Community News

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon hosted author Heather Gudenkauf Monday, April 29 for an Author Event. Gudenkauf is the Edgar Award nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of “The Weight of Silence”, “These Things Hidden” and “Not A Sound”. Her new book, “Before She Was Found,” features a chilling crime set in Iowa.

There were 25 people in attendance for Gudenkauf’s presentation. She talked about the process of becoming a published author, where she gets ideas for her writing, and how reading influenced her life growing up with unilateral hearing loss. She also signed books for many of those in attendance.

Gudenkauf is an Iowa resident with a background in education; she continues to work as a Title I Reading Coordinator. Submitted photos.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, May 6 to address a full agenda of items including the Third and Final Reading of the Wastewater Utility Service Charge Increase, discussion of Robey Memorial Library roof issues and tennis court project funding.

After the meeting was called to order, two public hearings were individually held. The first was for Budget Amendment #1 for Fiscal-Year-Ending (FYE) June 30, 2019 and the other for the designation of an expanded revitalization “area” and the adoption of an amended plan for such area. City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comment was received for either public hearing and there was no comment from the public in attendance. Both hearings were then closed.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 29 to address a full agenda of items including the First Reading of Amendment #3 to Zoning Ordinance L, consideration of a letter requesting NRCS professional expertise for the English Bench Watershed #9 and the discussion of nuisance properties and remedies and actions.

During Public Comment, Chairperson Larry Schellhammer discussed a recent conversation where he was informed that the U.S. Flag in front of the County Courthouse may be showing some wear and may be in need of replacement. Supervisor Dennis Koenig left the board room briefly to inspect the flag and upon his return indicated that due to the recent rainfall, it is difficult to see any damage or wear. The Supervisors agreed to examine the condition of the flag when it dries out and precipitation is not an issue.

Schools, libraries and bookstores in all 50 states will celebrate the 100th year anniversary of Children’s Book Week from April 29 to May 5 with the theme Read Now • Read Forever. Robey Memorial Library in Waukon plans a week full of the following activities:

Daily Story Time: Monday, April 29-Friday, May 3, 10:30-11 a.m. Visit the library each day for themed stories and a take-home craft.

Interactive Story Walk: Monday, April 29-Saturday, May 4. Read a book while moving through different areas of the library. Interactive materials provided.

Llama Llama Pajama Party: Wednesday, May 1, 6-6:45 p.m. Enjoy stories read by Kirk Snitker and a fun activity. Be sure to wear PJs!

Volunteers needed to assist

Waukon Trees Forever will hold its annual spring tree planting Saturday, May 4. Volunteers are asked to gather at the Waukon City Park at 9 a.m. for tree planting within the park. Shovels, rakes and work gloves are about the only tools needed. Work will consist of planting trees and mulching them.

Everyone is invited to help with the project. Rain date will be Saturday, May 11.
 

The auction being conducted by Sweeney Auction Service this Saturday, April 27 has a very generous component that really has never been experienced by the long-time family auction company and will have a lasting impact on a Waukon community school. The auction taking place at the Sweeney Auction Center in Waukon at 9 a.m. is for the estate of lifelong Waukon resident Richard “Dick” Schilling, as well as for the estate of Jeff Kovacevich from the Decorah area. What makes this auction so unique is the fact that Dick Schilling chose to leave the proceeds from the auction of his estate items to St. Patrick School in Waukon.

by Brianne Eilers

H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Every Animal Rescue Team), along with many sponsors, will be hosting its 3rd Annual Walk ‘N’ Wag Dog Walk event Saturday, May 4 at the Waukon City Park. This is the first year the event has been held in Waukon, and it is being held in Waukon to further promote the growth of foster homes and volunteers in the local area in support of the program.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Jaycees shelter adjacent to the ball diamond in the southeast corner of the park and the walk begins at 10 a.m. There is a dog registration fee of five dollars, and the walker’s name will be entered into a drawing for door prizes.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 22 to address a full agenda of items including the Public Hearing for amendment #3 to the Zoning Ordinance, setting a date and time for the Fiscal-Year 2019 budget amendment Public Hearing and the approval of multiple plat requests.

During the time allotted for Public Comment, Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake provided an overview of a recent plat request. The Supervisors were in agreement that the matter should be added to the next meeting agenda to allow discussion and official action.

Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo opened its 20th annual Student Art Show by announcing numerous awards during a reception held Tuesday, April 2. Laura Gleissner, associate professor of art at Upper Iowa University, served as juror for the show, and awards were presented by Kim Behm, Hawkeye fine arts instructor, and Catharine Freeman, Hawkeye’s Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Among those Hawkeye Community College students to receive an award was Rachel Richards of Lansing, a 2017 graduate of Kee High School in Lansing. She received the Academic Affairs Award of $170 for her photography entry (pictured at right) entitled “School’s Out”. Pictured above, left to right, Rachel Richards receives the award from Hawkeye Community College Dean of Arts and Sciences Catharine Freeman.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 15 to address a full agenda of items including the proclamation of April 2019 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Second Reading of the Ordinance increasing wastewater utility service charges and discussion of the City’s involvement with a survey to determine the feasibility of broadband internet service in Waukon.

There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Departmental Reports with Police Chief Phil Young providing an update on vacancies in the Waukon Police Department, with candidate testing results determined and April 27 set as the date for interviews. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett indicated that his department has moved to a four ten-hour day schedule as of this week and briefly discussed core-outs that began earlier that day.