News

‘Paper Tigers’ documentary to be shown in Anamosa

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 9:30am

     A free showing of the documentary film “Paper Tigers” will be held at the Anamosa Library and Learning Center, 600 E. First St., on Tuesday, March 28, from 3:30-5:45 p.m. The movie is one hour and 45 minutes, and a brief discussion will follow.

     HACAP’s First Five Initiative is hosting this partnership with the Community Partnership for Protecting Children and the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition.

Local 8-year-old dies in accident

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 9:19am

     A local 8-year-old girl lost her life in an accident on Wednesday, March 8, at the intersection of S. Cedar Street and W. Washington Street in Monticello.

     According to the Iowa State Patrol accident report, April R. Covel, 27, of Monticello was driving a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan south on S. Cedar Street. Covel was approaching the intersection when she collided with Cassandra Rieken, 8, of Monticello. Rieken was riding her child’s bike at the time she was eastbound on W. Washington Street.

Jones Co. unveils text 9-1-1 service

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 9:17am

     In Jones County, you can now text 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

     Sheriff Greg Graver said they were anticipating the new technology a couple of years ago when deciding to upgrade the county dispatch center within the courthouse.

     “We were looking toward the future, and new technology coming down the road,” he said.

     Graver said county law enforcement, soon to include Monticello and Anamosa police departments, can take emergency calls through their computer systems inside their squad cars, a program called CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch).

Sally’s in Springville robbed, threatened

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 9:15am

     Sally’s on Broadway, a popular restaurant in Springville, was burglarized overnight Sunday, March 5. Sally Deeb, the owner, came into work Monday morning, March 6, and found her cash register broken into, as well a safe.

     In the safe was a moneybag where Deeb was keeping donations patrons gave for the Austin Strong Foundation, in memory of Austin Smith from Monticello.

     Deeb estimates over $1,000 was taken from the Foundation, as well as $8,000 from the restaurant.

Collective bargaining law will impact city employees

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 9:11am

     The Express offers this series on the state’s new collective bargaining law, and how it will impact locals in the fields of public employment (city workers, healthcare employees, and those who work in our schools).

     On Feb. 17, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a new collective bargaining law.

Healthcare provides 325,000 jobs in Iowa

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 9:11am

     UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center generates 193 jobs that add $11,589,442 to the Jones County economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). In addition, JRMC employees by themselves spend $2,148,366 on retail sales and contribute $128,902 in state sales tax revenue.

County reviews agreement for new JETS facility

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 9:09am

     It has been well over a year since discussion started on the proposed Jones County JETS facility in Monticello. The county is working with ECICOG (East Central Iowa Council of Governments) in applying for a grant to build the facility. The county would purchase the land, with a suggested location along John Drive north of Monticello.

     During the March 7 board of supervisor meeting, County Attorney Phil Parsons met with the board to review a draft agreement with ECICOG and lease for JETS.

Board reviews budget proposal

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 9:08am

     Facing an April 17 deadline to submit the 2016-17 budget, Superintendent Brian Jaeger and the Monticello School Board went over a schedule and a proposed budget during its monthly work session Wednesday, March 8.

     The full budget proposal, printed elsewhere in this week’s Express, calls for a proposed property tax rate of $13.81926 per 1,000 of taxable valuation, down from $14.066 a year ago.

City prepares for busy construction season

Published by admin on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 4:07pm

     During the March 6 Monticello City Council meeting, Casey Zwolinski, Snyder and Associates (the city’s engineer), presented a rundown of various city projects in the works.

     Now that the weather is starting to warm up, projects will soon be underway throughout the city.

     Before the extreme winter season hit, the E. South Street reconstruction project was put on hold. Zwolinski said the only remaining work includes the installation of sidewalk and driveways.

     Following the completion of the project, the property assessments will have to be finalized.

Public Health works to inform the residents

Published by admin on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 4:06pm

     Jenna Lovaas, Jones County’s Public Health Coordinator, met with the Board of Supervisors during their Feb. 28 meeting to provide an update on health services/activities.

     In her annual report, Lovaas explained that funding for the Public Health Department stems from roughly $57,000 in county tax support and $96,000 from grants. The majority of Public Health’s expenditures are contracts with other agencies. The remaining expenditures are staff wages and office supplies.

Subscriber Login