The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, May 4 to address a full agenda of matters including the National Police Week Proclamation, consideration of a Facade Improvement Grant application and the First Reading of the Ordinance Amending Chapters 15, 19, and 30 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including John Lydon, Cassie Handke, Nic Engrav, Tim Smedsrud and Steve Wiedner.
Main Street Lansing is seeking sponsors for its 18 downtown flower pots to help bring Main Street to life this season. Main Street Lansing Executive Director Jackie Cooper says that a $100 sponsorship will help beautify downtown Lansing with vibrant flowers for the community and visitors to enjoy all season long.
As a thank you, sponsors will receive a personalized plaque placed inside one of the flower pots, such as what is pictured in the submitted photo above. That plaque can include a business name, be in memory of a loved one, or include a family name, for example. Every dollar raised goes directly toward purchasing and planting the flowers. Those interested in sponsoring a flower pot should use the following link to complete the quick form and submit payment: https://impact.locable.com/widgets/contact_form_widgets/eedab176-f337-48....
Scholarship award at Upper Iowa University ... Dalton Dibert of Lansing, a 2022 graduate of Kee High School, was awarded the Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship at the Upper Iowa University Honors & Awards Banquet held Saturday, April 11 on the school’s Fayette campus. Dibert is pictured above receiving the award from Upper Iowa University President Kathy Franken (pictured at right in the submitted photo above). Emma Munson (not pictured) of Lansing was also awarded the Kenneth J. & Sharon L. (Reisch) Erickson Scholarship Fund.
Upper Iowa University (UIU) in Fayette celebrated academic excellence during its annual Honors & Awards Banquet Saturday, April 11, at the Fayette Campus. More than $500,000 in scholarships were awarded through 252 individual recognitions. These funds will support students during the 2026–2027 academic year.
Among those honored individuals were a pair of students from the Lansing area. Dalton Dibert was awarded the Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship, which is an endowed scholarship awarded annually to deserving students from the northeast Iowa area. Emma Munson was awarded the Kenneth J. & Sharon L. (Reisch) Erickson Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to students majoring in either Accounting or Finance who have successfully completed their first year of study and are maintaining a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
Deadlines/Dates
May 14 - August 2: Primary Nesting Season
June 1: The final day to apply for a Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) for Corn or Soybeans
June 19: Office closed in observance of Juneteenth
July 3: Office closed in observance of Independence Day
July 15: Deadline to Report Acres
August 12: Deadline to submit an SDRP application
The non-profit government watchdog Common Cause has sued the current administration 37 times since the beginning of the second term for actions either unethical, illegal, immoral or just plain vindictive.
So many activities have slipped by under the radar, not making the media reporting. Some examples: Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) youngsters, many of them his employees, have gained access to all of our private information, a huge ethical concern. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is demanding that states turn over their voting rolls so they can purge the voters who do not support them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has backslid on clean air and water regulations, allowing big manufacturers to pollute with impunity, eliminating incentives for clean energy and pushing coal and oil.
In her letter to the Editor April 15, Ann Fields claimed that President Trump prioritizing military spending on the war in Iran would mean less funding for Medicare and Medicaid. Wrong. At no time did he state that. The increase in spending for the war in Iran will not lead to cuts in Federal spending on those social services.
The Islamic regime in Iran would like to be able to control the world petroleum market, however, President Trump has made that impossible. We know that the price of crude oil is at an all-time high. We also know that is transitory and will soon end. At no time during the president’s address April 1 did he suggest that Medicare and Medicaid would be cut in any way.
“Family Wellness Fair” returns to VMH in Waukon ... The annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon. This year a free community meal will be served celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the hospital and 5th Anniversary of the hospital clinics. The numerous fair exhibits will host activities, giveaways and education for all ages. All visitors are again welcome to enter the fair through the VMH main entrance, the hospital clinic entrance or the Emplify by Gundersen Clinic entrance allowing for more accessible parking options. Pictured are scenes from last year’s event. New this year, infant and child car seat checks will be available in the hospital clinic parking lot throughout the night. Everyone in the area communities is welcome to attend this free event. Submitted photos.
The annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held Wednesday, May 6 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. This year the 75th anniversary of the hospital will be celebrated along with the 5th anniversary of the hospital’s clinics with a community meal. Health and wellness testing, exhibits, activities and refreshments will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for families of all ages. All visitors are again welcome to enter the fair through the Veterans Memorial Hospital main entrance, the hospital clinic entrance or the Emplify by Gundersen Clinic entrance allowing for more accessible parking options.
The new Senior Life Solutions (SLS) department at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) will be hosting a Wellness Chat and Bingo Tuesday, May 12, in Lansing at the Meehan Memorial Library from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Any seniors, age 65 and over, are invited to attend and enjoy playing bingo while sharing some social time together. Prizes will also be awarded.
This bingo opportunity is made possible by Senior Life Solutions which is a new department of Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week observed at VMH ... The Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Laboratory Department celebrated Medical Laboratory Professionals Week April 19-25, emphasizing the continued need for blood donations. Pictured above in the front row, left to right, are Robin Gray, MLS; and Karli Rains, LA. Back row, left to right, includes Erica Mannette, MLS; Caty Bruening, Laboratory Manager; Dr. Chris Cogbill, Laboratory Director; Michelle Benda, MLT and McKenna Hubka, MLT. These local hospital laboratory professionals remind the community how important blood donations are in keeping the community safe and healthy and encourage donations at the next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive in Waukon May 4. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Laboratory Staff observed Medical Laboratory Professionals Week April 19–25. This week celebrates the essential work of laboratory professionals - and the continued need for community blood donations.
VMH’s blood supply is provided by LifeServe Blood Center, which reports that donor turnout has been lower than expected for this time of year. As a result, blood inventories across the region are below target levels.
At Veterans Memorial Hospital, the laboratory team is still able to meet patient needs, but supplies are tighter than usual. Certain blood types are in shorter supply due to continual demand and fewer donations. While no immediate disruptions to patient care are expected, staff say they are carefully managing inventory.
Occupational Therapy Month observed at VMH ... April is Occupational Therapy month. The Occupational Therapy Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), including Melissa Clarke, OT; Tami Gebel, OT and Amy Evanson, C.O.T.A., share tips on how to make gardening less of a chore while continuing to participate in this favorite activity. Submitted photo.
by Tami Gebel, OTR/L
Springtime has finally arrived, and many people are anxious to be out in the yard planting their gardens. Gardening can be a very rewarding hobby or past-time, even therapeutic to the mind and soul. However when the physical tasks become too painful or difficult, many people find that having a garden is more of a chore.
