News Center newsletter

The Ferryville Tourism Council has announced the second of the four Chautauqua Summer Series programs for this season. Wednesday, July 8, Lee Hendrix will be conducting a presentation on his life as a tow boat captain up and down the Mississippi River.

The program will be held at the Ferryville Village Hall at 6:30 p.m. Treats will be available. There is no cost for this program, and a donation can will be out to help defray the costs of Ferryville Tourism events.

Hendrix grew up in the St. Louis area, and he became a deck hand on a tow boat in 1972. The river “bug” caught him, and he received his license to be a tow boat pilot just four years later. His long career includes teaching, developing curriculum for schools about the Mississippi River, and piloting casino boats in the Quad Cities area.

Jeremy J. Snitker, age 51, passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 26, 2026, after a motorcycle accident that took place in Dunn County, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Jeremy’s memory in true fashion; with stories, laughter, and a toast to a life well-lived. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family during this incredibly difficult time.

Jeremy Joseph Snitker was born August 4, 1974, in Nebraska to his loving parents, Bruce and Connie Snitker. Throughout his life, he made a home and left a lasting impression on communities across the Midwest, living in Prairie Farm, WI and Clear Lake, WI, as well as Cresco and Waukon in Iowa.

John H. Simmons, 84, of Waukon died Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon following a short illness. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 7 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Veterans Memorial Hospital, Robey Memorial Library, or the Allamakee County Veterans Museum, all in Waukon.

John Hagen Simmons was born October 26, 1941, the son of Mabel (Hagen) and Karl Simmons in Waukon. He grew up on the family dairy farm in southwest Waukon. John was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ, graduated from Waukon High School in 1960, where he was active in plays and band, and attended the University of Iowa.

Ruby R. Herman, 91, of Waukon passed away Friday, June 19, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, surrounded by her family. Funeral services were held Monday, June 29 at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials can be made to Zalmona Presbyterian Church, Mt. Hope Cemetery Fund, or the Veterans Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation.

Ruby Rose Herman was born November 21, 1934, in Waukon, the daughter of Earl and Myrtle (Sadler) Beardmore. She was baptized and confirmed at Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church in rural New Albin, attended English Bench grade school in rural Dorchester, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1952.

Trees and farm outbuildings suffer brunt of damage but no injuries reported from abrupt June 17 storm

One of the strongest tornadoes recorded locally in 40 years ripped through the eastern middle of Allamakee County late Wednesday afternoon, June 17, starting right near the very center of the county and progressing slightly southeast before crossing the Mississippi River and continuing into Wisconsin at a total distance of nearly 33 miles traveled in around a 45-minute timeframe. Although no injuries or fatalities were reported from the quick-hitting storm, the tornado did leave significant damage to trees, farm buildings and fields, in addition to some home damage as it roared through Allamakee County.

Tuesday, June 16, Erin Cantrell, a flight nurse with Emplify Health Air Medical Transport, attended the Waukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) monthly meeting to award Clinical Excellence Challenge Coins (pictured at right) to many of the EMS team members on their quick response to a 911 cardiac arrest call they had received earlier this spring that is credited with saving a life. April 15, the call came from the home of Randy and Lisa Murphy in Waukon after Randy became unresponsive. Randy’s wife, Lisa, was also complimented on her quick response in starting CPR as soon as she did and the important role it played in his survival.

Following the release of a special investigation report by State of Iowa Auditor Rob Sand Monday morning, June 15 in regard to financial matters with Lansing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for the period January 1, 2019, through September 30, 2025, leaders of Lansing EMS responded to the report with a statement outlining their own acknowledgment, gratitude and assurance of how much its members value the responsibility they have in serving the public and the trust of that public they serve.

The released report indicates that the special investigation was requested by the Allamakee County Auditor’s Office in February of 2025 as a result of concerns regarding certain financial transactions and financial reporting of Lansing EMS. The investigation outlined the identification of $8,461.20 of what were labeled as improper disbursements and $9,778.67 of what were termed unsupported disbursements over that nearly six-year period.

FreedomBank of Elkader, Monona, Postville, and Waukon has promoted James Moritz to President.  Moritz, who has 35 years of banking experience with FreedomBank, has been involved in credit, ALCO, trust, and executive leadership. He has been Market President of the Monona location for the past six years and a member of the board of directors since 2019.

Moritz succeeds Kathy Mueller, a 45-year banker who served as President from 2020-2026. Mueller will retain her role as CEO of FreedomBank and President of the bank’s holding company, FreedomBank Shares, Inc.

Pladsen Chevrolet automotive technicians Drew Adam and Brian Wullner (left to right in the submitted photo at right) were recently honored with Mark of Excellence Awards for ranking among the Top 20 Performing General Motors (GM) Service Technicians in the Midwest Region. The General Motors Mark of Excellence Service Technician Award recognizes the top 20 performing service technicians within each General Motors zone. It honors the industry’s highest achievers in fixed-right-first-time (FIRTFT) metrics, product knowledge, and continued General Motors certification. Technicians are evaluated on their annual diagnostic skills, productivity, Gold/Master Level training certifications, and customer satisfaction (CSI) scores.

Deadlines/Dates
May 14 - August 2: Primary Nesting Season
July 3: Office closed in observance of Independence Day
July 13-19: Allamakee County Fair
July 15: Deadline to Report Acres
August 12: Deadline to submit an SDRP application