Purchase option could expand Waukon City Park and housing possibilities ... A purchase option dealing with a portion of what has been most locally known as the McCabe property directly north of the Waukon City Park and along Second Street SW (pictured above) is now in the works between the City of Waukon and new owner of two of the three parcels of that McCabe property, Steve Pladsen, who has purchased those two parcels east of Second Street SW following a sealed bid process completed last week. The City of Waukon purchase option would be for much of the land pictured directly above, which would include approximately 10.5 acres directly adjacent to the campground/swimming pool area of the City Park that could be used to expand the park/campground area or for conservation purposes, as well as another nearly four adjacent acres a bit further north that the City would look to develop into multi-unit housing. All plans are currently tentative and further details will be made known as they become available.
by Joe Moses
The City of Waukon and Steve Pladsen, owner of RW Pladsen, Inc., have been working cooperatively relating to the planning and potential development of property adjacent to the Waukon City Park on the south end of the community. The land, known locally as the McCabe property, was recently auctioned through Hertz Farm Management by a sealed bidding process for three distinct parcels, with each creating unique opportunities for development.
With Pladsen winning the bid on the two parcels (Parcels 2 and 3) of the property located directly east of Second Street SW, between the Southcrest Assisted Living complex and the Waukon City Park, the City of Waukon has expressed interest in purchasing the southerly portion of Parcel 2. The City’s land purchase from Pladsen would consist of approximately 14.4 acres of the McCabe property’s southerly portion of Parcel 2, just north of the campgrounds portion of the Waukon City Park.
Revised Harpers Slough closure ... The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge’s previous version of the Refuge’s Closed Area Evaluation released in June of this year had the McGregor District Harpers Slough Closed Area(outlined in yellow above) identified as a No Motor Area during the period coinciding with the voluntary avoidance period (October 15 to the end of the Iowa duck hunting season). As a result of feedback from Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and others who identified impacts on commercial fishing operations, the No Motor Area designation has been modified and the Harpers Slough Closed Area will now be divided into a northern and southern area where the southern portion of the area (outlined in red above) will be limited to no motors during the voluntary avoidance area time period of October 15 until the end of the state duck season in mid-December, and the northern portion of the closed area will remain as a voluntary avoidance area. Image courtesy of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Approval of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge’s (Refuge) Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) in 2006 resulted in the Refuge’s current closed area system consisting of 20 closed areas on the river and three sanctuaries. All refuge closed areas and sanctuaries are characterized by a closure to all migratory bird hunting.
In addition to being closed to all migratory bird hunting, closed areas are closed to all hunting, trapping and camping during the period coinciding with duck hunting seasons within their respective states. Sanctuaries are closed to all public entry during the period of October 1 to the end of the duck hunting season.
New Lansing Mayor sworn in ... Melissa Hammell was sworn in as the new mayor of Lansing following the September 14 special election held to fill the vacancy in that office created with the resignation of former Lansing Mayor Kyle Walleser due to a change in his employment status. Mayor Hammell (left) is pictured above being sworn in by Lansing City Clerk Katie Becker (right) at the September 20 regular meeting of the Lansing City Council. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
by Julie Berg-Raymond
Following a special election Tuesday, September 14, Melissa Hammell was sworn in as mayor of Lansing immediately prior to the Lansing City Council’s regular meeting Monday, September 20. Hammell will serve out the remainder of the current four-year mayoral term through the year 2023.
October 8-10, over 200 quilted items will adorn the New Albin Community Center, located at 137 Railroad Avenue SW in New Albin. There will be an array of quilts, including antique quilts, baby quilts, t-shirt quilts, wall hangings, table runners and wool work on display. Hours for the show will be Friday, October 8 from 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, October 9 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, October 10 from 12-4 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the New Albin Public Library.
New this year will be a variety of quilts for sale. A portion of the proceeds from those quilts sold will also benefit the New Albin Public Library.
Lisa Fruechte and Karen Darling of New Albin began organizing this show in 2006. With a number of helpers each year, they have seen it continue to grow. It is not required to be part of a quilt guild to display an item in the New Albin show.
The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center will host a Building Better Birders Workshop Thursday, October 7 starting at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will feature “Common Feeder Birds of Iowa” by Kelly McKay, Mark Roberts and Brian Ritter.
The program will be free of charge, but advanced registration is encouraged. This program is designed to help those attending identify birds that might be visiting their feeders this winter in the Driftless Area.
Kelly McKay is from the BioEco Research and Monitoring Center in Hampton, IL. He will be assisted by Mark Roberts, Environmental Education Coordinator from the Clinton County Conservation Board and Brian Ritter, the Executive Director of the Nahant Marsh Education Center. Funding for the speakers has been provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection-Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP).
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD)Board of Education met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, September 20. Under the consent agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: After School Program staff; Carrie Etten as East Elementary paraprofessional; Heather Lange as Kindergarten PLC Leader; Laurel Keenan as high school business teacher and FBLA co-advisor; Jack Regan as volunteer wrestling coach; Jackie Johnson as West Elementary paraprofessional and Kerry Wacker as Elementary Student Support Services PLC Leader. Jasmine Snitker’s resignation as assistant varsity softball coach was accepted.
Members of Kee High School’s National Honor Society chapter came to Thornton Manor in Lansing Friday, September 10 to help celebrate National Grandparents Day. With residents able to watch out the large front window, chalk displays were drawn on the parking lot in front of Thornton Manor to recognize all the grandparents who live at Thornton Manor. Thornton Manor residents and staff appreciate the students and staff involved for sharing their time and talent. Submitted photo.
Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering “Kids and Canvas - It’s Elementary!” Wednesday, September 29 from 3:30-5 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 3rd Avenue NW.
Children can explore the world of painting in this fun class designed for elementary school-aged kids. In class, the kids are provided the paint and artist’s canvas, an age-appropriate subject and step-by-step guidance to release each child’s inherent creativity. The results are sure to bring smiles to the faces of parents and children.
The deadline for paid registration is September 22. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/solutions/82703 or call the NICC Waukon Center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
Hauling in six points ... Waukon football senior Vicente Quiroz hauls in this pass from junior Noah Hatlan for a 25-yard touchdown reception in the Indians’ 48-21 Homecoming victory over North Fayette Valley Friday, September 17. In addition to this touchdown catch, Quiroz also recorded three solo tackles in his total of four defensive stops in the game. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this webpage.
by Perry Hesse
A battle of ranked Class 2A teams turned into a lopsided Homecoming win for the Waukon Indians Friday, September 17 as the hosts manhandled North Fayette Valley (NFV) to the tune of 48-21. The victory improved seventh-ranked Waukon’s record to 3-1 on the season and was the first defeat for the ninth-rated Tigerhawks.
“We had a size advantage, although our offensive line wasn’t that much bigger than their defensive line,” said Waukon football coach Chad Beermann. “Our offensive line continues to improve, especially run blocking. Our pass blocking still has a ways to go.”
Blasting it by ... Waukon volleyball senior Brenna Berns slams this attack past a Charles City block attempt in the Indians’ home victory in four sets over the Comets Tuesday, September 14. Berns recorded a team-high 19 digs along with five kills, three assists and one ace while converting 11 of her 12 serve attempts in the match. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this webpage.
The Waukon volleyball team played to a nearly undefeated week, coming up just shy of that unblemished mark in its final match of the week to currently hold an 11-8 season record that includes an even, 1-1 start to the Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) season. The Lady Indians began the week with a four-set triumph at home over Charles City Tuesday, September 14 by scores of 25-18, 19-25, 25-19 and 25-13.
