Thomas Hill, in his letter to the editor March 25, 2026, seems to indicate that ICE has no authority to arrest, detain and deport illegal aliens. He pointed out that in President Trump’s first year in office 40 percent of those illegals arrested by ICE had no criminal record at all and were accused only of “civil immigration offenses like living in the U.S. illegally or overstaying their permission to be in the U.S”. What part of “illegal” is not understood?
He also stated that the arresting agents were “armed with military weapons”. Most law enforcement agencies are armed with military weapons. I am not aware of any law that says illegals have the same rights as U.S. citizens.
We all need to support the Federal agencies that are enforcing the laws created to protect our sovereignty, the Constitution, our laws and our freedom.
Deadlines/Dates
April 17: Deadline to submit a General CRP Offer; Deadline to apply for the Farmer’s Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program
April 30: Deadline to apply for SDRP Stage 1, SDRP Stage 1 Quality Loss, and SDRP Stage 2
May 14 - August 2: Primary Nesting Season
USDA Announces Changes to Livestock Insurance Programs for 2026 and Subsequent Years
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) approved changes to improve insurance coverage for American livestock producers. These updates will take effect for the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM), and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) insurance programs beginning with the 2026 crop year.
Life can be challenging. It’s helpful to hear how people have overcome or learned to live with their challenges. That’s the idea behind the “When Relationships Change” program offered free to the public.
The program has been in existence for several years and is next scheduled for Sunday, April 19 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing, beginning with a meal at 5 p.m. followed by a featured speaker. The speaker for the April 19 event will be Jeremy Smerud, a 2000 Kee High School graduate and the son of Denise and Cullen Becker and David Smerud.
Jeremy Smerud is currently working for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Volunteer Administrator in Des Moines. He was a resident of Lansing prior to his enlistment and retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2012. Following his service, Smerud returned to Lansing where he became involved in local youth activities and mentorship programs, most notably the Boy Scouts of America.
Will share Iowa Scenic Views By Foot experience this Saturday ... Tyler Sullivan, creator of a project called Iowa Scenic Views By Foot, will be sharing his experiences journeying through Iowa at a presentation this Saturday, April 11 at the New Albin Public Library, beginning at 11 a.m. As part of his project, Sullivan has already traveled through 97 of Iowa’s 99 counties, taking photos, visiting museums and other sites, and writing poetry in his quest to learn more about his home state and hopefully entice others to want to do the same. Submitted photo.
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.”
Tough Tek Metals celebrates milestone providing safety screens to military housing ... The staff at Tough Tek Metals in Lansing is commemorating a milestone of providing 100,000 safety screens for use in military housing around the world. The banner being displayed by staff members in the photo above says it all, as feedback from military housing providers utilizing Tough Tek screens at their properties reports zero falls from windows protected by the Lansing company’s products, even in areas where multiple incidents have previously taken place trying to utilize other safety solutions. Submitted photo.
Tough Tek Metals, the small-town manufacturer based in Lansing, is celebrating a major milestone: 100,000 safety screens provided to military housing across the United States and beyond. That milestone number represents far more than production output; it represents lives protected, families supported, and tragedies prevented.
For the team at Tough Tek Metals, the achievement is deeply meaningful.
“Although nobody calls us and thanks us, we know we are having a meaningful impact,” the team shared. “We know falls are being prevented - and that’s what matters most.”
A MISSION ROOTED IN CHILD SAFETY
Tough Tek’s patented safety screens were developed with a clear purpose: preventing children from falling out of windows while still allowing families to fully use their windows for ventilation and comfort.
Supervisors proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month ... The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors signed a proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month during its Monday, April 6 regular meeting. Pictured above at the proclamation are, left to right, Allamakee County Board of Supervisors member Dan Byrnes, Riverview Center Sexual Assault Advocate Shiloh Green, Allamakee County Board of Supervisors member Dennis Keatley and Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark. Standard photo by Assistant Editor Joe Moses.
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 6 to address a full agenda of matters including the Proclamation for the Week of the Young Child, consideration of the payrate for Medical Examiner transport drivers, and the Proclamation of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present.
During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) made note of several upcoming events and scheduled meetings. Reinke noted that the next Coffee & Connections networking event would be held Tuesday, April 7 at Coffee on the River in Lansing in addition to noting that Main Street Lansing would be meeting with the State of Iowa this week as part of its annual certification process.
The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, March 24. It was noted that VMH has been recognized as a five-star hospital my Medicare.
VMH Administrator Michael Coyle noted that patient engagement outcomes and scores were used by Medicare to determine the rating, and the VMH scores were among the top in the nation. “We know that we’ve always had great outcomes and this supports that notion of great outcomes,” Coyle noted. “A big shout-out to our VMH team and strategic partners when we need their help to ensure our patients are getting the care they need.”
The board approved the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Coyle noted that there were not any major changes. VMH continues to grow its service lines and revenue has been up slightly while expenses stayed fairly the same.
The Kee High School Drama Department will be presenting the musical production “Willy Wonka Jr.” on stage this weekend in the Kee High School gymnasium through special arrangement with Music Theatre International with words and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newly and the production adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy A. McDonald. “Willy Wonka Jr.” is based off of the novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” by Roald Dahl, and the musical represents many of the classic songs from the original movie starring Gene Wilder.
The production is scheduled for two performances, including this Saturday, April 11 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door, and there will also be a sweets and cotton candy shop available to purchase treats from.
David Enyart, Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 64 in Waukon, received this year’s Dellaykee District Scouter of the Year award at the Scouting America Northeast Iowa Council #178 Scouter Recognition Banquet held Saturday, March 28 in Dubuque. The BSA Scouter of the Year award is a district-level recognition award given to an outstanding adult volunteer who has provided exceptional service and leadership. This award honors long-term commitment, training, and unit success in Scouting. Submitted photo.
