Cancellations/Delays

The Wellman kiddie parade has been moved to 12pm and the parade has been moved to 12:30pm

Shiloh's Fantastic Fireworks display was postponed until tonight at 9:00 pm.

The tractor pull in Morning Sun has been moved until 4pm.

The Morning Sun basketball tournament has been cancelled.

4th of July

There's a birthday party going on today, and everyone in the U.S. is invited. The country is 233 years old today, and several area communities have celebrations planned. Some kicked off the festivities with fireworks last night, but there's still some local displays set for tonight. The city of Washington's are at dusk at the county fairgrounds. Wellman's will be at 9:35 in the downtown area. Wayland's are at dusk at the football field. Richland's are at 9:30 at Alumni Park. Sigourney's are at dusk at the expo. Shiloh's fireworks were postponed from last night, they will now be tonight at 9:00. For patriotic music this holiday weekend keep it tuned to KCII.

June Fatalities

The number of fatal crashes on Iowa highways this year was the lowest in almost three decades. District 13 Trooper Jason Marlow says one possible reason for the decline was an increased police presence on the Hawkeye State's roads. Marlow hopes motorists will continue to make good decisions. Marlow expects increased traffic throughout this holiday weekend and reminds drivers to be alert, obey the speed limit and never operate a vehicle while impaired.

Campfire Safety

The 4th of July is a popular weekend for outdoor activities, which often includes bonfires. The Iowa State Fire Marshall's office says it's important to keep fires safe and controlled. Assistant Fire Marshal Jeff Quigle says you need to be able to put out campfires if necessary. He recommends a 5 to 10 pound ABC fire extinguisher. He also recommends keeping a shovel handy to bury fire pits to make sure they don't re-ignite after you've left. He also says to never light a fire using gasoline or other combustible liquids.

New Accountant

The city of Washington has a new accountant. Council members this week approved hiring Joe Myers of West Liberty. According to his resume, Myers has worked in accounting for more than 30 years. He received his bachelors in accounting from Northeast Missouri State. A memo from city administrator Dave Plyman says the interview committee received 35 applications for the position. It also says civil service tests were given to potential candidates.

Stay-Cation

Lt. Governor Patty Judge is encouraging Iowans to take a stay-cation this year and enjoy the sights and destinations of Iowa. Steve Reif with the Kalona Historical Village says in tough economic times people recognize the importance of tourism in eastern Iowa. He says the Historical Village is one of the top tourist destinations in Iowa, boasting two quilt galleries and a number of historical buildings. Reif says tourism is important to places such as the village because it keeps the culture and heritage of Iowa alive.

Kids Day

Kids Day at this year's Washington County Fair will have some south of the border flare. The theme is fiesta fun. The day will feature activities like maraca making, the cactus limbo and the fiesta duck dive. Kids day is July 22 from 9:30 'till noon at the Washington County Fairgrounds. All kids are welcome to attend, and come and go throughout the morning.

Workforce Grant

The severe weather that swept through southeast Iowa last year has left a positive note. The Department of Labor recently awarded Iowa Workforce Development over 11-million dollars to create almost 650 temporary jobs to aid in cleanup efforts from last years tornadoes and floods. Senator Tom Harkin says this grant will kill two birds with one stone, rebuilding Iowa communities and creating more jobs for Iowans.