(Radio Iowa) – Three weeks out from devastating floods in Northwest Iowa, recovery continues. The Red Cross has been on the ground in affected areas since the beginning of the disaster and will continue to assist residents in finding some sort of relief in the face of horrible loss. American Red Cross Public Affairs Manager Kim Mailes says things have progressed beyond finding people a place to stay to continuing to help them recover.

Mailes says at the beginning of operations, 14 shelters were opened, they recorded four-thousand overnight stays, served 30-thousand meals and supported 11 emergency operation centers. He says the Red Cross now operates two emergency shelters but still serve more than 14-hundred meals each day. The Red Cross also records damage assessments in a database and shares it with FEMA.

That’s when The Red Cross contacts people that have been recorded in the database and meets with them individually to determine their needs. Quite often it’s assistance with replacing furniture, clothing, medicines, etc., and once the Red Cross completes 85% disaster assessment, they start providing financial assistance. Financial assistance is in addition to anything received from other organizations such as an insurance settlement or FEMA payout and is not based on income.

Mailes says people who might have been missed during the assessment phase can call the Red Cross and an assessment crew will be dispatched to their location. That number is 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) will be celebrating Ride Transit Week July 15 th through the
19th and encourages the public to find out more about public transit in the region and take a ride on SWITA.

Public transit gets Americans to work, to education, to healthcare, and more. It also helps job creation, alleviates traffic congestion, and reduces emissions. In 2023 Americans traveled 36.87 billion miles on public transit during 7.11 billion trips. 6 billion gallons of gasoline are saved each year by using public transportation and a 5-to-1 economic return is produced by long-term investment in public transit.

SWITA officials say they are proud to be part of that public transit equation right here in eight Iowa counties. SWITA has continued to support record public transit ridership in the region year-over-year with 520,000 rides in fiscal year 2023 and anticipating a total of over 550,000 for fiscal year 2024. SWITA’s ride services include taxis in six communities, medical transportation, student transportation, workforce transportation, and special/charter trips. SWITA vehicles are equipped with wheelchair accessibility and one personal attendant rides free.

SWITA will be celebrating Ride Transit Week with many offerings, highlighted by an appearance on Thursday, July 18th at Produce in the Park in Atlantic City Park. Stop by and see the SWITA crew for fun, prizes, and information. Mini SWITA buses will be hidden throughout the park for visitors to find and return to the SWITA table for a prize. Other activities will include kids’ handprint painting on a flag, a chance to check out a SWITA bus, information available about services and how to sign up, and other fun and giveaways.

Seven area communities have already issued or will be issuing Mayoral Proclamations supporting Ride Transit Week: Atlantic, Council Bluffs, Glenwood, Harlan, Missouri Valley, Red Oak, and Shenandoah. SWITA operates a taxi service in six of those communities and the Special Transit Service (STS) in Council Bluffs.

SWITA has earned major honors for its service this year. SWITA was named the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Regional Transit System of the Year and received the FTA Region 7 Rural Transit Systems Award of Excellence.

To find out more about SWITA and the services offered you can browse SWITA.com or call 800-842- 8065 or 712-243-2518. Follow us on Facebook for regular updates as well. SWITA services are open to the public. Help SWITA celebrate Ride Transit Week July 15-19, 2024!

(Radio Iowa) – A lobbyist for an influential evangelical Christian group says the Iowa Supreme Court ruling that upheld a six week abortion ban is a major milestone, but a complete ban on abortion is the ultimate goal. Chuck Hurley spoke this (Friday) afternoon at a summit hosted by The Family Leader.

Life at Conception or personhood bills have been introduced in the Iowa legislature, in other states and the U-S congress. Alabama and Arkansas have personhood amendments in their state constitutions. Democrats say a personhood law or constitutional amendment could outlaw in vitro fertilization, since Alabama’s Supreme Court recently ruled frozen embryos are children and those who destroy embryos could be held liable for wrongful death.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to trap furbearers to people with little to no trapping experience. The workshop will feature knowledge and skill building sessions with instructors that will teach the basics of trapping in Iowa. Jamie Cook, Iowa DNR Program Coordinator, says “For those interested in the tradition of trapping as a means of sourcing fur, this program provides the opportunity to gain the skills and the knowledge it takes to do it all yourself.”

Participants will learn basic strategies for trapping such as proper equipment, trap placement, trapping regulations and steps for preparing hides for trade. Participants are expected to dress appropriately for the weather as a significant portion of the class will be held outdoors. The workshops will take place on various dates and locations across the state. The course is designed for participants of all ages.  Space is limited so be sure to register right away.

For more information and to begin the registration process, visit the link below and search by Trapper Education Class event type:

https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/EventsHome.aspx

The program is provided through a partnership with the Iowa DNR and Iowa Trappers Association. It is part of a national effort to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters, anglers and trappers due to the overall decline in hunting and outdoor recreation.

(Radio  Iowa) – The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission set the timeline today (Friday) for new license applications. The process includes a gambling market study and proposals to do that are due August 15th. Applications for those interested in getting a license are due one month later.

The commission will hear presentations on potential new casinos in October. The market study is due at the end of December with a public presentation in January. It’s anticipated the I-R-G-C will make a decision on awarding any new licenses in February.

A group in Linn County is proposing a casino in Cedar Rapids, but not other proposals have been made public.

(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters say an exceptionally hot and humid weekend is ahead and Iowans are warned not to overdo it if they’re working or playing outdoors. Carla Johnson, an infection prevention specialist with Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City, says falling victim to heat stroke can be very risky, so know the symptoms.

A person with heat stroke might also seem confused, and they may even pass out.

Another risk is heat exhaustion, which she says has a varied set of warning signs.

Seven southwest Iowa counties are under an excessive heat watch from Sunday afternoon through Monday night, as forecasters say heat indices may reach 112 degrees.

DES MOINES – As part of a rapid response effort to provide much-needed housing to disaster impacted Iowans, Governor Kim Reynolds has directed the Iowa Department of Corrections, in collaboration with Iowa Prison Industries and Homes for Iowa, to construct five new homes for Iowa communities located in counties approved for FEMA Individual Assistance through a federal major disaster declaration.

The five new homes will offer spacious and modern living spaces for families in need. Each home measures 24×50 feet and includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The homes vary slightly in layout and color, providing a range of options to suit different preferences. In addition, requiring basements for the homes provides a crucial area of shelter during high-wind events, an essential feature for areas vulnerable to tornadoes.

“Homes for Iowa provides a turnkey solution for disaster impacted communities that want to expedite their rebuilding process,” stated Governor Reynolds. “Supporting displaced Iowans in getting back into homes in their communities is our highest priority.”

“We are committed to supporting Iowans as communities recover from these devastating natural disasters,” said DOC Director Dr. Beth Skinner. “These homes represent hope and a fresh start for families in need, and we are grateful for the partnership with Iowa Prison Industries and Homes for Iowa in making this possible.”

Homes for Iowa not only provides affordable, energy-efficient homes to enhance communities across the state but also offers invaluable opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Participants in the program gain hands-on experience in construction, developing skills that are critical for their successful reentry into society. This training helps reduce recidivism by providing meaningful employment opportunities upon release, thereby contributing positively to the community and economy.

This initiative underscores our commitment to community resilience and ensuring safe, affordable housing for all Iowans.

Communities interested in purchasing homes can go to homesforia.com to learn more about the process and submit an order form online.

NEWTON, Iowa – July 12, 2024 – The racing season is now underway at the Iowa Speedway! We would like to ask for your assistance during race weekends. The Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend is July 12 – 14, with attendance expected to be approximately 25,000 – 30,000 on Saturday and Sunday. Below are some traffic information and travel tips provided by the Iowa State Patrol for individuals traveling in Central Iowa while the race events are happening.

• The Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Transportation, Newton Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Speedway officials will be working in conjunction with traffic control and parking companies to erect signs, sign boards, and cones to clearly mark travel routes for fans attending the races.

• Please leave for the track early, factoring in potential minor traffic delays near the Speedway. Arriving ahead of time remains the most effective strategy to alleviate congestion on the roads.

• Please be aware of ongoing construction projects that may impact your travel plans, including the closure of a section of Highway 14 between Newton and Monroe, as well as Jasper County Road F-48 that is shut down for construction west of Newton.

• Following the races, exit ramps in both east- and westbound directions at the 168 interchange (exit 168) will be temporarily closed. Additionally, post-event traffic on Iowa Speedway Drive at S 13th St. E. will be directed to ensure a safe and efficient flow of vehicles out of the area.

• Parking lots open at noon on Friday, July 12, 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, and 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 14.

As part of their dedication to a safe and pleasant race experience, the Iowa DOT asks motorists to kindly adhere to all traffic regulations, ensure seat belt usage for all passengers, and arrange for a designated driver when necessary.

(Radio Iowa) – Tourism is down in the Iowa Great Lakes after heavy rains and high water forced the implementation of issue boating restrictions. The Executive Director of Vacation Okoboji , Kylie Zankowski, says summer business is important to the area.

Zankowski estimates flooding has decreased tourism by 40 to 60 percent.

Zankowski says some hotel occupancy was cut in half during the Independence Day holiday. Juli Redig has been coming to the Iowa Great Lakes from Minnesota since she was the age of her grandchildren. And they saw very few boats on the water during a visit to Arnolds Park due to a five mile and hour speed limit put in place to preserve the shoreline.

Redig says she’s still making the most of her family’s vacation. They brought their pontoon boat to enjoy the water slowly. Zankowski she says there’s hope as water levels and quality continue to improve. She says the Arnolds Park amusement area and other attractions, along with the food, and entertainment give tourists other options.

(story contributed by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – A 44-year-old from Sioux City has won his second start after being asked to return as a pitcher for Sioux City’s minor league baseball team. J.D. Scholter (SHOHL-ten), a state representative who works as a paralegal, has played pro-baseball for teams in seven countries, including a four-year stretch for the Sioux City Explorers. The hometown crowd gave him a standing ovation as he left the mound last Saturday.

When he left the team in 2007, Scholten told the manager to call if they ever needed a pitcher in an emergency. Scholten got the call last Saturday as he was volunteering at a music festival in Sioux City.

Scholten made it in time, threw 100 pitches in six and a half innings and the team won that game. Scholten admits he had shaky start though, giving up a run in the first inning and then escaping a bases loaded jam.

The Explorers won that game 11-to-two and won again last (Thursday) night in Fargo. Scholten threw again for the first six innings, allowing one run in the fourth inning striking out three and leaving with the score tied. Scholten pitched in a pro league in the Netherlands last year and added a new pitch to his rotation.

Some of Scholten’s pitches during the two games this past week have been clocked at 87 miles an hour.