Republican gubernatorial candidate says SC overstepped bounds on gay marriage ruling

A Republican gubernatorial hopeful says one of his top priorities is allowing Iowans to vote whether to allow same sex marriage. Rod Roberts is from Carroll. He's currently serving in the Iowa House of Representatives. He says the State Supreme Court overstepped it's bounds in making the ruling that allows same sex marriage.

Election Day

Voters across Iowa head to the polls today to elect school board members. In Washington, they'll decide on a different school issue as well. Voters will be asked if the district should levy nearly 12 million dollars in general obligation bonds for the first phase of a massive facilities overhaul. The plan calls for the building a a new high school, renovating the current one, and turning it into the junior high. The polls are open until 8:00 this evening.

Absentee taxpayers

Washington County is having some trouble with absentee taxpayers. Treasurer Jeff Garrett says his office has run into numerous situations where they attempt to collect property taxes, and find out that there is no longer a home at the location, or the structure is uninhabitable. Garrett says this often happens with mobile homes. He says the county is pretty limited in these types of situations because the structures aren't worth much at a tax sale.

Sheriff warns of potential scam

Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar is warning residents about a potential phone scam where the caller claims to be raising money for law enforcement. Dunbar says the local sheriff's organization and the Iowa State Sheriff's and Deputy Association no longer solicit by phone, and rely on direct mail. He says the best way to tell if a letter is legitimate is to look for his signature and the acronym ISSDA. He says the phone scammers claim to be with the United States Deputies Association. He says they are looking into what can be done with the organization and it's claims.

School Board preview

Washington School Board members will be going over election results at tomorrow's (9/9) meeting. They'll also be selecting a delegate for the 2009 Iowa State Association of School Boards Assembly, and sign off on a Riverboat Foundation Grant Proposal. Members are also slated to approve an architect recommendations from the facilities committee. The meeting starts at 7:00 in the school administration building.

Leadership Washington

Leadership Washington celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. Main Street Executive Director Amy Vetter says the 20th anniversary class includes seventeen individuals representing a wide range of organizations in Washington County. She says Leadership Washington covers a number of important issues to Washington such as economic development, industry, and agriculture. Vetter says a special luncheon will be held tomorrow (9/9).

Conservation grants available

The Washington Soil and Water Conservation District is encouraging residents to apply for conservation grants. WSWC Secretary Teresa Munn says they want to get residents interested in improving and maintaining the natural beauty of Washington County. Applications must be postmarked by December 1. For more information, call 653-6654.

Harkin hopes to prevent healthcare related infections

One of Iowas US Senators wants to help prevent healthcare-associated infections. Senator Tom Harkin recently announced more than $880,000 to help persons infected with these conditions after entering a hospital for another problem. Harkin says 1.7 million people are affected annually by HAIs which results in about 99,000 deaths.