(OKOBOJI)–A 40-thousand dollar grant will link the Okoboji Foundation and the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation.
The funds from the Community Foundation of Iowa are to be used to build stronger relationships within the region.
A spokesman for the development group also expect the funds to help entrepreneurial development and economic development in the region.
(SIOUX CITY)–An Olympic Gold Medalist will preview his skating performance in Sioux City with a visit tomorrow (Monday).
Brian Boitano will film the “Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular ” with special musical guest Heart in Sioux City December 16th.
The program will be broadcast nationally on NBC-TV December 26th
Boitano’s schedule tomorrow includes media interviews that will give details of his upcoming December 16th show.
(LE MARS)–Plymouth County 4-H is the focus of a recognition program next Sunday at the Le Mars Convention Center.
The 4-H Achievement Award; Ak-Sar-Ben Award; “I Dare You” award; Leader of the Year, Honorary 4-H’er; and Outstanding Senior Member will be honored.
The new Plymouth County 4-H Council members will be inducted during the program and the 4-H Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized.
The program begins November 14th at 2:30 in the afternoon in the upper level of the Le Mars Convention Center.
(SIOUX CITY)–A northwest Iowa judge will serve on the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Advisory Council in Iowa.
Judge Jeffrey Neary has been appointed to the council which will coordinate the study of criminal and juvenile justice system issues.
According to Steve Davis of the Iowa Judicial Branch, Judge Neary’s work is on a Council that assists with data sharing between and among justice agencies.
The information is used by the Judicial, Legislative and Executive Branches and local agencies and officials. The goal of the Council Judge Neary will serve on is to plan improvements in the system.
The Council also evaluates existing programs, conducts research and provides technical assistance to other state and local agencies.
Judge Neary has served as a district court judge since 2002. His appointment fills a vacancy created when another judge was appointed to the Iowa Court of Appeals.
Wellmark stops selling child-only policies
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is no longer selling insurance policies that cover only children.
The Des Moines Register reports that the state’s main health insurer announced the plan Friday.
The company says several other insurers have ended child-only policies after the federal government banned them from denying policies to kids with pre-existing conditions.
Spokesman Rob Schweers says Wellmark couldn’t afford to be the only insurer in Iowa for families that wait to get coverage until their children develop health problems.
Wellmark will continue coverage for about 9,000 children who already have individual policies.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has called the dropping of child-only policies “extremely disappointing.”
Information from: The Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com
15-year-old girl dies in Blairstown crash
BLAIRSTOWN, Iowa (AP) Benton County authorities are investigating a crash that’s left a 15-year-old girl dead.
The Benton County Sheriff’s office says Debra Manternach was driving a Volkswagen Rabbit when she was rear-ended by a 17-year-old male driving a Ford Taurus.
KCRG reports that Manternach was preparing to turn left when she was hit.
Manternach was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital, where she later died.
Information from: KCRG-TV, https://www.kcrg.com
Waterloo police investigate man’s death
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) Waterloo police are investigating the death of a 55-year-old man found unresponsive in a home.
Officers arrived at the home just after 4 p.m. Friday and found the man’s body.
Police say the circumstances of his death appear suspicious, but they haven’t released any other details about the cause. Authorities also haven’t released the man’s name.
An autopsy is set to be conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office in Ankeny.
New life possible for historic Iowa City depot
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) City leaders in Iowa City say they’re preparing to enter talks with the owner of the historic Wright Street Depot about possibly acquiring the 112-year-old building.
Jeff Davidson is the city’s planning and community development director. He says the city thinks it’s critical to reuse the former train depot and make it a place for the community. He calls it an important piece of the city’s Riverfront Crossings district.
Depot owner Dale Sanderson says he’s interested in selling and would like to see the depot used as a train station again.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the talk comes after federal officials awarded $230 million to establish Amtrak passenger service between Chicago and Iowa City.
The depot recently has been home to law offices and other businesses.
Information from: Iowa City Press-Citizen, https://www.press-citizen.com/
Preston sells fire truck to Baldwin for $1
BALDWIN, Iowa (AP) The fire department in Baldwin in eastern Iowa has purchased a new fire truck for $1.
The Telegraph Herald newspaper in Dubuque reports that cash-strapped Baldwin wrote $1 check to the town of Preston for the shining green pumper truck. The Baldwin Fire Department in Jackson County has about $2,000 a year from the town’s budget along with any money that comes in from donations.
Baldwin got the truck after Preston fire chief Bill Yaddof couldn’t find a buyer and was “bound and determined” to find another department that could use it.
The truck was a surprise to the Baldwin fire fighters. Their fire chief went to get it from Preston, sneaked it into town and turned on the light and blew the siren, driving through town to the station for the monthly meeting.
Information from: Telegraph Herald, https://www.thonline.com
Iowa’s furbearer harvest season opens
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa’s furbearer harvest season is under way this weekend, and officials expect trappers and hunters to have a good start.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a survey confirms larger populations for furbearing animals, including raccoons.
Officials say there are few isolated places where disease, such as distemper and manage, has suppressed the numbers.
The season starts Saturday.
Bobcat season is in the southern three tiers of The department has added 10 counties for bobcats Guthrie, Cass, Adair, Madison, Warren, Marion, Mahaska, Keokuk, Washington and Louisa. The bobcat quota has increased from 200 to 250.
The river otter quota remains the same, at 500 otters and is open statewide.
Trappers and hunters must report all otters and bobcats harvested within 24 hours.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
