Today's Local News

WCEMC legal representation questioned

Posted: Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:50 am

Some members of the Washington County Emergency Management Commission are expressing concern over how quickly county attorney Barb Edmondson can fulfill their legal needs. Edmondson says she is obligated to serve as their counsel, but also has a number of other responsibilities. Commissioners at last night’s (7/8) meeting wanted to know if they could seek other another attorney if Edmondson’s schedule prevented her from completing something in a given time frame. Edmondson says the only time they could legally hire outside counsel, is if Washington County and the emergency management commission found themselves on differing sides of a legal disagreement.

M-P/Keota Supt: So far so good

Posted: Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:49 am

With the upcoming school year, Mid Prairie Superintendent Mark Schneider will face the unique task of managing two schools at once. On July 1, Schneider took over as superintendent for both Mid Prairie and Keota districts and says so far his experience has been quite good. He says one of the most drastic changes is the size of the two schools, but he also says a good education is just as important for a smaller school as a big one. Schneider hopes his eight years of experience as a superintendent will give him an edge for managing the two schools.

Results of poll of Washington to be released tonight

Posted: Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:49 am

The group of Chicago teens that have been conducting a survey of Washington are taking in the sights this evening (7/9). Mayor Sandra Johnson says in addition to presenting the results tonight, they’ll also experience the farmer’s market and other Thursday Night Live activities. The Windy City high school students conducted their survey through the Mikva Challenge, which aims to involve inner city youth in politics. They worked with the University of Iowa’s political science department. They’ll announce the results during a special city council meeting this evening 6:30 at the YMCA.

Washington woman wins $25k from lottery

Posted: Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:48 am

A Washington woman is $25,000 richer. Faye Scott won the Iowa Lottery’s “Wild Bingo” instant scratch game. She bought the ticket at the Corner Stop on east Madison Street in Washington. A news release from the Iowa Lottery says Scott claimed her prize this week in Cedar Rapids. She’s not the first Washington resident to get lucky with the lottery. In 1992, then Mayor Ed Brown split a $10.4 million Powerball prize with a woman from Missouri.

Livestock Indemnity Program

Posted: Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:48 am

Area farmers will soon be getting some help in protecting their livestock from natural disasters. Eligible farmers will be able to register for the Livestock Indemnity Program which will provide assistance to farmers who lose livestock due to floods, tornadoes, and other severe weather. State Executive of the Farm Service Agency Dave Olson says livestock deaths must be in excess of normal mortality and must have occurred between January 1, 2008 and October 2011.

New septic rules take effect

Posted: Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:48 am

Washington County’s environmental health director says new regulations on rural septic systems should help bring more homes into compliance. Jeff Thoman says the rules require property owners to disclose whether or not a home’s septic system has been inspected by a person certified by the Iowa Department Of Natural Resources, before they could sell it. Thoman has previously told KCII that more than two thousand Washington County homes were using un-permitted septic systems.

"Prairie Serenade" at TNL tonight

Posted: Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 4:32 am

The sights and sounds of “Prairie Serenade” will fill Washington’s Downtown this evening (7/9). The musical group is performing for the weekly Thursday Night Live event. The chamber of commerce describes the music as a blend of American fiddle tunes, Irish and Celtic Melodies as well as French-Canadian pieces. The concert starts at 6:30. Other Thursday Night Live events include the farmers market starting at 5:00 and the Washington Municipal Band which takes the stage at 8:00.

Supervisors renew garbage contract

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:31 am

Washington County Supervisors yesterday (7/7) voted to renew the solid waste contract with Mark’s Sanitation. The per ton fee increased by less than a dollar. County Auditor Bill Fredrick reminded supervisors that such contracts need to be occasionally let for a bid. Fredrick says they don’t always seek bids when a contract expires because it can be a cumbersome process. He says there is a provision that allows them to simply renew as they did yesterday. He says they might look into creating multi-year contracts that would require bids when they expire.

Brighton braces for RAGBRAI

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:31 am

As hundreds of bike riders gear up for the upcoming RAGBRAI, Brighton is preparing itself for the flood of people. Chamber President Brian Arnold says while the bikers wont be staying in Brighton for very long, the city still has plenty of entertainment and vendors for both participants and residents to enjoy. Arnold says the city has turned down a number of larger companies wishing to have booths during the event in favor of smaller, local vendor in an effort to help put money back into the community.

Crop Update

Posted: Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 5:30 am

Southeast Iowa farm fields finally got a chance to dry out last week, but were hit with another round of rainfall on Independence Day. USDA statistics show this part of the state’s corn stand at 90% as it enters the tassel stage, while 16 % of soybeans are blooming. Local alfalfa harvests continue to lag behind the rest of the state. The first cutting is at 77%. That’s compared with 94% statewide.