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by Captain Ted Peck

The irreversible and profound impact of the Mississippi River flood of 2019 became evident just prior to the Labor Day weekend. The “Immortal River” is a never-ending source of subtle nuances and clues which can translate into amazing fishing results for those who can decipher what the river is whispering as it eases through the Driftless Area towards perpetual mingling with the Gulf of Mexico.

Work as a full-time fishing guide on Pool 9 for the past 18 years and nearly a half-century before that on Pool 13 nearly 190 miles downriver standing on the shoulders of four prior generations of “River Rats” has created an enigmatic relationship only the river’s soul could understand.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Brennan Dolan, Cultural Resources Manager and Archaeologist for the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), has become a familiar face at the Meehan Memorial Public Library in Lansing. Thursday, August 29, the Iowa DOT, represented by Dolan, and several others, met with interested area residents about the findings of the archaeological studies recently conducted in conjunction with the Black Hawk Bridge project.

Dolan has presented at informational meetings several times over the past few months in regard to the bridge project, keeping the public informed and gathering comments and information to share with Iowa DOT officials. A special guest at this meeting was Leah Rogers, whose archaeological firm, Tallgrass Archeology (Iowa City), along with Two Rivers Archaeology (Anamosa), had completed the archaeological excavations at the newly recorded sites for the proposed bridge replacement.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session twice within a week, including Tuesday, September 3 following the closure of the Allamakee County Courthouse Monday, September 2 in observance of the Labor Day holiday and again Monday, September 9.

SEPTEMBER 3 REGULAR SESSION
During Public Comment, Waukon City Council member John Ellingson discussed concerns relating to a stockpile of asphalt millings along Green Valley Road that are within the County’s right of way, potential drainage issues involving a water retention basin and some damage to 16th Avenue NW. Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) provided a six-page schedule of events taking place in September within the county and provided an overview of several specific events.

Monday, September 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Kerndt Brothers Community Center in Lansing, Main Street Lansing will host a public meeting to review the results of the Lansing market study survey. A total of 488 consumers responded to the survey, which was well past the goal needed to reach an accurate sample size of the community. In addition, 51 local businesses responded to a specialized survey created to dive deeper into business needs in Lansing.

For anyone who took the survey and may be interested in the various opinions expressed, this meeting will provide that opportunity. Additionally, attendees will be able to provide feedback and thoughts about the market study process moving forward.

After this September meeting, the Market Study Committee will have a work session in October to work on a plan of strategies to help the Lansing market. The final document should be completed by November.

Lance Foster, artist and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska will speak Tuesday, September 10 at 7 p.m. at Effigy Mounds National Monument Visitor Center, 151 Highway 76, Harpers Ferry. His paintings are featured in ReImagining Iowa: 5 Ioway Artists, an exhibition currently showing at Effigy Mounds National Monument.
"Every morning when I fire up my computer at work, I am greeted by one of Lance Foster's paintings on my desktop," said Effigy Mounds National Monument Superintendent Jim Nepstad. "Art can sometimes speak to us when words fail. Lance is one of those people who can dazzle you with their brilliance as well as their art. He's one of the smartest people I know. An opportunity to hear him speak about his art is a rare treat that should not be missed."

The Allamakee County Engineer’s Office has announced that a portion of County Road A16/Dorchester Drive, the paved roadway exiting Dorchester to the south and climbing the hill to the west, will be closing as of 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, September 4 for approximately two months in order to complete culvert repairs along the roadway. The closed road portion of A16/Dorchester Drive (highlighted in orange in the above map) is between Steinbach Road and Waterloo Creek Drive, with a detour (highlighted in red in the above map) being signed in those areas directing traffic to instead travel Highway 76 just to the east of Dorchester south to its intersection with the paved Bear Creek Drive, then head west to W60/Balsam Road, taking the graveled portion of that roadway north to reconnect with Dorchester Drive approximately four miles west of Dorchester. Image courtesy of Allamakee County Engineer’s Office.
 

Waukon native Dr. Michael Osterholm says goal is to provide comprehensive resource of relevant, useful information

The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota has announced that it has launched a new online CIDRAP CWD Resource Center dedicated to educating the public, particularly hunters, the medical and public health communities, wildlife scientists and managers, and public policymakers and elected officials about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

CWD is a prion-related transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids, including deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer and moose. CWD has been confirmed in at least 26 U.S. states, three Canadian provinces, South Korea, Finland, Norway and Sweden, with a notable increase in the past five years.

The Allamakee County 4-H Youth Development Committee is proud to recognize Brad and Mary Kerndt of rural Lansing as the 2019 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame inductees from Allamakee County. Brad and Mary are both Allamakee County 4-H alumni. In their 4-H days Brad exhibited Holsteins and Mary exhibited Guernseys while also participating in dairy judging and static exhibits. Pictured in the submitted photo above at this year’s 4-H Hall of Fame event are, left to right, Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director Emily Saveraid, Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame award recipients from Allamakee County Brad and Mary Kerndt, and Iowa 4-H Volunteer Development Specialist Tillie Good.

Final week to make nominations

Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) is seeking nominations for the 2019 “Cloy Kuhse Positive Impact Award”.

To be eligible, the recipient must be a business located in Allamakee County.  ACED will accept nominations until Tuesday, September 10. Award winner announcement and ceremony will be at the ACED Annual Banquet October 10. The Award Recipient will receive a plaque and will be added to the Award Plaque that is displayed at the ACED office.

Growing Bear Daycare in Waukon was the 2018 Cloy Kuhse Positive Impact Award winner, and ACED looks forward to announcing another business that is making a positive impact at its annual meeting this October.

Students from Waukon High School will join thousands of other youth and any others who may be interested on athletic fields across the nation Wednesday, October 9 to share their Christian faith with fellow students and the general public. The local event is now in its eighth year and will start at 7 p.m. at the Waukon High School football field that Wednesday evening. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside the Waukon High School gymnasium.