Officials with the 30+ year-old Pregnancy Center of Southwest Iowa, located just north of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak, say the facility has reached the point of needing replacement of the building’s cedar siding.  They have an immediate need for $21,500 to complete this project, of which $5,000 has already been raised.  The cedar boards are warping, nails are popping out and there are some small areas of water damage.   Board President Rod Goodemote said in a news release that the goal is to not only protect the building, but to maintain the current historic style.

The board is asking area residents to consider writing a check today (put siding fund in the memo) to support this project.  Goodemote also asks that this be shared with your church, employer, Bible study group, women’s group, etc. to help take care of the beautiful building the Lord has provided.

Goodemote adds that they need the funds as soon as possible so work can begin.

Donations can be sent to:  PCSI, 101 E. Reed Street, Red Oak, IA. 51566 or donate via paypal at www.pcsi.care.

The director of the Wapello County Conservation Board says you may see more deer on and along the roadways in warm weather. Rick Tebbs says deer are like humans and stay in the shade to keep cool during the day, and then go on the move to look for food as the sun sets.

Tebbs says the deer we are most likely to see while driving around this time of the year are very young.

Tebbs suggests drivers should go easy on the gas pedal while traveling at night.

Experts say you should not swerve if you see a deer in the roadway, as you may lose control of your car and put yourself in danger.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who use wheelchairs to get around can now zip right onto the sandy beach — or practically anywhere else — at Big Creek State Park in a motorized track chair that’s part wheelchair and part A-T-V. Chad Kelchen, a parks supervisor with the Iowa D-N-R, says the new Action Trackchair is designed to handle tougher terrain than a typical wheelchair.

Iowa DNR photo of a track chair in use

The track chair is the first of its kind for the agency as Kelchen says they noticed people with mobility issues would end up stranded -near- but not -on- the beach, which had to be frustrating.

The Trackchair can handle slopes of up to 30 degrees and it features a cushioned seat, an adjustable reclining backrest and a headrest. Its battery charge will last five to seven hours, depending on the terrain.

The 20-thousand dollar chair came to Iowa at no charge through a grant from the Ford Bronco Wild Fund, which is administered by the America’s State Parks Foundation. Big Creek State Park is in Polk City, just north of Des Moines.