River Valley

by Anne Falken,
Correspondent

It’s going to happen. After two plus years of work by the New Albin City Council, NAIL (New Albin Improvement League) and other concerned citizens, enough progress has been made on the proposed wastewater treatment plant to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The light shows a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment idea, Algaewheel, that mimics nature’s own biological processes by utilizing the symbiotic relationship between algae and bacteria.

OneWater Group, based in Indianapolis, IN, is demonstrating global foresight in its product, Algaewheel, which promotes decentralized water treatment and water reuse, and addresses water pollution and water security. In today's world of declining fresh water supply from booming populations and over-consumption, ensuing droughts, and perhaps terrorism, a decentralized water treatment plant gives more dependability and protection for a city’s water supply.

by Macie Hill

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, November 6. Discussion centered around no parking signs being put in near Fourth Street and Platt Street, approval of the renewal of the Marina Contract, payment for the South Road Bridge project, a grant for sign replacements and hiring a new police officer.

City officials are considering putting no parking signs in front of some of the spaces near Fourth Street and Platt Street due to parked cars in those locations being in the way of semi tractor-trailers trying to turn the corner. The council decided to notify the residents near the locations where the signs would need to be placed, get their feedback on the decision, and make a decision at a future meeting.

After Hurricane Harvey struck Texas in late August of this year, Lansing resident Harold Marks, a member of United Methodist Church in Lansing (UMC Lansing), felt inspired to help out in some way. He and his wife, Denise, decided to approach their fellow congregation members at UMC Lansing to suggest sending a portion of the proceeds from the church's approaching chicken supper to a fellow United Methodist Church in Texas.

After doing some research, a small United Methodist Church in Baytown, TX was chosen. St. Emily's United Methodist Church is led by Pastor Bill Russell and his wife, Debra, serving a small congregation of about 60 people. Although the church, itself, did not suffer a lot of damage from the hurricane, members of the church's congregation did experience flooding, vehicle and even home losses.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing invites the public to a free album debut concert and hymn-sing this Sunday, November 5 at 1 p.m. The “If These Walls Could Sing” debut concert will be the final celebratory event of the year offered in honor of the 150th anniversary of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

The new album, called “If These Walls Could Sing”, features 24 historic hymns of faith performed by former organist Douglas Shaffer on the church’s 1941 Reuters pipe organ. It was produced to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the church this year. The carefully selected songs have resounded in the sanctuary since its founding by Norwegian immigrant in 1867.

Left to right - Front row: Rev. Debra Samuelson, Rev. April Uhlring Larson, Rev. Judd Larson, Rev. Terrie Rae Anderson, Rev. Donald Berg. Back row: Rev. Peter Samuelson, Rev. Laura Gentry, Rev. Diane Koschmeder, Rev. Kris Snyder. Submitted photo.

Weather permitting, the Lansing Lions Club will host a Ribbon Cutting Event this Sunday, November 5 at its recently completed playground equipment addition located in the park along South Front Street in Lansing. Early in 2016, a wooden piece of playground equipment was removed from the area over safety concerns. In August of that year the Lions Club, whose motto is "We Serve," decided the children of the area deserved more than four pieces of equipment. Thanks to great community support and grants from four foundations, trees, benches, a bicycle rack, a handicap accessible picnic table and a multi-activity piece of playground equipment in the shape of an old Mississippi Paddle Steamer has enhanced the only playground situated near the river. Year 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of "Lionism," and the playground project in Lansing is an example of a Centennial Project. The public is invited to an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for November 5 at 3 p.m.

The Ferryville Tourism Council is inviting area residents and visitors to the fifth annual Fall Migration Day to be held in River View Park, right in the center of Ferryville, WI, at the observation deck overlooking the Mississippi River. Spotting scopes will be set up between 9-11 a.m. Saturday, November 4. This event showcases the many species of waterfowl that frequent the Mississippi Flyway during their annual Fall Migration. Some of the species to be seen include bald eagles, herons, egrets, tundra swans, white pelicans, many species of ducks and Canadian geese. Pool 9 on the Mississippi River traditionally is a stopping point for thousands of canvasback ducks.

The Allamakee County Conservation Board invites everyone to learn about honey bees, honey and beekeeping at an interactive, informative program presented by 2017 Iowa Honey Queen Carly Vannoy Sunday, October 29 at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing. The free public program will begin at 2 p.m, but the center will open its doors at 11 a.m. Participants will learn about how bees make mummies, the color of mystery honey, the strange use of beehives in medieval times and more.

Public invited to meet the five candidates running for Lansing City Council

Main Street Lansing will be hosting a candidate forum prior to the upcoming City Election scheduled for Tuesday, November 7. The candidate forum is being planned for Thursday, October 26 at the Kerndt Brothers Community Center on Main Street in Lansing, beginning at 7 p.m.

Friday, October 13 at 5:44 p.m., the Lansing/New Albin Police Department responded to 1916 Blue Heron Lane in Lansing in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. When contact was made with the occupants inside, officers noticed a heavy odor of marijuana about the residence. After being granted consent to search the residence by the homeowner, officers recovered several items of drug paraphernalia and illegal narcotics. As a result of the search, two area teenagers were arrested.

Katelyn R. Creger, age 18, of Stoddard, WI was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Anthony J. Gagner, age 18, of Lansing was charged with Interference with Official Acts.