(Radio Iowa) – This is the first full day of fall and Iowans are already starting to see the leaves on a few trees turning red, yellow and orange. Joe Herring, a forester with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says Iowa’s trees are facing a long list of challenges this season, including the emerald ash borer, storms, and drought, in addition to just their sheer age. “Two out of every three trees are big trees, and that means only about one out of every three is a young replacement that’s gotten a start to provide for the next generation, the shade and all the other benefits,” Herring says. “Those old trees are great. We want to keep them around as long as we can, as long as they’re upright and strong and sturdy, but they are more susceptible to things like drought or storms.”

Herring, who’s based in Iowa Falls, says Iowans can likely expect a decent showing of fall colors in the coming weeks. “We didn’t have a ton of rainfall which promotes a lot of fungal diseases on the leaves every spring and that can affect the fall colors later on,” Herring says. “But with the drought conditions, we may have some early change. I don’t think that’s the worst thing for fall color and maybe it extends the season a little bit and we just hope we don’t get too early of a frost that was blacken and brown up the leaves.”

The D-N-R says fall colors typically start to appear across Iowa’s northern third next week through the second week of October, with the state’s central section seeing the best color the first through the third weeks of October, and southern Iowa the second week of October through Halloween.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Online court documents indicate Cass County District Court Judge Greg Stensland, Monday (Sept. 19) issued a Bench Warrant for 30-year-old Anthony Rey Asay. The warrant is for Failure to Appear for his Sept. 19th Pre-Trial Conference, as required. In Cass County, Asay faces a Class-D Felony charge of Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, and Serious Misdemeanor charges of Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense – Marijuana, associated with a stabbing incident that took place May 5th, in Atlantic. On August 29th, Asay’s Pre-Trial release was revoked and his cash-only bond was set at $5,000. His trial remains set for Sept. 27th at 9:30-a.m. in Cass County District Court.

Asay, who was wearing an ankle tracking bracelet was arrested Aug. 11^th in connection with a stabbing incident at a gas station in Blair, Nebraska while he was awaiting trial on the incident in Atlantic. The victim in the Nebraska incident was treated for an injury to his arm. Asay faces charges associated with the Nebraska incident that include: 3^rd Degree Assault for punching the victim; 2^nd Degree Assault for stabbing the victim;Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony; Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Prohibited Person – for possessing the knife he used to stab the male after being convicted of multiple felonies prior to this incident; and Driving under Revocation.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Animal Rescue League of Iowa reports its Mobile Rescue Team received a call to help a family struggling to provide for a large number of sick cats and kittens that had multiplied in their home. Officials say as the team entered the home, Wednesday, they were hit with ammonia so strong it burned their eyes and throats. Cats and kittens were everywhere, walking on a floor covered in feces. Even being in the home for a few minutes was difficult. Crews quickly began loading them into clean carriers to get them help as soon as possible.

The organizations’ “Miracle Medical Team” was waiting to triage as soon as they arrived back from the two-hour drive. The kittens were said top be in the most critical condition. Many were thin, with eyes so infected they’re matted shut and upper respiratory infections so bad they sneeze constantly. All the cats and kittens were crawling with fleas and ear mites – particularly dangerous for kittens so small.

Pictures via the ARL Facebook page

The ARL says “At a time when our animal numbers are already so high, we desperately need your help to provide critical medical treatments and ongoing care for these kittens and cats … and ensure we can always answer the next call for help whenever it may come.”

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Shelby County, met in a regular session, Tuesday. During the session Auditor/Commissioner of Elections Mark Maxwell, explained (as we’ve previously reported), the post-election Audit Board hand counted one voting machine and two precincts worth of ballots. The number of ballots inside of the sealed ballot bags for the Sept. 13th Special Bond Election and Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS), he said, matched the number on the machine and were counted a total of four times to confirm. The Audit Board hand counted the yes and no votes in the two precincts and the totals matched perfectly with the machine count. The report was then turned into the Secretary of State’s office as required. Maxwell explained that tabulation from Harrison County is comingled with the results from Shelby County as Shelby County was designated to hold the election for eligible Harrison County voters.

Separately, and after the Board approved an Abstract of the votes:

• Jim Shelton advised Shelby County Board, with regard to the Home Base Initiative. The initiative gives Veterans financial assistance and offers employment opportunities available in Shelby County through the Home Base Initiative. A Resolution of Approval will be drafted and submitted to the Supervisors at a later date.
• Terri Daringer, current Shelby County Environmental Health Head was on hand to announce her successor upon retirement. The newly hired Luke Wolken was introduced to the Board and received a warm welcome.
• Kyle Lindberg, Shelby County Jail Administrator was present to give updates on his departments current quarterly report. Lindberg reported he is fully staffed at the present time. The Supervisors were notified that booking are running at a record rate for this current year. Jail upgrades are needed and Lindberg is applying for grants to pay for the upgrades.
• Alex Londo EMA Coordinator for Shelby County reported his department has been assisting in a school safety initiative, inspecting schools, in cooperation with the Sheriff’s office. The new radios are being tested with a few going to each department for reviews. A microwave antennae need to be installed and the current tower at Sheriffs building will not support the added weight. Other alternatives are being looked at.
• Tony Buman, Shelby County Assessor and Zoning Commissioner was present at Tuesday’s meeting, and informed the Supervisors that the current assessment samples looked at have revealed an assessment increase in residential and commercial properties. It was stressed that it is early in the process and those are the early findings. The process must be completed by January 1st, 2023. The Zoning Commission had a meeting with discussion about the proposed pipeline, a public hearing is to be held to receive public input.

In other business, a Building and Grounds Use Permit for Shelby County Courthouse grounds was presented to the Supervisors in Shelby County, for the Forgotten Art – The Artist Show on November 5th. Since nothing is required of County staff,the Board moved to approve the request. A fiscal sponsor request was made by the Sheriffs Department for a grant to acquire new safety equipment for the his office. That request was also approved.

Todd Valline then presented updates and events sponsored and participated in by his organization, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Valline advised that Iowa Western Community College is now offering apprenticeship jobs as part of their HVAC program and they are also offering CDL classes.

Shelby County Engineer, Brandon Burmeister, reported on several projects currently being completed by his department and a few updates on planned projects as well as presenting a Title VI assurances agreement between the Iowa DOT and Shelby County. The Board approved the agreement and named Burmeister as coordinator.

(Radio Iowa) – Hundreds of dogs from across the U-S will be wagging their tails in Colfax this weekend as the Central Iowa Kennel Club celebrates its 75th year of dog shows. Club president Kelley Frary, of Des Moines, says at least 150 breeds will be represented by some 13-hundred canine competitors from all across Iowa and as far away as Florida. Admission to the show is free and Frary says it’s a great event for spectators of all ages. “Even if you don’t know anything that’s going on, the dogs are there and you can definitely pet them and meet breeds that you don’t regularly see, so that’s a really great aspect,” Frary says. “For those who have a little bit more trained eye, it is also fun to kind of watch ringside and see how dogs move and learn a little bit about each individual breed because every breed is different.”

If you can’t distinguish a poodle from a Pekingese, she says this is a great place to learn. “A lot of people, you can approach and ask them, ‘Hey, what do you love about your breed,’ or ‘Tell me a little bit about your breed,’ and most people are super open and will educate you because they love their dogs and want to talk about them,” Frary says. “It’s a really great event for spectators to come out, especially if you love dogs, or even if you don’t, it’s still fun to watch.” The event is a confirmation-style contest, so judges will be singling out the best hounds, sporting dogs, toys, and other categories.

“Each breed has a standard set forth by the AKC, so that judge is looking at a dog and comparing it to the breed standard,” Frary says. “So at the end of the day, ‘best of breed’ means that that dog is the best representation of that dog’s standard.” One part of the competition is just for owner-handlers and their pets, while even puppies will be getting started in the sport, as well as junior handlers. Frary says the dogs will be prancing around the grounds, much like you see them do at the famed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. “Each one of those dogs is basically doing a down-and-back, so the judge is looking at the movement of the dog. They’ll have the dog move around and look at the side gait,” Frary says. “The judge will put hands on the dogs and just kind of go over them. A lot of dogs have a lot of coat so they’ll actually get under that coat and look at the actual structure of the dog.”

The event runs Saturday and Sunday at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax. More info. at  https://cikc.net/

(Radio Iowa) – Another colorful mural is being painted in Sioux City over the next week. This one will celebrate the community’s Hispanic cultures by portraying a local traditional Mexican dance troupe. Neighborhood services manager Jill Wanderscheid says the new mural on West Seventh Street is a way to build community pride in the neighborhood’s rich past. “It’s had such a long history of just being welcoming to new business owners and a lot of locally owned businesses on that street,” Wanderscheid says. “It’s been welcoming to different immigrants and those that are new to our country.”

The mural will depict the dancers from Ballet Folklorico Estrellas de Jalisco, a group of local Hispanic folk dancers. The artist, David Manzanares moved to the Midwest from Mexico and says he’s excited for the opportunity for immigrants like him to be celebrated in art. “You see many Hispanic population, we are here but we are maybe not at the front, you know?” Manzanares says, “so that’s a big part of also what the mural is, it’s bringing visibility to us.”

It’s the third mural painted in the corridor in the past year. It’s also the third in a series of public art investments to celebrate the street’s history of being home to diverse communities.

(reporting by Kendall Crawford, Iowa Public Radio)

(Adair County, Iowa) – Families of persons living at the Good Samaritan Society in Fontanelle and Postville were notified on Wednesday, that those care facilities will be closing in less than two months. KCCI in Des Moines and KWWL TV in Waterloo, reports the notice said both facilities would be closing on Nov. 19th.

Officials said the closure is due to multiple challenges seen by the facility like hiring more staff, low resident numbers and complications due to COVID-19. Inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates are also playing a role in the closures, along with increased operating costs, which combined, officials say, have led to a situation that is not sustainable.

In Eastern Iowa, the Good Samaritan Society in Postville is also closing on Nov. 19, but their independent living apartments will stay open.

(Radio Iowa) – A northeast Iowa native has been nominated to help lead U.S. Department of Agriculture efforts to expand and promote exports of agricultural commodities and products. Alexis Taylor has been nominated to serve as undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Taylor promises to work to remove trade barriers and ensure countries adhere to science-based regulations.

“Expanding and maintaining diversified market opportunities, rebuilding strong and reliable trading relationships, and and holding our trading partners accountable is essential,” Taylor says. Taylor expects part of the job will be dealing with the growing food security crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The United States plays a critical role in combating food insecurity and working to protect the most vulnerable,” Taylor says.

Taylor testified before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee yesterday (Thursday). “I would not be here today without the support of my family, including my mother Carol, who’s watching from home in Iowa,” Taylor said. “…I am also thankful for the first and most influential farmer in my life, my father Joe.

Alexis Taylor (USDA photo)

Although he has passed, there’s not a day that goes by that I do not call upon the lessons that I learned on the farm from him.” Taylor grew up near Holy Cross, a small town in Dubuque County, on a farm that’s been in her family for over 160 years.

“I learned many things growing up on my family’s farm, from the hard work and long hours our producers put into raising a crop or keeping livestock healthy to the challenges that unpredticable weather and volatile markets can bring, but one of the most to important things that was instilled in me as a child was a desire to give back to my community,” Taylor said. “…It drew me to a career in public service, working to advance the interests of the community I grew up in — U.S. agriculture.”

Taylor graduated from Iowa State University in 2005 with a degree in political science. She served in the Army Reserves and did a tour of duty in Iraq. Taylor oversaw the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services before being appointed director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture in 2016.

(Radio Iowa) – Third district Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines is one of the Democrats who pressed for votes on a package of public safety initiatives that cleared the U.S. House Thursday. “I think it dispels that lie about ‘defunding’ the police,” Axne says. The package would provide money to recruit and retain officers and would set aside funding specifically for small police departments.

“To ensure that cities like Atlantic, Red Oak, our sheriffs’ departments that are under 125 people or less have their own system to go through,” Axne says. “We’re not going to compete with the Chicago’s and the New York’s anymore to make sure that they get the funding that they need.”

The House passed four different law enforcement measures. One would provide money to hire social workers to respond to 9-1-1 calls involving people in a mental health crisis. “So that our police officers aren’t engaged in those issues, they can focus on the job, and we can have experts who deal with those,” Axne says. The House also voted to increase federal funding for crime victim support services and provide grants to police and prosecutors to investigate sexual assaults, shootings and homicides.

“Just to ensure that, quite honestly, we start solving more of these crimes,” Axne says, “and making sure that we’re addressing victims’ needs at the same time.” There were some tense moments yesterday (Thursday) as a few progressive Democrats refused to support bringing the bills up for votes, but after months of internal negotiations, a majority of House Democrats got the bills passed. Republicans in the House voted for some of the bills and opposed others.

All three Republicans from Iowa voted for the Invest to Protect Act, to provide federal grants to police departments.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  You’re invited to attend a picnic in Atlantic Sunday afternoon. Kimberly Spillers, with Rural Community Solutions, says the “Pick a little, talk a little” event will be held from Noon until 3-p.m., at the Camblin Addition of Sunnyside Park. After eating, discussion will take place on important pre-midterm election topics of public education, the environment, choice for women, healthcare and mental health, with several experts presenting.

Spillers says this is the first of several events scheduled to gather the community to discuss tough public topics to build unity and understanding that helps Cass County better-function as a democracy to make decisions together.

Other events of the same nature, are scheduled will take place at the Family Table Restaurant in Atlantic, on the following Saturday’s in October: the 1st, 15th, and 29th, from 9-until 10:30-AM. The 15th is dedicated to helping first-time voters know what to expect when they go to the polls Nov. 8 or vote absentee.

All are hosted to promote democracy by the Cass County Democrats.