River Valley

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that the substructure of the new bridge being constructed over the Mississippi River at Lansing is now complete, with all the concrete piers and abutments of the structure having been poured and awaiting the next steps in the construction process. The DOT says the project contractor, Kraemer North America, is currently prepping the Iowa side (at right in each of the two photos) for a crane to move in and start setting the steel for the new bridge, with that next step in the process currently expected to begin in early October.

The Ferryville Vision and Promotion Board will be hosting a second Unity in the Community Concert for 2025. This one will be held in Sugar Creek Park at the South Pavilion in Ferryville Wednesday, September 10.

The main purpose of sponsoring this event is to have a community event for visiting with old friends and making new friends. The Meet and Greet portion will begin at 5 p.m. with two food trucks available. The live music will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature local band, 16 Strings and a Stick.  They will be joined for some of the musical numbers by guest vocal artist Whitney Rose.

Attendees are asked to bring their own beverage and lawn chairs. A donation can for the musicians only will be available.

The New Albin Public Library is coordinating a free educational presentation for the general public to be held Monday, September 22 at the New Albin Townhouse, beginning at 5 p.m. Attorney Betsy Whitlatch of New Albin Savings Bank will be providing information on Estate Planning.

If time allows following the presentation, there will be a question and answer (Q&A) session for those in attendance. For additional information about the Estate Planning presentation at the New Albin Townhouse, contact the New Albin Public Library at 563-544-4747 or at library@acegroup.cc. 

The second annual Rural Ideas Summit is set for Thursday, September 18, bringing together rural entrepreneurs, community changemakers, and local leaders for a day of learning, inspiration, and action. This one-day, virtual-first event is dedicated to equipping participants with proven strategies, real-world stories, and practical tools to help rural businesses grow and communities thrive.

The Works is proud to once again serve as one of a handful of in-person host sites across the country. While the summit’s content will be delivered virtually, attendees who choose the The Works location will enjoy a lunch discussion session, local networking opportunities, and a post-summit social hour from 4–5 p.m. featuring snacks and beverages from local providers.

Red Barn Campground and Restaurant in Lansing will be hosting another Sunset Sessions this year, scheduled for Saturday, September 13. This will be the second year for this unique musical event, and tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.com. The gates open at 2 p.m. and youth songwriters will take the stage at 3 p.m. From 4-4:30 p.m. there will be games, food, drinks and more. At 4:30 p.m., the featured artists will take the stage for singing, storytelling and some laughs. At 7 p.m., the lighting of the bonfire will take place, with campfire songs led by local musician JayR Brink beginning at 7:15 p.m.

This year’s featured artists include International Blues Challenge winner Hector Anchondo; Iowa’s Renaissance Man Chad Elliot; songwriter, storyteller and co-lead singer of The Nadas, Jason Walsmith; and American roots songwriter and co-founder of the Avey Grouws Band, Jeni Grouws.

by Joshua Sharpe

Monday, August 18, the Lansing City Council convened to discuss various matters related to municipal governance, finances, public infrastructure, and ongoing community projects. The meeting included both routine administrative functions and significant discussions on long-term infrastructure planning.

Key topics addressed included construction-related change orders, citizen concerns regarding utility billing, lease agreements, financial expenditures, project updates, planning for Highway 9 reconstruction, departmental reporting, and the mayor’s update concerning the proposed Main Street reconstruction project.

Tuesday, August 12, Main Street Lansing welcomed Jonathan Stone, Program Officer of Revitalization Services for Main Street America, for an official accreditation visit. The day provided the opportunity to highlight the organization’s progress since its last review in 2023 and outline its vision for the future.

As an accredited Main Street America program, Main Street Lansing meets the highest national standards for downtown revitalization and community development. Accreditation is a mark of distinction that connects Lansing to valuable resources, training, and a network of communities across the country committed to preserving historic downtowns while promoting economic vitality.

During the visit, Stone met with board members, committee members, private and public partners, and toured the community - showcasing the many projects and improvements Main Street Lansing has led throughout the downtown and surrounding areas.

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center will host Conservation Café Wednesday, August 27, starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a new series started at the Driftless Area Education & Visitor 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.

Learn all about Iowa’s turtle species. Learn where they live, what they are, and maybe meet some of Allamakee County Conservation’s turtle ambassadors.

The public is invited to join a special presentation on bats and bat conservation Saturday, August 23 at 7 p.m. at Effigy Mounds National Monument. Biologists from SWCA Environmental Consultants are scheduled to provide a presentation on general bat biology and discuss how bat surveys are conducted. Visitors are invited to experience how bats are handled and what measurements are taken.

Additional upcoming programs at Effigy Mounds include the following:
• August 25 from 1-4:30 p.m.: National Park Service Birthday - National Park Service will celebrate its 108th birthday. Visitors are invited to enjoy birthday cake and do activities from the Centennial Junior Ranger Book to earn a 2016 centennial pin.
• September 13 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.: North Unit Prairie Bioblitz - Visitors are invited to join park staff in identifying butterflies and other insects on the North Unit Prairie. The park will provide nets and other necessary tools.

Fourteen professionals from long-term care organizations across Iowa have completed a year-long executive leadership program through the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA), designed to strengthen leadership in nursing homes, assisted living programs, care continuum and home care settings.

Among those completing the program is Theresa Herman of Thornton Manor Care Center in Lansing, pictured at far right in the photo above.

The 2024-2025 Executive Health Care Leadership Institute wrapped up in July with a graduation ceremony and final project presentations in West Des Moines. The program helps rising leaders in long-term care develop key skills in management, communication, workforce development and quality improvement, while fostering confidence and collaboration across care settings.