ALGONA, Iowa [KCCI] — The man accused of murdering an Algona police officer will now have his trial in a different county than where the crime was committed. Kyle Ricke, 43, was arrested after an hours-long manhunt that spanned two states on Sept. 13, 2023. He is accused of shooting and killing Algona police Officer Kevin Cram, 33, who was attempting to serve an arrest warrant for Ricke.

Ricke’s first-degree murder trial was originally scheduled for June 25 in Kossuth County, but in April, he made a motion to move the trial to another county, arguing that he wouldn’t get a fair trial with an impartial jury in Kossuth County.

Recently filed court documents show the trial has now been moved to Dickinson County, which is along the Iowa-Minnesota border west of Kossuth County. Attorneys for Ricke also previously motioned for a competency evaluation to determine Ricke’s fitness to stand trial, but the motion was withdrawn a short while later.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has launched a disaster recovery website to help Iowans after severe storms. The website was created in response to the recent severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that hit Iowa in April and May and, according to a release, aims to help Iowans easily access resources and information after these sorts of situations.

“During times of crisis, it’s important for communities to come together, support one another, and have access to much-needed resources,” said the Director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management John Benson. “The launch of this disaster recovery website is another step to providing assistance and resources to those affected by the recent severe weather in Iowa.”

The website will provide information such as assistance for those affected by severe weather with information on state and federal programs that are available to residents, businesses, and farms. It will also include answers to questions regarding insurance, how you should clean up after a storm, and any mental health resources.

The website will also offer resources for those who wish to volunteer or donate after a severe storm.

(Radio Iowa) – We’re now in what are considered the one-hundred deadliest days of the year for teen drivers, the roughly three months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Brian Ortner, a spokesman for Triple-A Iowa, says the dangers of a teen dying or being critically hurt in a crash rise exponentially during this season. “The risk is higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” Ortner says, “because school is either out or out very soon and these young — and unfortunately inexperienced — drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during these 100 days. In 2022, more than 700 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers, a ten-percent increase over pre-pandemic 2019.  “Distracted driving plays a role in nearly six out of ten of those teen crashes,” Ortner says. “Cell phones, in-vehicle entertainment systems are considered the second biggest distraction for teen drivers. The biggest distractions are other teen passengers. Other passengers in the car contribute to peer pressure, and the impulse to engage in dangerous driving habits, like speeding.”

Parents should lead by example when they’re behind the wheel, Ortner says. That includes minimizing risky behavior when driving, don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear your seatbelt. “The most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in the learning-to-drive process,” Ortner says. “Spend time coaching your teen when they’re behind the wheel, and have that serious discussion about safety. It’s also good to maybe seek out professional training courses.”

Studies show crashes are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 16 and 19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.

GREENFIELD, Iowa [KCCI] — The Greenfield Volunteer Fire Department has been forced out of its station after the building suffered extensive damage from an EF-4 tornado on May 21. Interim fire chief Brett Stender told KCCI-TV that they can’t operate out of their current building. Wooden boards now act as garage doors there and insulation is bursting at the seams. Three of the department’s fire trucks were in the station at the time of the storm and suffered minor damage. Twelve sets of gear were damaged, too.

Four of their 21 firefighters, including the chief, lost their homes, but the crew has remained on the ground day in and day out. A local family farm offered up its warehouse for the department to store its six trucks and equipment. Clay Hohertz said he got the call the day after the storm. He and his family opened up the doors to the building without hesitation. Stender and his crew were moved in that night.

Stender said having everything in one place is crucial. Local fire departments have also helped by donating time and resources to the station. The people who are used to helping others are now the ones receiving help.

A GoFundMe has been started for the fire department. Click this link for the fundraiser.

(Radio Iowa) – Both Congressman Randy Feenstra and Kevin Virgil, the Republican challenging Feenstra in next week’s Primary Election, agree sustainable jet fuel made from corn or soybeans could be a huge boost to Iowa’s economy. The candidates answered questions at a forum in Cherokee yesterday (Thursday) that was sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and broadcast by K-T-I-V T-V. Feenstra told the group boosting production of sustainable jet fuel could quadruple the output from Iowa ethanol and biodiesel plants.

“If we say, ‘No, we’re not going to do it,’ I know California will. I know Texas will,” Feenstra said. “…We’ve got to think long term. We can’t put our head in the sand. That’s easy to do. ‘Oh, we don’t want to do that.’ Oh, really? Do you want to grow Iowa? We’ve got the opportunity. It’s a massive opportunity.”

Virgil says the fuel has great potential for Iowa, but the federal tax credits being made available require the grain to come from fields with cover crops and other conservation measures. “People in this room probably think the carbon capture pipeline might be a great opportunity for us to qualify,” Virgil said. “…Let me tell you something about Bruce Rastetter — the guy behind Summit Carbon Solutions and…one of (my opponent’s) biggest donors — Rastetter has a contract with Honeywell to build a sustainable aviation fuel plant in Louisiana.”

Virgil says he’s generally against government intervention in free markets and the Renewable Fuels Standard that mandates ethanol and biodiesel production should be phased out.  “As hard as it is for people to hear, we need to let the market do what the market does,” Virgil said. “…It maintains too significant of an impact on our market at the moment and it’s creating a lot of distortions that are creating a lot of pain for farmers.”

Feenstra says the Renewable Fuels Standard needs to be expanded, not ended. “No one should get tax credits, right? But if electric vehicles are getting them and the petroleum industry is getting them, but we shouldn’t?” Feenstra asked rhetorically. Feenstra says ending the ethanol production mandate would destroy the ag industry. “Either you like ag or you don’t,” Feenstra said. “…We’re either going to grow Iowa or we’re not.”

Feenstra, a former state senator from Hull, is seeking a third term in the U-S House. Virgil is an Army veteran and former C-I-A officer who owns a software company. In December, he moved back to the farm near Sutherland where he grew up and in early January announced he was challenging Feenstra in this year’s G-O-P Primary.

(Radio Iowa) – Two Democrats are running in Tuesday’s third district primary for the chance to challenge Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant in the General Election. Lanon Baccam (luh-NON buh-KAHM) of Des Moines and Melissa Vine of West Des Moines are both first time candidates. Baccom, who was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, served in the Iowa National Guard for eight years. He’s also worked 10 years at positions within the U-S-D-A for former Iowa Governor and current U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has endorsed Baccam.

“I think I have a level of experience right now…to leverage the incredible resources and programs all across the federal government and to bring those resources back to the third district,” Baccam says. “That’s really important.”

Vine, a recent law school graduate, is executive director of a non-profit that provides services to women recovering from a traumatic experience. She’s also a single mother to four boys. “About 10 years ago I got out of an abusive marriage and overnight I went from being a wealthy small business owner to having zero dollars to my name,” Vine says. “I was checking groceries for $8.50 an hour to make ends meet.”

Both candidates say the number one issue for Democrats in 2024 is to respond to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade. Baccam says politicians should let women, the families and doctors make decisions about abortion. “Zach Nunn holds an extreme position when it comes to abortion. People see that. They know it,” Baccam says. “It is completely out of step where Iowans are on this issue.”

Vine also supports a federal law to legalize abortion. “I really think it’s important in light of abortion being a top issue to get me into the General Election to take on Zach Nunn and flip the House,” Vine says. Vine fired her campaign manager and recently paid a state fine after the Iowa Ethics Board found her campaign made contributions to a political action committee as it was deciding who to endorse in this race. Vine says the incident is not an issue with the voters she’s talking to. “They are more interested in the issues like abortion, our economy and moving away from extremism,” Vine says, “so that’s what our campaign is focused on.”

Baccam says voters bring up the same issues to him. “People are concerned about our democracy,” Baccam says. “They see and sense people are moving apart and they just really want a sense of community again.”

There are 21 counties in Iowa’s third congressional district, including the cities of Red Oak, Atlantic Osceola and Ottumwa as well as the Des Moines metro.