Home News KLEM News Update November 21, 2010

KLEM News Update November 21, 2010

(SIOUX CENTER)–A Sioux Center clinic’s executive director is certified as an Advanced Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Nancy Dykstra of the Greater Sioux Community Health Center in Sioux Center received the certification through 2015.

Dykstra has a master’s degree in public health nursing and initially achieved board certification 10 years ago after public health credentialing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

She is the former Sioux County Public Health Director.

 

(LE MARS)–A time for Le Mars area residents to gather together with thankful hearts is offered by the Le Mars Ministerial Association this (Sunday) afternoon.
The annual Community Thanksgiving Service features a community choir and thoughts of thankfulness by four people.
The service begins at four this afternoon at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Anyone who’d like to be part of the community choir is asked to rehearse at St. John’s at three this afternoon.

(SIOUX CITY)–A woman who turned losing into winning speaks in Sioux City next April.
United Way of Siouxland’s 11th annual Women’s Power Lunch will feature Ali Vincent. Vincent is the season 5 winner of NBC’S “The Biggest Loser.”
According to Power Lunch Event Chair Rhonda Capron,  wellness is something that women are always concerned about. Vincent speaks not only of weight loss, but overall wellness and the importance of believing in yourself.
The Power Lunch is Wednesday , April 27th at the Sioux City Convention Center.
United Way of Siouxland’s Power Lunch began in 2001 to focus attention on and raise funds for issues impacting Siouxland women. In partnership with the Waitt Family Foundation, the event now finances scholarships for single parents and transitioning homemakers. Organizers say more than 213-thousand dollars has been awarded.

(SIOUX CITY) Golfers helped raise 90-thousand dollars for a planned year-round recreational facility for people with special needs.
Sioux City native Kirk Henrich’s Foundation, Kirk for Kids, presented Camp High Hopes with the donation. This was the second year in a row that the camp received the proceeds from the charity golf benefit.
Construction on the first phase begins once fundraising goals are met. The project includes development of the 90 acres just off Correctionville Road in Sioux City, a lodge, two cabins and a medical center/office. Camp sessions will start shortly after the construction is complete for phase one.

 

Corps endorses flood-protection plan for CR

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has endorsed a flood plan for Cedar Rapids that protects the east side of the city but not the west side.

The Gazette says the corps’ Civil Works Review Board in Washington, D.C., endorsed the plan on 5-0 vote on Thursday. The vote moves the plan closer to consideration for funding by Congress.

The plan calls for concrete flood walls to protect most of the east side of the Cedar River in downtown. City officials say the plan has giant shortcomings because it doesn’t protect the west side.

The river swamped the city in 2008, covering 10 square miles.

Mayor Ron Corbett told the Review Board he supports the plan as a first step toward a more comprehensive system protecting both sides of the river.

Information from: The Gazette, https://www.gazetteonline.com/

Report: Erosion caused Lake Delhi dam failure

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A preliminary report from an independent panel of engineers finds the Lake Delhi dam in northeastern Iowa likely breached earlier this year because of internal erosion in an earthen embankment after two days of heavy July rain.

The Des Moines Register reports the draft engineering report was released late Friday by the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The engineers say there was a “seepage path” in embankment material next to a concrete core wall. Water levels overtopped the wall, triggering the failure. The breach became worse when dam operators couldn’t open one of three dam spillway gates.

The engineers say if the dam is rebuilt measures should be developed for its north embankment. The dam’s failure drained a lake on the dam and a flash flood destroyed homes.

Information from: The Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com

Des Moines prepares to apply for FEMA buyout

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) City leaders in Des Moines say they’re preparing to submit an application to federal emergency officials for a proposed voluntary buyout project.

The city says the buyout would be available for owners of single-family homes in the Four Mile Creek area and other 100-year flood plain areas that were substantially damaged during flooding in August. City officials say homes are only eligible if they are in the 100-year flood plain and sustained structural damage of 50 percent or more. The application is to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Property owners interested in participating in the proposed buyout have to contact the city’s community development department to see if their home is in the flood plain and to schedule an inspection. That has to be done by Dec. 3.

Iowa railroads getting $500,000 for safety efforts

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Efforts to upgrade technology and safety on Iowa’s railways are to receive $500,000 from the federal government.

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday announced that the money will come from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Safety Technology Program. Harkin says the money will help make key safety improvements and maintain the state’s crucial freight and passenger rail transportation system. The senator says the safe transport of goods, services and passengers “helps keep our economy moving.”

The money will go to the Westinghouse Airbrake Corporation with the goal of having Iowa’s railways comply with the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act.

Capitol Christmas tree comes to Iowa

AMES, Iowa
(AP) The Capitol Christmas tree will be in northern Iowa this weekend on a 20-day voyage from Wyoming to Washington, D.C.

Iowa transportation officials say the 68-foot spruce from the Bridger-Teton National Forest will stop in Britt Sunday morning.

The Capitol Christmas tree dates back to 1964. Each year, cities along the route petition the government to be recognized. This year, Britt was selected.

The tree will be in front of city hall, where a breakfast, presentations and performances are planned.

The 83-year-old tree is being hauled to the Capitol on an 81-foot covered trailer.

Officials say the tree will leave Britt about 9:30 a.m. on its way to Missouri.

The tree will be delivered to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. A lighting ceremony is Dec. 7.

Mennonites organize effort to can meat in Kalona

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A Mennonite group is raising money to buy 17,000 pounds of turkey as part of an effort to feed people throughout the world.

The local organizers are participating in a national project by the Pennsylvania-based Mennonite Central Committee.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports they hope to raise $30,000 to buy the meat, then can it Jan. 6 and 7 at a converted canning assembly line in Kalona.

Organizers are seeking about 100 volunteers to help can Jan. 6, beginning at 5 a.m. People in the Amish community will do their part Jan. 7.

The Mennonite Central Committee shipped more than a half-million cans of meat in the last fiscal year. Countries receiving food included North Korea, Haiti, Bosnia and Colombia.

Information from: Iowa City Press-Citizen, https://www.press-citizen.com/

Iowa Reptile rescue for own rescue

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Tough economic times are taking a toll on the Iowa Reptile Rescue, which is looking for its own rescue.

Jason and Robin Argo operate the rescue in a store at Southridge Mall in Des Moines. It’s home to about 80 homeless reptiles and amphibians.

The Des Moines Register says the Argos need $2,500 by Nov. 27 to catch up on money owed for their lease and food for the critters.

The Animal Rescue League, which does animal control work for the city of Des Moines, has an agreement with the Argos to place all wayward reptiles and amphibians with them.

Jason Argo says they’ve found lawyer who’s willing to help the rescue become a not-for-profit organization, which would make it eligible for grants.

Information from: The Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com

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