News Center newsletter

Brett Cota and Paige Nelson of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Esmae Jo Cota, born September 10, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 13 ozs. and measured 22-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a sister, Everly Julaine (1).

Grandparents are Brian and Karen Cota of Waukon, Paul Nelson of Fredericksburg and Penney Neuzil of Fort Atkinson. Great-grandparents are Rich and June Cota of Waukon, Mary and the late Gary Johnson of Waukon, Dale and Jan Nelson of Fredericksburg and Julie Nelson of Cedar Falls.

Nikole Smith and Derek Pritchard of Monona announce the birth of their son, Carter James Pritchard, born September 12, 2018 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. and measured 18 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins siblings, Paisley Smith (3) and Grayson Berns (1).

Grandparents are Lisa Smith of Monona, John and Lily Smith of Manchester and Mark and Connie Pritchard of Strawberry Point. Great-grandparents are Lois Goedken of Dyersville, Judy and Lyle Pritchard of McGregor and Jean Reinhardt of Strawberry Point.
 

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that Scottish poet Robert Burns once correctly observed that “the best laid schemes o’mice and men gang oft a-glee.”

That’s how I felt Sunday.

The final round of the FedEx pro golf qualifying tournament was scheduled to start on TV at 11 a.m. That’s about the time I get home after 10 a.m. mass.

My Sunday noon meal is pretty much the same every week, a steak or ground steak patty, a small handful of oven heated French fries, a lettuce salad, a cup of fruit and a glass of milk. Humble as it is, it still takes some time to prepare. Plus, the Cubs were slated to start at 12:30 p.m.

I can watch golf on TV and listen to the Cubs on radio. The radio description is 15 or more seconds ahead of the TV picture of the Cubs games, so if radio alerts me to some significant action, I can quickly switch to TV and watch.

On Wednesday, September 5th, John Derryberry, a social worker from Iowa City, returned to Waukon. This past April, John had come to Waukon to give a presentation at St. Patrick Church, offering ways to help those suffering from depression and the anger and frustration that can come with it. John told his own story, and the bitterness he felt in his teen years after he was brought low by the deaths of his father and his best friend. Over 300 people attended his talk in April, and our parish staff wanted to invite him back. Mandy O’Neill, our Youth Minister at St. Patrick Parish, arranged a partnership with Allamakee Community Schools. John spoke to all the students in the Middle and High Schools, including our 6th graders from St. Patrick School. He told stories of five students, all of whom had a profound and positive effect on his life today. He said that these kids were labeled “at-risk”, and most had a lot of trouble in their school settings.

To the Editor:

In one of Dick Schilling’s recent columns, he offered some advice gleaned from Mollie Tibbetts’ murder: “Please, girls and women, get a buddy to go with you.” This is excellent advice, and I would like to add to it.

Please, boys and men, stop harassing, stalking and killing women who reject you.

Cate St. Clair
Waukon
 

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• September 28: ARCPLC Signup Deadline; MPP-Dairy Premiums Due

Market Facilitation Program
USDA announced the trade mitigation program (Market Facilitation Program, MFP) the other week.  This program will aid farmers who were impacted from trade retaliation.  The Farm Service Agency will administer this program and provide payments to corn, dairy, hog, soybean, wheat, cotton, and sorghum producers.

The signup period will run through January 15, 2019, and you are encouraged to apply after harvest is 100% complete.  We recommend you bring production evidence with you when you apply.  Payments will be issued on 50% of the production multiplied by the MFP rate for the specific commodity.  A second payment period, if warranted, will be determined by the USDA.

Corn silage has always been a major feed component in dairy and beef rations. However, this year’s weather is making harvesting corn silage a challenge for many areas of the state. Northwest and northeast Iowa had excess rain early in the season making planting late so producers in northern Iowa may not be challenged as much with harvest, yet. Eastern Iowa was dry in the spring allowing early planting and now is challenged to harvest before the crop becomes too dry, especially with the heavy rains in September. Southern Iowa has been extremely dry all summer and is finally getting some needed rain but too late to impact grain crops.

While every area of the state has had different growing conditions all have been challenging. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Denise Schwab said a few basic principles of corn silage harvest are critical to harvest and store a high quality corn silage feedstuff.

by Lissa Blake

Guilty as charged.
That was the verdict handed down Thursday, September 13 in the Second Degree Murder case of the State of Iowa versus John Michael Quanrude of Waukon. Quanrude, age 32, was convicted of shooting his stepfather and roommate, 60-year-old Dean Russell of Waukon, the afternoon of April 16 of this year in the home the two shared at 49 Jean Road in the Parkview Trailer Court in Waukon.

Prosecuting the case were Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler and Susan Krisko, assistant attorney general for the State of Iowa. Quanrude was defended by Scott J. Nelson of the Iowa State Defender’s Office located in Dubuque. The case was tried by District Judge John Bauercamper in the large courtroom of the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital together with Elliott Jewelers of Waukon will be hosting the 14th annual Women’s Health Day wellness event and luncheon Tuesday, September 25 at the Waukon Banquet Center. All ages are invited to attend this educational event, beginning at 11 a.m. with a wellness fair offering a variety of health tests and information, and a salad luncheon and program held from Noon to 1 p.m.

Tickets are available at Veterans Memorial Hospital and Elliott Jewelers in Waukon. Tickets will also be available at the door, until the event is sold out. The proceeds from this event will be used to renovate the outpatient treatment room at the hospital.

Allamakee County voters well in line with overall approval percentage

Despite just four percent turn-out, voters in the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) district gave their approval for the continuation of a $39 million bond levy in a special election held Tuesday, September 11. With vote totals considered unofficial until results are canvassed, the measure was approved with 84.16 percent of the votes cast. Following the official canvas, the results will be certified by the county boards of supervisors.