(Vermillion S.D.) Preliminary autopsy results have confirmed the identity of the woman found in the Missouri River early Thursday morning to be Barbara Zenk of Vermillion, South Dakota. In a written report from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Barbara Zenk was last seen on March 5, 2010 and her vehicle was discovered parked along Highway 19 at the Missouri River on March 6. Clay County authorities had disseminated information nationwide requesting assistance in locating Barbara Zenk and searches were conducted frequently along the river and surrounding areas with no success, until a fisherman near Dakota Dunes in Union County, South Dakota discovered the body on Thursday, May 20, 2010. The Union County Sheriff’s office recovered the body and notified the Clay County Sheriff based on the likelihood the body may be Barbara Zenk. There were no indications of foul play at the area where the vehicle was discovered, and the autopsy also found no indications of foul play. The cause of death is believed to be drowning, although autopsy reports are not available at this time.
SIOUX CITY—AMAZING GRACE SEEMS TO BE RECOVERING WELL AFTER SHE ENDURED SURGERY TO REMOVE A NAIL THAT WAS DRIVEN INTO HER HEAD. GRACE IS A YOUNG CALICO CAT WHO WAS FOUND THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD OF A SIOUX CITY RESIDENCE. A CITIZEN AT THAT ADDRESS CALLED ANIMAL CONTROL THURSDAY AND STATED THAT THE STRAY CAT HAD BEEN LIVING UNDER ONE OF THEIR CARS FOR THREE DAYS. SIOUX CITY ANIMAL CONTROL OWNER & OPERATOR CINDY RARRAT SAYS ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS IMPOUNDED THE CAT AND REALIZED GRACE HAD A NAIL IN HER FOREHEAD.
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RARRAT SAYS THE FRIDAY MORNING SURGERY WAS A SUCCESS AT THIS POINT AND VETERINARIANS ARE HOPEFULLY OPTOMISTIC.
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GRACE WILL STAY AT THE VET HOSPITAL UNTIL VETERINARIANS CLEAR HER AND IN THE MEANTIME, THREE INDIVIDUALS ARE HOPING TO ADD HER TO THEIR FAMILY. RARRAT HAS FILED A REPORT WITH THE SIOUX CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING GRACE.
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TO MAKE A DONATION TO SIOUX CITY ANIMAL CONTROL OR TO THE VET HOSPITAL CALL 279-6170. (From Josie Cooper, KSCJ)
(ORANGE CITY)–Accident victims in five of the seven fatal crashes in Sioux County were NOT wearing seat belts. Seat belts will be one area of enforcement the Iowa State Patrol and Sioux County sheriff’s office will emphasize in coming weeks. They’re partnering to reduce traffic deaths. Lt. Darin Fratzke (frat-z-key) of the Iowa State Patrol says the traffic fine for seat belt violations is one of those being increased in July.
Failing to obey a stop sign is now a $112 fine and will increase to $200.
(LE MARS)–A golf tournament in Le Mars will benefit children’s services. Floyd Valley Hospital’s Foundation and Wells’ Dairy are sponsors of the 13th annual “Helping Children” benefit golf tournament. The event June 15th will help Floyd Valley Hospital purchase additional pediatric patient equipment. The 2009 golf tournament raised nearly 11-thousand dollars towards the purchase of an infant warmer. This year’s event is being organized by co-chairs Craig and Cristi Bauerly and the hospital’s golf committee. The Bauerlys have chaired the event for seven years. They’re the 4th generation of their families to use the hospital’s healthcare. Tee times are being scheduled at the Willow Creek Golf Course.
(LE MARS)—More projects to improve energy efficiency of city of Le Mars facilities are being considered. Applications for a new round of federally-funded energy efficiency projects will be accepted by the Iowa Office of Energy Efficiency. City Administrator Scott Langel says the city is working with its consultants and MidAmerican Energy before submitting any projects.
The city has a longer timeframe to submit projects for the newest federal stimulus funded energy efficiency programs. Langel says that deadline is in July.
(SIOUX CITY)–A Siouxland university will offer theology graduates a way to teach religion classes in Catholic schools. Briar Cliff University is adding the program. Briar Cliff assistant professor of Theology Linda Harrington says many theology majors plan to teach religion in a Catholic School or parish setting. The new program focuses on preparing students for teaching while giving them a solid foundation in theology.
SIOUX CITY)–The new Port Admiral of the Sioux City River-Cade is a Siouxland native. 2009 Port Admiral Tom Padgett handed over the reign of Port Admiral to Donald “Skip” Meisner. A South Sioux City native, Meisner (my-sz-ner) is a management consultant who was executive director of the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) until his retirement. He has a lifelong record of service on local, regional and national boards. Jeff Wooldridge will serve as the 2010 Commodore. Rivercade summer festival events are July 16-24th. The seventh Riverssance Festival is October 2-3.
Listen to the Saturday webcast here
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