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Three local students have been selected to perform in the 39th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival, one of Iowa’s most competitive and prestigious youth choir events. These vocalists were chosen from over 3,000 students statewide who auditioned for just 720 available positions in four honor choirs.

Student selections were made through recorded auditions submitted by their directors.

Left to right in the above photo, Jocelyn Berges, the daughter of Cameron and Sara Berges of Waukon, is a first-year Opus Honor Choir member and was selected to perform in the Fifth/Sixth Grade Treble Choir; Lena Rausch, daughter of Kris and Ben Rausch of Waukon, is a fourth-year Opus Honor Choir member and was selected to perform in the Seventh/Eighth Grade Treble Choir; and Connor Buhl, son of Jonathan and Cathy Buhl of Waukon, is a third-year Opus Honor Choir member and was selected to perform in the Seventh/Eighth Grade Bass Choir.

The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Board of Trustees voted unanimously October 20 to appoint Dave Dahms as president. Dahms will continue to serve in the role until his anticipated retirement June 30, 2027.

Since assuming leadership of the College, Dahms has provided steady, forward-thinking direction focused on strengthening the College’s mission and implementing positive changes to move NICC forward. Dahms previously served as the College’s vice president of finance and administration.

“Dave has demonstrated strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to NICC’s mission,” said Jim Anderson, president of the NICC Board of Trustees. “His forward-thinking approach and dedication to student and community success are making a real difference in advancing the College.”

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Mini NICC two-day Craft Camp class. This youth class will be held Monday and Tuesday, November 24-25, from 3:45-5:45 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

This session will focus on two specific areas. Origami, the art of paper folding, will allow participants to create shapes and figures. The group will also explore projects using colorful tissue paper and versatile pipe cleaners, along with a selection of other craft supplies. No prior experience is necessary.

All materials will be provided.

The deadline for paid registration is November 17. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon Center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

by Brianne Grimstad

The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Board of Trustees met for its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, October 28. The board heard a presentation, during which the results from the annual audit conducted by the auditing firm Wipfli were presented to the board.
VMH Administrator Michael Coyle noted that VMH received a “favorable report” and he also noted that the audit team was impressed with how easy the VMH staff was to work with and how organized everything was. There were no major issues found during the audit, just a few adjustments to be made.

Coyle noted that the hospital does not receive IPERS information until after the audit was completed, which was one of the adjustments, as  well as some estimates for the 2025 Medicare Cost Report. After everything was completed, VMH ended up with a positive bottom line of $694,000 for the year.

Imojean Ingles, 86, of Waukon passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A private inurnment was scheduled to be held at Mays Prairie Cemetery in Lansing. Memorials may be sent to 16564 145th Street, Luana, IA 52156.

Imojean was born March 30, 1939, in Portsmouth, VA, the daughter of Frank and Margaret (Tomes) Henderson. She attended school through the ninth grade. February 25, 1956, she was united in marriage to Raymond Ingles, and they shared many years together until his passing September 13, 2000.

A devoted homemaker, Imojean found joy in the simple things in life. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting, tending to her yard and flowers, shopping, and working on various crafts. Her hands were always busy creating something beautiful, and her love and care could be seen in everything she did.

Michael “Mike” J. Foley, 72, of Harpers Ferry died Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the homestead farm in rural Harpers Ferry. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, November 12 at St. Ann’s - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the funeral mass to follow at 11 a.m. Mike and Cindy will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry. Lunch will be provided after the services. Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Michael James Foley was born December 15, 1952, in Waukon, the son of Leo and Rose (Cota) Foley. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. Mike graduated from St. George Catholic School in Lansing in 1970, and also attended Western Wisconsin Technical College as well as Loras College in Dubuque.

After a long and fulfilling life, Amber Ruth Magnusson, 102, of Lansing passed away November 3, 2025 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. According to Amber’s wishes, she will be cremated, and at a later date, her ashes buried at Utica Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Ferryville, WI, in a private graveside service.

Please join us at the Kerndt Brothers Community Center at 395 Main Street in Lansing Friday, November 14 for a memorial service. Pastor Laura Gentry will officiate the service at 1 p.m. with fellowship to follow until 3 p.m. Condolences and memorials can be sent to the Amber Magnusson Family at 1470 Westgate Drive, Lansing, IA 52151 with a memorial to be established later.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 3 to address a full agenda of matters including the Resolution approving the road closure for the Waukon Lighted Holiday Parade, discussion of concerns relating to garbage and recycling services for residential properties, and discussion of a request for proposal for City Hall ceiling repairs.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon. Hatlan noted that the agenda item relating to the consideration of hiring an assistant police chief has been removed from the meeting agenda.

Photos still being sought for some Veterans from Allamakee County

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum, located on Allamakee Street in Waukon, proudly displays a Wall of Honor (pictured at right) that memorializes Allamakee County Veterans who were Killed in Action (KIA) or held as Prisoners of War (POW) during their military service. The wall currently features 95 such soldiers of Allamakee County origin who include 17 Prisoners of War and 78 who were Killed in Action.

Area residents and entities are invited to participate by changing at least one light bulb to green

Allamakee County has announced that several county buildings are being illuminated green during the next week as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort by counties, the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.

From November 4-11, county buildings and landmarks will be illuminated green to show support for veterans and raise awareness around the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families. As of press time for this week’s edition of The Standard, those Allamakee County buildings include certain offices in the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon and the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing.