The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently confirmed that zebra mussels are in Lake Manawa. A homeowner on Lake Manawa reported finding zebra mussels on rip-rap along his shoreline. Investigation by DNR staff discovered low numbers of zebra mussels around the lake. DNR staff will conduct additional surveys at Lake Manawa this fall and next summer to monitor the abundance and distribution of zebra mussels. The documentation of zebra mussels in another lake highlights the spread of aquatic invasive species in Iowa waters.

Kim Bogenschutz, DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Program coordinator, says “The zebra mussels in Lake Manawa probably arrived on or in a boat that had picked up the mussels from an infested water body, like the nearby Missouri River.” Zebra mussels look like small, D-shaped clams that have alternating light and dark bands. Most are less than one inch long. They are filter feeders that can form dense clusters as they attach to hard underwater surfaces.  Large infestations may interfere with aquatic food chains, kill native mussels, clog water intakes, increase algae blooms, and cover beaches with dead shells.  Currently there is no effective treatment to control zebra mussels once they have infested a lake.

Young zebra mussels are microscopic and can be unintentionally transported with water in live wells, bilges, ballast or bait buckets.  Adult zebra mussels can attach to boats, trailers and aquatic vegetation. It is illegal to possess or transport prohibited aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels, in Iowa. Boaters must also drain all water from boats and equipment before they leave a water access and must keep drain plugs removed or opened during transport.

Bogenschutz says “Boaters and anglers can unintentionally spread zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species if they do not take the proper precautions to clean, drain, and dry after each time out on the water.”

• CLEAN any plants, animals or mud from boat and equipment before you leave a water body.
• DRAIN water from all equipment (motor, live well, bilge, transom well, bait bucket) before you leave a water body.
• DRY anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs). Before you move to another waterbody either:
• Spray your boat and trailer with hot, high-pressure water; or
• Dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days.
• Never release plants, fish or animals into a water body unless they came out of that water body and empty unwanted bait in the trash.

“Draining all water is a critical step in preventing the spread of zebra mussels,” reminds Bogenschutz. Find more information about aquatic invasive species and a list of infested waters in the 2020 Iowa Fishing Regulations booklet or on the DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/ais

One person died and another was injured during a crash Sunday night, in Fremont County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by 50-year old David Allen Terry, of Shenandoah, was traveling east on Highway 2, west of Waubonsie Avenue, when for reasons unknown, the cycle crossed the center line into the westbound lane. 57-year old Ezeuiel Paul Soriano, of Sidney, was driving an eastbound 2018 Hyundai Elantra and swerved to miss the motorcycle, but both vehicles collided on the center line. The accident happened at around 9:20-p.m.

Terry died at the scene of the crash.

Officials with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office report one person was seriously injured during a single-vehicle accident on 1600th Street, Monday evening. 45-year old Aaron James Nelson, of Harlan, suffered suspected serious/incapacitating injuries and was flown by helicopter to Bergan-Mercy Hospital in Omaha. Authorities say Nelson was driving a 2005 Ford F-350 pickup westbound on 1600th Street, about one-quarter of a mile west of Highway 59, when the pickup went out of control and entered the north ditch. The vehicle rolled at least once. Nelson – who was not wearing a seat belt – was ejected from the pickup as it rolled over. The accident happened at around 6:15-p.m.

Accident scene photo submitted to KJAN

Nelson was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. The pickup was totaled in the crash, with the loss estimated AT $20,000.

(Radio Iowa) – As Iowans continue grappling with the effects of the pandemic, many are taking advantage of free remote counseling made available through the state. Teresa Zilk is a media specialist for the COVID Recovery grant. She says counselors can help Iowans build coping skills as coronavirus-related disruptions continue. “There’s just a lot of anxiety about what’s gonna happen next,” Zilk says. “So many people have been impacted in terms of no longer having employment. Even farmers are having difficulties. You have parents who are home with children more than they were before.”

Zilk says they want to reach Iowans from all walks of life — those who lost their jobs, are now constantly home with their families, people with disabilities, and Iowans struggling with anxiety surrounding the uncertainty. “It’s requiring a different set of coping skills for everybody,” she says. “So we’re there to give them different types of coping skills and strategies to help reduce the sense of loss and stress that they’ve experienced.”

Spanish language services are available and counselors can also refer people to other services. Any Iowan can seek free confidential counseling at the website: Covid Recovery Iowa-dot-org, or by calling 844-775-WARM.

(By Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio)

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A teenager in Waterloo has died after showing up at a hospital with a gunshot wound Police were called to a neighborhood Monday night where residents reported hearing gunshots and seeing someone on the ground in an alley. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that officers didn’t find anyone but a short time later a 15-year-old showed up at a Waterloo hospital. The teen later died. Police found numerous spent shell casings in the alley and say at least one home was hit by a bullet.

The Iowa State Patrol reports six people were injured during a multi-vehicle collision late Sunday evening, in northern Dallas County. Authorities say a stolen 2002 GMC pickup driven by 31-year old Samantha N. Whitney, of Joplin, MO., was traveling west on Highway 44 near Sportsman Club Road at around 7:40-p.m., when the vehicle crossed the center line of the road and struck a 2006 Dodge pickup driven by 45-year old Trevor Cozad, of Yale, and a trailer being pulled by his pickup. The trailer became disconnected and struck a 2013 Hyundai Elantra driven by 42-year old Erika N. Cozad, of Yale.

Whitney was transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines by air ambulance. Several passengers in the vehicles were injured including: 58-year-old Rhonda Gragg of Perry, who was flown to MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines by air ambulance; Trevor and Erika Cozad, and two 16-year old’s, Natalie and Jessica Watson, both of Yale, were transported to Methodist Medical Center by Dallas County Emergency Medical Services. Whitney and Gragg suffered serious-to life-threatening injuries. Trevor and Erika Cozad along with the two teens, suffered minor to serious injuries. All of the injured were wearing a seat belt.

An initial investigation indicated alcohol may have played a role in the crash.  The State Patrol was assisted by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and Dallas County EMS.

(Radio Iowa) – Congress is back in session after its summer recess and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says one of the top priorities is crafting another incarnation of the CARES Act to help businesses and individuals weather the continuing storm of coronavirus. Grassley says direct payments of up to 12-hundred dollars to nearly every American are again being discussed, as are a host of other elements designed to stimulate the economy. “Our four previous bills to help with the pandemic, we’ve been able to come to a bipartisan consensus,” Grassley says. “Each of those bills passed with overwhelming support and the biggest one passed unanimously, and I hope this one will be no different.”

The original Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27th. It allotted a record two-point-two trillion dollars to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Grassley says there are many possibilities to consider for the next piece of legislation.”Leader McConnell wants liability protection to protect folks from frivolous lawsuits that are related to the virus,” Grassley says. “President Trump has listed a handful of options that he wants Congress to consider and at this point, we’re only in a discussion phase.”

Grassley says hammering out the details of the bill will likely take two to three weeks though it has to be before President Trump by August 7th. Grassley, a Republican, says there’s been much conversation already about another cash infusion where Uncle Sam would send checks directly to most Americans. “I think this is the one that gets the most economic impact if you’re thinking about stimulating the economy, putting money in people’s pockets,” Grassley says. “I’m not sure it’s going to be exactly $1,200 but it’s going to be a sizable amount of money if there is checks go out.”

The payment process would likely be set up much like the last time, he says, in order to expedite the checks. Otherwise, Grassley says, they may not arrive until after Christmas.

The Griswold School Board met Monday evening and spent a good portion of their time discussing the district’s Return-to-Learn plan. Griswold Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN News the Board came to a decision on how they will proceed, given the information they have at-hand.

The other option is to educate students on-site like a normal school year.

He said the Board discussed the process for trying to keep kids and staff safe, but a lot of the plan still depends on what the State Board of Education determines is necessary.

In other business, the Griswold School Board accepted the 2018-19 Audit report

And, the Board approved Dan Rold as Business Manager/Treasurer, and Board Secretary as Hannah Bierbaum, who started in June.

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — Leaders in the south-central Iowa city of Indianola have approved a measure to remove Native American imagery from its city logo, including from police cars, badges and patches. Television station KCCI reports that the Indianola City Council voted unanimously Monday to remove the depiction of a Native American chief in full feathered headdress. Council members say the logo will be removed immediately, but creating a new logo will take time and cost about $27,000.

The move comes as corporations and sports teams around the country face increasing pressure to dump nicknames and depictions that reference American Indians amid a nationwide movement calling for racial justice.

A Creston man was arrested Monday morning on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault, and Possession of Paraphernalia. Creston Police report 27-year old Rogelio Olivera Martinez, was arrested at his home at around 10:30-a.m.  He was later released from the Union County Jail on a Promise to Appear in court.

And, a little before 5-p.m., Monday, a Creston man reported to Police that sometime between July 10th and the 20th, someone stole the rear license plate off of his vehicle while it was parked on the 100 block of N. Elm St. The plate taken was issued by the State of Florida.