River Valley

by Anne Falken

A year has come and gone since the last report on the New Albin wastewater treatment plant proposal, but the New Albin City Council has been working diligently with Fehr Graham Engineers out of West Union and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to gain a Letter of Consent, which would set out a timeline toward the permit needed to implement a new wastewater treatment system within the community of New Albin.

The City of New Albin wants to incorporate the Algaewheel system, an innovative wastewater treatment system invented at the OneWater Company out of Indianapolis, IN. The present New Albin treatment plant was built in the late 1960s and is currently not compliant with regulations.

In August 2016, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) released 23 revised draft Compatibility Determinations (CDs) which re-evaluated uses of the Refuge that were determined to be compatible with the Refuge mission. The original Compatibility Determinations were completed in 2006 as part of the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan and are required to be re-evaluated.

The Lansing Veterans Memorial Association has donated $3,000 to the Lansing Parks Board to develop a Veterans Memorial patio adjacent to the south side of the existing park shelter on Mt Hosmer in Lansing. Pictured at right, Veterans Memorial Association President Bill Burke (right) recently presented the Association's check to Lansing City Parks Board Chairman Dave Pleasants (left), the funds of which will be placed into a City fund for the memorial patio.
 

Tim Alberts (pictured at right in photo), Quartermaster of Lansing VFW Post 5981, presented a check for $200 from the VFW to the Lansing Ambulance and EMT service. Accepting the check on behalf of the Lansing Ambulance/EMT service are Ann and Matthew Wagner (pictured left to right at left in the above photo). The Wagners also were recently presented with the Lansing VFW Community Service Award for 2016 for their continuing contribution and dedication to the Lansing Ambulance/EMT service and their involvement in other local organizations and church activities that have benefited the Lansing community. Submitted photo.
 

Lansing’s third annual WinterFest scheduled for Saturday, February 18 will have a special purpose this year. While WinterFest started with the organization committee from Main Street Lansing in Lansing, the group has branched out this year to partner with the Lansing Lions Club to promote family fun and fundraising for new playground equipment in the Front Street park down by the ball diamond.

Several old wooden playground pieces at the park have had to be dismantled, leaving a real need for an enhanced playground space. Equipment and improvements to the area will cost approximately $60,000. The Lansing Lions have taken on the task of raising funds to get this project done. The WinterFest committee agreed that a whole community event was a great way to start this fundraiser. All profits from WinterFest will go to the fundraising for the park.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, February 6 and reviewed two applications for the Council seat left vacant by the resignation of Don Peters. After discussion, Lansing resident Stephanie Runkle was selected and immediately seated at the Council table.

The next regular Council meeting date was changed from February 20 to February 21 because of scheduling conflicts. The Council also postponed setting the Public Hearing date for the South Road Bridge Replacement Project  until February 21. Spring Clean-Up Day was scheduled for April 18.

Main Street Lansing and KNEI Radio will be sponsoring the Allamakee County Chili Cook-Off in conjunction with Lansing’s WinterFest again this year. The Chili Cook-Off is scheduled to take place from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, February 18 at T.J. Hunters Banquet Hall in Lansing as the final event of the day-long WinterFest celebration.

Competition will be held in two divisions: Individual and Business. Prizes in the Individual division include $100, $50 and $25 in cash, with the Business division winner being awarded a traveling trophy. The general public in attendance will be tasting and voting for their favorite chili to determine the winners.

Those wishing to participate need to register by February 13. Registration forms are available at the Main Street Lansing office and Red Geranium Floral and Gifts in Lansing, as well as online at www.mainstreetlansing.com.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in its regular session Monday night, January 16. After the Consent Agenda was approved, the Council re-appointed Tony Becker as Fire Chief of the Lansing Volunteer Fire Department. The Council also approved a Lansing Lion's Club request for the City of Lansing to be the fiscal sponsor for several grant applications being submitted by the Club, including applications for grant funding through the Allamakee County Community Foundation, Alliant Energy, Mayo Health Foundation, Gundersen Health Foundation, ITC Foundation, Monsanto Foundation and Wellmark Foundation.

The Harpers Ferry Booster Club and the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) will be hosting the Harpers Ferry Youth Ice Fishing Clinic at Nobles Island Boat Access, located at 645 Hwy 364 near Harpers Ferry, Sunday, January 29. Registration for youth aged 16 and under will begin at 10 a.m. and fishing will take place until 2 p.m.

Youth participating in the clinic may use their own equipment, but ice fishing equipment will also be made available to youth who do not have their own. Food and drink will also 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.

For more information on this program or any program offered by the Allamakee County Conservation Board contact the ACCB office at 563-586-2996.
 

Water is safe to drink, but radium levels exceed those allowable by the EPA; One of two wells taken out of operation, remediation option costs estimated to be around $800,000

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met Tuesday, January 3 instead of its usual Monday meeting night because of observation of the New Year holiday.

After approving the Consent Agenda, the Council discussed the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) letter sent to residents of Lansing concerning the amount of radium in the City's water supply. Mayor Mike Brennan said that the EPA requires letters be sent to residents when radium reaches a certain level even though City water is safe to drink. "Drinking six gallons of water a day for a year might be the equivalent of a couple of chest x-rays," Mayor Brennan said in explaining the radium levels being reported from one City well.