Today's Local News

Keokuks 4-H Hall of Fame inductee

Posted: Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 4:25 am

A Keokuk County woman will be inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame this month. Marie Atwood joined 4-H in 1934 as part of the Adams Hustlers club and was leader of the Stick-To-It club from 1965-1982. Keokuk County Extension Director Gary Bickmeier says Atwood has passed down that dedication to 4-H to her children and grandchildren who have been deeply involved as well. Bickmeier says Atwood, along with other inductees, will be honored during the Iowa State Fair, August 23.

Coldest July on record

Posted: Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 4:43 am

Preliminary findings from the National Weather Service indicates parts of Iowa saw the coldest July on record this year. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says an unusual jet stream is one reason for the cooler weather. Hillaker says this has been good news for corn and soybean crops. He says the best yields come during cooler weather. The lowest July average temperature in Iowa was in 1891 at 68.3 degrees. This July the average has been 68.1 degrees. But Hillaker says more temperature reports could alter that number.

Riverside man killed in S.D. crash

Posted: Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 4:43 am

A Riverside man was killed Friday evening after being involved in a motorcycle crash in South Dakota. The South Dakota State Patrol says 36 year old James Ingersoll was traveling with friends on his way to the Sturgis motorcycle rally. They say he failed to note traffic slowing down in front of him on highway 90, just outside Mount Vernon, and struck a camper. Police say Ingersoll was thrown from the bike and sustained head injures. They say he was not wearing a helmet. Funeral services for Ingersoll are at 1:30 this afternoon at Stacy Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus Junction.

Davison to be inducted to 4-H Hall of Fame

Posted: Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 4:42 am

A Washington County man is being inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame. Donald Davison will be inducted during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits at the Iowa State Fair later this month. Davison has served as a 4-H leader and fair board member for two decades. 90 counties in Iowa have selected inductees for outstanding service and dedication. The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to commemorate the program’s 100th anniversary.

Back to School

Posted: Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 4:42 am

Summer is winding down it will soon be time to for schools to start. Mid Prairie and Keota Superintendent Mark Schneider says although vacation is ending, being optimistic about the school year will make the transition much easier. Schneider is juggling two districts. He says he wants to make himself visible at both schools so students and parents wont see him as a stranger. He expects this time of year to be a very busy. Mid Prairies school year starts the 26 and Keota starts the 27.

Second Nature

Posted: Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 4:42 am

Alliant Energy is encouraging its industrial customers to purchase energy from renewable sources through the “Second Nature” program. Alliant’s Eileen Parker says the voluntary contribution helps support a variety of “green” power sources including wind and solar. Parker says money paid to the “Second Nature” program will allow the utility to buy more energy from such sources. For more information or to enroll, contact Alliant Energy.

Loebsacks town hall meetings

Posted: Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 4:42 am

Congressman Dave Loebsack is swinging through eastern Iowa this month to hold a series of town hall style meetings on healthcare reform and stimulus money. He’ll be in Columbus Junction on August 22nd, and Washington on the 29th. Loebsack is visiting 16 area communities between August 15 and September 12th.

Riverside 4-Her gets scholarship

Posted: Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 4:41 am

A 4-Her from Riverside is getting a 500 dollar scholarship from Pioneer Hi-Bred international. The ISU Extension Service says Cody Schneider is a nine year member of 4-H. He’s the son of Dan Schneider and Stephanie Leur. His projects include market beef, swine and photography. Schneider recently graduated from Highland High School. He plans to attend Kirkwood Community College and study agricultural business.

Software Co expanding

Posted: Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 4:40 am

A Fairfield-based software technology company has been awarded $200,000 to help increase its workforce over the next 36 months. Lets Order Online Inc. founder Michael Blitz says their company provides customer service and ordering software to restaurants across the country with over 3,000 hours of market research. Blitz says this grant will allow them to create more jobs for the local community while providing a service that can be used around the world.

SEMCO takes wood waste

Posted: Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 6:08 am

The head of the Southeast Iowa Multi County Solid Waste Agency says their organization is offering a new service. Bill Sloop says the can now accept wood waste such as lumber and brush and convert it into wood chips. He says people can use these chips for mulching, weed control, and keeping moisture around newly planted trees. Sloop says people can also save money by bringing yard waste and lumber to SEMCO for a lower cost than it would be if they just threw it away. He says this method can also help save space in landfills which will help drive down waste costs in the future.