Thursday, September 3, 2009

GOP Gubernatorial candidate stops by KCII

A Republican gubernatorial hopeful says he would handle flood recovery in a much different manner. Rod Roberts is a GOP member of the Iowa House, from Carroll. He says the state should have responded more quickly last summer. Roberts says he was happy that money from the economic emergency fund was appropriated in January this year, however...he feels it was "a day late, and a dollar short." Roberts says only about a third of the fund was used for flood recovery. The Carroll Republican stopped by KCII's Studios yesterday (9/2) on his way to the Old Thresher's Reunion in Mt. Pleasant.

YMCA Childcare director: preschool vital to success later

Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy says they hope to offer ninety percent of four year olds access to preschool by 2011. Murphy says studies suggest learning during the preschool years helps prepare students for success later in life. That's an assessment Washington YMCA Childcare Director Shalon Hoyle agrees with. Hoyle says preschool is also a time when children begin to learn social skills. She says that's why their program is "play based." The Y's program is funded through the state's voluntary preschool program.

Candidate interviews

KCII continues school board candidate interviews today (9/3). Tsalika Drown will be on the Washington Page at 7:30 during the morning magazine. Drown is a challenger in Washington's district 5. There will also be more comments from last week's Mid Prairie candidates forum on In Touch with Southeast Iowa, during the Mid Day Magazine. These, and programs from earlier this week are available online, head to our home page and click on Radio Plus.

Ag Expo planned

The latest in agriculture technology will be on display near Crawfordsville this this month. The ISU Extension service says the Advances in Precision Agriculture EXPO will feature demonstrations on auto steer, auto shutoff planters and strip tilling and planting with guidance systems. The EXPO is being held on September 17 at the ISU Southeast Iowa Research Farm. Contact the Washington County Extension for More information.

ISU Extension 20 taking shape

With the restructuring of state ISU extension offices, southeast Iowas Region 20 is beginning to take shape. The Extensions Kathy Vance says this region includes the counties of Louisa, Henry, Des Moines, and Lee. She says with the restructuring, county and area director positions have been eliminated and replaced by regional directors. Vance says Region 20 is one of the most progressive offices in Iowa, holding more meetings than other offices and working to overcome budget cuts.

Sigourney hopes to give all students laptops

Students at Sigourney High School will be getting a bonus this school year. The schools Shannon Web says during their Apple Roll-Out tonight, the school will be handing out some unique learning tools to high school students. Web says in the next few years they hope to give all K-12 students in their district their own laptops. She says with technology such a big element in teaching today, the laptops will be a good addition to students studies. The Apple Roll-Out will be held tonight in the high school at 6:30.

Zahs nominated for NEA Award

A former Washington Junior High teacher is being honored by the National Education Association. Michael Zahs, who retired last year, was nominated for a Teaching Excellence award. While Zahs did not win the award, he is being recognized during the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington D-C. Iowa State Education Association President Chris Bern says Zahs is "really the embodiment of what teaching and learning is all about."

St. James forms Right to Life chapter

Washington is home to a new chapter of a national pro-life organization. The Washington Right to Life group is based in St. James Catholic Church and will hold regularly meetings the first Tuesday of every month. The groups Angela Fritz says their mission is to raise awareness of the rights of unborn children and support life from conception. For more information, contact St. James Catholic Church