Community News

A total of 18 Allamakee County 4-H youth recently showcased their talents by competing in various communications and clothing events during the 2019 Allamakee County 4-H Expressions Day Program and Style Show held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon Sunday, June 23. Several received top awards and will have the opportunity to represent Allamakee County at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, August 8-18.

4-H’ers winning top honors in Educational Presentations and who will be representing Allamakee County at the Iowa State Fair include Breelyn Dahlstrom, Diana Davison, Hannah Hagen and Gabriel Mattson. 4-H’ers performing Educational Presentations are judged on stage presence, vocal projection, organization, visual aids, educational value of topic, and how well they kept their audience interested as they present their information.

More than two dozen local young men and women of high school to college age have been serving local residents and visitors to the Waukon Family Aquatic Center again this summer in a capacity they never hope to use, but one in which they are more than prepared to do so, if necessary.

The role of swimming pool lifeguard has often been stereotyped as the ideal summer job of being able to “hang out” at the pool, catching a tan, and twirling a whistle around one’s finger. Although there are a great degree of enjoyable moments, Waukon Family Aquatic Center Manager CC Althoff and Assistant Manager Cassandra Berger say there is so much more to being a lifeguard than just a summer job.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 15 to address a full agenda of items including the search for a City Manager, discussion of Police Department building repairs and Waukon’s urban forest.

The Public Hearing on proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of the 2019 Fifth Street SW Improvement Project was opened and closed without comment from the public. City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comment had been received.

During Public Comment, Director Ardie Kuhse of Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed the broadband survey which has been mailed to Waukon residents and businesses or can be completed online. Kuhse indicated that anyone who has not received a survey by mail is welcome to contact her and a paper survey will be provided. Kuhse advised that 340 completed surveys have been received thus far.

Survey link also available online or can be picked up locally if not received in the mail

Some time ago, the City of Waukon formed a Broadband Committee to investigate opportunities for providing improved broadband services within the city. The committee is comprised of representatives from the Waukon City Council, local businesses and homeowners.

In the course of the committee’s work, they were approached by representatives of Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative about the possibility of providing such services. The Cooperative has been involved in providing broadband service within the rural areas around Waukon for the past several years and has built out a fiber and wireless infrastructure to support those areas.

“KEEP SMILING - Remembering Two Lives Well Lived” are the words engraved on a new granite bench donated to the Waukon Wellness Center in memory of Bob and Bernie Heffern by their children and families, some of whom are pictured above with Waukon Park and Recreation Wellness Director Jeremy Strub. Bob and Bernie’s enthusiasm for making a difference in the lives of others and their community was apparent to all who knew them. Their appreciation of the Waukon Wellness Center for its physical and social benefits ran deep as well, particularly after moving to Waukon from their vigorous farm life to a much less physical lifestyle. The bench is located in the north entrance to the Waukon Wellness Center and is available to seniors and young alike as they are waiting for their ride or just needing a place to sit and chat. Submitted photo.
 

Ann-Elise Bakkum and Harold “Pepper” Miller were recently chosen as co-winners of the Waukon Wellness Center’s 2019 Bob Heffern “Get Your Rear In Gear” Memorial Award, presented as a one-year membership to the Wellness Center for each individual. Pictured above at the award presentation are, left to right, Waukon Park and Recreation Wellness Director Jeremy Strub, Ann-Elise Bakkum and Harold “Pepper” Miller displaying the plaque which will bear the names of the award winners as it hangs in the lobby area of the Waukon Wellness Center.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 8 to address a full agenda of items including a Public Hearing for a construction permit for Gruber Ridge LLC, consideration of bids for concrete pavement patching and the acceptance of a letter of retirement from a County Sheriff’s Department deputy. There were no comments from the public in attendance during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

The Public Hearing for the Construction Permit Application for the Gruber Ridge LLC confinement feeding operation was opened. Troy Peterson, Manure Plan Manager/Agronomy Sales, with Waukon Feed Ranch discussed that Daryl Gruber intends to add two barns, one for farrowing and the other for gestation, which will add 2,900 head to Gruber’s swine operation and as a result will require the addition of eight employees in the future.

Allamakee County residents are encouraged to participate in “A Universe of Stories,” Robey Memorial Library’s summer library program, from July 8 to August 3. Readers of all ages are invited to explore the wonders of the universe and learn about the solar system. Patrons are invited to try something new: learn new facts about space, read a new book, try a new craft, meet new people, and much more.

Special events this summer will include:

The Allamakee Democrats recently donated food items and money to the Allamakee County Relief Office. These contributions were made by members of the Allamakee Democratic Central Committee as their community service project. Rebecca Hawes, Direct of the Relief Office, accepted the donations stating, “Supplies of food are extremely low this time of year yet the problem of hunger is year-around. Donations of food and money are definitely needed and appreciated.” Pictured above, left to right, are Allamakee Democrats Co-Chairperson Karen Pratte, Allamakee County Relief Director Rebecca Hawes and Allamakee Democrats Co-Chairperson Lori Egan. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 1 to address a full agenda of items including the renewal of the Veterans Memorial Hospital loan, the Waukon Industrial Sidewalk Project and appointments to the Park and Wellness Board.

Two public hearings were individually held with City Clerk Lana Snitker indicating that no written or verbal comments were received. The first public hearing involved the proposed change in zoning district classification for a property at 105 Ninth Street NW owned by Brian Sweeney and the second public hearing involved the proposed disposition of interest in real property for the West Side Development Subdivision, Lot 3 in Lot 2. Both public hearings were opened and closed without comment from the public attending.