Community News

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 20 to address a full agenda of matters including a review of setback regulations, the Public Hearing amending the current budget for the Fiscal-Year-Ending June 30, 2026 and an update on Well #5. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Cassie Handke, John Lydon and Tim Smedsrud.

A video program about Rattlesnakes in Allamakee County produced by the Allamakee County Historical Society will be presented to the public at two different viewing opportunities Saturday, April 25. The program includes a presentation by Ross Gerdes, Allamakee County Conservation Commission Director, about local rattlesnakes, including their range, life cycle, poisonous nature, and cautions for humans interacting with them.

The presentation will feature a video appearance by Tim the Timber Rattler. The video also continues with an interview with Mary Egan of Harpers Ferry, who was bitten by a rattlesnake in 2023 and was hospitalized for 13 days. The video concludes with interviews by county residents Paul Howes, Kathy Howes and Kathy Renk, all of whom will recount their local interactions with the snakes in years past.

Celebrate Earth Day with Assistant Naturalist Melissa with a weaving craft. This project uses a Y-shaped stick as a loom and is perfect for using scraps of yarn or strips of fabric.

Sticks will be provided for registered participants, but registration is not required for those who bring their own. Sticks should be Y-shaped (such as the one pictured above) and sturdy enough to support the loom without bending too much or breaking. This program is suitable for ages eight and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This event will be held at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing Wednesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.

Amy Russell, Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 64 in Waukon, was named the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award at the Scouting America Northeast Iowa Council #178 Scouter Appreciation Dinner held Saturday, March 28 at the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque. This annual event recognizes all the volunteer efforts provided by the Northeast Iowa Council’s more than 500 registered volunteers from 2025.

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award given by a council to volunteers in Scouting America. The Silver Beaver Award is bestowed upon those who have given much self-sacrifice, dedication, and hard work over many years of service to the Scouting program and to their community. Pictured in the photo at right is Amy Russell holding the framed certificate she received at the Appreciation Dinner commemorating her honoring as the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. Standing behind her is her husband, Doug. Submitted photo.
 

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office would like to make residents aware that they may soon receive a letter in the mail requesting donations to the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association (ISSDA). This is part of an annual fundraiser conducted by the ISSDA. The letter invites recipients to become an Honorary Member of the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association Institute (ISSDAI), which supports law enforcement resources and services statewide.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick says some residents may find the mailing suspicious, as the return address for donations may be listed as a P.O. Box in Welllman, IA, or another location outside of Allamakee County. “Please be advised that this mailing is legitimate,” Sheriff Mellick shared in a released statement.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 13 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2026 Allamakee County Budget Amendment, consideration of the Third Reading of Amendment 20 to Zoning Ordinance L for Data Centers, and the discussion and consideration of hiring a full-time 911 Dispatcher/Corrections Officer. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Dan Byrnes present.

During Public Comment, Crystal Duffy of Postville discussed potential negative impacts relating to data centers - facilities involved in data processing, cryptocurrency or artificial intelligence (AI) - upon rural counties. Relating to energy demands, Duffy advised that one data center facility can require 870,000 megawatts (MW) per year, which alone is over three times Allamakee County’s average use of 246,000 MW per year.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 6 to address a full agenda of matters including the Proclamation for the Week of the Young Child, consideration of the payrate for Medical Examiner transport drivers, and the Proclamation of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) made note of several upcoming events and scheduled meetings. Reinke noted that the next Coffee & Connections networking event would be held Tuesday, April 7 at Coffee on the River in Lansing in addition to noting that Main Street Lansing would be meeting with the State of Iowa this week as part of its annual certification process.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, March 24. It was noted that VMH has been recognized as a five-star hospital my Medicare.

VMH Administrator Michael Coyle noted that patient engagement outcomes and scores were used by Medicare to determine the rating, and the VMH scores were among the top in the nation. “We know that we’ve always had great outcomes and this supports that notion of great outcomes,” Coyle noted. “A big shout-out to our VMH team and strategic partners when we need their help to ensure our patients are getting the care they need.”

The board approved the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Coyle noted that there were not any major changes. VMH continues to grow its service lines and revenue has been up slightly while expenses stayed fairly the same.

David Enyart, Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 64 in Waukon, received this year’s Dellaykee District Scouter of the Year award at the Scouting America Northeast Iowa Council #178 Scouter Recognition Banquet held Saturday, March 28 in Dubuque. The BSA Scouter of the Year award is a district-level recognition award given to an outstanding adult volunteer who has provided exceptional service and leadership. This award honors long-term commitment, training, and unit success in Scouting. Submitted photo.
 

Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) recently donated $7,300 to Waukon High School’s skills trades program. ACEC conducts a bow shoot/raffle fundraiser every year to support local youth and community programs, and this year the organization decided to present the proceeds from the event to the Waukon High School welding program under the direction of instructor Caleb Ferring, members of which are pictured above with several staff members from ACED. Ferring says the plan is to use the money towards the purchase of a new plasma table for next school year. The program’s current plasma table is in a state of disrepair, and Ferring says it is an essential part of the welding program to cut parts for assignments and projects the welding program completes as part of its curriculum. “We are so thankful to have such strong community support for our skilled trades programs in our school!” Ferring shared in regard to the donated funds from ACEC. Submitted photos.