River Valley

Main Street Lansing is anticipating a record-breaking “Main Street Madness” promotion again this year with even more prizes. Last year, $157,500 was spent in downtown Lansing by “Main Street Madness” punch card participants.

To get started this year, look for a participating merchant poster and pick up a free punch card. The cards can then be validated with either punches or stamps in five-dollar increments for purchases made between November 16 and December 18. Double Punch Day and Small Business Saturday is November 26. Once a card is full ($100 in purchases), it can be turned in and another card started, with no limit on the number of cards that can be filled and entered for the “Main Street Madness” drawing.

Thursday, November 10 at approximately 5:39 p.m., the Lansing/New Albin Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence located at 293 Third Street NE in New Albin. During the search, officers seized several marijuana plants and other items used in the manufacturing and distribution of drugs.

As a result of the search, Theron Gene Krambeer, age 55, of New Albin was arrested on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance; Keri Ella Louise Strong, age 34, of New Albin was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance; Gary Sand, age 44, of Caledonia, MN was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance; and Ashley Erickson, age 32, of New Albin was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Interference with Official Acts, and Destruction of Evidence.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in its regular session Monday night, November 7. After approving the Consent Agenda, the Council reviewed and approved two building permits, one from Michael Schweitzer for a garage at 460 Center Street. The other request was from Kayle and Linda Drape at 611 South Front Street; their request was approved contingent on placing the structure six feet from the retaining wall lot line.

Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will be hosting area author Jon Steffes Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. for a presentation on the Armistice Day blizzard of 1940. The presentation will take place at the library’s 515 Main Street location in Lansing.

Steffes will share his book “Wings in the Wind: The Armistice Day Storm of 1940,” reflecting on that record-breaking storm that killed dozens of duck hunters in the Mississippi River bottoms. Those attending are invited to share their own experiences with the audience.
 

Kee High School in Lansing will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, November 23. The donation opportunity is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the high school’s 569 Center Street location in Lansing.

Those interested in donating blood can download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements in order to donate.

For anyone who enjoys seeing the migrating ducks, geese, pelicans and tundra swans along the Mississippi River, or who would like to learn more about identifying them and finding out where they are going, the Ferryville Tourism Council is sponsoring a birding morning with these goals in mind. The purpose of this event will be to see which migratory birds are using the Mississippi Flyway at this particular time of year. The event is for both experienced and beginning birders.

Saturday, November 5, Dan Jackson, president of the Coulee Region Audubon Society, will join Ferryville Tourism Council member Joanne White at the River View Park in downtown Ferryville, WI. They will be available from 9-11 a.m. that day to assist interested birders. A telescope is permanently mounted at the park for continuous viewing, and four additional spotting scopes will be set up for viewing. Treats and handouts will also be available.

The Kee High Post Prom Committee will host Bingo Sunday, November 6 in the Kee High School cafeteria. Games will start at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m.

Participants can bring a food item to be donated to the Allamakee County Food Shelf and play an extra Bingo card free. All players will be eligible for door prizes. Proceeds will be used to fund Post Prom prizes and entertainment.
 

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

For many who have experienced illness or accident, physical therapy can be the pathway to health.  October is Physical Therapy Month, when many physical therapy offices hold special events to emphasize the importance of the practice. Physical therapists assist individuals who have illnesses or injuries that limit their daily life functions and/or mobility so that they can have an improved quality of life. Occupational Therapists work to improve self-care, activities of daily living, home management and cognitive abilities.

by B.J. Tomlinson

In its regular meeting Monday night, October 17, the Lansing City Council heard a report from resident Deb Volker of “cherry bombs” being set off around 2 a.m. In addition to the cherry bombs, Volker also reported that an automobile without baffles or mufflers races around and creates considerable noise. Council members stated they have heard and felt the cherry bomb blasts as well.

In addition, Volker said that dump trucks don’t stop at the four-way stop sign, more juveniles are out late at night and that her windshield has been broken. Because of all these incidences, she suggested that more policing is warranted in Lansing and less in New Albin. She said she didn’t always call the police to report incidences because the dispatcher doesn’t seem to take them seriously.

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) Family Service Offices have begun taking applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as of October 3. Any household that applied for LIHEAP in the 2015-2016 LIHEAP program year can complete their applications online at http://www.neicac.org/energy.html.

The current application period is only for households with individuals age 60 or older, or who are disabled, or who have a written disconnection notice or are currently disconnected from their heating or electricity provider. All other households may apply starting November 1.

Again this year, the household income eligibility has been raised from 150% of federal poverty level to 175%.