Community News

Wed
28
Aug

Habitat enhancement project along 5 Bridges Trail in Waukon City Park made possible by anonymous donation


Work begins on habitat enhancement project on 5 Bridges Trail ... Photos above and below show the initial work that has been done along the 5 Bridges Trail in Waukon City Park as part of a habitat enhancement project that will rid the area of invasive vegetative species and replace it with more desirable native species that will offer better overall sustainability and vegetative and wildlife habitat along the trail. The project is a collaboration between the City of Waukon and its Park & Recreation Department, along with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and area forestry professionals in its planning and implementation, with the project being initially proposed and fully funded through the generosity of an anonymous donor. Submitted photos.

Removal of invasive species, planting of more than 3,000 trees planned and implemented by conservation, forestry specialists, funded by private individual

A project focused on the enhancement of vegetative - and coincidingly wildlife - habitat along the 5 Bridges Trail in Waukon City Park got underway this past week. The project is a collaboration of local, state and environmental professionals, but the entire project cost of more than $14,000 is being paid for through the generosity of an anonymous private donor.

“This isn’t something that we just decided to do on our own,” Waukon Park & Recreation Director Jeremy Strub explained. “It’s a project that was proposed to us with the costs covered, and we’ve spent most of the summer talking about it and planning it out so we could get it started this fall.”

Wed
28
Aug

Olivia Enyart receives Fashion Revue Award at Iowa 4-H 2024 Awardrobe Clothing Event at Iowa State Fair in Des Moines

Olivia Enyart ...  Submitted photo.
Olivia Enyart ... Submitted photo.

One hundred thirty-one youth from 72 counties participated in the 2024 Awardrobe Clothing Event held at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines Thursday, August 8. This event provides 4-H members in grades 9-12 the opportunity to showcase their apparel design and production knowledge, as well as their creative skills. As a part of the showcasing experience, youth complete a comprehensive report and participate in conference judging. The event concludes with a runway show for all participants.

Olivia Enyart, senior member of the Cherry Valley Chums 4-H Club, represented Allamakee County at the Awardrobe Event at the Iowa State Fair this year with her Fashion Revue outfit. She is the daughter of Brian and Monica Enyart of Postville, and she was selected as one of two recipients of the Fashion Revue Award sponsored by the Central Iowa Chapter American Sewing Guild recognizing her outstanding skills in the fashion revue category at this year’s event.

Wed
21
Aug

Robey Memorial Library to host QPR Suicide Prevention Program August 29

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer - the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. With a record number of deaths by suicide in the United States in 2022 (the last year data is available) and a disproportionate number of deaths by suicide in rural states, this skill is more important now than ever.

Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans are saying “yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, family member, or neighbor.

Wed
21
Aug

Supervisors appoint Nicole Smedsrud as new Allamakee County Treasurer, approve purchase of new patrol vehicle for Sheriff’s Department and hear updates at meeting held in Harpers Ferry


Smedsrud sworn in as new Allamakee County Treasurer ... Nicole Smedsrud (pictured at right in photo above) was sworn into office as the newly-appointed Allamakee County Treasurer by Iowa First Judicial District Judge Alan Heavens (left) Monday, August 19 in the Allamakee County Courthouse. Smedsrud was sworn into office after officially being appointed to the position earlier that Monday morning at the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors meeting. An employee of the Treasurer’s Office since 2007, serving as First Deputy Treasurer, Smedsrud was appointed to the Treasurer role following the resignation of Jennifer O’Neill, who resigned from that Treasurer position, effective August 11, for employment with Harris Local Government/Solutions, Inc. as a Senior Applicant Support for Treasurers. Submitted photo.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 19 at the Dolores Tillinghast Memorial Library in Harpers Ferry as part of an annual schedule of alternate meeting locations including public libraries within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including the appointment of Allamakee County Treasurer to fill a vacancy, discussion and consideration of purchasing patrol vehicles for the County Sheriff’s office and discussion and consideration of obligating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.

Wed
21
Aug

Recently opened on Rossville Road in Waukon, Earth Frequency Apothecary & Reiki helps Jessica Winters bring a dream to reality


Copper meditation pyramid ... Jessica Winters sits beneath the copper meditation pyramid located in the front of her recently opened storefront, Earth Frequency Apothecary & Reiki, located at 106 Rossville Road in Waukon. Winters says customers often sit underneath the pyramid sipping the tea of the day while meditating and tuning into their bodies. Submitted photo.

Saying more than just words ... The saying “YOUR INTUITION LED YOU HERE” inscribed on the wall inside Earth Frequency Apothecary & Reiki, recently opened at 106 Rossville Road in Waukon by Waukon native Jessica Winters, often answers the question as to why customers are drawn to the new store. Winters says her customer base includes those who are experienced herbalists and are looking for a specific item, the curious shopper who wants to know more, or people who come in and say they don’t really know why they stopped in, but felt that draw to the store. Photo by Brianne Grimstad.

by Brianne Grimstad

For Waukon native Jessica Winters, a dream three years in the making has finally been realized with the opening of Earth Frequency Apothecary & Reiki May 16, 2024. The store is located at 106 Rossville Road in Waukon.

Her new store carries a variety of items for all ages and interests in alternative healing and therapies, as well as offering many unique services to compliment her retail business. The retail store is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and services, like Reiki sessions, are done from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Earth Frequency Apothecary & Reiki is also open Saturdays by appointment for store or services.

Wed
14
Aug

Zahren files petition to appear on General Election ballot for Iowa House District 64

Ian Zahren ...
Ian Zahren ...

Educator and former city councilman Ian Zahren has filed his petition with the Iowa Secretary of State to appear on the November ballot as an Independent for Iowa House District 64. This district Zahren is seeking to represent includes Allamakee and Clayton counties, along with a single precinct in Dubuque County.

If elected, the Lansing resident would be the first person without party affiliation to be elected to an Iowa state office in more than 100 years. Zahren, 36, will face Republican Jason Gearhart from Strawberry Point in the November election. No Democratic Party candidate is running for the District 64 seat.

Wed
14
Aug

FreedomBank receives 2024 Community Banking Month Best-of-the-Best Award


FreedomBank receives Best-of-the-Best Award ... FreedomBank was selected to receive the Community Bankers of Iowa 2024 Best-of-the-Best Community Bank Award. Pictured above at the July presentation of the award at the Community Bankers of Iowa 53rd Annual Convention held in Arnolds Park are (left to right) Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, Kathy Mueller and Sara Hertrampf of FreedomBank, and Michael Gathman of Community Bankers of Iowa. Submitted photo.

Each year, Community Bankers of Iowa (CBI), the only statewide association advocating exclusively for Iowa’s independent community banks, presents its Community Banking Month Best-of-the-Best Award.  This award honors the Iowa community bank that showed excellence in giving back to its local community during Community Banking Month - observed in April - and throughout the year.

FreedomBank was named the 2024 recipient of the award and was presented with the award at a ceremony during CBI’s 53rd Annual Convention held in Arnolds Park this July. The work FreedomBank has done sends the clear message that community banks make a difference on Main Street.

Wed
14
Aug

Intermittent closures on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing continue through this week ...

Those who drive on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing will need to be aware that intermittent closures on the bridge will continued throughout this week, weather permitting. The temporary closures were delayed by high river levels in June.

Construction crews will continue work on constructing a new pier and driving the pier foundation for the new bridge that will replace the current bridge. Intermittent closures of up to two hours will happen on the existing bridge between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to reduce vibration from construction activity and traffic, limiting the chance of damage occurring. Weather permitting, these closures will be done by this Friday, August 16. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will be updating the Lansing Bridge Facebook page with the approximate closure time a day in advance.

Wed
14
Aug

Allamakee Athletic Booster Club Appreciation Meal, Meet the Team Night for Waukon athletics slated for August 20


In support of Waukon Indian athletics ... Allamakee Athletic Booster Club board member Karen Frick (left) presents a donation check to Waukon High School Activities Director and Assistant Principal Brian Hilsabeck in the amount of $26,211.19. The donated funds represent the Booster Club’s support of the Waukon Indian athletic program and are used for such things as purchasing new uniforms or equipment, among other purposes. Those who want to provide their own sponsorship of the Allamakee Athletic Booster Club may do so by filling out the sponsorship form printed on Page 19 of this same edition of The Standard with their choice of sponsorship level and bringing it to the Community Appreciation Meal being hosted by the Booster Club Tuesday, August 20 at the Waukon High School in conjunction with the Meet the Team Night that will kick off this school year’s athletic seasons. The sponsorship form and funding can also be mailed to: Allamakee Athletic Booster Club, P.O. Box 283, Waukon, IA 52172. Submitted photo.

Gary Kroeger is featured speaker, all are welcome to provide Booster sponsorship

Waukon High School and the Allamakee Athletic Booster Club will be joining forces Tuesday, August 20 for the annual Community Appreciation Meal and Meet the Team Night Tuesday, August 20 at the Waukon High School. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with the Booster Club’s annual Community Appreciation Meal in the Waukon High School Cafeteria, with a guest speaker and the opportunity to meet the Waukon Indian fall athletic teams and watch them scrimmage.

The Community Appreciation Meal provides an opportunity for anyone to contribute a sponsorship to the Allamakee Athletic Booster Club (AABC). Those wishing to do so may fill out the form in the advertisement found on Page 19 in this edition of The Standard and bring it to Tuesday’s meal for a year-long sponsorship at any of the five funding levels also listed in the ad.

Wed
07
Aug

Intermittent closures on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing to resume this Thursday ...

Those who drive on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing will need to be aware that intermittent closures on the bridge will resume again this Thursday, August 8, weather permitting. The temporary closures were delayed by high river levels in June.

Construction crews will continue work on constructing a new pier and driving the pier foundation for the new bridge that will replace the current bridge. Intermittent closures of up to two hours will happen on the existing bridge between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to reduce vibration from construction activity and traffic, limiting the chance of damage occurring.

Weather permitting, these closures will be done by Friday, August 16. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will be updating the Lansing Bridge Facebook page with the approximate closure time a day in advance. There will not be any closures of the bridge this Friday, August 9 in consideration of Lansing Fish Days.

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