PAULLINA – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at Mud Creek near Paullina in O’Brien County.

On July 17, the DNR Field Office in Spencer was notified of dead fish in Mud Creek, south of Paullina. Further investigation revealed Roorda Dairy of Paullina was land applying manure in a field, which entered a blown out tile that discharges to Mud Creek. The amount of manure released is unknown at this time. Dead fish have been observed for several miles in the creek.

The manure release has stopped. DNR staff from the Spencer Field Office and Spirit Lake Fisheries Office are onsite, and the investigation is ongoing.

Downstream water users should avoid using water from Mud Creek.

If you see dead or stressed fish at a lake or river, call the DNR’s 24-hour spill line at 515-725-8694 as soon as possible. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of a fish kill and potentially stop a fish kill in progress.

(Radio Iowa) – After facing online criticism, John Deere has announced it will no longer sponsor “external social or cultural awareness events” like parades or festivals. Deere’s statement says the company is “always listening to feedback and looking for opportunities to improve.” The farm equipment maker announced it is auditing employee training materials to make sure there are no “socially-motivated messages.”

file photo

The company said it has never had diversity quotas or pronoun identification requirements. The statement comes after a conservative on X, formerly known as Twitter, called on John Deere to dismantle its diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Grow Another Row Committee is hosting a free event at Mollett Park on August 6, 2024, at 6:30 pm. “Pots and Popsicles” is a free class to learn about patio gardens. Participants can plant lettuce, spinach, herbs, radishes, and/or peas to keep on their patios. This free educational gardening event will help participants learn how to plant, care for, and harvest late-season plants to enjoy this fall. Popsicles and refreshments will be provided.

Participants are welcome to bring their own pots; otherwise, pots can be provided. The Grow Another Row Committee and Thrivent Funding will provide seeds and soil. Attendees can also plant an extra pot to donate to the local food pantry.

Mollett Park is located at 1020 East 3rd Street Place, in Atlantic (off of N. Mulberry Street).

If you are interested in attending, registration is strongly encouraged by August 2, 2024. This will ensure that we have enough supplies. Please register by contacting Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or by phone at 712-250-8170.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa is seeing a bumper crop of bugs this summer, with flying and biting pests aplenty that are making the great outdoors much less great for humans. The state’s had a lot of rain in recent weeks and standing water can quickly become a breeding ground for many thousands of mosquitoes. Zach Schumm, an insect specialist at Iowa State University, says there’s only so much we can do to fight off the droves of pesky insects. “A lot of different cities have mosquito control districts or just city entities or entities that will come out and spray mosquitoes that are in really problematic areas,” Schumm says, “or in areas where they’ve identified mosquitoes that are carriers of some human pathogens like West Nile virus.”

There are at least 57 different species of mosquitoes found in Iowa, but Schumm says it’s not just mosquitoes that are making some of us miserable. “There’s many different types of insects that can be bothering you out and about,” Schumm says. “Typically, if we’re seeing really big clouds of insects, that swarm and hover around your head, and sometimes it seems like they’re getting close to your ears. Those tend to be things like midges, or generically just call them gnats, if you if you’d like. There’s so many different types of flies out there that can have similar behaviors.”

Katie Jensen, a wellness education specialist at Gundersen Health System, says there are tried-and-true ways to keep the insects from swarming. “Wearing thicker materials, because mosquitoes can bite through really thin materials. Wearing lighter colors, they seem to not be as attracted to lighter colors as darker colors,” Jensen says. “Making sure that you’re utilizing an EPA-registered repellent. There is a ton of information on the EPA website and they have various things if there are different ingredients that you want to maybe avoid, or maybe want to be drawn more towards.” Patrol your yard and make sure there’s no water sitting in flower pots, tires, gutters or elsewhere. “Watching just in the kiddie pools, maybe not leaving the water sit for days on end, making sure that you’re changing those out,” Jensen says. “If there are any buckets or toys or things that are left outside, just ensuring that you’re dumping the water out of them either daily or every couple days. Just really not giving the mosquitoes that invitation to come in and breed.”

If you have a bird bath, change out the water routinely, or, consider buying a battery-powered gadget that makes waves in the bowl, or a pump that circulates the water. Many Iowans love to go camping during the summer months and if you’re planning a prolonged adventure, you may want to invest in a few other precautions to avoid being bitten. “Mosquito nets are also really helpful. So head nets, they do make those for kids as well. So if you’re going to be out in the deep woods where there are a lot of different mosquitoes, having that as an option for yourself and also for your kids, too,” Jensen says. “They even make little covers for car seats or strollers, mosquito nets, so a really good investment if you’re going to be out and about.” Even though it may be less comfortable in the summer heat, long sleeves and long pants will help to cover your skin.

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

(Avoca, Iowa) – The 2024 East Pottawattamie County Fair is underway in Avoca, now through Monday, July 22nd. On the schedule for Thursday (July 18th), is: the Poultry Show at 9-a.m.; Food truck & Family Night from 5-until 8-p.m.; 2024 Pott. County Fair Queen and Junior Queen Crowning, and a Pedal Tractor Pull at the conclusion of the stage events.

See the full schedule of events in this PDF link:

20240701095935857

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon County Fair is underway now, through Sunday, July 21st.  Activities at the fair began on Tuesday. Looking ahead, on the schedule for Thursday, July 18th at the Audubon County Fair, there’s a 4-H/FFA Horse Show at 10-a.m., followed at 12:30-p.m. by the Clover Kids Stuffed Animal show in the Hoop building, 4-H under the tent at 2-p.m., a Cornhole Tournament at 3-p.m., Thursday, Clover Kids Rabbit Show, and rounding out the day, Thursday, is music in the park by the Polka Police, with fireworks to follow.

Check out the rest of the schedule for the Audubon County Fair below:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
7:00-8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Swine check in
8:00- 9:00 AM 4-H/FFA Sheep & Goat check in
9:00-10:00 AM 4-H/FFA Beef check in
9:00 AM-3:00 PM Commercial Exhibit set-up
9:30AM-11:00 AM 4-H/FFA/Open Class Rabbit/Poultry check in
11:00 AM 4-H/FFA Horses must be stalled
11:30 AM Farm Bureau Meal – Hoop
Agriland-Ice Cream
12:00 PM Open Class static must be entered
1:30 PM 4-H/FFA Exhibitor Meeting
3:00 PM Open Class exhibits must be in place
4:30 PM Sponsorship Dinner-Tent by Agrihall
4-H Pie Auction
Queen Coronation
THURSDAY, JULY 18
9:00 AM Judging Open Class Entries
10:00 AM 4-H/FFA Horse Show
12:30 PM Clover Kids Stuffed Animal Show – Hoop
2:00 PM 4-H Under the Tent
3:00 PM Cornhole Tournament-Livestock Pavilion
4:00 PM-9:00 PM Inflatable Attractions
5:00 PM Clover Kids Rabbit Show
4-H/FFA & Open Rabbit Show
7:00 PM Polka Police – Music in the Park at the Fairgrounds under the
Tent. Fireworks to follow.
FRIDAY, JULY 19
8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Swine Show
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Inflatable Attractions
Noon Clover Kids Goat Show
Clover Kids Sheep Show
4-H/FFA Goat Show
PeeWee Goat Show
4-H/FFA Sheep Show
2:00 PM 4-H Under the Tent
3:00 PM Hay Throwing Contest followed by Adult tricycles and bounce animals
3:00 PM – 6:00PM Balloon Animal Creations
4:00 PM Richard Renner-The Vodvill Klown
5:00 PM Pork Feed – Hoop
7:30 PM Figure Eight Races
SATURDAY, JULY 20
7:30 AM-Noon Farmers’ Market
8:00 AM Clover Kids Poultry Show
4-H/FFA Poultry Show, Open Class
9:00 AM Baby Contest-Hoop
10:00 AM Big Wheels Races-Hoop
10:00 AM-3:00 PM Ima Clown – Hoop
11:00 AM-2:00 PM Water Rocks! Conservation Station
11:00 AM-9:00 PM Inflatable Attractions
11:00 AM Richard Renner-The Vodvill Klown
11:30 AM Non-sanctioned Kids Pedal Pull
Noon 4-H/FFA Beef Show
Show Order:
Cow/Calf Pairs
Pen of Three
Clover Kids Bottle Bucket Calf
Bottle Bucket Calves
Feeder Calves
Breeding Heifers
Market Heifers & Steers
Showmanship
12:30 PM Richard Renner-The Vodvill Klown
2:00 PM 4-H under the Tent
Richard Renner-The Vodvill Klown
5:30 PM Sheep Scramble –All kids welcome
6:00 PM 4-H/FFA Parade of Champions
7:00 PM IRCA Rodeo
9:00 PM Live Music- 2 ½ Guitars
SUNDAY, JULY 21
8:00 AM Tractor Drive Check in
9:00 AM Horse Fun Show Entries at Horse Arena
9:30 AM Tractor Drive
10:00 AM Horse Fun Show
11:00 AM Round Robin Showmanship-Livestock Pavillion
12:00 PM Antique Tractor Pull – Grandstand
12:00 PM Beef Feed – Audubon T-Bone
12:00 PM Bingo-Exira Lions – Agrihall
1:00 PM Quilt Show under the Tent
1:30 PM Pie Contest – Agrihall
2:30 PM Open Class Exhibits and Commercial Booths released
3:00 PM 4-H Recognition – Show Barn
4:00 PM Livestock Support Sale-poultry, rabbits, sheep, goats, swine, beef
4:00 PM 4-H exhibits released
4:45 PM 4-H Building Clean Up

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board is holding a Guided Blooming Prairie Hike! The program will start at the Outdoor Classroom shelter, located at 76977 Tucson Rd, Massena, IA on Saturday July 20^th 2024, 8 PM, FREE, all ages welcome!

Come join our Naturalist for a hike in the prairie! Explore blooms throughout the numerous prairies inside the park at sunset!

“Stand Up Paddleboard” Demonstration & Kayaks Available

The Cass County Conservation Board is holding “Stand Up Paddleboard” Demonstration! The public demonstration will be held on Saturday July 20th 1PM-4PM- Cold Springs Park- Beach FREE! SUP is the fastest growing sport in the paddling community not only across the country, but especially right here in land-locked areas like Iowa. It’s fun, healthy as a total body work-out and offers a unique perspective when it comes to being on the water. After a quick demonstration try out the boards for yourself! If you do not bring a life jacket one will be provided to you. Children must be 16 years or older. Paddler must weigh LESS than 250 LBS.

Saturday July 20th

1:00pm- 5 Spots

2:30pm- 5 Spots

Cold Springs Park- Beach

Kayaks will be available for checkout at the same time. We have 4 sit in kayaks, Paddler must weigh LESS than 250 LBS. We have 4 Sit on top Kayaks, Paddler must weigh LESS than 395 LBS. If you do not bring a life jacket one will be provided to you.

July 20th

1:00pm- 4 kayaks, sit in, 4 kayaks, sit on top.

2:30pm- 4 kayaks, sit in, 4 kayaks, sit on top.

Cold Springs Park- Beach

You MUST register online to get your spot! https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Cass/Park/Cold-Springs-Park.aspx

We hope you will join us! Program will be cancelled if there is unsafe weather conditions on the Lake.

(Radio Iowa) – Officials from seven Iowa counties are asking the Iowa Utilities Commission to reconsider its conditional approval of the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project. Shelby County Board of Supervisors chairman Kevin Kenkel says the commission’s decision did not address zoning issues. “The counties also maintain that Summit is not a ‘common carrier’ and is not proposing a public use or benefit to the public and should not be granted the right of eminent domain,” Kenkel said.

Monday (yesterday) was the deadline for filing the paperwork, asking the Iowa Utilities Commission to rescind the construction permit. Landowners who oppose the project and the Sierra Club of Iowa have also filed objections. Kenkel isn’t making any predictions on how the commission might respond. “We feel we deserve a fair and impartial shot at this,” Kenkel says.

In addition to Shelby County, officials from Kossuth, Floyd, Emmet, Dickinson, Wright and Woodbury Counties signed the 16-page challenge filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission. Kenkel says it’s unrelated to the pending case in a federal appeals court over hazardous pipeline zoning ordinances in Shelby and Story Counties. “Other counties started passing ordinances and wanted to get involved in intervention at Iowa Utilities Board — Commission now — hearings, so we formed a coalition of intervenors,” Kenkel says. “We are all impacted on phase one of Summit.”

Summit recently announced plans to expand the pipeline route through Iowa by over 300 miles to connect to ethanol plants that had been part of the abandoned Navigator C-O-2 pipeline project. The commission’s ruling on Summit’s initial request says the company has to get approval for its route through South and North Dakota before construction may start in Iowa. A final option for groups that oppose the pipeline project would be filing a lawsuit asking the courts to block construction.

CRESTON – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is relaxing the fishing regulations at McKinley Lake in Creston. The city of Creston will begin to drain the lake in August as part of a lake restoration project.  McKinley Lake, constructed in the 1870s, has accumulated a lot of sediment and nutrients over time causing poor water quality that impacts outdoor recreation opportunities on the community lake.

The City of Creston’s Park and Recreation Board has made improvements to the lake’s watershed to reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients washing into the lake. In-lake work is the final step in the lake restoration process. Planned improvements include targeted dredging, improving shoreline access and adding fish habitat, a fishing pier and small boat/canoe/kayak access.

Anglers with a valid fishing license may harvest any size or number of largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and all other fish species from McKinley Lake. Any number of fishing poles or jug fishing is allowed.  Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines will be allowed (name and address must be attached), however lines may not be set across the entire water body. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters.  All navigation rules still apply.

Liberalized fishing regulations for McKinley Lake will be in effect immediately.  Specific regulation changes include:

• Removal of bag and length limit restrictions on largemouth bass.
• Removal of bag limit on channel catfish.
• Removal of bag limit on crappie and bluegill.
• Removal of the two line/two hook fishing restriction; anglers must be within visual sight of the lines.