Community Room on the following dates: Sat., Dec. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m.; Wed., Dec. 13 from 4:30 to 7 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m.; and Thurs., Dec. 21 from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Blood drive

Classifieds

Obituaries

The Akron-Westfield students have been conducting water analysis for the Big Sioux Tributaries

Water Project. This is a graph of the first 11 months of Fecal Coliform tests results.

The students will continue conducting tests through the end of 2006. Then county officials

will decide how to continue the project.

The Akron-Westfield students presented their Big Sioux Tributaries Water Project third quarter findings at the third public forum about on Nov. 20 in the ICN Room at Akron-Westfield Community School. This water study project is the result of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) placing the Big Sioux River on the “impaired water” list because of bacteria issues. Plymouth County Soil & Water Conservation District officials wanted to find out if the Big Sioux River in Plymouth County had problems and if so, what contributions to the creeks of Plymouth County make, said Natural Resources Conservation District Conservationist Jim Lahn at the third forum. Those questions led to this water study, which is a joint project of the Natural Resources Conservation District, Plymouth County Soil and Water Conservation District, Plymouth County Farm Bureau, Iowa State University-Plymouth County Extension Office, and the school. Several students have been collecting water samples from Beaver Creek, Indian Creek, Westfield Creek and the Big Sioux River every two weeks since Jan. 1. They have conducted a variety of scientific tests using EPA-approved methods on the water samples. One of the most significant tests is the fecal coliform bacteria tests, which shows levels of this type of bacteria in the waterways. Fecal coliform bacteria comes from “warm blooded” humans and animals” feces; therefore, it may be caused by livestock manure runoff into creeks as well as faulty human septic tank runoff. The students have conducted testing that shows coliform bacteria in all four waterways that are above EPA-acceptable levels. “When you find fecal coliform bacteria that means there are a lot of other possible disease organisms (in the water) which are associated with warm blooded animals and humans,” said retired A-W science teacher Ron Wilmot, who co-coordinates the testing with other A-W teachers. In the first three quarters of this year, testing on the Westfield Creek has shown, it has the most contamination of the three tributaries. Once the final tests in December are completed, a fourth public forum will be held. Tentative plans include having the fourth public forum in late January. The Akron-Westfield students will present their findings at that time. In addition, it will be decided if and how the study will be continued. One suggestion made is to focus on the Westfield Creek watershed area. The Westfield Creek watershed includes land in: • Portland Township Sections

35 and 36;• Westfield Township Sections 1-5, 8-12, 14-22 and 27-33; • West Westfield Township Sections 13, 23-27, and 34-36; • Sioux Township Sections 5 and 6; and • West Sioux Township Section 1. Funding options to continue the project as well as find monetary resources for correcting any problems found will also be discussed. More information will be made available to the public at the fourth public forum. It was noted that the organizations working together on this project are not responsible for enforcing state and federal regulations. “We want to work together cooperatively with local landowners and tenants to solve natural resource problems,” said Lahn.

Becca Meerdink, daughter of Dee and Kim Meerdink of Hawarden, (above) was named to the All-State Chorus. She is on A-W's academic Honor Roll. In addition, Meerdink is active in choir, band, group and individual speech, theater, FFA and the Johnson Juniors 4-H Club. She is a

member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron. Meerdink sings Soprano II and this was the first year she received the All-State Chorus honor. Meerdink was one of 600 students chosen to perform in the Iowa High School Music Association and Iowa Music Educators Association's All-State Chorus. An Akron-Westfield eighth grader was selected to participate in the 21st annual Opus Honor Choir Festival. Katherine Tindall, daughter of Nancy and Clark Tindall of rural Le Mars, (above) was one of more than 3,200 students nominated by their vocal music directors for the 720 positions in the four Opus Honor Choirs, which performed on Nov. 16 in the C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in the Iowa State Center in Ames. Tindall is involved in Akron-Westfield's National History Day, vocal music and band programs. She is active in volleyball, basketball and track. She plays piano and dances. She is a member of the Johnson Juniors 4-H Club and the First United Methodist Church in Merrill. Tindall is on A-W academic Honor Roll. This was the first year she was selected for Opus auditions. She sings alto. The Opus Honor Choir Festival is under the auspices of the Iowa Choral Directors Association Inc. A-W's vocal music director is Ryan Schuknecht.