Community News

Tuesday, August 7, the Waukon Police Department received a report of a theft from a business in Waukon that had taken place August 4. With assistance from a neighboring law enforcement agency, the suspect was identified as 49-year-old Scott Richard Coxworth of Houston, MN.

Upon further investigation by use of a surveillance camera system, it was discovered that Coxworth returned to that same business August 6 and had taken more merchandise. Following those investigative measures, Coxworth was charged with two counts of fifth-degree theft and an arrest warrant was granted.

Wednesday, August 22, the Waukon Police Department received a call from the same business reporting that Coxworth had returned once again and was still present at the store. Officers responded and placed Coxworth into custody for the arrest warrant.

New York Times bestselling novelist William Kent Krueger is coming to Robey Memorial Library in Waukon Thursday, September 13 at 7 p.m. Krueger will be promoting his new book, “Desolation Mountain”, coming out later this month.

Krueger is the bestselling author of “Ordinary Grace” and the Cork O’Connor mystery series. The Cork O’Connor character is the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of Irish and Ojibwe heritage.

Robey Memorial Library is partnering with Dragonfly Books in Decorah for the event. Robey Memorial Library is located at 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon. For more information, contact 563-568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

The Waukon Fire Department responded to a house fire at 205 Fifth Street NW in Waukon Thursday, August 23 at approximately 2:45 p.m. Flames on the exterior and underneath the roof overhang of the home were quickly doused and (as pictured above) firefighters worked to make sure the fire had not penetrated the attic area of the home. Local officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation and that a little smoke and water damage also occurred inside the home. Fire crews were on the scene for approximately one hour. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
 

A Quilt of Valor was presented August 16 to Waukon native John Duvel (center in above photo) in honor of his service to this country. He was nominated for the award by his parents, Duane and Shirley Duvel of Waukon. His father, Duane, had also recently received a Quilt of Valor prior to his recent passing and felt John was more deserving of the award than he himself was due to the nature of his service duties and stations. Presenting the quilt in the above photos are members of the Waukon Patriot Quilters Grace Murphy (left) and Peg Mathis (right). Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 20 to address a full agenda of items including a presentation of the walking audit by the Walk-On Waukon group, discussion of appointments for the Plaza Redesign Committee and Park and Recreation/Wellness Board expenditure allocations. Mayor Pat Stone called the meeting to order with approval of the current agenda and August 6 regular session meeting minutes.

The council moved into the Public Hearing approving plans and specifications, form of contract and estimated costs for improvements for First Avenue NW resurfacing. City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comments have been received.

The council then moved into the Public Hearing proposing disposition of interest in real property by the City of Waukon - West Side Development Lot 3. Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comments have been received regarding this matter.

Waukon State Bank President Gail Prestemon has announced that Greg Rea has joined the bank staff as an Agricultural Lender and Vice President. Rea and his wife, Jean, live in rural Lansing.   They have three adult children and six grandchildren. They partner in a farming operation along with their son, Matt, and his wife, Becky.

Rea is an experienced Ag Lender and looks forward to serving area ag lending needs. He will be working part-time at Waukon State Bank through August and September and will be in the office full-time starting September 24. He can be reached at 563-568-3451 or greg@waukonstatebank.com.
 

Waukon High School FFA and Allamakee County 4-H member Diana Davison is pictured above with her plaque and Tractor Supply gift pack for being selected as one of five winners of Tractor Supply’s second annual “Great Neighbor” Essay Contest. Davison was recognized in a Saturday, August 11 ceremony held at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. This year’s competition encouraged youth to submit a short essay detailing how a memorable 4-H or FFA experience has influenced their development as a great neighbor in their community. Submitted photo.
 

Over 160 area residents signed a letter written to U.S. President Donald Trump that expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs and trade wars. People had the opportunity to sign the letter at the Allamakee County Fair in July. The letter was initiated by the Allamakee County Democrats, who plan to mail the letter to Senator Charles Grassley asking him to deliver it to the White House. Pictured above with the letter are (left to right) Lorna Kerndt of Waukon, George Blair of New Albin, Kristi Davis of Waukon and Kathy Hannum of Waukon. Submitted photo.
 

by Lissa Blake

It was a short agenda for the Allamakee County Supervisors Monday morning, August 13.

During the public comment section, Gloria Payne of the Allamakee County Historic Preservation Commission thanked the Supervisors and explained the Commission’s first meeting in the Board of Supervisors room was happening later that day.

Payne asked Board Chair Larry Schellhammer to sign a Certified Local Government National Register Nomination Evaluation Report Form required in order for the Commission to get the West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church added to the National Register of Historic Places. She explained the committee, chaired by Greg Gilbertson, has put a lot of time into preparing the 33-page application, and there is a meeting October 12, where they will find out more. She said the Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church was added to the National Register in 1968.

Waukon Patriot Quilters recently presented Quilts of Valor to four local veterans to honor them and thank them for their service. These Quilts of Valor were presented at the veterans’ homes due to health and mobility issues. Pictured in the surrounding photos are quilt recipients Joe Gallagher, Duane Duvel, Murvel Barness and Wayne Johnson, who is being presented the quilt by Patriot Quilter Grace Murphy. Submitted photos.