Community News

In dairy judging, youth evaluate classes of dairy cows and heifers and are then asked to defend their placings through oral reasoning. Youth learn the dairy cow unified scorecard and major breakdowns, anatomy of the dairy cow, along with dairy judging terminology.

Allamakee County had 10 4-H youth participating in the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest held at the Iowa State Fair Wednesday, August 6 in Des Moines. They made up three teams, two in the Junior Division and one in the Senior Division.

The following youth participated in the 2025 Dairy Judging Contest: Zach Danhof, Brielle Gavin, Brogan Gavin, Naomi Palmer, Roslyn Palmer, Sophia Palmer, Kendyl Wedo, Landon Guese, Ethan Palmer, and Norah Palmer. The 2025 Allamakee County Dairy Judging teams were coached by Jason Danhof and Lars Sivesind.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met twice within a week’s time to address time sensitive matters at a Wednesday, September 17 special meeting in addition to the board’s Monday, September 22 regular session. Coverage of both meetings follows.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
The Wednesday, September 17 special meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes. Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark were also present.

The meeting moved into closed session to discuss strategy for the Sheriff Department’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as authorized by Section 20.17(3) Code of Iowa and exempt from Chapter 21 requirements. Following adjournment of the closed session, the meeting moved back into open session with County Sheriff Clark Mellick being present.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, September 22 to address a full agenda of matters including the Veterans of Foreign Wars Buddy Poppies Proclamation, consideration of the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa agreement and the Resolution to set a public hearing relating to the sale of city property to Kwik Star. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.

Friday, September 19, at 12 noon, the Lansing VFW Post and Auxiliary, along with the Lansing American Legion Post #50, will host a special ceremony on Mt. Hosmer to mark National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The program will be held on the Ralph Bartels Patio, located next to the shelter on Mt. Hosmer, and the public is invited to attend. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for seating.

At the heart of the observance will be the solemn Missing Man Ceremony, a symbolic tradition that honors those who are still missing from this nation’s past wars and conflicts, as well as those who gave their lives in service but whose remains have not yet been recovered and returned home. The empty place at the table represents the absence of these heroes, while each element of the setting carries deep meaning about sacrifice, honor, and remembrance.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, September 15 at the Postville Public Library as part of the board’s annual schedule of offsite meeting locations to include public libraries within the county. The Supervisors addressed a short agenda of matters including updates from the City of Postville, the Postville Public Library and the Postville Community School District in addition to the notification of an electronic manure management plan and the discussion and consideration of hiring a 911 dispatcher/corrections officer.

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

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital & Clinics, Elliott Jewelers and Waukon Chamber of Commerce hosted their new “Women’s Wellness Night Out,” Thursday, September 11 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. This event replaced the Women’s Health Day Luncheon, making this the 20th annual women’s event planned by the Auxiliary.

Carol’s Closet (CC) is celebrating a milestone this fall - 10 years of providing support to veterans, families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities across northeast Iowa. What started as a small community effort a decade ago has now grown into a multi-county nonprofit serving more than 550 people in the past year alone.

The organization is named in honor of Carol Dvorak of Spillville, who lived with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Jane and Chuck Sparrgrove were her caregivers for five years in their home.

Jane Sparrgrove did many activities with Carol, both in the community and at home, and one of those home projects became the seed for the nonprofit. Together, the two began sorting donations and giving away baby clothes and diapers to families in need - an effort that grew into the Carol’s Closet mission named in Carol’s honor and still thriving today.

Entrepreneurship Week 2025 is happening September 15-19 at The Works Coworking & Coaching in Lansing. Every workshop event during the week is free to the public and is designed to educate, connect, and empower local entrepreneurs and current and future small business owners at every stage of their business journey.

Hosted by The Works, in partnership with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED), this fifth annual week-long event will feature dynamic speakers, practical workshops, and 1:1 coaching to help area entrepreneurs grow their businesses with purpose, strategy, and support. Workshops and coaching also include light meals and snacks from area restaurants and food entrepreneurs.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met twice within a week’s, Tuesday, September 2 and Monday, September 8, following the closure of the Allamakee County Courthouse Monday, September 1 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Coverage of both meetings follows below.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
The Tuesday, September 2 meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present. The meeting was delayed a day due to the Labor Day holiday Monday, September 1.

Red Barn Campground and Restaurant in Lansing will be hosting another Sunset Sessions this year, scheduled for Saturday, September 13. This will be the second year for this unique musical event, and tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.com. The gates open at 2 p.m. and youth songwriters will take the stage at 3 p.m. From 4-4:30 p.m. there will be games, food, drinks and more. At 4:30 p.m., the featured artists will take the stage for singing, storytelling and some laughs. At 7 p.m., the lighting of the bonfire will take place, with campfire songs led by local musician JayR Brink beginning at 7:15 p.m.

This year’s featured artists include International Blues Challenge winner Hector Anchondo; Iowa’s Renaissance Man Chad Elliot; songwriter, storyteller and co-lead singer of The Nadas, Jason Walsmith; and American roots songwriter and co-founder of the Avey Grouws Band, Jeni Grouws.