Wagner seizure-free since brain surgery

Just days after undergoing brain surgery to remove a benign tumor, Zach Wagner did what no one expected so soon: He came home.

Prior to the June 17 surgery in Arizona, doctors told Zach that, under the best case scenario, he would go home after two to four weeks. Instead, Zach was en route to Powell just four days after surgery.

Not all that long ago, a pencil and notebook were standard classroom necessities and, in the context of school, an “apple” simply illustrated the letter “A.” No more.

Pencils and paper will be used less, and Apples will take on a new meaning this fall as Powell students use Apple iPads to read, write and learn in new ways.

Other special requests funded

Following a public hearing devoid of any comments from the public, the Powell City Council on Monday unanimously approved a $16.69 million budget encompassing all the city’s anticipated expenses and revenue for the new fiscal year beginning July 1.

Following a wet spring that dampened golf course revenues, Powell Golf Club board members on Monday asked the Powell City Council for an additional $5,000 from the current fiscal year’s budget, which ends June 30. The new fiscal year budget, which will provide $60,000 for the golf course, takes effect July 1. (See related budget story.)

Landfill worries have loomed on Powell’s horizon for years — where will Powell’s trash be taken? How much will it cost the city? Will there be an additional 1-cent tax to help fund a transfer station? And so on.

The city of Powell received some answers to those long-debated questions on Thursday when the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) provided $652,502 toward a Powell transfer station.

Proposed budget includes franchise fee on city utilities

Looking to bolster general fund revenue and offset a roughly $275,000 operating deficit at the Powell Aquatic Center, city of Powell leaders plan to begin collecting a franchise fee from city utilities.

The proposed 4-percent franchise fee for the city’s four utilities is among the changes from the past year in the city of Powell’s 2011-’12 budget, which is slated to be finalized by the Powell City Council on Monday, June 20.

The red, white and blue of Old Glory will be flown in communities around America in recognition of Flag Day today (Tuesday). While honoring the history, symbolism and significance of the flag, the annual holiday also is a good time to recognize how to properly care for the revered American symbol. (See the related flag guidelines.)

With no tax support for its operating expenses, the U.S. Postal Service runs like a business. And, like many businesses in recent years, the U.S. Postal Service has struggled to remain solvent. Last year, the struggling organization posted an $8 billion deficit.

Of course, an $8 billion deficit means cutbacks — plain and simple.

Street dedicated, monument unveiled in honor of fallen Marine

We’re here to celebrate an American hero,” said Major General Steven A. Hummer, U.S. Marine Corps, to dozens of residents who gathered Monday in the rain along “Lt. Childers Street.”

On Memorial Day, the Cody street was dedicated to honor the heroic life and sacrifice of 1st Lt. Shane Childers, who was the first U.S. serviceman to die in the Iraq war. The esteemed Marine was killed in action while leading his men during an assault on a pumping station on March 21, 2003.

It was a tough call.

When Powell Valley Healthcare officials hired anesthesiologist Dr. Cory Pickens, they knew he was in recovery for abusing prescription medication.

They were then faced with the difficult decision about how or when to disclose details of his conviction for prescription drug fraud. They could either be completely forthcoming with the information when they announced Pickens’ hiring, or they could keep it quiet and give the new doctor and his family time to get adjusted to the community before releasing details about his past.