KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Swimming is not recommended at Lake Red Rock’s North Overlook Beach due to elevated levels of bacteria. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works with Iowa State University to test the water weekly. They say the “swimming not recommended” signs will stay up until testing shows lower bacteria counts. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports there are currently 13 state beaches that also have dangerously high bacteria count.

Swimming is not recommended at the following state beaches:

• Backbone Lake Beach
• Beeds Lake Beach
• Blue Lake Beach
• Denison Beach
• Emerson Bay Beach
• George Wyth Beach
• Lake Ahquabi Beach
• Lake Darling Beach
• Lake of Three Fires Beach (Bedford)
  
• Nine Eagles Beach
• Pleasant Creek Beach
• Rock Creek Beach
• Union Grove Beach

(Radio Iowa) – A southern Iowa man has grown a piece of fruit that’s destined to set a world record. A state official has verified that Dave Bennett of Davis County grew an eggplant that weighs eight-point-33 pounds.  “I’ve been growing eggplants for probably five years now,” Bennett says. “Two years ago I set the state record at 5.6 pounds.” Bennett picked up the hobby from his second cousin, a past winner of the Big Pumpkin competition at the Iowa State Fair.

After growing pumpkins and watermelons, Bennett got intrigued with the purple fruit after meeting a Minnesotan who’d grown a four pound eggplant — and the rest will be history. Bennett has been assured by a representative of Guinness World Records that his paperwork is in order. “Eventually I will have a plaque that says I grew the world’s largest eggplant,” Bennett says. Right now, the world’s largest eggplant is in Bennett’s refrigerator, in hopes of entering it in the Iowa State Fair.

“I’m going to see what it looks like next week and I might arrangements about bringing it up. I don’t know yet,” Bennett said. “It might start wrinkling up and spoiling, I don’t know.” An inspector with the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Bureau went to Davis County to weigh the eggplant this week. Bennett used greenhouse grade fabric to create a shade over the plant during its final days outside before it was measured.

Dave Bennett with his 8.33 eggplant. (Photo courtesy of Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship)

Bennett says you start the growing season by planting “giant variety” seeds, then trim down the vine so it’s supporting just one eggplant. “You just keep fertilizing and stuff like that and hope for the best,” he says.

Eggplant is often treated like a vegetable on the dinner table, but it’s actually a berry, so it’s a fruit. Bennett has never eaten eggplant and ordered it at a restaurant recently, but had to pay his bill and leave to make it to a concert before the dish was served.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI/Iowa State Fair]— The Iowa State Fair’s list of Iowans of the Day was released, today (Thursday). The Iowan of the Day program was created by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference all across the state, according to a news release from the foundation.

Winners, selected by a committee after a nomination process, are awarded a day of recognition at the Iowa State Fair. Each day at noon on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage they will be recognized and presented as an Iowan of the Day. They also receive four State Fair admission tickets, four Grandstand concert tickets, use of a golf cart, VIP parking, accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown and $200 cash.

Two western Iowa residents are among those who will be recognized:

Saturday, Aug. 10: Roxanne Cogil of Jamaica

Roxanne’s volunteer work spans far and wide, positively impacting those around her. She is an active member of several community organizations, including the Yale Community Club, where she participates in organizing meals, fundraisers, the 4th of July Celebration, and the Steak Supper. Roxanne also contributes to the Jamaica Lions Club, where she has been fundraising for a bike repair station on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Roxanne also serves on the County Council, supports Habitat for Humanity, and serves as a National Weather Service Weather Spotter for Guthrie County.

Additionally, Roxanne is a large supporter of community youth and youth in agriculture, volunteering with the Guthrie County Fair, serving as the Vice President of the Panorama FFA Alumni Chapter, leading local 4-H groups, and assisting her local Boy Scouts troop. At Calvary Chapel, she is a youth group leader and participates in various service projects, mission trips, and the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes initiative. She also volunteers at Panorama High School events, including prom and the concessions stand.

Furthermore, Roxanne is an advocate for those with disabilities as she serves as the Executive Director of Regional Teams for the Epilepsy Foundation and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa, and the Department of Human Services Case Management Advisory Board. Previously, Roxanne served as the President of the Autism Society of Iowa Board of Directors and organized an Autism Awareness team for RAGBRAI.

Monday, Aug. 12: John Klein of Treynor

John sees a need in his community, develops a solution, and makes it a reality. His dedication is particularly evident in his efforts with the youth through the Treynor Optimist Club and other community organizations.

He has written grants for numerous community projects, including a new playground for East City Park. John also organized swim lesson sign-ups and provided round-trip bus transportation from Treynor to Council Bluffs, making this essential skill more accessible to local families. He supports the Treynor Community Can Kennel, which benefits various youth groups and has raised over $246,000 to date. John also created the Mulch Madness event on Arbor Day, where 5th graders and volunteers plant new trees and mulch existing ones on the school campus and in city parks. Furthermore, he contributes to the Watch DOGS mentoring program and volunteers for the Cardinal Combine youth football activities.

Beyond his work with the youth, John is active in various community initiatives. He has helped organize City Block Parties, a thank-you banquet for Treynor Fire and Rescue Volunteers, and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. He also established a community volunteer organization called Cardinal Core.

Other honorees include:

Thursday, Aug. 8: Marilyn Sokol, of Belle Plaine

Friday, Aug. 9: Pat Burch, of Norwalk

Sunday, Aug. 11: Nelson Klavitter, of Dubuque

Tuesday, Aug. 13: Crystal James, of Ottumwa

Wednesday, Aug. 14: Tate Giesemann, of Bellevue

Thursday, Aug. 15: Rodd Holtkamp, of Primghar

Friday, Aug. 16: Elaine Graham Estes, of Des Moines

Saturday, Aug. 17: Kendall Pals, of Algona.