Top Stories

by Kelli Boylen
freelance writer

by Bob Beach

The 16th annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 8 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.  Health testing, exhibits and activities will provide a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event, sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital, and held in conjunction with the end of the Live Healthy Iowa Community Wellness Challenge.

Area residents and visitors are invited to join Allamakee Economic Development and Tourism for a summer adventure exploring the historical, cultural and natural treasures of Allamakee County. The 2013 Driftless Safari program will run from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with 20 exciting places to visit and learn about.

Live Healthy Iowa announced its 2013 Cup Challenge winners at a press conference held Wednesday, April 24 in the State Capitol Rotunda in Des Moines, and for the second consecutive year, Allamakee County was crowned the winner of the Community Cup Challenge.

Waukon artist Valerie Miller of (Steel Cow) Gallery in Waukon will be part of a unique event featuring some of her latest artistic creations displayed in a very natural setting. Saturday, May 4, Miller will present jumbo prints of the Ancient White Park Cattle of Heritage Farm at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah in an outdoor exhibit entitled "Grassfed," which will be displayed among the very subjects of her artwork.

Area residents are invited to safely dispose of unused or expired medications at a collection event scheduled for Saturday, April 27 in Waukon. The event is being held at the Waukon Fire Station, located in the first block of First Avenue NE, and will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. that Saturday.

This Thursday, April 25 will offer community members an opportunity to learn more about the Community to Community program coordinated by Iowa State University (ISU) and being implemented by the Waukon Works Steering Committee to aid in the revitalization of the Waukon community. Members of the ISU Community to Community staff (pictured at left) will be on hand to introduce the project and answer any questions.

Area girls and volunteers from northeast Iowa gathered at Camp Tahigwa Girl Scout Camp near Dorchester Friday through Sunday, April 19-21 to participate in Outdoor Corps, the camp’s first program of the 2013 season. This event focuses on teaching girls about the environment and leadership through a series of fun activities, such as environmental education, recycling, animals and leisure sports, including disc golf, archery, hiking, or a competitive game of "Gaga" (pictured at left).

Kenneth David Haag, age 26, formerly of Lansing, was sentenced in federal court Tuesday, April 16 to 33 months in prison and fined $100 after pleading guilty January 25 to threatening the life of an Allamakee County Sheriff’s deputy by way of an out-of-state telephone call.
United States District Court documents indicate that Haag “made hundreds of threatening and harassing communications over the course of more than two years,” including threats to kill Allamakee County Sheriff’s deputies and a district court judge.