Community News

Graham crackers, frosting and Clover Kids made the perfect combination to make “gingerbread houses” during a recent Allamakee County 4-H Clover Kids session. Youth were able to use their imagination to design their own creation. They learned it took patience, lots of frosting and some re-designing to make the houses stand by themselves.  Candy was supplied to decorate with, which added another challenge if the candy was too heavy for their structure. After completion, most of the houses ended up as a snack. For more information about 4-H and upcoming activities contact the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-568-6345 or http://www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee/. Submitted photos.
 

Friends of Yellow River State Forest is sponsoring a “First Day” Hike at the Paint Creek Unit at 9 a.m. Sunday, January 1, 2023. Everyone is also welcome to hike the designated First Day Hike trail on their own anytime Saturday, December 31 or Sunday, January 1 to win prizes.

The trail chosen this year for the “First Day” Hike starts at the Forester’s Office at 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry. The hike (outlined with yellow dashes in the map at right) is about three miles long and features beautiful forests, a visit to the Yellow River State Forest Fire Tower, and a photo opportunity with Bigfoot. The trail starts out uphill, but after that, is level and then goes back down from the ridge. Most people would consider it to be a moderate hike.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 19 to address a full agenda of matters including several plat requests, an update and funding request by the Riverview Center and the discussion and consideration of the City of Lansing’s request for allocation of ARPA funds for City water and sewer projects.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 19 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund program contribution, discussion of the City Clerk’s role relating to city council correspondence and the Resolution Approving the 28E Agreement between Veterans Memorial Hospital and Townships relating to funding ambulance services for the Waukon Ambulance District.

There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Department Reports with Street Superintendent Keith Burrett noting that a new dump truck may be here as early as next week.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper advised that last Wednesday West Union Trenching hit a water main near Casey’s as they were digging as part of the fiber optic installation process taking place in town. Cooper added that his department assisted in further digging the area to allow for a repair, which was accomplished.

Besides its collections of reading materials for all ages, Robey Memorial Library in Waukon will be offering some fun programs for students and families during this year’s winter break from school.

Join Ross Geerdes, Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist, Tuesday, December 27 at 3:30 p.m. as he talks about Animal Camouflage. Afterschool with Ross is a monthly program featuring hands-on activities on outdoor, animal, nature and conservation topics.

Stop in any time between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 28 and Tuesday, January 3 to make something fun to take home during the library’s Make & Take sessions for Kids and for Teens.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 12 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of the Weed Commissioner 2022 Report, consideration of a Resolution to hire Attorney Katie Cownie of the Dorsey & Whitney Law Firm as counsel relating to the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) transition to a County hospital, and the review and consideration of Allamakee County Facade Grant Program awards.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Rachelle Howe of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) presented Board of Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer a plaque in recognition of his years of service as a member of the UERPC Board of Directors.

Staff members at Veterans Memorial Hospital recognize how the goals of Allamakee Prevention Advisory and their own align. The two entities are working toward a common goal of making Allamakee County a healthier, safer place for youth and families to live.

Allamakee Prevention Advisory is comprised of individuals representing different sectors of the community. When those individuals come together to work toward these common goals, they are able to have a greater impact in the county. This month, Allamakee Prevention Advisory wants to spotlight a member from the healthcare sector, Tara Fink.

Swartz Law Firm, PLLC of Waukon has announced that with a successful taking of the Wisconsin Bar Exam, Attorney Luke Meinholz has been admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Meinholz has served as Assistant City Attorney for Waukon, Marquette and Harpers Ferry since joining Swartz Law as an associate in May of 2022. He has also served as court-appointed defense counsel in several cases and has become well versed in the real estate title opinions that are unique to Iowa. Meinholz has also worked for several clients on civil matters.

With passage of the bar exam, Meinholz is now licensed to assist clients and take cases in the state of Wisconsin. He looks forward to advising and advocating for clients and practicing law on both sides of the Mississippi River.
 

The winners of the Friends of Yellow River State Forest “Biggest Tree in the Forest” Contest have been announced. Those winners include the following:

Armund and Laurie Bartz of New Albin won the Maple division, finding a tree with a circumference of 138 inches in the Paint Rock Unit, Mississippi Trail. Armund Bartz is pictured in the photo above. He works in the Natural Resource field, and he said this was the largest sugar maple he has ever seen in the Driftless region.

Paul and Joan Burns of Iowa City won the Oak division, finding a Red Oak with a circumference of 170 inches in the Luster Heights Unit. Joan Burns is pictured in the photo below.

Theo Marcu and his grandmother, Dana Dotzenrod, found a White Pine in the Little Paint Campground with a circumference of 101 inches. Theo, who is pictured in the photo at center, is two years old and is the son of Ted Marcu and Jess Tranauskus of Decorah.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 5 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of water meter replacement charges, a presentation relating to electric vehicles and an update relating to the Allamakee County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Department Reports with Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper providing an update. Cooper advised that the water meter replacement and installation process is moving forward. He also discussed a water treatment process taking place at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Council member Arvid Hatlan made note of positive feedback that he has received relating to the professionalism of the contractor performing the water meter installations in Waukon.