The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.0MB)

Subscribe: RSS

VAN METER, Iowa (AP) – For $5, residents in Van Meter are getting the chance to use a police Taser on a city official. The Des Moines Register reports City Hall is selling raffle tickets as part of a public safety fundraiser, and the winner will get the opportunity to use a Taser on City Administrator Jake Anderson or Councilman Bob Lacy at the Van Meter Fire Association Street Dance on July 18.

Officials say a police officer will assist using the Taser, and the proceeds will go toward helping the police department purchase a second squad car, add speed radar and potentially expand its six-member part-time and reserve force. According to Anderson, the idea came up during a meeting with police about funding. Lacy volunteered for the event so Anderson, who also volunteered, would have competition.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A former Iowa egg farm manager will avoid jail time after cooperating with investigators in a criminal prosecution stemming from a 2010 salmonella outbreak. U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett sentenced Tony Wasmund to four years of probation Tuesday after the government said he provided “substantial assistance” in the salmonella case. Bennett imposed no restitution or fine on Wasmund, of Willmar, Minnesota.

Wasmund worked for egg tycoon Jack DeCoster, whose Iowa operations caused the outbreak that prompted the recall of 550 million eggs and sickened thousands. Under a plea deal, Wasmund pleaded guilty in 2012 to his role in bribing a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector to allow sales of eggs that didn’t meet federal standards. He cooperated in an investigation that led to convictions of DeCoster and his son Peter.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A tip from the public on the potential whereabouts of a longtime Iowa fugitive has led to his arrest in Mexico. The U.S. Marshals Service says authorities in Mexico arrested Mitchell Meyer on Monday. Authorities say Meyer was facing two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in 1999 when he was scheduled to appear for trial in Sioux City. He was released on bond but never appeared.

A deputy marshal revisited the case in 2014 and offered information to local media. It was featured on a “Most Wanted” posting that brought in tips. One indicated Meyer was in Mexico. Meyer has been sent to the U.S. and is being held in Texas before he can be returned to Iowa.

Police in Red Oak say two people were arrested on separate charges Tuesday afternoon. 56-year old Ronald Lee Hall, of Red Oak, was arrested for Driving While Suspended and cited for having No Insurance, following a traffic stop on S. Broadway Street, at around 3:10-p.m. Hall was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 cash bond.

And, at around 2:05-p.m., 58-year old Ronald Glen Drake, of Red Oak, was arrested at the Hy-Vee store there, on a charge of 5th Degree Theft. Drake was also being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.

The weekly tests of the water near 10 state park beach areas showed high levels of bacteria last week — the most since the second week of testing when there were 13. The D-N-R’s Mary Skopec says all the rainfall is the biggest factor. “We’ve had several pretty intense rainstorms come through the state, so it is typical for this early in the season to have a number of beach advisories,” Skopec says. “But I think as we move through into the drier part of the summer, hopefully some of those advisories will go away.” The rain serves as a conduit for the bacteria to get into the lake.

“It washes any bacteria that are on the beaches or surrounding the beaches, or in the area surrounding the lake, into the water where people swim. So we have seen for many years with heavy rains, the bacteria levels really jump up,” according to Skopec.
Skopec says sunshine is the cleanser that clears the bacteria out. “The increase in the bacteria really depends on the lake, but generally within one to two days the numbers come down. Especially if we gave sunny calm weather, the bacteria drop out and numbers get a lot better,” Skopec says. Many lake levels are up right now after the rains — which can also lead to an increase in bacteria.

“The high water levels can have an impact. We do know that the near beach areas, the beach sands can actually be a source of bacteria,” Skopec says. “Goose droppings on the beach for example, can be washed into the lake. And so when those lake levels are higher because of high levels of rainfall or flooding — we do get some of that — geese droppings moving into the lake area. So, it will be a problem for awhile.” Beaches with high levels of bacteria have green signs posted on them.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A disaster proclamation has been issued for 18 Iowa counties affected by recent severe weather. The proclamation allows the state to help residents impacted by a tornado that hit parts of Wapello County on June 20. The proclamation also helps residents affected by other severe weather and flooding in Iowa in late June.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A tip from the public on the potential whereabouts of a longtime Iowa fugitive has led to his arrest in Mexico. The U.S. Marshals Service says authorities in Mexico arrested Mitchell Meyer on Monday. Authorities say Meyer was facing two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in 1999 when he was scheduled to appear for trial in Sioux City. He was released on bond but never appeared.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has appointed the deputy director of the Iowa Department of Education to lead the agency. Branstad announced that he had appointed Ryan Wise as director of the department, replacing Brad Buck who is becoming superintendent of the Cedar Rapids schools. Wise, who will begin his new job Wednesday, has been the agency’s deputy director since September 2013. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa egg farm manager will avoid jail time after cooperating with investigators in a criminal prosecution stemming from a 2010 salmonella outbreak. U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett sentenced Tony Wasmund to four years of probation Tuesday after the government said he provided “substantial assistance” in the salmonella case. Bennett imposed no restitution or fine on Wasmund, of Willmar, Minnesota.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Tuesday, issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for 18 counties (including Adair and Guthrie), in response to recent severe weather. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storms and an EF 1 tornado that impacted portions of Wapello County on June 20, 2015, and continuing.

The proclamation also allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storms and flooding that significantly impacted the following 17 counties beginning on June 24, 2015, and continuing: Adair, Allamakee, Appanoose, Butler, Clayton, Dallas, Des Moines, Guthrie, Henry, Howard, Lee, Lucas, Marion, Mitchell, Polk, , Warren and Winneshiek.

In addition, the governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program in the following 10 counties: Adair, Appanoose, Dallas, Guthrie, Henry, Lucas, Marion, Polk, Wapello and Warren. The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $40,180, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.

For further questions or assistance in applying for the Iowa Individual Assistance Program contact the Adair County Neighborhood Center at (641) 743-2424 or the Guthrie County Family Resource Center at (641) 747-3845. As always you can contact the Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management Office at (641) 332-3030 or by email at agcema@guthriecounty.us.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A number of new Iowa laws take effect Wednesday, though the governor has not yet acted on some key parts of the state budget. One new law would allow grocery stores and liquor stores with the proper permit to sell craft beer in refillable containers, known as “growlers.” Another would likely allow sledding in more public parks next winter by protecting cities from liability if people are injured.

Some key legislation did not have a July 1 start date. A bill to raise the state fuel tax already took effect. Gov. Terry Branstad still must act on several key pieces of the state budget, including a one-time funding bill for K-12 education. He has until Monday to decide if he will approve budget bills.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Organizers of the Iowa State Fair are pairing the event’s famous butter cow sculpture with another butter piece celebrating the Monopoly board game. Officials say the accompanying piece, which changes every year, will this summer celebrate the game’s 80th anniversary.

Sarah Pratt designs the butter cow each year as well as a second piece. She is expected to feature some famous Monopoly pieces alongside the game’s main character, Rich Uncle Pennybags. Monopoly was first commercially sold in the 1930s. The property trading game has been printed in more than 37 languages.

The Iowa Star Fair is scheduled Aug. 13-23 in Des Moines.