Community News

Efforts to fund the concrete paving of the roadways in Mt. Olivet Cemetery northwest of Waukon continue to be pursued by the cemetery’s board of trustees. The board is seeking to further the fund raising efforts in place that have so far allowed for the cemetery’s main entrance and center roadway to be paved in concrete, with intentions to further pave the roadways that traverse the cemetery’s outer edges, as well as the east-west stretch that intersects the main center road.

The Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society (HFAHS) received a very generous donation from the children and grandchildren of John and Loella Luster during the month of July, in honor of John and Loella’s 100th wedding anniversary that was celebrated July 19. The Luster family has been part of the history of Harpers Ferry for quite some time, contributing to the development of the community.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 18 at the Waterville Community Center, the former Waterville Elementary School, as part of the board’s annual rotation of offsite meeting locations and public library visits within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including a City of Waterville update, the discussion and consideration of a replacement flagpole at the Allamakee County Courthouse and the consideration of a Civil Service Commissioner appointment.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes. Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark were also present.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 18 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of the Comprehensive Plan contract with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, a presentation relating to services provided by Mosaic, and the consideration of the Notice of Intent relating to the Solar Panel Project at the Waukon Wellness Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.

Hatlan noted that the agenda item #12 has been removed. This matter relates to discussion of tree removal at the 4th Avenue NW Addition. Hatlan also noted that the two closed sessions and related possible action items would be changed in order on the agenda.

Midwest Veterans of America is looking to honor area Veterans at an event Saturday, September 13 at AJ Bar & Grill in Waukon celebrating the signing of the U.S. Constitution, which took place September 17, 1787. The free event will include an awards presentation that will begin at 1 p.m., and the full menu will be available to order from.

Midwest Veterans of America is seeking to honor any area Veterans nominated by their family, friends or acquaintances. To nominate a Veteran, call 563-568-5275 by the end of the month of August.
 

submitted by Denise Beyer
Allamakee County Auditor, Commissioner of Elections

The Cities of Lansing and Waukon in Allamakee County are both Primary Cities for the upcoming City Election scheduled for November 4, 2025. This means these cities have the potential to have a Primary Election if more than twice the number of candidates file for any seat that is on the ballot.

For example, for one mayor seat (such as in Waukon this year), a Primary would be required if three or more candidates submit nomination paperwork for Mayor. If three at-large council seats will be on the November ballot (such as is the case in Lansing this year), then seven or more filed candidates would trigger the need for a Primary Election.

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department’s Thompson submachine gun has been relocated from the Old Courthouse Museum and is now displayed in the Allamakee County Veterans Museum in Waukon. One could say that the Tommy gun has “come home,” as the Veterans Museum includes the 1882 two-story red brick building (pictured far below at right) which was once the site of the Allamakee County Sheriff’s official residence and the County Jail, beginning in 1882.

The “new” (and current) courthouse that also included a jail was built in 1939 on the opposite side of Allamakee Street and the former Sheriff’s residence and jail premises fell into disuse until after WWII when county veterans established the Vet’s Club.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 11 to address a full agenda of matters including the discussion and consideration of steam trap bids for the County Courthouse heating system repair, the discussion and consideration of the reinstatement of a pasture lease contract, and the discussion and consideration of signing opioid litigation settlement agreements.

Prior to the 9 a.m. regular session, the Supervisors held a work session with discussion taking place relating to body-worn cameras, in-vehicle cameras and computers and related subscriptions for this equipment for the County Sheriff’s Department. In addition, discussion took place relating to steam trap bids received for the County Courthouse heating system repairs and options available.

by Brianne Grimstad

The month of June marked the fifth consecutive month at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon with a Gross Patient Revenue over $5,000,000, according to numbers presented at the July monthly meeting of the VMH Board of Trustees. Gross Patient Revenue for the month came in at $5,040,234.

However, after deducting contractuals, Charity Care and Bad Debt, the Total Operating Revenue came in at $2,958,415. Expenses for the month totaled $3,510,477, and after adding in Non-Operating Income, the hospital ended the month showing a loss of $430,135.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, pictured at left in the photo above, addressed attendees at the Sunday, June 27 Picnic at the Park event open to Republicans from Allamakee County. Due to weather related concerns, the event was moved to an indoor location, First Baptist Church in south Waukon, and included a potluck dinner for the large group present for the event (as evident in the photo above). Allamakee County Republican Central Committee Co-Chairperson Duane Smith, pictured at right in the photo above, provided opening comments and an introduction for Governor Reynolds. Other speakers at the event included some current government and legislative leaders, as well as some Republican candidates for various offices.