DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds declared today, August 18th, as “Solar Day in Iowa.” To celebrate, solar industry leaders and supporters gathered today for “Solar Day at the Iowa State Fair” for a live reading of the Governor’s proclamation by Lt. Governor Adam Gregg.

“Iowa leads the country in renewable energy development, which creates jobs, grows our rural communities and supports a robust economy,” said Lt. Governor Adam Gregg. “Today, we celebrate the role solar energy has played in this energy innovation. With solar projects in all of Iowa’s 99 counties and nearly 1,000 Iowans employed in the industry, the future looks bright.”

The Governor’s proclamation reads:

• Whereas, Iowa is a world leader for the production, development and technology of renewable energy. These industries create jobs in Iowa and grow the state’s economy.
• Whereas, Iowa ranks 16^th among U.S. states in technical potential for solar energy production, ahead of states such as Florida and Georgia, and has the potential to add enough solar to meet the state’s electric needs more than 150 times over.
• Whereas, Solar energy has become an important option for Iowa farmers, businesses and homeowners to manage their energy future.
• Whereas, Solar energy benefits both rural and urban Iowa, with solar installations in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. 
• Whereas, Iowa’s solar industry employs nearly 800 people and nearly 100 businesses involved in the supply chain.  
• Whereas, More than $568 million has been invested in solar in Iowa, growing local economies.
• Now, Therefore, I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby proclaim August 18, 2021 as SOLAR DAY in the state of Iowa. 

“Solar has been a true success story in our state. This technology has become an economic engine that is powering our communities and economy,” said Troy Van Beek, board member of the Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association.

Solar benefits both rural and urban Iowa with solar projects in all of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“Solar energy provides a drought-proof revenue stream for Iowa farmers that’s needed now more than ever. Land leases for solar projects enable farmers to preserve and enhance our natural resources for generations to come,” said Ray Gaesser, Chair of the Iowa Conservative Energy Forum. “Today we are celebrating the sun, but we also celebrate all forms of energy from our farms, including wind energy, ethanol, biodiesel, biogas and more.”

The Danish Villages Improvement Organization is looking into ways to help residents get easier access to groceries in their communities. The organization will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Kimballton Town Hall to discuss the possibility of adding a grocery locker system in the area. Theo Ramsey of Ramsey’s Market/Fresh out of the Box will be speaking at the meeting about their system. DVIO member Klare Chapman said the system works as a day ahead order grocery drop-off solution.

Shelby and Walnut currently have the Fresh out of the Box systems in place and Chapman said they won’t need a large footprint to make it happen in the Danish Villages.

Theo and Bonnie Ramsey currently operate grocery stores in Manning and Lenox and have used this concept to branch out and serve other communities in the region. Chapman said they are trying to figure out the best way to serve their small communities of Elk Horn and Kimballton.

She said they really need to hear what everyone thinks of this possible solution.

Again that meeting is at 7:00 p.m. tonight at the Kimballton Town Hall. You can listen to a full interview with Chapman that aired on KJAN’s Heartbeat Today show on our podcast page.

The CAM School Board met on Tuesday night at the Superintendent’s Office in Anita to discuss the facility committee’s recommendations to upgrade the district’s buildings. The Board voted 4-1 to accept the committee’s recommendation to upgrade facilities in Anita and Massena to house Pre K – 6th grade students at Massena and 7th-12th grade students at Anita.

A large crowd attended the meeting and shared concerns about the options that have been presented. The recommendation followed a recent straw poll last month that narrowed options to two choices; the one voted on and the other which was to realign elementary facilities at both Anita and Massena and all 7th-12th grade students at Anita.

School Board members Gary Dinkla, Julie Williamson, Nick Kaufman, and Mike Plagman voted for the recommendation. Chuck Kinzie was the lone nay vote.

CAM District patrons will vote on the plan on November 2nd and must receive 60-percent approval to pass.

(Radio Iowa) The faculty union at the University of Northern Iowa has filed a workplace safety complaint against the Regents with the U-S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Faculty union vice president Chris Martin, says the lack of mandates is creating an unsafe workplace.

Martin says voluntary mask-wearing is not enough.

Martin says. Faculty and staff say they’re particularly concerned about COVID risks for those with children under 12 and those with medical vulnerabilities.

(Radio Iowa) Students have started moving back to campus at Iowa State University in Ames. Provost Jonathan Wickert, says the fall semester will see things get back to more normal operation after changes for the pandemic.

Wickert says they will have mostly in-person classes, with some online and hybrid classes as well.

Wickert says they in a way have two incoming first-year classes.

He says those second-year students will be getting a more full look at what is like to be on campus and have in-person classes. The Board of Regents says masks aren’t required this year — but Wickert says they are strongly encouraged indoors. The same goes for vaccinations. Wickert says the faculty have been provided standard statements on masks and vaccination they can cut and paste into their class materials.

Wickert says they have received some petitions from students and faculty asking the school to request that the Board of Regents require masks.

Wickert says. ISU residence hall officials say they’ve had a big demand for people wanting to live on campus and they have opened up another dorm to accommodate them.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has released details on some arrests in the past week.

On August 15th three arrests were made. 51-year-old Michael Sam Prine was arrested following a traffic stop on an outstanding warrant for Probation Violation. 28-year-old Kathryn Naomi White was arrested following a traffic stop for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked. 41-year-old Anthony Lee Nielsen was arrested following a traffic stop also for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.

On August 14th Deputies responded to a call in the 34000 block of Highway 92 for a disturbance. 38-year-old Becky June Sulley was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault 1st Offense Causing Bodily Injury and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree.

On August 13th Deputies clock a man traveling 110mph in a 70mph zone on I-29. A traffic stop was conducted at the 59 mile maker and the driver 23-year-old Eduardo Ordaz was arrested for OWI 1st Offense and Reckless Driving.

On August 11th Deputies were call to a disabled vehicle near 23579 Highway 6. Upon arrival Deputies discovered that the plates on the vehicle were stolen. The driver, 36-year-old Jayme Antoinette Lauridsen was arrested for Theft 2nd Degree-Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Absence from Custody.