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The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will celebrate Veterans Day by offering three programs to the public in the Program Room (pictured at left) of its new museum in the former Vet’s Club building on Allamakee Street in Waukon.

Thursday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m. a video interview with World War II Army veteran Lynn Morrow recorded in 2006 will be presented, followed by a video documentary about the U,S, Navy battleship USS Iowa, BB-61.

Saturday, November 13 at 10 a.m. a video interview with World War II Navy nurse Harriet Hanson recorded in 2006 will be presented, followed by the USS Iowa documentary. Also taking place Saturday, November 13 at 1:30 p.m., a video interview with World War II Army veteran Carl Beal recorded in 2006 will be presented, followed by the USS Iowa documentary.

Tuesday, November 2 is scheduled as the City/School Election to determine which candidates will be elected by voters to leadership positions at the most local levels of government and guidance. A Notice of Election with polling sites and a complete list of candidates and offices for this year’s election was published on Page 22 in the October 20 print edition and e-edition of The Standard. Polling sites will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 2.

Injuries sustained by Iowa State Patrol Trooper and Waukon native Ted Benda in a single-vehicle accident Thursday evening, October 14 in Allamakee County have now claimed his life as of Wednesday, October 20, according to an announcement made by the Iowa State Patrol. The Public Information Office with the Iowa State Patrol released the following statement regarding Trooper Benda’s passing:

“The men and women of the Iowa State Patrol and Department of Public Safety are heartbroken to announce the loss of one of our own, Trooper Ted Benda ISP #313. Trooper Benda, age 37, was involved in a single-vehicle crash Thursday, October 14 (around 11:30 p.m.) while en route to assist the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office with a wanted suspect. He succumbed to his injuries today, October 20, 2021.

UPDATE: IOWA STATE PATROL ANNOUNCES TROOPER TED BENDA'S PASSING
The men and women of the Iowa State Patrol and Department of Public Safety are heartbroken to announce the loss of one of our own, Trooper Ted Benda ISP #313. Trooper Benda was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Thursday, October 14th while in route to assist the Clayton County Sheriff's Office with a wanted suspect. He succumbed to his injuries today, October 20, 2021.
Trooper Benda joined the DCI in 2005, assigned to the Special Enforcement Operations Bureau in Marquette. He transferred to the State Patrol in 2016, assigned to District 8 in Mason City and most recently working out of the District 10 office in Oelwein. He is not only a valuable part of the Department of Public Safety, but he was more importantly a loving husband, father, son, and brother. Trooper Benda leaves behind his wife, Holly, and their four young children along with many family, friends, and colleagues.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Nicole Winke Gentes, of Lansing, was crowned Mrs. Iowa American 2021 Saturday, September 4, and will compete for the national title of Mrs. American 2021 in November.

Nicole, the daughter of Jim and Shirley Winke, is a 1992 graduate of Waukon High School and a 1998 graduate of Luther College in Decorah where - in addition to studying political science - she studied vocal performance, theatre and dance. She currently is an attorney with offices in Waukon and Lansing and she also teaches personal fitness. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, she taught dance, as well.

Betty Steege of Harpers Ferry has a way of bringing out the best in community members to make a difference for the people of Allamakee County.

“When Betty calls, you know you are going to say yes if there is any way possible you can help,” says Linda DeBuhr of Waukon.

DeBuhr’s work with the Alice Hermeier Foundation has brought her close to Steege, who for the past decade has served as the coordinator of the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF). This year, the Community Foundation board and its local partners are excited to celebrate Steege’s 10-year service anniversary and the impact she has helped make in communities countywide. Now, with the launch of the Allamakee Forever Fund, the Foundation seeks to deepen that impact and continue it for generations to come.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 18 at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon as part of the board’s annual schedule of public library visits within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of items including discussion of a part-time dispatcher/jailer position, consideration of a traffic detour onto Secondary Roads due to the Waukon Holiday Parade and a City of Waukon planning update.

After the meeting was called to order, the agenda was modified with the removal of the County employee health insurance contribution matter. This item relates to the contribution amounts for spouses both employed by Allamakee County if enrolled in a family health insurance plan and if enrolled in a plan other than a family plan. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer advised that this matter will be addressed at a future meeting.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 11 to address a full agenda of items including the Tobacco Awareness Week Proclamation, the Third Reading and Adoption of Ordinance LX Regulating the Burial of Human Remains Outside of Cemeteries and the approval of Secondary Roads Department transfers.

During Public Comment, Jack Knight of rural Waukon discussed the new bridge on Smithfield Drive. Knight said that the soil surrounding the project has been seeded down and that improvements in that area will allow easier access for canoes. Knight advised that the improved design of the bridge and surrounding area, including ditches, will allow better water flow during heavy rains or flood conditions.

Reed Hilsabeck of Lansing was crowned a National Pedal Pull Champion in the Four Year Old Boys division of the National Pedal Pullers Association (NPPA) 2021 National Pedal Pull Championships held at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD Saturday, September 25. Pictured at right proudly displaying his National Champion trophy, he is the son of Brian and Kelly Hilsabeck of Lansing.

The journey to the National Pedal Pull Championships began for the young Hilsabeck at the locally sanctioned (sanctioned meaning able to advance competition winners to the next level) pedal pull held Fish Days weekend this past August in Lansing where he placed first, qualifying him to advance to the Iowa State Pedal Pull Championships. Those State Pedal Pull Championships were held September 11 in Burt, where he placed third overall to earn qualification to compete at the NPPA National Pedal Pull in Mitchell, SD, as the top three State placewinners get to advance.

A Lansing man who was convicted of guiding and outfitting illegal deer hunts several years ago was sentenced Thursday, September 23 to federal prison, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Attorney Northern District of Iowa. Cory Gene Fritzler, age 46, from Lansing received the prison term after a March 18 guilty plea this year to one count of conspiracy.

Fritzler was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. His sentence includes two months of imprisonment in a federal facility, two months of home detention, and a fine of $5,000. Fritzler must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.