News Center newsletter

by Joe Moses

Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) coordinated a tour Wednesday, April 29 showcasing a variety of recent and ongoing projects relating to housing, business, conservation and utilities in Waukon. This tour was open to representatives and professionals from various entities including state and local government, economic development, education and the business community. Approximately 30 individuals along with ACED Executive Director Val Reinke traveled by bus between the eight locations visited in the Waukon area with several other individuals following and joining the tour via their own transportation.

Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will celebrate Armed Forces Day by presenting another program from its Veterans History Project. The program will take place at the museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon in honor of Armed Forces Day observed May 16.

A video interview by Carl Johnson with U.S. Army Veteran Tom Regan of Waukon will be presented. Regan served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1972. He was assigned to an artillery unit which was specially equipped to fire nuclear weapons and was stationed in West Germany in support of NATO forces to defend against possible hostile action by the Warsaw Pact Nations supported by the former USSR.

The public is invited to attend. There is no admission or membership charge. The facility is handicapped accessible.
 

At its Monday, May 4 regular meeting, the Waukon City Council proclaimed May 11-16 as National Police Week, with the proclamation being read aloud by Waukon Mayor Arvid Hatlan noting that May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day each year and encouraging all citizens in Waukon to observe National Police Week May 11-16. Pictured at right at the proclamation event are, left to right, Waukon Police Officer Dustin Harrington, Waukon Police Chief Paul Wagner, Waukon Mayor Arvid Hatlan, and Waukon Police Officer Luke Schulte. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

Pick up the Wednesday, May 13, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
 

Iowa Girls State sponsored by The American Legion Auxiliary of Iowa is scheduled to be held June 14-19 this year on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines. American Legion Auxiliary Scenic Unit #722 of Harpers Ferry has selected Waukon High School junior Katie Regan, daughter of Maury and Stacey Regan of Waukon, as its Girls  State Citizen for this year’s event.

In addition to attending school, her interests also include Future Business Leaders of America, Speech and the American Sign Language Club. She is also an active member of the Allamakee County Democrats who enjoys volunteering in political campaigns.

American Legion Auxiliary Iowa Girls State is one of the premier programs sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary and was started by a dream of four women over 75 years ago in hopes of teaching young women about the political process. Girls State is a “learning by doing” program, which takes the girls through the political process.

The Corner of Hope Growing Hope Globally growing project held its annual Blessing of the Seed and Soil Saturday morning, April 25 to kick off the 2026 growing season. The event was held at the field of Dan Byrnes southeast of Waukon. Pastor Cathy Jurgens from Zion United Church of Christ performed this year’s blessing. If interested in participating in the Corner of Hope, contact Dave Prestemon at 563-568-1361. Submitted photo.

Pick up the Wednesday, May 13, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council moved through a full agenda at its Monday, May 4 regular meeting that combined routine approvals, resident concerns, seasonal staffing decisions, infrastructure updates, and repeated reminders that the city is operating under tighter financial limits. That broader budget caution shaped several of the evening’s decisions, from small purchase requests to larger discussions about capital categories and future planning.

CITIZEN CONCERNS
Resident concerns were discussed early in the meeting, beginning with a written complaint from property owner John Brustkern regarding traffic speed on North Front Street. Brustkern was unable to attend in person, but his concern prompted the council to discuss whether speeding is an ongoing problem on North Front Street and whether additional visual reminders might help.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 11 to address a full agenda of matters including the discussion and consideration of the Medical Examiner Transport Driver list, consideration of hiring a temporary part-time employee for the Secondary Road Department, and discussion of a work session relating to new security camera access. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Dan Byrnes present.

During Public Comment, Byrnes made note of the Friends of Yellow River State Forest’s Annual 5K and 10K Trail Run/Walk and Half Marathon held Saturday, May 9 with an additional 5K held Friday, May 8. Byrnes recognized the many volunteers that assisted in making the event a success, in addition to the efforts of Harpers Ferry Fire and Rescue and the Waterville Fire Department.

Tomorrow, May 14, is Ascension Day.

While not as widely known as other Christian holidays, it is one of the Church’s great feasts. Observed forty days after Easter, Ascension Day marks the moment when the risen Christ ascended into Heaven as his disciples watched in wonder.

In many parts of the world - especially Germany - Ascension Day remains widely celebrated. Churches hold special worship services, bells ring, and families gather outdoors. In some villages, processions and festivals fill the day with music, food, and community. For many German immigrants who settled throughout this area, Ascension Day was once an important part of church life and family tradition.

But Ascension Day is not simply about Jesus returning to the Father. In fact, the story points us toward what comes next.

To the Editor:

Affordability is real and a crisis even though Trump tries to deny it. Prices for groceries, gas, and health insurance have skyrocketed. Why is this happening? Connect the dots.

Trump illegally imposed massive tariffs on countries which resulted in higher prices paid by consumers.  Ordinary Americans are now paying more to feed, clothe, and provide necessities for their families. Although only the U.S. House of Representatives has the power to impose tariffs, our elected representative did absolutely nothing as small businesses closed their doors, workers lost jobs, and farmers lost markets.

To the Editor:

Main Street right-of-way upgrade? When does a dream become a nightmare?

What will be the impacts on Lansing? Unintended consequences!

Is not the purpose of government - especially at its highest levels - to provide leadership, management support, orderliness, safety and conflict resolution, among other things? Where are these qualities now when, because of those highest levels of government, Lansing is faced with the following:

Because of laws and practices at the federal and state level, the proposed Main Street (Hwy. 9) right-of-way project, for which the community and others have literally waited for years, will likely not come close to the ideals and visions of the last few years.

Because of state and federal laws, upgrades to the Main Street right-of-way could be absent beginning at about 224 Main Street east to 2nd Street, and around the corner at 2nd Street north to approximately the alley behind Milty’s.