Experimenting with different blog format

I am in the process of constructing a different Backroads Newsroom blog with a different blogging company. Check it out at:

http://backroadsnewsroom.wordpress.com/

This prospective new blog will also allow me to post content from the print edition of the Washington County News in a more user friendly manner. On the left side of the new blog will be WC News content and on the right will be the blog element of the site.
I'm still trying to figure this out, so until I do, I will keep this Backroads Newsroom site going.

You can just click on this entry's headline to go to the new experimental site.

Palin-Clinton speech

If you didn't catch the "Palin-Clinton" speech on Saturday Night Life, check it out on nbc.com. It was pulled off of youtube. It's hilarious. The rest of the show with Michael Phelps was kind of boring, but the Palin-Clinton bit was awesome. We spent five minutes here at the News office checking it out as a staff.

Morrowville investigation

The Washington County News received a statement today that the Washington County Sheriff's Department and the State Attorney General office that they are involved in an ongoing investigation involving the City of Morrowville. Read this week's Washington County News for the full story by Tom Parker.
The News requested the last seven months of city council minutes for the City of Morrowville and found several items pointing to financial problems in the city. No charges have been filed.
• The May and June minutes are missing.
• In July the city's bank account was closed at First National Bank of Washington and a new account was opened. Lori Huber was appointed as the new Morrowville City Clerk affective July 17.
• During three meetings in August, A financial advisor was invited to a special council meeting and explained that capital improvement financing could be obtained to pay for improvements made during hte last few years. Later, a new budget was printed recommending a ~25 mill increase.
• On Sept. 8, several community members attended the meeting to discuss the budget, financial options, GO bonds and restitution. Sheriff Bill Overbeck was also present and gave an update. A letter of resignation was received from council member Craig Fencl and the Mayor presented information on getting a bond for the future city clerks.

New hospital fundraiser assistant

Haely (Rettig) Ordoyne recently took the job as the new Washington County Hospital fundraising assistant. Haely and her husband Raleigh, both originally from Linn, recently moved back to the county from McPherson. I'm sure I'll have something in the print edition soon.

Cafe to re-open in Greenleaf

Updated:
The cafe in Greenleaf will open again on Oct. 1 as R&J's Cafe. Janis Bryant and Ruth Nye are opening the establishment for breakfast, lunch and dinner and it will also have a bar.

Treasure Hunt space

Space is still available at the stone barn at the fairgrounds if anyone wants to set up for the US Highway 36 Treasure Hunt next weekend. I have three spaces together and one by itself. These spaces are 8x10 feet each and they are free, first come first serve. Contact me if you're interested.

Friday Night Lights

Click on the Friday Night Lights headline to see the score updates under the comments thread, as they happened, in tonight's games:

Final scores
Linn 38, Lakeside 0
B&B 20, Hanover 12
Solomon 44, Washington County 32
Clifton-Clyde 34, Axtell 24