Community News

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.
 

New York Times bestselling novelist William Kent Krueger is coming to Robey Memorial Library 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 involving the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of Irish and Ojibwe heritage. Robey Memorial Library is partnering with Dragonfly Books in Decorah, which will have books available for purchase at the event. Robey Memorial Library is located at 401 1st Avenue NW in Waukon. For more information, contact (563) 568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

Waukon Veterinary Service has welcomed a new veterinarian to its staff as of July 9. Dr. Monica Wagner, DVM grew up in rural Lansing and has a strong connection to the area with many friends and family members residing here.

In her high school years, Wagner served as an alternate Dairy Princess for Allamakee County and was involved in milking cows on an organic dairy farm, which was something that sparked her initial interest in veterinary medicine.

During her childhood, Wagner was involved in the care of pets and was familiar with the quality of care provided at Waukon Veterinary Service, making a return to the area for a great career opportunity, a good fit personally and professionally.

The Waukon Police Department reports having several unclaimed bicycles in its possession that have either been left behind, found and turned into the Police Department or recovered after being stolen. Department officials want to inform the public that these bicycles need to be claimed by September 15 of this year or those bicycles will be put up for sale in a public auction scheduled for Saturday, September 22 at 3 p.m. at the Waukon Police Station, located at 104 First Street NW in Waukon.

Anyone wishing to identify and claim a bicycle needs to do so by that September 15 date, and must claim the bicycle through either a description of the bicycle or a proof of purchase. Claims can be made by either calling 563-568-4338 and leaving a message or emailing reports@cityofwaukon.com with the subject line “bike”.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 6 to address a full agenda of items including the Plaza Art Project, a modification to Police employment contracts and the 2019 Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) street and sidewalk project. There was no Public Comment.

Under Departmental Reports, Assistant Police Chief Paul Wagner advised that a large number of unclaimed bicycles are stored at the Waukon Police Station. The council agreed that a final attempt should be made to locate owners and if unclaimed a sale or auction would be an option.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed that new street signs have been going up and that three City parking lots have been resurfaced with some minor touch-up and painting to be accomplished soon.

by Joe Moses

An area near the intersection of First Avenue SW and Spring Avenue in downtown Waukon has been barricaded with orange safety fencing for several weeks this summer as City crews and other professionals have developed and installed a solution to the flow of a freshwater spring that has surfaced in that area over the past several years.

The natural spring flowing under Spring Avenue has been documented throughout Waukon’s history with references dating back to the 1896 installation of a horse trough at the head of Spring Avenue, which took advantage of this natural water source. Due to heavy rainfall in recent years, this freshwater spring has created a bubbling effect near this intersection as spring water would flow from below ground to street level and then into the storm sewer.

by Lissa Blake

An anonymous donation has helped make a new Waukon entertainment venue a reality.

“I had it in a long-range plan of mine,” said Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub of the new amphitheater in the Waukon City Park. “A family came in and asked how they could help with park projects. When I showed them what I was thinking, they liked it.”

The family donated $25,000 toward the construction of the project, which is located at the south end of the park, near the Indian Springs Pond and ball diamond area. It includes a cement stage and three rows of terrace seating with lighting.

“That’s so people can see where they’re walking,” said Strub.