Invention Convention

Gregory R. Norfleet/West Branch Times Kirkwood Community College’s Beatrice Curio-Penny takes a closer look at the sixth-grade invention “The Pain-Free Pencil,” at the West Branch Middle School and Hoover Elementary Invention Convention Wednesday, Jan. 27, while sixth-grader Tony Rocha looks on. Curio-Penny was one of three judges from Kirkwood who joined two West Branch teachers in evaluating the exhibits. Winners: Third grade: 1. Jonathan Wargo - Automatic DeIcer, 2. Max Salemink - Talking Timed Toothbrush, 3. Elliott Martin - The Ice Blocker. Fourth grade: 1. Kaitlyn Edge - Bling Bling Ear Tag, 2. Billy Friis & Jacob Barnhart - Helicopter Blow Up Bumper, 3. (Tie) Mikayla Hunter - Automatic Hoof Trimmer and Maggie Paulsen - The Corn Bag. Fifth grade: 1. Sydney Lamont & Allie Waterman - Flip Flop Stick, 2. Molly Robertson & Ashley Riley, Backpack Spacer, 3. Paige Miller & Anna Miller, Sure Clean. First-place finishers at the elementary level will compete in the Regional Invent Iowa Competition Feb. 18 at Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids. Middle school: Teah Bartling & Delaney Rife - 3 Step Stirrup; Corinda Wolfram & Taylor Jones - Cor Tay Animal Feeder; Ben Martin - UV Card Sanitizer; and Rachael Tigrett & Naomi Anderson - Waterless Clothes-anator. These four inventions were chosen from 33 middle school entries to represent West Branch at the Regional Convention.

BREAKING: City issues snow emergency
News · February 08, 2010
The City of West Branch is issuing a Snow Emergency beginning at 6 pm Monday through noon Wednesday.

City: Set sewer rate up 26%
News · February 03, 2010
Instead of gradual increases that would work up from 28 to 67 percent jumps over five years, the city council now wants to bump up the sewer rate almost 26 percent right away.

Double-digit jump in Hoover Park visitors in 2009
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · February 03, 2010
Did the poor economy and “staycations” help boost attendance at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site?
Visitors certainly rose in 2009, even when the Library-Museum subtracts attendees at big-draw attractions.
But what actually caused the increase is only the subject of speculation.

Lights Out! brings an idea, and a plan to make it work
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · February 03, 2010
If a quintet of middle-school pupils gets their way, the D.C. Metro rail service will save $2.5 million on annual energy costs.
West Branch business owners can get in on this savings, too, by looking up ... at their fluorescent light fixtures.

City toasts $100,000 grant
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · January 27, 2010
Plans to sell and possibly produce wine downtown got a $100,000 boost Saturday from a state matching grant through Main Street West Branch.

City presents three scenarios for raising sewer rates
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · January 27, 2010
The city wants to increase sewer rates prior to approving a new budget — and not because of the expected need for a new wastewater treatment plant.