River Valley

by Ryan Henry
Gundersen Health System

Over the next three years, the Black Hawk Bridge, an iconic steel span that links Lansing and Crawford County, WI over the Mississippi River, will slowly be replaced by a wider, more modern structure that will improve traveler safety on the bridge and in Lansing.

As construction ramps up, workers from around the Midwest will settle into the area, calling this part of northeast Iowa their home away from home for an extended period. With this influx of temporary residents, Gundersen Lansing Clinic was called upon to partner with the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) to provide for the medical needs - both those related to the job and otherwise - of the crews.

Thursday, February 22 David Faldet will be at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library to talk about and read from his book Oneota Flow: The Upper Iowa River and Its People. Faldet will be presenting his program at the library at 6 p.m. that Thursday.

The book, a natural history of the Upper Iowa River basin, is a nonfiction blend of history, environmental research, and personal experience that argues taking care of the rivers in the surrounding area is a necessary way to protect future. It was published by the University of Iowa Press as part of its American Land and Life series.

Oneota Flow is organized into chapters that follow the story of the river from its geological beginnings to the present. In each chapter Faldet surveys persons who are currently involved with resources of the river basin in ways that connect to that chapter of its history.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

During its regular meeting Monday, February 5, the Lansing City Council approved entering into a contract with Altumint Services for the installation of four monitoring systems, commonly referred to as “speed cameras,” at two locations (each location will have two systems, one facing each direction on the roadway) in Lansing.

The vote to approve the contract with Altumint Services was split, with council members Steve Murray, Benjamin Ghelf and Lisa Welsh voting to approve; Council members Corey Richards and Mike Manning voted against the motion to approve.

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.

The Northeast Iowa Community Connectors group is hosting a “Flannel Friday” event this Friday, February 9 from 5-7:30 p.m. at The Landing located at 211 College Drive in Decorah. The event is open to the public, and it is “a pay on your own” evening to connect with people in the local region.

No flannel to wear, no problem; participants can come as they are. Adults of all ages are welcome.

Community Connectors is a newly formed group with a goal of “connecting” northeast Iowa community members through social gatherings to form friendships, make professional connections, and create mentorships. There is no cost to join.

For more information on the NEIA Community Connectors and their upcoming events, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/NEIACommunityConnectors. To receive updates on future events, email neiacommunityconnectors@gmail.com.
 

With construction underway of the new bridge replacing the historic Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing, The Standard newspaper invites anyone to share their stories, sentiments and memories of the Black Hawk Bridge for printing under the “Span of Memories” column header above. Email those items to news@waukonstandard.com, mail them to The Standard, P.O. Box 286, Waukon, IA 52172, or bring them into The Standard newspaper office located at 15 First Street in Waukon to be considered for publication. Submissions should include the name of the individual submitting the item and their town of current residence for publication, and a telephone number for possible further contact.

According to the latest update from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), concrete was poured for the first footing of the new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing late last week, as pictured in the surrounding photos from the Iowa DOT. The crew poured 98 cubic yards of concrete for the pier 5 footing. The concrete was poured one, two-cubic yard bucket dump at a time. When the pouring of the concrete was complete, the footing was covered and heated to make sure it cured correctly. The Iowa DOT says that work is also continuing on the east abutment including tying rebar and setting forms to get ready for its concrete. For more information about the bridge project and to sign up to receive project updates via email, visit the website for the project at iowadot.gov/lansingbridge/Home. The project’s Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

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.