DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican Joni Ernst has three times as much cash as Democrat Bruce Braley going in to the final days of the competitive Iowa Senate race.  Reports filed with the Federal Election Commission show Ernst raised $6 million between July 1 and Sept. 30 and ended that period with $3.6 million in cash. Braley raised $2.8 million during that time and ended the financial quarter with $1.2 million.

Braley, a four-term congressman from Waterloo, and Ernst, a state lawmaker and officer in the Iowa National Guard from Red Oak, are locked in one of the nation’s closest races. They are vying for the seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

Republicans hope to win in Iowa in their drive for the six-seat gain they need for a Senate majority.

Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds will honor five Iowa firefighters with the 2014 Sullivan Brother’s Award of Valor. The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at 2:00PM in the Governor’s Office.

This year, the Governor and Lt. Governor will honor the following professionals with the Sullivan Brother’s Award of Valor:

Captain Russ Bell, Milford Fire Department
Firefighter Doug Heller, Milford Fire Department
Firefighter Josh Lieb, Milford Fire Department
Firefighter Casey Carpenter, Milford Fire Department
Chief Bill Hook, Cambridge & Union Township Fire and Rescue Department

Every day, men and women in uniform quietly serve, sacrificing their safety to keep our Iowa communities safe and secure. The Sullivan Brother’s Award of Valor is given to peace officers and firefighters who, while serving in an official capacity, distinguished themselves by the performance of a heroic act in excess of normal demands of police or fire service, where the person was fully aware of the threat to his or her personal safety.

The Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences has reinstated the license of a salon owner in Carroll, after the owner agreed to a settlement with the state over unsanitary practices resulting from an inspection in March, 2014. Duy Quang Dau, owner of “Pretty Nails,” in Carroll agreed to pay a fine of $500, and as a result, Dau’s nail technologist licenses will be returned and all restrictions removed.

Investigators had determined on March 11th, 2014, Dau engaged in unsanitary practices in violation of Iowa Code, by: failing to provide biohazard disposal; failing to post a copy of the most recent sanitation rules; having a product containing liquid methyl methacrylate on the premises; failing to properly disinfect and record a cleaning of the spa’s tubs; permitting licensed individuals to practice outside the scope of their license, and having a chamois buffer on the premises.

A woman from Lewis has a role in an upcoming ISU Theatre production of the 100th anniversary season, “Crimes of the Heart”, on Friday, October 31st.

Samantha Koontz

Samantha Koontz, an ISU junior majoring in Performing Arts, will perform the role of  “Lenny MaGrath,” in the deeply moving Pulitzer Prizing winner “Crimes of the Heart.” Rachel Hupp, a junior in performing arts from Panora, is the production’s stage manager.

In the show, the loveable but dysfunctional MaGrath sisters reunite in their Mississippi hometown. All three are confronted by past emotional struggles and very immediate family and legal troubles. As they wrestle with their crimes of the heart, the women turn to one another for the support to forgive for what has happened in the past, face the present, and embrace the future. Hilarious and heartfelt, this contemporary American classic is a play with universal appeal.

Filled with love, passion, wisdom, and humor, “Crimes of the Heart” is a story that will truly inspire the heart and soul. Iowa State University Theatre’s production of “Crimes of the Heart” opens on Friday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Fisher Theatre in the Iowa State Center. Other performance dates are November 1, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and November 2 and 9 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are priced at $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $11 for students. Tickets can be purchased through any TicketMaster, the Iowa State Center Ticket Office in Ames, or at the door before performances.

OMAHA, Neb. (Oct. 15, 2014) — The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make a point to give blood before the busy holiday season arrives. Blood donations often decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day as people become busy with holiday festivities. Donors are needed in the weeks leading up to the winter holidays to help prevent these seasonal declines. Donors of all blood types, and especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative, are needed now to help maintain a stable blood supply.

Blood donation appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App – a faster, more convenient way to schedule and manage donation appointments, especially for donors on the go. The app also allows users to track donation histories, earn rewards and invite others to join them on a lifesaving team. The app is free and available for download in app stores.

Donors may also visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to learn more about the donation process and to make an appointment.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Audubon County

Exira
Nov. 3: noon to 6 p.m., Exira Recreational Center, 106 N. Jefferson
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Cass County

Griswold
Nov. 4: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Griswold High School, 20 Madison
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Fremont County

Farragut
Nov. 12: noon to 6 p.m., Nishnabotna High School, 907 Hartford Ave.

Tabor
Nov. 3: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fremont Mills High School, 27 Jackson Blvd.

Mills County

Glenwood
Nov. 3: noon to 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 2nd St.

Malvern
Nov. 14: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., East Mills High School, 1501 E. 15th St.

Page County

Clarinda
Nov. 10: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Iowa Western Community College, 923 E. Washington

Shenandoah
Nov. 6: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Shenandoah High School, 1000 Mustang Drive

Pottawattamie County

Council Bluffs
Nov. 3: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 N. 16 St.
Nov. 4: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 N. 16 St.
Nov. 5: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Abraham Lincoln High School, 1205 Bonham
Nov. 10: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 N. 16 St.
Nov. 11: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 N. 16 St.
Nov. 15: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Village Inn – Council Bluffs, 2935 West Broadway

Oakland
Nov. 4: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oakland Riverside High School, 501 Oakland Ave.

Shelby County

Elk Horn
Nov. 12: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Exira EHK Schools, 4114 Madison

Harlan
Nov. 5: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview

Westphalia
Nov. 13: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.