News Center newsletter

Crop producers and the crop industry can get timely updates on growing-season challenges by subscribing to Integrated Crop Management News, a web service offered by the crops team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

A team of agronomists, plant pathologists, entomologists, weather experts and others collaborate to write timely articles and blogs that are posted to the ICM News website and emailed directly to subscribers.

The information addresses everything from pre-plant to planting concerns, growing season issues, harvest and reflections on the past growing season. Articles are timely and address real-time concerns growers are experiencing.

Anyone who wants to subscribe to the web service can enter their email, on the right side of the ICM News website: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews.

Iowa State University researchers are leading a quest to develop a farming system that integrates cash crops with a cover crop that would only need to be planted once every 5 to 15 years. It’s a tall order, but one the research team thinks can soon be realized.

The project goes by the name, RegenPGC, short for Regenerating America’s Working Landscapes to Enhance Natural Resources and Public Goods through Perennial Groundcover. The large team of scientists and engineers all share a vision of seeing year-round cover on cropland in the Midwest become the norm rather than the exception.

Last week we read the story of Glenn McCune, a reluctant hero. It is a remarkable story of heroism and willingness to sacrifice for others. As I read his story, I was reminded of the people in my life who I consider heroes: those who walked a path of holiness and wholeness. These are the individuals who put their faith, hope, charity and love into action; people who in one way or another were and are Jesus to me.

In Matthew’s gospel Jesus presented a judgment scene to his disciples, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne. … Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’” MT 25:31, 34-36

To the Editor:

August 16, I attended U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson’s town hall held at the Veterans Museum in Waukon. Hinson’s selected venue and her office’s invitation to Veterans were to give the impression that she supports Veterans. Unfortunately, Hinson’s voting record demonstrates that she actually votes against Veterans.

Examples of her voting against Veterans are the EVEST Act of 2022 and Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. Hinson cast a “no” vote to these important bills.

The EVEST Act (Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition Act) automatically enrolls Veterans into the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system when their active duty ends. This bill eliminates red tape, the waiting period for approval and any gap in Veterans having their health care needs met. Thanks to Democratic Representatives and a few Republican Representatives, EVEST Act is now law.

To the Editor:

Once we have made up our minds on a contentious issue, it is difficult for us to accept evidence that contradicts our view. On no topic today is this more apparent than Donald Trump’s role in the events leading up to January 6, 2021, and his ongoing position in our political system.

He has recently been indicted by Jack Smith, U.S. Special Counsel, and Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attorney for his actions. Trump supporters dismiss these indictments as mere political acts by Democrats and refuse to consider them with unbiased eyes.

Recently, however, an unimpeachable Republican, J. Michael Luttig, has spoken out to Judy Woodruff on the PBS News Hour (August 14th, 2023) about these issues. Luttig is a retired federal judge and a leading conservative jurist.

Katrinka Sieber was born Katrinka VanWagenen May 27, 1935 in Madison, WI. She passed away August 6, 2023, at the age of 88, in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

She is survived by her daughter, Anne Collingwood; Anne’s fiancé, Paul Tjostem; her son, Hans Sieber, and his wife, Julie McCrae; and her five grandchildren, Sean, Logan, Joey, Theo and Nick. Katrinka will be fondly remembered by her nephews, Chris, Mark, Matthew, Greg, Jeff and their families.

Katrinka was preceded in death by her husband, John Sieber; her mother, Hazel Van Wagenen; her father, Howard Van Wagenen; and her brother, Peter Van Wagenen.

Katrinka received her BS degree in Music from the University of Wisconsin and an MA degree in Library Science, also from the University of Wisconsin. Katrinka married John Sieber in 1960 and they were happily married for 54 years.

Edwin F. Zoll, age 74, of Macclenny, FL passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Community Hospice Care Center for Caring at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville, FL. A Celebration of Life will be announced once all the details have been finalized.

Edwin was born Thursday, July 14, 1949 in Waukon to Mary (O’Malley) and James Zoll and had lived in Baker County, FL since 1985. He taught advanced math at Baker County High School for 23 years before he retired in 2006. Young at heart, he was a gentleman who enjoyed being outdoors, hiking, taking care of his various animals, or pursuing intellectual stimulation through puzzles, crosswords and chess. His generous and easy going nature made him a great friend.

Edwin was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his devoted wife of 51 years, Alice Zoll of Macclenny, FL; his brothers, Joe Zoll of Cedar Rapids and Mike Zoll of Guttenburg; and his sister, Lisa Dodds (John) of Dubuque.

Dean E. Jackson and Mary L. (Johnson) Jackson of Waukon are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple married August 18, 1973 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, MN.

Their family includes their children, Darcie (Jason) Kopischke of Urbandale, Joshua (Rebecca) Jackson of Mason City and Amber (Andrew) Sandvick of Navarre, FL, and their grandchildren, Noah, Benjamin, Abbie, Sean, Daniel and Sadie Kopischke, Thomas, Tabitha and Miriam Jackson, and Oliver, Ivy and Emma Sandvick.

The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family at a dinner hosted by their children at The Old Rossville Store August 5.

In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to 1213 Park Road, Waukon, IA 52172. No gifts are requested.

TJ and Abbey Criswell of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Jett Raymond Criswell, born August 5, 2023 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 13 ozs. and measured 19-1/2 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins brothers, Jayden (9), Ezra (7) and Sawyer (3).

Grandparents are Denise Howe of Waukon and John Clauson of Waukon. Great-grandparents are Ruth Anne Schulte of Waukon, Harold and Sandra Pearson of Waukon and Marlynn Davis of Douds.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Allamakee Public Health began offering monthly free blood pressure check clinics all around Allamakee County in June.  Nurses from Allamakee County Public Health visit each library in the county once per month to take a blood pressure reading. Blood pressure results are recorded on a log card given to all visitors to bring back each month so their next results can be logged. These blood pressure clinics have been successful and will continue, as originally established, on these recurring days:

• Lansing: First Monday of the month, 9:45-11:45 a.m.
• Postville: Third Monday of the month, 9-11 a.m.
• Harpers Ferry: Third Wednesday of the month, 9-11 a.m.
• New Albin: Fourth Monday of the month, 2-4 p.m.
• Waterville: Second Tuesday of the month, 2-4 p.m.
• Waukon: Fourth Monday of the month, 10 a.m. - Noon