Community News

Kayla Rowan of Lansing was awarded “The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses” at a presentation held Wednesday, April 13 at the Good Samaritan Society - Waukon. Rowan, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) serving residents at the Waukon facility, was presented the award by Good Samaritan Society - Waukon Executive Director Steve Bargar and Director of Nursing Lori Johnson.

Rowan’s award represents a national honoring for the Good Samaritan Society for the first quarter of 2022. She was selected from nurse-nominees from over 200 locations. “Kayla is a caregiver and leader in the community, with her family and at Good Sam,” facility leaders shared. “We are so proud of her and so blessed to be her teammate.”

Tuesday, April 19, Pack 64 Cub Scouts in Waukon collected 456 pounds of canned goods for the Allamakee County Food Shelf, all in the time frame of just one hour. Pictured in the two surrounding photos with the van loads of food that were collected are some of the Pack 64 members involved in the food drive. Pack 64 appreciates all the efforts and generosity of the Scouts, parents and community members who donated to the Scouting for Food event. Submitted images.
 

A Waukon woman faces five felony charges after admitting to Winneshiek County authorities that she had fraudulently taken more than $10,000 from the Winneshiek County business where she was employed. According to court documents, the business owners contacted the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Department in March 2022 in regard to suspected theft and fraud, and a review of business recordkeeping revealed that a large amount of money had been taken from the business through a series of actions that spanned an approximate timeline of January 2015 through January 2022.

The City of Waukon will be holding a Town Hall Meeting Monday, April 25 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be open to the public and will be held at City Hall within the City Council Chambers. Those choosing to not attend in person can also join the meeting online via Zoom web-conferencing by going to zoom.us; clicking “Join a Meeting”; then entering Meeting ID: 5635683491.

Questions and comments from the public will be welcome during this meeting with topics to be discussed including the City’s financial position, future development planning for the City and Waukon City Park, annexation agreements and capital improvement planning, among other topics. Presentations will be made relating to childcare and housing development needs.
 

A northeast Iowa man said he’s thinking about a vacation with his grandchildren after he scratched off a $50,000 lottery prize. Robert Woodbeck, 60, of Lansing won the 70th top prize in the Iowa Lottery’s “$50,000 Super Crossword” scratch game. He bought his winning ticket at Kwik Star, 101 Rossville Road in Waukon.

Woodbeck, a self-employed electrician, said after he left the store, he realized he’d forgotten to buy a cup of coffee, so he stopped by another store. That’s where he scratched his ticket and realized he was a big winner. He asked an employee to check the ticket on the store’s lottery terminal, which confirmed his win. Then he called his wife, Peggy, to tell her the news. “I met up with her and she took a picture,” he said. “I’m sure she has it posted on Facebook by now.”

Hundreds of people volunteer each year through the Northeast Iowa RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) 55+ Initiative. Along the way, they may help fill a need in their communities, find meaning and enjoyment, widen their circle of friends and pay forward the benefits of their own lives.

RSVP is part of the federal agency AmeriCorps Seniors and is sponsored locally by the Decorah Public Library. Currently, RSVP is working with about 75 community organizations in Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek counties. However, RSVP Director Deana Hageman sees a need for more volunteers in Allamakee County.

A “love for the soul of a car” and a strong work ethic have fueled the decision of Jada Crary to open up a new vehicle detailing business. Jada Two was opened for business March 4 at 501 Rossville Road in Waukon, directly connected with Paint Creek Car Wash next to Hardee’s.

“I grew up with classic cars, my love for cars started early in life,” Crary shared in regard to her impetus to open Jada Two. “I believe if you take care of your car, it’s not only going to look better but it’s going to feel better.”

Originally from Garnavillo, Crary has also lived in Chicago, IL, and she grew up and went to school in Waukon. She has three sons of her own, along with one granddaughter, as well as a cat named Onyx.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Quilts of Valor were presented to six area veterans at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing Sunday afternoon, April 3. Recipients of the quilts included six local veterans who have been “touched by war,” according to event organizers, and those veterans included: Bill Rethwisch, Jerry Stussy,  Fred Rethwisch,  Randy Sickles,  Mike Bailey and Lanny Fields.

Bill  Rethwisch began his service in 1965 on an old WWII destroyer. He went to Vietnam and served as a boiler operator.

Jerry Stussy served beginning in 1987. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and then went into the National Guard for nine years.

Fred  Rethwisch served from 1972-1974 in the U.S. Army in Korea for 16 months. His duties included driving a truck, transporting materials.

Randy Sickles served in the U.S. Army and National Guard. He served in South America, the Middle East, the Gulf War and Iraq.

Allamakee County has begun a road improvement project on the easterly six miles of County Road A26 (Iowa River Drive), a stretch from near its intersection with Lycurgus Road all the way to State Highway 26, just south of New Albin (as depicted by the red line in the map image above). Work will begin on the east end by Highway 26 and go southwesterly to a bit west of the graveled Wheatland Road, a bit north of where Lycurgus Road intersects with Iowa River Drive.

This project involves grading, culvert replacements, small bridge replacement, full pavement removal areas and the milling of the asphalt surface, and the full length of the project will then be covered with new hot mix asphalt pavement. Skyline Construction from Decorah is the prime contractor for the project.

Thursday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will recognize Korean War Veterans with a presentation at its new museum in the former Vet’s Club building on Allamakee Street in Waukon.

A video interview with U.S. Marine Corps veteran Rupert Caballero of Waukon will be presented. This long-time educator was recently interviewed for the program. Caballero will also be present at the event to share comments and answer questions.

The public is invited to attend. There is no admission or membership charge. The Allamakee County Veterans Museum is handicapped accessible. Due to COVID concerns, masks are encouraged but not required. Light refreshments will be available.

The museum will open to the public beginning Memorial Day weekend 2022 and tours will be offered at that time. Monthly educational programs have been offered at the Veterans Museum since November 2021.