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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
May 4, 2006 |
Denniston’s Move House, Care Center to Expand
by Michelle Phillips |
Motorists traveling on highway 151 on April 26 may have been surprised when traffic slowed near Anamosa. The hold up wasn’t caused by an accident, but by a house that was making its way from a lot next to Anamosa Care Center to 120th Avenue, just a few miles away.
The three bedroom, ranch-style home was taken onto Highway 151, made a U-turn and was brought down the exit ramp to Highway 64. A direct route could not be taken because the home wouldn’t fit beneath the underpass.
Scott (Boomer) and Pam Denniston purchased the home from Anamosa Care Center earlier in April and arranged to have it moved to the new location by Jeremy Patterson Construction.
Pam said the home will have a walkout basement, and is expected to be ready to occupy by the end of June, weather permitting.
“We just thought it was too nice a house to tear down,” she said. “We were looking for something to buy and thought this would be a great opportunity.” |
Jamie DeLancey of DeLancey Electric hoists a stop light out of the way to make room for a house that was moved from the city of Anamosa to a rural location on 120th Avenue. (Journal-Eureka Photo by Michelle Phillips) |
The care center sold the property because they wanted the land to add an assisted living facility. The center purchased the land and the 1960s home from Karen and Steve Smith in January.
Margaret Stickley, Anamosa care Center Director, said the facility plans to get the addition completed as soon as possible.
“The ground should be leveled and prepared for the project by May 1,” she said, and added that plans are still being approved for the project.
Stickley said the expansion would offer 16 apartment style units that will be available to low and moderate-income clients.
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Photos: The house held up traffic as it began to make a U-turn on Highway 151; The house gets the green light at the intersection of Highway 64 and Chamber Drive. (Journal-Eureka Photos by Michelle Phillips) |
The units range from 500-800 square feet, and all of the care center’s services will be offered in the apartments 24 hours a day.
“Depending on the needs of the clientele, we could employ five more people,” Stickley said.
At the April 24 Anamosa City Council meeting the council approved a 10-year tax abatement for the care center. The abatement would reduce the center’s taxes by 50% each year. The tax abatement must be approved by the council each year and the care center must maintain the property and employ 1-5 additional employees.
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Stickley said the units would be similar to those at Pennington Square in Monticello.
“I’ve had inquiries and I have several people in house that would also qualify,” Stickley added.
The facility will accept Senior waivers, which are available through the Iowa Department of Human Services. |
Supervisors Support Keg Registration
by Michelle Phillips |
Buying a keg of beer may require a little more work from retailers and a little more information from purchasers if the Jones County Board of Supervisors passes a Keg Registration Ordinance.
The Supervisors approved the first reading of the ordinance at there regular meeting on May 2, and second and third readings are slated for the next two Supervisor’s meetings.
The idea for the ordinance came from ASAC (Area Substance Abuse Council) after a bill similar to the ordinance was shot down by the Iowa Legislature earlier this session.
Jennifer Husmann, Project Coordinator for the Jones County Alcohol reduction grant has been working to get the ordinance passed in Jones County. She said one of the reasons for the ordinance is to discourage adults from purchasing alcohol for minors.
“Kegs are a source of large amounts of alcohol where binge drinking often occurs,” said Husmann. “Reducing alcohol use and binge drinking are the main goals of our project.’
The ordinance would require that those purchasing kegs register their name. If a keg of beer were to be discovered at an underage party, law enforcement officials would be able to track who purchased the keg and potentially press charges against that buyer. The buyer would need to show identification and fill out a form at the time of purchase.
“We had some very influential people at the board meeting speaking in favor of it, “ said Chairman of the Jones County Board of Supervisors, Merlin Moore, who added that he thinks people indulge a bit more when a keg is present at a party.
Jones County Supervisor Andy McKean is also in favor of the keg registration.
“I think the potential benefits far outweigh any minor inconveniences it may cause,” said McKean.
If the ordinance is passed, waterproof stickers with a number would be affixed to the kegs, and would correspond with a number on the form.
Husmann is hoping to have the stickers in place by July 1, if the ordinance is passed. She said of the 15 retailers she has talked to, no one is opposed to the idea. Should the ordinance pass, all of the businesses in the county that sell kegs would be informed of the change by letter. It will be up to the seller to attach the stickers and record purchases.
“It bothers me that the state doesn’t have the backbone to pass the bill themselves,” added Moore, who included that the keg ordinance would apply to all cities in the county.
Mckean, who worked to pass tougher drunk driving laws when he was in the Iowa Legislature, said he thinks he ordinance will result in less underage and irresponsible drinking habits among underage drinkers.
Several other counties in Iowa, including Keokuk, Hancock and Boone counties, have already passed keg ordinances. |
Building Trades Class Open House Scheduled
by Michelle Phillips |
The Anamosa High School Building Trades Class will hold an open house for the public on May 7 from 2-4 p.m.
The home, located at 100 Dakota Court, will be nearly complete and will give potential buyers a chance to see the workmanship of the class.
“We should be done on the inside, but we may have some siding and yard work left to do,” said instructor, Wayne Bohlken.
This year’s class was made up of students from Anamosa, Monticello and Springville.
They will be on hand to answer questions, share experiences and give tours. |
Anamosa Building Trades class instructor Wayne Bohlken shows Trace Thomas and Grant Prochaska how to use a saw. The house built by students will be open this Sunday from 2-4 p.m. (Journal-Eureka Photo by Michelle Phillips) |
“I think one of the best things this year was seeing the kids from different schools come together.
That was one of the best experiences for me,” Bohlken continued.
The home has three bedrooms, two baths, a main floor laundry room, a patio, walk-in pantry and two-car garage. It was built by the students with the exception of a few jobs, that the group hired professionals to complete.
Bohlken said the point of the class was hands on learning, and his goal is for everyone to learn something about the construction trade.
“If they learn it’s something they don’t want to do, it’s just as valuable,” Bohlken concluded.
The asking price for the home is $189,900.
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Library Holds Salad Buffet Fundraiser at LCC
by Michelle Phillips |
The Anamosa Library and Learning Center held its Sixth Annual Salad Buffet at the Lawrence Community Center on May 1.
The Friends of the Library and local cooks streamed into the LCC with 50 different salads, which served 178 people on Monday afternoon. The perennial favorite, hot chicken salad was a popular choice again this year and the women nearly double the amount they cooked in previous years.
Door prizes were given away at the end of the luncheon. The winners of the prizes were Judy Weers of Marion, a planter and Pat Nauman of Anamosa, a hanging basket.
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Photo: Area residents at the Anamosa Library and Learning Center’s Spring Salad Buffet. (Journal-Eureka Photo by Michelle Phillips) |
| Tickets were sold for the P. Buckley Moss ornaments. If you missed out on tickets at the buffet, they can still be purchased at the Anamosa Library and Learning Center until the drawing at 1:30 p.m. on May 8 at the library. |
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