(Creston, Iowa) [**UPDATED 6/17/22] – A teen on a motorcycle was injured during an accident Tuesday evening, in Union County. According to law enforcement, 17-year-old William John Clayton, of Creston, was traveling north on a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle at around 8-p.m.  A 2002 Chrysler van driven by 20-year-old Brandon William David Hammons, of Creston, was traveling west on Howard Street.

Hammons stopped at the controlled intersection with Sumner. He looked, but did not see the motorcycle. When Hammons failed to yield the right-of-way and proceeded into the intersection, his van was hit by the motorcycle.

Clayton was ejected from his motorcycle and suffered minor injuries. He was transported by EMS to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. Damage to the motorcycle was estimated at $2,500. The van sustained $1,000 damage.

**Hammons was issued a written warning for Failure to Yield the right-of-way**

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Senator Joni Ernst says the Pentagon must start finding new suppliers and stockpiling critical minerals, like cobalt and lithium. “which are used to product engines, night vision equipment and other modern military technologies,” Ernst says. “For instance, the Air Force’s premier fighter jet, the F22, is made with layers of titanium alloy, much of which is sourced from Russia and China.”

Ernst, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is joining with a Democrat from West Virginia to sponsor legislation that would update the list of critical minerals in the National Defense Stockpile. Ernst says the U.S. must find new sources rather than rely on mining in places like China. “If we opened up our own mining and resourcing here in the United States it would alleviate part of the problem,” Ernst says. “Those minerals that we don’t have here domestically, then we do have partners and allies that we can rely on around the globe.”

Africa and Australia are the site of mining operations that yield the types of critical minerals needed, according to Ernst. She cites a 2019 report that found China provides 82 percent of the world supply of tungsten which is used to strengthen other metals. “Botton line, we can’t allow China and Afghanistan and others to control the minerals that we need for our national defense,” Ernst says.

A Chinese company is currently negotiating with the Taliban to tap into one of the world’s largest reserves of copper and security analysts expect China to seek access to Afghanistan’s untapped reserves of uranium, iron ore and other minerals.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has approved a tax break for the aircraft industry. The state sales tax on parts for planes and on the labor to maintain and repair aircraft will no longer be charged after July 1st. During House debate in April, Representative Lee Hein, of Monticello, said none of the states that surround Iowa charge the sales tax on parts and labor for planes. “We have seen a lot of business go out of the state and this will help our local aircraft maintenance shops,” Hein says. Bill backers said those job opportunities will spur enrollment at community colleges in Council Bluffs, Ottumwa and Waterloo that offer aircraft maintenance courses, so students can get F-A-A certification. Community colleges in Sioux City and Cedar Rapids plan to start aircraft maintenance programs.

Representative Chris Hall of Sioux City says it will spur more activity at Iowa’s community airports. “The more take-offs and touch-downs that you have from your runway, the better support long-term in federal support you will have for your airport,” Hall said. One lawmaker who runs a global charity says he flew the non-profit’s plane out of state for maintenance, to save money on taxes. According to the Iowa Public Airports Association, at least 34 states do not charge sales taxes on airplane parts and labor.

The Legislative Services Agency estimates Iowans who own planes will save 10 million dollars a year from this tax break, which the governor signed into law yesterday (Tuesday).

(Radio Iowa) – Dozens of Farm Service Agency offices across Iowa are seeking new employees. Matt Russell, the Iowa F-S-A director, says they’re hiring for a host of positions in dozens of Iowa communities. “One of the things this administration is really committed to is filling these positions all across rural America in USDA,” Russell says. “We’re in a hiring time at FSA, and I’d also say at NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), which shares our office spaces in the counties, and Rural Development, which is only about eight counties in the state. They’re also hiring.”

There are 97 F-S-A offices statewide, nearly one in every county, and Russell says the need is great for new workers. There was a big hiring push in 1985 after the new farm and conservation bills, and many of those people are now retiring. “We’re now at a similar time where we’re having to ramp up what USDA does because American farmers are needed on the front lines, for fuel, for food, for conservation and ecosystem services,” Russell says, “and that’s part of what we’re seeing as well.” It’s a challenging time to be in agriculture, he says, because while commodities prices are at near-record high levels, so are input prices.

“There’s a lot of money coming in and a lot of money going out,” Russell says. “This year should be a pretty good year for income for farmers — if they had their inputs purchased ahead of time. Going forward, interest rates, input prices that could be challenging, but the expectation is that the prices are going to continue to be pretty strong as well because the demand is high.” He says the U-S-D-A plays a big role in helping to manage all of those ups and downs.

Learn more about the job opportunities at your county’s nearest Farm Service Agency office or visit: www.usajobs.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has approved a law that prohibits state-licensed child care centers, K-through-12 schools and Iowa colleges and universities from having Covid-19 vaccination mandates for enrollment. Democrats in the legislature objected. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City says there’s a movement to undermine vaccinations. “You’re listening to the extreme voices out there,” Bolkcom said. “We don’t need to make polio great again.”

Republican Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says the law gives individuals and parents the right to make their own decisions about Covid-19 shots. “Parents can still vaccinate their children, as they wish, they see fit,” Schultz said. “It’s not for an institution to do it.” The governor signed the bill into law Tuesday. Covid-19 vaccination requirements are now prohibited for enrollment in child care centers, schools and universities until July 1st of 2029. It applies to the state’s community colleges and three state universities as well as every private college in Iowa.

[COUNCIL BLUFFS] – Severe Thunderstorms impacted Pottawattamie County early today (Wednesday). The system prompted destructive severe thunderstorm, tornado, and flash flood warnings. Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed said that as of 1:50 a.m., a some damages have been reported in various areas of the county ranging from shingles blown from roofs, tree limbs and small- to medium-size trees blown down, and some light structural damages. Localized areas have seen up to 2 inches of rain as of the same time and a continuing line of thunderstorms continue to approach the county. The storm also produced 75mph winds (measured) in the Council Bluffs area.

Reed says the concentration of preliminary damage reports was in the Carson area, and there were 1,277 properties without electricity in Council Bluffs, Carson, Macedonia, and rural Pottawattamie County. Emergency Management is requesting residents and proprietors report their residential and business damages at https://pcema-ia.org.

As the storms finally pass sometime in the early morning hours and daylight breaks, many will be able to get their first look at their properties. Your reports and pictures will be essential in assessing the overall impact to the county. As always, be aware of your surroundings – don’t go near downed power lines and don’t drive through flooded streets.

As public reports are received on the emergency management website damage reporting portal and crews conduct some preliminary surveys after daybreak, any updates or further information will be provided on the emergency management agency website.

Officials with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, released the name of a Davenport Police Officer who was involved in a fatal shooting. An investigation into the June 8, 2022 shooting that involved Officer Michael Catton, is underway. Catton is a three-year veteran of the Davenport Police Department.

Police had been called June 8th to a Casey’s store on Davenport’s west side, shortly before 1 a.m., after a clerk said a suspicious man appeared to be tampering with the convenience store’s air conditioner. Officer Catton spoke with the subject, identified as 45-year-old Jason James Morales. Police said a records check revealed Morales had outstanding warrants.

The confrontation became physical, shots were exchanged. Morales died at a hospital. The officer had non-life-threatening injuries and is currently on administrative leave.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A former Eldridge Police Officer, Tuesday, entered a plea of guilty to three counts of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree. A judge in Scott County District Court accepted the plea from 24-year-old Andrew Patrick Denoyer, and set his sentencing date for July 29th.

On September 24, 2021, at the request of the Eldridge Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation opened an investigation for alleged wrongdoings by Denoyer.  Specifically, Denoyer was suspected of having sex with a 14-year-old female. After a thorough investigation, Denoyer was arrested on September 28, 2021, and charged with three counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. Two additional counts of the same charge were later filed against Denoyer.  A charge of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree is a Class C Felony.

(UPDATED) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports an accident that occurred at around 12:38-p.m. Tuesday (June 14, 2022), claimed the life of a Sheriff’s Deputy. Authorites say Deputy Austin “Melvin”Wayne Richardson, age 37, of Sidney, was traveling northbound on Highway 275 near 260th Street in a 2020 Chevy Tahoe.

A southbound John Deere S770 combine with dual front tires, being driven by James Gregory Groff, age 64, of Rock Port, MO., was traveling southbound in the same area. The combine was wider than the width of the southbound lane, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

The Tahoe driven by Deputy Richardson, collided with the front dual tire of the combine. Following the collision, the Tahoe skidded sideways and rolled several times before coming to rest on it left (Driver’s) side.

Deputy Richardson died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. The accident remains under investigation.

ATLANTIC, IA – Produce in the Park June 16 will offer all sorts of activities and delicious food. This Thursday, the Nishna Valley Family YMCA will be at the park with two bounce houses for kids and adultsized tricycles for teens and adults. But the YMCA won’t be the only organization offering bicycling fun at the farmers market.

The Atlantic Elks will be hosting a Bike Rodeo for kids at Produce in the Park June 16. The bike rodeo will offer kids the chance to participate in bike obstacle courses and win small prizes. Kids are encouraged to bring their bikes, trikes, and helmets to the park. Don’t have a bike? The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department will be at Produce in the Park with a few rental bikes and helmets for kids to use for free (not to mention lots of fun yard games for both kids and adults).

Lastly, Nishna Valley Trails will be at the market sharing Cass County trails maps and other information on biking in Cass County. In addition to the bike activities, yard games, and bounce houses, this week visitors to Produce in the Park will enjoy Hungry Spartan Pizza food truck and lots of rhubarb. The Guest Chef will be offering free taste tests of fresh rhubarb and rhubarb cobbler, and vendors will be selling rhubarb jams, pastries, crisps, and more.

Other products expected at the June 16 market include popcorn and lemonade, early season produce such as green onions, asparagus, spinach, and other greens, lots of local meats (beef, pork, and lamb), farm-fresh eggs, honey, soaps, candles, jewelry, wood crafts, greeting cards, and plants for your home  garden.

DETAILS….Produce in the Park June 16:
Time: 4:30-6:30 PM
Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022)

Food Truck: Hungry Spartan Pizza
Free Live Music: Sarah Selders
Products: Produce, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods and desserts, popcorn and lemonade, soaps,
candles, greeting cards, wood crafts, and more.
Featured Food: Rhubarb! Fresh rhubarb, rhubarb jams, rhubarb pastries, free samples of rhubarb
cobbler from the Guest Chef, and more.
Activities: Bounce houses and bike rodeo for kids; yard games for all!
Visiting organizations: Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Cass County Master Gardeners, Cass County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Nishna Valley Trails, Nishna Valley Family YMCA.
Self-Care Summer Organization: Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services
Free drawing: 1 dozen farm-fresh eggs from Brun Ko Farm. (Sponsored by the Cass County Local Food Policy Council.)

Payment methods accepted: All vendors accept cash. Many accept credit card and Venmo. All qualifying food vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as food stamps). All fresh produce vendors both accept and distribute Double Up Food Bucks (coupons given for SNAP/EBT purchases of fresh produce).

Produce in the Park June 2022 farmers markets are sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Cass County Tourism, Cass Health, First Whitney Bank and Trust, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Deter Motor Co. For updates on Produce in the Park, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/), or visit the Produce in the Park website to sign up for the e-newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.