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Vigilance is vital in stopping spread of bird flu

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Bird flu has hit eight dairy cattle herds in northwest Iowa this year, and now a third poultry flock. Ag officials said Thursday the virus is confirmed in a commercial turkey flock with over 46-thousand birds in Sac County. Yuko Sato, a poultry veterinarian at Iowa State University, says vigilance is key for Iowa producers.*

” State ag officials say producers who see signs of the virus in their flock, like a sudden increase in bird deaths or birds that are lethargic, should contact their veterinarian immediately. Lee Maassen is a fifth-generation dairy farmer in northwest Iowa’s Sioux County, one of the hot spots for the virus. As President of the Iowa State Dairy Association, Maassen says he’s keeping a close watch on the issue, and producers are taking bio-security precautions, including limiting visitors. Health officials have also warned against drinking raw milk.

Some dairy cows have died after getting infected, but researchers and veterinarians say most appear to recover after a few weeks with supportive care, like electrolytes and probiotics. So far, Maassen says his dairy is virus-free. Kylie Nettinga, executive director of the Western Iowa Dairy Coalition, says there are 100 dairy farms in northwest Iowa, and biosecurity and surveillance are being done to prevent and track viral spread.

The USDA is working to try and figure out how the virus spreads from poultry to cattle.

(Radio Iowa, with thanks to Rachel Cramer and Sheila Brummer at Iowa Public Radio)

Details set for third FEMA Ag Recovery Center

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

FEMA has set the details for its third Agriculture Recovery Center day. The event will be on the Des Moines Area Community College Campus in Ankeny on Friday June 28th from noon to 8 p-m. The Ag Recovery Center brings State, federal and local agencies together with farming industry groups to provide information agricultural or rural needs that are not covered by standard disaster programs offered by FEMA or the state of Iowa.

FEEMA advises you to come to the event even if you are not sure if your items are covered, as the experts can make that determination. Two other Ag events were held earlier in Pottawattamie and Union County.

(Radio Iowa)

Southwest Iowa Democrats nominating a Republican for county supervisor

News

June 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The DEMOCRATIC Party in a southern Iowa county is in the process of nominating a REPUBLICAN for one of the party’s slots on the November ballot. Republican Chris Clark of Sidney is chairman of the Fremont County Board of Supervisors, but he lost this month’s G-O-P Primary by seven votes. Fremont County Democratic Party chairman John Powers says that was an unexpected result — and a recent change in Iowa law prohibits Clark and all other losers of party primaries from running as an independent in the General Election.

According to a news release, Clark is expected to accept the Democratic Party’s nomination, but will remain a Republican. Fremont County Democrats credit Clark, who is seeking a second term as county supervisor, for prioritizing county needs over partisan politics and personal grievance.

In January of last year a group of Fremont County residents sued Clark and other county supervisors as well as a wind energy developer over plans for a wind farm in Fremont County. A judge dismissed the lawsuit last June. In THIS June’s Primary Election, Jeff Shearer of Hamburg won 311 votes and is the Republican Party’s nominee for Fremont County Supervisor.

(Radio Iowa)

EUGENE “GENE” TROLL, 76 of Indianola (formerly of Walnut) – Celebration of Life 6/29/24

Obituaries

June 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

EUGENE “GENE” TROLL, 76, of Indianola (formerly of Walnut), died Tue. June 18th. A Celebration of Life Gathering for EUGENE TROLL will be held June 29th from 1-until 4-p.m., at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola.

Inurnment of cremains will be held July 2nd at 2-p.m., in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, at Adel.

Memorials in memory of Gene may be made to Disabled Veterans or Peace United Church of Christ, Walnut, Iowa.

GENE TROLL is survived by:

His wife – Paula Troll.

His sons – Aric (Stacey) Troll; Adam (Jennifer) Troll.

His sisters – Carol Schwarte and Doris (Lester) Ballantyne.

5 grandchildren,his in-laws and other relatives.

To sign an online condolence, visit www.overtonfunerals.com.

Harrison County Authorities Respond to Suspect with Stolen Tractor

News

June 21st, 2024 by Jim Field

At 2:16 am Friday, June 21, Harrison County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting someone operating a farm tractor within the city limits of Pisgah using it to damage parked vehicles and also causing damage to playground equipment within the city park area. While Harrison County Deputies were responding, dispatch received another call reporting that the subject on the tractor was currently ramming the tractor into the garage doors at the city hall building. A local resident arrived during this time and was able to remove the key from the ignition of the tractor, disabling the tractor. The subject on the tractor then took off on foot and was apprehended by law enforcement. The subject was identified as 59 year old Craig Arnold Hardy of Moorhead. During this investigation, it was discovered that Hardy had stolen the farm tractor involved with this incident from a rural farm property located off of Laredo Avenue. This farm property is located approx. 3 miles north of the city limits of Magnolia. It is believed that Hardy then drove the stolen tractor to Pisgah and began to intentionally cause damage to multiple items and properties including motor vehicles, mailboxes, basketball poles, playground equipment, fencing, and the city hall building. The extent of damage is currently unknown, but preliminary estimated damages for the purpose of criminal charges are believed to exceed $10,000.  Based on information and evidence recovered during this investigation, Craig Hardy was arrested and transported to the Harrison County Jail Facility in Logan and charged with Criminal Mischief- 1st Degree (Felony), Theft- 2nd Degree (Felony), Assault on Law Enforcement (Misdemeanor), and Driving While License Barred (Misdemeanor).

21 year old from Crescent killed in Omaha crash

News

June 21st, 2024 by Jim Field

Omaha Police report that 21 year old Chloe Johnson of Crescent died in a two vehicle crash in downtown Omaha Thursday morning.  Johnson died after the 1992 Chevrolet Camaro, which she was a passenger in, collided with a 2006 Cadillac CTS Sedan at the intersection of 20th Street and St. Mary’s Avenue.  According to Omaha police, the crash happened about 7:30 am.  The driver of the Camaro, 22 year old Brennen Pelegrin of Council  Bluffs was heading west when he collided with the southbound Cadillac at an intersection.  Johnson was to taken to Nebraska Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.  Pelegrin is being treated for a back injury that is not believed to be life-threatening.  The driver of the Cadillac, a 53 year old Omaha man, was not injured.  The investigation is ongoing.

Iowa truck driver died of hypothermia, meth intoxication, per report

News

June 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The once missing Iowa trucker found dead on a farm in rural Sac County about two months ago, died from hypothermia related to acute methamphetamine intoxication, according to reports by the Sioux City Journal and KCRG.

The reports, which cites a death certificate for David Schultz, says he ingested the drug and then died when he was exposed to the cold temperatures outside. Schultz went missing in November 2023, sparking a massive search effort.

His body was found in April in the 1900 block of Union Avenue, which is close to the location where his truck was found.

David Schultz

2 arrests in Creston

News

June 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report two arrests:

Just before 7-a.m. today (Friday), 38-year-old Jonathan Chandler, of Creston, was arrested for 3rdd Degree Attempted Burglary, and Public Intoxication. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,300 bond.

And, at around 11:20-a.m. Thursday, Creston Police arrested 30-year-old Brandon Scott Lawrence, of Creston, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lawrence was cited and released on a promise to appear.

Heartbeat Today 6-21-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

June 21st, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee about the Family Fun Day event on Saturday, July 27, during the Cass County Fair.  This family-friendly event is sponsored by the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Healthy Cass Coalition.

Play

Montgomery County Arrests

News

June 21st, 2024 by Jim Field

Red Oak Police report a couple of arrests.  On Thursday, 29 year old Erick Dena was arrested for a valid warrant out of Nebraska during a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 34 and Highway 48.  He was held in the Montgomery County Jail with no bond set.

On Friday, June 21, 29 year old Jacob William Avery was arrested by Red Oak Police for Operating While Intoxicated, 2nd offense during a traffic stop in the 24-hundred block of North Broadway.  He was held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Also on Friday, June 21, Montgomery County deputies arrested 20 year old Malana Ann Howe of Villisca on a charge of Domestic Assault, 1st offense.  She was taken to Montgomery County Jail and held without bond.