Community News

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 3 to address a full agenda of matters including the review of the Board of Adjustment variance approval at 702 5th Avenue SW, the Public Hearing on the proposed solar energy lease and easement agreement, and the Resolution approving the bid and contract for the Storm Siren Replacement Project.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Cassie Handke, Steve Wiedner, John Lydon and Tim Smedsrud. As a reminder to the public, Hatlan made a statement to those in attendance relating to the Public Comment portion of council meetings. Hatlan advised that each individual is allowed up to three minutes of Public Comment time to address the mayor and council directly relating to new matters or items on the meeting agenda with no official action to take place during this time or comment from the council.

Senator Chuck Grassley met with participants of the American Legion Auxiliary Girls and Boys Nation in his Washington, D.C. office this past week. The group discussed nominations to America’s military academies and the Senator’s #cornwatch series on the X social media platform.

The group included students from Cedar Rapids, Johnston, Iowa City and Waukon, including Katie Regan, who will be a senior at Waukon High School this fall and is the daughter of Maury and Stacey Regan of Waukon. Pictured in the submitted photo above, left to right, are Alex Adair of Johnston High School, Aahana Gupta of Iowa City West High School, Senator Chuck Grassley, Katie Regan of Waukon High School, and Anthony O’Connell of Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School.

More than 300 parishioners, family members and friends gathered Sunday, June 28, to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Immaculate Conception Church at Wexford in rural Allamakee County, commemorating nearly two centuries of faith, fellowship and Irish heritage.

The celebration began with a noon Mass concelebrated by Father Joseph Sevcik, Father Philip Agyei and Father Donald Hawes. The special liturgy honored the generations of parishioners whose dedication has sustained the church since its founding in 1850.

Following Mass, guests enjoyed a roast beef dinner while reconnecting with friends and neighbors. Children were entertained at the Galway Games arcade where they competed in carnival games for prizes.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 27 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of hiring a part-time courtroom security officer, the opening of bids relating to the solid waste contract, and the discussion and consideration of a masonry and concrete dehydration system for the County Courthouse. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present. There was no comment during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

In an effort to gather as much public input as possible to incorporate into the City of Waukon’s Comprehensive Plan update that is currently underway, a Waukon Community Survey is available to area residents and visitors. Input through the community is being gathered until this Friday, July 31, so those who would like to have their voices heard are urged to complete the survey prior to the deadline at the end of this month.

Paper surveys and drop-off locations for completed surveys are available at the Waukon Wellness Center, Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, and City of Waukon offices temporarily located in the former Allamakee County Relief Office at 12 1st Avenue NW in Waukon. The survey can also be completed online by scanning the QR code accompanying this article or by visiting the following website: surveymonkey.com/r/QF8BTJT.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society (HFAHS) will be holding its third annual Tour of Homes this Sunday, July 26 from 1-4 p.m. There will be four stops on the tour this year, split between two locations in Harpers Ferry and two more located on Elon Road just east of Waukon, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting the Harpers Ferry Museum building project. Advanced ticket purchase is encouraged, but tickets will also be available at each of this year’s tour stops.

The four locations featured in the self-guided 2026 Tour of Homes include the River Bluff Getaway (Ron and Julie Peiffer, 521 Brazell Point Drive, Harpers Ferry), the Steve and Diana Jennerman home (519 Sandy Point Drive, Harpers Ferry), West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery Association (1351 Elon Drive, east of Waukon), and the Roe-Hansmeier House (Daryl Hansmeier, 1320 Elon Drive, east of Waukon).

submitted by the Waukon High School Agriculture Department

Members of the Waukon High School Agriculture Department recently returned from an international agricultural tour through Ireland, where students explored the country’s rich agricultural traditions, history, culture, and innovation.

For many students, the trip marked two significant milestones, their first flight and their first experience traveling outside the United States.

The group departed from Chicago, IL and arrived in Dublin eager to begin an educational journey that combined classroom learning with real-world experiences. Throughout the week, students gained firsthand insight into Ireland’s diverse agricultural industries while experiencing the country’s renowned history, landscapes, and hospitality.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 20 to address a full agenda of matters including the Final Reading and Adoption of the Ordinance amending Chapter 105 “Solid Waste Control”, the Resolution awarding the contract for the 1st Avenue SE Reconstruction Project and the Final Reading and Adoption of the Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by changing sewer user charges and special rates. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Cassie Handke, Nic Engrav, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.

The Consent Agenda, routine items to be approved collectively, was approved with the removal of one item: C. Resolutions 1. Agreeing to the transfer from the Street Department/Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Fund to the Capital Equipment Fund - Ambulance. This matter was removed without further discussion.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 20 at the Waterville Community Center’s City Council Chambers as part of the board’s schedule of offsite meeting locations that includes public libraries within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including the consideration of a Revolving Loan Fund application, the consideration of the Resolution designating the location for public notices for open meetings and the consideration of the Resolution of support for a Joint Federal Bridge Grant Agreement and a Letter of Support for a Federal Bridge Grant Project.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Pro Tem Dan Byrnes with Supervisor Dennis Keatley present. Chairperson Tom Clark was not present due to a scheduled absence.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 13 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of bids for full-depth concrete pavement patching, a funding request by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the consideration of an appointment to the Veterans Affairs Commission. The meeting was held at the Allamakee County Veterans Museum.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisor Dan Byrnes present. Supervisor Dennis Keatley was not present due to a scheduled absence.