Community News

The Allamakee County 4-H Council is composed of energetic and positive high school students who serve as ambassadors for 4-H. October 27, the Council hosted a Junior Halloween Party for youth in fourth through sixth grades (pictured above). The event was held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon and 40 youth participated in Halloween games, activities, a haunted hike and ended the night with a costume contest. Admission into the party was a canned food item. In addition to the Halloween Party, the Allamakee County Clover Kids (pictured below) also collected canned food and other items at one of their recent sessions, and together both events donated a total of 79 pounds of food to the Allamakee County Food Shelf. For more information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact County Youth Coordinator Morgan Bjerke at mlheim@iastate.edu or at 563-568.6345. Submitted photos.
 

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a gift drive for children of families who may be experiencing financial difficulties in Allamakee County. The Sheriff’s Office will be accepting donated gifts such as toys, clothing, shoes, boots, etc. These items can be for children ages birth through 17.

Donated items are to be new items in the original packaging. Items may be in gift bags but are not to be wrapped.

Donated gifts may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. any day of the week in the lobby of the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office in the new Public Safety Center located north of Waukon on Highway 9 (former Makee Manor location). Gifts will be accepted through December 10 of this year.
 

Shopko Foundation donated $1,000 to the Allamakee Giving Tree hosted by the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) Family Services Office again this holiday season. This is the sixth year Shopko has donated to NEICAC during the holiday season, adding to the funding and other gifts all donated locally to support the Giving Tree, which will assist 90 families this year. Pictured above in the center of the photo accepting the donation from Shopko Store Manager Valerie Kleinow are NEICAC Family Service Specialists Connie Looney and Becky Manning, with NEICAC volunteers Susan Troendle and Letha Folsom in the back of the center of the photo and Shopko staff members surrounding the donation presentation on each side. Standard photo by Robin Johnson.
 

Tuesday, November 13, the Waukon Police Department received a report of vandalism to signs celebrating the Waukon football team posted along 13th Street NW south of the Waukon High School. The vandalism was reported to have happened Friday, November 9.

Officers reviewed camera footage from the area and were able to identify the vehicle involved, and the driver of that vehicle was located in Waukon Sunday, November 18. As a result of that continued investigation, 18-year-old Kaleb Lawson of Elkader was arrested and charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and failure to obey a traffic control device.

He was booked into the Allamakee County Jail. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 

At the monthly meeting of the Waukon Area Fire Protection District held Monday, November12, 17 local firemen were recognized for their years of service to the Waukon Fire Department. Gene Evans and Roger Carr, Vice Presidents of the Iowa Firefighters Association (IFFA), presented a plaque and figurine to all of the living members with more than 35 years of service to the department. Carr commented that the total years of service of those 17 members honors added up to 814 years, and he noted that is the highest number of years of service they have scene while handing out these awards throughout the state of Iowa.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session twice within a week’s time, meeting Tuesday, November 13 following the closure of the Allamakee County Courthouse Monday, November 12 in observance of Veterans Day, and meeting again Monday, November 19 in regular session. Coverage of both meetings appears below.

NOVEMBER 13
Following approval of the current agenda and minutes from their November 5 meeting, the Supervisors opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting with several residents living along Heytman Drive discussing concerns. Jim Dyer advised that a short section of that road near his home should be straightened to improve safety and reduce the frequency of accidents. Pat Murphy added his safety concerns on Heytman Drive.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 19 to discuss a full agenda of items including the Walk-On Waukon sidewalk project, a delinquent utility bill and a new Waukon Police Station. There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Departmental Reports.
Waukon Police Chief Phil Young discussed the recent resignation of an officer due to accepting a position with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department. Young discussed the recent vandalism of Waukon High School football signs placed near the street. Young indicated that video footage was reviewed and the vehicle involved was recognized with charges filed against the driver.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed work on well number 5 and the lift station. Cooper indicated that 12 applications were received for a vacancy in the Water and Sewer Department.

A pair of Allamakee Community School District staff members were each honored during the Class 2A State Semifinals football game between the Waukon Indians and the Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley Nighthawks Saturday, November 10 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. In the photo above, Waukon High School science teacher Michael Shupe (center) was one of three military veterans honored from each school participating in that semifinals contest. In the photo below, Waukon High School government teacher Jerry Keenan (far right) was one of three educators from each school participating in that semifinals contest honored for displaying spirit and morality in their teaching and coaching. View and find out how to purchase these photos and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.

According to statistics gathered by  Helping Services for Youth & Families, one in four Iowa adults uses tobacco in some form; cigarettes are the most used. Tobacco is the leading cause of death for Iowans, taking the lives of more than 4,400 adults each year. Each year in Iowa, 1,300 kids (down from 2,100) under the age of 18 become new daily smokers.

The week of November 11-17 is Northeast Iowa’s Tobacco Awareness Week. November 15 marks the nationwide Great American Smokeout. This annual event encourages people to stop using tobacco for the day and to make plans to quit. The Boards of Supervisors from Allamakee, Delaware, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties have proclaimed Tobacco Awareness Week throughout their counties.