River Valley

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) for a Mother’s Day Hike Sunday, May 11 at 10 a.m. This hike is created to give moms an opportunity for a little outdoor relaxation break while also exploring Iowa’s spring wildflowers. The hike will begin at the Mount Hosmer Overlook in Lansing.

The Mother’s Day Hike will be a guided trail hike for participants to explore Iowa’s short-lived wildflowers. Participants should dress for the weather with appropriate layers and outerwear. Any dogs must be on a leash at all times. In the case of inclement weather the hike will be cancelled and announced via the ACCB’s Facebook page.

The congregation of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church invites the public to join them for the fifth annual Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross Good Friday - this Friday, April 18, beginning at 10 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, located at 480 Diagonal Street in Lansing. This contemplative prayer walk invites the community to engage deeply with the pressing issues of today’s world while following the path of Jesus to Calvary.

This year, the walk begins at the church and weaves through the heart of Lansing to the banks of the Mississippi River. The group will pause at 12 stations to pray, sing, and reflect on the injustices and suffering that persist in today’s world - from war and poverty to environmental degradation and discrimination. Participants are encouraged to carry signs expressing solidarity with those who suffer.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council convened at City Hall Monday evening, April 7 to deliberate infrastructure bond approvals, seasonal recreation staffing, community safety concerns, and multiple departmental updates. The session included public hearings for general obligation bonds, updates on marina maintenance, and a discussion of an upcoming sewer rate increase and Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) application.

PUBLIC CONCERNS
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Susanne and Ron Herman raised concerns about several deteriorating trees located on city property near their newly acquired lot at 891 South Front Street. Ron Herman outlined their concerns with the condition of those trees after having been struck by lightning over the years, most notably in regard to future development of that property.

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center will host Conservation Cafe Wednesday, April 23, starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a new series started at the Driftless Area Education & Visitors Center to enjoy some social time with a hot beverage and a conservation-focused program following. The program will be free of charge, but advanced registration is encouraged. To register or receive more information on this event, call Allamakee County Conservation at 563-538-0401.

The April 23 Conservation Cafe is all about Flowers. One of Assistant Naturalist Becca Hefflefinger’s favorite times of the year is spring wildflower season. Come to learn all about Iowa’s Spring Ephemerals, enjoy some conversation, and have a hot beverage.
 

The Allamakee County Conservation Board has announced the offering of three free summer day camps for local youth this upcoming summer season. Each day camp will be for a different age range and will feature outdoor activities along a certain theme.

Registration is required and space is limited. For more information or to register, call 563-538-0401. The day camps being offered include the following:

Insectigations (Students entering 1st-2nd Grade): Wednesday, July 9 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Waterville Farm. Come and explore all the tiny critters Iowa has to offer. Participants will dig in to the fascinating world of insects and explore how they may be small but they are just as cool.

Friends of Yellow River State Forest will be holding their annual 5K and 10K trail run/walk and half-marathon Saturday, May 10, in the State Forest, starting at 8 a.m. Again this year there will be an additional 5K run Friday night, May 9.

Online registration is available at  https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/HarpersFerry/FriendsofYellowRiverStateFore... or go to www.friendsofyellowriverstateforest.org for the link. Walk-ins are also welcome. Participants must register by April 21 in order to receive a shirt.

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) for Earth Day at the Driftless Center Saturday, April 12 from 12-4 p.m. Celebrate a pre-Earth Day and partake in crafts centered around the planet. This is a free event that is open for all who walk in.

There is no registration required. For more information on this event call the ACCB at 563-538-0401. A full schedule of upcoming events hosted by the Allamakee County Conservation Board and the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center is available by following the ACCB on Facebook or on its website at https://www.allamakeecountyconservation.org/event-directory.

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center will host Conservation Cafe Wednesday, April 23, starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a new series started at the Driftless Area Education & Visitors Center to enjoy some social time with a hot beverage and a conservation-focused program following. The program will be free of charge, but advanced registration is encouraged.

The April 23 Conservation Cafe is all about Flowers. One of Assistant Naturalist Becca Hefflefinger’s favorite times of the year is spring wildflower season. Come to learn all about Iowa’s Spring Ephemerals, enjoy some conversation, and have a hot beverage.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, March 17. Several resolutions were brought before the council, including a pair regarding setting a date for public hearings for loan agreements helping to finance the water and sewer infrastructure portion of the North, Platt and 4th Streets improvement project, with all those resolutions being approved. The dates of those public hearings will be formally announced in the near future.

A citizen concern was raised regarding a levee lot north of the City Marina that has filled in with silt. City Clerk Teresa Severson explained, “So this one I already pretty much have my answers. He didn’t know how he was going to put his boat in. It’s filled in, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Main Street Lansing invites all community members, business owners, stakeholders, and volunteers to attend its Annual Public Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 27 at The Buck Stops Here, located at 367 Main Street, Lansing. The evening will begin with a social gathering at 5:30 p.m., followed by the official meeting at 6 p.m. led by Board President Chris Troendle.

The meeting will offer an opportunity to hear about the successes of the past year, learn about upcoming plans for 2025, and recognize those who have contributed to the local community’s growth. The meeting agenda will include the following: Welcome & Opening Remarks; Approval of Previous Minutes & Expenditures; Public Comment; Year in Review; Looking Ahead to 2025; Special Recognitions; Closing Remarks; Adjournment.