News Center newsletter

Dan and Kari Ness of Cedar Rapids announce the birth of their son, Rylan Daniel Ness, born October 31, 2021 at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. He weighed 8 lbs. 6 ozs. and measured 20-3/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a brother, Easton (2-1/2).

Grandparents are Rodney and Linda Zitek of Cedar Rapids and Scott and Karen Ness of Waterville. Great-grandparents are Betty Zitek of Cedar Rapids, Mary Fink of Waukon and Sig and Barb Ness of Waukon. Joyce Kuhse of Postville is a great-great-grandparent.

To the Editor:

It’s hard to know which spurious claim to address in any given Lowell Engle letter, so I threw a dart and went with climate change.

In his letter of November 10, Mr. Engle dismisses the threat posed by climate change, writing, “There is not a meteorologist that I have heard who agrees with that.” Without knowing how many meteorologists Mr. Engle has heard, I decided to check with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) to see if I could get an overview of their opinions.

Right off the bat, the AMS website states: “Climate Change is among the most pressing issues facing the world today.”

To the Editor:

With regards to the flag that flies in Rossville: Yes, the owner has a legal right to fly it, but is it morally right? How do you open up a conversation with someone who feels the need to express themselves with vulgarity, no matter the rationale?

A recent letter writer said that he does not know a meteorologist that believes in the threat of climate change.

Decades of scientific data, including satellite images, show that human-caused climate change is real and affecting our planet at an alarming rate, according to multiple agencies and organizations including the United Nations, the National Academy of Sciences, NASA, NOAA and the American Meteorological Society.

The Nobel Prize for Physics this fall was given to two pioneering climate scientists who laid the foundation for our understanding of the role of human activities and greenhouse gases in climate change, calling climate change “a major crisis”.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 25: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
December 6: Deadline to Return COC Ballots
December 15: Fall Seeded Crop Certification Deadline
March 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline

Programs to be held in 14 locations across Iowa

The 2022 Crop Advantage meetings will give producers a solid foundation of current research-based crop production information to help make smart, informed decisions for their farming operation. The meetings are an opportunity for farmers and crop advisers to hear current research and crop production information from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Specialists will travel to 14 locations around Iowa from Jan. 4-27, providing updated management options and recommendations on crop production issues facing Iowa growers.

Meetings include continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers and pesticide applicator recertification. All sites offer private pesticide applicator continuing instruction, which is included in the registration fee. The Chariton location also offers commercial ag pesticide applicator continuing instruction for an additional cost.

by Stephanie Kelley

For 133 years, the bell from a little white church in Waterville rang out on Sunday mornings. It rang for every wedding and every funeral. It rang for every celebration and every holiday. And then, in 2010, it stopped. The little white church closed the doors and stood silent.

Across the Midwest, churches have anchored their communities. Served those in need. Baptized and buried generations of families. Housed social gatherings, and, once a week, brought entire communities together to the sound of church bells. The church was the spark that kept the town alive and a part of its identity. One could find fellowship and a whole lot of potluck within its walls.

by Lissa Blake

A wonderful first season. That’s what New Albin Improvement (NAIL) member Betsy Whitlatch had to say about the success of the New Albin Splash Pad and additional improvements made to the city park. “This was our first full summer and we heard some really great reviews,” she said.

Whitlatch said adding a new shade shelter to the park area really made it a more welcoming space for people of all ages. “That was a huge addition to the area. We saw lots of kids and families there all summer,” said Whitlatch. Whitlatch said this summer saw higher usage of the basketball courts in the park, and even though the splash pad has been winterized and is closed for the winter, the playground is still seeing some heavy use.

A lifelong love of animals for Waukon native Tracey Tepesch is now something she can share with customers - both human and fur-bearing - in her new business venture, Paws Up Pet Supplies, located at 11 Allamakee Street in Waukon.

First opening for business November 6 in the long-time Cotécolor Photography building, Paws Up Pet Supplies accomplishes three aspirations for the 1989 graduate of Waukon High School. “Number one, my love/passion for animals; number two, I’ve always wanted to be a part of the business community; and number three, I’ve always wanted to restore a building back to its original state,” Tepesch explained.

Veterans Day at Thornton Manor in Lansing was celebrated by presenting two residents with the honored Quilt of Valor. Eileen Smith (pictured standing above) from Lansing gave a sentimental presentation to Charlie Matlock and Don Anderson (seated left to right in photo above), honoring the veterans with the Quilt of Valor and framed certificates. A Quilt of Valor is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.” The two quilts were locally made by a special group of women to honor local veterans. Photo and write-up submitted by Karen Ulrich, Recreation Therapy Director at Thornton Manor. Submitted photo.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will observe Pearl Harbor Day Tuesday, December 7 by offering a program to the public in the Program Room of its new museum in the former Vet’s Club building in Waukon.

Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. a video documentary will be presented about the Japanese air raid on the U.S. Naval and Air Bases at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Islands, which marked the entry of the United States into the Second World War.

The Pearl Harbor documentary will be preceded by a video that museum staff are calling “The last summer of peace in Waukon before the War.” It includes movie footage filmed in downtown Waukon in the summers of 1940-1941 by the Cote family for entertainment viewing in their newly opened Town Theatre on Main Street in Waukon.