Governor appeals FEMA denial for Iowa storm aid
Gov. Tom Vilsack and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley urged President Bush to reconsider FEMA’s denial of aid for three Eastern Iowa counties after April 13 storms. Iowa City suffered major damage from an F2 tornado with about 10 million in public building losses and overtime costs estimated at 400000. The appeal seeks public assistance for Johnson County and will be reviewed by FEMA in Atlanta.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
the Gazette
Tom Vilsack
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Iowa
Bush
FEMA
Johnson, Jones
Muscatine
David Miller
Homeland and Emergency Management Office
Iowa City
Vilsack
Johnson County
Steve Atkins
Storm in Iowa City Causes Multi‑Million Dollar Property Damage
An April 13 storm caused about 3 million dollars in damage to city buildings and 7 million to other public structures. Eastern Iowa saw 1061 living units damaged. 1016 in Johnson County and 45 in Jones and Muscatine counties. Johnson County reported 15 major or destroyed businesses and 17 with minor damage. Muscatine County recorded one major damaged and one minor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa City
Iowa
Johnson County
Jones
Muscatine
Gas prices may curb road trips as travelers plan costs
A study finds rising gas prices could prompt 10 percent of travelers to cut auto vacations at $3 a gallon, with 26 percent more dropping trips at $3.24. Despite higher fuel costs, total trip expenses rise only modestly, while May 2006 travel prices surged.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marlene Lucas
Gazette Ravel
Los Angeles
Cedar Rapids
Suzanne Cook
Travel Industry Association of America
Cook
Iowa
Orbitz.com
Greyhound Bus Co
Amtrak
Mount Pleasant
Linn County EM A misused funds review highlights pay abuse
A state audit of Linn County Emergency Management Agency found 48151 misspent mainly on vacation and compensatory time for staff. Former director Walter Ned Wright was urged to repay 17386, with audit prompted by concerns over converted comp time to vacation pay before his April departure for a federal job in Atlanta.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
the Gazette
Cedar Rapids
Linn County
Emergency Management Agency
Linn Cow
Linda Langenberg
Walter “Ned” Wright
Atlanta
State audit details Linn County funds misuse and improper payments
The audit covers July 1 2003 to April 21 2006 and finds 48151 dollars in agency funds of which 42374 dollars are improper payments to employees for unused leave and comp time. Former director Walter Ned Wright owes 17386 dollars for improper payments and an agreement to use 177 hours of comp time to repay 5452 dollars was approved only by the commission chairman. Recommendations on fiscal controls will go to the Linn commission July 25.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Linn County Emergency Management
Walter
Ned
Wright
Commission
Spy-Style GPS Services Hit Family Phones
Sprint Nextel pushed Family Locator while Disney Mobile and Verizon announced similar child tracking services in June. Verizon cites peace of mind as parents can see kids location, with devices like the LG Migo and Chaperone Child Locator for ages five to nine.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carly Bossert
Gazette
Sprint Nextel
Disney Mobile
Sprint
Walt Disney Co
Verizon Wireless
Verizon
Karen Smith
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Grassley
By Drew Kerr
Index Advice
Tia.org
Warlene
Gazettecommunications.com
Washington, D.C
Iair
St. Louis
Orlando
Fila
Omaha, Neb
Chicago
Linn Emergency
Dick Hogan
Kerg
Ned” Wright
The
Linn Commission
GazetteOnline.com
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