Community News

Tentative plans are still in place to hold the 2021 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 14 at 1 p.m., depending on what guidelines may be in effect regarding the COVID-19 pandemic at that time. Should the parade be held, it will follow its traditional route of years past. For additional information, contact the Sweeney family at Village Farm & Home in Waukon at 563-568-4577.

Following the Thursday, February 25 press conference held by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker shared COVID-19 vaccination information made available by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). The information was presented by Governor Reynolds and is represented in more visual format in the images above this article pertaining to a projected vaccination timeline in the state of Iowa and a new vaccination information website recently launched by IDPH.

Clover Kids turned roboticists after learning about robots and how they can do all kinds of jobs for people. They can go places people can’t, like Mars, or don’t want to, like a sewer. Robots don’t need to take lunch breaks or sleep so they can work 24 hours a day, unlike humans. Robots also do everyday things that humans don’t always have time for, like vacuum.

Clover Kids were challenged to be a roboticist and make an art-bot. The robot would be made out of a hexbug, markers, cup and rubber bands. The goal was to make it color without touching it. This challenge took a lot of trial and error. Clover Kids learned the robot needed to be balanced so it didn’t fall over and the size of the hexbug made a difference. They also had some fun letting the hexbug scurry around in paint and create its own masterpiece, such as pictured above.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 15 to address a full agenda of items including a police officer hire, discussion of waiving penalties for utility billing and the continuation of the COVID-19 closure of City Hall.

There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Department Reports with Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noting that winter youth activities are finishing up for the season with information to be provided soon about soccer. Strub said that some preparations have begun for reopening the swimming pool this summer and that use of the Wellness Center has picked up.

Upper Iowa Resort, located along State Highway 76 between Waukon and Dorchester, recently received a First Dollar Visit from the Waukon Chamber of Commerce following its change in ownership after the new year. The 29-acre resort was recently purchased from long-time owners Bob and Kristi Hager by Colton and Tessa Willie of Cresco (pictured above) and will continue to includes cabins, campsites and rentals located along the banks of the Upper Iowa River along with its artesian spring-fed swimming pool surrounded by a beach. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s First Congressional District met with a group of approximately 25 Allamakee County constituents Thursday, February 18 at the Waukon Wellness Center as part of a 20-county tour of her northeast Iowa Congressional District.

Following the meeting, Hinson met with The Standard and provided an overview of the topics discussed during that earlier meeting. Hinson said that it was important to hear from a variety of stakeholders from Allamakee County including those involved in manufacturing, small business, healthcare, utilities and elected officials at the city and county levels. As part of this 20-county tour, Hinson said that key issues identified include challenges relating to housing, workforce and childcare which are being faced by many rural Iowans.

Tentative plans have been announced to hold the 2021 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 14 at 1 p.m., depending on what guidelines may be in place regarding the COVID-19 pandemic at that time. Should the parade be held, it will follow its traditional route of years past. For additional information, contact the Sweeney family at Village Farm & Home in Waukon at 563-568-4577.
 

“Reading Colors Your World” is the theme of Robey Memorial Library’s 2021 Adult Reading Challenge, which continues through December 31 of this year. Robey Memorial Library challenges area individuals to read something new or different this year.

Receive a prize drawing entry for reading from one of each of 12 categories: Based on a true story; Book set in one of 49 states (not Iowa); Book that teaches you something; Book with a blue cover; Graphic novel or Picture book; Hobby-themed; Humorous; Listen to an audiobook; Science; Short Story or Essay; Set in another country; and Suspense. Contact the library with questions by calling 563-568-4424 or email robeymemorial@waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

Mental Health Today/Matt Howe Tribute Endowment (MHT), in partnership with the Alice Hermeier Foundation Endowment, has announced plans to use its 2020 endowment disbursement to provide transportation for Allamakee County residents of all ages to and from wellness checks, mental health checks and mental health therapy appointments. Both endowments were created through and are held by the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

“The Allamakee County Community Foundation has made the brain health of our region a priority for our research and grantmaking. We are proud to support funds like MHT and the Alice Hermeier Foundation, which are making an impact for residents who need it most,” said Betty Steege, ACCF Coordinator.

Rides will be provided at no cost by Northeast Iowa Community Action EARL transit services. Appointments can be within Allamakee County or outside its borders.

Combinations of sunlight, clouds and other weather factors have created some very artistic skies in northeast Iowa during recent days, both during the early morning sunrise in the east (photo above) and early evening sunset in the west (photo below). According to the National Weather Service, the bright reds and oranges visible in those sunrise and sunset moments are a combination of many factors, but the premise of those dominant colors stems from the fact that sunlight takes a much longer path through the atmosphere during those sunrise and sunset times than it does during the middle part of the day. Because this lengthened path results in an increased amount of violet and blue light being scattered out of the sunlight beam by a process collectively known as multiple scattering, the light that reaches an observer early or late in the day is noticeably reddened.