Flu vaccinations available at VMH ... Annual flu vaccination protects yourself and loved ones, especially during the holiday season. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans that an annual flu vaccination is the best way to protect them and their loved ones from the flu. As people gather together for holiday meals and parties, they’re more likely to spread illness around. Receiving the flu vaccine will help everyone stay healthy to enjoy all the festivities. Appointments for receiving flu, pneumonia, COVID, and many other vaccines can be made by calling Veterans Memorial Hospital Community & Home Care-Allamakee County Public Health at 563-568-5660. Submitted photo.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans that an annual flu vaccination is the best way to protect them and their loved ones from the flu. As people gather together for holiday meals and parties, they’re more likely to spread illness around. Receiving the flu vaccine will help everyone stay healthy to enjoy all the festivities.
This is especially important during family gatherings that infants, those with chronic diseases, or elderly individuals might attend. Infants younger than 6 months of age are not old enough to receive the influenza vaccine, so they are at a higher risk of catching the flu from someone else and they have the highest chance of being hospitalized if they get ill. Anyone with flu-like symptoms during the holidays must stay home and away from others.
Nearly two months ago, the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation sent out a mailing to everyone in the hospital’s service area, announcing the campaign to raise funds for a new Postville Medical Clinic with more room for patients and new providers. The current Postville Medical Clinic is located at 124 W. Greene Street. The new location is right next door, to the west, in the former Upper Explorerland Building. The new clinic will have an additional three exam rooms for a total of five, plus a new procedure room and lab area. In addition, handicap accessible bathrooms will be available which are greatly missed in the current site. There will also be a new behavioral health clinic area for private consultations in a more comfortable, confidential atmosphere.
Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries are provided an opportunity to review and change their Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from October 15 through December 7. It’s important for Medicare beneficiaries to remember that Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan costs, benefits, and providers can change each year, so evaluating your options could help you find better coverage, and even save money.
Medicare beneficiaries have received information about any plan changes in the mail. Most should have received an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in September from your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan. This is a summary of any changes in the plan’s cost, coverage and service area that will take effect January 1 of the next year.
Due to the government shut down, SNAP benefits will not be loaded onto cards this week. However, anyone who still has a remaining balance on their cards can use that remaining balance, but no new funds will be loaded. As of now, WIC (women, Infants & Children) cards have not been impacted.
Iowa Health and Human Service and agencies statewide are preparing messaging, updating FAQs, and coordinating resources and volunteers to address increased food needs. Feel free to visit the SNAP webpage for a list of FAQs at https://hhs.iowa.gov/assistance-programs/food-assistance/snap.
Iowa Health and Human Services is pointing SNAP users to the 211 website if they need to locate resources: https://211iowa.org/. The 211-call center is also open and taking calls and can assist with SNAP questions.
Logan and Sam Glawe of Monona announce the birth of their son, Keatyn Richard Glawe, born November 3, 2025 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 8 lbs. 6 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a brother, Kaseyn Glawe (3).
Grandparents are Doug and Peggy McNally of Monona, Nin Glawe of Monona, and Troy Glawe of Littleport.
Jacob and Caty Bruening of Eitzen, MN announce the birth of their son, Martin Henry Bruening, born October 31, 2025 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 8 lbs. 8 ozs. and measured 21-1/4 inches in length at the time of his birth.
Eddie and Ruby Gingerich of Elgin announce the birth of their daughter, Almalyn Joy Gingerich, born October 19, 2025 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 5 lbs. 7 ozs. and measured 18 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins siblings, Kyle Eli (5), Rudy LaVon (4) and Makayla Beth (2).
Grandparents are Rudy Gingerich Jr. of Clermont and Andy and Katie Kauffman of Elgin. Great-grandparents are Eli and Lorene Kauffman of Hazleton and Mary Gingerich of Fairbank.
The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, November 20, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.
This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, feel free to call Angie Mettille, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator at VMH at 563-568-3411.
The Lansing City Council met for its regular session Monday, November 3 with Mayor Mike Verdon absent and council member Mike Manning presiding in his place as Mayor Pro Tem. In a meeting that lasted just under half an hour, the council addressed key financial measures connected to Lansing’s ongoing infrastructure initiatives, along with routine administrative approvals and community maintenance topics, including consolidating municipal loan agreements, updates on federally funded water and sewer projects, and overseeing facility operations.
TREE REMOVAL REQUEST
The council approved a request from Ron and Susanne Herman to remove several trees on city property adjacent to their property on South Front Street. The Hermans volunteered to undertake this work entirely at their own expense and to assume full liability, ensuring the city would incur no costs or risks with the project.
The Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library is hosting Iowa Legal Aid in a series of free evening workshops for adults. The next and final session is scheduled for Thursday, November 20 at 5:30 p.m. and will be on advanced directives.
Attendees should bring their questions for legal experts on these topics to answer. All sessions are being held at the library, 515 Main Street in Lansing. Those who have questions may call 563-538-4693 or email library@lansing.lib.ia.us.
