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The Waukon High School and Middle School building participated in a lockdown drill Wednesday, October 7 in an effort to prepare for immediate threats that may occur on campus by a student or an intruder. In addition to fire drills and severe weather drills, the Allamakee Community School District routinely conducts lockdown drills to ensure that all faculty, staff and students are aware of the correct procedures in the event of such emergency situations.
In addition to the lockdown drill, the K-9 unit from the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Waukon Police Department, conducted a walk-through of the schools' campus area. "The purpose of their visit was to ensure that we are maintaining a drug-free environment and to communicate that we have a zero-tolerance for students who wish to disrupt our school’s environment by bringing illegal substances to our campus," stated Allamakee Community School District Superintendent of Schools Dave Herold.

Local law enforcement officials report that they continue to receive reports of residents receiving telephone calls from persons alleging to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Local officials want to remind everyone:
• The IRS will make first contact by mail if taxes are owed, no initial contact is made by phone.
• The IRS never asks for credit, debit or prepaid card information over the phone.
• The IRS never insists that a specific payment method be used to pay any tax owed.
• The IRS never requests immediate payment over the telephone.
• The IRS will not threaten law enforcement action.
• The IRS will not prevent victims from disconnecting from the call to verify the situation.

Alliant Energy customers in Waukon were without power for approximately an hour and a half Monday morning, October 12 from around 9:40 to 11:20 a.m. Alliant Energy representative Justin Foss reported that an Alliant crew was performing work at an electrical substation near Dee Implement on the northwest edge of Waukon when a piece of Alliant equipment accidentally snagged the power lines, causing the outage. Initial reports indicated that the outage was expected to be extensive because a part was needed to complete the repairs but was not available locally, which led to Allamakee Community schools being dismissed three and a half hours early and some businesses sending employees home for the day. However, Foss said that power was rerouted to restore power sooner, adding that no additional outages are expected as repairs are completed. Photo by Sara Aleckson-Melcher.
 

The Allamakee County Sheriff's Office received a report of a fire at the Waterville Store Bar & Grill in Waterville at approximately 4:42 a.m. Saturday, October 10. The building is believed to be a total loss, but no injuries were reported in the fire. The cause of the fire has not been declared at this time and remains under investigation, according to Waterville Assistant Fire Chief Loren Mitchell. The Waterville Fire Department remained on scene most all of Saturday morning and received assistance from the Waukon and Harpers Ferry Fire Departments and the Waterville Ambulance Service.

The Waukon High School and Middle School participated in a lockdown drill Wednesday, October 7 in an effort to prepare for immediate threats that may occur on campus by a student or an intruder. In addition to fire drills and severe weather drills, the Allamakee Community School District routinely conducts lockdown drills to ensure that all faculty, staff and students are aware of the correct procedures in the event of such emergency situations.
In addition to the lockdown drill, the K-9 unit from the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Waukon Police Department, conducted a walk-through of the schools' campus area. "The purpose of their visit was to ensure that we are maintaining a drug-free environment and to communicate that we have a zero-tolerance for students who wish to disrupt our school’s environment by bringing illegal substances to our campus," stated Allamakee Community School District Superintendent of Schools Dave Herold.

by Kelli Boylen

National 4-H Week 2015, being observed October 4-10, offers a great opportunity to recognize both the highlights of the local 4-H program for area youth, as well as the contributions of adults in the community who contribute their efforts in support of the program. During National 4-H Week, the Allamakee County 4-H program celebrates both aspects that make the program the success that it is within the local area.

4-H SERVICE AWARDS
The 4-H Service Award has been presented this year to two individuals who have served many years on the 4-H Youth Development Committee. Their dedication to serve the 4-H youth of Allamakee County is shown through their participation as superintendents, club leaders, helping with conference judging, appreciation supper, and the livestock auction. But, above all, they are a key part of the support system available to Allamakee County 4-H youth.

The Allamakee County Conservation Board recently completed the installation of the historic sign pictured above which tells the story of Patrick Keenan and Richard Cassiday, who were early settlers in the Makee Township area, with Keenan being the first individual in Allamakee County to apply for and receive American citizenship at the Allamakee County Courthouse through the U.S. Naturalization Law. They built a log cabin on what is now the County Home property. Patrick Keenan was the first Keenan to settle in the area and many Keenan families have descended from him. The site was pointed out to the Conservation Board by Joe Palmer and Carl Christianson a number of years ago. The new sign is not located at the exact location of the old cabin site, which is located about 100 yards down the trail and is only accessible to the public by foot. The sign is located at the upper shelter house at the County Home Park just off of Highway 9 north of Waukon.

by Bob Beach

Students at Waukon High School have selected their Homecoming representatives for 2015, with the coronation of this year's Homecoming Queen and King to take place at the traditional "Burning of the 'W'" pep rally scheduled for this Thursday evening, October 1, beginning at 7 p.m. at Waukon High School. Pictured  are this year's Waukon High School Homecoming Queen and King candidates from the 2015-2016 Senior class, including: Left to right - Front row: Queen candidates Nicole Behrend, Madison Snitker, Leslie Sivesind and Alyvia Jones. Back row: King candidates Wyatt Wille, Nick Johnson, Gus Pladsen and Peyton Hesse. The parade route for this Friday's Homecoming Parade at 2 p.m.