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Tuesday, December 20, a joint meeting was held in Lansing to discuss the ongoing issue of the debris field on the Mississippi River in the Big Slough area resulting from the flooding on the Upper Iowa River this past August and September. The meeting was coordinated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as follow-up to an initial meeting held in September to address the current status in the cleanup effort.

Representation at the meeting included the following agencies and organizations: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa DNR, Allamakee County Emergency Management, Allamakee County Board of Supervisors, Allamakee County Conservation, Allamakee County Economic Development, Friends of Pool 9, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, and Congressmen Rod Blum’s office.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday, December 27 due to the Christmas holiday schedule to address a variety of topics including a recommendation for a new Veteran's Affairs Commissioner, multiple plat approvals and the disallowance of a Homestead Credit.

During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, Jane Regan with Upper Iowa Insurance Agency presented a Workers Compensation dividend check in the amount of $27,360.00 from West Bend Mutual Insurance. Regan explained that the dividend is awarded 21 months after the policy effective date for the March 1, 2015 to March 1, 2016 term being discussed.

Regan also provided an overview of Allamakee County's 2015-2016 Worker's Compensation performance, which was very positive with the County's good safety record. Regan discussed that the County has had two small Worker's Compensation claims during that period which accounts for the low 2.45% loss ratio.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its conservation partners will direct $3.2 million towards two new conservation projects in eastern Iowa. The projects will help communities and farmers improve water quality, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.

Iowa’s projects are two of 88 across the country that will receive $225 million in federal funding as part of USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). In addition, partners have proposed to contribute up to an additional $500 million.

by Brianne Eilers

The one-room or two-room rural school houses that once held a prominent place in rural education have become mostly memories. Iowa’s “country schools” were in operation from roughly 1850 to 1960, and at one point there were over 12,000 of these school houses dotting the rural landscape.

While many of these structures have long since been remodeled or repurposed as other types of buildings or left to deteriorate, some are finding new life as a window to the past and what a country school used to be like.

The Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society (HFAHS) recently gave new life and location to one of these area country schools. In November, the Oil Spring School House was moved onto leased land in Harpers Ferry as part of an ongoing project to preserve the area’s history.

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Education met in special session Tuesday morning, December 27 to accept the resignation of Andy Sires from his position as head coach for the Waukon girls varsity basketball team. Following meetings with ACSD administrators during the early part of last week, Sires submitted a letter of resignation to the Board Thursday, December 22 in the middle of his third year at the head coaching helm. In his letter, addressed to ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold, Sires wrote, “With deep regret, I formally submit this letter of resignation for the head coach of girls’ basketball. I want to thank the School Board and Administration for all the coaching opportunities I have had through the years here in Waukon.”

by David M. Johnson

The catchy children’s tune that sings “the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round” may sound cute, but when considering the precious cargo those big yellow buses carry, one may wonder what it takes to be a good and safe driver.

This past November there was a horrific accident involving a school bus in Chattanooga, TN. The driver was driving at a high rate of speed, lost control and overturned the bus he was driving, hitting a telephone pole and tree. Five children died and another 12 children were hospitalized due to injuries from the accident.

The driver was charged with five counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.   There were reports of concern of questionable actions by the driver in the past and the vetting processes in his hiring and possible others.

The Allamakee County Sheriff's Department was dispatched to a garage fire at 2270 Wheatland Road in rural New Albin Tuesday, December 13 at approximately 10:19 a.m. The New Albin Fire Department responded to the fire and battled the blaze, finding the garage fully engulfed when they arrived.

According to reports from the Allamakee County Sheriff's office, property owner Mark Colsch had entered the adjacent residence and, according to on-scene responders, did have an axe in his possession. The report indicates the first Allamakee County Sheriff's Deputy on scene instructed Colsch to exit the burning building and Colsch refused to comply. When other officers arrived, Colsch reportedly did exit the structure and was very verbally aggressive toward officers. Colsch was ordered numerous times to vacate the burning building.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 19 to address a variety of topics including a loan for the Upper Iowa River Drainage District flood repair expenses, consideration of Human Resource consultant options and the establishment of snowmobile routes within Secondary Roads right of way. There were no comments made during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.

Upper Iowa Drainage District Clerk Lynn Reburn was present to address the agenda items relating to the Drainage District loan for flood repair expenses. Reburn presented a handout to the Supervisors that included figures relating to 2016 Flood Work invoices received as of 12/11/16 and the remaining work estimates for that same time period. A total of $231,949.77 has been invoiced for contractors that have been working on flood repair projects.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 19 to discuss a full agenda of items including a proposed Electric Franchise rebate, a new Police Station facility and a Compliance Plan for Wastewater System Improvements. There were no comments during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.

Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell advised that there is water bubbling up in the street near Waukon Greenhouse, explaining that this water is the result of a natural spring with a high water table being a factor. Waukon Assistant Police Chief Paul Wagner advised that applications are coming in for the advertised officer vacancy.

by Lissa Blake

The bombing of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 was the moment when everything changed - for the United States, for the rest of the world, and for family and friends of two local veterans.
Waukon native Dr. Stephen Regan spoke to a crowded room at Robey Memorial Library in his hometown Tuesday, December 6 in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, commemorating that historical event and some local ties to it.

Dr. Regan, a military historian and author, was on hand to present the City of Waukon and area veterans with a small fragment of the USS Arizona (BB 39) in a framed memorial in honor of two Waukon veterans, Ens. Lawrence Anderson and Gunners Mate Stanley Teslow, who served on the ship at the time of its demise 75 years ago. The memorial also includes a photo of USS Arizona, along with an engraved inscription that reads, "Presented by the Daniel E. Regan family Cedar Rapids NLUS."