Community News

Ah, September. Kids are back in school, Labor Day weekend has already come and gone, fall school sports are upon us, college football and the NFL are starting to hit the airways, and for those in the Emergency Management Field, September also is Preparedness Month.

In recognition of this, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Iowa in conjunction with National Preparedness Month, which was created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, in an effort to educate the public on how to prepare for emergencies.

“This past summer’s severe weather and flooding are a reminder that disasters can, and do, happen in our state and that is why I have proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Iowa,” said Reynolds. “I am asking Iowans to take steps now to prepare themselves, their families, their places of business, and their communities for any emergency.”

Identity theft is a significant problem and if it has not happened to an individual directly, then they likely know someone who has been victimized. While identity theft can happen to anyone, there are some things that can be done to reduce the risk. Proper disposal, at the right time, of documents and items that contain personal, confidential information is key to protection.

Waukon State Bank offers a free shredding service once a month to help community members safely dispose of their confidential information. Some of the following items that may contain personal information should be considered for shredding, once their recommended retention has passed, including bank statements, expired credit or debit cards, credit card offers, paycheck stubs, canceled checks from years past, medical or legal information, along with anything that contains financial information or personal identification, such as social security number or signature.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 28 to address a full agenda of items, including the submission of the Iowa Partnership for Success Grant renewal application, a contract with the University of Iowa for a Hydrology Study in the Upper Iowa River Drainage District and the consideration of bids for the replacement of the French Creek Bridge on Mays Prairie Road. There were no members of the public present and no public comments spoken or read.

Although the June 2018 primary is months away, three of the Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress met with local Democrats in Waukon at the ice cream social hosted by the Allamakee County Democrats Sunday, August 20. Candidates Abby Finkenauer, Thomas Heckroth and Courtney Rowe were introduced by Lori Egan of Waukon, who is a candidate for State House District 56 representing Allamakee and Clayton counties.

Abby Finkenauer is a State Representative elected in 2014 to represent Dubuque in the State Legislature. She has worked at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque with Jackson County, Jones County, Delaware County, Clayton County and Allamakee County affiliate foundations and currently serves on the board of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. Finkenauer believes that hard work should be rewarded and everyone should be given the chance to succeed.

Fifteen 4-H youth participated in a Youth Leadership Retreat August 27 at the Driftless Area Education Center in Lansing facilitated by Morgan Bjerke, Allamakee County Youth Coordinator. The Experiential Learning Model emphasizes the use of life skills to learn content objectives. Through 4-H, this model emphasizes the importance of student involvement in the experiences or activities in each situation of the learning cycle. Students bring their own experiences and knowledge to the learning cycle. The 2017 Allamakee County 4-H Council Retreat was strategic in bringing the Experiential Learning Model to action with a focus on self-discovery through a self-personality assessment along with creating an understanding and application of working in a team. County 4-H Council members participated in team building activities, completed a self-personality assessment, worked on goals and plans for the 2017-18 4-H year and had time to explore the Driftless Area Education Center.

Scarecrow entries: Six entries, some of which are pictured in the top photo, took part in the Scarecrow Contest hosted by the Midwest Veterans of America during Waukon Corn Days Saturday, August 19. All participants received a Scarecrow medal created by Epic Wear of Waukon and presented by Ozzie Quandahl of Midwest Veterans of America. Entries were submitted by Hailey and Dakota Bechtel, DJ. Halverson, and Harper, Havanna, Hadalyn and Huxley Halverson. Submitted photo.

Click on the Photo Galleries link on this website to view more photos from Waukon Corn Days and other events.

Waukon Corn Days by The Standard Newspaper on Scribd

The Waukon High School 2017-2018 school year athletic seasons were kicked off Thursday, August 17 with the traditional sports drink scrimmages and Allamakee Athletic Booster Club appreciation meal, with the added dimension of Meet the Team Night and a featured speaker enjoying its second successful year with a presentation by former National Football League (NFL) player Cedric James addressing the crowd in attendance at the Waukon High School gym. James played his college football at Texas Christian University (TCU) before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and also playing for the Dallas Cowboys and also the New England Patriots during their Super Bowl XXXIX championship season, and he had several of those jerseys on display during his message of perseverance and never giving up, but pursuing all of that with character.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 21 to address a variety of matters, including the use of the Allamakee County Courthouse as an emergency shelter, an overview of wastewater treatment facility options and the 2019 Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Resurfacing and Sidewalk Project. Mayor Duane DeWalle called the meeting to order with approval of the current agenda and minutes from the August 7 meeting.

The Council moved into Public Comments with Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) providing an overview of Waukon Corn Days, which she described as being a success and well attended including the Corn Days Parade, events downtown and at the Waukon Wellness Center.

Congressman Rod Blum (seated in center of photo) visited the Waukon area Thursday, August 10 during the U.S. Congressional August recess. Blum toured the TASC facility northwest of Waukon before riding on the EARL Transit bus, and he also made a stop at S&D Cafe in Waukon to meet with local constituents. Blum discussed a variety of issues during his tour and bus ride, including some directly with EARL Transportation Director Curt McNew (pictured seated at far right) and with TASC Executive Director Mary Ament, including health care legislation, serving those with disabilities and funding concerns affecting both organizations. Standard photo by Joe Moses.