Round Prairie Park closed for camping; Meet Republican candidates night planned Thursday; more

Round Prairie Park closed for camping

Round Prairie Park southeast of Fairfield will be closed for camping for about a week beginning today.

Jefferson County Conservation director Dennis Lewiston explained an Access Energy crew will be working in the camping area this week installing a new, upgraded electrical service. He expects digging to begin Tuesday.

Access Energy has offered to renovate Round Prairie Park?s electrical hookups at no cost to the conservation board.

?[Access Energy] said they do this to put money back into the community,? Lewiston said.

Meet Republican candidates night planned Thursday

The Jefferson County Republican Women are holding a meet the candidates night at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Fairfield Public Library meeting room.

Each of the national and state candidates will have three to five minutes to address the audience.

Those expected to attend are John Archer, candidate for 2nd District U.S. House; Lee Harder of Hillsboro and Larry Kruse of Donnelson, candidates for Iowa Senate District 42. Jefferson County townships of Walnut, Lockridge, Round Prairie and Buchanan are in District 42.

James Johnson of Bloomfield is running for Iowa House District 82 and will oppose Curt Hanson of Fairfield in the General Eledtion.

Dave Heaton of Mount Pleasant is running unopposed for re-election to Iowa House District 84.

Three Republican candidates for two Jefferson County Board of Supervisors seats will be asked quetions about their goals, qualificatijons and more. Stephen Burgmeier and Lee Dimmitt are incumbents being challenged by Mike Hoy.

The primary election will be June 5. Absentee voting may be done at the Jefferson County Auditors Office during business hours Monday through Friday and May 26.

100 Day Wellness Challenge results announced

AMES ? The Live Healthy Iowa 100 Day Wellness Challenge ended May 1, with 33,700 participants on 5,286 teams.

Participants recorded 83,250,553 minutes of physical activity and lost 114,022 pounds.

In order to be eligible for the individual grand prize of a four-night tropical cruise for two from Sail Aweigh Travel, Inc., participants must have recorded each week of the challenge.

From the end of the 100 Day Wellness Challenge until Dec. 31, registered participants will have access to their personal dashboard where they can continue to record their activity minutes and/or weight loss to keep their health and fitness goals on track.

?This year?s challenge has been an exciting start to our efforts in 2012,? said Nicole Bruce, health initiatives director of Live Healthy Iowa. ?We look forward to celebrating the success of our participants and continuing to support their healthy lifestyle.?

Live Healthy Iowa is offering additional challenges in 2012. Burst Your Thirst, a six-week hydration and physical activity challenge taking place from June 18 through July 30, aims to keep participants active, engaged and focused on their health during the summer months. Registration opened Tuesday.

To learn more about Live Healthy Iowa and its wellness challenges, visit www.livehealthyiowa.org.