OTTUMWA —
With many projects, you don’t know what you’ve got until the work begins.
The Wapello County Supervisors are finding that out due to the work on the communications tower for two-way radio traffic. The board members will discuss the matter more when they meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the third-floor courtroom of the Wapello County Courthouse.
Sabre Industries is working on the tower, and the board has two amendments for the project.
Supervisor Jerry Parker said the placing of two antenna arms wasn’t anticipated in the beginning.
Also, the kind of gravel used around the structure must be changed.
“We were going to use river gravel but changed our minds,” Parker said. “We’re going to use limestone instead. To do that will cost no more, but we have to have a change order to notify the contractor.”
What’s the difference between the two kinds of rock?
“We want to use limestone because it bonds together better and isn’t likely to be washed away or kicked away,” Parker said.
The board also intends to apply for a grant for alcohol and traffic enforcement. Parker said the grant will pay for overtime.
“We’re also applying for a federal aid agreement to assist with the repair of a bridge,” he added.
The board’s meeting will also offer an update on the Historic Hills scenic byway. Katy Anderson from Pathfinders Resource Conservation Development will give a brief explanation about what’s happening to the byway.
“That’s the road out of Blakesburg and into Davis County,” Parker said. “Mostly we’re going to listen.”
Supervisor Steve Siegel said he’s been talking Anderson. She’ll give a brief explanation about what’s happening to the byway.
Pathfinders is working on an Iowa Department of Transportation grant that runs from Blakesburg south to the county line.
“It’s a tourism and economic development tool,” Siegel said. “People drive on the roads, buy gas or food, but it’s more for promoting what’s there. New businesses will be encouraged as well.”
Siegel also noted most people have probably seen the signs, which include a blue sky background and budding purple flowers. The signs have been up for about a year, he added.
Local News
February 23, 2013
Board to talk of the tower and a scenic byway
- Local News
-
- Tornado creates local questions OTTUMWA — If there's a tornado in Wapello County, where would I go afterwards? It isn't hard to understand why local callers are asking Wapello County Emergency Management that question. Josh Stevens, emergency coordinator for the county, said since
- A waiting game OTTUMWA — Family and friends of a hospitalized toddler are waiting for answers, as are local police. On April 22, officers found a 2-year-old boy unresponsive at his home in the 100 block of East Woodland Avenue. He was immediately transported to Ott
-
Training goes beyond fires
OTTUMWA — Our firefighters aren't afraid to run into a fire, said one official, but when it comes to a Hazmat situation, they walk. On Wednesday, the Ottumwa Fire Department was on the grounds of Cargill Meat Solutions, training as realistically as p
-
Hedrick teen missing
OTTUMWA — A 13-year-old Hedrick girl has been reported missing. Hunter Kopp, 13, was last seen leaving the Hedrick area (her hometown) around 6 p.m. Monday. Kopp is a white female, 130 pounds, 5-feet-7-inches, with shoulder-length brown hair and blue
- Veterinary clinic rezoned to commercial OTTUMWA -- The Ottumwa Veterinary Clinic is now officially a commercial district. At Tuesday's city council meeting, members voted 4-1 to approve the rezoning of the clinic from R-1 Single Family Residential to C-1 Commercial District, with Councilma
- Ottumwa lands 2015 Iowa Tourism Conference OTTUMWA — It takes two southeast Iowa communities to yank the opportunity to host the Iowa Tourism Conference from Des Moines. Ottumwa Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Mark Eckman was stunned by how quickly the Iowa Tourism Offi
- County to learn about disaster declarations OTTUMWA — The county is a step closer to finding out if they'll be getting money from the federal government. "FEMA was here last week, doing a damage assessment," said Wapello County Engineer Brian Moore during a meeting of the Wapello County Board
-
Oklahoma emergency crews will report specific needs soon
OTTUMWA — The sound of the telephone ringing is evidence to Julie Smithart that residents of Wapello County do care. The tornado damage to lives and property in Oklahoma has brought out the best in people, said Smithart, an AmeriCorps volunteer assig
-
Barber shows no signs of cutting career short
OTTUMWA -- Darrell Smith's hands are steady and sure as he picks up his clippers and straight razor to begin his first haircut and shave of the day. Smith, 88, has cut hair for 62 years and has owned Smitty's Barber Shop on Albia Road for the past 58
- Making memories on stage -- and off OTTUMWA -- Sold-out shows last year inspired Bridge View Center management to continue finding high-quality acts, they announced Monday. The venue's executive director, Larry Gawronski, said last year, booking good, expensive shows was a "leap of f
- More Local News Headlines
