News Center newsletter

Miles and Jasmyn Howe of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Brinley Lynn Howe, born July 14, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 14 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of her birth.

Grandparents are Dustin and Amanda Enyart of Waukon, Matt and Tammy Howe of Waukon, Mario Cardona of West Liberty and Mindy Howe of Wellman.

Those who think mosquitoes are peskier this summer than they have been the past couple of years are probably not alone. But that doesn’t mean outdoor adventures have to end with a dozen itchy red bumps on a person’s body.

With the frequent rain events already this summer, mosquito activity is high, according to Gundersen Health System wellness education specialist Katie Jensen. That’s because mosquitoes find their best breeding grounds in standing water such as flowerpots, buckets filled with rainwater and kiddie pools. Making sure pots and buckets are emptied and pools are covered are the best ways to keep mosquito activity at bay.

“Mosquitoes are pretty weak fliers, so with the moving water, it doesn’t really give them that good of a chance to get near the water and lay their eggs and have a calm environment to hatch,” Jensen says.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: CRP Primary Nesting Season
July 31: End of July Continuous CRP Batching Period
August 1: Nomination Period for COC Election in LAA

Late Summer Pasture Seeding

by Jacob Hawes, NRCS Area Grazing Specialist

The late summer seeding window begins in August for pasture and hay plantings, and although it is not as popular as the spring seeding option, it can still be a great opportunity to get cool season pastures established this year. There are several advantages to seeding late summer versus the spring, that may ease some apprehensions about seeding during this timeframe.

Amid disease outbreaks, producers should examine their current biosecurity plans

Announcements of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza should not cause alarm among cattlemen, although this should alert producers to examine their current biosecurity plan, according to a beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Denise Schwab said the announcements are reminders of how any disease can spread to cattle.

“Basic biosecurity practices are essential daily steps for the prevention of all diseases, and cattlemen should always be alert to the potential of disease spread,” she said. “Diseases can be spread by aerosol, direct animal-to-animal contact, oral (through feed or water), reproduction, vector-born (biting or sucking insects), or by vehicles and fomites (shoes, clothes, contaminated feed, needles). Everything we do to prevent this spread reduces the risk of diseases.”

To the Editor:

The Heritage Foundation has published Project 2025, a 900-plus page document outlining policies that will be implemented if its supporters win the presidency in 2025. This plan takes away individual freedoms, rewards big business, and gives absolute power to the President.

Mary K. Brandt, 99, of Atkins, formerly of Waukon, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at home in Atkins. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church Friday. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.
 

Ralph L. Hicks, 91, of De Soto, WI, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at his home in De Soto. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 25 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. There will be a 9 a.m. rosary with the visitation following until time of the services at the church Thursday. Burial will be held in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Hokah, MN. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling the arrangements.

No one knows where or when Ralph’s life began. A childless couple, Elbert and Stella (Hill) Hicks, adopted him from The Home for Little Wanderers in Saint Joseph, MO - now Noyes Home for Children. With no birth record, his Certificate of Adoption stated he was born “on or about June 7, 1933.”

Lyla M. Hanson, 81, of Waukon died Monday, July 15, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 27 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. The service will also be livestreamed on the funeral home’s facebook page: facebook.com/martinfunerals.

Lyla Marlene Hanson was born June 23, 1943, to Jerald and Irene (Erickson) Runice. She was baptized August 15, 1943, at West Prairie Hauge Church in Crawford County, WI. She graduated from De Soto High School in 1961. September 8, 1962, Lyla married Alvin Hanson in La Crescent, MN.

Throughout her life, she worked retail at many places, including Kwik Trip, Ioco, Quick Draw’s, and Quillins - from where she eventually retired.

Anne Caroline Surom, 86, of Strawberry Point passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Garnett Place in Cedar Rapids, surrounded by her family. Funeral service was held Tuesday, July 16 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Strawberry Point. Interment also took place Tuesday, July 16 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, Waterville.

Anne was born July 31, 1937, in Arkansas, the daughter of James and Thelma (Johnson) Burrow. Anne was raised and educated in Little Rock, AR and was a graduate of Little Rock Junior College.

On New Year’s Eve in 1955, Anne and Herb met in Little Rock at a roller-skating rink. March 1, 1959, Anne was united in marriage to Herbert “Herb” Surom, Jr. Three sons were born to this union. Anne worked in advertising and marketing in Little Rock and later for Younkers in Des Moines.

Visitors to the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Fair Booth this year will be invited to play Allamakee County Trivia, being asked about the wide variety of resources that are now all offered through the new Allamakee County Public Health Resource Guide.  Prizes will be awarded, provided by Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Mental Health Today-Matt Howe Foundation, that will promote the future use of this guide. The game is open to all ages.