Archive for August, 2009

IMS grad receives ag award

Posted: Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 4:49 am

An IMS graduate recently received one of the nations highest agricultural awards. Jocelyn Marner is the daughter of Ken and Mary Marner and a 2009 graduate of Iowa Mennonite School. Marner received the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award after taking eight semesters of agricultural education at IMS. She joins more than 160,000 students who have won the award nationwide.

Grassley talks about "bipartisan" healthcare effort

Posted: Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:49 am

A key player in the ongoing healthcare debate is Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. Grassley is a ranking minority member on the Senate Finance Commitee, and has been a leading voice in the “Gang of Six.” Grassley has countered claims that he’s abandoned a bi partisan healthcare bill. He says “three Republicans and 58 Democrats is not bipartisan”

Satellite voting this week

Posted: Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:49 am

Voters in the Washington School district have to chance to vote ahead of next month’s election at three locations this week. County Auditor Bill Fredrick says voters can cast absentee ballots from 3:30 to 7:00 tomorrow (8/25) night at the Lincoln Elementary Gym, and from 4:00 to 7:30 at the Stewart Gym. There will be another polling place from 4:30 to 9:00 this Friday at Case Field during the Demon football home opener.

M-P meet the candidates night

Posted: Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:49 am

Mid Prairie School Board candidates will be taking questions during a forum this . Education Association President Karri Bell says four candidates will compete for three vacancies on the board, and this process will help voters make the best choice for them. Bell says they hope people will leave the meeting knowing all candidates want to make a better school and community. The meeting is at 6:30 Thursday (8/27) night in the high school.

Architects selected for Washington School facilities

Posted: Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:48 am

The Washington Facilities Committee has selected three design firms for the proposed school bond issue. School Board Secretery Jeff Dieleman says OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids, DLR Group of Des Moines, and SVPA Architects of West Des Moines have all been chosen to be reviewed for the plan, which would build a new high school and convert the current school into the new junior high.

Many schools starting this week

Posted: Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:48 am

Students in Washington are heading back to the classroom this week. Police Chief Greg Goodman wants to remind people to be more alert, especially during the mornings and afternoons. Washington, Mid Prairie and Saint James all start classes this Wednesday (8/26). Lone Tree, Winfield Mount Union and WACO all start today (8/24). Highland starts tomorrow (8/25). Sigourney and Keota begin Thursday (8/27).

Farm storage loans available

Posted: Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:48 am

Changes are coming to Iowas Farm Storage Facility Loan program. State Farm Service Agency Director John Whitaker says with the changes, producers of certain crops will be able to get financing to upgrade storage facilities. He says participants must pay a down payment of 15 percent and the maximum loan amount is $500,000.

Circle of Support

Posted: Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:47 am

The Washington County chapter of Circle of Support meets tonight. United Methodist Church Pastor Julie Poulson says the group got started in Washington earlier this year. She says it’s their goal to end poverty. Poulson says everyone is welcome at these meetings. Tonight’s starts 5:30 at the United Methodist Church in Washington.

Men’s Fun Day

Posted: Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 4:47 am

The Washington Chamber of Commerce’s annual Men’s Fun Day is this Wednesday. Chamber Executive Director Tim Coffey says it will be a day of golfing, socializing and fundraising. The day starts at the Washington Golf and Country Club with a two person best shot golf outing. Tee times are available between 9:00 and 4:30. Coffey says there’s a social hour at 5:00 followed by dinner. He says proceeds will help fund the chamber scholarships.

911 Sup. talks about emergency texts

Posted: Friday, August 21st, 2009 at 4:46 am

The first ever emergency text message was sent this month in Iowa during a test in Black Hawk County. Washington County 911 Supervisor Cara Sorrells says it’s the next logical step in emergency communications. Sorrells says the desire to be able to send text messages stem from campus shootings, and other situations where a person can’t actually talk on a phone. Sorrells attended the test in Black Hawk County as part of her duties as president of the Iowa National Emergency Number Association.