Archive for April, 2009

Two probable cases of swine flu have been discovered in Southeast Iowa…one in Des Moines County and one in Clinton County. Washington County Public Health Administrator Edie Nebel says her agency and counterpart agencies across the state have a plan to deal with such a situation. Nebel says that might include identifying people with the virus, and determining where and how they contracted it. Governor Chet Culver tells the Des Moines Register. tests will be done today to determine if the cases are in fact the HINI virus. He says if that’s the case, he will declare a public health disaster.

Despite the volatile economy, Iowa lawmakers this session were able to balance the budget and put 400-million dollars in the state’s rainy day fund. Fairfield State Senator Becky Schmitz says one area she was glad they were able to sustain, is education. Schmitz says she’s disappointed they weren’t able to do more for mental health funding. She says Iowa has had a hard time providing funding and keeping mental health professionals in the state. Schmitz says one of her personal goals was to provide some sort of health insurance for mental illnesses.

Mid Western states such as Iowa have been some what shielded from the recession, but have not been invincible. State Representative Larry Marek of Riverside says one item he was glad to see pass in the legislature was a bonding plan. Marek says federal stimulus money will help them leverage the more than 700-million dollars in bonds. One thing that disappoints Marek is the lack of funding for county secondary roads. He says the answer to the problem was a fuel tax, which was taken off of the table by the governor.

Throughout Iowa the different counties are having different reactions gay marriage. In Keokuk County, Recorder Melissa Bird, says they have had no problems. She says no one has protested or called her. Bird says she has received an online petition that many other recorders around the state have gotten. She says she has had a few calls asking for information on registering but can not divulge whether they were same sex couples or not. Bird says no matter what she will continue to do her job as mandated by the state.

Dust control deadline
Today (4/30) is the deadline to obtain a dust control permit in Washington County. The cost for such a permit is $25, but will go up to $75 after today’s deadline. Residents must keep their dust control locations marked with green flags provided by their contractor until November first. For more information visit www.washingtonroads.org

Being a parent can be a difficult task during these tough economic times. Melissa Myers with West Chester Savings Bank is conducting a financial education seminar for Parents as Teachers this evening (4/30). The event is tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Washington Presbyterian Church. To register contact Parents as Teachers at 653-7758.

The Washington County Sheriffs office is going to be using their speed trailer again this year. Dunbar says with the computer up and running, they can record traffic count as well as speeds.He says this has been very useful and the information has been requested by several city councils as well as the county’s secondary roads department. Dunbar says with this type of information, they can get an accurate count and speed of traffic on certain roads.He says the trailer will be put up in random spots through out Washington County.

The Washington County Extension Office is having summer day camps this year. 4-H Youth Coordinator Kati Peiffer says this year’s camps include Oceans of Fun. She says this is for youth who have completed kindergarten and first grade as of this June. She says the camp will explore water and ocean life. She says space is limited to 20 people. Visit the extension’s website for more information and to get registered. Or call 319-653-4811

With swine flu in the news, a local veterinarian says its perfectly safe to eat pork. Doctor Terry Mangold, at Town and Country Vet Clinic, says people don’t need to worry about catching swine flu by coming in contact with pigs either. Mangold says pork producers should watch their animals for symptoms of the disease which include heavy cough and pneumonia. He says swine flu is essentially a new strain of influenza that’s mutated from other strains that effect humans, birds and swine.

Washington High School is getting $50,000 in grant money for its engineering academy program. Principal Shane Ehresman says the money will be used to purchase equipment and software. He says engineering provides a multitude of important skills. The money is coming from the Iowa Community College System, the Iowa Department of Economic Development and the Kern Family Foundation.