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The 2016 Allamakee County Dairy Parade traversed the streets of Lansing Monday, June 6, with a number of area businesses, families and organizations providing entries to pay tribute to the dairy industry. The annual celebration brings together those representing the future of the industry, such as the Allamakee County Dairy Ambassadors and Allamakee County Dairy Princess Mikayla Gavin and Alternate Princess Kate-Leigh Wilson (all pictured above), as well as those who have represented or supported the industry in a variety of ways throughout its storied past in Allamakee County, all in an effort to recognize the importance of the dairy industry to all who live, work and play in Allamakee County. Photos by Susan Cantine-Maxson.
 

The Tuesday, June 7 Primary Election yielded a turn-out of 17.38% of eligible area voters as 1,723 ballots were cast by Allamakee County residents. Republicans carried a majority of that vote, as 1,374 of that total were Republican ballots, with that party having the more locally contested races in this year's Primary, as opposed to the only contested Democratic races this year being at the federal level of government on the Allamakee County ballot.

Within the most local contested race, the Republican nomination for one Allamakee County Board of Supervisors seat, incumbent Dennis Koenig of Postville held off a challenge by Mark Reiser of Lansing by 57 total votes. Koenig garnered 709 votes, with Reiser ending up with 652 votes and carrying four of the 11 precincts.

The breakdown by precinct for that Allamakee County Board of Supervisors race on the Republican ballot can be found in the colored chart below.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 13 to discuss several items including bids for repairs on Waterville Road, the Business Property Tax Credit and the destruction of noxious weeds. There were no members of the community present during the public comment portion of the meeting.

During that public comment time, however, Allamakee County Assessor Ann Burckart introduced Jerad Winger, who was recently hired as an Appraiser in the Assessor's office. Winger provided some background information regarding his experience. He is a graduate of Decorah High School and Iowa State University, where he earned a degree in Accounting. He has worked for several companies in his career and continues to hold an evening supervisor position with UPS in Decorah in addition to his responsibilities as Appraiser with Allamakee County.

Monday, June 13 at approximately 2:19 p.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff's Dispatch Center received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at the Army Road boat ramp east of New Albin along the Mississippi River. An initial investigation by law enforcement indicated an individual had been fishing from the dock at that location. A search of the immediate area by law enforcement for the individual was unsuccessful, and the New Albin Fire and Rescue and Lansing Fire and Rescue units were called in to conduct a search of the river.
At approximately 4:47 p.m., the body of 46-year-old Peter C. Englund was located underwater, near the dock. A preliminary investigation indicates Englund had been fishing from the dock and had fallen into the river. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 17th Annual WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, sponsored by News Radio 600 WMT AM, will be traversing the Allamakee County area early next week, with Waukon as its central point of departure and arrival and the Allamakee County Fairgrounds being the staging area Sunday through Wednesday, June 12-15. Organizers of this year's event expect 480 pre-registered participating tractors on the ride this year, with hundreds of other individuals supporting those drivers.

For those not familiar with the Tractorcade, many people compare it to RAGBRAI, only with tractors. The event provides an opportunity for tractor collectors and enthusiasts to celebrate their hobby and farm heritage together.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a pair of regular sessions this past week due to the Memorial Day holiday falling on the Board's usual Monday meeting day, May 3. Coverage of both the Board's May 31 and June 6 regular sessions appears below.

TUESDAY, MAY 31
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a delayed regular session Tuesday, May 31 due to the Memorial Day holiday falling on the Board's usual Monday meeting day. The Board discussed such items as the use of the Allamakee County Courthouse grounds for a Bible reading marathon, the Wennes Communications tower lease agreement and applying dust control on gravel roads that have added traffic due to road closures on pavements.

Unofficial final results for the June 7 Primary Election in Allamakee County show incumbent Supervisor Dennis Koenig of Postville edging out challenger Mark Reiser of Lansing by just 57 votes in their battle for the Republican nomination for the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors seat up for election this year. Koenig's unofficial total was 709 votes, with Reiser tallying 652 votes. In the race for Iowa House District 56, which also includes a portion of Clayton County, Kristi Hager of Dorchester compiled 942 votes to easily win the Republican favor over Lowell Engle, who managed 390 votes among Allamakee County voters. That trend continued overall among District 56 voters for an overall margin of 1,223-497 in favor of Hager.

Thursday, June 2, just after midnight, the Waukon Police Department received a report of a disturbance at 5 Clinton Street in Waukon. As a result of the investigation, 35-year-old Ramon Sepulveda of Postville was arrested and charged with a violation of a no-contact order (as a result of a previous domestic assault), possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sepulveda was arrested and booked into the Allamakee County Jail in Waukon. The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene of the incident. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Tuesday, June 7 will be the Primary Election to determine which candidates will be representing their respective political parties in the 2016 General Election in November of this year. A sample ballot of the respective races in each of the Republican and Democratic parties was published in the May 25 issue of this newspaper, listing races at the federal, state and county levels for voters to make their selections in.

A listing of polling sites for all 11 of the county's precincts was also published in that May 25 issue. Election polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

INFORMED CHOICES
In an effort to help inform voters prior to their venture to the polls June 7, The Standard issued a questionnaire to each of the candidates in the local races being contested on this year’s Primary ballot. The series of questions asked and each candidate’s responses are published in the June 1 edition of The Standard.