Community News

Tuesday, March 12, Cub Scout Pack 64 in Waukon went “Scouting for Food” around Waukon. In just an hour and a half, the Scouts collected 724 pounds of food and $28 in donations (such as pictured above), resulting in a record amount of food the Scouts have donated to the Allamakee County Food Shelf. “The Waukon community came out to help like always and made it a successful food drive for the Scouts!” local Scout leaders shared. “Some even dropped food off at the Allamakee Farm Bureau office to make sure the Scouts got their donation!” Submitted photos.
 

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday, March 27 for the required Public Hearing for the County’s Proposed Property Tax Levy for Fiscal-Year 2025 (FY25).

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Mark Reiser present. Members of the public in attendance included Tom Clark, John Sweeney and Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED).

The Public Hearing was opened with County Auditor Denise Beyer providing an overview of the letter that taxpayers received prior to the date of this meeting and hearing relating to the County’s proposed FY25 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) property tax levy. Beyer advised that this public hearing is a new requirement relating to Iowa House File 718 (HF718), legislation relating to local government property taxes, financial authority and budgets, among other matters.

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting an event honoring Vietnam era veterans this Saturday, March 30 at AJ Bar & Grill (previously called AJ Steakhouse) in Waukon, beginning at 1 p.m. Midwest Veterans of America will be honoring more than two dozen local veterans who served their country during the Vietnam War era at the event.

All of Waukon will have fiber internet by the end of 2024

Due in part to the unseasonable winter weather, the final phase in a planned deployment of fiber optic internet in Waukon is set to begin early this spring, according to representatives from AC Skyways, a division of Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC). With the conclusion of the fourth phase of the project, the entire city of Waukon will have fiber internet available.

Beginning in late March or early April, the physical work of boring the main fiber optics lines will begin on the south Waukon project, which will bring over 300 “drops” to that part of the community. At the same time, contractors and AC Skyways technicians will begin the final steps to deploy fiber in Phase 3, those homes in the northern portion of Waukon. By the end of the spring, roughly 800 homes and businesses will be able to connect to fiber internet that was deployed last fall.

Waukon Cub Scout Pack 64 held its annual Pack Pinewood Derby Saturday, March 9 at the East Elementary School large gymnasium in Waukon. A total of 29 Scouts brought their hand painted and best designed cars to race for Leader of the Pack honors. Participants and award winners are pictured in the surrounding submitted photos. Cub Scout Pack 64 will also host the District Pinewood Derby Saturday, April 6 this year.

Additional photos are available in the Wednesday, March 27 edition of The Standard. Pick up this week's print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.

Jason Gearhart of Strawberry Point has announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for Iowa House of Representatives District 64. The district encompasses all of Allamakee County and Clayton County, as well as Concord Township in Dubuque County.

Gearhart was born and raised in northeast Iowa. He and his wife Kayela, a fourth grade teacher at Starmont Elementary School, reside in Strawberry Point with their two children, Jayden and Kendyl, both students at Starmont Middle School. In his free time, Gearhart enjoys coaching youth basketball and has had the privilege of coaching the Starmont Middle School girls basketball team the past two seasons.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the National Weather Service have designated March 25-29 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state of Iowa. Spring weather brings warmer temperatures and the threat of severe weather, including tornadoes.

The Allamakee County Emergency Management Agency wants to take this opportunity to notify the public of the intent to conduct a countywide Tornado Drill and test city emergency warning sirens Wednesday, March 27 at 10 a.m. during the Statewide Tornado Drill as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week activities.

Waukon High School welcomed the newest members into its local chapter of National Honor Society at an annual induction ceremony held Tuesday, March 12 at Waukon High School. Starting in January of their junior year, eligible students are invited to complete the application process to gain membership into National Honor Society. Membership is based on the four pillars that National Honor Society represents: Scholarship, Character, Leadership and Service. Pictured above are this year’s new inductees.

Doug Wolfe of Elkader announces he is seeking the Republican nomination for Iowa House of Representatives District 64 currently held by Anne Osmundson of Volga. District 64 encompasses all of Allamakee County and Clayton County, and a portion of Dubuque County which includes the town of Holy Cross.

Wolfe was born and raised in Cedar Rapids where he graduated from George Washington High School. He then attended Kirkwood Community College and later received a bachelor’s degree from Life Christian University.

Wolfe is a real estate broker/businessman and co-founder of Marriage Minded Ministries. Wolfe has been owner/operator of dental studios, cafes and sporting goods stores. In more recent years, Wolfe has served as a campaign advisor and manager for Arizona Congressional candidates focusing on the constitution and important issues for the people.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Free water taxi service between Lansing and Crawford County, WI was initiated Monday, March 18. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), this service is expected to be in place until late April, when repairs to the existing bridge connecting the two states are anticipated to be complete.

The water taxi will travel between the Lansing Marina and Big Slough Landing on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River and will be available seven days a week during the following hours: 7 to 10 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and 3 to 6 p.m. A one-way trip is estimated to take about 30 minutes. All riders will be required to get off the water taxi at each stop. The water taxi leaves the Iowa side on the hour, and leaves the Wisconsin side on the half hour during those time frames listed above.