Fremont County, Iowa – In an unprecedented move, the Fremont County Democratic Party announced, in a news release, that they reconvened on June 14 to nominate Chris Clark, an incumbent Republican member of the Fremont County Board of Supervisors. Clark is expected to accept the nomination and fill the party’s ballot vacancy for the Board of Supervisors in the November general election and is not expected to change his own party affiliation.

The release stated that Clark’s dedication to serving all Fremont County residents shows the coalition of support across party lines he has built during his time as Fremont County Supervisor. This nomination ensures that all Fremont County voters have the opportunity to be heard at the ballot box in November.

The Fremont County Democratic Party release says that they support all local leaders committed to making Fremont County a great place to live, work, and raise a family, regardless of party affiliation, and that Clark embodies these values and possesses the experience, vision, and professionalism necessary to lead Fremont County forward.

The release also says that the local democratic party remains focused on identifying and supporting all candidates who prioritize the needs of Fremont County over partisan politics and personal grievance.

Fremont County’s future is the priority. The Fremont County Democratic Party urges all voters to look beyond party labels and consider the values and dedication that Chris Clark brings to the Board of Supervisors when voting this November.

Officials with the 30+ year-old Pregnancy Center of Southwest Iowa, located just north of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak, say the facility has reached the point of needing replacement of the building’s cedar siding.  They have an immediate need for $21,500 to complete this project, of which $5,000 has already been raised.  The cedar boards are warping, nails are popping out and there are some small areas of water damage.   Board President Rod Goodemote said in a news release that the goal is to not only protect the building, but to maintain the current historic style.

The board is asking area residents to consider writing a check today (put siding fund in the memo) to support this project.  Goodemote also asks that this be shared with your church, employer, Bible study group, women’s group, etc. to help take care of the beautiful building the Lord has provided.

Goodemote adds that they need the funds as soon as possible so work can begin.

Donations can be sent to:  PCSI, 101 E. Reed Street, Red Oak, IA. 51566 or donate via paypal at www.pcsi.care.

The director of the Wapello County Conservation Board says you may see more deer on and along the roadways in warm weather. Rick Tebbs says deer are like humans and stay in the shade to keep cool during the day, and then go on the move to look for food as the sun sets.

Tebbs says the deer we are most likely to see while driving around this time of the year are very young.

Tebbs suggests drivers should go easy on the gas pedal while traveling at night.

Experts say you should not swerve if you see a deer in the roadway, as you may lose control of your car and put yourself in danger.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who use wheelchairs to get around can now zip right onto the sandy beach — or practically anywhere else — at Big Creek State Park in a motorized track chair that’s part wheelchair and part A-T-V. Chad Kelchen, a parks supervisor with the Iowa D-N-R, says the new Action Trackchair is designed to handle tougher terrain than a typical wheelchair.

Iowa DNR photo of a track chair in use

The track chair is the first of its kind for the agency as Kelchen says they noticed people with mobility issues would end up stranded -near- but not -on- the beach, which had to be frustrating.

The Trackchair can handle slopes of up to 30 degrees and it features a cushioned seat, an adjustable reclining backrest and a headrest. Its battery charge will last five to seven hours, depending on the terrain.

The 20-thousand dollar chair came to Iowa at no charge through a grant from the Ford Bronco Wild Fund, which is administered by the America’s State Parks Foundation. Big Creek State Park is in Polk City, just north of Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa) – State Ag Secretary Mike Naig says Iowa officials are taking a different approach compared to other states when it comes to bird flu testing. When a poultry flock has been hit by the virus, the testing protocol has been that poultry operations within a 20 kilometer radius are tested.

Results are expected soon and Naig says there could be a big bump in the number of bird flu cases confirmed on Iowa dairy farms.

Teams of U-S-D-A experts have been in the state analyzing each of the sites where bird flu has been confirmed among poultry or dairy cattle.

Naig says even dairy farmers OUTSIDE of the mandatory testing zones have contacted state officials to say they suspect cattle are infected with the virus. Dairy cows are quarantined while they’re sick, but are not euthanized.

The strain of bird flu that’s been CONFIRMED at EIGHT dairy operations in northwest Iowa over the past few weeks is the same. Naig suspects bird flu is more widespread.

The main hit to dairies where bird flu is detected is a drop in milk production, but Naig says some Iowa dairy cows have died after being diagnosed with bird flu.

According to the U-S-D-A, it’s older dairy cows that die after getting the virus. The National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames is processing the tests for highly pathogenic avian influenza in Iowa dairy herds.

Des Moines, Iowa – The 2024 Governor’s Volunteer Awards will be held 2-p.m. Tuesday, June 25th, at Ankeny High School (1155 SW Cherry Street, Ankeny). Governor Reynolds will recognize individuals and groups during the special ceremony. More than 400 awards are being presented this year.

Individual awards will be presented to southwest Iowans, including 13 people from Clarinda, and one each from Guthrie Center, Glenwood, Carson, Oakland, Villisca, Neola and Shenandoah. Group winners include: The Carson Community Rodeo; Friends of Lake Anita State Park; The Manning Regional Health Care Center; and Shenandoah Medical Center. (View the complete list of Award recipients HERE)

It is estimated that over 85 communities in Iowa were served by this year’s honorees. Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, a program within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), the Governor’s Volunteer Award program—now in its 40^th year—provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says “Those being recognized are the people who invest in others without expecting anything in return—except, of course, for the fulfillment that comes from doing their part to give back to their community. This collective impact is nothing short of remarkable.”

SAC CITY, Iowa — Officials say FINAL autopsy results indicate a western Iowa truck driver whose body was found about a mile from his abandoned semi, did not die as the result of a homicide. Because there was no crime involved in David Schultz’ death therefore, officials will not release more information about the cause of death, and the case is considered closed.

The 53-year-old Schultz, from Wall Lake, went missing in November  of 2023.  His body was not found until April, 2024, when his remains were discovered in a farm field.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation released an update the day after he was found, saying PRELIMINARY autopsy results showed no signs of trauma or serious injury and that foul play was not suspected.

(Radio Iowa) – The Marion man accused of killing four people has entered a written plea of not guilty. Thirty-four-year-old Luke Truesdell is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the alleged attack with a pipe that happened in a building in rural Linn County on June 5th.

K-C-R-G T-V reports that Truesdell is asking for a speedy trial. Investigators say 44-year-old Romondus Cooper, 26-year-old Keonna Ryan and 33-year-old Amanda Parker died in the attack. While Brent Brown was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia says the closure of the state-run Glenwood Resource Center is nearly complete. The last resident moved into the community Tuesday afternoon, according to Garcia. “So as of (Tuesday) night, she said, “there were no residents left at Glenwood.”

Glenwood has provided residential care for Iowans with severe physical and intellectual disabilities. After federal investigations raised concerns about the welfare of residents, Governor Reynolds announced two years ago that Glenwood would be closed on June 30th of this year. Garcia says it was important to make that decision public, to give residents, their guardians and employees time to plan for the transition.

Garcia said “…The closure decision I think a few folks are still grieving and that is understandable.” U-S Justice Department investigators cited the facility for subjecting residents to unethical experiments and for providing poor medical care to residents.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia spoke with Radio Iowa on June 19, 2024. (RI photo)

Garcia says because of those federal reports, she had to hire part-time, temporary medical staff because full time clinicians would not take jobs at Glenwood due to its reputation.

About 150 residents were at the facility when its eventual closure was announced in April of 2022. Direct care workers and other staff were offered quarterly bonuses to stay on the job.

Garcia says over 200 employees are staying through June 30th and they’ll get another bonus of 10-thousand dollars.

The Glenwood Resource Center campus covers nearly 400 acres. After July 1st, about 20 state employees will work to maintain the campus until the property is turned over to the community. Garcia says January 1st is the target date for the transfer.

Some Glenwood staff members have taken jobs at other state-run facilities, including the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown and the Woodward State Resource Center which provides temporary residential services to Iowans with disabilities. Garcia says a few of the direct care workers at Glenwood are providing in-home care to former Glenwood residents.