River Valley

Wed
24
May

United Methodist Church of Lansing to host Summer Vacation Bible School

Those looking to start their summer off with a bang - like, as big as a volcano explosion - can join the fun and excitement at “Lava Lava Luau” Vacation Bible School, sponsored by the Sunday School of the United Methodist Church of Lansing. Lava Lava Luau is a four-day adventure where those attending will learn how to “rein in our emotions” and to let God help control feelings of jealousy, anger, envy, frustration, unkindness and change. Together, attendees will learn how God can help “keep our cool”.

Starting at 5 p.m. and running until 7:20 p.m. for four consecutive evenings, May 30-31and June 1-2, this is a Vacation Bible School program no one will not want  to miss. Contact Karen Galema at 563-538-4641 or call the church at 563-538-4352 to pre-register. This is a no cost, non-denominational program open to all. Volunteers are always welcome to assist with the program.
 

Wed
24
May

Lansing City Council sets new public hearing for FY24 budget and reschedules special meeting to discuss possibility of hiring a city manager

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Due to a scheduling conflict, The Lansing City Council has set a new date for a special meeting to discuss the possibility of hiring a city manager. The meeting is now scheduled for Monday, July 10 at 5 p.m. in Lansing City Hall, and it will be open to the public. The council also will discuss development of an urban revitalization policy at that meeting.

Due to some issues with the Urban Revitalization report, a new public hearing regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget has been scheduled for Monday, June 5 at 7 p.m. in Lansing City Hall.

ONLINE GUN SHOP
The council approved writing a letter of support for Maison Schoh, of Lansing, for a proposed online gun shop. A letter from the City is required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), because of zoning concern. Lansing does not have an ordinance for all-online businesses.

Wed
17
May

Lansing Housing Products celebrating 20 years in business, rebranding as Tough Tek Metals® with May 25 open house


Celebrating 20 years and a new name ... The success of Tough Tek Metals® in Lansing is due to a team effort, and co-owners Brian Houlihan and Dave Monserud emphasize that every employee is valuable to the company. Over the past 20 years, the team has grown to 23 members, many of whom are pictured above in this staff photo, and it is looking to add more as the venture continues to grow in many areas. The public is invited to come and meet the team and learn more about what Tough Tek Metals® has to offer at a May 25 open house event in Lansing that will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the business and its rebranding from the original name of Lansing Housing Products. Submitted photo.

Standing up to standing on it ... Members of the Tough Tek Metals® team demonstrate the strength and durability of a screen manufactured at its facility in Lansing by standing on it without it breaking. In 2017, the business received a patent for its child safety screen that helps prevent falls from windows. That stainless steel screen can withstand 100 pounds of static pressure and is being used in construction of military family housing and public housing units in the U.S. and internationally. Submitted photo.

by Brianne Grimstad

May 25 of this year Lansing Housing Products will be celebrating 20 years in business with an open house from 2-7 p.m. at its Lansing facility, along with unveiling the rebranding of the business name to Tough Tek Metals®. In 2015, the team at Lansing Housing Products partnered with a branding firm and came up with the name of Tough Tek Metals®, which they felt more accurately represents the quality of their products and what they do in the focus and the operation of their business.

Lansing Housing Products came into existence in 2003, when co-owners Brian Houlihan and Dave Monserud purchased the former RTG, Inc. assets in order to help keep jobs in Lansing and prevent another business from leaving the small river town. When they first began Lansing Housing Products, it was located near the former lumber yard in Lansing, but the business soon moved to its current location at 331 Platt Street in Lansing.

Wed
10
May

Fr. Donald Hawes to celebrate his 70th Jubilee, 95th birthday

Fr. Donald Hawes ...
Fr. Donald Hawes ...

The 70th Jubilee Mass of Father Donald Hawes has been scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford. In addition to celebrating 70 years as a priest, Father Donald is also celebrating his 95th birthday.

Donald John Hawes was born December 22, 1928 to John and Ellen (Conway) Hawes of Wexford (rural Lansing). He was baptized December 24, 1928 in Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford. Following the tragedy of his father’s sudden death May 9, 1935, his mother raised Donald and his siblings on the family farm.

Donald Hawes graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1949 and from St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD in 1953. He received his sub-diaconate at St. Mary’s Seminary June 6, 1952. Father Donald Hawes was ordained a priest May 16, 1953 in Christ the King Chapel at Loras College, Dubuque.

Wed
10
May

Kee graduating seniors visit with Senator Grassley during Senior Trip ...

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa welcomed students of Kee High School in Lansing Tuesday morning, May 2 to the Senate steps of the U.S. Capitol. During the students’ Senior Trip to Washington, D.C., Grassley answered questions on the importance of bipartisanship, representative government, and internship opportunities in both his Washington and Iowa offices.

“I started my morning meeting with a group of students from Kee High School. I always enjoy hearing what Iowans have to say - particularly young people. Their views help me to better represent the people of Iowa. And of course, I’m happy to meet with a school that shares the school colors of my alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa Panther purple,” said Grassley. Official U.S. Senate photo by John Klemmer.
 

Wed
10
May

Lansing City Council hears presentation on tax abatement, approves proposal for public art installation

by Julie Berg-Raymond

John Danos, of Des Moines, with Dorsey & Whitney LLP, spoke to the Lansing City Council during its regular meeting Monday, May 1 about a complex of issues related to urban revitalization plans and tax abatement policies.

The council took no action on this item; it was offered as a first step toward further discussions about the possibility of passing a local tax abatement policy for housing development in Lansing. Danos, a frequent presenter on topics related to tax increment financing, economic development, municipal debt and complex local government issues, explained - among other topics - the differences between tax increment financing (TIF) and tax abatement policies, and between urban renewal and urban revitalization.

Wed
03
May

Crest at Harpers Ferry ranks fourth as well ...

Although nestled in between the two National Weather Service river level gauges between Lansing and McGregor on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River, there was still plenty of evidence of the river’s flooding water levels around the Harpers Ferry community this past week. A river gauge at the Allamakee County Conservation Boat landing at Harpers Ferry further confirms the height of the river at its crest Friday, April 28, as well as its ranking among the top four crests all-time (behind the 1965 record and two more recent recordings in 2001 and 1997 shown on the gauge).

Wed
03
May

Prize winners at 2023 Kee High School Post Prom ...

Kee High School’s Post Prom event was held Sunday, April 23 from midnight until 4 a.m. Guests played board games, Bingo and other challenging and fun activities. Plastic eggs were hidden around the building for guests to find and redeem for prizes, and refreshments were enjoyed by everyone attending.

Special entertainment was provided by hypnotist Mike Winters from Wand Entertainment, who also did several magic tricks before his performance. Guests were given tickets to enter for prize package drawings and everyone won a prize according to their number assigned at registration. Before leaving, each guest drew a numbered chip to win the corresponding prize.

Wed
03
May

Lansing City Council approves Fiscal Year 2024 budget, discusses variety of Parks and Recreation items

by Julie Berg-Raymond

After a public hearing during its regular meeting Monday, April 17, the Lansing City Council approved the budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. No written or verbal comments were made to City Hall. The council also scheduled a special meeting for Monday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. in Lansing City Hall, to discuss the possibility of hiring a city manager. The meeting is open to the public.

Lupita Solis, bilingual advocate with Riverview Center in Decorah, presented the council with a Proclamation for the month of April 2023 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. After Mayor Melissa Hammell read aloud the proclamation, it was approved by the council. The proclamation reads as follows:

Wed
26
Apr

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church includes local circumstances within annual Good Friday Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross event


Good Friday Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross event ... Pictured above is the group of walkers in front of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church who participated in Lansing’s third Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross event held Good Friday, April 7. In the photo at left, prayers are said for peace in Ukraine at The Good Life and Frame Shop owned and operated on Main Street in Lansing by Ukrainian immigrant Lesya Ryzhenkova. Pictured in the photo, left to right, with Ryzhenkova are Marlene Duffy, Mike Larsen, Ann Fields, Judy Schild (former owner of the frame shop) and Lanny Fields. Photos courtesy of Lynsey Moritz.

Friday, April 7, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing led a Good Friday Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross event. This was the third such walk hosted by the congregation with the largest group of walkers so far. Some carried signs calling for justice or declaring God’s wide embrace.

The tradition began in 2021 when being outside was the safest way to hold the service during the pandemic. “We wanted to make a strong connection between our faith in Christ and how his suffering continues whenever any of God’s people suffer,” explained Pastor Laura Gentry of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

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