Community News

Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputy Karson Hennings (pictured above) and Waukon Police Officer Patrick Downey (pictured below) both graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in a ceremony held at Rising Sun Church of Christ in Pleasant Hill Friday, April 24. Deputy Hennings and Officer Downey were part of the ILEA’s 325th graduating class and completed the academy’s rigorous 16-week training program that consisted of coursework in policing communications, criminal law, physical fitness, and emergency response. They also received training in patrol procedures, investigations, and tactical and administrative skills. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (pictured at right in both photos) welcomed the graduates on stage as they were presented with their diplomas by ILEA Director Brady Carney (pictured at left in both photos).

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 4 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of county roads and signage relating to turtles, consideration of the annual Solutions software and IT contract, and consideration of the speed limit Resolution for North Rhomberg Avenue (X52), Harpers Ferry. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present.

There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item. There was also no action relating to the next agenda item which was allotted 20 minutes on the meeting’s timed agenda, as a scheduling conflict did not allow for Veterans Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to provide an update.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, May 4 to address a full agenda of matters including the National Police Week Proclamation, consideration of a Facade Improvement Grant application and the First Reading of the Ordinance Amending Chapters 15, 19, and 30 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including John Lydon, Cassie Handke, Nic Engrav, Tim Smedsrud and Steve Wiedner.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 27 to address an agenda of matters including the consideration of removing the Postville Herald as an official county newspaper, the consideration of gravel road rock bids, and accepting and placing on file quarterly reports for the County Sheriff’s office and Veterans Affairs office.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Pro Tem Dan Byrnes with Supervisor Dennis Keatley present. Chairperson Tom Clark was not in attendance due to a scheduled absence.

The 29th Annual Studio Tour is scheduled for October 9-11. This year, 10 new artists will join many of last year’s exhibitors for 41 artists total at 31 studio locations, including Val Miller of Waukon and George Blair of New Albin. New exhibitors this year are three emerging artists, with their host artists, and a guest artist. They will open their doors for a behind-the-scenes studio view not usually offered to the general public.

The public can drive around the scenic driftless area and experience many well-known award-winning artists displaying and selling pottery, paintings, woodcuts, baskets, jewelry, woodworking, sculpture, collage, fiber arts, and more. Tour participants can set their own pace while driving from studio to studio.

More than two dozen Iowa Farm Bureau members representing 19 counties met with Iowa’s congressional delegation last week in Washington, D.C. to discuss policy issues important to Iowa agriculture and their family farms. Among them were Adam Martins and Kayla Smith of Luana and Alicia and Luke Weston of Independence, all of whom are pictured left to right in the above photo provided courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 20 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of gravel road rock bids, adopting the Resolution approving Fiscal-Year 2027 compensation increases for elected officials, and setting cents per thousand of County support for libraries and approving Fiscal-Year 2027 library contracts. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present.

During Public Comment, District Representative Pedro Calderon from Representative Ashley Hinson’s 2nd Congressional District Dubuque office provided an introduction in addition to discussing the importance of continued communication relating to assistance available at the federal level.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 20 to address a full agenda of matters including a review of setback regulations, the Public Hearing amending the current budget for the Fiscal-Year-Ending June 30, 2026 and an update on Well #5. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Cassie Handke, John Lydon and Tim Smedsrud.

A video program about Rattlesnakes in Allamakee County produced by the Allamakee County Historical Society will be presented to the public at two different viewing opportunities Saturday, April 25. The program includes a presentation by Ross Gerdes, Allamakee County Conservation Commission Director, about local rattlesnakes, including their range, life cycle, poisonous nature, and cautions for humans interacting with them.

The presentation will feature a video appearance by Tim the Timber Rattler. The video also continues with an interview with Mary Egan of Harpers Ferry, who was bitten by a rattlesnake in 2023 and was hospitalized for 13 days. The video concludes with interviews by county residents Paul Howes, Kathy Howes and Kathy Renk, all of whom will recount their local interactions with the snakes in years past.

Celebrate Earth Day with Assistant Naturalist Melissa with a weaving craft. This project uses a Y-shaped stick as a loom and is perfect for using scraps of yarn or strips of fabric.

Sticks will be provided for registered participants, but registration is not required for those who bring their own. Sticks should be Y-shaped (such as the one pictured above) and sturdy enough to support the loom without bending too much or breaking. This program is suitable for ages eight and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This event will be held at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing Wednesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.