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GOP delegates endorse Branstad’s choice for lieutenant governor (AUDIO)

June 26, 2010 By

Former Governor Terry Branstad and his supporters have beaten Republican rival Bob Vander Plaats for a second time this month, as Vander Plaats lost the G.O.P. nomination for lieutenant governor to Branstad’s pick.

The Republican Party’s Primary for governor was sort of replayed at the party’s state convention today.  Congressman Steve King nominated Branstad’s choice for lieutenant governor, Kim Reynolds.  “She represents the values that you and I hold dear,” King said. “She’s an outstanding pick for lieutenant governor.”

Then, supporters of Vander Plaats nominated him to be Branstad’s running mate.  State Representative Dwayne Alons of Hull said elected Vander Plaats lieutenant governor would be the “quickest and easiest way” to get “total unity” in the Iowa Republican Party.  ”This nomination is not about one person, one man or one individual,” Alons said. “I believe I’m speaking for a grassroots effort that has been going on since the beginning of Bob’s campaign.”

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Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , , ,

FOBs will be key for Iowa soldiers in Afghanistan

June 26, 2010 By

Many of the 2,800 Iowa soldiers who deploy to Afghanistan in the fall will end up staying in large tent cities. Radio Iowa’s Dar Danielson toured such a facility while observing the guard troops train at Camp Ripley in Minnesota.

They are called “FOBs” by the soldiers, which stands for “forward operating base”. You weave through a maze of concrete barriers and barbed wire on the way in that is designed to stop any vehicle attacks.

Captain Nathan Nicol of Ames is with the 133rd Infantry. He says the “FOBs” have everything needed, including maintenance facilities.

They have about one company per tent, unless there are smaller companies that share a tent.  Nicol says they have their own aid station and a station that takes care of electricity and water. The setup will be much the same in areas around Afghanistan, according to Nicol.

Nicol says not all the “FOBs” will be large ones. There will be some that are smaller to support a company of soldiers, and they’re known as “COBs”. Some soldiers are staying in the FOBs at Camp Ripley while they train, while others are staying in barracks. The soldiers will be training in Minnesota through the end of the month.

Filed Under: Military Tagged With:

Riverside celebrates TrekFest

June 26, 2010 By

The eastern Iowa community that bills itself as the “Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk” is hoping to break a world’s record today for the largest number of people dressed as Star Trek characters. Bill Poch, an organizer of the 26th annual TrekFest in Riverside, says loyal Trekkies will be “beaming down” by the hundreds for the world’s record attempt.

“You have to come in costume, fully in costume, and you have to have identification, a driver’s license or some kind of identification,” Poch says. “It’s been set somewhere in Europe and it shouldn’t be any trouble to break.” The folks from the world’s record book have very particular rules, Poch says, and he’s confident plenty of Star Fleet officers, Romulans and Vulcans will be in Riverside for the event.

Poch says, “The Guinness record is right at 100 and the unofficial record is like at 1000 but again, that thousand is not recognized because they didn’t meet some of the requirements.” He says the goal is to have between 750 and 1000 people in costume in Riverside at midday, after the TrekFest parade. Since the late 1960s, there have been all sorts of Star Trek incarnations on television, in the movies, in books, comics and online productions. Poch says people are welcome to dress up as characters from any of the Trek versions — they’ll all count.

Poch says, “I’m not an expert on the Klingons and so forth, but the TV series will be the primary goal, to follow that line, but any of the costumes will be acceptable.” One highlight of the day’s events will be an appearance by actor Walter Koenig , who played Chekov in the original series.

 For more information, visit: “www.trekfest.com“.

Filed Under: Recreation & Entertainment

NFL star Warner returns to Cedar Rapids to build homes

June 26, 2010 By

Retired NFL quarterback Kurt Warner returned to his hometown of Cedar Rapids Friday to help hundreds of volunteers build homes for flood victims.

Warner was selected as the NFL’s most valuable player twice in his career and made three Super Bowl appearances. He retired in January and says that’s given him more time to focus on his charitable foundation, First Things First. “There was a lot of devastation through the floods and it’s going to be a long process but I love the attitude of the community,” Warner said. “I love the community coming out to support one another and doing everything they can to rebuild this thing and that’s the reason we continue to come back.”

Warner and his wife Brenda were also in Cedar Rapids last year to build homes. The Warners have partnered with Habitat for Humanity and other organizations on the project.

During this trip, 13 homes are going up in Cedar Rapids. That makes more than 30 homes over the last two years. “When (the flood) first happened, there were so many people that were like ‘Where do I go from here? What do I do? I don’t have a home, I don’t have any stuff.’ And they didn’t really know what the next step was,” Warner said. “To know that we’ve been a part of the project that has allowed 30 some families to be able to put one foot in front of the other, get into a home and really start their lives over is very rewarding.”

Families are expected to move into the new homes by this Fall.

Filed Under: Fires/Accidents/Disasters, Human Interest