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9-mile High Trestle Trail extension to the Raccoon River Valley Trail expected to open Aug. 15th

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Perry, Iowa) – Officials with the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association have announced that a 9-mile extension of the High Trestle Trail to connect with the Raccoon River Valley Trail will now be completed on time. Work on the projects has taken more than a decade, with organizers raising millions of dollars to accomplish the feat. Last month it appeared that the opening of the connection between the two trails would be delayed. However, the contractor has informed Dallas County Conservation that the extension will be done on time, August 15th.
Grand opening for the trail, complete with a ribbon-cutting, will take place 1-p.m. August 17th, in Bouton. The event will be preceded by a leisurely (ride at your own pace) bike ride that starts at 11-a.m. at the trailhead in Perry, near the iconic Big Bike. Riders will traveling along the route from Perry to Bouton and Woodward before returning to Bouton for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Food and beverages are available at various businesses along the trail in Perry, Bouton, and Woodward. Helmets are strongly recommended for everyone’s safety. The event is being hosted by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and BIKEIOWA.com.

Attorneys General from Iowa & 10 other states seek EPA rule on Roundup

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The attorneys general from Iowa, Nebraska and nine other states are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to make it clear there’s a national standard for labeling of Roundup and other weed killers that contain glyphosate. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says a new E-P-A rule is needed because California has proposed cancer warnings on Roundup and other products that contain the world’s most commonly used herbicide. “If we don’t stop it now…the glyphosate situation — that is just the tip of the iceberg. There will be other things that states like California try to do to tell our farmers how to farm and that future will make it very hard for farmers to be able to grow their crops, which is what it’s all about,” Bird says. “Food does not come from a grocery store. It comes from a farm.”

The E-P-A has said glyphosate is not likely to cause cancer in humans and in November, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of Monsanto — the maker of Roundup — and said California did not have authority to require a cancer warning on Roundup’s label. Bird says it’s time for the E-P-A to set things straight.”Farmers have a lot to deal with…sometimes low crop prices, high input prices, natural disasters,” Bird says. “They shouldn’t have to worry about the types of things that are happening in other states on the coasts to figure out how they’re going to make their family farm work.”

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers says it’s about protecting the freedom to farm. “What we’re trying to do with our action today is to ensure access to this critical input,” Hilgers says, “…to give our farmers the option that they’ve had for decades to be able to use this technology to be able to manage their own crops and be able to help produce the that come out of Iowa and Nebraska.”

Kevin Ross, a farmer from Underwood who’s a former president of the National Corn Growers Association, joined the attorneys general at a news conference this (Wednesday) morning in Omaha. Ross told reporters there is no real substitute for glyphosate. “It’s been one of the most tested chemicals ever on the marketplace and it’s known to be safe and very effective,” Ross said, “so EPA — set the regulations, do your job in DC and let us farmers do our job on the ground here in the U.S.”

Monsanto’s attorneys have argued that a warning label on Roundup violates the company’s First Amendment right to be free from compelled speech that it disagrees with. This spring, the Iowa Senate passed a bill to block lawsuits against farm chemical companies based on how the products are labeled, but it stalled in the House. Similar bills were introduced in other states. Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, has settled about 100-thousand lawsuits and the company estimates there are more than 50-thousand pending.

Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins previews the season

Sports

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins says an experienced Iowa State team is confident heading into the season. The transfer from Eastern Kentucky had 53 catches a year ago, and gave the Cyclones a big play threat by averaging 18 and-a-half yards per reception. He is one of 18 starters returning.

After a 7-6 season a year ago the Cyclones are picked by many to be a contender in the Big 12.

Taylor Mouser is ISU’s third offensive coordinator in three years but Higgins says the changes have been minimal.

The Cyclones open the season at home on August 31st against North Dakota.

Adair County Board of Supervisors meeting review

News

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday morning (Aug. 7), and approved certain Township Clerk wages. They acknowledged receipt of the Fiscal Year 24 Veteran’s Affairs Director and Commissioners report, and approved a Longevity Raise for Secondary Roads Dept. Employee Nathan Jensen. In his report to the Supervisors, Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman said bid letting will be held August 20th on crack-sealing projects. He mentioned also a couple of posted bridge weight reductions will be in effect soon due to deteriorating bridge pilings.

The Board will act next week on a Resolution to update all the bridge weight postings. Kauffman said they will try to get replacements for both bridges within the next couple of years, because repairs are just too expensive. Other projects include those affecting the Henry Wallace Road, and a bridge deck pouring.

Kauffman said also, they will receive a check next week from FEMA on tornado damage clean-up (such as tree grinding, etc.), and the County’s insurance company has agreed to let the Secondary Roads Department replace some of the equipment that was destroyed. FEMA representatives are expected to be on-site Friday to take a look at the clean-up efforts and costs incurred so far.

That includes the cost of equipment and personnel labor-rate hours. Kauffman said he’s had a good working relationship with FEMA officials since the EF-4 tornado destroyed a good part of Greenfield and sections of the Adair County.

State lake in Bremer County gets first major upgrade in decades

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A northeast Iowa lake is seeing its first major renovation in about 70 years. Martens Lake has been a part of the Sweet Marsh Wildlife Management Area in Bremer County since the 1950s but has remained virtually untouched. That’s changing, as Iowa DNR wildlife biologist Dan Kirby says they’re widening the lake’s channels to improve boat access, and they’re making the channels deeper to improve habitat for fish and waterfowl. “This lake does have a history of having some invasive aquatic species,” Kirby says. “It should help us to have the ability to more easily manage a couple of those problems.”

The lake has battled watermilfoil and brittle naiad for the past several decades. Kirby says watermilfoil is particularly troublesome as it chokes out native aquatic plants and fish. “Because we have channels now, we should be able to draw that water down, confine the fish into a smaller area,” he says, “and deal with some of those aquatic plant issues we’ve been having in the past.”

The lake is about 30 miles north of Waterloo. The renovation is expected to be completed by September.

Atlantic Police report six arrests

News

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department say six people were arrested between July 27th and August 1st.

On August 1st, Atlantic Police arrested: 19-year-old Ryder Burk, of Atlantic, for Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Theft in the 1st Degree; and, 34-year-old Justin Hay, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree.

On July 30th, 33-year-old Sean Chamberlin, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI (Operating While under the Influence). 32-year-old Gage Ray, of Atlantic, was arrested July 28th, for Domestic Abuse Assault, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and on two-counts of Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

And, on July 27th, Atlantic Police arrested 26-year-old Jeff Edgar and 37-year-old Rinanten Amo, both of Atlantic. They were charged with Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts. Amo was additionally charged with Disorderly Conduct.

Each of those individuals were taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail, where they were booked-in. The Jail Roster shows none of the aforementioned persons remained in jail as of August 7th.

The Police Department reports also, two women were cited into court on shoplifting charges. 62-year-old Julie Peck, of Walnut, was cited July 25th, and 43-year-old Stacie Hansen, of Atlantic, was cited August 5th. In addition, 44-year-old Dawn Theisen, of Atlantic, was cited for Child Endangerment.

Cass County (IA) Engineer’s report

News

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken provided his regular report to the Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning. That included an update on storm damage and related clean-up, RAGBRAI and upcoming projects.

Wolken reminded the Board about the Cass County Safety Action Plan workshop, which takes place August 27th.

Once the County gets it’s Safety Action Plan put together, the County will be eligible for funding. Wolken said intersections and curves are some areas where he wants added safety measures installed that is provided by the funding.

Wolken says they’ll look at crash data to determine where additional illumination of intersections, sight-distance issues, and other measures would make it safer for drivers, but there’s not a whole lot of incidents in the county that are caused by those type of problems. “A lot of them are paved intersections with State roads, for some reasons.”

He said also, the Secondary Roads Department is looking at obtaining some additional equipment, such as boxes for trucks that are on-hand, and three pieces of equipment that are on-order.

Lachey, McNamara Are Comeback POY Candidates

Sports

August 7th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa graduate-students Luke Lachey and Cade McNamara have been named to the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List, the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) announced on Wednesday.

Since 2018, the award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness or other circumstances. In association with the Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization, the College Sports Communicators honor three winners at the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31.

A panel of college football writers, editors and sports information directors votes to select the honorees.

Lachey (six-foot-six, 247-pounds) was previously recognized as a preseason second-team All-Big Ten tight end by Athlon and was a fourth-team All-Big Ten pick by Phil Steele. Last season, the Columbus, Ohio, native secured 10 passes for 131 yards before sustaining a season-ending injury in the third game of the season.

Lachey has made 13 career starts through 30 games played, hauling in four touchdowns and 662 yards across 46 receptions.

McNamara (6-foot-1, 210-pounds) started at quarterback in Iowa’s first five games last season before sustaining a season-ending injury. McNamara completed 46-of-90 passes for 505 yards and four touchdowns.

MnNamara previously played at the University of Michigan, where he was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021. The Reno, Nevada, native started all 14 games that season, leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship.

McNamara completed 210-of-327 passes for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, McNamara appeared in four games as a sophomore in 2020, completing 43-of-71 pass attempts for 425 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions.

The Hawkeyes open their season on Aug. 31 against Illinois State. The sold-out game is set for an 11 a.m. (CT) kickoff.

HAWKEYES ON 2024 WATCH LISTS
* Sebastian Castro – Bronko Nagurski Trophy (D-POY) // Jim Thorpe Award (DB)
* Jay Higgins — Bronko Nagurski Trophy (D-POY) // Wuerffel Award (community service)
* Nick Jackson — Bronko Nagurski Trophy (D-POY)
* Leshon Williams — Doak Walker Award (RB)
* Logan Jones – Outland Trophy (OL)
* Drew Stevens – Lou Groza Award (PK)
* Luke Elkin — Mannelly Award (LS)
* Cade McNamara – Comeback POY
* Luke Lachey – Comeback POY

Authorities chase a stolen truck in NW IA – driver escapes custody

News

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

POCAHONTAS COUNTY, Iowa (KTIV) – A pursuit in Northwest Iowa, Tuesday morning, crossed two counties, and ended with the suspect driver eluding capture in a field. The incident began when a sheriff’s deputy saw a flatbed truck being driven erratically westbound, on Highway 3 in Humboldt County. When a deputy tried to stop the 2012 Chevy 3500 truck, it sped-off and continued on Highway 3 into Pocahontas County. The truck was reported as stolen earlier that morning to the Story County Sheriff’s Office.

In an attempt by the driver to avoid stop sticks that were deployed by Pocahontas County Sheriff Deputies, the truck entered a farm field near the intersection of Highway 3 and N-65. The vehicle drove through soybean and corn fields for nearly a mile before getting stuck in a ditch near the intersection of 530th Street and N-65 (290th Avenue) – in Pocahontas County – between Pocahontas and Gilmore City.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s office says a perimeter was set up and drones were used but they say the suspect could not be found because of the thick cover in the corn fields. The contents of the truck will be sent to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in Ankeny for testing.

Creston man arrested on multiple Theft charges, another man arrested for Violation of a Court Order

News

August 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest on Monday, of 33-year-old Brice Allen Maxwell, of Creston. Maxwell was taken into custody a little after 6-p.m. at his residence. He faces seven-counts of Theft in the 5th Degree. Maxwell was taken to Union County Jail and held on a $2,100 bond.

And, Tuesday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 38-year-old Daniel Buck Busenbarrick, of Creston, for Violation of No Contact/Protective Order. Busenbarrick was taken to Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by a judge.