Community News

Wed
16
May

Reasons for starting own business have led to discovery of even greater rewards for Curtis Handyman Service


Curtis Handyman Service receives First Dollar Visit ... Curtis Handyman Service, a new business started this year by Curtis Dundee of Waukon, received a First Dollar Visit from the Waukon Chamber of Commerce recently. Pictured above at that First Dollar presentation are, left to right, Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Sherrie Hunstad, Curtis Dundee of Curtis Handyman Service and Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Dan Headington. Photo courtesy of Waukon Chamber of Commerce.

A combination of reasons brought Elkader native and current Waukon resident Curtis Dundee to the decision to start his own business recently. Helping other people, being more available to his own family and wanting to work for himself on a full-time basis resulted in the start of Curtis Handyman Service in January of this year.

Having lived and worked in the Waukon community for the past 13 years, Dundee said he noticed that a lot of the bigger contractors in the area were so busy that they seemed to have difficulty finding time to get to smaller projects that people needed done around their homes or businesses. “I am able to take care of the smaller jobs that people need done around their house,” he said.

Wed
09
May

Corner of Hope project kicks off growing season with Blessing of the Seed and Soil ...

The Corner of Hope Foods Resource Bank local growing project held its annual Blessing of the Seed and Soil the sunny but blustery morning of Saturday, April 28 to kick off the growing season. The event was held at the field being contributed to the project by Gordon and Louise Ellingson of Waukon. Pastor Kim Gates of St. Paul’s and Forest Mills United Methodist churches performed the blessing. Submitted photo.
 

Wed
09
May

Cunningham Hardware receives First Dollar Visit under new ownership ...

Cunningham Hardware, now under the ownership of Mike and Tara McMullen of Waukon, received a First Dollar Visit from the Waukon Chamber of Commerce recently. Pictured above at that First Dollar presentation are, left to right, Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Sherrie Hunstad, Cunningham Hardware new owners Mike and Tara McMullen, and Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Dan Headington. Photo courtesy of Waukon Chamber of Commerce.
 

Wed
09
May

Spring Avenue spring leak, yard waste on streets and wastewater treatment facility among the numerous items discussed by Waukon City Council

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, May 7 to discuss a variety of matters including a potential Street Department dump truck lease or purchase, yard waste and debris on City streets and the Spring Avenue spring leak. Mayor Pat Stone called the meeting to order, indicating that an agenda item involving a presentation from Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker would be removed.

During Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed a request made at the April 16 City Council meeting for WEDC to conduct a presentation about its history and ongoing economic development activities. Kuhse and the council discussed setting a time before or after an upcoming council meeting or the possibility of a special session.

Wed
09
May

Supervisors approve budget amendment, hear updates on Public Safety Center

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 7 to address a full agenda of items including a Public Hearing for a Fiscal-Year 2018 budget amendment, the hiring of a temporary part-time roadside mower operator for the Secondary Roads Department and an update and discussion of the Public Safety Center. There was no public comment.

The Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2018 budget amendment was opened and closed without any written or verbal comment. Allamakee County First Deputy Auditor Chris Gavin discussed budget items that were changed indicating that the Board of Health and Substance Abuse departments each had additional revenue due to grants.

The budget amendment and the appropriations resolution were both adopted.

Wed
09
May

Allamakee County Master Gardeners prepare for annual plant sale slated for May 19


Masterful preparation ... Members of the Allamakee County Master Gardeners, left to right, Phyllis Baker, Mary Trebbien and Judy Egeland are pictured above transplanting tomato plants into individual pots in preparation for the annual Master Gardeners plant sale. In addition to tomato plants, many varieties of plants and other Master Gardener grown items (some of which are pictured below as they grow in the Waukon High School greenhouse) will be available for sale at the Master Gardeners annual plant sale scheduled for May 19 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. Submitted photos.

Allamakee County Master Gardeners will hold their annual plant sale Saturday, May 19 in the 4-H building at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Since February of this year, several of the Allamakee County Master Gardeners have planted seeds, watered and transplanted many items in preparation for the plant sale.

At one time, Luster Heights Correctional Facility partnered with the Master Gardeners in the growing process for the plants prior to the facility’s closure. The gardeners supplied the seeds and growing medium and the plants were tended to in the growing process at the Luster Heights greenhouse.

The past two years, the Master Gardeners have been fortunate to form a partnership with the Waukon High School FFA Chapter under the direction of Jessica O’Connor. The FFA chapter has provided space and growing tables in its greenhouse at Waukon High School.

Wed
02
May

American Idol finalist Maddie Poppe has local ties to the Waukon and Waterville areas, advances to round of final seven contestants


American Idol contestant Maddie Poppe ... Photo courtesy of Trent Poppe.

Proud grandparents ... Ellen and Daryl Larson are the grandparents of American Idol top-seven finalist Maddie Poppe, a native of Clarksville. Daryl Larson is a native of the Waukon area and still has some sisters and brothers who live in the area. Photo courtesy of Trent Poppe.

by Lissa Blake

An American Idol contestant with ties to Waukon and Waterville has made it into the television show’s top seven finalists line-up as of Sunday evening, April 29.

Twenty-year-old Iowa native Maddie Poppe is the granddaughter of Waukon native Daryl Larson and his wife, Ellen, who now live in Waverly. Other local relatives include Anna Marie Ewing of Waterville, Darlene “Dar” Klein of Waukon and Harry Larson of McGregor. Her mother, Tanya Larson Poppe, went to elementary school in Waterville as a young child.

Poppe is a singer/songwriter from Clarksville who plays guitar, ukulele and keyboard. She has been playing locally for about three years and in June 2016 she released an album of original songs, entitled “Songs from the Basement,” which she wrote, recorded and produced.

Wed
02
May

Supervisors approve creation of temporary business access during Green Valley Bridge replacement project, discuss other matters

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 30 to address a full agenda of items including a temporary access during the Green Valley Bridge project, designation of office space for a Magistrate/Judge chambers and the consideration of hiring a part-time employee for the Secondary Roads Department.

Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer indicated that there was a change to the agenda with the removal of the County Farm cropland rental agenda item. Beyer explained that the check for the County Farm rental has arrived and that there was no need to discuss the matter.

Wed
02
May

Sewer rate increase of 40% will begin July 1, at lower percentages for next five years as means to help fund wastewater treatment plant

by Joe Moses

The City of Waukon is moving forward with preparations for the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility following an administrative order from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To remain in compliance with changing EPA regulations, the City is working with Fehr-Graham Engineering in developing plans for the new wastewater treatment facility. During this ongoing planning process, City Manager Dean Hilgerson and City Clerk Allen Lyon have provided updates to The Standard regarding funding and construction-related aspects of the project, with recent decisions by the Waukon City Council being made regarding a sewer rate increase beginning in July that residents can expect to see starting with their third quarter billing later this year.

Wed
25
Apr

Supervisors discuss temporary access during Green Valley Bridge project, new drafts of flood plain hazard maps along with personnel matters and road project items during regular session

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 23 to address a full agenda of items including the approval of road rock resurfacing bids, discussion of a temporary access during the Green Valley Bridge project and the consideration of purchasing a vehicle from Fayette County for use by an Allamakee County Service Coordinator. There was no Public Comment.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Community News