Community News

A new dining establishment in Waukon opened for business August 4, as Lid’s Bar and Grill in southwest Waukon looks to fill a niche in the local community following the loss of a pair of prominent dining venues in Waukon within the last couple years due to devastating fires. Dan Liddiard, owner of West Side Auto Sales, recognized that need and opportunity, and has renovated a portion of his auto sales building located at 1350 Ninth Street SW into what he hopes will be a destination that helps fill the void created by the unfortunate losses of Mulligan’s Grill Pub in January 2018 and Dave’s Gus & Tony’s Pizza and Steakhouse in February of this year.

“Our town was in need, and we love the public and our little community,” Liddiard said. “It’s home.”

“Imagine Your Story” Summer Reading Program (SRP) 2020 at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon has come to an end. A simplified version of both the teen and kids Summer Reading Program was held due to COVID-19 allowing families to make as few as one trip into the library to participate.

The 4-Week Reading Challenge ran from July 6-August 1 with participants marking their reading and/or activities and play on an Activity Card. Kids, ages infant to sixth grade, had the choice of completing 1-10 spaces, 11-20 spaces or blacking out the Activity Card to receive weekly prizes in addition to adding their name to three different prize drawings for a Book-Movie-Plushy Combo, Magna Tiles Ice set, or Ice Cream with the Librarian. A total of 58 children registered, and 29 participated with a total of 792 activities completed.

Allamakee County experienced its highest weekly confirmed case total of COVID-19 reported by the State of Iowa since early July this past week, as eight new cases were reported within the past week to raise the county total to 163 cases as of Monday, August 17. For the typical Tuesday-Monday timeframe reported each week in The Standard, those eight cases are second only to 10 cases reported for Allamakee County by the State of Iowa in the first full week in July in looking back over the past three months.

This past week’s eight cases include the first three-day stretch of reported multiple daily cases since the end of April, as three consecutive days this past week, Thursday-Saturday, August 13-15, each had two cases reported. A fourth consecutive day with a positive case, Sunday, August 16, saw one case reported, with the past week starting with another single case reported Tuesday, August 11.

The State Library of Iowa has announced that Robey Memorial Library in Waukon has met the conditions for state accreditation as outlined in “In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards Sixth Edition.”

Achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality library services. Robey Memorial Library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library operations including governance and funding, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access and facilities. The accreditation is valid through June 30, 2023.

“The director and board of trustees of Robey Memorial Library and the City of Waukon are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for their community,” said State Librarian Michael Scott.

The St. Paul’s United Methodist Women’s Group has installed a new Free Little Library and Food Pantry at the church. The church building is located at 27 Second Avenue NW with the library/pantry located outside the back of the church along First Street NW by the lounge door entry to the church, as pictured above in the photo at right. Stocked with non-perishable food items and a variety of books, as pictured above in the photo at left, those who are in need of food are invited to help themselves, and there are also many book options to read and share. Those who have questions about the recently added amenity are asked to contact the church office at 563-568-3678. Submitted photos.
 

The Experiential Learning Model emphasizes the use of life skills to learn content objectives. Through 4-H, this model emphasizes the importance of student involvement in the experiences or activities in each situation of the learning cycle. Students bring their own experiences and knowledge to the learning cycle. The Allamakee County 4-H Council is an elite group of senior 4-H members who use their leadership skills to plan community service projects, lead educational workshops and host many countywide 4-H activities. In addition, County Council members are each challenged to complete an individual leadership project. The objective of leadership projects is for members to create an impact in their personal growth as a leader and in their community while developing a relationship with an adult partner.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 10 to address a full agenda of items including the consideration of signing a grant application for the 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program, consideration of an outdoor display at the Allamakee County Historical Society Museum and consideration of an agreement relating to the restructuring of the current Iowa Workforce Development region.

The Waukon Police Department had several of its members officially sworn into new positions prior to the start of the Monday, August 3 meeting of the Waukon City Council. In the top photo, Dustin Harrington (left) is sworn in by Waukon Mayor Pat Stone (right). Harrington is a 2012 graduate of Waukon High School. He will be attending the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy starting August 31 with a return date of December 18 before taking part in the Field Training Officer program.

A “museum on wheels” presentation featuring the foundations of and comparisons between modern day issues and their similarities to events and issues from 100 years ago will be taking place this Thursday and Friday, August 13 and 14 in neighboring communities. “Hidden or Forbidden No More: Prequels to the ‘Greatest Generation,’ 1914-39” examines, among other topics, how Midwesterners reacted to two “plagues” - one viral, the other social.

One of the featured presentations and tours is scheduled to take place Thursday, August 13 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in the parking lot behind Oneota Food Co-op, located at 312 West Water Street in Decorah. Another showing is scheduled for Friday, August 14 in Prairie du Chien, WI from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at Lawler Park, located at 430 North Water Street at the north shelter.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 3 to address a full agenda of items including the consideration of a bid for asphalt resurfacing of Waterville Road (X32), receiving a new Flood Plain Management Ordinance from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Zoning/Flood Administrator, and a request for a Zoning District Map amendment.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) provided an update relating to several recent and upcoming events within the county including the ATV/UTV Pirate’s Road Rally held Saturday, August 1 that involved 52 ATV/UTVs. Reinke also provided an update relating to Lid’s Bar and Grill in Waukon, which was scheduled to open Tuesday, August 4 for to-go orders. Reinke discussed the Homes for Iowa program, which trains incarcerated individuals in construction and produces affordable housing.