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More than 100 deer were collected as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) surveillance effort looking for chronic wasting disease (CWD) near Harpers Ferry in late February and early March.
Tissue samples from 85 of the adult deer collected were sent to the National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames for testing and all 85 samples came back as not detected. All collectors have been notified of the results.
“Landowners and local residents were outstanding with cooperation to help secure deer samples in this intensive surveillance effort,” reported Terry Haindfield, Iowa DNR wildlife biologist in northeast Iowa. “Weather extremes went from 25 below zero to 65 degrees above, affecting collecting success. The DNR greatly appreciates the public’s interest and the effort they put into helping collect deer for the additional samples.”

An open house will be held at the Allamakee County Courthouse Thursday, April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in recognition of County Government Week, being observed April 6-10. The event will feature informational displays and refreshments will be served. Eighth graders from all three school districts in the county will tour courthouse offices from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
In addition, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick has announced that prisoners in the Allamakee County Jail will be housed elsewhere for the day in order to open the facility for public tours.
The WE CARE Committee is also sponsoring a county-wide scavenger hunt. Entry forms are available at all courthouse offices and must be returned by Thursday, April 9 to be eligible for the $50 cash prize. The winner's name will be drawn Friday, April 10.
 

A larger than anticipated crowd of nearly 500 children ages 12 and under turned out at Waukon City Park Saturday morning, April 4 for the Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Epic Wear with the assistance of the Allamakee County 4-H County Council and area volunteers, and the support of area businesses and organizations. "We had planned for around 300 kids, so it was amazing to have 470 kids register for the first time we've done something like this," said Mandy Halverson of Epic Wear. "It may have been a little chaotic at times, but we really appreciate everyone's cooperation and the support we received from everyone to make it all possible.

An organizational meeting for area residents interested in developing trails for all-terrain and utility vehicles (ATVs and UTVs) was well attended at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Thursday evening, April 2. Dennis Blocker of Waukon, who organized the meeting, said that Thursday's turn-out indicates a high level of interest in ATV/UTV trails in Allamakee County.
Dean Anderson of Harpers Ferry told the group that he and others had approached the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors about allowing ATV/UTV use on County roads and that the Board had suggested forming a group for ATV/UTV riders similar to the local snowmobile club, the Allamakee Snoblazers. That group could then present a specific proposal to the Board for consideration. He said that he has also been working with the Harpers Ferry Booster Club to organize an ATV/UTV ride across the county this fall.

by Lissa Blake

The potential impact of frac-sand mining on northeast Iowa would be a matter of scale. That was the message from Iowa State Geologist Bob Libra as he presented to the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors and a packed courtroom of concerned citizens, including some from Allamakee County, Monday afternoon, March 30.
Libra explained one frac-sand mine would likely cause no more impact than a traditional rock quarry; however, in places like Wisconsin, one mine is surrounded by dozens of others. “The thing people are afraid of isn’t one mine,” said Libra.

RECENT LOCAL HISTORY
Winneshiek County currently has a moratorium on the issuance of conditional use permits for frac-sand mining. The moratorium is set to expire October 15 of this year.
Allamakee County passed an ordinance in July of last year which allows frac-sand mining, but greatly restricts the location of where mines can be located.

by Bob Beach

A group of local ATV/UTV (all-terrain vehicle/utility vehicle) riders are hosting an informational meeting Thursday, April 2, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion to discuss developing ATV/UTV trails in Allamakee County. This will be an organizational meeting to see how much interest there is in developing recreational ATV/UTV trails within the county.
Those interested in riding or volunteering in the development of an ATV/UTV trail system in Allamakee County are invited to attend. For more information, call Dennis Blocker at 563-568-2315.
 

Epic Wear of Waukon is hosting a free Easter Egg Hunt for area youth ages 12 and under. The event will take place this Saturday, April 4 at Waukon City Park, rain or shine, beginning at 10 a.m. with registration at the Thompson Shelter near the newer Project Playground area located in the lower-lying center of the park.
There will be over 3,000 eggs filled with candy, and the Easter Bunny is scheduled to be there, too. Participating children will have the chance to win a large prize, such as a bicycle, or other small prizes, such as bubbles, sidewalk chalk or jump ropes. Registered names will be drawn to win prizes following the Easter Egg Hunt. The Allamakee County 4-H County Council will be partnering with Epic Wear to fill eggs and volunteer at the event.

In recognition of County Government Week, April 6-10, Allamakee County employees invite residents to help them celebrate by participating in a Progressive Scavenger Hunt. A committee has prepared six clues that will direct participants to each of the cities in Allamakee County. Entry forms are available from any office in the Allamakee County Courthouse and at the first clue location.
By following the first clue, which is: "Your first password is located in a river city at the office that keeps our county pretty," participants will find a scrambled password and a clue leading to the next stop, where they will collect another password and clue. Unscrambling all six passwords will create a statement used to enter a drawing for $50 cash, donated by the WE CARE Committee. The winner's name will be drawn Friday, April 10.

by Bob Beach