News Center newsletter

A community-based discussion addressing a shortage of child care in Allamakee County is scheduled to be held this Friday, March 15 from 8 a.m.-12 noon in Room 113 of the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW in Waukon. A continental breakfast will be served.

Discussion facilitators will share information, gather ideas and input from those in attendance to address how the shortage of child care impacts this area’s economic growth and success. The meeting is being hosted by Early Childhood Partners and will be facilitated by the Iowa Women’s Foundation.

According to statistics provided by those groups, 82% of households in Allamakee County have both parents working outside the home, and there has also been a 50% decrease in child care programs in the last five years in Allamakee County.

Waukon High School welcomed the newest members into its local chapter of the National Honor Society at an annual induction ceremony held Thursday, March 7 at Waukon High School. Pictured above are this year’s new inductees, left to right - Front row: Olivia Rathbone, Madalyn Ellingson, Carrissa Bockman, Leah Bulman, Alison Sherman, Carter Benzing, Katelyn Benzing, Faith Palmer, McKenzie Cooper. Middle row: Abbie Brainard, Miann Barr, Sophie Halverson, Reed Kelly, Alyx Ede, Brock Hatlan, Luke Pladsen, Tyler Block, Ryan Hanson, Justin Strub, Logan Houg. Back row: Leslie Halverson, Michael Sweeney, Nolan Hanson, Owen Halverson, Logan Van Ruler, Nathan Johnson, Ellec Armstead, Soraya Reyes, Brady Beyer, Angel Flack. Not pictured: Hailey Regan. Photo courtesy of Waukon High School.
 

Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) in cooperation with the Clayton County Community Collaboration Council (5C) will be offering an interactive “Hidden In Plain …” exhibit for adults from the community during Parent/Teacher Conferences in the Allamakee Community School District Monday,

March 18 from 1:30-8 p.m. in the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. The exhibit is intended to serve as a drug indicator exhibit, providing an example of what most would call a typical bedroom for a teenager but also offering insight into what may also be some areas that are easily overlooked by parents/guardians and may provide evidence of teen substance use or abuse.

The Good Samaritan Society-Waukon recognizes employees and volunteers who represent those who consistently go above and beyond in their work for the Good Samaritan Society (GSS) each year. These individuals embody the eight traits of the GSS Way, which include Love, Joy, Perseverance, Honesty, Compassion, Acceptance, Courage and Humility. These individuals are selected by a nomination process and will then be considered for regional awards. All regional award winners are then eligible to be considered for national wards and celebrated at the Society’s Annual Operations Conference. Good Samaritan Society-Waukon has recognized three of its staff members pictured above, left to right, Lori Shogren (Health Information Management Director), Brookelyn Adam (RN Charge Nurse) and Judie Hanson (Activities Director), for their exceptional work and for how they live out the GSS Way while carrying out the mission of the Good Samaritan Society. Submitted photo.
 

The Cat’s Pajamas Vocal Band, a national touring professional a cappella group, will be performing at the Waukon High School Auditorium Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. as part of the group’s 12th annual Music in Our Schools Tour.

“The Cat’s Pajamas” has received national acclaim on NBC’s hit show “The Sing-Off” and on the PBS special “Doo-Wop Generations”. The group also performed as a headlining act on the boardwalk of Atlantic City, at the Andy Williams Theater in Branson, MO, and as guest entertainers with Norwegian, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Lines.

“They are so energetic and fun!” stated Brenda Dougherty of the Allamakee Music Boosters. “They relate to all ages, young and old. You will be singing their music and humming the tunes for week’s afterwards!”

Hundreds of students from Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) celebrated the National Read Across America event Friday, March 1. District Teacher Librarian Lisa Snitker organized the annual paired reading event in the Waukon High School/Middle School Library. Students from East and West Elementary Schools partner-read with Waukon Middle School students during the event, reading print books and eBooks on the Middle School student laptops, the large touch table and interactive big screen (such as what is pictured in the surrounding photos). Promoting reading through peer modeling encourages teaching and learning. Through the event students gain reading skills, socially interact and build new relationships. Teachers and staff from Waukon Middle School and East and West Elementary Schools remarked that the Read Across America event was an amazing opportunity for older and younger students to connect in a positive and rewarding experience. Submitted photos.
 

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Monday evening, March 11 for its regular monthly board meeting. That regular meeting was held a weekly earlier than the usual third Monday of the month due to wanting to meet some deadline requirements for upcoming projects.

The meeting began with two public hearings. The first was on the 2019-2020 school calendar, and there were no comments. The second was on proposed public improvement, and again there were no comments. Board President Al Rissman closed the public hearings and the board proceeded to approve the consent agenda.

History and archeology surrounding the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Lansing bridge project will be the topic of a talk to be held at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Thursday, March 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The DOT’s Brennan Dolan will lead the discussion, which is free of charge and open to the public.

Earlier talks with the Lansing Historical Working Group have focused on the National Historic Preservation Act and the process that state and federal agencies are responsible for following. This talk will focus on what it means to mitigate for the loss of historic properties.

Pvt. Tristan Rolfs graduated from basic military training at Fort Benning, GA December 7, 2018. He is a 2018 graduate of Kee High School in Lansing.

During the 14 weeks of basic training, Pvt. Rolfs received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing the use of various weapons and weapons defenses that are available to the infantry crewmen. Pvt. Rolfs was promoted to Bay Leader and was in charge of 64 fellow soldiers in his barracks.

Main Street Lansing is going to be holding its annual meeting Saturday, March 23 at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall in Lansing. The doors open at 5 p.m., and the events kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a preview selection from the Kee High School production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

A meal will immediately follow, consisting of smoked pork loin, chicken marsala, green beans, baby red potatoes, pea salad and a roll. Discussion topics include plans Main Street Lansing has for 2019, and ways to be involved in those plans.

All attendees will be entered into a cash prize drawing and must RSVP by March 15. Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Main Street Lansing office or from a Main Street Lansing board member. For more information about the meeting, call 563-538-9229.