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Wednesday, January 6, the Waukon Police Department conducted a traffic stop with the assistance of the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office and Allamakee County K-9 unit in Waukon. During the traffic stop, the K-9 did positively indicate on the vehicle, and during a search of the vehicle, crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located and seized.
Jon Charles Fanta, age 51, of Viroqua, WI was arrested and charged for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while suspended. Law enforcement officials remind that a criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

by Jason Meyer

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced last week the order cancelling all live bird exhibitions at county fairs, the Iowa State Fair, livestock auction markets, swap meets, exotic sales and other gatherings of birds due to avian influenza will be lifted January 1, 2016.
“This is very good news and another sign that we continue to recover from this devastating animal health emergency. We know the ban on exhibitions caused some real challenges for those anticipating showing or selling birds, but we appreciate everyone cooperating as we worked to stop the disease and then allow the industry to recover,” said Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

The scene on First Street NW in Waukon Tuesday morning, December 29, 2015 was representative of many towns in northeast Iowa that morning, following a day-long winter storm that dropped anywhere from 8 to 12 inches throughout much of eastern Iowa.
In response to the volume of snow, the City of Waukon enlisted the aid of area businesses to haul the snow to the city's dump site behind the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. In addition to the Street Department's fleet, the City contracted with West Side Lumber, Kelly Concrete, and Bruening Rock Products. In addition to over 16 miles of town roads, the City and contracted crews cleared all the city parking lots and municipal sites.
In the bottom photo, each of the lumps and mounds represents at least one deposit of hauled-in snow. From start to finish, the crews were on the job for 18 hours.

by Sharon Sander-Palmer Freelance Writer

Last week the students of Waterville Elementary School had surprise visitors to their classrooms to thank them for a donation made from the heart. The visitors - Blackie the cat, and Molly, a collie/Australian shepherd mix dog. The reason - a donation of items collected by the children especially for the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa (HSNEI).

This past Christmas Day Dennis DeBuhr, Dana DeBuhr Johnson, and Hattie Johnson took to the freshly fallen snow to build a Rose Bowl Hawkeye Snowman, complete with team scarf and roses in hand. When the Hawkeyes traveled to Pasadena in 1986 Dennis, Cory, Jeff, and Dana DeBuhr built their original Rose Bowl Hawkeye Snowman, featured then on the front page of the Waukon Standard. Submitted Photo.

by Jason Meyer
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Monday morning, December 28 at 9 a.m.
Speaking before the Board was Carson Eggland, Executive Director of Helping Services of Northeast Iowa. Eggland asked the Board to consider a $1,500 funding request for Fiscal Year 2017, the same amount the group has requested for a number of years. He outlined services provided by Helping Services in Allamakee County, including domestic abuse counseling, substance abuse prevention, mentoring services, and family education programs.
The Supervisors thanked Eggland for his presentation, noting that he was the first in-person funding request received for the upcoming budget cycle.

Yellow River State Forest and the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) will be hosting two “First Day Hikes” January 1, 2016, at 10 a.m. and at 1 p.m. For the 10 a.m. hike, those interested should meet at the Yellow River State Forest Headquarters, 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry. For the 1 p.m. hike, participants should meet at the Pike’s Peak State Park main shelter house, 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor.
The hikes will lead participants on designated hiking trails through the forest and along the bluffs, each hike will be approximately two miles. The events will be held weather permitting. If adequate snowfall exists snowshoes and trekking poles will be provided to those who do not have their own.

by Jason Meyer

by Jason Meyer