Boone Finances

BOONE, Iowa---Even though the recent report from the State Treasurer pegs the debt of the City of Boone at more than $29-million, Boone City Administrator Luke Nelson says he feels pretty good going into budget preparation. The City Council will hold it's first Budget Work session next Wednesday. Nelson says cost reducing efforts over the past couple of years have really helped.

TreeCycling

BOONE, Iowa---If you were one of the many with a real Christmas Tree this year, you're probably wondering what to do with it now that it's drying out. TreeCycling might be the answer. Boone County Conservation, the cities of Boone, Boxholm, Luther, Madrid, Ogden and the Boone County Landfill team together to make use of those trees. Beginning Saturday, clean trees can be dropped off at designated locations and will be mulched for park use. Remember, trees must be clean of decorations, bulbs, tinsel, tree stands and should not be in bags.

Skating Pond Closed

BOONE, Iowa---It didn't take Mother Nature long to put a damper on ice skaters in Boone. Neil Olson, Boone Park Superintendent said Thursday that the Skate Pond is being closed until further notice. Olson says the mild weather led to quite a bit of snow melt and the ice at the pond is covered with water. He says once conditions improve, the pond will be re-opened. Olson also says they will still take names for volunteers to help with the warming house. Those that are interested should call the City Park Office and leave a message.

Ogden Finances Improving

OGDEN, Iowa---Even though a recent report by the Iowa Department of Education, siting financial problems in several school districts, including Ogden, Superintendent Bill Roederer says great strides have been made to improve the District's position. On the KWBG Tuned In Program, Roederer says the steps implement for the current fiscal year have helped and will continue to help. He says the information published earlier this month was not an indication of the improvement the District had made. Roederer also said the hard work of improving finances is not done.

Retirement Coffee

BOONE, Iowa---A retirement coffee honoring Sheryl Thul, Boone County Recorder and Boone County Supervisor Mike O'Brien will be held at the Boone County Courthouse, Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 until 4:00. Thul has worked for Boone County residents for 39-years and O'Brien has spent 2-terms, a total of 8-years as a Supervisor. The reception will take place in the Board of Supervisors meeting room on the 2nd floor. The public is welcome.

Substance Abuse Prevention Grant

BOONE, Iowa---For many years, an Iowa Department of Public Health comprehensive Substance Abuse Prevention Grant had gone to Boone County Prevention. A little over a year ago, that grant was awarded to Youth and Shelter Services. An appeal was submitted to the Iowa Department of Public Health and the state stood by it's decision to award the grant to YSS. The Supervisors took time Tuesday to ask their own questions of YSS representatives. There will be no change in the services being provided to Boone County clients.

Emergency Medical Dispatch

BOONE, Iowa---Earlier this year, Boone County Communication personnel underwent Emergency Medical Dispatch training, with one of the goals being the reduction in unnecessary emergency responses. Early indications are that the training is doing the job. Louie Greco, Boone County Hospital Ambulance Director says as expected the emergency responses have decreased and non-emergency calls have increased. Greco says the reduction in emergency calls also reduces the chances of accidents, since there are no lights or sirens.

Swearing In Ceremony

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County officials elected in last November's General Election will receive the oath of office during a meeting of the Boone County Supervisors Tuesday. Steve Duffy, who will replace Mike O'Brien on the Board will be joined by County Attorney Jim Robbins and County Treasurer Darcy Bosch. Also receiving the oath of office will be the new Boone County Recorder Veronica Rardin. The Ceremony is planned for 9:00 Tuesday morning.

Supervisors Close Session Tuesday

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will go into a closed session as part of their meeting Tuesday to discuss the potential purchase of property. The closed session is permissible to avoid allowing the plans to become public, in turn inflating a possible purchase price.

Adult Day Gets TV

BOONE, Iowa---Beckwith Adult Day Care, located in the Goldthwaite-Garvey Family Resource Center in Boone, spent time in November and December baking and selling cookies. Staff and clients were raising funds for a new television. Over 1,700 cookies were baked and sold. $589 was raised to purchase a new television and the Boone Walmart stepped in and helped with the cost to allow the Day Care to purchase a new 47" Phillips, wall mounted television, valued at $1,000. A picture of the staff and the television can be found on the KWBG slide show.

Annexation Study Resumes

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Council has voted 5-to-1 to resume work on an annexation study. The Council actually stopped the study several weeks ago, so Council Members could find out more about the annexation process. A preliminary report from the study identified areas the Council might want to consider for annexation. The focus has been on the industrial park on the east side of Boone. Mayor John Slight says the Council needs to have the completed study so they understand all aspects of possible annexation, whether it would be the industrial park or residential property on the west side of Boone. The study is expected to be completed by late spring.

Baker Relieved of Duties

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors have officially responded to the departure of Richard Baker, Executive Director. In a press release Tuesday, the Board noted that after much consideration and discussion, Baker was relieved of his duties. The Board went on to say they felt the decision was in the best interest of the Chamber and of the community. The Board also thanked Baker for his 3-years of service. A search is expected to begin immediately.

Baltimore Appointments

BOONE, Iowa---Representative elect Chip Baltimore says he's pretty pleased with the Committee assignments he's received for the next legislative session, beginning January 10th. Baltimore says he was pleased to be names Vice-Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, which focuses on business. He also says he asked and was named to the House Judiciary Committee, which he expects will be pretty busy this session. Baltimore will also service on Economic Growth, Local Government and Oversight.

Supervisors Collect Budget Requests

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will begin the process of collecting budget requests for the 2011-12 fiscal year when the Board meets Tuesday. Funding requests are expected from Boone County Community Services, the Public Libraries in Boone, Ogden and Madrid, ACCESS, the Boone County Historical Society and the Madrid Action Committee. The Supervisors traditionally don't promise anything, but do get to ask questions about services provided to Boone County clients. The overall county budget will begin taking shape in January.

Donations Lagging

BOONE, Iowa---The Christmas Campaign for the Salvation Army in Boone is only about 65% of the Christmas Goal of $150,000. Envoy Tim North said earlier the goal provides funding for programming all year long. Last year, weather curtailed contributions at the Red Kettles. So far, the collections are slightly ahead of last year. Red Kettles will be out until Friday afternoon at 5:00. Mail in contributions can be sent until mid-January to Salvation Army, P.O. Box 307, Boone, Iowa 50036. North says if you send a donation, mark it for the 2010 Christmas Campaign.

City Council and Annexation

BOONE, Iowa---Several weeks ago, the Boone City Council voted to temporarily halt the work being done on an annexation study. Most of the focus of the study has been on a preliminary recommendation to pursue annexation of the Industrial Park east of Boone. Since four of the current Council Members weren't on the Council when the annexation study began, it was felt that there should be a review of the process, bringing the newest Council Members up to speed. The Council will need to decide if they wish to pursue the annexation study, which also identified annexation measures on the north and also the west side of the city.

Spending, Jobs and Redistricting

BOONE, Iowa---State Senator Jerry Behn (R) Boone, says he believes alot of time will be spent on spending issues during the upcoming legislative session. The session will begin January 10th. Behn says the legislature will be involved with the redistricting of Senate and House Districts during the session and that should show up pretty early. He also says working at economic development and in particular job creation will take up time. Behn says many other matters will be presented, but he feels the most focus will be on spending issues. He made his comments during the KWBG Tuned In program that aired Friday.

Burglary Arrest

OGDEN, Iowa---Boone County Sheriff Ron Fehr says a 9-1-1 call Thursday morning helped capture a couple of burglary suspects. The call from the Ogden area alerted authorities, allowing an Ogden Police Officers to stop the suspects vehicle, and allowing Deputies a chance to collect evidence connecting suspects to a burglary. 42-year old Lorinda Breger of Des Moines and 38-year old Thomas Ramsey of Johnston are being held in the Boone County Jail on 2nd Degree Burglary charges. Fehr says the investigation is continuing.

Bond Refinancing

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone School Board hopes to save close to $300,000 in interest by refinancing over $4.6-million in General Obligation School Refunding Bonds. The School Board actually discussed the refinancing a couple of months ago, but hadn't taken any action to proceed. Since then, interest rates have begun to trend up and School Superintendent Brad Manard says the District needed to move now. The School Board will address the bids when they meet January 11th.

Chamber Exec Done

BOONE, Iowa---KWBG Radio has learned that Richard Baker, Executive Director of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, no longer works for the Chamber. Baker made the reference in an e-mail to KWBG late Wednesday evening. When contacted by telephone, Vicki Greco, President of the Chamber's Board of Directors had no comment. Greco did says that the Chamber Board will be meeting Monday and will consider taking formal action if needed.

Boone Man Arrested on Burglary Charges

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Police Chief Bill Skare says officers responded to a call about a car burglary about 2:00 Thursday morning in west Boone. He says officers not only discovered the car had been burglarized, but so had several others and also a home. Skare says the investigation also revealed several attempted burglaries. By 3:30 in the morning, officers were taking 19-year old James Austin King into custody on multiple charges. King was taken to the Boone County Jail and was held pending a court appearance. Skare says an arrest is not an admission of guilt.

Board Considers Options for Lowell and Bryant

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone School Board has still not taken official action on the future of two-vacated elementary school buildings, Lowell and Bryant. Lowell is now empty for a second winter and Bryant was vacated this past summer. Boone resident Chad Thompson has made an offer to the district of $100 for the two buildings, but the School Board has asked for more information about the intended use of the buildings. School Board President Dr. Jeff Anderson said this week that the intended use must be good for the neighborhoods and the community or the district will need to pursue demolition.

School Board Votes to Drop Spring Break

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone School Board officially voted to drop spring break from it's school calendar for the 2011-2012 school year. The Board Tuesday held their public hearing to submit their request to begin school early next year. During the discussion, Board Member Kirk Leeds requested that the week for spring break be put back into the calendar. The Board voted 2-to-3 on that question then turned around and voted to adopted the calendar as submitted. Superintendent Brad Manard says the calendar was developed using information from parent and teacher surveys conducted last spring.

Boone County Farmland Value

BOONE, Iowa---The average price of farmland in Boone County did exceed the state wide average according to the annual survey conducted by Iowa State University Extension. Mike Duffy, ISU Extension Economist announced Wednesday that the average value in the state increased 15.9% in 2010, up $693 an acre to a price of $5,064 an acre. In Boone County the average price increased 19.63 %, up $1,022 to an average price of $6,225 per acre. O'Brien County led the way with an average price of $7,148 an acre. Decatur had the lowest dollar value at $2,085 an acre.

Skate Pond Needs Volunteers

BOONE, Iowa---Now that the Park Commission and all the Park personnel have met that public outcry to get the skate pond open, some of the public are going to have to step up to help run the shelter house. Park Superintendent Neil Olson says preparations for the skate pond are expected to be completed this week. Initially, the shelter will not be open just because of a lack of staff. Olson says once volunteers step up, plans are to have the shelter open for some regular hours. Those that are interested in helping out should call the Boone City Park Office at 432-6454. Olson says if no one answers, leave a message and they will return your call.

Driver's Education

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone School Board will consider quotes to provide Driver's Education to Boone Students when they meet Tuesday evening. Since the District discontinued the service and contract with an outside agency, Drive Tek has provided that service. That contract expires the end of May. The District has received two-bids for the service from Drive Tek and from Teen Driver, Inc. Drive Tek has bid a cost of $340 per student for the next year while Teen Driver has offered a cost of $300 for next year with increases in the following two-years.

Shop With A Cop

BOONE, Iowa---Last week's annual Shop With A Cop in Boone went off pretty well. Officer Dave Powers, with the Boone Police Department and a member of the Boone Police Association, says officers were able to take nearly 100-children shopping this year. The Association collected almost $20,000 which included some carry over funds from 2009. Powers says the Association thanks all the organizations, agencies, companies and individuals that help make the program a success. He says the communities participation in donations and volunteering help make the Boone Shop With A Cop program the biggest and most successful in the state.

Park Commission Reviews Projects

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Park Commission took time this week to review budget information for Parks, the Linwood Park Cemetery and the Boone Municipal Swimming Poll. The Commission oversees those areas and also serves as the City's Tree Board. With the work on budgeting already beginning at the City, Commissioners reviewed a number of requests. The biggest will be the ongoing lease for mowers and other essential equipment. Other big ticket items are a project to preserve the Herman Park Pavilion and to acquire play equipment. Commission members also reviewed ideas gathered from a community survey conducted earlier this year.

Duffy Ends Nearly 30-Years on Conservation Board

BOONE, Iowa---Steve Duffy of Boone has spent nearly 30-years serving Boone County residents on the Boone County Conservation Board. That service will come to an end this month, because Duffy will be moving to the Boone County Board of Supervisors to replace Mike O'Brien who decided not to seek re-election. Duffy will participate in his final Conservation Board meeting Monday evening at the Boone County Courthouse. The Boone County Supervisors will begin review of the process to determine an appointment to the Conservation Board when they meet Tuesday.

Supervisors Hold Hearing on Financing Request

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will hold a formal public hearing and will consider action on a request to issue up to $2-million in financing for the Westhaven Project. The Evangelical Free Church Home is making extensive changes in their physical plant and seeks to use Assisted Living Facility Revenue Notes. Westhaven officials have already met with the Supervisors to update the Board on plans for the facility. The most recent has been the demolition of the multi-level Free Church Home, with plans to tie the space to the new Westhaven Care Facility.

Hunter Shot Sunday

BOONE, Iowa---A 27-year old Boone man is hospitalized in Des Moines after suffering a gun shot wound to the chest Sunday morning. John "Randy" Roberts was hunt with a group in the Des Moines River Valley. According to the report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 19-year old Austin McBirnie of Boone fired on a deer that ran between the two-hunters, striking Roberts in the chest. Roberts was flown to Mercy Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Boone Officer Cleared in Shooting

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Attorney Jim Robbins announced Friday morning that his review of the October 25th death of Gerald Beals II at the Boone HyVee Store is completed. Robbins says the investigation shows that Officer Rod Thompson was justified in firing his weapon at Beals because he reasonably believed that the force was necessary to defend himself and others. Robbins noted that witness saw Thompson repeatedly order Beals to drop his knife, eventually using a stun gun, which had no effect, and finally using his weapon when Beals continued to approach Thompson with his knife.

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.