(SIOUX FALLS)–The National Weather Service is issuing an excessive heat advisory for several hours beginning this (Sunday) afternoon.
Hot and humid conditions are expected to create heat index readings of 100 to 115 degrees. Temperatures will reach about 95 degree this afternoon with dew points in the mid to upper 70s.
The heat advisory begins at one this afternoon and continues until seven tonight.
To prevent heat illnesses, staying out of the sun and drinking plenty of fluids are recommended.
The forecast doesn’t offer much relief overnight and for the next several days.
LUW’s adventures are winning United Way foursome’s challenge
(LE MARS)–The Seventh Annual Le Mars United Way Golf Tournament will begin the 2010 United Way campaign September 2nd at noon.
The annual tournament at the City of Le Mars Willow Creek Golf Course will also continue a tradition for Luw.
Luw, which is short for Le Mars United Way, is a 30-pound traveling trophy given to the winning foursome from the United Way golf tournament.
For the past 12 months, Luw has traveled with Todd Lancaster, Matt Washburn, Reed Eimers and Cory Nordstrom–the 2009 winning foursome–for a second year in a row.
United Way volunteer and board chair Janelle Bixenman says it’s tradition to have Luw’s adventures from the last 12 months documented in a photo album for all to see during the golf tournament. Based on tradition, the foursome is charged with trying to better the photo album of LUW’s travels and adventures from the previous year.
LUW will be awarded to the winning foursome at the dinner immediately following the Seventh Annual Le Mars United Way Golf Fundraiser. The tournament is a four-person scramble.
(SIOUX CENTER)–A Siouxland College is keeping its tradition of national achievement.
This year’s Dordt College class of engineering graduates earned a perfect pass rate on the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam.
Since 2000, Dordt’s engineering department has achieved a 98 percent average pass rate with the perfect 100 percent in 10 out of those 11 years.
Dordt provost Erik Hoekstra says this type of excellent program doesn’t just come together without dedicated students and faculty who put a focused effort on quality.
Garden Field Day set for Sutherland Research Farm
(ORANGE CITY)–A demonstration Garden Field Day is planned at the Iowa State University Northwest Research Farm near Sutherland Wednesday.
I-S-U Extension Horticulture Educator Melissa O’Rourke will present information on disease and insect problems she’s seen this growing season. O’Rourke will also offer options for prevention, management and fall sanitation techniques.
Research farm officials will give the public a tour of the 2010 demonstration garden which is planted with a variety of annual flowers and vegetables. Marigolds and petunias were planted in a quilt block pattern.
The research garden is part of a trial compost project from the I-S-U composting facility. One-fourth of the garden had soils to which the compost was applied.
Information on fall-seeded vegetable gardens will be provided a guest speaker. The Garden Field Day features root beer floats and roasted sweet corn.
The Research Farm is a mile and a half south of Calumet at the intersection of Highway 59 and O’Brien County road B-62. The address is 6320 500th Street, Sutherland.
Red Cross appeals for funds for disaster needs
(SIOUX CITY)–A new disaster relief fundraising drive is underway by the Siouxland Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The Hurricane season, the oil spill in the Gulf and local floods and home fires are factors in the fund drive.
Executive Director Tammy Lee says Red Cross spends about 450-million dollar a year responding to nearly 70-thousand disaster across the country. Lee says Red Cross is asking people to click, text or call to support Red Cross disaster relief.
People who want to make a contribution to disaster response can visit www.siouxlandredcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS to support American Red Cross Disaster Response or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a donation.
Hospitals announce community benefit
(SIOUX CITY)–Sioux City hospitals provide nearly 25 million dollars in community benefit.
The new economic report is based on an assessment of the health care providers by the Iowa Hospital Association.
The report estimates the community benefit from Mercy Medical Center at 15.5-million dollars and from St. Luke’s Health System at 9.5-million dollars.
Community benefits include services and programs such as health screenings, support groups, immunizations, nutritional services and transportation programs.
According to the Iowa Hospital Association report, St. Luke’s reported 3.3-million dollars in charity care as well as more than 750-thousand dollars in subsidized health or community services.
Mercy’s charity care was 3.5-million dollars plus 2.3-million dollars in subsidized health or community services.
The two hospitals reported over seven-million dollars in Medicaid losses or unreimbursed costs associated with treating Medicaid patients.
Culver helps celebrate Oakville’s flood recovery
OAKVILLE, Iowa (AP) Gov. Chet Culver has joined Oakville residents in celebrating their recovery from devastating 2008 flooding.
Oakville was submerged on June 14, 2008, when a levee along the Iowa River broke. The town of about 400 people was evacuated.
Residents focused on recovery and rebuilding efforts during Saturday’s annual homecoming celebration.
Culver says Oakville is the best example of “how Iowans can pull together in the face of very serious challenges.”
He says Oakville has gotten nearly $4.7 million in recovery assistance.
Iowa mayor offers reward for details about vandals
POLK CITY, Iowa (AP) The mayor of Polk City is offering a $3,500 reward for information about the vandals who damaged his home and a city park.
Mayor Gary Heuertz is offering the cash in exchange for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
Polk City police say vandals damaged the mayor’s home on July 21. Police haven’t offered any details about the extent of the damage.
Vandals also damaged or destroyed 29 trees at Kiwanis Park and the Sports Complex, causing about $5,000 in damage.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Polk County sheriff’s office or Crime Stoppers.
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Animal neglect charges filed
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A 24-year-old Iowa City man is charged with animal neglect after police found five injured pit bulls inside a trailer with no food or water.
Darrell Keith Cathey is being held at the Johnson County Jail on $6,000 bond. He faces 13 charges, including animal neglect.
It was not immediately clear who he’s being represented by.
Johnson County sheriff’s deputies visited the trailer last week after getting a tip about the dogs.
Officials say the animals had been left for several days with no food or water.
The dogs have multiple injuries, including bites, tears and puncture wounds.
Misha Goodman, director of Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Services, says at least two of the dogs have permanent injuries to their paws and ears.
Flu illness reported in Eastern Iowa
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are advising doctors to be on the lookout for season influenza after the illness was reported in parts of eastern Iowa.
The Atlanta-based agency cited two flu outbreaks in the state in its message to doctors.
Four members of an Iowa college sports team became ill last month. Nine children at a child care center also became ill with the flu, the CDC reported.
The cases were all in eastern Iowa but the exact locations were not identified.
Tricia Kitzmann, Deputy Director for Johnson County Public Health, says three college students in an apartment also were diagnosed with seasonal flu last month.
The CDC has identified season flu in 12 states, including Iowa.
Work on art over I-80 overpass in Iowa continues
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) Work on an art installation over an Interstate 80 overpass in Council Bluffs is expected to continue well into August.
On Friday, a crane began installing bases on the four corners of the 24th Street bridge over Interstate 80. The project is expected to continue into the week of Aug. 16. There’s no set completion date.
The four multimetal sculptures of stainless steel, weathering steel and bronze plate are called “Odyssey” by the sculptor, Albert Paley. They weigh up to 70,000 pounds, or 35 tons.
The $3 million artwork serves as a sort of gateway to Nebraska to the west and the rest of Iowa to the east.
It was selected by the Iowa West Foundation’s public art initiative.
Iowa State Fair offers tracking device for parents
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The Iowa State Fair is offering a new tool for parents looking to keep track of their children at the sprawling fairgrounds.
The Secur-a-pal is a tracking device that’s small enough to fit in a child’s pocket or on a belt loop.
If the child becomes lost, they can press a button and send a text message that gives their location.
Parents with smart phones can also have the device use GPS to give the child’s exact location.
Fair spokeswoman Lori Chappell suggests that the tracking device can also be used for people bringing elderly guests.
The device will cost $10.
Organizers are estimating more than 1 million people will attend the fair later this month.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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