The Good
As of Oct. 15, youth in crisis can now text the word “SAFE” along with their current location to the number 69866 as a part of the “Txt 4 Help” program, an effort that sends the address of the nearest Safe Place site and contact number for Youth Emergency Services and Shelters (YESS) in the Des Moines area. In addition to coordinating Project Safe Place, YESS provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, crisis mediation and emergency shelter for youth and counseling services.
Chella Murphy is in rare company. The Burlington woman celebrated her 108th birthday last week by walking to her party at the assisted living center. Murphy’s son, Charles Murphy, 83, traveled from Roswell, N.M., to celebrate, too. Murphy is among 11 living Iowans who have reached 108.
The Bad
Chalk one up for Mr. Ed. A slew of runaway horses, owned by Charles Blakely, caused nearly $100,000 in damage to the fields at James W. Cownie Soccer Park, 2600 E. Hartford Ave., after they escaped through an apparent break in the fence line last week. This marks the second time in recent years that the fields have fallen victim. City officials are working with Blakely and his insurance company to cover the cost of damages. Officials hope the fields are soon repaired as they will bid to host the 2012 U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championships next month.
If local flu clinics continue to have problems keeping the H1N1 vaccine in stock, the paranoia and panic over the Swine Flu will continue to build. The latest round of 1,900 shots and nasal spray versions were gone in just four hours, and officials are not sure when the next batch will become available. In upcoming weeks, the Polk County Health Department plans to tighten rules regarding who will receive the shot, which includes pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months, children ages six months to four years, children ranging between five and 18 with chronic medical conditions and health care and emergency workers with direct patient contact. The rest of us will have to hope for the best.
The Ugly
The “Balloon Boy” saga continues to weirdly unfold. Last week, Richard and Mayumi Henne frantically called 911 after their son, Falcon, 6, was supposedly inside a balloon they had built, which had been carried away in the wind. After nationwide coverage of the event, the balloon landed and the boy was not found inside. Falcon was hiding in his favorite spot and this stange media blitz seemed over. Then, during an interview, Falcon was asked why he didn’t come out of hiding, and he turned to his dad, saying, “You had said we did this for a show.” From that moment, the idea of a hoax began to spread. Reportedly the Henne’s called the local news before they dialed 911. The family also appeared on “Wife Swap” before, and the show’s producer said it had a show in development with the Hennes, but the deal is now off. TLC also said Richard Henne had pitched a reality show to the network months ago, but it passed on the offer. Officials are looking to file criminal charges against the parents. Sounds like Henne’s persistence to have 15 minutes of fame could end up costing him some time in the slammer.
And you though DART’s problems were bad. Bill Jones, 46, received a one-day unpaid suspension earlier this month for wearing a pink tie to help raise awareness of breast cancer during his shift as a Springfield Mass Transit District bus driver. Jones, who has had several relatives battle cancer, wore the tie in support of a local campaign called “Real Men Wear Pink,” encouraging men to wear pink on Fridays throughout October. Officials, who have since posted a memo telling employees they can wear pink on Fridays in recognition, originally told Jones he violated the district’s dress code.
CV
