(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says U-S-D-A scientists have collected data from Iowa and are working to understand how bird flu has moved to infect dairy cows as well as other animals. “I ordered in an epidemiological strike team from USDA, appreciate they sent that team,” Naig says. “…(They) went farm-by-farm…really trying to understand how high path moves through a herd or possible ways it’s moving off the farm or onto the farm.”

No other state is doing testing of dairy operations within a 12 mile radius of any poultry flock that has to be euthanized after avian influenza is confirmed in the birds — and Naig says wildlife in those zones are being screened for bird flu as well. “I think what we’re going to get when we get to the end of this maybe in weeks or even months is that we’re going to actually have specific strategies farmers can use to protect their operations,” Naig says, “but if you’re not testing, you can’t do that kind of work.”

It’s been a couple of weeks since bird flu has been confirmed in cattle or poultry in an Iowa operation. Since March, six farm workers in Texas, Michigan and Colorado have tested positive for bird flu. Employees at Iowa facilities where the virus has been confirmed among birds or cattle have been tested, but Naig says there have been no human cases of bird flu in Iowa.

“By the way, there’s no evidence of human-to-human spread, which is very good news for all of us,” Naig said, “and why is important that we manage these things as animal health issues, try to deal with them on the farm so they don’t become human health or food safety issues.”

Naig made his comments this weekend during an appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.

(Radio Iowa) – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Davenport says congress will have valid questions about how the Secret Service performed at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.  “Having been in the military, there is always an after-action report,” Miller-Meeks says. “You want to know, you know, how was a shooter on the building? How did that occur? Why and how were they close to the perimeter?”

Miller-Meeks says she has additional perspective because her oldest brother was a Secret Service agent who guarded and traveled with Presidents Carter, Ford, Reagan and Bush before ending his career working at the Reagan Ranch in California. Miller-Meeks says she’s heard directly from Iowans — and from people from both political parties — who have expressed shock and horror after Saturday’s tragic events. “It is not acceptable. It is not how we solve differences or how we promote and advocate for issues that we think are important,” Miller-Meeks says. “We do that at the ballot box and elections.”

Miller-Meeks will be in Milwaukee at some point this week to meet with Iowa delegates at the Republican National Convention.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says over 30-thousand students have been approved for state funding to cover private school expenses for the next school year. Reynolds made the announcement at an event hosted by The Family Leader, an evangelical Christian group. “Just another indication that parents want options,” she said, to applause.

In early 2023 Reynolds signed a law creating state-funded Education Savings Accounts. Last school year nearly 19-thousand students qualified for the program based on limited family income. This year, students from households with an annual income that’s 400 percent of the poverty level are eligible. The state will spend about 78-hundred dollars on each private school student who qualifies. Reynolds says the program injects competition in the state’s K-through-12 education system.

“As lieutenant governor with Governor Branstad we did a comprehensive education reform package and I can remember standing at a town hall saying: ‘You know, I think we should embrace competition. It makes us all stronger,'” Reynolds said. “…I was booed and heckled and nearly chased out of the room by just saying that simple statement.”

Reynolds describes the pandemic as a game changer in the push to dramatically increase state funding for private schools. “It really gave parents a front row seat to see what was happening in their classrooms,” Reynolds said, “and just the lack of the teachers union for really getting those kids back in the classroom.”

Beyond state funding for private school expenses, Reynolds says she’s trying to lift Iowa’s education system as a whole. She points to the raises she approved for beginning and veteran teachers in public schools and a new reading initiative. “Iowa used to lead the country when it came to education and I think a lot of people still believe that. We are not now, but we will be,” Reynolds says. “…Hang in there with me. We are on our way.”

Democrats say education is a major issue in legislative races this year. The Democratic leaders in the Iowa House and Senate say spending hundreds of millions of state tax dollars on private schools and the changes Reynolds pushed for in Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are unpopular with voters.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on 18 arrests that occurred between July 2nd and the 14th. In order from the most recent to the earliest arrests:

• July 14: 20-year-old Riley Eileen Hunter, of Shenandoah, was arrested on an active warrant for Failure to Appear (in court); and, 23-year-old Blas Rendon Luevanos, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Harassment, and Violation of a No Contact Order.
• July 12: 39-year-old Nichole Marie Nicholas, and 37-year-old Amy Jo Liles, both of Shenandoah, were booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
• July 11: 46-year-old Michelle Marie Carnes, and 35-year-old Tyler Buck Carnes, both of Shenandoah, were arrested for Harassment.
• July 9: 55-year-old Thomas Harold Nielsen, of Ida Grove, was arrested in Page County for OWI.
• July 8: 33-year-old Bradley Aeron Haley, of Clarinda, was arrested for Sex Offender Registry Violations.
• July 7: 62-year-old Judy Ann Berry, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Theft and Interference with Official Acts; 37-year-old Amanda Maria Carlson, of New Market, was arrested at the Page County Sheriff’s Office on an active warrant out of Taylor County. She was later transferred to the custody of Taylor County Deputies.
• On July  5th, four people from Shenandoah were booked into the Page County Jail to serve time. They included: 39-year-old Nichole Marie Nicholas; 38-year-old Karl James Shade, III; 37-year-old Amy Jo Liles, and 47-year-old Jamie Jay Shannon. 
• There were three arrests July 3rd in Page County: 41-year-old Michael Joe Baxter, of Des Moines, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Mischief, Assault on a Peace Officer, and Obstruction of Emergency Communication; 40-year-old Joshua Wayne Baer, of College Springs, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, Assault, and Child Endangerment; and, 35-year-old Kelli Jo Wiederholt, of Braddyville, was arrested for Criminal Mischief.
• And, on July 2nd, Page County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Jessie Marie Patterson, of Clarinda, for OWI, Driving While Barred, and Assault on a Peace Officer.

Sheriff’s Office Disclaimer: “A charge of merely and accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”

The Page County Sheriff’s Office also reports 14 people who received citations between July 4th and July 13th. Ten of those persons were cited for Minor in Possession of Alcohol, four were cited for Speeding.

UPDATED – (Radio Iowa) – The chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa says there’s no place for political violence in America. Iowa G-O-P chair Jeff Kaufmann spoke with Radio Iowa a few hours after former President Trump was shot in the ear and a person in the crowd at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania was killed.

Kaufmann says he doesn’t know if plans for next week’s Republican National Convention will change, but he hopes not.

Kaufmann was in Mount Pleasant, giving a speech to Henry County Republicans Saturday afternoon and someone stopped Kaufmann as he walked to his car to break the news.

As Kaufmann drove home Saturday afternoon, Kaufmann says he thought of another presidential candidate whose family has lived through two assassinations. “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. needs to have Secret Service protection before the stroke of midnight,” Kaufmann said. Kaufmann has been to innumerable political rallies — and gone through the metal detectors along with the rest of the crowd — and he says it’s hard to comprehend today’s events.

Iowa political leaders immediately began issuing statements on social media Saturday afternoon, calling for Iowans to pray for Trump, thanking the Secret Service for its response — and condemning the violence. Iowa Democratic Party chairman Rita Hart said gun violence is never acceptable and violence of any sort should never be perpetrated against people who are trying to participate in our democratic process.

The FBI early on Sunday (today) identified the suspected gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. His motive for the shooting is not yet clear.

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Governor Kim Reynolds issued the following statement regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania earlier this evening: “This assassination attempt on a former president, current nominee for president, and leader of the Republican Party marks a dark day in American history. Kevin and I are grateful that President Trump is safe and is doing well. We will continue to pray for him and his family, as well as those who were shot and the family of the individual who was killed.

“As President Trump showed when he walked off the stage, we will not cower to such terror. I will be in Milwaukee this week and will proudly stand with him and our party. America will get through this, together, and President Trump will lead us into the next four years.”

A statement from IDP Chair Rita Hart: “The news about Former President Donald Trump is extremely troubling. Gun violence is never acceptable and violence of any sort should never be perpetuated against people who are trying to participate in our democratic process. My thoughts are with the people who attended today’s rally and were forced to witness today’s events. I am thankful for the Secret Service and all of the brave men and women who fight to keep our nation safe every day.”

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley’s post on X: Thank u secret service agents for ur selflessness& bravery

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst’s post on X: In the midst of chaos, Trump showed strength. Continuing to pray for him and our country. God bless America!

First district Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Davenport) on X: Tragic learning there’s one fatality and 2 injured in addition to Trump in Butler, PA. I pray for them & their families. I’m grateful for the Secret Service, LEO’s and first responders; thank you. Importantly, I absolutely condemn political violence. It is never acceptable! Solve differences at the ballot box.

Christina Bohannan of Iowa City, the Democratic nominee in Iowa’s first congressional district, on X: Praying for the safety of former President Trump and everyone who was at the rally. Violence has no place in our political system.

Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Marion) on X: Pray for President Trump.

Third district Congressman Zach Nunn (R-Bondurant) on X: Join Kelly and me in praying for President Trump, his family, and all attendees.

Lanon Baccam of Des Moines, the Democratic Party’s nominee in Iowa’s third congressional district, on X: Political violence is unacceptable. We cannot tolerate despicable acts like this. We must find a way to come back together as a country. I pray for President Trump and everyone affected at the rally today.

Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) issued a written statement: “I join the American people in praying for President Trump and those in attendance at his rally. This violence is unacceptable and disgusting. I wish the President a speedy recovery.”

Ryan Melton of Nevada, the Democratic Party’s nominee in the fourth congressional district, on X: My thoughts and prayers are with Former President Trump, and I wish him the best in his recovery. I commend the Secret Service for their quick response, and wish the best for all rally attendees. There’s no place for any kind of violence in our political process.

DES MOINES, IA – On Saturday, State Auditor Rob Sand released the following statement in response to the political violence that erupted at a Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania:

“Please join our family and all Iowans in praying for former president Donald Trump and anyone else impacted by this senseless act of violence. Political violence of any kind is unacceptable, and has no place in a democracy. Thankful for the quick action by secret service and law enforcement, who put their lives on the line each and every day in service of our country.”

(Griswold, Iowa) – A regular monthly meeting of the Griswold School District’s Board of Education will be held Monday, beginning at 5:30-p.m, in the Conference Room at the school. Some New Business items on the agenda include: Discussion w/regard to the relocation of the concession stand (Informational only – no action expected); The appointment of – District Business Manager/Treasurer, Board Secretary, District Attorney, and Affirmative Action Coordinator; and Approval of – Bakery, Dairy, Snow Removal, Warewash, Facility and Safety Grant bids.

View the full agenda below:

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Select July Recipient(s)

– IASB Convention

– Board Self-Evaluation

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 900, 901, 902.1, 902.2, 902.3, 902.4, 902.5

New Business

7. Discussion On Concession Stand Relocation (I)

8. Approval Of Official Depositories For The District (D.R.)

9. Discussion On Exit Interview Results (I)

10. Appointment Of Business Manager / Treasurer (D.R.)

11. Appointment Of Board Secretary (D.R.)

12. Appointment Of District Attorney (D.R.)

13. Appointment Of Affirmative Action Coordinator (D.R.)

14. Approval Of Bakery Bids (D.R.)

15. Approval Of Trash Bids (D.R.)

16. Approval Of Dairy Bids (D.R.)

17. Approval Of Snow Removal Bids (D.R.)

18. Approval Of Warewash Bids (D.R.)

19. Approval Of Facility Bids (D.R.)

20. Approval Of Safety Grant Bids (D.R.)

21. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 106.1, 106.1E1, 106.1R1, 106.1R2, 106.1R3, 106.1R4, 106.1R5, 200.4, 206.3, 206.4, 401.6, 402.3, 501.3, 501.9, 501.9R1, 501.14, 501.15, 502.6, 505.2, 603.1, 603.12, 607.2, 710.1, 801.3, 803.2, 903.1, 903.2, 903.3, 903.4, 903.5, 903.5R1, 905.3, Rescind 501.9E1, 501.10, 510.10R1

22. Annual Review Of Policies 505.5, 505.8, 711.3 and 711.5 (I)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

Final agenda will be posted in the Central Office no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 to 137 months in federal prison, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Sylvester George Taylor Staples, 31, was found in possession of a firearm and 9.24 grams of cocaine base. Staples had multiple prior felony convictions, including a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. At sentencing, the Court also found Staples violated the terms of his federal supervised release and ordered to serve an additional 24 months of imprisonment.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Staples will be required to serve 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by the Bike Farm on Thursday, July 11th, 2024. The Ambassadors gathered to view Steve Anderson’s new building at the Bike Farm, a full-service bike shop, located just off the T-Bone bike trail.

At the Bike Farm, Anderson services all models of bicycles and have a large inventory of parts and accessories on hand. Steve has been working in bike maintenance since college, with his first job being at Bike World in Ames. Steve Anderson continued his love for bike maintenance by opening the Bike Farm 10 years ago. The bike farm has been remarkably busy with the anticipation of the upcoming 2024 RAGBRAI.

Anderson said “RAGBRAI gets people interested in pulling their bikes out of the garage. He currently has over fifty bikes in storage to work on or sell, but he says loves what he does.

Ambassador’s Pictured Left to Right: Alden Harriman, Dolly Bergmann, Chris Parks, Paula Leverence, Megan Sramek, Cara Anderson, Krysta Hanson, Anne Quist, Steve Anderson, Paige Harden, Gary Anderson, Julie Waters, Jeremy Butler, Elaine Otte, Jennifer McEntaffer, Jeff Christensen, Nina Welter, Bill Saluk, Janet Cappel, Scott Benett, Kathie Hockenberry, Kelsey Beschorner, DeeDee Kalny and Sue Liston.

While the bike farm typically focuses on maintenance and repair of bikes, there are used and new bikes available for sale. Steve takes immense pride in helping people find good bikes that fit their needs, working closely with a biking company in Ankeny and Waukee, to ensure he finds the best option for all levels of riders.

The Bike Farm is located at 55717 Olive Street in Atlantic. For more information about The Bike Farm and the services they provide, contact Steve Anderson at (712) 249-3930.