A travel trailer dealer sold 20 units to the U.S. disaster department known as FEMA at a special low price. Before the trailers were delivered, local people donated canned food, bottled water and linens. The donations were placed in the trailers and delivered as a surprise to Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

  A family lost its home to fire after it was struck by lightning. The roof and second floor of the house were damaged by huge flames while the first floor was flooded. Firemen from Garner assisted with the hot blaze.

  OSAGE: A travel trailer dealer sold his entire inventory to FEMA at his cost. Before the 30 units were delivered to the gulf coast states, local folks donated pots and pans, tableware, brooms, cleaning supplies, linens and paper products to be used by the people who will eventually live in the temporary housing. In all, FEMA plans to buy 40,000 travel trailers nationwide.

  NORTH IOWA: Several families uprooted by Hurricane Katrina have found homes here.

  A retired Navy man who graduated from Forest City High School in 1980 brought his family north after their home in Gulfport, MS was badly damaged. At first they evacuated their home and traveled to a relative's house in Jackson, MS. But when they saw pictures of Gulfport, they decided to head north. They waited over eight hours to buy gasoline to leave Mississippi. They attended a church service in Forest City. Parishioners found the family a vacant home to use and donated all sorts of food and clothing. The father will return to Mississippi where he works for a housing authority. The rest of the family will stay in Forest City for awhile where a daughter will begin her freshman year in high school.

  In Britt, a family from New Orleans has made a new home here. The group of seven was on a camping trip without a radio or television in the days before the hurricane hit. By the time they heard the news and tried to make it home to get their belongings, they were too late. So they drove to a relative's home in Mississippi. There they went without electricity or running water for four days. They couldn't leave because of fallen trees. Finally they were able to get out of Mississippi and head to a relative's home in Britt. On the way they faced $6 per gallon gasoline in Tennessee. Once in Iowa, local people and service agencies helped them rent and furnish two apartments. The parents plan to return to Jefferson Parish in about a month. They have been told there was 5-8 feet of water in their home. A home just recently repaired after a tree fell through the roof during tropical storm Cindy.

  GARNER: The county auditor will hold a series of demonstrations in early October all across Hancock County to familiarize voters with the new voting machines that will be used in November. Citizens will be able to cast pretend ballots and ask questions about how the process will work.

  HAMPTON: Dr. Bruce Rorem announced he will be leaving the community for a new job in Minnesota in December. He has been in Hampton for six years. The change leaves the local clinic with two doctors, three physician's assistants, and a nurse practitioner. Another doctor is being sought.

  NORTHWOOD: Several community charities benefited from an $8,200 donation from the Des Moines Register. The money was from this summer's RAGBRAI. "There is always one town that stands out during the ride. This year it was Northwood. It had the best entertainment I have seen since I've been involved in the organization," said a newspaper official.

  EAGLE GROVE: City officials have agreed to install water and sewer service for an expansion of the Alpharma plant. Alpharma is a worldwide pharmaceutical company that produces product for humans and animals. In Eagle Grove, the plant makes antibiotics for cattle, swine and chickens. Currently the operation produces about 3.5 millions pounds of drugs per year. The expansion would increase that to 15-20 million pounds and add nine jobs.

  IOWA FALLS: An 18-year-old man ended up in jail after he intentionally rammed his car into another vehicle and then ran from police. Officers later found him hiding in the attic of his home, and he kicked a policeman in the chest. The man was charged with hit and run, assault on an officer, reckless driving, interference with an officer, and two counts of criminal mischief.

  Boy Scouts are painting the town's fire hydrants one of four different colors depending upon the water pressure available at each location. This will aid firemen who are in a hurry.

  CLEAR LAKE: A local company that makes frozen cookie dough for school and church fundraisers will expand its operation. Clear Lake Specialty Products currently employs 18 people and will add 40 new jobs. If growth continues, the firm may add an additional 50 employees to make pizza crusts. CLSP was merged in 2004 with Joe Corbi's, a Maryland company that makes frozen pizzas and cookie dough for fundraisers.

  CLARION: Several citizens complained to the city council about teenagers who gather at a local parking lot in the evenings. The citizens asked about a curfew, saying, "There is trash all over: broken beer bottles, car batteries, and weeds. They block the street with their vehicles, play football in the street and are riding skateboards. They set off fireworks and squeal tires. The noise continues until after midnight sometimes." The police chief agreed that there are some problems. His officers check on the area and ask the kids to keep the noise down. Two council members said they would check out the problem and make a report.

  LAKE MILLS: The city and the Union Pacific Railroad are at odds over what to do about a railroad signal that has repeatedly been hit by passing vehicles. The city asked the railroad to move the unit back from the curb. But the railroad says the city moved the curb closer to the signal during the downtown paving project this summer, thus causing the problem. The railroad says it will move the signal and the underground wiring to it and send the city the bill. Or the city can rebuild the road at its expense to allow for proper clearance. Either way, the railroad says it won't pay.