River Valley

Sisters Coral and Pearl Brustkern of Waterloo display some of the prizes they were awarded as winners of this year’s Find Finney Contest, the annual contest that helps heighten anticipation of the annual Lansing Fish Days community celebration by having youth search for the tagged wooden fish (also being held by the young ladies in the photo above) hidden somewhere in the Lansing community, with help from a series of clues. The young Brustkern pair found Finney in his hiding place within the park atop Mt. Hosmer in Lansing, bringing an early end to the contest this year during one of their frequent visits to the Lansing area.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, August 3, addressing a full agenda involving a variety of matters. A report on the city’s debt, approval of several resolutions, consideration of meeting date conflicts, and addressing concerns with grease accumulation in accordance with the city’s public sewer ordinance were some of the matters taken care of by the council at that August 3 meeting.

RESTROOM ACCESSIBILITY
During citizen concerns, Sarah Murray, Main Street Board of Directors member, requested that the council address the ongoing closure of the public restroom near Front and Main streets. She highlighted that this restroom is the only public facility on Main Street and noted that its closure poses challenges during busy downtown weekends, impacting efforts to present Lansing as accessible to residents and visitors.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Lansing United Methodist Church invite the community to an outdoor worship service Sunday, August 9, at 9 a.m. at the Fish Days Grounds in Lansing City Park. The Lansing-area churches will gather to worship through live music, prayer, Scripture, a puppet show for children, and a message of hope.

This year’s preacher will be Dr. Sarah Murray, former superintendent of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District. Following a life-changing spinal cord injury in 2024, Dr. Murray has become a sought-after speaker, sharing a message of faith, hope, resilience, and the importance of relationships.

The service is casual, family-friendly, and filled with familiar hymns. Whether attendees are longtime churchgoers, just visiting Fish Days, or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend Sunday morning, all are warmly invited and welcome.
 

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, July 20 to address a variety of agenda items. Among those items on the meeting agenda was a vendor fee waiver request by Main Street Lansing for the second annual Makers Market coming up in September, a request involving Cherry Street, a residential setback variance request, an ordinance regarding city elections, and several library matters.

River Bluff Daze in Ferryville, WI will feature an antique tractor pull, a hike, fun, food, and fireworks again this year. The annual event is scheduled for Saturday, July 25. For full details, keep on checking the Ferryville, WI Facebook page at facebook.com/ferryvillewi or website at www.visitferryville.com. Listed below are some of the days events:

8:30 a.m. - Join Joanne White for a nature hike on the Sugar Creek Bluff Natural Area. Meet at the Ferryville Boat Landing at 8:30 a.m. and carpool to the trailhead. Hikers will see birds, wildlife, and wild flowers on the gradual 1.5-mile round trip to the scenic overlook. This hike is sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council.

Join Naturalist Erin Cubbon of Allamakee County Conservation for a guided hike up to the Paint Rock Overlook in Yellow River State Forest the morning of July 25. The hike will be departing from the parking area at the Paint Rock trailhead at 9 a.m.

Participants can expect to see a variety of flowers in bloom typical of the unique “goat prairie” ecosystems found on area bluffs. There is also the possibility of seeing timber rattlesnakes in their native habitat. This hike will also focus on summer mushrooms that can be found fruiting along the trail.

No preregistration is required. The hike will be approximately 2.5 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of around 400 feet. As this is a fairly steep hike during a hot time of the year, bringing adequate water, snacks and sun protection is highly recommended. The trailhead is located off of Paint Rock Road, roughly 3.4 miles south of Harpers Ferry. Dogs will be allowed but must be leashed at all times.

The Lansing Farmers Market is honoring Bob Raymond, one of the founding members of the Lansing Farmers Market Board, this Saturday, July 18 during the Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to noon on the Plaza in Lansing. Raymond passed away Friday, April 10 of this year, after a multi-year battle with cancer.

The concept of restarting the Lansing Farmers Market was developed by Daniel Wagner, a former Kee High School student who proposed the market for an Innovation Project, but making the concept into an actual working market was due in large part to Bob Raymond. With his knowledge, real-life experience, and patience, he gently guided the Farmers Market Board toward the expansion of the market, to the weekly Saturday market now taking place.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, July 6 addressing a variety of topics that included election code clean-up, transient vendor parking, preparations for Lansing Fish Days, police staffing, changes in pool staffing, city maintenance reports, and a funding update on the Highway 9/Main Street project. The council engaged in extended discussions about three significant issues, ultimately deciding to delay the advancement of Ordinance 211 for further adjustments, but approving a restricted parking arrangement for a local vendor, and hiring a reserve police officer.

Fireflies are one of the most captivating kinds of insects that Iowa has to offer. However, not many people know that firefly populations have declined over the past few decades. Allamakee County Conservation will celebrate these bright bugs by explaining why fireflies are in decline, how to protect fireflies at home, and practicing safe catch-and-release. Adults must be present with children for the duration of the program.

This event will take place Saturday, July 18, beginning at 8 p.m. The program location will be Clear Creek Park, located at 1971 South Road Drive, Lansing. Attendees should note that this is not the city park located off of Highway X52. Registration is not required.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council held a regular meeting Monday, June 15 during which the council approved the hiring of a new full-time street department employee and addressed a series of wage and fund-transfer resolutions.

Additionally, the council received updates regarding city operations, splash pad water usage, the Liberty Motorcycle Rally, Highway 9 funding, and police vehicle replacement.

The meeting commenced with a roll call, revealing that three council members were present, while Ben Ghelf and Corey Richards were absent. Given that only three members were in attendance, Mayor Mike Verdon reminded the council that resolutions require a majority of the full council, not just a majority of those present.