What We’re Talking About

Tired of your typical weather terms, like “scattered showers” or “hot and humid”? Try working one of these into your next weather conversation…

-Frog strangler: This goes back to the 1870s, and refers to a heavy downpour…apparently capable of drowning frogs. Also acceptable: ‘frog choker’, ‘frog drowner’, or substitute the word ‘toad’ for extra oomph.

-Gorilla hail: Coined by Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer during a Texas storm in 2020. It means just what you think it means – huge hail.

-Monkey’s wedding: Also known as a sunshower. Legends vary, but rats, bears, jackals and tigers have also been accused of arranging nuptials in this type of conditions.

–Turkey Towers: Storm chaser slang for clouds that rapidly build upwards, exhibiting a turkey-like “neck.”

-Microburst: When a surge of rain falls out of a thunderstorm and hits the ground, and pushes outward into a foot shape.

-Sting jet: A small area of intense winds that can cause extensive damage. The formation looks like a bee’s stinger or scorpion’s tail on weather maps.

-Bear’s cage: The area of a tornado where the view is literally blocked by rotating walls of rain or hail.

-Suck zone: The point basically when a twister literally sucks you up. (That’s not the technical term for it, obviously…)

A highway in Ontario, Canada was turned into the world’s largest salad bar after a truck overturned and spilled a huge load of celery all over a stretch of highway.

Ontario Provincial Police shut down traffic and issued an alert telling drivers there was “so much celery” on Highway 400. Video of the spill shows thousands of stalks of celery strewn across all lanes of traffic and a tractor trailer on its side. The highway was closed for several hours while crews worked to remove the truck and clean up all of the veggies. Luckily, no injuries were reported.

So much celery! #AuroraOPP working hard to keep motorists safe Hwy 400 S/B. Please be patient. #Celery https://t.co/TXRNxiR85z pic.twitter.com/ygAYQCPJtQ

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) October 3, 2023

Photo Credit:  OPP Highway Safety Division via X

Hardy is canceling some of the upcoming shows on his The Mockingbird & The Crow Fall Tour as he deals with his mental health. He wrote on Instagram Tuesday that refunds will be made available for shows on October 5th and 7th and his October 6th appearance at the Georgia Rodeo will be moved to April 12th, 2024.  The singer wrote, “I need to be honest with everyone for a second.  I’ve been dealing with some serious anxiety since the bus accident last year and over the last two weeks, it has taken control of my life.  It’s caused me to suffer many panic attacks which have landed me in the hospital.  I need a moment to focus on me and to make myself better for my wife, family and you, the fans.”  Hardy writes that he plans to resume touring on October 12th in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

October 31st-  Stone Ridge Community Church in Decorah, IA will be hosting their annual community Trunk or Treat. This event is open to children and families of all ages and requires no pre-registration! Trunk or treating will be held in the church parking lot next to Kwik Star off Montgomery Street from 5:00-6:30. Bring out your family and enjoy a safe event with cookies and hot chocolate! Watch for the signs!

Waukon, IA- Trick or Treat at the Allamakee County Courthouse Tuesday, October 31st from 1-3 PM.

Decorah, IA- Decorah Trick or Treating is happening October 31, from 5-8 PM.

Waukon, IA- St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will be hosting their annual “All Hallows Eve” event on Oct 31st from 5 to 7 pm. Trick-or-treaters are asked to enter the building on 2nd Ave. NW & exit on 1st St. Come see our many displays & receive a book along with numerous treats.

Waukon, IA- Trick or Treating at Northgate Care Center from 3:30-5:30 PM.

Decorah, IA-Barthell Eastern Star Home & Arlin Falck Assisted Living is hosting Trick or Treat on Tuesday, October 31st from 3-5 PM.

Spillville, IA- Trick or Treat Tuesday, October 31st from 6-8 PM.

Calmar, IA- Trick or Treat Tuesday, October 31st from 4-7 PM.

Ossian, IA- Trick or Treat Tuesday October 31st from 4-8 PM.

Festina, IA- Trick or Treat Tuesday, October 31st from 5-7 PM.

Monona, IA- Trick or Treat Tuesday, October 31st from 5-8 PM. Trunk or Treat from 5-7 PM on West Center St.

West Union, IA- Trick or Treat Tuesday, October 31st from 5-7 PM.

Canton, MN- Trick or Treat Tuesday, October 31st from 4-7 PM. At the Canton Town Hall.

Waukon, IA- Trick or Treat Tuesday October 31st from 4-8 PM.

New Albin, IA- Trunk or Treat, Saturday October 28^th from 10-1 PM at the Christ Community Evangelical Free Church

Fort Atkinson, IA- Trick or Treat Tuesday, October 31st from 4-7 PM.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (Oct. 3, 2023) – NASCAR today announced that it is bringing its first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race to Iowa Speedway on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. CT on USA Network. This inaugural Cup Series race in Iowa Speedway culminates a weekend that will also include the NASCAR Xfinity Series at 2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network and ARCA Menards Series racing on June 14-16, 2024.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting one for NASCAR and for race fans in the state of Iowa,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “They have long sought a NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, and we’re happy to deliver that for them. We fully expect this to be one of the most highly-anticipated dates on the 2024 schedule and an amazing weekend of NASCAR racing in The Hawkeye State.”

“The things Iowans value most are what NASCAR represents best—hard work, family, and community—which is exactly why our partnership has always been a natural fit,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said. “We’re thrilled to bring a NASCAR Cup Series race to Iowa Speedway next summer and for this incredible opportunity to introduce millions of racing fans to our great state.”

Iowa Corn will be the entitlement partner for the first-ever Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway. Comprised of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn works to unlock the potential of corn in a sustainable manner to meet the global need for food and energy. The name and logo of the Cup Series race will be announced in the near future.

“Iowa Corn is no stranger to racing and the Iowa Speedway as we helped introduce farmer produced biofuels to consumers through race sponsorships for a dozen years,” shared Craig Floss, Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “By bringing the NASCAR Cup Series to Iowa, farmers are able to showcase the power and performance of Sunoco Green E15 at the fastest short-track on the planet, which is surrounded by corn fields, the very source of that amazing, renewable, homegrown and affordable biofuel.”

Iowa Speedway successfully hosted the Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series from 2009-2019, while the ARCA Menard Series has competed at the track in all but one season since the facility opened in 2006. Yet, since the racetrack opened in 2006, and was acquired by NASCAR in 2013, placing a Cup Series race at the venue had yet to materialize – until June 16, 2024.

Iowa Speedway is the latest new venue added to a season schedule as NASCAR continues making bold moves with its schedule, entering new markets and engaging new audiences with its premier series, the sanctioning body brought the Cup Series to the streets of downtown Chicago earlier this year and began its season with an exhibition race on a temporary oval inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum since 2022.

Now NASCAR is bringing a Cup Series race to Iowa Speedway’s 7/8ths-mile tri-oval, considered one of the most challenging short tracks in the country. The race will feature the best drivers in the world vying for a ‘win-and-you’re-in’ berth to the Cup Series Playoffs.

“This is a dream come true,” said NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, Iowa Speedway’s co-founder and designer. “This track was built with the intent of hosting a NASCAR Cup Series race one day, and to finally see it come together is a testament to the tenacity of the great race fans in Iowa.”

The action will begin on Friday, June 14 with the ARCA Menards Series, continuing on Saturday, June 15 with the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and concluding on Sunday, June 16 with the NASCAR Cup Series.

Of the drivers projected to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series next year, 19 have won at Iowa Speedway in other NASCAR national and touring series, including Brad Keselowski, who joined NASCAR and state dignitaries for the announcement Tuesday on the Iowa State Capitol steps.

“For years, the Iowa community has patiently waited for the NASCAR Cup Series to come to town,” said Keselowski. “It is with great pleasure for all of the racing community to announce they will finally see that dream come together. Iowa truly is a hotbed for motorsports fans, I saw that enthusiasm firsthand in 2009 for the inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series race, and can’t wait to see the atmosphere on race day in 2024.”

On-sale ticket information for the first-ever Cup Series Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway will be announced in the near future. Today, fans can put down a $25 deposit for priority access to purchase tickets before the public on-sale at iowaspeedway.com.

Thomas Rhett led his crowd at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in prayer on Saturday after a fan suffered a medical emergency. Video shows Rhett making his way to the side of the stage near where the fan had been carried away by medical personnel. There, alongside the fan’s visibly distraught group of fellow attendees, Rhett sat down and began to pray, asking God “for your healing over Terry”.

@jessmoho #thomasrhettconcert #nashville #prayforterry #thomasrhett #coleswindell #hometeamtour ♬ original sound – Jessmoho

(Clive, Iowa) September 29, 2023 – Following a record high of more than 9,000 nominations, the prestigious title of “Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin” is down to just five restaurants. The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is nearing the conclusion of its 21^st annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest.

The winner will be announced as part of National Pork Month, aka Porktober, a monthlong celebration of the pork industry that takes place each year in October.

The top five restaurants this year, listed alphabetically, are:

·      Cliff’s Place – Manning

·      Spillway Supper Club – Harpers Ferry

·      Stumpy’s Bar & Grill – Duncombe

·      ToJo’s Bar & Grill – Jamaica

·      The Roadhouse – Orange City

A total of 774 restaurants were nominated this year.

“It’s exciting to see such an overwhelming response from Iowans who love breaded pork tenderloins,” said Kelsey Sutter, marketing and programs director for IPPA. “There certainly isn’t a shortage of restaurants serving them up!”

To qualify, pork tenderloins must be hand-breaded or battered. A traditional tenderloin starts with a pounded-out slice of pork loin that’s dredged through flour, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, or crushed crackers. The meat is then fried to a crispy, golden brown and served on a bun.

The Iowa restaurant serving them needs to be open year-round and offer the sandwich as a regular menu item. Food trucks, concession stands, seasonal eateries, and catering businesses are not eligible for the contest.

“The breaded pork tenderloin is an Iowa tradition,” said Linda Schroeder, chair of the IPPA Restaurant and Foodservice Committee. “Winning Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest is an exemplary honor, and that recognition will last forever!”

Judging of the top 40 restaurants took place this summer. That list included the five restaurants with the most nominations in each of IPPA’s eight districts, which helps ensure statewide representation.

IPPA members and industry affiliates anonymously visited those locations and scored the tenderloins based on pork taste and quality, physical characteristics, and presentation.

IPPA’s Restaurant and Foodservice Committee reviewed those 40 evaluations and selected the five contenders to advance to the next round. That same committee appointed a panel of three judges to travel to each of the finalists to determine the first and second place winners.

The winning restaurant will receive $500, a plaque, a banner to display, and statewide publicity that will drive new business. The runner-up is awarded $250 and a plaque from IPPA.

First-place restaurants are not allowed to compete for five years afterward.

Winners from the past five years:

2022 –- Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon

2021 — Victoria Station, Harlan (closed)

2020 — PrairieMoon On Main, Prairieburg

2019 — The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton

2018 — Three C’s Diner, Corning

See the full list of past winners, dating back to 2003.

Photo Credit:  Iowa Pork

An educator in Illinois helped her students learn to count by nines . . . by using Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night.  Take a look!

@mcpeek_teaches Counting by 9 – morgan wallen style! #teachersoftiktok #teachingontiktok #thattiktokteacher #teacherlife #teacher #youngteacher #classroommanagement #resorce #teachingresources #multiples #multiplication #morganwallen #fyp ♬ original sound – Faith McPeek

Speaking of Morgan Wallen, he just announced his 2024 stadium tour…with a stop in Minneapolis in June.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Morgan Wallen (@morganwallen)

Photo Credit:  mcpeek_teaches via TikTok

Check out this  NIL agreement with Iowa State football and the Iowa Pork Producers!

(Clive, Iowa) September 25, 2023 – The Iowa Pork Producers Association is partnering with four Iowa State University football players to promote the pork industry. Through an NIL (name, image, likeness) deal, Cyclones Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann, and Caleb Bacon are leading the new “Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon” marketing campaign. The goal is obviously to push Iowans to buy pork products. More specifically, they want you to purchase more ham and bacon.

“After the ‘Hamann Bacon’ photo went viral on social media following the Cyclones’ season opener, we knew we had to jump on this opportunity,” said Trish Cook, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “These four young men are not only great football players, they also have strong academic records, and great last names! We couldn’t be more excited to work with them in this fun initiative to publicize Iowa pork.”

October is National Pork Month, aka Porktober, and this promotion will be part of that monthlong celebration. The Iowa Pork Producers Association will run ads on social media featuring the four players surrounded by delicious Iowa pork and strategically using their names to encourage pork consumption.

In conjunction with the NIL partnership, the Iowa Pork Producers Association will donate $1,000 of pork to each player’s food pantry of choice.

“Iowa pork producers and pig farmers care about their communities, and while this partnership is a fun way to promote our industry, it’s also one way we can give back,” Cook said. “Food insecurity remains an issue for many people and we’re glad to partner with these Cyclone football players to help their local food pantries.”

Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, and Caleb Bacon were all named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2022. Tommy Hamann was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2022. The Iowa Pork Producers Association is pleased to work with these student-athletes to promote pork and the work of Iowa pig farmers, while aiding local communities.

“It’s something unique and it feels good to be able to do something for a good cause,” said Cyclones Defensive Back Myles Purchase, a junior from Denver, CO.

“It’s a really crazy way to incorporate all of our names and I think it’s a great way to promote Iowa pork producers too,” said Cyclone Tight End Tyler Moore, a redshirt sophomore from Des Moines.

When the picture of Tommy Hamann and Caleb Bacon together on the field went viral on social media, the players had several friends sharing the photo with them.

“I think it’s just hilarious being able to use play-on words on our last names in a super clever way to promote Iowa pork and it’s just an all-around great opportunity to bring us all together,” said Hamann, a redshirt freshman defensive end for the Iowa State Cyclones.

Caleb Bacon has heard jokes about his last name for much of his life. “People said I should take advantage of it, and it just came to fruition in that picture. I think it’s just good for our teammates and I’d like to thank the Iowa pork producers for the opportunity.” Bacon is a sophomore linebacker from Lake Mills, Iowa.

Iowa is the number one state in the nation for pork production and nearly 150,000 Iowans are employed by the pork industry.

Photo Credit:  Iowa Pork Producers

With fall officially arriving tomorrow, for some, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: Pumpkin Spice season. And if you’re one of those people who want pumpkin spice in everything from your Oreos to your…pumpkin spice…here’s some good news: The spices that are mixed together to create pumpkin spice each have their own health benefits. That’s right: Pumpkin spice is actually pretty good for you. The flavor is generally made up of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Cinnamon is thought to help control blood sugar levels, nutmeg has been used to treat many afflictions, including cancer and kidney disease, but more research is needed. Ginger seems to be an effective treatment for nausea and morning sickness. Cloves are used to treat toothaches, and allspice is good for things like intestinal gas, diarrhea, flu and colds. And let’s not forget pumpkin. While it isn’t actually an ingredient in ALL pumpkin spice products, if it is used, you’re in luck. Pumpkin is high in vitamin A, which is good for your eyes, skin, and fighting infections.

A Georgia dentist earned a Guinness World Records title for his collection of 2,037 different toothpaste tubes, with unusual flavors including wasabi and whiskey. Dr. Val Kolpakov, who practices dentistry in Alpharetta, said his collection includes rare toothpastes from countries including Japan, Korea, China, India and Russia. “I started my collection in 2001 to learn more as a dentist about all available toothpastes on the market,” Kolpakov told Guinness World Records. “Soon I realized that this is a very interesting hobby and tried to collect some old toothpastes and tubes from other countries.” Kolpakov said some of the most unusual tubes displayed at his dental practice’s “mini museum” include a trio of whiskey-flavored tubes in rye, scotch and bourbon varieties. He said the novelty toothpastes, manufactured by Don Poynter in the 1950s, contain 3% alcohol. Kolpakov said he also has a wasabi-flavored toothpaste, but he has no plans to try it.

The federal agency responsible for promoting the safety of consumer products has employed plenty of tactics over the years, from recalls to regulations to PSAs. Now, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is trying a new — and catchier — approach: It’s released an album. We’re Safety Now Haven’t We packs in six genre-spanning, safety-focused songs (seven if you count the one that also got a Spanglish version). There’s an EDM banger about wearing helmets, a K-pop number about firework safety, and even a reggaeton track about smoke alarms. The artists are officially anonymous.

Photo Credit:  U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission via YouTube

Join the fun on Saturday, October 14th as the 2nd Annual LA Communications ATV/UTV Ride!  Register at 8:30, and the ride leaves Green Valley Getaway in Waukon at 10:00 AM.  This year’s benefactors will be the Allamakee County Fairgrounds and NEIA Community Action.  The ride will include lunch, and a 50/50 raffle.  Enjoy the rolling hills and scenic views of Allamakee County, including Yellow River State Forest!  See the ride map HERE.

To register for this years ride, click here.

For more details visit the ride’s Facebook Group.

NEW YORK — Senior guard from the University of Iowa, Caitlin Clark, was named the winner of the 93rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award on Tuesday, presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the United States.

The winner is determined by AAU Sullivan Award Committee, AAU Board of Directors, sports media, and past winners. Former Iowa Wrestler, Spencer Lee, is the only other Hawkeye to win the award in school history (2019).

“I am incredibly humbled,” Clark said. “It is an honor to be selected for this prestigious award that elects a student-athlete that excels on the court and in the classroom. All the finalists are equally as deserving. It is special to represent the University of Iowa on this stage.”

Clark also won the 2023 Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year Award, Honda Cup and was named Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year as by THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA). She also won the 2023 Naismith, Wooden and Wade Trophies along with the Associated Press and USBWA Ann Drysdale Player of the Year honors.

She is also a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award and is the first-ever three-time winner of the Dawn Staley Award. She also won the Honda Sport Award for Basketball in April.

Clark led her team to its first-ever NCAA Championship game and helped post the Hawkeye’s most wins in a single season. During the NCAA Tournament, she posted the first 40-point triple-double in NCAA Tournament history (men’s or women’s) and broke the NCAA single-tournament records for most 3-point FG made (24) and most points scored (191). This season, she is the only player in the nation with 1,000 points, 240 rebounds, 310 assists and 45 steals.

Overall, Clark became the first player in Division I women’s basketball history to record more than 1,000 points and 300 assists in the same season and was fastest Division I player (men’s or women’s) to reach 1,500 career points over the last 20 seasons.

Off the court, she is a two-time First Team Academic All-American and was named the 2023 CSC Academic All-America of the Year.

In addition to athletic excellence, the AAU Sullivan Award aims to recognize the qualities of leadership, citizenship, character, and sportsmanship on and off the field.

“Caitlin Clark is the epitome of what this award represents,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President. “We’re honored to have her name forever entwined with the AAU Sullivan Award and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.”

The other finalists for the award included baseball player Dylan Crews, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, University of Tennessee swimmer Jordan Crooks, Olympic swimmer Kate Douglass, and Purdue basketball center Zach Edey.

Clark is the eighth basketball player to take home the AAU Sullivan Award in its 93-year history. Previous winners include Sabrina Ionescu (2019), Breanna Stewart (2015), J.J. Redick (2005), and Bill Walton (1973).

ABOUT THE AAU:

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer sports organizations in the country. As a multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports programs. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by more than 720,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts. For more information, visit www.aausports.org.

Photo Credit:  AAU Sports via Facebook

Big congratulations to our Great Giveaway Semifinalists!

Thursday night the side by side and Car Care Package will be given away at Iron Hill in Waukon. Check in between 5-6 and giveaway at 6PM.

Saturday morning the Bronco/Jeep and Roofing package will be given away at Decorah Ford. Check in between 9:30-10AM with giveaway at 10AM sharp.

KAR Auto Giveaway:

Dave Ameling

Julie Kriener

Amy Scolet

Brian Baumler

Karen Bruns

Gretchen Janvrin

Terry Rose

Susan Todzy

John Otterness

Bailey Kach

Side by Side Qualifiers:
Rachel Mueller
Arthur Messler
Cheryl Rude
William Wagner
Erin Klotzier
Todd Erickson
Damon Gragert
Rebecca Rutgers
Al Schott
Ruth Stortz

Roof Qualifiers:
Tony Lentz
Joe Thomas
Holly McCabe
Dean Carolan
Al Lansing
Todd Walch
Jeff Hanken
Mike Dahl
Carey Nordheim
Kayla Waters

Car Care Qualifiers:

Pat Lybbert

Darrel Stoskopf

Jerry Rogan

Joe Saddler

Eliseo Calero

Rick Hughes

Corey Kampshroer

Brandon Eagle

Brian Schneberger

Pam Brown

Here’s a tease of Chris Stapleton singing new “Monday Night Football” theme “In the Air Tonight”, which debuted last night.  (It’s a cover of the Phil Collins classic “In The Air Tonight”.)

New Monday Night Football Anthem “In The Air Tonight” premieres tonight on @ESPNNFL. @SnoopDogg @Drumstress pic.twitter.com/eLjmjNwf1d

— Chris Stapleton (@ChrisStapleton) September 18, 2023

In the full song Chris is joined by Snoop Dogg and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana.

Can you feel it? 🔥

The new Monday Night Football Anthem is HERE!@ChrisStapleton x @SnoopDogg x @Drumstress pic.twitter.com/hbuTMMHIT9

— ESPN (@espn) September 19, 2023

Photo Credit:  Chris Stapleton via X

Remember that three legged bear that broke into a Florida home and drank all of the White Claws from the fridge??

A California woman who came home to find her house had been broken into says she knew immediately it wasn’t the work of a sneaky cat burglar, but instead the act of a bear burglar.

Chelsea Mapanda of Sierra Madre noticed her side door was open and called 911. But after looking through the kitchen window and seeing the refrigerator door open and food scattered all over the floor, she knew it had to be a hungry bear in the house. She says, “I automatically knew that a bear was in my house because we had been alerted that a bear was around.” The hungry intruder helped himself to fresh honey and mangoes.

Police were sent to the house and confirmed there was a bear inside. They secured the area around the house and waited for the Department of Fish and Wildlife to arrive to help get the bear out, but the well-fed intruder found his own way out before they arrived. Chelsea later called it a “fun” invasion and said, “I’m very chaotic so this situation fits me.”

And that’s not it, A mama black bear and her cub in Alaska broke into a Krispy Kreme delivery van as it was dropping off products to a store.

Hide your White Claws, mangoes, honey, and Krispy Kreme donuts!

Photo Credit:  Krispy Kreme Alaska (7710 Grass Creek Rd, Anchorage, AK) via Facebook

We had an opportunity to talk with Lauren Livingston from The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter about the Walk To End Alzheimer’s happening Saturday in Decorah.  Hear our conversation below.

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Northeast Iowa area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^® on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Decorah City Hall.

The Alzheimer’s Association and its volunteers and walk participants are fighting for a different future. For families facing the disease today, for more time, for treatments. Alzheimer’s research is closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s, but to get there, the Alzheimer’s Association needs Northern Iowa to join them for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.

There is no fee to register for Walk, however, all participants are encouraged to raise critical funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with Promise Garden flowers which signify our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers – purple, yellow, blue and orange – represent the different reasons why people walk to end this disease.

We’re closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s,” said Walk Manager, Christine Hess. “We hope that everyone in the community can join us by starting a team to help the Alzheimer’s Association raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease today, take more steps toward treatments and finally ending this disease.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

In Iowa alone, there are more than 66,000 people living with the disease and 98,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.

Motorists in Houston did a double take on the road earlier this week when an electronic construction sign flashed a strange and offensive message at them.

Drivers saw the sign which first read, “Due to the weather,” and were shocked when it then flashed “Go [expletive] yourself.” Some were able to snap photos of the messages and shared them on social media. The sign apparently displayed the message for several hours before a city inspector showed up and shut it down. Houston Public Works said they do not operate the sign and are investigating who may have been able to access the controls which are locked inside a box.

Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios and Cell Phones

WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 1:20 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.

The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.

The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones.

This year the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:

• Beginning at approximately 1:20 p.m. CST, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.
• For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
• Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

WEA alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas. To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.

Important information about the EAS test:

• The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
• The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 1:20 to 1:50 hours CST. This is only a test. No action is required by the public

Reminder: On Wednesday, October 4th, at 2:20 p.m. ET, we will conduct a nationwide emergency alert test in coordination with the @FCC.

The test helps ensure that systems are operational to warn the public about emergencies if and when they happen.

Info: https://t.co/ke0EOoSYPK pic.twitter.com/QYTkdZ6zbF

— FEMA (@fema) September 13, 2023

Photo Credit:  FEMA via Twitter

A Utah family weathered some scary moments when a chair flew into their windshield while they were on the highway. A family of five was driving on Interstate 15 near Lehi, Utah, which is slightly less than 30 miles south of Salt Lake City on Saturday. Their dashboard camera captured the moment the bottom of an office chair hurtled through the air and crashed into their vehicle from two lanes over. In the video you can hear screaming when the chair part hits the windshield, then someone repeating “I’m fine, I’m fine,” as another person wonders what just hit them. No one was seriously injured. The windshield was shattered and there was also some damage to the dashboard.

Photo Credit:  NBC News via YouTube

A Pennsylvania man saw 777 movies in theaters over the past year, setting a new Guinness World Record. To raise awareness for autism and suicide prevention, 32-year-old Zach Swope began his movie journey on July 5, 2022, watching “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” The film fanatic, who has Asperger’s syndrome, watched approximately 3 movies during each week, still working his full-time job early in the day. Weekends were all-day endeavors. Swope watched “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” as the last movie of his year-long binge on July 5. His most-watched film over the year was “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” which he viewed 47 times. His least favorite movie? The sci-fi horror “The Devil Conspiracy,” which he only saw once, and calls “a movie I’d rather forget.”

Who ready to watch 778 films and break Zach Swope’s record ??🙆🙆 pic.twitter.com/QRtghheM71

— Karthik2.0 ✪✫ (@Mysterio_87_) September 12, 2023

A couple in New Jersey recently bought a house. When they had to replace some drywall in the basement when it flooded following a storm They opened the wall up, dozens of empty Captain Morgan spiced rum bottles started falling out.  The previous owner saw the video and followed up with them by saying there are hundreds more hidden in the walls, but he’s three years sober now.

 

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Photo Credit:  cataukamp via Instagram

The Country Music Association has announced the nominees for this year’s CMA Awards. Lainey Wilson leads the way with a whopping nine nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, and duet partner Jelly Roll follows with five. Luke Combs and Hardy also land four each.

The CMA Awards broadcast live from Nashville November 8th on ABC.

Entertainer of the Year

• Luke Combs
• Chris Stapleton
• Carrie Underwood
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Carly Pearce
• Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen

​​​​​​Vocal Group of the Year

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

• Brooks and Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan and Shay
• Maddie and Tae
• The War and Treaty

Album of the Year

• Ashley McBryde – Ashley McBryde: Welcome to Lindeville
• Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country
• Luke Combs – Gettin’ Old
• Morgan Wallen – One Thing at a Time
• Kelsea Ballerini – Rollin’ Up the Welcome Mat

Single of the Year

• Luke Combs – “Fast Car
• Lainey Wilson – “Heart Like a Truck”
• Jelly Roll – “Need a Favor”
• Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
• Hardy (featuring Lainey Wilson) – “Wait in the Truck”

Song of the Year

• Luke Combs – “Fast Car”
• Lainey Wilson – “Heart Like a Truck”
• Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
• Megan Morney – “Tennessee Orange”
• Hardy (featuring Lainey Wilson) – “Wait in the Truck”

Musical Event of the Year

• Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson) – “Save Me”
• Cole Swindell and JoDee Messina – “She Had Me at Heads Carolina (Remix)”
• Kane Brown (featuring Katelyn Brown) – “Thank God”
• Hardy (featuring Lainey Wilson) – “Wait in the Truck”
• Carly Pearce (featuring Chris Stapleton) – “We Don’t Fight Anymore”

Music Video of the Year

• Ashley McBryde – “Light On in the Kitchen”
• Old Dominion – “Memory Lane”
• Jelly Roll – “Need a Favor”
• Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
• Hardy (featuring Lainey Wilson) – “Wait in the Truck”

New Artist of the Year

• Zach Bryan
• Jelly Roll
• Parker McCollum
• Megan Moroney
• Hailey Whitters

A three-legged bear broke into a Florida family’s enclosed porch and helped itself to three White Claws from the fridge. Josaury Faneite-Diglio said her 13-year-old son, Joseph Diglio, was inside their Lake Mary home when the family dog’s barking alerted him to a bear outside. Security camera footage and cellphone video recorded by Joseph shows the three-legged bear, known to neighbors as Tripod, breaking through the screen into the home’s lanai. “He ate the fish food we had outside next to our fish tank and then proceeded to the bar,” Faneite-Diglio told WESH-TV. “He took three White Claws, drank, and left very happy. His favorite flavor is mango and strawberry.” Joseph said seeing the bear open the fridge spurred him to lock the doors of the house in case Tripod went looking for more snacks. The family said the bear left after a few minutes, with the only damage being the stolen snacks and a hole in the screen.

A three-legged bear named Tripod was caught taking a Florida family’s White Claws. pic.twitter.com/KrBLg9irgQ

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 6, 2023

Photo Credit: CBS News via X

On this day in 1979, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, better known as simply ESPN, was officially launched. The first-ever all-sports cable network signed on with the debut of SportsCenter hosted by Lee Leonard and George Grande. Following SportsCenter was the coverage of a slow-pitch softball game. Actually, it was a softball double-header. So you can see that the network has certainly come a long way.

Photo Credit:  IceManNYR via YouTube

➢ Hefty Cinnamon Pumpkin Spice Ultra Strong Trash Bags: Forget about scented candles. What you need is trash that doesn’t smell like trash. These things are available this month only at major retailers for $5.99.

➢ Busch Pumpkin Spice Dog Brew: It’s an alcohol-free drink for dogs made with pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and water. Sold in 4-packs for $15.

➢ Krispy Kreme Pup’kin Spice Doggie Doughnuts: These baked doughnut-shaped dog biscuits contain pumpkin, peanut butter, and carob, and flavors include Pup’kin Spice Original Glazed, Pup’kin Spice Cake, Pup’kin Spice Maple Peanut, and Pup’kin Spice Cheesecake Swirl.

➢ Pumpkin Spice Avocado Oil Caviar: Chosen Foods came up with this one. It is made from their avocado oil and a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice—no fish eggs included. Just $19.99. (Wow – three things I try to avoid – all together!)

➢ Pumpkin Spice Latte Body Wash: Part of Tree Hut’s Café Collection, it contains notes of pumpkin, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg. (For the type of person who loves pumpkin spice so much that they want to coat their entire body in it!)

➢ Pumpkin Spice Latte Engagement Ring: Jewelry company Angelic Diamonds is offering “The perfect ring for when it’s love at first sip”. This $12,500 custom ring features a rose gold band that holds white diamonds and orange sapphires in a conical shape mimicking the foam atop a PSL. It comes in a box with a pumpkin-shaped clasp and a cardboard wrap, similar to the sleeve on a hot cup of coffee.

➢ DUMPkin Spice Wipes from DUDEwipes: These wipes are exactly what you think they are: rear-end wipes “made with clove, nutmeg and other fall (“crap”), says its maker. And yes, the idea came from an April Fool’s Day joke.

Happy birthday to Jeff Foxworthy. He turns 65 today! Let’s celebrate with some classic redneck comedy from Jeff!

Photo Credit:  Warner Records Vault via YouTube

We had a chance to visit with Ashley Elsbernd from Calmar, who was crowned the 70th Iowa Dairy Princess during an evening ceremony at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on Wednesday, August 9.  Also we chatted with Elizabeth Fossum of Waterville, who was named Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate.  They both begin their duties today(September 1st).

A new survey says that couples today are looking to make their wedding as unique…as they are.

The poll of 2,000 adults in serious relationships, engaged or married, of various ages, found that 68% feel it’s important that their wedding is customized to be unique to them — rather than follow tradition. 45% said that means hosting the ceremony in a place with personal significance.

What else makes a wedding unique to the couple? 36% said that involves staying away from “traditional” wedding music and choosing a different song to walk down the aisle. 29% feel the need to change up the traditional wedding dress code, and 18% are looking to choose an unconventional wedding theme.

Customs considered outdated by respondents include: Not seeing each other before the ceremony (36%) and wearing a white dress (36%). But that doesn’t mean guests should show up in white. Almost one in 5 Gen-Zers say wearing white is the rudest thing you can do as a guest, but only 2% of baby boomers would take offense.

TOP LOCATIONS FOR A WEDDING CEREMONY
Beach – 24%
House of worship – 23%
Garden – 23%
Backyard – 17%
Banquet hall – 14%
Hotel or resort – 12%
National park – 9%

There have been a lot of unusual truck spills in the news, but this one takes the cake.

A semi truck overturned in Utah’s Logan Canyon, but that was the yeast of the problem. The truck was hauling baking flour and spilled the entire load all over the place. One of the two occupants of the truck suffered minor injuries. Cleaning up the mess was no piece of cake, but crews rose to the challenge. After all was bread and done, the wrecked truck was removed from the road and the flour was eventually cleaned up.

Photo Credit: Logan City Fire Department via Facebook

A woman in Texas was taking a bath when a scorpion started poking its pincers through the overflow valve.    Check out her video and hilarious commentary.

 

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Photo Credit:  BVIRAL Licensing via Instagram

Imagine a 314 ft. Slim Jim.  That’s kind of what the Wisconsin company, Wenzel Farms, just cooked up and achieved a Guinness World Record.  There wasn’t one on record.  All they had to do was make it 13 feet.  But for their 75th anniversary, they knew length matters. FYI…They had to roll it off of a giant spool.  It covered 40 long tables.

Patty Loveless will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year, but Tuesday, she was there to celebrate the opening of her new exhibit “No Trouble with the Truth”. It explores Loveless’ story from musical prodigy to a Grammy award-winning country star, and it’s open through Oct. 2024.

 

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A Florida man “mustard” up the courage to propose to his girlfriend using a hot dog  — and she said yes!

Brad Richardson gave his girlfriend Brooke James a memory to relish by getting down on one knee to pop the question by popping a frankfurter into her hand while they were dining at Wacked Out Weiner.

The bride to be told a local news outlet “It took me a few seconds to really understand it wasn’t a joke. But when I saw the smile on his face and the sparkle in the middle of the hotdog, I knew.”

Photo Credit:  Wacked out Weiner via Facebook

A baby giraffe with no spots was born at the Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, three weeks ago. It’s just a solid brown. She is doing well being cared for by her mother and is already 6 feet tall. But what she still needs is a name. Zoo officials have narrowed it down to four names, all Swahili words, and you can vote for your favorite on Facebook:

• Kipekee — Unique
• Firali — Unusual or extraordinary
• Shakiri — She is most beautiful
• Jamella — One of great beauty

The winning name will be announced on September 4th.

Photo Credit: Brights Zoo via Facebook

Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health will open its main building, located at 905 Montgomery St., Decorah, as a cooling center. The cooling center will be open from Tuesday, August 22nd through Thursday, August 24th. Hours will be 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Anyone in the community in need of a cool place to get out of the heat is welcome at the Center. We want people to stay safe and healthy as this heat wave passes through northeast Iowa.
We encourage community members to utilize the space. Feel free to bring snacks to share, games or a book to read. Everyone is welcome.

Power was knocked out for part of a New Jersey town this week and the cause of the outage sounds a little fishy.

A large section of Sayreville was knocked off the grid for several hours and a repair crew concluded that the transformer exploded when a bird flying overhead dropped a fish onto it. Sayreville sits on the water so it’s not unusual for a seagull to pluck a fish out of the ocean and fly off with it. The humor of the situation was not lost on the local police department which urged residents in a Facebook post not to forget the “victim in this senseless death,” referring to the fish as “Gilligan.” The post continues, “Gilligan was a hard working family man. He was a father to thousands of children. The suspect was last seen flying South. If you see him do not try to apprehend him. Although he isn’t believed to be armed he may still be very dangerous. If you have any information in this case please contact Detective John Silver who handles all of our fish cases.”

Enjoy the next few days of cool to seasonal temperatures as summer warmth surges in for the weekend and early next week. Heat indices this weekend top out from the mid-90s to low 100s with Sunday looking to be the warmest of the days. Be sure to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated if outside this weekend. Aside from some light sprinkles in central Wisconsin today, no rainfall is forecast for the next seven days.

☀️Starting this weekend, an extended period of very warm (or HOT!) temperatures are expected. If you have weekend activities, take into account the heat expected, find ways to stay cool or take breaks from the warmth.☀️ pic.twitter.com/i0DdndY1y4

— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) August 16, 2023

Country on the Creek is on this Saturday(August 19th) in Waterville, IA.  Tickets and camping are still available by checking out there Facebook page. We had a chance to catch up with one of the co-headliners Ashley Wineland!  This is her second appearance at Country on the Creek.  We talked about her early days getting started in the music biz, and her long time connection with co-headliner Cory Farley.  Take a listen to our conversation below.