Home News KLEM News Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010

KLEM News Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010

(LE MARS)– Iowa State University Extension specialists are working with specialists from Cooperative Extension across the United State to create a site of research-based, unbiased information, www.extension.org.

Organizers expect eXtension to be a site that promises to be a gateway to answering questions from parenting to investing and from entrepreneurship to livestock.

Plymouth County Extension Coordinator Carol Schneider says while eXtension has been in existence for a couple of years,the website is known to be under utilized by many Iowans. Schneider says eXtension is the most current, research-based information.

SBA help offered for disasters

(SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA)–Small, non-farm businesses in northwest Iowa are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans.

The disaster assistance for small businesses was announced for businesses with revenue losses from excessive rain, flooding, flash flooding, hail, high winds and tornadoes. The loss was from April 25th to July 18th.

Woodbury County is one of the primary counties where small businesses are eligible to apply for assistance.

Neighboring counties listed as eligible by the Small Business Administration include Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida, Union County, South Dakota and Dakota and Thurston in Nebraska.

Information is available from the Small Business Administration Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955.

Village honors staff for two decades of service

(SHELDON)–Six Village Northwest Unlimited employees are being honored for 20 years of service.

Village Unlimited serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

Village Northwest Unlimited honored Community Skills manager Lisa Huff; Community Skills trainer Marlys Engelhardt; Residential Skills trainer Linda Adams; Production Supervisor Carolyn Meyer; Vocational Trainer Karma Funk and Custodial Assistant Craig Lindahl.

To date 97 Village staff members have reached the 20-year mark, with 78 still working at Village Northwest Unlimited.

 Mercy Alliance accepts proposals

(SIOUX CITY)–Proposals for grant funds are being accepted by the Mercy Alliance for Women’s Health.

To qualify for a grant, a program must focus on women’s health and well being.

Interested applicants should complete and return a grant application to the Mercy Alliance no later than October 11, 2010.

The Alliance’s goals include increasing awareness of women’s health issues and improving the well being of women in every phase of health: mental, physical, social, environmental ,and spiritual.

Researcher is Dordt Distinguished Alumnus

(SIOUX CENTER)–A graduate of Dordt College will present research on depression and the brain when he returns to campus this month.

Dr. Craig Stockmeier is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The 1977 graduate of Dordt College serves on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Medical Research Council.

Stockmeier has researched brain disorders and depression and will speak on neuroplasticity which refers to how the human brain changes in physical structure and functional organization as a result of experiences.

He’ll speak September 16th at 7:30 p.m. in the Science and Technology Center lecture hall. The presentation in Sioux Center is open to the public.

Dr. Stockmeier is one of four Distinguished Alumni being honored on alumni weekend, September 17-18. Also being recognized are Reverend David De Ridder and Stan and Alice Weber.

Theologian to speak at NWC

(ORANGE CITY)–An award-winning theologian will speak at Northwestern College this month.

Dr. J. Todd Billings is associate professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary. He’ll speak as part of the Ronald R. Nelson Scholars and Artists in Residence Program.

Billings won the Templeton award for his first book, “Calvin, Participation and the Gift: The Activity of Believers in Union with Christ.”

Billings will speak on “Salvation as Adoption,” Thursday, Sept. 16th at 3 p-m. in Van Peursem Hall and at chapel on September 17th at 10:05 a-m. Both are open to the public.

No injuries Marion bank robbery

MARION, Iowa (AP) Police are investigating a morning bank robbery in Marion.

Authorities say around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, a white male about 30 to 40 years old entered a Wells Fargo bank and told the teller to give him money.

A news release from the Marion Police Department says no injuries were reported.

Authorities say the man was wearing a tan jacket, dark shirt, tan hat and blue jeans.

No weapon was displayed.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the Marion Police Department.

The FBI is also investigating.

Police: Bicyclist dead following Waterloo accident

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) Authorities in Waterloo are investigating a vehicle accident that left a bicyclist dead.

Police say the accident happened around 10:45 p.m. on Friday in Waterloo. A vehicle struck a person riding a bike.

The bicyclist was pronounced dead on the scene.

The vehicle’s driver wasn’t injured.

Police did not give further details, including the victim’s name.

Dubuque police say fake $100 bills circulating

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) Authorities in Dubuque say be on the lookout for counterfeit bills.

Police say local merchants and residents have recently reported fake $100 in circulation in Dubuque.

Authorities say take extra precautions.

For one, if you accept cash, check for verification features like the presidential hologram, to protect yourself.

The U.S. Secret Service says if you receive a counterfeit, don’t return it. Instead, they say take down details of the person who gave it and call the authorities.

Who’s often dreading college sendoff more? Parents

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) It’s always hard for parents when their children leave for college.

But some experts and parents say letting go has become more difficult than it was in decades past.

Marshall Duke is a psychology professor at Emory University in Atlanta. She’s been talking to parents about cutting the cord for years and says she’s noticed more parents struggling.

For one, she says parents are more connected than ever, whether its through social networking or texting.

But in the end, the message from universities and colleges is the same: Parents, please go home.

The parents of Ariana Kramer, who is starting at the University of Iowa, say they get the message.

Her mother Robin Kramer says she’ll always worry about her daughter, even though her daughter will cope.

Construction group likely to seek higher gas tax

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Highway construction advocates say they likely will press the Iowa Legislature to raise the state’s gasoline tax after more than two decades without an increase.

Scott Newhard, executive vice president of the Associated General Contractors of Iowa, says his group probably will seek an increase in the gas tax, last raised in 1989. The group won’t make a final decision until after the November elections.

Iowa’s gasoline tax now averages 20 cents per gallon, with tax breaks factored in for ethanol-blended fuels.

Lawmakers last year considered a gas tax increase, but Gov. Chet Culver ended the discussion by promising to veto such a move.

The construction group also plans to join an effort to lobby Congress to approve more money for transportation spending.

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

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