Republican Randy Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s fourth congressional district in the U.S. House, is co-sponsoring a bill called the Farm to Fly Act. It’s designed to spur development of aviation fuel made with a range of plant materials.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced with corn-based ethanol already has a 15 percent lower carbon intensity rating than petroleum-based available fuel.

The aviation industry currently accounts for 10 percent of U-S greenhouse gas emissions.

Republican Ashley Hinson, who represents Iowa’s second congressional district in the U.S. House, is another co-sponsor of the bill. Hinson says it would provide clarity about how U-S-D-A programs will support Sustainable Aviation Fuel development.

A little less than 16 million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel will be produced this year. The Biden Administration has set a goal of producing at least three billion gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the U-S by 2030. The fuel can be made from corn and other plant materials — and even cooking oil.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports three recent arrests:

On Nov. 10th, 43-year-old Donna Marie Ott, of Des Moines, was arrested in Greenfield, for Disorderly Conduct-Fighting/Violent Behavior, after she walked away from the Adair County Memorial Hospital, where hospital staff had received verbal confirmation of a 48-hour committal. Ott was escorted back to the hospital to be returned to her room, but she became belligerent and had an altercation with a nurse, allegedly threatening the staff with physical contact. Ott served a two-day court ordered sentence and was released on Nov. 11th.

On Nov. 8th, 35-year-old Jeffrey Forrest Stonehocker, of Redfield, was arrested in Stuart, on an Adair County warrant for Forgery. He was released later that same day on a $3,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on Nov. 6th, 31-year-old Taylor Jay Edelman, of Adair, was arrested by Adair Police, for OWI/1st offense following a traffic stop at 11th and Cedar Streets. An investigation determined Edleman was intoxicated. He blew a .201 on the Breathalyzer. Edelman was released later on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Fort Dodge, Iowa) – Police in Ft. Dodge have arrested two men suspected of being involved in a home invasion, Sunday night. 29-year-old Zachary R. Andrews, and 30-year-old Blake A. Peterson, both of Fort Dodge, are charged with Burglary in the 1st Degree, a Class-B Felony. Andrews faces an additional charge of Assault with a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Authorities say the Webster County Communications Center received a call about a burglary to a residence at around 9:57-p.m., Sunday. Information gathered by officers from the victim indicated the two suspects forced their way into the residence and brandished a firearm before leaving the home.

As part of an investigation, a search warrant was issued this (Monday) morning, the two suspects were located, and taken into custody. Investigators are continuing to follow-up on the incident. Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to contact Ft. Police. Information may be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

“As with all cases, Mr. Andrews and Mr. Peterson are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Radio Iowa) – A YouTube channel that’s profiled more than 800 independently owned restaurants will feature a restaurant along an eastern Iowa river that has a “Wall of Honor” for Vietnam veterans. Roger Zearley is co-owner of the Riverbend Pub and Grill in Manchester. “I think it started with me getting a missed call and listening to a voice mail and going: ‘Is this real or not? Did they really call me?’ And so I called back and, yes, it was ‘America’s Best Restaurants’ and we had a good conversation,” Zearley says. “We had some things that they thought were very unique.”

Representatives from America’s Best Restaurants were at the Manchester pub last week to film their morning prep and lunch hour and visit with customers. Host Luis Rivera says he walked out on the restaurant’s deck that overlooks the Maquoketa River, turned back around toward the building and was overwhelmed by what he saw. “The biggest service member wall that I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It was just impressive.

“Wall of Honor” at Riverbend Pub & Grill in Manchester, Iowa. (KMCH photo)

I had heard about it, but I had never seen it. This thing’s two stories tall. It’s unbelievable and then to have all the Iowans that perished during Vietnam listed alphabetically — it’s a lot,” Rivera says. “It’s pretty overwhelming just standing in front of it, so that was amazing.”

Zearley says local vets asked a key question when the current owners bought the restaurant. “‘Hey, would you keep these signs on the side of this building?’ And we’re doing a full remodel. We got involved with Brian over at Manchester Signs and he helped design that along with a lot of vets that helped us put this together,” Zearley says. “…The Wall of Honor is all about the vets and we’re just proud that it’s handing on the side of Riverbend.”

Producers of America’s Best Restaurants say the episode about the Manchester restaurant will be posted on their YouTube channel in the next seven to nine weeks.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department is hosting its 8th Annual Toys for Tots drive. The event serves children and families who may not otherwise experience the full joy of the holiday season. Officials say last year, more than 150 children from Montgomery County had toys delivered to them so they could enjoy the holiday. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children from Zero-to 14, or, monetary donations, are being accepted through December 15th. Toys can be dropped-off at the Red Oak Police Department, or at any one of several local businesses.

Donations may be made payable to: Behind the Shields. Children sign-ups for the program are being accepted November 16th, from 3-until 5-p.m., at the Red Oak Fire Station, and on November 27th, from 5-until 7-p.m., at Red Oak Fareway Meat & Grocery. Please bring the child’s birth certificate or medical card as a form of ID. The deadline to sign children-up is December 1st.

If you have any questions, please call Amber Jennings, Red Oak PD Community Relations/Liaison, at 712-623-6500.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest on Saturday, of 23-year-old Brandon Good, from Malvern. Good was arrested for OWI/1st offense and Child Endangerment. He has since been released on a $3,000 cash or surety bond.

Glenwood Police said also, no injures were reported following a single-vehicle accident Friday morning. Authorities say the driver of a 2008 Ford Focus, 18-year-old Clark William Herrman, of Glenwood, told them the sun was in his eyes, causing him not to see a legally parked 2019 RAM 1500 pickup on the side of the road near 1705 Timber Lane.

The eastbound car struck the rear of the pickup, causing significant damage to both vehicles – a combined total of $13,000.  The Ford was able to be driven to Herrman’s residence, but it was leaking fluids along the way. No citations were issued.

And, Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrested Sunday night, of 59-year-old Luke Joseph Soule, of Omaha, for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

November 13, 2023 (DES MOINES, IA) –  The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has announced $25 million in awards to help transform 13 historic buildings, including a former fire station and mass timber warehouse, into new spaces while maintaining their character. The awards were made through the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. Included among the projects is the Hotel Stuart project in Guthrie County. The aim of the project is to convert the building into commercial space and four, upper-story apartments. The Project applicant (Aust Real Estate, LLC) requested a tax credit in the amount of $307,125.

IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham says “These projects breathe new life into historic treasures and help make Iowa’s communities attractive places for people to visit, live and work. ” The application round opened in June with about $20 million available for awards. IEDA received 21 applications requesting over $40 million in tax credits. Projects are scored based on readiness, financing and local support and participation.

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program provides a state income tax credit to projects that rehabilitate underused or vacant historic buildings while maintaining the character-defining features that enhance neighborhoods and communities. Work completed on buildings must meet the federal Secretary of Interior standards.

This round of awards will help to enhance historic buildings across the state, including:

• Sioux City: The Bay State Block restoration will include adding 27 apartment homes to the upper three floors, which have been vacant or underutilized for 60 years.
• DeWitt: The vacant Iowa Mutual Insurance Company building will be converted into 53 apartment homes. Work will include full rehabilitation and preservation of the vaults, dumbwaiters, and historic elevator door with scissor gate.
• Des Moines: The Carpenter Paper Company is the renovation of a four-story mass timber warehouse. The project will restore the historic windows and raise the floor to create proper window views for use by new office tenants.
• Waterloo: The Waterloo Fire Station 2 will include exterior repair and renewal, and rehabilitation of the original windows or installation of historic appropriate new windows. The interior space will be converted into new office space and three apartment units.

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program is administered by IEDA. The next application round for large projects opens January 2024, with applications due March 18.

Download a spreadsheet with today’s (Monday’s) awards here.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon Community School District’s Board of Education will meet in a Special Session Tuesday. The meeting takes place at 5:45-p.m. in the Board Room at the Audubon High School. According to the agenda provided by Superintendent Eric Trager, the Board will hold a possible closed session, “To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, or discharge is being considered when a closed session is necessary, to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.”

No action on the personnel matter is expected prior to the Board’s adjourning for the night.

(Radio Iowa) – An elderly central Iowa couple was killed in a car crash last (Sunday) night. Des Moines police say a Buick being driven by a 76-year-old man and carrying a 79-year-old woman was turning at an intersection when it was struck on the passenger side by a Camaro. The Buick hit a utility pole and overturned, killing both occupants. Both were from Des Moines.

Police say the driver of the Camaro was an 18-year-old Des Moines man. A news release says witness statements and evidence at the scene indicate a significant contributing factor in the crash was — the Camaro traveling at a high-rate of speed. As yet, no names are public and there’s no word on charges.

(Urbandale, Iowa) – [UPDATED] A man from Dallas County died Sunday night, after he was struck and killed while parked alongside Interstate 80, in Des Moines. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2019 Ford F-550 tow truck was hauling another vehicle, was legally parked on the right shoulder of the interstate at around 10:10-p.m., when a 2024 Volvo semi driven by 54-year-old Dmytro Prysich, of Hamtramck, MI., did not move over or slow down, and struck 45-year-old Joshua James Villa, of Adel, as he was getting out of the tow truck.Villa died at the scene.

Criminal complaints filed in the case say an Urbandale Police Officer was at the scene assisting with the crash, as well as a Highway Helper. An electronic sign instructed traffic move to the left, away from the outside lane. The complaint said Prysich didn’t stop and when he was pulled over by Clive Police Officers he told them he thought he hit a “bird.” The officers could smell alcohol coming from Prysich and said he had difficulty maintaining his balance.

Dmytro Prysich

According to the complaint, Prysich showed impairment during field sobriety testing and a breath test showed his blood alcohol level was over the legal limit of .08.

Prysich was booked into the Polk County Jail just after 3:00 a.m. Monday on charges of homicide by vehicle-OWI, leaving the scene of a deadly accident, and failure to change lane upon approach to emergency stationary vehicles – death. A $500,000 cash-only bond has been set on the homicide by vehicle charge.