U.S. Senator Ernst to Visit Sigourney

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced she will hold a town meeting in Keokuk County as part of her 99 county tour to hear from constituents in the area about the issues most important to them. This town meeting is open to the public on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 1:30 PM CT in the Memorial Hall, located at 120 North Jefferson Street in Sigourney, IA.

Milestones AAA Advisory Board Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the March 27, 2018 Meeting of the Milestones Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors will be held at the Ainsworth Four Corners Restaurant and Fuel Stop meeting room, 3112 Hwy 92, Ainsworth, IA 52201. Residents of Appanoose, Clinton, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Muscatine, Scott, Van Buren, Wapello and Wayne Counties are encouraged to attend. A copy of the agenda and approved minutes from past meetings are available atwww.milestonesaaa.org under the News/Events tab; by email at info@milestonesaaa.org or by calling 1-855-410-6222.

Milestones Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board

Notice is hereby given that the March 13, 2018 Meeting of the Milestones Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board will be held in Fairfield at the Senior Center, lower level at 10:00 AM, located at 209 S. Court Street in Fairfield. Residents of Appanoose, Clinton, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Muscatine, Scott, Van Buren, Wapello and Wayne Counties are encouraged to attend. A copy of the agenda and approved minutes from past meetings are available at www.milestonesaaa.org under the News/Events tab; by email at info@milestonesaaa.org or by calling 1-855-410-6222.

Volunteer Precipitation Observers Invited to Join Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network

Posted on March 6, 2018 by Rick Watts

(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s State Climatology Office and the National Weather Service are recruiting volunteer precipitation observers across Iowa to participate in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network, known as “CoCoRaHS” (pronounced “KO-ko-rozz”).

All that is needed to participate is an interest in the weather, a four inch diameter rain gauge, a suitable location to set up the gauge and access to the internet. All data collected are immediately available for free online and are routinely used for flood forecasting, drought assessment, news media stories, scientific research and general weather interest.

Much more information about the network is available on the CoCoRaHS web site at www.cocorahs.org. The website includes information on how to join, where to obtain your rain gauge and how to accurately measure and report rain and snow. There is no cost involved in joining or participating in the CoCoRaHS network other than the need for the four inch diameter rain gauge.

The network was established by the Colorado Climate Center in 1998 and has now spread to all fifty states and Canada. Iowa joined this volunteer network in 2007 and now has over 300 registered CoCoRaHS observers across the state. However, more observers are needed to better document the amount and variability of rain and snow across Iowa.

“In 2017 Iowa recorded its driest year since the drought of 2012. Severe drought gripped much of south central and southeast Iowa for the second consecutive year where rainfall has been as much as 25 inches less than normal over the past 24 months. Meanwhile, above normal rain amounts were restricted to relatively small areas of northeast and west central Iowa. The past few weeks have seen frequent precipitation with snowfall exceeding two feet at Fort Dodge during February,” said Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist for Iowa. “Whatever comes our way in 2018, the weather observations obtained by this network can be of great benefit in obtaining a clearer picture of Iowa’s weather.”

Weather observers are needed everywhere but the most critical needs are in Worth, Wright, Allamakee, Bremer, Greene, Shelby, Cedar, Adair, Adams, Decatur, Monroe, Keokuk and Louisa counties.

– This story was published from a news release sent by the Iowa Department of Agriculture

What Cheer Man Charged After Weekend Stabbing

Posted on March 6, 2018March 6, 2018 by Rick Watts

(KEOKUK COUNTY, Iowa) – A What Cheer man is being charged after an incident on Highway 22 near Thornburg turned violent over the weekend.

On Saturday, March 3, 2018, the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Johnathan James Ray Walker, 27, of What Cheer, Iowa, for attempt to commit murder.

Reports indicate the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at approximately 12:40 AM on March 3. Upon their arrival, Deputies found a male victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim was then transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and his condition was not disclosed to the media.

The Keokuk County Sheriff’s Department has been assisted by the Sigourney Police Department during this investigation and no other details are available at this time.

Charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Johnathan James Ray Walker. Photo courtesy of the Keokuk County Jail.

–By Hailey Brown, KBOE/KMZN

City Clerk for Webster in Hot Water for Questionable Financial Transactions

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Rick Watts

A state audit shows the former city clerk of a tiny town in southeast Iowa made some questionable financial transactions. State Auditor Mary Mosiman says her office’s investigation of the City of Webster covered just over a two year period.

“The total impact to the city was $5,436,” Mosiman said. Around 90 people live in Webster. Lindsey Black was the city clerk for the Keokuk County town from December of 2014 through this past March. She resigned around the time the mayor of Webster started noticing some unusual payroll checks. Auditors found Black was paying herself more than her allotted salary.

“There was a little over $3,400 of improper payroll and $1,675 of improper reimbursements,” Mosiman said. According to Mosiman, it appears there was little oversight of Black’s work as the city clerk and she took advantage of the situation.

“Most cities do have a city clerk that handles all of the financial transactions, but we recommend that the city council on at least a periodic basis do some additional oversight…actually sit down with the city clerk and look at the invoices and they really should approve payroll each time payroll is to be authorized,” Mosiman said. “That’s one of their responsibilities.” Copies of the State Auditor’s report have been filed with the Division of Criminal Investigation, the Keokuk County Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office.

‘Bringing Baby Fowler Home’ Bake Sale & Silent Auction

Help Joe & Jessica Fowler raise funds for their journey of adoption. It is their wish to grow their family through adoption, and say that they feel it is “God’s plan for them to go down this path”.

What: Bake Sale & Silent Auction

When: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (noon)

Where: Delta United Methodist Church, 301 East 3rd Street, Delta, Iowa

Coffee & Cider will be served.

They will be accepting any kind of donations for the silent auction up to the week of the event. Donations may be gift baskets, hand made crafts, gift cards, etc. Baked goods will be accepted the week of the event. Those who wish to make a donation may call or text Jessica at any time of the day by dialing 641-638-4950. You can also message her on Facebook.

First Responders in Iowa Receiving Checks From Dakota Access Pipeline

Posted on October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 by Rick Watts

The company that built the Dakota Access oil pipeline that runs diagonally across Iowa, from the northwest to the southeast is making donations to emergency responders in every county the pipeline crosses in Iowa and three other states.

Mike Futch, vice president of Energy Transfer Partners, explains the motive.

“In recognition of our dedication and our commitment to operate our pipelines in a very safe and regulatory-compliant and reliable manner, one of the things that’s very important to a system like that is a very close working relationship with first responders and emergency responders,” said Futch.

The pipeline crosses 18 counties in total in Iowa and also carves a path across Illinois and North and South Dakota. The news conference was held in South Dakota and Futch says they want to be good corporate partners with every county the pipeline touches.

In Iowa, the total donation is $360,000 to units in 18 counties. The total donation in the four states adds up to one-million dollars as the pipeline covers 50 counties in all.

The Dakota Access Pipeline crosses through Jasper, Mahaska, Wapello, Keokuk, Jefferson, Van Buren and Lee counties in Southeast Iowa. Each will receive a check for $20,000.

Jamey Robinson, EMA/911 Administrator in Mahaska County, said his office has identified potential areas for projects. Potential projects include active shooter equipment and simulation, rehabilitation equipment during extreme hot or cold, search and rescue equipment, and lastly, equipment to safely remove debris from infrastructure, such as saw assets.

Chuck Fry, vice president for liquid pipelines at Energy Transfer, says the pipeline passing through Iowa is now fully assembled and carrying petroleum.

“Operationally, it can run at full capacity but it’s not fully subscribed by shippers yet,” Fry says.

The company is also giving the state of North Dakota 15-million dollars for protest-related expenses.

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