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Shen council ratifies cemetery ordinance amendment
(Shenandoah) -- Changes to the city of Shenandoah's cemetery ordinance are now official. By unanimous vote earlier this week, the Shenandoah City Council approved the second reading, waived the third, and adopted an amendment to the city's cemetery ordinance, authorizing the city's park and recreation department to oversee the Rose Hill Cemetery operations. Under the move, the city's cemetery sexton would report directly to Shenandoah Park and Recreation Director Kevin Olson. However, the city would retain the cemetery board. In a recent interview on KMA's "Morning Line" program, Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen says he tried to address concerns expressed by cemetery board members following a recent council meeting.
Shen council inks garbage contract
(Shenandoah) -- Shenandoah is staying with the status quo in terms of garbage collection services. By unanimous vote Tuesday evening, the Shenandoah City Council approved a contract of services with Shenandoah Sanitation for solid waste collection. Speaking on KMA's "Morning Line" program Wednesday morning, Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen says the company was the only bidder for the contract. McQueen, however, says the city has no qualms with Shenandoah Sanitation's services. Over the years, the company has assisted with the traditional spring Citywide Cleanup Days, as well as last year's first-ever fall cleanup events.
Privia: Clarinda SAVE projects off to good start
(Clarinda) -- Recent rains haven't deterred preliminary work on the Clarinda School District's construction projects. Clarinda School Superintendent Jeff Privia updated the Clarinda School Board late Wednesday afternoon on progress regarding projects covered under the district's Secure and Advanced Vision for Education, or SAVE dollars. Ground was broken last month for projects at Clarinda's 7-12 complex, including six new middle school classrooms, a new secure entrance, new offices, and a new restroom in the junior high section. Also slated is mechanical and electrical work at both the 7-12 and pre-K-6 buildings. Speaking on KMA's "Morning Line" program Thursday morning, Privia says work is off to a good start.
Shenandoah Senior Villa ribbon cutting set Wednesday
(Shenandoah) -- What once was an dilapidated gas station is now the site of a major housing project in Shenandoah. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies take place Wednesday morning at 11:30 at the Shenandoah Senior Villa Apartment Complex at 1401 West Sheridan Avenue. Occupation of the 40-unit apartment complex for residents 55 and over took place earlier this year following the facility's completion. Shenandoah's City Council paved the way for the project's fruition by approving a development agreement with North Star LLC in December, 2022. That same month, crews demolished an old gas station standing at that location for decades. Construction began in April, 2023 after crews placed a concrete slab. Gregg Connell is executive vice president of the Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association. In a January interview with KMA News, Connell pinpointed the beginning of the project's construction as a highlight of 2023.
Shenandoah library summer programs in full swing
(Shenandoah) -- Summer programs are beginning to ramp up at the Shenandoah Public Library and library officials are planning for an increase in youth attendance. From a summer reading program to a long list of events and presentations, Joy Storvedt with the library says patrons of all ages will have many ways to stay busy this summer. Storvedt tells KMA News that the library's summer reading program is already underway and runs through early August, but it is still available to youth of all ages and even adults.
McQueen asks residents for continued water diligence
(Shenandoah) -- Despite the slight relaxation of water conservation regulations, Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen says the city still faces issues in terms of H-2-0. City officials announced at Tuesday night's Shenandoah City Council meeting that the community is no longer under stage 4 water rationing, and is now back in stage 1 voluntary conservation. Speaking on KMA's "Morning Line" program, McQueen says residents should still be mindful of the city's water situation.
Clarinda council sets wage increases for police officers, city employees
(Clarinda) -- Clarinda city employees and police officers will see a bump in pay for the upcoming fiscal year. Meeting in regular session Wednesday evening, the Clarinda City Council unanimously approved a $2 an hour increase across the board for nearly all of the full-time staff and a $1 an hour increase for permanent part-time staff, equating to a roughly 7.5% increase. By a 3-0 vote, the council also set a $3 an hour increase for full-time police officers, good for an 11.7% increase. The two increases result in a roughly $152,000 total pay bump for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1st. Clarinda Mayor Craig Hill says the larger-than-usual increases this year come as the city looks to catch its wages up with inflation rates.
SPARC grand opening this Saturday
(Shenandoah) -- Officials with a Shenandoah-based pregnancy and resource center are set to showcase their new location this weekend. A grand opening is set for the Shenandoah Pregnancy and Resource Center's new 96-by-36-foot facility at 501 West Valley Avenue this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Construction on the new facility began in late 2022 after the city of Shenandoah sold the property to SPARC in April of that year. Kathy Langley is the SPARC Board President. Speaking on KMA's "Morning Show" Tuesday, Langley says the grand opening is a chance for residents to tour the new facility.
Nelson: board favors building repairs in phases
(Shenandoah) -- Shenandoah School Superintendent Dr. Kerri Nelson expects repairs to the district's K-8 building to be completed in chunks. More discussion regarding proposed repairs to the more than 20-year-old facility took place during a Shenandoah School Board work session following the regular meeting late Monday afternoon. Released in March, the study by Carl A. Nelson and Associates proposed a long list of repairs to the building. Speaking on KMA's "Morning Line" program Tuesday morning, Nelson says repairs to the building's heating and air conditioning systems and heat pumps are considered priorities.
Shenandoah council reduces water rationing from stage four to stage one
(Shenandoah) -- In the wake of recent rainfall, the city of Shenandoah is no longer in stage four water rationing. Meeting in regular session Tuesday evening, the Shenandoah City Council unanimously approved the city water department's recommendation to drastically reduce the water rationing efforts from stage four down to stage one, which only includes voluntary conservation. Late last year, the city jumped to stage three conservation for the first time in 23 years before increasing to stage four in November, where it had remained since due to the city's water well levels. However, in reading a letter from Water Superintendent Tim Martin, Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen says the move back to stage one comes after heavy rains rolled through much of the region over the past month.
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