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Wed
21
Mar

St. Patrick's Day Parade 2018 ...

As one can tell by the photo above, the streets of Waukon were lined with Irish spirit for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, March 18 in Waukon. Under nearly ideal conditions with bright sunshine and temperatures hovering around the 50-degree mark, the event took approximately an hour to display the wide variety of nearly 150 entries. Additional photos from this year's event can be found on Page 14A of this week's print edition of The Standard. All of the parade photos found in this issue, along with many more from Sunday's St. Patrick’s Day Parade, are available for viewing/purchase by clicking on the Photo Gallery link on this website.
 

Wed
21
Mar

Pair of area young ladies vying for 2018 Allamakee County Dairy Princess crown at Saturday's banquet

The 2018 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet will be held this Saturday, March 24 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The meal will be served from 7-8:30 p.m. with the program starting at 8 p.m.

The annual celebration recognizes the importance of the dairy industry in Allamakee County and the contributions dairy families make to this important industry. Every year, top producers from the county are recognized at the banquet. In addition, several other awards are presented that evening, some of which include the following:

• Outstanding Young Dairy Family Award
• Pioneer Dairyman Award
• Distinguished Dairy Family Award
• Service to Dairy Industry Award
• Golden Butter Knife Award.

Wed
21
Mar

Aaron Thomas relays own personal experience into message of choices and attitude during March 13 presentation to students and community members


One-hour message can last a lifetime... Aaron Thomas, son of slain Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas, gave a pair of presentations in the Waukon High School gymnasium Tuesday, March 13. Thomas first spoke to Waukon Middle School and Waukon High School students in an afternoon presentation before speaking to area community members Tuesday evening in what he termed "maybe the largest community crowd I've ever spoken in front of."

The Tuesday, March 13 presentations made by Aaron Thomas to students and community members of the Allamakee Community School District may have lasted only an hour, but his message is intended to last a lifetime.

The son of slain legendary Iowa high school football coach Ed Thomas of Aplington-Parkersburg High School, Thomas made a Tuesday afternoon presentation to Waukon Middle School and Waukon High School students. He then addressed area community members later that same evening, both presentations taking place at the Waukon High School gymnasium.

Wed
21
Mar

Opioid Overdose Crisis: A Local Perspective to be presented by panel of experts April 3 in Waukon

Every day, more than 115 Americans die after overdosing on opioids, according to national reports. In fact, overdose is the leading cause of death in Americans under the age of 50. The misuse of and addiction to opioids - including prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl - is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.

Experts say the United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic, as more than two million Americans have become dependent on or abused prescription pain pills and street drugs. Some of these Americans may be family members, neighbors, co-workers or friends to those reading this article. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is focusing its efforts in combating that crisis on five major priorities:

Wed
21
Mar

Statewide Tornado Drill to be conducted next Wednesday in accordance with Severe Weather Awareness Week

Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa is observed March 26-30 and includes the State of Iowa Tornado Drill Day taking place Wednesday, March 28, with Allamakee County authorities and communities planning to take part in this exercise. The drill should consist of the National Weather Service station out of La Crosse, WI issuing a mock tornado watch at around 10 a.m. that Wednesday followed by a tornado warning at 10:30 a.m., at which time the intent would be to activate community warning sirens.

Residents and businesses should use this as an opportunity to think about their plans for seeking shelter during an actual event. As part of his next monthly emergency management article, Allamakee County Emergency Management Director Corey Snitker plans to discuss the topic of severe weather awareness and readiness as weather patterns move into the spring and summer storm seasons.

Wed
14
Mar

Waukon area residents, business owners learn more about improvement project for State Highways 9 and 76 through Waukon at open house informational meeting


Proposed plans for improvement to Highways 9 and 76 through Waukon unveiled to public at March 8 meeting ... The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted approximately 60 area residents and/or business owners at a Thursday evening, March 8 open house informational meeting held at the Waukon Wellness Center to discuss plans and answer questions in regard to the proposed street and sidewalk improvements project along and involving Iowa Highways 9 and 76 through the town of Waukon. Those in attendance, such as the city officials pictured in the foreground of the photo above, were able to look over aerial maps of the proposed project area (such as the one section of map printed below that shows an aerial view of the stoplight intersection in downtown Waukon and proposed sidewalk improvements defined by various colors in the accompanying map legend), along with the opportunity to talk with DOT officials about any further questions they may have. The project involves resurfacing and/or patching of the highways from their junction south of Waukon (near Bodensteiner Implement) north to the stoplight intersection in downtown Waukon, with improvements to Highway 9 continuing north along Allamakee Street past its intersection with 10th Avenue NW (entrance to Northgate) and improvements to Highway 76 continuing west from that stoplight intersection up West Main Street to its intersection with Ninth Street N/SW (the four-way stop sign intersection near Quillin's). Along with improvements to the roadway, improvements will also be made to sidewalks and curb ramps to make them handicap accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project will be done in segments throughout what DOT officials described as the "construction season," typically April through November, with traffic being able to be maintained during the project with single-lane traffic being guided by flaggers and a pilot car through the segmented work zones. Image below courtesy of the Iowa DOT. Photo above taken by The Standard Assistant Editor Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) held an informational meeting Thursday, March 8 at the Waukon Wellness Center to answer questions from the general public, residents and business owners that will be affected by the 2019 DOT street project involving two of the main thoroughfares entering and traveling through Waukon.

Field Service Coordinator Pete Hjelmstad, one of several DOT representatives in attendance at the event, provided answers on the specifics relating to the street project and the six project map displays illustrating, from an aerial perspective, the work to be done (such as the image below accompanying this article). The map displays were laid out on tables for those in attendance to view, with most of the colored markings on the map displays (explained further in the legend on each map) showing where sidewalk and curb work will be done in order to meet the project's overall objective.

Wed
14
Mar

St. Patrick's Day Parade, other festive events taking place this Sunday, March 18 in Waukon

The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon has been scheduled for this Sunday, March 18 and will begin at 1 p.m. with many of the same festivities taking place as in years past throughout the community.

The parade route will be the same as in past years, beginning from the southeast edge of town and heading up Rossville Road and Spring Avenue to the stoplight intersection with Main Street. Turning left on to West Main Street, the parade will venture up to Second Street SW, where the entries will turn left at the Post Office intersection, travel one block south to First Avenue SW, and then east back to Spring Avenue, turning right at Kwik Star to head back south to its point of origin.

Wed
14
Mar

Legislative forum set for this Saturday

Iowa Senator Michael Breitbach and Representative Kristi Hager will be hosting a legislative forum Saturday, March 17 at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building located at 14 First Avenue NE in Waukon. The forum is scheduled to be held from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and will offer the public an opportunity for discussion with  State of Iowa legislators representing their area.
 

Wed
14
Mar

Property tax reminder from Treasurer's Office

Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse would like to remind property owners the second installment of property taxes is due by the end of this month (March 2018). Being the end of March falls on a weekend, property owners will have until Monday, April 2 to pay their taxes without penalty. It should also be noted that the Allamakee County Courthouse will be closed Friday, March 30 this year in observance of Good Friday.

Property owners may pay their taxes at the Allamakee County Treasurer's office in the Allamakee County Courthouse located at 110 Allamakee Street in Waukon, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Those paying taxes are reminded to bring their tax stubs with their payment to insure proper credit. To avoid penalty on the second installment, payment must be received in the Treasurer’s Office by Monday, April 2. Penalty begins Tuesday, April 3.

Wed
07
Mar

End of an era? Vet's Club may be closed permanently if new manager is not found


Lifetime members ... Pictured above are veterans from the local area who signed up for lifetime memberships to the Vet's Club in Waukon. Left to right - Front row: Vernis Engelhardt, George Haler, Karl Mosier, Helmer Sanderson. Second row: Joseph Deeney, Ludvig Larson, Robert Weipert, Kenneth Flage, Robert Anderson. Third row: Reuben Hager, Donald Sweeney, Merton Palmer, Mark Byrnes, Richard Schmidt and Rodney Peterson. Photo submitted by Robert J. Anderson of Waukon.

Early foundation of the Vet's Club in Waukon ... The gentlemen pictured above in this photo that hangs in the Vet's Club in Waukon were referred to as "the foundation of the Vet's Club" by "Big 10" Board President John Regan, Jr. of Waukon, a U.S. Army Veteran himself from the Vietnam War who heads the board in charge of the Vet's Club in Waukon. Pictured above in a photo labeled as being taken in October of 1978 are: Left to right - Front row: Carlton Radloff, Sam Rask, Tiny Hanson, Martin Hayes, Henry Lippe, Leroy McCabe, Robert McDonald, George Haler, Ben Quillin, Donald Rubendall, Jack Wadsworth. Back row: Leonard Hanson, Robert Anderson, George Philips, Vernon Blietz, Melvin Reeder, Wilford Buege, Mark Byrnes, Lester Delaney, Frank Hager, Karl Mosier, Jack Halvorson, Kenneth Flage (partially hidden), Harold Peterson, Matt Ryan, Donald Sweeney, Neal Wiedenmann. Submitted photo.

by Lissa Blake

It could mean the end of an era that’s lasted more than seven decades.

If someone doesn’t step forward to reopen the Vet's Club in Waukon, it may be closed permanently.

Vietnam Army Veteran John Regan is the president of the “Big 10” Board, which consists of four members from VFW Post No. 4117, four members of American Legion Post No. 62 and a member from each of the clubs’ Ladies Auxiliaries. He said the club has been closed since November 18 of last year, when the most recent managers, Terry and Sue Grotegut, decided to seek other ventures.

Regan said for many years the board has rented out the club for $100 per week. Anyone wishing to manage the club has to show proof of insurance and apply and pay for the applicable food and liquor licenses. “I did have someone who was scheduled to open it in April, but then he backed out,” said Regan.

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