(Iowa DNR News) — As much as we love fireworks displays, drifting smoke can cause breathing problems for some. “If your family or friends suffer from asthma or respiratory difficulties, it’s important for them to stay upwind, a safe distance from fireworks smoke,” says Brian Hutchins, DNR air quality supervisor. “The elderly and children are also vulnerable to higher levels of smoke.” Sensitive people are most likely to have trouble breathing when air is stagnant. With no breeze, fine particles can be trapped near the ground and build to unhealthy levels.

Smoke contains fine particles and gases, which can be hard on the lungs. Fine particles in fireworks’ smoke are produced from black powder used to shoot fireworks skyward along with the metals that produce brilliant colors. Those unable to avoid areas of dense smoke should limit outdoor activity and contact their health care provider if they experience difficulty breathing.

In 2017, Fourth of July fireworks in Des Moines gave rise to fine particle levels that exceeded national standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Learn more about fine particles (PM2.5) and how fireworks displays can affect sensitive populations.

Finally, play it safe and dispose of your unused fireworks safely.

The Harlan Community School District Board of Education, this week, narrowed the search for an interim Superintendent to four candidates. The complete list of 13 applicants was presented to the Board by the search firm Grundmeyer Leader Services, on Tuesday, in a closed session. The pool included 2 female and 11 male candidates. After a thorough review of application materials, references and licensure the following candidates have been invited to the district on Friday, June 21st for formal interviews.

• Brad Anderson-Mr. Anderson currently serves as the Woodward-Granger Superintendent. Prior to being named superintendent in 2011 Brad served the district as the PK-5 Principal. On top of his superintendent duties, Brad also serves the district as Special Education Director, Curriculum Director, Transportation Director, Title I Coordinator and CRISIS Coordinator. As the district leader, Brad was responsible for adding both voluntary pre-school and after school care for students, among other notable accomplishments. His prior experience includes serving as an elementary principal for United Community Schools, 3rd grade teacher in Earlham and 5th grade teacher in Gilman City, MO.
• Jody Gray-Jody currently serves at the Superintendent for St. Ansgar Community Schools in St. Ansgar, IA. She has served the district since 2011 in this capacity. Her prior experience includes serving as the Woodward-Granger Superintendent and Tri-County Superintendent/Principal and also Curriculum Director. Her recent efforts led to a $14.6 million bond referendum for new elementary and high school gym in St. Ansgar and securing a $315,000 grant to help complete update of outdoor district facilities. Jody has also led the district through strategic action planning.
• Lynn Johnson-Lynn currently serves as the Arlington, NE District Superintendent and is retiring at the end of the academic year. She has served as the district superintendent for the past 10 years after serving the district as the Secondary Principal. Some of her notable accomplishments include oversight of an $8 million dollar addition/renovation project and $3 million dollar HVAC project. She also successfully helped pass a bond issue for the district. Instructionally, she implemented Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) and expanded course offerings for students.
• Steve Hanson-Steve was the superintendent for the West Liberty School District from 2011-2017. He is currently serving as a mentor coordinator. His previous administrative work included 15 years as associate principal and principal at Ottumwa High School, and three years as secondary principal at an international American school in Brazil. Two notable accomplishments Steve led were increased financial stability for the West Liberty School District and efforts to increase graduation rates. He also supported a Dual Language program with over 60% of students K-8 enrolled.

The successful interim superintendent will begin their duties on July 1st or soon thereafter. The long-term superintendent hiring process will begin in November with more stakeholders involved in the process.

(Radio Iowa) — Researchers at Iowa State University are studying why an antioxidant that protects the brain is also associated with deterioration in areas of the brain that are susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. Auriel Willette, an I-S-U professor of food science and human nutrition, says the focus was on what’s called SOD-1, an antioxidant produced in the brain. Willette says, “On the one hand, it had or was related to some protective effects but on the other hand, it seemed to be in a clash of wills with this toxic protein called tau, which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Willette says the study involved nearly 300 people participating in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, while the I-S-U research zeroed in on the impact of SOD-1 on the brain in combination with the toxic protein. “As levels of tau were higher, levels of this antioxidant were also higher,” Willette says. “Eventually, if you had high enough tau levels, the antioxidant didn’t seem to do anything and so, progressively, its usefulness just diminished and then disappeared.”

While the protective SOD-1 is produced naturally in our brains, he says it’s possible to supplement what we already have through certain foods. “You can look at antioxidant levels of SOD-1 in blueberries, they’re particularly high, strawberries as well, non-oily fish, olive oil, things of that nature,” he says. I-S-U researchers say more study is needed to determine if increasing the production of the antioxidant through diet or medication might delay the progression of Alzheimer’s.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed a former lawmaker and state Republican Party chairman to run the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Reynolds announced today (Thursday), that Jim Kurtenbach will begin work July 1 as director of the agency, which handles human resources, maintains the Capitol grounds and buildings, buys state vehicles and manages state payroll. The department has been without a director since last month when Janet Phipps Burkhead left after failing to win Senate confirmation to continue in the job.

Kurtenbach served two terms in in the Iowa House, losing in the 2006 general election. He was Republican Party of Iowa chairman from 2009 to 2011. He resigned as chief information officer of Iowa State University in November 2017 after some questioned his appointment to the $250,000 a year job without a typical hiring search.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports several arrests were made over the past few days. Early this (Thursday) morning, 23-year old Jody Thomas Taylor, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Glenwood, for Driving Under Suspension. At the same time and place, 27-year old Tyler Ryan Doty, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Early Wednesday morning, 25-year old Treyton Curt Sunderman, of Shenandoah, was arrested in Mills County for Possession of drug paraphernalia. 28-year old Patrick Joseph Hauswirth, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Wed. morning for Possession of a Controlled Substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. And, 39-year old Helen Elaine Tuper, of Malvern, was arrested late Wednesday night, on a warrant charging her with three counts of Child Endangerment.

At around 12:30-a.m. Tuesday, 28-year old Katherine Paige Canaday, of St. Joseph, MO., was arrested in Mills County following a traffic stop on I-29. She was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, and speeding. Tuesday afternoon, 30-year old Robert James Hooks, of Omaha, was arrested in Glenwood for Domestic Abuse Assault. Hooks was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa City Council has added bow hunting to its plan for reducing the city’s rapidly rising deer population. The Iowa Natural Resources Commission for years approved city plans to contract sharpshooters to trim back the herd. But the city’s request for a new hunt by sharpshooters has twice been rejected. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the commission is concerned that the city plans rely too heavily on sharpshooters and that bow hunting would be more effective.

The council members agreed Tuesday that the commission was unlikely to approve a plan that didn’t include bow hunting, so several dropped their previous opposition. Mayor Jim Throgmorton signed a plan that in addition to the bow hunts scheduled sharpshooters during the 2019-2020 winter and nonlethal activities that included fencing, driver awareness and an annual deer count.

(Radio Iowa/KJAN) — One of the most successful fundraisers for the American Cancer Society is now underway in Iowa. The Relay for Life is being held in nearly 80 Iowa communities this year. Tina Coleman, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society in Iowa, says the premise is simple as teammates take turns walking or running on a track or path to symbolize the ongoing fight against cancer.  “We’re seeing the attendance at these relays going up this year and the giving is even more this year than it has been in the past,” Coleman says. “I think people really understand what Relay for Life is, where the money goes and how it helps people.”

Launched in 1985, Coleman says statewide support is definitely there for this annual cause.”Relay is the biggest fundraiser in the world for cancer,” she says. Last (Wednesday) night, a Relay for Life was held in Stanhope in Hamilton County that raised $23,000. Multiple relays are planned this weekend, including Friday in Atlantic, Guthrie Center, Johnston and Spencer, and Saturday in Carroll and Independence. The Cass County Relay for Life will be held tomorrow (Friday, June 21st), at the Atlantic High School and track. Area survivors and a caregiver are invited to enjoy a free meal at the Atlantic High School Commons provided by the Atlantic HyVee. Registration is at 4:30-p.m., with a meal to follow. Teams and Sponsors are then invited to come out for the Survivor’s Ceremony at the High School at 6:00pm. Everyone will then head out to the track and the public is welcomed in for the Pennant Ceremony and Survivor’s Lap at approximately 6:30pm. A tailgate meal will follow for Teams, Sponsors, and Walkers at approximately 7:00pm. Come out to Celebrate Survivors, Remember those we’ve lost, and Fight Back against Cancer.

The Cass County Relay for Life Tractor Ride will hold registration at 8-a.m. Friday, at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Atlantic with tractors departing at 8:30. A $25 donation to Cass County Relay for Life is requested. Pastries and drinks at registration. Ride will travel to Elk Horn then Walnut. Lunch at rider’s expense at Emma Jean’s in Walnut. After lunch a scenic ride back to Atlantic to enjoy root beer floats at the end of the ride.

To find a relay in your community, go to secure.acsevents.org