Community News

Help keep the community warm this winter by participating in Gundersen Health System’s annual Wrapping the Community in Warmth Blanket Drive. Between November 18 and December 13, area residents are encouraged to drop off new blankets, either store bought or handmade, at the Gundersen Clinics in Waukon or Lansing during regular business hours. The donated blankets will be given locally to the Allamakee County Relief Office and the Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT). Submitted photo.

R.W. Pladsen, Inc. recently completed its Fill-A-Truck promotion held throughout the month of October to benefit the Allamakee County Relief Office in its efforts to help those less fortunate. Individuals could donate a non-perishable food item to help “fill a truck” and also have their name entered into a weekly Friday drawing during the month of October for prizes that included gift certificates, t-shirts and other items donated through the generosity of Allamakee County businesses much appreciated by R.W. Pladsen, Inc. and all those benefiting from the promotion. Pictured above at the presentation of the donated food items to the Allamakee County Relief Office are, left to right, R.W. Pladsen, Inc. staff members Steve Pladsen, Bob Kubitz, Karina Opperman, Carli Quandahl and Greg Halverson, and Allamakee County Relief Office Director Rebecca Hawes. Standard photo by Sara Aleckson-Melcher.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 4 to address a full agenda of items including the removal of dead trees from private property, the contract for the computer system network project and appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

During Public Comment, Maintenance Supervisor Matt Pladsen with Aveka Nutra Processing provided an update relating to the company’s Waukon facility including a product for Anheuser-Busch and the placement of a new silo, among other matters.

Under Department Reports, Police Chief Paul Wagner advised that Assistant Police Chief Luke Inglett is participating in a field officer training program which will be beneficial in training new officers. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett provided an update on winter preparations involving various equipment including plows and sanders.

Wednesday, October 30, 30-year old Jesse Paul Blake of Waukon was arrested on a warrant which was issued as a result of a search warrant that was executed at his home at 18 Second Avenue NW in Waukon three days earlier, Sunday, October 27.

Blake was not present during the search warrant execution but through the search, along with months of investigation, he was charged with a controlled substance violation (cocaine), which is a class C felony; gathering where controlled substances are used (cocaine), which is a class D felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond for Blake was set at $5,100.

The Waukon Police Department was assisted by the Postville Police Department, which is also a member of the Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 

The City of Waukon has set its official Trick-or-Treat time for Halloween for Thursday, October 31 from 4-8 p.m. Area residents are asked to leave porch lights on to welcome trick-or-treaters,  and the youngsters are reminded to keep safety in mind while making their rounds from house to house.

St. Paul's UMC "All Hallows Eve"
Again this year St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon will be hosting a trick-or-treat event Thursday, October 31, handing out fun from 4-7 p.m. Entrance is at the front of the church at 27 Second Avenue NW to wander through a warm, dry, non-scary wonderland of decorations, treats, and to get a free book before exiting onto First Street NW on the side of the church. The event takes place rain or shine. Call 563-568-3678 with any questions.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau will be hosting an open house to collect comments on future planning for the building site at the former Girl Scout Camp in rural Allamakee County, Camp Tahigwa. The open house is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, November 14 at the former Camp Tahigwa location at 318 Tahigwa Drive near Dorchester.

For more information or for special accommodations for the open house, contact Yellow River State Forest at 563-586-2254.
 

The Old Stone House (pictured above) has been an integral part of Allamakee County history. Local historian Cindy Berns of Postville will talk about the iconic landmark at a meeting of the Allamakee County Historical Society Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m. The meeting will be held in the community room at Robey Memorial Library, located at 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon. Refreshments will be served following the program.

Veterans Memorial Hospital issues statement

Mayo Clinic Health System has announced that it will close the doors on its Waukon clinic location as of December 14 of this year. That announcement was made public Friday evening, October 25.
In a letter received by Waukon Mayor Pat Stone, Mayo officials cited the closing of the clinic is in light of the obstacles faced in rural healthcare settings nationwide, noting: “This decision reflects the changing landscape and challenges facing rural health care nationwide. We considered numerous options and alternatives to serving the community; however, none were sustainable in the long term.”

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 28 to address a full agenda of items including the Red Ribbon Week Proclamation, a land donation for the Conservation Board and quotes for a new pick-up truck for the Secondary Roads Department.

During Public Comment, Dennis Blocker with the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club asked for an update on the proposed changes to the County’s ATV Ordinance allowing ATV use within Yellow River State Forest. Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer indicated that County Attorney Anthony Gericke had responded by email and provided an overview of the process necessary to change the existing ordinance with public hearings being necessary. Schellhammer indicated that he has received a lot of feedback on the matter and that he would not be in support of changing the ordinance with the risks outweighing the rewards.

The City of Waukon has set its official Trick-or-Treat time for Halloween for Thursday, October 31 from 4-8 p.m. Area residents are asked to leave porch lights on to welcome trick-or-treaters,  and the youngsters are reminded to keep safety in mind while making their rounds from house to house.

St. Paul's UMC "All Hallows Eve"
Again this year St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon will be hosting a trick-or-treat event Thursday, October 31, handing out fun from 4-7 p.m. Entrance is at the front of the church at 27 Second Avenue NW to wander through a warm, dry, non-scary wonderland of decorations, treats, and to get a free book before exiting onto First Street NW on the side of the church. The event takes place rain or shine. Call 563-568-3678 with any questions.