Heavy Rain

BOONE, Iowa---Heavy rain Friday morning caused a few problems in Boone. There was quite a bit of street flooding and as usual the underpass flooded and caused a car to stall out blocking traffic. Because of the volume of water, there was a report that water began coming out of city's Honey Creek Storm Sewer which is in the same location as the sanitary sewer work on Marshall Street. It's not known if the storm sewer was damaged or if the problem will need to be repaired. Boone received about an inch and three-quarters in just over an hour.

Ogden Demolition

OGDEN, Iowa---It's been going on for quite a while, but next Tuesday, the Ogden City Council will consider bids for the demolition of two-downtown properties. The Johnson and Rattray Buildings have been considered a problem for some time. The Council recently agreed to acquire the Johnson Building and then immediately called for bids for demolition. Officials say asbestos issues have been handled. The demolition will open a spot in downtown Ogden and efforts are underway to secure a project for the site.

Back to School Supply Drive

BOONE, Iowa---Organizers for the 3rd Annual Back to School Supply Drive in Boone County are in the final days to collect items and to take donations for this year's county wide event. The first year, 99 youth were served. Last year the number jumped to 177. Projections for this year are as high as 250 children. All the agencies making up the Boone County Human Service Council are working with Boone County Empowerment and the Family Empowerment Center to make this year a success. Supplies will be distributed August 5th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at DMACC in Boone.

National Guard Sendoff

BOONE, Iowa---Boone will be one of a half dozen locations with a local sendoff ceremony for members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. A couple of sendoff have been held, but the bulk begins Friday. In Boone, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company with more than 100-members will have a formal sendoff at Des Moines Area Community College. The public is encouraged to attend and is expected to fill the gymnasium at DMACC. More than 20-additional sendoffs will be held in the next week and a half.

Fun Days

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden community celebration "Fun Days" promises to once again offer something for the whole family. Several kid activities are slated for the Ogden City Park and the Kiddie Parade will be held Friday evening. This year, the Ogden Middle School will be the location for a train show and there will be music in the park both Friday and Saturday evenings. More information on Ogden Fun Days, Salutes Our Local Heroes can be found here.

Parking and Traffic

BOONE, Iowa---Parking and traffic issues around the Franklin Elementary School were the topic of discussion by school officials and the Boone City Council's Public Safety and Transportation Committee. With the completion of remodeling and renovation work and school beginning in 3-weeks, officials are looking to find ways to avoid grid lock. Principal Dan Gould has been working with neighbors and city staff to develop ideas to keep traffic moving smoothly around the school. The Boone City Council will receive a Committee recommendation Monday.

Sewer Progress

BOONE, Iowa---Boone City Administrator Luke Nelson says City Staff and the City Council are closely monitoring progress on the sanitary sewer rehabilitation project. Nelson says the work on 6th Street and now on Marshall Street actually puts the work on the first part of the third phase at 40-percent complete. Unfortunately the project was expected to be at least 70-percent complete at this time. Nelson says some tough decisions about shutting down the work will need to be made over the next 8 to 10 weeks.

Guard Sendoff

BOONE, Iowa---Boone will be one of six-sites with formal National Guard sendoff ceremonies Friday. The sendoff for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team will be held in the Gymnasium on the Boone Campus of Des Moines Area Community College at 10:00 Friday morning. Others ceremonies will be held in Algona, Eagle Grove, Mt. Pleasant, Keokuk and Storm Lake. Nearly 20 additional sendoff ceremonies will be held in August.

Ride Iowa Rally

BOONE, Iowa---The 4th Annual Ride Iowa Motorcycle Rally for the March of Dimes will be held in Boone this weekend. Organizers will located at the Boone County Fair Grounds. Riders are expected to gather Saturday morning for a 70-mile ride into Hamilton and Webster Counties before returning to the Fair Grounds. Vendors, a Miss Ride Iowa Contest and a car show will also be held.

School Starts in August

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden School District is just about ready to begin school. That's good news since it's just over three weeks away. Superintendent Bill Roederer says registration will take place on August 5th, with classes for 5-thru-12 beginning on the 19th. One project that's pushing it a little will be the installation of new bleachers in the high school gymnasium. Roederer says the work is set to begin on August 9th and that will cut it a little close.

Moratorium Gets 2nd Approval

BOONE, Iowa---A moratorium on land division and development in the Des Moines River Valley in Boone County has been approved for a second time. The Boone County Supervisors want the moratorium to allow a committee finalizing mapping for a conservation district overlay program completes it's work. A conservation district overlay is used on environmentally fragile land along the Des Moines River. Supervisor Mike O'Brien has said he wants to see consistency in the use of a conservation district overlay.

Building Demolition

BOONE, Iowa---The demolition of three downtown buildings in Boone has passed the half way point. Now three weeks into the project, it's expected to take another 3-weeks to complete everything. Boone County Landfill Administrator Scott Smith says the debris from the fire damaged buildings at 803 and 805 Story Street was treated as being contaminated by asbestos. He says 418-tons of debris were accepted at the landfill. This week, Anderson Excavating began bringing in the material that could not be salvaged from the Meyers building

Downtown Streetscape

BOONE, Iowa---The downtown view changed dramatically over the weekend as the former Meyers Building was demolished. The building was the third of three properties targeted for demolition following a fatal fire in February 2009. Several hundred people took time to stop and take photos of the work that was taking place. KWBG has also featured photos and some video of the work taking place. Several pieces of the old structure are going to be saved and used for a planned informational kiosk in McHose Park, explaining the reason for a statue of Teddy Roosevelt.

Storm Damage

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Emergency Management Coordinator Dave Morlan says state and federal agencies are interested in weather related damage and expenses of Boone County residents and businesses. Morlan says he is compiling a list of those businesses, home owners, profit and non-profit groups that sustained damage or additional expenses from weather that occurred since June 1st. Morlan says he'll collect information at his office so he'll have a list of places to visit. Morlan can be contacted by phone at 433-0592 or by email at davem@boonecounty.iowa.gov.

High Speed Chase

BOONE, Iowa---Once again, a high speed chase by Story County deputies ended up in Boone County and Sheriff Ron Fehr says once again, the use of stop sticks brought the chase to a halt. Sunday morning, Story County deputies were pursuing a vehicle headed into Boone County. Stop sticks were deployed at the county line on 320th Street, east of Madrid. Fehr says the vehicle hit the stop sticks and tires were completely flat in a couple of mile. 34-year old Todd K. Harvey of Des Moines was turned over to Story County deputies.

CMS Appeal

BOONE, Iowa---The initial appeal of a decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to close the third floor of the Boone County Hospital for use in extended care, has been successful. In a rare occurrence, an administrative law judge sided with the Boone County Hospital when asked to issue a summary judgement by CMS. Joe Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Boone County Hospital reported to the Hospital Board this week that the appeal will continue. A next hearing has not yet been set.

Tree Limb Pickup

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Public Works will begin picking up those tree branches and tree limbs that fell during last Sunday's early morning thunderstorm. Wind gusts were recorded in excess of 70-miles per hour and according to Public Works and Parks Director John Rouse, causes extensive damage community wide. The past week, Parks and Public Works worked at dealing with damaged and dangerous trees. During the past week, residents were encouraged to move their downed branches and limbs to the parking in front of their homes. Pickup will begin Monday morning at 7:00 on the north side of the city.

Wrage gets Recognition

BOONE, Iowa---Rich Wrage, Regional Extension Education Director and former Boone County Education Director was recently honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Agricultural Agents. Wrage was named the Boone County Extension Education Director in 1994 and was named the Region 8 Regional Extension Education Director during the recent reorganization of extension in Iowa.

Enrollment up at DMACC

BOONE, Iowa---Enrollment at the Boone Campus of Des Moines Area Community College is on pace to break last year's record. Provost Tom Lee says both head county and credit hour enrollment are ahead of the same date and year ago, and he expects the trend to continue. Fall semester begins on August 26th and Lee says the enrollment census is at some 70% of what's expected.

Hospital Finances

BOONE, Iowa---The unaudited numbers from the most recent fiscal year remained positive for the Boone County Hospital. The year ended with an estimated $660,000 in the black. The amount is under the estimated budgeted amount by some $350,000. However, the amount is ahead of the level from 2009 by some $20,000.

Farm Progress Show

BOONE, Iowa---The 2010 Farm Progress Show is just over 5-weeks away and site preparation is moving ahead east of Boone. The Central Iowa Expo site has seen new tents and other site preparation this week. Even with the rains and the strong wind storm last Sunday, everything has been moving ahead. The 2010 show will be head August 31, September 1st and September 2nd. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend.

Assessor Conference Board

BOONE, Iowa---The debate about publishing the salaries and expenses from the Boone County Assessors Office has apparently been resolved. The Conference Board was asked to determine if the Supervisors should be permitted to print the information in their minutes. The Conference Board noted that the Supervisors are not permitted to publish the information by state law. However, Assessor D. Kevin Burggraaf does post the information with other office information on the Boone County website.

Unemployment Numbers

BOONE, Iowa---Iowa's unemployment rate in June was steady at 6.8 percent. The rate is up from 6 percent a year ago. Locally, the Boone County rate went from 6 to 6.2 percent from May to June. Story County increased 1 percentage point. The Combined Statistical Area which is Boone and Story Counties together was 5.9 percent, up from 5.1 percent in May.

Municipal Band

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Municipal Band will wrap up it's regular concert season Wednesday at the Herman Park Pavilion. The Municipal Band, under the direction of Dave Richardson performs Wednesday evenings beginning the last Wednesday in May. During the season, the band also hosts the Iowa Municipal Band Festival and performs a special 4th of July Concert. This has been the 94th season for the Municipal Band in Boone.

Business dissatisfied

BOONE, Iowa---Boone businessman Steve Kruck appeared at this week's City Council meeting to express his disappointment in the delays on the sanitary sewer rehabilitation project. Kruck, whose business locations on 6th Street, has had business directly affected for several weeks. He told the Council that initially it was only supposed to be a couple of weeks and that's what he's still being told. Kruck says a contractor himself, he's disappointed that stronger steps aren't being taken to press the general contractor to work faster.

Moratorium

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors have instituted a moratorium on any land division of development in the Des Moines River corridor. It is expected that the six-month moratorium will allow the County Plan and Zoning Commission to complete work on a set of guidelines to be used in applying what's called a "Conservation District Overlay". The overlay is intended to protect environmentally fragile land in the river valley.

Tree Trimming

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Public Works and Parks Director John Rouse says residents need to be on the look out for unauthorized tree trimming businesses. Rouse says after the storm Sunday morning, it didn't take long for questionable operators to begin to show up. He says commercial tree trimming businesses need to have a permit in Boone and also carry insurance. Recently the City Council amended the tree trimming ordinance to require commercial operators to meet certain standards.

Hicks Win is Official

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Supervisors used a special meeting Monday morning to formally canvass last Tuesday Boone City special election. County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, Phil Meier says there were no irregularities and there was no vote change. Kevin Hicks received 51-votes in the special election, followed by Travis Stevenson with 46 and Steve McCoy with 20. Hicks will replace Glen Thompson on the City Council and will represent the city's 4th Ward.

Development Moratorium

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors have been asked to institute a moratorium on any land division or development in the Des Moines River Valley. The Supervisors will hold a public hearing during their regular meeting Tuesday to gather comments. In the past couple of months, the County Plan and Zoning Commission has been working on developing a consistent plan to use a Conservation District Overlay on environmentally fragile land.

Back to School Supplies

BOONE, Iowa---The 3rd Annual Back to School Supply Drive is underway in Boone County. Local human service agencies have teamed together to collect necessary school supplies which will be distributed to students in early August. Janelle Durlin with Mid-Iowa Community Action says right now the campaign is collecting supplies or monetary donations. In August, Boone County residents will be able to get supplies by visiting the Boone Campus of Des Moines Area Community College. Last year, 177-youth were served. It's expected the need will increase this year.

Election Canvass

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting Monday morning to formally canvass last Tuesday's Boone City special election results. The election was to fill a vacancy on the City Council. The apparent winner was Kevin Hicks with 51-votes. Travis Stevenson at 46-votes and Steve McCoy at 20-votes. By canvassing the results Monday morning, the winner can be sworn in during the City Council meeting Monday evening.

Peddler Ordinance

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Council has been asked to consider an ordinance dealing with Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants. The City Council's Policy, Administration and Employee Relations Committee will begin discussion on the matter Monday. Several years ago, an ordinance was adopted dealing with Peddlers, but was challenged by a number of residents and the Iowa Civil Liberties Union. That ordinance was repelled.

High Speed Chase

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Police and Boone County Sheriff's Deputies assist the Ames Police Department Friday morning and helped to bring a high speed chase to an end on the south side of Boone. Ames Police were pursuing a car with four juveniles on US Highway 30. Boone Police deployed stop sticks successfully. A couple of juveniles ran from the scene but were located with the assistance of Shocker, the Boone Police K-9. All four juveniles were turned over to Ames Police and were being charged in Ames.

Boone County Fair

BOONE, Iowa---It was a warm start to the 2010 Boone County Fair. 4-Hers went through judging for many projects Wednesday, fortunately in the air conditioned comfort of the Community Building. Those setting up and getting ready for a full day of activities Thursday battled oppressive heat. The heat index exceed 115-degrees Wednesday afternoon. There were no reports of any problems on the fair grounds. The balance of the week is expected to remain warm and dry.

Modified Charges

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Councils Utility Committee has agreed to modified charges for sanitary sewer services for Xenia Rural Water. Two-years ago, Xenia installed sanitary sewer services at the Central Iowa Expo site east of Boone. Due to a problem with metering accurate billing came into question. Over the past couple of months, Xenia and city staff addressed the problems and have determined a negotiated balance of just over $2,900 is owed the city.

Water Leak

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Public Works Director John Rouse says a water line leak at the corner of 6th and Story Streets early Thursday led to the closing of Story Street while repairs were made. Rouse says the leak was allowing water to run into the construction hole at the corner and was affecting the ability to repave the street. The closure was temporary. As of late Thursday morning, the area infront of the Boone County Historical Center was narrowed down to just a couple of lanes of traffic.

4th Ward Councilmember

BOONE, Iowa---Kevin Hicks is the apparent winner in the special election held Tuesday in Boone. Hicks collected 51-votes to 46-for former Council Member Travis Stevenson and 20-for former Park Commission Member Steve McCoy. The three had shown an interest in being appointed to fill a Council vacancy. Circumstances resulted in a special election. Voter turnout was very light, less than 8-percent of the registered voters cast ballots. The Boone County Supervisors will canvas the results during a special meeting Monday.

Boone School Website

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone School Board had a chance to review the school district's new website during their Tuesday meeting. Dr. Brad Manard, Boone Superintendent says the new site will continue to be worked on and should be fully operational by the time school begins in 5-weeks. Updated information for registration is currently available. See the new look here.

Roosevelt Kiosk

BOONE, Iowa---Some more fund raising will be needed to move cover the cost of an informational kiosk for the Teddy Roosevelt statue at McHose Park in Boone. Dr. John Murphy, a member of the Boone Park Commission says some $8,500 has been raised for the project that might cost nearly $14,000. Murphy says the project will hopefully be completed by late October. A rough drawing of the project is available to view elsewhere on this website.

Little League Lease

BOONE, Iowa---There's still no agreement between the Boone Park Commission and the Boone National Little League Board of Directors for a long term lease for the use of Parks property by Little League. The Park Commission scheduled a public hearing to deal with a new long term lease, but representatives for Boone National Little League expressed reservations about the lease. The Commission has tabled action until responses to questions raised by the Little League can be answered.

Logansport Water District

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Councils Utility Committee will once again review the most recent proposals for an agreement between the City and the Logansport Water District. Logansport has been trying to improve service by increasing capacity and water pressure. As plans developed, it was found that no agreement for service existed. The Utility Committee has indicated the agreement that's being developed will be the model for future agreements.

Luther Grant

LUTHER, Iowa---The City of Luther will receive $370,000 in state funds to help construct a sewer collection system and pump station. The grant is from the Iowa Finance Authority and will help defray the costs of a new $1.6-million waste water system. State Senator Herman Quirmbach and State Representative Lisa Heddens noted that details still need to be nailed down. Luther has been dealing with waste water issues for several years and has been under a mandate to deal with ineffective septic systems.

Special Election

BOONE, Iowa---4th Ward residents in Boone will pick a new City Council Member, Tuesday. Some have already voted and others will be able to cast their ballots at the Ericson Public Library. Council Member Glen Thompson resigned in March. The seat has been vacant since that time. Kevin Hicks, Travis Stevenson and Steve McCoy are on the ballot. Voting Tuesday will be from 12:00-Noon until 8:00 PM. The new voting location was selected because of the construction at the Franklin Elementary building.

Farm Progress Show

BOONE, Iowa---The 2010 Farm Progress Show will begin taking shape this week. Matt Jungmann, Show Manager, says some of the tents will begin going up this week. He says over the next several weeks, the site will gradually begin to grow into the 2010 show. Jungmann says all the outdoor exhibit sites are taken and only a few of the indoor booths are still available. Also, the final drive to attract volunteers, especially to help with parking, is underway. More about the show is available here.

Parade Route

BOONE, Iowa---The 2010 Boone County Fair Parade will take a whole different route this week. The Thursday parade will begin at the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, travel east on 11th Street to Meridian, then south to Industrial Park Road then east to the Boone County Fair Grounds. The Fair Board, working with Boone Public Safety officials, planned the new route to avoid on going construction and demolition in the downtown area. The parade is Thursday at 5:30 and will be followed by the Fair Queen Coronation at the Community Building on the Fair Grounds.

Economic Development

BOONE, Iowa---Discussions about the future look of Economic Development in Boone County continue to move ahead. The Boone City Council's Economic Development Committee has been pursuing ideas for a couple of months, since the announcement by City Economic Development Director Darrel Rensink that he'll retire at the end of the year. This week, the Boone County Board of Supervisors hosted a discussion with Boone, Ogden, Madrid, Boone's Future and others about the direction of Economic Development. Chip Baltimore, Vice-President for Boone's Future says the opportunity to move ahead is very inviting.

Little League Lease

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Park Commission will hold a formal Public Hearing during their meeting Monday to consider a new lease agreement with Boone Little League. Due to a variety of reasons, the lease from several years ago was considered null and void and had to be redone. Part of the discussions centered around high utility bills in winter months, but both sides have agreed to a compromise on the matter. The Park Commission will meet at the Park Office but will be able to move to the Herman Park Pavilion if there's a large crowd.

Extortion Charge

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Sheriff Ron Fehr says an 18-year old Ogden woman has been charged with extortion following an investigation by the Sheriff's Department. Fehr says the investigation began after a complaint from the woman's former boy friend after she attempted to get money from him claiming she needed an abortion. Cristina A. Hefler was arrested on a warrant by Boone Police. Fehr says the investigation revealed that Hefler was not pregnant and had received over $1,000 from the victim.

Dam Project

BOONE, Iowa---The City of Boone along with the Natural Resources and Conservation Service and the Iowa Department of Transportation are moving ahead with a project that will modify the low head dam near the Boone Water Works. The City is moving ahead because of settlement in a lawsuit over a drowning several years ago. A public meeting to explain the project will be held at the Boone City Hall Auditorium, Tuesday July 13th at 11:00 AM.

Municipal Band Festival

BOONE, Iowa---The 19th Annual Iowa Municipal Band Festival will be held at the Herman Park Pavilion in Boone Saturday. Director of the Boone Municipal Band, Dave Richardson says he thinks the Pavilion is a key to the success of the annual event. A big attraction this year will be the first time appearance of the Iowa Military Veterans Band. Municipal bands from Boone and Ames are the only two that have appeared in all the Festivals.

Economic Development

BOONE, Iowa---Representatives from the City of Boone meet Thursday with Boone County Supervisors and other County representatives to talk about Economic Development and a possible Economic Development Director. It was announced earlier this year that Darrel Rensink, the current Economic Development Director for Boone will be retiring. Since then, discussions have begun with other entities to determine the best was to fill such a position. Boone Mayor John Slight has said that city should have a point person for Economic Development.

Construction Delays

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Council has expressed a great deal of concern over the ability of H & W Construction to meet the deadline for completion of the first part of the third phase of the city's sanitary sewer rehabilitation project. Council Members discussed the issue during a regular meeting Tuesday evening. Boone Mayor John Slight says work is proceeding, but he agrees there's a concern about getting work completed in time. He says the the extremely wet June has created numerous problems.

Special Election

BOONE, Iowa---Residents in Boone's 4th Ward will be selecting a new City Council Member during a special election next Tuesday. Three candidates did file to be on the ballot, former Council Member Travis Stevenson, former Park Commission Member Steve McCoy and Boone Businessman Kevin Hicks. The three are looking to fill the unexpired term of Glen Thompson who resigned in early March for personal reasons. Voting next Tuesday will be held at the Ericson Public Library between 12:00 Noon and 8:00 PM.

Flash Flooding

BOONE, Iowa---Heavy rain closed a number of rural roads in northern Boone County Wednesday morning. Boone County Emergency Management Coordinator Dave Morlan says "P" Avenue, three and a half miles north of Boone was covered by water for several hours. The Boone County Engineer's Office reported several gravel roads also topped by water. The National Weather Service reported an estimated 3-inches of rain in less than 2-hours on already saturated ground.

Buidling Demolition

July 6, 2010

BOONE, Iowa---Many Boone residents have been waiting to see when and if three fire damaged buildings in downtown Boone would be demolished. Well, the work began Monday afternoon. Boone City Administrator Luke Nelson had said the work was delayed when the City was asked to apply for additional, unspent Neighborhood Stabilization Grant Funds to help cover the cost of the demolition.

Ogden Demolition

July 6, 2010

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden City Council will consider the proposal to demolish a couple of buildings in their downtown. The City recently acquired a building owned by Daryl Johnson. That building and an adjoining building are targeted for demolition because of extensive structural damage.

Fireworks Delayed

July 6, 2010

BOONE, Iowa---Boone's annual 4th of July fireworks display was a day late, but still drew a very large crowd. Hundreds gathered on the south side of the city Monday evening for the delayed show. Rain Sunday prohibited the contracted company from setting up the display. There was a little drizzle Monday, but that didn't affect the show. The collected nearly $5,000 in donations from residents, businesses and by turning in pop cans to pay for a share of the show.

July 4, 2010

Because of the forecast of continued rain, Mayor John Slight has postponed the City of Boone fireworks display. The rain date is scheduled for Monday, July 5th at dusk. Fireworks will be fired from the south edge of Boone.

Story Street Remains Closed

July 2, 2010

BOONE, Iowa---A plan to have Story Street opened this weekend is not going to work out. Boone officials had hoped construction of the sanitary sewer rehabilitation project that closed the intersection of Story and 6th Street last weekend, would be far enough along to be open. The construction site has been plagued by the wet weather from last weekend. In addition, demolition of three buildings in downtown Boone is expected to begin Monday, but City Administrator Luke Nelson has said the contractor hopes to keep the street open.

US Highway 30 Project

July 2, 2010

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will consider approval of a Preconstruction Agreement with the Department of Transportation for the planned reconstruction of US Highway 30 from near the junction of Iowa Highway 17 to University Boulevard in Ames. The preliminary portion of the project will begin later this summer with the construction of crossovers between east and west bound lanes. Reconstruction of the highway is expected in 2011.

Fireworks Weather

July 2, 2010

BOONE, Iowa---If Mother Nature decides to have her own fireworks display Sunday night in Boone, Mayor John Slight says the planned fireworks show will be moved to Monday evening. Slight says the rain date was put into the contract several months ago. At this time, weather models indicate a good possibility of thunderstorms Sunday and Sunday evening.

Fireworks Fundraising

July 1, 2010

BOONE, Iowa---Boone businesses and residents have stepped up in an effort to put on this year's 4th of July fireworks display. As of Thursday, nearly $5,000 has been turned in to the city hall to help cover the $10,000 cost of the fireworks display. About a third of the money raised has come from Boone Mayor John Slights campaign to collect pop cans with the proceeds to go to fireworks. Slight has said anyone willing to make donations can still do so. He says any amount over and above the cost of the show will go toward next years fireworks display.

Boone County Naturalist

July 1, 2010

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Conservation Board has a new County Naturalist. Emily Klein was formally approved as a Boone County employee earlier this week. Klein begins her duties immediately for the Conservation Board. She is a native Iowan, growing up on a farm near Grinnell. She received her Bachelor's degree from Iowa State and a Masters from Florida Atlantic University. Klein says she's worked in Florida, Texas and Illinois but says it feels good getting back home in Iowa.

Supervisors Meeting

July 1, 2010

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors have held their first meeting of the new fiscal year. The Board holds two-such meetings each year, one for organizational purposed after the first of the calendar year and the second at the beginning of the fiscal year. The Thursday meeting did include approval of the appropriations for the new fiscal year and also salaries and wages for the new fiscal year. Several appointments were also confirmed.