Community News

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, September 17 to address a full agenda of items. Included on that agenda were a discussion of Irish Hollow Road dust control and safety issues, the Proclamation of National Voter Registration Month and Day and reappointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission.

District Manager Terry J. Beek with Washington National Insurance provided an overview of the company’s supplemental policies covering accidents, cancer and short-term disability. Beek proposed that County employees be given the opportunity to enroll in Washington National’s policies on a voluntary basis, allowing County employees the option to take advantage of group rates through their employer. Supervisor Dan Byrnes advised that the matter be revisited in February or March when a meeting takes place to review County employee health insurance.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Monday, September 17 in regular session at the Waterville Community Center, formerly the Waterville Elementary School, as part of the Supervisors’ annual tour of county libraries during its meeting sessions. The board addressed a full agenda of items, including the introduction of the new Main Street Lansing Director, the Canvass of the NICC Special Election and consideration of an amendment to the Sheriff’s Office Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Royal Car Wash, located at 501 Rossville Road in Waukon, is under new ownership as of the end of August. Kyle Bugenhagen of Luana took over ownership of the 24-hour car wash, noting that he would like to make some changes to the business, which first opened in 2008 and is scheduled for a grand opening under new ownership this Saturday, September 22 (see advertisement below on this same page for additional details).

“I would like to make a lot of changes based on customer reviews,” Bugenhagen said. “Better soap, wands, hotter water, etc. These will be done before our open house. Hopefully by spring, we would like to add a dryer to the automatic bay and a credit card reader to the manual bays.”

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, September 17 to address a full agenda of items, including a presentation from the Walk-On Waukon group, an update regarding Aveka noise and odor, and reappointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission. There was no Public Comment.

Under Departmental Reports, Police Chief Phil Young discussed the upcoming auction of unclaimed bicycles and a generator. Young indicated that a vehicle has been ordered for the Police Department.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed problems at a lift station and that repair estimates will be provided soon. Cooper discussed the trade-in of a Toolcat and provided an update on water leaks that are being repaired.

The Waukon Feed Ranch has created a corn maze at its Agronomy Center location along Old Highway 9 west of Waukon, and the next two weekends will feature events involving that maze that will benefit some local causes. For the next two Saturdays and Sundays, September 22-23 and 29-30, the public can navigate the corn maze for a freewill donation that will then be disbursed between the two FFA programs at Waukon and Kee High Schools, as well as to the family of five-year-old Brogan Gavin, son of Tom and Alana Gavin of rural Lansing who is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia.

Allamakee County 4-H had four different teams competing in the Dairy Judging Contest at the 2018 Iowa State Fair held August 9-19 in Des Moines. One of the two teams from Allamakee County competing in the Junior division of the contest topped all teams in that division.

In dairy judging, youth evaluate classes of dairy cows and heifers and then defend their placings through oral reasoning. Youth learn the dairy cow unified scorecard and major breakdowns, anatomy of the dairy cow, along with dairy judging terminology.

Allamakee County had 12 individual 4-H’ers taking part in the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest held at the Iowa State Fair. They made up two teams in the Junior Division and two teams in the Senior Division.

September 1 has marked the start of a new 4-H year and an ideal time for youth in fourth through 12th grades to join 4-H. Parents may wonder the value of enrolling their child in yet another organization, as they may already be in sports, music, dance, church groups, etc.

So, why have the parents of 236 youth in Allamakee County enroll their child in 4-H for the 2017-2018 4-H year? Allamakee County 4-H administrators and leaders offer the following:

4-H offers a learning experience that will benefit 4-H’ers for a lifetime. 4-H is more than cooking, sewing, hogs, cows and farming. 4-H is about empowering youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences.

Although that’s where it is taking place, the theme for the second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk being hosted by Ness Pumping Service and Porta Potty Rentals is “Breast cancer is no walk in the park!” All are encouraged to “Come put your BREAST foot forward” at the second annual event being held at the Waukon City Park Saturday, October 6 from 9 a.m.-12 noon.

Last year’s inaugural event allowed Ness Pumping Service and Porta Potty Rental to donate $1,200 to Veterans Memorial Hospital in support of that facility’s efforts helping others breast cancer. The donated funds were put toward the purchase of the new 3D mammography machine recently installed in the hospital’s mammography room (see accompanying photo).

Throughout the walk event, coffee, pink lemonade and cookies will be served. The walk, food and drinks will all be free-will donations, with all proceeds being distributed to the Veterans Memorial Hospital Breast Cancer Foundation.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Tuesday, September 4 following the Labor Day holiday that falls on the council’s typical Monday meeting day. Matters discussed include the Waukon Police Department’s anti-drug and canine program, appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission and a request for a contribution from the City toward the Walk-On Waukon group’s Wellmark grant application.

The Public Hearing proposing the disposition of interest in real property by the City of Waukon - West Side Development Lot 7 was opened and closed without verbal or written comment. There was no Public Comment.

Under Departmental Reports, Police Chief Phil Young discussed that two job interviews have been set up for later in the month. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett indicated that 25 truck route signs within Waukon are in need of replacement due to age and damage.

Allamakee County 4-H members exhibits were on display in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair held in Des Moines August 9-19. More than 3,800 exhibits were displayed this year, showcasing excellence in project area learning by 4-H members across the state of Iowa.

Divisions young people may exhibit in include agriculture and natural resources, creative arts, family and consumer sciences, personal development, and science, mechanics and engineering.

“Each exhibit is an outgrowth of year-long project area work done by the 4-H member,” explains Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H youth development program specialist. “The exhibits display at the Iowa State Fair is a celebration of the educational and personal accomplishments of our Iowa 4-H members. It is a way for our members to share what they’ve learned with the public.”