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The 17th annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade sponsored by WMT Radio completed its four-day journey through the hills and valleys of Allamakee County and some of the adjacent counties, covering almost 200 miles during its three different treks. Two different ventures covering nearly 80-mile routes Monday and Tuesday, June 13 and 14 were undertaken by 503 tractors, with Wednesday’s shorter 30-plus mile route taking only about half a day before the event was wrapped up that afternoon.

More than 500 tractors began their three-day trek throughout Allamakee County Monday morning, June 13 for the 17th Annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade. Departing in six different traveling groups at staggered times from the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon, the tractors' Monday journey covered nearly 81 miles through the southwestern corner of the county and the four-county area that includes Postville, Clermont, Ossian and the Freeport area of Decorah before returning to Waukon. The group also ventured nearly 79 miles Tuesday, June 14 through New Albin, Lansing, Harpers Ferry and Waterville before wrapping up the event Wednesday, June 15 with a half-day ride covering just shy of 33 miles up State Highway 76 through the Upper Iowa River valley on Iowa River Drive to Lycurgus Road and back to Waukon on State Highway 9.

Despite a heat index flirting with 100 degrees Saturday and a morning thunderstorm Sunday, the annual "Thunder in the Park" event was considered to be another successful venture this year with more re-enactors taking part in the event than in year's past, according to local organizer Al Lyon. The fourth annual event held Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, June 10-12 at the Waukon City Park offered a variety of insights into the history of this nation once divided by war but brought together, in part, by the efforts of the man pictured at left, the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln (who was portrayed throughout the weekend by Lance Mack and is pictured with his "wife" portrayed by Jessica Michna). In between all the weather challenges, this year's event was able pull off the night firing of cannons, as pictured in the photo at right. Standard photos by Joe Moses.

The 2016 Allamakee County Dairy Parade traversed the streets of Lansing Monday, June 6, with a number of area businesses, families and organizations providing entries to pay tribute to the dairy industry. The annual celebration brings together those representing the future of the industry, such as the Allamakee County Dairy Ambassadors and Allamakee County Dairy Princess Mikayla Gavin and Alternate Princess Kate-Leigh Wilson (all pictured above), as well as those who have represented or supported the industry in a variety of ways throughout its storied past in Allamakee County, all in an effort to recognize the importance of the dairy industry to all who live, work and play in Allamakee County. Photos by Susan Cantine-Maxson.
 

The Tuesday, June 7 Primary Election yielded a turn-out of 17.38% of eligible area voters as 1,723 ballots were cast by Allamakee County residents. Republicans carried a majority of that vote, as 1,374 of that total were Republican ballots, with that party having the more locally contested races in this year's Primary, as opposed to the only contested Democratic races this year being at the federal level of government on the Allamakee County ballot.

Within the most local contested race, the Republican nomination for one Allamakee County Board of Supervisors seat, incumbent Dennis Koenig of Postville held off a challenge by Mark Reiser of Lansing by 57 total votes. Koenig garnered 709 votes, with Reiser ending up with 652 votes and carrying four of the 11 precincts.

The breakdown by precinct for that Allamakee County Board of Supervisors race on the Republican ballot can be found in the colored chart below.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 13 to discuss several items including bids for repairs on Waterville Road, the Business Property Tax Credit and the destruction of noxious weeds. There were no members of the community present during the public comment portion of the meeting.

During that public comment time, however, Allamakee County Assessor Ann Burckart introduced Jerad Winger, who was recently hired as an Appraiser in the Assessor's office. Winger provided some background information regarding his experience. He is a graduate of Decorah High School and Iowa State University, where he earned a degree in Accounting. He has worked for several companies in his career and continues to hold an evening supervisor position with UPS in Decorah in addition to his responsibilities as Appraiser with Allamakee County.

Monday, June 13 at approximately 2:19 p.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff's Dispatch Center received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at the Army Road boat ramp east of New Albin along the Mississippi River. An initial investigation by law enforcement indicated an individual had been fishing from the dock at that location. A search of the immediate area by law enforcement for the individual was unsuccessful, and the New Albin Fire and Rescue and Lansing Fire and Rescue units were called in to conduct a search of the river.
At approximately 4:47 p.m., the body of 46-year-old Peter C. Englund was located underwater, near the dock. A preliminary investigation indicates Englund had been fishing from the dock and had fallen into the river. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 17th Annual WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, sponsored by News Radio 600 WMT AM, will be traversing the Allamakee County area early next week, with Waukon as its central point of departure and arrival and the Allamakee County Fairgrounds being the staging area Sunday through Wednesday, June 12-15. Organizers of this year's event expect 480 pre-registered participating tractors on the ride this year, with hundreds of other individuals supporting those drivers.

For those not familiar with the Tractorcade, many people compare it to RAGBRAI, only with tractors. The event provides an opportunity for tractor collectors and enthusiasts to celebrate their hobby and farm heritage together.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a pair of regular sessions this past week due to the Memorial Day holiday falling on the Board's usual Monday meeting day, May 3. Coverage of both the Board's May 31 and June 6 regular sessions appears below.

TUESDAY, MAY 31
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a delayed regular session Tuesday, May 31 due to the Memorial Day holiday falling on the Board's usual Monday meeting day. The Board discussed such items as the use of the Allamakee County Courthouse grounds for a Bible reading marathon, the Wennes Communications tower lease agreement and applying dust control on gravel roads that have added traffic due to road closures on pavements.