Thousands of Americans – from Joplin, Missouri to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and elsewhere – are trying to piece their lives back together after losing homes and other possessions in natural disasters. Iowans are quick to offer help, but Arvid Huisman with the Salvation Army in Des Moines says unsolicited donated goods like clothing, furniture and food only create problems.

“Most agencies, including the Salvation Army, are simply not set up to store, transport and distribute those items on the other end,” Huisman explained. And he says few agencies that help disaster victims have the needed warehouse space to store donated goods.

He suggests donating cash instead. “It allows us to be totally flexible to meet immediate needs the victims have,” Huisman said. Donated goods, which may not even meet the needs of disaster survivors, also require agencies to redirect personnel to sort through those items rather than providing services to victims.

“When people donate goods, if they’re accepted, it drives up costs because we then need to store them and transport them,” Huisman said. “Cash donations are still the most effective way to help the storm victims.” Donations may be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or online at www.salvationarmyusa.org. Huisman says the Salvation Army’s thrift store in Joplin was destroyed by Sunday’s tornado as well as a truck used by the store. An extensive renovation of the thrift store was recently completed. The death toll from tornado in Joplin has climbed to 125, while tornadoes in nearby states have claim more than a dozen lives.

(Radio Iowa)

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend cook-outs, the USDA is making a change in the recommended cooking temperature for pork. Joyce Hoppes, spokeswoman for the Iowa Pork Producers Association, says the new information is important.

“Now, we can now cook pork to the internal temperature of 145 degrees, followed by a three-minute rest time,” Hoppes says. “This new temperature will help insure a juicy and flavorful product.” Hoppes says there is another rule to remember. When you take the meat from the heat source, let it sit for three minutes before cutting into it.

“When you take something off the grill or out of the oven, it still continues to cook a little while so that temperature still rises,” she says. “Another important thing is during that rest time, the juices settle in the meat, they set, so when you slice the meat you don’t lose a lot of the juices and flavor.” Hoppes says since it doesn’t cook quite as long, whole cuts of pork may have a bit of a different look — more of a “medium rare” pork with a little blush of pink. Hoppes says the 145-degree temperature is for whole cuts of pork only.

“This guideline is for whole muscle cuts like loins, chops and roasts,” she says. “When it comes to ground pork, the recommendation is still 160-degrees for ground pork. That is to assure the meat is completely cooked.” Hoppes says all poultry must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165-degrees. Learn more at: http://PorkBeInspired.com

File photo only - not an actual suspect

Three Red Oak teens were arrested late Wednesday night on alcohol charges, following an investigation into a complaint of suspicious activity. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 17-year olds Jesse M. Wilwerding & Daniel D. Carlson, along with 16-year old Tyler J. Terry, all of Red Oak, were arrested on charges of Minor In Possession of Alcohol.

The teens were taken into custody following a call about suspicious activity near the Frankfort Cemetery northeast of Red Oak, at around 11:30-p.m., Wednesday. Officials say the teens were each allegedly found to be in possession of, and consuming, alcohol.

They were brought to the Montgomery County Jail and processed, before being released to the custody of their parents.

URBANDALE, IA, May 25, 2011 – The Iowa Egg Council would like to invite all Iowa
residents to enter the 13th annual Iowa State Fair Egg Decorating contest. The
contest will be held at the Iowa State Fair on Friday, August 12th, 2011. This
contest is a great opportunity for contestants to showcase their artistic abilities.

Each egg will be judged based off The Design, Artistic Merit, Creativity, Technical
Merit, and Effective use of the Egg. Any art medium may be used, and creativity is
encouraged. The egg must be a standard large-size chicken egg, and must be
freestanding without an attached base, stand, or decoration on the bottom.

“One change to this year’s contest is we are opening up the “design” aspect to any
design. In the past, artists have been encouraged to focus on an Iowa theme. This
year we have decided to expand the possibilities here,” said IEC Executive Director
Kevin Vinchattle.

This year’s awards will include a first place prize of $500, a second place prize of
$400, and a third place prize of $300. Following the contest, all of the decorated
egg entries will be on display throughout the year at Iowa libraries.

To enter the contest, request an entry form and complete list of rules by calling
the Iowa Egg Council toll-free at 1-877-469-2344 ext. 11, or by accessing the form
from our website at www.iowaegg.org. All entry forms must be received by July 22,
2011. Good luck!

The Iowa DOT’s Council Bluffs construction office says bridge maintenance work will cause traffic to be restricted to one-lane on U-S Highway 30 in two locations near Missouri Valley, beginning June 6^th, weather permitting.

Officials say work will commence on the Highway 30 bridge from Missouri Valley west seven-miles, to Harrison County Road K-45, on Monday, June 6^th, and continue through Tuesday, June 7^th.

Work on the Highway 30 bridge from the intersection with Interstate 29 near Missouri Valley east, to Harrison County Road F-58, will be performed on June 7^th and 8^th.

While the work is underway, flaggers will be used to assist traffic through the work zone. Normal driving conditions will resume, when the workers on not on the job site.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department reports a Stanton man was arrested Tuesday night a warrant for Driving While his License was Denied or Revoked. Carl A. Pearce was taken into custody at his residence, without incident.

Pearce was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and later released after posting bond.