Supporters Pushing Absentee Ballots

BOONE, Iowa---Supporters of a $16.1 million school bond issue for the Boone School District are pushing the use of absentee ballots for the upcoming election. County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Phil Meier says there has been a noticeable increase in absentee ballots for a school election. Meier says many are sending in requests for the ballots, but others are voting at the Auditors office at the courthouse. The school election day is September 13th.

Supervisors Accept Bid

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors accepted a bid from Bankers Bank of Madison, Wisconsin and from Security Savings Bank of Gowrie for the sale of $2.5 million in capital loan notes. The combined bid offered the lowest interest rate at just under 4.04 %. The proceeds for the 20-year note sale will be used by the Supervisors to cover obligations related to the Central Iowa Expo site east of Boone. Tim Oswald with Piper Jaffrey noted that there were 7 competitive bids that were received.

Return of Near Record Heat Thursday

BOONE, Iowa---The return of near record high temperatures to start the month of September has led to the Boone Schools announcing the early dismissal at Boone High School both Thursday and Friday. Like last week, the early dismissal will affect the high school only because the middle school and the elementary buildings do have adequate air conditioning. The announcement about the early dismissal was made Wednesday afternoon. Again the dismissal is for the high school only, 1:30 on Thursday and Friday.

Ogden Board Chooses to Appoint Replacement

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden School Board has chosen to appoint someone to fill a vacancy on the Board created with the unexpected passing of Stan Friesen. During a special meeting Tuesday, Superintendent Bill Roederer says the Board decided to wait until after the September 13 election, and then have the new Board name a successor. Due to timing, it was not possible to have the decision made during the September election. Roederer says residents will still have the option to petition for a special election. Seven candidates have filed for three positions on the Ogden School Board.

Supervisors Expect to Sell Loan Notes

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will consider the sale of $2.5 million in capital loan notes when they meet Wednesday. Bids are scheduled to be opened at 10:00 with the Board expected to act on the sale at 10:30, after a review by financial consultants. The loan note proceeds are necessary to cover costs related to the Central Iowa Expo development east of Boone. The site will host next year's Farm Progress Shows Hay Expo and the Farm Progress Show itself in August 2012. Expected proceeds from fund raising efforts have never materialized.

September 1 Deadline for Pufferbilly Parade

BOONE, Iowa---The deadline to get an entry into this year's Pufferbilly Days Parade will be Thursday, September 1st. Again this year, there is a $10 fee for entries, with the money going back into the parade to increase the amount available for school bands. Janet Schultz has said the $50 stipend is just not enough to attract high school marching bands. Entry information for the parade is available at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 903 Story Street or on line at www.booneiowa.us.

September Addiction Recovery Month

BOONE, Iowa---Youth and Shelter Services and other human service providers in Boone County will join in the national effort to recognize September is National Drug and Alcohol Addictions Recovery Month. Jason Haglund, Treatment Services Director for YSS says the theme this year is "Join the Voice for Recovery: Recovery Benefits Everyone". Haglund says in the past year, YSS provided assistance to a number of Boone County young people, including more than 100 in their residential treatment units. A September 22nd event is currently being planned for the Boone Campus of DMACC.

Special School Board Meeting

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden School Board will hold a special meeting Tuesday morning. The Board will address a couple of business matters and will also discuss the vacancy created on the Board with the recent passing of Stan Friesen. Usually when a vacancy occurs and appointment is made to fill the unexpired term. Friesen had two years left on his current term. Some wonder if the position can be filled from the candidates for the September School Board Election. The Ogden District has a field of 7-candidates for 3-positions.

Motorcycle Accident Hospitalizes One

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Sheriff Ron Fehr says a 37-year old Woodward man, Timothy J. Logan is hospitalized in Des Moines, following a motorcycle accident Sunday evening north of Luther. Fehr says Logan was attempting to pass another motorcycle when he apparently struck the rear wheel, lost control and crashed. Logan was flown from the scene to Des Moines. There was no update on his condition. The accident remains under investigation by Boone County authorities.

Pufferbilly Parade entry deadline extended.

BOONE, IA - There's still time to sign up to be in the 2011 Pufferbilly Days Parade. The deadline to join the parade has been extended until Thursday, September 1. Applications for the parade are available at the Chamber office located at 903 Story Street and also at the Chamber website of www.booneiowa.us

For the second year, there is a $10 fee to be a part of the Pufferbilly Days parade. These fees help offset the expenses of the parade. The largest expense is the stipend paid to the high school bands that come to the parade. Janet Schultz, parade chair, says that a school can bring as many as 5 buses and most schools just don't have that extra fuel cost in their budgets. Helping them defray some of those expenses is the best way to make sure the Pufferbilly Days parade has good band attendance.

The parade route begins at Hancock Drive, proceed north on Story Street, turn west onto 8th and disband at the Boone High School. The parade will start at 9:30 on Saturday, September 10.

Boone PD part of "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over"

Boone Police will join nearly 10,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving and other traffic offenses. The effort has been dubbed, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."

Law enforcement around the state will be aggressively looking for all impaired drivers and other traffic violators during the crackdown. during last year's special traffic enforcement period (sTEP), which was August 24 - September 6, there were 7 fatalities, two of which were alcohol related. Also during the enforcement effort, nearly 35,000 traffic violations were reported by Iowa's law enforcement.

This year's campaign runs from August 25 to September 7.

Booster Clubs wants members

BOONE, IA - With the first home football game tonight, the Boone Booster Club is hoping to increase its membership. The Booster Club helps to fund athletics, drama and fine arts in the Boone High School throughout the year. Dues are $20 per year. However, to help pump up the membership effort, the first 70 who sign up at the August 26 game will only need to write a check for $10 as Boone Hardware will provide matching funds.

Boone's younger students go back to school today. Boone High School students dismissed early for heat

BOONE, IA - Students in Pre-Kindergarten through fourth graders started school in Boone today. Now all students are officially in session. However, due to the heat expected over the remainder of the week, students in the high school building will be released at 1:30 each day.

Students in PK-8 are educated in air-conditioned classrooms whereas most high school class rooms are not. Therefore, it is only grades 9-12 that will be dismissed early. High schoolers riding the buses will be directed to the library where they will be supervised in an air-conditioned environment until bus pick up at 3:10pm

Monthly heritage program looks at school time capsules.

The Boone County Historical Society's monthly heritage program will focus on the contents of the time capsules and other items from Bryant and Lowell Schools now in the society's collection. The program will begin at 7 pm August 24 at the Boone County Historical Center at 602 Story Street.

Charles W. Irwin, Executive Director of the Historical Society, will discuss the artifacts recovered from the two schools. A brief PowerPoint program on the history of the two schools, prepared by the Society's edit Suzanne Caswell, will precede Irwin's discussion.

"In 1939, when the cornerstones of Bryant and Lowell Schools were laid, time capsules containing photographs, newspaper and other relevant items were placed within them. In 1990, the time capsules were opened in honor of the schools' 50th anniversaries, and additional items w3ere placed within them before they were resealed and put back into the cornerstones," Irwin explained.

New officers appointed at Boone Salvation Army Corp

BOONE, IA - Lieutenant William Rutledge and his wife, Captain Robin Rutledge, have replaced Envoys Tim and Peggy North, who were recently transferred to The Salvation Army Corps in Fremont, Nebraska. The Rutledges and their 2 sons, Christopher 13, and Mitchell, 10, have moved to Boone They indicate they are happy to have been assigned to Boone and are excited by the potential to serve human and spiritual needs in the community. They invite anyone interested in learning more about The Salvation Army and its work in Boone to contact them. The Salvation Army has been serving Boone continually for nearly 125 years.

Boone High School Early-Out due to Heat

BOONE, IA - Beginning Wednesday, August 24, through Friday, August 26, Boone High School students will be released at 1:30 pm. Students in PK-8 grades in the Boone Schools are educated in air-conditioned classrooms. Most high school class rooms are not air-conditioned. Due to the heat in high schools classrooms, the high school ONLY will be releasing at 1:30 pm Wednesday through Friday of this week. PK-8 will remain on a regular schedule and be released at their regular time. High school students riding the buses will be directed to the high schools library where they will be supervised in an air-conditioned environment until bus pick-up at 3:10pm. Tuesday, August 23, high school students will be released at the regular 3:10 time. This announcement from Dr. Brad Manard, Superintendent of the Boone Community School District.

Boone Police Officer Resigns

BOONE, Ia - A Boone police officer who resigned last week remains under state investigation. Rodney Thompson was place on administrative leave last week, the same day the department asked the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to conduct a probe into an allegation against him. He resigned two days later. Details of the allegation haven't been released.

Drug Task Force makes big arrest in Boone

Over the past several months, the Central Iowa Drug Task Force has been conducting an investigation into the illegal distribution of marijuana in and around the City of Boone. As a result of this investigation, the following have been arrested and charged: Ryan Michael Germain, 26, of Boone - 3 counts of Delivery of Marijuana; Lane Derek McKay, 27, of Boone, - 2 counts of delivery of marijuana, 1 count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, 1 count of failure to affix drug tax stamp; Brady Cloyd Platter, 30, of Boone - 1 count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, 1 count of failure to affix drug tax stamp; Allysa Lois Haase, 20, of Boone - 1 count possession with intent to deliver marijuana, 1 count failure to affix drug tax stamp; and, Joseph Andrew Germain, 25 of Ames, -1 count of driving while barred and unlawful possession of prescription pills.

Approximately 17 pounds of marijuana and over $100,000 in US currency, along with other assets, were seized.

Members of the Central Iowa Task Force include: Boone Police Department, Boone County Sheriff's Office, Ames Police Department, Story County Sheriff's Office, ISU Police, Greene County Sheriff's Office, Iowa National Guard and Iowa Division of Narcotics.

DMACC Late Registration Rules Change

BOONE, IA - Classes on the Boone Campus of DMACC will begin Thursday and heading into last weekend, enrollment numbers were looking very strong. In fact, Provost Tom Lee he expects to see a new record enrollment for this fall. Toward that, Lee says that students should not put off getting registered, especially if they want classes for the full fall term. A new DMACC policy will limit late registration to one week after classes begin, meaning the cut off will be September 1st. However, registration for condensed part term classes will be available.

Back to School means additional driver alertness

BOONE, IA - The Boone Police Department would like to encourage everyone to take more time and slow down, especially near the schools, now that classes are beginning for the new school year. Be aware of the younger children walking in and/or near the crosswalks, moped riders, and of course the flashing school bus lights. When a stopped school bus is displaying a flashing, alternating red lamp, a driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking the stopped bus from either direction (front or back) must stop and wait until the bus moves again or the red light is off.

Boone Middle and High School Classes today

BOONE, IA - Classes for Boone Schools begin today, at least for the Middle School and High School. Superintendent Brad Manard says this summer was spent focusing on improvements at the Page and Lincoln Elementary buildings. Manard says plan were in place to do the work once work was completed at Franklin and the Middle School. According to Manard, the last building awaiting improvements will be the High School. Of course, voters will be considering that when they vote on the Boone Referendum during the school elections on September 13th. Elementary school classes will begin on Wednesday, August 24 in Boone.

Proliant Expansion Gets State Support

BOONE, Iowa---Plans by Proliant Biologicals to expand their Boone operation took a step forward this week with approval of tax incentives through the Iowa Department of Economic Developments High Quality Jobs program. The $12.5 million expansion is expected to create 8-jobs, one of which is supported by state incentives. Representative Chip Baltimore, Republican from Boone, says the incentives could result in $250,000 in benefits over five years. Proliant, located in the south Boone Business Park manufactures animal derived biochemicals.

DMACC Ready For Classes

BOONE, Iowa---Provost Tom Lee says the Boone Campus is ready to get going. He says there's a lot of excitement about the Fall Semester which begins next Thursday. Early projections indicated an enrollment increase of 7.5% or just over 230 students. He says credit hour enrollment is up about 2%. If the numbers hold, he says the trend of record enrollments will continue. Lee says the DMACC apartments are full and currently have a waiting list.

Wal-Mart Vacancy

BOONE, Iowa---With the approval of the site plan for a new Wal-Mart Super Center Store in Boone, many might wonder what will happen to the current store. The question was posed to Wal-Mart representatives by Council Member Greg Piklapp. Legal Counsel for Wal-Mart, Curt Ward from Marshalltown told the Council another retailer has expressed an interest in the store when Wal-Mart moves out. He could not identify the other retailer, but Boone Mayor John Slight says it was good to hear there was interest by someone to locate in Boone.

School Begins in Ogden and Madrid

BOONE COUNTY, Iowa---School resumes for the 2011-12 school year for both the Ogden and Madrid School Districts on Thursday. Boone and Woodward-Granger students begin on Monday the 22nd and United will begin the new year next Wednesday, the 24th. Kindergarten to 4th grade Ogden students will begin on Friday the 19th, while Boone elementary students begin on the 24th like United. Meanwhile, DMACC Fall Semester is set to begin on Thursday, August 25th.

City Amends Consent Order

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Council has approved some changes to a proposed Consent Order received recently from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Consent Order details expectations for the next phase of the city's Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. The amendments to the agreement were developed and directed by the Council's Utility Committee. Committee Chair, Council Member Gary Nystrom says the Committee refuted the Culpability Clause and the expectation that there would never be another sewer back up in the community. The full Council approved the amendments and returned the document to the DNR.

Supervisors Move Ahead On Loan Plan

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisor approved the next step in the process of issuing $2.5 million in Taxable Urban Renewal Capital Loan Notes during their Wednesday meeting. The resolution is the next step directing the sale of the notes on behalf of the county. Proceeds are being used to cover county obligations related to the Central Iowa Expo site east of Boone. Initially, it was hoped that fund raising by Central Iowa Expo site would allow the County cover it's expenses without actually having to sell the loan notes.

Traffic Dominates Site Plan Discussion

BOONE, Iowa---As expected, the Boone City Council addressed the site plan for the proposed Wal-Mart Super Center Store on the south side of Boone during Monday's meeting. Most of the discussion seemed to focus on traffic and in particular traffic at South Linn Street and US Highway 30. To move the project ahead, the Council decided on minimal improvements at South Linn. The access to Highway 30 will be widened to facilitate a right turn lane and also a lane to allow traffic to cross west bound traffic to the east bound lanes. Engineers still say the majority of the traffic will come from the north.

Boone Airport To Receive Grant

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Municipal Airport Commission will continue to plan for additional improvements at the airport, following the announcement by Senator Tom Harkin that the City will receive a grant of more than $608,000 for on going rehabilitation and construction. The current focus has been to apply the money to making necessary repairs in the existing parking ramp and taxi ways. New construction did include hangars and related apron work.

No Update On Madrid Accident

MADRID, Iowa---No additional information has been made available about the condition of a woman injured in a near head on collision north of Madrid Monday morning. Sheriff Ron Fehr did says that deputies were at the scene, however the investigation is being handled by the Iowa State Patrol. At least one driver, and unidentified woman was flown from the scene to a Des Moines Hospital. The accident occurred Monday morning shortly before 10:00. Highway 17 was closed for sometime during clean up of the site.

Supporter Calls High School Project Timely

BOONE, Iowa---Boone School District patrons will be voting on a $16.1 million bond issue during the September 13th School District Elections. Don Romig is a school district patron that is helping head up the Boone High School, It's Time Committee, encouraging a yes vote in September. Romig says he thinks the proposed project is a great opportunity for residents of the school district to invest in the future of the Boone Schools. Romig says the Committee has information on it's Facebook page here.

Pufferbilly Street Closings

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Council will consider the implementation of an amendment to city code that will allow the Pufferbilly Days Steering Committee to establish street closings for the annual celebration. This will mark the return of the celebration to downtown Boone after three years at the Boone County Fair Grounds. Many of the anticipated closings will be similar to those of four years ago. Pufferbilly Days will be held September 8th through the 11th.

Accident Closes Highway Near Madrid

MADRID, Iowa---A nearly head-on collision north of Madrid Monday morning closed down Highway 17 for a while. The accident, involving a car and a pickup occurred right before 10:00 AM. Multiple agencies responded to the call. A woman driver from the car had to be extricated from the vehicle and was flown from the scene to a Des Moines Hospital. Sheriff Ron Fehr says the investigation is on going and additional information is not available at this time.

Wal-Mart Site Plan Ready City

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Plan and Zoning Commission will hold a special meeting Monday to consider a proposed site plan for a Wal-Mart Super Center Store on the south side of Boone. The Commission will consider a recommendation for the full Council to consider. Site developers have said they hope to be able to break ground this fall and complete construction in the spring of 2013. The proposal has already received variances from the City Zoning Board of Adjustment for parking. Business on the south side have expressed concerns about traffic at South Linn and US Highway 30.

City Council Considers House Sale

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone City Council will finally get to consider an offer on one of the three houses that have been acquired and renovated as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Federal and local dollars are used for the purchase and work on the homes. Upon the sale, the local funds are reimbursed first with the balance going back into the program to acquire and renovated additional homes. City officials say and offer has been received on the home at 1415 3rd Street. The Council has two choices, accept the offer or reject the offer and leave the property on the market.

House Fire Diverts Traffic

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Fire Department quickly knocked down a house fire on Story Street in Boone Friday afternoon. The fire was reported at 222 Story Street in a home owned by Jerry and Mary Mentzer. The Ogden Fire Department was called to provide assistance with control and containment. Additional details are not available at this time.

Boone School Registration Continues

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone School District conducted school registration on line this year. But, Superintendent Brad Manard says they ran into a few problems. Earlier in the week, two-thirds of the students had been registered on line, and he said staff would be contacting parents to complete the registration as soon as possible. Manard says one of the problems was a change in passwords, going from individual to family passwords. He says the other was a roll over in the Power School Problem which delayed access to the web site. Manard says of the remaining 800 students that need to register, a third are high school students.

Schall Inducted Into 4-H Hall of Fame

OGDEN, Iowa---Shelly Schall of Ogden will be inducted into the 2011 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair, Sunday, August 21st. Schall was a member of the Yell Modernattes 4-H Club and has been a 4-H volunteer. She has served on the Boone County 4-H Youth Committee and has served as the Boone County Fair 4-H Family and Consumer Science Superintendent for 10-years. Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the 4-H program.

Early Childhood Services

BOONE, Iowa---Changes are coming in the way early childhood services are going to be provided in Boone County. What was Community Empowerment has now become the Early Childhood Iowa Initiative. Boone and Story County are working at collaborating on services being provided to children 0-5 and their families. Service providers will be involved with a Needs Assessment Survey which is expected to help staff develop support for those services. Julie Nash, Boone County Coordinator says the purpose is still to enable local citizens to lead in efforts involving education, health and human services.

Military Appreciation Day

BOONE, Iowa---Military Appreciation Day will be held at the Boone Municipal Airport, at Galen Wiley Field, Saturday. The event will include a fly-in of rare and antique aircraft as well as vintage military aircraft from the World War II era. Aviation Artist Charles R. Taylor of Ames will unveil a new painting commemorating the one-wheel landing of a B-17 in World War II by Wiley of Boone. Parking and admission are free and the public is welcome to take in the show, Saturday from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

Operation Releaf

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Conservation Board has approved a request to allow staff to take part in the Operation Releaf Program. The program is available through Alliant Energy and makes trees available for planting in Boone County. Conservation Director Andy Hockenson says it's been several years since the County participated. He says it was quite successful the last time and expects it will be again. Hockenson says there could be 300 to 350 trees available for planting in Boone County.

Park Commission Approves Bid

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone Park Commission did take action Monday to accept a bid of some $18,000 for work on the main shelter house in McHose Park. The project has been in the works for some time and will include new windows and doors. Additional work will include some heating that will make the facility available for rental later in the year. The apparent low bid was submitted by Boone Construction, roughly $2,500 less than a bid from Grabau Construction. The project will be funded by a grant received from Boone County Community Endowment and funds from the City.

Quiet Zone Meeting

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden City Council will host a public meeting about the proposed "Quiet Zone" for their city, Thursday at the Leonard Good Community Center. The "Quiet Zone" proposal was brought up sometime ago, and work was recently completed on the project plan, but the Council has not yet taken action to move ahead with the project. City Administrator Donovan Olson says the Council wants public input and participation on the matter. Olson says there will be a presentation of the actual plan for everyone and comments will be sought. The public meeting begins at 7:00 PM.

School Board Elections

BOONE, Iowa---Nominating petitions for the upcoming school board elections were turned in last week and three of the local districts have the minimum number of candidates on the ballots. Boone has Jeffrey Anderson, Brad O'Neal and Jan Westrum. Madrid has incumbants Terry Ostendorf, Marvin Ostrander and Emily Schieltz. United has Valerie Brewer, Kathy Toms and Leonard V. Larson on the ballot. For Ogden, there are 7 candidates for the three positions. Incumbants Thomas Cleveland and Toby E. Klauenberg are being challenged by Amy Chumbley, Taz G. Cole, Sally A. Good, Camille Sloan Schroeder and Matt VanSickle. School Board elections will be held September 13th.

Altoona Couple Injured in Accident

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Sheriff Ron Fehr says two people were injured when their motorcycle went into the ditch west of Luther Sunday morning. Fehr says 60 year old William G. Ahlf of Altoona swerved to avoid a deer crossing the road and went into the ditch. 53 year old Paula J. Ahlf of Altoona was flown from the scene by Air Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. William Ahlf was transported to the Boone County Hospital. No condition updates were available. The Boone Fire Department, Fire and Rescue and Boone County Ambulance assisted the Sheriff's Department at the scene.

Relay For Life Short of Goal

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Relay for Life is short of their goal for their year's fund raising goal and KWBG will take to the air Friday and try and help close that gap. Relay for Life Committee members will join us at Boone Hyvee for a morning of raising pledges and donations. A couple of bigger fund raising events held during previous years were not planned for this year. At the same time, many of this years events did extremely well. Pledges may be made on air or donations may be made through the Relay for Life website. Click on the donate button in the middle of the page.

Hospital Finances Improve Over 2010

BOONE, Iowa---The preliminary report for the Boone County Hospital through the past fiscal year is pretty good. The numbers are below budget, but ahead of the pace set one year ago. The year ended up over $735,000 in the black, short of the $1 million dollar balance budgeted for the year. Last year the balance was just over $655,000. The Boone County Hospital has revenue and operating expenses that each surpass $40 million.

Back to School Event at DMACC

BOONE, Iowa---Members of the Human Service Council of Boone County will be hold their annual Back to School Event on the Boone Campus of DMACC Saturday morning from 10:00 until noon. During the year, schoolbags are collected. They are filled with supplies and are given away to children. Parents are encouraged to bring children to the event, because they can also receive a free bicycle helmet, free vision and dental screening and free immunizations. Boone County parents should try to bring their children to the event.

Ogden City Council Accepts Project

OGDEN, Iowa---The Ogden City Council has approved a resolution accepting the Storm Sewer Collection Project. The $1.2 million project was mandated by the Iowa DNR as a way to move storm water away from the city's sanitary sewer system, avoiding overflows at the city treatment plant. The Council did not turn over all the retainer, project dollars that are held until the work is complete, but did reduce the amount being held. Officials say only a couple of things need to be addressed including some seeding.

Supervisors Delay Consultant Contract

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Department Heads held off on recommending the Supervisors enter into a contract with McGladrey Inc. to conduct an independent assessment of the counties technology and what kind of direction the IT Department needs in the future. The Supervisors have been interested in getting an independent overview of the efforts to provide services to the public. The Department Heads are interested in visiting with other qualified consultants before making recommendation.

School Board Candidate Petition Deadline

BOONE, Iowa---Thursday is the deadline for candidates to submit petitions to be on the ballot for the September school board elections. Some have already turned in their papers, but some will either hold off until Thursday or won't submit petitions and will pursue a write-in campaign. The School Board elections are held September 13th. In the case of the Boone School District, there will also be a $16.1 million bond issue for the proposed renovation of Boone High School.

Slight Says Volunteers Made RAGBRAI

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Mayor John Slight says volunteers and the hospitality of Boone residents made the overnight RAGBRAI stop in Boone a real success. Slight says the City hosted thousands during the overnight stop, with people camping in yards, parks, just about anywhere. He says the number of incidents were relatively minor, considering the size of the crowd and the conditions. Slight also says those that were concerned the City and Chamber would lose money will be glad to know that the early projection shows an estimated $20,000 balance in the black. He says final numbers will be available in the next couple of weeks.

Supervisors Meet With Consultant

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Supervisors will include a meeting with representatives of RMS McGladrey, Inc during their meeting Wednesday. McGladrey offers a variety of consulting services including resources that might be beneficial for the County's Technology Department. The Board will be discussing a possible technology assessment of existing county practices. Last month, the Board accepted the resignation of Boone County IT Director Bob Duncan. No replacement as been hired at this time.

New Fair Manager

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Fair Board has formally announced that Ashley Fitzgerald has assumed her duties at the new Fair Board Manager. Fitzgerald replaced Jennifer Dodd who has held the position the past several years. Fitzgerald did work with Dodd through this years fair and officially took over the position Monday. Office hours will change next week, with Fitzgerald available Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Fitzgerald will also be available through the Fair office phone number at 432-5899.

Hospital Board Approves Debt for Digital Records

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Hospital Board of Trustees has approved a proposal to help cash flow the purchase and installation of hardware and software for digital record keeping. The Trustees last month took steps to move ahead, but were waiting a review from US Bank. That review has been completed and US Bank also offered a very good program to help cash flow the process. US Bank also asked that the Hospital's operating account be moved to their facility and the Board did approve that request.

School Board Petition Deadline This Week

BOONE, Iowa---Candidates planning on submitting petitions for the upcoming school board elections need to submit petitions by Thursday with the respective school board secretaries. Petitions will then be turned over to the County Auditor's Office Friday and we will know the names of those running for 4-year terms on their school boards. In Boone, two of three candidates planned to file, the same was expected in Ogden. School Board elections will be held September 13th.

Community Theatre Alters Pufferbilly Plans

BOONE, Iowa---For the past several years, the Boone Community Theatre has kicked off it's new season with a production performed during Pufferbilly Days. That will not be the case this year. Scott Porter was going to co-direct the production, but says some issues came up with the cast and it was decided to skip the annual production. Porter says instead, work is underway to bring in a blues musical act to perform on the Community Theatre stage during Pufferbilly Days. Porter says plans are still in the works for a fall production and a Christmas production as well.