(Radio Iowa) – An unusual challenge for runners that will double as a welcome home celebration for returning Iowa National Guard soldiers is planned for next weekend. American Legion Post 91 in Estherville is hosting its 4th annual Estherville Warrior Ruck on October 23rd. The race will start and end at the Iowa National Guard Armory in Estherville. Post Commander Perry Russell explains a ruck march. “It’s what the military uses to move troops from one point to another on foot,” Russell says. “You put all your gear in a pack and you move however many miles you need to move to do whatever the next objective is, and we’re making it kind of a race, a 10K race.”

That 10-K race is both on and off-road, while a shorter race will be all on-road. Several military members will be taking part in the ruck march, while civilians will need to outfit themselves properly. “You do have to provide your own backpack and your own weight. What we consider heavy is 20 pounds,” Russell says. “If you have 20 pounds in, you’re eligible to win the award if you come in first place on the 10K or the two-and-a-half mile.”

Russell hopes there’s a good turnout from runners and spectators. “We haven’t done a welcome home for our unit. They came home from being deployed. We’re hoping people come out just to say ‘thanks’ and ‘welcome home’,” Russell says. “Also, we want people to participate so they can preregister online on the American Legion Post 91’s Facebook page, for Estherville.”

The event will start at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is $25, and $30 on the day of the ruck. A group of 3 or more is $20 each. All proceeds will help support local veterans and their families.

DES MOINES – Today (Friday), Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) announced that the application window for the new Butchery Innovation and Revitalization program will open on October 18, 2021.  The program was established and passed by the Iowa legislature during the 2021 legislative session. The intent of the program is to strengthen Iowa’s food supply chain and rural development. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to eligible businesses, with a total of $750,000 available through the program in the current fiscal year.

“During the pandemic, it was evident that our small-scale meat processors were instrumental in helping to meet the consumer demand,” said Gov. Reynolds. “This program is the key to unlocking greater potential for those facilities by providing the resources needed to expand their processing capacity and help alleviate disruptions in the supply chain. This investment also will serve as a catalyst for jobs, rural revitalization and innovation.”

“Increasing the capacity of our small-scale meat processors will further strengthen Iowa’s economy and the food supply chain by helping livestock producers and providing more opportunities for consumers,” said Debi Durham, executive director of the IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority.  “One of the biggest challenges faced by Iowa’s small-scale meat lockers is a lack of access to capital, which prevents them from making investments in their businesses,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “I’m excited to see this program roll out and know it will make a significant difference for locker owners, livestock producers, consumers, and our rural communities.”

Businesses applying for the grant program must meet all requirements outlined in House File 857 and in the administrative rules. Requirements include that a business must be:

• Incorporated or authorized to do business in Iowa
• Employ less than fifty (50) individuals
• An establishment that holds a current license from IDALS OR an establishment that documents it is actively working with IDALS to obtain a license (per IDALS/Meat and Poultry Inspection Service, Iowa Code section 189A)
• A copy of the draft application, application FAQs and checklist are available online at www.iowaeda.com/grow/butchery-innovation-revitalization/.

For additional program information, please contact Brad Frisvold at businessfinance@iowaeda.com.

(UPDATED) A restaurant in Shelby County was named this year’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in the state, as selected by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Richard Buman, co-owner of Victoria Station in Harlan, says he’s bowled over by the win.

Buman and his wife, Angela, purchased Victoria Station a year and a half ago. It’s a former railway depot where a restaurant has been in business since the late 1970s.

Richard and Angela Buman with their tenderloin. (IPPA photo.)

Buman said the past 19 months have been challenging with COVID-19 but he’s staying positive during the pandemic.

As for the award-winning tenderloin, he says they hand cut the meat and do the tenderizing there in the restaurant.

This is the 19th year for the contest, put on by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Last year’s winner was the Prairie Moon Restaurant in Prairieburg. Victoria Station will receive $500, a plaque and a banner to display for the honor. This year’s runner-up is also from Shelby County and a past contest winner.  Larsen’s Pub in Elk Horn, which holds the 2007 title, again earned high ratings from a panel of judges and will receive $250 and a plaque from IPPA.

There were 5,928 nominations received this year for 526 different eateries across Iowa.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports one arrest, and an incident of vehicle theft. Authorities say 58-year-old Scott Richard Phipps, of Creston, was arrested Thursday afternoon in the 300 block of N. Pine Street. Phipps was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault – 2nd Offense. He was being held in the Union County Jail without bond, until seen by judge.

And, a man residing in the 600 block of Livingston Street, in Creston, reported to Police Thursday evening, that someone had stolen his red, 2008 Buick Lucerne CXL. The car was valued at $6,000.

(Anita, Iowa) – Anita Fire and Rescue, along with Cass EMS were dispatched to the scene of an injury accident on I-80 this morning. According to the Cass County Communications Center, the accident happened at around 6:45-a.m. near Exit 70. A male subject was complaining of neck pain. Law enforcement was on the scene. Additional information is currently not available.

(Des Moines, Iowa) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources on Thursday confirmed a residential video security/doorbell system caught a mountain lion across a property on the north side of Des Moines, Sunday morning.

DNR officials say Vince Evelsizer, furbearer biologist for the Iowa DNR, reviewed the video and confirmed that it is a mountain lion. The Iowa DNR said mountain lions are occasional visitors to the state, but there are no breeding populations in Iowa. South Dakota and Nebraska are home to small breeding populations of the big cats.

They said on occasion, young males will get chased from their home territories by older males and make long treks searching for new territory. Information on the DNR’s website says “While Iowa might offer ample food, it lacks the vast expanse of wild country and female mates that these young males seek. So they often continue moving on, which means there are no breeding populations in Iowa. The Iowa DNR has not stocked mountain lions and has no plans to do so.”