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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.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Superintendents from two local school districts in Allamakee County are opposed to Senate File (SF) 159, often referred to as the “school voucher bill.”

Passed by the Iowa Senate January 28, 2021, the bill is currently under consideration in the Iowa House of Representatives, initially being reviewed by the House Education Committee. If passed by the House and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, the greatest portion of the bill would provide public funds to enable some students to attend private schools if they are currently attending one of 34 school districts in Iowa designated as under-performing schools and currently receiving certain federal support as a result of that under-performing status.

Members of the 14th-rated Waukon girls basketball team celebrate with each other after posting the 60-37 victory glowing on the scoreboard above over sixth-rated and defending Class 2A State Tournament Runner-Up Osage (21-2) in their Class 3A Region 5 championship game played Saturday, February 20 at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. The Lady Indians hustled and muscled their way to a 21-10 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back, more than doubling that early lead throughout the remaining three quarters of the game to qualify for the Class 3A State Tournament for the second time in the past three seasons, following the bucket Tribe’s “final four” finish during the 2019 season grand finale effort  that a couple of this season’s seniors contributed to as sophomores. The Lady Indians (19-4) will now begin their Class 3A State Tournament journey with a first-round game Monday, March 1 against second-rated Clear Lake (18-1), beginning at 9 p.m.

Shipment of vaccine doses for this week have been delayed by weather

Allamakee County Public Health (ACPH) is scheduled to continue to receive 300 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the State of Iowa weekly that need to be administered within one week to those in the Phase 1B group designated by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

However, Allamakee County Public Health officials advised Monday, February 22 that the doses slated to be received for administering to Allamakee County residents this week have been delayed by the same weather situations that have delayed a number of dose shipments across the nation.

Award nominations due by Monday; Princess applications due by March 1

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board has opted not to schedule the 2021 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet at this point in time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the board is still seeking nominations to honor and recognize deserving producers and contributors to the dairy industry in Allamakee County. Should restrictions on gatherings and other mitigation procedures allow, the board may opt to schedule the banquet at a later date this year or, at the very least, will distribute this year’s awards during June Dairy Month, much like was done last year in light of the pandemic situation.

This past week, Allamakee County Public Health (ACPH) received 300 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the State of Iowa to be administered to eligible individuals in tier 1B. These doses were divided among ACPH, The Prescription Shoppe in Postville and Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Clinic in Waukon.

ACPH focused on vaccinating the additional tier groups in Phase 1B of school districts, law enforcement and first responders, while community partners The Prescription Shoppe and VMH Clinic administered to individuals aged 65 and older. Another 300 doses are expected be received this week - a trend anticipated to continue into early March, according to what ACPH officials have been told.

A new book by author James Kenyon of Cedar Falls released in early February features the former New Albin High School as part of its subject matter. Echoes in the Hallways: History and Recollections of 102 Closed Iowa High Schools is a collection of stories from student alumni of closed Iowa high schools, documenting 102 institutions from Iowa’s 99 counties.

In his multi-year research for the book, Kenyon consulted county historical records as well as interviewing former students and teachers, culminating in unique school profiles that include information ranging from the origin and growth of education in each county to sporting records, programs and school traditions. A native of Kansas, Kenyon actually published a similar book on closed high schools in Kansas in 2019, entitled Golden Rule Days: History and Recollections of 109 Closed Kansas High Schools.

What many had described locally as a winter that had “not been too bad” early on certainly took a turn toward the worse late last week with the snowstorm that dumped reports of up to five inches of new snow across Allamakee County Thursday, February 4 and coupled that new fallen snow with winds gusting up to 30 miles an hour that blew that snow around well into Friday, February 5, not only covering area roadways initially but continuing to cover them with blowing snow into the weekend (as evident in the photo of the initially covered road above Thursday afternoon and the road streaked with blowing snow pictured below Friday morning).