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Waukon business owners Arturo Barreda and Jose Velarde of Fiesta Vallarta were recognized with a Rand Fisher Rural Business Leadership Award by the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) at the 10th annual Iowa Rural Summit held April 9-10 in Dubuque. The award recognizes individuals and organizations for their leadership and impact on small towns across the state of Iowa.

At a luncheon attended by more than 400 people, Barreda and Velarde were celebrated for their successful effort to turn a vacant building in the heart of Waukon’s downtown district into a successful restaurant at the stoplight intersection of Main Street and Spring Avenue. Among that large gathering were family members of the two business owners, along with leaders from other Waukon, Allamakee County and northeast Iowa entities who were instrumental in helping Barreda and Velarde achieve their goal.

Waukon High School seniors Brandon Leppert (left) and Claire Schulte (right) were crowned as the 2026 Waukon High School Prom King and Queen at the annual event held Saturday, April 25. Schulte was selected from a Queen court that also consisted of fellow seniors Breelyn Dahlstrom, Kendra Gibbs and Anastasia Guchshenkov. Leppert was chosen from a King court that also included fellow seniors Joey Courtney, Noah Hager and Connor Stilwell.

In the very early morning hours of Sunday, April 19, at approximately 12:36 a.m., an Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputy located a vehicle parked at Wild Landing near the intersection of Iowa River Drive and Lycurgus Road along the Upper Iowa River in Allamakee County. A check of the vehicle indicated that it was registered to a male from Rochester, MN who had been reported missing since Thursday, April 16.

A search of the surrounding area and the Upper Iowa River was conducted and was unsuccessful. Monday, April 20, law enforcement returned to the area and began searching by boat. At approximately 11:54 a.m. the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an individual reporting a body in the Upper Iowa River. Officers with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) responded to the location and confirmed a male individual was located in the water approximately three miles down river from Wild Landing.

Chevrolet officials toured facility last week; Public open house scheduled for this Friday, April 24

Any transition to a new building at a new location is likely going to result in a number of “firsts” for any business or individual.

For Pladsen Chevrolet of Waukon, those “firsts” have further been experienced at both state and national milestone heights for the recent transition made by the nearly half-century-old business now also operating under a new name.

The 2026 Waukon High School Prom is scheduled to be held this Saturday, April 25 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open to the public at 7 p.m. for the Grand March, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

Parents, family and community members may view the Grand March either seated in the auditorium or standing in the gym.

Following the Grand March will be the coronation of this year’s Prom King and Queen. Visitors are asked to exit the building after the coronation in order for students to start the Prom dance, which is scheduled to begin at approximately 9 p.m. Students who signed up for Post Prom must be inside the doors of the Waukon High School Cafeteria by 11 p.m. in order to participate.

The 2026 Kee High School Prom is scheduled for this Saturday, April 25 and will feature a bit of a different format from past years as students enjoy “A Night at the Oscars”. The Grand March will kick off the evening at 5 p.m. in the Kee High School gym. The annual Prom banquet will then be held at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall on Main Street in Lansing, beginning at 6:30 p.m., where students will enjoy a glamorous evening of red carpet moments, dazzling decor, and Hollywood-worthy memories complete with paparazzi, VIP access, and Kee’s very own Oscar Award Ceremony featuring such honors as Best Red Carpet Appearance; Outstanding Performance: Life of the Party; Best Duo in a Leading Role (couple, bros, gal-pals); Best Choreography: Dance Floor Takeover; and many more, in lieu of crowning a Prom King and Queen.

Jackie Cooper has lived and breathed rural Iowa her entire life. It’s where she grew up, runs a family business, and stays involved with her community. This month, she will begin a new chapter in her rural Iowa story: Executive director of the Allamakee County Community Foundation.

The Churchtown resident will step into the role following the retirement of Betty Steege, who has served as the Community Foundation’s executive director for 15 years, overseeing tremendous growth and community impact.

“Looking back, I believe that spirit of service was woven into my identity from a very young age,” Cooper says. “Today, I feel that my true calling - both personally and professionally - is asking, ‘How can I help? How can I make a connection? How can I serve and help make an impact?’”

Main Street Lansing (MSL) hosted its Annual Meeting Monday, March 30, welcoming over 100 community members, business owners, and supporters for what may have been the organization’s most well-attended meeting to date.

The evening was held at TJ Hunters Event Space, where guests enjoyed catering while experiencing one of Lansing’s event venues. Attendees were also treated to table centerpieces by Red Geranium, highlighting local businesses and adding a special touch to the evening.

During the Year in Review, Main Street Lansing highlighted a strong and impactful 2025, including over 44 initiatives, 16 major events, and more than 2,300 volunteer hours - representing over $70,000 in community value. The organization also shared exciting plans and priorities for the future, continuing its mission to foster a vibrant and sustainable downtown.

by Joshua Sharpe

Tyler Sullivan’s Iowa project did not begin as a casual pastime. It grew out of repeated travel, close observation, and a question that gradually became a long-term undertaking to learn more about his home state of Iowa and the counties and communities within that state.

Sullivan will be sharing the experiences and knowledge he has accumulated at a presentation this Saturday, April 11 at the New Albin Public Library, beginning at 11 a.m. Named Iowa Scenic Views By Foot and documented on his social media presence under that same name, Sullivan’s project is focused on enticing others to learn more about their own home state, their community and the town they call home.

When Betty Steege started coordinating the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) in 2011, she was new to the community, and the organization was in its infancy. Today, she is a trusted voice across the county, and the 21-year-old Community Foundation has far surpassed its founders’ vision.

“Betty’s work has made a great impact on our Foundation and the future of our communities. It is important to look to the future and prepare as best we can,” said founding board member Matt Erickson of Postville. “We thank Betty for her foresight and the energy she put into the Foundation.”