River Valley

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, November 21. After approving the Consent Agenda, the Council reviewed a proposal from the local snowmobile club to utilize Allamakee Alley for its trail this winter. The item had been discussed at the last meeting, but no decision was made.

Greg Stirn, representative of the club, said speed limit signs would be posted and encouraged the Lansing Police Department to issue citations to any violators. Stirn and the Council agreed that South Road is not an option for the trail because it is too narrow and has too many blind corners. After discussion, the Council approved the request. Stirn also announced that his tenure as “trail manager” is ending and that Wayne Weber will be taking over those duties.

Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Field Operations Center - West reminds Iowa private nonprofit (PNP) organizations of the November 28 deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for property damage caused by the severe storms, straight line winds and flooding that occurred August 23-27, 2016. PNPs that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.

According to Garfield, eligible PNPs of any size may apply for SBA federal disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Great Rivers 2-1-1 is positioned to help out in times of disaster by handling large numbers of phone calls, and providing information on where people can get helpful resources such as clean-up kits and well water test kits.  Great Rivers 2-1-1 keeps in close contact with emergency management departments and local media sources to provide callers with up-to-date information as the disaster unfolds and clean-up begins.

The 2-1-1 resource is available 24 hours a day/seven days a week, and is free and confidential. Great Rivers 2-1-1 serves 13 counties in southwestern Wisconsin, four counties in southeastern Minnesota and five counties in northeastern Iowa. Simply dial the three-digit telephone number 2-1-1 or 800-362-8255 to learn more.
 

Every September, as part of Drive the Great River Road Month, the National Mississippi River Parkway Commission hosts a sweepstakes. This year, $500 was up for grabs for one lucky traveler to use on his or her own trip along the national scenic byway.

Dan Fisher of Lansing was selected as this year’s Drive the Great River Road Month Sweepstakes lucky winner. Fisher entered the contest online and was chosen at random. Fisher and his wife, Tura, moved to the Lansing area from Wisconsin because they were drawn to the area’s unique geography. He plans to use the winnings to travel more of the Great River Road so he can write about it. His hobby is travel writing.

Main Street Lansing is anticipating a record-breaking “Main Street Madness” promotion again this year with even more prizes. Last year, $157,500 was spent in downtown Lansing by “Main Street Madness” punch card participants.

To get started this year, look for a participating merchant poster and pick up a free punch card. The cards can then be validated with either punches or stamps in five-dollar increments for purchases made between November 16 and December 18. Double Punch Day and Small Business Saturday is November 26. Once a card is full ($100 in purchases), it can be turned in and another card started, with no limit on the number of cards that can be filled and entered for the “Main Street Madness” drawing.

Thursday, November 10 at approximately 5:39 p.m., the Lansing/New Albin Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence located at 293 Third Street NE in New Albin. During the search, officers seized several marijuana plants and other items used in the manufacturing and distribution of drugs.

As a result of the search, Theron Gene Krambeer, age 55, of New Albin was arrested on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance; Keri Ella Louise Strong, age 34, of New Albin was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance; Gary Sand, age 44, of Caledonia, MN was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance; and Ashley Erickson, age 32, of New Albin was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Interference with Official Acts, and Destruction of Evidence.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in its regular session Monday night, November 7. After approving the Consent Agenda, the Council reviewed and approved two building permits, one from Michael Schweitzer for a garage at 460 Center Street. The other request was from Kayle and Linda Drape at 611 South Front Street; their request was approved contingent on placing the structure six feet from the retaining wall lot line.

Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will be hosting area author Jon Steffes Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. for a presentation on the Armistice Day blizzard of 1940. The presentation will take place at the library’s 515 Main Street location in Lansing.

Steffes will share his book “Wings in the Wind: The Armistice Day Storm of 1940,” reflecting on that record-breaking storm that killed dozens of duck hunters in the Mississippi River bottoms. Those attending are invited to share their own experiences with the audience.
 

Kee High School in Lansing will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, November 23. The donation opportunity is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the high school’s 569 Center Street location in Lansing.

Those interested in donating blood can download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements in order to donate.

For anyone who enjoys seeing the migrating ducks, geese, pelicans and tundra swans along the Mississippi River, or who would like to learn more about identifying them and finding out where they are going, the Ferryville Tourism Council is sponsoring a birding morning with these goals in mind. The purpose of this event will be to see which migratory birds are using the Mississippi Flyway at this particular time of year. The event is for both experienced and beginning birders.

Saturday, November 5, Dan Jackson, president of the Coulee Region Audubon Society, will join Ferryville Tourism Council member Joanne White at the River View Park in downtown Ferryville, WI. They will be available from 9-11 a.m. that day to assist interested birders. A telescope is permanently mounted at the park for continuous viewing, and four additional spotting scopes will be set up for viewing. Treats and handouts will also be available.