Allamakee County continued to follow the recent nationwide trend of increasing confirmed COVID-19 cases as summer activity has increased and restrictions that had been in place over the past several months have been lessened. After the Allamakee County Department of Public Health reported a total of eight new confirmed cases during the first week in July, Allamakee County’s new case numbers remained right within that same range this past week with seven new confirmed cases from Tuesday, July 7 through Monday, July 13.
Rappelling the bluff ... Amy Ries of the Raptor Resource Project starts her rappelling descent through the brush from a blufftop overlooking the Mississippi River valley in northeast Iowa. Ries says she is thankful for the landowners who so generously allow them access to the bluffs on their properties. Photo by Scott Boylen.
Making his descent ... The crew that rappelled and banded peregrine falcons this spring included Raptor Resource Project Director John Howe, David Kester, Amy Ries, Sophia Landis and Mark Webber. Other volunteers included Bill Smith, Jon Stravers and Maggie Jones. Pictured above is David Kester as he prepares to go over the bluff in hope of retrieving the young peregrine falcons to be banded for the project. Photo by Scott Boylen.
First-time experience ... Sophia Landis of Elkader rappelled with the Raptor Resource Project for the first time this year. Here she holds a young peregrine after it has been banded (blue band on leg in photo foreground). Once the young are banded and information is gathered they are safely taken back to their nest. Photo by Scott Boylen.
by Kelli Boylen
Most people who live in northeast Iowa have overlooked the Mississippi River valley from the top of a bluff and looked up at the bluff tops from the river valley.
Few have rappelled down the cliffs, and it’s safe to say the number of people who have rappelled down the bluff sides to fetch baby peregrine falcons while the parent birds are dive bombing their efforts is very few. Members of the Raptor Resource Project (RRP) spend several days each spring doing just that.
Peregrine falcons are the fastest bird in the world, reaching speeds up to 200 miles per hour during hunting dives, and they are once again calling northeast Iowa home thanks to the Raptor Resource Project and the legacy of Bob Anderson.
Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon continues to follow Iowa Department of Public Health recommendations for testing of COVID-19. To qualify for a test, patients must meet one of the following criteria:
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 13 to address a short agenda of items including Quarterly Reports from the County Recorder, Relief and Veterans Affairs offices, consideration of a County Courthouse Information Technology (IT) position and consideration of the roadway maintenance agreement between the City of Waukon, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Allamakee County.
During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed a statement written by Superintendent Dale Crozier of the Eastern Allamakee School Community District addressing concerns relating to the impact of an Alliant Energy power plant closure, if that were to happen.
Damaging winds proved to cause the greatest amount of trouble during the Thursday afternoon, July 9 severe thunderstorm that rolled through northeast Iowa. Within the town of Waukon there was an abundance of tree damage (as evident in the surrounding photos), as well as some power outages due to power lines being damaged by falling trees or poles themselves being blown over.
Following the Thursday, July 9 storm - the damage from which appears in the other photos on this same page, another strong storm system moved through northeast Iowa Saturday evening, July 11, bringing with it some heavy rain, wind and hail. The National Weather Service received reports from Allamakee County of hail nearly 3/4 of an inch in diameter in the Waukon area, along with reports of up to two inches of rain falling in less than hour. That heavy rainfall resulted in an areal flood warning being issued for parts of western Allamakee County and produced such situations as what is pictured above near the intersection of State Highway 9 and Ninth Street SW outside of Waukon (more locally known as Riehm’s Corner), as heavy rains filled the roadside ditches and spilled out on to the roadway.
The Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) has announced the donation of 25 acres of land from the Francis Garrett family to Allamakee County in memory of his late wife, Celia Sander-Garrett.
The property is located on the west side of Lansing and has Clear Creek running the length of the property. Clear Creek is a trout stream which holds both Brown and Rainbow trout. The property contains a high quality wetland which provides a location to view various species of waterfowl and migratory birds.
COVID Recovery Iowa has begun offering virtual support groups for parents, teens and pre-teens. Mandy Gesme, Child and Family Team Lead for COVID Recovery Iowa, said the organization has been getting many requests from parents for activities they can do with their children, and advice for how to help their teenagers through the pandemic.
“We thought it would be great to give them the chance to talk to each other with their ideas and strategies,” Gesme said. “It’s just one more resource we can provide.”
COVID Recovery Iowa is for all Iowans who have been affected in any way by COVID-19. In addition to support groups, activities and resources, COVID Recovery Iowa offers free, confidential virtual counseling to all Iowans. Activities include cooking classes, yoga and meditation and more to help Iowans through this stressful time.
The Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (NEIRHTF) is accepting applications for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance and housing rehabilitation\improvement projects. Applicants must be low-moderate-income first-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlord/for-profit organizations or non-profit organizations to promote and create affordable housing activities.
All applicants must be in one of the following counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. Eligible projects include rehabilitation and repair of existing housing, including, but not limited to roofs, windows, siding, plumbing, electrical, energy efficiency, lead paint issues and handicap accessibility.
Tag and toss to turn two ... Waukon softball senior second baseman Maddie Ellingson turns to fire a throw to first base after tagging the Waverly-Shell Rock runner at left to turn a double play in the fifth inning of the Indians’ 7-4 home loss to Waverly-Shell Rock Friday, July 10. The lone senior on this season’s team, Ellingson recorded two put-outs and one assist in the final home game of her high school athletic career for the Indians. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
The Waukon softball team brought its 2020 regular season to a close this past week with four final games all initially scheduled on four consecutive nights and involving a pair of top-15 ranked opponents to start the week. All four of the Tribe’s final games ended up outside the win column, beginning with a 12-0 home loss to Class 3A 12th-rated Crestwood in just three innings Monday, July 6 followed by a 9-5 loss at Class 4A fifth-rated Charles City Tuesday, July 7. The Indians then made up a June 26 postponement at Waverly-Shell Rock Wednesday, July 8, falling by an 8-1 end result, before hosting those same Go-Hawks Friday, July 10 in a rare matinee performance during the day after being rained out the night before, but still falling by a 7-4 final tally.
