(Radio Iowa) – The 14th annual climate statement from dozens of Iowa scientists suggests it’s never been easier for individuals to help reduce carbon emissions. Drake University Environmental Science professor David Courard-Hauri  is part of the Iowa Climate Educators group. “This year we wanted to address the question that we get asked more than any other, which is: ‘What can I do about climate change?'” he said.

The report from nearly 200 climate scientists at 32 Iowa colleges and universities cites rapidly improving technology that reduces carbon emissions as well as tax breaks for electric vehicles, solar power systems and more efficient appliances. “We want to be clear that the solution is bigger than individual action and we need leaders at all levels to enact policies if we want to avert even greater disasters than we’ve seen all around us this year,” Courard-Hauri said.

Emma Stapleton Thornell of the University of Iowa’s Department of Internal Medicine researches how exposure to air pollution impacts the lungs. She’s part of a campus-wide initiative to recognize teams of students, faculty and staff who come up with solutions to reduce the impact the climate has on human health.

“It’s been a great way to feel like you’re actually doing something about climate change,” she says, “and because of the scope of the problem that’s been delineated, you know, any step is a good one and an important first step.”

The group’s report notes 2023 was the hottest year since global temperatures measurements began and Iowa’s past winter was the second warmest in 152 years of record keeping and June brought historic flooding to areas of the state.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department was called this (Tuesday) morning to Cappel’s Ace Hardware in downtown Atlantic, to investigate the theft overnight, of a log-splitter and two gas-powered snowblowers. The machines were secured outside the store when the theft occurred at around 10-p.m., Monday. Surveillance video still-frame images from inside and outside of the store show a blue Ford long-box pickup and three people who were allegedly responsible for the thefts. The unidentified suspects made two trips to the hardware store to grab the machine.

Cappels is asking anyone with information about the thefts to contact the Atlantic Police Department.

(Radio Iowa) – The state Transportation Commission approved a change today (Tuesday) to a state program used to help communities build roadways for business development. The D-O-T”s Deb Arp says the change allows the Rebuild Iowa’s Sound Economy or RISE program to be used to relocate businesses in disaster areas. “That is limited to communities that experience state and federally recognized emergency events and where existing businesses have expressed interest in permanent relocation, and documentation of business interest in relocation has been provided with an application,” Arp says.

The first project under the new designation was also approved for Rock Valley. “The city is seeking to develop a new business park located outside the flood zone with access to U-S 18 the proposed rise roadway will provide access to 14 lots totaling more than 25 acres for light industrial purposes,” she says. Arp says the city has multiple letters of interest from local businesses impacted by the flooding, looking to relocate within the community by.

The Commission approved nearly one-point-five million dollars ( $1,482,758) for Rock Valley, which is 70 percent of the project. The Transportation Commission also approved some regular RISE funding. Sioux Center was approved for a roadway to help a business expansion.  “The proposed RISE roadway will provide improved access to a proposed expansion at Service Trucks International, a manufacturer of truck bodies and telescoping cranes, and assist in the creation of six full time jobs and an additional ten jobs within the next ten years,” Arp says.

This project is anticipated to be completed by July 2026. The city of Boone was given state funding for access to the Daisy Brands dairy. “The immediate opportunity component, providing direct access to the Daisy Brand site is tied to a job creation commitment of 217 jobs. The total project cost is three million-781-thousand-981 dollars. and at an 80 percent rise participation rate, the recommended award is three million-25-thousand-530 dollars,” she says. Arp says the company plans to expand. “Daisy Brands will construct a 700-thousand square foot manufacturing facility at the site to produce soft dairy products such as cottage cheese and sour cream. Production is anticipated to begin in 2027 and ramp up to full build out and job creation in 2032,” she says. 

She says the funding comes with the promise of hundreds of new jobs. “The proposed RISE grant will support a commitment to create 217 new full time jobs within three years of roadway completion, out of an anticipated 255 rise eligible jobs created at this facility through 2032, and almost 730 million dollars in associated capital investment.

The funding will help pay for a roadway that is expected to be completed by November 2026. There is also funding for a roundabout on U-S Highway 30 to provide access as well, and that project is still under development.

(Radio Iowa) – A region already battered by severe storms this season is preparing for another major hurricane to hit tomorrow (Wednesday), and American Red Cross volunteers from Iowa are in place to help evacuees take shelter from the anticipated powerful winds, heavy rains and flooding. Josh Murray, spokesman for the agency’s Nebraska-Iowa Region, says a few dozen Iowans left more than a week ago to help in the recovery from the first big storm. “There’s over 2,000 Red Cross volunteers in that area, all throughout the southeast following Hurricane Helene, including close to 30 from Iowa that are down there,” Murray says, “and yes, especially those in the Florida area where Milton is headed, they’re preparing for the next wave and what might come with that.”

It’s been more than a century since a Category 5 hurricane hit Tampa Bay, which is one of the nation’s fastest-growing metro areas with more than three million residents. “This is going to be a large evacuation. We’re going to have a large number of people looking for places to stay. So we have been working, that’s been really the focus the last several days, getting more shelters,” Murray says. “We already have several open in the area from Hurricane Helene. Those that remain open, those can hopefully welcome more people, but we know we’re going to need more.”

Milton is a very large storm system and as Florida interstates clog up with evacuees, hotels to the north and south are booking up, and Red Cross shelters will likely be in high demand. Murray says it’s a delicate guessing game as to where to open shelters so fleeing Floridians don’t have to travel too far, versus being too close to the storm’s fury for safety’s sake.  “We’ll watch the forecast really close. If there’s a little bit north, a little bit south, how far inland do we think it’s safe. We know it’ll still be a little dangerous inland, but maybe it’ll be safe enough that we can still house people there if you’re far enough inland,” Murray says. “We want to make sure it’s safe, definitely for our folks who are there, but also, obviously, the residents who are evacuating, we want to make sure we provide a safe location for them to go.”

Hurricane Helene survivors in a South Carolina shelter (Red Cross photo)

Iowans who would like to help the Red Cross to help others can call 1-800-Red Cross, or visit RedCross-dot-org. You can also text the word “Helene” to 90999 to make a donation.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports 34-year-old Holly Buckingham, of Glenwood, was arrested Monday (Oct. 7th), for OWI and Child Endangerment. Buckingham was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $3,000 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue reports numerous arrests occurred between Sept. 24th and Oct. 7th. Those arrested on warrants include:

On Oct. 7th: 38-year-old David Reeves, of Atlantic, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear; 22-year-old Shaelyn Gettler, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Guthrie County warrant for Probation Violation.

On Oct. 1st: 34-year-old Gary Blakeman, of Atlantic, was arrested on a warrant out of Council Bluffs for Harassment in the 1st Degree, and Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations. He was also charged with Disorderly Conduct.

On Sept. 28th: 37-year-old Aaron Macias, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for a Drug Violation. And,

On Sept. 27th: Atlantic Police arrested 28-year-old Weneity Seker, of Atlantic, on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear on an OWI/1st offense charge.

Other arrests in Atlantic include:

On Oct. 7th: 42-year-old Melanie Stoural, of Atlantic, for OWI/1st offense, and 37-year-old Louis Chipenson, of Atlantic, for Public Intoxication.

On Oct. 5th: 30-year-old Edward Parrott, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Assault

On Oct. 3rd, Atlantic Police arrested 33-year-old Jade Nicholson, of Atlantic, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Poss. of a Controlled Substance-Marijuana.

Atlantic Police arrested 30-year-old Dennis Buss, of Atlantic, on Oct. 1st, for Simple Assault and Disorderly Conduct. And, on Sept. 24th, 23-year-old K-Son Beker, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication. And finally, the A-PD says 18-year-old Skyler Mack, of Atlantic, was cited into court Sept. 12th for Theft in the 5th Degree (Shoplifting), and released at the scene.