The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 22 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing for the proposed Fiscal-Year 2025 Allamakee County Budget, the consideration of Adopting the Resolution approving Fiscal-Year 2025 compensation increases for elected officials and the discussion and consideration of a potential solar project at the County Farm. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.
Waukon High School seniors Ethan Kelly (left) and Ava Bossom (right) were selected as the 2024 Waukon High School Prom King and Queen at the annual event held Saturday, April 20. Bossom was selected from a Queen court that also consisted of fellow seniors Kaitlyn Krambeer, Ashlin O’Neill and Breckan Stewart. Kelly was chosen from a King court that also included fellow seniors Mason Wasson, Gabriel Weighner and Drew Weymiller.
Kee High School seniors Ava Mahr (left) and Brendan Croft (right) were selected as the 2024 Kee High School Prom Queen and King at the annual event held Saturday, April 20. Mahr was selected from a Queen court that also consisted of fellow seniors Evie Clemments, Anissa Stanley and Riley Troendle. Croft was chosen from a King court that also included fellow seniors Cadan Evanson, Jack Schweitzer and Austin St. Mary. Photo by Danielle Potter.
Brandon Kasemeier, the now 40-year-old man from Waukon charged in the January 21 death of his estranged wife, Jami Kasemeier, will be changing his plea in the case, according to a Motion for Further Proceedings filed by his attorney and an order issued by Iowa First Judicial District Court Judge Alan Heavens Friday, April 19. Kasemeier was scheduled for jury trial in the case on a charge of First Degree Murder May 15 of this year, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for Monday, April 22, but both proceedings were canceled following Friday’s filing of his change in plea by Kasemeier’s public defender, Aaron Hawbaker of Waterloo.
Elections 101 will be a weekly series of articles offering a variety of information regarding elections in Iowa and Allamakee County prior to this year’s June 4 Primary Election. The information is being provided courtesy of Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer.
As evident in the surrounding photos on this page, the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing was opened to traffic by Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials Saturday, April 20 at approximately 11 a.m., bringing to an end a nearly two-month closure that involved an extensive repair process and rigorous safety testing and inspection. The bridge had been closed since February 25 of this year after discovery of an unexpected buckling of the bridge that was then determined to be the result of two of the bridge piers shifting on the eastern end of the structure.
“Our contracting partner, Kraemer North America, worked diligently to replace the piers,” Iowa DOT officials said. “The new piers are supported by steel pipe pilings reaching more than 100 feet into bedrock compared to the previous pilings that were placed more than 90 years ago and reached approximately 40 feet deep.”
The Toe Tappers of today ... Pictured above are the current members of The Toe Tappers, including, left to right, Joe Sweeney, Dean Mielke, Sis Stemper and Lyle Hanson. While Dean and Sis are newer members of the band, Lyle has been with The Toe Tappers since 1992 and Joe is an original founding member. Submitted photo.
The beginning of the beats ... Joe Sweeney has always been the one concrete member of the Toe Tappers throughout the band’s 50-plus year history of entertaining northeast Iowa. He is pictured here with his trap set in his living room, shortly after beginning his musical career with Luigi and the Troubadours in 1965. Submitted photo.
The Toe Tappers in their early years ... The Toe Tappers will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Friday, May 10, beginning at 6 p.m. The current members of the band will join Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF), who are reuniting for their second consecutive year to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. Pictured above are The Toe Tappers in the early years of the band, including Gordy Tangen at left, Joe Sweeney in the middle and Lloyd Weber at right. Submitted photo.
The Toe Tappers will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Friday, May 10, beginning at 6 p.m. They will join Bandmates, Brothers and Friends, members of several former local bands who are reuniting for their second consecutive year to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year the event will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon to allow for more room for dancing, additional seating, food (cash sales), and beverages.
The Toe Tappers have been entertaining the tri-state area for over 50 years, but due to COVID never had the opportunity to celebrate that milestone, until this event. They will take the stage first, at 6 p.m., followed by two different sets of the 11 musicians who are once again reuniting for the night, forming Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF).
Hello Sunshine ribbon cutting with Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors ... The Waukon Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting event at the new location of Hello Sunshine on Main Street in Waukon, and this ribbon cutting was the first to feature the Chamber’s new Ambassador Program. Pictured above at that ribbon cutting are: Left to right - Front row: Waukon Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Amber Mezera of People’s State Bank, Denise Wullner of Veterans Memorial Hospital and Sandy Halverson of S&D Cafe, Hello Sunshine Owner Lara Berryman, Waukon Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Wendy Bucheit of Veterans Memorial Hospital, and Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Paige Cota of FreedomBank; Back row Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors members David Mark of R.W. Pladsen and Chad Curtin of Waukon State Bank, Waukon Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Jackie Barz of Waukon Family Chiropractic and Adam Hooten of Teddy’s Auto Sales, Colin Berryman of Hello Sunshine, and Waukon Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Jamie Bieber of Veterans Memorial Hospital, Erin Berns of Veterans Memorial Hospital and Barb Shull of FreedomBank. Submitted photo.
The year 2024 is a year of firsts for the Waukon Chamber of Commerce. It is the first full year for Executive Director Mandy Halverson, the first time the organization secured an Iowa Tourism Grant, and it also marks the launch of the Chamber’s new Ambassador program. The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is nearing its 70th year of incorporation, and it’s safe to say that the organization has been a labor of love for the Waukon business owners, employees and residents who have been a part of the Chamber over the years.
In this year of new beginnings for the Waukon Chamber of Commerce, the current Chamber staff and board of directors identified increased visibility and enhanced member interactions as organizational goals. Specifically, the group wanted to improve the celebration of member milestones through more scheduled ribbon cuttings as a way to draw attention to Waukon businesses and community growth in general.
Saturday, April 13, five students from the Beginning Band at East Elementary School in Waukon had the opportunity to participate in the Coe College Honor Band in Cedar Rapids. The honor band is held each year, and there are two ensembles that perform at the event - one for first-year players who are mostly in fifth grade, and a second ensemble for second-year players in sixth grade. During the day, the students had the opportunity to rehearse with world renowned composer Carol Britton Chambers, who also composed two of the pieces that the students had to learn for the festival. The bands performed a final concert at 4 p.m. that afternoon in the Coe College campus auditorium. The five Beginning Band students from East Elementary School who attended the Coe College Honor Band are pictured above and include (left to right) Isabella Hogan, Ivy Streeper, Malea Downing, Leighton Staggemeyer and Emma Berges. Submitted photo.
State of Iowa Treasurer Roby Smith has announced that the 2024 Robert D. Blue Scholarship is open for applications. Applicants must be a current senior or former graduate of any Iowa high school who plans to attend a college or university within the state. Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and recommendations.
Smith is a member of the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which funds the scholarship. The Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation was created in 1949 by Governor Robert D. Blue. Scholarship applications are only accepted online and must be submitted by May 10. Visit rdblue.org online to apply and learn more.
