The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) are holding a public hearing and requesting public input for a proposed replacement of the Iowa 9/Wisconsin 82 (Black Hawk) bridge in Lansing over the Mississippi River.
In order to accommodate the new bridge being planned, approximately 5.9 acres of easement and fee title is needed from the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which is owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Iowa Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) intends to make a de minimis impact finding in accordance with 23 CFR 774 as the project is not expected to adversely affect the activities, features and attributes of the refuge. The Iowa DOT would like to gather public feedback on the environmental documentation, preferred alternative and potential impacts related to the planned improvements.
Retired Allamakee Community School District music instructor Frank Knoll took part in the “Taps Across America” nationwide remembrance event Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 by playing Taps at the Allamakee County Freedom Rock in the Waukon City Park at the designated time of 3 p.m. This National Moment of Remembrance is an annual event that asks Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, to pause for a duration of one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States. This project calls on musicians across the country to sound Taps at 3 p.m. from an appropriate location.
Festival events include prayer service at St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon with guest speaker Daniel Baldwin
by Julie Berg-Raymond
Sacred Noise Society, Inc., founded by Katie O’Regan of Waukon, has announced plans for the Spring Grove-Caledonia Film Festival scheduled for July 23-25, including an event in the Waukon area.
Featuring two plays, 42 movies, a parade and an award ceremony, the festival welcomes this year’s special guest of honor Daniel Baldwin, last year’s guest of honor Ed Asner and (via Zoom) Alec Baldwin – along with several other filmmakers who will be participating in live talk-backs after their films’ screenings.
Newly appointed Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill (center of photo) raises her right hand while placing her left hand on a Bible held by her husband, Cory (far right), as she is sworn into office by retired Iowa Judicial District 1A District Court Judge John Bauercamper (far left) Tuesday, June 1. O’Neill was sworn into the position after being appointed to the office by the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors earlier that morning, replacing retiring Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse (standing between the O’Neills), who has served as County Treasurer for the past 26 years and is retiring due to health considerations. Having worked in the Allamakee County Treasurer’s Office for the past 17 years and serving as First Deputy Treasurer, O’Neill will now complete Hesse’s current term in office, which expires at the end of year 2022 and will be up for election in November of 2022.
The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board has scheduled its 2021 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet for Saturday, June 12 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The meal will be served from 7-8:30 p.m. and the awards program starts at 8 p.m. Production and other awards are presented that evening and the Allamakee County Dairy Princess will be crowned.
The Allamakee County Dairy Days Parade is being held Friday, June 18 in Postville in conjunction with the community’s Hometown Celebration Parade and in honor of the 100th year of the Big Four Fair. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. and will run from Lull’s Park to the Big Four Fairgrounds. For entry and other parade information, contact Postville City Hall at 563-864-7454.
Work begins on Second Street SW ... Signs and other traffic control measures have been placed on Second Street SW in Waukon as work begins on that street improvement project that will first involve some curb and gutter work where there currently is none or where some may need to be replaced. A majority of the street, from Main Street south to the Southcrest residential area, will then have the top several inches milled off before an asphalt overlay will be put back down. Access to the street and even its crossing intersections with connecting streets/avenues will be limited - at times completely - throughout the project, which is expected to take several weeks, depending upon weather.
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 7 to address a variety of matters including discussion of purchasing a police vehicle, an update from the Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator and discussion relating to the former C-Mart property.
There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Department Reports with Waukon Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noting that summer events are in full swing and that little league baseball and softball have started. Strub discussed staffing levels for Park and Rec and said that the Jaycee Shelter is in need of repair.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed water usage by residents increasing with lawn watering and that the sewer tie-in to the new Wastewater Treatment Plant will take place this week or next.
The opening of Luna Salon & Boutique at 1 East Main Street in Waukon as of April 1 of this year marks the realization of dreams of the new business’ co-owners, who also happen to be a Waukon mother and daughter pair. Robin Palmer and her daughter, Adrianna Rocksvold, joined their combined interests and their faith in one another to start the new venture.
“We both had a dream of being business owners, and had no experience as business owners,” they shared. “We decided to go in together and start a business that would be a unique experience and stand out to our customers. We share a love of fashion, style and having fun, and we want our customers to also.”
Donation of book that shares their story ... Waukon native Paul Osterholm (far right) of Pipe, WI returned home Saturday, May 29 with the recipient of one of his kidneys, Nicole Braatz (far left) of Fond du Lac, WI, to donate a book to Robey Memorial Library that includes their kidney donation story and to talk about the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on so many lives. Pictured with the organ sharing duo is Chris Kerndt (center) of Robey Memorial Library. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
“Because of Organ Donation: A Collection of Inspiring Stories Celebrating the Gift of Life” includes story of Waukon High School 1978 graduate Paul Osterholm’s “gift of a lifetime” to Nicole Braatz
by Julie Berg-Raymond
Waukon native Paul Osterholm came home Saturday, May 29 and introduced a roomful of family and friends to Nicole Braatz - a woman whose life was saved because of Osterholm’s gift to her of one of his kidneys.
Sisters open a second business in Lansing ... Wendi Wilson-Eiden, left, and her sister, Diana Wilson-Thompson, right, opened the Gourmet Traveler in Lansing May 20. They also own Coffee on the River, which opened September 26, 2019. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
Some of the many products available ... Pictured above are just some of the cooking and specialty food items available at The Gourmet Traveler opened by sisters Wendi Wilson-Eiden and Diana Wilson-Thompson in Lansing May 20. The new store also has a variety of gift items that are eco-friendly and made from sustainable material, as well as locally crafted and custom gift items. Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
by Julie Berg-Raymond
“People who love to eat are always the best people.”
- Julia Child
Evoking the charm and unpretentious beauty of an open-air market in the French countryside, Lansing’s newest retail addition to its Main Street is a dream-come-true for lovers of food and cooking - and for their gift-buying friends.
The Gourmet Traveler (located in the historic McGarrity’s building, next door to Red Geranium Floral and Gifts) opened May 20, and features a wide variety of cooking items from pots and pans, mixing bowls and tableware to salt cellars, utensils, handmade cutting boards - and measuring cups so pretty they could be mistaken for decorative counter pieces.
The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, June 7. Discussion centered around the consent agenda, acceptance of the resignation of the mayor, acceptance of the resignation of the deputy city clerk, considering placing of a police support flag and the Parks report.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the resignation of Mayor Kyle Walleser due to his recent change in employment status not allowing him to fulfill the duties of mayor. The council considered whether to appoint someone to the office or hold a special mayor election. A motion was made and seconded with minimal discussion to appoint a mayor to fill out the current term of office.
The council also accepted the resignation of Deputy City Clerk Julie Rethwisch. An advertisement for the position of deputy city clerk will be placed in the newspaper (see Page 34 of the June 9, 2021 print edition and e-edition of The Standard).
