Top Stories

by Bob Beach

Waukon High School seniors Thea Meyer (left) and Gunnar Grangaard (right) were crowned Waukon High School's 2014 Homecoming Queen and King at the traditional "Burning of the 'W'" pep rally Thursday evening, September 25 at the Waukon High School gym. Additional photos of Waukon High School's Homecoming events may be viewed by clicking on the Photo Galleries link.

The Great Annual Model A Ride Around Iowa (GAMARAI), sponsored by the Central Iowa Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America, passed through Waukon Wednesday, September 17. The route of this year's event included a five-day tour throughout northeast Iowa, which included two days exploring the Decorah area before passing through Waukon on the way to Prairie du Chien, WI, concluding Thursday, September 18 in Waterloo. Submitted photo.
 

The Standard newspaper will be issuing questionnaires to candidates involved in contested races on this year's November 4 General Election ballot. In an effort to base those questions for the candidates on the issues of greatest concern to the people they will be representing, The Standard is asking residents of Allamakee County to submit questions they would like to have considered for inclusion in the General Election questionnaire.
Questions for the candidates must be based on issues and not on personal or private matters. Not all questions will be included on the questionnaire, but all questions will be considered and those appearing with the most frequency will likely be prioritized for inclusion.

The Allamakee County Public Safety Committee will be presenting its findings to Township Trustees and city officials regarding the need to construct a new jail and public safety center at 7 p.m. in the large courtroom at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon Thursday, October 2. The public is welcome to attend the informational meeting.
Members of the Committee will also give presentations regarding the proposed facility during a meeting at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building Saturday, October 4 at 10 a.m. and at upcoming city council meetings throughout the county during the month of October, beginning with the Waukon and Waterville City Councils Monday night, October 6.
Other informational public meetings will be scheduled during the month of October to inform voters about the $4.9 million dollar bond referendum on the November 4 ballot to fund the construction of the proposed facility.
 

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, September 23 with Kim Waters, Allamakee County Coordinator of Disabilities Services, who reviewed the services available to those in the County with mental illnesses and/or developmental disabilities. Waters explained that there had been numerous changes since the implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act and the regionalization of mental health and developmental disabilities services (MH/DD), but overall the services offered have remained stable throughout the process. She noted that Allamakee County is fortunate to be able to offer services to those with traumatic brain injuries, as there are other counties that are not able to offer those services. Waters also reviewed the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the County Social Services Board, the governing body of the MH/DD region that includes Allamakee County, along with 20 other counties.

by Lissa Blake

Kee High School seniors Marquise Phillips (left) and Nicole Vinson (right) were crowned Kee High School's 2014 Homecoming King and Queen at the annual pep rally held in the Kee High School gymnasium Friday afternoon, September 19. Additional photos of Kee High School's Homecoming festivities are featured on Page 15A of this week's issue of The Standard, along with coverage of the Hawks' 52-0 Homecoming victory over Central City featured on this week's Sports pages. Photo courtesy of the Kee High School yearbook.
 

by Kelli Boylen
freelance writer

“It’s a unique place and it’s right here in our backyard,” says Brian Fankhauser, Blufflands Program Manager of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation about the Paint Creek Valley project.
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) is in the process of raising funds before the 368-acre parcel is sold to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), hopefully later this year. The Iowa DNR Commissioners approved the future purchase of the land from the INHF at their September 11 meeting.
Fankhauser says because of the significant conservation values, INHF and other conservation organizations have been trying to protect Paint Creek Valley for nearly 10 years. The property, locally known as the Nelson property, is located between Yellow River State Forest and the City of Waterville.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital, together with Elliott Jewelers of Waukon, will be hosting the tenth annual Women’s Health Day wellness event and luncheon Tuesday, September 30 at the Waukon and Banquet Center. All ages are invited to attend this educational event, beginning at 11 a.m. with a wellness fair offering a variety of free health tests and information, and a salad luncheon and program held from Noon to 1 p.m.
Tickets are available in advance at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Elliott Jewelers in Waukon. Tickets will also be available at the door. The proceeds from this event will be used to purchase a new fetal heart monitor for the Maternity Services Department at the hospital.

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