Archive for February, 2009

Home Foreclosure

Posted: Friday, February 27th, 2009 at

State Representative Larry Marek is backing a plan to prevent foreclosures on Iowa homes. Four proposed bills deal with the subject. One would make it illegal for bankers or brokers to mislead borrowers or make false statements. They also would not be able to charge fees for loans that don't materialize, or accept undisclosed compensation for their service. Another bill would mandate that homeowners are given the number to a foreclosure hotline at the beginning of a foreclosure. Finally the foreclosure on homes of military reserve member or their family while serving on active duty would be prohibited.

Washington School Facilities Consultants

Posted: Friday, February 27th, 2009 at

Washington Community Schools is in the process of having their facilities reviewed by a consultant, who intends to provide the district with a recommendation, most importantly the high school. Board President Eric Turner says these two consultants have been working with the Iowa School Boards Association, and have reviewed other districts for the association. He says the Washington board felt their services would be useful, so the consultants are carefully looking at all of the district's facilities as well as past plans presented to voters. Turner says in the end they will provide the board with a concise recommendation concerning buildings in the district.

Kalona Rec Center

Posted: Friday, February 27th, 2009 at

The Kalona Rec Center may have received some damage this winter with the snow and melting ice. Todd Fitzsenry the Parks and Recreation Director says there may have been a leak into the building from the roof that has caused some damage to the racquetball courts. Fitzsenry says he has spoken with the Kalona City Council and they are aware of the problem and will be working on getting a builder to look at the building and see what can be done.

Disaster Area Taxes

Posted: Friday, February 27th, 2009 at

Special income tax benefits apply to many who were affected by the natural disasters in the Midwest last summer. Phyllis Zalenski, Family Resource Management Specialist with the Iowa State University Extension says even those who did not suffer direct property losses may be eligible for tax benefits. Some counties are eligible for all the tax provisions while others are eligible only for some of the tax benefits. The best thing is for people to consult a tax expert and to always ask questions.

IMS boys move to sub-state

Posted: Friday, February 27th, 2009 at

The IMS boys basketball team has made it to sub-state. IMS beat Central City last night 62-51 in the district final game. They next will play Prince of Peace for the right to go to Des Monies and play in the state tournament a week from Monday. Prince of Peace is 19-5 while IMS is 23-1, their only loss was to 3A Keokuk. Tomorrow's sub-state game will be played at Cedar Rapids Prairie and will start at 6:30pm.

Water Shop Open House

Posted: Friday, February 27th, 2009 at

The Water Shop in Kalona has been growing and they have decided to show the public what they do. Co-Owner Audrey Miller says they are holding the open house to show their appreciation for the support that they have received from the area community and to give them an opportunity to see the facility and what they have to offer. The open house is Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Home Shopping Extravaganza

Posted: Friday, February 27th, 2009 at

If you missed out on saving with the Home Shopping Extravaganza, you'll have another chance but the times will be very different. KCII is returning to the air with our radio auction and items will be starting at 60% off. The auction will be Saturday morning from 7:30-9am, then there will be a break for the Coaches Corner, and then back on the air from 11am-12pm. You can also join us on Monday from 8am-12pm.

National Award To Washington For Blood Drives

Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at

The organization, America's Blood Centers is presenting a national award to the City of Washington. Iowa Blood Drives Bi-Monthly Civic Sponsorship Rotation puts on blood drives in the community throughout the year to generate donations for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Yale Jarvis coordinates the drives. He received a letter from America's Blood Centers saying Washington is going to be awarded the 12th Annual National Humanitarian Service Award. The award recognizes a civic group that has encouraged the spirit of volunteering.

Sheriff’s Office Move Delayed

Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at

The Washington County Sheriff's Office will soon be relocating to the new jail but their moving plans have been delayed slightly. Sheriff Dunbar says they were hoping to be moved out there last week. Dunbar says the person that is helping switch systems, such as the phones, has been ill and if he can't make it out this week, the office may have to wait a couple more weeks for the move. The sheriff says the main purpose for the move is to be able to quickly address problems that may come up at the jail.

New Chamber Director Starting Friday

Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at

The Washington Chamber's new director will start on the job Friday. The chamber board announced last week they had hired Tim Coffey. Coffey has been running a fund raising consulting firm in Washington primarily working with non-profit groups. He says as he takes the position he wants to work closely with WEDG and Main Street Washington to market the city in a higher visibility way. He also would like to make the benefits of being a chamber member more visible, with the hope of increasing membership.

Former Keokuk Resident Accused Of Murder In Missouri

Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at

Missouri officials have charged a former Keokuk County resident with first degree murder in the death of his roommate who also used to live in Keokuk County. According to Daviess County Sheriff Officials, Carlos Sarmiento is accused of killing Lance Davis. Keokuk County Sheriff Jeff Shipley says both men used to live in Keokuk County about two or three years ago.

Attorney Generals Warns Of Phishing Scams

Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at

The Washington Chamber of Commerce has recently circulated a warning issued by the Iowa Attorney General's Office warning of various phishing scams going around the state. Bob Brammer with the Attorney General's Office says these scams primarily involve email or text messages. He says they all are seeking personal information from you such as social security number or credit card number. Brammer says legit companies don't ask for such information in email. He says the only time you should be asked for your credit card number, is if you have gone to a website, selected items to purchase, and are closing out the purchase. Finally Brammer says while many times you may hear of individuals being scammed, small businesses should also be cautious.

Mid Prairie Home School

Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at

The Mid-Prairie Home School Supervisors are talking to the state lawmakers about Home School Drivers ed. Superintendent Mark Schneider says he hasnt really studied the issue too much yet. Schneider says he has a lot of faith in the home school department and believes that they would not be going after something if it didn't have merit. Schneider says the home schooling teachers at Mid-Prairie are some of the best he has worked with.

Fruit Tree & Brambles Clinic

Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at

Wondering how to get the most out of fruit trees? Keokuk County Extension Education Director Gary Bickmeier says they have a clinic coming up that covers just that. He says the Fruit Tree and Bramble Care and Selection clinic will look at several things including how to properly care for fruit trees. The program will be March 12th at 5:30 at Marie Atwood's across from the Sigourney John Deere. The cost is ten dollars and to register you can call 800-515-2680.

Sextro Contract Renewed

Posted: Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at

The Washington School Board President says the district's interim superintendent's work and help dealing with the district's budget was key in the board's decision to keep him another year. Board President Eric Turner says he feels many are pleased with Interim Superintendent Dave Sextro's performance in his first year in the district and Turner feels he's brought some trust back to the district. Sextro was hired at the beginning of the school year for one year after Dave Schmitt resigned in August.

Mourning loss of employee

Posted: Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at

The Riverboat Casino and Golf Resort is mourning the loss of one of their employees. Spokeswoman Sharon Haselhoff says Tina O'Leary of Lone Tree had been a dealer at the casino since they opened and a model employee. Haselhoff says the casino wants to extend their deepest sympathies to family and friends of Tina O'Leary and her tragic loss will be felt throughout the company. O'Leary was the victim of a murder suicide in Lone Tree over the weekend.

Work Release Area at Jail

Posted: Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at

Washington County Supervisors have approved putting the project to build the work release area of the county jail out to bid. The supervisors have had the item on their agenda the last couple of weeks but wanted to get a few questions answered, primarily if additional work would affect warranties on equipment and systems in the current facility. After receiving a report that it wouldn't be a problem they approved a bid letting for March 24. The work release area and a covered drop off area were in the original plans but the county wanted to get the main facility constructed first and then make sure there was enough money approved by voters for the add-ons.

Demon Basketball

Posted: Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at

The Washington Demon girls' basketball team saw their season come to an end last night, one game short of the state tournament. Last night in Fairfield, the Keokuk Chiefs beat the Demons 44-36. Demon Head Coach Phil Long says he felt his team left all on the floor and that's what he wanted. It is the furthest the Demons have been in the post season tournament since they last qualified for state in 2002. This was the first Regional Final team Phil Long as taken as head coach and comes in his fourth season.

Mid Prairie Honors Retirees

Posted: Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at

The Mid Prairie School Board honored the teachers that are retiring at the end of the school year. At the board meeting on Monday, 4 teachers were presented a plaque for their outstanding achievements and years of service to Mid Prairie. Being honored were Special Education teacher Mr. Dalton, who has been with mid prairie for 11 years; Librarian Mrs. Conway, who has been there for 22 years; and Reading Teacher Mrs. Shellady and Band Teacher Mrs. Curtis who have both been with Mid Prairie for 31 years.

Public Library Programs for kids

Posted: Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at

The Washington Public Library has a few programs coming up for local little ones. Story time for preschool readers will start next Tuesday at 9:30. Wee Read for toddlers with an adult will be Tuesday at 10:30. Also the library will put on Create Your World a creative writing club for writers K-5th grade which begins next Wednesday at 4:00 pm. And for a little older kids, the Scribblers Club, a teen creative writing club for 6th-12th graders begins Monday at 4:00 pm. You can register at the Washington Public Library's front desk.