Community News

Wed
12
Feb

Caledonia Haulers teams up with NICC and Hawkeye Community College to help meet growing demand for CDL tractor-trailer drivers


Semi simulation ... Hawkeye Community College Transportation Instructor Jake Ludeking demonstrates how the driving simulator works that is used as part of the CDL Semi-Truck Driver Class being held in Waukon in conjunction with Northeast Iowa Community College and Caledonia Haulers, Inc. The driving simulator first allows students to hone their manual shifting and other big rig driving skills before they head out on the open road with instructors to gain driving experience. Submitted photo.

Hands-on learning under the hood as well ... Students in the CDL Semi-Truck Driver Class being held in Waukon through a partnership between Northeast Iowa Community College, Hawkeye Community College and Caledonia Haulers, Inc. also get to experience some time “under the hood” to learn about the machines they are operating and to be able to perform pre-trip inspections that are part of the final testing procedure for obtaining a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). In an effort to help meet the growing demand for CDL drivers, Caledonia Haulers is allowing the class to be held in its Waukon facility and also provides a semi tractor-trailer for students to learn with. Submitted photo.

by Brianne Grimstad

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) has partnered with Hawkeye Community College and Caledonia Haulers, Inc. to offer a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) Semi-Truck Driver class in Waukon. There is a demand for CDL drivers around the country, with consumers opting to have good delivered to their homes instead of going out and shopping in stores or at malls. NICC Transportation Program Developer Marty Hemann also noted that there is a retiring workforce of drivers who are going to need to be replaced in the near future.

Hemann further noted that the average salary for a CDL driver in Iowa (as of February 2025) is around $68,705 per year, or $33 an hour. Salaries can vary widely, depending on many factors, such as location, type of freight and experience. While newer drivers may start out earning less than that average, after having a few years of experience under their belt, they have the potential to earn above the average.

Wed
12
Feb

Area veterans honored by Midwest Veterans of America during National Freedom Day observance ...

A total of 28 area military veterans were honored during an event hosted Saturday, February 1 at AJ Bar & Grill in Waukon in honor of National Freedom Day. National Freedom Day is a United States of America observance each February 1 honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later was ratified as the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment abolishing slavery February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.

Wed
12
Feb

Waukon City Council makes plans to begin the process to replace City Manager following his retirement at the end of this year, discusses engineering firm search

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council Monday met in special session Monday, February 10 to address an agenda of matters relating to the board appointment and renewal process, the City Manager replacement process and the review of other engineering firms. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav and Dave Blocker present.

Wed
12
Feb

St. Patrick's Day Parade for 2025 scheduled for March 16 in Waukon

Plans have been announced to hold the 2025 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 16, beginning at 1 p.m. All are invited to participate in this year’s parade with an Irish-themed entry at no cost. Any businesses, organizations, families or individuals wishing to have an entry are asked to be lined up by 12 noon that Sunday, with float entries lining up in the parking lot of WW Homestead Dairy and the former Northern Engraving plant, tractors unloading and lining up at the Sweeney Auction Service parking lot and horse units gathering at the Croell Redi-Mix plant in southeast Waukon.

For additional information about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade contact the Sweeney family at Village Farm and Home in Waukon at 563-568-4577 or the Waukon Chamber of Commerce at 563-568-4110.
 

Wed
05
Feb

Supervisors hear update from Veterans Memorial Hospital CEO, approve masonry and brick sealing proposal, as well as purchase of motor grader

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 3 to address a full agenda of matters including an update from Veterans Memorial Hospital, the consideration of an appointment to the Board of Adjustment, and the consideration of a motor grader purchase for the Secondary Roads Department. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

Wed
05
Feb

Applications for 2025 Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour in October now available online; Deadline to apply is March 1

Woodcarver Jackie Jirak ...  Submitted photo.
Woodcarver Jackie Jirak ... Submitted photo.
Potter George Lowe ...  Submitted photo.
Potter George Lowe ... Submitted photo.

The 28th annual Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour (NIAST Inc.) applications to exhibit are now available to area artists. For an application to download and print, go to www.iowaarttour.com and click on the events/news tab, or contact Darla Ellickson at darla@earloops.com or 563-382-2295.

The 2025 Tour takes place October 10-12. Studios are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each of those days.

Media considered is limited to Fine Art and Fine Craft. Items include: painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clay/ceramics, wood, glass, metal, printmaking, mixed media, handmade paper, fiber, etc. as appropriate at Fine Art Fairs. All works must be original in concept and design and must have been executed by the applicant: works from molds or kits, commercial or manufactured items, and buy/sell are not permitted.

Wed
05
Feb

New Albin Elementary School students learn Art Outside the Box at after school program...

Art Outside of the Box was the theme for a recent after school program in New Albin. Elementary students made bleeding tissue paper canvases by layering tissue paper over a canvas, spraying with water and watching the colors run and mix to create a unique design. They also became color scientists (photo at far left) when mixing the three primary colors, red, blue and yellow, to make new colors. They were able to name their new colors and use jelly crystals to save them.

Wed
29
Jan

Midwest Veterans of America to honor area Veterans at event this Saturday in Waukon celebrating February 1 National Freedom Day

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting a special recognition event this Saturday, February 1 at AJ’s Bar & Grill in Waukon to celebrate National Freedom Day, which is observed February 1 each year honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later was ratified as the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment abolishing slavery February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.

An awards presentation will begin at 1 p.m. recognizing 28 U.S. Military Veterans from the local area, with the full menu available to order from as well at the event location. A featured speaker from the La Crosse, WI USO (United Service Organization) and a fundraising auction will also be part of the event.

The public is invited to attend the event. Those who have further questions may call 563-568-5275.

Wed
29
Jan

Nominations sought for 2025 Allamakee County Dairy Awards

Award nominations due by February 17, Dairy Princess applications due February 28; Dairy Banquet scheduled for March 22

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board is asking for assistance from the general public in identifying worthy candidates to be recognized as this year’s top dairy producers in Allamakee County at the 2025 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet scheduled to take place March 22 this year at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. Every year, top producers and several other awards are nominated from members within the county. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension office are accepting nominations for the following awards:

Wed
29
Jan

Supervisors hear library updates and funding requests, approve resolution for grading, paving one mile of Four Corners Road following public hearing

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session twice within a week’s time following the Monday, January 20 closure of the County Courthouse in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday with scheduled meetings taking place Tuesday, January 21 and Monday, January 27 during this past week. Coverage of both meetings appears below.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
The January 21 meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

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