Community News

Leon Pleasant served in the United States Air Force (USAF) as a photographer beginning at the end of World War II. During his long career, he took many photographs of historical and experimental aircraft, including those flown by famed USAF pilot Chuck Yeager, who was the first human to break the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 in 1947. Yeager also had a cameo appearance in the movie “The Right Stuff” which recounted his service as a mentor to the NASA astronaut program.

A portion of Pleasant’s personal collection has been donated to the Allamakee County Veterans Museum. The collection of 150 photos has been converted to digital images which can be better displayed and viewed on a large video screen. His collection will be presented for viewing Friday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m.

The Veterans Museum is located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon. The public is invited to attend. There is no admission or membership charge. The facility is handicapped accessible.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, March 10 to address a full agenda of matters including the Resolution for Allamakee County to be the applicant/passthrough for Veterans Memorial Hospital’s application for the Fiscal-Year 2026 (FY26) Hinson Community Project Fund Grant, the Public Hearing for Amendment #15 to Zoning Ordinance L relating to Solar Utility, and the consideration of the Embargo Resolution for some asphalt Secondary Roads. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

State Representative Jason Gearhart of Iowa House District 64 will hold a legislative forum this Friday, March 14 at 10 a.m. in Harpers Ferry at the Ethel Robinson Meehan Community Center. Area residents are invited to attend to hear Representative Gearhart discuss local and broader issues, as well as field questions from those in attendance at the forum.
 

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) and the Friends of Yellow River State Forest for a Moonlight Hike Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m. This is a rescheduled hike for the previously scheduled and postponed February hike.

Meet at the Yellow River State Forest Headquarters and hike or snowshoe to the only fire tower in the state of Iowa. If snowshoes are needed,  the ACCB will provide them and trekking poles free of charge. For more information call the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center at 563-538-0403.

Anyone interested in being appointed to the current At-Large vacancy on the Waukon City Council created by the recent passing of council member Kevin Johnson will need to complete an Expression of Interest Letter available through the Waukon City Hall or on the City of Waukon website at https://www.cityofwaukon.com/. This completed form should then be returned to the Waukon City Clerk’s office either by emailing cityclerk@cityofwaukon.com or dropping it off at City Hall.

Leon Pleasant served in the United States Air Force (USAF) as a photographer beginning at the end of World War II. During his long career, he took many photographs of historical and experimental aircraft, including those flown by famed USAF pilot Chuck Yeager, who was the first human to break the sound barrier in the Bell X-1 in 1947. Yeager also had a cameo appearance in the movie “The Right Stuff” which recounted his service as a mentor to the NASA astronaut program.

A portion of Pleasant’s personal collection has been donated to the Allamakee County Veterans Museum. The collection of 150 photos has been converted to digital images which can be better displayed and viewed on a large video screen. His collection will be presented for viewing Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. and again Friday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m.

Plans have been announced to hold the 2025 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 16, beginning at 1 p.m. All are invited to participate in this year’s parade with an Irish-themed entry at no cost. Any businesses, organizations, families or individuals wishing to have an entry are asked to be lined up by 12 noon that Sunday, with float entries lining up in the parking lot of WW Homestead Dairy and the former Northern Engraving plant, tractors unloading and lining up at the Sweeney Auction Service parking lot and horse units gathering at the Croell Redi-Mix plant in southeast Waukon.

For additional information about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade contact the Sweeney family at Village Farm and Home in Waukon at 563-568-4577 or the Waukon Chamber of Commerce at 563-568-4110.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, March 3 to address a full agenda of items. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members Steve Wiedner, Dave Blocker and John Lydon present. Council member Nicholas Engrav attended the meeting via Zoom web-conferencing.

During Public Comment, Mike Johnson addressed the council and expressed interest in being considered for appointment to fill the current council member vacancy, a position previously held by his brother, At-Large council member Kevin Johnson, who passed away February 11.

The annual Pops Concert will feature a night filled with music and student performances at the Waukon Middle School Gym this Friday, February 28, beginning at 7 p.m. The Allamakee Music Boosters invite the community to enjoy a diverse array of musical talent showcased by local students.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the door, but for those who want an even more special experience, tables can be reserved through the Allamakee Music Boosters. To reserve a table, contact Michele Huinker at 563-380-3467 or email acsdmusicboosters@gmail.com.

Dylan Bieber of Waukon has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Silver Award, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, MO. Bieber is the 15-year-old son of Ed and Amy Bieber of Waukon and attends Allamakee Community Schools. He is a member of the NJAA and the Iowa Junior Angus Association.

Bieber has participated in local, state and national shows. At the National Junior Angus Show, Bieber participated in the livestock judging, quiz bowl, Skill-A-Thon and poster contests. He was also a participant in the 2023 mentoring program. In 2024 Bieber participated in the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development Conference. He has submitted DNA samples for Genomic Profile Testing through Angus Genetics Inc. and consigned cattle to the Iowa Beef Expo Angus Sale.