Community News

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 13 to address a short agenda of items including Quarterly Reports from the County Recorder, Relief and Veterans Affairs offices, consideration of a County Courthouse Information Technology (IT) position and consideration of the roadway maintenance agreement between the City of Waukon, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Allamakee County.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed a statement written by Superintendent Dale Crozier of the Eastern Allamakee School Community District addressing concerns relating to the impact of an Alliant Energy power plant closure, if that were to happen.

Damaging winds proved to cause the greatest amount of trouble during the Thursday afternoon, July 9 severe thunderstorm that rolled through northeast Iowa. Within the town of Waukon there was an abundance of tree damage (as evident in the surrounding photos), as well as some power outages due to power lines being damaged by falling trees or poles themselves being blown over.

Following the Thursday, July 9 storm - the damage from which appears in the other photos on this same page, another strong storm system moved through northeast Iowa Saturday evening, July 11, bringing with it some heavy rain, wind and hail. The National Weather Service received reports from Allamakee County of hail nearly 3/4 of an inch in diameter in the Waukon area, along with reports of up to two inches of rain falling in less than hour. That heavy rainfall resulted in an areal flood warning being issued for parts of western Allamakee County and produced such situations as what is pictured above near the intersection of State Highway 9 and Ninth Street SW outside of Waukon (more locally known as Riehm’s Corner), as heavy rains filled the roadside ditches and spilled out on to the roadway.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 6 to discuss noise complaints from a resident, a request to have a pitbull dog as a service animal at a residence, and approval of Park and Recreation Wellness Board appointments.

There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Departmental Reports. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett reported on the new garbage containers placed along portions of Main Street and Rossville Road in downtown Waukon and advised that chip sealing has been completed on several city streets as of last week. Burrett also discussed the potential of having contractor Prairie Road Builders return next year to perform additional chip sealing.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper provided an update relating to the Hidden Creek lift station. He also discussed sewer maintenance including the viewing of areas in need of repair with a sewer camera.

The new tennis court facility in Waukon, located west of Waukon High School near the Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness soccer fields on the west edge of town, has been open for public use since mid-June. A grand opening event is being planned for a later date with only a windscreen installation throughout the surrounding fencing remaining for the project to be 100% complete. The public is welcome to use the tennis courts any time, day or night, with a light switch and timer (pictured at center) located between the restroom doors at the concession stand for activation of the lights at several pre-set intervals of 15 or 30 minutes, one hour or two hours. Lighting can be activated for evening or early morning tennis matches (as evident in the photo above) with concession stand restrooms (smaller concrete building at right in the photo below) nearby always being accessible.

This year’s General Election is scheduled for November 3, 2020. Most ballots cast in the June 2, 2020 Primary Election were by voters who voted absentee from home.

Due to an emergency proclamation for COVID-19 from the Governor, the Iowa Secretary of State’s office mailed an Absentee Ballot Request form to all active voters for the June 2 Primary. Legislation passed after the Primary now requires approval by a legislative council before the Secretary of State is allowed to do a similar mailing for any future election.

by Brianne Eilers

The month of May ended on a positive financial note for Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon with a net profit of $51,860. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus funding from the federal government impacted that bottom line.

The hospital showed a decrease in net patient revenue, as compared to May 2019, due to a decrease in surgeries and outpatient services as a result of COVID-19. Wages and benefits also were down for the month of May 2020 due to staff being furloughed and lower patient volumes due to COVID-19. Supplies and other expenses were also down for the month. VMH Administrator Mike Myers noted that personnel expenses and visits have both been increasing as the hospital moves toward getting back into the swing of things.

Main Street Story Walk, hosted by Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, continues in July with the popular children’s story “Olivia goes to Venice” by Ian Falconer. Families are encouraged to read the book as they stroll the downtown area mapped out above. Nine selected businesses have a portion of the story posted in the front window of their establishment for viewing from the sidewalk.

Selected locations are located on Spring Avenue, Main Street, First Avenue SW, West Street and Rossville Road. They include the following, labeled accordingly in the map above: 1. Erbal Ink; 2. Cook Agency; 3. Gemini Salon & Spa; 4. Bodensteiner Insurance; 5. S&D Cafe; 6. Waukon State Bank; 7. Hausladen’s Auto Supply; 8. Say Now; 9. Houg State Farm Insurance. Main Street Story Walk will continue with a new story and locations in August.

Brady Beyer, son of Brent and Denise Beyer of Waukon, officially achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts, May 18. Beyer is a member of Boy Scout Troop 64, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Troy Lubahn.

In 2008, Beyer began his journey to Eagle as a Cub Scout in first grade. He completed the requirements each year to advance from Bobcat to Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelo. Following two years as a Webelo, and completion of all requirements, Beyer earned his Arrow of Light in the spring of his fifth grade year. One of his favorite Cub Scout memories is winning the Pack 64 Pinewood Derby and advancing and participating in the District Pinewood Derby.

Allamakee County will participate in the annual Iowa Bible Reading Marathon this year, 2020, but under a bit of a different format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed the 2020 Iowa Reading Marathon Proclamation, endorsing this event statewide.
The goal of the marathon each year is to read the bible from Genesis to Revelation over the entire state of Iowa. All Allamakee County residents are encouraged and welcome to take part.

CHANGE IN FORMAT
Because of the current COVID-19 situation, the Allamakee County marathon will not take place in a specific physical setting as in years past, but will follow some new guidelines.