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| Weather Announcements Monday, 2/8/10 |
Weather Announcements Monday, 2/8/10
Cardinal School Board meeting for tonight has been postponed to Thursday, Feb 11 at 6:30 P.M. in the Library. Anyone wanting to serve on the open seat on the board should contact Superintendent Shekleton.
4-H Youth Committee meeting for tonight is cancelled.
VFW Auxiliary meeting cancelled in Fairfield tonight
Rescare cancelled on Wednesday |
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| Jefferson County Supervisors Meet Monday |
Jefferson County Supervisors today voted to decrease the amount of funding appropriated to the Department of Mental health by 10% for the current fiscal year. The money will be made up in the department’s surplus. The board also approved vacating the street and alleys in the unincorporated area of Wooster. Wooster is located at the corner of Glasgow Road and Redwood Ave. and is currently tillable farmland and is owned by David Freeman. The area was originally platted in September of 1866 but never developed. The action of the board today opens the way to transfer the land platted as roads and alleys to Freeman who owns all the adjoining property.
The counties meeting with the city development board to discuss the development of Cyprus Village has been postponed from late this month to sometime in March. the date and location is yet to be determined. Until that time the board will discuss its options regarding Cyprus Village at next weeks meeting. Phase II of the development was to be completed this week, but not all improvements are in place as planned. |
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| Fairfield Community School Board |
A full agenda awaits the Fairfield Community School Board at tonight’s meeting, which begins at 7 in the Commons of the Fairfield High School. Board members will again discuss the possible closer of Lincoln Elementary School. The board hopes to set the dates for two meetings to hear the publics input on the proposed closing. The first on Saturday February 13th at 9 a.m. and Monday February 22nd at 7 p.m., the meetings would be held at the Fairfield Middle School. The board will also discuss the alternative school calendar for the end of the current school year. A hear public input to receive bids on the roof replacement of Fairfield high School will also be held. |
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| Other Public Meetings Scheduled |
The Van Buren County Supervisors will meet Tuesday at noon this week. Agenda items include canvassing election returns from the recent Harmony Community School District PPEL levy vote and setting a public hearing date on the 2010 county budget. Van Buren County Supervisors will hold a public hearing at 1:30 Tuesday on the vacation and sale of portion of Iowa Street in Selma.
Fairfield City Council will meet tonight at city hall. Tonight’s meeting will include resolutions approving federal funding for Fillmore Ave, D Street and Kirkwood Ave. appointments to boards and commissions and the approval of a Class “C” liquor license for the Eagles Club.
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| Area Residents to Meet With State Leaders |
Week three of the 2010 legislative session begins today with area legislators getting a visit from local residents. The Washington and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce’s are spending the day at the capital along with nearly 45 other business leaders and citizens. The chamber day at the capital will allow those in attendance to speak directly with lawmakers and see state government at work. In addition to speaking with their representatives, a tour and lunch at the capital is scheduled, as well as time watching bills being debated. |
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| Harkin Announces Wellness Funds |
Senator Tom Harkin has announced that a total $1,236,175 will be coming to Iowa for public wellness efforts aimed at reducing obesity rates, decreasing smoking and promoting healthy living through increased physical activity and better nutrition. The grants are being provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and were funded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Specifically, the funds will be used as follows:
$600,256 is being awarded for health policy and environmental change. Under direction of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Iowa will receive funding to promote state-wide policy and environmental changes that support good nutrition, physical activity, obesity control and reduce tobacco use.
$635,919 is being awarded for tobacco cessation. Iowa will receive the funding to expand Quitline Iowa (1-800-QUIT-NOW), and promote its use through expanded media campaigns. Quitline Iowa provides free support and coaching to all Iowans who wish to quit smoking.
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| State Employment Figures Released |
Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined slightly to 6.6 percent in December from 6.7 percent in November, continuing a five-month streak of relatively stable unemployment. One year ago, the state’s jobless rate was reported at 4.4 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 10.0 percent in December.
The statewide estimate of unemployed workers edged down to 110,800 in December from 111,900 in November, but was 37,100 higher than the December 2008 level of 73,700.
Locally, Jefferson County reported an unemployment rate of 9 percent, Wapello county 8.5 Percent, Van Buren County 9% and Henry County 8.8%. |
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| Four Killed in Accident Near Columbus Junction |
A two-vehicle accident Saturday on highway 70 near Columbus Junction killed four and injured one. According to the Iowa State Patrol a 95 Honda Civic driven by Franciso Chariz-Ortiz of Columbus Junction crossed the centerline and hit a 93 Camery driven by Ezra James Barnett also of Columbus Junction. Killed in the accident were the two drivers along with 20 year old Luke Heck of Columbus Junction and Sharon Vandel, 49 of Conesville. Injured was 21 year old Nichole Lynn Vandel of Conesville. The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. |
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| Farmers Market Nutrition Programs Scheduled |
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging Iowa fruit and vegetable growers interested in accepting checks from the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP) to enroll in a 2010 training course. Growers must complete a training course before they can accept the checks.
In addition to the WIC and Senior FMNP, this year there is a WIC Cash Value Voucher program that will allow certified vendors to redeem some of the $2.2 million dollars in the new funds available to qualified families in the state.
Through this program women and children enrolled in the WIC program will receive $6 and $10 vouchers respectively for the purchase of fruits and vegetables. The Cash Value Vouchers are issued monthly for redemption in grocery stores, but the Iowa Department of Public Health will also allow these vouchers to be redeemed at farmers markets and farm stands authorized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Meetings will be held at the following locations and dates:
Ottumwa High School – 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25th
Kirkwood Learning Center in Washington and Oskaloosa Public Library – 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 6th
The WIC/Senior FMNP and WIC Cash Value Voucher training sessions will be offered via the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). There is no cost to attend. Seating is limited at each site, so registration is required. |
