Andy Hallman

James Blum, who stood trial this week for the Jan. 11, 2010 death of his wife Patricia Blum was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury Friday afternoon.He is being held without bond. Sentencing will be Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. in the Washington County Courthouse.    The trial of James Blum came to an end Friday morning. Blum, 71, of Washington, is charged with second-degree murder of his wife Patricia Blum, who was

The Washington City Council has passed an ordinance that requires sidewalks on newly developed land. The council passed the ordinance unanimously at its meeting Wednesday night. Under the new ordinance, the city council would no longer need to give a specific order to a property owner to force him to install a sidewalk. The property owner would be required to pay the expense of the sidewalk.    At a previous council

The prosecution began its case against James Blum Wednesday morning. Blum is charged with the second-degree murder of his wife Patricia Blum, who was found unresponsive in the couple?s home at 1009 E. Washington St. on Jan. 11, 2010. After calling dispatcher Michael Powers and police officer Chad Huschka to testify, the state summoned its third witness, police officer Brian Van Willigen.    Van Willigen was on

The prosecution began its case today against Washington resident James Blum. Blum is charged with the second-degree murder of his wife Patricia Blum, who was found unresponsive in the couple?s home at 1009 E. Washington St. on Jan. 11, 2010.    The two prosecuting attorneys are assistant Iowa Attorneys General Andrew Prosser and Denise Timmins. The prosecution?s first witness was Washington County dispatcher Michael

Jury selection for the murder trial of Washington resident James Dean Blum, 71, began earlier today. After the 12 jurors and the alternates are selected, the trial will begin immediately. Blum is charged with the second-degree murder of his wife Patricia Blum, who was found unresponsive in the couple?s home at 1009 E. Washington St. on Jan. 11, 2010.    The case will be prosecuted by two assistant attorneys general

Iowa Township Trustee Jim Rose addressed the Riverside City Council on the township?s cemetery Monday night. Rose requested that the council increase its support for the cemetery from $3,000 to $5,000 a year. He said the cost of mowing the cemetery has increased in recent years. He said if the council did not agree to the raise, the township had the power to raise property taxes.    Councilor Ralph Schnoebelen

The year 2010 ended just before the City of Kalona could put the finishing touches on its $3 million downtown enhancement project. The downtown enhancement project was one of many renovation projects undertaken by the city in the past year. Much of the project is already done, including all of the major infrastructure. The city streets in the downtown area were replaced, which includes B Avenue from Fourth Street to

Just one more day remains of the year 2010. Local residents have taken the opportunity to reflect on the year that was, and to forecast events in the year that will be. Some residents will stay up late Friday to ring in the New Year, while others will treat it just like any other day.    Paul Reynolds and his wife Jo said they may go to the New Year?s Eve church service at Fern Cliff Evangelical Free Church. Paul

The past year was a busy year for the city of Riverside. The RiversideCity Council spent many meetings debating its nuisance abatement process. In July, the council held a nuisance hearing for property owned by councilor Ralph Schnoebelen, at 450 E. Fourth St. After several more months of debate, the council passed a motion to have the nuisances abated through the judicial system rather than by city employees.   

The downtown enhancement project occupied much of the City of Washington?s time and resources in 2009. In 2010, the city shifted its focus to land acquisition. All told, the city purchased 279 acres for three separate projects this year.    The largest purchase was for 126 acres from Bernard and Judith Bartholow, who owned property west of Elm Grove Cemetery. The city paid $1.5 million for the property, which will

Washington County Recorder Connie Pence will end an illustrious career in county government on Thursday. Pence has worked in county government for more than 40 years and has been the county recorder since 1989. She announced that 2010 would be her last year in that position or any other as she is retiring. Pence hands the reins to the newly-elected recorder Jo Greiner, currently the deputy recorder.    Pence was

A fire destroyed the garage of Kalona residents Phil and Sherrie Nisly Thursday morning. The fire began at about 10:30 a.m. at their residence of 1216 Maple Avenue, just south of Kalona. It produced dark smoke which billowed high in the air and was visible from the town.    The Kalona Fire Department was able to put out the fire before it consumed the adjoining house, with help from the Wellman, Washington and

Families across the county and throughout the world will get together this weekend to celebrate Christmas. Many Washingtonians are hosting parties right here in town. Richard Pierce will be visited by his three sons and 10 grandchildren on Christmas Eve.    ?They?ll probably get to my house between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Friday morning,? said Pierce.    Pierce?s oldest son, Richard Jr., lives near Wichita, Kan. When

Christmas is just two days away, and many people are preparing for long road trips to see their relatives. Others are hosting get-togethers here in Washington County. While most of the population is on vacation, a handful of folks will wake up Christmas morning and go to work, just like any other day of the week.    Washington County Deputy Nathan Schmuecker is one of those folks. Schmuecker works the early shift on

Students at Stewart Elementary are learning the true meaning of Christmas. Two second grade classes donated 3,440 pop cans and bottles to raise money for children in HACAP?s ?adopt-a-family? program. Second-grade teachers Joan Hippen and June Hunter organized the can drive this year, which brought in about $172. Hippen?s class took the money to Walmart where they spent it on clothing and toys for four anonymous