(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol has identified the two people who were killed in a multi-vehicle accident Sunday morning on I-80 near Iowa City.

The patrol says 57-year-old David Mosinski of Fairfield, died when his pickup hit a semi that had jackknifed on the roadway. Thirty-seven-year-old Junier Caballero-Venero of Houston, Texas, was a passenger in the semi and got out after it jackknifed. The patrol says he was then was hit and killed on the roadway.

The accident report says the roads were icy and it was foggy at the time of the accident. The accident involved some 15 vehicles, nine of them semis.

(Iowa DNR News) – Elk seem to be visiting Iowa more frequently each fall, and thanks to social media, their visits are now shared at the speed of downloads among tens of thousands of people among the various social networks. Most of these sightings are in western Iowa due to the proximity of the larger wild elk herd found in the Black Hills of South Dakota and in central and western Nebraska. These visitors tend to be young males conceivably searching for new territory. And this fall was no different. “I had reports coming in weekly to my office all fall,” said Josh Gansen, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Saylorville Wildlife Unit covering nine counties in central and west central Iowa.

The number of individual elk visiting the state is likely very low, state experts say, and the frequency of reports in the fall are based on these elk covering a lot of distance and appearing on different trail cameras. “It’s to the point that it’s no longer uncommon,” Gansen said. The elk rut (breeding season) out west is in September and October, which is around the same time as the juvenile elk have been showing up in Iowa. The Iowa DNR is collecting scat and muscle tissue for DNA analysis to learn more about these animals, including where they are coming from, said Doug Chafa, wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR’s Missouri River Wildlife Unit in western Iowa.

Elk were native to Iowa, but left as the state was settled. While there isn’t a population in Iowa, they, along with moose, are protected in Iowa Code, which includes a $1,000 fine if illegally killed. That does not exclude the right of a person from dispatching an elk that is causing property damage or from causing physical harm. “Three or four years ago, we had an elk that was trying to get into a penned livestock area damaging the fence in northwest Iowa, and it had to be dispatched,” Chafa said. However, most elk wander in and out of Iowa with no issues. But not all. This fall, an elk was hit and killed on I-80 and another was found dead within sight of Hwy. 20, east of Sioux City. The Woodbury County elk was a 1 to 1-1/2-year-old adolescent animal weighing approximately 450-500 pounds which is significantly larger than a white-tailed deer.

“An adult elk can weigh between 750-800 pounds with hooves as large as your hand,” Chafa said. As a comparison, a five-year-old buck white tailed deer can weigh up to 250 pounds at its heaviest. Large wildlife always catches peoples attention and Chafa said if you encounter an elk, give them plenty of room and don’t approach it. “Take a moment to enjoy seeing a wild elk in Iowa,” he said. “As long as these animals are not causing any problems, our position is we are going to leave them be.”

(Radio Iowa) – Democrats and progressives say polls show the top agenda items Republican lawmakers plan to pursue in the 2023 legislature are unpopular with Iowans. Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa, hosted what he called “The People’s Condition of the State” event at the Capitol this (Tuesday) morning. “Think of where the public opinion is on these issues,” Sinovic said. “Every poll that we’ve seen…We wan fully funded public schools. We want to raise in the minimum wage. A vast majority oppose the voucher scheme that we expect to see.”

Governor Reynolds will deliver the annual “Condition of the State” address tonight (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. and she’s likely to use the event to unveil her latest plan to provide state money to parents who send their kids to private schools. Mazie Stilwell of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa says her organization is on high alert because she expects the Republican-led legislature to pass new abortion restrictions. “Abortion, for now, remains safe and legal in Iowa, but it hangs by a thread,” Stilwell says, “even though a growing 61%of Iowans support abortion access.” Some labor union advocates predict G-O-P lawmakers to try to pass more restrictions on bargaining rights and pass new limits on benefits.

Peter Hird is an officer of the Iowa Federation of Labor A-F-L-C-I-O. “All employees deserve to have their voice on the job through a union,” Hird says, “whether they work for a private employer or serve the public.” Connie Ryan of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa says despite November’s passage of a constitutional amendment on gun rights, polls show Iowans oppose repeal of gun safety laws. “We ask all fair minded Iowans to join with us in this fight for everyday Iowans,” Ryan said.

The Republican Leader in the Iowa House says more Iowans voted for the gun rights amendment than for any candidate running for statewide office, showing Iowans want their freedom to carry weapons protected.

(Guthrie County, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman suffered possible/unknown injuries, when the pickup she was driving struck a deer on the road this (Tuesday) morning. The accident happened at around 6:45-a.m. on Justice Road. Authorities say 36-year-old Jessalyn Arlene Ocker, of Coon Rapids, was traveling south on Justice Road, when she swerved to miss a deer. The 2002 Ford F-250 pickup she was driving went out of control and entered the east ditch before rolling over and coming to rest in a field.

Ocker was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle through a side window. She complained of pain and was transported by Panora EMS to the Guthrie County Hospital. Her pickup sustained $12,000 damage and was declared a total loss. The report said she was driving too fast for conditions, but no citations were issued.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports three arrests took place on Monday (Jan. 9): 23-year-old Shelby Nelson, of Villisca, was arrested for Driving While Revoked; 48-year-old Carrie Tripp, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct, and 58-year-old Randall Manzer, of Omaha, was arrested for Assault.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting this (Tuesday) morning. Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken started-off his report by saying due to the fact they are expecting an increase in road rock prices next month, they’ve been stockpiling for next Spring before the prices jump. The jump is likely to be 10-percent, but possibly as much as 13-percent.

Wolken updated the Board on a bridge project. Bridge 302 on 680^th Street, he said is a DOT project. A.M. Cohron and Son is the contractor for the project. He anticipates they’ll be starting in about a week or so. Work continues on a bridge that collapsed last September, after an overweight crane used for Wind Turbine installation caused the bridge to break apart.

The nine beams for the project arrived last week. They weigh about 34,000 pounds each. The Board once again tabled action on approving a five-year lease agreement with the Cambridge Law Firm, for use of the County’s building on S. Poplar Street. The firm currently uses the upper half of the building, with the lower half occupied by the Cass County Communications Center.

By a vote of 3-to 2, the Cass County Supervisors opted to continue with the use of ZOOM as a means to view and interact with the Board during their meetings electronically, at the appropriate time on the agenda. Supervisors O’Brien and Pettinger voted Nay. Green, Richter and Baier voted in favor. Pettinger was of the opinion it should be shut-down, with certain exceptions.

Supervisor Wendy Richter said she’s her from people who are fans of the technology. Supervisor Mark O’Brien said he just “Wants to simplify it,” and made a motion to get rid of the Zoom.” Richter asked Pettinger what the downside to using Zoom would be, in his opinion.

Supervisor Steve Green pointed out the media and others appreciate the use of Zoom, which enables them to multitask during times when the meeting begins to drag.

Board Chair Steve Baier said Zoom was necessary during COVID, and that having the technology is worth something, and he’s willing to continue using it.

The Board approved 2023 County Holidays, including Veterans Day, November 11^th. Since that falls on a Saturday, the day will be observed the preceding Friday. And, it includes the day after for Thanksgiving. In other business, the Supervisors approved the appointment of Drew Williams as Victoria Township Clerk, effective March 1, 2023.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging Iowans to wear blue on Wednesday, January 11 in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Day. This day is specifically dedicated to increasing awareness and preventing this horrific crime. Human trafficking occurs when men, women, or children are forced to perform labor services or sexual acts and it happens across the world, including here in Iowa. Trafficking is a crime that can occur behind closed doors, in plain sight, at a workplace, and in any community.

“By wearing blue on Wednesday, January 11, we can show support for survivors of human trafficking and also hopefully open people’s eyes to a crime that might be happening in their community,” Secretary Pate said. “I challenge you to join us in raising awareness by wearing your blue shirt, tie, socks, or whatever you have on Wednesday.”

Secretary Pate’s office oversees Iowa’s Safe at Home program which provides address confidentiality for survivors of trafficking and other violent crimes. He also launched the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking initiative in January 2022. It has grown to more than 620 members.

“If we aren’t aware of human trafficking-what it is, what it looks like, and what to do-how can we identify those being victimized by it or assist them to freedom, and if we don’t help them, who will?” asked Teresa Davidson, CEO of Chains Interrupted, a Cedar Rapids-based organization that focuses on preventing human trafficking and has specific programs to educate organizations and the community at large on the issue.

Iowans wearing blue on Wednesday to raise awareness and show support for survivors of human trafficking are encouraged to post pictures on social media using #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay and #IowaSAH.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Monday, heard four requests for FY 24 funding. Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg reports…

• Treasurer Brenda Wallace presented the FY24 budget request of $370,547.  This an increase of last year’s approved amount of $328,760; The increase is due to salaries & benefits, a printer purchase, and an increase in postage/supply prices.
• Leesa Lester, Southern Iowa Trolley, presented the FY24 funding request of $8,394.  This is an increase of last year’s approved amount of $7,933.
• Janelle Schneider, Recorder, presented the FY24 budget request of $235,953.  This is an increase from last year’s approved amount of $213,932; Increase due to salaries & benefits, change in holiday pay of part-time employee, education/training costs.
• Rich Wallace, Courthouse Maintenance, presented the FY24 budget request of $136,935. This is an increase from last year’s approved amount of $113,387.; Increase due to salaries & benefits, increase in telephone/internet, electric, and heating costs and retirement of Wallace at the end of this calendar year.  The Board & Wallace discussed putting in additional funds in order to hire a replacement for Wallace prior to his retirement.

(Radio Iowa) – UnityPoint says two of its largest Iowa hospitals will start using telemedicine physicians to help with overnight shifts. Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Iowa Lutheran, both in Des Moines, will use the service between 7 P-M and 7 A-M. Jonathan Senkler, an associate medical director at UnityPoint, says telemedicine doctors will assist with less urgent matters.”What this does is, those calls now go to the telemedicine provider,” Sinkler says. “It unburdens the admitting provider at the hospital to focus more time on doing admissions, which can take a lot of time.” Senkler says using the telemedicine physicians will shift away less pressing concerns so the doctors on-staff can zero in on more serious matters.

“I might not have time to get back to some of these lower urgency things, like a Tylenol, until everything else is resolved,” Senkler says. “So what it does is, this telemedicine provider can offload that and focus just on those things, and so you’re able to respond to things much faster.” The program is being instated as hospitals across Iowa are facing staffing shortages while hospitalizations for respiratory virus infections remain high.

(reporting by Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Glenwood man, 52-year-old Kenneth Michael Coyle, was arrested a little after 6-p.m., Monday,  Domestic Abuse Assault. Coyle was being held without bond, in the Mills County Jail.