News Center newsletter

New ownership business model, end of long-term lease factor into transition decision

For the first time since the first newspaper was established in Waukon nearly 170 years ago, there will not be an actual physical newspaper office location for the community publication as of January 1, 2026. As of that New Year date, employees of The Standard newspaper will be transitioned to working remotely from home and the long-standing newspaper office location at 15 First Street NW in Waukon will no longer be open for newspaper business operations.

The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train made its way through northeast Iowa Monday afternoon/evening, November 24, making stops in both New Albin and Lansing to distribute holiday spirit and some generosity, as depicted in the two photos above of check presentations for $4,000 to local food distribution centers as part of CPKC’s annual mission to help raise money, food and awareness for local food banks along its railway network. In total, the two stops produced nearly 1,000 pounds of donated food and other dry goods, in addition to more than $2,000 in additional funds raised locally to help further that CPKC mission. Pictured in the photo at left above, Brian Hatlan (center of photo) of The Way Station in New Albin accepts a $4,000 check from CPKC representatives during the train’s stop in New Albin.

The Waukon High School Choir, under the direction of Molly Woodard, will be sharing its music with area churches during its 30th Annual Christmas Church Tour this Sunday, December 7, according to the following schedule:

St. John’s Lutheran  8:30-8:45 a.m.
Old West Paint Creek Lutheran  9:00-9:15 a.m.
First Presbyterian  9:30-9:45 a.m.
First Baptist  10:00-10:15 a.m.
Zalmona Presbyterian  10:30-10:45 a.m.
St. Patrick Catholic  11:00-11:15 a.m.
St. Paul’s Methodist  11:30-11:45 a.m.

The community of Waukon has a full schedule of events in place as the holiday season jumps into full gear. From an ongoing local shopping promotion to a busy day of Holiday Shop Hop and other events and activities this Saturday, December 6, area residents and visitors can join in the multitude of events described below:

Grand opening open house event this Friday at the former Nightingale Pharmacy building

Wendy Smethurst is turning a dream she has had for “sew” long into a reality with the opening of her new business, Happy Heifer Quilting Company, just this past month. Smethurst recently purchased the former Nightingale Pharmacy building at 606 Rossville Road in Waukon and has transformed that building into what she calls a “one-stop shop” for quilters.

Quilters of any skill level are welcome to stop in and purchase fabric, batting, notions, patterns, kits, Janome sewing machines and Arrow quilting furniture. Smethurst can also do quilting for customers with her Janome long-arm machine.

“Waukon didn’t have a quilt shop and there are a lot of quilters in northeast Iowa,” Smethurst noted, adding that she also enjoys quilting.

A total of 15 members of the Little Switzerland FFA chapter at Waukon High School recently traveled to Indianapolis, IN, to attend the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo, joining more than 70,000 students from across the country. The convention, held October 29 through November 1, offered students opportunities to learn and connect with other FFA members who share their passion for agriculture. During the trip, Waukon FFA members participated in a variety of leadership sessions, explored the National FFA Expo, and listened to keynote speakers who focused on personal growth and the future of the ag industry. Students also attended workshops on career readiness, agricultural technology, and developing strong leadership skills. The group also took part in touring Hummel Livestock in Cabery, IL, Beck’s Hybrids Headquarters in Atlanta, IN, and Beasley’s Apple Orchard in Danville, IN, and also attended a rodeo hosted by Iowa-based Three Hills Rodeo Company.

by Mike Poster
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation board member

You may think of college as a time for a young adult to live on a campus and explore possible careers right after high school. This traditional concept does not always fit a student’s circumstances, however. Instead, high school students should explore potential careers to make an informed choice about the post-high school education or training that is most fitting for their goals. Focusing on potential careers before deciding on a specific education choice provides several benefits.

October 23, Upper Explorerland’s Safe Routes to School program hosted the Wheels in Motion Workshop at Luther College’s Center for Faith and Life in Decorah. Featuring League Cycling Instructor Bill Smith, the event brought together law enforcement, park and recreation professionals, county conservationists, city officials, bike enthusiasts, community members and more to advance safe bicycling in small towns and rural areas in Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties. Participants engaged in interactive discussions on bicycle safety, brainstormed strategies to elevate biking for transportation and community well-being, and enjoyed an optional ride on Decorah’s scenic Trout Run Trail.

The LA Communications Non-Profit ATV/UTV Fall Fun Ride held October 18 generated $20,000 to support local organizations through sponsorships and entry fees from those participating in the ride. The annual event, which operates under the motto “Raising funds for local nonprofits one ride at a time,” celebrated its fourth year by achieving a fundraising milestone for Allamakee County.

This year’s proceeds of $20,000 was split between two local non-profits, with $10,000 donated to the Allamakee County Agricultural Association and $10,000 dedicated to the Allamakee County K9 Unit. Pictured in the photo above at the donation presentation to the Allamakee County K9 Unit are, left to right, Jacquie Byrnes of the Allamakee County E-911 Emergency Communications Center, Annette Franzen and Les Askelson of LA Communications, and Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick.

The 2025-2026 Waukon boys wrestling team will be fielding a team of 32 young men this winter, with more than half of this season’s squad returning with varsity letterwinning experience from last year’s campaign that featured a 10-5 season record. This season’s collection of 18 letterwinning returnees includes equal totals of wrestlers from each returning grade level and will cover nearly every single weight class.

“We return many varsity letterwinners from last season who proved themselves to be successful,” Waukon boys wrestling head coach Caleb Ferring shared. “More importantly, we put in great off-season work as a team to grow as wrestlers and athletes. Many of our guys have been putting in work through other sports, in the weight room, and through off-season wrestling.”