At its regular meeting Monday, January 3, the Lansing City Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 201 “prohibiting the building or construction of structures within the City of Lansing,” following Mayor Melissa Hammell’s third and final public reading of the ordinance. The action was undertaken while review and revision of the City of Lansing Code of Ordinances is being completed.
The Main Street Madness punch card promotion recorded $355,900 in holiday spending within the Lansing community. Individuals who spent $100 were entered to win one of 26 prizes, including Downtown Dollars and gift certificates to local businesses. For further details about the Main Street Madness promotion, reach out to Executive Director Andy Kelleher at Main Street Lansing, 563-538-9229.
Winners are all verified prior to publishing their names. This year’s winners include the following:
Waukon High School 2014 graduate Parker Hesse had a career day, thus far, in the Atlanta Falcons’ 29-15 loss at Buffalo Sunday, January 2. Hesse was called up to the active roster from the Falcons’ practice squad prior to Sunday’s game after starting tight end Hayden Hurst was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, December 29 when he tested positive for COVID-19.
COVID-19 Test Iowa Kits available ... COVID-19 Test Iowa Kits, like the one pictured above, are still available free of charge at the main reception desk at Veterans Memorial Hospital. These kits collect saliva, then the kit is sent in free of charge via UPS. All instructions are clearly included in the kit with a phone number to call if you have any questions. These Test Iowa Kits are available at the hospital from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends and holidays. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health continue to hold Friday vaccine clinics for COVID-19 booster immunizations. The COVID-19 booster dose is now available for anyone who wishes to receive it, ages five and up, as long as it has been at least six months since their last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone will need to wear a mask and bring along any insurance cards. Also bring along your vaccination card for updating.
General immunizations and flu shots are available the first and third Wednesday of each month between the hours of 1:30-5:30 p.m. by appointment only. Make an appointment for these clinics by calling 563-568-5660. COVID-19 vaccine is also available at the Waukon Gundersen Clinic, Hartig Drug, Nightingale Pharmacy and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic.
Maternity Services at VMH ... Diane Allison, RN, retired Maternity Services Supervisor at Veterans Memorial Hospital, continues to help as a Lactation Consultant on the hospital staff whenever needed. Diane has been a Board Certified Lactation Consultant for over 15 years and even though she is retired, she is available to come in and assist any new or returning mother who would like some assistance and education in breast feeding. Diane is pictured above at left with McKayla Rethamel, at right, and her newborn Charlie in the Maternity Services Suite at Veterans Memorial Hospital. In addition, all of the Maternity Services staff is very experienced and helpful with breastfeeding skills. Submitted photo.
by Diane Allison, R.N., Certified Lactation Consultant at Veterans Memorial Hospital
Choosing whether to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is only one of the many decisions expectant parents will make. It takes time to make such an important decision because it will not only affect your baby’s life but also the lives of the entire household. Breastfeeding is a commitment that both parents are involved in as it takes support from the partner to be successful.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) joins other organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) in recommending breastfeeding as the best for babies. Breastfeeding helps defend against infections, prevent allergies, and protects against a number of chronic conditions.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to five days (if asymptomatic) followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the one to two days prior to onset of symptoms and the two to three days after. Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for five days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for five days to minimize the risk of infecting others.
The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, January 6, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center of Iowa supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.
The LifeServe Blood Center of Iowa is seeking donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous. Many Iowans are encouraged to make donating blood on a regular basis their New Year’s resolution this year.
Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line, which can be reached at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call a 24/7 resource phone line at 800-383-2988, but during the time of social distancing Helping Services advocates noticed a decline in calls.
The agency responded by implementing a secure chat option for anyone in need of reaching a local advocate. Whether chatting or calling, a trained Advocate will be available to respond 24 hours a day.
Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Advocates work alongside survivors to achieve their best outcome. All services provided are at no cost to the survivor and are confidential.
For more info about Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center call 800-383-2988 or chat with someone at HelpingServices.org/chat to reach an advocate.
A free legal clinic program has been in operation since 1982 for residents of Allamakee County. The Allamakee County Bar Association, an organization of local lawyers, provides the services. The purpose of the Legal Clinic is to help people decide if they have a legal problem for which they need a lawyer’s help.
Depending upon the nature of the problem, referrals can be made to private attorneys, Legal Aid Service, law enforcement or other government agencies for help. This service is primarily intended for those people who feel they cannot afford to consult with a lawyer, and do not know if a lawyer is required.
Whitney and Dustyn Conway of Harpers Ferry announce the birth of their son, Waylon Jay Conway, born December 3, 2021 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. He weighed 6 lbs. 15 ozs. and measured 20-1/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Breckyn (3) and Brindlyn (6).
Grandparents are Dan and Becky Conway of Lansing and Jay and Julie Sheahan of Mason City.
