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This past fall marked the fifth consecutive season the Waukon High School cross country program has most recently been represented at the Iowa High School State Cross Country Meet. The Indian girls have represented that program in each of the last two seasons and the Waukon boys team earned that honor of season grand finale qualification the three seasons prior to that, each ending multiple-season absences from that ultimate destination.

A total of five Allamakee County officials elected or re-elected to their respective offices in the general election this past November were sworn into office by District Judge John Bauercamper at the Allamakee County Courthouse prior to the start of business for the new year 2019. Pictured in the photo above with Judge Bauercamper (center of photo), four of those officials were sworn in Wednesday morning, January 2, including, left to right, re-elected Allamakee County Supervisor Dan Byrnes, newly-elected Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke, re-elected Allamakee County Supervisor Larry Schellhammer and re-elected Allamakee County Recorder Deb Winke. Pictured in the photo below, left to right, Judge Bauercamper swore in re-elected Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse, with her husband, Randy Hesse, assisting, in a swearing-in ceremony held Friday, December 28 due to Hesse not being available for the January 2 swearing-in event. Standard photos by Joe Moses.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met three times within a week around the transition between calendar years for the final meeting of 2018, the first meeting of 2019 addressing organizational matters and the first regular Monday session of the new year held January 7. Coverage of all three meetings follows.

DECEMBER 31
During the Public Comment portion of the Monday, December 31 meeting, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed grant funding to be used in the creation of an Allamakee County promotional video. Reinke indicated that director and filmmaker Jack Meggers will be involved in the project showcasing area businesses, companies and activities within the county, and she also advised that the video will be shared on social media and by various organizations and businesses on their websites.

Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff are pleased to announce that the First Baby of the Year Contest was won by Harrison Dean Sandry, son of Emily and Kevin Sandry of Cresco.  

Harrison was born January 3, 2019 at 4:09 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring 20 inches long. Dr. Dave Schwartz assisted with the delivery.

This fortunate child and his family received the following generous gifts compliments of these area merchants:

Waukon Boy Scout Troop 64 will be picking up live, undecorated Christmas trees in Waukon this Saturday, January 12, beginning at 8 a.m. The real trees (not artificial) should be left curbside by that time and be free of any decorative material.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 26 to address a full agenda of items including a workers compensation dividend presentation, discussion of city and school combined election expenses and the consideration of quotes to remove and salvage a two-way communication tower on the County Farm.

During Public Comment, Leon Mohn presented a petition signed by approximately 150 individuals that are against the potential paving of Heytman Drive and are requesting that the project be removed from the county’s five year plan. Mohn asked the Supervisors to consider this petition when making their final decision.

Family of fallen Army Ranger Russ Robinson of Harpers Ferry takes part in 35th anniversary memorial event honoring liberation of Grenada and sacrifices made

by David M. Johnson

July 4, 9/11 and December 7 are dates that represent something of importance to most Americans. But the date of October 25, 1983 has an extra special meaning to several families of the Harpers Ferry-Lansing area.

It was on this date that a Harpers Ferry native and 1980 graduate of Waukon High School made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The only son of the late Marcus “Red” and Lois Robinson of Harpers Ferry, Russ Robinson of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, and part of the U.S. Army’s Rapid Deployment Force that consisted of elements of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, became an active participant that fateful day in the American intervention and liberation of the island nation of Grenada located in the Caribbean Sea off the northern border of South America.

Charges have now been filed following further investigation into a November 13 single-vehicle accident involving Christopher Mirich, age 38, of Waukon, husband of Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler, and execution the following day of search warrants by Iowa State Patrol officers at the couple’s home and Mirich’s place of employment first reported in the November 21 issue of The Standard.

According to court documents filed by the Iowa State Patrol December 11 and 12, Mirich is being charged with three traffic violations in regard to that November 13 accident. Those charges include Failure to Maintain Control, Failure to Report an Accident Involving Injury and Open Container-Driver 21 Years Old and Older. No other charges have been filed, according to a further court document search.

by David M. Johnson

Christianity teaches that a pious life is a life where there is sacrifice for others, a caring and loving attitude to those around oneself and a surrender to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the opening of one’s heart, mind and soul to Him.

From the very early Church when there was a large number of people who personally knew Jesus and heard his message as the way to salvation, to the many churches and denominations today where that message has been embraced to inspire piety, Christians have always had something to guide them when dealing with life. As evidenced in documented declines in church attendance, many people today may feel as if their churches have abandoned the responsibility to embrace that message to keep their flocks on the road to salvation.

by Lissa Blake

When Postville’s Dave Koopman heard the news that George H.W. Bush had passed away, he reflected on his own personal memories of the man who would come to be the 41st President of the United States.

Koopman, a retired school guidance counselor and former chair of the Allamakee County Republican Central Committee, recounted events in late 1987 through 1989 where he had personal contact with “Bush 41,” as he was sometimes called, to differentiate him from his son, George W. Bush, the nation’s 43rd president.

“In 1987, there were several Republicans besides Bush who wanted to be president,” remembered Koopman.

Allamakee County hosted an event for Jack Kemp and Pete du Pont in July of 1987, and the Central Committee decided to invite the elder Bush, who was serving as Vice President to Ronald Reagan at the time.