Archive for June, 2009

Ridiculous Book Sale

Posted: Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 5:08 am

As part of today's Ridiculous Days celebration, the Washington Public Library is selling reduced price books as well as audio and videotapes. They say as they prepare to move into their new facility this summer, they have to decide what items will travel with them. Proceeds from this sale will go towards teen summer reading club prizes and teen programming. The sale begins this morning at 9:00 in the Helen Wilson Gallery at the Library, and runs until 1:00 this afternoon. 

Grassley Pork Market

Posted: Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 5:08 am

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he doesn't expect a ban on U.S. pork products in several foreign countries to have a chilling effect on trade relations. Grassley says safety scares have happened in the past and the market always rebounds. He says other countries might be using the ban as a way to boost their local pork industries. The New Hartford Republican says domestically, the department of agriculture can buy up U.S. pork to stabilize the price. 

Flight Breakfast

Posted: Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 5:07 am

The Flight Breakfast at Washington's municipal airport is tomorrow morning from 7-11. It's being hosted by the American Legion. Organization member Terry Philips says this is the first year theyre hosting the annual event. Philips says in addition to pancakes and sausage, the Flight Breakfast also features a variety of aircraft that can be seen landing and taking off. He says youngsters will also have an opportunity to go on a free plane ride through the Young Eagles Cedar Rapids chapter. 

Fireworks Safety

Posted: Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 5:07 am

While everyone knows that firework displays are fun to watch, many dont know the risks that are involved. Kalona Fire Chief Steve Yotty says when mishandled or used without proper training, fireworks can cause serious injury including hearing loss, physical loss of limbs, and worse. He says fire departments know the proper way to handle them and set them off. Fireworks are illegal in Iowa, and Yotty says when unqualified users try to set them off they can also start fires as well as explosions due to the hot and dry summer weather. 

Severe weather possible

Posted: Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 4:36 am

The National Weather Service says isolated thurnderstorms are possible late this afternoon and into this evening. They say a complex system is developing in Nebraska, and could reach eastern Iowa by midnight. Severe weather is possible throughout the weekend and into next week. The National Weather Service says it's too early to identify specific threats, but they say there is potential for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. In case of severe weather stay tuned to KCII for Severe Weather Action Team Coverage.

Washington Council votes down liquor request

Posted: Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 4:36 am

A downtown Washington restaurant will not be able to serve alcohol in an "outdoor cafe" setting. Washington Council members voted to deny the request from Cafe Dodici at this week's meeting. At large councilor Merle Hagie was the only yes vote. He says the matter at least deserved further research.

Downtown construction to begin

Posted: Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 4:36 am

Construction crews are expected to start milling this morning (6/5) as part of Washington's downtown enhancement project. City Administrator Dave Plyman says work will be done on Washington Street, between Marion and Second Avenue. Plyman says in addition to a new street surface, the project also includes new brick work on the sidewalks, and new curbs and gutters. The city engineer's office says they will not allow crews to block any of the parade routes for tomorrow's Ridiculous Days celebration.

MP hires asst. business manager

Posted: Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 4:35 am

The current business manager at Mid Prairie schools will be getting some new help in the coming months. Cindy Steege of the Solon School District was hired during a special school board meeting to become the new assistant business manager at Mid Prairie. Superintendent Mark Schneider cited her professionalism, initiative, and communication with the public and faculty as big selling points. He says Steege is already familiar with the system at Mid Prairie because Solon uses many of the same software programs they do.

Grassley on Obama speech

Posted: Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 4:35 am

A U.S. Senator from Iowa is hopeful President Barack Obama's call for a peace accord with the Muslim world is a success. Republican Chuck Grassley says it's a relationship that's been strained for far too long. While Grassley, and other U-S leaders are hopeful Obama's message spawns more dialog, Al-Jazeera reports mixed reactions from the Arab World. Grassley says any amount of insight the east and west can give each other is a step in the right direction.

"Kidzfest" opens tonight

Posted: Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 4:35 am

Washington County Hospital and Clinics "Kidzfest 2009" is this evening (6/5) in downtown Washington. Hospital spokeswoman Carrie Garman says now that schoos is out, it's a good time to promote healthy ideas like regular exercise and a balanced diet. Garman also says there will be a variety booths, demonstrations and activities. She says the event is free and open to the public. "Kidzfest" runs this evening from 4:30 to 8:30 in Downtown Washington.