Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Semi rollover closes roadway

A semi rollover at the intersection of G36 and US 218 caused some lanes of traffic to be closed yesterday. The Iowa Department of Transportation says the rollover closed the left turn lane from eastbound traffic on G36 onto southbound 218. No other information is official at this time.

New Wal-Mart opens today

Washington's new Wal-Mart will officially open for business this morning (8/19). Their will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 7:30, and the public will be invited in after 8:00. The new store is a "super-center." Wal-Mart officials say it will feature more products, and employ more people. The store is moving from it's current location on highway 1, to the new building on highway 92, just east of Washington.

Washington judge nominated for appellate court

A judge from Washington is in the running to fill a vacancy on the Iowa Court of Appeals. Michael Mullins is one of three who have been nominated. He was appointed to the bench in 2002. He got his law degree from Drake University Law School, and spent 19 years in private practice. Governor Chet Culver has a month to decide between Mullins, Bruce Zager or David Danilson.

BOS hires architect for health dept. move

Washington County has hired an architect to study potential new locations for the health department. Board Chair Jim Miksch says Cedar Rapids based Soluman Lang also conducted a space needs study for the health department. Miksch says they'll be considering current county owned buildings, as well as building new. He says the evaluation should yield some "definite information" before the end of this year.

School board again looking at architect

Washington School Facility Committee members will be interviewing architects again tonight (8/19). Last night (8/18) they held screenings for an architect to help with design work on a new high school. Tonight they are are looking for someone for renovations at Stewart and Lincoln. The meeting starts at 6:30 in the school administration meeting.

$850k in local option sales taxes

Washington County's local option sales tax brought in more than $850,000 last fiscal year. Treasurer Jeff Garret says that's down a little versus the last two years. Garrett says these funds go into the rural services fund, which lessen the amount of property taxes residents pay.

Loebsack shuffles schedule

Congressman Loebsack has changed the locations of some of his town hall meetings in southeast Iowa this weekend. The Democrat will now hold his Columbus Junction town hall meeting Saturday (8/22) in the Columbus Community High School gym. The congressman will also be visiting the Washington Public Library next Saturday morning (8/29) from 9:30-10:30. Loebsack says he changed the locations of some meetings so more people would have the opportunity to attend.

IMS starts

Iowa Mennonite School began its school year this week kicking off southeast Iowas back to school lineup. Principal Tony Miller began the year with an assembly in Celebration Hall where he welcomed 127 students including 20 freshman and 27 faculty and staff. IMS welcomes international students from Kazakhstan, South Korea, Albania, Georgia, and Serbia. Other area schools will begin their years in the upcoming weeks. Check our homepage for a complete list of start dates.