AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University is planning two events to replace what was the annual Veishea festival. University President Steven Leath said Monday that a February celebration will feature the sale of cherry pies as part of Valentine’s Day activities. A celebration of the arts will be held in April.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that plans for the next academic year include a community service project, a parade and college showcase and an event to welcome students back to campus for the start of spring semester. Leath ended the Veishea festival in August 2014, saying the alcohol-fueled party placed students at risk.

The American Red Cross says it has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations to prevent a shortage this winter. Busy holiday schedules in November and December contributed to about 1,700 fewer blood drives held across the country compared to the two previous months, which has resulted in about 50,000 fewer donations and reduced the blood supply. Donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In addition to winter bringing busy holiday schedules for many regular donors, severe winter weather can cancel blood drives, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, may cause donors to be temporarily unable to give. Blood and platelet donors of all blood types are urged to make an appointment to donate.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities:

Adair County
Orient
Jan. 13: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Orient-Macksburg High School, 201 School St.
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Audubon County
Exira
Jan. 18: noon to 6 p.m., Exira Recreational Center, 106 N. Jefferson
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Carroll County
Halbur
Jan. 21: noon to 6 p.m., Community Center, 105 W. Second St.
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Cass County
Atlantic
Jan. 14: noon to 6 p.m., Atlantic Catholic Parish Center, 105 W. 5th St.
Jan. 19: noon to 4 p.m., MAHLE, 60428 Marne Road

Lewis
Jan. 28: noon to 5:30 p.m., Lewis Community Center, 400 W. Main St.
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Harrison County
Logan
Jan. 21: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Logan Magnolia High School, 1200 N. 2nd Ave.

Mondamin
Jan. 13: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., W. Harrison High School, 410 Pine St.
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Ida County
Galva
Jan. 22: 1 – 6 p.m., Methodist Church, 300 Crawford
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Mills County
Glenwood
Jan. 20: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Glenwood High School, 504 E. Sharp St.
Jan. 22: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Glenwood Resource Visitor’s Center, 711 S. Vine

Malvern
Jan. 27: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., E. Mills High School, 1505 E. 15th St.
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Monona County
Moorhead
Jan. 30: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Moorhead Community Center, 100 Oak St.
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Montgomery County
Red Oak
Jan. 25: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Faith Community Church, 2701 N. 8th St.

Villisca
Jan. 20: noon to 6 p.m., Community Center, 201 S. 3rd Ave.
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Page County
Clarinda
Jan. 15: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Clarinda Academy, 1820 N. 16th St.
Jan. 19: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 322 N. 16th

Shenandoah
Jan. 29: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Shenandoah Medical Center, 300 Pershing Ave.
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Pottawattamie County
Council Bluffs
Jan. 11: 12:30 – 6:15 p.m., American Red Cross, 705 N. 16th St.
Jan. 12: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 705 N. 16th St.
Jan. 17: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Community of Christ, 140 Kanesville Blvd.
Jan. 18: 12:30 – 6:15 p.m., American Red Cross, 705 N. 16th St.
Jan. 19: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 705 N. 16th St.
Jan. 25: 12:30 – 6:15 p.m., American Red Cross, 705 N. 16th St.
Jan. 26: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., ConAgra Foods, 1023 S. 4th St.
Jan. 26: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 705 N. 16th St.
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Ringgold County
Mount Ayr
Jan. 19: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Christian Church, 201 W. Monroe
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Shelby County
Elk Horn
Jan. 12: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elk Horn Lutheran Church, 4313 Main St.

Westphalia
Jan. 14: noon to 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.
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Taylor County
Bedford
Jan. 13: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Bedford High School, 1006 Illinois St.
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How to donate blood
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.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a home or work computer prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold its regular, monthly meeting Wednesday evening in the Media Center at the High School, beginning at 5:30. During their session, the Board will hear a presentation from Larry Sigel, with the Iowa School Finance Information Services, with regard to the Certified Budget.

Afterward, the Board will act on various contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, and on accepting the resignations of several individuals. They include: Drew Duff, High School PE/Health teacher; Margo Magill, Junior Kindergarten teacher; Paulette Hansen, 4th Grade teacher; Rita McLaren, 1st Grade teacher; Rebecca Osborne, Early Childhood Special Education teacher; 6th Grade teacher Catherine Larsen; 5th Grade teacher Kathi Hansen; High School Science teacher Nancy Jenkins; High School Math/Science teacher Steve Baier; LmB Reading teacher Pam Tibken, and Head 7th Grade Football Coach, Mike McDermott.

Other Board action includes approval of: Early Retirement participants; Early Resignation incentives, and, the first reading of Series 300 Board Policies. Discussion items near the end of the meeting will include preliminary talks about the 2016-17 Budget, and an update on the Athletic Facilities Study from Activities Director Matt Alexander.

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating a fatal crash west of Mount Ayr in Ringgold County early Sunday morning. 30-year old Nicholas Grose, of Mount Ayr, was east bound on Highway 2 west of Mount Ayr and lost control around 3 A-M Sunday. Grose left the roadway and began to slide down the embankment of the north ditch. During this action, the unit began to roll multiple times, and Grose was ejected from the vehicle. Grose was dead by the time law enforcement responded around 8 A-M Sunday.

(Radio Iowa)