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Wed
11
Oct

"One of a kind... Our rock... Truly a fine co-worker" Rev Lonning retires after 38 years of service to the local community through the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office


Rev Lonning of Waukon officially brought her 38-year career with the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office to a close in September. She is pictured above at the September 29 retirement reception held in her honor at the new Allamakee County Public Safety Center with the two most recent Allamakee County Sheriffs she has worked with, left to right in back, Clark Mellick and Tim Heiderscheit, who referred to her as "our rock" and "truly one of a kind," respectively. Submitted photo.

Several members of the family of Rev Lonning were able to attend the September 29 reception honoring her retirement from the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office. Pictured above, left to right, are Lonning's daughter, Michelle Donahue; Lonning's grandson, Cory Donahue, and his wife, Samantha; Rev Lonning; Lonning's grandson, Devin Donahue; and Lonning's daughter, Rebecca Paxston, and her husband, Tim Paxston. Submitted photo.

by Lissa Blake

She is truly one of a kind.

That was what former Allamakee County Sheriff Tim Heiderscheit had to say about longtime Allamakee County Sheriff's Department employee Rev Lonning following her recent retirement.

Heiderscheit, who served first as an Allamakee County sheriff’s deputy and then as sheriff, said when he heard of Lonning’s retirement, he sent current sheriff Clark Mellick a sympathy card.

“I was somewhat kidding, but I really wasn’t… the whole county will miss her,” said Heiderscheit.

HER CAREER
Lonning, a 1959 graduate of Waukon High School, is the daughter of Dale and Elnora Robey. After high school, she married Frank Lonning and raised six children.

“I was a farm wife and mother,” said Lonning.

Wed
11
Oct

Search continues for Illinois man whose car was found in Allamakee County

Juan Ortega ...
Juan Ortega ...

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a missing person reported to the Kewanee, IL Police Department in the middle of last week. Juan Gandarilla Ortega, age 26, of Kewanee, IL has been reported as missing and was last seen October 1 wearing a blue Aeropostale shirt with white lettering and light blue jeans with holes in them. He is described as 5'10" tall and weighing 180 pounds with brown eyes and black hair, usually shaved.

Wednesday, October 4, a white 2006 Chevrolet Impala believed to be driven by Ortega was located parked at Fish Farm Mounds State Park located along State Highway 26 south of New Albin. Ortega has not been located and may still be in the area but is not considered to be a danger to the public.

Wed
11
Oct

Restoration progress continues to be made on Oil Springs School in Harpers Ferry; Sneak preview of restored rural schoolhouse scheduled for this Saturday


The interior of the Oil Springs School now relocated in Harpers Ferry has also been restored and furnished back similar to its previous existence as a one-room schoolhouse with desks and other materials. Many of the historic items have been donated and others found at auctions or elsewhere. Submitted photo.

The Oil Springs School has been restored and repainted at its new location in Harpers Ferry, with a Paint Iowa Beautiful grant from Diamond Vogel Paint and Keep Iowa Beautiful assisting with the paint costs for the project. A sneak preview open house of the one-room schoolhouse is being planned for this Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Submitted photo.

by Brianne Eilers

Progress continues to be made with the restoration of the Oil Springs School, located next to Tillinghast Park in Harpers Ferry. Last November, the Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society (HFAHS), along with the time and talents of many volunteers, moved the one-room school from its former location two miles north of Harpers Ferry to its present location.

Throughout the past six months, volunteers have spent over 500 hours working on various projects to get the school as close to original condition as possible. A "Sneak Preview" Open House is scheduled for this Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and the public is invited to stop by and see the work that has been done so far.

Fri
06
Oct

Missing Person

Missing Person

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a missing person reported to the Kewanee Police Department. Juan Gandarilla Ortega (age 26) of Kewanee, Illinios is reported as missing.

On 10/4/2017 a white 2006 Chevrolet Impala driven by Juan Ortega was located parked at Fish Farm Mounds State Park south of New Albin, Iowa. Ortega has not been located and is believed to be possibly in the area. If anyone has any information regarding Juan Gandarilla Ortega, please contact the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office at 563-568-4521 or your local law enforcement agency.

Authority
Allamakee County Sheriff

 

Wed
04
Oct

Cassandra Berger to compete in Miss Iowa USA® pageant Sunday

Cassandra Berger...
Cassandra Berger... Photo by Gus Pladsen Photography.

The Miss Iowa USA® and Miss Iowa Teen USA® competitions are slated for this Sunday, October 8 in Newton, and one will feature a competitor of local fame. Cassandra Berger, daughter of Rusty and Cynthia Berger of Waukon and a 2012 graduate of Waukon High School, will be among the dozens of competitors seeking the crown of Miss Iowa USA® at this year's event.

The competition, which will be held at the Newton High School Auditorium at 4 p.m. this Sunday, consists of three proportional segments: evening gown, fitness/swimwear and personality interview. Eligible young women must be between the ages of 13 and 27 and be unmarried residents of Iowa.

Wed
04
Oct

Mississippi River Parkway Commission national meeting held locally; Driftless Center awarded National Interpretive Center status


Commissioners from 10 states along the Mississippi River came to northeast Iowa for the annual meeting of the National Mississippi River Parkway Commission September 19-21. The opening reception was held at the new Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center (pictured above), which was then bestowed the honor of being designated as a National Interpretive Center by the group. Submitted photo.

Friends of Pool 9 received the 2017 Environmental Stewardship Award, nominated by the Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commisison for the volunteer work group members and volunteers do in Pool 9 on the Mississippi River in clean-up, replanting of trees on the island and education to school-age children. Submitted photo.

by Lissa Blake

A new Allamakee County attraction is getting national attention.

The newly-built Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing was named a National Interpretive Center by the National Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC) during its annual meeting September 19-21 that took place in Allamakee and Clayton counties.

Wed
04
Oct

Think before you let them drink: Allamakee County passes stricter "Social Host" ordinance

by Lissa Blake

Allamakee adults who serve liquor to minors will have more to lose, following the passage of a new Allamakee County “Social Host” ordinance. The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors recently passed the Allamakee County Social Host and Civil Cost Recovery Ordinance, which imposes stricter penalties than the State of Iowa law which was passed two years ago.

HISTORY
When the State of Iowa passed a “social host” law in 2015, local advocates in Allamakee County didn’t think the fine of $200 was strict enough to change anyone’s behavior. Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP)/Iowa Partnerships for Success representatives Jean Bossom and Max Grotegut thought Allamakee County could do better.

“We didn’t think, as a coalition, that $200 was enough of a deterrent,” said Grotegut.

Wed
04
Oct

Waukon City Council reconsidering two-hour downtown parking after committee findings

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 2 to address a variety of matters, including the Buddy Poppy Proclamation, a service line program by Utility Service Partners and the two-hour downtown parking limit. There were no Public Comments heard or read during that portion of the meeting.

The council moved right into Departmental Reports, with Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell advising that four of the seven sewer repairs throughout the city have been completed. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed that his department has moved to its winter work schedule and work is moving forward on the department's bucket truck. Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub advised that work on the parking area near the Memory Garden in the Waukon City Park is going well and that the Park and Recreation Department is purchasing a used pick-up truck, with an older vehicle to be put up for sealed bid.

Wed
27
Sep

Waukon High School and Kee High School Homecoming Royalty


Waukon High School Homecoming Royalty...

Kee High School Homecoming Royalty ... Kee High School seniors Annabelle Dibert (left) and Tucker Colsch (right) were crowned Kee High School's 2017 Homecoming Queen and King at the annual Homecoming pep rally held in the Kee High School gymnasium Friday afternoon, September 22. Additional photos of Kee High School's Homecoming festivities are featured on Page 16A of this week's issue of The Standard, along with coverage of the Hawks' Homecoming game with Dunkerton featured on Page 14A inside this issue. Photo courtesy of the Kee High School Yearbook.

Waukon High School Homecoming Royalty...  Waukon High School seniors Abe Schwartz (left) and Lauren Elliott (right) were crowned Waukon High School's 2017 Homecoming King and Queen at the traditional "Burning of the 'W'" pep rally Thursday, September 21 at the Waukon High School gym. Additional photos of Waukon High School's Homecoming events are featured on Page 2A inside this week's print edition and e-edition, as well as coverage of Waukon football's Homecoming victory over Waterloo Columbus featured on Page 15A this week.
 

Wed
27
Sep

Interest in classic cars just one commonality shared by pair of 1968 Dodge Charger owners


Charger ownership just the start of the similarities these two share ... Larry Graf of La Crescent, MN and Lyle Bodensteiner of Waukon (left to right) each stand by the 1968 Dodge Charger they own. Graf recently had restoration of his Charger completed by Bodensteiner's son, Brian Bodensteiner of Bodensteiner Body Werks in Waukon, and discovered that he shared a lot more in common than just ownership of a 1968 Dodge Charger with the elder Bodensteiner. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

Beyond being classic car enthusiasts, Lyle Bodensteiner of Waukon and Larry Graf of La Crescent, MN have shared similar paths in life, well beyond an interest in Dodge Chargers that has continued throughout their adult lives.

While having work done on his 1968 Dodge Charger by Brian Bodensteiner of Bodensteiner Body Werks in Waukon, Graf became acquainted with Lyle Bodensteiner, Brian's father who also owns a 1968 Dodge Charger. Bodensteiner described his current Charger as a replacement for a car he had owned earlier in life.

Graf relayed his story of purchasing his '68 Dodge Charger in the fall of 1967 when he was 22-years old. The car had a sticker price of $3,500, but he was able to buy it for $3,200 from the dealership in Red Wing, MN where he was employed. Graf said that he later sold the car for start-up money to begin an auto-body repair business.

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