Today's Local News

Back to School

Posted: Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:57 am

August is here and that means schools will be starting up soon. Columbus Schools lead the pack in this area. They start classes August 15. Iowa Mennonite begins on the 17th. Lone Tree, WACO and Winfield Mount Union start on the 24th. Classes start at Highland on August 25th. Washington, Mid Prairie and Saint James all start the 26th, and Sigourney and Keota begin on the 27th. For a complete listing of school start dates head to KCII Radio Dot Com.

I-SMILE

Posted: Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:57 am

A new state law requires incoming freshmen and kindergarteners to have a dental screening before school starts this year. Shelia Temple is the I-SMILE Coordinator for the Washington County Health Department. She says kids need to have their first dentist visit by the time they turn one. She also says children usually lack the dexterity to adequately clean their teeth until about age eight, so parents need to check and make sure kids are brushing properly. For more information contact the Washington County Health Department.

Childhood Education

Posted: Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:57 am

A state lawmaker wants to see a greater emphasis on early childhood development. Fairfield Senator Becky Schmitz says through her own experiences as a school social worker she has seen the benefits of early childhood development. She says things like the volunteer pre-school program is a perfect example of the ways in which Iowa is working on childhood education. She says this program creates a good relationship between the states K-12 program and local pre-school systems. Schmitz says in this way, the two institutions work together to help educate youth and prepare them for later years.

4-H Scholarship

Posted: Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:56 am

A Riverside 4-Her will be getting a gift from Pioneer Hi-Bred Inc. in the form of a $500 scholarship. Cody Schneider is the son of Dan Schneider and Stephanie Leur and was awarded the Pioneer Community College scholarship for his involvement in market beef, swine, sheep, and photography. Schneider says 4-H has given him the qualities needed to become a positive role model in society. Schneider will be attending Kirkwood Community College this fall.

Ola Babcock Miller

Posted: Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:56 am

The origins of the Iowa State Patrol are rooted in Washington County. Ola Babcock Miller was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State, and was from Washington County. She started the highway patrol in the 1930’s. Rosemary Harris is an actress who portrays famous women from Iowa. She performed as Ola Babcock Miller during this week’s Thursday Night Live in Downtown Washington.

ISU Scholarship

Posted: Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:56 am

A 4-H’er from Keota is getting a $1000 scholarship from Orschlen Farm and Home Supply. Sara Sieren has been involved in 4-H for nine years. She’s the daughter of Tim and Ethel Sieren. Her projects include market beef, swine and photography. Sieren recently graduated from Keota High School. She plans to attend Iowa State University and study animal science.

Schmitz touts entrepreneur website

Posted: Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 4:52 am

A lawmaker from southeast Iowa is touting a new website for business startups. Fairfield Democrat Becky Schmitz says the Iowa Entrepreneur Network will serve as a one stop shop for people looking for resources in the Hawkeye State. The new website www .iowaentrepreneur.com includes links to investment resources, organizations that assist entrepreneurs and self-teaching aids.

IA ranks 4th in doing business

Posted: Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 4:52 am

A recent survey of 12 factors ranks Iowa as the fourth best state to do business in. It evaluated things like access to capital, cost of living and transportation. Washington Economic Development Group Director Ed Raber says the rating should be a good tool for them. Raber says Washington County is in a good location to access markets in neighboring states. He says infrastructure improvements such as the Avenue of the Saints have added to the transportation network that allows for easy movement of people and goods through the area.

IA DNR investigating fish kill in SE IA

Posted: Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 4:52 am

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill in Southeast Iowa. The state agency responded to a report of dead crayfish in Flint Creek near New London Tuesday. Wednesday Morning the DNR found numerous dead fish. They took water samples to identify possible pollutants responsible for the fish kill. A spokesperson says theyll conduct a fish count and try to identify the source of the kill.

Breadeaux closes after two decades in Washington

Posted: Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 4:52 am

After more than two decades, Washington’s Breadeaux Pizza has served its last slice. The restaurant officially closed its door’s last night. Bobbie Schiebel, who’s run the business since 1993, says she’s made a lot of good memories and friends through Breadeaux. Schiebel says they’ll auction off their equipment and make way for the next business. Breadeaux was forced to leave when the downtown building they occupied was sold. Schiebel says she wouldn’t be surprised if someone else decided to open a Breadeaux in Washington.