Webinars on dairy goat management and care planned throughout the year
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team will continue its quarterly dairy goat webinar in 2022 with all webinar dates and topics identified. All webinars will be from noon to 1:15 p.m.
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) offers several programs for landowners to enroll environmentally sensitive farmland into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
The continuous and general CRP signups provide annual rental payments to producers and landowners for establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species on cropland, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat.
Continuous CRP allows landowners to enroll new land at any time during the year, and includes the State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) practice. Under SAFE, landowners can design special habitat for pheasant, bobwhite, grassland songbirds, and other species. SAFE is only available in targeted geographies, producers not eligible for SAFE can offer land into other continuous practices or thru the general signup.
Interstate Power and Light Company, Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company, held a virtual public meeting January 11 of this year regarding the coal ash ponds at its Lansing Generating Station located just south of Lansing along the Great River Road and the Mississippi River.
A written statement provided by Alliant Energy following the virtual meeting - which local attendees reported was frequently interrupted by audio disruptions - indicated that an Assessment of Corrective Measures study was discussed during the January 11 public meeting, as well as Alliant Energy’s work to meet requirements of the federal Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule.
Monday, February 28 will be a day devoted to raising awareness for suicide prevention in Waukon and the surrounding community, as the Alive and Running Iowa organization will conduct a pair of events aimed at helping save lives and reducing suicidal behaviors.
Alive & Running Iowa began as a running event held annually in the small Iowa town of Dunkerton but has grown into a non-profit organization to help raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. Co-founders Troy Belmer and Ryan Nesbit organized Alive & Running Iowa in 2009 in honor of their friend, Roger, who they lost to suicide when they were sophomores at Dunkerton High School in 1991.
Since then, in addition to conducting the annual running event in their hometown, the two also make presentations and work with numerous other agencies toward that same goal of suicide awareness and prevention.
February 19 legislative forum held in Waukon ... Area legislative representatives Anne Osmundson of Iowa House of Representatives District 56, District 28 Senator Mike Klimesh, and Michael Bergan of Iowa House of Representatives District 55 (left to right near center top in above photo) were in attendance at a public forum with area residents Saturday, February 19 at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building in Waukon. Among the items discussed at the forum were education funding, can redemption issues, ATV/UTV regulation, a full-time park ranger and other matters at Yellow River State Forest, the deer population and objectionable materials in schools. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
by Joe Moses
Iowa House of Representatives members Anne Osmundson of District 56 and Michael Bergan of District 55 and Iowa Senator from District 28 Mike Klimesh held a legislative town hall meeting in Waukon Saturday, February 19. The three legislators answered questions from the crowd of approximately 30 individuals in attendance at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building.
Several hot-button issues were raised by those in attendance at the town hall meeting. Jerry Halverson of Waukon talked about challenges within the county relating to can redemption during the COVID-19 pandemic with fewer grocery and convenience stores accepting cans. Klimesh discussed two recent bills relating to can redemption and potential options to support existing redemption centers and retailers.
Waukon City Manager Gary Boden provided an update to The Standard relating to Waukon’s water system challenges in conjunction with the Sunday, February 13 evening fire on Allamakee Street. Two buildings were destroyed and several other adjacent buildings affected by the fire originating from the building at 9 Allamakee Street housing Tin, Rust & Harmony, a new business opened in December 2021 - the previous location of Lucky Finds Consignment.
The fire investigation and clean-up of adjacent impacted businesses continues. Although calls to the State of Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office in charge of the investigation had not been returned as of press time for this edition of The Standard, local authorities say the areas in front of and in back of the buildings destroyed in the blaze have been fenced off for safety and ongoing investigative measures.
Plans have been announced to hold the 2022 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 13. All are invited to participate in this year’s parade with an Irish-themed entry at no cost. Further details of the annual event will be printed as they become finalized.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 21 to address a full agenda of items including discussion and direction on the City’s Employee Policy Handbook, a report on the Water System and the Public Hearing: Ordinance Changing the Zoning District Classification for the Pladsen Addition. Discussion also took place regarding removal of the buildings destroyed in the February 13 fire on Allamakee Street.
There was no Public Comment. Executive Director Laurie Adrian with the Waukon Chamber of Commerce introduced herself as the new executive director with that organization.
Under Department Reports, Police Chief Paul Wagner noted that the Waukon Police Department has been busy. Wagner advised that training will be taking place this week relating to mental health and Narcan, medication used in the emergency treatment of opioid overdoses.
The Waukon Music Department will be hosting the 12th annual Pops Concert this Friday night, February 25 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with concert time at 7 p.m. The Pops Concert is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Allamakee Music Boosters, and it features high energy musical numbers from the 1950s through today. Groups performing will include the high school and middle school choirs, high school and middle school jazz bands, drumline, featured soloists, song and dance skits and emcees.
In early December, members of the Waukon Middle School and High School Bands attended the Northeast Iowa District Honor Band held in Oelwein. The students rehearsed throughout the day and performed in a formal concert that evening. The participating students are pictured here, and in photo above, include Moriah Downing - 8th grade clarinet, under the direction of Waukon Middle School Band Director Tim Lund; and in photo below, left to right, Bailey Sherman - 11th grade flutist, Logan Lubahn - 11th grade tuba and Cody Huinker - 11th grade trombone, all under the direction of Waukon High School Band Director Jo Ann Sherman. Submitted image.
