River Valley

by Julie Berg-Raymond

During its regular meeting Monday, January 17, the Lansing City Council approved, or made official with signed paperwork, either payments or cost estimates for three ongoing projects.

A Professional Services Agreement with WHKS of Rochester, MN for Center Street water and sanitary sewer replacement was signed by Mayor Melissa Hammell. The City is being billed hourly for the company’s engineering services involved in the project with an estimated fee of $18,200. The project will involve one block from just west of South 4th Street east to just beyond South 3rd Street to replace water main and sanitary sewer lines and then reconstruct the street subbase.

The Harpers Ferry Youth Ice Fishing Clinic sponsored by the Harpers Ferry Boosters and the Allamakee County Conservation Board will be held at Nobles Island Boat Access, 645 Hwy. 364, Harpers Ferry Sunday, January 30. Registration for youth aged 15 and under will begin at 11 a.m. and fishing will continue until 2 p.m.

Youth participating in the clinic may use their own equipment, but ice fishing equipment will be available to youth who do not have their own. Food and drink will be available for those participating in the clinic.  Prizes will be awarded to participants in each of three age groups.

In case of inclement weather, all cancellations and delays will be posted on the Allamakee County Conservation Board Facebook page the day of the event. A make-up date for the Harpers Ferry Kids Ice Fisheree will be February 13 at the same times and location, unless noted.

Counties interested in evaluating construction permits for proposed animal feeding facilities must adopt and submit a construction evaluation resolution by the end of January.

“County boards can pass a resolution to participate in the master matrix at any time, but they must submit the resolution to DNR between January 1 and 31,” said Kelli Book, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) attorney.

On average, 88 counties pass a resolution each year, allowing them to review construction permit applications required for larger, totally roofed animal feeding operations (confinements). Producers in counties that file the resolutions must meet additional standards in their construction permits than sites in other counties. They must earn points on a master matrix by choosing a site and using practices that reduce effects on the environment and the community.

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) and the Friends of Yellow River State Forest for a Fullmoon Snowshoe Hike January 18 at 6:30 p.m. The hike will take place in the Luster Heights Unit of Yellow River State Forest, approximately three miles with views of the Mississippi River.

Participants should meet at the Luster Heights Unit parking lot located at 481 Luster Heights Road, Harpers Ferry.

The Fullmoon Snowshoe will be a guided trail hike taking place after dark to enable participants to see the stars and full moon. The event requires pre-registration for those wishing to use snowshoes provided by the Allamakee County Conservation Board and is open to all ages. However, anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. In the case of inclement weather or poor snow conditions the Fullmoon Snowshoe may be postponed or canceled and will be announced via the Allamakee County Conservation Board’s Facebook page.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

At its regular meeting Monday, January 3, the Lansing City Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 201 “prohibiting the building or construction of structures within the City of Lansing,” following Mayor Melissa Hammell’s third and final public reading of the ordinance. The action was undertaken while review and revision of the City of Lansing Code of Ordinances is being completed.

The Main Street Madness punch card promotion recorded $355,900 in holiday spending within the Lansing community. Individuals who spent $100 were entered to win one of 26 prizes, including Downtown Dollars and gift certificates to local businesses. For further details about the Main Street Madness promotion, reach out to Executive Director Andy Kelleher at Main Street Lansing, 563-538-9229.

Winners are all verified prior to publishing their names. This year’s winners include the following:

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Thursday, December 16, 2021 for Allamakee, Bremer, Chickasaw, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties in northeast Iowa in response to severe weather beginning December 15, 2021. The governor’s proclamation activated the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) and the Iowa Disaster Case Management (IDCM) program to assist Iowans.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) may provide up to $5,000 of assistance, reimbursement and/or vendor voucher, for covered items to households with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Individuals may be eligible for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and repair or replacement of personal items damaged by the storm.

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Local students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to compete for $33,000 in national scholarships.

Students must submit an original two- or three-dimensional piece of artwork.  Digital art, photography and jewelry are not accepted.  The entry must have been completed during the current 2021-2022 school year and the application must include a teacher or supervising adult’s signature.

The first-place winner from each Auxiliary will advance to District competition with District winners advancing to the State competition.  State first-place winners compete for national awards.

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 announces the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Contestants must submit a video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” recorded between July 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

Contest entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 by March 31, 2022 via DVD or flash drive, or an online video platform. Interested youth, parents/guardians and teachers should email vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com for information.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

At the regular Lansing City Council meeting Monday evening, December 20, Mayor Melissa Hammell conducted the second reading of Ordinance No. 201, calling for a moratorium “prohibiting the building or construction of structures within the City of Lansing.” The action is being considered while the City of Lansing Code of Ordinances is currently under review and revision. There were no public comments following the second reading, and the third and final reading is being planned for the next regular council meeting in January.