River Valley

by Julie Berg-Raymond

During the Lansing City Council’s regular meeting Monday, December 19, Michelle Barness from Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) and Corey Snitker, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator, conducted a public meeting on the Allamakee County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
In their presentation, “hazard mitigation” was defined as 1) “actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural or manmade hazards and their effects; and 2) “breaking the cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.” The emphasis, they noted, is on “taking action now - before the next disaster.”

As the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) finalize their plans for replacement of the current Black Hawk Bridge, the “Light The Way” fundraising campaign to place 48 LED lights along the top of both sides of the new bridge - as well as four LED lights illuminating two bridge piers - is just getting started. The main campaign will begin in the Spring of 2023, but those who would like to take advantage of a tax deductible donation for 2022 should make their check out and mail it to: Main Street Lansing, c/o Light The Way Campaign, P.O. Box 307, Lansing, IA 52151.

Donations can also be dropped off at any local Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank. Those who have further questions are welcome to contact Lansing City Council member Steve Murray at blackhawkbridgelights@gmail.com.
 

The Main Street Madness punch card promotion recorded a new high mark of $362,500 in holiday spending within the Lansing community between November 14 and December 17 this year. Individuals who spent $100 in purchases at participating businesses were entered into a drawing to win one of numerous prizes listed below, including Downtown Dollars and gift certificates to local businesses. For further details about the Main Street Madness promotion, reach out to Executive Director Andy Kelleher at Main Street Lansing, 563-538-9229.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites Iowans to step outside and enjoy Iowa state parks and forests in the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge. Visitors can ring in the New Year with the Parks Passport on their own, or by joining park staff on a guided hike.

“First Day Hikes are a popular tradition in state parks, and the Park Passport is a great way for people to enjoy winter hikes,” said Sherry Arntzen, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau.

With the First Day Hike Challenge, park visitors can check into more than 50 participating state parks and forests on the Park Passport from December 30 through January 1. Visitors can explore as many parks as they wish - every check-in will qualify for a prize drawing of a two-night stay at a cabin at Pine Lake State Park, Eldora. Some restrictions and fees apply.

For those who would like to improve their balance or feel more comfortable participating in their favorite activities, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls”, an award-winning workshop designed to increase the activity levels of older adults with concerns about falling. This workshop has added benefit of being able to attend virtually online.

During eight two-hour sessions, participants learn to:

• Promote exercise to increase strength and balance
• Set realistic goals for increasing activity
• Improve environment to reduce fall risk factors
• View falls and fear of falling as controllable.

A jury of Allamakee County residents did not take long to render guilty verdicts against Felty Ervin Yoder, age 22, of Waterville on a total of 10 counts of criminal activity in regard to incidents that had taken place over the past two years, mainly against his wife. The jury, which was selected for the trial Wednesday, December 14 in Allamakee County District Court, heard testimony in regard to the overall encompassing case and returned guilty verdicts Friday afternoon, December 16 on four counts of Sexual Abuse Assault in the Third Degree (Class C Felony), five counts of Iowa Sex Offender Registry Violations as a Second Offense (Class D Felony), and one count of Domestic Abuse Assault as a Third Offense (Serious Misdemeanor).

by Julie Berg-Raymond

During its regular meeting Monday, December 5, the Lansing City Council voted to meet the requirements outlined by the Iowa Workers’ Municipalities Compensation Association (IWMCA) for safety training - which means agreeing to participate in a two-year program to “develop a safety culture,” according to Dean Schade, safety and risk approvement manager with IWMCA.

As the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) finalize their plans for replacement of the current Black Hawk Bridge, the “Light The Way” fundraising campaign to place 48 LED lights along the top of both sides of the new bridge - as well as four LED lights illuminating two bridge piers - is just getting started. The main campaign will begin in the Spring of 2023, but those who would like to take advantage of a tax deductible donation for 2022 should make their check out and mail it to: Main Street Lansing, c/o Light The Way Campaign, P.O. Box 307, Lansing, IA 52151.

Donations can also be dropped off at any local Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank. Those who have further questions are welcome to contact Lansing City Council member Steve Murray at blackhawkbridgelights@gmail.com.
 

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Local youth in grades K-12 can showcase their talent, display their patriotism and express their creativity while competing for their share of $2,000 in national awards.

Contestants must submit a video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  Video must be uploaded to YouTube and submitted to VFW Auxiliary #5981 along with a completed entry form for judging. The video must be recorded between July 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.  Entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value.

The inaugural Faith & Blue event was held October 8 in Lansing, an event for local law enforcement officers to share their faith with the community in conjunction with the National Faith & Blue Weekend that took place across the United States October 7-10. Lansing Police Chief Conrad Rosendahl and Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputy Ross Kolsrud shared their stories of coming to faith in Christ. The day included music from several musicians, comments by three local pastors, and a lunch served by the youth of the Lansing United Methodist Church. Free will donations received at the event were divided between LIFT (Lansing Iowa Food Trust) and The Way Station in New Albin, with each organization receiving $305.