Community News

As evident in the surrounding photos on this page, the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing was opened to traffic by Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials Saturday, April 20 at approximately 11 a.m., bringing to an end a nearly two-month closure that involved an extensive repair process and rigorous safety testing and inspection. The bridge had been closed since February 25 of this year after discovery of an unexpected buckling of the bridge that was then determined to be the result of two of the bridge piers shifting on the eastern end of the structure.

“Our contracting partner, Kraemer North America, worked diligently to replace the piers,” Iowa DOT officials said. “The new piers are supported by steel pipe pilings reaching more than 100 feet into bedrock compared to the previous pilings that were placed more than 90 years ago and reached approximately 40 feet deep.”

The Toe Tappers will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Friday, May 10, beginning at 6 p.m. They will join Bandmates, Brothers and Friends, members of several former local bands who are reuniting for their second consecutive year to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year the event will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon to allow for more room for dancing, additional seating, food (cash sales), and beverages.

The Toe Tappers have been entertaining the tri-state area for over 50 years, but due to COVID never had the opportunity to celebrate that milestone, until this event. They will take the stage first, at 6 p.m., followed by two different sets of the 11 musicians who are once again reuniting for the night, forming Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF).

The year 2024 is a year of firsts for the Waukon Chamber of Commerce. It is the first full year for Executive Director Mandy Halverson, the first time the organization secured an Iowa Tourism Grant, and it also marks the launch of the Chamber’s new Ambassador program. The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is nearing its 70th year of incorporation, and it’s safe to say that the organization has been a labor of love for the Waukon business owners, employees and residents who have been a part of the Chamber over the years.

In this year of new beginnings for the Waukon Chamber of Commerce, the current Chamber staff and board of directors identified increased visibility and enhanced member interactions as organizational goals. Specifically, the group wanted to improve the celebration of member milestones through more scheduled ribbon cuttings as a way to draw attention to Waukon businesses and community growth in general.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Repair of the Black Hawk Bridge is moving along right on schedule, according to a statement posted on social media Monday, April 15, by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).

Most encouraging is the fact that all the spans are back in place on the existing bridge. While contractors still have to install approximately 400 bolts, and a thorough inspection needs to be undertaken to make sure the bridge is safe, the DOT statement concludes, “we are on pace to meet our goal of having the bridge back open by the end of (April).”

During the sixth monthly “Bridge Talk,” held Thursday, April 11 at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library, spirits were higher among attendees than they had been in recent weeks, since the unexpected closing of the Black Hawk Bridge Sunday, February 25 because of safety concerns after reports were confirmed that the bridge had moved.

April 9 was a beautiful night for the Waukon Cub Scout Pack 64 to hold its monthly Pack meeting. This month, the Scouts had the privilege of having Val Miller from Steel Cow help them paint. Val showed the Scouts how she starts her paintings with the background and layers on as she paints. There were many different colors and themes in the paintings by the Scouts, including beautiful blue skies and green rolling hills, and even an ocean and pond made their appearance. The Scouts enjoyed their art lesson in the Waukon City Park and look forward to using their painting skills on the projects they do for Scouts as they progress. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 15 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of the Third Reading of Ordinance LXIV establishing Local Option Sales and Services Tax within Unincorporated Areas and Cities, a presentation of the Fiscal-Year 2025 Health Insurance Committee recommendation, and consideration of the Resolution obligating ARPA funds for election laptop computers. The April 15 meeting was held at the Allamakee County Veterans Museum in Waukon as part of the Supervisors’ annual schedule of library and alternate meeting locations within the county.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Mark Reiser present. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that matter.

by Joe Moses

Those who are concerned about preserving the Mississippi River as a host for recreation and nature-lovers, both now and in the future, should consider participating in the Friends of Pool 9 River Clean-Up scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to noon.

People interested in helping with this clean-up should contact the group leaders at the following towns to get their assignments and sign-up sheets. Those group leaders are:
• De Soto, WI - Jerry Boardman, 563-419-7968
• Ferryville, WI - Larry Quamme, 920-948-2245
• Lynxville, WI - Mark Schneden, 608-412-0483
• New Albin - Jim Erbe, 563-419-1085
• Lansing - Alex Galema, 563-568-7294.

Each individual must sign a liability waiver. Those under the age of 18 must have signed parental permission to participate. Volunteers will receive gloves, garbage bags and water when they arrive. Dumpsters will be placed at strategic places on both sides of the river.

Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present another program from its Veterans History Project at its museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon.

A video interview by Chuck Bloxham with U.S. Army veteran Marvin “Bud” Strike will be played. Strike will also be present to share comments and answer questions.

Staff Sgt. Marvin Strike joined the U.S. Army in 1953 during the Korean Conflict, serving 16 months in Korea until returning to the U.S. in 1955 to complete his obligation. In Korea, he was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, clearing land mines, repairing roads and bridges. While in Korea, he was promoted to Sergeant and was re-assigned to company clerk duties.

A total of 110 participants ages 10 and under took part in the Annual 4-H Toppers Easter Egg Hunt held Saturday, March 30 at the Waterville Community Center, Waterville. The 4-H club and other event organizers appreciate the support provided to the event by the Waterville Community Foundation, 4-H Toppers 4-H club families, Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), Fareway, the Allamakee County Fair Board, Midwest Dental, Nita Grangaard, Waterville Fire Department, Dunkin’ Donuts, Allamakee County Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and the Waterville Community Center and City of Waterville.