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The Allamakee County Conservation Foundation has successfully completed the R.J. McElroy Trust challenge grant, thanks to gifts from area banks, to secure $550,000 in funding for the Allamakee County Conservation Board’s Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center being constructed just south of Lansing on the ACCB's Columbus property.
The challenge grant offered by the R.J. McElroy Trust matched up to $250,000 in donated dollars from area banks for an initial $500,000 in funding. The R.J. McElroy Trust offered an additional $50,000 donation upon successful completion of the challenge grant, resulting in a total of $550,000 in funding for the project.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community Players, Inc. (ACPI) is an organization that many people may not be familiar with, but which has been entertaining communities and showcasing its members’ talents in this county for over five decades. ACPI is a group made up of volunteers who share a love for theater, and come from all over the county and from all walks of life - farmers, veterinarians, teachers, lawyers, business owners, parents, kids, etc.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 16. There were no members of the public in attendance and no public comments made to open the meeting.

A public hearing was held for the fiscal year 2016 budget amendments, again with no public comment being heard nor read. Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour commented that there has been an increase in revenue from the statewide fuel tax. Routine budget amendments and the resolution to adopt the fiscal year 2017 budget were subsequently approved.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Wednesday morning, May 4, Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds met with approximately 40 northeast Iowa constituents and other interested parties at the Allamakee County Conservation boat landing in Harpers Ferry to address the importance of the Mississippi River to Iowa’s  economy.

Ardie Kuhse, Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism Director, welcomed the group and the Lieutenant Governor to the area and explained that the lieutenant governor would have some remarks followed by questions and responses from those present.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 9 with a full agenda of items including the third reading of the ATV/UTV trail ordinance, an agreement involving the funding for the Green Valley Road bridge and discussion of lighting for the Veterans monument. The board room was at capacity once again with a large crowd in attendance for the ATV ordinance, most of whom applauded when the final reading of the ordinance was approved and the ordinance passed by a split vote of the three Board of Supervisors members.

Msgr. Edward Lechtenberg observed his 65th Jubilee of Priesthood May 3, having been ordained a Catholic priest May 3, 1951. The Holy Family of the Bluffs Catholic community invites the public to join Msgr. Lechtenberg in celebration of 65 years as a Catholic priest this Sunday, May 15 at the 10 a.m. Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Lansing. A reception and brunch will follow the Mass in the church hall.

Ed Lechtenberg was born September 17, 1926 in Lansing to Joseph and Mary (Foley) Lechtenberg. Following high school graduation, he strongly considered joining the U.S. Navy, but under the guiding influence of an associate pastor in his family's home church in Lansing, Father Breitbach, instead, enrolled at Loras College in Dubuque and went on to the Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, MO to continue his theological studies.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 2 to address a variety of issues, among them additional readings of the ATV/UTV ordinance and the manure management plan for the Churchwood facility, both of which have drawn considerable public interest and comment recently. After approving the previous meeting's minutes and the current meeting agenda, the floor was open for public comments.

Bruce Blair, a forester with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Yellow River Forest, addressed the Board with some suggestions regarding the proposed ATV ordinance. He recommended using signage to better indicate where ATVs are allowed, mentioning that boundary areas between parks and roads are a concern.

The front entrance sidewalk of the Allamakee County Courthouse was lined with bright, colorful pinwheels this past week in observance of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. With permission from the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors, Helping Services for Northeast Iowa placed the Pinwheels for Prevention in the courthouse lawn in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and as a symbolic reminder that all children deserve a happy, carefree childhood. For more information about observing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month as well as about child abuse prevention efforts year-round, contact Helping Services for Northeast Iowa at 563-864-7163 or online at http://www.helpingservices.org. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
 

Allamakee County Road X52, also known as Great River Road, has been closed to through traffic at the bridge spanning Wexford Creek near the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wexford location, approximately six miles north of Harpers Ferry. The road closure is anticipated to last into the middle of June for a deck replacement and widening project on the bridge (pictured above), but a paved-road detour has been put in place using Lansing Harpers Road and Lafayette Ridge Road. That detour begins at the four-way stop sign intersection of Great River Road and Lansing Harpers Road on the west edge of Harpers Ferry and utilizes Lansing Harpers Road to Lafayette Ridge Road, where the detour then travels east and north on Lafayette Ridge Road until it connects again with Great River Road north of the bridge closure. The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Wexford can still be accessed traveling Great River Road north from Harpers Ferry. Photo courtesy of Teri Collins.
 

The 19th annual Family Wellness Fair will be held Wednesday, May 11 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Health testing, exhibits and activities will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event, sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital, and held in conjunction with the end of the Live Healthy Iowa Community Wellness Challenge.

ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment for the evening will include Tae Kwon Do demonstrations from 5-6 p.m. in the Healthy Lifestyles Center. Special appearances will be made by “Klyde Thinger” the Clown, plus balloon artist and professional medical representative Paul Kammarmeyer will again be on site making his creative balloon creations for the children attending the Wellness Fair.