River Valley

by Julie Berg-Raymond

At its regular meeting Monday, February 7, the Lansing City Council adopted Resolution No. 961, expressing its support for the creation of a Façade Improvement Program in Allamakee County utilizing American Rescue Plan funds.

In a letter to the editor published in The Standard last month, Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andy Kelleher indicated that Allamakee County received nearly $2.7 million as part of its allocation of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the Plan. Signed into law March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including the public health and economic impacts (naco.org). As part of the $362 billion in federal fiscal recovery aid for state and local governments, $65.1 billion is provided in direct aid to counties.

The Waterville Public Library is holding a Healthy Living Series: Mental Health Matters in February. Each discussion will be led by an individual with expertise, knowledge or experience in the subject matter.

The next topic of discussion in the series is this Thursday, February 10 and is entitled Swimming Through Grief. The February 17 will discuss Alcohol and Substance Abuse Issues and Resources, with a final February 24 session Winter Blues, Pandemic Woes.

Each discussion in the series will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Waterville Public Library, located at 115 Main Street inside the Waterville Community Center. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no cost.

The Retreat United Methodist Church Knitting Club from De Soto, WI recently crafted and donated a variety of prayer shawls (some of which are pictured at left) for residents at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Pictured at left displaying some of the prayer shawls are, left to right, Retreat United Methodist Church Pastor Carter Jorgensen, who visits Thornton Manor every Friday morning for Faith and Friendship for the residents, and Thornton Manor Recreation Therapy Director/Volunteer Coordinator Karen Ulrich. “The purpose of a prayer shawl is to warm, comfort and nurture residents with joy, cradle them with hope, grace them with peace and wrap them with God’s love,” Ulrich shared. “Thornton Manor is blessed to have the knitting club think about our residents. We appreciate it very much.” Submitted photo.
 

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is offering a free virtual education series to kick off the new year. The programs are available to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead and live well for as long as possible.

The topics covered will range from what changes to expect from a loved one in the different stages of the disease, to legal and financial issues to consider, to new advancements in Alzheimer’s research.

Each virtual education program will be held over Zoom and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others with an Alzheimer’s journey. The remaining schedule of programs includes:

• Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Middle Stage - February 9, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage - February 16, 3:30-5 p.m.

The Harpers Ferry Youth Ice Fishing Clinic sponsored by the Harpers Ferry Boosters and the Allamakee County Conservation Board will be held at Nobles Island Boat Access, 645 Hwy. 364, Harpers Ferry Sunday, January 30. Registration for youth aged 15 and under will begin at 11 a.m. and fishing will continue until 2 p.m.

Youth participating in the clinic may use their own equipment, but ice fishing equipment will be available to youth who do not have their own. Food and drink will be available for those participating in the clinic.  Prizes will be awarded to participants in each of three age groups.

In case of inclement weather, all cancellations and delays will be posted on the Allamakee County Conservation Board Facebook page the day of the event. A make-up date for the Harpers Ferry Kids Ice Fisheree will be February 13 at the same times and location, unless noted.

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is offering a free virtual education series to kick off the new year. The programs are available to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead and live well for as long as possible.

The topics covered will range from what changes to expect from a loved one in the different stages of the disease, to legal and financial issues to consider, to new advancements in Alzheimer’s research.

Each virtual education program will be held over Zoom and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others going through an Alzheimer’s journey. The remaining schedule of programs includes:
• Legal and Financial - January 26, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Middle Stage - February 9, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage - February 16, 3:30-5 p.m.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

During its regular meeting Monday, January 17, the Lansing City Council approved, or made official with signed paperwork, either payments or cost estimates for three ongoing projects.

A Professional Services Agreement with WHKS of Rochester, MN for Center Street water and sanitary sewer replacement was signed by Mayor Melissa Hammell. The City is being billed hourly for the company’s engineering services involved in the project with an estimated fee of $18,200. The project will involve one block from just west of South 4th Street east to just beyond South 3rd Street to replace water main and sanitary sewer lines and then reconstruct the street subbase.

The Harpers Ferry Youth Ice Fishing Clinic sponsored by the Harpers Ferry Boosters and the Allamakee County Conservation Board will be held at Nobles Island Boat Access, 645 Hwy. 364, Harpers Ferry Sunday, January 30. Registration for youth aged 15 and under will begin at 11 a.m. and fishing will continue until 2 p.m.

Youth participating in the clinic may use their own equipment, but ice fishing equipment will be available to youth who do not have their own. Food and drink will be available for those participating in the clinic.  Prizes will be awarded to participants in each of three age groups.

In case of inclement weather, all cancellations and delays will be posted on the Allamakee County Conservation Board Facebook page the day of the event. A make-up date for the Harpers Ferry Kids Ice Fisheree will be February 13 at the same times and location, unless noted.

Counties interested in evaluating construction permits for proposed animal feeding facilities must adopt and submit a construction evaluation resolution by the end of January.

“County boards can pass a resolution to participate in the master matrix at any time, but they must submit the resolution to DNR between January 1 and 31,” said Kelli Book, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) attorney.

On average, 88 counties pass a resolution each year, allowing them to review construction permit applications required for larger, totally roofed animal feeding operations (confinements). Producers in counties that file the resolutions must meet additional standards in their construction permits than sites in other counties. They must earn points on a master matrix by choosing a site and using practices that reduce effects on the environment and the community.

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) and the Friends of Yellow River State Forest for a Fullmoon Snowshoe Hike January 18 at 6:30 p.m. The hike will take place in the Luster Heights Unit of Yellow River State Forest, approximately three miles with views of the Mississippi River.

Participants should meet at the Luster Heights Unit parking lot located at 481 Luster Heights Road, Harpers Ferry.

The Fullmoon Snowshoe will be a guided trail hike taking place after dark to enable participants to see the stars and full moon. The event requires pre-registration for those wishing to use snowshoes provided by the Allamakee County Conservation Board and is open to all ages. However, anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. In the case of inclement weather or poor snow conditions the Fullmoon Snowshoe may be postponed or canceled and will be announced via the Allamakee County Conservation Board’s Facebook page.