Western Iowa is starting to see more widespread cases of trees becoming infested with the emerald ash borer. The first case was discovered in Woodbury County last year and that’s where Lindsay Meylor (MY-ler) works as a horticulture educator with the I-S-U Extension and Outreach. Meylor says her office is now fielding frequent calls from people, wondering what they can do to save their trees.

Meylor says insecticide is best applied before any signs of damage, and treatment — which can cost hundreds of dollars per application — will have to continue throughout the life of the tree. The insect can kill a tree within two years of infestation.

The D-N-R says when the invasive pest first appeared in eastern Iowa in 2010, there were an estimated 54-million woodland ash trees and another three-million planted in urban areas. It’s unclear how many survived. The emerald ash borer has been detected in all but one of Iowa’s 99 counties. Emmett in northwest Iowa is the only county without a confirmed case.

(Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

Iowa Democratic Party leaders say hard work and message discipline will yield results for the party in November’s election. Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart kicked off the party’s 2024 state convention this weekend by acknowledging there’s a long, hard haul ahead.

All six members of Iowa’s current congressional delegation are Republicans and Republicans have large majorities in the Iowa House and Senate. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst (KON-first) is one of the 36 Democrats in the Iowa House.

Konfrst says Iowans are concerned about public education and abortion — and Democratic candidates need to focus on those two key issues.

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum (YOH-kum) is one of 16 Democrats in the Iowa Senate. She says Democrats are the defenders of public education in Iowa.

Vice President Kamala Harris recorded a video message that was played for the three-hundred-25 (325) delegates who attended the convention.

Democrats who are running for seats in the U-S House addressed convention delegates, too. Second district nominee Sarah Corkery of Cedar Falls is running against Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion.

Lanon Baccam (luh-NON buh-CAHM), the Democrat who’s running against Republican Congressman Zach Nunn in the third district, also emphasized the abortion issue.

The General Election in November 5th — 140 days away. Iowa Democrats also announced on Saturday that Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (beh-SHEER) will be the keynote speaker at a party fundraiser on July 27th. Beshear, a Democrat who just won a second term as governor in 2023, is from a state that, like Iowa, has big G-O-P majorities in the Kentucky legislature and both of the state’s U-S Senators are Republicans.

The University of Iowa is moving ahead on a project to expand and renovate the Tippie College of Business after getting approval from the Board of Regents. U-I vice president, Rod Lehnertz (Lenn-ertz), says the budget is projected between 45 and 60 million dollars.

Part of the project involves renovation of Gilmore Hall.

The Pappajohn Business Building will also be renovated in this project. Lehnertz says they are seeking private gifts to fund a majority of the project. Another project would spend 14 to 17 million dollars to renovate the restrooms in Burge Hall.

Lehnertz says it is a major residence hall and dinning facility, so the work will be done during the summer to avoid disruptions. The Board of Regents also approved renovationg of Level 7 of the John Pappajohn Pavilion for expanded labor, delivery and postpartum patient care at the University Hospitals.

The estimated project cost is 74 million dollars.

(Schleswig, Iowa) – A man from Crawford County was injured during a single-vehicle rollover accident this (Sunday) morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2008 Ford F-3250 pickup driven by 24-year-old Victor Rafael Eugenio, of Schleswig, was traveling north on Highway 59 about one-eight of a mile south of F Avenue, south of Schlewig, and according to witnesses, was being driven recklessly  with another vehicle.

The pickup went off the east side of the road, re-entered the road and then went out of control before leaving the road again, and rolling over. The crash happened at around 2:3-a.m.  Eugenio – who was not wearing a seat belt – was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported by Crawford County Ambulance to the Crawford County Memorial Hospital.

The patrol was assisted at the scene by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

KNOXVILLE, Iowa [KCCI] — An Iowa man was taken to a hospital Friday afternoon following a skydiving accident. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a group of skydivers jumped from just under 15,000 feet Friday afternoon shortly before 2:30 p.m. At about 4,000 feet, members of the group noticed one man experiencing an issue with his parachute. The man spiraled out of control and hit the ground near the Knoxville airport.

Officials on Saturday identified the man as 61-year-old Samuel Owens, of Urbandale. He was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital with serious injuries.

CARLISLE, Iowa — Authorities have identified a Carlisle teenager who was killed June 9th in a crash that injured two others. According to Iowa State Patrol, a Toyota Camry Solara was traveling northbound on 200th Avenue in Warren County on Sunday evening. The vehicle entered the ditch near the intersection of 200th and Delaware avenues, rolled and ejected two of the three occupants.

A passenger in the car, 15-year-old Hanna Shaffer, was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital, where she died from her injuries. The 16-year-old driver and another 15-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital; their conditions is not available. All Carlisle school district activities for Monday evening have been postponed. Services for Hanna Shaffer are set for Tuesday.

According to the latest data from the Iowa Department of Transportation, 119 people have died so far this year on Iowa roads. That number is 24 fewer than at the same point in 2023. Over the last five years, an average of 350 people have been killed in statewide crashes annually.

(Denison, Iowa) – KJAN’s sister station KDSN in Denison reports they were informed of a pursuit that occurred Friday afternoon, that ended in a field. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office told the station they were made aware of a stolen vehicle out of Woodbury County, and that at approximately 3:12-p.m.. authorities located the vehicle in Denison.

When a traffic stop was initiated by Denison Police, the stolen vehicle driven by a male, fled North on Highway 59 and escalated into a high speed pursuit towards Schleswig. Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in the chase when it crossed into the County.

The stolen vehicle eventually turned east onto County Highway E-16 in Schleswig, and continued toward County Highway 39, before turning north onto Highway 39. Speeds at that point increased to as much as 110-miles per hour, with vehicle being passed in No Passing Zones.

The Sheriff’s Department terminated the pursuit due to public safety concerns. Approximately 20-to 30-minutes, later Sac County Sheriff’s Deputies came into contact with the driver and engaged in a pursuit. The stolen vehicle eventually came to rest in a field.

KDSN says there are unconfirmed reports suspect driver of the stolen vehicle died from self-inflicted wounds. Additional information is currently not available.

(Butler County, Iowa)  – The operator of a motorcycle was injured in a collision Friday afternoon in northeast Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 34-year-old James Cummings, of Greene, was hurt when the 2008 Honda motorcycle he was riding, struck a 2016 Chevy pickup truck, as the pickup was turning from southbound Yale Avenue onto eastbound Highway 188, west of Plainfield. The accident happened at around 3:20-p.m.

The Patrol says Cummings, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle during the collision, and transported by helicopter to Unity Point/Allen Hospital in Waterloo. The driver of the pickup, 46-year-old Patrick Lentz, of Plainfield, was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, and Yield the Right-Of-Way.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville Ambulance, Waverly paramedics, Plainfield 1st Responders, Plainfield Fire Dept. and Mercy One Airmed 3 helicopter.

(Woodbury County, Iowa) – A vehicle traveling about the posted speed limit crashed on the southeast side of Sgt. Bluff, Friday morning, resulting the death of its driver. The Iowa State Patrol says a Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy was trying to catch-up to a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero driven by 24-year-old Donovan Burrell, of Orange City, when the crash occurred at around 3-a.m.

The car was traveling on S. Lakeport/Old Lakeport Road near Wilde Street, when it went out of control and traveled southbound in the northbound lanes. The vehicle then went off the east shoulder, back on to the road and crossed over both lanes onto the west shoulder, before it struck a shed and came to rest.

Burrell, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to St. Lukes Hospital by Sgt. Bluff Fire/Rescue, and died from his injuries. The State Patrol says excessive speed, alcohol &/or drugs, and erratic driving were all contributing factors in the crash.

The Patrol was assisted by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.