News Center newsletter

Michael Osterholm, Ph.D., MPH, University of Minnesota Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health, and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), has been selected by the U.S. Department of State as one of five 2018 U.S. Science Envoys.

Other 2018 U.S. Science Envoys include Charles Frank Bolden Jr., (USMC-Ret.), the former Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Robert S. Langer, Sci.D., FREng, one of 13 Institute Professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and recipient of the U.S. National Medal of Science (2006) and the U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation (2011).

An internationally recognized expert in infectious disease epidemiology, Osterholm is a leader in the research, prevention and control of infectious diseases throughout the world. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Council on Foreign Relations.

The annual Allamakee County Dairy Days Parade was held in Postville this year in conjunction with the Postville community’s Hometown Celebration Parade Friday, June 15 and the Big Four Fair. Such as this parade entry by Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank exclaims, the annual event celebrates June as Dairy Month and the efforts of producers and others involved in the dairy industry in Allamakee County. Photo courtesy of The Postville Herald.
 

by Lissa Blake

While the name Upper Explorerland frequently surfaces in regard to city and county meetings, few people understand the scope of what the organization does. Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Rachelle Howe and Economic Development Department Head Diana Johnson recently spent some time explaining the organization’s operations.

“Upper Explorerland is a council of governments (COG) that serves as an extension of city and county governments in order to assist them,” said Howe.

Several IowaWORKS office changes will be occurring in the coming weeks, including the closure of Expansion Offices in Clarion, Humboldt, Manchester, Mt. Pleasant, New Hampton, Oelwein, Pocahontas, Waukon and West Union; the relocation and adjustment of the hours of operation of the Satellite Offices in Fort Madison and Webster City; and new hours of operation at the Expansion Office in Keokuk.

“These shifts aim to better align our IowaWORKS resources with needs and office traffic patterns across the state,” said Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “They also expand on local partnerships allowing us to reduce costs and increase access to the resources job seekers and employers need in the areas where services are most in demand.”

Children of all ages are invited to read to Sunny, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever owned by PJ Mullen, at K9 Story Time at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon. Sunny (pictured above) received her therapy training through the Love on a Leash Organization. K9 Story Time will be held each Thursday, June 21 through August 16, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Each reading session will be 10 minutes long allowing space for four different readers each Thursday. Registration is required and be can be done by contacting Robey Memorial Library at 563-568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us. Submitted photo.
 

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Giant butterflies have been hovering over the potted flowers on Lansing’s Main Street. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing has created a public art project which they are sharing with the residents and visitors to town. Children and adults have met for several weeks to paint the large wooden butterflies.

Pastor Laura Gentry, an artist as well as the church’s pastor, conceived of the idea and brought the congregation on board to create a public art project which engages people. Many of the butterflies are both motivational and beautiful since they have positive phrases or biblical encouragements on them. The participants have created 19 butterflies to be  displayed in each of the  flowerpots of the downtown district.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 18 at the New Albin Public Library as part of the board’s yearly tour of county libraries. The board addressed agenda items including Secondary Roads Department transfers, approval of the Knotty Pine liquor license renewal and a Public Hearing for vacating and closing old road #231 in Hanover township.

During Public Comment, New Albin Public Library Director Heather Abrahamzon discussed plans to automate the library’s system to utilize a scanner and bar codes for checking books in and out. Abrahamzon further explained that this step will help the library become accredited and qualify for additional State funding and will allow patrons to search for books using a computer and utilize the inter-library loan system.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 18 to address a full agenda of items including discussion of developing a sidewalk plan, discussion of the Waukon Mayor’s Facebook page and approval of wage increases for Union and non-Union City employees.

Mayor Pat Stone called the meeting to order with approval of the June 4 regular session and June 13 special session meeting minutes.

The Public Hearing for the Application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Waste Water Treatment Facility was opened. City Clerk Allen Lyon indicated that no written or verbal comments have been received. City Manager Dean Hilgerson discussed the need for a representative from Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) to provide more information with the CDBG also listed later on the agenda.

The 65th Jubilee Mass of Father Donald Hawes has been scheduled for Sunday, July 1 at 12 noon in Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford. In addition to celebrating 65 years as a priest, Father Hawes is also planning to celebrate his 90th birthday.

As part of the celebration, Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack of “Switchback” are planning to lead the music for the Jubilee Mass July 1. They will present “The Hibernian Mass,” one of six Mass settings they have written. The Hibernian Mass touches on Switchback’s Celtic roots and portrays the arrival of Christianity to the Irish people through the venerable Saint Patrick. After Mass they will also present a brief concert.

by Macie Hill

The Lansing City Council met in a very brief regular session Monday, June 18. Discussion centered around a new storm sewer being put in and approval of revised seal coat bids for City streets. Another agenda item pertaining to Hazard Mitigation was not able to take place and will likely be rescheduled for the next meeting.

There will be a new storm sewer put in place in the area of Main and Front Streets due to an issue discovered with the existing storm sewer in that area. The council also approved the bids to seal coat the City streets approved during the previous council meeting, with the exception of the pool parking lot due to a budgeting matter.