Chad and Tess Hawes of Harpers Ferry announce the birth of their son, Cade James Hawes, born December 13, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 8 lbs. 3 ozs. at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, McKenna (3) and Cooper (2).
Grandparents are Kathy Sanderson of Harpers Ferry, Jay Rethwisch of Lansing and Ed and Mary Hawes of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Jim and Kay Hawes of Harpers Ferry.
ASCD Board of Directors votes unanimously to close Waterville Elementary ... Waterville Elementary School will close at the completion of this current 2017-2018 school year following a decision made by the Allamakee Community School District Board of Directors at its regular monthly session Monday, December 18. On a unanimous vote of all five board members, the board opted to close the school at the end of the current school year, which will come to completion in May 2018. For additional details on the school board meeting where the decision was made, see the accompanying article that begins at left. Photo by Sara Aleckson-Melcher.
by Brianne Eilers
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met on a couple occasions this past week, including a work session Tuesday, December 12 and the board’s regular monthly meeting Monday, December 18.
Allamakee County and its jurisdictions have worked diligently over the last year and a half to complete an update to a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management, provided grant funds for the planning process, which was lead by the Allamakee County Emergency Management Agency with assistance from Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission and a countywide Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee.
The Committee started working together in the summer of 2016. That process began by identifying the characteristics and potential consequences of hazards, and assessing vulnerabilities of communities and the county. After gaining an understanding of hazard risks, the Committee determined what the priorities should be and then looked at possible ways to avoid or minimize the undesired effects, culminating in a list of potential countywide hazard mitigation actions.
A series of recent open house forums focused on area water quality were a success, according to Megan Buckingham, watershed outreach coordinator for Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D).
Around 100 residents and landowners attended one of three forums held in November to discuss plans to reduce flooding and improve water quality in the Upper Iowa River Watershed. The watershed open houses, hosted by Northeast Iowa RC& D, were held in Dorchester, Decorah and Cresco.
New Albin has its first-ever live Christmas tree (pictured at far right) this year in the City Park area, thanks to the combined efforts of the New Albin Improvement League (NAIL), community members and some area children. “For a few years we have thrown around the idea of getting a large, live Christmas tree,” says Alexie Grotegut, NAIL president. “This year - with a very generous donation of the tree and the help of Jeff Meyer and Tom Feuerhelm - we were able to make it happen.”
To help decorate the tree, ornament-making classes for area youth were held at the New Albin Public Library under the direction of Heather Abrahamzon. “The ornaments turned out great, and were added to the tree,” Grotegut says. Some of those ornaments and some of the local youth who helped make them during those classes are pictured in the surrounding photos.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 18 to address a full agenda of items, including the discussion of a site plan for an Alliant Energy and Interstate Power Communication Tower, a Hazard Mitigation plan presentation and discussion of joining other counties in support of litigation against opioid manufacturers. Chairperson Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order with the current agenda and meeting minutes of December 11 being approved.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 18 to address a full agenda of items including the City application for the Community Catalyst Grant, discussion of changing the Hotel/Motel disbursement percentages from 75% to 50% for Park Improvements and Police Department evidence storage. The Public Hearing on rezoning a parcel from “R-2” to “M-1” was opened and closed without any written or verbal comment.
During Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) briefly mentioned WEDC’s proposal for commercial tax rebates. Under Departmental Reports, Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed that the Wellness Center traffic volume is picking up and that the winter youth programming is beginning.
Elliott Jewelers of Waukon recently conducted a fund raising raffle to benefit the Joe O'Neill family of Waukon as he continues to receive treatment for cancer. The raffle drawing involved a chance to win a diamond pendant donated by John and Shelly Elliott of Elliott Jewelers that included a one-carat princess cut diamond set in a 14-karat gold mounting on an 18-inch yellow gold chain. "Shelly and I would like to thank everyone who participated and purchased tickets in our fundraising raffle for Joe and his family. We put things in motion by donating the diamond and advertising the fundraiser; but everyone who showed their support made it possible and a great success," shared John Elliott. "Joe has been a good friend to us, and a great mentor and coach for our daughter, Lauren, in her softball career; continuing to help her even through his treatments. In small communities like ours, you just help people.
The regular monthly meeting for the Eastern Allamakee School District (EACSD) Board of Directors was held Monday, December 18. Board member Melanie Mauss was absent due to jury duty in Cedar Rapids. Audience comments included presentations from Tammy Manning, director of the Kee High School Speech program, and Jana Troendle, preschool teacher.
The quality of care that children receive between birth and age five sets the stage for the rest of their lives. With that in mind, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers professional development for child care providers.
Participation in professional development is an important part of providing quality care and education. Research indicates a strong correlation between formal education and training of providers and quality early care and education for children. Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) regulations provide minimum standards for continuing education. Many Iowa initiatives encourage child care professionals to exceed minimum professional development expectations.
