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Allamakee County Fair 2024 Royalty ...  Coronation of the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Royalty took place Wednesday, July 17 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, kicking off the 171st Allamakee County Fair that was held July 17-21. Five area young ladies were vying for this year’s Allamakee County Fair Queen crown, which was bestowed upon Mallory Berns (second from left in photo above), daughter of Mark and Kristin Berns of Harpers Ferry. Molly Peake (third from left in photo above), daughter of Jeremy and Jodi Peake of Waukon, was crowned the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Princess. All five of this year’s candidates served as the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team, assisting at various events and activities that took place throughout this year’s Allamakee County Fair.

A documentary on the history of Lansing’s Black Hawk Bridge and the process of replacing it will be shown at the Kee High School gymnasium in Lansing at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 10, coinciding with this year’s Lansing Fish Days celebration, August 9-11.

The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to assist with the serving of the meal associated with the annual Waukon Corn Days celebration scheduled for August 2-3 this year. The meal portion of the event is scheduled for Friday, August 2 from 4-8 p.m., and volunteers are being sought to help with serving the meal or handing out drinks during any of a trio of hour-and-a-half time-slot shifts of approximately 3:45-5:15 p.m., 5:10-6:45 p.m. or 6:40-8:10 p.m., with volunteers also needed for a clean-up shift following the street dance, from 11:15-11:45 p.m.

Those wishing to volunteer their time can either call the Waukon Chamber of Commerce office at 563-568-4110 or email waukonchamber@gmail.com.

The American Pickers plan to film episodes of The History Channel television series throughout the state of Iowa in September 2024. The documentary series that explores the world of antique “picking” on The History Channel is looking for leads to explore for hidden treasure.

The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items.

Anyone who has, or knows someone who has, unique items, stories to tell, and would consider making a deal is asked to contact American Pickers. It should be noted that the television show does not “pick” stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything else open to the public.

The Allamakee County Engineer’s Office is replacing a large box culvert on Lansing Harpers Road (County Road X42) approximately 0.8 miles north of its intersection with Lafayette Ridge Drive, about four miles south of Lansing. The project will involve a full road closure (as outlined in orange in the map at right) at the project location (between Columbus Road/Doehler Drive to the north and Lafayette Ridge Drive to the south). The project began Monday, July 22 and is anticipated to end August 23 of this year at 5 p.m., depending upon weather. There is a signed detour in place (as highlighted in red in the map image) that will include the use of Lafayette Ridge Drive and Great River Road (County Road X52). Map image courtesy of the Allamakee County Engineer’s Office.
 

The Waukon Quarry location for Bruening Rock Products, Inc. and all the operations that stem from that location throughout Allamakee County are now under new management following a recent leadership transition. Brandon Mahr, a 2005 graduate of Waukon High School, brings his 19 years of experience with Bruening Rock to that management role.

Mahr said he began construction work right out of high school with Fred Carlson Co. out of Decorah, working with that company for about one year before he got a call from Bruening’s Decorah headquarters offering him a job. It was shortly after his employment began with Bruening Rock that he was then transfered to his home county of Allamakee, working out of the Waukon Quarry location.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) brought together more than 16,000 students and academic advisers from 48 states and territories to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL from June 28-July 2 for the annual FBLA National Leadership Conference. The Conference is an opportunity for the best career and technical education (CTE) students in the nation to compete in more than 100 competitive events, take part in workshop sessions with industry leaders and state meetings, visit the expo exhibit hall, and conduct networking throughout the conference with the traditional state pin trading.

By Suzette Radke, Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation board member

College bills for the next semester are looming, and students and families are looking for ways to pay for any amount not covered by financial aid, savings or earnings. Many turn to private education loans. Because most traditional-age students need cosigners to qualify or receive better rates or because you would like to take out a loan in your name to help pay a child’s expenses, you as a parent may be investigating student loan options specifically for yourself.

Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation educates students and families on planning and paying for college, as well as providing education loans under the name ISL Education Lending. As an ISL board member, I want to help ensure that families understand the pros and cons of taking out student loans. I encourage you to remember the following tips for parents who want to help with education loans:

Following the resignation of all three officers of the Lansing/New Albin Police Department within a month’s time as they departed for other employment opportunities, the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department has been called upon by the communities of Lansing and New Albin to assist in providing temporary law enforcement coverage in those two communities. Lansing/New Albin Chief of Police Conrad Rosendahl’s resignation became effective June 26, as he began a new job as Chief of Police for the City of New Hampton July 1, and his two remaining officers, Darby Stone and Troy Riehm, first formally submitted their resignations at the July 8 meeting of the New Albin City Council and also at the July 15 meeting of the Lansing City Council, with those resignations both being effective as of this Friday, July 26.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Immediately prior to the regular meeting of the Lansing City Council Monday, July 15, Stan Schwartzhoff was sworn in as a new council member. Schwartzhoff is filling the seat left open after the resignation of Lisa Welsh in June.

POLICE
The council approved the resignations of Officer/Interim Chief of Police Darby Stone and Officer Troy Riehm, effective July 26. These resignations, following the resignation of former Lansing Chief of Police Conrad Rosendahl (which was effective June 26) effectively leave the City of Lansing with no local police coverage, including for Fish Days weekend, August 9-11 - a weekend for which the Lansing Lions Club and Fish Days Committee have requested additional police protection, as in previous years.