LE MARS YMCA PREPARES FOR 12TH ANNUAL SPRINT TRI-ATHLON
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars YMCA will be holding a sprint tri-athlon scheduled for this Saturday morning. Angela Loutsch is with the Le Mars YMCA and explains the events that are part of the 12th year for the athletic event.
Loutsch says the sprint tri-athlon attracts participants from several Midwestern states, and from various backgrounds and levels of athletic talent, from the amateur to the experienced. She says this year’s event should probably have more than 100 participants, ranging from age 15 to some participants over the age of 80. Loutsch explains how the event got its
start.
The Le Mars YMCA official says she is still in need of volunteers for Saturday’s sprint tri-athlon.
The 12th annual Sprint Tri-athlon begins at 9:00 a.m. with the first part of the competition beginning at the Le Mars outdoor swimming pool.
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“Dine on the County Line” Encourages Consumers To Visit With Farmers
(Le Mars) — Communicating the story of agriculture was the goal of Thursday evening’s “Dine on the County Line” as hosted by the ISU Plymouth County Extension and Outreach Services and the Siouxland Agriculture in the Classroom.
HeatherCollins serves as the Agricultural Education Specialist with the non-profit organization. She says 80 people attended the event, now in its second year.
Collins says the event is designed to have consumers visit directly with farmers, and about the origins of food, and food safety.
Collins says many of the consumers at the food event were educators and health professionals. She says it is important for influential people to better understand and appreciate agriculture.
Collins says the “Dine on the County Line” offered people the opportunity to clarify misinformation and myths associated with agricultural production.
The Siouxland Agriculture in the Classroom official says after the meal, attendees had the opportunity to view a documentary film about farming.
Collins says the movie was shown on the side of a barn giving attendees a similar “drive-in” movie experience.
The “Dine on the County Line” event was held at the Lowell Vos farm.
Clay County Fair To Begin On Saturday
(Spencer) — The Clay County Fair at Spencer, often referred to as the “World’s Greatest County Fair” begins on Saturday and continues through Sunday, September 16th.
Jeremy Parsons is the manager for the fair. He says visitors will notice several improvements and renovations done to the fairgrounds and facilities.
With all the rain that fell on northwest Iowa during the last week, many people may wonder about the conditions of the fairgrounds? Parsons says the grounds have dried, offering visitors a good experience.
Parsons says the Clay County Fair will offer a variety of entertainment at the grandstand, as well as at the free stages.
The Clay County Fair manager says there is still time to obtain discount admission tickets, prior to the start of the fair.
Gates will officially open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.
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IOWA STORE CLERK ID’D EX-BOYFRIEND AS ARMED ROBBER
LeCLAIRE, Iowa (AP) – Police in eastern Iowa say they have arrested a suspect in the armed robbery of convenience store – the ex-boyfriend of the clerk who was held at knifepoint.
LeClaire police say officers were called Thursday night to a QC Mart for a robbery in progress. Arriving officers say the suspect had fled, but that the cashier identified him as her ex-boyfriend.
Police say the suspect displayed a knife and tried to force the cashier to open the register. He assaulted her and stole merchandise when she refused and instead hit a panic alarm.
Scott County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 31-year-old Jae Eads, of Davenport, Friday morning in Davenport. Police say some of the merchandise also was recovered.
Eads is charged with felony robbery, domestic assault and drug possession.
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OFFICIALS SAY ENROLLMENT DROP AT IOWA UNIVERSITIES PLANNED
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Enrollment is down at Iowa’s three public universities, but officials at two of the schools say the decline is intentional.
Overall enrollment at University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa dropped 2.2 percent this fall to about 79,600 students.
The Iowa Board of Regents says the University of Iowa and Iowa State University want more manageable enrollment levels as officials focus on retaining students and increasing graduation rates.
Brent Gage is UI’s associate vice president of enrollment management. He says the school wants to focus on recruiting top students.
Laura Doering is ISU’s associate vice president of enrollment management and student success. She says the school is creating a five-year plan that may limit enrollment between 35,000 and 37,000 students.
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