Today's Local News

Small business loans

Posted: Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 7:15 am

Small business owners can get a hand recovering after certain natural disasters. Iowa State Universitys Small Business Development Center will offer support at no cost to business owners in recovering from floods, fires, and tornadoes. Center Director Jim Heckmann says the program has already assisted over three-thousand disaster victims and 350 companies.

Final Satellite voting and Demon opener

Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 4:58 am

The Demon Football Team opens the season tonight (8/28), but those in attendance will be able to do more than take in football. Washington County Auditor Bill Fredrick says they will be offering the final satellite polling place ahead of school elections. Tonight’s polls will will be open from 4:30 to 9:00 at Case Field.

M-P Candidates take questions

Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 4:58 am

Candidates for Mid-Prairie School Board took questions last night during a public forum. Some areas of discussion included the new administration sharing agreement with Keota, the Home School Assistance Program, and the role of a board members. Incumbents Jim Hussey and Jack Dillon, are vying for three at large seats against newcomers Stacia Bontrager and Angi Wilson. To hear highlights from the Mid-Prairie Candidates forum, tune in to In Touch With Southeast Iowa all next week during the KCII Mid Day Magazines.

Loebsack to visit Washington

Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 4:58 am

Congressman Dave Loebsack is in Washington tomorrow (8/29) for a town hall meeting at the high . One likely discussion topic is healthcare reform. Loebsack has told KCII many of the problems stem from issues with Medicare and other programs. He says while Americas quality of healthcare is one of the best, the problem is making it accessible to everyone. The Loebsack will be speaking at the high school auditorium Saturday morning at 9:30 am.

Home tax credits offered

Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 4:57 am

As the economy starts to recover, more incentives are becoming available for first time homebuyers. Iowa Association of Realtors President Terry Knapp says first time buyers can receive up to $8,000 in tax credits. Knapp says low mortgage rates and high inventory in Iowa have kept the state’s housing market stable. He says purchases must be made by November 30 to qualify.

Keokuk, Wash, Jefferson Counties hardest hit by heavy rain

Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 4:57 am

Parts of southeast Iowa says more than seven inches of rainfall between Wednesday and early Thursday. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says parts of Washington, Jefferson and Keokuk Counties were hit the hardest Hillaker says while it’s been a very wet year, The state is still not on pace to set any precipitation records.

Supervisor hopes to lobby state on voting 911 commissioners

Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 4:57 am

A Washington County Supervisor hopes to lobby the state legislature to allow more voting members on the local 911 Commission. Steve Davis says Iowa law prevents contracted entities from having a vote on such commissions. He says they hope to be in contact with lawmakers to have the rules changed.

Season flu shots expected to be early

Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 4:57 am

Washington County’s public health administrator says they could be offering seasonal flu shots a little earlier than normal this year. Edie Nebel says that’s because they’ll be offering a vaccine for the H1N1 virus as well. She says nothing is definite at this point. She says it’s also unclear how much H1N1 vaccine Washington County will receive.

Better communities program

Posted: Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 4:56 am

Washington residents will have a chance to learn how to better their community September 8. The YMCA will host Kent Zimmerman, CEO of the Wallace Centers of Iowa who will discuss building communities through dialogue, active learning, and citizen engagement. Zimmerman will also show participants how they can apply for certain grants to improve the community.

County to devise disaster mitigation plan

Posted: Thursday, August 27th, 2009 at 4:57 am

Washington County is working on a hazard mitigation plan, with some financial help from Homeland Security. County Engineer David Patterson says they already have an emergency preparedness plan in place. He says this is what to do in the long term in the wake of a disaster. Patterson says they are working with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments to develop the plan. The total grant amount is around $38,000.