Kollin and Bobbi Jo Berg of Lansing announce the birth of their son, Hank Ambrose Berg, born March 18, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and measured 22 inches in length at the time of his birth.
Grandparents are Bob and Bonnie Wild of Lansing and Doug and Teresa Berg of Postville. Theresa Lyons of Waukon is a great-grandparent.
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
July 15: Crop Certification
September 30: PLC Yield Update
USDA Service Centers
As of March 25, USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with our producers by phone, and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. Contact the Allamakee County USDA Service Center at 563-568-2148. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
Local health officials advising individuals to stay vigilant in mitigation measures
The daily reports of COVID-19 cases issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health have been bittersweet at the local level of Allamakee County this past week.
While those daily reports have revealed just one additional positive case being confirmed within Allamakee County in the past week’s time after six initial cases had been reported in the previous week, the news released Friday, March 27 of one of those initial Allamakee County cases having their life claimed by the virus cast a shadow on the otherwise hopeful low case count reported from March 24-30. Robert “Bob” Thompson, age 77, of rural Waterville passed away Thursday evening, March 26 from complications of being infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, his passing being confirmed by his family’s social media posts and his obituary that appears in this week’s issue of The Standard.
Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker reports that Allamakee County received a delivery of medical supplies from the State of Iowa Saturday afternoon, March 28 in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, with that delivery being made by the Iowa National Guard. Snitker said the delivered medical supplies consisted mainly of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 masks, surgical masks, disposable gloves and face shields, along with other medical items, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers. None of the delivery involved medicinal items.
Just some of the many who made it possible ... Local residents Jim Larsh, Mark Rethwisch, Sally Rethwisch, Joe Strobel, Becky Conway and Jessica Ewing pictured above were just some of the great many volunteers who helped make possible the Tuesday, March 24 Shep’s Riverside Bar and Grill delivery of more than 300 free meals to people in Lansing and the surrounding community. The event began with a donation offered to owner Justin Shepard of paying for 100 meals to be delivered to those in need, and then more than tripled following additional donations, meal requests and offers to volunteer. Submitted photo.
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
Shep’s Riverside Bar and Grill in Lansing is one of the many area bars and restaurants that depend on socializing, not social distancing, for their livelihood as well as the livelihood of their employees. Business has been dramatically affected because of the limitations to just take-out food by the current COVID-19 pandemic, but owner Justin Shepard, along with many volunteers, recently proved that people do care about each other and will go to extreme means to show that kindness.
Shepard has owned the bar for the last five years but the establishment has been a mainstay along the river in Lansing since 1967.
COVID-19 is circulating in Iowa communities and many more Iowans are likely to become ill in the coming weeks. This guidance offered by the Iowa Department of Public Health describes self-isolation recommendations for well Iowans with potential COVID-19 exposure.
Iowans who may not yet be showing symptoms should stay at home and isolate themselves from other people and animals in the home in the following situations. Isolation should be in place for 14 days after the last exposure:
• Traveled outside of Iowa for business or vacation in the last 14 days.
• Taken a cruise anywhere in the world in the last 14 days.
• Traveled internationally to a country with a level 3 travel warning in the last 14 days.
• Live with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.
The State of Iowa has released a new website providing information on COVID-19. This site includes information on Iowa COVID-19 statistics, information on the COVID-19 virus and how individuals can protect and prepare themselves.
There is also a State of Iowa Agency Guidance section on the site that has links to various Iowa agencies and information pertaining to their services. This new website can be found at https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/.
The Allamakee Energy District received recent funding donations from a trio of local businesses in support of its mission. The District is a 501(c)3 organization committed to building community through sustainable and wise energy use; the development of clean, renewable, locally owned energy; and retention and reinvestment of energy dollars in the local community. The Allamakee Energy District is the seventh county energy district to form in the state of Iowa and is part of a growing state and regional energy conservation movement. The District is working in cooperation with energy districts in Howard, Winneshiek and Clayton counties to provide access to energy conservation efforts such as home energy audits and to educate the public on clean, local energy options.
Waukon Chamber of Commerce has announced the hiring of a new Executive Director, Leddia Tallman. Tallman will graduate from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in May of this year with a major in Health Promotion and a minor in Advanced Leadership Techniques. She is a Cadet in the United States Iowa Army National Guard and is a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at UNI. Since January of this year, Tallman has been completing an internship at Veteran’s Memorial Hospital, Waukon Wellness Center and Helping Services for Youth and Families.
Tallman’s past experience includes working at Classic Upward Bound, UNI’s Wellness Recreation Center, Farm & Home Supply and a public library. Her volunteer experience includes being a Red Cross Club member, ROTC/IANG Open House Mentor, Panther Push Volunteer and Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer.
