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A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday, November 7 signifying the beginning of work at the site of a new 36-unit apartment complex being constructed by Dexter Quandahl of Quandahl Custom Homes/q4 Rentals along the new 8th Avenue SW in Waukon, just north of the Waukon City Park and west of the Waukon Mobile Home Community in part of the area deemed as the Pladsen Addition. The apartment complex will initially include two buildings housing 18 apartments each that have been described as “workforce housing” and not intended to be low-income housing, benefiting not only the Waukon area but the northeast Iowa and tri-state region in helping address a housing need expressed by area employers in such areas as school districts, healthcare and other industry and professional staffing necessities.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) recently awarded $930,808 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities across Iowa. These grants aim to revitalize underused buildings and stimulate economic growth in historic main streets.

Main Street Lansing was awarded over $76,000 of that funding, which will support the restoration of Lansing Hardware, a long-standing cornerstone in the heart of Lansing’s historic downtown. Announcement of the grant was made at a Thursday, November 7 open house event.

Lansing Hardware occupies five connected buildings, built between 1868 and 1908, each with a unique history. This restoration project, led by owners Dave and Laurie Janzen, will focus on  unifying the facade, restoring historic details, and refreshing the storefronts for an enhanced visual impact.

World War I has been referred to as “The Great World War” and “The War to End All Wars”. The end of the fighting in that war of more than four years in length came November 11, 1918 when an armistice was signed to end the combat hostilities in the war, with that November 11 date still being observed to this day as Veterans Day each year.

As a means to honor the many Veterans who have served the United States - whether in war time or in times of peace - as this year’s Veterans Day observance approaches this coming Monday, November 11, The Standard is reprinting below a listing submitted by rural New Albin resident Max Marzen of Allamakee County residents or natives who served in that “Great World War,” the war that ultimately led to the modern day observance of the day that the people of this nation officially honor those who have served it - Veterans Day.

Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer reminds voters that October 21 was the deadline to update addresses in the Voter Registry.
After October 21 any address changes made by a voter by any method will not be reflected in the Voter Registry at the polling places. Any voter who has updated their address after October 21 may need to show proof of residence at the polls. If the voter’s ID shows their updated address, that is adequate proof of residence at the polls. If the voter’s ID does not show their updated address, they must show a separate proof of residence.
Proof of residence must be recently issued and can be in electronic or paper form. Options include:
• Utility or cell phone bill
• Residential lease
• Bank statement
• Paycheck
• Government check or other government document
• Property tax statement (current within 45 days of final payment date)

by Joe Moses

Waukon native Ben Garrett with Tailwind Capital Partners, LLC, Waukon City Manager Gary Boden and Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) recently provided an update to The Standard relating to the planned twin home/duplex project at what is locally known as the former “Bresnahan Property” in northwest Waukon.

The Tuesday, November 5 General Election is less than a week away, and voters in Allamakee County will have a full ballot of decisions to make, from the highest public office in the nation to local volunteers seeking to guide their respective entities and offices at the county level of governance. All 10 Allamakee County polling locations for the November 5 General Election Day will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. that Tuesday, with in-person absentee voting for this year’s General Election continuing each weekday  from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. through Monday, November 4 in the Auditor’s Office at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon. The Auditor’s Office will also be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. this Saturday, November 2 for in-person absentee voting.

Election Essentials is a weekly series of articles offering a variety of information regarding elections in Iowa and Allamakee County prior to this year’s November 5 General Election. The information is being provided courtesy of Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

It has been more than eight years in the making; and it involved a team effort by city officials, designers, engineers, construction groups, and the developers of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment technology which is being implemented for the first time in a municipality in the state of Iowa.

Paul Kesterton is a director at OneWater Group, Ltd., the Hong Kong-based company that developed the wastewater treatment technology called Algaewheel®; he flew in from London for the grand opening of that new innovative New Albin wastewater treatment facility celebrated Thursday, October 17.

With this new facility, Kesterton said, “(New Albin) is on the vanguard.”

According to people who saw this project come to fruition, it would not have been possible without the efforts - and sheer perseverance - of New Albin City Council member George Blair, widely considered the “guiding force” behind the project.

Election Essentials is a weekly series of articles offering a variety of information regarding elections in Iowa and Allamakee County prior to this year’s November 5 General Election. The information is being provided courtesy of Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer.

Last week’s article explained steps taken by all counties in the state of Iowa during both pre-election preparation and testing and the Election Day process to ensure an accurate, safe and secure election. This week’s article will explain the process after the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Night, how results are verified when the Auditor reports to the Iowa Secretary of State and the required Post-Election Audit.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE AT 8:00 P.M.?
If there is a line at 8:00 p.m. at any polling place, any voter in line is allowed to check in and vote. Anyone arriving after 8:00 p.m. cannot be allowed to vote.