River Valley

Read Across Iowa launched March 1 and began a month-long celebration to bring the joys of reading to kids of all ages. Agriculturally-themed Read Across Iowa events were held in Allamakee County and across the state and featured books and materials about agriculture that appealed to all readers.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County went into classrooms in New Albin Elementary and read an egg-themed book. As depicted in the photos here, students learned some fun facts about chickens and had an egg and spoon relay race to get the egg from the nest to the egg carton.

“When you read with children, you are making an investment,” said Becky Rea, K-12 Program Coordinator. “Early reading and talking with children gives them a strong start and a life-long return.”

The Iowa PBS series “Road Trip Iowa” will feature some Allamakee County highlights in an upcoming episode to be aired next week. The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing, and Mohn’s Fish Market and Effigy Mounds National Monument near Harpers Ferry will all be featured in the same episode that will premiere Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. and be rebroadcast Saturday, April 27 at 9 a.m.

In that episode of “Road Trip Iowa”, explore the history of river life in the Driftless Area. The episode will also highlight other stops along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway including the Lockmaster’s House Heritage Museum, Pikes Peak State Park, the Fenelon Place Elevator, Catfish Charlie’s, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, and the Dubuque Street Art Trail.

Saturday, April 20 marks an unofficial cannabis “celebration,” and there will likely be an increase in marijuana use. To help keep drug-impaired drivers off the roads, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7, which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, is teaming up with local law enforcement to spread the message that drug-impaired driving is dangerous and illegal. NHTSA wants to remind all drivers: “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. So don’t drive high, or you’ll get a DUI.”

“Even if you don’t feel impaired after partaking in drug use, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle,” said Region 7 Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “Impairment from drug use can sometimes be delayed, or you can be fooled into thinking you’re of sound mind when you’re not. State laws vary within our region, but the one constant is that driving with recreational drugs in your system is illegal everywhere.”

Alliant Energy named 41 Iowa communities to receive grants totaling nearly $145,000 through the company’s Community Tree Planting program, part of its One Million Trees initiative. Among those communities was the City of New Albin, which received $800 in funding for right-of-way planting with general volunteers.

“Our commitment to improving the environment and supporting the communities we serve is unwavering,” said May Farlinger, Vice President Customer and Community Engagement, Alliant Energy. “The Community Tree Planting program grants awarded will help these Iowa communities achieve tree restoration goals, improve energy efficiency and provide environmental benefits for generations to come.”

Alliant Energy partners with Trees Forever to help communities develop, select and plant a diverse mix of trees. A tree expert helps communities select the best species for their areas and create care and maintenance plans to ensure the new trees have long, healthy lives.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the newly released draft impaired waters list (303(d) list). Data recently released by the Iowa DNR shows a reduction in 96 impairments relative to the 2022 303(d) impairment list, once the 2024 list is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Iowa’s 2024 303(d) list includes waterbody segments that are not meeting all applicable state water quality standards for their designated uses. A water on the 303(d) list is referred to as an impaired water. Once the DNR creates a water quality improvement plan for the segment (called Total Maximum Daily Loads, or TMDLs), the segment does not need to be included on future 303(d) lists.

Steve Murray named Volunteer of the Year at Main Street Lansing Annual Meeting ...
During the Main Street Lansing (MSL) annual meeting Tuesday, March 26, MSL Executive Director Andrew Boddicker announced the 2023 Volunteer of the Year is Steve Murray. In his presentation of the award, Boddicker told attendees that “Steve is not able to join us tonight as he tends to much more important matters and takes care of (his wife) Sarah and his family. But that does not stop us from celebrating and recognizing him even at this difficult time. It is also likely that you all are aware that Sarah is a member of our Main Street Lansing Board, as the ex-officio voting board member representing the School District. The Murray family is an integral part of Main Street, and Steve - as Volunteer of the Year - is what I would call, our ‘on-call’ volunteer. There is almost nothing he isn’t willing to do - I’ve yet to hear him complain or say no to a request.

Join Upper Iowa Audubon Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m. for a program on Bluebirds. The program will be held at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center, Lansing. Brian Preston, director of Dubuque County Conservation, will be the presenter.

The program will include life history, house placement, management and general information about Bluebirds. Everyone is invited to come and learn how to bring Bluebirds to their own backyard. There will also be Bluebird house kits available.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

During its regular meeting Monday, March 18, the Lansing City Council approved the recommendation from Lansing Parks and Recreation to hire Patty Olson as the pool manager for the 2024 season at $14.25/hour.
The council also approved the following hiring recommendations from Parks and Recreation for the 2024 season: lifeguards at their respective hourly rates - Violet Nehman ($11.50), Addison Winters ($11.25), Rylee Mudderman ($11), Riley Troendle ($11.25) and Adam Wheeler ($11); and summer recreation coaches at their respective hourly wages (all hires are based on passing background and substance testing for all new employees 18 and over) - Claire Chandler as head baseball coach ($14.25), Jacob Rolfs as assistant baseball coach ($11), Allison Wagner as head softball coach ($14), Harvey Ekern as assistant softball coach ($12), and Payton Becker as assistant softball coach ($11.25).

Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will host a day of art and fun Friday, March 29 from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. This is a drop-in event with stations for make-and-take art such as watercolor painting, make a bookmark, collage-making and crafts from old books. Additional on-site activities include Lego building, puzzle table and STEM station.

Children ages 3-8 are welcome with their caregivers and older youth can come on their own. Teens are also welcome. There will be light snacks served all day. Check the “Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library” Facebook page for any further updates.
 

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Local youth in Kindergarten through 12th grades can showcase their talent, display their patriotism and express their creativity while competing for their share of $2,000 in national awards.

Contestants must submit a recorded live unedited video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The video must be recorded between July 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. The student shall state name, age and grade level prior to the vocal performance. The student may sing acapella, with backing tracks or instruments, and in the arrangement and genre of their choice.