Archive for July, 2009

Supervisors renew garbage contract

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:31 am

Washington County Supervisors yesterday (7/7) voted to renew the solid waste contract with Mark’s Sanitation. The per ton fee increased by less than a dollar. County Auditor Bill Fredrick reminded supervisors that such contracts need to be occasionally let for a bid. Fredrick says they don’t always seek bids when a contract expires because it can be a cumbersome process. He says there is a provision that allows them to simply renew as they did yesterday. He says they might look into creating multi-year contracts that would require bids when they expire.

Trails network envisioned

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:30 am

Many Iowans are training for the annual RAGBRI event this month. Bicyclists in Washington County have plenty of places to practice. Lyle Moen, with the recreational trails committee says they get a lot of compliments. Moen says it’s their goal to link all the trails in the county and create a network. He says that could make the area a sort of bicycling vacation spot. Moen says the trails are also used by hikers, bird watchers and other nature enthusiasts.

Land shift expected to hinder conservation

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:30 am

A joint study by Iowa State and Drake Universities shows a majority of Iowa’s farmland is owned by people on the brink of retirement. Richard Simms with the Natural Resource Conservation Service says the potential for a land shift could mean a a smaller number of people managing more acres. He says it would be challenging for NRCS because fall and spring are the times whens such techniques need to be implemented.

Crop Update

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:30 am

Southeast Iowa farm fields finally got a chance to dry out last week, but were hit with another round of rainfall on Independence Day. USDA statistics show this part of the state’s corn stand at 90% as it enters the tassel stage, while 16 % of soybeans are blooming. Local alfalfa harvests continue to lag behind the rest of the state. The first cutting is at 77%. That’s compared with 94% statewide.

Sheriff warns drivers about tall vegetation

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:29 am

The average corn height in southeast Iowa is just over four feet, and it’s approaching a level where it can obstruct motorists view. Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar says people traveling in rural areas need to be extra cautious as roadside vegetation continues to get taller. Dunbar says even though many countryside intersections don’t have traffic control signs, it’s still a good idea to treat them as if there was a yield sign. He also says drivers need to be wary of slow moving farm implements such as hay racks and tractor driven mowers.

4-H Grant

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:29 am

A new super-center on the east side of town isnt the only addition Wal-Mart is making in Washington. The Wal-Mart Foundation recently donated 1-million dollars to youth organizations in fifteen states, and in southeast Iowa that means 4-H clubs will begin new community wellness programs. National 4-H Councilman Kyle Jones says the new Youth Voice: Youth Choice program will get 4-Hers out into the local area to promote healthy living, nutrition, wellness, and physical activities. Jones says Iowa will receive $50,000 to implement the program.

Tipping fee hike spurs Washington to push reycling program

Posted: Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 4:31 am

An increase in the tipping fee at SEMCO Landfill has Washington’s Mayor urging residents to utilize the city’s recycling services. Sandra Johnson says it can save both the city and its residents money. She’s urging people to keep things like paper, clear glass and milk jugs separated from regular trash. Johnson says the city can provide a recycling cart to property owners free of charge. SEMCO’s tipping fee recently went from $45 to $50. The city of Washington and Washington County share the cost of the local recycling facility.
(Photo: SEMCO Landfill KCII stock photo)

Work release areas of jail to be completed soon

Posted: Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 4:30 am

The new Washington County Jail is nearly completed. Sheriff Jerry Dunbar says the two work areas that were purposely left unfinished should be completed by the end of the month. He says the contractors have done an excellent job and come in under budget. Dunbar hopes the new facility can serve as a place where 45-50 federal inmates can be housed. He says it could bring in more than one million dollars per year for Washington County.

Kalona tourism benefits from "Stay-cations

Posted: Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 4:29 am

As July kicks off, many families are beginning to think more about this years summer vacation. Nancy Roth with the Kalona Historical Village says the rough economy encourages travelers to stick close to home, and the village has seen a higher number of visitors due to this. Roth says tourism at the village was a little slow towards the beginning of the summer, but July is typically the hot month. She says tourism at the village helps the local economy by helping other area businesses see a greater number of visitors as well.

Washington Co. Fair 2 weeks away

Posted: Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 4:29 am

The Washington County Fair is less than two weeks a way, and organizers say this year’s entertainment should be one for the record books. Fair board Vice President Don Lewis says Washington County’s Fair has been named as a “blue ribbon fair” by the Iowa Association of Fairs. This year’s grandstand events include sanctioned tractor and truck pulls, rodeo riders, a demolition derby and up and coming country musician Jake McVey. The fair starts July 19 and runs through the 24th.