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by Joe Moses

A familiar face has returned to the Waukon area to carry on a career steeped in serving and protecting.

Corey Snitker, a 1985 graduate of Waukon High School, began his new position as Emergency Management Coordinator with Allamakee County in late April of this year. Snitker is also a graduate of Iowa State University, where he attended with a Marine option ROTC scholarship.

Leslie Sivesind, daughter of Dan and Jane Sivesind of Waukon and Iowa's Alternate Dairy Princess, was invited to introduce Iowa Governor Terry Branstad at the 30th anniversary celebration of Ajinomoto Heartland, Inc. in Eddyville in late May. Ajinomoto Heartland, Inc. is an affiliate company of Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition Group, a global manufacturer of feed-grade amino acids and a pioneer in the animal nutrition business. As part of the celebration, Sivesind joined the Iowa Poultry Queen and Iowa Pork Queen in taking a tour of the Ajinomoto facility, visiting with guests and speaking at the event banquet, where they also introduced various key note speakers. Sivesind spoke on the impact the dairy industry has on Iowa and the world, citing many facts and figures to support her message. She is pictured above with Governor Branstad during the anniversary celebration. Submitted photo.
 

Members of the general public now invited to make their own contribution to the project

The Allamakee County Conservation Foundation (ACCF) has announced the kick-off of the public phase of the "Beyond The Plateau" capital campaign to help fund construction of the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center south of Lansing. In an event held Wednesday, June 22 at the Center, ACCF campaign organizers celebrated securing $3.3 million in funding with a program and tours of the property, which is located at 1944 Columbus Road, Lansing.

The 10,000-square-foot, three-level Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center is expected to house interpretive and dimensional displays covering topics such as geology, limnology (rivers/streams), archeology, conservation and wildlife studies, river town industries and economies, American Indian cultures, local history and more.

Courthouse lawn will be one of 99 county courthouse locations for the event following Governor's proclamation

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a proclamation April 26 of this year encouraging all Iowans to join in the Iowa 99 County Bible Reading Marathon proposed to take place in front of all county courthouses within the state of Iowa beginning Thursday, June 30 at 8 a.m. and ending Sunday, July 3 at approximately 4 p.m.

On the local level, Kristi Hager and Mary Keatley are organizing the event for Allamakee County, inviting families, groups or individuals to volunteer to read in 15-minute increments at any time during the around-the-clock, four-day event that will be taking place at the northeast corner of the Allamakee County Courthouse property along Allamakee Street in Waukon. Volunteer readers do not need to bring or prepare anything, as a Bible, a podium and a canopy tent will be provided.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 27 to discuss several items, including the construction permit application for Regancrest Holsteins LLC, quotes for a compact track loader for the Secondary Roads Department and the termination of the 28E collections agreement with Winneshiek and Clayton Counties. There were no comments heard or read during the public comments portion of the meeting.

The public hearing for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) construction permit application for Regancrest Holsteins LLC was opened and closed without any comments from the public. This application involves updating the animal units on the farm, and it was approved.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that a young black bear was struck and killed by a truck Friday evening, June 24 on Highway 76 South near the Yellow River Forest in southeast Allamakee County. The bear is believed to be the same one that had been pictured on social media last week in a corn field near the Yellow River Forest. It was a young bear weighing about 200 pounds. The last bear reported to be killed in a traffic collision in Iowa was just over a year ago on U.S. Highway 20 near Jesup.

Low flying airplanes may be seen by Allamakee and Jackson County residents the early part of the week of June 27. The planes will be releasing pheromone flakes to help slow the spread of gypsy moth, a pest that can be destructive to trees and shrubs.

The tentative treatment date is Monday or Tuesday, June 27 or 28, depending on weather conditions and other scheduling issues. A total of 13,520 acres are slated for treatment: two treatment blocks in Allamakee County (one of 11,749 acres south of Churchtown and the other of 742 acres to the southwest of New Albin) and one in Jackson County (1,029 acres). Only wooded areas will receive treatment. Planes will begin their work around 7 a.m. on the day of treatment.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The roof is on, the windows are in and the excitement continues to grow. And Iowa Governor Terry Branstad said “Wow!” after viewing the picturesque scene from the north window of the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center being constructed south of Lansing. The Governor was delivered to the Center from the Decorah airport by Iowa State Troopers as part of an overall trip to several northeast Iowa venues Thursday, June 16.

After the smiles, introductions and handshaking, Allamakee County Conservation Board Director Jim Janett reviewed the history of the project and took the Governor on a personal tour of the impressive, three-story building that will house the Center with its many large windows that all offer spectacular views of the surrounding Mississippi River Valley.

by Brianne Eilers

Graduating high school is a major event for most teenagers. It signals the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another phase, along many changes and choices.

Waukon High School Class of 2016 graduate T.J. Treptau, son of Tom and Camie Treptau of rural Lansing, made up his mind several years ago as to the direction he wanted his future to take him - the United States Air Force (USAF). When he was in 5th grade, T.J. attended an air show in LaCrosse, WI and had the opportunity to see the United States Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration team.

“I wanted to fly fighter jets,” T.J. said. When he informed his dad that he wanted to be a fighter jet pilot, T.J. said his father told him he could do it, but he’d have to work really hard at it. With that in mind, T.J. set out to make his dream a reality, and was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy, located in Colorado Springs, CO, earning a very prestigious honor.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 20 to discuss several items, including further details of the ATV Ordinance, approval of a bid for bridge deck repair and a rental agreement between Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission and Allamakee County.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, Ardie Kuhse with Allamakee County Economic Development addressed the Board about the Tractorcade event that took place the previous week within the county. She thanked everyone involved, including Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick and Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker, for their hard work in helping make the event a huge success.