The Cedar Valley Humane Society, located in Linn County, has been open on a limited basis the past few days. Recently, the organization fired six staff members, including two co-directors. The Cedar Valley Humane Society’s board president, Bernie Lettington, is not disclosing why the individuals were dismissed, but admits the past few days have been tough on everyone who works or volunteers at the shelter.

“Certainly, it’s a transition period right now. But, I think people will see in the weeks and months going forward, the Cedar Valley Humane Society will continue to serve the public,” Lettington said. The Cedar Valley Humane Society serves all of Linn County, except for Cedar Rapids and Marion. Lettington says the animals in the shelter all doing fine.

“The first priority is the health and well-being of the animals in our care,” Lettington said. “We’ve taken care of that every day and we’ll continue to do that.” But, long-time volunteers like Karla Chapman tell a different story. She visited the Humane Society a few days ago and says everyone seemed stressed out and overwhelmed

“Chaos…complete chaos. Very, very upset people. A couple people were crying. One was on the verge of it,” Chapman said. Lettington offered this response. “I suppose, at times, especially on the weekends, it could look like chaos. But, it was organized chaos and a lot of folks are doing lots of good work,” Lettington said. Some Linn County residents fear the situation will lead to more animals being euthanized. Lettington says that’s not true.

“There’s no plans to euthanize any additional animals on any other kind of basis other than what would be the responsible thing for any humane society to do,” Letttington said. The Humane Society is trying to hire a new executive director. So far, board members have received about 40 applications for the job. The group expects to hire someone within the next few months.

Story submitted by Mark Geary, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids

As Obama administration officials debated the merits of the nation’s multi-billion dollar space program, astronaut Peggy Whitson was back in her native Iowa on Tuesday to share some of her experiences in orbit. Speaking at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Whitson told how it means a lot to her to be invited back to her home state to speak.

“It’s always, for me, important to come back and talk where I’m from,” Whitson says. “Young people can relate to the fact that I came from this same situation that they might be in and made something of myself. It’s not so much that I encourage everyone to be an astronaut, but just to encourage them to be something they might not have dreamed of.” Whitson, who grew up on a farm near the southern Iowa town of Beaconsfield, spent more than a year aloft on two separate space missions aboard the International Space Station

Whitson was named the first female commander of the space station, which she says was mostly a matter of good timing. “I can’t really say that there was anything besides that,” Whitson says. “If it hadn’t been me, there would’ve been other women that would’ve been able to fill the role and there will be in the future, too. I’m quite confident it will be happening again.”

During Whitson’s mission between October of 2007 and April 2008, the team did a great deal of assembly work on the space station, increasing the internal volume of the station by 48-percent. On that mission, Whitson took along a Buena Vista University banner into space. Whitson’s nephew Chris is a 2008 graduate of B-V-U and asked her to carry the banner — which she returned to the northwest Iowa campus on Tuesday. B-V-U President Fred Moore says he’s thrilled.

“The fact that our banner orbited the earth for several months is astonishing for us,” Moore says. “We hope that this banner, which will be permanently displayed in the rotunda of the science center, and the historic role that the International Space Station plays in the exploration of the universe, will help promote the study of the sciences for the young people who learn here today and will in the future.” The three-by-five-foot cloth banner bears an image of the earth as seen from outer space and includes the B-V-U logo and the words “School of Science.”

Story submitted by Ryan Thompson, KAYL, Storm Lake

An ambitious home-building project kicked off today in Des Moines in a neighborhood just blocks from the Drake University campus. Hundreds of volunteers turned out for a rally to mark what will be a nine-day construction period for nine townhomes. Low-income families from the non-profit Anawim Housing organization will live in the completed homes.

First Lady Mari Culver was on hand to help get the “Nine Homes in Nine Days” project going Culver says,”I’m just thrilled to be here on behalf of the state, obviously the governor and I full support affordable housing.” Culver says the state has provided funds to go along with federal money to help create affordable housing, particularly in eastern Iowa — where many of the homes were devastated by the floods.

AUDIO: Radio Iowa’s Dar Danielson reports on 9 homes in 9 days. :60 MP3

Culver says the townhomes will provide a new beginning for the families. Culver says unfortunately one of the families that will move into the new homes lives in a place that is substandard housing, too small and several stories up for the grandmother to walk up, and it’s not in a safe area. She says so this is a safe environment, this will be a nurturing environment where she can raise her extended family, where they can grow in a safe and good environment and be contributing members of our community.”

Thirteen-year-old Kenya Williams will live in one of the homes. She watched as the pre-fabricated walls started going up on the project shortly after the kickoff announcement. She says she’s very excited and can’t wait to move into the new home. Williams says it will be a dream come true and she hopes it is their last move and they can stay there for a long time.

Hubbell Homes of Des Moines is leading the project construction, with all the materials from paint to drywall and nails being donated. Baring any major weather delays, the nine homes should be completed by September 18th. Governor Culver issue a proclamation declaring September “Affordable Housing Month”.