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The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites Iowans to step outside and enjoy Iowa state parks and forests in the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge. Visitors can ring in the New Year with the Parks Passport on their own, or by joining park staff on a guided hike.

“First Day Hikes are a popular tradition in state parks, and the Park Passport is a great way for people to enjoy winter hikes,” said Sherry Arntzen, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau.

With the First Day Hike Challenge, park visitors can check into more than 50 participating state parks and forests on the Park Passport from December 30 through January 1. Visitors can explore as many parks as they wish - every check-in will qualify for a prize drawing of a two-night stay at a cabin at Pine Lake State Park, Eldora. Some restrictions and fees apply.

For those who would like to improve their balance or feel more comfortable participating in their favorite activities, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls”, an award-winning workshop designed to increase the activity levels of older adults with concerns about falling. This workshop has added benefit of being able to attend virtually online.

During eight two-hour sessions, participants learn to:

• Promote exercise to increase strength and balance
• Set realistic goals for increasing activity
• Improve environment to reduce fall risk factors
• View falls and fear of falling as controllable.

A jury of Allamakee County residents did not take long to render guilty verdicts against Felty Ervin Yoder, age 22, of Waterville on a total of 10 counts of criminal activity in regard to incidents that had taken place over the past two years, mainly against his wife. The jury, which was selected for the trial Wednesday, December 14 in Allamakee County District Court, heard testimony in regard to the overall encompassing case and returned guilty verdicts Friday afternoon, December 16 on four counts of Sexual Abuse Assault in the Third Degree (Class C Felony), five counts of Iowa Sex Offender Registry Violations as a Second Offense (Class D Felony), and one count of Domestic Abuse Assault as a Third Offense (Serious Misdemeanor).

The Waukon boys basketball team picked up its first win of the season this past week, splitting the two games the Indians were able to play out of three scheduled. The bucket Tribe first surrendered a 63-53 defeat at home at the hands of New Hampton Tuesday, December 13 before claiming this season’s first victory, 60-41 over North Butler, at the Wapsie Valley Winter Classic held Saturday, December 17 at Upper Iowa University in Fayette. A Friday, December 16 home game with Waverly-Shell Rock was postponed due to winter weather.

The Indians were next scheduled to play back-to-back nights of competition to wrap up their pre-holiday schedule, traveling to Oelwein Monday, December 19 before playing at Decorah Tuesday, December 20 in another NEIC girl/boy match-up. The Waukon boys will return to action after the holidays with a January 3 non-conference date at Kee before hosting Charles City Friday, January 6.

The Waukon girls basketball team played to an undefeated week this past week, sweeping the two games the Indians were able to play out of three scheduled for the Lady Indians. The Waukon girls first recorded a 68-62 win at home over New Hampton Tuesday, December 13 before completing their sweep of the week with a 73-60 triumph over Dubuque Hempstead at the Wapsie Valley Winter Classic held at Upper Iowa University in Fayette Saturday, December 17. A Friday, December 16 home game with Waverly-Shell Rock was postponed due to winter weather.

The Lady Indians were next scheduled to play back-to-back nights of competition to wrap up their pre-holiday schedule, traveling to Spring Grove, MN Monday, December 19 before playing at Decorah Tuesday, December 20 in an NEIC girl/boy match-up. The bucket Tribe will return to action following the holiday break, traveling to Kee Tuesday, January 3 before hosting Charles City Friday, January 6.

Waukon volleyball senior Jayden Knox has committed her skills to the Clarke University volleyball program in Dubuque. She is pictured above after signing her letter of commitment Wednesday, December 14, seated with her parents, Ashley and Troy Knox. Pictured behind them are, left to right, Clarke University head volleyball coach Chris Miron and assistant coach Alyssa Baumhover. Knox plans to double major in Psychology and Social Work, and she feels Clarke is a great fit for her.

In what turned out to be the only game of the week for the Kee girls basketball team, a match-up between two squads both still in search of their first win of the season took until the very final seconds of the Kee girls’ Tuesday, December 13 Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) game at Postville to determine which team would continue that search. Even though it was the Lady Hawks who didn’t move the scoreboard for the game’s final six minutes of the contest, they had done enough prior to that final silence to be able to hold off the host Pirates and secure the first Kee win of the season, 36-33.

Sandra Roys, age 88, of Ames, formerly of Volga and Waukon, passed away December 8, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Volga.

Sandra Lucille Martin Roys was born October 4, 1934 to Michael and Vera (Hesner) Martin in Volga. Sandra’s childhood was carefree enjoying time on the farm. She graduated from Volga High School and went to Iowa State Teachers College (now known as the University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls. She then was an elementary teacher until she married John Roys. John and Sandra had been high school sweethearts and tied the knot August 11, 1956.

Saturday, December 10, 2022, Kiara L. Moser (Moore), a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and granddaughter, passed away at the age of 34. A celebration of life will be held in remembrance of Kiara in Lansing March 4, 2023.

Kiara loved spending time with family and friends, and always had a beautiful smile. She welcomed any chance to play a friendly game at gatherings. She was an avid baker and enjoyed treating family and friends to her culinary delicacies.

Kiara loved writing and enjoyed reading books across a wide variety of genres. Her favorite holiday was Halloween, and you could always count on her elaborate and detailed costumes.

Kiara is survived by her mother, Melody Meyers (Delaney) of Lacon, IL; her siblings, Jessica Bull (Dorney) of Watertown, WI and Matthew Dorney of Oconomowoc, WI; and her grandmother, Ann Delaney (Troendle) of Lansing. Kiara was preceded in death by her grandfather, Francis (Frank) Delaney.
 

Lorraine C. Johnson, 79, of Waukon died Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Good Samaritan Society - Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 20 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial was at Lansing Ridge Cemetery in rural Lansing.

Lorraine Carrol Johnson was born January 5, 1943 in La Crosse, WI, the daughter of John E. and Ermina (Nelson) Boyd. March 7, 1943, she was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, and she was then confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lansing July 1, 1956. Lorraine attended Three Corners country school in rural Lansing and graduated in 1961 from Kee High School in Lansing. Following graduation, Lorraine was a secretary for the superintendent at the Lansing school.