The
Kanawha
REPORTER
An official publication for Kanawha, Klemme, and West Hancock Community Schools
Thursday, April 2, 2015 | Volume 124, Number 14 | $1
In this issue:
Speech Showcase, Pg 9
BRIEFLY. Kanawha Easter Egg Hunt tobe held April 4
The annual Kanawha Easter Egg Hunt will be held on April 4, starting at 10 a.m., at the softball diamond in Kanawha. Children may arrive early and have their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny and Penny the Panda. This event is being sponsored by the Kanawha swimming pool.
HCHS Wellness Fair scheduled for April 9
Fire departments train in Kanawha By Emilie Jenson Several are fire departments could be found in Kanawha Sunday morning. Fortunately, there was no real fire, but the participating firemen were learning how to make good interior attacks on flames. Departments from Kanawha, Britt, Corwith, Eagle Grove, Goldfield and Livermore participated in the training, provided by the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau. During the training drills, firefighters put on full gear and air packs and entered a trailer with hoses where flames and smoke were visible to work on fire
attack skils. “They’re working on ladders and interior attack today,” said Kanawha Fire Chief Nat Hill. “Saturday, we did stairs and floor sweeps.” The two day traning sessions lasted about six hours each and were part of training hours volunteer firefighters must complete. “Part of the requirements is 132 hours of traning,” Hill said. “It’s a good learning experience for everyone. It’s a good group effort between these departments.” Firefighters also had the chance to train with an air trailer for air packs and do Kanawha was host to several area fire departpump training. ments for training on Sunday. (Photos by Emilie Jenson)
Kanawha firefighter D.J. Martinez participated in the 2015 Fight For Air Climb in Des Moines. He climbed 94 flights of stairs in full gear in 34 minutes.
Martinez climbs for air By Emilie Jenson
As a runner, Kanawha resident D.J. Martinez is used to the challenge of running and training for races. But the race he participated in on March 22 was different than the typical runner’s race. Martinez was one of 1,800 who took on the challenge of being part of the American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb, which, rather than a flat road course, requires participants to climb the stairs of four of downtown Des Moines’ tallest buildings. “It’s not even easy to explain how hard this is to be part of,” said Martinez. “It is probably one of the hardest things a person could ever train for if you are a runner except maybe a marathon.” During the climb, participants get their tags and start on the lowest level of each building,
working their way to the top. The Des Moines climb included the staircases of the Downtown Marriot Hotel, EMC Building, Hub Tower and Ruan Building. In all, 94 stories were climbed. Martinez, also a volunteer fireman for the Kanawha Fire Department, added the challenge of participating in the firefighter’s division, wearing full gear. “That adds about 75 pounds,” he said. “In between you don’t get a lot of time to catch your breath. It’s really a huge challenge, even for a runner. Not everyone finished.” The Des Moines event raised around $283,000 for the American Lung Association. Next year Martinez plans to climb again in full firefighter gear. “Maybe I will take a team next time,” he said.
Waverly Site Chosen for New Facility
FOREST CITY - Winnebago Industries, Inc. announced a plan to purchase a 33,400 sq. ft. building in Waverly, Iowa, for expansion of the Company’s subassembly operations. “Increased consumer demand and elevated retail activity have resulted in the need for us to expand our motorhome manufacturing capacity,” said Winnebago Chairman, CEO and President Randy Potts. “We were pleased to locate a facility that will meet our immediate needs for additional subassembly space, and which is also essentially move-in ready. The new facility is also within 100 miles of Forest City, which will enable costefficient transportation of component parts to our main campus.” The new Waverly facility will be used for wire loom assembly activities for the Company’s motorhomes, and this operation will be relocated from the Forest City campus over the coming months. Located in Waverly’s SW Business Park, the building was constructed in 1995. A purchase agreement was entered into in late February and due diligence is proceeding. Assuming no issues are found, it is hoped that the closing can happen within the next 45-60 days. An investment of $1.5 - $2M is anticipated over the next few quarters to purchase the building and for start-up expenses.
WH Board approves budget, audit reports By Emilie Jenson The West Hancock Board of Education accepted the 2015-2016 budget during their regular meeting March 16. Superintendent Wayne Kronemann said the upcoming budget was set based on a possible 4 percent allowable growth from the State of Iowa, and that taxpayers in the district will not see much change in their tax rate for the 2015-16 year. It is unlikely that taxes based on the proposed budget would increase, but may decrease. Kronemann also said the district will see additional funds from an increase in enrollment of 25 students for the 2014-2015 school year. The district also predicts an unspent balance of around $2million.
The board also approved the district audit as read by auditor Jeri Maher. In administrative reports, Kronemann announced that Robin Kudej was selected as the Teacher Leadership Coordinator and that he, Kudej and West Hancock principals and a selection committee of three teachers will move forward with selecting building level TLC coordinators and mentors. In personnel, the board approved the hire of Sharaya Vorland as drama director for the 2015-16 school year, and Ashley Brinkman as head high school softball coach. The resignation of Elisha Payton as family and consumer science teacher was approved effective the end of the 2014-2015 school year, and the reduction of Paul Hauge, agriculture instructor from 1.0 to .625 contract.
Food Bank Donation
The ladies of the Immanuel Reformed Church of Klemme received a $1,000 grant from the Iowa Conference of the UCC church to present to a local food bank. The group chose the Britt Area Food Bank as the recipient. Pictured are Irene Barkema presenting Bill Friedow with the Britt Food Bank a check, along with Dorothy Denny and Judy Bauman.
HCHS Wellness Fair will be held at the Garner Recreation Center fro 7:30 to 11 a.m. To preregister call 641-843-5511.
Fundraiser for HCHS features “Fashion, Food & Fun”
Area businesses are sponsoring “Fashion, Food & Fun,” in support of Hancock County Health System (HCHS), to be held at the Duncan Hall on April 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pre-register for HCHS Diabetes Course
HCHS is sponsoring a course entitled “Diabetes, Take Control, Live Healthy.” The course will be held on April 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. To pre-register or for more information, contact Diane Vrieze at 641-843-5014.
2015 Spring Coin Show to bloom at Clarion
The annual Spring, free admission, family friendly coin show will be held at the high school commons in Clarion on Saturday, April 11. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A dozen dealers from Iowa and Minnesota will be present to buy, sell and trade. There will be 24 tables of U.S. coins, foreign coins, stamps, tokens, currency, supplies, catalogues, silver bullion, gold bullion and other collectibles. There will be a lunch counter. Free appraisals will be available. Drawings will be held throughout the day. Collectors and non-collectors are welcome. Youngsters, accompanied by adults, are welcome. Merchandise will be in all price ranges. The Clarion Coin Club is over 50 years old. It is one of the most active coin clubs in Iowa. Monthly meetings are the fourth Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Clarion Pizza Ranch. Each meeting features a spirited, 80item, live auction. Monthly attendance is about three dozen. For more information, call Boyd LaRue, club president, at 515-460-5681 or Willis Soesbe at 515-532-2155.