Pier 1 footing and west end abutment ... Photo provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).
Bridge deck forms ... Photo provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).
Things are really starting to take shape at the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing construction site, according to the latest updated by Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials. Over the past several weeks a lot of work has been happening “out of sight,” but it has resulted in what can now be seen on site, some of which is also pictured in the surrounding photos.
The most visible progress is on the Wisconsin riverbank. The beams for the east side of the bridge are in place and project contractor Kraemer North America has the concrete forms in place which will allow them to pour the concrete for the bridge deck. Before that happens, though, the crews will place reinforcing steel over the entire area of the deck. This steel will strengthen the concrete, giving the deck the longest life possible. Hopes are to have the concrete for the deck get poured in June.
The renewed change of venue motion filed April 18 by defense attorneys in the first degree murder trial of Brandon Kasemeier, the 41-year-old man from Waukon charged in the January 21, 2024 death of his estranged wife, Jami Kasemeier, has been denied, marking the second time in the past five months a change of venue motion has been denied in the case.
Kasemeier’s defense team of Raya Dimitrova and Erin Carr of Carr Law Firm, P.L.C., Des Moines had originally filed a motion for a change of venue December 6, 2024 based on pre-trial publicity. That initial motion was denied in January of this year with the understanding that the change of venue motion could be renewed after Iowa First Judicial District Judge Alan Heavens gave approval to a request for the gathering of more information through the surveying of a previous Allamakee County jury pool by a private investigator hired by Kasemeier’s defense team.
The Corner of Hope Growing Hope Globally growing project held its annual Blessing of the Seed and Soil Saturday morning, April 26 to kick off the 2025 growing season. The event was held at the field of Gordon and Louise Ellingson just northwest of Waukon. Pastor Mark Swanson, regional director for Growing Hope Globally, performed this year’s blessing. Submitted photo.
In 2025, Carol’s Closet, with locations in Strawberry Point and Waukon, will be celebrating the 10-year anniversary of this organization. Carol’s Closet volunteers have enjoyed all ten years helping communities help others.
Carol’s Closet has served Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Winneshiek and additional counties in northeast Iowa. About half of the five years the organization was only based out of Strawberry Point. Carol’s Closet added a Waukon location five years ago.
Carol’s Closet was named after Carol Dvorak of Spillville, who lived with Parkinson’s/dementia and was being cared for in the home of one of the current co-directors. They started the organization by just helping families with baby clothes and diapers. In the past year alone, the Strawberry Point and Waukon locations have helped in excess of 550 individuals who are raising children and others who are in need.
A total of 80 participants ages 10 and under took part in the Annual 4-H Toppers Easter Egg Hunt held Saturday, April 19 at the Waterville Community Center, Waterville. The 4-H club and other event organizers appreciate the support provided to the event by the Waterville Community Foundation, 4-H Toppers 4-H club families, Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), Fareway, the Allamakee County Fair Board, Midwest Dental, Nita Grangaard, Waterville Fire Department, Allamakee County Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and the Waterville Community Center and City of Waterville.
The City of Waukon Water Department is planning to begin its annual fire hydrant/water main flushing program Monday, May 12 and continue throughout that week until the process is completed. Residents are advised that the flushing activity can cause decreases in water pressure and may cause short-term discoloration in water, which may affect laundry and water used for drinking or cooking.
Residents are advised to let their water run for a couple minutes following the flushing activity in their neighborhood to make sure any discoloration has been eliminated. For additional information, call the City of Waukon Water Department at 563-568-2683.
State of Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith announces the application process for the 2025 Robert D. Blue Scholarship is open. Soon-to-be and former graduates of any Iowa high school who plan to pursue post-secondary education are encouraged to apply. Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and recommendations.
Scholarship applications must be submitted by May 10. Visit rdblue.org to apply.
Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) for a Mother’s Day Hike Sunday, May 11 at 10 a.m. This hike is created to give moms an opportunity for a little outdoor relaxation break while also exploring Iowa’s spring wildflowers. The hike will begin at the Mount Hosmer Overlook in Lansing.
The Mother’s Day Hike will be a guided trail hike for participants to explore Iowa’s short-lived wildflowers. Participants should dress for the weather with appropriate layers and outerwear. Any dogs must be on a leash at all times. In the case of inclement weather the hike will be cancelled and announced via the ACCB’s Facebook page.
Upper Iowa Audubon will be hosting a spring bird walk at the Luster Heights Unit of the Yellow River State Forest. The event will be held Saturday, May 10 starting at 8 a.m. The walk will begin at the parking area for the former Luster Heights facility; the address is 481 Luster Heights Road.
The walk will culminate at the overlooks with great views of the Mississippi River Valley. The selected trail is very manageable for all ages. This will be an excellent time to look for warblers and other spring migrants.
In addition to birding, this year, the group will be joined again by Mary Damm, a plant ecologist, who will assist with wild flower and plant identification. Watch for signs to help find the location. For more information, contact Dean at 563-535-7100.
First to the 400 meter finish line ... Waukon girls track and field sophomore Bryiah Stewart crosses the finish line ahead of the rest of the 400 meter field at the Tribe’s Indian Relays home invitational Tuesday, April 29. Stewart won the 400 meter dash in a time of 1:03.17 and also led off the Indians’ third-place result in the 4x400 relay that clocked in at 4:20.20. View and find out how to purchase this photo and more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this webpage.
The Waukon girls track and field team took part in a pair of meets this past week to add another pair of top-three team finishes to its season results. The Tribe tracksters opened the week with a third-place finish at their own Indian Relays Tuesday, April 29 before nearly literally running away with all the relay events in claiming the team title at the MFL/MarMac Invitational Thursday, May 1.
The Lady Indians were next scheduled to wrap up their regular season slate with the Monday, May 5 Edgewood-Colesburg Invitational before hosting the final Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) Meet ever Thursday, May 8. They will then prepare for their Class 2A State Qualifying Meet scheduled for Thursday, May 15 at Crestwood High School in Cresco, with details of that season extender or ender printed in a shaded box on the Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Sports pages.
