(Radio Iowa) — More than 31-million Americans will spend a half-million dollars this month on Halloween costumes — not for themselves — but for their dogs and cats. Pam Wiese (WEES), spokeswoman for the Humane Society in Omaha/Council Bluffs, urges Iowans who plan on putting their pet into a costume to use common sense. “Make sure that it fits them appropriately so it doesn’t trip them,” Wiese says, “that it doesn’t hang down and impede their eyesight because if it’s binding or scary, they may try to run away from it and, in a sense, run away from you.”

Also, be sure the costume doesn’t restrict breathing, and make sure there are no small pieces a dog can chew off and ingest. Wiese says no matter the cute factor, some pets won’t tolerate a costume, so don’t force it. “If it looks like he’s terrified or is shaking or he’s uncomfortable in it, I would definitely just take it off,” Weise says. “If the pet isn’t enjoying it, you’re doing him a disservice. The best idea is, if he’s enjoying it, fine, if he’s not, get it off him.”

People pose with their pets in family photos and have their pets sit on Santa’s lap at Christmas, so it’s little surprise Halloween costumes for animals are becoming such big business. Some folks even plan ahead and have trick-or-treat bowls filled with animal goodies for neighbors’ critters. “People love to include their pets in all sorts of activities, so why not dress them up?” Weise says. “As people began buying more costumes to dress pets up, more places began making cuter costumes and costumes that are more intricate and more fun, so it’s kind of feeding on itself.”

A survey finds the most popular pet costumes this year include: pumpkins, hot dogs, devils, Star Wars characters and superheroes.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lottery officials are preparing a convenience store in rural Simpsonville, South Carolina for an onslaught of attention after revealing that the winning Mega Millions ticket worth more than $1.5 billion was sold there. State lottery officials plan a news conference at the town’s KC Mart today (Wednesday), to celebrate the lucky sale. The share of the winnings that goes to retailers in South Carolina is capped at $50,000.

The state doesn’t require lottery winners to identify themselves. For now, lottery officials are publicly urging the winner to sign the back of the ticket, put it in a safe location, seek financial or legal advice from a trusted source. They’re also urging the winner to call the Lottery. Winners have up to 180 days to come forward to claim their money.

Iowa Lottery officials say early details show that Iowa Lottery players won more than 106,000 prizes in Monday night’s world-record Mega Millions jackpot drawing and ticket sales in the game set a daily record in the lead-up to the drawing. The winning numbers in the drawing were: 5-28-62-65-70 and Mega Ball 5. The Megaplier number was 3. A total of 106,564 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes ranging from $2 up to $1 million. Four tickets purchased in Iowa came within one number of having at least a share of the jackpot. One of those tickets won a $1 million prize by matching the first five numbers but missing the Mega Ball. The other three tickets matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball to win prizes of $10,000 each.

Funeral Services for Earling Chief Tom Henrich have been set for Saturday October 27^th at 11-a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. The Earling Fire Department and Shelby County Emergency Management Agency is asking all residents from Earling to please clear the town streets on Friday evening of all vehicles, in order to accommodate the funeral attendees.

For any fire department that is planning on attending, please visit the Shelby County Emergency Management website at shelbycountyema.com and fill out the Registration Form on the front page so that the department can plan for parking.  On the day of the funeral, Shelby County Road-M16 will be closed from Highway 37 to 2100^th from 10:00 AM to around 1:00 PM to accommodate the attending fire departments.

It is also requested that any person bringing their private vehicle to the Internment please use 4^th Ave in Earling to access the back entrance of the cemetery.   For updates please refer to the Shelby County Emergency Management website.