Category: 2013 Announcements

The "2014 Bike Rack Challenge" will take place January 2014 - May 2014 and challenges Northeast Iowa Industrial Tech students to construct a bike rack for their school or a local business, library or park. Students will have a chance to win welding gear…including a BRAND NEW WELDING HELMET! Click below for more information. See if your school district is signed up by contacting Ashley Christensen, Regional Safe Routes to School Liaison, at achristensen@uerpc.org or 563-382-6171.     Download

Although the forecast only calls for a few inches of snow over most of Iowa this weekend, motorists haven't had a lot of practice this year driving in winter weather, and frigid temperatures could make becoming stranded in a vehicle very dangerous. The Iowa Department of Transportation's snow plows will be out spreading anti-icing chemicals and clearing roads where necessary. Motorists should use extra caution and follow these tips to drive more safely during winter weather. Know before you go. If your trip cannot be postponed until the weather improves, log on to discover all the ways in which you can receive 24/7 Iowa travel information at http://511ia.org/. Use your vehicle's safety equipment. Make sure you and your passengers are wearing their seatbelts or are in a child safety seat. Your vehicle's…

As the year ends, we think about all we are grateful for. Our partnership with you is one thing we treasure. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. We wish you a Merry Christmas and much success in the new year.  Please enjoy our video below......A UERPC Christmas Greeting

Motor vehicle crashes kill more teenagers than anything else. With parents' help, two changes to Iowa's graduated driver's license system taking effect Jan. 1, 2014, are tools that can be used to keep kids safe behind the wheel and work to save their lives. Longer instruction time behind the wheel: Statistics show that increased supervised experience behind the wheel helps young drivers develop safer driving habits. The first change in the Iowa law increases the time a young driver is required to carry an instruction permit to 12 months, up from the current six months, before they can apply for an intermediate license. The new law gives drivers twice the amount of time behind the wheel to learn from an experienced driver. It also allows for that driving practice to…

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday announced grants for 71 projects spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia that support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to connect school cafeterias with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to School Program. A partnership between the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative (NIFF) and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) were lucky to be one of the recipients.

Below is information on a meeting which will be held in Elkader this Saturday at 10 am regarding healthcare reform.  If you can't make this meeting but would like to attend another, below is a link to a calendar with more meetings and dates throughout Iowa, as well as webinar information.  Please forward to those you think in your communities will benefit. Affordable Care Act Event Calendar

This time of year it is not uncommon to see deer running beside Iowa's highways. Field and Stream.com (http://www.fieldandstream.com/rut-report) shows deer in many parts of Iowa are currently in the "seeking and chasing" phase of the annual rut. That means more animals on the move and more danger to motorists, especially at dusk and dawn when it is more difficult to see animals along the roadsides.There is little a driver can do about deer movement, but to reach the goal of zero fatalities on Iowa highways drivers need to be more aware of deer habits to reduce the risk of coming in contact with deer. As of Oct. 15, Iowa Department of Transportation data shows, 3,279 drivers reported collisions with deer so far in 2013. These crashes resulted in four…

Halloween is one of the most dangerous days for pedestrians. Check out these Trick or Treating safety tips from the Cleveland Clinic, and have a spooktacular (and safe!) night! No Tricks, Just Treats

AMES, Iowa -Oct. 24, 2013 - The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking public input into the development of a new statewide plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation at six public input meetings and online. The Iowa DOT is committed to expanding opportunities and further improving conditions for bicycling and walking across the state. The new Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan is a major step forward for this effort. This plan will build upon the Iowa DOT's long-range strategy for multimodal transportation over the next three decades, Iowa in Motion -Planning Ahead 2040. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan has three key objectives: Align with national best practices, including the federal transportation funding bill called Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) and national guidelines for trail development. Develop a…