River Valley

Notice is hereby given that the Arlin Falck Foundation will accept applications for grants for community development, community promotions, community education and similar matters.  The grants shall be for the benefit of persons residing in Fillmore County and Houston County in Minnesota and Allamakee County and Winneshiek County in Iowa.

Entities that have a 501(c)3 designation by the Internal Revenue Service or municipalities are eligible to apply for these grants.  To obtain an application for grants or other information, contact Kathleen V. Nelson at 12743 Buckley Road, Caledonia, MN 55921, phone 507-724-3348 during regular business hours or email arlinfalckfoundation@yahoo.com.  Grant applications must be received by October 5 of this year.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment in regard to an upgrade project for the City of Harpers Ferry wastewater treatment system. The project involves an upgrade to the City’s wastewater infrastructure. Application has been made for financial assistance through the State of Iowa Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program, which is authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in partnership with the Iowa Finance Authority.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An environmental review has been performed based on the procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The proposed project was reviewed for eligibility for a categorical exclusion from NEPA review and was determined to be eligible for a categorical exclusion and, consequently, a preliminary decision that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) will not be prepared.

Help with the U.S. Census will be available to all Allamakee County residents throughout the month of September in both Lansing and Harpers Ferry. U.S. Census Regional Assistants Tom and Linda Stovall will be sharing time at two different locations within each community in an effort to help local residents complete their 2020 U.S. Census or answer any additional questions they may have. Collection of U.S. Census data is scheduled to come to a close at the end of September.

The Stovalls will be in Lansing every Wednesday during the month of September from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide that census assistance. One will be located at the Lansing IGA and the other will be at nutMeg’s Café & Bakery during those days and times.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advises that anglers who bought a 2020 Iowa fishing license may receive an email from Louisiana State University (LSU) encouraging them to participate in a survey to share their fishing experiences in Iowa during the coronavirus pandemic. The five-minute survey is part of a nationwide study currently underway.

Roxanne Hawkins and Chip Lamb held an ATV/UTV Road Rally Saturday, August 1. This ride covered about 70 miles of Allamakee County and included more than 50 machines. Proceeds from participation in the ride were equally divided between the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club and a fire department from within Allamakee County that the participants voted on. The Lansing Fire Department was voted as the recipient of the proceeds from this ride, and the club and the Lansing Fire Department each received a check for $720. Pictured above, left to right, at the check presentation are Roxanne Hawkins of the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club and Lansing Fire Department Chief Steve Darling. This road rally event was held at Green Valley Getaway and was supported by Green Valley Getaway, Kious Kountry, Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club, Cunningham Hardware, Empty Nest Winery and club members. Submitted photo.
 

The U.S. Census Mobile has been at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library in Lansing every Tuesday in August answering questions about completing the Census and also assisting people in completing it. One final date will be available for this month, Tuesday, August 25 between the hours of 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

This operation, known as the Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) program, is a separate activity from census takers going door to door to count households that have not yet responded. The local census response representatives will help people complete the census on a 2020 Census tablet or on their own device, while practicing state and local social distancing protocols.

Lansing is currently at 49.5% response rate to the 2020 U.S. Census. Allamakee County is currently at a 55.8% response rate, the second lowest response rate in the entire state of Iowa, according to U.S. Census information.
 

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, August 17. The meeting centered around the consent agenda and a report from the City Street Department.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from August 3.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda with minimal discussion.

Center Street from Fourth Street to Fifth Street above the high school football field will be closed for repairing of the street for a period anticipated to be about three weeks. Traffic will be rerouted around the area while the street repairs are taking place.

There will be a sign placed near Clear Creek directing traffic to the Driftless Center and the public boat landing. A motion was made and seconded to approve the street report.
 

The U.S. Census Mobile will be at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library in Lansing every Tuesday in August answering questions about completing the Census and also assisting people in completing it. The dates and times are Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. August 11, 18 and 25.

This operation, known as the Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) program, is a separate activity from census takers going door to door to count households that have not yet responded. The local census response representatives will help people complete the census on a 2020 Census tablet or on their own device, while practicing state and local social distancing protocols.

Lansing is currently at 49.5% response rate to the 2020 U.S. Census. Allamakee County is currently at a 55.8% response rate, the second lowest response rate in the entire state of Iowa, according to U.S. Census information.
 

Responses from Main Street Lansing’s COVID-19 recovery survey, held in early July, indicated that consumers are more comfortable with outdoor events, and shopping was the number-one activity consumers were ready to resume. Based on those results, Main Street Lansing will be hosting a Lansing Sidewalk Sales  event Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22.

Participating businesses will offer their goods all along the sidewalks of Main Street in Lansing. Customers will be able to social distance while perusing the offerings. A full list of participating businesses is still being confirmed.

For any questions, reach out to Andy Kelleher, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, by calling 563-538-9229 or emailing director@lansingmatters.com.
 

This Friday is final day to pay taxes to avoid delinquent tax list

Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse would like to make residents and property owners of Allamakee County aware that Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed July 24 impacts many of the services provided at the Treasurer’s Office. Among the helpful things to know are the following: