Community News

Wed
21
Jun

Arvid Hatlan appointed to serve remainder of Waukon Mayor term through the end of this year; Council approves several other personnel matters


Reading the oath of office ... Waukon City Council member Arvid Hatlan reads the oath of office at the Monday, June 19 Waukon City Council meeting after he was appointed to fill the vacancy of Mayor of Waukon following the resignation of former mayor Pat Stone in early May of this year. Hatlan was the lone applicant for appointment to the vacant mayor position, and he will now finish out the current term of that position that expires at the end of this year. The mayor position will be on the ballot for the city election scheduled to be held in November of this year. With Hatlan now serving as Mayor of Waukon as of Tuesday, June 20, the council now has 60 days from that date to also make an appointment to fill the remainder of Hatlan’s Ward 3 City Council position, the tenure of which expires December 31, 2025. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 19 to address a full agenda of matters including the appointment to fill the vacant position of the Mayor of Waukon, discussion of Ordinance Chapter 137 Driveway Regulations and approval of a hire for the Utility Billing Clerk position at Waukon City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Johnson with no Public Comment being made at that time.

Under Department Reports, Police Chief Paul Wagner noted that Officer Brent Parker attended a taser instruction school this week which will allow Parker to conduct the yearly taser training and recertification for the entire department moving forward. Wagner further noted that the speed trailer has been having some issues and that he is working with the company relating to this repair.

Wed
21
Jun

Youth enjoy a 4-H Summer Adventure Trip ...

Thirty intermediate 4-H members from Allamakee, Chickasaw, Howard and Winneshiek Counties enjoyed two days as they made a “splash” into the Wisconsin Dells. The trip was co-coordinated by Allamakee County K-12 Program Coordinator Becky Rea, Howard County Youth Coordinator Josey Nolan, and Chickasaw County Youth Coordinator Pat Dirks. The youth traveled to the Kalahari Resort to enjoy an afternoon of water park fun. On day two they tested their bravery and teamworking skills on the Big Foot Ropes Course. They accepted the challenge and took on the 80 different elements including a moving bridge, monkey net bridge, giant steps, jungle tracks, a helicopter and more. The trip ended with an Original Duck Tour on World War II-era amphibious vehicles exploring the Wisconsin River, Dell Creek and Lake Delton.

Wed
21
Jun

Second annual ACEC Picnic set for June 29 ...

Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) is celebrating its member-owners by hosting its second annual Member Appreciation Picnic Thursday, June 29 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Big Four Fairgrounds in Postville. The picnic will feature a complimentary brat and hot dog meal, kids activities including a bounce house, an opportunity to learn more about Co-op programs like Operation Round-Up, and time to meet members of the Co-op staff. “We love this event. It’s a great opportunity to give back to our members and enjoy a summer activity,” said Hollee McCormick, ACEC General Manager/Executive Vice President. “Our Co-op staff is looking forward to meeting with members of our community.

Wed
14
Jun

Friends of Pool 9 River Clean-Up delayed and limited by spring flooding but still yields strong results during first weekend in June


Another large load from long-time clean-up volunteers ... The backwater search team of Carlson and Henkel show their bounty after a morning of boating on the lower part of Pool 9 below Lansing during the June 3 Friends of Pool 9 Mississippi River Clean-Up. Left to right are Wyatt Henkel, Tom Limbach, Bruce Carlson and Bob Henkel. These two pictured seated in the boat have been clean-up buddies for over 10 years and always come in with a good load. Photo courtesy of Ric Zarwell.

Manpower and horsepower ... The lone dumpster for the entire Friends of Pool 9 2023 River Clean-Up that took place June 3 was located on the shoreline between the Lansing VFW building and the Bob Henkel property at 120 South Front Street. Volunteers load the bucket of the tractor provided by Jim Kerndt with debris. Left to right in the above photo are Caleb Verdon, Tom Limbach, Ben Verdon, Tyler Verdon and Alex Galema. Photo courtesy of driftlessmode, Bob Modersohn.

The day was a warm 85 degrees, the collection dumpster was in place, the water gauge at Lansing read 9.2 feet and a small but determined group of volunteers boated into the Mississippi River backwaters in search of any un-natural debris. Recent high flood water (Lansing gauge topped out at 19.6 feet) in late April kept the river well above normal until early June and delayed the original Friends of Pool 9 River Clean-Up date planned for April 22.

While many enjoyed the first weekend in June in other ways, approximately 30 volunteers loaded boats and searched backwater sloughs and islands for debris. The most common item was the “ever-present” blue or white plastic flotation barrel, probably relocated from areas to the north. The exceptionally high water may have dispersed the usual trash in Pool 9 to other areas downstream as well.

Wed
14
Jun

Lane closures for bridge repair on Iowa 76 North are now underway

Motorists who travel over the three Iowa 76 bridges north of Waukon need to be aware of a bridge deck joint replacement project requiring lane closures that may slow down their trip. Beginning this past Monday, June 12, and lasting until late August, weather permitting, crews will be working on the Iowa 76 bridges over the Upper Iowa River, Bear Creek and Waterloo Creek. Only one bridge location will be worked on at a time. Motorists will be assisted through the work zone with temporary traffic signals.

Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

Wed
14
Jun

Supervisors pass resolution to lower speed limit on portion of Lansing Harpers Road, approve proposed County Engineer employment agreement on split vote

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 12 to address a full agenda of matters. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.

During Public Comment, Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) Executive Director Val Reinke made note of an Allamakee Energy District Meeting to take place later that same day and further noting an Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Trust Meeting to take place Tuesday, June 13 this week. She advised that the Big Four Fair is scheduled for June 16-18 at the Postville Fairgrounds with the Allamakee County Dairy Days Parade scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, June 16 in Postville. Reinke also noted that a new business, Ole and Lena’s Food truck, will be occasionally present for Waukon Music in the Park performances throughout the summer.

Wed
14
Jun

Paving work being done on new 8th Avenue SW ...

Paving work has begun on what will be a new street in southwest Waukon as Skyline Construction and its paving subcontractors began bringing 8th Avenue SW into more visible existence this past week, as evident in the surrounding photos. The new concrete street will connect the existing 2nd Street SW with Rossville Road just north of the Waukon Mobile Home Community and Waukon City Park, and will eventually service the new location for the R.W. Pladsen automobile dealership and the new Family Dollar/Dollar Tree retail store currently being constructed on the east end of the new street, along with eventual residential development along the new street’s western portion.

Wed
07
Jun

Historical Society makes note of summer open hours, closing of Courthouse Museum for remodeling

The Allamakee County Historical Society has announced its summer schedules for its various facilities located in Waukon. The greatest change of note for this summer is that the Allamakee County Courthouse Museum, the large museum located at the very north of the second block of Allamakee Street - across the street from current Allamakee County Courthouse, will be closed throughout this entire summer for a remodeling project.

In conjunction with that museum closure, the Genealogy Research Center that was located on the lower level of that Courthouse Museum has been relocated to the lower level of the former Vet’s Club, which now houses the Allamakee County Veterans Museum. That Genealogy Research Center will be open to the public starting July 12 of this year, and will be open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each Wednesday through Friday from that July 12 date on through the month of August.

Wed
07
Jun

Veterans Museum program will feature U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Ron Steege

Saturday, June 17 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present another program from its Veterans History Project honoring Vietnam War Veterans. The program will take place at the museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon.

A video interview by Chuck Bloxham with U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ron Steege of Harpers Ferry will be played. Steege will also be present to share comments and answer questions.

Ron Steege enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967. His service included combat with the 3rd Recon Battalion during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart twice.

The public is invited to attend, and there is no admission or membership charge for the program. The museum is handicapped accessible.
 

Wed
07
Jun

Local veterans honored by Waukon Patriot Quilters ...

Waukon Patriot Quilters honored local veterans with Veterans Quilts during the Memorial Day Observance Program in Waukon Monday, May 29. Pictured above, left to right, are James Downing, Joanna Downing, Kevin Reinhardt, Jay Christianson, Maxine Thiele and Harold Waters. Submitted photo.
 

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Community News