News Center newsletter

Andrea Hawkins and Spencer Walters of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Mackenzie Susanne Walters, born September 12, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 7 lbs. 8 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a brother, Tanner (3).

Grandparents are Jennifer and Matthew Hawkins and Linda Hackett.

Mike Sparks and Amanda Dehli of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Tremett Lee Sparks, born September 12, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 5 ozs. and measured 20 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a big sister, Taylin (4).

Grandparents are Randy and Mary Dehli of Waukon, Ray Sparks of Gays Mills, WI and Mary Sparks of Prairie du Chien, WI. Great-grandparents are Philip Dehli of Harpers Ferry, Linda Kerndt of Waukon, John Miller of West Union and Pat VanNatta of Prairie du Chien, WI.

Kenneth A. Johnson, 77, of Newhall died Monday, September 11, 2017 at Dennis & Donna Hospice House in Hiawatha following a courageous battle with cancer. To honor his wishes, Kenneth was cremated. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, September 15 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Norway with Father Joseph Butz, C.S.S.R. and Father Robert Butz as Co-Celebrants. Interment was held at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Norway with Graveside Military Rites.

Kenneth was born in Waukon April 20, 1940 to Earl and Norma (Halvorson) Johnson and attended Waukon Public Schools. He then earned an AAS degree in Electronic Engineering at Area 10 Community College in Cedar Rapids.

Kenneth served his nation in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962 and was a member of the John Ward McGranahan American Legion Post #167 of Newhall. April 20, 1963, he was united in marriage to Donna Butz at Norway.

Bonnie J. Rissman, 88, of Waukon died Friday, September 15, 2017 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services were held Monday, September 18 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Bonnadine June Rissman was born June 7, 1929 in Waterville, the daughter of John Arthur and Esther Alvina (Larson) Pederson. She was raised by her uncle and aunt, Henry Emil and Esabella Marie (Larson) Kosbau. Bonnie was baptized at Waterville Lutheran Church and confirmed at Zion Reformed Church in Waukon. She attended Waukon High School and later received her G.E.D.

Court selected for Homecoming 2017 being celebrated at Waukon High School this week...

by Lissa Blake

When disaster strikes in a far-off place, people often wonder if there is something they can do to help. And when Decorah native Tim Smedsrud and friend Curtis Dundee, both of Waukon, heard about the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey recently, they answered the call.

“I have this 6’ x 12’ trailer and I just thought maybe there was something we could be doing with that,” said Smedsrud.

Smedsrud, an Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputy, called his friend, Dundee, who works for Bruening Rock Products.

“I called and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got this crazy idea. What do you think if we take donations and make a trip down to Houston?’” recalled Smedsrud.

Dundee jumped at the chance.

It wasn’t the first time the two men, who met at Iron Ridge Church, would join efforts to help others in need. In March of this year, they were also involved with a group that traveled to Haiti for hurricane relief through Upstream International.

Andy Kelleher, a New Albin resident, has announced his candidacy to represent the Iowa House of Representatives 56th District, which includes all of Allamakee County and most of Clayton County.

“I’m running for the Iowa House of Representatives because I believe that a strong, healthy community is the key to better lives in Allamakee and Clayton Counties,” Kelleher said. “We need to transform our district into a place that not only welcomes new businesses but actively encourages them. To that end, we absolutely need to ensure that our schools remain well funded. We need to make sure our rural hospitals have enough funds to stay open. We need to help communities build and maintain their infrastructure; while we may not be able to make our roads wider, we can make them smoother. We need to support our local farmers along with local business owners. Our lack of population shouldn’t mean we have a lack of opportunity.”

Pictured left to right, Waukon Area Fire Protection District Chief Dave Martin presents proceeds from this year's annual fireman’s pancake breakfast held in early August to retired firefighter Randy Sweeney and his wife, Diane. Sweeney joined the department in February of 1973 and has had to retire due to health ailments. Department officials say this year's breakfast was the largest they have ever had, both in the number of people served and the amount of money collected, and they appreciate the public's support of the event. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met twice within a week with a special work session Wednesday, September 13 and a regular session Monday, September 18 to address a variety of matters. Coverage of both meetings is included below.

SEPTEMBER 13 WORK SESSION
Mayor Duane DeWalle called the September 13 work session to order with Travis Squires, Managing Director in the Public Finance Group of Piper Jaffray, an investment and asset management firm, conducting an hour-long presentation detailing the funding options that could be utilized by Waukon in financing the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility at a preliminary estimated cost of $8.6 million. The presentation focused on financing options including sewer revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, a combination of these two types of bonds and other alternate revenues.

Abraham Lincoln portrayer Kevin Wood will present “A New Birth of Freedom: Abraham Lincoln’s Abiding Call” Monday, October 2 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon. This program is free to the public and sponsored by the Allamakee County Historical Society and Robey Memorial Library.

One hundred and fifty years after the American Civil War, it is still important today to remember those people and events which had a great influence on the development of this nation.  And whom better to hear that story from than that period’s greatest protagonist, Abraham Lincoln?

Adults and children alike will enjoy hearing a portrayed first-hand account from Mr. Lincoln's perspective of the history of the USA, from its establishment in 1776 through the end of the Civil War in 1865. This was a time of new ideas, tremendous change, and exciting growth in this young country.