Community News

Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill would like to remind the public that all services related to driver’s license, identification cards and testing are by appointment only at the Allamakee County Treasurer’s office in the Allamakee County Courthouse at 110 Allamakee Street in Waukon. Following the lead of the State of Iowa, no walk-ins will be allowed for these services.

To schedule an appointment for any services related to driver’s license, identification cards or testing, contact the Allamakee County Treasurer’s office by phone at 563-568-3793 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
 

The southbound lane of traffic on Iowa Highway 9/Allamakee Street (left lane in photo above) heading into the north edge of Waukon will be temporarily closed for a construction project being completed at the Aveka Nutra Processing facility in north Waukon, across from the Allamakee County Fairgrounds.

The Waukon Police Department has deployed four new Lifepak CR2 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), pictured above, in its patrol vehicles, offering life saving benefits for the local community. The department received the AEDs through a grant awarded to the Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services from the Leona M. & Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. Pictured above the AED units is a wall-mounted replica of the patch worn on the uniforms of the Waukon Police Department, received as a donation from Lee Winer and fabricated by Lucky 7 Design of Waukon. Submitted photo.
 

Thanks to the sponsorship of the Waukon Park & Recreation Department, Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, America’s Favorite Big Top Circus is coming to Waukon this Thursday and Friday, August 12-13. The big top circus tent will be located at the Waukon Softball Complex near the Allamakee County Fairgrounds at 835 Allamakee Street NW.

Now in its 36th edition, Culpepper & Merriweather (C&M) Circus has become internationally known for quality family entertainment. This authentic One-Ring, Big Top Circus has been featured on National Geographic’s Explorer TV series, Entertainment Tonight, A&E Special: Under the Big Top and most recently, On the Road with Circus Kids, a Nickelodeon special featured on the Nick News Program.

Saturday, July 17, during the opening ceremony for the Iowa Department of Public Safety Fire Service Training Bureau State Fire School in Ames, the Fire Service Training Bureau posthumously awarded the late Daniel Howe of Waukon with its Field Programs Instructor of the Year Award. Howe’s wife, Linsey, and their son, Easton, (center of photo) were present at the ceremony to accept the award in Howe’s honor. Presenting the award were John Kraemer (far right), Fire Service Training Bureau Chief, and Al McCune (far left), Fire Service Training Bureau Instructor. The award was given “In recognition of dedication to training fire service professionals across the state,” noting that Howe “made a positive contribution toward fulfilling the mission of the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of the State Fire Marshal.” Submitted photo.
 

As part of a nationwide tour presented by the Nation of Patriots, a volunteer organization with a mission to provide financial support to families of wounded military veterans who have made sacrifices in service to their country, Patriot Tour riders John Schumacher and Brad Washburn (left to right in photo above) arrive at Iron Hill Harley-Davidson in Waukon after traveling from Fennimore, WI July 27. This year’s tour began in Las Vegas, NV May 13 with the U.S. flag then traveling to Honolulu, HI and Palmer, AK before a return to Las Vegas and the tour resuming in the contiguous 48 states. Pictured below at right, Patriot Tour rider Quentin Quandahl (left in photo) accepts the transfer of the U.S. flag in a ceremony officiated by Washburn (right). Quandahl and fellow Patriot Tour rider Steve Trumblee next traveled from the Waukon area July 28 to Silver Eagle Harley-Davidson in Waterloo to transfer the flag for the next portion of the tour, which will reach all 50 U.S.

Home gardeners and plant enthusiasts can still receive helpful advice and answers to their questions from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Aaron Steil, newly named consumer horticulture extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, is working on a new delivery method that will empower county extension staff to provide answers locally.

Steil began the new position June 14, following the retirement of horticulture specialist Richard Jauron. Steil previously worked as assistant director at Reiman Gardens and taught a horticulture lab course for a decade.

“My hope is to really work to build up resources and trainings for county staff that gives them the information and confidence to answer the gardening questions that come to their county offices,” he said.

by Joe Moses

Iowa’s Lt. Governor Adam Gregg met with representatives of Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC), the City of Waukon and contractors involved in fiber optic installation projects during a meeting at the ACEC facility in Postville Wednesday, July 21 as part of a discussion and update relating to broadband and fiber optic cable installation projects in Allamakee County.

Gregg provided an introduction for the discussion, noting that broadband connectivity is a priority for the State of Iowa and Governor Kim Reynolds. Gregg said that he has been honored to be part of these discussions in his role as Chairperson for the Empower Rural Iowa Task Force.

Approximately 200 tractors began their two-day trek throughout Allamakee County Friday morning, July 23 for the 14th annual North Iowa Tractor Ride. The tractors gathered in the parking lot of Waukon High School (as pictured below) as they arrived Thursday afternoon, July 22 in preparation for their journeys over the next two days throughout Allamakee County.

The Harpers Ferry Fireflies once again reign as Granny Basketball National Tournament Champions after sweeping through the eight-team field of the National Granny Basketball Tournament held in Prairie du Chien, WI July 16 and 17. Pictured above with their National Tournament Championship trophy are members of this year’s team. Left to right - Front row: Kaysia Mahr-Whalen; Second row: Georgia Jones, Tina Hendrix, Barb Tomlinson, Bonnie Jones, Donna Matti; Third row: Coach Bill Nation, Jackie Friederich, Rosanne Wicks, Betty Steege, Margaret Hermeier,  Assistant Coach Ron Steege; Back row:

Linda Mahr, Sherry Adney, Maurine Monroe, Judy Kelly, Karen Wagner, Sally Light. Photo courtesy of B&C Studios of Holmen, WI.