Today's Local News

Harkin aide to visit Washington

Posted: Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 4:23 am

More lawmakers are focusing on southeast Iowa this month as a top aide to U.S. Senator Tom Harkin will be visiting Washington County to discuss healthcare. Harkin says there needs to be a greater effort made at preventing illness, rather than treating it after it occurs. Harkin is the chair of Health Education Labor and Prevention, or HELP, and his staff has been traveling across Iowa to give communities better access to constituent services. Harkins aide will be in Washington June 25 at Washington County Hospital and Clinics at 8:30 am.

MS to hold "Community Conversation"

Posted: Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 4:23 am

Main Street Washington is looking for public input on what the future should hold for the city's downtown. Main Street Executive Director Amy Vetter says the "Community Conversation" will be the first in a series of public forums. The meeting is tomorrow (6/16) at 6:30 at the UP Church.

Library event

Posted: Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 4:22 am

The Washington Public Library hosting pictorial and oral account of two Iowans who embarked on a 1,400 mile canoe trip. Dennis Weidemann wrote "This Water Goes North." It tells the story of two Iowa farm boys who canoed from Minnesota to the Hudson Bay in Southern Canada. Weiddemann will share the story at 7:00 pm this Tuesday (6/16) in the Helen Wilson Gallery at the library. It's free and open to the public.

RFL ‘09 raises $74K

Posted: Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 4:22 am

Area residents took steps against cancer this weekend during the Washington Relay for Life. Kim Hatfield is the local representative for the American Cancer Society. She says Relay for Life is their primary fundraiser. She says the money is used for research and to support cancer victims. The event raised more than $74,000.

Account Executive Wanted

Posted: Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 9:34 am
KCII Radio in Washington, Iowa is looking for our next sales superstar. You may or may not have radio experience and you may or may not have sales experience… we will train the right person. We may be small market, but we are not small business. We have other locations and a history of successful, profitable radio stations.
You would be taking over a growing territory (so you would not be starting from the bottom). You would be a joining a fun and exiting team helping local businesses grow their revenues through marketing. We have proven sales systems and need the right person with great energy to implement and work these systems for their clients.
Company health insurance available (we pay 1/2), commissions and bonuses available in the 1st year, base pay guarantee, paid vacation, retirement plan available, and we are an equal opportunity employer.
If you’re in a dead end job or are sick of sitting in an office… this is your opportunity to get out of the office and meet some great business owners and show them ways to grow their business. Management opportunities may be available in the future for the properly motivated candidate.
Send your resume and cover letter to suhr.michael@manhbroadcasting.com
Interviews will begin immediately. Your future career awaits at KCII Radio!

CJ Councilor says flood relief money should be used for prevention

Posted: Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 5:14 am

U.S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack returned to Iowa this week. Iowas former governor toured Columbus Junction to assess flood recovery efforts and to promote the recent 24 million dollar recovery aid funds. Harold Prior with the Columbus Junction City Council says his top priority for these funds would be to raise the citys levee by four or five feet. He says it would be better to put the money towards preventative measures, so it would not have to be used for recovery for the next flood.

"Pandemic" to have little impact in Iowa

Posted: Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 5:14 am

The World Health Organization has declared the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years. However, the Iowa Department of Public Health says the number of H1N1 cases in Iowa remains at a "sporadic" level. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control show 92 confirmed or probable cases of the virus in the Hawkeye state, which is well below the national per state average of 264. Washington County Public Health Director Edie Nebel says there have been no reported cases in Washington County, and Iowa's policy towards H1N1 remains the same. 
quick stats on H1N1:
Probable/Confirmed in IA – 92
Total probable/confirmed nationwide -13,216
Average cases per state-264
State with highest number of cases Wisconsin 2217
State with lowest number of cases Alaska 1
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

RFL tomorrow

Posted: Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 5:13 am

The Washington Relay for Life is tomorrow, and one of the organizers says they're expecting a good turnout. Sherry Renoux says they have more than 30 teams signed up for the event, which is close to average. However, she says many of the teams have more than the usual 15 members. Renoux expects a record number of walkers. The event starts tomorrow (6/13) at noon in downtown Washington. 

Savor Washington

Posted: Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 5:13 am

Washington residents can sample food from around the world, without leaving the square this weekend. Main Street's Amy Vetter says tomorrow's Spring Forward, and Savor Washington event will feature cuisine from five downtown restaurants. Vetter say they elected to have the event tomorrow, because it will be a busy time on the square with Relay for Life and the Corn Country Cruise night also going on.

Meet the new YMCA director

Posted: Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 5:13 am

The new director at Washington's YMCA is almost through is first week, and he says one of the biggest things he's noticed so far is the weather. Greg Woller came from Rhinelander in northern Wisconsin, where he worked for ten years at a YMCA. Woller says one of his first goals is to survey the Washington facility and programs, and see if there is anything that can be improved. He says one of the interesting things about the Washington -Y- is it's history. He says it's intriguing to know that several generations of a family might have used the same building.