River Valley

State of Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith is joining the National Unclaimed Property Day celebration February 1. “Returning money to rightful owners and heirs is what Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is all about,” said Smith. “National Unclaimed Property Day is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and encourage Iowans to search for their unclaimed treasure. Allamakee County residents have more than $739,000 waiting to be claimed in Great Iowa Treasure Hunt!”

For the celebration, Smith’s office will be announcing names of individuals, businesses and non-profits around Iowa who had unclaimed property reported to Great Iowa Treasure Hunt in 2023. “Join us on Facebook, Instagram and X on February 1 as we highlight names recently reported to the State,” Smith continued. “Even if you’ve checked for your name in the past, check our website again. You never know what might be waiting for you or someone you know!”

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors met in its regular monthly session at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, January 15. The meeting was called to order by Bobbie Goetzinger, Board President.

Board members present included Tony Becker, Bobbie Goetzinger, Joe Manning, Melanie Mauss and Arla Wagner. Also in attendance were EACSD Superintendent and Grades 7-12 Principal Dr. Sarah Murray, New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas and Board Secretary Michele Martin. Visitors included Allison Fitzwater, Nick Hammell, Melissa Hammell, Erin Mettille, Isabelle Mettille, Andrew Kolsrud, Alex Galema, Ian Zahren, Jessica Kurth, Lisa Hermeier, Marian Verdon and reporter Susan Cantine-Maxson.

The Harpers Ferry Youth Ice Fishing Clinic sponsored by the Harpers Ferry Boosters and the Allamakee County Conservation Board will be held Sunday, February 4. Registration for youth ages 15 and under will begin at 11 a.m. and fishing will go until 2 p.m.

Due to low water conditions at Nobles Island Access, the 2024 Harpers Ferry Youth Ice Fisheree will be temporarily moved to Village Creek Boat Access, 389 Lansing Harpers Road, Lansing.

Youth participating in the clinic may use their own equipment, but ice fishing equipment will be available to youth who do not have their own. Food and drink will be available for those participating in the clinic.  Prizes will be awarded to participants in each of three age groups.

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Local youth in Kindergarten through 12th grades 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 recorded live unedited video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The video must be recorded between July 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. The student shall state name, age and grade level prior to the vocal performance. The student may sing acapella, with backing tracks or instruments, and in the arrangement and genre of their choice.

With construction underway of the new bridge replacing the historic Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing, The Standard invites anyone to share their stories, sentiments and memories of the Black Hawk Bridge for printing. Email those items to news@waukonstandard.com or mail them to The Standard, P.O. Box 286, Waukon, IA 52172 to be considered for publication. Include name and town of current residence for publication, and telephone number for possible further contact.
 

by Martha Dunlevy Peters

For almost a century, the Black Hawk Bridge has stood the test of time. This unique cantilever through truss structure and its footings cradled deep within the muddy Mississippi riverbed connects Lansing, Iowa to Crawford County, Wisconsin. The bridge is important to Lansing’s past and continues to be a critical gateway to present and future progress.

It was also significant to my late father, John Dunlevy. He appreciated the majesty and direction of the bridge. He never missed a photo opportunity to capture the perfect picture for the front page of the Allamakee Journal. In one of his last conversations with me, he shared many of the thoughts that are weaved into this article. His words are a fitting tribute.

Effigy Mounds National Monument will be hosting a presentation Sunday, January 28 at 2 p.m. by Dr. Eugene Tesdahl, a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The public is invited to attend. Dr. Tesdahl is a former park ranger at Grand Portage National Monument.

Dr. Tesdahl specializes in Native American history and the colonial borderlands as well as public history and is often found sharing his passion for the park and past with not only park staff and students but also interested audiences throughout the region. Recently, his work has focused on the Driftless region in the Nineteenth Century.

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) for a Full Moon Snowshoe Hike Friday, January 26 at 6 p.m. The hike will take place in the Fish Farm Mounds State Preserve and will be approximately three miles in length. Participants should meet at the Fish Farm Mounds parking area approximately three miles south of New Albin on the Great River Road.

The Full Moon Snowshoe will be a guided trail hike taking place after dark to enable the participants to see the stars and full moon like they have never seen before. The event requires preregistration for those wishing to use snowshoes provided by the ACCB and is open to all ages. However, anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. In the case of inclement weather or poor snow conditions, the Full Moon Snowshoe may be postponed or canceled and will be announced via the ACCB’s Facebook page.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Prior to the regular meeting of the Lansing City Council Tuesday, January 2 - delayed a day due to the New Year’s holiday falling on the council’s regular Monday meeting day, Michael Verdon was sworn in as Lansing’s new mayor, and Corey Richards was sworn in as a new Lansing City Council member following their elections to those positions this past November.

WATER AND SEWER CONTRACT RENEWED
The council approved the City’s contract with PeopleService for Fiscal Year 2025 with a 4.1% increase.

by Brianne Grimstad

The new year will be bringing in a few changes to Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon. As of January 1, 2024, VMH is utilizing a hospital-based medicine program in its care of patients. The hospital-based providers will work closely with the patient’s primary care provider (PCP) to make sure that patients receive appropriate care and have the best hospital experience possible.

“For example, for a Gundersen patient who normally sees a Gundersen provider, if you are admitted to Veterans Memorial Hospital, our VMH provider will communicate routinely with your PCP to make sure you are getting the best care possible,” VMH Administrator Michael Coyle explained.

He further noted that VMH will continue to offer patient-centered care to all of its patients. Raquel Ristau, PA-C and Chelsey Sherburne, NP will be hospital-based medicine providers, along with Dr. Tom McMullan and Dr. Dave Schwartz.