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Wed
05
Feb

Nominations sought for 2025 Allamakee County Dairy Awards

Award nominations due by February 17, Dairy Princess applications due February 28; Dairy Banquet scheduled for March 22

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 dairy producers in Allamakee County at the 2025 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet scheduled to take place March 22 this year at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. 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:

Wed
29
Jan

Waukon High School graduate Michael Bechtel named Sound Science Fellow by the National Center for Science Education

Dr. Michael Bechtel...
Chosen to participate in NSCE Sound Science Fellowship Program ... Dr. Michael Bechtel, a 1989 graduate of Waukon High School and current Associate Science Education Professor at Wartburg College in Waverly, engages with students in his Biology of Ordinary Things class that focuses on “observations of ordinary phenomena connected to basic biological and chemical concepts, and the development of explanatory models using various forms of scientific representations with teaching standards and technology.” Bechtel has been selected to participate for a two-year term in the National Center for Science Education’s (NCSE) Sound Science Fellowship program to help the NCSE develop new approaches to resolving misconceptions about topics that are seen as controversial to the public and conduct research to develop best practices for teaching and learning. Photo credit to the Wartburg College Marketing & Communication Department.
Dr. Michael Bechtel...
Dr. Michael Bechtel...

Wartburg College’s Dr. Michael Bechtel was one of seven educators selected to serve in the first cohort of the National Center for Science Education’s (NCSE) Sound Science Fellowship program. Bechtel is a 1989 graduate of Waukon High School and the son of Sherry and the late Dean Bechtel of rural Monona.

During his two-year term in the Fellowship program, Bechtel will help the NCSE develop new approaches to resolving misconceptions about topics that are seen as controversial to the public and conduct research to develop best practices for teaching and learning.

“Over my time as an educator, I have become keenly aware of the scientific understanding desert that has been filled with social media memes and anti-science rhetoric,” said Bechtel, an associate science education professor at Wartburg College in Waverly. “I believe the only way these difficult topics can be addressed is through facts, open dialogue, questions and understanding the learner.”

Wed
29
Jan

Crews set bridge beams in place ...

This past week saw the premise of the new bridge over the Mississippi River at Lansing begin to take shape even more as crews from project contractor Kraemer North America set 15 decking support beams in place on the Wisconsin side of the project, with five such beams spanning from the east bridge abutment to Pier 5, five more from Pier 5 to Pier 4, and five more from Pier 4 to Pier 3. As pictured in the surrounding photos, the laying of the beams was performed by two large cranes, with the long beams being delivered by semi tractor and trailer combinations that had steerable rear wheels on the trailers in order to accommodate sharper turns, such as what they experienced turning off Wisconsin Hwy. 35 onto Hwy. 82 (the dike road) just east of the bridge location. Photos courtesy of the Iowa Department of Transportation.
 

Wed
22
Jan

Waukon native Holly Hesse reflects on her 36-year head coaching career with Missouri State softball as she retires and is inducted into another Hall of Fame


Looking back on where she always looked forward ... Waukon High School 1978 graduate Holly Hesse looks on from the dugout location she occupied for more than three decades at the helm of the Missouri State University softball program. Hesse retired this past spring from that head coaching position at the completion of her 36th season leading the softball Bears, and she will be inducted into the Missouri State University Athletics Hall of Fame as part of a weekend event scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, January 24-25. Photo courtesy of the Missouri State University Athletics Communications Department.

Focused on success ... Recently-retired Missouri State University head softball coach Holly Hesse, a 1978 graduate of Waukon High School, peers out at the field with an outward focus indicative of the inward focus that drove her to successful careers as both a player and head coach of the game she loves. After pitching the Waukon softball team to a pair of top-five State Tournament finishes and Creighton University to several National Tournament qualifications during her playing days, Hesse took that passion and knowledge to the coaching ranks, coaching a four-decade span that included a 36-year tenure as head coach of the Missouri State University softball program she retired from this past year. Photo courtesy of the Missouri State University Athletics Communications Department.

WHS 1978 graduate to be honored at MSU induction ceremony this weekend

by David M. Johnson

A decorated high school and college athlete, a successful Division I college softball coach, an author and a mentor, Waukon native Holly Hesse has blazed a trail of achievement since her days of living within the hills and valleys of Waukon and Allamakee County, with that trail leading to a storied career of more than three decades as head coach of the Missouri State University softball program. With a laser-like focus on goals and career targets that lofted her to new heights both playing and coaching, Hesse has now retired this past year knowing she will leave at the top of her game - a game that she’s loved for so long and shared with so many others.

Wed
22
Jan

Semi tractor-trailer overturns after exiting Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing ...

Tuesday, January 14, at 10:32 a.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s E911 Center received a report of a single-vehicle semi tractor-trailer rollover at the intersection of Iowa Highway 26 and Wisconsin Highway 82 on the west end of the Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing. An initial statement released by the Allamakee County Sheriff’s office reported that the semi tractor and livestock trailer heading westbound from Wisconsin was exiting the Black Hawk Bridge to the north onto Iowa 26, failing to negotiate the right-hand turn and rolling onto its side. Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick further reported that the driver, who was not injured in the crash, stated that the brakes on the semi tractor appeared to have malfunctioned, causing the turn to be made at a less controlled rate of speed and resulting in the momentum of the trailer load of cattle overturning the entire vehicle (as pictured in each of the photos above and below provided by the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office).

Wed
15
Jan

For more than just the children: Allamakee County Child Care Solutions Fund working to address child care concerns in local area

by Lissa Blake

Most parents place their highest priority on finding someone they trust to care for their children while they work.

But in Iowa, statistics show that child care providers are one of the lowest-paid professions in the state, making it difficult to not only find the quality of child care desired by parents, but in many cases even the quantity of child care needed.

“We need to move the needle on this,” said Val Reinke, executive director, Allamakee County Economic Development, in regard to the availability, accessibility and affordability of child care.

Reinke explained that state and local initiatives, such as the Wage Enhancement Program (WEP), are really helping to attract and maintain qualified child care workers in the county, but much more needs to be done. She said in retaining Allamakee County families, access to child care is a “huge piece of the puzzle.”

Wed
15
Jan

First Baby of Year 2025 born at Veterans Memorial Hospital


First Baby of the New Year ... Pictured above is Cheyenne Decorah Strasser of Waukon holding her son, Zion Jo Sanders, the First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital for 2025. Zion and his family will all enjoy many gifts - some of which are also pictured above, thanks to the local merchants who helped celebrate the First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital in 2025. Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff announce that the First Baby of the Year born at the hospital for 2025 is Zion Jo Sanders, son of Trevyn Sanders and Cheyenne Decorah Strasser of Waukon. Zion was born Saturday, January 4 at 4:43 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 21 inches long at the time of his birth.

He joins three siblings at home: Ezra, age 9; Zane, age 7; and Royal, age 6. Katy Maker was the provider assisting with the delivery.

Grandparents are Kelly Sanders of Waukon, Amanda McCloud of Sparta, WI, and Robert Bonner and Raliegh Decorah, both of La Crosse, WI. Great-grandparents are Jim and Dee Von Haden of Tomah, WI and Marilyn Amundson of West Salem, WI.

Thu
09
Jan

Year in Review - Part II: Top local news stories printed from July-December 2024


Allamakee County Fair 2024 Little Miss Royalty ... Coronation of the first-ever Allamakee County Fair Little Miss took place Wednesday, July 17 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, kicking off the 171st Allamakee County Fair. Six area girls ranging in age from seven to nine years old were vying for the inaugural Little Miss honors, which were bestowed upon Quinn Bieber (third from left in above photo), daughter of Adam and Jen Bieber of Waukon. All six of this year’s Little Miss contestants served as the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Little Miss Royalty Team throughout this year’s Fair. Pictured above, left to right, following the coronation event are 2024 Allamakee County Fair Little Miss Royalty Team members Ivanna Rodriguez and Everly Cota, 2024 Allamakee County Fair Little Miss Quinn Bieber, and 2024 Allamakee County Fair Little Miss Royalty Team members Ezra McCormick, Mallory Kurth and Leirah Onsager. Photo by Paula Enyart.

Allamakee County Fair 2024 Royalty ... Coronation of the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Royalty took place Wednesday, July 17 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, kicking off the 171st Allamakee County Fair that was held July 17-21. Five area young ladies were vying for this year’s Allamakee County Fair Queen crown, which was bestowed upon Mallory Berns (second from left in photo above), daughter of Mark and Kristin Berns of Harpers Ferry. Molly Peake (third from left in photo above), daughter of Jeremy and Jodi Peake of Waukon, was crowned the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Princess. All five of this year’s candidates served as the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team, assisting at various events and activities that took place throughout this year’s Allamakee County Fair, and they will continue to serve in that capacity throughout the remainder of their tenure. Pictured above, left to right, following the Wednesday, July 17 coronation event are 2024 Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team member Mari Delaney, 2024 Allamakee County Fair Queen Mallory Berns, 2024 Allamakee County Fair Princess Molly Peake, and 2024 Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team members Lily Howe and Mia Kurth. Berns will now advance on to represent Allamakee County in the 2024 Iowa State Fair Queen competition, with that coronation event being held Saturday, August 10 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Photo taken and submitted by Paula Enyart.

The items below summarize the top news stories that appeared in The Standard during the last six months of 2024, July-December.

JULY
The second annual PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Walk was held in Waukon Saturday, June 29, as nearly three dozen individuals made the trek from an initial gathering location of the Allamakee County Freedom Rock in Waukon City Park down through Waukon via Rossville Road to the lawn of the Allamakee County Courthouse and the Allamakee County Veterans Museum, where information and resources were available for individuals, or their family and friends, whose lives have been impacted by PTSD. The event was part of the Veterans Administration’s National Center for PTSD program observing June as PTSD Awareness Month, with June 27 being designated as National PTSD Awareness Day.

Tue
31
Dec

Year in Review - Part I: Top local news stories printed from January-June 2024


Black Hawk Bridge closed to inspect structural integrity ... The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) closed the Black Hawk Bridge (Highway 82) at Lansing Sunday afternoon, February 25 due to safety concerns after discovering suspected movement of the bridge following the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department notifying DOT officials that something “didn’t look right” (the bend in the guard rail structure on the right side of the inset photo at right providing the most visible evidence of the concerns on the east approach to the bridge from the Wisconsin side). Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick said the Allamakee County Dispatch Center received a call early Sunday afternoon from a Lansing resident, who had been contacted by another individual and then took their own look at the bridge before calling the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Mellick said a Deputy traveled to the bridge and then requested that DOT officials be contacted after witnessing what the inset photo shows. “We have confirmed the bridge has moved and engineers from the Iowa DOT and other agencies are currently on site investigating to see exactly what is happening, including if construction of the new bridge played a part in the movement,” Pete Hjelmstad, Field Services Coordinator for the District 2 Office of the Iowa DOT in Mason City, shared Monday, February 26. “At this point we do not have a timeline as to when or if the bridge will re-open. We will not open the bridge until we are sure it is safe for the traveling public.” DOT officials and other agencies were at the bridge throughout the day Monday, February 26 conducting their inspection. The DOT had placed monitors on the Black Hawk Bridge before construction of the new bridge started and officials say they are using data from those monitors in their investigation. No further update has been issued and the bridge remained close as of the Tuesday morning print deadline for this week’s edition of The Standard. Motorists should plan to use an alternate route, crossing the Mississippi River at either Prairie du Chien, WI or La Crescent, MN, with Iowa DOT officials saying they will provide further information as soon as they have it available. Main photo by Susan Cantine-Maxson.

The items below summarize the top news stories that appeared in The Standard during the first six months of 2024, January-June.

JANUARY
Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff announce that the First Baby of the Year born at the hospital for 2024 is Ivan Henry Christen, son of Seth and Allison Christen of rural Decorah. Ivan was born Tuesday, January 9 at 4:08 a.m. He weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20.75 inches long. Grandparents are Bill and Linda Dotseth and Laurie and Bernie Christen, all of Decorah.

Tue
24
Dec

From health considerations to hobby, bicycling is a favorite pastime with many benefits for George Brainard of Waukon


For more than just the health of it ... George Brainard of Waukon is pictured above, at left, with Bob Moses of rural Monona, at right, holding a tandem bicycle from Brainard’s bicycle collection. As an ongoing hobby developed from an initial health consideration, Brainard, along with Moses and even the occasional addition of family members and friends, regularly travels routes on his bicycles year-round in the 40-60 mile range with some longer routes reaching 100 or more miles. Photo by Joe Moses.

Riding in comfort ... George Brainard of Waukon is pictured above seated on one of several recumbent bicycles he owns and rides on a regular basis. The recumbent bicycles offer greater comfort for his journeys that often travel 40-60 miles, and longer. Pictured in the background of the above photo is an electric bicycle that is also part of Brainard’s two-wheeled collection. Photo by Joe Moses.

Even inside ... Pictured above, George Brainard of Waukon is seated on a recumbent bicycle that is being used within his home as a stationary bicycle with the aid of a trainer/stand (pictured in more detail below). As part of Brainard’s commitment to bicycling and personal health, the stationary bicycle provides an opportunity to continue bicycling as both a hobby and healthy exercise when bicycling outdoors is not possible due to inclement weather or cold temperatures. Bicycling became an important hobby and form of exercise in the years following Brainard’s heart attack in 2011 requiring triple bypass surgery. For motivation, Brainard views indoor cycling-related YouTube videos, video camera footage taken from bicycle rides throughout the U.S. and abroad, on a Roku/Smart TV while riding a stationary bicycle to create a virtual experience similar to as if he were riding outdoors. Photos by Joe Moses.

Many miles ... In the photo above, George Brainard of Waukon displays his telephone and the GPS connectivity he uses in planning his bicycle routes. Brainard and Bob Moses of rural Monona frequently pedal routes in the 40-60 mile range in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota with some longer round-trip and one-way routes reaching 100 miles or more. Photo by Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

To George Brainard of Waukon, bicycling has become more than a hobby. It has become a life-changing pursuit that has yielded many health-related benefits. At 80 years of age, Brainard has become famous locally for his dedication to bicycling and for traveling long distances by bicycle that have reached 100 miles within a day, at times.

Brainard’s interest in bicycling goes back to early in his life when, as a child and teenager, he enjoyed this activity until reaching 18 years of age. In high school and shortly after, he had been working and saving for his first car in anticipation of moving forward with his career plans. Owning that first car moved him away from bicycling, an activity he did not return to until the mid-1990s when he decided to purchase a mountain bicycle which for many years was only used on a very limited basis due to his work and travel schedule which kept him away from home during the week.

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