The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 20 to address a full agenda of items including the Public Hearing Amending the Current Budget for the City of Waukon for the Fiscal Year Ending (FYE) June 30, 2022, the Resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to Authorize Non-Budgeted Expenditures not in Excess of the sum of $2,500 and discussion of filling a seat on the Regional Housing Authority Board.
Land values in Iowa reflect higher crop prices; Allamakee and Clayton counties report largest percentage increase, according to ISU survey
After several years of modest gains and losses, the average value of an acre of Iowa farmland skyrocketed 29% in 2021. The nominal value of an acre of farmland is now higher than at any point since Iowa State University and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach began surveying values in 1941, and is 12% higher than the previous peak in 2013; although the current value in inflation-adjusted terms is still lower than that for 2012 and 2013.
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met twice during the month of December.
A special meeting was held Friday, December 3. Under the consent agenda, the board approved the following personnel matters: Cody Snitker as Middle School girls track coach and Jack Regan as Middle School wrestling coach. The board also accepted the following resignations: George Farning from his custodian position; Kendra Reburn from her paraprofessional position; and Lauran White from her paraprofessional position.
The board also approved a Sunday gym usage request from Waukon Heat Volleyball, as well as a field trip to La Crosse, WI for the Middle School 21st Century After School Program. The board also approved the ACSD 403(b) Plan Amendment.
Under new business, the board approved the purchase of two vans from Decorah Auto Center for $48,420. That amount was the net total after an $8,500 trade-in.
Continuing Education is required in order to keep a Private Pesticide Applicators license current annually. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office will be offering three face-to-face opportunities to attend the Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course, led by Extension Field Agronomist, Joshua Michel.
State law requires that attendees be in their seat at the start of the program. The course will run for approximately two and a half hours, and attendees must stay for the entire program. Individuals only need to attend one of these sessions to complete the education requirement.
The trainings will be held at the Freedom Bank Community Room in Waukon. Pre-registration is recommended by calling 563-568-6345. Allamakee County will be hosting the following dates and times: January 19 at 9:30 a.m., February 1 at 1:30 p.m. and February 1 at 6:30 p.m.
For families that will have a new college freshman next year, this is a great time to look for scholarships that will help offset the cost of an education. Scholarships are considered “gift aid,” meaning that they do not need to be repaid later. Some are one-time awards that can be used while a family’s college savings continues to grow; others are renewable as long as the student remains eligible.
While we hear a lot about athletic scholarships or awards for high academic achievement, no student should overlook the possibility of earning some scholarships. Many different types of organizations offer scholarships, so casting a wide net will help students locate the opportunities they are most eligible for.
Here are some tips from Iowa Student Loan for finding and applying for scholarships:
At the regular Lansing City Council meeting Monday evening, December 20, Mayor Melissa Hammell conducted the second reading of Ordinance No. 201, calling for a moratorium “prohibiting the building or construction of structures within the City of Lansing.” The action is being considered while the City of Lansing Code of Ordinances is currently under review and revision. There were no public comments following the second reading, and the third and final reading is being planned for the next regular council meeting in January.
After 10 months of deployment, 80 soldiers of the 734th Regional Support Group were welcomed home by family and friends at the Des Moines International Airport Friday, October 29. Staff Sergeant John Reburn of New Albin was among those welcomed home.
The 734th Regional Support Group provided base support, commandant cell and base camp services for several military bases in the Middle East, ensuring the day-to-day operations of each base.
SSG Reburn enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in October of 2013, after graduating from Kee High School in Lansing. He is the son of Mike and Joan Reburn of New Albin.
Half the point total ... Waukon girls basketball junior Emma Palmer puts up a shot between defenders in the Indians’ 36-26 home loss to Class 4A seventh-rated Waverly-Shell Rock Friday, December 17. Palmer provided half the Indian scoring total in the contest with a team-high 13 points. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
The Waukon girls basketball team got its Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) season underway this past week, earning a split against its first two league foes. The Lady Indians first secured a 49-45 win at New Hampton Tuesday, December 14 before falling at home to Waverly-Shell Rock by a 36-26 final result. Holding a 3-4 season record that includes a 1-1 start to their NEIC schedule, the Indians were next scheduled to host Decorah Tuesday, December 21 to wrap up the pre-holiday portion of this season’s schedule. The Tribe will return to action after the holidays Monday, January 3 when they host Kee before hosting a January 6 make-up date with Crestwood, traveling to Charles City Friday, January 7 and then playing Wapsie Valley at Upper Iowa University in Fayette Saturday, January 8.
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Wrapping up a fall at 126 ... Waukon wrestling 126-pound junior Jakob Regan has Decorah sophomore Danny See under control in the Indians’ 48-33 home loss to the Vikings Thursday, December 16. Regan went on to finish off the series for a pin in a time of 1:39 for the final team points scored for the Indians in the dual. View and find out how to purchase this photo and more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
Juniors Regan, Dickson claim tournament titles at 126 and 182 pounds
Pearson in the paint ... Waukon boys basketball junior Nash Pearson elevates in the lane for a shot attempt in the Indians’ 68-40 home loss to Waverly-Shell Rock Friday, December 17. Pearson scored two points in the contest, grabbed three rebounds and posted one each of assists and steals. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
The Waukon boys basketball team got its Northeast Iowa Conference season underway with a pair of contests this past week and remained in search of its first win of the season after being dealt a pair of losses. The Indians first fell at New Hampton Tuesday, December 14 by a final score of 64-49 and followed that with a 68-40 home loss to Waverly-Shell Rock Friday, December 17. The bucket Tribe was next scheduled to wrap up the pre-holiday portion of its schedule with back-to-back nights at home, hosting Oelwein Monday, December 20 and then Decorah Tuesday, December 21. The Tribe will return to action after the holidays Monday, January 3 when they host Kee before hosting Crestwood January 6, traveling to Charles City January 7 and playing Turkey Valley at Upper Iowa University January 8.
