A BENEFIT TO SUPPORT SIOUXLAND YOUTH HOCKEY IS BEING HELD AT THE TYSON EVENTS CENTER ON SATURDAY.

THE ANNUAL YOUTH HOCKEY PANCAKE BREAKFAST RUNS FROM 7AM UNTIL NOON. THE YOUNGTERS WILL ALSO BE TAKING TO THE ICE FOR SOME HOUSE LEAGUE GAMES AND THE MUSKETEERS WILL BE ON HAND SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS.

TICKETS TO SUPPORT YOUTH HOCKEY ARE FIVE DOLLARS WITH NO CHARGE TO PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.

THE STAFF AT MERCY MEDICAL CENTER IN SIOUX CITY WAS WEARING RED FRIDAY TO BRING AWARENESS TO HEART DISEASE PREVENTION. 

HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES. DR. MICK HURLEY IS THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF MERCY'S CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT:

DR. HURLEY SAYS GOOD HEART HEALTH STARTS WITH A SELF ASSESSMENT AND CHECK UP WITH YOUR FAMILY PHYSICIAN:

A VARIETY OF TESTS TO DETERMINE YOUR RISK FOR HEART DISEASE ARE AVAILABLE AT MERCY'S HEART CENTER.

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER WAS NAMED BY HEALTH GRADES AS THE NUMBER ONE HOSPITAL IN IOWA FOR CARDIAC CARE.
 

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ITS UNIONS BEGAN LASTNIGHT.

SUPERINTENDENT DR. PAUL GAUSMAN SAYS THE DISTRICT ISN'T OFFERING A SALARY OR BENEFITS INCREASE.

AT THE SAME TIME, UNIONS WOULD LIKE EVALUATIONS AND UNUSED SICK LEAVE REIMBURSEMENT.

THE TWO PARTIES WILL CONTINUE TO MEET AND TRY TO FIND COMMON GROUND BEFORE THE BUDGET IS CERTIFIED IN APRIL.

An update on flood recovery efforts in western Iowa is on the agenda as the State Interagency Missouri River Authority meets Friday in Des Moines.

Chuck Gipp, deputy director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the process of cleaning up all of the damage and rebuilding after last year's summer-long flood is far from over.

The authority makes recommendations on policies affecting the Missouri River.

Besides the DNR, groups involved include the state departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture as well as federal agencies, like FEMA and the U-S Army Corps of Engineers.

Gipp says making repairs to the damaged floodwalls all along the river is a high priority.

Gipp says much of the DNR's role is to help state and federal agencies coordinate during the recovery process.

He says the panel will also discuss current and potential hydrologist roles and responsibilities in the state.