River Valley

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met Monday, November 18 to address a range of agenda items, including a water/sewer forgiveness request, project contracts, policy updates, and department reports. No citizen concerns were raised during this meeting.

HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker presented an update on the Allamakee County Hazard Mitigation Plan. He emphasized the significance of Chapter Five of the Plan, which outlines potential projects for grant funding. Snitker stated, “The most important chapter is Chapter Five. That’s actually the Hazard Mitigation Plan projects or potential projects.”

Main Street Lansing and InspireHer Driftless will be hosting a “Light Up Lansing” event this Saturday, November 23 in the downtown Lansing area. The event is focused on supporting local businesses and non-profit organizations while kicking off the holiday season.

There will be a food and funding donation drive to support Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) in an effort to help counter the absence of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train this year in the Lansing community. There will be donation drop-off locations throughout the downtown area for non-perishable food items in support of LIFT’s efforts to help those most in need during the holidays.

The Lansing Fire Department will also be hosting a Toy Drive in an effort to make the holidays a little brighter for local youth. New toys can be dropped off at the fire station or at various drop-off points throughout downtown.

Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts are being accepted at Christ Community Evangelical Free Church, located at 188 Plum Street NE in New Albin. The New Albin location is open for drop-offs 5-7 p.m. Thursday, November 21; 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, November 22; 9-11 a.m. Saturday, November 23; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, November 24; and 8-10 a.m. Monday, November 25.
 

The community of Ferryville, WI will be hosting its Christmas Tree Lighting event Monday, November 25 at 6 p.m. Adults and children of all ages are invited to come to the Christmas Tree Lighting at River View Park, which is located downtown right along the river side.

There will be hot chocolate, cookies, music, and a visit from Santa Claus.  As a very special treat this year, Haili, the current Alice in Dairyland for Crawford County, will be making an appearance to greet all who are there. This annual holiday tradition showcases both the Ferryville community’s snowflake ornaments that line State Hwy. 35 that runs through the town, and also the light-filled Christmas tree installed in the park by volunteers Larry Quamme and Al Kirchner.

Iowa snowmobilers are no longer required to purchase and display an annual trail user permit, according to a new law that went into effect July 1 of this year. The law folded the trail user permit into the annual snowmobile registration fee, which will now be $30 plus administration fees. The previous price for each type was $15.

Registration and permit fees for snowmobiles are placed in a dedicated account for snowmobile programs in Iowa, including the Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program, which is administered through the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. The grant program supports snowmobile trail development and grooming; equipment purchases and maintenance; and trail signage in cooperation with snowmobile clubs all across Iowa.

by Joshua Sharpe

Monday, November 4, the Lansing City Council convened to address a variety of matters, including strategic investments to enhance city funds, and infrastructure improvements. The meeting also featured a presentation by Allamakee County Child Care Solutions Fund representatives, who explained the fund’s contributions to family support and its role in bolstering the local economy. Additionally, the council approved a new hire for the police department, the allocation of infrastructure funding, and upgrades to the marina facilities.

REPEAL OF TRASH COLLECTION FEE INCREASE
The council approved the repeal of Resolution 1027, which initially sought to increase trash collection fees. The council concluded that adjustments to such fees should adhere to a distinct regulatory process, and the repeal was approved unanimously.

Community members are invited to meet new director and learn more about MSL at an Open House this Thursday, November 7 at The Works in Lansing

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Main Street Lansing (MSL) has hired a new executive director; and although she wasn’t born and raised there, a person could be forgiven for thinking she was. “Lansing has always been my second home,” she says.

Jackie Cooper grew up in rural Fayette and currently lives in the Churchtown area with her husband, Jalen - who was born and raised in Lansing - and their three children, all under five years old. She and her husband both fish and hunt (bow and shotgun), and they both love the Mississippi River. In a recent Main Street Lansing newsletter, Cooper introduced herself, saying, “My family and I spent countless summer days enjoying the beauty of the river and the warmth of the Lansing community.”

Those who drive Iowa 26 in Lansing will need to be aware that work continues on the new Mississippi River Bridge and changes in traffic patterns on the Iowa side of the bridge are taking place. Beginning Monday, November 4, weather permitting, the bridge contractor started moving heavy equipment to the Iowa side of the Mississippi River for the next phase of construction.

Drivers have been most recently able to drive through the work zone on Iowa 26 between Hale and Henry Streets in Lansing with assistance of temporary traffic signals that had been installed. As of Monday, November 4, crews removed those traffic signals and traffic will now be directed by flaggers between the Black Hawk Bridge and Henry Street between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., so the contractor can bring in the heavy equipment.

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center will host a Driftless Birding Day Saturday, November 9. The Driftless Birding Day will include a guest speaker, exhibits, and self-guided field trips to area birding hotspots.

At 10:30 a.m. that day, Stephen Winter, Wildlife Biologist for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge, will be giving a presentation on canvasback ducks.

The self-guided field trips will include the Brownsville, MN overlook, Stoddard, WI overlook, New Albin’s Army Road, Red Oak Road near Harpers Ferry, and the Ferryville, WI overlook. Self-guided field trips are available any time during the weekend. Maps and directions to each site will be available from 8a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday the week prior to the Driftless Birding Day at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center.

Main Street Lansing will be sponsoring a Trick-or-Treat Downtown Extravaganza the evening of Halloween, Thursday, October 31, from 4-7 p.m. Local youth are invited to trick-or-treat through the downtown businesses in Lansing. There will also be games, hot dogs and hot chocolate available for free at the downtown plaza.