River Valley

Harpers Ferry Boosters Inc. will be hosting a free Fraud Prevention presentation at the Ethel Robinson Meehan Community Center, located at 234 North 4th Street in Harpers Ferry, Wednesday, August 13, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The free presentation will involve two representatives from the Dubuque location of American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) providing tips, the latest scam updates, and how to avoid fraud,  among other topics.

Those committing fraud steal billions of dollars from Americans every year, and the AARP Fraud Watch Network is fighting back with presentations such as this discussing how to spot and avoid identity theft and fraud to protect oneself and family members. The August 13 presentation is free of charge for everyone of all ages, whether they are AARP members or not. Find out more at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
 

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council convened Monday evening, July 21 to address community concerns, with a focus on plans for the closure of the Black Hawk Bridge following the announcement made the previous Monday, July 14 by the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding closure and demolition of the bridge sometime in the fall of this year. The council also reviewed funding allocations for the upcoming Fish Days event, discussed proposals for a community-centered bridge lighting recognition initiative, and received a report on advancements in workplace safety performance. State Representative Jason Gearhart attended the meeting and reinforced legislative support, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the city council on the economic and infrastructural implications of the bridge project.

With the July 14 announcement of the closing and demolition of the historic Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing being planned for this fall, The Standard newspaper invites anyone to share their stories, sentiments and memories of the Black Hawk Bridge for printing in this publication. Email those items to news@waukonstandard.com, mail them to The Standard, P.O. Box 286, Waukon, IA 52172, or bring them into The Standard newspaper office located at 15 First Street NW in Waukon to be considered for publication.

Submissions should include the name of the individual submitting the item and their town of current residence for publication, along with a telephone number for possible further contact.
 

Arla’s Sewing Room in Lansing is a 2025 recipient of a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to improve energy efficiency in its downtown storefront on Main Street.

Owner-operator Arla Wagner worked with Clean Energy Districts of Iowa’s (CEDI’s) technical assistance to successfully apply to the U.S. Department of Agriculture REAP program for a $2,221 grant and completed the project in late June, installing two electric air-source heat pumps (mini-splits) to improve the building’s heating and cooling efficiency. Project assessments estimate the new units will save Wagner’s business 1,718 kWh or $240 per year.

“I’m very happy with the whole process and the results. I love them!” Wagner says of the heat pumps. “The CEDI team ironed out the details of my application and saw it through - not an easy feat in a year with so many changes to federal programming.”

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal comments on administrative rules related to Iowa’s wildlife. Executive Order 10 (EO10), signed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. The EO10 process includes public engagement with the opportunity for input.

The Iowa DNR has reviewed chapter 571 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) Chapters 76 (Unprotected Non-game), 93 (Commercial use of captive-reared waterfowl), 104 (Wildlife Importation, Transportation, and Disease Monitoring), 112 (Hunting Preserves) and 116 (Help Us Stop Hunger program administration). Based on the review, DNR has revised these chapters to modernize processes and improve clarity to customers.

submitted by Main Street Lansing

Main Street Lansing is proud to welcome its newest downtown storefront and business investor, Steph Liddiard Realty, LLC, led by the vibrant and experienced Steph Liddiard, a licensed real estate professional with Keller Williams.

“As Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, I am thrilled to see another locally rooted, community-driven business open its doors in our charming historic district,” shared Main Street Lansing Executive Director Jackie Cooper. “Steph’s dedication to her clients and her genuine love for this region make her a perfect fit for downtown Lansing.”

The grand opening of Steph Liddiard Realty, LLC was recently celebrated with a ribbon cutting and First Dollar Award presentation, as she was joined by the proud Main Street Lansing volunteers and her supportive family. “It was a wonderful moment to officially welcome her to our downtown and honor her investment in our community,” Cooper said.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) is accepting letters of interest for its “Emerging Needs” mini-grant program. Organizations should visit dbqfoundation.org/accf for more information and submit a grant request letter by July 31.

The “Emerging Needs” Mini-Grant Fund was created to address funding for community projects outside of the Foundation’s regular grant cycle. Grants up to $1,000 are available for organizations with a 501(c)3 designation, along with schools and municipalities. The Community Foundation accepts applications for grants in the areas of Health and Human Services; Education; Neighborhoods and Community Development; Environment; Children, Youth, and Families; and Arts and Culture (including historic preservation) that will benefit people residing in Allamakee County.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council  met Monday, July 7 in its first regular session for the month of July. Among the agenda items addressed were a pair regarding the ongoing North, Platt and 4th Streets improvement project, discussion of regulation for mobile vendors, and the updating of the city’s excavation policy, among other matters.

Main Street Lansing Executive Director Jackie Cooper presented a request to the council regarding the removal of a shrub at 51 South Front Street. She stated that the shrub was obstructing the sidewalk and creating an unwelcoming appearance at the riverfront. Cooper, speaking on behalf of a local design committee, expressed a desire to improve the space with grass, a bench, or even a memorial seating area donated in honor of a resident’s daughter.

Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) celebrated the addition of seven new Heritage Area Sites during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony held Tuesday, June 24 at the Grout Museum District in Waterloo, marking a significant step in an ongoing mission to preserve and share America’s agricultural story. Among those new Heritage Area Site additions is the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center in Lansing.

The newly designated sites join a growing network dedicated to honoring the people, places, and processes that define the nation’s farming legacy. Ranging from dairy farms and museums to vineyards and tractor assembly plants, there are 118 sites and attractions in the heritage area formally designated with preserving and sharing their own unique part of America’s agricultural story.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) reported Tuesday, July 1 that it intends to keep the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing open throughout the summer while construction continues on the new bridge adjacent to the current structure. The DOT will maintain its safety monitoring system on the Black Hawk Bridge while work continues on the new bridge. Having initially proposed a temporary closing of the bridge sometime after the Fourth of July weekend to accommodate some of that new construction process, DOT officials have since explained that they have been “looking at all options” in regard to continuing to construct the new bridge while maintaining the safety of the current bridge, and they say they continue to use daily analysis to determine the best course of action.