Yea on middle income tax break

A southeast Iowa legislator is supportive of a measure would give the middle income population a tax break. Representative Larry Marek says the proposal would also attract more businesses. Marek says he was initially skeptical, but now feels the bill would be beneficial. The Riverside Democrat says the legislation is still in its early stages, and it will be a while before it advances.

Nay on middle income tax break

A local tax expert says the proposed middle income tax break pending in the state legislature might not be as enticing as it sounds. Dan Bontrager is a CPA with Bontrager Tax in Kalona. He says cutting income taxes in one area, usually means higher taxes for another group of people, or increased sales or property taxes. Bontrager says he's always wary about pending legislation, because it can change so many times before it becomes law. The middle income tax break would provide tax relief for Iowans who make less than 125-thousand dollars per year, but would end the practice of allowing federal taxes to be claimed as a deduction at the state level.

Mid Prairie to receive stimulus money

The Mid Prairie School district will be receiving some money from the economic stimulus package. Superintendent Mark Schneider says they dont know who much theyll be getting. He says they will do everything they can to make sure the money is used in a productive manner to make sure all the kids in the district benefit.

Kalona playground project enters phase II

The Kalona Elementary Playground Improvement Committee is continuing their mission to provide a safe and healthy playground for the elementary school and community. Jan Knebel says their goal for Phase II is to replace the old unsafe rotting wooden equipment. She says they have installation dates lined up for Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th. They will have a landscape structures installation supervisor on hand to help work through the build process. They are asking for volunteers those two days to help build the new equipment. Following the completion of the project any individual or business who donated more than $100 will be recognized on a wall of fame display board located at the elementary school. Contact Jan at 319-325-8462 with any questions.

News Update - Restricted lane on Hwy 92

Hwy 92 is restricted to one lane in Washington until next Monday. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, maintenance work will restrict traffic to one lane on Iowa 92 in Washington today through next Monday. Temporary traffic lights have been installed to assist traffic through the work zone in front of the new Wal-Mart store on the east end of Washington.

Washington Co. to lay out 5 year road plan

Washington County Supervisors are slated to approve the annual five year road construction program at tomorrow's meeting. County Engineer David Patterson says they have about nine-million dollars budgeted for the five year period. He says the amount of money they have to work with hasn't changed much since he's been in Washington County, but how much construction materials cost has skyrocketed. Patterson says to combat the price inflation, the county road department is at a minimum staff level. He says they've also saved money by replacing bridges with unique, and cheaper railroad car structures. Patterson's department is required to submit the five year road construction program to the Iowa Department of Transportation each year.

G-36 interchange expected to be done by June

A long awaited road repair project is expected to be done soon. Resident Construction Engineer at the Mount Pleasant branch of the Iowa Department of Transportation Jeff Johnson, says they hope to get started on the G-36 interchange very soon. Johnson says they had hoped to have the project done by last fall, but soil conditions, combined with on earlier than expected winter forced them to hold off until now. G-36 is where 218 and 27 intersect Washington County road G-36.

Washington City Council to revisit Dodici liquor license request

The Washington City Council will revisit a liquor license request from Cafe Dodici at this week's meeting. The restaurant would like to serve alcohol at tables located on the sidewalk outside the establishment. At the last council meeting, members decided they would table the request. If allowed, this would be the first outdoor license in Washington. Cafe Dodici co-owner Lori Williams feels she has proven herself, and run respectable business. Councilors are worried about what kind of precedent allowing the license might set and whether or not the outdoor area would obstruct traffic. The meeting will be this Wednesday night at 7:00 in the Washington Public Library.

Red Cross Saving Lives

Those who want to know more about the American Red Cross are invited to a "Saving Lives" event tomorrow night in Washington. Spokeswoman Jennifer Pickar says information will be available on how people can get involved in volunteer programs. Pickar says the Red Cross can utilize volunteer's existing skills as well. So any retired police officers, EMT's or firefighters can be of great value. The "Saving Lives" event will be tomorrow night from 6:30 to 7:30 at Washington State Bank.

1st Responders blood drive

The Kalona First Responder's Spring Blood Drive will be tomorrow and Wednesday at Kalona United Methodist Church Hall, from 2-7 PM. Ethel Bontrager says donors should eat a good meal 4 hours prior to donating. She says free cholesterol screening and rewards points are offered to successful donors. The donations will support patients at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. For appointments or questions, call at 656-2481.

IMS Piano Recital

Samantha Beachy and Melissa Gingerich, seniors at IMS, will present a shared recital of piano and cello music on Saturday, April 11 at 7 p.m. in Celebration Hall. Pianists Joni Beachy, Midori Beachy, Maria Davis, Abbie Miller, and Hannah Bartel will be joining Beachy on selected piano ensemble pieces. Beachy and Gingerich will play collaborative works for cello and piano and Gingerich's teacher, Kate Vos, will also join her on a work for two cellos. Again the recital will be Saturday, April 11 at 7 p.m. in Celebration Hall, a reception will follow the concert.

Keeping the crime rate low

Iowa has a relatively low crime rate compared to the national average. Gary Bickmeier, Keokuk County Extension Education Director says the use simple efforts to deter, delay and deny criminals from committing burglary is one possible reason. He says locks, lights and trimming trees and bushes helps increase security immensely. He says you should assess your vulnerability and identify the possible threat for burglary to better understand your risk. For information on this or other subjects contact the Keokuk County Extension Office at 800-515-2680.

April is Child Abuse Prevention month

April is Child abuse Prevention Month. MaryAnn Williams, with the Americorp's Community Program to Protect Children, says they've adopted pinwheels as a symbol for their campaign. She says they'll be visiting schools throughout April to spread their message. Williams says child abuse isn't just the obvious. She says it can include neglect, mental or psychological abuse.

KCII Scholarships

Applications for the KCII Business to Business Scholarship have been sent to area high-schools. Each year the station awards two graduating seniors $250 to continue their education in business. Those interested are encouraged to talk to their guidance counselors, or they can stop by our studios in downtown Washington to pick up an application. Applications need to be received by May 15. We'll announce the winners on May 22nd.

Red Cross Saving Lives

Those who want to know more about the American Red Cross are invited to a "Saving Lives" event this Tuesday in Washington. Spokeswoman Jennifer Pickar says information will be available on how people can get involved in volunteer programs. Pickar says the Red Cross can utilize volunteer's existing skills as well. So any retired police officers, EMT's or firefighters can be of great value. The "Saving Lives" event will be this Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 at Washington State Bank.

1st Responders Blood Drive

The Kalona First Responder's Spring Blood Drive will be this Tuesday and Wednesday, March 31st and April 1st at Kalona United Methodist Church Hall, from 2-7 PM. Ethel Bontrager says donors should eat a good meal within 4 hours prior to donating. She says free cholesterol screening and rewards points are offered to successful donors. Your donation will support patients at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. For appointments or questions, call at 656-2481.

Grilled chicken dinner

Come to Lower Deer Creek next Sunday, April 5th for a grilled chicken dinner served between 11:30--1:30. All donations and pledges given will go toward Kenton and Kidron Miller's 3 year mission term to Berlin, Germany. Kenton and Kidron are partnering with Mennonite Mission Network and anticipate leaving for Berlin this May to work with a missionary family in church planting.

Washington Sheriff receives $30k grant

The Washington County Sheriff's Department is getting $30,000 in grant money for equipment purchases. Sheriff Jerry Dunbar says they usually apply for the grant, but don't receive the full amount. Dunbar says they'll use the money for radar units, portable breath testers for alcohol as well as overtime costs and mileage on their vehicles. The money is coming from the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, or GTSB.

Intentional grass fire

If you see a fire near Marr Park this Friday night...don't be alarmed. The Washington County Conservation Board will be holding a controlled prairie burn. Naturalist Pam Holz says prairie lands need to be burned off periodically. Holz says the burn also helps keep invasive species out. She says the event can be quite spectacular to see. The public is invited to an informational session Friday April 3 at the Park at 7:30 pm. The burn will take place at 8:00. Holz says it can happen very quickly, and urges attendees not to be late.

Your garden variety vegetables

Fruit bearing bushes and vines like strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are a staple of many midwestern gardens. However, they can present some challenges. Shelia Gerot is a Washington County Master Gardener. She says there are a few rules to follow. She says strawberries shouldn't be planted too deep. She says they have a little crown that needs to be kept at the ground level. Gerot also says you shouldn't pick any fruit during the first year first of the plant's life, that way the roots can get established and put on a better crop the following year.

Your garden variety fruits

Fruit bearing bushes and vines like strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are a staple of many midwestern gardens. However, they can present some challenges. Shelia Gerot is a Washington County Master Gardener. She says there are a few rules to follow. She says strawberries shouldn't be planted too deep. She says they have a little crown that needs to be kept at the ground level. Gerot also says you shouldn't pick any fruit during the first year first of the plant's life, that way the roots can get established and put on a better crop the following year.

Field Kayak and Canoe event

Pack a lunch and grab a friend. The Louisa County Conservation group is holding a kayak and canoe event on Saturday, April 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Lake Odessa. Katie Hammond, with the Louisa County Conservation says this guided trip on the Odessa Water Trail will be an adventurous paddle winding through the panoramic wildlife area. The paddling trip will start and end at Snively Campground. Participants of all ages and levels of experience are encouraged to attend though children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. She says all participants will need to register by April 20th. Online registration, maps and additional information are available at www.NaturallyLouisaCounty.com or call 319-523-8381.

Story times

During the month of April, on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:00am in the Childrens Area of the Kalona Public Library, Youth Services Librarian Marissa Tartaglia will be holding story times for preschoolers. She says story times help build early childhood literacy skills through listening, finger plays, rhymes and songs. The Story time themes for April are spring, Easter, wild about libraries, silly poetry, and dinosaurs. For more information, contact Marissa at 319-656-3501.

Family fun night

The Kalona Elementary Boosters are holding there 24th annual Family Fun night tonight. Ryan Schlabaugh says the purpose of the Family Fun Night is to provide a kid friendly activity and help raise money for the Kalona Elementary School. He says there will be a lot of fun games and activities for everyone. He says they have items donated to them by business throughout the area including some tickets both local and major sports team events. The Family Fun night will this evening from 5:30 until 8pm at the Mid Prairie Middle School.

Sounds of the 60s and 70s

The sounds of the 60's and 70's can be heard this Tuesday in Washington. Sound of Washington, which is a relatively new organization, is putting on the concert. Kim Ecklor helped co-found the choir for special needs adults. She says her and a friend got the idea from their workplace. She says they worked with a woman who was bedridden, who had a wonderful singing voice. Sounds of the 60's and 70's will be held this Tuesday at Hamakuah Place. A free will donation will be taken.

WCRF grants announced

The Washington County Riverboat Foundation has announced their 9 first quarter city grants for this year. Jim Logan, Administrative Assistant with the WCRF says the awards total more than $171,000 The WCRF Municipal Grant program distributes 25% of its total revenues directly to the cities in Washington County based on population. Logan says in 2008, the WCRF distributed more than 819-thousand dollars to the nine cities in Washington County and has distributed almost two-million dollars since its inception. These funds are programmed by each City Council. Washington will receive more than $90,000, the City of Kalona will receive nearly
$30,000, Riverside will get more than $11,000, and Brighton will receive almost $9000.

Washington emergency communicator hosts awards ceremony

The assistant supervisor for the Washington County 911 Dispatch center recently hosted the Iowa chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials event in Des Moines. Teresa Todd says emergency communicators are the unsung heroes of emergency personnel. Todd was on a committee that selected award winners during the ceremony. She says there were seven teams and five single entries. She says it was difficult to choose because so many communicators do such a good job.

Safe Prom/Graduation

Prom and Graduation season is just around the corner, and the Washington Police Department wants to make sure the celebrating is done safely and responsibly. Sergeant Sean Ellingson says his department will be coordinating with other agencies to have a stepped up presence during those times. Ellingson also says the city of Washington has a law on the books that provides stiff penalties for anyone who provides alcohol for minors. He adds that the Washington High School has a zero tolerance policy, meaning any student caught using drugs or alcohol will be ineligible for extracurricular activities.

Band members grateful for donation

Members of Washington's Municipal Band say they are very grateful for the recent donation of 175-thousand dollars to improve the Central Park Bandstand. Wayne Brock, and John Winga are two members of the band who have been playing for 60 years. They visited John Jackson in Fairfield to ask for help renovating the bandstand. Winga and Brock say they plan on having Mr. Jackson come to Washington for the opening night of Band season, which will be the first Thursday in June.

Local doctor expects macular degeneration to increase

As the Baby-Boomers enter their golden years, a health issue is becoming increasingly common...macular degeneration. Doctor Rob Negrete, with Washington Eye Care Center, describes the affliction as the erosion of a part of the retina, which can cause vision loss. Negrete says one of the most difficult aspects of macular degeneration, is its difficulty to identify. He says it doesn't cause any pain, which is why he recommends people over the age of 60 who experience changes in their vision should see an eye doctor. He says there is no cure for the disease, but studies suggest certain multi vitamins combined with a healthy diet can help.

Kalona looking to break the record

This year Kalona Days will mark the community's 130th birthday. Kalona Days Co-Director Susan Finley says they are attempting to construct the worlds largest quilt Cake. She says it will be a normal edible cake that will be decorated like quilt patterns. Finley says it will be a contest and anyone may enter. She says you can come to the Kalona General Store and pick up a pattern. Finley says they are hoping Kalona days will be put into the Guinness book of world records with this cake. Kalona Days will be June 19 - 21

Study shows 4-H's positive impact

A new study suggests 4-H can help make young people better citizens, leaders and communicators. 4-H Youth Development State Specialist Kelli Tallman says she asked a random selection 4-H'ers to rate themselves on those skills before, and after joining the program. Tallman says 4-H also helps hone conflict resolution skills through group projects and various presentations. She also says those who take part in the program also display less risky behavior such as underage drinking.

Columbus Junction Athletics

Many students in Lousia County were impacted by last year's record flooding. Mike Jay, Columbus Junction Athletics Director thinks sports programs gives students a good avenue to let loose. Jay says not only do athletics help students to vent any frustration they may have, but it helps them with their academics.

News Update: North Liberty man leads police on chase

A North Liberty man is facing a laundry list of charges after allegedly leading police on nearly an hour long chase in Washington County last night. 20 year old Steven Lee Myers Junior is charged with Operating While Intoxicated, Driving Under Suspension, Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle, Eluding, and multiple traffic violations. According to a release from the Washington Safety Center, officers tried to stop Myers south of Riverside. Myers refused to do so. They say the chase ended with myers striking a patrol car and hitting a ditch at 230th street and Washington Avenue. Myers is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Congrats to Donna Rinner!

KCII announced their radio active bingo winner this morning. Donna Rinner, of Wayland says she turned in four bingo cards per week since the contest started on January 26th. When informed of the news, Rinner was pleasantly surprised. Since the contest started, KCII gave away $800 in gift certificates to weekly bonus bingo Winners. Rinner's name was randomly selected out of 2300 qualifying bingo cards. The contest had listeners fill out the cards when they heard sponsor's commercials and programs on KCII. Congratulations to Donna, and thanks to all the sponsors who made our radio active bingo contest a huge success.

The city of Washington is going to start cracking down on people who leave trash in their yards. Ordinance committee chairman Mike Roth says the city

More than 200 area high-school students, and a few parents came to Washington High School yesterday for college prep day. Among them was W-H-S junior Joey Villalpando. He says despite the current economic environment, he's confident he'll find work after college. Villalpando says he's interested in finding a career in computers. William Mcconnell is another student interested in electronics. He also says he's not worried about finding a job. Washington High guidance counselor Kathy Stender described the event as an excellent showing. She says she's very pleased to hear about the students optimistic attitudes. She also says they know if they can find the means to go to college, there will be a job for them when they graduate.

Washington to crack down on trash ordinance

The city of Washington is going to start cracking down on people who leave trash in their yards. Ordinance committee chairman Mike Roth says the city has been, quote too soft on nuisance abatement in the past, and it shows in several areas of Washington. Roth says the city will aggressively address complaints. He says property owners will first be contacted about addressing the problem. He says if they choose to ignore the notice, they could be subject to a $250 dollar fine. Roth says residents can file a complaint, and keep their identity confidential by calling 653-6584. There will be a chance to get rid of unwanted items during the city wide clean up the week of April 20th. Roth says they will also be notifying residents who own dangerous buildings, and informing them that arrangements need to be made to have the structure fixed, or demolished.

Kalona is prepared for severe weather

The City of Kalona is one of the few cities in the area that have manually operated alarms instead of an automated system. Fire Chief Steve Yotty says they test the alarm every day to make sure they stay in working order. Yotty says it is very important to know what to listen for. He says the tornado warning signal is a steady 3 minute siren and the all clear is a minute and a half signal that gives everyone the all clear.

Bandstand project expected to get started by summer

A plan to renovate the city of Washington's Central Park Bandstand is expected to get underway by the end of this summer. That news comes after former Washington resident John Jackson made a 175-thousand dollar donation to the project. Washington Parks Superintendent Tim Widmer says one of their goals is to keep the bandstand's historic look. Widmer says even though Mr. Jackson's generous donation gives them enough money to start on the bandstand, they'll continue to raise money for other Central Park needs. He says that includes maintenance funds for the fountain and money to remodel the bathrooms. The volunteer committee spearheading the project will meet this evening at 7:00 at the Washington Public Library.

Science education

The Obama administration sees science education as key to economic recovery and American prosperity. That's an assessment Washington High School biology teacher Diane Gray agrees with. She feels students at W-H-S are given ample opportunity. Gray says science education is also valuable for a few other reasons. She says the emphasis on math and critical thinking helps them in other coursework. She also says being well informed on emerging science issues, helps them to become better citizens as many of those issues have begun to enter the political arena.

Post Office cutbacks

Faced with new technology, and private package delivery services, the U.S. Postal Service isn't doing as well as it once did. Many have been forced to cut services and reduce routes. John Marshall is the Post Master in Washington. He says two people at his Post Office have chosen to take early retirement. Marshall says there are no immediate plans to cutback on services, but he admits having fewer people does put them behind schedule from time to time. He says some Post Offices have begun to utilize automation systems, which has spurred a reduction in employees elsewhere. He says right now, there are no plans for such an operation in Washington.

IA City Walmart donates $1,000 to local playground

Iowa City Wal-Mart has given $1,000 dollars to the Kalona Elementary Playgournd Improvement Project Committee. Store Manager, Kurt Penfold presented a check to Committee Chairperson, Jan Knebel. Knebel says the money will be used to purchase new equipment for the large playground which will be installed on June 12 and 13th.

Local drug task force looking to add officer

The Washington-Lousia County Drug Task Force could be getting an additional officer. Currently one officer is shared between the two counties, as well as the cities of Washington and Columbus-Junction. Washington Sheriff Jerry Dunbar says whether or not it happens, depends on if one of those agencies is able to hire on an additional officer. Dunbar says his department lacks the financial resources to hire additional personnel at this time. He says another agency might be able to. Dunbar feels the extra officer could cut down on overtime costs and make area drug enforcement more effective.

Washington Jail almost complete

A contractor from Mount Pleasant will put the finishing touches on the renovations at the Washington County Jail. The Board of Supervisors voted yesterday to award the the job to H-E-S construction for at total cost of just over 192-thousand dollars. Sherrif Jerry Dunbar says this will essentially make the project complete. Dunbar says H-E-S will complete the work release areas which were purposely left unfinished,one for men and one for women. He says this adds another 24 beds to the facility. He also says this is not an addition to what Washington County voters approved for the new jail.

Washington Mental Health lays out three year plan

Washington County's Mental Health and Disability Services agency is laying out its three year strategic plan. Director Bobbi Wolf says the plan is required by the state, and lays out the agency's goals and plans for that three year period. She says that includes a recovery center. Wolf says they will try to fund the recovery center through grants from the state, and the local river boat foundation. The Strategic plan also provides a way for Wolf's department to lay out its services and access points.

Empowerment could see funding cuts

Iowa's fledgling financial situation could mean some rather drastic cuts for certain early childhood programs. Tasha Beghtol with Washington County Empowerment, says her organization could be looking at a nearly 15-percent cut in state funding. She says no decisions have been made as to what areas would suffer due to such cuts. Empowerment covers a wide array of early childhood needs from education to healthcare. Beghtol says locally, the organization provides things like the Parents as Teachers program, dental programs and preschool scholarships.

Marek, Schmitz question I-Jobs

Governor Chet Culver has proposed issuing around 750-million dollars in bonds for projects around Iowa designed to create jobs and jumpstart the economy. However, two southeast Iowa legislators say the I-Jobs program isn't as "shovel ready" as some might think. State Senator Becky Schmitz and Representative Larry Marek say there's still a lot more to find out about the proposal. The Governor spent yesterday traveling around eastern Iowa to pitch his bonding plan.

Severe weather season is here

Recent tornadoes in Iowa are a reminder that severe weather season can arrive without warning. Tornado Season is starting and many people do not know what to do when a tornado warning is in effect. Weather Eye Meteorologist Nicolle Morock says it is important to know the difference between a watch and a warning. She says a tornado warning means there is rotation in the weather system or weather spotters have seen a tornado touch the ground. Morock says when a warning is in effect the best thing to do is to find cover and put as many walls between you and the storm as possible. She also says if a sturdy shelter isn't avaliable, the best thing to do is find a low laying area. She says you never want to stay in a vehicle or manufactured home during a tornado or strong straight line winds, because they can be tossed very easily.

WACO students present Camelot

The WACO High School Music and Drama Department in association with Tams-Witmark Music Library will present Lerner and Loewe's CAMELOT this weekend, March 27 and 28, in the high school gym. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening with an admission charge of $6 for adults and $4 for students. Tom Ferguson is the stage director and Millie Youngquist is the vocal director. There is also an eight member pit band complete with strings to provide music for the show. Students from the high school and junior high are combining for this show, with the lead roles being performed by Mason Ferguson as King Arthur, Bekah Kennelly as Queen Guinevere, and David Woods as Lancelot.

Wolf named Washington Chamber Citizen of the Year

More than 200 people came to the Washington Knights of Columbus Hall last night for the Chamber of Commerce's annual Our Town Awards Dinner. Awards were given in a variety of different categories. Perhaps one of the most prestigious honors was the chamber's citizen of the year award, which was given to Margaret Wolf. Wolf was recognized for her numerous contributions to the community. Other awards included the community service award which was given to the Washington Fire Department, and business of the year which was given to Washington County Hospital and Clinics.

Special guests shares life story at chamber dinner

A woman who made Iowa history paid a visit to Washington yesterday. LaMetta Wynn was the featured speaker at the Chamber of Commerce's Our Town Awards Dinner. Wynn is the former mayor of Clinton, and is the first African American Woman to serve as a mayor in Iowa. She says a person's success as a community leader depends help from others. Wynn says Washington is filled with such leaders. Wynn also served on the Clinton Community School board and the Commission on the Status of African American's in Iowa. She was also named as one of the 25 Most Dynamic Mayors in America by Newsweek Magazine.

Farfield man considering run for Ag Secretary

A Fairfield man is considering running for the post of Iowa's Agriculture Secretary. Francis Thicke is forming an exploratory committee to investigate the option. Thicke says he's considering his candidacy because he feels there are areas of agriculture that need to be further explored. Thicke says Iowa agriculture needs to be more sustainable. One example he offers is planting crops in between the corn and soybean rotations such as rye, which he says would help hold soil in place. Thicke is an organic dairy farmer, who has also served in the U-S Department of Agriculture. He says he hopes to know for sure whether or not he'll run for office by this summer.

Beware of quick change artists

A warning for local merchants: Federation Bank's Wellman branch reports a quick change artist has been trying to bilk money from cashiers in the community. This is when a person enters a business and asks for change, when the person is handed the change they pull another roll of money out of a different pocket and claim they were shorted. The man who attempted the scam in Wellman is described as being in his mid forties with sandy blond hair. On Friday he was reported to be wearing a white and blue striped fleece shirt and blue jeans.

Panel discussion on teen issues

Mid-Prairie is one of hundreds of school districts nationwide that will hold a panel discussion to raise awareness about important issues facing teens and their families. Kelly Swift, Student Advocate for Mid-Prairie Schools, says suicide prevention, underage drinking, drug use, and risky behavior will be discussed. The meeting will be April 6th at 7:00PM in the Mid-Prairie Middle School Gymnasium.

Calling all prom dresses

Charla Howard of Washington would like to send out a challenge to all parents and past students that have pre-worn prom dresses and/or shoes to donate them to families that need a little extra help with expenses. She says in these times some families might not be able to afford brand new prom dresses and that most dresses are used only once and then are left hanging in a closest. Howard says this is a way to help people in the community.

IPTV launches health hike

Iowa Public Television has announced the network will embark on a new initiative designed to get kids across the state to engage in exercise and reading this spring. Kerri Bell with the Kalona Elementary School says one elementary school classroom and one library in each county has been selected to participate in a Healthy Hike competition, with students working to log minutes exercising and minutes reading throughout the month of April. The Kalona Public Library and Kalona Elementary 2nd graders will be participating. At the end of the competition, participating classrooms will take a Healthy Hike to their local participating library for a story time and celebration. For more information on the Healthy Hike, educators and families are encouraged to visit www.iptv.org/dantastic.

Warm weather cars

As the seasons change, so can the needs of our automobiles. Glenn Martin, who owns Glenn's Auto in Washington says cold weather can take its toll on vehicles. He says first and foremost, you need to check a few things to make sure your car is safe to operate such as tires, windshield wipers and rims.

State budget outlook less than rosy

Two southeast Iowa legislators painted a less than rosy picture of the state's financial situation this weekend. Representative Larry Marek and Senator Becky Schmitz visited Washington Saturday to offer an update. Schmitz says state agencies and programs could face nearly eight percent in budget cuts. Representative Marek says while Iowa has faired better than other states during the recession, the sting is still being felt. Marek says state income has dropped by another 81-million dollars for this fiscal year. He says if unemployment numbers don't improve, the problem could continue into the 2010-2011 budget. The two legislators did offer some good news. Schmitz says she's happy about recent health care reforms, while Marek is pleased with a new child labor law.

Legislative briefing well received

Around 30 people came to the Washington County Courthouse Saturday to get an update on state government from Senator Becky Schmitz, and Representative Larry Marek. Balancing the budget, money for infrastructure and education were some of the biggest issues discussed. Washington resident Jan Rosien says it was a productive meeting. Rosien says she was very interested to hear about education. She's concerned that if teachers aren't adequately compensated, they'll look to other states for jobs. Rosien also says she understands that there are a lot of different areas that need attention, but simply not enough money to go around.

Washington Mayor concerned over water funding

Washington Mayor Sandra Johnson says she's concerned with how her community, and others like it across the state pay for their infrastructure. Johnson says there are a limited number of ways for cities to come up with the cash. She says she's worried about how Washington will pay for a state mandated waste water treatment plant. She would like for more money to be available to municipalities through the water quality improvement fund, because it carries a zero percent interest rate.

V.A. reorganization stalls out

A local veteran's affairs commissioner says he's glad a bill reorganizing his agency didn't go through. Terry Phillips, with the Washington County VA says the measure has merit, but thinks more consideration needs to go into House Study Bill 270. Phillips says the current system, which utilizes an unpaid commission to determine what benefits are given out and how they are administered, has been working well. Phillips also says they recently underwent a change at the county level, and feels another change could be counterproductive.

Small business program

Current and potential small business owners are encouraged to attend a small business program March 31st. Gary Bickmeier, Keokuk County Extension Education Director says it is a series of informal dialogues focusing on the challenges faced by local businesses. Bickmeier says the ongoing series is held on the last Tuesday of every month at the Sigourney Pizza Ranch Meeting Room. For further information on the program, call the Keokuk County Extension Office at 641-622-2680 or 800-515-2680.

Homeless students

In every school district there may be some students that may be homeless. Columbus School district Superintendent Rich Bridenstein says there are 5 definitions for being homeless. Bridenstein says they have a homeless student coordinator that he meets with on a quarterly basis. He says the record flooding last year did not affect many residential building but mainly businesses.

Keota-Mid Prairie superintendent sharing

The Mid Prairie school board is still discussing the issue of sharing Superintendent Mark Schneider with the Keota school district. Earlier this year, State Sen. Matt McCoy proposed limiting the number of school district superintendents to one per county, which would result in nearly 350 current superintendent positions being reduced to 99. He also proposed the forced consolidations of schools with student populations of fewer than 750. Schneider said though there is not much danger now of either of the proposals happening, that was not to say there might not be more legislative support in the future. Schneider told both Keota and Mid Prairie boards that any agreement the two school districts proposed would first be the subject of public hearings. Both School boards will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, March 30, at the Mid-Prairie High School.

State legislators visit Washington

Around 30 people came to the Washington County Courthouse yesterday to get an update on state government from Senator Becky Schmitz and Representative Larry Marek. Budget cuts, health care, issuing bonds for road work and education were some of the biggest concerns expressed by area residents. Both legislators say they and their colleagues face some difficult decisions in figuring out the new budget. In all, state programs and agencies could be facing nearly eight percent in cuts.

Opposition to gender measure

Some local leaders say they oppose a measure that would force government bodies to strive to have an equal number of men and women serve on local boards and commissions. Washington County Supervisor Adam Mangold says its often difficult just to fill such positions in a rural area. Mangold also says the requirement might keep them from finding the person who is most qualified. He made the comments during a legislative briefing at the Washington County Courthouse yesterday.

Festival Concert

The Midwest Regional Mennonite Orchestra Festival Concert is this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at IMS in Celebration Hall. The festival participants are Bethany Christian High School from Goshen, IN, Central Christian High School from Kidron, OH, and Iowa Mennonite School. An offering will be taken to help defray festival costs.

Homeless Students

In every school district there may be some students that may be homeless. Columbus School District Superintendent Rich Bridenstein says there are 5 definitions for being homeless. Bridenstein says they have a homeless student coordinator that he meets with on a quarterly basis. He says the record flooding last year did not affect many residential building but mainly businesses that would affect a childs home.

Legislative Preview

The Iowa State Legislature is in the process of figuring out next year's budget. Large cuts are anticipated in a number of areas. 48th District Senator Becky Schmitz says it's now a matter of trying to figure out which areas can sustain those cuts. Schmitz says they'll probably have to put a lot of proposed projects on hold. Schmitz and 89th District State Representative Larry Marek will be in Washington this morning at ten for a legislative update. If you can't make it to the courthouse, KCII will be replaying the briefing at 1:00 this afternoon. And you will be able to find a PODCAST at www.kciiradio.com, click on Radio Plus.

Learn at Lunch

If you want to see the future, a good place to start is at school. Today's students will be tomorrow's leaders...so what's being done to prepare them? Washington High School Principal Shane Ehresman will lay that out this Monday during a Learn at Lunch. Ehresman says technology is probably one of the biggest recent changes in education. He admits that some technology, like mp3 players and cell phones, can be distracting. However, he says technology has had a mostly positive impact. To hear more from Ehresman, plan on attending the Learn at Lunch session this Monday. The meal is only seven-dollars and the Washington Chamber of Commerce needs people to make reservations by 9:00 Monday Morning. The event will be from noon to one at the Washington County Extension building.

Grass Fires

There have been a lot of grass fires in the Kalona area over the last week. Fire Chief Steve Yotti says there have not been any major losses yet but the weather is getting dryer. Yotti says they have had an average of 2 or 3 fires a day. Yotti says the best thing to do when burning is to make sure that everything around is wet and to make sure that you have plenty of materials on hand to douse a fire if it starts to get out of control.

County Web

The internet has revolutionized the way we do things...from paying bills, to staying in touch with friends. But there's one area where many people would like to see more online access...government. Many municipalities have no website and can't accept payments via the internet. Both the the city of Washington and Washington County have websites. County I-T director Cyndie Sinn says she'd like to do more with their online content, but says they simply lack the resources. Sinn says their site essentially serves as an index for people to find links to other government agencies. She hopes one day the site will flow better, provide more information and have a search feature. Sinn says they do not currently have an employee whose sole duty is managing their website.

IMS Basketball and the Student Body

The IMS Basketball team went to the state championships and placed 3rd. IMS Principle Tony Miller says the students were very excited and he could tell the students were feeling very proud to be a part of IMS. He says they won the sportsmanship award and says that was a good reflection on the students and the community. Miller says he is very proud of the team and the student body for doing so well while at the same time they never forgot there academics.

WACO Elementary Kindergartners

WACO Schools are updating their lists of children who will be attending kindergarten at WACO Elementary School next year. Elementary Principle Vicky Reynolds says if you have a child who will be 5 years old before September 15th to call WACO at 319-658-2931. She says the Kindergarten Parent Orientation meeting will be held on Monday April 6th at 7pm at the school library in Crawfordsville. If you are unable to attend the meeting, she asks that you call the school at 319-658-2931.

Naturalist Playdate

Playing outside is arguably one of the greatest joys of childhood. However, in a world dominated by computers, video games and cell phones...it seems to be a lost past time. Pam Holz, with the Washington County Conservation Board, is looking to revive the time honored tradition. Holz is hosting a "Naturalist Playdate" Saturday March 28th at Marr Park at 1:00 pm. The program is free and open to the public. No registration is required. For more information contact the conservation board at 319-657-2400.

Washington Rotary donates $10K to local senior center

The Columbus Junction Senior Center is getting a little bit of help rebuilding after last years flooding. The Washington Rotary Club donated $10,000 to the cause yesterday. Rotary Club member Paul Horak says they were able to secure the funds through the organization's regional body. Horak says since Washington didn't suffer flood damage, it seemed best to focus their efforts on a neighboring town. Columbus Junction Senior Center officials say they were pleasantly surprised by the donation, and are very grateful. They say reconstruction is almost complete and they hope to open in about a month.

Allergy season approaches

Spring is in the air, and for many that also means allergy season is rapidly approaching. J.R. Fikuart is a pharmacist at Nu-Cara in Washington. He says allergy sufferers should check on things like the pollen count before heading outdoors. Fikuart says drugs like Claritin and Zyrtec are some of the best allergy treatments available. He says they're also available in generic form. He says other drugs like Benadryl are also very effective, but can make the user groggy and cause dry mouth and eyes. Fikuart says he and other pharmacists are happy to answer questions about allergies.

WHS Speech team headed to state

Three members of the Washington High School Speech Team will be competing in the All-State Individual Speech showcase later this month. Andrew Schneider will be performing radio news, While Brian Langr and Nolan Bread will compete in storytelling. An all state performance is the highest individual speech award in Iowa. Breard and Langr also received All-State honorable mentions for their acting performances. The All-State contest will be held March 30 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

WJH Band awards

Washington Junior High band students recently earned high marks in two major contests. In the large group concert band competition in Ottumwa, they received an overall rating of one, which is the second highest score on a scale of eight. Band members also recently participated in the solo and ensemble night. Members played as duets, trios or quartets. There were three elementary solos, and and two junior high solos. 7th grade pianist Madeline Hora, 8th grade clarinet player Keri Murphy and elementary clarinet player Cathy Meserole received the title of Oustanding Performers.

Kalona Playground Committee receives more money

The Kalona Playground Improvement committee is receiving donations from many area businesses. Jan Knebel with the committee says she received a call from the Iowa City Wal-Mart. She says they are giving the playground project a check for $1000. Jan will be going to their morning meeting next Tuesday, March 24th to receive the check. Knebel says the donations helps to bring them closer to their goal of a fun and safe playground for all the kids in the community.

IMS to host concert

IMS will host the annual Midwest Regional Mennonite Orchestra Festival this weekend. IMS Principle Tony Miller says the Festival is comprised of Bethany Christian, Central Christian, and Iowa Mennonite and will culminate with a concert Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Miller says each individual orchestra will perform a selection, followed by the Festival Orchestra combining all schools together. An offering will be taken to help defray festival costs.

Purple Martin workshop

A workshop-seminar on attracting Purple martins will be held next Saturday, March 28, beginning at 9:10 A.M. at the CAM Iowa Clothing Center, 1005 Nutmeg Ave in Kalona. Jim Walters is one of the coordinators and says the Purple martin is one of our most wanted songbirds since a well-maintained colony brings joy to any neighborhood. He says martin populations are rebounding across North America as people put up improved housing and learn proper monitoring techniques. There will be a $2.00 registration fee and lunch will be available at the site. The event will be held next Saturday, March 28 at the CAM Iowa Clothing Center in Kalona.

Washington Schools to receive stimulus money

The Washington Community School District is getting almost $140,000 dollars in Title I funds from the Economic Recovery package. According to a release from Senator Tom Harkin's office, the money can be used to hire teachers and teacher assistants, provide tutoring, create school computer labs, fund parent involvement activities, purchase instructional materials, host professional development for teachers and create pre-kindergarten classes. In all, Iowa schools are expected to receive more than $50 million in stimulus money. Washington Schools could see their slice of the pie as early as this month.

Sigourney students put stimulus money to work

The Sigourney Schools are helping students to learn about starting and operating their own business. Superintendent Todd Abrahamson says they received money from the Harkin new construction grant. He says they will be opening Keokuk County Career Academy for high school juniors and seniors, and interested adults next fall. Abrahamson says they have a lot of students that are well on there way to becoming successful entrepreneurs. He says they already have one student who has developed and patented a product that has a company from West Des Moines looking at it and working with the student.

Washington Co. Attorney looks to cut down on paperwork

The Washington County attorney wants to cut down on paperwork. Barb Edmondson says her office will begin utilizing a computerized case management system. Edmondson says aside from being able to access local files more easily, it will also enable her to better communicate with other counties as well as police departments and other public agencies. She also says it will have a rather sizable startup cost but feels it will save money in the long run. Edmondson also says its hoped that one day every county in Iowa will participate in the program.

Washington Council tables outdoor liquor request

The Washington City Council wants some more time to consider a liquor license request. Cafe Dodici would like to serve alcohol at tables located on the sidewalk outside the establishment. Council members decided they would like to table the request at last night's meeting. Cafe Dodici co-owner Lori Williams says she understands their decision. She feels the sort of outdoor cafe she wants to establish would be a great addition to Washington's down town area. City council members say they want to make sure it wouldn't obstruct traffic. Mayor Sandra Johnson says they have to be mindful about what kind of precedent allowing the measure might set.

Northey-Land Values

The Secretary of the Iowa Department of Agriculture says the recent decline in farm land values is probably a normal fluctuation. Bill Northey says property prices are locked up in a long term view. He says last summer's flooding probably didn't have much to do with the drop. Northey says the prices are impacted by yields, and the expense a farmer pays to utilize the land. To hear more from Northey tune in to KCII this afternoon at 1:00, and again at 6:00 this evening for a special edition agriculture news magazine.

Origami for kids

The Kalona Public Library will be hosting an origami crafts event Friday, March 27 from 3:30 to 4:15PM in the Velma Skola Program Room. Youth Services Librarian Marissa Tartaglia says children ages 5 to 12 are invited to make a variety of origami crafts, such as a jumping frog, pinwheel star, and a flying crane. She says this program is free of charge and no registration is necessary. For more information call the library at 319-656-3501.

Mid Prairie exchange program

Mid Prairie schools have been hosting foreign exchange students for many years. One student, Katrina, came from the eastern part of Russia to live and learn in the Mid Prairie School District. Karina says she is really enjoying living here and getting to know many other kids but it is very different than the school she came from. She says it is very different than the part of Russia that she is used to because of the wide open spaces. Karina says this is an experience that she will take with her through out her entire life.

Louisa Sheriff's deputy makes daring rescue

The Louisa County Sheriff's office received a call of a person on the Iowa River Bridge on Highway 99 east of Wapello around 3:30 Monday afternoon. Chief Deputy Adam Claudle says he wasn't too far away when the call came in and responded. He says he watched as the person went off the bridge then went into the water and got her out to safety. Claudle says the Wapello Rescue Unit and Ambulance responded and the person was transported to Great River medical Center for observation, he says that she is doing well and getting treatment.

Former Washington resident makes generous donation to bandstand project

An effort to raise enough money to renovate the city of Washington's Central Park bandstand got a huge boost recently. Former Washington resident and Municipal Band member John Jackson has donated $175,000 to the effort. This, combined with money from the Washington Betterment Foundation, the City Park Board and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation puts the project in the realm of reality. John Jackson was a charter member of the Washington Municipal Band in 1932, and went on to be a member of the 34th Army Band, Iowa Army National Guard, where he served during World War-II. Organizers of the volunteer committee in charge of the fund raising effort say Mr. Jackson "now has the appreciation of 7,000 Washington city citizens and countless citizens throughout Washington County and beyond." They say they will continue to solicit funds to make further improvements to Central Park.

The rising cost of ambulance service

The director of Washington County's Ambulance Service says there needs to be some changes in certain laws, or many counties could find themselves doing without. Richard Young says they are mandated to do a lot of different things by the state and federal government, but are rarely given enough financial help. Young says this, combined with a lot of out of work people without insurance has created some hardships for the ambulance service. Right now counties in Iowa are not required to provide an ambulance. Young says if they were, it might take some of the burden off of individual counties, as the state might be more apt to help.

Washington County official thinks now is better than later for road repairs

Transportation serves as a lifeline, keeping industries of all types running. Many parts of Iowa especially rural areas, are facing a huge decision...how to pay for road improvements. Washington County Engineer David Patterson says wherever the money comes from, it would be wiser to act sooner than later. Many people are against issuing bonds to pay for improved infrastructure because it would drive the state further into debt. Patterson says it might actually save money in the grand scheme. He says if policy makers continue to wait, construction prices will continue to go up. Patterson says issuing bonds would lock in those prices.

Lone Tree starts its own stimulus program

The Lone Tree City Council has passed a resolution giving a $2500 grant to first time home buyers on the purchase of a home in Black Otter Creek Addition, known as Finley Addition. City Councilor Helen Lemley says she wants to get Lone Tree building again. Lemly says at this time Yakish Construction, M & R Construction and Magruder Construction have agreed to a $5000 building credit. This is in addition to the American Recovery Act giving first time home buyers up to $8000 in tax credits, essentially giving qualifying home buyers a $20,500 credit toward the purchase of a home in the Finley Addition.

Kalona Parks gearing up

The Kalona City Park and pool are getting ready to be used. Todd Fitzsenry , the Kalona Parks and Recreation supervisor says they are getting the parks ready for use by cutting grass and making sure everything is within there safety guidelines. He says the opening day will be April 15th.

Rain gardens

Spring is in the air, and many people are getting their gardens ready. But, if there's a spot on your property that always seems to hold water, and is too wet for even grass to grow, Linn County Master Gardener Judy Stevens can help. She will lead a program on rain gardens this Tuesday, March 24 at the Washington County Extension Office at 7:00 pm. She'll discuss what flowers and plants you can use in low places that will thrive and grow. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Washington County Extension office at 319-653-4811.

Policy making and agriculture

As agriculture changes, many smaller operations are finding it more difficult to compete with larger ones. However, southeast Iowa's state representative says that's not necessarily a bad thing. Larry Marek says many smaller producers have begun turning to niche crops. Marek says without larger operations, there would be acres left unused. He also says commercial outfits provide much needed jobs.

Washington water rates likely to go up

A new waste water plant for the city of Washington could eventually mean higher utility prices. The new facility is being constructed as part of an agreement with the state Department of Natural Resources. City Administrator Dave Plyman says given the scale of the project, a price increase is almost inevitable. Plyman says the facility is scheduled for completion in 2011. He says the city is in the process of acquiring land and working out the engineering proposals. Plyman also says construction could start as soon as this year. The Washington City Council will meet this Wednesday night at 7:00 in the Public Library.

SEMCO Update

The manager of the Southeast Iowa Multi-County Solid Waste Agency says things have been getting expensive lately. Bill Fluke says they are in the process of expanding their landfill, which can be pretty pricey. Fluke says they plan on adding about one-and-a-half acres to their facility this year, then an additional four to five acres down the road. He says according to the current plan, SEMCO has a little more than 26-years of permitted space left, however that can be expanded as necessary.

Wind energy confrence

Farmers, landowners, businesses, schools and homeowners interested in learning more about wind power are invited to take part in the 2009 Wind Energy Conference coordinated by Iowa State University on Friday, March 20 at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center in Fairfield. The day will include various exhibits, breakout sessions and panelists discussing the wind resources available in Iowa, the opportunities and threats related to the industry, and perspectives from current turbine owners and operators. Those wishing to participate should contact the Jefferson County Extension Office at (641) 472-4166. The cost is $20 per person and will be limited to the first 200 registrants.