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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that a no-wake zone for all vessels is now in effect north of the Black Hawk Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River at Lansing. The no-wake zone is in place for approximately one mile from the bridge extending north along the main channel of the Mississippi. The no-wake zone has been created as a safety precaution while the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers completes dredging work along the main channel and is expected to be in place for approximately two weeks.
“We’ve had some boats go through there at full bore and that is a very dangerous situation because of the equipment that is in place for the dredging work,” said Burt Walters, Iowa DNR Conservation Officer. Walters said it is important for boaters to observe the no-wake zone and use extreme caution as they pass through the area being dredged.
 

These Allamakee County 4-H members pictured above are among those who advanced to the Iowa State Fair with their projects or exhibits presented at the Allamakee County Fair. Left to right - Front row: Allie Bieber, Makayla Manning, Rachel Rosendahl, Victoria Waters, Taya Duehr, Madelyn Helgerson. Second row: Brandon Bieber, Andrew Mellick, Rebecca Thorstenson, Diana Davison, Makenzi Marting. Third row: Kortney Wood, Mary Melcher, Jillian Fish. Back row: Bethany Stock, Emma Johnson, Carley Sweeney, Christa Heffern. Also having their projects or exhibits advance on to the Iowa State Fair but not pictured in the above photo are Gus Pladsen, Amber Schutte, Shelby Wild, Madalyn Palmer, Austin Schutte, Jenna Schutte, Katelyn Benzing and Kasi Curtin. Submitted photo.
 

by Bob Beach

All members of the Iowa congressional delegation have added their support for Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s recent request for a federal declaration of a major disaster for the state as a result of severe weather that occurred during the period of June 20-25. A letter of support for the declaration was signed by Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and Representatives Steve King, Dave Loebsack, Rod Blum and David Young.
“The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed,” the members wrote. Severe weather that produced damaging winds, tornadoes, heavy rains, hail and thunderstorms resulting in flooding impacted 19 counties.

Early Saturday morning, at approximately 2:22 a.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary in progress at a residence located on Park Drive in Harpers Ferry. A description of the involved vehicle was given by a witness, and that vehicle was later stopped on State Highway 18 in Clayton County by Clayton County Sheriff’s Deputies. Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputies then arrested two individuals in connection with multiple burglaries in Harpers Ferry. As a result of the arrests, Shane Arnold Christopher, age 29, and Taylor Anne Frickson, age 20, both of Jesup, have each been charged with two counts of Third Degree Burglary, one count of Third Degree Burglary (unoccupied motor vehicle), one count of Second Degree Theft, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and one count of Possession of Burglar’s Tools. Christopher and Frickson are both being held in the Allamakee County Jail.

The annual Allamakee County Fair Queen Pageant was held Tuesday, July 14 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, kicking off the 162nd Allamakee County Fair last week. The three young ladies pictured above were all vying for this year's Fair Queen crown, which was bestowed upon Emily Hammel (center in photo), daughter of Charles and Deb Hammel of Dorchester. Carmen Wille (at left in photo), daughter of Carl Wille and KaLynne Opperman of Waukon, and Megan Leiran (at right in photo), daughter of Steve and Nancy Leiran of Waterville, were each named Allamakee County Fair Princesses, with all three young ladies serving as the Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team throughout this year's fair. Hammel will now advance on to represent Allamakee County in the 2015 Iowa State Fair Queen competition to be held in August in Des Moines. Additional photos of the 2015 Allamakee County Fair will be published in future editions of The Standard.

by Bob Beach

by Bob Beach

A rustic recreated 1940s shantyboat, a daring river voyage, and a meticulous archive of river stories are all part of a multi-year art and history project being undertaken by artist Wes Modes of Santa Cruz, CA and entitled "A Secret History of American River People."
Modes set sail last summer on the Mississippi River to collect the stories of people who live and work on the river from the deck of his homemade houseboat (seen in the photo accompanying this article). This year, he and his crew (and dog) started near La Crosse, WI, where he left off last September and are slowly making their way downriver.

This week, July 15-19,  the 162nd Allamakee County Fair will be held for all to enjoy at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. A wide variety of entertainment is in place to headline this year’s fair at the grandstand, along with a great deal of other activities for everyone to enjoy each and every day throughout the five-day event.