Friday, February 13, 2009

School Stimulus

It appears the removal of the school construction item in the economic stimulus package Congress has been working on, has a direct impact on Washington. Iowa U-S Representative Dave Loebsack plans to visit the Washington School District at ten o'clock Tuesday morning. Interim Superintendent Dave Sextro says his understanding is that Loebsack was going to discuss the spending of around $800,000 the district was going to get as part of the package, but that was removed. Sextro says Loebsack still plans to visit and discuss green schools and green construction.

Keota School board looking for a change

The Keota School Board is talking about a change in superintendents. Board President Jared Lyle says they have been talking to different school districts about sharing a superintendent and last week met with the Mid Prairie board president and vice president about the possibility of sharing a superintendent starting with the 2009-10 school year. Mid Prairie Superintendent Mark Schneider says this is strictly a discussion item at this time. Schneider says this will be on the agenda for the next board meeting on Monday, February 23rd.

Paws and More Micro-chipping

Paws and More is encouraging you this Valentine's Day to keep your pet close to your heart with a micro-chipping event. A micro-chip with your contact information is implanted just under the skin around the neck of your pet and can be scanned to retrieve contact information. The micro-chipping is being offered for $25, which is a reduced rate. You can stop by Paws and More behind Casey's today, tomorrow, or Sunday between noon and four. No appointment is needed.

Speech All-State

The Washington High School Speech Team is sending three events to the All-State Speech Festival in Ames a week from Saturday. Speech Coach Jan Gallagher says you have to score high at a state competition to be invited. She says they received all-state recognition before but have never been invited to perform at the festival. Gallagher says they are going to put on a performance for residents next Thursday at 7:30pm in the high school auditorium to raise money for the trip.

IMS Singing Valentines

IMS Students are selling singing valentines on Saturday. Kristen Brenneman with IMS says the students travel around the area such as Wellman, Washington, Iowa City, and other communities, singing valentines to people. She says they have been doing this for over 5 years. For those interested you can call IMS at 319-656-2073 and speak with Mary Lou. The cost to sing to a single person is $35 and to sing to a group of people is $65. They'll be singing from 8am to 4pm.

County Engineer Award

The Washington County Engineers' office has received recognition from the Iowa Concrete Paving Association for a recent project. County Engineer Dave Patterson says it was for an overlay project they this past summer on old Highway 218 north of Highway 22. Patterson says they replaced a deteriorating asphalt road with a nice concrete overlay. He says they were also able to add paved shoulders. He says a team reviewing projects around the state deemed it the Best Concrete Overlay Award.

Keokuk County Salt supply

Keokuk County salt supplies are looking fine. Keokuk County Supervisor Ernie Griener says they were prepared this year. According to Greiner the Keokuk County Highway department had over 700 tons of salt ready. Griener says they should have plenty for the rest of the season.

On Demand Audio

Washington Page
7:30 a.m. & 12:55 p.m. Mary Wienand, ISU Extension
Listen to the interview on the Radio Plus page.

In Touch With Southeast Iowa
12:50 p.m. Darrel Hysler, US Census Bureau
Listen to the interview on the Radio Plus page.

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