Community News

More than two dozen Iowa Farm Bureau members representing 19 counties met with Iowa’s congressional delegation last week in Washington, D.C. to discuss policy issues important to Iowa agriculture and their family farms. Among them were Adam Martins and Kayla Smith of Luana and Alicia and Luke Weston of Independence, all of whom are pictured left to right in the above photo provided courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 20 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of gravel road rock bids, adopting the Resolution approving Fiscal-Year 2027 compensation increases for elected officials, and setting cents per thousand of County support for libraries and approving Fiscal-Year 2027 library contracts. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present.

During Public Comment, District Representative Pedro Calderon from Representative Ashley Hinson’s 2nd Congressional District Dubuque office provided an introduction in addition to discussing the importance of continued communication relating to assistance available at the federal level.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 20 to address a full agenda of matters including a review of setback regulations, the Public Hearing amending the current budget for the Fiscal-Year-Ending June 30, 2026 and an update on Well #5. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Cassie Handke, John Lydon and Tim Smedsrud.

A video program about Rattlesnakes in Allamakee County produced by the Allamakee County Historical Society will be presented to the public at two different viewing opportunities Saturday, April 25. The program includes a presentation by Ross Gerdes, Allamakee County Conservation Commission Director, about local rattlesnakes, including their range, life cycle, poisonous nature, and cautions for humans interacting with them.

The presentation will feature a video appearance by Tim the Timber Rattler. The video also continues with an interview with Mary Egan of Harpers Ferry, who was bitten by a rattlesnake in 2023 and was hospitalized for 13 days. The video concludes with interviews by county residents Paul Howes, Kathy Howes and Kathy Renk, all of whom will recount their local interactions with the snakes in years past.

Celebrate Earth Day with Assistant Naturalist Melissa with a weaving craft. This project uses a Y-shaped stick as a loom and is perfect for using scraps of yarn or strips of fabric.

Sticks will be provided for registered participants, but registration is not required for those who bring their own. Sticks should be Y-shaped (such as the one pictured above) and sturdy enough to support the loom without bending too much or breaking. This program is suitable for ages eight and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This event will be held at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing Wednesday, April 22 at 4 p.m.

Amy Russell, Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 64 in Waukon, was named the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award at the Scouting America Northeast Iowa Council #178 Scouter Appreciation Dinner held Saturday, March 28 at the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque. This annual event recognizes all the volunteer efforts provided by the Northeast Iowa Council’s more than 500 registered volunteers from 2025.

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award given by a council to volunteers in Scouting America. The Silver Beaver Award is bestowed upon those who have given much self-sacrifice, dedication, and hard work over many years of service to the Scouting program and to their community. Pictured in the photo at right is Amy Russell holding the framed certificate she received at the Appreciation Dinner commemorating her honoring as the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. Standing behind her is her husband, Doug. Submitted photo.
 

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office would like to make residents aware that they may soon receive a letter in the mail requesting donations to the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association (ISSDA). This is part of an annual fundraiser conducted by the ISSDA. The letter invites recipients to become an Honorary Member of the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association Institute (ISSDAI), which supports law enforcement resources and services statewide.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick says some residents may find the mailing suspicious, as the return address for donations may be listed as a P.O. Box in Welllman, IA, or another location outside of Allamakee County. “Please be advised that this mailing is legitimate,” Sheriff Mellick shared in a released statement.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 13 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2026 Allamakee County Budget Amendment, consideration of the Third Reading of Amendment 20 to Zoning Ordinance L for Data Centers, and the discussion and consideration of hiring a full-time 911 Dispatcher/Corrections Officer. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Dan Byrnes present.

During Public Comment, Crystal Duffy of Postville discussed potential negative impacts relating to data centers - facilities involved in data processing, cryptocurrency or artificial intelligence (AI) - upon rural counties. Relating to energy demands, Duffy advised that one data center facility can require 870,000 megawatts (MW) per year, which alone is over three times Allamakee County’s average use of 246,000 MW per year.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 6 to address a full agenda of matters including the Proclamation for the Week of the Young Child, consideration of the payrate for Medical Examiner transport drivers, and the Proclamation of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) made note of several upcoming events and scheduled meetings. Reinke noted that the next Coffee & Connections networking event would be held Tuesday, April 7 at Coffee on the River in Lansing in addition to noting that Main Street Lansing would be meeting with the State of Iowa this week as part of its annual certification process.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, March 24. It was noted that VMH has been recognized as a five-star hospital my Medicare.

VMH Administrator Michael Coyle noted that patient engagement outcomes and scores were used by Medicare to determine the rating, and the VMH scores were among the top in the nation. “We know that we’ve always had great outcomes and this supports that notion of great outcomes,” Coyle noted. “A big shout-out to our VMH team and strategic partners when we need their help to ensure our patients are getting the care they need.”

The board approved the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Coyle noted that there were not any major changes. VMH continues to grow its service lines and revenue has been up slightly while expenses stayed fairly the same.