Community News

Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) officials announced the decision Thursday, May 22 that the Black Hawk Bridge would remain closed through this past Memorial Day weekend due to ongoing safety concerns following the detection of movement in the third pier of the bridge heading from west to east. DOT officials closed the bridge late Saturday night, May 17 after movement was detected by a multi-faceted monitoring system within one of the bridge piers beyond what is deemed typical and safe, according to DOT standards.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon invites young readers to embark on an exciting literary adventure with “Reading Dragons and Friends” this summer. This innovative program, designed to foster a love for reading while leveling up skills, offers participants the chance to collect and play with dragon-themed cards.

Starting in June and running through August, children can pick up a reading log from the library or print one from the library website to begin their journey. Each participant will earn collectible dragon cards by logging their reading time in 30-minute increments. The cards feature eight majestic dragon families, including eggs, babies, teens, and adults, created by Carey Pietsch for the 2025 iREAD Summer Reading Edition.

A special exhibit on the War in the Pacific during World War II will open Memorial Day weekend at the Allamakee County Veterans Museum. Included in the special exhibit will be the major battles from Pearl Harbor in 1941 through the Japanese surrender in 1945. The exhibit includes uniforms, weapons and equipment used by both American and Japanese forces, as pictured above.

The museum will be open for tours Friday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday May 26 from noon to 4:00 p.m. Videos including combat footage from battles will also be shown continuously during each of those open tour days.

Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials closed the Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi River at Lansing late Saturday night, May 17 after movement was detected within one of the bridge piers beyond what is deemed typical and safe, according to DOT standards. Officials say the bridge will likely be closed for at least a week, and perhaps longer, depending upon what an ongoing follow-up analysis currently being conducted might show.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Waukon area’s Women’s New Century Club. In December of 1899, seven members of the Nineteenth Century Club withdrew from that group to form the nucleus of a new women’s study club. January 9, 1900 officially opened the new club, thus the name The New Century Club. The founding members of that new club were Catherine Daugherty, Lucy May, Lena Helming, Ida Van Nice, Mable Coffeen, Kate Kidder and Anna Beeman.

The focus of the Club was to improve the mind, promote growth of sociability among its members, and the advancement of education, civic and philanthropic work. The Club survived two World Wars, other conflicts, the Depression, and more recently, COVID-19, and it continues to meet today. Membership has varied over the years from as few as six members on up to as many as 30 members.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 12 to address a full agenda of matters including an update relating to County Social Services, consideration of a Resolution to appoint a 2nd Deputy Auditor and the consideration of a Resolution to advance A11 and A16 asphalt projects to the FY2025 County Five Year Program. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

Service Coordinator Jason Howes and Service Area Supervisor Sheri Vierkant, both with County Social Services (CSS), addressed the CSS Update item on the meeting agenda. Howes discussed changes taking place relating to the CSS region which is moving to a 16-county region known as District 3.

Celebrating two decades of impact in local communities, the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) awarded $129,499 in grant funding during its annual Awards Reception held in Harpers Ferry in late April. In addition to the awarding of that grant funding to area nonprofit organizations, the ACCF also celebrated its 20th year of existence during the annual event.

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting a special recognition event this Saturday, May 17 at AJ Bar & Grill in Waukon to celebrate National Armed Forces Day, which is observed the third Saturday of May each year to honor and thank the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces. First celebrated May 20, 1950, it is a day to acknowledge the commitment and sacrifice made by those defending the nation.

An awards presentation will begin at 1 p.m. recognizing 34 U.S. Military Veterans from the local area, with the full menu available to order from as well at the event location. The public is invited to attend the event. Those with questions may call 563-568-5275.

The Corner of Hope Growing Hope Globally growing project held its annual Blessing of the Seed and Soil Saturday morning, April 26 to kick off the 2025 growing season. The event was held at the field of Gordon and Louise Ellingson just northwest of Waukon. Pastor Mark Swanson, regional director for Growing Hope Globally, performed this year’s blessing. Submitted photo.
 

In 2025, Carol’s Closet, with locations in Strawberry Point and Waukon, will be celebrating the 10-year anniversary of this organization. Carol’s Closet volunteers have enjoyed all ten years helping communities help others.

Carol’s Closet has served Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Winneshiek and additional counties in northeast Iowa. About half of the five years the organization was only based out of Strawberry Point. Carol’s Closet added a Waukon location five years ago.

Carol’s Closet was named after Carol Dvorak of Spillville, who lived with Parkinson’s/dementia and was being cared for in the home of one of the current co-directors. They started the organization by just helping families with baby clothes and diapers. In the past year alone, the Strawberry Point and Waukon locations have helped in excess of 550 individuals who are raising children and others who are in need.