(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Secondary Roads Department reports 130th Street southwest of Stuart, from the Schildberg Quarry entrance to Pinewood Avenue (Between Orange and Pinewood Avenues), will be closed to through traffic for road reconstruction. The closure is expect to last a week. (See the map below)

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (via KCRG) – Two men from Iowa have returned to the State following an around the world trip to end polio. KCRG in Cedar Rapids reports Peter Teahen, of Robins, has been a member of Rotary International for years and has always dreamt of flying around the world. In 2019 he announced he and his fellow rotary member, experienced aviator, and cousin, John Ockenfels of Shueyville would be doing just that. The trip was part of Rotary International’s End Polio Now initiative.

The men faced several obstacles such as the COVID-19 Pandemic, and having to change planes to one that could fly their new route after Russia banned aircraft from NATO and EU countries from entering its airspace. They took off on their journey from the Eastern Iowa Airport on May 5th visiting 19 countries on 4 continents, and spent time talking with local leaders about their mission.The team spent time in Pakistan, giving children Polio vaccinations.

In total, they raised over $1,000,000 for the Rotary’s Polio Plus Program which provides vaccines to those in need around the globe. On Sunday, they touched down for the final time. Over one hundred friends, family members, and loved ones were waiting to great them. Ockenfels says the self-funded trip cost around $100,000. They say it’s money well spent, and the project helps people in Iowa realize while the disease may seem distant… its only a flight away.

Donations are still being accepted and will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2:1.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, Iowa — Voters in Pottawattamie County will be hitting the polls, Tuesday, August 1^st, to decide on the outcome of a Special Election. The election will serve to determine how residents of the county elect their county supervisors. The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors approved the special election on June 6th, after private groups gathered nearly 4,000 signatures and submitted a petition to allow county residents to choose between three options for county supervisor elections.

Currently, Pottawattamie County is a Plan One county. Each member of the Board of Supervisors is allowed to reside anywhere in Pottawattamie County (At Large) and the voters of the county elect all five members of the Board of Supervisors. Plan Two would divide Pottawattamie County into five districts of roughly equal population. One Supervisor must reside in each of the districts, and voters would still elect all five members of the Board of Supervisors. Plan Three would also divide Pottawattamie County into five districts of roughly equal population, but. voters would elect the one Supervisor who resides in the same district as the voter and would not vote for the other four Supervisors in the other four districts.

If Plan Two or Plan Three passes, Pottawattamie County will be divided into five districts of approximately 18,733 residents. Council Bluffs will be split into four districts, with one of those four also including some portions of the county adjacent to the city. One district will not include any portion of Council Bluffs. Districts cannot be set until after the election. The video below, released by Pottawattamie County explains the lawful factors that determine district size and outlines where district boundaries will likely be drawn.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sample ballots and polling site information can be viewed HERE.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report an Adair County man was arrested Friday at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. 31-year-old Dalton James Cormeny, of Fontanelle, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for Theft 1st Degree, Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, and Burglary 3rd Degree. Cormeny was later released on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.

And, at around 2:20-a.m. Saturday, 61-year-old James Leo Pettit, of Afton, was arrested at the intersection of Highway 34 and Iris Street. Pettit was charged with OWI 1st Offense. He was taken to the Union County Jail, and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol hopes you’ll vote for their picture submitted as part of a contest to be featured on a 2024 calendar. The “2023 Best Looking Cruiser” contest will help to determine which of the 45 pictures from state patrol units from across the country, will be used in the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) calendar. It’s the 10^th year the organization has held the contest.

According to the AAST website, “The contest began as a friendly competition between the state agencies and is proving to be a fun and engaging way to allow our state’s community members to support and interact with law enforcement in a positive manner.”

The Iowa State Patrol has entered this photo in the “Best Looking Cruiser” contest

The winner of the “Best Looking Cruiser Award” will be featured on the cover of the AAST’s “America’s Best Looking Cruisers 2024 Wall Calendar”. Calendars will be available for purchase on the AAST website beginning Oct. 1st. All sales will benefit the American Association of State Troopers Foundation.

Last year, the Kentucky State Police cruiser took home the coveted prize. Voting began July 17 and will continue through today (July 31) at 11 a.m.

You can cast your vote by clicking here.

(Underwood, Iowa) — A collision between a motorcycle and a van Saturday evening near Underwood, resulted in one person being transported to the hospital in critical condition. Authorities said vehicles crashed in the area of Railroad Highway and Road L-34. Additional information was not immediately available.

(Radio Iowa) – An event planned for this coming weekend in central Iowa will feature nationally-known speakers, a film premiere, a live podcast recording, an “ideas contest,” and more, all designed to inspire conversation. Nathan Beacom, executive director of The Lyceum Movement, says “Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas” is planned for Sunday (August 6th), focused on things like history, art, and philosophy.

Beacom calls the fest a revival of something that used to happen in Iowa a century ago, when chautauquas would have interesting speakers, thinkers, culture and food. We’re living in a time where many people are consumed by the anxiousness of online life, and Beacom says this will be a space where neighbors can slow down and meet face to face.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A woman from Red Oak was arrested at around 9:20-p.m., Sunday, following a traffic stop. Red Oak Police say 24-year-old Ashlyn Nicole Kephart was pulled over in the 1800 block of N. Broadway Street, in Red Oak. She was charged with Driving While Revoked – serious misdemeanor – and transported to the Montgomery County Jail. Kephart’s bond was set at $1,000.