Top Stories

by Lissa Blake

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors held its regular weekly meeting last Tuesday, February 19 due to the President’s Day holiday and reconvened Monday, February 25.

Dr. David Schwartz was named "Person of the Year" at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet held Friday, February 22 at the Waukon Banquet Center. The award is given to an individual who "has made a difference in the community through dedication and service to the community," and the nomination information for Dr. Schwartz included specific examples of that very characteristic he possesses, including his "outstanding bedside manner and lifelong learning and support for health care in a rural setting".

By Kelli Boylen
freelance writer

Editor's Note: This is the second of two articles about Luster Heights Correctional Facility. The Governor’s proposed 2014 budget calls for the closure of Luster Heights.  Last week Standard readers learned about the operation of Luster Heights. This week readers will learn about the impact the facility has on the local area.

Lansing voters will head to the polls Tuesday, March 5 for a special mayoral election due to the recent resignation of Lansing Mayor Joe Strobel. The polling place at Lansing United Methodist Church, 490 Center Street, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Candidates on the ballot include Michael Verdon and current Lansing City Councilwoman Deb Volker. The Standard has issued a questionnaire to each of the candidates in an attempt to educate voters about the candidates and their views on Lansing city government. Responses were received from both candidates and are published below.

by Kelli Boylen
freelance writer

Editor's Note: This is the first of two articles about the Luster Heights Correctional Facility near Harpers Ferry. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s proposed 2014 budget calls for the closure of Luster Heights. Most people know a little about the facility, but here is a much closer look at what goes on there.

Wintry weather over the past couple of weeks reinforced the reality that high school softball and baseball seasons are still months away. In New Albin, however, anticipation continues to build for the return of the girls and boys of summer.
Renovation projects that promise dramatic upgrades to the playing surfaces and spectator experiences are under way at the home fields for Kee High’s baseball and softball teams located in New Albin.

The Live Healthy Iowa 10-Week Challenge is now in full swing, completing its second full week of health-minded events and activities. At the local level of the program, the Get Active Allamakee Wellness Coalition is reporting a total of 50 teams consisting of more than 320 people who have signed up to record their minutes of activity through the program.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Live Healthy Iowa 10-Week Challenge or how to get involved with the local program to report minutes of activity is encouraged to contact Bucknell at 563-568-0074.

The W. K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has awarded $900,000 to the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative (FFI) to be used in the next four years. The award money will fund current strategies related to school wellness, food systems, and active living with an additional focus on the caregivers of children from birth to age five in northeast Iowa.

The 2013 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet will be held Saturday, March 23 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.