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In consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge will be issuing Special Use Permits and trap tags remotely only. No Special Use Permits or trap tags will be issued in person at Refuge offices. All permits will be issued through the mail.

Special Use Permit applications and Special Use Permits are available online at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/trapping.html.

Those who are interested in trapping on the Refuge in 2020/2021 should:

A painting project started last March in the Waukon High School art room, prior to the closing of Iowa schools by the COVID-19 pandemic, was resumed this summer and completed in July by Waukon High School now graduated senior Abbie Brainard (pictured above at right) as part of her Advanced Studio art class under the direction of Allamakee Community School District art instructor Carlyn Lechtenberg. The mural painted by Brainard is inspired by international artist Kelsey Montague with black and white doodles that Brainard created by hand. From afar, all of the doodles collectively create the image of a large scissors, glue bottle, paint palette and pencil on the art room wall (as pictured in the top photo at center). “Her dedication to the art program is unlike any other and I’m so glad she could get this project finished for her advanced studio class,” Lechtenberg said of Brainard’s creation.

With many colleges and universities incorporating online learning into their curriculum as COVID-19 concerns continue to grow, those who do not have access to affordable, high-speed internet and want to further their education are often left behind. To help address this issue and increase access to education for adults across the state, online, nonprofit university Western Governors University (WGU) out of St. Louis, MO has announced it will grant high-speed internet access and provide devices to its students who are in need through its Online Access Scholarship program. The scholarship offering is part of a broader WGU initiative aimed at working with policy makers and private industry to close the digital divide by providing more Americans access to reliable internet in their homes.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering “Craft Cocktails: The Art of the Perfect Drink” Monday, September 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. at The Old Rossville Store, located at 851 Volney Road in the community of Rossville about eight miles southeast of Waukon along State Highway 76.

Join this class for an introductory course on everything needed to become a beginner mixologist. Become familiar with basic recipes and learn how to blend spirits in new ways to create a signature drink.  Those interested in participating must be 21 years old to register.

To register online for “Craft Cocktails: The Art of the Perfect Drink” (#77428) or for more information, visit www.nicc.edu/solutions/77428 or call the NICC Waukon Center at 844-642.2338, ext. 6700. Registration deadline is September 14.
 

Any concerns about the Waukon football team following their season-opening loss to Decorah were pretty much laid to rest when the Indians opened their home season in convincing fashion against another Class 3A opponent from their same Northeast Iowa Conference Friday, September 4. After falling in their season opener at Class 3A Decorah by a 19-18 margin that didn’t see them score until the game’s final six minutes, and facing a Waverly-Shell Rock team that had amassed 300 yards on the ground in a 49-13 season-opening win a week earlier over the Tribe’s Class 2A District 4 colleague Crestwood, the Indians calmed the fears of their faithful by scoring on their first two possessions and six of their first seven series of the ballgame to roll to a 45-10 home triumph over the visiting Go-Hawks.

The Waukon volleyball team got its home schedule underway with a lone competition date this past week, and did so with a double-dose of victory on the same night Monday, August 31. The Indian netters remained undefeated so far this young season - both in set and match play, as they swept both Riceville - 25-22, 25-19 and 25-10 - and Kee - 25-11, 25-21 and 25-12 - in that home triangular in three sets each.

“That was a nice way to start off the week and begin our home games; with back to back wins!” Waukon volleyball coach Rachell Adney commented. “I saw several great connections; however, we did struggle with some defensive plays, but we all have to remember that picking that ball up with a good pass every time isn’t always that easy.”

For more complete coverage, pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.

The Kee football team opened its 2020 home schedule in nearly the same way it opened its season overall, dominating another fellow Upper Iowa Conference squad in Eight-Player District 3 play Friday, September 4 on the way to a 55-14 win over West Central. The Hawks scored on their first five possessions of the ballgame to bolt to a 40-6 halftime lead and scored on seven of their eight possessions overall before kneeling out their ninth and final series to end the game.

“It was a great way to celebrate Senior Night,” Kee football coach Chad Winters said. “The three seniors (linemen Mat Gruber, Clayton Little and Hunter McKee) really helped set the tone for the night with their physical play. We were able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.”

For more complete coverage, pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.

The Kee volleyball team had just one competition date on its schedule this past week, but that single date at Waukon Monday, August 31 featured a double dip for the Lady Hawks that ultimately ended up in an even split of their two matches. That split began with a three-set battle against Riceville by sweeping scores of 25-20, 25-22 and 25-22 before the Hawks fell to the host Indians in the evening nightcap by scores of 11-25, 21-25 and 12-25.

The closeness of Kee’s first battle of the triangular was reflected throughout the match and throughout pretty much each set against Riceville. Besides a double-digit margin midway through the third and final set of the match, the Hawks couldn’t get much separation from the Wildcats than what prevailed in their sweep of Riceville by scores of 25-20, 25-22 an 25-22.

Gilbert “Gib” Felton, age 93, of Northfield, MN passed away with his family by his side Sunday evening, September 6, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN following a brief illness. A graveside service and interment were held Saturday, September 12 at Portland Prairie Cemetery, Eitzen, MN (rural Caledonia).

Gilbert John Felton was born June 28, 1927 in Neenah, WI to John W. and Annette (Zick) Felton. He was raised on the family farm and attended Neenah schools, graduating from Neenah High School in 1945. June 27, 1945, he was inducted into the U.S. Navy and served during WWII.

In 1952, he received his Bachelors of Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  In 1962, he received his Masters of Education degree from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls.

September 2, 2020 Joe Fagan of Des Moines moved on to higher ground. A private celebration of life will be held with immediate family.

The service will be live streamed Sunday, September 13 (CDT) at 11:30 a.m. The link will be posted the day of Joe’s service at the bottom of his online obituary at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com. Joe wished to be cremated and his ashes returned to the earth, at the Wildflower Scattering Garden at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines.

Joe was born March 14, 1940 and is the son of Francis Fagan and Florence Collins. He grew up on a small farm (120 acres) in Dubuque County and went to a one-room country school taught by his second cousin, Amy Larkin, from first through third grades, and by his aunt, Liz Lynch, from fourth through eighth. He was surrounded by great neighbors and cousins.