Community News

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, pictured at left in the photo above, addressed attendees at the Sunday, June 27 Picnic at the Park event open to Republicans from Allamakee County. Due to weather related concerns, the event was moved to an indoor location, First Baptist Church in south Waukon, and included a potluck dinner for the large group present for the event (as evident in the photo above). Allamakee County Republican Central Committee Co-Chairperson Duane Smith, pictured at right in the photo above, provided opening comments and an introduction for Governor Reynolds. Other speakers at the event included some current government and legislative leaders, as well as some Republican candidates for various offices.

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced Thursday, July 31 the newly designated 2026 Iowa Thriving Communities. Those communities included the City of Waukon, along with Clear Lake, Ottumwa, Sioux Center and Urbandale.

“Housing is the foundation of upward economic opportunity, and when all Iowans have access to affordable homes, families, communities and businesses can truly thrive,” said IEDA | IFA Director Debi Durham. “These communities have stepped up as leaders in creating housing opportunities for all income levels.”

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 4 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion relating to the installation of solar panels at the Waukon Wellness Center, the consideration of the contract for the Robey Memorial Library siding project, and discussion of the City Hall ceiling. 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.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 28 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing for three amendments to Zoning Ordinance L, the discussion and consideration of the purchase of a patrol vehicle for the Allamakee County Sheriff’s office, and the opening and consideration of bids for the Volney Bridge repair project. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

Waukon Corn Days is a celebration of agricultural heritage and community, and has a long-standing history in Waukon extending back to what some may remember as “Threshing Days”. The Waukon Chamber of Commerce looks forward to hosting the annual celebration again in 2025 with events starting Friday, August 1. This event, hosted in conjunction with Iowa’s Sales Tax Free Weekend, also encourages local shopping with Waukon “Crazy Days” specials, discounts and deals available at local retailers.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will participate in Waukon Corn Days 2025 Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2 with a film presentation both days. The movie filmed in downtown Waukon in the 1940s by the Cote family, owners of the Town Theatre pictured above, will be played. See what Waukon was like in the 1940s, along with other photos and memorabilia from past Corn Days celebrations. No video is available of the Corn Days parades, such as is pictured in the photo below labeled as being from 1928.

Videos will play continually from noon to 4 p.m. this Friday and also from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday in the meeting room of the Allamakee County Veterans Museum, which is located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon. The Veterans Museum will also be open for tours during those same time frames. The museum is air conditioned, there is no admission charge, and the facility is wheelchair accessible. Submitted photos.
 

In his return from a several-year absence, Finney, a tagged wooden fish, did not stay hidden for long in the community of Lansing, as the sibling trio (pictured left to right above) of Nora, Josey and Macklin Wood, children of Brice and Kathy Wood of Lansing, found the elusive fish in this year’s hiding spot, underneath one of the raised community garden beds near the Lansing Fitness Center. The kids say it was a concentrated team effort of talking about the clues, thinking of a location that might fit those clues, and then conducting the search effort together as a family.

For their efforts, the siblings now get to share a bounty of prizes from local supporters of the Find Finney contest conducted as a way to try and help kick off the annual Lansing Fish Days celebration in the Lansing community. Those prizes, some of which are pictured above with the finders of Finney, include a $25 gift certificate to 

Fest will feature author/filmmaker Max Allan Collins as guest of honor

by Lissa Blake

A celebration of film, creativity and community.

That’s what Waukon area native Dr. Katie O’Regan said attendees will experience when the eighth season of the Star City Film Festival returns to Waukon Thursday through Sunday, July 31- August 3.

The Festival will feature 44 films and live script readings, talk-backs and guest filmmakers. Events will take place at various locations around town, including the newly constructed Three Dolphins Theater, Uptown Grill and Waukon High School. The weekend highlight will be a special Red Carpet Event.

The Eitzen, MN Fire Department was called to Wings Supper Club and the home of owners Lennie and Linda Burke in Dorchester at around 8 a.m. Saturday morning, July 19 for a fire that Eitzen Fire Chief Doug Meyer says rendered the interior of the restaurant portion of the building a total loss, while the residential portion in the rear of the building (pictured above) sustained mainly smoke and water damage and the exterior of the entire structure remained standing. The official cause of the fire is said to be undetermined at this point and remains under investigation but is reported by Chief Meyer as “100% non-suspicious”. Chief Meyer also said the fire was contained to the restaurant portion of the building, with no injuries being reported from the blaze or firefighting efforts. The Eitzen, MN Fire Department was assisted by fire departments from Spring Grove, MN and Caledonia, MN, as well as by the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office.

Waukon Corn Days is a celebration of agricultural heritage and community, and has a long-standing history in Waukon extending back to what some may remember as “Threshing Days”. The Waukon Chamber of Commerce looks forward to hosting the annual celebration again in 2025 with events starting Friday, August 1. This event, hosted in conjunction with Iowa’s Sales Tax Free Weekend, also encourages local shopping with Waukon “Crazy Days” specials, discounts and deals available at local retailers.