Archive for July, 2009

Harkin greets FFA members

Posted: Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 at 5:36 am

Two FFA members were recently invited to Washington, D.C. to take part in the FFA State Presidents Conference. The members were also able to meet with U.S. Senator Tom Harkin during their stay. Harkin says FFA exemplifies the strong character traits and qualities Iowa farmers should look up to. FFA represents nearly 12-thousand students in 230 high schools across the state.

4-H post season approaching

Posted: Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 at 5:34 am

What some consider the post season of 4-H is just a few weeks away. The Iowa State Fair runs August 13 through the 23. Marketing Director Laurie Chapel says the 4-H exhibits are a staple of the fair. Chapel says this year’s fair will also feature a variety of music acts, including Kelly Clarkson, Shinedown and Big and Rich. She encourages people to visit the fair’s website for package deals on tickets and events.

Wayland woman wins Disney Getaway Giveaway

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 6:22 am

A Wayland woman is the winner of KCII’s Disney Getaway Giveway contest. Donna Yoder was randomly selected among 700 qualifiers. Yoder is receiving a four day three night trip to Disney World, airfare and accommodations at a Disney property, along with a four day pass for two adults and two children. KCII has been qualifying listeners since April on the air, with Goofy Gatherings, and registration boxes.

Washington Co. to get $1.7 million from I-JOBS

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:52 am

More than $1.7 million dollars are coming Washington County’s way. The funds are coming from Governor Chet Culver’s I-JOBS program. A little more than a million dollars will go towards overhauling the Highway 1 bridge over Crooked Creek. The remaining funding is being dolled out the various communities in Washington County, and the county government itself.
Ainsworth – $5,077
Brighton – $6,657
Crawfordsville – $2,126
Kalona – $22,219
Riverside – $8,992
Washington (City) – $68,284
Wellman – $13,498
West Chester – $1,201
Washington (County) – $221,778
TOTAL: $349,833
DOT Funding for Hwy 1 Bridge: $1,441,000

Fair wraps up today

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

While much of the Washington County Fair involves competition among 4-Hers, its also a time for participants to come together. This years Beef Princess Janelle Erwin says while everyone is in different clubs, it seems once fair time rolls around, everyone comes together. She says at the fair, it seems like all the participants become part of a single club. Erwin, who has been involved in 4-H for eight years, says its not just meeting other 4-Hers that makes the fair so special. She says its interesting to see the all the different projects that others have worked on as well.

Livestock auction

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

The Washington County Fair wraps up today. 4-H youth coordinator Katie Peiffer says it’s a bittersweet time for 4-Hers. She says the last livestock related aspect of the fair is the auction. That starts at 9:00 this morning. Proceeds will help the 4-Hers get started on next year’s projects. Peiffer says overall, it’s been a pretty good fair week. She says the inclement weather they had early on didn’t hinder things too much. She says they usually expect it to rain at least on day every year.

Share the Fun

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

Five area 4-Hers are on their way to the Iowa State Fair after participating in Washington County Fairs Share the Fun event. Youth Coordinator Kati Peiffer says Brian Langr, Kelci Eakins, Nikole Moeller, Courtney Kleese, and this years Fair Princess Tara Gent performed various solo and ensemble musical numbers. Peiffer says Share the Fun saw twenty-five participants and the finalists who will represent the clubs of Washington Hustlers, 76 Progressives, Prairie Pride, Limecreek Livewires, and the Washington Go-Getters.

Loebsack in Washington

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

U.S. Representative Dave Loebsack will be in Washington tomorrow (7/25). Loebsack will be at the Blair House from 4:00 to 5:30 for a meet and greet. The event is being organized by the Washington County Democratic Party. Loebsack is in his second term in the U.S. House. He’s serves Iowa’s second district which includes fifteen counties in the southeast part of the state.

Second tall corn monument underway

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

A monument to the world’s tallest corn stalk stands at the Washington County Fairgrounds, and soon another will, go up at the Iowa State Fair. Wayne Zieser is son in law to the late Don Radda. Radda grew the record in 1946. Zieser says all the coverage will likely spur more interest in competition corn growing. Zieser says he’s having Evan’s Welding in Washington make the individual pieces of the structure. He says he’ll take it to his shop at home to assemble the monument. Zeiser says construction on the project started yesterday.

Turtle populations

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:50 am

An increase in demand in Asian markets has some environmental groups concerned about Iowa’s turtle population. Department of Natural Resources biologist Scott Gritters says Iowa’s turtle populations are at a healthy level but, they are always weary of over harvesting. Gritters says turtles are unique from other wildlife in the fact that they live longer, and take longer to reproduce. He says the DNR has been kicking around the idea of stricter regulations on turtle trapping.