Tuesday, December 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) proposed a clear, understandable, and implementable definition of “waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Unlike the Obama administration’s 2015 definition of “waters of the United States,” today’s proposal contains a straightforward definition that would result in significant cost savings, protect the nation’s navigable waters, help sustain economic growth, and reduce barriers to business development.
Producers learn successful herd management strategies based on current research
Iowa dairy producers have the opportunity to learn about emerging dairy industry issues during 2019 Dairy Days events hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists. The program is scheduled at seven eastern Iowa locations between Jan. 21 and Feb. 7.
“The ISU Extension and Outreach dairy team conducts this workshop to provide the latest research to Iowa’s dairy producers,” said Jennifer Bentley, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Our goal is to help producers make sound herd management decisions that are backed by current and relevant information.”
Family honors fallen soldier at anniversary memorial event ... Regina and Patty Manning, both of Lansing and the sisters of Harpers Ferry native and 1980 Waukon High School graduate Russ Robinson, were invited to the 35th anniversary memorial event held this past October to commemorate the liberation of the Caribbean island nation of Grenada, an operation in which U.S. Army Airborne Ranger Russell Robinson lost his life in an ambush attack. Pictured above during their trip are, left to right, Megan, Ray and Patty Manning, and Leon, Regina and Melissa Manning. Submitted photo.
Where the ultimate price was paid ... The photo above taken 35 years ago shows the remains of the jeep the “Juliet 5” Army Rangers were riding in when they were ambushed during “Operation Urgent Fury” initiated in October 1983 to liberate the island nation of Grenada from a military coup. Harpers Ferry native Russ Robinson was one of five occupants of the jeep and one of four who were killed in the ambush attack. Submitted photo.
Memorial monument at St. George University ... The photo above shows the Memorial monument created at St. George University in Grenada to commemorate and honor the 19 soldiers who lost their lives during the 1983 “Operation Urgent Fury” executed to liberate the island nation from a military coup, including the rescue of hundreds of American students attending St. George University at the time. The Memorial includes the names of those 19 fallen U.S. soldiers, including Harpers Ferry native Russ Robinson, whose family attended the 35th anniversary memorial event of the liberation operation. Submitted photo.
Still appreciated ... A wall of a building still stands in Grenada with messages of thanks for the U.S. operation that liberated the island nation from a military coup in October of 1983. Along with the messages of appreciation, a rendition of the U.S. Army Airborne Ranger logo has also been painted on the wall. Harpers Ferry native Russ Robinson was one of the Airborne Rangers who lost his life in an ambush attack during the liberation operation. His two sisters and members of their families traveled to Grenada this past October to take part in the 35th anniversary memorial event honoring that “Operation Urgent Fury”, being able to snap a photo of this wall and other memories during the trip. Submitted photo.
Family of fallen Army Ranger Russ Robinson of Harpers Ferry takes part in 35th anniversary memorial event honoring liberation of Grenada and sacrifices made
by David M. Johnson
July 4, 9/11 and December 7 are dates that represent something of importance to most Americans. But the date of October 25, 1983 has an extra special meaning to several families of the Harpers Ferry-Lansing area.
It was on this date that a Harpers Ferry native and 1980 graduate of Waukon High School made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The only son of the late Marcus “Red” and Lois Robinson of Harpers Ferry, Russ Robinson of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, and part of the U.S. Army’s Rapid Deployment Force that consisted of elements of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, became an active participant that fateful day in the American intervention and liberation of the island nation of Grenada located in the Caribbean Sea off the northern border of South America.
Midwest Dental is introducing Dr. Krista Kukarans to the Waukon community. Dr. Kukarans joined the Midwest Dental office located at 22 East Main Street in September of this year.
Dr. Kukarans was born and raised in DeWitt. At a young age, Dr. Kukarans discovered her love for baking. After high school, she decided to take courses in Marketing and Management to help her learn about business and then decided to start her own bakery called Krista’s Creations, where she baked and created wedding cakes.
She decided to make a career switch and took a part-time job as a Dental Assistant at a local dentist office. The dental assisting position gave her the opportunity to help people as well as work with small details and her new objective began to form.
“I was that person who asked a million questions about what the doctor did and why. It was intriguing to me and I really liked the interactions with patients,” she said.
Charges have now been filed following further investigation into a November 13 single-vehicle accident involving Christopher Mirich, age 38, of Waukon, husband of Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler, and execution the following day of search warrants by Iowa State Patrol officers at the couple’s home and Mirich’s place of employment first reported in the November 21 issue of The Standard.
According to court documents filed by the Iowa State Patrol December 11 and 12, Mirich is being charged with three traffic violations in regard to that November 13 accident. Those charges include Failure to Maintain Control, Failure to Report an Accident Involving Injury and Open Container-Driver 21 Years Old and Older. No other charges have been filed, according to a further court document search.
Christianity teaches that a pious life is a life where there is sacrifice for others, a caring and loving attitude to those around oneself and a surrender to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the opening of one’s heart, mind and soul to Him.
From the very early Church when there was a large number of people who personally knew Jesus and heard his message as the way to salvation, to the many churches and denominations today where that message has been embraced to inspire piety, Christians have always had something to guide them when dealing with life. As evidenced in documented declines in church attendance, many people today may feel as if their churches have abandoned the responsibility to embrace that message to keep their flocks on the road to salvation.
Several Waukon High School alumni among the many talented performers
A holiday voice recital featuring area musicians, some of whom have graced this area in the past with their talents and others who continue to do so, will be held this Sunday afternoon, December 23 at 2:30 p.m. at Zalmona Presbyterian Church, located at 371 State Highway 9, Waukon.
The performance is being held in an effort to raise money to fund a music scholarship in memory of Faith Ericson, a local pianist/musician who passed away this past fall. Ericson was well known for her musical accompaniment and other performances throughout the area, and she provided accompaniment for more than half of those who are performing at this Sunday’s event.
Tuesday, December 11 at 11:37 a.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a liquid manure tanker that had overturned on Highway 9 approximately three miles north of Waukon. A report from the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office indicates that Jason Michael Sweeney, age 22, of rural Waukon was traveling southbound on the shoulder of State Highway 9 driving a tractor/tanker combination when the tanker began to slide on the icy shoulder and entered the ditch. The tanker overturned in the ditch spilling approximately 1,500 gallons of liquid manure in the ditch (as seen in the left foreground of the photo). The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was notified of the spill and efforts were made to recover spillage. No injuries were reported. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 17 to discuss a full agenda of items including police compensation, sidewalk snow removal and bids received for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant. The meeting began with a pair of public hearings.
The Public Hearing to review an application for a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan and to make available contents of an Environmental Information Document (EID) and the City’s project plan was opened and closed without written or verbal comment. The Public Hearing for the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project was also opened and closed without written or verbal comment.
There was no Public Comment on any other matters either, and the council moved into Departmental Reports. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett indicated that tree trimming and vehicle maintenance have been ongoing.
The Lansing City Council meeting was held Monday, December 17. Discussion centered around the adoption of the consent agenda, a Black Hawk Bridge update, acknowledging receipt of a letter from Attorney Karl Knudson, discussing the shoveling ordinance, a marina dock project update, rebuilding a pump for the jetter and purchasing body cameras for the City police officers.
The consent agenda consisted of the City Council Minutes from the meeting held December 3 and the Treasurer’s Report for November 2018. The consent agenda was approved with no major concerns.
