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The Waukon Fire Department responded Sunday, May 15 to a report of an explosion and fire at 1818 Moose Road north of Waukon. The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office reported that John Donald Henninsgaard of Waukon, age 25, was transported by ambulance to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon and then by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City for treatment of severe burns.

Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse, Recorder Deb Winke and Auditor Pam Benjegerdes convened as a special committee Thursday, May 5 to determine how to fill the vacancy on the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors caused by the untimely death of chairman Cloy Kuhse. According to Iowa Code, a county's Treasurer, Recorder and Auditor have the responsibility to fill mid-term vacancies on the Board of Supervisors either by appointment within 40 days of the vacancy or by calling for a special election.

Effective immediately, entrance fees will no longer be collected at Effigy Mounds National Monument, and park staff will no longer sell National Parks and Federal Recreation Land passes.
“Effigy Mounds just isn’t configured in a way that makes fee collection efficient and effective,” said Effigy Mounds Superintendent Jim Nepstad. “It works well at a lot of other National Park Service sites, but we’ve finally come to the conclusion that our energies are best spent elsewhere.”

by Bob Beach

The 2010 census revealed that Iowa’s population is declining relative to the population of other states in the nation. Since population plays such a significant role in determining the equitable distribution of representation in both state and federal governments, changes in Iowa’s population will result in major changes in Iowa’s political landscape beginning with primary elections next May and the general election next November.

by Bob Beach

The 13th annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 11 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.  Health testing, exhibits and activities will provide a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. Everyone in all area communities is welcome to attend this free event, sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital, and held in conjunction with the hospital’s “In Step with VMH” Community Wellness program.

With a sudden medical condition this weekend claiming the life of Allamakee County Supervisor Cloy Kuhse, County officials approved flying flags at the Allamakee County Courthouse at half staff the day of Kuhse's funeral service, which will be this Friday, May 6. Kuhse was elected to the Board during the Fall 2008 General Election and served as the Board's chairperson since January of this year, with just under two years remaining of his current term on the Board.

Thirty-nine 4-H youth in grades 7-12 and 15 adults from Allamakee and Howard counties participated in the 4-H Citizenship Club trip to Washington, D.C. March 19-25. The group enjoyed a five-day educational sight-seeing tour including a trip through the Civil War Battlefields of Gettysburg, PA and a tour of Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington. The group also toured the Pentagon, where approximately 23,000 employees, both military and civilian, execute this nation’s defense.

Helping Services of Northeast Iowa and the Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force are participating in the National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Event taking place this Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The purpose of this event is to keep medications out of the hands of people who may misuse or abuse them, especially youth.