United Group Insurance

Group says Iowa top state for producing animal manure

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An analysis from the group Food & Water Watch says Iowa is the top-ranking state for producing manure from livestock feeding operations at 109 billion pounds annually. Amanda Starbuck is the nonprofit organization’s research director.

Starbuck says there is a difference between the two types of waste.

While manure can add nutrients and organic matter to farm fields, Starbuck says the sheer amount of waste is too much for the land to handle.

Food & Water Watch used the latest data from the U-S Census of Ag and the E-P-A’s definition of medium-sized concentrated animal feeding operations to develop state rankings and create interactive maps. The 20-year trends across the U-S show fewer farms but larger livestock operations.

2 arrested on drug charges in Glenwood

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two people were arrested Sunday (Sept. 29) on drug charges. 47-year-old Christina Roberts, of Omaha, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of  drug paraphernalia. She posted $1,300 bond, and was released.

And, 48-year-old Timothy Horvath, of Blenco, was arrested Sunday for OWI/2nd offense, possession of Marijuana 3rd offense, possession of Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $5,300 bond.

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Trading Post

September 30th, 2024 by Lori Murphy

FOR SALE: Queen size quilted rose pattern bed spread for $25 and yellow queen size sheet set for $10. Call 712-789-0395

FOR SALE:  Hydraulic Log Splitter, Didier MFG Co.  2 stage hydraulic pump, Brigg & Stratton engine, owners manual, engine manual.   $550.00  located in Greenfield, Iowa.   Phone 641-745-5461SOLD!

FOR SALE:  Used standard size Paella patio door with blinds in the windows, asking $500 obo.  Call 243-1166 for information.

FOR SALE: Very nice large men’s leather jacket. Asking $40. Call 712-549-2272

FOR SALE: 5 old tricycles for yard art. Asking $20 each obo. Call 515-240-8267. Located in Stuart.

FOR SALE: 4wd Chevy 3 door pickup with new transmission asking $4000. Also for sale is a Nissan Titan 4wd, 4 door pickup with no rust. Taking offers. Also looking for Snoopy/Red Baron decals. Call 712-355-1566

FOR SALE: 2 Carhartt hooded, zippered sweatshirts. Size 2x. One is green the other is tan. $20 each. Call 712-304-4550  SOLD

FOR SALE: 2 garage doors…brand new still in boxes. One measures 9×7 and the other is 16×7. Asking $500 and up. Bedliner for 2000 and newer short-bed Chevy pickups, plus wheel covers for tractors. Grinder/mixer for $2000. Call for more information 712-355-1566.

Creston Police Report

News

September 30th, 2024 by Jim Field

The Creston Police made a few arrests over the weekend.  On Saturday, September 28, 26 year old Isaac Wayne Hayes of Creston was charged with violating a no-contact order.  Hayes was held in the Union County Jail on $500 cash bond.

On Sunday, September 29, 22 year old Christopher Gage Selvy of Creston was charged with violating a no-contact order.  Selvy was held without bond.  Also Sunday, 22 year old Zoe Paulette Marie Hull of Creston was charged with violating a no-contact order and held without bond at the Union County Jail.

Atlantic City Council to act on temporary street closures for the Fireman’s Parade; YMCA agreement; Trick-or-treat date/times

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will meet at 5:30-p.m. on Wednesday, October 2nd, at City Hall. During their regular meeting, the Council will act on an Order to close selected streets (see map below) for the Atlantic Fireman’s Parade  on October 12th, beginning at 4-p.m.

The Council will also act to pass the 3rd and final reading of an Ordinance that amends the City’s Code of Ordinances, with regard to “Prohibited Trees,” and an Order to approve a partnership with the Nishna Valley Family YMCA and the City of Atlantic, for management during the Summer of 2025, of the Sunnyside Pool.

YMCA Director Dan Haynes, last week, sent a report to the City Administrator after closing Sunnyside Pool for the year. The admissions were down a little from 2023, even with a significant boost during RAGBRAI. The pool needs to be painted. The City loses money operating the pool, which is typical for cities our size. Haynes said that the Y would be willing to manage the Pool again next summer, but the sooner they get the contract, the better so there is time for planning and promotion.

In other business, the Council is expected to approve the second pay application to the Hensley Group, LLS, for the Sunnyside Park Splashpad project, in the amount of $88,058.91. And, Mayor Grace Garrett is expected to announce the date for Halloween Trick-or-Treating in Atlantic, is Oct. 31st, from 5-until 7-p.m.

Oct. 12, 2024 Atlantic Fireman’s Parade route

 

Montgomery County Supervisors to hold a public hearing on vacating a street in Hawthorne

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed vacating and closure of a street in all of Walnut Avenue, in the unincorporated town of Hawthorne. The hearing will be held as part of the Board’s regular weekly meeting at the courthouse in Red Oak that begins at 8:30-a.m., and will be followed by action to approve or disapprove the vacating of the unimproved street.

The Supervisors are also expected to set the dates for public hearings on the upgrading of two streets (210th & 150th) from Level B (dirt) to Level A (gravel). The hearings are tentatively set to be held at 8:45- and 9-a.m. respectively, on October 22nd.

In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors will receive an update from Auditor Jill Ozuna, with regard to an ICAP renewal extension option from Jan. 10th to February 10th. They are also expected to discuss Board of Supervisors Compensation Board representatives, and a Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund request for an additional $1,000, among other business.

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Iowa State 16th in AP Poll after win at Houston

Sports

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State is 16th in the latest AP College Football Poll. The Cyclones are 4-0 for the first time since 2000 after a 20-0 win at Houston. In the process Cyclone coach Matt Campbell became ISU’s all-time leader in wins.

Campbell is in his ninth season as Cyclone coach.

Campbell credits the leadership on the team for their unbeaten start.

The Cyclones host Baylor in a prime time contest in Ames on Saturday.

1 dead another injured in a northern IA collision

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Rural Clear Lake, Iowa) – A collision Sunday afternoon southwest of Clear Lake resulted in one person dead, and another injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened at around 3-p.m., when a westbound KIA Forte driven by 29-year-old Adaisha Deanra Allen, of Cedar Falls, was struck by a southbound  SUV driven by 59-year-old Julie Ann Mikkelsen, of Mason City. The collision occurred at the intersection of 210th Street (B-43) and Balsam Avenue (S-14).

Iowa State Patrol (File photo)

Following the impact, both vehicles rolled and entered the ditch southwest of the intersection. The Patrol says Adaisha Allen – who was not wearing a seat belt – died at the scene. Mikkelsen was transported by Clear Lake Fire/EMS to the hospital in Mason City.

The crash remains under investigation.

Rural Iowa mothers face severe postpartum depression

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – Iowa doctors are assessing how a new medication is working for moms with postpartum depression. That’s timely right now, as more babies are born in the fall than any other time of year. Researchers say roughly one in five new moms faces symptoms of postpartum depression – and of those, 20-percent experience symptoms so dire they report considering suicide or self harm. University of Iowa epidemiologist Nichole Nidey says postpartum depression is a problem statewide, but can be especially serious in rural Iowa, where access to mental health care can be limited.

Psychiatrists have started prescribing zuranolone – the first pill approved by the U-S Food and Drug Administration to treat postpartum depression. The F-D-A fast-tracked its approval after clinical trials proved highly successful. 

Psychiatrists say zuranolone can be effective within days, but UnitedHealthCare O-B/G-Y-N Dr. Donna O’Shea says it’s still important for new moms to know and understand the risk factors and symptoms of postpartum depression.

O’Shea says people from under-served communities are at higher risk than those who aren’t. Not all new moms experience postpartum depression, but for those who do, O’Shea says zuranolone is a vast improvement over previous treatments – including intravenous infusions that took as long as 60 hours.

Minden among four Iowa Communities Selected for Small Business Grant Program

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

GRINNELL, IOWA – The Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) has selected the City of Minden for one of four pilot projects for its Rural Business Initiative (RBI), an effort to support rural small businesses funded through a $200,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation.
Minden was hit by two tornadoes last April that devastated 40% of the Pottawattamie County community of 600.  The community is launching a “Forward With Strength’ effort targeting its central business district, known as the Minden Triangle.  The Triangle was a vibrant district, but many businesses there have not been able to operate since the disaster. However, together they are working diligently to build back better and reopen not only for their respective bottom lines but also for their employees and the community in general.
The successful applicants represent rural places across Iowa and are located within 30 miles of a Wells Fargo bank branch.  Each proposed a plan to support existing small business, enhance entrepreneurship and expand the economic vitality of their rural area. Other RBI recipient include:
  • Pathfinders RC&D Region: Pathfinders RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) serves five core counties in Southeast Iowa, with additional services reaching more than 20 counties in the region. Through the Leveraging Access for Underserved Networks and Capital for Hope (LAUNCH) program, Pathfinders aims to impact small businesses in 21 rural communities across the five core counties. LAUNCH seeks to bridge the gap in economic development resources between smaller towns and larger cities like Ottumwa by promoting regional collaboration and providing customized support to strengthen the small business environment, boost job creation and revenue, and build a more resilient economy. 
  • Perry Chamber of Commerce: The city of Perry took a hit in July when Tysons closed its local pork packing plant, which employed more than 1,200 workers.  But community leaders acknowledge there have been small business challenges leading up to that announcement and they have a plan to move ahead.  Perry seeks to revive a pandemic-era business grant program for small businesses in need of capital for products, services, marketing, or improvements, as well as providing invaluable connections to resources for skill building and networking.
  • West Branch Main Street: West Branch’s historic downtown is home to 47 small businesses, which face several looming economic challenges. The eastbound exit to I-80 is closed for construction and the westbound exit is set to close next year, affecting access for 25,000 vehicles daily. Also, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum will close soon for renovation, creating other short-term challenges. West Branch Main Street has an effort, the Rising Tide Initiative, aimed at helping small businesses by enhancing street appeal, updating signage, renovating facades, increasing accessibility, and optimizing inventory.
The IRDC will work with these communities and partners from local Wells Fargo bank branches, the Iowa Small Business Development Centers and the Iowa Center for Economic Success to assess the situation in each place.  Collectively, strategies for training, capacity building and funding will be developed.
The Iowa Rural Development Council is a statewide public-private non-profit organization focused on rural vitality and local capacity that will sustain and grow Iowa’s small towns.