Community News

Waukon City Clerk Sarah Snitker has successfully earned her Certified Municipal Clerk Certification through the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association (IMFOA), demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence in municipal financial management and professional development.

The IMFOA state certification program is designed to ensure continuous educational commitment among municipal professionals, helping establish and maintain competent administration for city governments across the state of Iowa. Through a structured curriculum, participants complete coursework covering areas such as budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Courses are offered regularly as part of the certification program and include both foundational training for municipal officials and advanced instruction for city clerks and finance officers. Individuals may pursue certification in several professional tracks.

First Baptist Church, 614 Rossville Road in Waukon, will be hosting Rock Hill, SC based musicians Niah and Allisha Merrill in concert Sunday, September 13 at 10 a.m.

Niah and Allisha Merrill are classically trained musicians with a passion to see lives changed by the power of the Gospel. Since 2016, this dynamic duo has shared God’s love through music across the United States and  abroad in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Niah and Allisha both sing and play several instruments (including piano, trumpets, flugelhorn, hand drums, and Irish penny whistles) in an uplifting blend of modern and timeless styles. More information about the Merrills is available at NiahAllisha.com.
 

by Brianne Grimstad

The month of July was a busy month for Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon, which was also reflected in the financial statistics for the month, according to numbers shared at the August meeting of the VMH Board of Trustees. The hospital ended the month with a Net Operating Income of $83,197.

After adding in non-operating revenue and tax appropriations, the hospital ended the month with a Net Income of $207,228. “This shows that if we get people in the door, we can make good things happen financially,” Interim VMH Administrator Garith Steiner noted.

Steiner further explained that for the month of July, comparing the actual Net Income compared to the budgeted Net Income, there is a difference of a little over $249,000, and the hospital had expected to lose some money during the month. The total operating margin had been budgeted at 1.4%, and in actuality it came in at 3.4%.

AWANA stands for “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed” of the Gospel of Christ, derived from 1 Timothy 2:15 in the Bible. First Baptist Church of Waukon, 614 Rossville Rd., offers this youth program to children of all ages and religious backgrounds to learn Bible verses and to enjoy game-time and council time. AWANA reaches 11 million kids in 140 countries. The first night of AWANA at First Baptist Church is Wednesday, September 9 from 6:15 p.m. - 8 p.m. under the direction of Co-Commanders, Mike and Diane Roth. Feel free to call the church office at 563-568-2225 with any questions or to enroll your child in this program. AWANA meets weekly each Wednesday in accordance with the school calendar year.
 

Friday, September 18, at 12 noon, the Lansing VFW Post and Auxiliary, along with Lansing American Legion Post #50, will host a special ceremony on Mt. Hosmer to mark National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The program will be held on the Ralph Bartels Patio, located next to the shelter atop Mt. Hosmer, and the public is warmly invited to attend. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for seating.

At the heart of the observance will be the solemn Missing Man Ceremony, a symbolic tradition that honors those who are still missing from this nation’s past wars and conflicts, as well as those who gave their lives in service but whose remains have not yet been recovered and returned home. The empty place at the table at the ceremony represents the absence of these heroes, while each element of the table setting carries deep meaning about sacrifice, honor, and remembrance.

Saturday, September 12, family and friends of lifelong resident and local “River Rat” Pat Sandry will be honoring his memory with the Ninth Annual Pat Sandry Memorial Fishing Derby and Friends of Pool 9 Fundraiser held on the Mississippi River. Sandry passed away in November of 2017 after a short, courageous battle with cancer. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors, had a great passion for fishing and hunting, and he truly treasured the beauty of Lansing and the surrounding area.

Entry fee is $50 per boat with 50% payback in prize money and 50% being donated to Friends of Pool 9. There is a limit of two adults and two minors per boat.

Hours of the tournament will be from sun-up through 1 p.m. with weigh-in by 1 p.m. at Shep’s Riverside Patio Bar. Categories of fish include Bass, Walleye, Bluegill, Crappie, Perch, Striper, Catfish, Northern, Pike, and Roughfish.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 31 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing relating to the Amendment to Zoning Ordinance L, discussion of the Victim Witness Coordinator Grant and related Allamakee County Budget Amendment, and the Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2027 (FY27) Allamakee County Budget Amendment.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Dan Byrnes present. During Public Comment, Solid Waste Manager Dave Mooney provided a brief update relating to County Solid Waste and Recycling.

The meeting moved into the Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2027 (FY27) Allamakee County Budget Amendment. The Public Hearing was opened with County Auditor Denise Beyer advising that this matter relates to the County Solid Waste Department’s purchase of a garbage truck. The Public Hearing was closed.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 17 to address a full agenda of matters including the review of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendations for residential zoning setbacks, a presentation by the Winneshiek Energy District relating to an energy efficiency program for commercial buildings, and the consideration of approving a pay application and change order for the 4th Avenue NW Addition Project.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Cassie Handke, Nicholas Engrav, Tim Smedsrud and Steve Wiedner. There was no Public Comment from individuals present or those joining the meeting via Zoom web-conferencing.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 17 at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library in Lansing as part of the board’s annual schedule of county library and off-site meeting locations.  The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including the discussion and consideration of approving a new employee position of County Court Security Officer, the consideration of the Resolution designating voting representatives for the Iowa State Association of Counties, and the consideration of setting the date and time for the Fiscal-Year 2027 County Budget Amendment Public Hearing.

Waukon Corn Days is a celebration of agricultural heritage and community, and has a long-standing history in Waukon extending back to what some may remember as “Threshing Days”. The Waukon Chamber of Commerce looks forward to hosting the annual celebration again in 2026 with events starting Friday, August 14 and continuing into Saturday, August 15. This event also encourages local shopping with Waukon “Crazy Days” specials, discounts and deals available at local retailers (see Page 28 in this week’s edition of The Standard). West Street SW, between Main Street and First Avenue SW, will be closing at 12 Noon Friday, August 14 for preparation and hosting of the event.