Saturday, September 5, 2009

KCII and Hy-Vee Great Grab Giveaway Grand Prize Winners

Congratulations to Ruth Bellinger, Orbie Brown, Connie Reed, Rose Streff and Aimee Vayan, our  KCII and Hy-Vee Great Grab Giveaway grand prize winners.  They all won a 3-minute/$100 shopping spree at the Washington Hy-Vee that starts this morning at 10am.  They also get to get inside the Great Grab Box to collect other prizes and time certificates to ad time and money to their shopping spree.

NEWS UPDATE - Area Schools Below Standards

The Iowa Department of Education reports that a record number of Iowa schools are failing to meet the standards of federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Approximately 20%--293 of Iowas 1,442 schools fail to meet the legislative targets on test scores, attendance and graduation rates. Schools that fail to meet goals for 2 years in a row fall into the category of in need of assistance. Area schools include Washingtons Stewart and Lincoln Elementary, Mid Prairie Middle School, and Columbus High School.

Beach Boys in Fairfield

Fairfield will become the green energy capitol of America this Labor Day when the rock band the Beach Boys will hold a benefit concert at the middle school. The citys Ken Chawkin says Fairfields mayor will also award lead singer Mike Love the title of Energy Czar for the day. Chawkins says the band is one of the most vocal advocates for energy independence. He says Mondays concert will be one of the nations first green concerts.

US Cellular Tower

US Cellular customers in Pleasant Plain received a boost recently with the completion of a new signal tower south of town. US Cellulars Kevin Schuster says the new tower will give customers access to their 3G broadband network, giving them high-speed internet access on their cell phones. Schuster says with cell phones so important these days, the new tower will help local residents receive quality service.

Iowa Soil

A Naturalist at the Washington County Conservation Center says much of what Iowa is famous for can be credited to what's under our feet. Pam Holz says soil that makes for rich farming is also ideal for wetlands. Holz says that's because it contains a high percentage of clay, which holds water very well. She says this is why farmers often need to till their fields. On the other hand, she says it's not ideal for septic tanks. She says they need to be above the water table.

Heritage Reports

The Heritage Area Agency on Aging is looking for more representation from Washington County. Max Lewis is Chairman of the Washington County Taskforce. He told supervisors this week they are looking for at least two people to serve three year terms. Heritage is a division of the Iowa Department of Aging. Anyone interested in serving should contact the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

Childrens Foundation

A couple from Washington is embarking on a fundraising tour for the Children's Foundation next week. Steve and Diana Stout had initially decided to buy a retirement home in Mexico. They later decided to sell they're home and travel the US to raise money for the foundation which aids abused and abandoned children. The Stouts are getting ready to travel all over the US in their motor home to solicit money from Rotary organizations in various communities. Steve has been involved in Washington's Rotary. They plan to leave on Wednesday.

Piano Wiz Kids

The Iowa Mennonite School's Fine Art Series kicks off this month with "Piano Wiz Kids." Instructor Susan See says the event will feature kids as young as 11 playing some of the most difficult piano pieces ever created. The IMS Fine Arts series will also feature music from Carrie Newcomer in February, and It's About All Reunion which is program made in the spirit of old time radio in March. "Piano Wiz Kids" is September 12.

Vets Picnic

Military men and women are being invited to the third annual Washington County All Veteran's Picnic. Post 29 American Legion Vice Commander Barb Duder says vets have unique bond. The picnic starts with a social hour at Marr Park tomorrow afternoon at three with a social hour. Duder says people should bring a side dish for the potluck.

Sports Clinic

Iowa Mennonite School will be offering a free sports clinic this month for students wishing to participate in athletics. The schools Larry Swartzendruber says the September 19 event will be a joint girls softball and basketball clinic. He says the softball portion of the day will be from 9-11 am with basketball from noon-2 pm. Swartzendruber says a boys clinic for similar sports will be held in November. For more inforation, call 319-656-2073.