There has been little to update from official sources regarding the November 13 single-vehicle accident involving Christopher Mirich, age 38, of Waukon, husband of Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler, and an ensuing investigation the following day involving search warrants being executed by Iowa State Patrol officers at the couple’s home and Mirich’s place of employment first reported in last week’s issue of The Standard.
Sergeant Jewel O’Rear, Assistant District Commander of Iowa State Patrol’s District 10 headquarters located in Oelwein, did confirm in a Monday, November 26 telephone interview that the investigation is still in progress and initially said there is no further information about the case or the continuing investigation that can be shared at this point.
Becky Rea, Allamakee County K-12 Program Coordinator, was recently recognized at the annual Iowa State University Extension Office staff in-service: Youth Fest by the Iowa 4-H Program. Rea was a recipient of an Achievement in Service Award, being selected for this award by being in her position for three years or less and making a difference in the Iowa 4-H program in that short time.
The Waukon High School Choir, under the direction of Sarah Palmer, will be sharing its music with the area church community during its 24th Annual Tour of Churches this Sunday morning, December 2, according to the following schedule:
St. John's Lutheran 8:30-8:45 a.m.
Old West Lutheran 9:05-9:20 a.m.
First Presbyterian 9:35-9:50 a.m.
St. Patrick Catholic 10:00-10:15 a.m.
First Baptist 10:25-10:40 a.m.
Zion United Church of Christ 10:50-11:05 a.m.
Zalmona Presbyterian 11:20-11:35 a.m.
The annual tour allows choir members to serve the community by singing several pieces of music at various church services. At each stop, the choir takes a freewill offering to be donated to the Allamakee County Relief Office, the Allamakee County Food Shelf, the Backpack Program in the Allamakee Community School District, the Allamakee Giving Tree and the Waukon Community Meal program.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, November 26 to discuss items on a short agenda including the Fiscal-Year 2018 audit for the North Iowa Juvenile Detention Services Commission, the Quarterly Report for the Allamakee County Relief Office and setting meeting dates for the end of 2018 and beginning of 2019. Chairperson Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order with approval of the current agenda and meeting minutes of November 19.
The Allamakee County 4-H Council is composed of energetic and positive high school students who serve as ambassadors for 4-H. October 27, the Council hosted a Junior Halloween Party for youth in fourth through sixth grades (pictured above). The event was held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon and 40 youth participated in Halloween games, activities, a haunted hike and ended the night with a costume contest. Admission into the party was a canned food item. In addition to the Halloween Party, the Allamakee County Clover Kids (pictured below) also collected canned food and other items at one of their recent sessions, and together both events donated a total of 79 pounds of food to the Allamakee County Food Shelf. For more information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact County Youth Coordinator Morgan Bjerke at mlheim@iastate.edu or at 563-568.6345. Submitted photos.
The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a gift drive for children of families who may be experiencing financial difficulties in Allamakee County. The Sheriff’s Office will be accepting donated gifts such as toys, clothing, shoes, boots, etc. These items can be for children ages birth through 17.
Donated items are to be new items in the original packaging. Items may be in gift bags but are not to be wrapped.
Donated gifts may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. any day of the week in the lobby of the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office in the new Public Safety Center located north of Waukon on Highway 9 (former Makee Manor location). Gifts will be accepted through December 10 of this year.
Shopko Foundation donated $1,000 to the Allamakee Giving Tree hosted by the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) Family Services Office again this holiday season. This is the sixth year Shopko has donated to NEICAC during the holiday season, adding to the funding and other gifts all donated locally to support the Giving Tree, which will assist 90 families this year. Pictured above in the center of the photo accepting the donation from Shopko Store Manager Valerie Kleinow are NEICAC Family Service Specialists Connie Looney and Becky Manning, with NEICAC volunteers Susan Troendle and Letha Folsom in the back of the center of the photo and Shopko staff members surrounding the donation presentation on each side. Standard photo by Robin Johnson.
Five Allamakee County 4-H’ers traveled to the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny Thursday, November 15 for the Grow by FarmHer conference. Pictured above, left to right, are Soraya Reyes, Shelby Wyninger, Allie Bieber, Diana Davison and Maya Bossom. Grow is a series of events that will inspire and empower young women in agriculture to take an active role in the agriculture industry. A total of 350 young women ages 16-22 with an interest in agriculture had the opportunity to participate in inspirational and informational experiences as a group as well as meaningful one-on-one connections with women ag leaders. At Grow by FarmHer, young women received a real-life look at what they need to do to be successful ag leaders, while gaining the encouragement and making the connections that are pivotal to helping them GROW in agriculture. For more information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact the Allamakee County Extension Office at 563-568-6345. Submitted photo.
The Waukon High School Music Department is seeking donations for new high school marching band and concert band uniforms through an “Adopt a Uniform” campaign. The current marching band uniforms were purchased in 1997 and are in need of replacement following years of usage and alterations.
The Allamakee Community School District and the Allamakee Music Boosters will each be providing one-third of the funding for the uniform replacement project, leaving a final third of the total cost to be raised through the “Adopt-a-Uniform” donation drive. Donation levels for specific pieces of the uniforms being sought are listed below in the accompanying donation form, but any donation amount would be welcome.
Robey Memorial Library in Waukon offers Brown Bag ‘n’ Books: a story time for adults the first Wednesday of each month from 12-1 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lunch and enjoy listening to selected passages from several titles.
Readings begin at 12:15 p.m. in the lower level Community Room of the library. Selections read from include fictional and non-fictional titles. Contact Robey Memorial Library for additional information at 563-568-4424 or visit the library website at robeymemorial@waukon.lib.ia.us.
