KWBG News Headlines

Funnel Cuts Down on Some Legislation

2012-02-24T16:30:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The self imposed legislative deadline hit this week and that meant that bills that hadn't cleared a committee in either the State House or Senate are pretty much done. Senate Minority Leader, Senator Jerry Behn of Boone says there are a some companion bills in one house or the other that might keep an issue alive, but there are not many of those. Representative Chip Baltimore says education and mental health reform are still moving and bills in either Ways and Means or Appropriations are not limited by the funnel. Baltimore says he expects some floor debate to begin next week.

Hospital Tax Asking Up Slightly

2012-02-24T16:20:00.000-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---For the 12th consecutive year, the Boone County Hospital Board of Trustees has kept their property tax rate the same. The millage rate of .92455 is expected to generate $1.063 million, up slightly from the current fiscal year. Following a public hearing on the tax asking request Thursday evening, the Board took action to set their rate for the next fiscal year. It was noted that the property tax asking twenty years ago was about $750,000.

Home Show Returns

2012-02-24T14:59:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 2012 Home and Garden Show returns to the Community Building on the Boone County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday. The Home Show is a free event and features more than three-dozen vendors that offer a variety of services and merchandise. Even with no admission charge, several door prizes are available for those that register. Organizers are also requesting that those attending bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Crawford Hall Homeless Shelter. Doors are open Friday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

Downtown Fire Call

2012-02-23T11:36:00.000-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Fire Department answered a fire call to 807 Story Street Thursday morning. Officials report that a front window display burned and caused some smoke damage as well. The department did ventilate the building. It was February 2009 when the Fire Department with help from several other departments battled the downtown blazed that claimed a life and destroyed the buildings at 803 and 805 Story Street and also led to the demolition at 801 Story Street.

Narrowband Radio System

2012-02-22T16:20:00.002-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Bids have been received and now work will begin to determine the successful bidder for the new Narrowband Radio System for Boone County. Boone County Supervisors heard from Boone County E-911 Coordinator Rick Lampe and County Emergency Management Coordinator Dave Morlan Wednesday. Two bids were received, one at $836,000 and one with a base bid of $473,000 and options to add as much as $637,000 to the cost. The good news Wednesday, both the Boone and Ogden Fire Departments were successful in getting federal grants amounting to almost $405,000 for the project.

Heritage Presentation Thursday Evening

2012-02-22T16:13:00.003-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Charles Irwin, Executive Director of the Boone County Historical Society, will be the presenter for this month's Heritage Program. Irwin says last year, he received access to a promotional film for Quinn Wire and Iron Works in Boone and across the country. The 1950's film will be presented along with additional items related to the business. Irwin says the Heritage Programs are free of charge and are held in the lower level of the Historical Center. The program begins at 7:00 PM.

Police Report Two Treated Following Accident Monday

2012-02-22T16:06:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Two people were taken to the Boone County Hospital late Monday following an accident near 2nd and Greene Streets. Authorities report that a car, operated by 45 year old Tina Campbell of Boone sideswiped a car, then ended up striking a tree. Investigating officers report that Campbell's car was a loss. Damages to the side swiped car and tree amounted to more than a $1,000. Campbell and her passenger, 8 year old Josie Campbell was taken by ambulance to the Boone County Hospital. Authorities say charges are pending.

Radio Bids To Be Discussed

2012-02-21T15:40:00.000-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will meet with Boone County 911 Coordinator Rick Lampe and Boone County Emergency Management Coordinator Dave Morlan to discuss bids for the mandated Narrowband Radio System. The change over from the current system is required by the end of the calendar year. One of the hold ups has been setting up the funding for the work that needs to be done. An effort has been undertaken to secure a federal grant to pickup some of the costs. Narrowband communications will be required for all public entities.

Industrial Park Road Project

2012-02-21T15:31:00.002-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---There seems to be little disagreement that the best fix for the Industrial Park Road on the east side of Boone is reconstruction. The issue seems to be timing. This week the Boone City Council again voted to push to get their planned portion of the work done this calendar year. The issues are getting things done and to the Iowa DOT for bid. Bidding would be in July, which is not a good timing because contractors will be involved in projects. The Council did keep open the possibility of holding off on the work until 2013. Meanwhile, Boone County has budgeted for a paving project and is expected to move ahead within weeks to get it ready for the 2013 calendar year.

Spring Break Returns to BHS in 2013

2012-02-21T15:24:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone School Board made it official a week ago, when they held a public hearing to push the start of school to the middle of August. Superintendent Brad Manard says early start is not new. Two years ago, school began in mid-August and the weather was pretty comfortable. September, however got a pretty warm. Manard says the return of spring break next year was a decision the School Board had to make. A year ago, the Board did not unanimously support dropping the spring break and the Board was not unanimous about bringing it back either.

Council Will Consider Community Entrance Signs

2012-02-20T15:42:00.002-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Council will have quite a few things on their agenda Monday, one of which will be a plan to move ahead with new community entrance signs that would be constructed on the city's south side along US Highway 30. Among the issues that have come up, besides the cost, finding appropriate locations that would not be a problem with the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Council will review the plans and will consider action on a resolution to move ahead with the work. One would be located on McHose Park property and the other on property that's part of the R.L Fisher Business Park.

Examining Board Hopes to Complete Work

2012-02-20T15:27:00.000-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Examining Board, the Board that is narrowing down the field of potential candidates for Boone County Assessor, will be meeting on Tuesday afternoon with the hope of preparing a report for the Assessor's Conference Board. The report could include recommendations for the Conference Board, which will then have to determine their process for selecting a new Assessor. The Assessor's Conference Board will be meeting on the 29th to address the 2013 Budget for the Assessor's office.

Ogden Woman Wins $30,000

2012-02-20T15:21:00.002-06:00

OGDEN, Iowa---An Ogden woman has won the top prize of $30,000 in the lottery's "Twisted" instant-scratch game. Tami Padgett-Hull claimed her prize last Thursday at Lottery headquarters in Des Moines. She has purchased her winning ticket at the west side Casey's at 114 Mamie Eisenhower Avenue in Boone.

Behn Delighted With Chinese Vice President's Visit

2012-02-16T15:16:00.003-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Calling it a tremendous moment, Senate Minority Leader, State Senator Jerry Behn, Republican from Boone said the visit this week by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping couldn't have turned out better. Behn likened the visit to a race and this week's visit was the gun going off to start the race. He says he believes the state is poised to sprint ahead and develop additional trade opportunities. Behn says agricultural trade will be a starting point, but he feels other opportunities will develop.

Rescued Dogs Adopted Quickly

2012-02-16T15:10:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Three weeks ago, the Boone Area Humane Society joined with four others across the state to rescue dogs from a puppy mill in Sac County. Heidi Drees-White, Executive Director for the Boone Area Humane Society took 21 dogs to be housed at the shelter in Boone. Last Friday, the Society officially became the owners of the dogs and Drees-White says 15 were available for adoption right away. Of those, only three or four remain. The remaining are a mother with puppies, a pregnant mother and one additional receiving treatment. Drees-White says the public has been very supportive.

Parks Project Receives Grant

2012-02-16T15:00:00.002-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Parks Commission found out this week that one of their planned projects has received funding from Boone County FORCE. FORCE is the foundation that developed from the old Boone County YMCA. Park Commissioner Dr. John Murphy applied for funds to assist with plans to repair and upgrade the north side Memorial Park tennis courts. The FORCE Board approved a $500 award for a project estimated to cost $2,500. Murphy says youth, representing Boone High boys and girls tennis and young men from the Woodward Academy will help with the work. The goal is to complete the work in May.

School Board Reviews Project Plans

2012-02-15T14:52:00.000-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The heavy lifting is now beginning as the Boone School Board reviewed proposed options for the planned rehabilitation of the Boone High School. The project was estimated to cost about $21-million and that was the limit the district had available for bonding. The initial proposals, considered Tuesday, exceeded that by almost $2-million. Superintendent Brad Manard says the Board has asked for information on a number of additional scenarios. Staging portions of the project, eliminating the current swimming pool, limiting the new addition to the east are all on the table for discussion. The Board hopes to narrow plans in March.

Park Commission Shuts Down Skate Pond

2012-02-15T14:44:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Due to the unseasonably warm winter, the Boone Parks Commission this week decided they would wrap up efforts to get the city skate pond open. Dr. John Murphy unless there's a significant cold spell that last for several days, it appears that little can be done to get the skate pond open. Park personnel noted that when ice developed, it was never considered to be safe. The shelter house had been prepared. The Commission was able to purchase several new pairs of skates from the John Hanson bequest, but were never able to use them because of the unsafe ice condition.

Supervisors Move Ahead With Lease Purchase

2012-02-15T14:38:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---There are still a couple of steps that need to be taken, but it appears that the Boone County Landfill will be getting some new equipment. Landfill Administrator Scott Smith has been putting the purchase together over the past couple of months. The purchase of the grinder, grapple and excavator is considered an investment in the longevity of the landfill. Action by the Supervisors for a Lease Purchase Agreement, not to exceed $875,000 was a big step to completing the purchase.

Sledding Hill Effort Stalls in Legislature

2012-02-14T14:41:00.002-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Park Commission asked Representative Chip Baltimore to propose legislation that would remove some of the liability carried by cities and park commissions for sledding hills. There's currently a law that limits liability of public entities for things like skate parks and the Park Commission wanted Baltimore to have sledding hills included. Baltimore said the House Judiciary Committee voted 10-to-10 on the proposal Monday afternoon which killed the current effort. The sledding hill in McHose Park has been closed since last year as part of an agreement on a multi-million dollar injury lawsuit.

Martin and Malloy Selected to Perform at ISU

2012-02-14T14:17:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Two Boone High School students were selected by the Iowa High School Speech Association to perform next weekend at Iowa State University after receiving All-State recognition. Junior Laura Martin and senior Dan Malloy are being honored for the musical theater performance "Waltzing in Time". The two also received all state honors in Musical Theater last year. The All-State performers will be honored at CY Stephens Auditorium Saturday. The recognition also marks the sixth consecutive year that Boone High has had students receive All-State honors.

Construction Underway in Boone

2012-02-14T14:07:00.000-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Two construction projects have recently gotten underway in Boone. DMACC has moved ahead with site preparation for another apartment building, making it the fifth to be constructed on the Boone Campus. The site plan received City Council approval last week. Peterson Construction has also moved in an begun site preparation on the south side of the city for the new Wal-Mart Store. South of US Highway 30, hidden from most of the public is the addition being built at Proliant.

Northey In Boone At Crop Fair

2012-02-10T16:30:00.000-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey spoke at the Friday Boone Crop Fair, put on the Iowa State University Extension-Boone County, Crop Production Services, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Northey talked about Agriculture in Iowa in 2012, mentioning everything from drought conditions to the upcoming visit by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping. Northey said the Jinping visit to Iowa is very important to Iowa farmers.

Deadline Passes for Endowment Applications

2012-02-10T16:21:00.000-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---It's pretty obvious that there will be a large number of applications for the annual Boone County Endowment Fund Grant Program. Friday was the deadline for the applications to be submitted for the 2012 program. Nearly $89,000 was made available for grants through the state program that doles out gambling proceeds to counties without gambling establishments. Nearly $30,000 went to the counties permanent endowment. The early guess late Friday was at least 40 applications were received which would be a new record for applications.

Boone Allocated Funds for Tree Planting

2012-02-10T16:15:00.001-06:00

BOONE, Iowa---Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy Company and Trees Forever have announced the award of more than $156,000 to 49 communities for spring tree planting. For Boone, that means Johnny Appleseed, run through the Boone Park Commission. Boone has been awarded $2,500 for the spring planting. The past couple of years, $5,000 that used to be budgeted for tree plantings has been used for tree trimming and the City Council had a moratorium on street tree plantings. One area that will see Johnny Appleseed tree plantings will be the new baseball field at DMACC.