Benjamin J. Buck Editor

The virtue of the candle lies not in the wax that leaves its trace, but in its light (Saint-Exupery).

In response to Hurricane Katrina and the destruction that has resulted, NIACC President Dr. Michael Morrison has taken steps to insure that NIACC will take that "light" and help out with the "darkness" to displaced college students by offering remission for tuition, fees and residence hall costs not covered by grants or other financial aid.

The remission of tuition/fees will be available to 20 students who are unable to attend college in the Gulf due to effects of Hurricane Katrina.

In a memorandum to the NIACC Board of Trustees on September 2, 2005, Morrison stated, "I believe that this is one of the best ways we can help. It's what we do best -- educate people for a better life. In this case we can also provide a safe and caring environment we have seen taken away from Gulf Coast residents in a very short period of time."

The motion was approved on Wednesday, September 14, and students from the Gulf Coast will be able to begin at midterm.

One problem with the remission of tuition, fees and residence hall costs, is that of the residence hall and other living expenses students will be faced with.

The residence hall has reached capacity and a waiting list has been established.

But the problem has been addressed by Morrison, stating in the memorandum, "We recognize that we will have to work with community agencies and charitable and faith-based organizations to address transportation, housing and personal needs."

Morrison also added that it might be possible for some students from the Gulf Coast to access NIACC housing during the spring semester.

Stefan Redfern, a NIACC student, said that this action of tuition remission should take the burden off the shoulders of some.

"These students and their families practically lost everything because of Hurricane Katrina," Redfern said. "The last thing on their minds should be wondering how they are going to pay for college."

Morrison said even though no response from the South has been heard, the remission of tuition, fees and residence hall costs for displaced college students from the Gulf Coast is a reminder of the caring North Iowa community that has really "stepped up to the plate."

Samantha Donisi
Assistant Editor/Opinion Editor

The effects of Hurricane Katrina are being felt across the nation, but none are so close to it as those people who have family living in the areas that were hit.

Derrick Holmes, a NIACC student, is one of those people.

Originally from Leland, Mississippi, Holmes came to NIACC in August to play football. He left never imagining the tragedy that would take place.

Holmes said that when he first heard about the potential danger of Katrina, he never thought it would amount to anything.

"Hurricanes don't usually hit Mississippi," Holmes said. "I couldn't believe it really happened."

Holmes' entire family lives in Mississippi, and they were the only things running through his mind once the news broke about how bad the storm really was.

"We found out about it at football practice the day it hit, and all I wanted to do was call to see if everyone was all right," Holmes said.

Holmes said that all the phone lines were so tied up that he could not get through to his family that day.

It wasn't until five o'clock the next morning that Holmes' mother called to say that his family members were all safe.

"I was very relieved, they were all I was thinking about," Holmes said.

Luckily, Holmes' family was far enough north in Mississippi to avoid any serious damage.

No one near where he lived had to evacuate, but others farther south did. Holmes said they have had warnings before, but no one has had to evacuate, and people didn't understand how serious Katrina was going to be.

A tornado that was generated by Katrina did hit his Grandmother's house, and the back of the roof was torn off, but no one was injured.

"We were very lucky that is all that happened," Holmes said. "No one thought Katrina would be that big, but I guess you never know."

Holmes said he was amazed at the amount of donations generated by the people of North Iowa.

"It's great that everyone can come together like a big family to help out in times of tragedy," Holmes said. "Not everyone here understands how bad it is, some crack jokes and it is nothing to play with, but some people really understand how serious it is."

Holmes said he donated money to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort at Wal-Mart, and encouraged other people to do the same.

Although he can't make it home until Christmas, Holmes said he talks to his family almost every day.

"They are the most important thing," Holmes said.

Brandon K. Watson
News Editor

In recent weeks the U.S. Department of Energy has made predictions that natural gas prices may soar 70% compared to last year.

The prediction, which impacts Midwest residents, could potentially affect NIACC students, staff and faculty.

Partially derived from the damage of several gulf oil ports during Hurricane Katrina's widespread wreckage, energy officials feel that a shortage of natural gas could hit during the peak of this upcoming winter season.

NIACC climate control instructor Tom Crowley said that an increased consumer demand is one of the reasons for the possible shortage and surge in natural gas's supply and cost. "Many people that used oil for heating their homes in the past are switching to natural gas and propane," Crowley said.

Adding humidity to a home, Crowley said, would assist in the effort to maintain reduced energy bills. "Thermostats should be set at an average of 68 degrees and residents in northern Iowa should aim at having 35-40 percent humidity in their homes."

Scott Drzycimski, a spokesperson for Iowa utility provider, Interstate Bar & Light Company of Cedar Rapids, agreed with Crowley.

"The demand for natural gas has surpassed its supply," Drzycimski said.

He also noted that the pumping of natural gas from pipelines in Mexico was thwarted due to Hurricane Katrina's ravage, but still said that prices of natural gas were bound to rise, regardless of the disaster.

Newly released information from the Energy Information Administration shows that the average cost of regular gasoline is currently $2.86 per gallon. However, NIACC automotive technology instructors Rob Heimbuch and Greg Arrowood have several tips that can help faculty and students when trying to burn less gasoline. "Having the proper tire pressure and alignments are crucial to burning less fuel," Heimbuch said. "Reducing tire friction is also very important." Heimbuch also cited that gasoline burns more easily when one adds unnecessary resistance to their brakes.

Proper tire size is another aspect in saving fuel that students and faculty can utilize.

"Changing the factory tires to larger versions doesn't help to save fuel," Heimbuch said.

He also said that in order for a car to run at peak performance, it is recommended that the factory tires be used. From an electrical standpoint, Arrowood said that having a tune up is essential in saving fuel. "Plastic spark plugs help, but the engine needs to be checked at regular intervals," Arrowood said. Both instructors noted that carpooling is another great option for students, staff and faculty to save on increasing gasoline prices.

Samantha Donisi
Assistant Editor/Opinion Editor

Many in the state of Louisiana felt the spirit of generosity during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and North Iowa provided part of it.

The Mason City Jaycees, as part of the Iowa Jaycees, spearheaded efforts to collect items desperately needed by Louisiana residents.

NIACC was one of many collection sites around Mason City. Kim Caponi, director of the North Iowa Career Center and a member of the Mason City Jaycees, was in charge of the collection at NIACC.

"This was something that was so sad but certainly not new," Caponi said. "But we were overwhelmed with how many people wanted to be a part of it and help out." Katrina relief items were collected Saturday, September 3 through Tuesday, September 6 in Mason City and Clear Lake.

The collection ended Tuesday at East Park in Mason City where close to 200 volunteers gathered to help unload, sort and place collected items on pallets.

Two full semi-truck loads of donated goods were collected from the North Iowa area. Items included diapers, toilet paper, baby formula, canned goods and bottled water.

Woodharbor of Mason City and Plagge Trucking provided transportation for the collected items from Mason City to South Ridge Mall in Des Moines.

From there, the donations were loaded onto trucks bound for Louisiana.

A dozen Iowa Jaycees in a motor coach, provided by Winnebago Industries, followed the trucks full of donated items. The items were sent to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, which had been distributing 65,000 pounds of non-perishable goods a day to first-responding organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Goods from Iowa were unloaded with the assistance of Louisiana Jaycees late Thursday afternoon.

Caponi said the items from North Iowa were in high demand down south.

"One of the trucks arrived at a food bank just as it had run out of food," Caponi said. "That was kind of neat."

Brad Schoneberg, president of the Mason City Jaycees, said in a press release that he was pleased with the area's response.

"With all the negativity surrounding our government's timely response, it was very inspiring to see the citizens, businesses, and communities of North Iowa pull together and work hand in hand for a common united cause," Schoneberg said.

Nathan Christensen
For the Logos

Over the past few weeks, a lot of people have wished that they were out of New Orleans, but Rashad "Rock" Penton just wished he was back home.

Penton, who was raised in New Orleans, said he loved every minute of growing up there.

He said the reason he came to NIACC was because of Aaron Brown, a former football coach at NIACC.

Penton met Brown in Des Moines about six years ago, where they worked together.

Brown told Penton that he could focus and get better grades here, compared to New Orleans.

Penton said he believes that he will do better here because the teachers are very friendly, the community is a lot more peaceful and he just feels he can focus more.

"There is so much going on at New Orleans, it is crazy, so much to do," Penton said.

When Penton found out about Hurricane Katrina, he said he couldn't believe all that had taken place.

He said the sad thing is that on the day Katrina hit, it was his seven-year-old daughter's birthday. At the time, she was living with his mother in New Orleans.

"I felt so sorry for my daughter because it was her birthday," Penton said. "That wouldn't be a fun day for me."

Penton said he didn't get in contact with his mother and his daughter until a week later. But he said he knew that they were okay because he has an aunt that lives in Atlanta and an uncle that lives in San Antonio.

He said his mother Diane could contact his aunt and uncle but she couldn't contact him.

Penton said one of his good friends is also from New Orleans and his friend can't find his fiancˇ and their three-month old baby.

In addition, his mother suffered the loss of her home. "My mom's house is ruined, but we are not too worried about it," Penton said. "We are just happy everyone is alive."

He said the sad thing about the hurricane is that they lost all of the material things like photos, gifts, clothes, and anything else that was important to them.

Both his dad and mother have left New Orleans for now.

His father is in Florida, and his mother is in La Place, a town northeast of New Orleans. They are both fine and in a safe place.

Diane Sherman, Penton's mother offered her view after living through the hurricane. "It is just heart breaking and it is so much worse in person than on the television," she said. Penton's mother said the worst thing was the smell of the city, which made her sick to her stomach.

She said all she could think about was the chemicals, garbage and bodies in the water.

Penton and his mother now wish that he was home. But, Penton said he wants his education and they are both just happy that everyone is okay and alive.

Angie Von Rueden
Staff Reporter

Due to devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in late August, four editors and the adviser for Logos, will not make a trip to New Orleans for the National College Media Convention.

The group was scheduled to attend the conference Oct. 26-30 at the Hyatt Hotel located next to the Superdome.

"Looking at the Hyatt on the news, flooded and damaged, across from the Superdome, I knew we were not going," adviser Paul Peterson said. Peterson and the editors agreed that their business trip being canceled was minimal compared to the devastation the victims impacted by Katrina are going through.

The conference was relocated to a Hyatt Hotel in Kansas City.

"I was just impressed that the convention rescheduled in such a short time," Ben Buck, Logos editor, said. "It's great that we are even going, the trip will be what we make of it."

Approximately 3,000 college journalists from across the country attend the conference yearly. The conference offers sessions on electronic, online and print journalism, broadcasting and keynote speakers.