Today's Local News

Share the Fun

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

Five area 4-Hers are on their way to the Iowa State Fair after participating in Washington County Fairs Share the Fun event. Youth Coordinator Kati Peiffer says Brian Langr, Kelci Eakins, Nikole Moeller, Courtney Kleese, and this years Fair Princess Tara Gent performed various solo and ensemble musical numbers. Peiffer says Share the Fun saw twenty-five participants and the finalists who will represent the clubs of Washington Hustlers, 76 Progressives, Prairie Pride, Limecreek Livewires, and the Washington Go-Getters.

Livestock auction

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

The Washington County Fair wraps up today. 4-H youth coordinator Katie Peiffer says it’s a bittersweet time for 4-Hers. She says the last livestock related aspect of the fair is the auction. That starts at 9:00 this morning. Proceeds will help the 4-Hers get started on next year’s projects. Peiffer says overall, it’s been a pretty good fair week. She says the inclement weather they had early on didn’t hinder things too much. She says they usually expect it to rain at least on day every year.

Fair wraps up today

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:51 am

While much of the Washington County Fair involves competition among 4-Hers, its also a time for participants to come together. This years Beef Princess Janelle Erwin says while everyone is in different clubs, it seems once fair time rolls around, everyone comes together. She says at the fair, it seems like all the participants become part of a single club. Erwin, who has been involved in 4-H for eight years, says its not just meeting other 4-Hers that makes the fair so special. She says its interesting to see the all the different projects that others have worked on as well.

Running Wild

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:50 am

Louisa County will hold its only trail race next month during the fifth annual Running Wild event. County Conservation Board Director Julie Ohde says the event will feature a number of categories for groups and individuals to participate in, with many prizes to be won. She says while the event is billed as a race, there are also a number of more leisurely routes available. Ohde says both the races and walks will take participants through the countys vibrant wildlife areas. More information on the Running Wild event can be found by calling 319-523-8381.

Turtle populations

Posted: Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 4:50 am

An increase in demand in Asian markets has some environmental groups concerned about Iowa’s turtle population. Department of Natural Resources biologist Scott Gritters says Iowa’s turtle populations are at a healthy level but, they are always weary of over harvesting. Gritters says turtles are unique from other wildlife in the fact that they live longer, and take longer to reproduce. He says the DNR has been kicking around the idea of stricter regulations on turtle trapping.

County engineers receive license

Posted: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 5:37 am

Washington County’s two assistant engineers have reached a milestone in their careers. Jake Hotchkiss, and Jacob Thorius have each passed their licensure exams. Head engineer David Patterson says its akin to an attorney passing the Bar. Both Thorius and Hotchkiss are Iowa State graduates. Hotchkiss has been with Washington County since 2002, Thorius was hired in 2005.

Unemployment up, but still behind the rest of the country

Posted: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 5:36 am

Iowa’s unemployment rate hit a 22 year high at 6.2 percent last month. That’s compared with 5.7 percent in May. Iowa Work Force Development Coordinator Kerry Koonce says the numbers are a reflection of the lingering economic recession. She says the numbers are still favorable when compared to the nationwide average of 9.5 percent. Washington County’s unemployment rate was up nearly a percentage point in June, to 5.4 percent, but is still behind the statewide average.

Wednesday at the Fair

Posted: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 5:36 am

The Washington County Fair continues today (7/22). Livestock shows start at 8:00 am with swine, at 9:00 it’s the rooster crowing contest. At 3:30 pm the bucket bottle calf show starts, and at 7:00 pm the dairy and meat goat show kicks off. It’s also “Kidz Day” at the fair, with a number of activities scheduled throughout the day. The State Fair Talent Search starts at 6:30 pm. Then at 8:00 country singer Jake McVey takes the stage at the grandstand. Stay tuned to KCII all week for live updates on the fair from the Big Red Radio

Rain doesn’t damper fair

Posted: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 5:36 am

Despite rain and cloudy skies, day two of the Washington County Fair continued as planned. 4-H Youth Coordinator Kati Peiffer says the many kids participating in the fair have put in a tremendous amount of effort in preparing for the fair. Peiffer says they have many volunteers that have done a great job in making the events and activities run smoothly. She says while they are focusing most of their attention on this year, they are always making notes on what could be changed for next year. She says no matter how smoothly things run, there is always room to make improvements.

2,300 entries in 40 categories at this year’s fair

Posted: Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 5:36 am

The Washington County Extension office expects around 2,300 entries in 4-H and FFA competitions in this year’s fair. Extension Education Director Gene Mohling says that’s fairly consistent with past year’s fairs. Mohling says there’s around 40 different categories that participants can enter in. He says in addition to livestock contests, there’s also a number of static competitions. He says that includes things like wood working, photography and cooking. To hear more from Mohling tune in to KCII for the Morning Magazine when he’ll be our guest during the Washington Page.