Washington Evening Journal

The final draft of the county zoning ordinance will go on to Washington County Attorney Barbara Edmondson after all five county supervisors approved four changes. The supervisors also approved a motion to keep the original language of one item. The decisions were made during this morning’s weekly board meeting. Full Story »

The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) has recommended closing the mental health institute (MHI) in Mt. Pleasant and moving the services to Independence, a move that would affect mental health patients across southeast Iowa and potentially the 92 people who work there, including one from Washington County. Full Story »

The Washington City Council will hear a proposal to relocate and remodel the Mills Seed Building at its upcoming meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the former library building. Jeremy Patterson, who runs a house moving service in Washington, will present a plan to the council about his desire to move the building, now located at 604 N. Seventh Ave., to the empty lot on North Iowa Avenue where the ... Full Story »

The director of the Iowa Department of Human Services is recommending closing the mental health institution (MHI) in Mt. Pleasant and moving all services to the Independence facility, according to the Associated Press. Full Story »

It’s that time of year when parents go from store to store in search of a gift to put a smile on their child’s face. One person in Washington has read dozens if not hundreds of Christmas lists over the past few weeks, and that person is Santa Claus. More so than anyone else, Santa is in touch with the desires of today’s youth owing to the long hours he puts in listening to their pleas. Full Story »

The blizzard that swept across Iowa last week forced the cancellation of more than just schools and board meetings. The bad weather also prevented scheduled blood drives from taking place in many parts of the state. That is why Washington residents are coming together to increase turnout at the blood drive at the United Presbyterian Church on Thursday from 1-6 p.m. Full Story »

There were few people waiting in the upstairs office of the former Washington Public Library that will be serving as the H1N1 flu vaccine clinic this week when Nancy Waters came in to get her flu shot. Full Story »

On Friday afternoon, the Washington School Board approved by a vote of 6-1 to perform the final phase in selling $13 million in bonds that will be used to build a new high school. Full Story »

Scott Hughes was an unlikely member of the Brighton City Council. Before Hughes was appointed to the council approximately four years ago, city government was not exactly on his radar. Full Story »

With the number of cats at the PAWS and More animal shelter at about 120 and the feeling that there are many good homes looking for a pet, the shelter has announced that through the end of the year, there will be a reduced adoption rate on cats. Full Story »

The Crawfordsville Fire Department recently elected a new slate of officers and more than doubled the number of volunteer firefighters on their force. In November, the department went from having eight volunteer firefighters to 17. Roy Felts, who has been a firefighter in Crawfordsville for the past eight years, became the department’s new fire chief. Full Story »

With the recent bout of winter weather producing snow that is still on the ground, some farmers in Henry and Washington counties have had to put their harvesting on hold. With the crops already standing late in the field, according to Jim Jensen, farm management specialist for the Iowa State University Extension, the snowfall will only back the process up. Full Story »

Mary Ecklor, daughter of Mark and Kim Ecklor, puts the crowning touch on the snowman she built Tuesday afternoon. She said that she built the snowman because she had the wintery day off school and was grounded, so she was looking for something to do. Full Story »

The vacant F.B. Mills Seed Company Building in Washington may soon have a new tenant, and even a new location. Jeremy Patterson, who runs a house moving service out of Washington, presented a plan to the city council’s finance committee Wednesday night to rehabilitate and relocate the three-story building at 604 N. Seventh Ave. Full Story »

Washington City engineer Rob McDonald said he doesn’t let weather stop him from making it into work very often, and Wednesday and Thursday were no exceptions as he made the 40-mile trek from his home in Muscatine to Washington. Full Story »

As the blizzard makes its way across Iowa, dozens of schools are closing their doors or cutting back hours to ensure the safe transportation of school children. When not in school, those kids have to find something else with which to occupy their time. Many find their way to the Washington Y, which sees an enormous number of kids on early-out and no-school days. Full Story »

The blizzard that was predicted for Washington County Tuesday night lived up to expectations. Roughly 10 inches of snowfall was recorded Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, to go along with wind gusts as high as 50 mph. The inclement weather forced the closure of several area schools and prevented the Washington minibus from operating at all. A tow ban was also issued for Wednesday because ... Full Story »

The draft county zoning ordinance will be discussed during the Washington County Board of Supervisors next regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Board Chairman Jim Miksch directed County Auditor Bill Fredrick to put the draft on next week’s agenda during the board meeting Tuesday morning. Full Story »

During a blizzard such as the one that’s been hitting the area for about the last 18 hours, law enforcement personnel have one piece of advice for people who want to drive somewhere — don’t. When people have to, law enforcement advises extreme caution. Full Story »

Washington Schools Superintendent David Sextro announced this morning that the regular school board meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. this evening has been postponed until 7 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 16. Full Story »

The Christmas season is a time for family members to come together and enjoy each other’s company. That is, unless you’re stuck in the Black Forest of Germany trying to dodge bullets and survive the frigid cold. That was what Christmas time was in 1944 for World War II veteran George Grove, now a resident of the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. Full Story »

Washington Schools Superintendent David Sextro said today that there could be no “sacred cows” when the school district board determines which budget cuts to make in order to offset the state’s 10 percent across-the-board budget cuts. Full Story »

KALONA — On Monday, the Kalona City Council learned that $53,500 has been raised locally to support the proposed downtown revitalization project, much of it through the purchase of quilt block patterns that will be installed on new downtown sidewalks. However, there are some additional funds for benches and other amenities, including two kiosks. Full Story »

As the Washington area prepares for the blizzard that is scheduled to begin Tuesday evening and last through Wednesday, local authorities are advising residents to stay indoors if at all possible. Approximately seven inches of snow is predicted to fall Tuesday night, accompanied by 30 to 40 mph wind gusts. Larry Smith, the Washington County emergency management coordinator, said that a ... Full Story »