Community News

Robey Memorial Library’s “Level Up at Your Library” Summer Reading Program 2025 is underway as of Tuesday, July 1 and runs through Thursday, July 31. Activities include Reading Challenges with prizes for all ages, Kids and Teens Grab and Go Activity Bags, craft events and fine forgiveness, as described below:

4-Week Reading Challenge: Register at the front desk, pick up or print from the library website a reading log that features reading and activity challenges. Earn prizes and books by completing the tasks assigned to the squares. The more a reader participates, the more prizes they will receive.

Participants can display a “Library Champion” sign in their yard. Watch for these while driving around town.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Board of Trustees started off its monthly meeting June 22 with a public hearing on an amended budget for the hospital’s 2024-2025 fiscal year. There were no written or verbal comments offered during the hearing

The reason for the amendment was to add a little more expense to the budget to cover the annual IPERS (Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System) adjustment. VMH Administrator Michael Coyle explained that there is fluctuation in the market and the hospital wanted to be sure it accounted for any issues on identifying IPERS on its cost report.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 7 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of a bucket truck purchase for the Street Department, the consideration of computer purchases for City Hall and the consideration of changing meeting dates in September.

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.

Hatlan made note of the removal of two agenda items including discussion relating to Fiscal-Year 2026 (FY26) General Fund expenditure and revenue projections in addition to the Closed Session relating to the purchase or sale of real estate. He also made note of a correction to the consent agenda relating to the Park, Recreation and Wellness Board term renewal for Julie Rotach which was incorrectly listed as a term renewal with the Library Board.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 7 to address a full agenda of matters including the approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Appropriations Resolution, the consideration of the Resolution for the Destruction of Noxious Weeds, and consideration of the resignation of a jailer/dispatcher. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

During Public Comment, Byrnes noted that the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk held Saturday, July 5 in Harpers Ferry had 247 participants with the Harpers Ferry Boosters and volunteers deserving recognition for this well-run event and the high level of public participation. Clark and Byrnes both made note of the busy weekend in Harpers Ferry.

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting a Birth of America celebration event this Sunday, July 6 at the Sweeney Shelter near the Allamakee County Freedom Rock in the Waukon City Park. The free event will begin at 11 a.m. and will honor more than 30 area Veterans with a cook-out meal followed by an awards presentation that will feature some special awards.

Among the special recognition will be the honoring of the five “most veteran” Veterans still living in Allamakee County. Those “most veteran” Veterans being honored for their service and their longevity on Earth will include:
• Osmund Quandahl, Waukon
• Gladwin Anderson, Waukon
• James B. Klenske, Waukon
• Cyril Larkin, Waukon
• Emmett Larkin, Waukon.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 30 to address a full agenda of matters including the review and signing of watershed inspection reports, the discussion and consideration of signing a letter in support of Iowa’s Community Action Agencies, and discussion of the proposed Local Workforce Development Area merger. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Tom Clark and Dennis Keatley present.

During Public Comment, County Auditor Denise Beyer noted that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) from the Federal government was received in the amount of $22,504. Byrnes clarified that this amount was received as an annual payment in place of property taxes for Effigy Mounds National Monument, a non-taxable Federal land.

U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst met in mid-June with Iowa students visiting Washington, D.C. to participate in the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The tour encourages leadership development and provides learning opportunities in advocacy and history. During the tour, students engage in electric cooperative advocacy activities, meet with federal agencies and hear from their U.S. senators and representatives. Additionally, the program allows them to learn more about American history and partake in civic engagement.

submitted by Cristina Smith

First Baptist Church’s Mission Team members returned to the United States after a two-week mission trip, June 5-18, to Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. Fourteen team members participated in this life-changing mission trip: Pastor Duane Smith, Cristina Smith, Michael Smith, Mike Roth Sr., Diane Roth, Michael Roth Jr., Larry Barthel, Lin Barthel, Brent Beyer, Denise Beyer, Steve Kiley, Deb Kiley, Valeria White, and Larry Straate.

Despite the weariness after a 40-hour trip home, the team returned elated with excitement over all that was accomplished in the two weeks of the mission trip. The team’s hosts, and brother to Cristina Smith, missionaries David and Debbie Thompson, were kind and gracious and made sure the team’s needs were met - planning all the details that included lodging, transportation, meals, and outings.

The Allamakee County Fair has a variety of contests and activities planned for this year’s Allamakee County Fair that will have registration open as of Tuesday, July 1. All of these contests and activities can be found on the Allamakee County Fair website at www.allamakeecountyfair.org by clicking on the “Contests & Events” tab near the top of the home page for a drop-down menu that will then offer links to click on for registration and additional information.

New this year will be a Hot Dog Eating Contest, sponsored by City Meat Market in New Albin, Saturday, July 19 at 5 p.m. at the Beer Tent. Just like all the contests and events in this article, pre-registration will open July 1 on the Allamakee County Fair website, and this eating contest is open to 15 adult competitors ages 13 and over, and to 10 youth competitors ages 12 and under.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 23 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion and consideration of the Fiscal-Year 2026 Solutions contract, discussion and consideration of steam trap replacement or repair for the County Courthouse heating system, and the consideration of bids for culvert and guardrail work. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

During Public Comment, Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle and the Supervisors discussed some matters relating to watersheds. There was no comment from the public at that time.