RFL Meeting

Relay for Life of Louisa County is having a meeting June 1st to share the importance of the event with local residents. The meeting is at 7:00 pm at the L & M Elementary School cafeteria. For more information, or to volunteer contact Kierstan Peck at 319-653-3768.

News Update-Washington County Riverboat Foundation Releases Grant

The Washington County Riverboat Foundation board last night awarded $700,180.00 for their spring grant period. Below you can download the list of recipients.

More Information Click Here To Download List

Reaction to the $36 million proposal for WSCD

Reactions are mixed after a $36-million proposal for overhauling Washington School facilities was laid on the table this week. Washington County resident and former educator Bill Frakes says he likes the idea of preserving the high-school building, but not annexing the current junior high to a new facility. The biggest question remains funding. The Construction Advocate Team recommends using state sales tax money, and a few rounds of bonding.

New Stewart principal excited to start

The new principal at Washington's Stewart Elementary school says she's excited to start her job and evaluate the school. Rhoda Harris is coming from the Deep River Millersburg School District. She says taking a look at test scores will be her first goal. Miller's current position is being eliminated this summer as Deep River Millersburg is reorganizing with English Valley. Her first official day on the job in Washington will be August first.

Washington Council okays "Celebrate Your Senses"

The Washington City Council is green lighting an early August Celebration in the downtown area. Members have approved closing a portion of Main Street, and allowing alcohol to be served at "Celebrate Your Senses." The only resistance at last night's meeting came from at large Councilor Karen-Wilson Johnson. She feels the event can be just as successful without serving alcohol.

Miksch: Washington Co. legally correct

The chairman of the Washington County Board of Supervisors feels a revenue sharing agreement between Riverside and the county is valid. Jim Miksch says he doesn't see any reason why the city shouldn't continue payments. When the casino was built, a TIF and urban development district were created. As a result, the city agreed to make annual payments to Washington County.

MP Schools to receive $300k

The Mid Prairie School district will receive more than 300 thousand dollars for expansion of Title I and IDEA programs. Superintendent Mark Schneider says the Title I program provides funds to high risk students who are in even greater need during the economic downturn and IDEA is the major federal program that provides funding for special education and related services to students with disabilities. Schneider says he and his staff are exploring exactly how the money will be used.

SE Iowa Company looking to hire

Many companies are eliminating jobs during this recession, but a Southeast Iowa company is looking to hire. Steve Jennings is head of Grasshorse Production in Mt. Pleasant. He says they are looking for 2D and 3D film animators. Jennings describes Grasshorse as a visual effects and animation company. He says they've worked on films such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the TV show Powerpuff Girls. He says artists with a background and education in animation should contact Grasshorse for an interview.

Hospice Golf Tournament

Hospice of Washington County is holding their annual memorial golf tournament next month. Robyn Harvey-Smith, Director of Marketing with Hospice says they hold these tournaments every year but this year they are holding the event to honor a community leader and a fellow golfer; Short Peterseim. She says Short and his wife Jan ran the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. She says Short passed away last year in June. The Tournament will be Thursday, June 25th, at 11:30am at the Kalona Golf Course and it will be a four person best ball scramble. For more information about cost and registration forms contact the Hospice of Washington County at 319-653-7321.

Master Gardeners

People are exploring the possibility of saving money by growing some of their own food. Gene Washington County Extension Education Director Gene Mohling says there's an increased interest invegetable gardening withthe decline in the economy. He says Master Gardeners can provide a good resource of information. Mohling says they are highly visible volunteers in their counties. He says the Master Gardener program is unique for its community emphasis and because it directly utilizes the broad research-based resources of Iowa State University. If you are interested in becoming an Iowa Master Gardener, contact your county extension office to find out more information about training in your area.

$36 million plan proposed for WCSD

Representatives from the Iowa State Association of School Boards recommend a $36-million multi year overhaul of the Washington School District's facilities. Construction Advocate Duane Van Hemert says the plan should be acceptable those who want to preserve the the district's historic buildings, and those who want students to benefit from newer facilities. It calls for building a new high school, and moving junior high students to the current high school.

Riverside/County dispute continues

Attorneys for Riverside have sent a letter to Washington Supervisors indicating the city doesn't intend to make annual payments to the county as previously arranged. County Auditor Bill Fredrick says an urban renewal and TIF district was created to help the city pay for infrastructure when the casino was built. He says as a result, Riverside is supposed to pay the county $175,000 per year. Attorney's for the city say the agreement caused them to exceed their debt limit, and is therefore void under state law.

Washington Council considers bonds

Washington City Council members will consider $3.5 million in bonds at tonight's (5/20) meeting. Mayor Sandra Johnson says some of the money is going toward an engineering phase of a new wastewater plant. She says many cities in Iowa are facing a similar problem as they decide how to upgrade infrastructure. Johnson says the general obligation bonds they plan on using carry a high interest rate, and often force municipalities to increase fees. Tonight's meeting starts at 7:00 in the public library.

Washington business owner awarded $227K

A jury awarded a Washington business owner more than $227,000 in a ruling on a civil trial this week. Iowa City based Apex Construction and Coralville based VJ Engineering were each found partially at fault for a 2006 building collapse on Washington's South Marion Street. The structure was owned by Alfonso Raymundo. Court documents show jurors found Apex 37% responsible for the collapse, while VJ was 63% at fault. At the time of the collapse, Apex was remodeling the building, and VJ had provided engineering services. Judge Dan Morrison will hand down the official ruling at a later date.

Construction to start at Lake Darling

Construction at Lake Darling State Park is expected to begin as soon as the ground is dry. Rachel Erb with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources,says this major renovation includes the construction of a new dam and spillway as well as sediment ponds, shoreline armament and fish habitat. Erb says they are hoping to start taking bids for construction around July with construction beginning shortly after. She says the projected completion date is the fall of 2010.

Loebsack rep in Washington

A representative of Congressman Dave Loebsack will be in Washington today (5/20). Jared Hershberger will be at the public library from 10 am-12 pm to field questions and comments on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Hershberger says he can also help individuals who are having difficulty with a government agency, or have concerns or suggestions for Loebsack.

SEMCO Meeting

The Southeast Iowa Multi-County Solid Waste Agency will hold there next meeting this morning at 9am. On the agenda, the agency will Award contract for the abutment and temporary cover placement construction project as well as hear the landfill managers report. Anyone who wishes to address the board may do so. The meeting will be held at the SEMCO Landfill office in Richland at 9am.

KFD Auction

There will be an Auction on Saturday, June 13th (Keota Fun Days weekend) at 1:00 pm under the Keota town water tower. Kris Lyle with Printers Workshop & Timeless Charm in Keota says the Keota Educational Foundation is putting on the auction as a fundraiser for local scholarships. If you have something you wish to donate, you can do so by calling Butch at 319-330-1964 or 641-635-2058, or you may bring your item into Timeless Charm Gifts during regular business hours.

WCSD Board to hear facilities report

Washington School Board members tonight (5/19) will hear a report on the district's facilities. Superintendent Dave Sextro says the board requested the report from the Iowa Construction Advocate Team. Sextro says members of the public are encouraged to attend as there will be time for a question and answer session after the presentation. The meeting starts at 6:30 this evening in the Washington High School Auditorium.

BOS to consider personnel changes

Personnel changes are on the docket for Washington County Supervisors this morning (5/19). They're slated to approve requests from the environmental health and secondary roads departments, as well as the county attorney's office. Supervisors will also consider the withdraw of property from an agricultural district. They'll also discuss a formal response stemming from an on going legal dispute with the city of Riverside. The meeting starts this morning (5/19) at 9:30 in the lower level of the Washington County Courthouse.