Community News

The Waukon Police Department has announced the deployment of its new speed trailer (pictured above). The trailer will be placed in various locations throughout the Waukon community in an effort to increase traffic safety through awareness in Waukon. The trailer has been primarily funded ($4,200) through the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (sTEP program). Submitted photo.
 

The Wonderful World of Disney took center stage in three of the Allamakee Community Players' summer musicals over the years, as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Peter Pan were each presented. At home with Cinderella (played by Kaitlin Lubahn of Waukon), viewers met her step-mother (Cheri Turner of Waukon) and her step-sisters (Peg Stock of Waukon and Betsy Shea of West Union) as they followed her dream of meeting her prince. When Beauty and the Beast (cast of which is pictured above) hit the stage, the lovely Belle (played by Katie Kleinow of Harpers Ferry) patiently taught the Beast (Karsten Snitker of Postville) the true meaning of love. Members of the cast of Peter Pan really did fly. Peter Pan (played by Amy Burroughs of Waukon) was the little boy who refused to grow up. Wendy, Michael and John (Molly Brackett of Postville, Maddie Ellingson of Waukon and Vivian Khan of Waukon) actually flew with the help of the backstage crew to the delight of the audience.

The Allamakee County 4-H County Council is sponsoring a School Supplies Drive to benefit the Allamakee County Relief Office. The Council is encouraging all 4-H clubs and the community to participate by purchasing and donating items students can use for school. Monetary donations will be accepted during the upcoming Allamakee County Fair as well.

The County Council will have a special community service booth in the 4-H Exhibit Building to display the donations during the Fair. Donations are welcome anytime throughout the Fair, which is scheduled for July 20-24. For further information contact the Allamakee County Extension Office at 563-568-6345.
 

In 2007, the Allamakee Community Players (ACPI) visited the mysterious Scottish village of Brigadoon. Two New York friends, Tommy Albright (played by Wayne Alderson of Postville in the 2007 ACPI production) and Jeff Douglas (played by Dustin Enyart of Waukon), stumbled into a village that was not on their map. They were greeted by Fiona (Sarah Riese of Waukon) and Meg (Karen DeBuhr of Waukon) and their lives were never the same. Since the village came to life for only a day every 100 years, many problems and predicaments filled the musical production. Allamakee Community Players, Inc. is planning a medley show entitled "A Night to Remember" for June 25 that will feature bits and pieces of past performances such as the one pictured above and other memories involving the local volunteer group that shares a love for theater and has entertained local residents for nearly half a century. That medley show is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. at the Waukon High School Auditorium.

The Waukon Police Department is reporting the following results from its participation in the latest sTEP (Special Traffic Enforcement Program) wave, which took place throughout the weeks surrounding the Memorial Day holiday, from May 23-June 5, throughout the state of Iowa:

Operating While Intoxicated - 2 arrests
Seat belts - 1 citation, 11 warnings
Speeding - 1 citation, 53 warnings
Stop sign/light violation - 5 warnings
Driving without license - 1 citation
Registration violation - 3 citations, 17 warnings
Open container - 1 citation
Other traffic violation - 1 citation, 23 warnings
Equipment - 1 citation, 21 warnings
No proof of insurance - 1 citation, 14 warnings
Narcotics arrest - 3
Motorist assist - 4
Interdiction/Canine search - 2
Accidents investigated - 4.

Wednesday, June 8, the Waukon Police Department conducted a search warrant at 5 Clinton Street, Apartment 204. As a result of the search, an arrest warrant has been issued for 24-year-old Erin Peterson of Garnavillo. Peterson is being charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell/Deliver, a Class D felony; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

As a further result of executing that search warrant, a bystander in the common hallway had a strong odor consistent with marijuana about his person. Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were located and seized. The subject, 20-year-old John Jola of Lansing, was arrested and charged.

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene of both arrests. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 

The Allamakee County Historical Society Museum and Genealogy Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the months of June, July and August. For additional information, call 563-568-2954.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 6 at City Hall to discuss a full agenda of items including an ATV/Golf Cart Ordinance, the 2016 Street Program and the Alliant Franchise Renewal. There were no comments from the public in attendance during the public hearing for the rezoning of a portion of 641 Eighth Avenue NW from “A-1” to “R-2”. There were also no public comments heard or read during the general public comments portion of the meeting.

The City Council moved on to Department Reports and heard from Water/Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell, who indicated that the comment period is winding down regarding the new permit for the wastewater treatment plant. He went into some detail about mineral levels and by-products involved in the wastewater process.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a proclamation April 26 of this year encouraging all Iowans to join in the historical Iowa 99 County Bible Reading Marathon to take place in front of all 100 courthouses within the state of Iowa, beginning Thursday, June 30 at 8 a.m. and ending Sunday, July 3 at approximately 4 p.m., the day prior to the July 4 celebration of this nation's 240th birthday.

On the local level, Kristi Hager and Mary Keatley are organizing the event for Allamakee County, inviting families, groups or individuals to volunteer to read in 15-minute increments at any time during the around-the-clock, four-day event that will be taking place at the northeast corner of the Allamakee County Courthouse property along Allamakee Street in Waukon. Volunteer readers do not need to bring or prepare anything, as a Bible, a podium and a canopy tent will be provided.

by Brianne Eilers

The month of April ended on a positive financial note for Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon with a net income of $66,864. According to patient census numbers for the month, acute patient days were down 13.8% and skilled days were up 8.4%. Deliveries were also up over last year by 3.6%, and Administrator Mike Myers noted that VMH had a very strong year in the delivery department last year. Surgeries were strong in April, but not quite as good as they were year-to-date at this time last year. Outpatient services were all increased and strong, with outpatient revenue being up 6.9%, while inpatient revenue was down 3.9%.

“April was a pretty good month,” Myers noted, adding that May is not looking very strong financially. The number of days in accounts receivable is at 85.1, compared to 91.9 last year at this time. Cash reserves are down to $1.7 million, as the hospital used some of those funds to purchase new equipment.