Community News

by Julie Berg-Raymond

The world has perhaps never needed entrepreneurs more than it does right now.

With the entire planet struggling to understand and work through the effects of a global pandemic, it may well be entrepreneurs among us - the innovators and risk-takers who Jonathan Ortmans, founder and president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), calls “a force for good” - who will inspire us to keep going, keep trying, and keep alive what Ortmans believes is our common “curiosity and enthusiasm about making the world a better place” (genglobal.org).

Allamakee County continued to follow the nationwide trend of ever-increasing cases of COVID-19 this past week. For the fourth consecutive week, a new record high number of cases were reported for the county with 108 total cases from Tuesday, November 10 through Monday, November 16, reports the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Nearly half of this past week’s total case count was reported in two separate days, where a new single-day high number of 25 cases were reported both Tuesday, November 10 and again Saturday, November 14. Out of the now 35 weeks that COVID-19 cases have been reported since mid-March of this year, 27 of those weeks have not even reached a 25-case total for an entire week, much less in a single day.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 16 to address an agenda of items including a Public Hearing relating to the CDBG Housing Grant, discussion of group health insurance options for City employees and updates from various City departments.

With no Public Comment, the council moved into Department Reports with Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub providing an update relating to the Waukon Wellness Center. Strub advised that the Center’s heating system is operating well following recent maintenance and that membership at the Wellness Center has increased as people are getting back into fall and winter routines. Strub also discussed the recent COVID-19 related proclamation by Governor Kim Reynolds which has temporarily banned group exercise until December 10, and will also impact Adult Volleyball and Youth Basketball which are now also postponed until December 10.

The ratification of the 19th Amendment was a landmark moment in American history that dramatically changed the electorate when it granted women in the United States the right to vote in elections. The “Rightfully Hers” display (pictured at left) at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is available for public viewing throughout the month of November. This display is part of a grant from the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and the American Library Association. The grant also included books added to the library’s collection. The National Archives, in partnership with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission (WSCC), provided an additional 2,500 “Rightfully Hers” pop-up displays (such as the one pictured at left) to cultural institutions nationwide in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which acknowledged women’s right to vote in the United States. Submitted photo.
 

R.W. Pladsen, Inc. in Waukon recently completed its Fill-A-Truck promotion held throughout the month of October to benefit the Allamakee County Relief Office in its efforts to help those less fortunate. Individuals could donate a non-perishable food item to help “fill a truck” and also have their name entered into a weekly Friday drawing during the month of October for prizes that included gift certificates, t-shirts and other items donated through the generosity of Allamakee County businesses much appreciated by R.W. Pladsen, Inc. and all those benefiting from the promotion. Pictured above at the presentation of the donated food items to the Allamakee County Relief Office are, left to right, R.W. Pladsen, Inc. staff members Greg Halverson, Karina Opperman, Carli Quandahl, Bob Kubitz and Steve Pladsen standing with Allamakee County Relief Office Director Rebecca Hawes.
 

The week of November 15-21 is Northeast Iowa’s Tobacco Awareness Week, and November 19 marks the nationwide Great American Smokeout encouraging people to stop using tobacco for the day and to make plans to quit. The Board of Supervisors from Allamakee, Delaware, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties have proclaimed Tobacco Awareness Week throughout their counties. Pictured above in the photo taken by Standard Assistant Editor Joe Moses at the proclamation by the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors are, left to right, Allamakee County Board of Supervisors members Dennis Koenig and Dan Byrnes, Tobacco Prevention Specialist

Ashley Havenstrite of Helping Services for Youth & Families, and Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chair Larry Schellhammer.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

The Allamakee County Sheriff Department’s K9 Tyr is going to be safer on the job, thanks to a donation from Rockytopp Kennel - owned and operated by Alan, Terisa and Luke Steiber - in rural Lansing. Rockytopp recently donated $1,400 to the Sheriff’s Department for the purchase of a ballistic vest for its K9 deputy.
K9 Tyr, a Belgian Malinois named for the Norse god of war and justice, and his handler, Deputy Ross Kolsrud, both graduated from the K9 training program at Blue Line K9 of Minnesota, LLC, in Rushford, MN. Tyr is certified in narcotics and trained in patrol, agility, obedience, apprehension and room and building searches. He is stepping into the position being vacated by K9 Erro - Deputy Stuart Bloxham’s K9 partner for the past six years retiring in December.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is hosting its final Main Street Story Walk of the year featuring the children’s story, “Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy” by Carl R. Sams II. During the months of November and December, families are encouraged to read this winter-wonderland book as they stroll the downtown area of Waukon. Nine selected businesses have a portion of the story posted in the front window of their establishment for viewing from the sidewalk. As families join in the fun, they are reminded to practice social distancing and safe crossing of streets for the safety and health of all. Selected business locations pictured and labeled above are located on West Main Street and include the following: 1. Cunningham Hardware; 2. Waukon City Club; 3. Hartig Drug; 4. S&D Café; 5. Epic Wear; 6. Lyle Bodensteiner Insurance; 7. Teslows Formal Wear; 8. Waukon State Bank; 9. Krambeer Barber. Submitted image.
 

Because of the commitment to its local community and advocacy for rural issues, the Allamakee County Farm Bureau has been designated a 2020 Outstanding County Farm Bureau by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF). In recognition, Allamakee County Farm Bureau Former President Rick Weymiller has earned the opportunity to provide a $2,500 donation to a local organization or charity and has selected Iowa 4-H Foundation/Allamakee County to receive this funding award.

Much like a majority of this year already due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Halloween 2020 is likely to also result in adjustments being made to the way people approach more traditional events to help celebrate the holiday. Listed below are some of the area trick-or-treating times and other events taking place this Saturday, October 31, and surrounding this list are recommendations by the Iowa Department of Public Health based on guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in regard to COVID-19. Anyone participating in Halloween activities is reminded to participate in a manner they feel is safest for themselves and those around them to help prevent further spread of COVID-19.