation and Youth Showcase event is free to attend and open to the public.

Sarah Hennessy, a graduated senior this past spring from Waukon High School and the daughter of Andy and Leah Hennessy of Waukon who works at the Waukon Family Aquatic Center as a lifeguard, was presented with a Life Saving Award by the City of Waukon and the Waukon Police Department at the Monday, July 24 regular meeting of the Waukon City Council. The award plaque presented to Hennessy reads as follows:

“This award is presented to Sarah Hennessy for her actions that saved a child’s life on June 17, 2023. On this day, Sarah performed life saving CPR on a victim who was having a medical emergency and was drowning. Sarah’s quick thinking and outstanding efforts gave someone another chance at life.”

Coronation of the 2023 Allamakee County Fair Royalty took place Tuesday, July 18 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, kicking off the 170th Allamakee County Fair. Four area young ladies were vying for this year’s Fair Queen crown, which was bestowed upon Natalie Byrnes, daughter of Dan and Traci Byrnes of Waukon. Mallory Mohn, daughter of Clint and Noelle Mohn of Lansing, was crowned Allamakee County Fair Princess. All four of this year’s candidates served as the 2023 Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team throughout this year’s Fair.

Byrnes will now advance on to represent Allamakee County in the 2023 Iowa State Fair Queen competition, with that coronation event being held August 12 in Des Moines.

AUGUST
Prosper Waukon, the great-great-grandson of Chief John Waukon, after whom the city of Waukon is named, provided a presentation “The Waukon Family Legacy: Understanding Your Community’s Roots” followed by a Question & Answer (Q&A) session in the community room of Robey Memorial Library in Waukon Tuesday, July 25 with over 80 members of the public in attendance. The July 25 presentation was one of several stops for Prosper and his wife, Jan, while visiting Allamakee County, as he also made that same presentation Wednesday, July 26 at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing.

Mollie Marti, Waukon native and founding CEO of the nonprofit Worldmaker International, has been named one of 34 Presidential Scholars as part of the George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. The program is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at individuals serving United States military veterans and their families who are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge and influence across the country.

Marti is a social psychologist and former lawyer who studies the individual and social dynamics of trauma recovery, resilience and growth. The THRIVE Resilience Model she developed is widely used in military and first responder health, crisis response, community and school-based resilience, and workplace wellness. She founded Worldmaker in response to a cluster of local suicides in Iowa, and has led its growth to partner with organizations and communities to help their people prepare for, adapt to, and grow through the emotional and mental toll of dealing with daily stressors and acute hardships. Marti’s leadership books have been translated into eight languages, and her Resiliency Matters TV show provides free resilience education to learners worldwide.

Colonel Daniel W. Lemon relinquished command of the 782d Training Group (TRG) to Colonel Eric D. Haler in a ceremony held July 19 at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita, TX. The ceremony was officiated by Brigadier General George Dietrich III, 82nd Training Wing commander. The 782d TRG is widely known as the most diverse training group in the Air Force, and includes courses in civil engineering, petroleum oil lubricants, hydraulics, electrical and environmental systems, avionics and more that are taught across five states, including Texas, Missouri, Virginia, Mississippi and Florida.

During the month of July, local children ages 18 and under flocked to Zion United Church of Christ (UCC) in Waukon for the inaugural “Feed the Kids” program. In its first year, this program served 1,399 meals in 18 days, an average of just under 78 local youth each day who received a free hot meal due to the generosity of so many in the community.

The “Feed the Kids” idea was developed by several members of Zion UCC who wanted to make a difference in the community. The need for a summer feeding program during the month of July was identified.

Knowing the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) provides a great summer feeding program to local children ages 18 and under during the months of June and August, the organizing church members also knew there was nothing in place for July, when that feeding program is not held within the school district. Church members felt there were still “food insecure” children who needed to eat all summer long and pitched the idea to their church council.

Elizabeth Fossum, 18-year-old daughter of Kevin and Julie Fossum of Waterville, was crowned the Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess for 2023-2024 during an evening ceremony held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines Wednesday, August 9. Fossum represented Allamakee County in this year’s competition and graduated from Waukon High School this spring. She will be a freshman this fall at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville studying agriculture business.

In addition to her Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess crown, Fossum also earned the title of Miss Congeniality at the event. As Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess, Fossum will share duties with this year’s newly-crowned Iowa Dairy Princess, Ashley Elsbernd of Calmar, who was representing Winneshiek County.

Throughout their year-long reign, the Iowa Dairy Royalty pair will make public appearances to connect with consumers and help them understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows, their land, and the milk they produce.

Fossum’s crowning as Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess marks the 18th time in the history of the contest that a young lady from Allamakee County has worn the crown of either Iowa Dairy Princess or Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess, the most of any county in the state of Iowa. Allamakee County has been home to four of the last eight Alternate Iowa Dairy Princesses. Photo by Midwest Dairy.

Although a golf score of 100 is nothing to brag about, a golf course being open for 100 years certainly is. Saturday, August 19, the Waukon Golf & Country Club (WGCC) will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special celebration.

The public is invited to a program featuring interviews by Chuck Bloxham at 6:30 p.m., followed by a dance from 7-10 p.m. featuring John and Jim Withers, sons of longtime Waukon physician Dr. Bill Withers and the late Libby Withers, who were longtime social members of the Club, along with Keel Clemmens, who joined the Withers brothers and others in being part of the Bandmates, Brothers and Friends band that played a reunion event in Waukon in May of this year.

Andrew Karvel, of Lansing, was convicted Monday, August 21 in Allamakee County District Court of Second Degree Murder in the May 2022 death of Daniel Lundy, formerly also of Lansing. The jury in the case of the State of Iowa vs. Andrew Raymond Karvel opted not to convict on the most serious of the charges Karvel originally faced - First Degree Murder.

Karvel, age 66, was arrested August 17, 2022 on the charge of First Degree Murder in the May 9, 2022 death of his roommate, Daniel William Lundy, age 83, at the home they shared at 650 South 2nd Street in Lansing. According to court documents, Karvel pleaded not guilty to that charge in September of that year and was originally scheduled for a jury trial November 2, 2022. At the request, and agreement, of all legal counsel involved in the case, Karvel’s trial was rescheduled for August 16, 2023. In the meantime, Karvel was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.

The Iowa Governor’s Office has received notification that the State of Iowa’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been granted for seven counties that were severely impacted by spring flooding earlier this year along the Mississippi River. Counties included in the declaration include Allamakee and Clayton in northeast Iowa, along with Des Moines, Dubuque, Jackson, Lee and Scott Counties.

Under the declaration, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program funding is available to eligible public entities and nonprofit organizations in the designated counties that were impacted by the April 24-May 13, 2023 Mississippi River flooding. Public Assistance funding may be used for emergency work, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

The governor also received notification that the Presidential Disaster Declaration includes funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state of Iowa. With this funding, Iowa will be able to minimize the impact of future disasters by taking steps to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards, such as flooding.

Greg and Amy Lage of Allamakee County were inducted into the 2023 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 20. Ninety-one Iowa counties participated this year and selected 127 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by Iowa 4-H Foundation President David Bolte and Interim State 4-H Program Leader Mitchell Hoyer as they were introduced on stage.

The contribution to 4-H by Greg and Amy Lage of Postville is widely felt, said ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee County Youth Coordinator Marissa Foels. This year’s inductees started as youth members of 4-H when they were nine years old and remained active through their early adult years.

They continued to instill the value of 4-H in their two daughters and can still be found behind the scenes supporting and encouraging the youth in Allamakee County.

SEPTEMBER
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor for the state of Iowa released by the National Weather Service Thursday, August 31 shows all of Allamakee County, and a majority of northeast Iowa, in the grips of Extreme Drought. Further information compiled by the National Weather Service notes that the rainfall experienced for the week prior to that August 31 Drought Monitor was no greater than four-tenths (.40) of an inch in the northeast Iowa area, with the average rainfall during that time frame having previously been reported at nine-tenths (.90) of an inch. As a result, the Extreme Drought grew from covering just 5.28% of the state of Iowa as of August 22, to now 17.59% as of the end of August, with most of that Extreme Drought growth coming in the northeast Iowa area.

FreedomBank will celebrate its 120th anniversary of doing business in northeast Iowa with a community meal Tuesday, September 12 in Waukon. A complimentary meal will be offered from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon.

With the installation this month of an electric vehicle charging station, Lansing is ready to fuel not only locally owned electric vehicles (EVs), but also those owned by seasonal and short-term visitors to the city and those passing through. The Level-2 charging station was installed at the east side of Lansing’s city parking lot along South Front Street.

Lansing’s City Council approved the purchase of the Charge Point station from LilyPad EV in December 2022. The $10,994.76 cost of the station was covered by the VW (Volkswagen) Settlement Grant awarded to the City of Lansing in July 2022.

Michelle Barness, a regional planner with the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, said: “Lansing’s decision to leverage a grant to cover the cost of the charging infrastructure they installed was a smart one, and forward-looking with regards to planning for tourism and economic development. It may be a few years yet before the charger gets heavy use, but it likely will pick up. Some communities, like West Union and Decorah, are already seeing regular use of their public chargers.”

Allamakee County became the 18th county in the state of Iowa, and the 11th county in northeast Iowa, to institute a ban on open burning as Extreme Drought conditions continue to grip many of those same counties, especially in the northeast Iowa region. That ban became effective as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 12 after all six fire chiefs in Allamakee County agreed the ban was necessary and Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker submitted the burn ban request to the State of Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office, which issued the proclamation putting the burn ban into effect.

“Given the extreme dry conditions, lack of future heavy moisture, and with the county being in extreme drought conditions, it was felt this was prudent,” Snitker explained in his email announcing the burn ban.

The next phase in a planned deployment of fiber optic internet in Waukon is set to begin next month, according to representatives from AC Skyways, a division of Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC).

Beginning in October, the physical work of boring the main fiber optics lines will begin on the north Waukon project, which will bring over 800 “drops” to the community. This is the next phase in a large development to bring fiber to the entire community.

ACEC has contracted with West Union Trenching and R&S Fiber Optic Services for the project. West Union Trenching is scheduled to begin trenching and underground boring of the fiber optic cable in early October.

Seniors Andrew Kolsrud and Mallory Mohn were crowned Kee High School’s 2023 Homecoming King and Queen at a coronation event held prior to Homecoming Week for the first time Sunday, September 24 in the Kee High School gymnasium to kick off this week’s Homecoming festivities. That timing change in the coronation will now allow the King and Queen to preside over the entire Homecoming Week.
 
Waukon High School seniors Cameron Johnson and Jack O’Neill were crowned Waukon High School’s 2023 Homecoming Queen and King at the “Burning of the W” pep rally held Thursday, September 21 at Waukon High School.

Everyone is invited to join area youth on athletic fields across the nation Wednesday, October 4 in sharing their Christian faith with fellow students and the general public for this year’s Fields of Faith event. The local event is now in its 12th year and will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Waukon High School football field Wednesday, October 4, or in the Waukon High School gym in the event of bad weather.

Featured speaker for this year’s Fields of Faith event in Waukon will be Harpers Ferry area native Jeff (JT) Olson, who is the founder and executive director of Both Hands Foundation, a faith-based non-profit serving orphans and widows. With over 153 million orphans worldwide and the costs of adoption on the rise, the mission of the organization is to fulfill the message of James 1:27 by serving orphans, widows and Christian adoptive families.