Community News

Wed
29
Jan

Midwest Veterans of America to honor area Veterans at event this Saturday in Waukon celebrating February 1 National Freedom Day

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting a special recognition event this Saturday, February 1 at AJ’s Bar & Grill in Waukon to celebrate National Freedom Day, which is observed February 1 each year honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later was ratified as the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment abolishing slavery February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.

An awards presentation will begin at 1 p.m. recognizing 28 U.S. Military Veterans from the local area, with the full menu available to order from as well at the event location. A featured speaker from the La Crosse, WI USO (United Service Organization) and a fundraising auction will also be part of the event.

The public is invited to attend the event. Those who have further questions may call 563-568-5275.

Wed
29
Jan

Nominations sought for 2025 Allamakee County Dairy Awards

Award nominations due by February 17, Dairy Princess applications due February 28; Dairy Banquet scheduled for March 22

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board is asking for assistance from the general public in identifying worthy candidates to be recognized as this year’s top dairy producers in Allamakee County at the 2025 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet scheduled to take place March 22 this year at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. Every year, top producers and several other awards are nominated from members within the county. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension office are accepting nominations for the following awards:

Wed
29
Jan

Supervisors hear library updates and funding requests, approve resolution for grading, paving one mile of Four Corners Road following public hearing

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session twice within a week’s time following the Monday, January 20 closure of the County Courthouse in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday with scheduled meetings taking place Tuesday, January 21 and Monday, January 27 during this past week. Coverage of both meetings appears below.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
The January 21 meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

Wed
29
Jan

Waukon City Council approves contribution to Allamakee Child Care Solutions Fund pending annual review, denies allowing chickens within city limits again

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, January 27 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of allowing chickens within city limits, the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund match and the consideration of approving a truck purchase for the Park and Recreation Department. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members Steve Wiedner, Dave Blocker and John Lydon in attendance.

During Public Comment, Ann Fossum, a West Street SW property owner, questioned the council about the timeline when speed limit signage would be installed on her street, in addition to noting concerns relating to the fiber optic cable installation and the stake or marker that has not been replaced showing the property line.

Wed
22
Jan

Peoples State Bank makes donation to Waukon EMS Association


Peoples State Bank donates to Waukon EMS Association ... Peoples State Bank in Waukon recently made a generous contribution to the Waukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Association with funds the staff themselves generated through their Friday “Jeans Days” and other various raffles. Pictured, from left to right, are Bryce Bahr, Paramedic; Jacob Dougherty, Paramedic and EMS Manager; and Lesa Moose, Brian Mahoney and Peggy Berns of Peoples State Bank. Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon was notified that Peoples State Bank in Waukon recently made a generous contribution to the Waukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Association with funds the staff themselves generated through their Friday “Jeans Days” and other various raffles.

Each Friday throughout the year, employees of Peoples State Bank are welcome to wear jeans to work, then make a contribution into the “Jeans Day Fund.” At the end of the year, the staff then decide on a non-profit organization or local cause to donate their funds to. This year it was decided to award the Waukon EMS Association with these funds.

Officials at Peoples State Bank state, “The donation reflects our team’s commitment to giving back to our community and making a positive impact together.”

Wed
22
Jan

Prize winners in Robey Memorial Library’s 2024 Reading Challenge

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon has announced the conclusion of its “Read. Renew. Repeat.” Adult Reading Challenge, a yearlong literary adventure that took place from January 1 to December 31, 2024. This initiative invited readers to explore diverse genres and themes, encouraging them to discover something new by tackling books from 12 thoughtfully selected categories, including: Animal-themed; Based on a true story; Classic; From your childhood/youth; Nature-themed; Reader’s Choice; Recycled (garage sale, second-hand store, or borrowed from a friend); Science; Teaches you something; Tragedy; Travel-themed; Weather-related.

Wed
15
Jan

The start of year 2025 marks 100th anniversary and fourth generation of family ownership for Palmer Abstract, Inc.


Fourth generation of family ownership 100 years later ... Palmer Abstract, Inc. of Waukon has much to celebrate as the new year gets underway. The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the business, founded by C.A. “Charlie” Palmer (left photo) January 1, 1925. This new year also marks the fourth generation of family ownership of the company, as Elizabeth Palmer Montet has now taken over the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role from her father, Joe Palmer. C.A. Palmer’s great-granddaughter, Elizabeth, and his grandson, Joe, are pictured, left to right in the photo at right above, standing near the manual typewriter used by C.A. Palmer during his founding years in the business. That typewriter still remains as a part of the office decor at Palmer Abstract a century later. Submitted photos.

Second generation ... Irene and A.V. “Verle” Palmer represented the second generation of the Palmer family to own and operate Palmer Abstract, Inc. in Waukon. The husband and wife duo took over the business from A.V.’s father, business founder C.A. “Charlie” Palmer, in 1953, and after selling the business to their son, Joe Palmer, in 1986, now their granddaughter, Elizabeth Palmer Montet, has taken over ownership of the 100-year-old business as of the first of this year, marking its fourth generation of family ownership. Submitted photo.

by Brianne Grimstad

January 1, 2025 marked the 100th anniversary of Palmer Abstract, Inc. serving Allamakee County for abstracting and related needs. The year 2025 also is the beginning of the fourth generation of being owned by the same family, as Elizabeth Palmer Montet became the C.E.O. of the company, taking over from her dad, Joe Palmer.

The business was founded as Palmer Abstract Company by C.A. “Charlie” Palmer January 1, 1925, when he took ownership of the business and records of two of Allamakee County’s earliest abstractors, E.M. Hancock and S.R. Thompson. Prior to being an abstracter, Palmer was the Allamakee County Auditor from 1921 to 1925 and later a member of the 51st Session of the Iowa General Assembly. He operated Palmer Abstract Company until 1953, when he was appointed as the Postmaster for Waukon and sold the business to his son, A.V. “Verle” Palmer.

Wed
15
Jan

Supervisors sign National Mentoring Month Proclamation, set public hearing for paving one-mile stretch of Four Corners Road


National Mentoring Month Proclamation ... The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors signed a proclamation at its Monday, January 13 regular meeting designating January as National Mentoring Month in Allamakee County. Pictured above at the proclamation signing are: Left to right - Front row: Helping Services for Youth and Families Steering Committee member Danny Schlitter, Helping Services for Youth and Families Mentoring Coordinators Ellie Shelton and Colinne McCann, intern Lanie Luensman of Luther College, and Director of Domestic Abuse Services Brittany McIntyre; Middle row: Helping Services for Youth and Families Director of Prevention Services Jen Stolka, Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes, and Helping Services for Youth and Families Executive Director Carson Eggland; Back row: Allamakee County Board of Supervisors members Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark. The Helping Services for Youth and Families Mentoring Program offers a caring adult role model for youth between the ages of six and 16. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 13 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of the Allamakee County Childcare Coalition funding request, consideration of appointing Medical Examiners and Medical Examiner Investigators, and the consideration of setting a date for a Public Hearing relating to the grading and paving of a one-mile portion of Four Corners Road.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present. The amended meeting minutes from Monday, January 6 were approved to include a correction relating to the appointment of Lori Egan to the Planning and Zoning Commission which was incorrectly listed as a two-year appointment and has been corrected to reflect a three-year appointment.

Wed
15
Jan

Congresswoman Hinson’s visit to Allamakee County includes stop at Ziegler CAT


Congresswoman visits Ziegler CAT as part of county tour ... U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson from Iowa’s Second Congressional District made a stop at Ziegler CAT in Postville Friday, January 10 as part of a tour of her Congressional District prior to the new legislative session. Pictured above during part of that visit are, left to right, Ziegler CAT Field Service Supervisor Dave Solem, Shop Supervisor Katie Melcher and Branch Operations Manager Robb Pauling, along with Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s Second Congressional District toured Ziegler CAT’s Postville location Friday afternoon, January 10 as part of her annual 22-County Tour. Hinson toured the current Ziegler CAT facility and learned more about Ziegler CAT’s expansion and ongoing facility construction north of Postville in addition to answering questions from Ziegler CAT employees during her visit to Allamakee County.

Wed
15
Jan

Celebrate January as National Mentoring Month ...

January is National Mentoring Month, and Youth Mentoring at Helping Services For Youth & Families is celebrating National Mentoring Month by honoring mentoring friendships and inviting others to get involved in their community by becoming involved in mentoring. January is the perfect time to expand quality mentoring friendships and opportunities connecting more of the local community’s youth with caring adults.

Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing youth with the tools to make positive choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid negative behaviors. In turn, these youth are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college; 81% more likely to report participating in sports or extracurricular activities; 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities; and more than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team. Pictured above are some of the area mentors and the youth they mentor.

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