Supervisors to talk pay roll

Washington County Supervisors are talking payroll at this morning's (6/16) meeting. They're slated to approve next year's wage and step wage recommendations. They also sign off on three withdrawls from agricultural districts, and appoint additional members to the eminent domain commission. The meeting starts at 9:30 in the lower level of the Washington County Courthouse. 

ISP Safe Saturdays

The Iowa State Patrol is stepping up it's weekend presence. Jason Marlow is a safety education officer for District 13 in Mount Pleasant. He says the "Safe Saturdays" will put every uniformed officer out on the roadways. Marlow says statistics show accidents are more likely to happen at night. He says 65-percent of alcohol related fatalities in Iowa last year, happened at night. Staffing levels for District 13 we're up 41% this weekend. Unfortunately their was a fatal accident in Jefferson County. 

Keokuk Co. BOS

Administrative employees for Keokuk County may be getting added benefits. Headlining yesterdays (6/15) board of supervisors meeting was a proposal for a premium only plan which would allow pre-tax deduction of employee contributions to insurance premiums. The Keokuk County Courthouse was also an area of interest, as the board also considered allowing two area organizations use of the building for the weekend of July 3-5. Those two groups were the First Christian Church, and Youth United.

Report card A's earn free movie rentals

Report card A's will pay off in more than one way for area students this summer. The Washington Family Video is giving free rentals for A's in core classes. They say that includes math, language, reading, history, geography, science and spelling classes. The free rentals are offered to any student kindergarten through high-school, and can be redeemed until the end of this month. 

M-P among top schools in country

Mid Prairie is one of the top high schools in the nation, according to a recent issue of Newsweek. The news magazine published a list of its top 1500 schools and high school principal Gerry Beeler says its the goal of all schools to put students first, but its always nice to get a little recognition. Beeler says its not uncommon for them to be recognized as a top high school. He says the University of Iowas Bell and Blank Center runs a similar study of top schools in Iowa, and Mid Prairie consistently ranks in the top ten.

MS to hold "Community Conversation"

Main Street Washington is looking for public input on what the future should hold for the city's downtown. Main Street Executive Director Amy Vetter says the "Community Conversation" will be the first in a series of public forums. The meeting is tomorrow (6/16) at 6:30 at the UP Church.

Harkin aide to visit Washington

More lawmakers are focusing on southeast Iowa this month as a top aide to U.S. Senator Tom Harkin will be visiting Washington County to discuss healthcare. Harkin says there needs to be a greater effort made at preventing illness, rather than treating it after it occurs. Harkin is the chair of Health Education Labor and Prevention, or HELP, and his staff has been traveling across Iowa to give communities better access to constituent services. Harkins aide will be in Washington June 25 at Washington County Hospital and Clinics at 8:30 am.

Supervisors seek candidates for eminent domain commission

Washington County Supervisors are looking for bankers, auctioneers, property managers, appraisers and loan issuers to serve on the eminent domain commission. Supervisor Adam Mangold says people who serve on the commission can excuse themselves from hearing a case if they feel there is a personal conflict. He also says they have enough volunteers from the city of Washington, and are looking for people from other communities to serve.

Sheriff Dunbar: remember the fireworks permits

Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar says residents who want to have fireworks displays this 4th of July need to remember to get a permit. Dunbar says applications for the permits need to be received at least two weeks in advance. He says it's best to have someone who's been properly trained shoot off fireworks. Dunbar also says people need to be mindful of where the debris is going to land. To obtain an application contact the county auditor's office.

RFL '09 raises $74K

Area residents took steps against cancer this weekend during the Washington Relay for Life. Kim Hatfield is the local representative for the American Cancer Society. She says Relay for Life is their primary fundraiser. She says the money is used for research and to support cancer victims. The event raised more than $74,000.

Library event

The Washington Public Library hosting pictorial and oral account of two Iowans who embarked on a 1,400 mile canoe trip. Dennis Weidemann wrote "This Water Goes North." It tells the story of two Iowa farm boys who canoed from Minnesota to the Hudson Bay in Southern Canada. Weiddemann will share the story at 7:00 pm this Tuesday (6/16) in the Helen Wilson Gallery at the library. It's free and open to the public.

Account Executive Wanted

KCII Radio in Washington, Iowa is looking for our next sales superstar. You may or may not have radio experience and you may or may not have sales experience... we will train the right person. We may be small market, but we are not small business. We have other locations and a history of successful, profitable radio stations.

You would be taking over a growing territory (so you would not be starting from the bottom). You would be a joining a fun and exiting team helping local businesses grow their revenues through marketing. We have proven sales systems and need the right person with great energy to implement and work these systems for their clients.

Company health insurance available (we pay 1/2), commissions and bonuses available in the 1st year, base pay guarantee, paid vacation, retirement plan available, and we are an equal opportunity employer.

If you're in a dead end job or are sick of sitting in an office... this is your opportunity to get out of the office and meet some great business owners and show them ways to grow their business. Management opportunities may be available in the future for the properly motivated candidate.

Send your resume and cover letter to suhr.michael@manhbroadcasting.com

Interviews will begin immediately. Your future career awaits at KCII Radio!

"Pandemic" to have little impact in Iowa

The World Health Organization has declared the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years. However, the Iowa Department of Public Health says the number of H1N1 cases in Iowa remains at a "sporadic" level. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control show 92 confirmed or probable cases of the virus in the Hawkeye state, which is well below the national per state average of 264. Washington County Public Health Director Edie Nebel says there have been no reported cases in Washington County, and Iowa's policy towards H1N1 remains the same. 
quick stats on H1N1:
Probable/Confirmed in IA - 92
Total probable/confirmed nationwide -13,216
Average cases per state-264
State with highest number of cases Wisconsin 2217
State with lowest number of cases Alaska 1
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

CJ Councilor says flood relief money should be used for prevention

U.S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack returned to Iowa this week. Iowas former governor toured Columbus Junction to assess flood recovery efforts and to promote the recent 24 million dollar recovery aid funds. Harold Prior with the Columbus Junction City Council says his top priority for these funds would be to raise the citys levee by four or five feet. He says it would be better to put the money towards preventative measures, so it would not have to be used for recovery for the next flood.

Marek: no special session necessary

A Southeast Iowa state lawmaker says holding a special legislative session to trim the budget isn't necessary. Riverside Democratic Representative Larry Marek says even though revenues have been down, the state still has reserve money that can carry them through to the next fiscal year. This week a panel of lawmakers voted to cut the legislative branch's budget by 10-percent, or four-million-dollars. They also approved pay freezes and travel restrictions. Republicans back the plan but have said it doesn't go far enough. They want to see a special session to "get a handle on the budget."

Meet the new YMCA director

The new director at Washington's YMCA is almost through is first week, and he says one of the biggest things he's noticed so far is the weather. Greg Woller came from Rhinelander in northern Wisconsin, where he worked for ten years at a YMCA. Woller says one of his first goals is to survey the Washington facility and programs, and see if there is anything that can be improved. He says one of the interesting things about the Washington -Y- is it's history. He says it's intriguing to know that several generations of a family might have used the same building. 

Savor Washington

Washington residents can sample food from around the world, without leaving the square this weekend. Main Street's Amy Vetter says tomorrow's Spring Forward, and Savor Washington event will feature cuisine from five downtown restaurants. Vetter say they elected to have the event tomorrow, because it will be a busy time on the square with Relay for Life and the Corn Country Cruise night also going on.

RFL tomorrow

The Washington Relay for Life is tomorrow, and one of the organizers says they're expecting a good turnout. Sherry Renoux says they have more than 30 teams signed up for the event, which is close to average. However, she says many of the teams have more than the usual 15 members. Renoux expects a record number of walkers. The event starts tomorrow (6/13) at noon in downtown Washington. 

Riverside Hover Rally

The future home of Captain Kirk will take another step towards the future June 19-21 as Riverside will host hovercraft races. The Hoverclub of America will be bringing their "Hoverally" to Riverside Casino and their vehicles will be demonstrated on the waters of the Iowa and English Rivers. Hoverclub of America's designers and pilots have been featured on the Discovery Channel and the Learning Channel and they will be on hand to demonstrate the hovercrafts to the public.

Washington School Board holds off on $36 million proposal

Washington School Board members last night chose to hold off on approving a $36 million proposed overhaul of the district's facilities. They want time to hold a work session to gather input on the plan. They'll have that session on June 23, followed by a special meeting to adopt the plan on the 25th. In order to put a bonding proposal on the September ballot, more than 100 signatures need to be gathered and submitted to election officials by July 14.