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Wed
28
Feb

Kasemeier ordered to appear for arraignment on first-degree murder charges, bond review is continued

A pair of appearances in Allamakee County District Court for Brandon Kasemeier, the 39-year-old man from Waukon charged in the January 21 death of his estranged wife, Jami Kasemeier, did not take place as scheduled this past week. Action taken in regard to both appearances, however, has resulted in further court proceedings being scheduled in the case.

As Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke had previously forecasted, the preliminary hearing scheduled for Friday, February 23 for Kasemeier did not take place after Gericke and State of Iowa Assistant Attorney General Keisha Cretsinger filed Trial Information in regard to the charge of Murder in the First Degree being brought against Kasemeier. Gericke had previously explained that the Trial Information and minutes of testimony lay out the charges, a brief explanation of fact as to why the charges were filed and a list of witnesses expected to testify at trial.

Wed
21
Feb

Voters asked to decide on renewal of Local Option Sales Tax March 5

by Lissa Blake

Voters in Allamakee County are encouraged to head to the polls Tuesday, March 5, to vote on whether or not to renew the Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOST) which is expiring in several areas of the county the end of this year.

Established in 1985, the one-percent tax has since been adopted in most cities and unincorporated areas in Iowa. Several years ago, the state was able to expand this one-percent tax to out-of-state retailers who make deliveries to areas of Iowa where LOST is in place. Last fiscal year, cities and unincorporated areas in Iowa received more than $600 million in proceeds collected through the measure. These funds are typically used to help relieve the burden on county and city general funds and are used for items like roads, streets, water and sewer systems and public safety vehicle and equipment acquisitions.

Wed
21
Feb

Oneota Film Festival is February 29-March 3; opening night to include “SHIFT: The RAGBRAI Documentary” featuring community of Lansing

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Now in its 14th year, the Oneota Film Festival (February 29-March 3) will kick off a weekend of films and events with a screening of “SHIFT: The RAGBRAI Documentary” - which features the city of Lansing and two of its residents, Ian Zahren and Andrew Boddicker - Thursday, February 29 at the historic Steyer Opera House in Decorah’s Hotel Winneshiek. A social/cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by the film screening at 7 p.m.

“SHIFT” will be screened again at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Hotel Winneshiek. The entire festival, including admission to all screenings and events, is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to register, but there is no cost to attend.

Wed
21
Feb

Kasemeier returns to Iowa, makes initial appearance in Allamakee County Court

Brandon Kasemeier, the 39-year-old man from Waukon charged in the January 21 death of his estranged wife, was returned to Allamakee County from Colorado late Wednesday, February 14 and was booked into the Allamakee County Jail on a charge of murder in the first degree. Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick said that agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) transported Kasemeier back to Allamakee County by ground vehicle after transportation arrangements were made following the signing of his waiver of extradition and consent to return documentation Friday, February 9 by 8th Judicial District Judge Stephen Jouard during a review hearing at the Larimer County Justice Center in Fort Collins, CO.

Wed
14
Feb

Handcrafted model of Black Hawk Bridge on display at library in Lansing


Model of Black Hawk Bridge on display at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library ... Pictured above, left to right, Ralph Steinlage, of Lawler, and Derva Burke, executive director of Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library, stand behind Steinlage’s handcrafted model of the Black Hawk Bridge. The model will remain on display in the library through July 4 of this year. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

A 13-foot-long model of the historic Lansing Black Hawk Bridge, handcrafted by Ralph Steinlage of Lawler, is now on display at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library through July 4 of this year.

Steinlage’s nephew, Nick Humpal, is part of a massive project, the construction work of which has begun this year, to build a new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing. Humpal, district engineer with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for the District 2 Office in Mason City, knew about his uncle’s interest in the construction project - a joint effort of the Wisconsin and Iowa DOT. He knew, as well, about his uncle’s interest in and talent for creating models of historic buildings and structures. So, when Humpal asked him if he might consider building one of the iconic Black Hawk Bridge, Steinlage was happy to oblige.

Wed
14
Feb

Portion of North Front Street in Lansing to be closed this Friday through this fall for bridge pier construction

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), those who travel on North Front Street in Lansing will need to be aware of an upcoming road closure that may impact their trip for the next several months.

Beginning this Friday morning, February 16, weather permitting, crews will close the segment of  North Front Street between Henry Street and Hale Street to start work on Pier 1 for the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing replacement project. That closure will take place in the one-block segment that lies directly beneath the existing Black Hawk Bridge.

DOT officials say that portion of North Front Street will be closed through the fall of 2024. Another anticipated closure of North Front Street will be from the fall of 2025 through the summer of 2027 as the bridge construction project continues.

Wed
14
Feb

Final days to submit 2024 Allamakee County Dairy Award nominations

Award nominations due by February 19; Dairy Banquet date to be announced

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board is asking for assistance from the general public in identifying worthy candidates to be recognized as this year’s top dairy producers in Allamakee County at the 2024 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet to take place at a date soon to be announced. Every year, top producers and several other awards are nominated from members within the county. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension office are accepting nominations for the following awards:

Outstanding Young Dairyman/Family Award - Honors young dairy farmers who have achieved excellence in managing their dairy enterprises, have contributed leadership to the dairy industry, and are respected in their communities. Dairy producers must be 35 years of age or younger to be nominated for this award.

Wed
14
Feb

Kasemeier returning to Iowa to face charge of murder in the first degree

The return of a Waukon man back to the location where he faces first-degree murder charges in the January 21 death of his estranged wife became closer to reality Friday, February 9, and is anticipated to become reality yet this week, according to local officials.

Brandon Kasemeier appeared for a second time in front of 8th Judicial District Judge Stephen Jouard that February 9 morning at the Larimer County Justice Center by video network from the Larimer County Jail, both located in Fort Collins, CO. Judge Jouard first reviewed the fugitive of justice documentation that Kasemeier has been incarcerated on since his arrest in Loveland, CO within 24 hours of law enforcement officials finding the body of his wife, Jami Kasemeier, inside the home of Brandon Kasemeier in Waukon Monday, January 22 and a warrant being issued by Allamakee County and the State of Iowa on the charge of murder in the first degree.

Wed
07
Feb

Kasemeier makes first appearance in Colorado court of law, expresses intention of waiving extradition to return to Iowa

Brandon Kasemeier ...
Brandon Kasemeier ... Charged with Murder in the First Degree. Expresses intentions to waive extradition and return to Iowa. Submitted photo.

The Waukon man charged in the January 21 death of his estranged wife who was arrested soon after in Colorado on a warrant issued by Allamakee County and the State of Iowa on charges of Murder in the First Degree has expressed his intentions in a Larimer County, CO court of law to waive extradition and be returned to the state of Iowa to face those charges. Brandon Kasemeier, age 39, made his initial court appearance Friday morning, February 2 in front of 8th Judicial District Judge Stephen Jouard at the Larimer County Justice Center by video network from the Larimer County Jail, both located in Fort Collins, CO.

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