Guilty verdict returned in murder trial ... An Allamakee County jury took less than an hour to return a guilty verdict in the first-degree murder trial of Brandon Kasemeier (pictured at left), age 41, of Waukon, who was charged in the January 21, 2024 death of his estranged wife, Jami Kasemeier, in the home they once shared in Waukon. The trial took a week from its jury selection that began Tuesday, May 20 through its Tuesday afternoon, May 27 verdict, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7. File photo by Sharon Drahn.
Jami Kasemeier ... Submitted photo.
Sharon Drahn
Contributing Writer
In a week’s time from initial jury selection to the final verdict being returned - with an extended holiday weekend in between, the first-degree murder trial of 41-year-old Brandon Kasemeier of Waukon came to an end last week. The ending to that trial took a 12-person jury of Allamakee County men and women less than an hour to decide, as they returned a verdict of guilty Tuesday afternoon, May 27 in Allamakee County District Court at Waukon.
Water taxi dock in place, free service to begin this Wednesday ... The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) installed the dock pictured above at Big Slough Landing during the middle of last week, making it available once again for the free water taxi service that will help shuttle people across the Mississippi River while the Black Hawk Bridge remains closed following movement detection in one of the bridge’s piers May 17. DOT officials have released a schedule for the water taxi and accompanying shuttle service (see Page 27 in this week’s edition of The Standard), with that free service expected to begin this Wednesday, June 4. Photo by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials have announced that a free water taxi and shuttle service connecting Lansing and De Soto, WI will be starting this Wednesday, June 4, and that service will be available during the closure of the Black Hawk Bridge, which began May 17 when pier movement was detected. Within the Monday, June 2 announcement of the availability of the water taxi service, DOT officials also offered the following statement in regard to the continued closure of the Black Hawk Bridge:
“Iowa DOT is reviewing findings from the most recent engineering study and is evaluating ongoing construction for the new bridge which is occurring near the existing bridge. The department has not finalized any repair or reopening plans for the existing bridge.”
The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board has scheduled the June Dairy Days Parade to be held in Lansing this year. The parade will be held this Sunday, June 8, beginning at 7 p.m., a bit of a change from its usual Monday night schedule.
Line-up for parade entries begins at 6:30 p.m. at Kee High School on Center Street in Lansing. The parade route will travel from the high school up South 6th Street to Main Street/State Highway 9, taking a right and traveling east down Main Street to South 3rd Street, where another right will take the parade back to Center Street, traveling back to Kee High School.
The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board will be setting up its dairy wagon and the Allamakee County Cattlemen will be grilling at the Kerndt Brothers Bank parking lot area and serving from 5-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kerri Gibbs at 563-419-2260 or ckgibbs@acegroup.cc.
Saturday morning, May 31, at approximately 8:43 a.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a one-vehicle accident on State Highway 76 north of Waukon, between Grand View Road and Iowa River Drive. The accident resulted in fatal injuries for the lone individual involved.
A report issued by the Iowa State Patrol indicates that Daniel M. Fisher, age 64, reported to be from Salem, WI but also being a more recent resident of Lansing and having served for a time as the Executive Director of Main Street Lansing a decade ago, was traveling northbound on State Highway 76 on his 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he struck a deer in the roadway near mile marker 42. Upon impact, Fisher lost control of the motorcycle and it entered and came to rest in the east ditch, throwing him from the vehicle. Fisher was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident as a result of his injuries.
Attorney Kevin E. Stinn has become a shareholder in the law firm now known as Swartz & Stinn Law, PLLC, in Waukon. The firm was formerly known as Swartz Law Firm, PLLC. Stinn is a married father of one and resides in Waukon. He practices family law, criminal defense, general civil litigation, real estate transactions, and estate planning.
Attorney Stinn is presently the President of the Iowa Municipal Attorney’s Association and an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Marquette. He is also active in the Allamakee County Bar Association and in several community and non-profit organizations. Pictured in the above photo is Attorney Kevin E. Stinn (left) shaking hands with the firm’s founding attorney Jeffrey L. Swartz (right). Submitted photo.
Members of First Baptist Church conducting mission trip to Brazil ... Left to right - Front row: Steve Kiley, Cristina Smith, Valeria White, Deb Kiley, Denise Beyer, Diane Roth, Lin Barthel; Back row: Larry Straate, Pastor Duane Smith, Michael Smith, Brent Beyer, Michael Roth Jr., Mike Roth Sr., Larry Barthel. Submitted photo.
Fourteen members of First Baptist Church of Waukon are scheduled to depart Wednesday, June 4 for Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil on a mission trip, returning Wednesday, June 18. This is the fifth mission trip to Brazil organized by co-leaders Pastor Duane and Cristina Smith. The couple enjoys planning overseas mission trips for First Baptist Church with the intent of sharing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
The mission team will present to churches, schools, and one-on-one with individuals in the city of Vitoria da Conquista. Cristina Smith’s brother and sister-in-law, David and Debbie Thompson, are the team’s hosts and have served as veteran missionaries to the area for 40 years.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 2 to address a full agenda of matters including Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Facade Improvement Grant Application, the Ordinance Amending Provisions Related to Fireworks, and discussion of the West Street SW Project and associated landscaping. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in special session Wednesday, May 21, in regular session Tuesday, May 27 following the closure of the County Courthouse in observance of the Memorial Day holiday Monday, May 26, and in regular session Monday, June 2. Coverage of all three of those meetings is provided below.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
Chairperson Dan Byrnes and Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark were present for a special meeting Wednesday, May 21 which included one agenda item relating to the discussion and consideration of steam trap proposals for the County Courthouse heating system. Clark made note of a conversation that took place earlier in the week with Service Manager Paul Kruckow from the La Crosse, WI location of Winona Heating and Ventilating, Inc. relating to a cost increase between the April 22 proposal and the May 14 proposal regarding the replacement of steam traps and control valves.
The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing will host its next Conservation Cafe session Wednesday, June 11, starting at 9:30 a.m. This is a new series that has been started at the Driftless Area Education & Visitors Center to enjoy some social time with a hot beverage and a conservation-focused program following. The program will be free of charge, but advanced registration is encouraged.
The Ferryville Tourism Council has announced the first in its annual series of three Chautauqua Summer Programs to be held throughout this summer. The first program will be held Wednesday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ferryville Village Hall.
The June 11 presentation will be “Rattlesnakes of the Driftless Region” and will be given by Erik Wild, a herpetologist associated with University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point who has been surveying rattlesnakes for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for over 10 years. Most recently he has played a key role in the DNR’s rattlesnake research in the Rush Creek State Natural Area and is passionate about sharing the benefits of these elusive creatures.
Anyone who loves snakes, or is terrified of snakes, or is nervous about snakes, or just has an abundance of curiosity is welcome to attend. Treats will be available.
