AnnaMarie Kruse

Despite renewed debate and multiple motions, Washington County supervisors took no action Tuesday on employee pay, leaving a previously approved 2.8% raise in place amid growing concern over budget limits imposed by state law.

A 40-year-old Washington man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say a domestic dispute escalated into a dangerous incident that put an infant at risk early Friday morning.

A Riverside man faces multiple drug and traffic charges after authorities say he led deputies on a brief erratic drive, refused commands and was later found unconscious with methamphetamine inside a van during an early-morning stop in Washington County.

Families and adults looking to celebrate the new year outside of late nights or loud parties will find options at Washington County libraries this week, from a midday countdown for kids to a reflective, goal-focused workshop for adults.

P.L.A.N.T. Washington Community Orchard and Gardens has secured nearly $5,000 in new grant funding that leaders say will strengthen food production, expand infrastructure and deepen community engagement as the organization looks ahead to the 2026 growing season.

A Washington County man is facing a new misdemeanor charge after damaging jail property while being held at the Henry County Jail.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Search and Recovery Dive Team has received a $65,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation to expand training and equipment for new divers, strengthening water rescue and recovery operations across southeast Iowa.

The Washington City Council has approved changes to the start time of its meetings and the daily hours of operation at City Hall, with the new schedule set to take effect at the beginning of the year.

Confetti burst into the unseasonably warm December air Tuesday, Dec. 23 outside La Morenita Tienda y Taqueria as the community cheered on business owner Nora Villacorta. Seven years after opening its doors, the small, family-run shop marked both an anniversary and a long-awaited renovation with a ribbon cutting that felt like a celebration of heritage, community and hard-work.

Holiday cheer arrived with a touch of mischief this month at Washington Community School District elementary buildings, where elves, Grinches and spirited students transformed the final days before winter break into a string of playful moments and seasonal learning.

Heavy snowfall that swept across Washington the Saturday after Thanksgiving forced the cancellation of multiple holiday events, including the community’s annual live radio Christmas play, prompting organizers to shift the beloved tradition to a recorded broadcast airing Christmas Eve on KCII.

Southeast Iowa has entered the heart of winter illness season, with influenza and strep infections climbing sharply in recent weeks even as COVID-19 activity remains low, according to Washington County health officials.

By the time the first students arrived at WACO Elementary the morning of Monday, Dec. 15, volunteers had already transformed the WACO Elementary gym into a carefully wrapped lesson in generosity, complete with a gingerbread house entrance and tables of gifts priced just right.

Over the last few months many have driven by Aspire of Washington assuming that operations continued as normal. Upon a little further investigation, however, it appears the nursing facility quietly closed this past fall leaving the vacancy abundantly clear as the drive and parking lot remain covered in snow this winter.

On Christmas Day, when many kitchens fall quiet, Washington First Assembly of God Church will be bustling as volunteers prepare hundreds of meals for neighbors across the community.