Community News

In an effort to gather as much public input as possible to incorporate into the City of Waukon’s Comprehensive Plan update that is currently underway, a Waukon Community Survey is available to area residents and visitors. Input through the community is being gathered until this Friday, July 31, so those who would like to have their voices heard are urged to complete the survey prior to the deadline at the end of this month.

Paper surveys and drop-off locations for completed surveys are available at the Waukon Wellness Center, Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, and City of Waukon offices temporarily located in the former Allamakee County Relief Office at 12 1st Avenue NW in Waukon. The survey can also be completed online by scanning the QR code accompanying this article or by visiting the following website: surveymonkey.com/r/QF8BTJT.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society (HFAHS) will be holding its third annual Tour of Homes this Sunday, July 26 from 1-4 p.m. There will be four stops on the tour this year, split between two locations in Harpers Ferry and two more located on Elon Road just east of Waukon, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting the Harpers Ferry Museum building project. Advanced ticket purchase is encouraged, but tickets will also be available at each of this year’s tour stops.

The four locations featured in the self-guided 2026 Tour of Homes include the River Bluff Getaway (Ron and Julie Peiffer, 521 Brazell Point Drive, Harpers Ferry), the Steve and Diana Jennerman home (519 Sandy Point Drive, Harpers Ferry), West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery Association (1351 Elon Drive, east of Waukon), and the Roe-Hansmeier House (Daryl Hansmeier, 1320 Elon Drive, east of Waukon).

submitted by the Waukon High School Agriculture Department

Members of the Waukon High School Agriculture Department recently returned from an international agricultural tour through Ireland, where students explored the country’s rich agricultural traditions, history, culture, and innovation.

For many students, the trip marked two significant milestones, their first flight and their first experience traveling outside the United States.

The group departed from Chicago, IL and arrived in Dublin eager to begin an educational journey that combined classroom learning with real-world experiences. Throughout the week, students gained firsthand insight into Ireland’s diverse agricultural industries while experiencing the country’s renowned history, landscapes, and hospitality.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 20 to address a full agenda of matters including the Final Reading and Adoption of the Ordinance amending Chapter 105 “Solid Waste Control”, the Resolution awarding the contract for the 1st Avenue SE Reconstruction Project and the Final Reading and Adoption of the Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by changing sewer user charges and special rates. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Cassie Handke, Nic Engrav, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.

The Consent Agenda, routine items to be approved collectively, was approved with the removal of one item: C. Resolutions 1. Agreeing to the transfer from the Street Department/Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Fund to the Capital Equipment Fund - Ambulance. This matter was removed without further discussion.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 20 at the Waterville Community Center’s City Council Chambers as part of the board’s schedule of offsite meeting locations that includes public libraries within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including the consideration of a Revolving Loan Fund application, the consideration of the Resolution designating the location for public notices for open meetings and the consideration of the Resolution of support for a Joint Federal Bridge Grant Agreement and a Letter of Support for a Federal Bridge Grant Project.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Pro Tem Dan Byrnes with Supervisor Dennis Keatley present. Chairperson Tom Clark was not present due to a scheduled absence.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 13 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of bids for full-depth concrete pavement patching, a funding request by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the consideration of an appointment to the Veterans Affairs Commission. The meeting was held at the Allamakee County Veterans Museum.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisor Dan Byrnes present. Supervisor Dennis Keatley was not present due to a scheduled absence.

ITC Midwest has contributed $5,000 through a Power of Connection grant to support the City of Waukon’s evaluation of its historic city hall building and a comprehensive facilities space needs assessment. The effort will help city leaders understand current facility conditions, long-term operational needs, and opportunities to consolidate municipal functions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

The City of Waukon has engaged a construction and historic preservation firm to conduct a structural and exterior assessment of the city hall building, originally constructed in 1902. The building, which has undergone various modifications over time, was recently vacated due to structural concerns identified in a professional evaluation. A broader space needs assessment of city hall and other municipal facilities will also be conducted to support the city’s long-term planning initiative focused on streamlining operations and maximizing taxpayer value.

Midwest Veterans of America hosted an America 250 celebration Saturday, July 4 at the Waukon City Park to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the United States of America.

A cookout event was held at the Sweeney Shelter near the Freedom Rock in the Waukon City Park. A group photo of all Veterans in attendance was taken (above), and a live auction was held with proceeds from that auction being donated to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

Seventh and eighth grade 4-H members from across Allamakee, Chickasaw, Howard and Winneshiek counties recently participated in an Intermediate 4-H Trip that combined hands-on learning, history, and summer fun.

The group’s first stop was Jones Family Dairy near Spencer, a farm featuring a rotary milking parlor, where members had the opportunity to see how technology is transforming modern agriculture. Youth learned how the farm milks 2,000 cows on a 64-stall rotating parlor, how farmers use technology to monitor herd health, and the important role innovation plays in dairy production. The visit provided a unique look at the future of farming, and youth were able to walk through the freestall barn, feed a calf a bottle, and hand milk a cow.

Thirty-four youth from across northeast Iowa gathered at the Starmont Community Schools in Arlington June 9 for the 2026 Iowa 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest. Representing Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette and Allamakee counties, 4-H members showcased their dairy knowledge by competing in fast-paced rounds that tested their understanding of dairy nutrition, anatomy, herd health, industry practices and current events.