River Valley

Wed
17
Oct

City Council delays council appointment, reminds residents not to rake leaves into streets

by Macie Hill

The Lansing City Council held its regular meeting Monday, October 15. Discussion centered around the dike and marina contract, setting a public hearing date, purchasing benches, considering change order #4, considering payment #9 to Brennan Construction and considering appointing a council member for the vacant council seat.

A motion was made and approved to approve the dike and marina contract. ​There will be a public hearing at the next meeting, November 5, for the proposal to enter into a general obligation loan agreement and to borrow money there under in a principal amount not to exceed $200,000 for marina docks.

A motion was made and approved to pay Lucky Duck Custom Fabricating the amount of $2250 to make six new benches to replace the wooden benches located throughout Main Street.

Wed
17
Oct

Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center to host Driftless Birding Fest

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing will host the Driftless Birding Fest Saturday, November 10. The Fest will include speakers, exhibits and self-guided field trips to area hotspots.

Speakers will include Dr. Paul Skrade of Upper Iowa University at 1 p.m. speaking on the Driftless Region’s unique population of warblers and his studies to learn more about them. Additional speakers and times will be announced closer to the November 10 date.

The Upper Mississippi Flyway is used by over 300 species of birds during the Spring and Fall migrations.  This festival will give novice and expert birders a chance to learn from professionals who have traveled the world on why and when these many species are utilizing the local area.

Wed
10
Oct

LIFT opens its doors in Lansing ...

The Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) performed a ribbon cutting ceremony prior to opening its doors to the public Wednesday, October 3 in the office space of the former Rethwisch Lumber Co. building in Lansing. Pictured above at that ribbon cutting ceremony are: Left to right - Front row: LIFT Board members Faye Halverson and Chris McKee, Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andy Kelleher, LIFT Board President Karen Galema, Gary DeVilbiss. Back row: Bruce Palmborg, Jana Schoh, LIFT Board Secretary Gary Krapfl, Rhianna Galema, John Hisel. The new LIFT facility will be open to distribute food to qualifying individuals each Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Photo by Susan Cantine-Maxson.
 

Wed
10
Oct

Motorists advised to use caution this Saturday during inaugural Driftless Half Marathon ...

The first-ever Driftless Half Marathon will be taking place Saturday, October 13 along the Great River Road (County Road X52) between Harpers Ferry and Lansing, and motorists are advised to be aware of event traffic throughout that morning. Although the roadway will remain open to traffic, motorists are advised to try and seek an alternative route from 5 a.m. to 12 noon to aid safety and successful completion of the event.

The Driftless Half Marathon will take place from 7:30-11:30 a.m. that Saturday, beginning at the intersection of Collins Ridge Road and Great River Road (approximately one mile north of Harpers Ferry) and ending at the Softball Complex in Lansing. The route will also include a loop on Red Oak Drive. A map of the route highlighted in wide dark gray is picture at right.

Wed
10
Oct

Native author to discuss her book and the life of Harriet Hosmer October 18

Barbara Kailean Welsh, the author of “Blazing a trail: The unconventional life of Harriet Hosmer,” will be discussing her book and its namesake at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Thursday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. with a light supper being served at 5:30 p.m. Harriet Goodhue Hosmer became America’s first female sculptor, with her work still displayed across the globe.

Attendees will hear the story of her life, from childhood tragedy to fame and notoriety, always boldly taking the path that was right for her. They will also learn about her historical connection to Lansing.

Welsh, the book’s author, grew up on a farm near Lansing. Her interest in local history began with her grandmother’s antique postcards and grew through her work as editor of The Allamakee Journal.

 

Wed
03
Oct

New LIFT food pantry to begin serving Lansing area October 3


Preparing to feed those in need ... The store room holds crates of food which will soon be stocked on the LIFT shelves for future recipients. The new LIFT food pantry will be open Wednesdays, beginning October 3, from 4-8 p.m. Photo by Susan Cantine-Maxson.

Frozen and refrigerated offerings ... New refrigerators and freezers are operational and ready to receive frozen and refrigerated foods for Lansing’s new LIFT food pantry. The new LIFT food pantry will be open Wednesdays, beginning October 3, from 4-8 p.m. Photo by Susan Cantine-Maxson.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) will open its door to the public for the first time Wednesday, October 3 from 4-8 p.m. Located at 220 South Third Street in Lansing in the former Rethswich Lumber Yard office, LIFT will be dependent upon donations and volunteers for its continued operation.

LIFT will also be dependent on monetary donations to help pay the rent for the site as well as to help purchase some food supplies through  the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Monetary donations may be sent to: LIFT   P.O. Box 421 Lansing, IA 52151.

After the site is up and running, future volunteers will be needed to unload trucks, to take in food donations, to stock the shelves, and to work when the site is open.

Wed
03
Oct

Lansing City Council postpones decision on purchase of new back hoe, schedules future consideration for City Marina docks

by Macie Hill

The Lansing City Council met in its regular session Monday, October 1. Discussion during the meeting centered around postponing the purchase of a back hoe previously considered at an earlier meeting and discussing further consideration of dock quotes received for the City Marina.

The purchase of the new back hoe for City departments will be postponed until the next regular council meeting, which is scheduled for October 15. The postponement was decided upon in order for the council members to do more research on the machine the City is considering purchasing.

Wed
03
Oct

Kee Post Prom to host Bingo October 14

The Kee High School Post Prom Committee will host Bingo Sunday, October 14 in the Kee High School cafeteria in Lansing. Games will start at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m.

Participants can bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to local food banks and play an extra Bingo card free. All players will be eligible for a door prize drawing at intermission. Proceeds will be used to fund 2019 Post Prom prizes and entertainment.

Wed
26
Sep

Those experiencing food insecurity will get a LIFT beginning October 3 as new food pantry opens to serve Lansing and surrounding community

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank has recognized a need in eastern Allamakee County for the services of a community food bank. There are two food bank programs in the western part of the county, in Waukon and in Postville, but recognizing that Allamakee is one of the poorest counties in the state, a third site was deemed as being needed.

Based on those findings, and as a result of follow-through by many local volunteers, the LIFT (Lansing Iowa Food Trust) Food Pantry will be opening Wednesday, October 3 in the Lansing Properties Building office area located at 220 South Third Street in Lansing (formerly the Rethwisch Lumber building). Hours of operation will be every Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. and those who meet the qualification guidelines are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to supplement their food needs.

Wed
26
Sep

Allamakee County Historical Preservation Commission project planned for rural schools

The Allamakee County Historical Preservation Commission has decided to go ahead with a long-term local project involving the recording and identifying of each rural country school that existed within the boundaries of Allamakee County from the 1800s through the 1960s.  This will be a multi-phase project as the Commission would like it to be as thorough as possible.

It is thought there were 80 to 90 country schools in Allamakee County at one time, some with a longer lifespan than others. At this time, it is strictly a paper project with the idea to create a portfolio or file of history for each school. In 1912 Allamakee County had 18 townships with nine divided into 63 independent school districts.  The other nine were organized as school townships with 60 sub-districts. As one can imagine, this resulted in a great number of rural country schools.

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