Community News

by Joe Moses

With a number of current and future projects in the works for the City of Waukon, City Manager Gary Boden provided an update to The Standard Wednesday, August 25 relating to details of ongoing projects, plans for future projects, and other City-related matters.

Tuesday, August 17 proved to be a busy evening at the Waukon Municipal Airport as several unique visitors graced the local airfield during the late afternoon/evening hours. According to airport manager Jim Wadsworth, a group of powered parachute enthusiasts (some of whom are pictured above) who call themselves “The Gypsies” requested permission to use the Waukon Municipal Airport for part of an annual venture the group takes part in, flying their powered parachutes from smaller community airports over the area’s surrounding landscape. The group of a half dozen or so powered parachutes may have been seen by area residents flying over Waukon and the surrounding area for several hours that Tuesday evening, with the group traveling by camper to stay overnight at various airfields throughout the tri-state area each year. Wadsworth said the group is based out of Waupun, WI and had flown out of Viroqua, WI on a similar venture prior to their Waukon venture.

Those considering running for a seat on the Waukon City Council, or those who would consider running for a council seat if they knew more about it, are welcome to attend an informational session scheduled for Tuesday evening, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Robey Memorial Library Community Room in Waukon. The session will focus on the functional aspects of the Waukon City Council and city government, in general.

Those attending will have the opportunity to visit with two current councilmen and Waukon Mayor Pat Stone to learn the duties of a councilperson and other pertinent information that would be helpful to know as a potential candidate. Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer will be on hand to talk about the campaign process and timelines for filing nomination paperwork to help get interested candidates started on the campaign trail.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 23 to address a full agenda of items including discussion of Allamakee County becoming a Second Amendment Sanctuary County, consideration of the 28E agreement with Allamakee County Economic Development, and the discussion and consideration of a Speed Limit Resolution reducing speed on a segment of the Great River Road (X52).

by Brianne Eilers

For pet owners, one of the worst feelings in the world is when their fur-baby goes missing. It can be even scarier if they get lost in an area that they aren’t familiar with, such as on a vacation or a camping trip.

Over the Fourth of July holiday, one family experienced that, but luckily efforts from a local animal rescue volunteer group were able to give this story a happy ending by reuniting a lost dog with its family.

HEART (Helping Every Animal Rescue Team) volunteer Laurie Howes is an animal lover and a self-described “crazy dog lady.” She has Shiba Inus for pets and also has worked with a Shiba Inu rescue based out of Illinois. A few years ago, she saw a float for HEART in a local parade and contacted them, becoming involved with the organization.

by Joe Moses

Several Allamakee County communities were early August stops for Visit939Iowa, a statewide tour by University of Nebraska at Omaha students Seth Varner and Austin Schneider. The college pair made stops in Waukon, Waterville, Lansing, New Albin and Harpers Ferry Thursday, August 5 as part of their statewide journey.

Last year, Varner and Schneider traveled throughout Nebraska on what was known as the Visit531Nebraska tour with stops at all 531 incorporated towns and communities over a three-month period during that summer. As part of the Nebraska tour, photos and town-specific details were shared on social media as Varner and Schneider continued their travels across the state, with the creation of a self-published book as a goal. Their book, “Visit531 Nebraska: Our Journey to Every Incorporated Town in the State”, documents their travels and shares photos and fun facts from each community and is available through their website.

by David M. Johnson

During the height of the pandemic the public began to experience shortages in items necessary for day-to-day living, and in goods and services available but seemingly out of reach. Communities, private parties, local, state and the federal government tried to fill the void when retail outlets could not respond to the demands to the public’s wants and needs.

This scenario amplified the importance of charities and the many non-profit organizations that already existed in the public domain. At the local level, the non-profit seemed to be better equipped to fill the void that national organizations and the government could not. One such local entity that has that special niche that meets the needs of those who may be a little short on cash due to some unfortunate reason or another is Carol’s Closet.

Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill would like to remind the public that all services related to driver’s license, identification cards and testing are by appointment only at the Allamakee County Treasurer’s office in the Allamakee County Courthouse at 110 Allamakee Street in Waukon. Following the lead of the State of Iowa, no walk-ins will be allowed for these services.

To schedule an appointment for any services related to driver’s license, identification cards or testing, contact the Allamakee County Treasurer’s office by phone at 563-568-3793 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
 

The southbound lane of traffic on Iowa Highway 9/Allamakee Street (left lane in photo above) heading into the north edge of Waukon will be temporarily closed for a construction project being completed at the Aveka Nutra Processing facility in north Waukon, across from the Allamakee County Fairgrounds.

The Waukon Police Department has deployed four new Lifepak CR2 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), pictured above, in its patrol vehicles, offering life saving benefits for the local community. The department received the AEDs through a grant awarded to the Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services from the Leona M. & Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. Pictured above the AED units is a wall-mounted replica of the patch worn on the uniforms of the Waukon Police Department, received as a donation from Lee Winer and fabricated by Lucky 7 Design of Waukon. Submitted photo.