Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
For the fourth time, the Valero Renewables-Hartley plant has won the top spot in Valero's annual United Way campaign competition among its 12 Renewables plants. Hartley and its employees pledged more than $61,000. A total of $91,832, which includes a company match, was contributed to United Way of Spencer. The competition is based on level of employee contributions. The winning plant receives an additional $10,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. The Hartley plant donated the extra funds to the Hartley Improvement Foundation, designated for the new Hartley swimming pool and Hartley Health & Fitness Center.
Over 30 units collected at Hartley blood drive
LifeServe Blood Center welcomed 34 donors on June 28 in Hartley, collecting 37 units of blood. The blood donations are appreciated, as is a donation from the Hartley Lions Club so that snacks could be offered to donors.
The next blood drive in Hartley is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 25.
Spring graduates at DMACC
Nearly 1,800 students graduated from Des Moines Area Community College's Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Urban and West Campuses during the spring semester.
Everly students who graduated are Carter Davis, Machinist Technology; and Gavin Morton, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology.
Boat explodes at Lake Rathbun
A mechanical malfunction likely led to a boat motor explosion injuring five at Lake Rathbun on Sunday, July 2.
The boat engine exploded during start-up at the Buck Creek Arm of Lake Rathbun around 3 p.m. on Sunday. One adult female received moderate to severe burns and was evacuated by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospital. An adult male and three juveniles were taken to Mercy One in Centerville by ambulance for minor burn-related wounds.
The Iowa DNR encourages boaters to keep safety in mind by wearing life jackets, designating a sober operator, and having a fire extinguisher on board.
Study to focus on cancer rates among farmers
Drake University senior Isabelle Schroeder, of Odebolt, has been selected to conduct research about cancer rates among Iowa farmers.
Despite decreases in cancer death rates nationwide, there is a slower reduction in cancer death rates in rural America compared to urban America. A report recently released from the Iowa Cancer Registry shows that Iowa is projected to have the second highest incidence rate of cancer cases in the country this year. While it's not clear why Iowa's cancer rates are higher than the majority of the countries, it could be attributed to their rurality and agricultural risk factors.
This research project will explore preventative and risky behaviors for cancer among Iowa farmers. The aim of this study is not only to gather valuable information, but to also increase awareness among famers to ultimately reduce cancer death rates.
Schroeder is asking for all farmers who are willing to participate in her research to complete an anonymous and confidential health survey. Farmers can complete this survey by entering the following link: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8uY7bMTs7NnIZDM.
Counting turkeys
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for help with its annual wild turkey production survey. During the months of July and August wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year's nesting rates and nest success.
Participation is easy – just note the date and county in which the turkey was seen, if it was an adult female or adult male – males have beards on their breast – and if and how many poults (baby turkeys) were present. The survey is available online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Turkey-Hunting/Wild-Turkey-Survey.
Annual population surveys conducted by the DNR are an important component of managing the wild turkey.
EAB grant available for Iowa cities
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has received Emerald Ash Borer Reforestation funds through a grant with the USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters.
The Community Forestry Grant Program provides reimbursable grants to be used to purchase and plant trees suitable to Iowa in counties impacted by emerald ash borer. A total of $75,000 in funds are available to state and local governments, schools and volunteer organizations, and service organizations in the 97 impacted counties.
Award recipients will be reimbursed $500 to $5,000 and are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match to purchase trees and materials from Iowa businesses. Qualifying public planting lands include, but are not limited to, street rights-of-way, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries, and trails (DNR lands are not eligible).
The fall application and rules are available online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/urbanforestry. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 23.
