TRAGIC REMINDERS: The death of 13-year-old Ian McFate, who was struck by a car, during a practice run with his South Tama school cross country team on Tuesday, came just two weeks after a Cedar Rapids Washington High School student was hit by a vehicle during his team’s training session. Both incidents came near intersections with fast-moving traffic and painfully remind coaches and athletes about never letting down your guard when running near such locations. And perhaps a review of the routes is in order.

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MORE FATALITIES: The unusual, early warmth this year is being cited by state officials as a factor in a sharp rise in fatalities involving motorcycle riders and boaters. At least 49 people have died in motorcycle crashes so far this year, compared to 35 for all of 20l1. Boating fatalities total nine so far, compared to four last year.

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WORSE YET: Three-fourths of Iowa is enduring extreme or exceptional drought, the two worst classifications, as of last week’s U.S. Drought Map report. That’s up about 10 percentage points from the previous week

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