Hamakua Fundraiser

Hamakua Place youth center in Washington is taking pre-orders for its Schwan's fundraiser until the end of this week. Center Director Deb Bodensteiner says you can also stop by the Washington Kum this Saturday (6/27) to order items off the truck. She says Hamakua will receive a percentage of the sales. Bodensteiner says if you want to pre-order you can stop by the center and take a look at a catalog. She also says people can buy through this fundraiser and still give credit to their local Schwan's driver.

Wear Pink

Area residents are being encouraged to wear pink tomorrow (6/22) to show support for a four year old Ainsworth girl with liver cancer. Jenna Waters is the daughter of Jared and Christina Waters. She was diagnosed with liver cancer in January. She's undergoing a long and high risk surgery tomorrow.

National History Day

Students from across Iowa got the chance to meet one of the top Iowa lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Nearly 600-thousand students from middle schools and high schools visited Washington, D.C. for National History Day and Senator Chuck Grassley had the chance to meet with the Iowa group. Grassley says he enjoys meeting with the students because they share a passion for history. He says having such a passionate group of students make the trek to the nations capitol shows Iowas commitment to quality education.

Kalona Special Meeting

The Kalona City Council will be meeting for a special session Monday (6/22) at 5:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss a Use of Highway Right of Way for Utilities Accommodation for the Kalona Telephone Cooperative. A Use of Highway application allows for utility work on busy roads and highways across Iowa. The Kalona City Council will hear the proposal in the Kalona Community Center.

Teaching Career

The Iowa Board of Regents has approved a program that will make it easier for people to enter into a teaching career. The Teacher Intern License Program provides training for people with bachelor's degrees who want to get into teaching. Diana Gonzales works in the Board of Regent's office. She says This is program is not for recent college graduates, but rather a way to entice people who considered teaching, but went a different direction after college. To find out more visit the board's website.

Severe Weather

A round of severe thunderstorms tore through Washington County and much of southeast Iowa yesterday evening bringing strong winds, intense lightning and heavy rainfall. KCII received numerous reports of downed power lines and trees as well as damage to vehicles and and buildings. WeatherEye reports winds in excess of 70 miles per hour, while we recorded nearly in inch of rainfall in a little more than an hour's time at our downtown Washington Studio. The KCII Severe Weather Action Team went on the air at about four-thirty and concluded coverage at about 5:40.

REAP Funds

Washington's Economic Development Group is encouraging the city to seek Resource Enhancement and Protection money through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. WEDG Director Ed Raber says the state legislature this year appropriated a record amount of money for the program. He says the city could use the money on a number of projects including improvements at Water Tower Park.

Mid Prairie Meeting

The Mid Prairie School Board will be meeting on Monday for their regular session and headlining this weeks meeting is a discussion of FLAP grants. The Foreign Language Assistance Program is a federal 3-year grant given to schools to help advance kindergarten through high school foreign language classes and resources. Also on the agenda is a discussion on bread, milk, and gas bids, and maintenance of the elementary playground.

Kathy Ebert elected to the State Extension Board

Washington County's ISU Extension has a friend in high places. Kathy Ebert is the local Extension Board president. She was recently elected to the State Extension Board. Ebert says she's also serving as treasurer for the state board. She's one of 15 members who serve across the state. That could change as the Extension undergoes a restructuring. Ebert says the new system will create 20 regions, which might merit additional representatives.

Board of Supervisors Preview

Fourth of July is just a few weeks away, and it's evident by the Washington County Board of Supervisors' agenda. They'll consider eight fireworks permit requests at next week's meeting. They're also slated to renew agreements with Lending Hands, and the County Mini Bus. The supervisors are also expected to make additional appointments to the eminent domain commission and and sign off on architectural services for potential renovation of a building at Orchard Hill. The meeting starts Tuesday at 9:30.

West Nile Virus

Hot weather accompanied by rainfall can create a virtual mosquito paradise. Aside from the itchy bites, the insects can also leave the West Nile Virus with their victims. Iowa Department of Public Health Veterinarian Anne Garvey says that's why it's important to use insect repellent.Garvey says another way to avoid mosquitoes is to stay indoors during dusk and dawn. She says that's when they're most active. She also says mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, which is why it's important to change water in things like bird baths, pet dishes and wading pools every three days.

Riverside Memorial

Armed forces veterans who call Riverside home will be honored in a brand new memorial to be constructed in American Legion Park. The Riverside Veterans Memorial Park Committee co-chairperson Michelle Reuss says the monument will pay tribute to both past and present members of the armed forces. She says for the size of the town, Riverside boasts a large number of veterans and it is important for future generations to know the sacrifice and courage of its citizens.

Severe Weather

A round of severe thunderstorms tore through Washington County and much of southeast Iowa earlier this evening bringing strong winds, intense lightning and heavy rainfall. KCII received numerous reports of downed power lines and trees as well as damage to vehicles and buildings. WeatherEye reports winds in excess of 70 miles per hour, while we recorded nearly in inch of rainfall in a little more than an hour's time at our downtown Washington Studio. The KCII Severe Weather Action Team went on the air at about four-thirty and concluded coverage at about 5:40.

More Information Click for pictures of after the storm

Severe weather possible today, tonight

The National Weather Service says severe thunderstorms are likely to occur in Southeast Iowa today, and this evening. They say the atmosphere is very unstable and well organized thunderstorms will be capable of producing strong straight line winds and intense rainfall. Minor flooding and flash flooding could happen in certain areas. In case of severe weather stay tuned to KCII for Severe Weather Action Team Coverage.

Fairfield man killed in motorcycle crash

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating a Jefferson County crash that resulted in the death of a Fairfield Man. Police say 50 year old Robert Daley II was killed when his motorcycle slammed into a pickup truck driven by 17 year old Jordan Bradfield, also of Fairfield. They say Bradfield was turning into a private drive off Libertyville Road, when Daley, who was traveling in the opposite direction, struck the passenger side of the truck. No other information was immediately available.

Kalona halts Rec Center project

The roofing and siding touchups on the Kalona Rec Center will be put on hold for a while. Kalona City Council members recently received a petition arguing that the city did not follow state law during the bidding process for contractors. According to Iowa Code, if a public improvement project bid exceeds 100-thousand dollars, the city government cannot divide it into two parts. The filer of the petition says they are not seeking any damages from the city, but only wants the city to follow the proper channels and follow the law.

Teens arrested for burglary

Three area youth have been charged for a burglary at the Kalona BP convenience store that occurred early yesterday morning (6/18). The Washington County Sheriffs Office reported that cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of money was taken from the store. Aaron Bender, Miles Coppes, and Katelyn Davis were all charged with possession of tobacco under age. Bender and Coppes were also charged with burglary and theft. The stolen items have since been recovered.

WEDG says more industrial space needed

The director of the Washington Economic Development Group says the city is in need of more industrial land. Ed Raber told councilors this week most most of the industrial park is spoken for. Raber says Washington does own additional land that's zoned for industry, but isn't obligated or part of an industrial park. He says in the long term he'd like to see WEDG and the city partner to create a new designated industrial area.

WEDG says more industrial space needed

The director of the Washington Economic Development Group says the city is in need of more industrial land. Ed Raber told councilors this week most most of the industrial park is spoken for. Raber says Washington does own additional land that's zoned for industry, but isn't obligated or part of an industrial park. He says in the long term he'd like to see WEDG and the city partner to create a new designated industrial area.

County Zoning

Washington County is considering a zoning ordinance, which could interfere with local cities' ability to grow. Without such an ordinance, cities are allowed to claim a two mile radius outside their limits. However, if the county implements zoning, that land would fall under their jurisdiction. The contractor working with the county recommends towns declare "urban reserve districts" in areas they want to see future growth. The county zoning commission, and the city of Washington have a joint meeting scheduled July 14, to discuss such districts.