Top Stories

by B.J. Tomlinson

by Brianne Eilers

Wednesday, March 25, the Waukon Police Department conducted an investigation which led to the arrest of Brenden Poole, age 18, and Kate Schroeder, age 19, both of Waukon. The pair was charged with Second Degree Criminal Mischief (class D Felony), after allegedly causing nearly $4,000 of damage to a vehicle in Waukon. Other misdemeanor charges were also filed against both.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Tuesday, March 24, the Waukon Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Highway 9 near Radio Park Lane north of Waukon. The Allamakee County K-9 unit also responded and did indicate on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics. Narcotics and drug paraphernalia were located in the vehicle.
The passenger in the vehicle, 38-year-old Kimberly Pearson of Waukon, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Tod Frieden, age 45, of Waukon was charged with driving while suspended.
Also assisting at the scene were the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 

The Waukon High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter took the annual State Leadership Conference (SLC) by storm March 12-14, not only coming away with top honors at the event but also setting a new Leadership Conference record in points scored by a championship chapter. The Waukon chapter recorded 17 first-place event finishes in its total of 66 placewinnings enroute to being the first chapter ever to eclipse the 300-point mark in the history of the State Leadership Conference.
"I couldn't be more proud of the students' performance at SLC," Waukon High School FBLA Advisor Joan Schwartz said. "It was a total chapter effort. Our Waukon FBLA students have always made me incredibly proud, as they are some of the most respectful and hardworking students while attending the Conference. This year was no exception, with the added bonus of bringing home the championship trophy."

by Bob Beach

Katie Kerndt (center in photo), daughter of Brad and Mary Kerndt of rural Waukon, was crowned the 2015 Allamakee County Dairy Princess at the annual Allamakee County Dairy Banquet held Saturday, March 21 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. Also selected at Saturday's annual banquet as 2015 Alternate Dairy Princesses were Emily Miller (left), daughter of Joel and Shawn Miller of rural Waukon, and Anna Weighner (right), daughter of Tom and Angela Weighner of rural Dorchester. Additional photos of award winners and other events from the 2015 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet will appear in a future issue of The Standard. Photo courtesy of Paula Enyart.
 

Area residents gathered around tables at the Farm Bureau Building in Waukon Saturday, March 21 for a legislative forum discussion with State Representatives Patti Ruff and Darrel Branhagen and State Senator Michael Breitbach. Much of the discussion focused on the ongoing debate over school funding. Ruff called a recent House debate over collective bargaining for teachers and school employees a "distraction" from the real issue, saying that school district employees and school districts have a good history of working together. Breitbach said that the system for determining school funding needs to be changed so that it doesn't have to be debated every year. Other issues discussed at less length included the shortage of mental health beds, a bill to allow the use of "suppressors" on firearms (not silencers), ATV trails, and the recent increase in the fuel tax. Photo and report by Bob Beach.
 

by Bob Beach

Katie Kerndt is the 18-year-old daughter of Brad and Mary Kerndt of rural Waukon. She will be graduating in the spring of 2015 from Waukon High School.
Katie currently works at Kerndt Farms, owned by her grandmother, milking 60 head of registered Holsteins. Her main responsibilities on the farm include milking in a stanchion barn, doing miscellaneous chores around the farm, helping with field work, and, on occasion, feeding the calves. Although Katie has kept busy around the farm, she also managed to serve as a Junior Dairy Ambassador in Allamakee County for several years. Aside from working on the farm, Katie babysits, loads chickens for Welsh Organics and helps her local cow tester.