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Jan Heikes of Decorah has announced that she is officially running for the Iowa State Senate. She is seeking the Democratic nomination in Senate District 28, which is comprised of all of Allamakee and Clayton counties and parts of Fayette and Winneshiek counties. She will be running against Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point, who will be seeking re-election to that office this year.
Through her experience working at the Oneota Riverview Care Facility, now Wellington Place, and as the Central Point of Coordination Administrator for Mental Health & Disability Services in Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, as well as in her position as a Program Planner in the Community Services Bureau of the Department of Human Services, Heikes has built up over 30 years of involved experience serving Iowans most in need.

by Jason Meyer

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 25. Handling the routine business of perfection and approval of the agenda, and approval of past meetings’ minutes, the Board moved quickly in to public comments before proceeding in to the posted agenda.

Public Comments
During public comment time the Board heard from resident Bruce Palmer in opposition of the discussed ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) trails in the county. Palmer noted that with the construction of the Public Safety Center and other obligations, the County has plenty to focus on in terms of expenditures. He also voiced concern that allowing ATVs free rein may open up previously undisturbed areas of the county to damage.

News Radio 600 WMT AM of Cedar Rapids proudly announces the 17th Annual  WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade scheduled for June 12-15 and hosted by the Waukon community.  Organizers expect 500 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. This year, 500 tractors, along with more than 300 support people will take part in the ride, based out of Waukon.
Local organizers say the staging area for the three-day event will be the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. Further details about the event will be released as they become available.

Registered Republican and Democrat voters across the state have the opportunity to participate in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses Monday, February 1. Those who choose to participate in the caucuses will not only choose presidential candidates for this year's election, but will make their voices heard as both political parties formulate their campaign platforms. Nomination petitions for other state and national elected offices will also be considered by caucus goers.
To attend a caucus, voters must be registered as either Democrat or Republican, but registration will be allowed at each of the caucus sites. Caucus locations for both political parties for the February 1 event are featured in the bordered boxes.

by Jason Meyer

Saturday, January 16, Iowa House Representatives Patti Ruff (D - District 56) and Darrel Branhagen (R - District 55) held a legislative forum at the Farm Bureau building in Waukon. The duo discussed issues with a crowd of 17 local citizens, fielding questions ranging from school funding and the budget to water quality and last year’s increased gas tax. The audience urged the representatives to focus on water quality, easing school funding restrictions and allowing more local control with that funding, as well as the state budget. Standard Photo Jason Meyer.

The deadline is quickly approaching for 2016 grant funding applications through the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF). The application is completely online and will be available at the Foundation’s website location, www.dbqfoundation.org/accf. Applications are due January 31, by midnight.
Nonprofit organizations can apply for grants from the ACCF for projects or programs that address significant community issues and benefit a broad spectrum of the community. Projects must be in Allamakee County.
The ACCF awards grants in the areas of Health and Human Services; Education; Neighborhoods and Community Development; Environment; Children, Youth, and Families; and Arts and Culture, including historic preservation.
Preference is given to projects that:
• address significant community issues
• present innovative, creative, and practical proposals that build on community strengths

by Lissa Blake

Physicians and staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon are pleased to announce that the first baby of the new year born at the hospital was Westin Allen Lange, son of Brian and Sunny Lange of Dorchester. Westin Allen was born Tuesday, January 5 at 7:47 a.m., weighing seven pounds, two ounces and was 21 inches long. He joins his big brothers, Garner and Cael, at home. Dr. Benjamin Nesseim was the delivering physician.
Westin's grandparents are Mark and Pat Lange of Freeburg, MN and Jane Benson of La Crosse, WI. His great-grandmother is Vi Lange of Caledonia, MN.
As the first baby of the new year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital, this fortunate child and his family received the following generous gifts compliments of these area merchants:
• $100 cash from Dr. Bruce Carlson, Lansing Dental Clinic
• A free night’s stay in a whirlpool suite from the Stoney Creek Inn
• $20 gift certificate to Cynda’s West Side Café

by David M. Johnson