Community News

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 28 to address a full agenda of items including the Red Ribbon Week Proclamation, a land donation for the Conservation Board and quotes for a new pick-up truck for the Secondary Roads Department.

During Public Comment, Dennis Blocker with the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club asked for an update on the proposed changes to the County’s ATV Ordinance allowing ATV use within Yellow River State Forest. Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer indicated that County Attorney Anthony Gericke had responded by email and provided an overview of the process necessary to change the existing ordinance with public hearings being necessary. Schellhammer indicated that he has received a lot of feedback on the matter and that he would not be in support of changing the ordinance with the risks outweighing the rewards.

The City of Waukon has set its official Trick-or-Treat time for Halloween for Thursday, October 31 from 4-8 p.m. Area residents are asked to leave porch lights on to welcome trick-or-treaters,  and the youngsters are reminded to keep safety in mind while making their rounds from house to house.

St. Paul's UMC "All Hallows Eve"
Again this year St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon will be hosting a trick-or-treat event Thursday, October 31, handing out fun from 4-7 p.m. Entrance is at the front of the church at 27 Second Avenue NW to wander through a warm, dry, non-scary wonderland of decorations, treats, and to get a free book before exiting onto First Street NW on the side of the church. The event takes place rain or shine. Call 563-568-3678 with any questions.

The Allamakee Community Players will be presenting the Billy St. John comedy “Murder’s in the Heir” in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Waukon. Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available from any cast member or can be reserved by calling Karla Lubahn at 563-568-4640 or Kris Larson at 563-864-7766. Pictured above are members of the production’s cast and crew. Left to right - Seated in front: Gwen Schroedel, Kris Larson; Seated in middle row: Vickie Larson, Karla Lubahn, Cheri Turner, Russ Hagen, Cameron Berges, Robin Oden, Mike Sanderson. Standing in back: Sarah Hagen, Mike Larson, Dustin Enyart, Jonathan Buhl, Barb Hagen, Barry Mueller, Chasity Bushaw, Joeann Tesar, Marge Lange, Jada Bushaw, Kim Gates. Submitted photo.
 

The Allamakee County Historic Preservation Commission will be hosting a video presentation this Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m. at the Town Theater in Waukon. The video being presented is entitled “Villisca: Living with a Mystery” and is a true story of a murder of eight family members with an axe in Villisca, IA that took place in June of 1912 and has never been solved. The film examines old suspects and theories, and shines a forensic light on a new one. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Admission is free.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 21 to address a full agenda of items including Mayor appointments for Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief, a recommendation for computer and information technology services and discussion of soil and drainage issues at a proposed development.

During Public Comment, Director Ardie Kuhse of Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) advised that Tuesday, October 22 is Census 2020 Applicant Day at Robey Memorial Library with census representatives being available to discuss census-related employment opportunities. Kuhse discussed the importance of the census affecting funding for the county and representation in government.

The Old Stone House (pictured above) has been an integral part of Allamakee County history. Local historian Cindy Berns of Postville will talk about the iconic landmark at a meeting of the Allamakee County Historical Society Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m. The meeting will be held in the community room at Robey Memorial Library, located at 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon. Refreshments will be served following the program.

Cool but pleasant weather allowed the eighth annual local Fields of Faith event in Waukon to take place within its traditional setting on the football field at Waukon High School Wednesday, October 9, drawing another large crowd, as evident in the photo above. Messages of how faith has impacted their lives and allowed them to assist others in faith and other aspects of their lives were shared by a series of six different speakers during the event. Those six are pictured in the individual photos immediately below and included (left to right) MFL/MarMac High School senior Rose Mary McGeough, Waukon High School senior Dawson Baures and Waukon High School sophomore Madelyn Helgerson; former students of Dordt University in Sioux Center Kade Krosschell and Taylan Seaman; and Iowa husband and father of five children Mike DeJong.

Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center is hosting Domestic Violence Awareness Events during the month of October. In Iowa and around the world, October is a month to create awareness around domestic violence, using the color purple to symbolize the cause.

Throughout the month of October, one may notice local coffee shops placing stickers listing Helping Services’ 24/7 Resource Line (800-383-2988) on coffee sleeves and table tents with information displayed at area businesses to spread awareness around domestic violence.

Last year, the Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center team of advocates and volunteers assisted 294 individual survivors of domestic abuse in the seven counties the team serves, including Allamakee, Bremer, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. Staff and volunteers also answered 1,160 calls on the Center’s Resource Line and provided 131 transportation trips for clients.

The annual State survey of Northgate Care Center in Waukon has been completed, and after a week of inspection the survey team deemed the facility to have met the standards required by the State of Iowa. The Board of Directors at ABCM Corporation, owners and operators of Northgate Care Center in Waukon, notes that it is exceptionally difficult to receive a deficiency-free survey, especially with all the changing rules and regulations, and congratulates Northgate Care Center on its 14th deficiency-free inspection. During this survey, the environment of the care center, nursing, social work, activities, human resources, dietary and all other facets were inspected to ensure State requirements and standards are being met.

by Joe Moses

Friday, October 4, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker and Director Deanna Hageman of Northeast Iowa RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) filled seven totes with administrative supplies to be placed in each community within Allamakee County including Lansing, New Albin, Harpers Ferry, Postville, Waterville and Waukon, with one tote also designated for the Allamakee County Emergency Management Department.

Snitker and Hageman said that the purchase of administrative supplies and totes was made possible through the Regional Readiness Summit Idea Grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The $1,500 awarded for the project allowed for the purchase of supplies that will be placed within each community and will be used for administrative purposes including volunteer receptions centers, incident command and emergency command posts.