Community News

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Veterans Affairs Office is hosting an open house Wednesday, July 9 at its new location on the first floor of the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon. The open house is being held from 12 noon - 2 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors meeting room next door to the new Veterans Affairs Office, with tours of the new office space available to the public and refreshments available.
Veterans are especially invited to visit the new office location during the open house to find out what benefits they may be eligible for, meet other veterans, or to visit with Allamakee County Veterans Affairs Counselor Greg Clark to find out what he does for area veterans. For more information contact the Allamakee County Veterans Affairs Office at 563-568-6135.
 

Those looking for something fun to do with the family this summer should look no further than their own public library, where they can pick up their 2014 Driftless Safari Tote Bag, Guidebook and Map and begin their Driftless Safari adventure.
The Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) staff, along with help from Allamakee County Conservation, have all 20 posts securely planted and ready for the “hunt”. Participants can just follow the clues in the guidebook, with some new sites added to this year’s tour.
The Safari lasts all summer long through Labor Day and participants can take their time to explore each location or can complete the entire trip in a day or weekend. Once the guidebook is completed with a visit to all 20 Driftless Safari sites throughout Allamakee County, participants can return to the library for a coupon good for one free ice cream cone compliments of WW Homestead Dairy at Waukon (one coupon per guidebook).

by Brianne Eilers

by Brianne Eilers

It’s not too late for Waukon residents to take advantage of the Affordable Housing Rehabilitation Grant for owner-occupied homeowners in the City of Waukon. Eighteen local homeowners have already taken advantage of the program and have had help with their windows/doors, roofs, electrical, furnace, driveway repair and/or some past flood mitigation help. These homeowners have stated that they are highly satisfied with the program and the help they were able to receive.
The Waukon Economic Development Corporation and the Federal Home Loan Bank are announcing that approximately $80,000 is left in the program. This program will finance projects through a five-year receding forgivable loan and funding limits per project are set at $7,000 per project. Homeowners needing some “fix-up” help are encouraged to check the program out yet this summer.  Funding will only be available through the fall of 2014.

WW Homestead Dairy in Waukon was honored by a visit from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds Thursday, June 26. WW Homestead co-owner Tom Weighner said that the visit was part of the Governor's commitment to visit each of Iowa's 99 counties once a year. Weighner said that he had met with Lt. Governor Reynolds during his involvement with the "Dream Big Grow Here" competition and that she had suggested to the Governor that the dairy processing facility and retail store would be a good stop to make. Weighner said that he and the Governor discussed the benefits the facility has brought to the county in terms of economic development and jobs, noting that the endeavor was partially made possible by approximately $75,000 in state grants and loans for start-up equipment. He said he also spoke with the Governor about unreasonable regulations that burden businesses and the economy.

Waukon will launch this year’s “Waukon Corn Days End of Summer Celebration,” an enhanced version of the traditional Corn Days celebration held each year. The 2014 event is scheduled to include three days and nights of family enjoyment, commencing Friday, August 15 and lasting through Sunday, August 17.
The trademark of this event is the Waukon Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Corn Days Meal, but Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stephanie Dugan says that with the help and hard work of many local businesses this year’s celebration is planned to be extra special.

by Bob Beach

Waukon’s Boy Scout Troop 64 is contributing to a sustainable future by helping to fight litter and save valuable resources with its first “Can Round-Up” fundraiser. The proceeds obtained from recycling used beverage aluminum cans and plastic bottles will support funding a Boy Scout High Adventure trip in July. Scouts will accept donations of beverage cans and plastic bottles (with Iowa redemption) Saturday, June 28 from 8 a.m. until  12 noon at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. Supplemental funds provided by Thrivent Financial - Allamakee County Chapter.