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Felty Ervin Yoder, age 22, of Waterville has been sentenced to a maximum of 45 years in prison on a total of 10 counts of criminal activity regarding incidents that had taken place over the past two years, mainly against his wife. That sentence was handed down in Allamakee County District Court in Waukon Monday, February 13, according to documents filed in the case.

A jury of Allamakee County residents returned guilty verdicts against Yoder on all 10 counts of that criminal activity following a brief trial in mid-December of 2022. The jury found him guilty on four counts of Sexual Abuse Assault in the Third Degree (Class C Felony), five counts of Iowa Sex Offender Registry Violations as a Second Offense (Class D Felony), and one count of Domestic Abuse Assault as a Third Offense (Class D Felony).

Each year, payouts from endowment funds held by the Allamakee County Community Foundation support organizations’ missions and improve quality of life in local communities. One of those funds is a new endowment started by the Sweeney family of Waukon, which will support the Foundation’s own efforts to address Allamakee County’s greatest needs for generations to come.

Margo Sweeney and her late husband, Jim, are Waukon natives who returned to the community to raise their four children. “After a decade of living away, it felt good to return to our hometown,” Margo recalls. “We enjoyed living here for 40 years, working and raising our family.”

Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) is updating the Passenger Transportation Plan (PTP) for the region consisting of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties in northeast Iowa. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that this region’s PTP be updated every five years. The current plan was adopted by the Upper Explorerland Transportation Policy Board in Spring of 2018.

Award nominations due by February 20; Dairy Banquet scheduled for March 25

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board is asking for assistance from the general public in identifying worthy candidates to be recognized as this year’s top producers in Allamakee County at the2023 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet scheduled for Saturday, March 25. Every year, top producers and several other awards are nominated from members within the county. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension office are accepting nominations for the following awards:

Alaina Gebel, a graduating senior at Waukon High School and the daughter of Nate and Tami Gebel of rural Lansing, has been named a Career and Technical Education candidate as part of the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The Career and Technical Education candidates were nominated by their Chief State School Officers based on their accomplishments in career and technical education fields.

Gebel was chosen as one of 67 high school senior candidates from all nominations across the state of Iowa. She was one of five state of Iowa nominations selected within the Career and Technical Education Department.

by Lynsey D. Moritz

From the day-to-day life of a Montana rancher, to the story of emigrating from Norway and holding onto those traditions, to generations of passionate and talented musicians, to a genuine and heartfelt lifelong friendship… Frode Fimland takes viewers on a journey of getting to know John Hoiland, the last cowboy, through the changing seasons in this beautiful country. This story is sure to resonate and move those who view it, and perhaps even make them reflect on their own life, too.

Tanner Sanness, age 26, of Reconnected Farms near Dorchester was named the first-place winner of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) “Grow Your Future” Award.

The award promotes young agriculturalists, ages 18-35, with a niche market, unique ag service or specialty business. Sanness was announced the winner during the 2023 IFBF Young Farmer Conference, held January 27-28 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, and took home $7,500 to grow his mushroom growing business.

“I was in college when I heard a podcast about the health benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms,” says Sanness. “I wasn’t involved in farming at all at the time. When I couldn’t find them locally, I bought a grow kit.”

Sanness now grows 300 to 500 pounds of mushrooms per week that can be found in local grocery stores and 20 area restaurants. With his winnings, he plans to purchase a delivery van and walk-in cooler.

Area residents invited to learn how to clarify values and set meaningful goals in an interactive workshop

Over the past year, Allamakee County residents have had the opportunity to attend a series of six free resilience education workshops delivering practical ways to cultivate trust, manage stress, build hope, cope with adversity, find meaning in hardship, and grow personal resilience skills.

With a recent grant from the R.J. McElroy Trust, more residents will now have the opportunity to attend a final “What’s Your Word?” workshop that guides people to clarify their values and set meaningful goals. The workshop will be held Monday, February 13 from 12 -1 p.m. in the large community room at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Participants will receive a personalized bracelet or bookmark with a compass word they choose to remind them of their intentions.

Award nominations due by February 20; Dairy Banquet scheduled for March 25

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board is asking for assistance from the general public in identifying worthy candidates to be recognized as this year’s top producers in Allamakee County at the2023 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet scheduled for Saturday, March 25. Every year, top producers and several other awards are nominated from members within the county. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension office are accepting nominations for the following awards:

Outstanding Young Dairyman/Family Award - Honors young dairy farmers who have achieved excellence in managing their dairy enterprises, have contributed leadership to the dairy industry, and are respected in their communities. Dairy producers must be 35 years of age or younger to be nominated for this award.

Award nominations due by February 20; Dairy Banquet scheduled for March 25

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board is asking for assistance from the general public in identifying worthy candidates to be recognized as this year’s top producers in Allamakee County at the2023 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet scheduled for Saturday, March 25. Every year, top producers and several other awards are nominated from members within the county. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension office are accepting nominations for the following awards:

Outstanding Young Dairyman/Family Award - Honors young dairy farmers who have achieved excellence in managing their dairy enterprises, have contributed leadership to the dairy industry, and are respected in their communities. Dairy producers must be 35 years of age or younger to be nominated for this award.