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by Anne Falken

The current New Albin Fire Department facility was built in 1968. It was a vast improvement over the original 1918 building, which can still be seen on Main Street.

In the 50 years following construction of the current facility, no one could have imagined how the size of fire apparatus would increase, or the amount of specialized equipment that would need to be housed and transported. The result of that growth and additional requirements has now made the current building very tight and out of date.

Clearance is mere inches to get the trucks through the bay doors, and those doors must be opened to even check the truck’s oil and provide other maintenance. Indoor washing of trucks can only be done in one bay due to limited floor drainage and no 360-degree access to the trucks in the other bays. So, the trucks are moved back and forth, increasing volunteer time after a call.

Waukon RAGBRAI seeking volunteers to host riders in homes or yards overnight

Authorities have confirmed a Lansing man has died in a crash following the washout of a portion of the highway between De Soto, WI and Lansing, just east of the Black Hawk Bridge Tuesday morning, May 30. James Walleser, age 59, of Lansing has been confirmed as the victim of the crash that took place as a result of the washout of the highway. In a report by WXOW television station out of La Crosse, WI, Crawford County, WI Sheriff Dale McCullick explained that a driver witnessed the washout when another driver ahead of them, Walleser, drove toward what is locally know as Henderson Bridge over Henderson Slough on Wisconsin Highway 82 and disappeared into the washout crater around 4:22 a.m. Authorities recovered the body of the victim inside the vehicle around 8:30 a.m. along Highway 82, approximately four hours after the initial incident.

Despite cool, rainy weather, dozens of area residents and other interested parties were on hand for the dedication and tour of the new Allamakee County Public Safety Center that took place Saturday morning, May 20 at the facility location on the former Makee Manor property north of Waukon along State Highway 9. Pictured above, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick (center of photo) holds the plaque he received from President John Hansen and Project Manager Jeremy Oden (left to right at right of photo) of Midwest Construction Consultants, the construction management firm for the Public Safety Center project. Sheriff Mellick then presented the plaque to Allamakee County Board of Supervisors members Larry Schellhammer, Dennis Koenig and Dan Byrnes (left to right at left of photo) to officially dedicate the facility. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

Memorial Day Observance in Waukon
MONDAY, MAY 29

The 2016 Memorial Day Observance Program being held at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon Monday, May 29 will commence following the traditional parade that begins at 9:45 a.m. in front of the Allamakee County Courthouse and marches its way to the cemetery. In the event of rain, the program will be held at the Waukon Banquet Center.

All Veterans are encouraged to participate, a ride will be provided for those Veterans unable to walk the parade route to the cemetery. Anyone wishing to enter a unit in the parade or seeking more information on the Memorial Day program in Waukon should contact Heather Homewood at the Allamakee County Veterans Affairs Office at 563-568-6135.

Volunteers are also needed to help set up the Avenue of Flags Saturday, May 27, beginning at 7 a.m. Those efforts will begin at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon.

Waukon RAGBRAI to host May 25 meeting to discuss road closures, parking, other matters; All downtown businesses highly encouraged to attend

There will be a meeting Thursday, May 25 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Waukon City Club Party Room for all Waukon businesses. It is essential that downtown businesses be there. Topics for discussion include: road closures and parking, decorating/beautification, RAGBRAI t-shirt promotions and a time for a question and answer session. The meeting is hosted by the Waukon RAGBRAI Hospitality, Publicity and Executive Chairpersons. The Waukon RAGBRAI committee will provide appetizers.

Waukon RAGBRAI to host June 1 meeting for all businesses and organizations planning to serve food

Members of the general public are invited to an open house event this Saturday, May 20 celebrating completion of the Allamakee County Public Safety Center newly constructed throughout this past year at the former Makee Manor location about four miles north of Waukon along State Highway 9. The event is expected to begin with a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. and will continue with tours of the new facility through 4 p.m. The current Allamakee County jail, sheriff's office and 911 dispatch center housed on the fourth floor of the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon will also be open to the public for tours this Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. as well in order for members of the public to note the differences between the jail facilities - many of them mandated by state and federal regulations, as well as the communications and dispatch center that serves as the hub of all emergency activity for the county.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 15 to address a full agenda of items, including a Public Hearing for a Fiscal-Year 2017 budget amendment, consideration of bids for box culvert projects and setting a letting date for asphalt pavement maintenance projects. Board Chairperson Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order.

Waukon RAGBRAI seeking volunteers to host riders in homes or yards overnight