There’s a sharp young inventor in Ottumwa who finished first in his grade at the National Invention Convention. Charles Smith, a student at Eisenhower Elementary in Ottuwma, earned the award for his invention that he calls H.E.R.B., which stands for Home Emergency Responder Beacon. It’s an exterior light that can be placed on a house or mailbox that creates a beacon for emergency workers. It can be activated by a wireless signal from a smoke detector, dispatcher, or Life Line. Believe it or not, this is the second time Smith finished first nationally in his division. Last year, he finished first in the kindergarten category.