Wellman Advance

County to close W38 (Ginkgo) south of Wellman

tim — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:54:10 +0000

Monday, August 9, 2010, the Washington County Engineer’s Office will close County Highway W38 (Ginkgo Avenue) to thru traffic between 170th and 180th Streets, approximately 4 miles south of Wellman for the replacement of a bridge with a box culvert.
The contract for this project was recently awarded to Iowa Bridge and Culvert, of Washington, IA for $161,727. Iowa Bridge and Culvert will remove the aging 25’ x 22’ Concrete Slab Bridge and replace it with a Twin 10’ x 8’ x 79’ Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert.
Assistant County Engineer Jacob Thorius said, “This project will prevent the posting of weight restrictions for the bridge and eliminate the width restriction, which can make it difficult for truck traffic to get through the area.”
Construction should be completed in about three months, depending on the weather. During that time, traffic will be detoured on to County Highway G20 to State Highway 1 then back on County Highway G26. Questions pertaining to the project should be directed to the Washington County Engineer’s Office at (319) 653-7731.

Wellman OKs loan agreement for golf course sewer work

tim — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:13:03 +0000

By Mary Zielinski
Work on the Wellman Golf Course’s $75,000 sewer relining project likely will start in September after the order to proceed is approved at the September 7 council meeting. The key step for the project, a resolution for a $75,00 loan agreement, was approved by the council Monday, following a brief public hearing for the agreement. An equally brief public hearing regarding the plans and specifications also was held.
However, the second reading of the ordinance to amend city zoning along Madison Avenue, between 14th and 15th Streets from R-1 (low density, single family residential) to C1-B (peripheral business district commercial was tabled to the August 23 meeting. The tabling was to allow the reading to go before the full council; there were only three present Monday.
The rezoning has raised a few objections from some residents, although the commercial aspect, at present, is only the construction of a rental storage facility.
In other business, the council:

held the third reading and passage of an ordinance to enter into a franchise agreement with Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant Energy) for electrical utility services;
approved a resolution for an agreement with American National Insurance Company to offer a 457 deferred compensation plan for city employees;
approved a resolution to apply for a Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF) mini grant on behalf of WATV, the local cable television service;
set 7 p.m., Monday, August 23 for a public hearing on the plans, specifications and contract for Wellman’s citywide approximate $3 million reverse osmosis project;
approved two city grants for Jonas Zimmerman who is remodeling the former Sunrise Child Care building into The Well, a bar;
approved the re-appointment of George MIller Jr. to the city’s Board of Adjustment; and
set 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 7 for the first September meeting. The change is to accommodate the Labor Day holiday, September 6.

Prior to the regular meeting, the council meet in a work session to discuss special assessments (if any) to property owners for infrastructure improvements, having no parking in the alley near 3rd Street and 7th Avenue and the Cox Sanitation contract. The city is looking at some long range projects, possibly over ten years, that could be financed by a combination of revenue and general obligation bonds. Legal assessment to property owners can be up to 25 percent of property value; however, the council also has considered aspects in which the city would cover 100 percent of costs.
The total project cost for all work is estimated at $8.8 million; however, the council has noted that given the length of time it would take, that figure would change.

Eric Thirtle

tim — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:11:24 +0000

July 15, 1939 - August 2, 2010
Eric Thirtle, 71, of Kalona, Iowa, died Monday, August 2, 2010, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona following a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 6, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. in the Kalona Mennonite Church in Kalona with Pastor Marv Feigenspan and Pastor Tim Endecott officiating. Burial will follow in the East Union Cemetery, rural Kalona. Visitation will begin Thursday, August 5 at 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona where the family will greet friends from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the National Kidney Foundation and the Kalona First Responders. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.peterseimfuneralservice.com.
Eric Thirtle was born July 15, 1939, in Aylesbury, England, the son of Arthur Charles and Mary Helen (Messam) Thirtle. He graduated from school in England. He was united in marriage to Doris Schrock August 12, 1967, at the East Union Mennonite Church in rural Kalona. Mr. Thirtle was a custodian for many years until retiring due to health complications. He attended The Church of God Seven Day Adventist in Marion and the High Point City Church in Iowa City. He enjoyed classical music, playing solitaire, driving his Amish friends and watching old British comedies.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Thirtle, Kalona; a son, Myron Thirtle, Kalona; two daughters and spouses, Crystal (Andy) Wade, West Chester, Iowa; Joyce (Barry) Butler, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three grandchildren, Brandon, Ella, Liana Wade; two honorary grandchildren, Josh Burton and Jacob Kinder; a brother, Ian Thirtle, of England; and a sister, Anne (Jim) Williams, of England.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Report Flood Damage

tim — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:07:41 +0000

The City of Wellman is requesting anyone who experienced damage or flooding from storms that came through the Wellman area in the past four weeks to contact City Hall Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 319-646-2154.
The City is collecting information to pass on to the Federal Government as part of the process of deciding whether or not Washington County will be declared a Presidential Disaster Area.
If you live in Washington County near Wellman and experienced flooding, damage, or other monetary loss due to these storms call the City as soon as possible.

Bette M. Moore

tim — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:06:18 +0000

October 1, 1925 - August 1, 2010
Bette M. Moore, 84, of Washington, Iowa, died Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington following a lengthy illness.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, August 4, in the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor David L. Yoder officiating. The body was cremated. A memorial fund has been established for the Humane Society. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.peterseimfuneralhome.com.
Bette Marie Yoder was born October 1, 1925, in Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of Henry S. and Louisa (Jacobs) Yoder. She attended Kalona High School. July 11, 1943, she was united in marriage to Vernon Beenblossom. He was killed in action in WWII in Germany March 18, 1945. Mrs. Beenblossom married Harold Moore June 20, 1945, and he preceded her in death in 1986.
Mrs. Moore owned and operated the Kalona Café from 1952 – 1955, worked as a waitress at the State Café and The Frontier Restaurant in Washington, and the Congress Hotel. She lived in Davenport for several years and she and her husband sold Diamond Mobile Homes. She returned to Kalona in 1972 where she lived until moving to Washington, where she and Mr. Moore owned an antique store, specializing in Roseville Pottery. Mrs. Moore was a member of the Order of The Eastern Star where she served as Past Worthy Matron. She enjoyed hunting mushrooms, fishing, playing cards and spending time with her beloved poodle, Amy.
She is survived by six sisters-in-law, Opal Goodwin, Washington, Iowa; Alice Ayers, Millersburg, Iowa; Mildred Moore, Muscatine, Iowa; Joan Moore, Muscatine; Rita Moore, Phoenix, Arizona; Marianne Moore, Tuscan, Arizona; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Richard and William Yoder; and a sister, Dorothy Smith.

3rd Times a Charm - Demo Derby Rescheduled

tim — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:02:07 +0000

The Demolition Derby, re-scheduled from the June Trek Fest, starts at 6 p.m., Saturday, August 28, in Riverside’s Hall Park. Sponsored by the Riverside Area Community Club, (RACC), there will be a guaranteed $3000 purse.
Trophies will be given in these categories: Old Iron 1st - 3rd;Stock 1st - 3rd; Compact 1st - 3rd; 1st place for Powder-puff.
Demo cars can start checking in at 1 p.m.
Cars $50 entry one car, one driver, one pit crew member. Pit pass is $20.Visit www.trekfest.com for Demolition Derby rules.
There will be food and beverages sold on site. Coolers will NOT be permitted inside the park.
Because of the postponement, the RACC raffle, usually part of Trek Fest, was extended and tickets are still available. Members noted that approximately half of the tickets have been sold.
Admission to the Derby is $7 for adults, 12-5 years $3 and under 5 years free.
The event is a major income source for RACC who, besides making Riverside an “alien nation” each June also brings Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny to town and provides scholarships for local students.

Second reading for Kalona utility ordinance draws opposition

tim — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:57:19 +0000

By Mary Zielinski
The second reading Monday for the Kalona ordinance to establish a Storm Water Drainage Utility drew criticism from resident Greg Van Egdon that it was just another form of taxation that residents “have no right to vote on it.”
The ordinance calls for a $3 monthly utility fee that would be added to the current monthly water/sewer and recycling bill.
Van Egdon said that the council could call the $3 a fee, “but it is nothing more than a tax. Are you afraid to call it a tax?”
Council member Ken Herington explained the fee system was the “fairest” approach, that all users would pay the same. Van Egdon objected, that obviously some users, such as commercial businesses, ran far more through the system.
Van Egdon also said that the city did not provide information or publication of the ordinance, suggesting there were secret meetings.
Herington said, “There were no secret meetings,” that the finance committee and council sessions are all open meetings. The ordinance is not published, as a legal, until it is passed.
Van Egdon added that Kalona’s property tax already is “so high,” that it compares to Iowa City. He also indicated that few residents knew about the ordinance.
Council members Claudine Miller-Zahradnek, Steve Lafaurie and Herington said they had many phone calls about it and met with people on the street. They indicated that most thought the fee was fair and wanted to know if it was sufficient to maintain the system.
The ordinance, in essence, provides for building, operating and maintaining storm water facilities and initially would raise more than $40,000. Funds will go to a special fund used only for the storm water management.
Van Egdon countered that it is fixing a downtown problem with fees from the taxpayers.
Following some further comments, the council passed the second reading and will hold the third reading (and passage) at the August 23 meeting.
In regard to the downtown revitalization, of which the storm sewers are a part, the council approved a change order increasing costs by $17,525.90, specifically for storm sewer work on 4th street. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh noted it changes the total project cost to $2,664,147.
In other business, the council:

unanimously approved a resolution for the $108,000 Vision Iowa grant agreement, which is part of the funding for the $2.8 million downtown revitalization project;
approved Payment No. 3, $105,455.36, to All American Concrete;
were told by Schlabaugh that he met with engineer Jack Pope regarding the Harvest Hill subdivision retention basin and that Pope called the basin’s condition “acceptable” and that it could handle a 60 acre subdivision, meaning it would handle further development to the north. Schlabaugh said there would be more information later and that he wanted to keep the issue on the agenda for a while yet;
learned that the water erosion at Key Estates Subdivision, also a storm water drainage issue, may be more involved with Kreekside Subdivision. There will be an attorney’s opinion in the issue and Schlabaugh also wanted the matter retained for future agendas;
learned that the Cal Ripkin tournament was a success and that there were 88 players in it with the city providing lodging for 48 of them;
learned that repairs have been made on 6th Street north of Highway 22, near Casey’s;
learned that the council seat, filled by Mark Robe via appointment, will have to be on the November election ballot. Nomination papers for the position must be in the city clerk’s office by 4:30 p.m. August 25;
agreed to have a stop sign at 6th Street and N Avenue to slow speeding traffic. Cars have been clocked at 50 mph in what should be 25 mph. The ordinance will be on the August 23 agenda;
approved library board recommendations of Dan Ehl (replacing Jane Rushing) and reappointing Jean Hussey. Both terms end June 30, 2016; and
learned that an American and an Iowa flag have been ordered for the new council chamber and there are plans to have a quilt hung on the north wall of the meeting room.

Flash Flooding in Wellman

tim — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:47:16 +0000

Residents along 1st, 2nd, 3rd Streets and 10th Avenue in Wellman, were notified at 2 a.m. that Smith Creek was out of its banks and flooding was imminent.
Wellman Volunteer Fire Fighters, despite having two feet of water in their own building, were out notifying and rescuing residents from their homes.
Wellman had 6 inches of rain within a few hours Monday night.
City Administrator Dave Ross said at least three people had 8-10 feet of water in their basement and city officials were still trying to assess damages as of press time Tuesday.
Ross said the fire department will be looking at immediate and long term solutions to the flooding of their building. “It’s ugly down there,” he said.
Ginkgo Avenue, on the south end of town, was closed as water was over the road between 1st and 2nd Street, blocking the southern entrance to Wellman.
City Clerk Donna Wade said she hadn’t seen it this bad since the floods of ‘93.
Mayor Ryan Miller signed a disaster declaration Tuesday to facilitate the city’s obtaining state and federal disaster funds.
Ross said the American Red Cross delivered emergency clean-up kits to City Hall which are available to anyone with damage.
For a short period of time the wastewater treatment plant was bypassed because it was 100 percent underwater. Ross said the DNR was notified.
City and fire crews spent the rest of Tuesday assessing and evaluating damages.

Donald L. Taylor

tim — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:09:46 +0000

January 26, 1918 - July 25, 2010
Donald L. Taylor, 92, of Davenport, Iowa, died Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Crest Health Center in Davenport. Private graveside services were held at the Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or WVIK Public Radio in Rock Island. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.
Donald L. Taylor was born January 26, 1918, in Wellman, Iowa, the son of Albert L. and Myrtle B. (Chase) Taylor. He entered the United States Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Taylor was employed at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he met the love of his life, LaVerne S. Larson. They were married June 6, 1948, in Norway, Iowa. After 60 years of marriage, she preceded him in death August 9, 2008.
Mr. Taylor earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa in 1950, graduating third in his class. While there, he also earned a letter playing for the Hawkeye golf team. Upon graduating, he accepted a position with Advance Ross Electronics in Burlington, Iowa. He was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 1967 which moved them to Chicago, Illinois, until 1972. He later retired from Motorola in Joplin, Missouri, as Plant Manager.
Mr. Taylor had a life-long passion for the game of golf, enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Cubs, fishing, spending time with friends and family especially his grandchildren whom he loved dearly, had a love of nature, and traveling. He served on various church councils and was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Bettendorf, Iowa.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marty and Paul Pearson, Davenport; his granddaughters, Jill Walsh and her husband Matt, Bettendorf; Jodie Pearson and her fiancé Chris Carlson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his great-granddaughter, Ada Walsh; his sister, Geneva McShane, Clovis, California; two special nieces, Zona Larson and Darcy McShane in California; and a nephew, Mike McShane in Minnesota.

Tri-County South finishes fourth in Midwest Plains regional tournament

tim — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:43:34 +0000

Tri-County South 12U Babe Ruth softball team, consisting of girls from Wellman and Riverside, played in the Mid-West Plains regional tournament in Newton, Kansas, last week earning fourth place.
Tri-County South played in the game opener versus the host team Newton. Lexi Duwa started the game with an inside the park home run that set the momentum for Tri-County and they never looked back. Tri-County won 16-7. Kylie Hogue hit a triple, Rylee Boyse had a double and Ali Naylor, Brynn Houge, Tara Mann and Paige Peck all had singles. Duwa took the win for Tri-County.
In game two, team Iowa played against Heartland, Missouri. Tri-County jumped to an early lead 4-2 going into the bottom of the second inning. In the fifth, Heartland added three runs to break open the lead 4-5 and win the game.
Brynn Hogue and Cheyann Adamson had two hits each for Tri-County. Kylie Houge took the loss.
Game three was another outstanding game for Tri-County as every girl on the team hit the ball well. Tri-County scored 15 runs in the first inning. The umpires called a time and pulled the girls from the field for a water break as it was 110 degrees and Wellington, Kansas, couldn’t get an out. Tri-County won the match-up 16-0. Lexi Duwa took the win.
The final game was on Sunday, July 25 against Davis County, Colorado. Tri-County lost the match and was eliminated from the tournament.
Lexi Duwa and Ali Naylor received MVP honors for their outstanding defense. Rylee Boyse and Brynn Hogue also received MVP awards for their big bats. Tara Mann and Lexi Duwa received the SHE award for Sportsmanship, Hustle and Enthusiasium. Mann received this award three times.
“I was so proud of the way this group of girls represented our community as well as our state,” said coach Tina Peck.
“The girls played their hearts out and did a great job. They received many compliments on their sportsmanship and their fun spirits. It was an experience that they will never forget.
“We are all very grateful to all of the generous businesses in our community that helped make this possible.”