Home News KLEM News PM Update June 18, 2010

KLEM News PM Update June 18, 2010

(ORANGE CITY)–A business based in Orange City celebrates an expansion next week.

Revival Animal Health added 54-hundred square feet to Revival’s facilities in Orange City’s Industrial Park. Revival is a national supplier of cat and dog products.

In addition to an office area, the addition will be used for marketing, e-commerce and graphic design work.

According to Revival president Roy Nielsen III, the expanded area meets needs today and provides an opportunity for future growth.

The grand opening is at 5:30 p.m. on June 25th with tours to follow.

(CHEROKEE)–Road construction will change travel in Cherokee for about six weeks.

Michael Kruger of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Cherokee office reports the work will be at the intersection Highway Three and county road C-38.

Road construction work will restrict traffic to one lane beginning Wednesday, weather permitting. Traffic will be assisted through the work area by flaggers and a pilot car. The project is expected to be complete August 2nd.

(ROCK RAPIDS)–Historic murals are being displayed during Rock Rapids 125th anniversary.

Free mural tours begin at 1:30 and 3:30 this afternoon at the Forster Community Center and Depot Museum.

A new mural will be dedicated tomorrow night at 6. The Rock Rapids Mural Society is also offering a tour of historical homes Saturday from noon to 4.

Other Quasquicentennial events during Heritage Days in Rock Rapids include a queen contest, beard contest, minnow races, and a car show. Additional information is available from the chamber or www.rockrapids.com.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $14.1 million to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

The projects include : 14 wetlands in the North Raccoon River Watershed in Buena Vista County. The wetlands to be restored will be modeled after nitrate removal wetlands that have been built through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

What’s going on with Ice Cream Days right now or tomorrow? www.lemarsiowa.com

(Spencer)–An Iowan will be taking part in the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship tomorrow (Saturday) in Oklahoma City. At age 20,

Will Epperly (EP-ur-lee) will be one of the youngest contestants. Epperly calls auctions at Spencer Livestock Sales when he isn’t attending classes at Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer. Epperly spent much of his youth listening to auctioneers while accompanying his father to livestock auctions back in his native Virginia. He says it’s a thrill to be in Oklahoma.

He say it’s a real honor to be in the contest as he’s going up against several auctioneers who have been his mentors. Epperly was one of ten finalists in regional competition at Crawfordsville, Nebraska. He talks about how the judging works at the national finals.

The L-M-A Epperly refers to is the Livestock Marketing Association, the sponsor of the event. Epperly says a good auctioneer keeps a sale moving and demonstrates a good working knowledge of the livestock he sells.Thirty-three finalists will compete Saturday in the 47th annual competition. It will be held at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City. (News report by Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) No injuries or major damage is reported from storms that hit Iowa with strong winds, large hail and numerous tornadoes and funnel clouds.

Across the border in Minnesota, at least three people died after a series of tornadoes tore through the state Thursday night.

The storms took aim on northern Iowa Thursday afternoon into the evening. Tornadoes were reported in Winnebago and Kossuth counties. Trees and power poles were damaged near Algona.

Trees also were damaged in Mason City and Clear Lake, where winds reached almost 70 mph.

More storms are likely on Friday, and some could be severe during the afternoon and evening.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The Iowa agriculture secretary wants hay and straw producers to sign up for a statewide directory.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said Thursday that if producers register with the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory they can be connected with potential buyers across the country. Northey’s office says the directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale. Organizations and businesses that promote and market hay and straw also are listed.

The directory has been around for 34 years. Sections include “Forage for Sale,” “Forage Auctions,” “Hay Associations,” “Forage Dealers,” “Hay Grinders” and “Custom Balers.”

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) Ray Faust says he just had to do something when baby skunks were found under the sidewalk of the Evangelical Free Church near Clear Lake.

The nine babies, called kits, were discovered last week by some children during Vacation Bible School.

Faust, of Clear Lake, says one has since died. Their mother, Faust says, was run over on the highway.

Faust has been taking care of the babies, bringing them bread, milk and worms.

Faust says the next time he spots them out of their hole, he plans to take them to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources or out to the country.

Conservation officer Matt Washburn says when someone finds baby animals in the wild, it’s best to leave them alone and contact the agency.

VINTON, Iowa (AP) Some changes could be in store for the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton.

Under a draft proposal approved Thursday by a school study committee, a long-term residential program would end, but the campus would remain as headquarters for statewide vision services and would offer short-term and summer programs.

Supporters say it would mean much of the $2.2 million now used for the school can be used to provide better services to blind and vision-impaired students around the state. Opponents fear the change will decrease the quality of services.

Nine students were enrolled in the school in 2009-10. About 400 students are served through the statewide system.

A final vote is July 1. The recommendation will go to the Iowa Board of Regents.

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) A Charles City man accused of locking his two children in their bedrooms for up to 14 hours a day for two years has been sentenced to prison.

Danial Onken pleaded guilty in April to two counts of neglect or abandonment of a dependent. He was sentenced this month in Floyd County District Court to 10 years in prison on each count. The sentences will run concurrently.

According to court records, Onken locked his son and daughter in their bedrooms, beginning in February 2007. The windows were boarded up from the inside. The children were not allowed out to go to the bathroom, so they had to relieve themselves on the floor.

County Attorney Norm Klemesrud says the girl was 4 and the boy was 5 when the charges were filed in May 2009.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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