Top Stories

Lansing native retires after 28-year U.S. Air Force career

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Hamre Giesen Chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) hosted its second annual Northeast Iowa Pie Championships Sunday, January 31 at the Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank Community Room, with a “celebrity” pie-eating contest part of that event. This year’s pie-eating contest winner, KNEI Radio morning personality Erik Kelly finished eating his vanilla cream pie a split second ahead of last year’s champion, Sandy Halverson of the S&D Cafe, to claim this year’s crown. Pictured below, left to right, are this year’s pie-eating contestants in action: Tyler Halverson of Epic Wear and the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Erik Kelly of KNEI Radio, Jean Brink of the Allamakee County Veterans Commission and Queen Jean Quilting, and Sandy Halverson of S&D Cafe.

Voter registration available at caucus sites that evening

Registered Republican and Democrat voters across the state have the opportunity to participate in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses Monday, February 1, providing local residents a critical voice in the nomination process for this country's next president by casting their vote for their preferred candidate.
Those who choose to participate in the caucuses will not only choose presidential candidates for this year's election, but will make their voices heard as both political parties formulate their campaign platforms. Nomination petitions for other state and national elected offices will also be considered by caucus goers.
To attend a caucus, voters must be registered as either Democrat or Republican, but registration will be allowed at each of the caucus sites. Caucus locations for both political parties for the February 1 event are featured below in the bordered boxes.

Kristi Hager of Waukon has announced her candidacy to run for the Iowa House of Representatives District 56, which encompasses Allamakee and most of Clayton County. The general election is November 8 this year. District 56 is currently served by Patti Ruff of McGregor.
Hager has lived most of her life in Allamakee County. She was born to the late Emmett and Betty (Berns) Howe of Waukon and attended Northeast Iowa Technical Institute (NITI) in Calmar, receiving her associates degree in nursing before marrying her husband, Bob, in 1986.

Jan Heikes of Decorah has announced that she is officially running for the Iowa State Senate. She is seeking the Democratic nomination in Senate District 28, which is comprised of all of Allamakee and Clayton counties and parts of Fayette and Winneshiek counties. She will be running against Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point, who will be seeking re-election to that office this year.
Through her experience working at the Oneota Riverview Care Facility, now Wellington Place, and as the Central Point of Coordination Administrator for Mental Health & Disability Services in Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, as well as in her position as a Program Planner in the Community Services Bureau of the Department of Human Services, Heikes has built up over 30 years of involved experience serving Iowans most in need.

by Jason Meyer

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, January 25. Handling the routine business of perfection and approval of the agenda, and approval of past meetings’ minutes, the Board moved quickly in to public comments before proceeding in to the posted agenda.

Public Comments
During public comment time the Board heard from resident Bruce Palmer in opposition of the discussed ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) trails in the county. Palmer noted that with the construction of the Public Safety Center and other obligations, the County has plenty to focus on in terms of expenditures. He also voiced concern that allowing ATVs free rein may open up previously undisturbed areas of the county to damage.

News Radio 600 WMT AM of Cedar Rapids proudly announces the 17th Annual  WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade scheduled for June 12-15 and hosted by the Waukon community.  Organizers expect 500 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. This year, 500 tractors, along with more than 300 support people will take part in the ride, based out of Waukon.
Local organizers say the staging area for the three-day event will be the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. Further details about the event will be released as they become available.

Registered Republican and Democrat voters across the state have the opportunity to participate in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses Monday, February 1. Those who choose to participate in the caucuses will not only choose presidential candidates for this year's election, but will make their voices heard as both political parties formulate their campaign platforms. Nomination petitions for other state and national elected offices will also be considered by caucus goers.
To attend a caucus, voters must be registered as either Democrat or Republican, but registration will be allowed at each of the caucus sites. Caucus locations for both political parties for the February 1 event are featured in the bordered boxes.

by Jason Meyer