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by Julie Berg-Raymond

Now in its 14th year, the Oneota Film Festival (February 29-March 3) will kick off a weekend of films and events with a screening of “SHIFT: The RAGBRAI Documentary” - which features the city of Lansing and two of its residents, Ian Zahren and Andrew Boddicker - Thursday, February 29 at the historic Steyer Opera House in Decorah’s Hotel Winneshiek. A social/cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by the film screening at 7 p.m.

“SHIFT” will be screened again at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Hotel Winneshiek. The entire festival, including admission to all screenings and events, is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to register, but there is no cost to attend.

Brandon Kasemeier, the 39-year-old man from Waukon charged in the January 21 death of his estranged wife, was returned to Allamakee County from Colorado late Wednesday, February 14 and was booked into the Allamakee County Jail on a charge of murder in the first degree. Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick said that agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) transported Kasemeier back to Allamakee County by ground vehicle after transportation arrangements were made following the signing of his waiver of extradition and consent to return documentation Friday, February 9 by 8th Judicial District Judge Stephen Jouard during a review hearing at the Larimer County Justice Center in Fort Collins, CO.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

A 13-foot-long model of the historic Lansing Black Hawk Bridge, handcrafted by Ralph Steinlage of Lawler, is now on display at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library through July 4 of this year.

Steinlage’s nephew, Nick Humpal, is part of a massive project, the construction work of which has begun this year, to build a new Mississippi River bridge at Lansing. Humpal, district engineer with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for the District 2 Office in Mason City, knew about his uncle’s interest in the construction project - a joint effort of the Wisconsin and Iowa DOT. He knew, as well, about his uncle’s interest in and talent for creating models of historic buildings and structures. So, when Humpal asked him if he might consider building one of the iconic Black Hawk Bridge, Steinlage was happy to oblige.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), those who travel on North Front Street in Lansing will need to be aware of an upcoming road closure that may impact their trip for the next several months.

Beginning this Friday morning, February 16, weather permitting, crews will close the segment of  North Front Street between Henry Street and Hale Street to start work on Pier 1 for the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing replacement project. That closure will take place in the one-block segment that lies directly beneath the existing Black Hawk Bridge.

DOT officials say that portion of North Front Street will be closed through the fall of 2024. Another anticipated closure of North Front Street will be from the fall of 2025 through the summer of 2027 as the bridge construction project continues.

Award nominations due by February 19; Dairy Banquet date to be announced

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 2024 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet to take place at a date soon to be announced. 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:

Outstanding Young Dairyman/Family Award - Honors young dairy farmers who have achieved excellence in managing their dairy enterprises, have contributed leadership to the dairy industry, and are respected in their communities. Dairy producers must be 35 years of age or younger to be nominated for this award.

The return of a Waukon man back to the location where he faces first-degree murder charges in the January 21 death of his estranged wife became closer to reality Friday, February 9, and is anticipated to become reality yet this week, according to local officials.

Brandon Kasemeier appeared for a second time in front of 8th Judicial District Judge Stephen Jouard that February 9 morning at the Larimer County Justice Center by video network from the Larimer County Jail, both located in Fort Collins, CO. Judge Jouard first reviewed the fugitive of justice documentation that Kasemeier has been incarcerated on since his arrest in Loveland, CO within 24 hours of law enforcement officials finding the body of his wife, Jami Kasemeier, inside the home of Brandon Kasemeier in Waukon Monday, January 22 and a warrant being issued by Allamakee County and the State of Iowa on the charge of murder in the first degree.

The Waukon man charged in the January 21 death of his estranged wife who was arrested soon after in Colorado on a warrant issued by Allamakee County and the State of Iowa on charges of Murder in the First Degree has expressed his intentions in a Larimer County, CO court of law to waive extradition and be returned to the state of Iowa to face those charges. Brandon Kasemeier, age 39, made his initial court appearance Friday morning, February 2 in front of 8th Judicial District Judge Stephen Jouard at the Larimer County Justice Center by video network from the Larimer County Jail, both located in Fort Collins, CO.

Iowa Senator Mike Klimesh recently announced his intention to seek a second term in the Iowa Senate from District 32. Senate District 32 includes all of Allamakee, Clayton, Howard, and Winneshiek counties. It also includes portions of Fayette and Dubuque counties.

“From historic tax relief to broad protections for law enforcement and protecting Second Amendment rights for Iowans, it has been an incredibly productive first term,” said Klimesh. “I appreciate this opportunity to represent northeast Iowa and I know more work remains to be done to continue to improve the quality of life in our area.”

“I look forward to working on more solutions for rural communities and addressing the challenges northeast Iowa is facing. From emergency services to economic development and tax relief, I will be an advocate for the taxpayer, while continuing to find solutions for our communities.”

Ian Zahren, of Lansing, has announced his campaign for Iowa House of Representatives District (HD) 64, where he is running as an Independent candidate. HD 64 includes all of Allamakee and Clayton Counties and a single precinct in Dubuque County.

The seat is currently held by Republican Anne Osmundson, a member of the House Education Committee. Osmundson has not yet announced her intentions for the 2024 election.

Zahren, 35, grew up in South Amana, in rural southeastern Iowa, the son of small business owners and the grandson of farmers. He has been a public school teacher for more than a decade and currently teaches music in both the Eastern Allamakee and MFL/MarMac Community School Districts.

The Postville Police Department is reporting that Friday, February 2, the Postville Police Department worked with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office to execute a search warrant for a forgery investigation in Postville. The police department reports that the execution of the search warrant was successful.

The initial report released following the search warrant execution indicates that approximately 100 fraudulent identification cards and fraudulent social security cards were seized. In addition, over $56,000 in cash was seized. The police department reports that one person is in custody and further criminal charges are pending in the matter, with no further details released at this time.