News Center newsletter

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department has been called upon by the communities of Lansing and New Albin to assist in providing temporary law enforcement coverage in those two communities following the recent resignation of Chief of Police Conrad Rosendahl, and more recently, the resignations of the two remaining officers in the department, Darby Stone and Troy Riehm. Chief Rosendahl’s resignation became effective June 26, as he began a new job as Chief of Police for the City of New Hampton July 1.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 15 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of the Resolution for the Destruction of Noxious Weeds, consideration of the appointment of a Harpers Ferry Library Board rural representative, and an update relating to the Lansing Police Department and New Albin law enforcement coverage.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Pro-Tem Mark Reiser with Supervisor Dennis Keatley present. Chairperson Dan Byrnes was not present due to a scheduled absence. There was no comment during the time allotted for Public Comment.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 15 to address a full agenda of matters. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan.

During Public Comment, Ian Zahren, an Independent candidate running for the Iowa House of Representatives District 64, discussed being an advocate for small communities like Waukon. Zahren requested feedback from the council for follow-up in Des Moines with council member Steve Wiedner discussing the need for stronger enforcement relating to illegal drugs. Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana discussed the need for more resources beyond court-ordered mental health related treatment. Zahren noted the approximate 3.5 million dollar statewide opioid settlement with options available to apply for that funding as a city and as a county.

Gardening and pizza went together perfectly in Waukon and Lansing at recent youth sessions hosted by Allamakee County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Youth learned the different parts of a plant, and how each part is edible depending on the fruit or vegetable. It was discussed which parts help make a pizza, while everyone designed their perfect pizza. Ideas ranged from pepperoni to ice cream to candy pizza. Youth used English muffins to make personal pizzas for lunch.

They also discussed the four needs for plants to survive: air, soil, water and sun. To highlight soil, everyone was able to plant their own pizza garden to take home, using a variety of seeds used to make pizza such as tomato, pepper, basil and thyme. To highlight sun, they made UV bracelets, which turned colors in the sunshine. Other skills gained were knife cutting, correct handwashing using the Glo Germs, and measuring and making their own snack.

The 2024 Firecracker 5K  Run/Walk was held Saturday, July 6 in Harpers Ferry. It was hosted by Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc. and is the organization’s main annual fundraiser which helps the group offer financial support to various organizations and worthy causes benefiting the Harpers Ferry area throughout the year.

The race, which is managed by Fast Track Racing, is known for being flat and fast, and thus is attractive to all age groups. The route offers lovely views and a tranquil setting overlooking the Mississippi River on the east and the rising bluffs framing the west side of town.

This year the registered race participants exceeded 200 individuals, which is the largest number since the race began. The vast majority of participants were from Iowa, however, other represented states included California, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Four individuals of the Little Switzerland FFA Chapter from Waukon High School competed in the Agronomy career development event (CDE) at both the District and State levels earlier this summer. The team included members (left to right in the submitted photo above) Sarah Stock, Kendra Gibbs, Caleb Helgerson and Olivia Marti. May 13, the team competed at the Northeast Iowa District Contest held at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo and was named the Reserve Champion Team. In the final individual standings, Olivia Marti placed 2nd, Sarah Stock placed 5th, Kendra Gibbs placed 12th, and Caleb Helgerson placed 16th.

April 24, three members of the Little Switzerland FFA chapter at Waukon High School participated in the District Agriculture Mechanics career development event (CDE) at the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) campus in Calmar. The team, which included Ethan Gibbs, Ryan Kolsrud and Drake Hankes, achieved a 15th-place finish out of 39 teams. Individually, Ethan Gibbs placed 11th, Ryan Kolsrud 36th, and Drake Hankes 89th at that District level of competition.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) School Board met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, July 15. Under the Consent Agenda, the board approved the following personnel items (pending a satisfactory background check): Katelyn Thiessen, 9th grade volleyball coach; Jarod Dahlstrom, Jon Snitker and Chris Dahlstrom, volunteer varsity football coaches; and Cassie Schellsmidt, high school night custodian.

There were four open enrollments out of the school district that were approved. A Student Teaching Agreement with Luther College was also approved, as well as a Day School Agreement with Chileda Institute, Inc.

To the Editor:

It’s been some time since I wrote a letter. It’s hard work for me, and my age doesn’t help - 98 in November, but here goes. Over these many years, I have seen a lot of changes, and most not for the best.

Way back in 1980, I heard a farmer speak. He had just lost a court deal. He said very loudly we should line up all the lawyers in the USA and get rid of every other one and we would still have twice as many as we need. Wow, that was quite the statement, but now, 50 years later, he might have been on track.

Look at our Congress, not very highly respected, below 20% approval. If Congress was made up of farmers and businessmen, we would have a better country. Our government took the Bible, Ten Commandments and anything Christian out of our schools. Christian school teachers could not wear a cross or anything Christian.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

The July session of “Let’s Talk Bridges!” (held Thursday, July 11, at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library) was a little shorter than the usual hour-long presentation regular attendees look forward to every month. There wasn’t a lot to talk about by way of progress on the bridge - crews with Kraemer North America, the contractors building the new bridge, haven’t been on the river since mid-June because of high water.