Community News

Although that’s where it is taking place, the theme for the second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk being hosted by Ness Pumping Service and Porta Potty Rentals is “Breast cancer is no walk in the park!” All are encouraged to “Come put your BREAST foot forward” at the second annual event being held at the Waukon City Park Saturday, October 6 from 9 a.m.-12 noon.

Last year’s inaugural event allowed Ness Pumping Service and Porta Potty Rental to donate $1,200 to Veterans Memorial Hospital in support of that facility’s efforts helping others breast cancer. The donated funds were put toward the purchase of the new 3D mammography machine recently installed in the hospital’s mammography room (see accompanying photo).

Throughout the walk event, coffee, pink lemonade and cookies will be served. The walk, food and drinks will all be free-will donations, with all proceeds being distributed to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Breast Cancer Foundation.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Tuesday, September 4 following the Labor Day holiday that falls on the council’s typical Monday meeting day. Matters discussed include the Waukon Police Department’s anti-drug and canine program, appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission and a request for a contribution from the City toward the Walk-On Waukon group’s Wellmark grant application.

The Public Hearing proposing the disposition of interest in real property by the City of Waukon - West Side Development Lot 7 was opened and closed without verbal or written comment. There was no Public Comment.

Under Departmental Reports, Police Chief Phil Young discussed that two job interviews have been set up for later in the month. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett indicated that 25 truck route signs within Waukon are in need of replacement due to age and damage.

Allamakee County 4-H members exhibits were on display in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair held in Des Moines August 9-19. More than 3,800 exhibits were displayed this year, showcasing excellence in project area learning by 4-H members across the state of Iowa.

Divisions young people may exhibit in include agriculture and natural resources, creative arts, family and consumer sciences, personal development, and science, mechanics and engineering.

“Each exhibit is an outgrowth of year-long project area work done by the 4-H member,” explains Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H youth development program specialist. “The exhibits display at the Iowa State Fair is a celebration of the educational and personal accomplishments of our Iowa 4-H members. It is a way for our members to share what they’ve learned with the public.”

The Allamakee County 4-H Youth Development Committee is proud to recognize JoAnne Bodley of Postville as the 2018 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductee. She has been a long-time supporter of the Allamakee County 4-H Program. Her 4-H involvement began in 1985 after her husband became a leader of the Big 4 4-H Club.

She quickly took over his role and continued to lead the club that later became Big 4 Poststar 4-H Club. Through her 28 years as club leader, her love and passion for agriculture was shown through her children’s and the club member’s participation in the beef project.

Tuesday, August 7, the Waukon Police Department received a report of a theft from Village Farm & Home in Waukon that had taken place August 4. With assistance from a neighboring law enforcement agency, the suspect was identified as 49-year-old Scott Richard Coxworth of Houston, MN.

Upon further investigation by use of a surveillance camera system, it was discovered that Coxworth returned to Village Farm & Home August 6 and had taken more merchandise. Following those investigative measures, Coxworth was charged with two counts of fifth-degree theft and an arrest warrant was granted.

Wednesday, August 22, the Waukon Police Department received a call from Village Farm & Home reporting that Coxworth had returned once again and was still present at the store. Officers responded to Village Farm & Home and placed Coxworth into custody for the arrest warrant.

Tuesday, August 28, the Waukon Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence located at 502 First Street SE in Waukon. As a result of the search warrant, 34-year-old Emily Johnston of Waukon was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license revoked.

Another 34-year-old female, Daphne Bendall of Prairie du Chien, WI, was also arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a prescription drug. It was further discovered that Bendall also has a detainer for an arrest warrant in the state of Wisconsin.

The Waukon Police Department was assisted by the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 

The Knights of Columbus Council 1570 of Waukon (some of whom are pictured below) and the Allamakee Flyers joined forces to host serve a Fly-In Breakfast Sunday, August 19 at the Waukon Airport, with proceeds from the event being donated to Respect Life. A total of 15 aircraft flew in from other communities, with many more individuals also arriving via ground transportation to take part in the event. Allamakee Flyers pilots Jim Wadsworth and Shawn Gibbs (pictured above) took many participants on plane rides over the local landscape, and one of the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center MedLink emergency medical helicopters (pictured at center) was also available for those in attendance to view and learn more about. Submitted photos.
 

Tuesday, August 7, the Waukon Police Department received a report of a theft from a business in Waukon that had taken place August 4. With assistance from a neighboring law enforcement agency, the suspect was identified as 49-year-old Scott Richard Coxworth of Houston, MN.

Upon further investigation by use of a surveillance camera system, it was discovered that Coxworth returned to that same business August 6 and had taken more merchandise. Following those investigative measures, Coxworth was charged with two counts of fifth-degree theft and an arrest warrant was granted.

Wednesday, August 22, the Waukon Police Department received a call from the same business reporting that Coxworth had returned once again and was still present at the store. Officers responded and placed Coxworth into custody for the arrest warrant.

New York Times bestselling novelist William Kent Krueger is coming to Robey Memorial Library in Waukon Thursday, September 13 at 7 p.m. Krueger will be promoting his new book, “Desolation Mountain”, coming out later this month.

Krueger is the bestselling author of “Ordinary Grace” and the Cork O’Connor mystery series. The Cork O’Connor character is the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of Irish and Ojibwe heritage.

Robey Memorial Library is partnering with Dragonfly Books in Decorah for the event. Robey Memorial Library is located at 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon. For more information, contact 563-568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

The Waukon Fire Department responded to a house fire at 205 Fifth Street NW in Waukon Thursday, August 23 at approximately 2:45 p.m. Flames on the exterior and underneath the roof overhang of the home were quickly doused and (as pictured above) firefighters worked to make sure the fire had not penetrated the attic area of the home. Local officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation and that a little smoke and water damage also occurred inside the home. Fire crews were on the scene for approximately one hour. Standard photo by Joe Moses.