Severe Weather in SE Iowa

A series of severe thunderstorms moved through Southeast Iowa last night, bringing heavy rains, quarter sized hail, and winds in excess of 60 miles per hour. KCII received reports of a semi trailer being blown over in Keokuk County, and damage to a sign on Highway 218 in Washington County. The KCII Severe Weather Action Team went on the air just before 7:00 last night, and finished coverage a little after 8:00 when the warning expired.

Corn Country Cruisers open 2009 season

The Corn Country Cruisers are having their first cruise night of this season this evening on Washington's Downtown Square. Organization member Ken Linmeyer says it will be meet the pros night. He says they'll have representatives from Mid America Engine Builders, King's Hot Rod Shop and Papa Clutch Customs. The cruise night runs from 5-9 this evening in downtown Washington.

Help Washington letter carriers stamp out hunger today

Washington letter carriers are collecting donations for the "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive this morning (5/9). Carrier Andy Miller says they're asking residents to put non perishable food items outside their house to be picked up along with the mail. This is the first year Washington has participated in the campaign. Miller says after they collect the food, they'll take it to the post office to be weighed. After that it heads to local food banks.

Sheriff's open house

Washington County residents are invited to get a look at the new sheriff's office again today. Sheriff Jerry Dunbar says he wants to give them a chance to see the facility that was paid for with their tax dollars. The public is invited to the open house. It goes from 9:00 am to noon today (5/9)

Free food stand literature at Extension

Community festival season is just around the corner, and the Washington County Extension Office wants to make sure food stand operators are ready. The extension's Nancy Adrian says selling a variety of food and beverages can be an effective fundraising activity, however organizers and workers need to be aware of certain regulations. She says the extension office has the publication "Food Stand Operations-What you Need to Know" available for free. To obtain a copy, contact the extension office.

WCHC offers breast cancer seminar

Washington County Hospital and Clinics is having a free breast cancer public forum Monday. Dr Terri Howes from the Iowa City Cancer Treatment Center, Dr Abbie Thrower from Cancer Care of Iowa City and WCHC Radiologist Dr. Douglas Boatman will discuss breast cancer treatment and diagnosis. There will be a question and answer session. The seminar is this Monday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:00.

MP Baccalaureate

The Mid Prairie Baccalaureate Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 20th at 7pm. Scott Swartzendruber with the Kalona Mennonite Church says there will be many presenters and music for the seniors. He says the senior band and Choir will perform special music for the graduates and families. He says this service is sponsored by the council of Mid Prairie Churches.

Market sheep and goats weighed in

Washington County 4-Hers and FFA members this month weighed in market sheep and goats for the 2009 Washington County Fair on Saturday,. 4-H/Youth Coordinator Kati Peiffer says a total of 45 kids weighed & tagged a total of 259 head of sheep. This is a slight increase from last years numbers at weigh-in.She says Eighty-one sheep were nominated for the Iowa State Fair through retinal scans and two head were nominated for Ak-Sar-Ben through DNA hair samples