(Radio Iowa) – This is Tractor Safety Day, the first day of National Farm Safety Week, and one of the biggest dangers involving farm tractors is a lack of rollover protection. A program offers Iowa tractor owners a rebate to install rollover protective structures, or ROPS. Jackie Curnick, program coordinator at the University of Iowa’s Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, says the rebate saves money — and rollbars save lives. Curnick says, “We can provide up to $500 in funding for a retrofitted rollbar and typically that’s about half of the price of the retrofit.” The program often has a lengthy national wait list but Curnick says Iowans have a special “in” and should apply for the rebate.

“Iowa is lucky because we do have some funds available, so we do say, ‘Yes get on the list,'” Curnick says. “In the last couple of years we’ve retrofitted about 30 tractors because we have that funding through the Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health.” Studies find ROPS are 99% effective in preventing injury or death in the event of a rollover when used with a seatbelt, and 70% effective when used without a seatbelt.

“Half of U.S. tractors don’t have rollover protection. They are the leading cause of death on a farm, and 80% of deaths caused by tractor rollovers happen to farmers,” Curnick says. “The most frequent cause of them are going from the side or rear turnovers and that’s about 96 deaths per year.” She says virtually any tractor can be retrofitted with a ROPS. Learn more about the rebate program at www.i-cash.org.

(Radio Iowa) – Employees at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown have been sent an email titled “facility closure,” but a spokesman for the governor says there are no plans to close the home. Alex Murphy, a spokesman for Governor Reynolds, says the document about closing the Iowa Veterans Home is nothing more than a policy statement required by the federal government. The email was sent by the administrator who is now overseeing day to day operations at the home. Matthew Peterson, who had been Commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home, recently resigned from the post after 13 months in the job.

The president of the union that represents contract workers at the Veterans Home and a top Democrat in the Iowa Senate say the memo raises concerns because the governor ordered the closure of the state-run Glenwood Resource Center after saying it would not close. The governor’s spokesman says it’s irresponsible for Democrats to spread what he calls a false rumor and create unnecessary concern for Iowa Veterans Home employees, veterans and their families.

About 900 employees work at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. There are more than 550 residents, making it one of the country’s largest state-owned nursing homes for veterans and their spouses.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope today (Monday), issued a report detailing multiple arrests from Sept. 4th through the 18th. One suspect was arrested three times, while another was arrested twice.

64-year-old Edward Umbreit, of Riverton, was initially arrested for multiple violations of No Contact Orders on 09/10/22.  After being released on bond, on 09/11/22, he appeared in court on 09/14/22 and urinated outside on the grounds of the Fremont County Courthouse.  He was re-released on $300 bond Sept. 18th at 2:30-p.m., and less than six hours later, arrested for Domestic Assault, Going Armed with Intent, Interference with 911 Communications, and Interference with Official Acts.

Umbreit

34-year-old Blake Tobin, of Sidney, was arrested Sunday (9/18), for Domestic Abuse/3rd offense, Interference with Official Acts, as well as Possession of a Controlled Substance; and, 50-year-old Ralph Backley, of Sidney, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was later released on a $300 bond.

Last Friday, 37-year-old Zachary Anderson, of Sidney, was arrested for OWI, Driving Under Suspension, Criminal Mischief, and a registration violation. 34-year-old Michelle Labbe, of Riverton, was arrested for Assault with Bodily Injury, and Assault. Her bond was set at $1,000.

Sept. 14th, Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30-year-old Cassandra Rodriguez, of Sidney, for Driving while Barred (Habitual Violator). She was released on a $2,000 bond. And, 64-year-old Edward Umbreit, of Riverton, was arrested for Public Urination. He was released on a $300 bond.

A Glenwood man was arrested in Fremont County Sept. 11th. 34-year-old Justin McFail was arrested for Violation of Probation. He was later released on a $10,000 bond. On the 1th, 64-year-old Edward Umbreit, of Riverton, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order (4th offense). He was later released on a $300 bond.

Rhoades

And, on Sept. 7th, 23-year-old Jermey Rhoades, of Hamburg, was arrested for Domestic Abuse (Bodily Injury), and Probation Violation ($6,000 bond). Rhoades was wanted in connection to a domestic disturbance that occurred in June of 2022 in Hamburg. Rhoades allegedly fled the state and began taunting law enforcement on social media. Rhoades was arrested by the Missouri Highway Patrol and extradited to Iowa to face charges.

30-year-old Cassandra Rodriguez, of Sidney, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Sept. 7th. She was released on her Own Recognizance (RoR).

There were two arrests Sept. 6th in Fremont County: 57-year-old Greg Vergets, of St. Charles, MO., was arrested for Disorderly Conduct ($300 bond), and 38-year-old Benjamin Johnson, of Farragut, was arrested for Driving While Barred. ($2,000 bond). On the 5th of September, 31-year-old Kevin Booher was arrested and held for Failure to Appear ($25,00 bond). And, on the 4th, 29-year-old Elijah Faust, of Thurman, was arrested for Domestic Assault (Strangulation). He was later RoR.

(Area) – Several, separate meetings are scheduled for Monday in our listening area. Among them is:

The Atlantic Parks and Rec Department, which is slated to meet at the Kiddie Korral, at Sunnyside Park, beginning at 5:15-p.m.  Action items/New Business will include: A review of Park Board vacancy applications; Looking ahead to the Sept. 26th Splash Pad Work Session; The “Healthiest State” walk; and, the Memorial Flag Pole at the Schildberg Recreation Area. Also, Parks & Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen will reports on several matters, including the Sunnyside Pool, Hyggefest, Tour de Parks, the Scarecrow Contest, Produce in the Park, and the All Class Reunion.

The Griswold School Board meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. in the High School Conference Room. New Business includes: Approval of a Resolution to participate in the Instructional Support Levy (ISL); Approval of 2022-23 Board Goals; Possible approval of the SIAC Committee; Approval of –  a contract with Coca-Cola, Official Depositories for the District, and of a Request for Allowable Growth & Supplemental Aid for a 2021-22 Special Education Deficit. Discussion items include: The Open Enrollment Report, Board of Directors Redistricting, and the first reading of certain 500-series Board Policies.

And, the Audubon School Board will meet 7-p.m. Monday, in the High School Board Room. Their session begins with a Work Session for Policy Review. During the regular session, they will dive into action items, including approval of the following: The 2nd Reading of some 700- and 800-series Board Policies; SIAC Committee Membership; An SBRC application for MSA – Special Education Deficit in the amount of $4,759.90; Building Project Change Orders; Approval of a Mediation Settlement with Construct; An agreement with Denovo, and action on any Personnel matters to come before the Board. Superintendent Eric Trager will report on a Tree Grant, and he’ll have an update the Building Project.

Two crashes in Iowa on Sunday claimed two lives. The Iowa State Patrol reports a single-vehicle accident in southern Iowa’s Decatur County resulted in the death of the driver of the vehicle. 45-year-old Luke Neil Helton, of Leon, died during the crash that happened at around 2-p.m. Authorities say Helton was driving a 20111 Chevy 1500 pickup southbound on 253rd Avenue, just south of 217th Street, when he became unconscious due to unknown medical conditions. The pickup left the road and crashed through a fence, and ended up in a pond. The accident was discovered by the property owner. Helton died at the scene.

The second crash involved a 2009 Mercury Mariner SUV. It happened at around 6:22-a.m. Sunday, in northwest Iowa’s Sioux County. The Patrol says the vehicle was traveling westbound on B-40, when it left the road for reasons unknown. The SUV entered the north ditch, vaulted a culvert and struck an embankment before coming to rest. The driver of the vehicle, 25-year-old Felipe Reyes Lopez-Lopez, of Rock Valley, died at the scene.

His passengers, 32-year-old Marco Vinco Lopez-Lopez, and a three-year old female, both of Rock Valley, were injured, and transported by Sioux Center Ambulance to the hospital in Sioux Center. before being flown to the hospital in Sioux Falls. The child was not properly restrained in the vehicle. Marco Lopez-Lopez was wearing his seat belt. The Patrol says alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor to the crash.

And, a man from Des Moines suffered multiple injuries during an accident Saturday afternoon, in southern Madison County. The State Patrol reports 52-year-old Sefering Benavides was driving a 2022 Ford Explorer eastbound on the Cumming Highway, when the SUV veered off the road, went down an embankment, and struck some trees. The accident happened at around 1:15-p.m. Benevides, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines for treatment of his injuries. Multiple charges against him are pending.

Worth County, Iowa – On 9/16/2022, a female body was found in the Shell Rock River near 390th St and Raven Ave. The body recovered was identified as Melissa Jo Olson, age 45, of Northwood. The incident is being investigated by the Worth County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

The Worth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa DNR, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, Worth County Emergency Management, Mason City Fire Department, Kensett Fire Department, and Worth County Secondary Roads.

Law enforcement is seeking information from anyone who may have observed Olson, a 45 year old white female with brown hair, approximately 5 foot 6 inches tall, walking in the area of Highway 65 and along 390th Street, between Manly and Northwood on Thursday, September 15 and into the morning hours of Friday, September 16.

If anyone has any information regarding this investigation, please contact Special Agent Ryan Herman of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at (319)-217-1580 or rherman@dps.state.ia.us.

(Area) – “It was a dark and stormy night” lived up to an often quoted phrase from an 1830’s novel, Saturday night, across western Iowa. The National Weather Service reports hail ranging from as small as pea- to as large as baseball ball size, fell across the area. Storms also brought winds of up to 70 miles per hour. The evening began at around 5:30-p.m. with a severe thunderstorm watch issued for the far west and southwest counties. The warnings began to pop-up about two-hours later, including a tornado warning that was issued for southeast Montgomery and NE Page Counties. A possible tornado was indicated by radar, but there were no confirmed sightings.

The largest hail in southwest Iowa fell in Pottawattamie County, where baseball size hail (2.75 in diameter) was observed in Carson. Elsewhere, tennis ball size hail was reported to have occurred in Stanton, while golf ball size hail fell south of Stanton and in Griswold. Most of the hail reports from around the area, were quarter-sized, with some dime-size rocks of ice falling in Corning.

As of early Sunday morning, there were no reports of damage. That’s likely to change though, as sunlight brings a fresh perspective on the storm’s aftermath. If you have any storm damage and/or pictures you would like to submit, send them to kjannews@metc.net.  Please include (when possible) a time frame for the damage, along with the location and your name. Thank you!

Check out the latest Storm Reports listing of hail/wind events on the Weather page (Under Community Hub) at kjan.com.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department report that around 8:37-p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to a personal injury accident at Harrison St. and East Kanesville Blvd. A preliminary investigation indicated that a 9-year old boy on a bicycle was traveling northbound on Harrison St., crossing East Kanesville. A vehicle traveling westbound on East Kanesville was unable to see the boy and struck him. The child was transported to Nebraska Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

The CBPD Traffic Unit is investigating this crash and at this time is still under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Due to severe weather predictions tonight’s (Saturday night’s) Suicide prevention walk (https://facebook.com/events/s/suicide-awareness-community-wa/428124246081248/) has been moved to next Saturday (9/24). Same time, same place: 7:00 PM Schildberg.