Community News

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls has named three of this year’s graduating seniors as recipients of the prestigious 2025 Lux Service Award. The announcement was made during the university’s annual Student Leadership Awards ceremony Tuesday night, April 15.

Presented by the UNI Dean of Students office, the Lux Service Award is the highest honor recognizing exceptional service among graduating seniors. Recipients of the award have demonstrated outstanding leadership and a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy on campus. To be eligible, students must have held leadership roles in at least two student organizations. The Lux Service Award is the official University seal; it illustrates a burning lamp of knowledge and the Latin word Lux, meaning light. It is conferred in the spirit of keeping the light of service to others burning brightly at the University of Northern Iowa.

The 13th Rusty Rides Run scheduled for Saturday, April 26 will benefit Dayton Dietrich, 10-year-old son of Dillon and Nicole Dietrich of Waukon. Dayton was born with Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition that affects muscle tone, control, and movement.

At the age of five, Dayton received an epilepsy diagnosis, and he began battling with seizures. After many tests, scans and appointments, Dayton was diagnosed with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, which is a rare severe form of epilepsy that affects between one and two in every one million people worldwide. Lennox Gastaut is a lifelong condition that causes brain damage, ultimately leading to learning disabilities and developmental setbacks. Many children permanently lose abilities that they have already learned.

This Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m., Dr. Dan Davis, a Luther College history professor and former U.S. Navy diver, will present a follow-up program at the Allamakee Veterans Museum in Waukon. Dr. Davis, who is an underwater archaeologist, will provide an update on the work of Project Recover in recovering the remains of American servicemen missing in action since World War II.

The video “To What Remains,” which chronicles the founding and work of Project Recover, will be shown again at the Veterans Museum this Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. for those who have not seen it in earlier programs at the Veterans Museum. This video will provide background for the presentation being delivered by Dr. Davis the following Saturday.

The museum will also be open for tours this Thursday evening and Saturday morning during those presentations. There is no admission charge. The museum is handicapped accessible.
 

Empty Nest Winery of Waukon and Allamakee Community Players, Inc. will be presenting a dinner theater production of “The Radio Play Disaster” Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, at 6 p.m. each evening, at the Empty Nest Winery. Step back in time to the golden age of radio with the Allamakee Community Players, Inc.

“The Radio Play Disaster” is a side-splitting comedy set in a live radio studio, where anything that can go wrong… probably will. Those attending the performance will watch as voice actors, sound effects artists, and a frantic crew scramble to keep the show on air - all while they enjoy a meal.
Seats can be reserved today for an evening of food, fun, and farcical radio mayhem. Tickets are available at tickets.aroundrivercity.com or by calling Empty Nest Winery at 563-568-2758.

The 13th Rusty Rides Run scheduled for Saturday, April 26 will benefit Dayton Dietrich, 10-year-old son of Dillon and Nicole Dietrich of Waukon. Dayton was born with Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition that affects muscle tone, control, and movement.

At the age of five, Dayton received an epilepsy diagnosis, and he began battling with seizures. After many tests, scans and appointments, Dayton was diagnosed with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, which is a rare severe form of epilepsy that affects between one and two in every one million people worldwide. Lennox Gastaut is a lifelong condition that causes brain damage, ultimately leading to learning disabilities and developmental setbacks. Many children permanently lose abilities that they have already learned.

Representatives of Peoples State Bank, Wieser Brothers General Contractor Inc. and the Waukon Chamber of Commerce participated in a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, April 10 relating to the construction of Peoples State Bank’s new branch office on Rossville Road in Waukon. Chief Executive Officer-President Brennen Clark and Ag Relationship Manager-Vice President Dennis Lyons, both of Peoples State Bank, and Chief Operating Officer Andy Towner of Wieser Brothers each addressed those in attendance during the ceremony. At the conclusion of the event, Clark with Peoples State Bank shared with The Standard that the community has been very welcoming, with this new branch location being a natural fit with the bank’s other locations and branches. Clark added that the investment at this new location shows Peoples State Bank’s commitment to Waukon.

A total of 36 area military veterans were honored during an event hosted Saturday, March 29 at AJ Bar & Grill in Waukon in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which is observed March 29 each year honoring the signing of the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act into law in 2017.

The event was hosted by Midwest Veterans of America and included each of the honored veterans receiving a plaque and small American flag, in addition to rounds of applause and gratitude from the many in attendance for their years of service to their country. Many of those honored veterans are pictured in the photo above, standing on the staircase at AJ Bar & Grill for a group photo, and many of their family members, friends and acquaintances were also in attendance to witness and share in their honoring. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
 

The Allamakee County Community Foundation has welcomed a new advisory board member, Marshall Lyons of Waukon. Lyons succeeds Brent Beyer, who has served on the board for nine years and reaches his term limit this spring.

“Marshall brings a unique skillset and background to the Foundation,” says Nick Erickson, chair of the advisory board. “His desire to improve quality of life in our county, paired with strong analytical and decision-making skills, will help further our mission.”

Lyons is a Waukon native and 2015 graduate of Waukon High School. He earned a master’s degree in accounting from Iowa State University, then worked in the tax industry for RSM in Cedar Rapids. He returns to Waukon as a licensed CPA for Hacker, Nelson & Co.

“I take great pride in being from the Waukon area and am excited about the opportunity to contribute to an organization dedicated to making it an even better place for future generations of friends and family,” says Lyons.

The Waukon Police Department is hosting its annual open house Thursday, April 17 from 12 Noon to 5 p.m. at the Waukon Police Station, located at 104 1st Street NW in Waukon. The open house will allow attendees to tour the police station building, check out one of the department’s patrol vehicles, ask questions, and meet the Waukon Police Department staff.

During the open house, the Waukon Police Department is also hosting an American Red Cross community blood drive at its building. The theme of the blood drive is, “Battle of the Badges.” Donors can vote for one of the local emergency services - Waukon Fire Department, Waukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS), or Waukon Police Department. The winning agency will claim the honor of bragging rights.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 7 to address a full agenda of matters including the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation, appointment of the at-large council vacancy seat and discussion of the outdoor warning siren system. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker and John Lydon present.

The meeting moved into Public Comment with West Street SW property owner Ann Fossum recognizing the Street Department for installing speed limit signage on her street. Fossum made note of follow-up from Engineer Sam Ertl of Fehr Graham Engineering relating to a variety of matters. She expressed her appreciation for his work.