News Center newsletter

Every year, World Read Aloud Day is a global celebration that calls attention to the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to read aloud together to advocate for literacy as a human right.

Friday, February 1, Robey Memorial Library in Waukon will observe this special event by filling its open hours at the library with stories read aloud by community volunteers and library staff. Individuals, groups and classrooms from throughout the community are invited to participate by spending part of their day at Robey Memorial Library reading aloud or listening to a book being read aloud.

by Macie Hill

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, January 21. Discussion centered around approval of the consent agenda, discussion of Stone School development and an agreement with People Service.

The adoption of the consent agenda was approved consisting of council meeting minutes from January 7 and the Treasurer’s Report for December 2018. A motion was made and seconded for approval to put together an exploration committee to look into a development proposal for the Old Stone School.

Approval was also given by the council to approve the Operation and Maintenance Agreement with People Service to continue to provide services within the City.
 

Snow and ice buildup on natural gas meters can create a safety hazard and even cut off the flow of natural gas to heating equipment and other appliances. To avoid trouble, one can gently remove snow and ice from on and around the meter with their hands or a broom. Gas meters and regulators are durable and designed with the weather in mind, but a coating of ice or snow could cause a loss of service and become a critical safety issue. If at all possible, remove the snow before it has a chance to freeze.

Six individuals have submitted applications to the Subdistrict 1A Judicial Nominating Commission for consideration for nomination to the District Court. The 1A Judicial Nominating Commission will meet Monday, January 28 to interview applicants to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Margaret Lingreen.

The applicants include John William Bernau, Shea Marie Chapin, Alan Thomas Heavens, Nathan Carl  Moonen, Stephanie Christine Rattenborg and Justin Michael Vorwald. Any citizen may communicate with any Commissioner listed below to express their views of a candidate prior to the January 28 interview date.

The Judicial Nominating Commission for State of Iowa Judicial District 1A includes the following Commissioners (listed with their email contact information):

St. Patrick School in Waukon will be holding its annual Mardi Gras fundraising event this Saturday, January 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Doors are scheduled to be open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Among the events taking place will be live and silent auctions for items such as those pictured above. There will also be a raffle for a “Weekend Getaway Package” at Upper Iowa Resort, which includes a two-night cabin stay, a cooler full of goodies, beach towels and more. Local businesses and individuals have donated items and funds to help make the event a success for St. Patrick School. For tickets and additional information, contact Jennifer Kovarik at 563-568-5318, Amy McCormick at 563-419-9336, Tami Stilwell at 319-361-6077 or St. Patrick School at 563-568-2170. Submitted photo.
 

More than 30 teachers, students and astronomy educators from the NASA/IPAC (Infrared Processing and Analysis Center) Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP) attended the winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), January 6-10 in Seattle, WA. Among those teachers attending the event was Michael Bechtel, a 1989 graduate of Waukon High School and the son of Dean and Sherry Bechtel of rural Monona who is currently an assistant professor of science education at Wartburg College in Waverly and was selected to be a member of a NITARP team that will conduct an original research project throughout this next year.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors first met Tuesday, January 15 for a work session with Travis Squires, Managing Director of Piper Jaffray & Co., regarding funding options for capital projects. Squires said that updated estimates for the East and West Elementary HVAC projects are available. He also noted that the taxable valuations for the upcoming budget year have been set and presented funding options to the board.

The board directed Squires to put together a financing package to be considered at a later date. The board also decided to move up its March meeting to March 11 and April meeting to April 8 in order to meet bidding deadlines and FY2020 budget deadlines.

The top entries in the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest recently hosted by Robey Memorial Library in Waukon are pictured in the surrounding photos. The public was invited to pick up one of the decorating kits from Robey Memorial Library, decorate their creation and return it for judging by library patrons over a period of several weeks, with 724 total votes being cast in this year’s contest. The entries that received the most votes are picture above and include: First Place - Lawrence and Cassie Olson family, Second Place - Darcy Connelly family, Third Place (tie) - Jeffrey and Anna Wilkes family and Andrew and Hailey Miller family. Each of the top entries received an Amazon 7 Fire tablet from the Robey Memorial Library Foundation. Submitted photos.
 

Lawrence O. Murphy, age 72, of Belton, MO passed away Wednesday, January 2, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, February 23 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Drive, Raymore, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to HELP Humane Society, 17122 Bel-Ray Pl, Belton, MO 64012.

Lawrence was born September 2, 1946 in Easton, MD. He was the son of Charles Murphy and Anita Byrnes. Lawrence was one of five children, including Chuck, Dolly, Brian and Cindy.

After high school, Lawrence served his country in the United States Marine Corps for four years. Lawrence was a proud veteran and a lifetime member of the Shawnee, KS Post 10552 VFW. Lawrence was joined in marriage with his late wife, Alice Murphy, June 7, 1968. They were blessed with three sons, Martin, Michael and Patrick. Lawrence was an avid golfer and a loving family man who left an incredible impression on everyone he met.

Evelyn Reuter, age 86, of Monticello died Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids due to complications of Diabetes. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, January 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello.