Community News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
 

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.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 5 to address a full agenda of items including an update to the City Park Campground Usage Policy, an introduction  of the new Waukon Chamber of Commerce Director and the purchase of new police department car cameras.

Friday evening, May 12, 11 original members of four local bands reunited at Goodfella’s in Waukon to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.   The crowd was estimated at around 300 or more who attended the event to witness this reunion and enjoy the wide variety of music played from the 1960s, ‘70s and 80s.

Many of the returning musicians were originally from Waukon, including brothers Bill Withers, Jim Withers and John Withers, along with Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett and Joel Anderson.  They were joined by Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen, longtime band members over the years.

The 12th original band member, the late Pat Dougherty, was remembered during the event, with his brother, Dave, joining the band at times throughout the evening. His original guitar and one other were on display during the evening with many purchasing a button to wear that night with his photo of him and his guitar.

by Dwight Jones

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Discussing mental health and/or acknowledging you or someone you know may have a problem can be a difficult subject to talk about and even harder to understand. In order to try to better recognize mental health issues, The Standard has been running a five-part series throughout the month of May to look at how mental illness affects the local community and the resources available should you or someone you love be looking for help or information.

Parts One through Three told stories of local individuals that have dealt with mental illness either themselves or within their families. Part Four detailed a local group that is working hard to provide resources to help individuals and families affected by this disease.

The 70th Jubilee Mass of Father Donald Hawes has been scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford. In addition to celebrating 70 years as a priest, Father Donald is also celebrating his 95th birthday.
Donald John Hawes was born December 22, 1928 to John and Ellen (Conway) Hawes of Wexford (rural Lansing). He was baptized December 24, 1928 in Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford. Following the tragedy of his father’s sudden death May 9, 1935, his mother raised Donald and his siblings on the family farm.

Donald Hawes graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1949 and from St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD in 1953. He received his sub-diaconate at St. Mary’s Seminary June 6, 1952. Father Donald Hawes was ordained a priest May 16, 1953 in Christ the King Chapel at Loras College, Dubuque.