News Center newsletter

Last week’s article focused on Step One in being “Voter Ready” in 2018: Register to Vote. This week’s article is about Step Two: Bring a valid form of ID to the polls.

Valid forms of ID include:

1. Iowa Driver’s License (not expired more than 90 days)
2. Iowa Non-Operator’s ID (not expired more than 90 days)
3. U.S. Passport (not expired)
4. U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID (not expired)
5. Iowa Voter ID PIN card (must be signed).

In December 2017, Iowa Voter ID PIN cards were sent, by the Secretary of State election office, to all registered voters without an Iowa Driver’s License or Iowa Non-Operator’s ID. If you feel you should have received a PIN card, and did not, or you have lost it or misplaced it, contact the Allamakee County Auditor’s office at 563-568-3522.

by Joe Moses

The Second Degree Murder case against 32-year-old John Michael Quanrude of Waukon involved a bit more court and document activity this past week, including review of a requested change and some necessary changes made upon further document review. Although separate matters not impacting one another, the end result was Quanrude remaining in the Allamakee County Jail but his trial date being moved up by more than two months.

Traditionally beginning and ending in Wisconsin, the Patriot Tour consists of one American Flag being carried through 48 continental states, escorted by tens of thousands of motorcycle riders for 110 days straight, all in honor of America’s Armed Forces members.

The annual Tour typically travels through Waukon in September near the end of the Tour, but starting with last year reversed its course in making Waukon one of its first visits on the Tour, which will take place this weekend.

This year, the Tour will initiate in Beaver Dam, WI and will overnight in Fennimore, WI before heading to Waukon this Sunday, May 20. The Tour is scheduled to cross the bridge between Prairie du Chien, WI and Marquette at approximately 11:45 a.m. Sunday, heading west on Hwy.18/52 to Postville and then traveling north and east to Waukon.

Thursday, May 31, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host an open house meeting to present preliminary floodplain maps to Allamakee County citizens. The meeting will be held in the Supervisors Board Room at the Allamakee County Courthouse, located at 110 Allamakee Street in Waukon, that Thursday from 6-8 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.

The open house will provide property owners, both rural and urban, an opportunity to view the preliminary maps and learn how their flood risk may have changed. Representatives from FEMA and the Iowa DNR will be on hand to answer questions and address residents’ concerns about the preliminary flood maps.

Jeremy and Jodi Peake of Waukon will host the May gathering of the Northeast Iowa Food and Farm Network this Sunday, May 20 at 7 p.m. To see milking in progress, arrive at 6:15 p.m. The Network event will begin with a potluck at 7 p.m., then feature a farm tour with highlights including Peake’s dairy grazing system and the apple orchard, before networking over desert.

Jodi and Jeremy Peake milk about 40 Jersey and Jersey-cross cows on their certified organic, grass-based dairy. They market their milk into Organic Valley’s Grassmilk program. In addition to their rotational grazing dairy enterprise, the Peake farm hosts a 1,000 tree orchard operated by Jeremy’s father, Al Peake, with support from Jodi and Jeremy. The apples are sold locally at the Winneshiek Farmers Market, the Oneota Coop and at the farm.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 14 to discuss a variety of agenda items, including a personnel matter in the Allamakee County Treasurer’s office, consideration of an agreement between the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) and Allamakee County involving designated Iowa Byways and setting letting dates for Secondary Roads construction projects. There was no public comment.

Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse discussed a personnel matter involving her recommendation to promote Rita Troendle from Motor Vehicle Clerk status to Second Deputy Clerk status. Hesse indicated that Troendle works 20-25 hours per week with part-time status and that her recommendation would take effect July 1 of this year with a raise to $16.13 per hour, which is 53% of the Treasurer’s salary. The Supervisors approved the promotion of Troendle to Second Deputy Clerk at the discussed pay rate.

A combination of reasons brought Elkader native and current Waukon resident Curtis Dundee to the decision to start his own business recently. Helping other people, being more available to his own family and wanting to work for himself on a full-time basis resulted in the start of Curtis Handyman Service in January of this year.

Having lived and worked in the Waukon community for the past 13 years, Dundee said he noticed that a lot of the bigger contractors in the area were so busy that they seemed to have difficulty finding time to get to smaller projects that people needed done around their homes or businesses. “I am able to take care of the smaller jobs that people need done around their house,” he said.

The Waukon High School Music Department returned from its Iowa High School Music Association Large Group Music Festival Saturday, May 5 in Osage with a quartet of the highest ratings that can be achieved at such an event. A combined total of five vocal and band ensembles represented Waukon High School with their performances in the Class 2A division of the event that featured a dozen other similar-sized schools, with four of those five Waukon groups bringing home a Division I rating for their efforts.

The Waukon High School Concert Band, under the direction of Jo Ann Sherman, was the lone instrumental ensemble representing Waukon High School and received one of just five Division I ratings awarded at the Festival among 13 performing band ensembles. Likewise, the Waukon High School Mixed Chorus, under the direction of Sarah Palmer, also received one of just six Division I ratings awarded among 15 performances in that competition.

by Macie Hill

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Tuesday, May 8, a day later than usual due to a scheduling conflict. Discussion centered around the second reading of Ordinance #199, a part-time groundskeeping and maintenance position being filled, hiring lifeguards for the Lansing Swimming Pool, and a public hearing date scheduled to discuss the city budget.

The second reading of Ordinance #199, which repeals Ordinance #124 and starts a new 25-year franchise agreement with Interstate Power, was read at the meeting. The council also approved the hiring of Terry Hennessy as a part-time grounds and maintenance worker for up to 10 hours a week, if needed.

Many people want to give back to the community but may not have a lot of time to volunteer. In only about an hour, volunteer blood donors can help save lives and feel instant gratification.

The community is invited to give back and help save lives by donating blood Friday, June 8 from 1-6 p.m. at the Kerndt Brothers Community Center located on Main Street in Lansing.

Blood is a perishable product that can only come from generous volunteers. By donating blood, individuals can make a difference in the lives of patients in their community and throughout the nation.

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire found at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process.