Archive for August, 2009

Safety Manual

Posted: Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 6:32 am

Washington County is updating its employee safety manual. Safety committee member, and sheriff’s deputy Darren Dennler says the county’s insurance carrier told them they need to have a manual in place, or rates would be increased. Dennler says the manual applies generally to all county employees. He says the various departments are developing more specific ones.

Road Closure

Posted: Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 6:31 am

190th Street will be closed from Cedar Ave. to Dogwood Ave. due to construction next Thursday. According to the Washington County Engineers Office, a bridge will be replaced with a triple box culvert on G26. The Engineers Office advises residents to use Highway 92 to W38 as a detour. No completion date has been set.

Wellman Community Center

Posted: Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 6:31 am

Wellman has been given the go-ahead to build a new community center for the town and surrounding area. Wellman YMCA branch director Angie Boyse says the city has never had a facility like this before despite support for it. Boyse says the new facility will have all the amenities associated with a YMCA such as weight rooms, a gymnasium, and fitness classes. She says while the project is being supported by the YMCA in Washington, the facility will serve as a community center for Wellman and smaller surrounding communities.

4-Hers at State

Posted: Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 6:31 am

Twenty 4-H’ers from Washington County will have non livestock exhibits at the Iowa State Fair this month. Categories include things like educational exhibits, working exhibits and public speaking. 4-H Youth Coordinator Katie Peiffer says livestock entries don’t advance from the county level the way these projects do. She says 4-H’ers with livestock simply following a nominating process. To see a full list of non livestock projects at the fair, head to KCII Radio Dot Com.

Apologetix

Posted: Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 6:31 am

Some familiar tunes with a different message will be featured at Hamakua Place in Washington tonight. The Apologetix is a band that takes popular rock songs and adds lyrics with a Christian message. Lead Singer J Jackson says it’s something a lot of people can get in to. The Apologetix will perform at 7:00 tonight at Hamakua Place. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Search and Rescue Drill this weekend

Posted: Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 4:54 am

Local public safety entities will hone their search and rescue skills in Washington this weekend. Washington Police Officer and canine handler Brett Sorrells says they’re hosting a drill. He says it will consist of both classroom and field training. Sorrells says the Star 1 Search and Rescue Team, of which he is a member, will take part in the search. He says he’s unable to release the specifics of where the drill will take place, but wants residents to know about so they won’t be alarmed by an increased law enforcement presence.

Four arrested on meth charges

Posted: Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 4:54 am

Four southeast Iowans are facing drug charges after police uncovered a meth lab in Jefferson County. Officers from three different agencies responded to a chemical smell in Batavia this week. Janice Kay McVey, Kenneth Francis McVey, Daniel David Sels, and Michael Anthony Nulph are charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. Janice McVey, Sels, and Nulph are also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance.

Mayor reflects on Lt Governor Visit

Posted: Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 4:54 am

Kalona officials say they’re pleased with how Lt. Governor Patty Judges visit went this week. Mayor Jerry Kauffman says they are very interested in promoting tourism in Kalona and having the Lt. Governor stop by was a learning experience. He says one aspect Judge really liked was the glass exhibits at the historical village. Kauffman says Kalona is one of the top tourist destinations in the state and they try to actively promote that throughout Iowa.

Brighton residents invited to visioning meeting

Posted: Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 4:53 am

Brighton residents will meet Monday (8/10) to discuss what needs improvement in town. Nancy Adrian with the Washington County Extension says these visioning meetings have been held since last August and residents have already come up with some ideas. She says some of these have been establishing health clinics in town, carpooling, and local housing renovations. She says the meetings are an informal session where participants vote on which three areas they feel need the most attention.

Schmitz hopeful transportation spending will spur economy

Posted: Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 4:53 am

A state senator from southeast Iowa says an increase in transportation funding should help boost the state’s slumping economy. Fairfield Democrat Becky Schmitz says she hopes the program will improve infrastructure, put people to work and cycle more money through her district. Opponents of the plan says it’s unwise to spend more money when revenues are down.