Community News

Midwest Veterans of America is looking to honor area Veterans at an event Saturday, September 13 at AJ Bar & Grill in Waukon celebrating the signing of the U.S. Constitution, which took place September 17, 1787. The free event will include an awards presentation that will begin at 1 p.m., and the full menu will be available to order from.

Midwest Veterans of America is seeking to honor any area Veterans nominated by their family, friends or acquaintances. To nominate a Veteran, call 563-568-5275 by the end of the month of August.
 

submitted by Denise Beyer
Allamakee County Auditor, Commissioner of Elections

The Cities of Lansing and Waukon in Allamakee County are both Primary Cities for the upcoming City Election scheduled for November 4, 2025. This means these cities have the potential to have a Primary Election if more than twice the number of candidates file for any seat that is on the ballot.

For example, for one mayor seat (such as in Waukon this year), a Primary would be required if three or more candidates submit nomination paperwork for Mayor. If three at-large council seats will be on the November ballot (such as is the case in Lansing this year), then seven or more filed candidates would trigger the need for a Primary Election.

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department’s Thompson submachine gun has been relocated from the Old Courthouse Museum and is now displayed in the Allamakee County Veterans Museum in Waukon. One could say that the Tommy gun has “come home,” as the Veterans Museum includes the 1882 two-story red brick building (pictured far below at right) which was once the site of the Allamakee County Sheriff’s official residence and the County Jail, beginning in 1882.

The “new” (and current) courthouse that also included a jail was built in 1939 on the opposite side of Allamakee Street and the former Sheriff’s residence and jail premises fell into disuse until after WWII when county veterans established the Vet’s Club.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 11 to address a full agenda of matters including the discussion and consideration of steam trap bids for the County Courthouse heating system repair, the discussion and consideration of the reinstatement of a pasture lease contract, and the discussion and consideration of signing opioid litigation settlement agreements.

Prior to the 9 a.m. regular session, the Supervisors held a work session with discussion taking place relating to body-worn cameras, in-vehicle cameras and computers and related subscriptions for this equipment for the County Sheriff’s Department. In addition, discussion took place relating to steam trap bids received for the County Courthouse heating system repairs and options available.

by Brianne Grimstad

The month of June marked the fifth consecutive month at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon with a Gross Patient Revenue over $5,000,000, according to numbers presented at the July monthly meeting of the VMH Board of Trustees. Gross Patient Revenue for the month came in at $5,040,234.

However, after deducting contractuals, Charity Care and Bad Debt, the Total Operating Revenue came in at $2,958,415. Expenses for the month totaled $3,510,477, and after adding in Non-Operating Income, the hospital ended the month showing a loss of $430,135.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, pictured at left in the photo above, addressed attendees at the Sunday, June 27 Picnic at the Park event open to Republicans from Allamakee County. Due to weather related concerns, the event was moved to an indoor location, First Baptist Church in south Waukon, and included a potluck dinner for the large group present for the event (as evident in the photo above). Allamakee County Republican Central Committee Co-Chairperson Duane Smith, pictured at right in the photo above, provided opening comments and an introduction for Governor Reynolds. Other speakers at the event included some current government and legislative leaders, as well as some Republican candidates for various offices.

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced Thursday, July 31 the newly designated 2026 Iowa Thriving Communities. Those communities included the City of Waukon, along with Clear Lake, Ottumwa, Sioux Center and Urbandale.

“Housing is the foundation of upward economic opportunity, and when all Iowans have access to affordable homes, families, communities and businesses can truly thrive,” said IEDA | IFA Director Debi Durham. “These communities have stepped up as leaders in creating housing opportunities for all income levels.”

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 4 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion relating to the installation of solar panels at the Waukon Wellness Center, the consideration of the contract for the Robey Memorial Library siding project, and discussion of the City Hall ceiling. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 28 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing for three amendments to Zoning Ordinance L, the discussion and consideration of the purchase of a patrol vehicle for the Allamakee County Sheriff’s office, and the opening and consideration of bids for the Volney Bridge repair project. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

Waukon Corn Days is a celebration of agricultural heritage and community, and has a long-standing history in Waukon extending back to what some may remember as “Threshing Days”. The Waukon Chamber of Commerce looks forward to hosting the annual celebration again in 2025 with events starting Friday, August 1. This event, hosted in conjunction with Iowa’s Sales Tax Free Weekend, also encourages local shopping with Waukon “Crazy Days” specials, discounts and deals available at local retailers.