County Does Well on Fine Recovery and Restitution

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County has performed well in the recovery of fines and restitution.  Even though the rate is about 18-percent is pretty good when many others have even lower rates.  County Attorney Jim Robbins says the recently completed fiscal year saw collections of $197,000.  Boone County received $65,000.  Robbins says that the county received over $65,000 of the total.  The cost of the project was $44,000.  Earlier this year, the success of the program was questioned by the Supervisors, who had not received any information on collections.

Habitat Busy This Summer

BOONE, Iowa---Erich Kretzinger, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Boone and Greene Counties, says the hot dry weather has actually benefited Habitat volunteers.  Kretzinger says there have only been a few occasions where volunteer work days had to be cancelled because of rain.  He says the house construction project in Boone County is ahead of schedule and the repair projects for the Helping Hands Program  in Greene County.  Kretzinger says work is now beginning on trying to acquire a site in Boone for next years house build.

County Recognized for Best Practices

BOONE, Iowa---A week ago, during a meeting of the Boone County Supervisors, Boone County was again named a Best Practices Member by the Iowa Municipalities Workers' Compensation Association.  Boone County was one of the first IMWCA members to earn the distinction and the recent presentation marked the third consecutive year Boone County was recognized.  The Boone County Safety Committee uses the proceeds to enhance the County's safety programs.

Trauma Team Recognized

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Hospital Foundation created a new program this year called "Healthcare Heros".  Several members of the staff have been nominated and received recognition over the past several months.  The most recent recognition was made this week and went the the trauma team that took care of a dozen patients, some critically injured, in the collision of a Hummer limousine and an SUV in late June.  The Hummer limousine was transporting a wedding party to a reception following a wedding in Boone.  The mother of the bride, Sherry Katch was actually the one that nominated the trauma team.  The accident claimed the lives of Delbert and Dorothy Peter of Boone.

Supervisors To Discuss Health and Sanitation Job

BOONE, Iowa---Boone County Health and Sanitarian, Mike Salati, will be leaving his position in
August and will, with approval, join the City of Boone as a Community Service Officer.  The position had been moved to the Police Department and deals with nuisance abatement issues among other things.  The position was vacant with the recent resignation of Matthew Carlson.  Initially, it's expected that arrangements will be made to receive Sanitarian services on a contract basis from Story and Dallas Counties, until the position can be filled.

Abuse Case Dismissed, Humane Society Concern

BOONE, Iowa---A case of animal abuse that dealt with two cats being beaten to death in May has been dropped, according to a report from Heidi Drees-White, Executive Director of the Boone Area Humane Society.  In May, a Boone resident called the Humane Society to dispose of two dead cats.  The cats reportedly were in a live trap and when the property owner attempted to release them, he received a bite by the mother cat.  Drees-White had reported that the mother cat and the unweaned kitten were then clubbed to death.  The case was dropped after the receipt of a letter from a Boone County Hospital Emergency Room physician that said the cat would have had to been euthanized to test for rabies.

Baltimore Helps Fund Insurance

BOONE, Iowa---State Representative Chip Baltimore had to set the record straight over the weekend.  Baltimore told KWBG during a Legislative Tuned In program in January 2011, that he was contributing to his health insurance premium available as a state legislator.  Last January he once again said he increased that contribution.  Saturday, it was reported that no legislators had followed the request of Governor Terry Branstad to contribute 20% to their health insurance premiums.  A Sunday newspaper article did identify that Baltimore has been contributing to his health insurance cost.  Baltimore faces former State Representative Donovan Olson in a rematch of a closely contested race two years ago.  This time, District 47 includes a large portion of Boone County and all of Greene County.

Lunch Program Still Available

BOONE, Iowa---It started as a dream and quickly became reality with the receipt of a grant from the Iowa Department of Public Health.  The Boone Summer Lunch Ministry continues to make free lunches available to children that otherwise might not receive lunch.  The idea was driven by the fact that at least 40% of Boone School students qualify for free or reduced priced lunches.  The program offers lunches Monday through Friday at four locations, Open Bible Church, Salvation Army Church, Marion Street Methodist Church and the American Legion Cabin.  Parents that want more information about having their children participate may call the 1st United Methodist Church, mornings at 432-4660.  Boone County Transportation also provides free transportation.  Information about that is available by calling 432-5038.

Quilt Block Winners Announced

BOONE, Iowa---Those who attended the Boone County Fair and took time to visit the air conditioned comfort of the Community Building had a chance to vote for their favorite quilt blocks, sewn by adults and youth in the annual quilt block contest.  First place in the adult division went to Merlene Geiger with Rooster Wins the Prize.  Second place went to Brenda Snider with Granny Square Block.  In the youth division, Aubrey Keenan won with Grandma's Pie and second went to Arabella Hau with an unnamed block.  Connie Sturtz is the coordinator of the Quilt Block Contest.  She will use the 49 quilt blocks that were entered to make a quilt using the theme "Grandma's Day at the Fair".  That quilt will be raffled off during the 2013 Boone County Fair.

Hospital Foundation Mid-Year Report Positive

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Hospital Board of Trustees received a Mid-Year review of the Hospital Foundation's Activities.  Director Sara Behn presented the report with Board members Mike Scheuermann and Gabe Bowers were also on hand.  Scheuermann will be stepping down from the Board when his term expires the beginning of next year.  The Foundation received it's first estate gift of more than $84,000 in 2011.  Annual giving has been strong with employee support around $20,000 or 40 percent participation.  A new project coming up will be remodeling the Same Day Surgery Waiting Room.  Planning is already underway.

MFTHL Planning Picking Up

BOONE, Iowa---Ed Hall, Meals From The Heartland Area Coordinator, says planning for the North Central Iowa Hunger Fight is well underway.  Hall on KWBG Radio's Tuned In Program Friday said the goal is to pack some 860,000 meals this November.  The cost will be nearly $173,000 which translates to just over $43.00 per box of meals.  Hall says a fund raising Duathlon will be held in September by the Open Bible Church.  This year's meal packing event will be held November 9th and 10th at the United Community School.

Facade Removal At PD Begins Soon

BOONE, Iowa---Boone City Administrator Luke Nelson says work is expected to begin soon on the removal of the facade at the Boone Police Department.  Over the past couple of years, water damage has caused the surface to separate from the building.  Nelson says the plan is to remove the facade and assess the building itself before making a decision on the next step.  He said on Tuned In this week that the work could begin soon make repairs to the brick surface.  If extensive work is required, it might not be done until spring.

Boone County Included For Emergency Grazing

BOONE, Iowa---Emergency grazing of conservation reserve acres was approved for 25 counties this week, including Boone County.  USDA FSA County Executive Director Lee Ann Davis says eligible producers that are interested in grazing on CRP need to request approval before starting and all need to modify their conservation plan.  Information is available from the staff at the Boone County office or by calling the office at 515-432-4320.  All livestock will need to be removed from CRP acres by the end of September.

Storms Bring More Wind Than Rain

• BOONE, Iowa---Severe thunderstorms rolled through Boone County Wednesday evening, causing damage to trees, power lines and to a few buildings.  And the associated rain reported at the Boone Water Environment Weather Station was only about a third of an inch.  Winds were estimated to be about 50 MPH up to 70 MPH.  There was damage at the Central Iowa Expo site east of Boone.  The home to this year's Farm Progress Show had a permanent building collapse and several tents go down.  No injuries have been reported.

Underpass Work Begins Wednesday

BOONE, Iowa---Boone City Administrator Luke Nelson says if the weather cooperates, work to clean and paint the concrete surfaces of the Boone underpass should be completed by Saturday morning.  The work is being done by Tim Longnecker with Protective Coatings of Iowa.  Nelson says the closing is currently plant for 10:00 PM until 5:00 AM the next three days.  Nelson talked about the project on the KWBG Tuned In Program Wednesday morning.

Supervisors Approve Rezoning

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors did complete the rezoning process on just over 70-acres of land located in Beaver Township, west of Ogden.  The property is at the corner of US Highway 30 and "E" Avenue.  Ag Reliant Genetics will be constructing a seed corn processing facility on the property over the next 30-months.  The Supervisors are scheduled to present an application for RISE funds from the Iowa DOT to assist with cost of paving 1500 feet of "E" Avenue.  The Board wants to secure the RISE funding before construction actually begins.

Beckwith Joins Iowa Business Council

DES MOINES, Iowa---Rick Beckwith of Fareway Stores, Inc. in Boone recently accepted an invitation to join the Iowa Business Council.  The Council membership consists of the top executives of 21 of Iowa's largest employers, three Regent universities and the state's largest banking association.  Beckwith is currently the Chairman and CEO of Fareway Stores, Inc.  a position he has held since 2010.  He started with the company in 1967 and was recently honored by the Iowa Grocery Industry Association as the 2011 Retailer of the Year.

Supervisors Consider Third Reading on Rezoning

BOONE, Iowa---The Boone County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing Wednesday, on the third consideration on a request to rezone property west of Ogden for the Ag Reliant Seed Corn Plant.  So far, no one has voiced opposition to the rezoning, but neighbors have shown up to keep up to date about what's happening.  The Supervisors are also trying to gain a Revitalize Iowas Sound Economy or RISE funding from the Iowa DOT to pave 1,500 feet of "E" Avenue, from US Highway 30 south to facilitate the project.  The application for that is expected before the DOT next week.

No Burn Ban in Boone County

BOONE, Iowa---Fire conditions in Boone County continue to deteriorate, but the County is still not under a Burn Ban.  In fact, 39 counties in Iowa have not instituted a ban on open burning.  Boone Fire Chief Justin Adams said earlier that there wasn't a burn ban but there was still quite a bit of concern about the danger.  The Fire Chiefs in Boone County communicate about the conditions on a pretty regular basis and will be the ones making any recommendations about a burn ban.

Underpass Painting Project

BOONE, Iowa---Boone Public Works will be closing down the underpass in Boone, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night.  When the viaduct was repaved as part of the city's sanitary rehabilitation project, the Union Pacific Railroad applied some funds to help clean up and fix up the viaduct.  Public Works is scheduled to paint the concrete walls.  The closing the viaduct is expected to begin at 10:00 PM and last until about 5:00 AM each evening.  Weather permitting the work is expected to be completed by Saturday morning.