OFFICIAL
NEWSPAPER FOR
AND
NORWALK COMMUNITY
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Warren
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Ballot for June 5 Primary Election p.12
Vol. 44 No. 1 Norwalk, Iowa 50211 USPS No. 395-120 Phone 981-0406 emaih news@norwalknewspaper.com Thursday, May 24, 2012
Two Area Post Offices
to Have Reduced Hours
Recently the U.S. Postal Services announced modi-
fied hours at some of the nation's smallest post offices
in order to cut expenses and still provide service to cus-
tomers.
Cumming and Martensdale Post Offices are among
those to be cut from eight hours to four hours. Others in
the same category include Lacona, Milo, New Virginia
and Truro.
Saint Marys is being cut from six hours to two hours
• and Liberty Center is among those being cut from four
hours to two hours.
Postal patrons need to check with their individual
Post Offices for hours they will be open for customer
service.
According to a report from the Iowa Newspaper As-
sociation, the new hours would be implemented over a
two-year period with changes made by September of
2014.
Hot News
from the
Norwalk Fire
Department
By Dustin Huston
Fire Chief
It's summertime and everyone is taking a much de-
served break by having BBQs, going on vacations, or
simply laying around the poolside. However, Fire Safety
should not be relaxed. There is just as much risk for fire
in the summer as there is in the winter, but as long as
you keep your guard up, your risk for fire will be greatly
reduced.
GRILLING TIPS...
Keep barbeque grills far away from anything that can
burn...y6ur home, cars, dry vegetation, etc.
Stay with the grill when lighted and keep children
and pets well away from the area.
When barbecuing, protect yourself by wearing a
heavy apron and an oven mitt that fits high up over your
forearm.
If you get burned, run cool water over the burn for
10 to 15 minutes. Do NOT USE BUTTER or a salve on
burns because these seal in heat and can damage the
tissue further. If you receive a serious burn, with charred
skin, for example, seek medical attention promptly.
Barbecue grills must never be used inside the home
because, in addition to the fire hazard of indoor grill-
ing, the grill can easily cause carbon monoxide poison-
ing.
If lightRing appears while you're grilling, seek shel-
ter and wait for the storm to pass.
For charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed
for barbecue grills. NEVER USE GASOLINE! Use a lim-
ited amount of starter fluid before lighting the fire. If
the fire is too slow, rekindle with dry kindling and add
more charcoal if necessary. Don't add liquid fuel to re-
ignite or build up a fire, as flash fires can result. Soak
the coals with water before you discard them and leave
the grill away from the house until completely cool.
For gas grills, always store the gas cylinder outside
and away from structures and turn off the valves when
not in use. Check frequently for any leaks in connec-
tions by using a soap-and-water mix that will show
bubbles if gas escapes. When purchasing a gas grill, se-
lect one that bears the mark of an independent testing
laboratory. Follow manufacturer's instructions and if
needed, have it repaired by a trained professional.
Racin' on the Hill
By Pat Wahl
Grab the family and
come join us for the 7th
Annual Norwalk Soap Box
Derby Street Race Satur-
day, June 9. Soap Box
Derby racing has been
around since the 1930s.
Youth ages 8-17 from all
over Iowa come to Nor-
walk to compete in down-
hill, gravity-powered rac-
ers that they build them-
selves with a parent/adult
to compete for a chance to
represent Norwalk at the
75th annual All-American
Soap Box Derby.
The All-American Soap
Box Derby is the premier
youth and family oriented
racing program in the
United States. Established
in 1933, it is an American
tradition. Racing is not just
for boys, many girls com-
pete also. The Norwalk
race is one of 450 races
held throughout the coun-
try each season.
The race is held on
Main Street going down-
hill from the Christian
Church to Pine Avenue
starting at 10 a.m. Come
cheer the racers on. For
some it is the first time that
have competed in a race.
We race both stock and
super-stock divisions.
Come help us cheer on the
drivers. Bleachers are set
up on Main Street for your
viewing pleasure. The
Christian Church will be
serving hot dogs, loose
meat sandwiches, chips
and drinks during the day.
We do have extra cars
that carl be used but you
need to contact us by May
26.
We also have a raffle to
help defray costs of the
race. Many great prizes
have been donated by lo-
cal business owners. Raffle
tickets can be purchased in
advance by calling Pat
Wahl at 981-4928. Anyone
wishing to donate raffle
prizes or cash to help de-
fray the cost of the race,
contact us. Drawing will
be held at the race.
For more information
on the race, contact Lowell
Kleen, race director at 285-
9900. Hope to see many of
you there!
DNR Public I
Meeting May 29
The Iowa Department
of Natural Resources is
hosting an informal gath-
ering of hunters, anglers
and trappers to discuss the
future direction of these
sports in Iowa. The meet-
ing is scheduled from 6:30
to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, May
29, at the Annett Nature
Center near Lake Ahquabi
State Park, south of
Indianola.
Anyone with an interest
or opinion on the outdoors
is encouraged to attend.
The Iowa DNR will
present a brief history on
hunting, fishing and trap-
ping in Iowa, including
success stories and issues
on the horizon facing
sportsmen.
"We want to see a good
turnout so we can have a
frank discussion about
Iowa's natural resources
here locally and across the
state," said Rick Trine, cen-
tral Iowa district wildlife
supervisor for the Iowa
DNR. "We held similar
meetings two years ago
and received excellent in-
put that was used to make
decisions on where we as
an agency should focus
our efforts with our given
resources."
Trine said license buy-
ers pla}, a major role on
outdoor improvements in
Iowa through the fees they
pay. "License dollars go to
the Fish and Wildlife Trust
Fund. That fund belongs to
our license buyers. We are
the stewards of that fund
making decisions in their
best interest based on sci-
ence, data and input from
license buyers," Trine said.
The meeting offers an
opportunity for hunters,
anglers and trappers to
learn more about how
their license money is
spent and to discuss local
priorities with DNR fish,
wildlife and law enforce-
ment staff.
NORWALK POLICE CHIEF l
Ed Kuhl
This week we pause to reflect on our fallen Police
comrades and all those who have and are serving to
protect our Nation, State and Communities. Police Week
began Sunda May 13 and will endSaturday, May 19,
2012. During this week all across our nation we honor
and celebrate those officers who have lost their lives in
the performance of their duties. Nationally 362 such
Police Officers are remembered on the Police Memorial
in Washington D.C. Constable Jack Wheelan was the first
name to be entered on the national memorial. He served
in Los Angeles County, California and was stabbed to
death while serving an arrest warrant December 7, 1853.
That murder was never solved as the suspect fled and
was never identified.
Here in Iowa our Police Memorial stands on the Capi-
tol grounds and contains the names of 165 fallen Offic-
ers. Friday, May 18, at 10 a.m. the Governor and Law
Enforcement Officials conducted a public ceremony of
remembrance. The first Officer to be killed in the line of
duty in Iowa was Thomas D. Moore. July 7, 1869, he
was walking his beat when he was struck by lightning
and killed while on Ogilvie Hill at 7:30 p.m. The last
Officer to be enshrined on the memorial was Trooper
Mark E Toney; September 20, 2011, he was killed in the
crash of his police vehicle. The Trooper was 43 years
old and a 24-year veteran of the force.
The area had several celebrations including West Des
Moines picnic in the park May 16 and the City of Des
Moines displays and celebration of area Law Enforce-
ment May 19. We marked the event in Norwalk by con-
ducting our 15th annual DARE graduation at Lakewood
Elementary Wednesday, May 16. The winning student
read their essay on why and how to say no to drugs. We
also conducted a bike safety day in partnership with
the Fire Department and Parks and Recreation at the
Public Safety Center May 19. We had 80 young people
registered for this event. Prizes were awarded.
Policing has always been a challenging and exhila-
rating profession at the same time. There were many
changes that I have seen in Law Enforcement during
my 40-year career: court rulings, technological and leg-
islative changes. Through it all common threads exist:
character, tenacity, fairness and a desire to serve from
the beginning of policing to today, it is there. The next
time you see an officer please express your gratitude
for their service, as they usually hear the contrary.
Benefits and Services For County Veterans
Bill Hitsman, Assistant Director of Warren County
Veterans Affairs, reminds Warren County veterans that
his office is available to assist them with their questions
and to make sure they receive earned benefits.
He notes that there are a number of benefits avail-
able to those who served. They include health care, edu-
cation benefits, disability compensation, nursing home
benefits and transportation to mention a few.
For assistance, contact Warren County Veterans Af-
fairs, 105 W. 1st Ave., Indianola, IA 50125, call 515-961-
1045 or go to )awarren@qwestoffice.net.
Drug Raid In Norwalk
Thursday, May 17, about 6:30 a.m. Norwalk officers, assisted by members of the
Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mine Area Drug Task Force, conducted a
raid of a residence in the 2000 block of Shady Lane Drive. The warrant and subse-
quent search of the residence resulted in the arrest of Jerry L. Pancoast, 40, Allison K.
Wegner, 42, and Mathew A. Runner, 32. They were charged with Conspiracy To Manu-
facture Methamphetamine over five grams, a class B felony. They are currently in the
custody of the Warren County Sheriff.
