Community News

The sixth annual “Keep Waukon Beautiful Day” has been scheduled for Saturday, May 23 in the Waukon area, and volunteers are being sought to help take part in the event in an effort to clean up and maintain the appearance of the community. Interested participants are asked to meet at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 23 at the front entrance of Waukon City Park.
Those participating are asked to bring with them garbage bags and work gloves. Raindate is scheduled for Saturday, May 30. Questions about the event can be answered by contacting Dr. Steve or Stefanie Perkins at 563-535-7019.
 

The Waukon Park & Recreation Summer Fun Program is for kids ages four through seven to participate in crafts and games. One group in the program is geared toward four- and five-year-olds and another group focuses more on six- and seven-year-olds.
The Summer Fun Program will be held Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m., beginning June 1 and lasting for five weeks. The Summer Fun Program will be held at the shelter house by the ball diamond at Waukon City Park.
Group size is limited to just 16 youth for each group, so it is recommended to register early, as the first to register will get in. Registration can take place at the Waukon Wellness Center, or for more information contact the Waukon Park & Recreation Department at 563-568-6420. Final registration deadline has been set for May 26.
 

Friday, May 15, Waukon Police Department officers made contact with a male subject parked in the Waukon City Park campground. Upon completion of an investigation, 27-year-old Andrew Dana Richard of Garnavillo was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving While Revoked. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 

The public is invited to a community presentation and discussion Tuesday, May 19 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank Community Room in Waukon on the exploration of renewable energy possibilities in Waukon. This presentation, entitled “Exploring Renewable Energy in Waukon: A Luther College Student Community Energy Presentation,” will be put on by students in the environmental studies senior seminar “Environment & Community” and is sponsored by the Luther Center for Sustainable Communities.
The forum is free and open to the public. Food/refreshments will be served and everyone is encouraged to attend.

by Brianne Eilers

by Bob Beach

Waukon native Kent Sweeney has been an avid motorcyclist for over 25 years. He and his wife, the former Brigitte Brennan from Lansing, have turned his passion for motorcycles into a profession by opening Side Street Cycles, located at 104 First Avenue NW in Waukon. Opened for business April 1, Side Street Cycles is a motorcycle service center specializing in American V-twins and offering all services from basic maintenance to full custom builds, expert performance advice and both on-hand and special-order parts and accessories.

Volunteers and community leaders in Waukon are scheduled to be planting trees this Saturday, May 2 (see shaded box elsewhere on this same page) that will help save energy, improve air quality, and reduce storm water run-off. The local effort is part of the statewide Trees Forever, in partnership with the Alliant Energy Branching Out program and the Black Hills Energy Power of Trees program.
“We’re looking forward to working with Trees Forever, Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy to grow our tree canopy in Waukon this year,” said local project volunteer Ken Olson. “With their help, we are literally planting a better environment while making Waukon healthier, more vibrant and more energy efficient.”

by Bob Beach

Julie Wittry of Dorchester has been hired as the new director at the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa (HSNEI) Love & Friendship Adoption Center. Wittry replaces volunteer Director Kim Powell, a professor at Luther College in Decorah, who used a sabbatical to spearhead the capital campaign for HSNEI’s new Love & Friendship Adoption Center. Since the Center opened in December, Powell has served as director, along with Julie Kriener who served as interim director when Powell returned to Luther in February.
Wittry, who relocated from Caledonia, MN with her husband, Tom, seven years ago, said her involvement with HSNEI began when a stray dog showed up at their home. “We were trying to research how we could help this dog and I was put in connection with Brenda Flatjord (of Waukon) and it kind of snowballed,” said Wittry.