(Radio Iowa) – Those who are Irish — and those who celebrate with them every year on this day — are preparing for the return of the St. Patrick’s Day Parades. Sioux City’s parade is back after a two-year absence brought on by the pandemic. Spokesman Kelly Quinn says a lot of people have signed up to participate. “I think we have probably more than we have ever had as far as floats. I think it’s going to be a good year — especially after taking two years off,” Quinn says. He expects a big turnout for those watching the parade as well.

“I think people are excited to just get out and about — plus St. Patty’s day is traditionally just a day for every to have fun and kind of let loose,” he says. The parade begins at 6 p-m and will travel the length of historic 4th Street through the downtown area. Quinn says many local people of Irish heritage will be taking part in the parade, walking or riding on floats.

(Radio Iowa) – A Sioux City man is going to prison for a second time for selling unapproved versions of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sixty-one-year-old David Kempema was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to selling mis-branded drugs with the intent to defraud. Information from his plea agreement showed Kempema ordered pills from India or Germany that contained the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis.

He placed ads in men’s restrooms in businesses along with Interstate 29 advertising the pills as “dietary supplements” called “Supermale” and “All Natural Male.” Kempema admitted that he knew the drugs were not F-D-A-approved. He had reached another plea agreement for doing about the same thing back in 2011 and was sentenced back then to 60 days in jail.

Prosecutors say drugs from overseas may contain unknown or dangerous ingredients and are manufactured under unknown or unregulated conditions that can put consumers at risk for side effects.

(Radio Iowa) – A mammoth tooth has been found in Sheldon. An engineering contractor working on a lift station project for the city of Sheldon spotted the woolly mammoth tooth on the ground after recent excavation. The tooth was on property owned by Northwest Iowa Community College near the Sheldon Rec Trail, about 800 feet west of the Floyd River.

Experts say the tooth, which weighs over eleven pounds was likely in the ground since the last glacial maximum which is suspected to have been over 20,000 years ago.

Sheldon, Iowa Mammoth tooth

Northwest Iowa Community College officials say they will retain ownership of the tooth, but will display it at the Sheldon Prairie Museum in Sheldon.

(Radio Iowa) – Debate of a plan to ban COVID vaccine requirements in businesses, schools and government agencies has been at least temporarily derailed in dramatic fashion in the Iowa House. A dozen House Republicans joined with House Democrats in voting against even starting debate on an amendment that outlined the plan. The proposal would prohibit hiring and firing decisions that are based on an employee’s COVID vaccination status, unless federal regulations require it. And half of a 50-thousand dollar state fine for a COVID-related firing would be paid to the fired employee.

The proposal also would ban mask mandates for employees, visitors or customers. A spokesperson for G-O-P leaders says there was an understanding that 51 Republicans would vote to starting debate that plan, but when votes were cast, there were only 48.

The final vote was 48 in favor and 50 opposed. Melissa Deatch, a spokesperson for House Speaker Pat Grassley, says it’s not clear whether that’s the final vote on the matter. “That is all going to be determined soon here,” Deatsch said, “but I don’t have any answers on that as of right now.”

Governor Reynolds asked legislators to approve new liability protections for the trucking industry and those were included in the plan that was tabled in the House last (Wednesday) night.

(Clinton County, Iowa) – Two drivers and two passengers in a vehicle died during a head-on collision Wednesday, in eastern Iowa. Another person was injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened just before 5-p.m. in the 4100 block of Highway 136, near Clinton. The accident involved a 2014 Chevy Cruze and a 2014 Honda Odessy van.

A passenger in the van suffered serious injuries, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The Patrol says the injured person and one of those who died were wearing their seat belts. The other crash victims were not. No names were released, pending notification of family.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Ambulance, Andover Fire and Ambulance, the Gooselake and Charlotte Fire Departments.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports nomination papers were filed Wednesday, for a spot on the November General Election ballot. Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns says Richard Hoffman has filed to run for Union Township Trustee. Again, that’s for the November General Election, and not the June Primary.

The filing periods for the November 8, 2022, General Election are:

•U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative and State Office: February 28 – March 18, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)

•County Office: March 7 – March 25, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)

Ag Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District, Hospital Trustee: Anytime up until August 31, 2022

March 7, 2022 was the first day for candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county-wide or township offices with the County Auditor’s office. The last day to file is Friday, March 25, 2022.