Community News

This past holiday season, Shopko Hometown collected signatures from customers as part of its "Help Us Give Back" initiative, a program that was run in all 219 Shopko Hometown store locations across the country. Customers could sign up between December 1-24 and for every signature received, the Shopko Foundation donated $1 (up to $2,000). Thanks to the community's support, the Shopko Foundation recently donated $2,000 to the Allamakee Community School District. Pictured above at that donation presentation are, left to right, Allamakee Community School District Superintendent Dave Herold, Waukon Middle School Principal Jen Garin, Waukon Shopko Store Manager Valerie Kleinow, and Waukon High School Principal Dr. Mike Hardy.

In spite of famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow and indicating an early arrival for spring, his day in the limelight, Tuesday, February 2 - Groundhog Day, provided little evidence of that happening as a snowstorm gripped northeast Iowa and dumped anywhere from eight to 10 inches of snow in Allamakee County. Snow falling at the rate of nearly two inches per hour at times during that Tuesday morning (as evident in the above photo) forced cancellation of area schools, closing of area businesses and the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol to issue warnings of no travel advised as five to six inches fell during the daytime hours. Another three to four inches followed overnight that Tuesday night, again forcing cancellation of schools for Wednesday, February 3.

by Brianne Eilers

"Greasers" and "Sock Hoppers" invited to enjoy "Fabulous 50s"

For the past 26 consecutive years the doctors and staff of Waukon Dental and Family Dentistry Associates of Monona (the past 22 years at Dental Associates of Prairie du Chien) have been hosting their annual "Have a Heart" Day to provide free dental care to area youth most in need. Area residents are encouraged to participate in this year's "Have a Heart" Day scheduled for Saturday, February 13.
This event is scheduled during the Valentine's season as a community service project to provide services to those in need. The local healthcare providers appreciate the strong support they receive, so, in turn, the doctors look forward to this event each year.

The 2016 Northeast Iowa Pie Championships, held January 31 to raise funds for the Hamre-Giesen Post of Disabled American Veterans, has released its list of top placewinners in the Pie Judging Contest held as part of the event. A total of 66 pies were entered into the Pie Judging Contest from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. This year's top-three placewinners each received a ribbon and are listed below in each of seven different divisions:
Cream Pies: First place - Jennifer Dettbarn, Hazleton; Second place - Eunice Kolsrud, Waukon; Third place - Barb Leppert, Lansing.
Custard Pies: First place - Maxine Bloxham, Waukon; Second place - Maxine Bloxham, Waukon; Third place - Jane Brandt, Decorah.
Fluff Pies: First place - Sue Perkins, Waukon; Second place - Peggy Slaughter, Waukon; Third place - S&D Cafe-Sandy Halverson, Waukon.

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 1, with several citizens approaching the Board during the Public Comment portion of the meeting with a list of questions/concerns in regard to the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center currently under construction just south of Lansing at the area more locally known as the Columbus property. Board member Dennis Koenig was not in attendance at the meeting.

The Waterville Community Foundation has introduced a new logo. The Waterville Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), and the new look is part of CFNEIA’s release of its new brand and redesigned website.
“As we looked at updating our logo and brand, the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa wanted to make sure the new look helped our affiliate community foundations raise awareness in their local communities,” said Jake Byers, CFNEIA Director of Marketing and Communications. “They are creating an incredible impact at the local level and we want to help them let people in their communities know about the good they do.”

After 37 years, Route Service Representative Jim Hennessy of Waukon declared January 14, 2016 as his last day at CITY Laundering Co. based out of Oelwein. Hennessy started with CITY when he was only 24 years old, back in November of 1978.
“I wanted a job so I took the first opportunity that came my way,” Hennessy said. “I heard from a customer of CITY’s that they were looking for a new Route Representative for the area so I contacted CITY and (Past President) Roger B. Wetlaufer had me hired.”
Hennessy took over Route 9, which services areas such as Waukon, Postville and Monona, and over time, Hennessy said CITY has always played a large role throughout his life.

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 1, with Councilman Steve Wiedner not in attendance right away but entering the meeting later on. No public comment was heard or read during the allotted time for such comment early in the meeting.
In departmental reports, Waukon Police Chief Phil Young reported that the lost data from the Police Department’s computer storage drive has been recovered, and that a new back-up system is already in place. Waukon City Clerk Al Lyon reported that the bill for the recovery efforts has also already been paid.