The Allamakee County Fair Board will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Pancake Breakfast this Sunday, March 15 from 8 a.m.-12 noon at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, prior to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Waukon.
The local group Driftless Dark Sky will meet Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Yellow River State Forest foresters’ office, located at 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.
An organizational meeting will be held and then program topics for the remainder of the meeting will include the impact of light pollution on wildlife, how it affects human health, wasted energy cost and things people can do to mitigate these impacts. In addition, there will be a demonstration of newly installed Dark Sky compliant outdoor lighting (pictured above) recently installed in the forest.
Discussion will also take place about the impact of Artificial Light At Night (or ALAN) becoming more prominent in society and many cities and communities implementing dark sky friendly policies to protect the night sky. For more information about the meeting or the Dark Sky initiative, call 563-535-7100. Submitted photo.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 9 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of changing ownership of the Medical Examiner vehicle from Veterans Memorial Hospital to Allamakee County, consideration of the detour route for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Waukon, and consideration of the contract and bond for the bridge replacement project on Big Foot Road. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisor Dan Byrnes present. Supervisor Dennis Keatley was not in attendance due to a scheduled absence.
The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, March 2, addressing a variety of matters. Among those was the scheduling of a public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) property tax levy, decisions on a public works vehicle purchase and demolition of the former city hall building, and a citizen concern about water service.
The meeting commenced with a brief community recognition prior to addressing the scheduled agenda items. Mayor ProTem Mike Manning acknowledged the recent success of the Kee High School girls basketball team and the team’s upcoming participation in the State Tournament scheduled for Wednesday, March 4. Manning recognized this achievement as both an honor for the team and the community, stating, “Congratulations to the Kee High basketball team on their date with State. They’re going down Wednesday. This is a big honor for them.”
Business, industry, higher education, non-profit, and government organizations are invited to exhibit at the Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival Thursday, April 9 from 5-7:30 p.m. at Waukon High School in Waukon.
This fun, high-energy community event will bring the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to life for students and families across northeast Iowa - and organizers of the event are looking for exhibitors to help make it happen.
Exhibitors are asked to provide a hands-on, interactive STEM activity that engages families while showcasing the value of STEM learning and the wide range of STEM-related careers and educational opportunities available in northeast Iowa.
Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Little Bakers’ Delight: Cupcake Decorating class for youth Wednesday, April 1. The class will run from 3:30-5 p.m. at NICC Waukon Center, 1220 Third Avenue NW.
This hands-on cupcake decorating class is designed specifically for young chefs (ages 7-12) who love getting creative (and a little messy). In this workshop, kids don’t just decorate; they learn the basic techniques of piping, coloring and crafting edible designs.
The deadline for paid registration is March 25. To register, visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call the NICC Waukon Center at 563-562-3263, ext. 6700.
Lady Hawks compete among the Class 1A elite at State Basketball Tournament ... Members of the Kee girls basketball team are pictured above with the trophy they received as a qualifier and competitor in the quarterfinal round of the Class 1A State Tournament held at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines during the first week of March. The Lady Hawks fell to top-rated, top-seeded and eventual State Runner-Up Algona Bishop Garrigan, 64-42, in the opening round of that season grand finale Wednesday afternoon, March 4 to have their 2025-2026 season brought to a close with a 17-8 record. Left to right - Front row: Manager Areona Claycomb, Maddie Martin, Josy Connelly, Evelynn Dibert, Layla Mathis, Rose Wheeler and Maddie Mauss; Back row: Head Coach Ben Wagner, Rylee Mudderman, Lillian Kolsrud, Elena Schulte, Grace Hornseth, Lilah Strong, Addison Winters, Morgan Mohn, and Assistant Coach Pat Wagner. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photos link on this webpage.
It had been eight seasons since the Kee girls basketball team had last played in the Class 1A State Basketball Tournament, and in that timeframe the first-round opponent the Lady Hawks faced in this season’s grand finale Wednesday, March 4 at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines had qualified to compete among that Class 1A elite in each of the last seven seasons. Returning four starters from last season’s State Tournament semifinals team and a couple seniors with four consecutive years of that State Tournament experience, the top-rated and top-seeded Algona Bishop Garrigan Bears used that experience and the many weapons in their arsenal that have gained them that experience to bring an early end to Kee’s third State Tournament appearance in program history with a 64-42 opening-round defeat.
It is with full and loving hearts that we share the passing of Gene Richard Sweeney, 86, of Houston, TX, February 25, 2026. Visitation will be held at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road in Conroe, TX, Saturday, March 14 from 1-2 p.m. to receive family and friends. Service to follow at 2 p.m. and interment immediately after in Garden Park Cemetery.
Born March 2, 1939, in New Albin, Gene grew up along the Mississippi River which shaped the values he carried with him throughout his life. He served in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) during high school and after graduation, he also served in the United States Navy and Navy Reserve.
Roger Dean Butz, age 89, of Guttenberg passed away peacefully March 2, 2026, with his loving wife by his side. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, March 21 at Morris Funeral Home in Guttenberg.
Funeral Services will commence at 11:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Guttenberg. Burial will follow at Ceres Cemetery with military honors accorded. Rev. Neil Hofer will officiate. A luncheon will follow services at United Methodist Church basement.
Roger was born February 4, 1937, in Ridgeway to Morris and Edith Butz (Ellingson). Raised in the community where he was born, he carried with him the strong values of hard work, humility and devotion to family throughout his life. He proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years.
Stanton “Stan” Paus, 75, of Waukon, formerly of Eitzen, MN, passed away February 26, 2026, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A private service will be held at St. Luke’s Cemetery in Eitzen to honor his life and service. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.
Stanton L. Paus was born March 14, 1950, and grew up in northeast Iowa, graduating from Waukon High School. He was then drafted into the United States Army, serving his country from 1969 to 1971. March 25, 1969, Stan married Betty Kohnen and together they welcomed two children. The two later divorced, but their shared years and the family they created remained an important part of his life story.
