News Center newsletter

The month of April is observed as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the pinwheels pictured at right have been placed along the sidewalk approaching the front entrance of the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon by Helping Services for Youth and Families as a reminder of that observance and as a means to encourage everyone to play a role in making the local community a better place for children and families. In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign based on the idea that pinwheels represent childlike whimsy and lightheartedness and the organization’s vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities.

by Joe Moses

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird visited WW Homestead Dairy in Waukon Thursday, April 4 for an industry tour in addition to meeting with Allamakee County and City of Waukon law enforcement agencies to discuss a variety of matters. Among the representatives of local law enforcement present, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick and Waukon Police Chief Paul Wagner talked with and provided feedback to Attorney General Bird.

Bird updated those present about proposed legislative matters and discussions at the State level relating to the handling of illegal drug trafficking, cold cases and penalties for assaulting first responders and law enforcement, among other matters.

by Joe Moses

Those who are concerned about preserving the Mississippi River as a host for recreation and nature-lovers, both now and in the future, should consider participating in the Friends of Pool 9 River Clean-Up scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to noon.

People interested in helping with this clean-up should contact the group leaders at the following towns to get their assignments and sign-up sheets. Those group leaders are:
• De Soto, WI - Jerry Boardman, 563-419-7968
• Ferryville, WI - Larry Quamme, 920-948-2245
• Lynxville, WI - Mark Schneden, 608-412-0483
• New Albin - Jim Erbe, 563-419-1085
• Lansing - Alex Galema, 563-568-7294.

Each individual must sign a liability waiver. Those under the age of 18 must have signed parental permission to participate. Volunteers will receive gloves, garbage bags and water when they arrive. Dumpsters will be placed at strategic places on both sides of the river.

Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present another program from its Veterans History Project at its museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon.

A video interview by Chuck Bloxham with U.S. Army veteran Marvin “Bud” Strike will be played. Strike will also be present to share comments and answer questions.

Staff Sgt. Marvin Strike joined the U.S. Army in 1953 during the Korean Conflict, serving 16 months in Korea until returning to the U.S. in 1955 to complete his obligation. In Korea, he was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, clearing land mines, repairing roads and bridges. While in Korea, he was promoted to Sergeant and was re-assigned to company clerk duties.

A total of 110 participants ages 10 and under took part in the Annual 4-H Toppers Easter Egg Hunt held Saturday, March 30 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, Dunkin’ Donuts, Allamakee County Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and the Waterville Community Center and City of Waterville.

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting its 2024 Midwest Pie Championship from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 14 in the Community Room of FreedomBank in Waukon. The event will feature both a pie judging and a pie eating contest, along with an auction.

The  pie judging will take place at 1 p.m. and will feature competition classes for apple, pumpkin, raisin cream, nuts, fruits and berries, meat and best decorated pies. Judging will be based on taste and flavor, creativity and overall impression, with ribbons distributed for first-, second- and third-place winners. All pies to be judged must be accompanied by their recipe and delivered on site by 1 p.m.

A pie eating contest will take place at 2 p.m. with some local celebrities competing in the event. Anyone attending the event can also enjoy all the pie they can eat for a $5 fee, with ice cream, whipped cream and fruit available to go along with any pie. Pies will also be auctioned off at 3 p.m.

Alliant Energy named 41 Iowa communities to receive grants totaling nearly $145,000 through the company’s Community Tree Planting program, part of its One Million Trees initiative. Among those communities was the City of New Albin, which received $800 in funding for right-of-way planting with general volunteers.

“Our commitment to improving the environment and supporting the communities we serve is unwavering,” said May Farlinger, Vice President Customer and Community Engagement, Alliant Energy. “The Community Tree Planting program grants awarded will help these Iowa communities achieve tree restoration goals, improve energy efficiency and provide environmental benefits for generations to come.”

Alliant Energy partners with Trees Forever to help communities develop, select and plant a diverse mix of trees. A tree expert helps communities select the best species for their areas and create care and maintenance plans to ensure the new trees have long, healthy lives.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list (303(d) list). Data recently released by the Iowa DNR shows a reduction in 96 impairments relative to the 2022 303(d) impairment list, once the 2024 list is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Iowa’s 2024 303(d) list includes waterbody segments that are not meeting all applicable state water quality standards for their designated uses. A water on the 303(d) list is referred to as an impaired water. Once the DNR creates a water quality improvement plan for the segment (called Total Maximum Daily Loads, or TMDLs), the segment does not need to be included on future 303(d) lists.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Friday, March 15, Eastern Allamakee Community School District Superintendent and Kee High School and Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff Murray posted on Facebook a picture of her husband, Steve, and her on their date night in an area restaurant. A few hours later, she was being airlifted to Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI fighting for her life after falling at home.

Steve was inside their home and Sarah went to the edge of their side yard which overlooks the Mississippi River to see a barge. She slipped and fell about four feet off a retaining wall. Steve rushed out and immediately called 911. The Lansing EMTs were there within a few minutes, assessing the situation.