(Radio Iowa) — Iowa governor Kim Reynolds joined her counterparts from Nebraska and South Dakota Monday in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota for the 16th annual Tri-State Governors Conference. The three governors discussed a variety of topics with local business and government leaders. Reynolds says the tri-state area continues to grow — but there are few obstacles. “We have an area where the economy is growing despite significant challenges. We still see a lot of opportunities for significant growth. Probably the biggest barriers we are seeing are workforce, housing and then connectivity plays a big role in that as well,” Reynolds says.

Iowa and Nebraska lead the nation in ethanol production and all three states have agricultural-based economies. Reynolds says she believes President Donald Trump supports the rules on requiring a set amount of ethanol to be blended with gasoline. “I mean he’s committed to that,” Reynolds says, “every time I’ve talked to him in the oval office, he’s committed to adhering to the rule, and so we just need E-P-A to follow through with it.”

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts agrees the president supports farmers. “If you look at what President Trump has done for example on trade — opening up Argentina to our pork, Vietnam to our D-D-G’s, Japan to our ethanol, China to our beef — he has worked hard to open up markets for our farmers and ranchers,” Ricketts said as Reynolds agreed. “If you look at other policy issues like the Waters of the U-S — which would have been a terrible rule for farmers and ranchers — his E-P-A rolled that back and came back with a more common sense approach there.”

All three governors, including Kristi Noem of South Dakota are concerned about what next spring may bring after the flooding this year in the tri-state area. She says their water storage in South Dakota is full and they are moving water out as faster than they ever half. “Going into this winter with the expected precipitation that we are expecting, I believe next spring could be even worse than this spring was,” Noem says.

Other issues discussed included workforce development, job training programs, affordable housing and broadband access.

(Radio Iowa) — The City Council in Sioux City passed the second reading of a proposal to repeal the ban on pit bulls and other similar dogs on a 3-2 vote Monday. Emotions ran high again during discussion of the issue as former council member Jim Rixner lobbied to keep the ban in place. Rixner voted for the original ban ten years ago. “I think you are putting the city in jeopardy,” Rixner said, “but I also think you are also putting the city in financial jeopardy. If a pit bull bites me, I am going to sue the owner and I am also going to sue the city for repealing a highly effective ordinance that was keeping this city safe.”

Rixner called on council woman Rhonda Capron to declare a conflict of interest and not vote because she owns a pit bull mix dog. Capron refused to abstain from the vote. Marjorie Hattig of Sioux City was among several residents sharing their stories about how pit bulls are their service animals and help them to survive. “My dog has been trained to teach me when my blood sugar is too high or too low, so I don’t die,” Hattig said. “I have depression really bad — and if it wasn’t for this dog — I would be dead today.”

The first vote was 4-1 on October 14th. Councilman Dan Moore changed his vote to NO on this reading and asked the council to wait for two weeks before the third and final vote would take place. That vote will occur at the November 4th council meeting. Councilman Pete Groetken was the other NO vote. Mayor Bob Scott, Capron and Alex Watters voted in favor of repealing the ban.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two juvenile males who absconded from the Clarinda Academy were taken into custody without incident late Monday night, following a traffic stop on Highway 71, south of Villisca. The vehicle they were in was reported stolen out of Clarinda.  Authorities say the teens, who had been reported missing at around 12:45-p.m. Monday, were found when the vehicle they were in was pulled over at around 11:22-p.m.

The driver was charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, a Class-D Felony. Both of the boys were transported to Juvenile Detention Center, in Council Bluffs. No Names were released because of their age. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Page County Sheriff’s Office, Clarinda Police, and the Iowa State Patrol.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A man has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he beat a pastor to death outside a central Iowa church. Webster County court records say 36-year-old Joshua Pendleton entered pleas Monday to charges of robbery and first-degree murder. Officers sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge on Oct. 2 found the Rev. Allen Henderson lying unresponsive outside. Henderson was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

UNDATED (AP) — An Iowa congresswoman has announced her engagement to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s political director in Iowa. Rep. Abby Finkenauer posted the news Sunday on her campaign Twitter page, saying she’d said “YES to forever” with Daniel Wasta. Finkenauer, a Democrat, was elected in November to her first term representing northwest Iowa’s District 1. Wasta is an Iowa native who’s worked on several state and legislative campaigns.

NEWELL, Iowa (AP) — A new arson charge has been filed against a volunteer firefighter already facing trial in northwest Iowa. Buena Vista County court records say 25-year-old Brent Mack is charged with arson and burglary. His attorney declined to comment Monday. Mack is accused of setting a fire on Sept. 13, 2017, that gutted three buildings in downtown Newell, where he lives. Mack is awaiting trial next month in Sac County, where he and two accomplices are accused of setting a corncrib fire Aug. 19.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A man has been accused of shooting to death a woman at the Saulsbury Recreation Area in eastern Iowa. Muscatine County court records say 23-year-old David Hatfield, of Muscatine, fatally shot his girlfriend, 18-year-old Kaitlyn Palmer, on Wednesday.

Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen, Monday, introduced the new Parks Foreman to the Parks and Rec Board. Kyle Welter has been on the job for the past month, learning the ropes on the fly. Welter has eight-years experience in construction, a sales background by means of having an E-Bay business, and he formerly worked for a cell phone company.

New Atlantic Parks Foreman Kyle Welter (Left) & Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen (Right)

The Board also said goodbye to Board Member Charlene Beane, who is not running for re-election on November 5th. Board President Stuart Dusenberry said Beane served on the Board for the past six-years. He thanked her for her service. Beane said “It was the best thing I ever did for myself, and if I contributed at all, that’s just a bonus. This has been a wonderful experience, and I’m just so grateful.” She said “It’s been a privilege to be involved in so many fabulous things we’ve gotten done over in the last four-years, it’s been amazing.”

Board Member Erin McFadden is running for re-election. Former Atlantic City Councilwoman Ashley Hayes is running unopposed for the other open Board seat. In his report to the Board, Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen said the small dock at the Schildberg Quarry was retrieved from the middle of the lake following a flood earlier this year which dislodged and damage both the small and big docks.

The small dock has a second hinge which was damaged and was sent out to repair by Nelson Machine and Forge in Marne. Rasmussen said getting the small dock out of the middle of the lake was an ordeal, with some a scuba diver on Lake #4 willing to help drag the thing to shore. FEMA funds should cover most ot the cost of repairs. The original gang-plank on the big dock was removed and a second gang-plank is on order. Once installed, it should operate as normal. Other repairs are planned for some of the concrete pilings and other issues. Some funds may be available from FEMA for that project as well.

Rasmussen said also, he’s been in contact with Snyder and Associates Engineers to stake out the property lines for the Bull Creek project to see where the City can be flexible in addressing the erosion issues, as far as rip-rap and native prairie grass plantings are concerned. The engineering aspect will cost $5,000, payable from the Parks and Rec Department. And, Rasmussen noted that City Park bathrooms are closed for the season and winterized, except for the bathhouse at the Schildberg Recreation Area, which does not utilize running water.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Monday, released a report on arrests taking place from Oct. 13th through the 19th. On Oct. 13th, 25-year old Rachel Christine Harkin, of Ankeny, was arrested by Greenfield Police, for OWI/1st offense. She was released later the same day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

As previously reported, on Oct. 15th, 26-year old Derrick Devon Henry, of Stuart, was arrested by Stuart Police for Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, and Burglary in the 3rd Degree. His arrest was the result of an incident whereby Henry allegedly gained entry into an apartment by entering through the window, and sexually assaulted a 15-year old female in front of the girls’ friend, in their bedroom. Henry, who lived in the same apartment complex, was arrested later that same day, and was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $100,000 cash only bond.

Also arrested Oct. 15th, on an unrelated charge, was 40-year old Michael Ross Waddingham, of Indianola. He was taken into custody on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Parole and held in the Adair County Jail without bond until released the following day to the Iowa Dept. of Corrections.

On Oct. 18th, 41-year old Brandie Sue Whitney, of Creston, was arrested at the Adair County Courthouse, on a mittimus (Court Order) for felony, Violation of Probation. She was sentenced to serve a total of 60-days in the Adair County Jail, and may be required to reimburse the jail for costs.

On Oct. 19th, 24-year old Brandon Campbell Domini West, of Greenfield, was arrested by Greenfield Police, on a Madison County warrant for Failure to Appear on a Possession of Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense, charge. He was being held on a $1,00 cash or surety bond, with regard to the warrant.

And, Saturday afternoon, 32-year old Amanda Marie Comly, of Stuart, was arrested by Adair County Deputies on a Clarke County warrant for Child Endangerment. The woman was found hiding in the same Stuart apartment where a shootout occurred late last Thursday night. She was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail on the warrant.

Two people were injured during a collision Monday morning in southeast Iowa’s Henry County, including an Adair County man. The Iowa State Patrol reports 26-year old Gregory Martin Ford, of Bridgewater, was removing debris from the shoulder of Highway 218 and Highway 26, moving his vehicle from shoulder to shoulder, when he pulled into the path of a southbound 2019 Freightliner semi driven by 42-year old Brett Alan Farran of Dubuque. The semi struck the 2010 Chevy Colorado Ford was driving, causing both vehicles to end up in the west ditch.

Ford, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported by private vehicle to the Henry County Health Center, in Mount Pleasant. 56-year old Jeffrey Wayne Arbogast, of New London, Iowa, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was also transported to the same hospital, by Henry County Ambulance.

The accident, which happened at around 7:42-a.m.,  remains under investigation.