Candidate interviews

KCII continues school board candidate interviews today (9/3). Tsalika Drown will be on the Washington Page at 7:30 during the morning magazine. Drown is a challenger in Washington's district 5. There will also be more comments from last week's Mid Prairie candidates forum on In Touch with Southeast Iowa, during the Mid Day Magazine. These, and programs from earlier this week are available online, head to our home page and click on Radio Plus.

Ag Expo planned

The latest in agriculture technology will be on display near Crawfordsville this this month. The ISU Extension service says the Advances in Precision Agriculture EXPO will feature demonstrations on auto steer, auto shutoff planters and strip tilling and planting with guidance systems. The EXPO is being held on September 17 at the ISU Southeast Iowa Research Farm. Contact the Washington County Extension for More information.

ISU Extension 20 taking shape

With the restructuring of state ISU extension offices, southeast Iowas Region 20 is beginning to take shape. The Extensions Kathy Vance says this region includes the counties of Louisa, Henry, Des Moines, and Lee. She says with the restructuring, county and area director positions have been eliminated and replaced by regional directors. Vance says Region 20 is one of the most progressive offices in Iowa, holding more meetings than other offices and working to overcome budget cuts.

Sigourney hopes to give all students laptops

Students at Sigourney High School will be getting a bonus this school year. The schools Shannon Web says during their Apple Roll-Out tonight, the school will be handing out some unique learning tools to high school students. Web says in the next few years they hope to give all K-12 students in their district their own laptops. She says with technology such a big element in teaching today, the laptops will be a good addition to students studies. The Apple Roll-Out will be held tonight in the high school at 6:30.

Zahs nominated for NEA Award

A former Washington Junior High teacher is being honored by the National Education Association. Michael Zahs, who retired last year, was nominated for a Teaching Excellence award. While Zahs did not win the award, he is being recognized during the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington D-C. Iowa State Education Association President Chris Bern says Zahs is "really the embodiment of what teaching and learning is all about."

St. James forms Right to Life chapter

Washington is home to a new chapter of a national pro-life organization. The Washington Right to Life group is based in St. James Catholic Church and will hold regularly meetings the first Tuesday of every month. The groups Angela Fritz says their mission is to raise awareness of the rights of unborn children and support life from conception. For more information, contact St. James Catholic Church

Supervisor Chair: zoning objections based on lack of information

A committee is almost done drafting a zoning ordinance for Washington County. The proposal has drawn fire from some members of the community. Board of Supervisor Chair Jim Miksch says part of that, is from a lack of information. Miksch, and other supervisors have recently sat in on lengthy discussions on the developing ordinance. A final public hearing is expected near the beginning of October. After that it would move on to the Board of Supervisors for final approval, or dismissal

Local counties among disaster areas

Jefferson, Iowa, Keokuk and Mahaska are among the 22 counties declared federal disaster areas due to recent crop losses during storms earlier this summer. Washington County was given secretarial designation. That expands eligibility for individuals to get USDA 

Farmers need to report damage

Local farmers are urged to report uninsured crop and property damages due to the recent flash flooding. Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Smith says teams will be coming in to assess losses and they need reports from local victims. Smith says anyone wishing to report losses should call 641-660-1825 as soon as possible as the damage assessment team will be working in the next few days.

Fairfield man injured while fleeing police

A Fairfield man was hospitalized over the weekend after rolling his vehicle during a police chase. The Iowa State Patrol says 25 year old Judah James Bolser was eastbound on Highway 34 attempting to elude officers when his SUV rolled over and came to rest on the drivers side. The State Patrol says Bolser was driving under the influence during the time of the accident.

Washington School candidate: invest now, save later

An incumbent on the Washington School Board says the district can save money later, by investing now. Patty Roe is up for reelection in district five. To hear more from Roe tune in to the KCII Morning Magazine for the Washington Page. We'll be interviewing a different candidate each day this week on the program. 

M-P School candidate: arts integral to education

A Mid Prairie School Board member up for reelection next week says the arts are an integral part of a student's overall education. Jack Dillon is the longest serving member currently on the board. He says a sense of belonging is vital to learning. Dillon took part in a candidates forum. To hear more from that forum, tune in to the KCII Mid Day for In Touch With Southeast Iowa. 

Angus Association welcomes Jr. member from Washington

The American Angus Association is welcoming a new junior member from Washington. Riley Sieren will join nearly 33,000 other active adult and junior members in the largest beef registry association in the world. Junior members are eligible to register cattle, and take part in Angus Association sponsored shows and other national and regional events. 

Salsa Judging

The tenth annual Washington Farmers Market Tasters Choice Salsa Contest is this tomorrow (9/3). Market Master Bob Shepherd says contestants need to furnish a labeled quart of their own home made salsa by 4:45. He says sampling starts at 5:00 in Central Park. After that, tasters will be asked to vote on their favorites. Shepherd stresses that double dipping wont be allowed, and that everyone is invited to enter a salsa, or serve as a judge. 

Common Ground hopeful facilities committee will entice voters

A group that's hoping Washington School bond measure is approved on election day says voters should be aware of a new facilities committee. John Thorne says the committee will serve as a sort of facilities watchdog, and act as a liaison between taxpayers, and the school board. The measure calls for issuing nearly $12-million for phase one of a massive overhaul of all the district's buildings, and construction of a new high school.

Schmitz: local schools not skimping on student support

A local lawmaker says despite an economic recession, area schools aren't skimping on student support. Fairfield State Senator Becky Schmitz says statistics show an increase in per-student funding across the board at local schools. She says in the last three years, total per-student funding has increased by at least 14-percent among area schools. Schmitz says these increases has much to do with bipartisan support for education in the legislature.

Lewis: Schools should be run like a business

A Washington School Board candidate says schools should be run like a business. Sheryl Lewis is running in district seven. She says businesses are always looking for ways to reduce expenses. To hear more from Lewis tune in to the KCII Morning Magazine (9/1) for the Washington Page. That program will be played again during the Mid Day Magazine.

Bontrager: Schools need to be aggressive finding funding

A candidate for Mid-Prairie School Board says they need to aggressively seek extra funding sources. Challenger Stacia Bontrager says one of a board members biggest responsibilities is making sure the district is financially healthy. Bontrager participated in candidates forum last week. To hear more from that forum, tune in to the KCII Mid Day Magazine (9/1) for In Touch With Southeast Iowa.

Vine Avenue completed

The Washington County Engineer says his office has completed a project funded by stimulus money. David Patterson says Vine Avenue between 150th and highway 22 is open after being reconstructed. He says they received more than $732,000 from the federal government. Patterson says the comparison between the old and new highway is "like night and day."

Park Board discusses security measures

Washington Park Board members are talking security at tonight's (9/1) meeting. Parks Superintendent Tim Widmer says they've already taken some steps after a break in at the pool. The board will also be brushing up on workers compensation rules, and setting the 2010 pool season dates. The meeting starts at 6:30 in Washington City Hall.