Top Stories

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Sentiments ran high at the September 12 community meeting regarding the Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing. The meeting, sponsored by Main Street Lansing and moderated by Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC), offered local residents an opportunity to voice their opinions in a small group format on the future of the Black Hawk Bridge.

The Iowa Department of Transformation (DOT) had presented information about a variety of options to replace the bridge in a public meeting on August 8 and asked for public input. The purpose of the September 12 meeting was to give citizens an opportunity to discuss the future of the bridge with their neighbors.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 23 to address a full agenda of items, including a Red Ribbon Week Proclamation, the discussion and consideration of bids for the County Farm cropland and pasture land, and the review and approval of pay requests for the Public Safety Center.

During Public Comment, Ric Zarwell with the Allamakee County Protectors organization discussed the transportation of frac sand through neighboring counties in Minnesota and that the rail spur near the Upper Iowa River may be pursued for this transportation purpose. Zarwell stated that Allamakee County has a strict frac sand ordinance, which is a positive, and that the transportation and shipping of frac sand represents several transportation safety issues.

The Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) Board of Directors announced New Albin Savings Bank as the 2017 Cloy Kuhse Positive Impact Award winner at the ACED Annual Meeting hosted in New Albin Thursday, October 19. The annual award was created to highlight and recognize a business that is making a positive impact in Allamakee County, as well as to honor the memory of Cloy Kuhse and his vision. The nomination referred to New Albin Savings Bank as the “heartbeat of the community” with other comments being listed such as “a sprinkle of personalization, a family, shows support with involvement, genuinely cares for the community, a corporate citizen, and empowers others to help develop northeast Iowa into a wonderful place to live and call home.”

by Lissa Blake

Allamakee County continues to make progress with the updating of its hazard mitigation plan.

According to Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker, the County received a grant from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (IHSEM) to contract with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) to help update the County’s plan.
In order to be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding following a disaster, counties have to have a hazard mitigation plan on file. The plan must be updated every five years in order for a county to maintain its eligibility for funding.

“Each county’s emergency management coordinator has to make sure the plans are updated within their counties. Our last plan was done in 2012, so it’s expiring,” said Snitker.

The sixth annual local Fields of Faith event in Waukon was held Wednesday, October 11 at the Waukon High School football field to share in an evening of faith-filled messages. The featured highlight of the evening was the presentation by Jake Vanada (pictured in center photo), a resident of Minneapolis, MN who currently serves as Chaplain for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Supercross and Motocross Series of motorcycle racing. Within his energy-filled message that he related to the sports venue where the event was held once again this year, Vanada encouraged those in attendance to do two things in order to have a more fulfilling faith life: "Listen to the Coach" and "Obey the Coach," with that "Coach" being the Lord and all of those in attendance being players in the game of life.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 16 to address a full agenda of items, including the discussion of contracting medical services for the Allamakee County Public Safety Center jail facility, approval of the Conservation Board Management Agreement for the Village Creek Boat Landing and discussion of a potential new two-way radio/communications tower to be built on the County Farm.

by Lissa Blake

She is truly one of a kind.

That was what former Allamakee County Sheriff Tim Heiderscheit had to say about longtime Allamakee County Sheriff's Department employee Rev Lonning following her recent retirement.

Heiderscheit, who served first as an Allamakee County sheriff’s deputy and then as sheriff, said when he heard of Lonning’s retirement, he sent current sheriff Clark Mellick a sympathy card.

“I was somewhat kidding, but I really wasn’t… the whole county will miss her,” said Heiderscheit.

HER CAREER
Lonning, a 1959 graduate of Waukon High School, is the daughter of Dale and Elnora Robey. After high school, she married Frank Lonning and raised six children.

“I was a farm wife and mother,” said Lonning.

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a missing person reported to the Kewanee, IL Police Department in the middle of last week. Juan Gandarilla Ortega, age 26, of Kewanee, IL has been reported as missing and was last seen October 1 wearing a blue Aeropostale shirt with white lettering and light blue jeans with holes in them. He is described as 5'10" tall and weighing 180 pounds with brown eyes and black hair, usually shaved.

Wednesday, October 4, a white 2006 Chevrolet Impala believed to be driven by Ortega was located parked at Fish Farm Mounds State Park located along State Highway 26 south of New Albin. Ortega has not been located and may still be in the area but is not considered to be a danger to the public.

by Brianne Eilers

Progress continues to be made with the restoration of the Oil Springs School, located next to Tillinghast Park in Harpers Ferry. Last November, the Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society (HFAHS), along with the time and talents of many volunteers, moved the one-room school from its former location two miles north of Harpers Ferry to its present location.

Throughout the past six months, volunteers have spent over 500 hours working on various projects to get the school as close to original condition as possible. A "Sneak Preview" Open House is scheduled for this Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and the public is invited to stop by and see the work that has been done so far.

Missing Person

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a missing person reported to the Kewanee Police Department. Juan Gandarilla Ortega (age 26) of Kewanee, Illinios is reported as missing.

On 10/4/2017 a white 2006 Chevrolet Impala driven by Juan Ortega was located parked at Fish Farm Mounds State Park south of New Albin, Iowa. Ortega has not been located and is believed to be possibly in the area. If anyone has any information regarding Juan Gandarilla Ortega, please contact the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office at 563-568-4521 or your local law enforcement agency.