DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was notified of a semi truck leaving Interstate 80 and falling into Keg Creek, Thursday (Nov. 14, 2024), releasing an unknown amount of diesel fuel.

At around 8-a.m. Thursday, the DNR Field Office in Atlantic was notified of a semi truck falling into Keg Creek northeast of Minden. The semi truck, owned by FAMO Freight out of Silvis, Illinois, was driving on I-80 eastbound, when it left the road and entered the median above Keg Creek near mile marker 30, about a mile east of the Minden exit. An unknown amount of diesel was released in the creek.

Emergency response crews helped remove the driver from the semi truck, and cleanup efforts are ongoing. Booms were placed downstream this afternoon and will remain in place until the truck can be recovered.

No dead fish have been observed at this time. The DNR will evaluate the soil along the creek after the semi truck is removed.

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) – The Iowa Supreme Court, Thursday afternoon, heard the case of a former Massena daycare owner/operator seeking to overturn her convictions for second-degree murder and child endangerment causing death for a child at her daycare. Alison Dorsey argued her case should not have been moved from Cass County to Pottawattamie County after a mistrial, and that there was not enough evidences to convict her. Attorney Trevor Hook told the justices the trial was moved too quickly.

Hook says Dorsey’s defense wanted to see if there was a reason to move the trial.

Dorsey Attorney Trevor Hook speaks before the IA SUPCO Nov. 14, 2024 (Ric Hanson photo via YouTube)

Prosecution attorney Louis Sloven says the court had information on coverage that would prejudice another jury in Cass County”

He says a questionnaire would only have confirmed what was going on in the county surrounding the case.

Dorsey’s defense said there is evidence the child could have been injured earlier and she was not the one who killed the boy. Sloven says the evidence didn’t show that.

Hook countered that prosecution witnesses wouldn’t substantiate that claim.

The Supreme Court will issue a ruling at a later date. Dorsey was previously sentenced to the 50-years in prison.

(View the hearing that took place HERE. The Dorsey oral arguments begin at 47:04 on the recording. )

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Six Iowa dog breeders or kennels were cited for federal regulatory violations during the third quarter of 2024. Breeders in only two other states – Ohio and Indiana – racked up more violations than Iowa’s breeders during the quarter that began on July 1 and ended on Sept. 30. The violations are compiled and analyzed by Bailing Out Benji, an Iowa-based, animal-welfare organization that collects and republishes data on violators throughout the nation,

Bailing Out Benji’s most recent report shows that during the third quarter of 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service cited six Iowa breeders or kennels for a total of 19 violations. During that same period, Ohio kennels or breeders were cited for a total of 40 violations, the most of any state. Indiana ranked second with 22 violations, and Iowa and Michigan were tied for third place with 19 violations each.

In southwest Iowa, William Davenport of Afton was cited July 3rd, 2024, for one violation related to recordkeeping. Afton was also cited for violations in the first quarter of 2024, and in 2023 and 2022. Elsewhere across the State:

• Rick and Sara Sandbulte of Furever Paws in Sioux Center: On Aug. 22, 2024, this kennel was cited for seven non-critical violations during a routine inspection.  The violations pertained to the attending veterinarian and inadequate veterinary care, the time and method of identifying dogs, the housing facilities, and the primary enclosures.
• Steve Kruse of Stonehenge Kennels in West Point: On Aug. 23, 2024, this kennel – one of the largest in Iowa — was cited for one violation pertaining to cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control.
• Alan and Terisa Steiber of Rockytopp Kennel in Lansing: This kennel is home to 83 dogs and puppies and on Aug. 2, 2024, was cited for five non-critical violations pertaining to records, cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, pest control, and veterinary care.
• Alex De Jager of DJ Kennels in Rock Valley: This kennel, home to 21 dogs and puppies, was cited for inadequate housing facilities during an Aug. 16, 2024, inspection.
• Heath Meyers of Century Farm Puppies in Grundy Center: During a July 25, 2024, inspection, a USDA inspector noted there were 17 dogs over four months old that had yet to be added to the facility’s official record of dogs on hand. The kennel was also cited for inadequate veterinary care. The lack of medical records “makes it difficult to determine if the animals are receiving vaccinations and deworming,” the inspector noted. Both violations were cited as repeat offenses. At the time, Century Farms had 191 dogs and puppies on hand.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic is asking residents and visitors of the community to fill out a survey to help them in developing their new comprehensive plan. The plan deals heavily with land use, according to the City, and will help to set development goals for the City.

To take the survey scan the QR Code in this story or use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/Atlantic2050.

The survey is anonymous. If you live, work, or spend time in Atlantic it would be appreciated if you take some time to take the survey.

(Radio Iowa) – A full recount is being requested in all 20 southeastern Iowa counties in the closely-watched 1st District Congressional race. Nine days after the election, Iowans in the district still don’t know exactly who will represent them in the U-S House next year, but we’re closer to a decision. The Democratic challenger, Christina Bohannan has requested the recount, across the district, as permitted by Iowa law.

Following Wednesday’s canvass, the total vote tally didn’t change much. Incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks still has about an 800-vote lead out of more than 414-thousand votes cast. Miller-Meeks claimed victory more than a week ago, but Bohannan didn’t concede, given the tight race. In calling for the recount, Bohannan’s campaign released a statement saying, “We have full trust in this process and will accept the results regardless of the outcome.”

Christina Bohannan (Left); Mariannette Miller-Meeks (right).

Bohannan, of Iowa City, is a law professor at the University of Iowa. Miller-Meeks, an ophthalmologist and Army veteran from Davenport, is seeking her third term. She was first elected to the House in 2020 in an even-closer race, beating out Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes.

Atlantic, IA— Following the success of the public measure to declare EMS an essential service in Cass County, an official with the Cass County EMS advisory council, today (Thursday), expressed their gratitude to the community. Dr. Elaine Berry, Chairperson and Cass County EMS Association Medical Director, said “Thank you for allowing us to continue to work together with a consistent and transparent funding source to support and promote the most cost-effective and efficient EMS system possible for our county going forward. We promise to do our very best to continue quality care for each other in our county.”

The council’s next steps include annually advising the county’s board of supervisors on the tax levy, which cannot exceed 75 cents per thousand, as well as deciding on the annual distribution of those tax dollars around the county.

The advisory council has seven votes, one from each of the volunteer services in the county. The representatives include Chairperson Elaine Berry, MD; Bob Reynolds, Paramedic (Atlantic); Brian Wendt, EMT (Anita); Madison Lund, EMT and Ericka Stender, Firefighter (Cumberland); Brad Amos, Paramedic and JC Wyman, EMT (Griswold); Julie Kline, Paramedic (Lewis); Josh Krause, EMT (Marne); and Alisa Kool, EMT (Massena).

Ric Hanson (photo)

Separately from the advisory council, the Cass County EMS Association will do ongoing work with the county board of supervisors, the hospital, and the city of Atlantic to work on developing the most cost-effective and efficient ways that EMS can be run in our county. Dr. Berry said “We have various ad hoc attendees to the meetings who do not vote but give input from various perspectives around the county including Steve Green from the board of supervisors, Erik Johnson, Cass County First Aid Program Coordinator, and Mike Kennon from Cass County Emergency Management.”

(Minden, Iowa) – The driver of a semi tractor-trailer was seriously injured during a crash off eastbound Interstate 80 east of the Minden Exit this (Thursday) morning. The accident occurred at around 7:45-a.m. A spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol says the semi went off the interstate in between the two bridges over Keg Creek, taking out the wire barrier and a guardrail, according to initial dispatch reports. The rig continued down into the creek, before coming to rest. The driver – who was not immediately identified – was trapped in the cab of the semi until emergency crews were able to free him.

Iowa DOT traffic cam near the Minden exit (earlier this morning)

He was transported from the scene by air ambulance to a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska for treatment of serious injuries. A small fuel spill was reported. The Patrol closed both lanes of traffic and instituted a detour route, while emergency crews were on the scene. The roadway has since re-opened. The semi was carrying baked goods.

The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate what caused the crash.

DES MOINES, Iowa – As communities continue to recover from natural disasters that impacted parts of MidAmerican Energy Company’s service area this year, the MidAmerican Energy Foundation has committed $100,000 to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. Officials say the funding will assist communities affected by severe weather events throughout 2024, including tornadoes, floods and extreme wind events. This month, the foundation is awarding $42,500 in grants to fund eight recovery projects in four communities impacted by extreme weather events. The grants address immediate needs while also supporting longer-term recovery efforts, with a special emphasis on Minden, Iowa, which was severely impacted by a deadly tornado on April 26.

The foundation will reserve the remaining funds to provide additional grants to disaster recovery projects across MidAmerican’s service area. Eligible communities and organizations involved in restoration efforts are encouraged to apply for grants to meet local needs and support recovery.

Initial foundation grants

• Minden, Iowa: $22,500 to four recovery projects.
  • American Legion Post 437: $5,000. The funds will help restore the building’s roof and exterior wall, which were destroyed by the tornado.
  • Veterans memorial at Minden Triangle: $2,500. The funds will help the city restore the Minden Veterans Memorial Park located at the Minden Triangle.
  • Minden Community Club: $10,000. The tornado destroyed the Minden Community Club building and property. The grant will help the organization rebuild.
  • Minden Little League: $5,000. The funds will help the organization rebuild its field complex, which was destroyed by the tornado.

• Crescent, Iowa: $5,000 to the city baseball field. The grant will help the community rebuild the field, which was damaged by heavy rain and flooding.
• Pottawattamie County Conservation, Honey Creek, Iowa: $5,000. The grant will help restore the Hitchcock Nature Center trail system, which was damaged by heavy downpours.
• Pottawattamie County Conservation, Council Bluffs, Iowa: $5,000. The funding will assist restoration efforts at Narrow Rivers Park. Flooding heavily damaged the park, including tree canopy, landscaping and amenities.
• City of Windsor Heights, Iowa: $5,000. The grant will help restore the extensive tree canopy that was lost in public areas following two separate severe weather events this year, including a tornado and a derecho.