Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds are urging Iowans to be prepared year-round for emergencies. The recent tragic tornado outbreaks in the Midwest and South, and forecasts predicting 2012 will see above-normal tornado numbers, according to Branstad, is reason for everyone to increase their awareness of services available easily from your phone. Most people are familiar with dialing 911, but some may not be aware of the seven other “N11” codes. N11 is a three-digit shortcut to reach special community resources. The numbers are set aside by the Federal Communications Commission and operated by the community service provider. For example, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) operates the 511 service describing road and traffic conditions. 

To assist in the awareness of these N11 codes, the Branstad administration has directed the creation of a website containing the information. It is found here: http://www.iowa.gov/pages/n11  The following N11 codes are available for Iowans to use: 

• 211 – Community information and referral services, including food, shelters, clothes, health insurance programs, support groups, counseling, financial assistance, meal services, child care, legal services, etc. There are 2-1-1 call centers serving all 99 counties in Iowa. 
• 311 – Nonemergency police, fire and municipal business. Local and municipal governments administer 311 calls.
• 411 – Local telephone directory assistance. Landline 4-1-1 service is provided by local telephone companies.  Wireless services are provided by your wireless phone carrier. Some telephone companies and wireless carriers charge for this service.  
• 511 – Travel information, including the status of roadway construction, accidents, detours and winter road conditions. Iowa information is provided by the Iowa DOT. 511 services are available in most other states. The information you receive is based on the location from where you are calling. 511 is the abbreviated number for 800-288-1047 (available nationwide).
• 611 – For customers of some telephone companies, 611 is used to report a problem with telephone service. Many wireless phone providers also use 611 as a general customer service access number.
• 711 – The Telecommunications Relay Service that allows people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-disabled to place calls to standard telephone users via a keyboard or other assistive device 
• 811 – This “Call before You Dig” number arranges for utilities to be located and marked, preventing damage that can interrupt service and place the public at risk. 
• 911 – Emergency response   

Additionally, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is encouraging all Iowans to take the following three steps to ensure proper precautions are taken in case of emergencies or natural disasters: 

• Step One—Be Aware of the hazards that may affect you.
• In Iowa we know we will have tornadoes, floods, thunderstorms, hail, blizzards and ice storms.
• Pay attention to the news. Local radio and television stations provide up-to-date information during an emergency. You can sign up for Twitter or Facebook updates to come directly to your mobile phone.
• Investing in a NOAA Weather Radio is a great way to receive weather and other emergency alerts – and you can program it so you only receive alerts for your county. 
• Step Two—Make an emergency plan.
• Because you and your family may not be together when an emergency happens, knowing what to do, where you will go, and how to get in touch with each other is important.
• So, sit down as a family. Plan for those who have special needs, such as elderly relatives or family members and even neighbors who are dependent on life-sustaining or health-related equipment such as a ventilator or respirator. They may need help in the event of an evacuation or a severe weather event.
• And since most shelters don’t accept pets, don’t forget to make plans for them. 
• Step Three—Make an emergency supply kit
• During an emergency there are items you and your family will need. This includes if you have to evacuate your home or shelter in place.
• Build an emergency supply kit by packing a bag with items such as water and food, medication, a first aid kit, a flashlight, batteries, a radio, copies of important documents such as insurance policies and driver’s licenses, and blankets and sleeping. 

More information about these three simple steps can be found at HSEMD’s preparedness website www.BeReady.Iowa.gov.

(Press Release from the Governor’s Office)

Iowans who are hitting the half-century mark this year also need to make an appointment to talk with their doctor about a colonoscopy. Chuck Reed, spokesman for the Iowa office of the American Cancer Society, says March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and it’s a wise move to get screened. “Far too many people die from colon cancer,” Reed says. “The truth is, it’s almost unnecessary because if colon cancer is caught early, you stay up to date with your screenings, you talk to your doctor, there’s a tremendous survival rate. To die from colon cancer is really an unnecessary death if you stay on top of your health.” This year, it’s estimated nearly 17-hundred Iowans will be diagnosed with colon cancer and 590 will die from it. Reed said Iowans are responding by getting checkups.

“We’ve seen the rate for colon cancer deaths decline because screenings have become better and more people are getting their screenings,” Reed says. “Not as many as we’d hoped but more and more people are talking to their doctors, getting that colonoscopy at 50, using the other tests that are available.” One factor you can’t control is your family history, which Reed says may mean you’ll have to be screened earlier than age 50.

“If you have a family history, a mom, dad, sibling, uncle, whatever, who’s had colon cancer, had the polyps, you need to be checked relatively quickly,” he says. “That could be before 50 and that’s why you need to talk to your doctor.” Learn more about colon cancer at 800-227-2345 or at “www.cancer.org”. 

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

The Lenox Police Department reports four people were taken into custody following a traffic stop Saturday night. Officers stopped a vehicle at around 10-p.m. at the intersection of Brooks and Dallas Streets, for an equipment violation. During the stop, the officers observed beer and liquor in the vehicle. The driver of the car, 18-year old Taylor Turlock, of Lenox, was arrested on a charge of Open Container. Turlock was transported to the Taylor County Jail and held pending a court appearance. Two passengers in the vehicle, 19-year old Jesse Harrison, of Prescott and 18-year old Domenica Petty, of Clearfield, were cited for open containers of alcohol and released to sober persons. Another passenger, 17-year old Adriana Arevalo, of Lenox, was referred to juvenile court of a charge of possession of alcohol and released to a parent.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports today (Monday) five people were arrested last week. Taken into custody Tuesday, was: 20-year old Jace Reed Catlett, of Sidney, for violation of his probation; 30-year old Adam Wesley Bartles, of Glenwood, for trespassing; 21-year old Rayna Nichole Thomas, of Colfax, who was arrested for interference with official acts and disorderly conduct; and, 30-year old Douglas Alan Ballard, of Norwalk, who was charged with violation of a no contact order. And, officials say last Monday, 37-year old James Lee McClain, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Fremont County, for operating a motor vehicle without the owners’ consent.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Authorities in Montgomery County say three people were arrested Saturday. 16-year old Brittney Maynes was charged with Serious Assault. The teen was later released to the custody of her parents. And, two Red Oak residents were arrested on trespassing charges, for allegedly trespassing on railroad property. 51-year old William Coatney and 23-year old Jennifer Dellaca were taken into custody at around 5-p.m. Saturday. The pair were issued citations, and released.

Audubon High School FFA Advisor Brittany Elmquist says the Audubon High School Chapter of the FFA has been awarded a $1,500 “Planting a Seed” grant from the Iowa Food & Family Project. The grant will be used to conduct activities which increase agricultural awareness and interest among youth in food production and life sciences. The “Planting a Seed” program is sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, in cooperation with the Iowa FFA Foundation.

The Audubon FFA and other grant recipients, will conduct programs this spring that stimulate interest among K-through 12 students in agricultural careers, and emphasize the role science and technology play in providing wholesome food, using less land and fewer inputs. The Audubon Chapter of the FFA plans to host a “Poverty Dinner” for the entire Audubon High School student body, grades 8-through 12. The goal of the event is to increase awareness about food insecurity and the important role farmers play in providing greater quantities of wholesome food for more people.

The dinner will be held during lunch on March 21st, with students randomly assigned to one of three Socio-economic levels that represent proportional global standards of living. The meal might be one of just rice and beans eaten on the floor, or, a nice four-course meal…depending on the students’ assigned socio-economic status. Prior to the dinner, FFA members will discuss scenarios which set the stage for the meal, and what the average day is like for people in the various levels around the world.

During the week leading up to the event, the Audubon FFA Chapter will post facts about agriculture and related Ag-science careers. The chapters’ members will also be recognized April 23rd at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference in Ames. The State Chapter determined to have conducted the most innovative and successful activity, will be presented with a $1,500 Award of Excellence, to be used for general chapter activity.

w/ Ric Hanson

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A Red Oak man was arrested Sunday night on a charge of Simple Domestic Assault. According to Red Oak Police, 19-year old Caleb Lee Walter was taken into custody at around 11:35-p.m.. Walter was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond, pending a court appearance.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press