News Center newsletter

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that I get up at about the same time every day, winter and summer, and so walk into the east facing living room around 7 a.m. Today (Feb. 26) I was greeted by blinding sunshine streaming in the window, the first time I had noticed that since last fall.

So the days are getting longer, by as much as five minutes every two days.

For some reason, I thought incorrectly that this was a Leap Year, but it isn’t, so we are into March.

March is the battlefield between seasons.

We had thunder with freezing rain one night.

And yesterday morning, when I went to get the morning papers, a male cardinal was loudly proclaiming his territory with vociferous song.

To All Church Attenders: “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NASB).

Two years ago, I was introduced to a retired evangelical minister who oversees a food shelf ministry to Hispanics near the Gulf of Mexico in the southern part of Texas. We discussed the spiritual condition and challenges in our respective denominations. He knew about mine so I asked him about his denomination. He was quick to reply,

“There’s no fear of God.” This struck a fire in me as I realized I have been seeing the same issue - it lived with me for days and I have never forgotten that conversation.

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

Upcoming Changes to the Margin Protection Program
A few weeks back a spending bill to further fund the government was signed by the President. Part of that bill contained changes to the Margin Protection Program, a USDA program for dairy producers. While at this time we do not know specific changes, we do know the following:

• There will be a new sign-up for the 2018 calendar year in the very near future, but we don’t know when yet
• Payment periods will be calculated 12 times a year instead of 6
• First tier production level has increased from 4 million to 5 million pounds
• Premium fees for the first tier have been substantially reduced.
• The $100 administrative fee has been waived for the socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited resource producers.

by Lissa Blake

It could mean the end of an era that’s lasted more than seven decades.

If someone doesn’t step forward to reopen the Vet's Club in Waukon, it may be closed permanently.

Vietnam Army Veteran John Regan is the president of the “Big 10” Board, which consists of four members from VFW Post No. 4117, four members of American Legion Post No. 62 and a member from each of the clubs’ Ladies Auxiliaries. He said the club has been closed since November 18 of last year, when the most recent managers, Terry and Sue Grotegut, decided to seek other ventures.

Regan said for many years the board has rented out the club for $100 per week. Anyone wishing to manage the club has to show proof of insurance and apply and pay for the applicable food and liquor licenses. “I did have someone who was scheduled to open it in April, but then he backed out,” said Regan.

Aaron Thomas, son of slain legendary Iowa high school football coach Ed Thomas of Aplington-Parkersburg High School, will speak to Waukon Middle School and Waukon High School students Tuesday, March 13 at 2 p.m. and to the community members of the school district later that same evening, at 7 p.m. Both presentations will be held in the Waukon High School gymnasium and are open to the general public to attend at no charge.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold a public information meeting in Waukon Thursday, March 8 to discuss the proposed improvements of Iowa 9 from the south junction of Iowa 76 to the north corporate limit of Waukon (including Rossville Road on up to the stoplight intersection and up Allamakee Street) and on Iowa 76 from the north junction of Iowa 9 to West Ninth Street (West Main Street in Waukon). That project is slated to take place in 2019.

All interested persons are invited to attend this meeting anytime between 5 and 6:30 p.m. at the Waukon Wellness Center Senior Citizens Room #101, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW in Waukon. The meeting will be conducted utilizing an open forum format. Iowa DOT and consultant staff will be present to informally discuss the proposed improvements.

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors has made a verbal offer of the district's Superintendent position to area native Jay Mathis following a recommendation offered to the board by the district's Superintendent Search Committee at a Monday evening, March 5 special session of the board. Mathis has reportedly verbally accepted the position, but his official hiring is still pending a background check and formal board approval.

by Joe Moses

As part of their Unleashing Opportunity Tour, an opportunity to hear directly from Iowans on how to build a better Iowa and how to increase opportunities throughout the state, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg hosted a capacity crowd at the S&D Café in Waukon Friday morning, March 2. The visit had not been well publicized, a question posed to Governor Reynolds' media relations office but not yet having an answer provided as of press time Tuesday morning, March 6.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, March 5 to address a full agenda of items. Mayor Pat Stone called the meeting to order and advised that the meeting agenda will need to be amended due to absences from weather-related road conditions. Stone indicated that the City Manager’s Report would need to be removed from the agenda with City Manager Dean Hilgerson not being in attendance, and that the Public Art Project design and contractual agreement would need to be tabled. The Council approved the amended agenda.

The Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2019 Budget was opened and closed with City Clerk Al Lyon indicating that no written or verbal comments have been received on the matter. There was also no Public Comment during that portion of the meeting.

by Macie Hill

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday evening, March 5. Discussion centered around the renewal of the People Service contract, more rocks and concrete being placed near the Lansing Marina and a new position for a Lansing Police Officer being available.

Dennis White, regional manager for People Service, Inc., was at the meeting to ask the council to consider the renewal of the contract with People Service, Inc. for water and wastewater services provided for the City of Lansing. After further discussion by the council, a motion was made and seconded to approve the 2018 renewal of the contract with People Service, Inc.