River Valley

Anyone who has traveled between Lansing and Harpers Ferry lately may have noticed a construction project in process. AcenTek, the Internet, Voice and Video provider, is bringing the option of fiber internet to over 750 addresses in the Harpers Ferry area. Phase 2 of AcenTek’s fiber project began in May, with an expected completion date of December 1 of this year.

Central Cable vehicles are easily spotted south of Lansing where the project work began. Central Cable is the contractor for AcenTek. Large spools of orange tubing, called conduit, can be seen in various spots where work is being done. The conduit is what holds and protects the fiber strands, once inserted.

Mainline construction is the first step of a fiber build. Construction signs and cones are set out to warn drivers of this construction work, as it often takes place right next to primary roadways. Motorists are asked to use caution when approaching these work areas.

Join Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist Erin Cubbon for a hike up to the Paint Rock Overlook the morning of Saturday, June 29. The hike will be departing from the parking area at the Paint Rock trailhead at 8 a.m.

Participants can expect to see a variety of flowers in bloom typical of the unique “goat prairie” ecosystems found on area bluffs. There is also the possibility of seeing timber rattlesnakes in their native habitat.

No preregistration is required. The hike will be approximately 2.5 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of around 400 feet. As this is a fairly steep hike during a hot time of the year, bringing adequate water, snacks and sun protection is highly recommended. The trailhead is located off of Paint Rock Road, roughly 3.4 miles south of Harpers Ferry. Dogs must be leashed at all times.

A portion of Valley Street on the southwest edge of Lansing, between Hickory Lane and South Road Drive, was closed Monday, June 3 through Wednesday, June 5 after heavy rains rolled through the Lansing area that Monday. Local reports of two to three inches of rain in a short period of time that Monday forced City of Lansing crews to shut down that portion of Valley Street (as pictured above), with crews working a quick clean-up of the mud and debris that had slid down on to the roadway by the time this photo was taken but remnants of the impact of the heavy rain still noticeable (in the middle of the above photo) on the road at the east end of that closure. The road was able to be opened back up Wednesday, June 5. There were also some additional local reports of small land slides on other properties located south of Lansing. Photo by Bob Modersohn.
 

The public is invited to an informational session related to potential mitigation alternatives for the Upper and Lower Dams on the Upper Iowa River. The session will be held Tuesday, June 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Room 102 of Olin Hall at Luther College in Decorah. Parking is available in the Library Lot at Luther College.

Project partners will present potential mitigation alternatives for the Upper and Lower Dams, as well as the results of studies conducted throughout the planning process. There will be time reserved for audience questions. Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity to view and comment on the various proposals.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

After a public hearing on Resolution #1003 authorizing submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) water/sewer improvement project application held during its regular meeting Monday, June 3, the Lansing City Council approved both a community development and housing needs assessment and re-submission of the CDBG Water/Sewer application.

An earlier submission of the application, prepared on behalf of the city by Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC), was signed by the city clerk and subsequently was deemed incomplete by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) - by which the CDBG program is administered - because it is supposed to be signed by the mayor.

The Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library is hosting a Summer Reading Program themed “Read, Renew, Repeat!” and all about conservation and nature. Readers of all ages are invited to participate by logging their reading and attending some of the library’s Earth-friendly events.

The family friendly kick-off event will be held Wednesday, June 5 at Mount Hosmer Veterans Memorial Park beginning at 10:45 a.m. There will be a flag tribute, a short nature walk and light lunch.

Friday, June 7 at noon will be the first Lego® Club meeting of the summer which runs through July 12 each Friday. Friday, June 21 USDA Tree Specialist (retired) Linda Haugen will be at the library at 10:30 a.m. to do a talk and activity for all ages about “Trees! Why are they so important?”

Additionally, each weekday over the summer starting May 28, free lunch is available from 11a.m.-1 p.m. at the library for all children. Follow the library Facebook page for additional summer events.

The Ferryville Tourism Council has announced its June 12 Chautauqua Program will be John Armbruster speaking on the survival story of Gene Moran, who was a Crawford County, WI resident whose WWII experience led to his survival after falling four miles from his airplane without a parachute. He subsequently also survived being a Prisoner of War and being forced to walk on a 600-mile death march.

Attendees will be intrigued by the story as told by Armbruster in his best-selling book, Tailspin.  This book was written by John Armbruster after many evenings spent listening to Gene Moran carefully and cautiously tell his story to the author. Armbruster will have his book for sale at the conclusion of his presentation.

Allamakee County Conservation and the Harpers Ferry American Legion Auxiliary are co-sponsoring a Water Safety Program scheduled for Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. at the Legion Hall in Harpers Ferry. The event is free to the public, and is open to all adults and children.
 

by Julie Berg-Raymond

After a public hearing during its regular meeting Monday, May 20, the Lansing City Council approved Resolution No. 1006 regarding the budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025). No written or verbal comments were made to City Hall.

PARKS AND REC
The council approved the following Department of Parks and Recreation hires: Robert Ekern at $12/hour as assistant softball coach and $15/hour as head T-ball coach; and lifeguards Lilly Kolsrud at $11.25/hour, Sawyer Gramlich at $11.25/hour, Zoey Timmerman at $11.50/hour, and Mallory Mohn at $11.75/hour. The council also approved hiring Craig Wood to rebuild the roof over the dugout in the sports complex. The bid is for $1000 for materials and $1200 for labor; it was the only bid received.

The Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library is hosting a Summer Reading Program themed “Read, Renew, Repeat!” and all about conservation and nature. Readers of all ages are invited to participate by logging their reading and attending some of the library’s Earth-friendly events.

The family friendly kick-off event will be held Wednesday, June 5 at Mount Hosmer Veterans Memorial Park beginning at 10:45 a.m. There will be a flag tribute, a short nature walk and light lunch.

Friday, June 7 at noon will be the first Lego® Club meeting of the summer which runs through July 12 each Friday. Friday, June 21 USDA Tree Specialist (retired) Linda Haugen will be at the library at 10:30 a.m. to do a talk and activity for all ages about “Trees! Why are they so important?”