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Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse would like to remind property owners the second installment of property taxes is due by Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Those payments may be made at the Allamakee County Treasurer’s office at 110 Allamakee Street in Waukon between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Taxpayers are reminded to bring their tax stubs with their payment to insure proper credit. To avoid penalty on the second installment, payment must be received in the Treasurer’s Office before Thursday, April 1, 2021. Due to social distancing requirements, only two customers will be allowed in the office at one time.

E-check and credit card payments are also accepted online at www.iowatreasurers.org. Anyone paying by E-check will need their receipt number. That receipt number can be found on their tax statement.

The streets of Waukon were lined with Irish spirit for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, March 14 in Waukon. Under a bit chilly weather conditions with overcast skies, a cool breeze and temperatures hovering in the 40s, the event took approximately 45 minutes to display the wide variety of this year’s nearly 130 parade entries. Additional photos from this year’s parade can be found on Page 17 of the March 17, 2021 print edition and e-edition of The Standard. Standard photos by Joe Moses. All of the parade photos found in this issue, along with many more from Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, are available for viewing/purchase by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this webpage. A video of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade can be found on The Standard Newspaper’s Facebook page.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon Police Station remodeling project was recently completed with the Waukon Police Department transitioning its operations back into its building on the 100 block of First Street NW, a location that has been home for the Waukon Police Department since the early 1990s.

In preparation for the remodeling project, the Waukon Police Department’s office space was temporarily relocated to its one-time former location in the lower level of Waukon City Hall. Last fall, Police Chief Paul Wagner shared with The Standard that the temporary office space was previously used by the Waukon Police Department prior to the early 1990s purchase of the current Police Station structure.

Iowa’s Severe Weather Awareness Week for 2021 is scheduled to be observed from Monday, March 22 through Friday, March 26 and will include a statewide Tornado Drill to be conducted Wednesday morning, March 24 at 11 a.m. This drill will include Allamakee County sounding its warning sirens in all six cities of the county at that time.

It is the current understanding of Allamakee County Emergency Management that the National Weather Service will not issue any type of Watch or Warning prior to 11 a.m. as it has done in the past but will announce the drill as part of its weekly NOAA weather radio test that day.

During this time, Allamakee County Emergency Management urges everybody within the county, at a minimum, to make sure they have a plan for what they would do if an actual tornado warning were to be implemented, making sure that everyone within their family also understands what to do both at home and away in the event of a tornado.
 

The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon has been scheduled for this Sunday, March 14 and will begin at 1 p.m. with many of the same festivities taking place as in years past throughout the community. Those attending are reminded to practice social distancing and wear face masks per current guidelines or per their own and others’ comfort levels where not required. EARL Public Transit will not be offering its Leprechaun Loop Shuttle system this year, as it has in years past, but another shuttle bus system will reportedly be in place to help those celebrating reach entertainment destinations.

Main Street Lansing (MSL) presented the 2021 Leadership Award to Maryann Baldwin for her outstanding efforts during 2020. The Leadership Award is an annual honor bestowed by Main Street Lansing upon a volunteer who has shown unmatched dedication to the Lansing community. Main Street Lansing officials say that since joining Main Street Lansing, Baldwin has been a driving force behind many of the organization’s activities, breathing new life into regular events and providing the spark for new projects. During 2020, she worked diligently to adapt Main Street Lansing offerings to work within COVID-19 protocols, and she constantly advocated the importance of supporting the community. Main Street Lansing officials say Baldwin strives to make Lansing a better place every single day, and it is a privilege to recognize her efforts by naming her the winner of the 2021 Main Street Lansing Leadership Award. Submitted photo.
 

by David M. Johnson

Most of Waukon and the immediate surrounding area is familiar with the Vets Club in Waukon. Over the years, the facility located on Allamakee Street has more recently housed a dining establishment with a number of different entrepreneurs providing that atmosphere, and prior to that it had been the site of a vast array of events from wedding receptions, to dances and other entertainment performances, to meetings and events hosted by local veterans groups.

Faced with some financial challenges and dwindling participation within those area veteran groups, an agreement was recently reached for continued use of the Vets Club in a way it has not been used in the past but that will still carry on the foundational premise of the original Vets Club - providing honor to those who have served in the military.

Virus variant found in pair of area youth; County has second highest overall positivity rate in the state

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has notified Allamakee County Public Health (ACPH) of two confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7. in Allamakee County. The virus variant is often referred to as the “UK variant” because it was first detected in the United Kingdom.

Based on epidemiologic and modeling data, researchers believe that the B.1.1.7 strain can be spread more easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. Current COVID-19 vaccines are considered to be effective against the variant strain.

Waukon High School 2003 graduate Andrea (Blocker) Scheving promoted to Chief Master Sergeant

by David M. Johnson

Women of today continue to smash glass ceilings, whether in business and industry, sports, politics, science, the military, and many other realms. Some of these accomplishments are monumental, like being awarded a Nobel Prize in Science or most recently, being elected as Vice President of the United States. Others may not ever make the nightly news, but are still well beyond worthy of all the honor and recognition their achievements may provide.

For those 65 years of age and older who want to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Veterans Memorial Hospital has an online sign-up option to join a waiting list. When vaccine is available, those on the list will be called to schedule an appointment.  Specific directions will be given as to the location of the vaccination clinic, as well as an appointment time.

FOR SECOND DOSES
Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) and Allamakee County Public Health (ACPH) would also like to alert the public that they will receive a phone call to schedule an appointment for their second dose approximately two to seven days before they are due to have that second inoculation. Those awaiting their second dose are reminded that they do not have to sign-up online, which is different than what they may have done for their first dose.