Community News

Amy Johnson of Waukon, an instructor at the Waukon Wellness Center, noted for the last several years while attending grandstand events at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon that each time she heard the National Anthem being played for an event and looked around to acknowledge the flag, there was no flag.

"It always bothered me that there was no flag when the National Anthem was playing," Johnson shared. "My father was a Vietnam veteran, so this was very important to me and dear to my heart."

After attending numerous events with no flag to acknowledge and this sort of "troubled" feeling concerning her, Johnson recalled a quote she tries to live by: "Be the change you want to see." She thought, "I'll just do it," and took action.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 17 to address a variety of matters, including the Allamakee County Hazard Mitigation Plan, Aveka noise and smell, and the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®).

Mayor Duane DeWalle called the meeting to order with approval of the current agenda and minutes from the July 3 meeting. The Public Hearing for the 2017 Trenchless Storm Sewer Improvements Project was opened and closed without any written or verbal comments.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 17 to address a full agenda of items, including the discussion of handicapped signage, a proposed half marathon and relay running event, and quarterly reports for Planning and Zoning and the Relief Office. Chairperson Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order.

The Supervisors moved into Public Comment, with Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker offering to provide a presentation at the July 24 meeting regarding the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) safety plans and protocols for Allamakee County, including plans for severe weather, emergency shelters, railroad safety, law enforcement, medical and fire safety. The Supervisors discussed their recent tour of the Agri Star meat and poultry facility in Postville.

Take the journey up to the Marching Bears mound group with a Ranger at Effigy Mounds National Monument Thursday, July 27. Marching Bears is a late woodland mound complex that is thought to be amongst the most important preserved effigy mound groups in North America. This four-mile guided interpretive hike will take approximately three hours to complete. The moderately strenuous walk will focus on the lifestyles of American Indians who built the mounds between 1,250-900 years ago. Visitors should wear sturdy walking shoes, bring plenty of water and meet the Ranger at 9 a.m. at the Marching Bears trail access located across the railroad tracks off Highway 76, a quarter mile south of the headquarters of Effigy Mounds National Monument. Reservations are required, space is limited to 20 people, and no pets are allowed. To register, call 563-873-3491, ext. 123 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Participating in the Thunder Rode Drill Team event during the Winneshiek County Fair Wednesday, July 21 were a pair of Waukon residents. Justin Berns of Waukon is pictured above riding Buddy, who is being led by Meg Sessions with the assistance of sidewalker Rebecca Anderson. TJ Vobr of Waukon is pictured below riding Lilly, who is led by April Kruse with assistance from sidewalker Rose Hansen. The Waukon pair made up half of this year's Thunder Rode Drill Team event at the fair, a therapeutic horseback riding program based in rural Decorah. Photos by Lissa Blake.
 

Downloadable pdf version of the Waukon RAGBRAI Map and road closure article is available below:

Midwest Veterans of America is sponsoring three different contests for the 2017 Waukon Corn Days celebration being planned for mid-August this year. The contests include competitions for the Tallest Corn Stalk, the Longest Ear of Corn, and the Most Innovative Scarecrow.

Judging for all three contests will take place Saturday, August 19 at 1 p.m. at the Waukon Wellness Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW in Waukon. Entries must be registered by 12 noon that day.

The top three entries in the Tallest Corn Stalk Contest will receive both plaques and cash prizes, with the top three Longest Ear of Corn entries receiving plaques. Top entries in the Most Innovative Scarecrow Contest will be awarded medals, with judging taking place in both an adult category and a youth category. For additional information about any of the contests call 563-568-5275.
 

Allamakee County is completing an update to its 2012 Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan is being developed with the cities of Harpers Ferry, Lansing, New Albin, Postville, Waterville and Waukon, as well as with Allamakee County (representing unincorporated areas), to assess hazard risk and prioritize mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property.

Flooding, severe storms and man-made risks, such as hazardous materials or transportation incidents, are examples of the types of hazards that have been addressed for the area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, has supported this planning process by offering grant funds to Allamakee County Emergency Management.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 3 to discuss a full agenda of items, including the Reel Core storm sewer, The Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®) and the City Manager position. There were no Public Comments and the Council moved into Departmental Reports.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed a request from a RAGBRAI team consisting of 17 people to use a grass area near the sewer plant for camping during the event, which the Council agreed would be fine. Campbell discussed the need for a flow study to assist in the planning for the new sewer plant and recommended budgeting for this study to take place in March through June to take into consideration snow melt, the rainy season and the dry time in early summer.

Waukon State Bank recently made two donations in support of the new 4-H Food Stand located at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. A donation of $2,500 was presented to the Allamakee County Fair Board in support of the new food stand construction and $500 was donated to the ISU Allamakee County Extension Office for the purchase of appliances and kitchen fixtures. The new 4-H Food Stand will open with the 2017 Allamakee County Fair, which runs July 19 through July 23 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. Pictured above in the photo, left to right, are Gail Prestemon of Waukon State Bank, Miranda Reinhardt of the Allamakee County 4-H County Council, Teresa Myers of the Allamakee County Fair Board, Erika Johnson of the Allamakee County 4-H County Council and Justin Sweeney of Waukon State Bank.