River Valley

Weather permitting, the Lansing Lions Club will host a Ribbon Cutting Event this Sunday, November 5 at its recently completed playground equipment addition located in the park along South Front Street in Lansing. Early in 2016, a wooden piece of playground equipment was removed from the area over safety concerns. In August of that year the Lions Club, whose motto is "We Serve," decided the children of the area deserved more than four pieces of equipment. Thanks to great community support and grants from four foundations, trees, benches, a bicycle rack, a handicap accessible picnic table and a multi-activity piece of playground equipment in the shape of an old Mississippi Paddle Steamer has enhanced the only playground situated near the river. Year 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of "Lionism," and the playground project in Lansing is an example of a Centennial Project. The public is invited to an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for November 5 at 3 p.m.

The Ferryville Tourism Council is inviting area residents and visitors to the fifth annual Fall Migration Day to be held in River View Park, right in the center of Ferryville, WI, at the observation deck overlooking the Mississippi River. Spotting scopes will be set up between 9-11 a.m. Saturday, November 4. This event showcases the many species of waterfowl that frequent the Mississippi Flyway during their annual Fall Migration. Some of the species to be seen include bald eagles, herons, egrets, tundra swans, white pelicans, many species of ducks and Canadian geese. Pool 9 on the Mississippi River traditionally is a stopping point for thousands of canvasback ducks.

The Allamakee County Conservation Board invites everyone to learn about honey bees, honey and beekeeping at an interactive, informative program presented by 2017 Iowa Honey Queen Carly Vannoy Sunday, October 29 at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing. The free public program will begin at 2 p.m, but the center will open its doors at 11 a.m. Participants will learn about how bees make mummies, the color of mystery honey, the strange use of beehives in medieval times and more.

Public invited to meet the five candidates running for Lansing City Council

Main Street Lansing will be hosting a candidate forum prior to the upcoming City Election scheduled for Tuesday, November 7. The candidate forum is being planned for Thursday, October 26 at the Kerndt Brothers Community Center on Main Street in Lansing, beginning at 7 p.m.

Friday, October 13 at 5:44 p.m., the Lansing/New Albin Police Department responded to 1916 Blue Heron Lane in Lansing in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. When contact was made with the occupants inside, officers noticed a heavy odor of marijuana about the residence. After being granted consent to search the residence by the homeowner, officers recovered several items of drug paraphernalia and illegal narcotics. As a result of the search, two area teenagers were arrested.

Katelyn R. Creger, age 18, of Stoddard, WI was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Anthony J. Gagner, age 18, of Lansing was charged with Interference with Official Acts.

Thornton Manor Nursing Center in Lansing, along with the Lansing Fire Department, Lansing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Allamakee County Emergency Management conducted an Emergency Preparedness Exercise for the facility Wednesday, October 11. The basis of the exercise was to test the readiness of the nursing facility as well as the fire department and EMS personnel in the event of a disaster. Thornton Manor chose to conduct a fire emergency during Fire Prevention Week in which they simulated a fire and evacuation of residents along with victims with injuries. Thornton Manor conducts monthly fire drills. This exercise allowed the facility to take the drill to another level by having fire personnel help aid in the evacuation along with their plan to fight a fire within the building.  Lansing EMS was also able to plan what steps they would take with multiple injuries in the event of a larger disaster.

by Macie Hill

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, October 16 with not a lot of items on the meeting agenda. Discussion included Marina Board improvement projects and an update on the proposal for street lights throughout the city.

Members of the Marina Board and dock owners within the City Marina were present at the meeting with a request for an improvement project that would update the docks at the marina. Before proceeding with the project, the council has asked for price quotes regarding the project.

Detailed discussion about fixing the street lights will be postponed until the council has an idea of a permanent solution, the cost of the project, and has time to look at all of the information.
 

The Friends of Pool 9 recently held its Volunteer Appreciation Dinner which also culminated the annual fundraising efforts for the non-profit organization. One aspect of these efforts is the annual raffle drawing, which featured a chance to win a pair of prize packages. Each contribution helps to support the Friends of Pool 9 volunteer organization in its ongoing efforts. The benefit of these efforts is realized by individuals who enjoy a river experience due to cleaner beaches with safe and expanded facilities such as fire pits and portable toilets. The river pool also thrives in a healthier state with increased wildlife and natural habitat due to clean-up and enhancement projects. Finally, children develop an informed interest in nature enabling them to become future stewards of their resources through educational adventure programs. Donations are accepted throughout the year.

by Anne Falken

Residents of this area would describe the area in which they live as a farming community, and as harvest begins in earnest this time of year with feelings of accomplishment, many of those residents hold their collective breath, knowing all of its dangers, as well. Large machinery, farmers working many hours and at night, the risks invariably taken in the press of time, and children in the mix, put all on edge.

The New Albin Fire Department demonstrated foresight in its emergency response to the harvest season when department officials entered the “2017 Nominate Your Fire Department Contest” last February, as part of Grain Bin Safety Week. The New Albin department was selected as a winner, from among 883 nominations, of a Great Wall grain rescue tube, or Adaptable Grain Entrapment Rescue System, including training.

Dr. Justin Patchin, a professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, was invited by New Albin Community Education to make a presentation to the Eastern Allamakee Community schools and the local community to talk about technology use and misuse September 25. Dr. Patchin gave three presentations that day and all were a little different.

During his presentation at Kee High School, he talked about understanding that when a person puts something on the world wide web, it never goes away, even if it is deleted. He encouraged students to always be aware that what they are posting on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram or any other social media is available to future employers, present employers or "that stranger" thousands of miles away.