Community News

Robey Memorial Library, in collaboration with the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLS), is inviting families to take part in the Main Street Story Walk throughout downtown Waukon this June. This year’s featured book is “I’m Trying to Love Spiders” by Bethany Barton. Families can enjoy the humorous and fact-filled story as it unfolds page by page in the windows of six participating local businesses along West Main Street. The Story Walk encourages families to spend time outdoors, read together, and explore downtown Waukon in a fun and interactive way.

Participants will visit six stops along West Main Street in downtown Waukon, with each location displaying a portion of the story. As families move from one business to the next, they’ll continue following the adventure of “I’m Trying to Love Spiders”.

by Brianne Grimstad

The month of March ended on a positive financial note for Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon, according to information shared at the April meeting of the VMH Board of Trustees. VMH Administrator Michael Coyle noted that patient volumes were up in most areas for the month.

The Total Revenue for the month was $5,194,391. Contractuals/Bad Debt/Charity Care came in at $2,637,027 for the month, and Total Expenses came in at $2,707,278 for the month. The hospital ended March with a Net Operating Revenue of $18,521, and that number jumps to $189,017 when Non-Operating Revenue is added in.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 18 at the Allamakee County Veterans Museum and Genealogy Research Center in Waukon as part of the board’s annual schedule of offsite meeting locations including public libraries within the county. The Supervisors addressed a short agenda of matters including the consideration of contracts and bonds for gravel road rock, the consideration of a detour route for the Memorial Day Parade, and the consideration of the proposed three-year contract with Cost Advisory Services, Inc.

Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will celebrate Armed Forces Day by presenting another program from its Veterans History Project. The program will take place at the museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon in honor of Armed Forces Day observed May 16.

A video interview by Carl Johnson with U.S. Army Veteran Tom Regan of Waukon will be presented. Regan served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1972. He was assigned to an artillery unit which was specially equipped to fire nuclear weapons and was stationed in West Germany in support of NATO forces to defend against possible hostile action by the Warsaw Pact Nations supported by the former USSR.

The public is invited to attend. There is no admission or membership charge. The facility is handicapped accessible.
 

At its Monday, May 4 regular meeting, the Waukon City Council proclaimed May 11-16 as National Police Week, with the proclamation being read aloud by Waukon Mayor Arvid Hatlan noting that May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day each year and encouraging all citizens in Waukon to observe National Police Week May 11-16. Pictured at right at the proclamation event are, left to right, Waukon Police Officer Dustin Harrington, Waukon Police Chief Paul Wagner, Waukon Mayor Arvid Hatlan, and Waukon Police Officer Luke Schulte. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

Pick up the Wednesday, May 13, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
 

The Corner of Hope Growing Hope Globally growing project held its annual Blessing of the Seed and Soil Saturday morning, April 25 to kick off the 2026 growing season. The event was held at the field of Dan Byrnes southeast of Waukon. Pastor Cathy Jurgens from Zion United Church of Christ performed this year’s blessing. If interested in participating in the Corner of Hope, contact Dave Prestemon at 563-568-1361. Submitted photo.

Pick up the Wednesday, May 13, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 11 to address a full agenda of matters including the discussion and consideration of the Medical Examiner Transport Driver list, consideration of hiring a temporary part-time employee for the Secondary Road Department, and discussion of a work session relating to new security camera access. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Dan Byrnes present.

During Public Comment, Byrnes made note of the Friends of Yellow River State Forest’s Annual 5K and 10K Trail Run/Walk and Half Marathon held Saturday, May 9 with an additional 5K held Friday, May 8. Byrnes recognized the many volunteers that assisted in making the event a success, in addition to the efforts of Harpers Ferry Fire and Rescue and the Waterville Fire Department.

Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputy Karson Hennings (pictured above) and Waukon Police Officer Patrick Downey (pictured below) both graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in a ceremony held at Rising Sun Church of Christ in Pleasant Hill Friday, April 24. Deputy Hennings and Officer Downey were part of the ILEA’s 325th graduating class and completed the academy’s rigorous 16-week training program that consisted of coursework in policing communications, criminal law, physical fitness, and emergency response. They also received training in patrol procedures, investigations, and tactical and administrative skills. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (pictured at right in both photos) welcomed the graduates on stage as they were presented with their diplomas by ILEA Director Brady Carney (pictured at left in both photos).

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 4 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of county roads and signage relating to turtles, consideration of the annual Solutions software and IT contract, and consideration of the speed limit Resolution for North Rhomberg Avenue (X52), Harpers Ferry. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present.

There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item. There was also no action relating to the next agenda item which was allotted 20 minutes on the meeting’s timed agenda, as a scheduling conflict did not allow for Veterans Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to provide an update.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, May 4 to address a full agenda of matters including the National Police Week Proclamation, consideration of a Facade Improvement Grant application and the First Reading of the Ordinance Amending Chapters 15, 19, and 30 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including John Lydon, Cassie Handke, Nic Engrav, Tim Smedsrud and Steve Wiedner.