IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) -A hawk alert went out early Sunday morning for shots fired in Iowa City. Police say around 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning a gunshot was confirmed in the alley of 118 South Clinton Street. Officials say it appears to be an isolated incident. They ask the public to avoid the area and the Pedestrian Mall. Police say they’re searching for a male suspect wearing a black hoodie with white writing on the back and a multi colored hat with a yellow belt/satchel. No injuries have been reported at this time.
MARION, Iowa (AP) – Marion isn’t the only Iowa town fueled by hard water. In fact, most of the Midwest and much of the United States draws on hard water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Still, the water has left a bad taste in Marion residents’ mouths — literally. Some question the safety of the drinking water, and most complain about the hardness. While Marion’s hard water may be an inconvenience, experts have assured it’s safe to drink. And, for those with the means and motivation, there are solutions. Hard water is defined by its high amounts of calcium and magnesium — natural minerals that are found in the human body, a variety of foods and certain types of rocks. Water that tests over 10.5 grains per gallon is considered very hard. Marion’s water hardness varies between 18 and 20 grains, which translates to roughly a pound of limestone rock every 350 gallons of water.
PEOSTA, Iowa (AP) — The team at Mi-T-M Corp. likes to think big, and that starts with its sprawling production facility and headquarters in Peosta. The building boasts enough room for hundreds of employees to work each day on all steps of the production process — from design and fabrication to packaging and distribution. Near some entrances, bikes are stationed for employees who need to get from one end of the building to the other quickly, though walking means they get to wave or chat with friends and coworkers along the way. Over the past 50 years, Mi-T-M has grown tremendously, becoming a major force in Peosta’s business community and currently employing around 400 people.
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Baby tarantulas have invaded Iowa State University. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service donated 169 of them this month to the school in Ames after confiscating them. Tarantulas are one of many animals trafficked in the illegal pet trading industry. The tarantulas, some not much bigger than a fingernail, arrived on Valentine’s Day and were carefully unboxed by university’s Insect Zoo staff and student workers. The school said ten of the tarantulas went to its 17-acre property, called Reiman Gardens. The rest will be raised in the school’s Insect Zoo. About half will remain there and the other half will be traded to other zoos when they grow big enough.
