Woodbine Man Dies in Accident

BOONE, Iowa---23-year old Jon Chase of Woodbine was pronounced dead at the scene of Thursday nights car-semi accident between Boone and Ogden. The accident occur ed about 9:00 Thursday evening. Authorities report that Chase went through the stop at "L" Avenue and US Highway 30. His car was hit broadside by a semi driven by an unidentified Wisconsin man. The Iowa State Patrol has indicated that their investigation is still continuing.

School Boards Talk Whole Grade Sharing

BOONE, Iowa---School board from the Boone and the United School District met in a special meeting Thursday evening to talk about the whole grade sharing agreement that's in place and see what can be done to make any improvements. The agreement does specify that the school board hold a joint meeting annually but with the administrative changes at both schools, it took a little longer to get it completed. Besides communications, the boards talked about the cost of transportation, technology improvements and dealing with the winter weather.

Hope Foundation Hosts Festival of Hope

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Hope Foundation will host their annual Festival of Hope, Saturday at the Boone County Hospital Atrium. The theme this year is Colors of Hope. The first Festival of Hope was held in 2005 after staff and faculty of Boone Schools took part in a session on poverty. The Foundation was created in 2006 and has continued to grow. The Hope Foundation provides assistance in a variety of ways to students and their families during the year. This years Festival will be held at the Hospital Atrium from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Ogden Council Seeks City Administrator

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden City Council is going through the process to find a City Administrator for the second time. A month ago, following interviews, the search committee was unable to come to terms with their top candidate. The city advertised December 1st and and will receive applications through Friday. KWBG Radio has learned that one of the applications already received is that of State Representative Donovan Olson. Olson was defeated by fewer than 30-votes in the November general election by Chip Baltimore of Boone. The Council's Search Committee will make a recommendation on a candidate for Administrator at a meeting January 4th.

Weather Better for Shop With A Cop

BOONE, Iowa---Compared to a year ago, weather conditions are substantially better for shop with a cop. 15-inches of snow in 2009 created quite a few issues for members of the Boone Police Benefit Association, for the first time postponing Shop With A Cop. Thursday night will see a return to the tradition of children, families and police officers and their volunteers, gathering at the Boone County Fair Grounds. At least 90-children are expected to go shopping this year. Boone Mayor John Slight has said repeatedly that he believes it to be the biggest event of it's kind in the state.

Flood Insurance Rate Map

BOONE, Iowa---An effort by the City of Boone to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency to return to previous flood plain designation has taken a step back. Last summer, the Utility Committee for the City Council supported staff recommendations to appeal a decision of new maps that show flood plain areas within the city. The information provided is being used as comments, but a final determination has not been made. City officials had concerns about property owners in the vicinity of Honey Creek and other natural drainage areas in the city.

Supervisors Lift Moratorium

BOONE, Iowa---As expected the Boone County Board of Supervisors officially repealed resolutions that established a moratorium on construction and development efforts in the Conservation Overlay District of the Des Moines River Valley. In response to a large out cry from property owners, the Supervisors last week suspended any work on the conservation overlay and also cancelled public information meetings. At the time, the Board indicated the moratorium would be considered at the regular meeting. Supervisor Bill Lusher says the repeal is effective immediately.

Signal Light Frustration

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Mayor John Slight says dealing with problems with traffic signals in Boone is becoming very frustrating. Slight says the City Council has agreed to a policy that spells out a time frame for dealing with a malfunction traffic signal, but can't really speed up repairs. The Council learned this week that the traffic signal at 6th and Story was ready to be reconnected until it was learned that the metering equipment didn't meet specifications. Slight says the metering is the same as the city used at Mamie and Story a year ago. Slight says he also hears frequently about the signal at Park and Story, which is also expected to be repaired in a week or two.

Conservation Overlay Moratorium

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will be considering the repeal of resolutions that set a moratorium on construction and development in the Des Moines River Conservation Overlay Area. Board Chairman Bill Lusher had said last week that the Board would consider the matter at their meeting Tuesday, and it is on their agenda. The moratorium was put in place earlier this year while work was being done to develop an amendment to the County Zoning Code. That amendment triggered a huge protest at last weeks County Zoning Commission Meeting.

Ogden Council Gets Update on Administrator

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden City Council will receive and update on the search for a City Administrator. Mayor Kieth Berg had said last month that officials were still working at filling the position. He noted that instead of having an Activities person, the Council felt that having and Administrator and Clerk would provide more opportunity for the community. The effort to find someone to fill the position has taken a little longer than the Council had hoped.

Towing Bids

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Police Chief Bill Skare says he will have a recommendation for the City Council Monday for towing services for the next couple of years. Skare sought bids for service two-years ago and the successful bid was submitted by Elmquist Towing of Ames. Part of the service is dealing with vehicles on city streets when the snow ordinance is in effect. Skare said last Friday it was time to once again ask for bids. Those bids will first go to the Council's Policy, Administration and Employee Relations Committee which will have a recommendation for the full City Council.

Child Injured

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Police Chief Bill Skare says his department and the Department of Human Services are conducting a criminal investigation because of injuries suffered by a three-year old child. In a prepared release, Skare said that officers responded to a call at 616-9th Street in Boone regarding injuries to a three-year old. The child was transported to the Boone County Hospital and then transferred to Blank Children's Hospital. A condition update on the child was not available late Friday. Additional details have not been released.

Snow Ordinance

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Public Works Director John Rouse says the use of the snow ordinance in Boone has saved his department money. Rouse says the snow ordinance was used 4-times the first season and only 5-times last season. But, he did say that several last year were two-day events because of the record snowfall. Rouse says the city spent $132,000 for snow removal last winter and $67,000 the winter before. He says the snow ordinance has allowed his department to move more snow in a shorter period of time, saving money in the long run.

Ogden Christmas Parade

OGDEN, Iowa---Organizers expect pretty good weather Saturday evening for the Ogden's Lighted Christmas Parade. The parade is expected to begin at 6:00 near City State Bank goes to main street and then west to the Leonard Good Community Center. Santa will be in the parade and will then head back to Auto Electric to visit with children. Everyone is welcome to take part in Ogden's Christmas Celebration.

Habitat to Benefit From Concert

BOONE, Iowa---Habitat for Humanity for Boone and Greene Counties will be the beneficiary of this Sunday's Ecumenical Christmas Concert held at Boone High School. This year marks the 10th performance of volunteers from dozens of churches, gathering together for a performance, under the direction of Pam Grunstad. Accompanist are Dave and Jo Howell. The concert is held in the High School Auditorium and begins at 7:00 Sunday evening. Free will donations are accepted and Modern Woodmen of America, Community Bank Boone and City State Bank in Ogden provide matching funds.

Snow Ordinance

BOONE, Iowa---There may not be snow on the ground yet, but Boone officials have started their efforts to remind residents that the city has a snow ordinance and there's a good bet it will be used this winter. This marks the third season for the snow ordinance, which requires that no vehicles be parked on city streets while in effect. Public Works uses the ordinance to hasten snow removal. The Boone Police Department has already put reminder notices on vehicles parked on city streets. Police Chief Bill Skare and Public Works Director John Rouse will be on the KWBG Tuned In Program Friday morning to talk about the ordinance.

Conservation Overlay Issue

BOONE, Iowa---The matter of an amendment to the Boone County Zoning Code, dealing with a conservation overlay for the Des Moines River Valley, is still a pretty hot topic. The Boone County Board of Supervisors suspended any work on the matter and had public information meetings scheduled for Madrid, Boone and Ogden cancelled. The Supervisors have also indicated that the intend to consider lifting the construction moratorium for the affected area when they meet December 7th. In the mean time, property owners have started a petition drive to try and permanently halt the proposed amendment.

Conservation Overlay

BOONE, Iowa---The controversy that was the Conservation Overlay for some Boone County property owners has now been stopped. The Boone County Board of Supervisor Wednesday, suspended all the work on the Overlay and also cancelled the three public informational meetings planned for Madrid, Boone and Ogden this month. In a prepared statement, the Supervisors have said they will also consider action to lift the moratorium on construction in the affected area when they meet next Tuesday.

Santa Claus is Coming to Boone

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Area Merchants will once again host open houses Thursday and the weather shouldn't be a problem for those that want to take in the fun. In previous years, Boone has hosted a Lighted Christmas Parade, but that has been dropped for this year. The Boone County Historical Society will host it's annual soup supper and will offer some additional displays. The Community Christmas Tree will be lite at it's location in the Veteran's Park at 9th and Story Streets.

Community Theatre

BOONE, Iowa---For the second time this season, the Boone Community Theatre has had to cancel a production. Work had begun in October to assemble a cast for "Finding December", which would have been performed over the next two-weekends. All performances have now been cancelled. The previous production also had to be cancelled due to casting issues.