(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has entered the chat about computer bots programmed to buy big bunches of tickets for concerts and sporting events.  “Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, are you not entertained? If you’re not, it may be because prices for tickets are too darned high,” said Senator Jeff Reichman, of Montrose, in his prelude to debate of his anti-bot bill in the Iowa Senate. It would ban people from using bots to buy more than eight tickets to an Iowa event. Reichmann says computers, apps and smart phones have helped consumers find less expensive options in most everything BUT concert tickets.

“In this case, technology has not helped us, it’s hindered us,” Reichman says. “The supply curve, by hoarding, has created artificially high inflation.” The bill gives Iowa’s attorney general authority to sue people caught using bots and disabling website waiting periods or other security measures meant to prevent mass ticket purchases. Senator Liz Bennett of Cedar Rapids chimed in on the bill.

“With this legislation we’re sending a clear message to anybody that who wants to disadvantage Iowa ticket buyers: you to screw around with Iowa ticket buyers, we’re going to have bad blood and with that I urge Swift passage of this bill,” Bennett said. Reichmann says the bill could help a broader audience snag tickets. “Some people live to work and some people work to live,” Reichman says. “Our jobs sustain us, but our arts and entertainment help fulfill us.”

The bill cleared the Senate by unanimous vote and has been sent to the Economic Growth and Technology Committee in the Iowa House for review.

(Southwest Iowa) – Firefighters across western and central Iowa were kept busy, today (Sunday), knocking down field and brush fires, some of which resulted from controlled burns, while the cause of other incidents were unknown. The Red Oak Fire Department reported on social media, that around 5:17-p.m, Sunday, firefighting crews from the Elliott, Red Oak and Grant FD’s were dispatched to the Justin & Angel Paul property at 1849 140th Street, for a reported brush pile fire that had gotten out of control. Crews were able to contain the fire and terminated fire/ground operations at 5:50-p.m. No injuries were reported.

Sunday evening fire in Montgomery County (Red Oak FD pics)

A Ban on Open burning will be in effect beginning Monday morning, Feb. 26, 2024, for Page, Montgomery and Mills Counties. Harrison County remains under a burn ban until further notice. Adair and Guthrie Counties instituted a burn ban on Saturday. Residents are reminded to “Please make sure all previously burnt areas, brush piles, etc.. have been completely extinguished/buried.”

Less than three-hours after the fire Sunday evening was reported, Red Oak Fire crews were dispatched to property owned by Thomas and Beth Falk, at 1767 165th St, for a reported grass fire. First arriving Fire crews reported one-acre of grass on fire. Mutual Aid was automatically dispatched requesting the Stanton and Elliott Fire Departments, but those crews were  then disregarded.

Sunday afternoon fire

Fire officials say the property owner had been conducting property clean-up and had a burn pit in use. It is believed that embers from this activity started the grass on fire. No injuries reported. Fire/ground operations were terminated at approximately 3:10-p.m.

In Story County, the Kelley Fire Department responded to a fire in a cornfield near 510th Avenue and 300th Street. According to the Story County Sheriff’s Office, the fire grew to 10,000 square feet. A nearby house was not damaged, and no injuries have been reported at this time.

Conditions on Monday may be favorable for more fires with gusty winds and dry conditions. Most of the state of Iowa will be under a Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service in Des Moines from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

[Red Oak, Iowa] – Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman today (Sunday), said “An open burn ban will go into effect Monday, February 26, 2024 at 8:00am, for all areas and jurisdictions within Montgomery County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Montgomery County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.”

Record high temperatures, limited to no moisture and continued drought conditions has created dangerous fire conditions throughout the entire area. Extended forecast outlooks show well above normal temperatures as well as extremely windy conditions causing concern that any outdoor fire will become large and out of control in a very short amount of time.

“Citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground and set asides or other items during this ban. Small recreational campfires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fireplace of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh, however extreme caution should be taken. Any campfire not in an outdoor fireplace is prohibited,” according to Hamman.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal charges as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses or injuries resulting from the fire. The open burn ban is anticipated to remain in effect until the county receives substantial precipitation alleviating the increased fire danger risk.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following an accident that took place at around 10:14-a.m., Saturday.  The accident happened at 270th Street and Highway 48. The report says when deputies arrived, they found a 2011 Ford Fusion owned by Todd Owens, of Clarinda, that had sustained significant damage. The vehicle was located in the northwest ditch.

Deputies learned 18-year-old Connor A. Owens, of Clarinda, was driving the Ford northbound on Highway 48 behind a 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup.  When the pickup, driven by 18-year-old Bennett Johnson, of Red Oak, began to slow to turn west onto 270th Street, it was hit from behind by the Ford. Following the collision, the Ford entered the northwest ditch and struck and sheared-off an Iowa Department of Transportation signpost, before coming to rest.

Owens told authorities his brakes failed and that he attempted to engage the parking brake just before his vehicle collided with the right rear of the pickup. Damage from the accident amounted to $6,000 altogether, including to the sign post.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports numerous arrests occurred from Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning (Feb. 22nd through the 25th):

At around 3-a.m. today (Sunday), 21-year-old Cael Raymond Carl, of Creston, was arrested at the intersection of Adams and Cottonwood. He was charged with OWI 1^st Offense and Carry Weapon while Intoxicated. Carl was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on $2000 cash or surety bond.

On Saturday: 34-year-old Donald James Simmerman, of Murray, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC.  He was taken into custody at around 1:18-a.m. and charged with Interference with Official Acts and OWI 2nd Offense. Simmerman was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on $2300 cash or surety bond; At around 1:45-p.m., Saturday, 24-year-old Noah Alexander Young, of Creston, was arrested at 807 W Summit. Young was charged with Providing False Identification Information and a Union County Warrant for FTA Disorderly Conduct-Loud Raucous Noise. Young was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on $300 cash or surety bond; and, 24-year-old Jeffery Allen Arnold, of Creston, was arrested Saturday at the intersection of Wyoming and 34. Arnold was charged with Driving while under Suspension. Arnold was cited and released from the scene on Promise to Appear.

Friday afternoon, 19-year-old Lucas Lynn Smith, of Creston was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC. Smith was charged with Union County Warrant for Criminal Mischief 1^st Degree. Smith was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on $10,000 cash or surety bond; And, 45-year-old Carrie Nawacy Pendegraft, of Creston, was arrested Friday night at the intersection of Highway 25 and Townline. She was charged with OWI 2^nd Offense. Pendegraft was taken to the Union County Jail where she was later released on $2000 cash or surety bond.

Thursday afternoon, 31-year-old  Ryan Palmer, of Creston was arrested in the 600 Block W Mills. He was charged with Animal at Large. Palmer was cited and released from the scene.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – A burning ban will be in place for Adair County and Guthrie County starting Saturday February 24, 2024. The ban prohibits open burning in Adair County and Guthrie County, including all the cities within the counties.
The current dry conditions throughout the region have caused an increase in fire responses throughout Adair and Guthrie County. As dry conditions and winds persist, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly.

Adair County Burn Ban Proclamation 02-24-2024

Guthrie County Burn Ban Proclamation 02-24-2024

Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Jeremy Cooper says “Adair and Guthrie County Fire Departments have seen the effects of fires in extreme conditions, and they want to do everything they can to help mitigate life threatening incidents from occurring. These Fire Departments are volunteer departments and are responding to calls that pull them from their everyday life and work and becomes very taxing on those volunteers. We have been in a drought for over 4 years and conditions just have not been improving much. We have experienced an abnormal winter with really only one major snow event that really didn’t help with the overall moisture levels. Hopefully in the coming weeks things will improve and start greening up, it’s just not common to have a Burn Ban this time of year.”

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris or other items during the ban. Small recreational campfires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fireplace of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh. Any campfire not in an outdoor fireplace or left unattended is prohibited. Fire Departments will still be able to proceed with their scheduled controlled burns of CRP land and citizens can also obtain a burn permit from their local Fire Chief, if the Chief approves such a request and signs the permit.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban. For more information on burn bans and the law or to check the current status of burn bans statewide on the State Fire Marshal’s statewide burn ban website: https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions/state-fire-marshal/burn-bans.

(Creston, Iowa) – One person was transported to the hospital in Creston, Friday night, following a motorcycle accident. Creston Police say 76-year-old Michel Joseph Spaulding, of Creston, was operating a 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on Cherry Street south of Mills St, at around 10:20-p.m., when the machine struck a curb. The cycle scraped along a yard and a road before coming to rest. Police found Spaulding sitting next to his motorcycle, alert and conscious, but bleeding from the head.

The man admitted to officers that he had consumed alcohol. He was transported by EMS to the Greater Regional Hospital in Creston. The motorcycle sustained an estimated $7,000 damage. No citations were issued.

(Stuart, Iowa)  – Officials with the Stuart Fire Department report crews from the department along with Menlo fire, were dispatched to a barn fire at around 8:35-a.m., Friday. The first crews arriving on the scene from Stuart advised all other responding units that the barn was fully involved. Around that same time Dexter fire was requested for mutual aid (for personnel & water). Firefighters battled the wind and got the fire under control.

Guthrie County REC crews were requested to remove an overhead power line, to ensure the safety of the fire personnel on the ground. Authorities say the barn sustained significant damage, and collapsed. It was deemed a total loss. No injuries were reported.

Stuart FD Facebook post photo

Stuart Fire thanks Menlo fire, Dexter fire, Guthrie county REC, Guthrie county Dispatch, and Stuart Rescue for their support at the scene.