River Valley

Connections with area’s natural amenities, neighboring communities offer further enhancement

by Joshua Sharpe

From the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River near De Soto, WI, the Driftless landscape changes by the hour. On some winter mornings, fog settles so thick in the valley that the river and lowlands disappear entirely. From above, the scene becomes a band of treetops and sky, with eagles occasionally lifting over the ridge on steady currents.

Riverscape Vacation Rentals owner Kari Beeman said those mornings can feel almost unreal - looking down, you see “nothing but clouds” because “you are above the clouds.”

by Joshua Sharpe

During the Lansing City Council meeting Monday, February 3, discussions shifted from a specific complaint about utility work on Platt Street to broader concerns about fairness in nuisance enforcement, long-term capital expenditures, parking challenges, police preparedness, and the safe repurposing of materials from the decommissioned Black Hawk Bridge. By the conclusion of the meeting, the council had scheduled a budget amendment hearing for mid-February, agreed to lift temporary parking restrictions imposed during construction, approved the procurement of new active-shooter gear for law enforcement officers, and outlined expectations for upcoming summer events and revisions to cash-handling procedures at City Hall.

by Joshua Sharpe

Lansing’s City Hall is in the final stages of relocating into the former Lansing Middle School building at 696 Main Street in Lansing, a transition city officials describe as a practical and fiscally responsible response to changing facility needs. The move has occurred gradually over several months, with all administrative operations now functioning out of the new site.

Lansing City Clerk Teresa Severson summarized the city’s reasoning in a written response, explaining that “there isn’t much to say about the move other than it made financial sense to move into a building that wasn’t being utilized, instead of spending money on the needed repairs of the previous building.”

Main Street Lansing is inviting community members to put their knowledge to the test at Trivia Night, happening Saturday, February 7, in Lansing. This event brings teams together for friendly competition while raising funds to support downtown revitalization efforts and community programming. Participants will compete for a chance to win up to $1,000, while also enjoying raffles, a silent auction, and prizes throughout the night. Pictured above is last year’s Trivia Night championship team.

“Trivia Night is a fun way for friends, families, and coworkers to come together while supporting the work we do for downtown Lansing,” said Jackie Cooper, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing. “Every team and every sponsor helps strengthen our community.”

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council held its regular meeting Monday, January 19, led by Mayor Mike Verdon, where members addressed a full agenda that included both immediate operational decisions and long-term planning considerations. Key topics discussed included preparations for staffing seasonal recreation, scheduling steps for budget amendments, positioning on rates for water, sewer, and trash services in light of anticipated capital pressures, and ongoing deliberations regarding the future of the old City Hall property.

The council revisited the issue of removing no-parking signs around Tough Tek Metals, along North 3rd Street and North Street. The discussion concluded with the matter being postponed for further evaluation.

Main Street Lansing is inviting community members to put their knowledge to the test at Trivia Night, happening Saturday, February 7, in Lansing. This event brings teams together for friendly competition while raising funds to support downtown revitalization efforts and community programming. Participants will compete for a chance to win up to $1,000, while also enjoying raffles, a silent auction, and prizes throughout the night. Pictured above is last year’s Trivia Night championship team.

“Trivia Night is a fun way for friends, families, and coworkers to come together while supporting the work we do for downtown Lansing,” said Jackie Cooper, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing. “Every team and every sponsor helps strengthen our community.”

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council convened in a regular session Monday, January 5 with Mayor Mike Verdon and council members in attendance. The agenda included ongoing support for county-level economic development and tourism initiatives, considerations for long-term arrangements for the Saturday farmers market, a pre-application for Community Catalyst building remediation in the downtown area, and an anticipated increase in the city’s operations and maintenance agreement with PeopleService.

The Iowa Primary Care Association and Iowa Health and Human Services are seeking feedback on Mental Health and Addiction Services in the local community. The insight gathered will help improve care, expand access, and shape future programs.

A Stakeholder & Community District Assessment Survey is being offered to gather that input. Area residents are encouraged to take the survey by visiting www.iowapca.org/district-assessment to share experiences with mental health or addiction support. The survey will take 10 minutes or less to complete.
 

Effigy Mounds National Monument will continue its full slate of winter activities as the new year unfolds. The Children’s Winter Story and Craft Times will continue to take place through April, the annual Winter Film Festival is scheduled to begin in January, and there will also be an Eagle Viewing Hike taking place.

Story Times are scheduled for a 10 a.m. start time in the Visitor Center auditorium each Saturday in January - 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Craft Times are scheduled for a 2 p.m. start time in the Visitor Center auditorium each Sunday in January - 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Effigy Mounds National Monument is beginning a new Golden Eagles Club as the new year gets underway. The new club will offer a weekly gathering for “mature adults” each Thursday, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Effigy Mounds Visitor Center, and each month will include a Book Club meeting to discuss various published works.