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The annual Harvest Celebration/Appreciation Dinner was held in November of last year for the Corner of Hope local growing project, a program focused on combating world hunger through local growing efforts. This year’s celebration included presentations by leaders of the local growing project’s partnering organization Growing Hope Globally (formerly Foods Resource Bank), a Christian-based non-profit organization focused on improving agricultural food security programs in some of the world’s poorest nations.

It was reported at this year’s harvest celebration that $27,000 was contributed to the Growing Hope Globally efforts through the crops planted, harvested and sold from right here in Allamakee County through efforts and contributions of many.

Representative Anne Osmundson (R-Volga) of Iowa House District 56 is seen here taking the oath of office in the Iowa House of Representatives chamber as the 88th General Assembly kicked off Monday, January 14 at the Capitol in Des Moines. During the session, Rep. Osmundson can be reached at anne.osmundson@legis.iowa.gov or through the House switchboard at 515-281-3221. The swearing in ceremony of all 100 State of Iowa Representatives began a week full of ceremonies, including the Condition of the State address by the Governor, the Condition of the Judiciary address by the Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice, and the Condition of the Guard address by the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard. Submitted photo.
 

Sunday, January 20 at 12:35 p.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of an accidental gunshot that had occurred in a farm field along Makee Drive near the intersection of Dug Road.

Brock Gode Berns, age 20, of Waukon was retrieving a firearm for hunting when it accidentally discharged, striking him in the leg. Berns was transported to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The accident is being investigated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Assisting at the scene was the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
 

A Thursday, January 17 single-vehicle accident has claimed the life of a New Albin teenager and injured two others, according to a report from the Minnesota State Patrol. That report indicates the accident resulted in the death of 15-year-old Caleb Ryan Colsch of New Albin, who was a passenger in a 2002 Mazda Protege being driven north on Minnesota State Highway 26 by a 16-year-old male driver whose name has yet to be released by the Minnesota State Patrol due to the ongoing crash investigation involving a minor driver, according to Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol.

The initial report further indicates that the unnamed driver lost control and the car entered the ditch, striking a tree at approximately 4:10 p.m. that Thursday afternoon near mile marker number 8 in Crooked Creek Township, just north of Reno, MN. The report also indicates that road conditions were dry at the time of the accident.

by Lissa Blake

When someone is commuting to work, there are a number of considerations that affect where and how far they are willing to travel for a good job. Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) recently released the results of a laborshed study completed in a number of northeast Iowa communities, including Waukon.

A laborshed study is a “supply-side labor availability study that documents labor sources (workers) traveling to a particular employment center for work. It is based upon current commuting patterns with no restrictions by county or state lines,” explained a release from IWD.

HOW IT WORKS
Val Reinke, executive director for Allamakee County Economic Development, explained the study will assist local employers in understanding what it is that motivates individuals to take certain types of employment.

Award nominations due by February 8; Princess applications due by March 1

The 2019 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet will be held Saturday, March 16 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 the industry.

Every year, top producers from the county are recognized at the banquet. In addition, several other awards are presented that evening. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension Office are accepting nominations through February 8 for the following awards:

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 14 to address a full agenda of items including the National Mentoring Month proclamation, funding requests from Helping Services and Main Street Lansing, and the consideration of a personnel matter due to a resignation. There was no Public Comment.

This past fall marked the fifth consecutive season the Waukon High School cross country program has most recently been represented at the Iowa High School State Cross Country Meet. The Indian girls have represented that program in each of the last two seasons and the Waukon boys team earned that honor of season grand finale qualification the three seasons prior to that, each ending multiple-season absences from that ultimate destination.

A total of five Allamakee County officials elected or re-elected to their respective offices in the general election this past November were sworn into office by District Judge John Bauercamper at the Allamakee County Courthouse prior to the start of business for the new year 2019. Pictured in the photo above with Judge Bauercamper (center of photo), four of those officials were sworn in Wednesday morning, January 2, including, left to right, re-elected Allamakee County Supervisor Dan Byrnes, newly-elected Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke, re-elected Allamakee County Supervisor Larry Schellhammer and re-elected Allamakee County Recorder Deb Winke. Pictured in the photo below, left to right, Judge Bauercamper swore in re-elected Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse, with her husband, Randy Hesse, assisting, in a swearing-in ceremony held Friday, December 28 due to Hesse not being available for the January 2 swearing-in event. Standard photos by Joe Moses.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met three times within a week around the transition between calendar years for the final meeting of 2018, the first meeting of 2019 addressing organizational matters and the first regular Monday session of the new year held January 7. Coverage of all three meetings follows.

DECEMBER 31
During the Public Comment portion of the Monday, December 31 meeting, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed grant funding to be used in the creation of an Allamakee County promotional video. Reinke indicated that director and filmmaker Jack Meggers will be involved in the project showcasing area businesses, companies and activities within the county, and she also advised that the video will be shared on social media and by various organizations and businesses on their websites.