DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A statewide firefighters union has censured the Des Moines fire chief, criticizing what it says is his anti-labor management style. The Des Moines Register reports that the group took the action at its convention on Friday. The group president, Douglas Neys, says the censure has no actual effect on Chief John TeKippe other than subjecting him to public scrutiny for what the union says are his failings. TeKippe was president of Des Moines Local 4 before becoming chief in 2009.

TeKippe on Tuesday called the censure disappointing but dismissed it as a personal attack that lacked substance or merit. He says union representatives have used inaccurate statements to question the safety of firefighters and residents due to staffing levels.

Firefighters from Minden and Underwood responded to a structure fire south of Minden, Tuesday afternoon.

Photo from the Minden Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

The call came in at around 4:30-p.m. Officials say upon approach, heavy smoke and flames were showing from a barn, or outbuilding-type structure. Due to lack of water supply, the Neola, Oakland, and McClelland Fire Departments were called-in to provide additional  water support. Personnel from all departments contained the blaze to the lone structure. No injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A report on a June survey underscores previous survey signs that slower economic growth likely is ahead for nine Midwestern and Plains states. The survey report issued Wednesday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 53.0 from 50.4 in May and 52.7 in April.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says “improvements at the national level in housing, retail sales and hiring pushed supply managers to raise their expectations about future economic conditions.”

The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth, while a score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

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

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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.