Today's Local News

Small business seminar

Posted: Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 4:50 am

Small business owners and operators are meeting at the Pizza Ranch in Sigourney next week. Keokuk County Extension Education Director Gary Bickmeir says the group meets on the last Tuesday of every month. He says this month's speakers will be the owner's of Jody's Togs and the owners of the Country and More Store. They'll talk about increasing customer traffic by diversifying products and services. The program is at 6:00 Tuesday, May 26. Contact the Keokuk County Extension office for more information and to register.

ISU crop specialist: soybean to soybean OK

Posted: Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 4:50 am

Last spring's flooding and wet weather forced many Southeast Iowa farmers to plant soybeans, where they had hoped to plant corn. Iowa State University Crop Specialist Palle Peterson says while planting that ground to soybeans again isn't desirable, it shouldn't pose a major problem. Peterson says the yield loss should be less than 5% as compared with a regular crop rotation.

WPD Dog earns national recognition

Posted: Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 4:50 am

A search and rescue dog from Washington is receiving national recognition. WPD K-9 handler Brett Sorrell's says his partner Storm has been named the Search and Rescue Canine of the Year by the National Association for Search and Rescue. Sorrells says Storm's sense of smell is so keen, she's been able to identify unique scents through water.

4H clothing event deadline

Posted: Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 4:49 am

Washington County 4-Hers are reminded that June 1 is the sign-up deadline for the clothing event. All 4-Hers are eligible to participate. Kati Peiffer, 4-H/Youth Coordinator says youth may participate in the fashion revue, the clothing selection, $15 challenge or all three. She says the clothing event judging will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 3:30 p.m. at the Washington County Extension Office on the fairgrounds. Please contact the Washington County Extension Office by June 1, if you are interested in participating at 319-653-4811.

Clothing Event

Posted: Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 6:38 am

Washington County 4-Hers are reminded that June 1 is the sign-up deadline for the clothing event. All 4-Hers are eligible to participate. Kati Peiffer, 4-H/Youth Coordinator says youth may participate in the fashion revue, the clothing selection, $15 challenge or all three. She says the clothing event judging will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 3:30 p.m. at the Washington County Extension Office on the fairgrounds. Please contact the Washington County Extension Office by June 1, if you are interested in participating at 319-653-4811. 

Pork Scholarship

Posted: Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 6:38 am

Natalie Friese has been awarded the 2009 winner of the Washington County Pork Producers Scholarship. Friese is the daughter of Dennis and Angie Friese. She's a senior at Washington High, and plans to pursue a degree in nursing after graduation. Friese has served as Pork Queen of Washington, and went on to claim the title of Pork Queen of Iowa. 

NASAR Award

Posted: Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 6:38 am

A search and rescue dog from Washington is receiving national recognition. WPD K-9 handler Brett Sorrell's says his partner Storm has been named the Search and Rescue Canine of the Year by the National Association for Search and Rescue. Sorrells says Storm's sense of smell is so keen, she's been able to identify unique scents through water.

IMS Graduation

Posted: Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 6:37 am

IMS alumnus Firman Gingerich, currently the pastor of Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, near Blooming Glen, PA, will deliver the commencement address, "Friends, in a Facebook World", to 33 graduating seniors this evening at 7:30 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission

Posted: Saturday, May 16th, 2009 at 4:18 am

The Washington Historic Preservation Commission and its national parent organization will release the results of a planning for preservation project next week. The effort aimed to identify historic properties in Washington. According to the National Register of Historic Places, a property must be at least 50 years old, and possess significance and integrity to be listed on the register. The public is invited to see what steps need to be taken to earn the recognition this Monday (5/18) at 7:00 pm at the Blair House.

Wellman Cruise Night

Posted: Saturday, May 16th, 2009 at 4:18 am

The first Wellman Cruise Night starts tonight. Rick Stauffer headed up the project of putting the Cruise Night together and says the cruise night is Wellman Ball association Night. He says the Association will have a concession stand and a 50/50 drawing. Stauffer says the cruise nights will be themed Back to the 50s and 60s. Stauffer says all money raised will be donated to Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp which is a camp for kids with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. The Cruise night will be held in Wellman on 8th Ave. If it is raining too much it will be moved to tomorrow.