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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.

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.