Community News

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 30 and Monday, January 6 in addition to its 2025 organizational meeting held Thursday, January 2. Coverage of these three meetings held within a week’s time appears below.

DECEMBER 30
The Monday, December 30 regular meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan Byrnes. Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present, with this being Reiser’s final meeting of his board tenure.

The jury trial in the first degree murder case of Brandon Kasemeier, the 40-year-old man from Waukon charged in the January 21, 2024 death of his estranged wife, Jami Kasemeier, will remain in Allamakee County for now, but it will also be delayed four more months following a hearing held by video conference in Allamakee County District Court Monday, December 30 and ensuing rulings handed down this past week from that hearing.