Community News

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in special session Monday, February 4 at 5:30 p.m. to conduct a budget review. Following adjournment of that special session, the council’s regular Monday session was called to order.

The Public Hearing on the proposed amendment to the Waukon zoning ordinance was opened and closed. Waukon City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no verbal or written comments were received regarding the matter. There was no Public Comment during that designated portion of the meeting, either.

Under Departmental Reports, Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed the replacement of a light pole and provided an update on the process used for removing and hauling away  large amounts of snow. Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed monitoring temperatures within the water distribution system and the replacement of the pump house heater.

Old West Paint Creek Church in rural Waukon will host speakers Jason and Shannon Kerr this Sunday, February 10 at 2 p.m. The community is welcome to attend and hear their inspiring miracle story of survival and recovery following a horrific traffic accident near their Lakeville, MN home.
This family’s story involves angels, prophetic dreams and visions, and words from God Himself. It inspires faith and hope in God’s unfailing love, care and answers to prayer.

Shannon Kerr will also have her book, “Against All Odds,” (pictured above) available at the presentation, inspired by her recovery experience. For further information about the Kerr family (pictured below), their story and the book, visit www.againstalloddsbook.com.
 

The Allamakee Community School District hosted the annual Career Workshop Friday, February 1 at Waukon High School. The Career Workshop is the brainstorm of Waukon High School Guidance Counselor Amy Wasson, Northeast Iowa Community College-Waukon Center Director Erica Nosbisch and Allamakee County Economic Development & Tourism Director Val Reinke. Invitations are extended to junior and senior students at Waukon, Kee, Postville and MFL/MarMac High Schools. The goal of this event is to introduce high school juniors and seniors to area businesses, career opportunities and the stories of local people. Approximately 150 students participated, choosing two tracks to attend based on career interests (some of those students and speakers are pictured in surrounding photos). This year’s event included the following tracks and guest speakers:

by Brianne Eilers

The month of December ended with a loss of $61,307 for Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon, but year-to-date the hospital is showing a profit of $101,805, according to information shared at the hospital’s Board of Trustees meeting held January 22. VMH Administrator Mike Myers noted that one of the main reasons for the loss in December was the fact that acute patient days were down. “When acute days are down, we don’t usually have a very good month,” he noted.

Waukon Dental and Family Dentistry Associates of Monona are hosting their 29th Annual and Dental Associates of Prairie du Chien, P.C. is hosting its 25th Annual Have A Heart Day.

For close to 30 years, free dental care has been provided in the local area through this event. Have a Heart Day focuses on serving area youth, ages four to 18 who have not recently seen a dentist, to receive free dental work.

This year, Have A Heart Day will be held Saturday, February 9 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Through this annual event, many doctors and staff have felt impacted by the effect this day can have on a child’s health and on the community as a whole. While this event is during Valentine’s season, it also is celebrated during one of the most important dental months, National Children’s Dental Health Month.

The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations from community residents for awards to be distributed at the Chamber's annual meeting scheduled for Friday, February 22. Those awards include Years of Service, Business of the Year and Person of the Year honors within the Waukon community. The Chamber will bestow those honors upon the best nominated candidate fitting the following award criteria:

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, January 21 to address a full agenda of items including budget review and department requests, discussion of the Urban Revitalization Program and tax abatement and a presentation from the Airport Commission.

Mayor Pat Stone called the meeting to order. There was no Public Comment and the City Council moved into Departmental Reports.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett indicated that some minor equipment repairs have been made with preparations ongoing for expected weather conditions this week. Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed the replacement of water tower lights and the potential purchase of a replacement camera system for viewing and determining whether sewer issues are homeowner or City responsibility.

The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations from community residents for awards to be distributed at the Chamber's annual meeting scheduled for Friday, February 22. Those awards include Years of Service, Business of the Year and Person of the Year honors within the Waukon community. The Chamber will bestow those honors upon the best nominated candidate fitting the following award criteria:

Every year, World Read Aloud Day is a global celebration that calls attention to the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to read aloud together to advocate for literacy as a human right.

Friday, February 1, Robey Memorial Library in Waukon will observe this special event by filling its open hours at the library with stories read aloud by community volunteers and library staff. Individuals, groups and classrooms from throughout the community are invited to participate by spending part of their day at Robey Memorial Library reading aloud or listening to a book being read aloud.