Community News

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department has been called upon by the communities of Lansing and New Albin to assist in providing temporary law enforcement coverage in those two communities following the recent resignation of Chief of Police Conrad Rosendahl, and more recently, the resignations of the two remaining officers in the department, Darby Stone and Troy Riehm. Chief Rosendahl’s resignation became effective June 26, as he began a new job as Chief of Police for the City of New Hampton July 1.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 15 to address a full agenda of matters. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan.

During Public Comment, Ian Zahren, an Independent candidate running for the Iowa House of Representatives District 64, discussed being an advocate for small communities like Waukon. Zahren requested feedback from the council for follow-up in Des Moines with council member Steve Wiedner discussing the need for stronger enforcement relating to illegal drugs. Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana discussed the need for more resources beyond court-ordered mental health related treatment. Zahren noted the approximate 3.5 million dollar statewide opioid settlement with options available to apply for that funding as a city and as a county.

Anyone who has ever wanted to enter something they made into the county fair but who is not sure how to do it should attend the Open Class Workshop Wednesday, July 10 at Robey Memorial Library for a short “how to” with a county fair board member and fair judge on open class exhibits. The Allamakee County Fair starts July 17, so there is still time to complete an exhibit project.

Wednesday, July 10 at 5:30 p.m. Robey Memorial Library is hosting an Open Class Workshop in partnership with the Allamakee County Fair. This mini workshop is good for adults and youth alike who are not in 4-H or FFA but would like to participate in the county fair.

Example projects might include arts/craft, horticulture, woodworking, textiles, antiquities, flowers, baked goods, food preservation, photography and many more. Contact Robey Memorial Library at 563-568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us with questions.
 

Robey Memorial Library’s “Read, Renew, Repeat” Summer Reading Program 2024 begAN Monday, July 1 and runs through Wednesday, July 31. Activities include Reading Challenges with prizes for all ages, Kids and Teens Grab-and-Go Activity Bags, craft events and fine forgiveness. This summer’s activities are further described below.

For Kids: Infant-6th grade (completed)
The 4-Week Reading Challenge: Register at the front desk, pick up or print from the library website a reading log that features reading and activity challenges. Earn prizes and books by completing the tasks assigned to the squares. The more readers participate, the more prizes they will receive.

Participants can display a “Library Champion” sign in their yard. Watch for these while driving around town.

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) is conducting an update to the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the five-county region consisting of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties in northeast Iowa. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that the region’s LRTP be updated every five years. The current plan was adopted by the Upper Explorerland Transportation Policy Board in September of 2019.

The LRTP has a 20-year planning horizon and is intended to guide transportation investments in the five-county region in support of a transportation system that is safe for all transportation system users, and that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods. The plan includes a description of the region’s existing conditions; identifies current transportation challenges; anticipates potential future needs; and explores various strategies for addressing those challenges and needs.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 8 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Management Agreement for several locations, discussion of the Resolution reinstating the County Compensation Board and the consideration of an “Adopt-a-Highway” application for State Forest Road. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 1 to address a full agenda of items including discussion of changing the Ordinance relating to Nuisance Abatement for Vegetation, the Ordinance: Amending City Code by changing the direction of traffic at the Waukon High School during certain hours, and discussion of the City Parking Lot Project and the related change order associated with an abandoned box culvert behind Cunningham Hardware.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan. There was no Public Comment with the meeting moving into Department Reports.

Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noted that June was a busy month for the City Park, swimming pool and recreation programs. Strub advised that three weeks of Music in the Park performances remain for this summer. He noted the impact recent rainfall and weather conditions have had upon Music in the Park attendance.

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting a Fourth of July event to celebrate the Birth of America Sunday, July 7 at the Sweeney Shelter near the Allamakee County Freedom Rock in the Waukon City Park. The free event will begin at 11 a.m. and will honor 41 area Veterans with a cook-out meal followed by an awards presentation that will begin at 1 p.m.

The general public is invited to attend the event, and those attending are asked to bring a salad or dessert to pass. The City Meat Market in New Albin is providing hamburgers and bratwursts. Those who have further questions or who are interested in donating to the event may call 563-568-5275.

A local group of motorcycle riders known as the “Wednesday Night Riders” have volunteered their personal time to take residents of Northgate Care Center, owned and operated by ABCM Corporation, out for rides on their three-wheeled trike motorcycles. The Wednesday Night Riders typically meet Wednesday evenings in Waukon and go on rides throughout northeast Iowa, southwest Wisconsin, and southeast Minnesota. The group currently consists of about 35 riders and drivers from Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties. The rides that the group goes on are designed to take time out of their busy schedules so they can get out and enjoy the peace and beauty of the local areas. The group also takes couples rides as well as men’s trips.

Waukon High School 2024 graduated senior Olivia Marti was selected for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship program, and will participate in groundbreaking research abroad at renowned international research centers and NGOs this summer. Marti will delve into issues related to global food security, sustainability and development during her eight-week internship at the International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Texcoco, Mexico.

This is the 26th year of this unique program. Inaugurated in 1998 by Dr. Norman Borlaug and John Ruan Sr., this initiative enables high school and early career college students to engage in projects alongside esteemed experts at top agricultural research and development institutions worldwide.