(Manning & Audubon, Iowa) – A marketing firm based in Manning is hosting an agri-tourism event next month (August), in Audubon and Manning. Shelly Greving owner of Emerge Marketing Solutions, says the “Evolution of the Heartland” experience August 3rd and 4th, is designed to showcase the heart of America’s rural communities and the evolution of innovative Ag advancements. She explains the reason for showcasing what agriculture has to offer.

Greving said the event was created to bring people back to the Midwest and show them Ag entrepreneurship in action.

Tour options for the first day of the event include, but are not limited to: Mainstreet Entrepreneurs; Innovation & Technology; Niche Farming; Spirits of the Heartland; Templeton Distillery, Beef & Swine Immersion; the Manning Hausbarn Heritage park tour, and more. Participants have the option to stay overnight for a second day of immersive tours.

Participants will get a taste of rural Iowa at a Farm-to-table lunch.

A community tailgate supper will feature food stations with pork, beef, and more. All meals are included in the price of registration. Participants will also be able to browse local produce and goods at the Iowa Vendor Showcase.

She says she hopes the tours open everyone’s eyes, to see what is happening in rural Iowa.

The cost for the entire event is $150, but some parts of the event are free. The deadline to register for the tour(s) is July 15th or until all the spots have been filled. Register online at https://www.evolutionoftheheartland.com.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council has a full slate on their agenda for Wednesday’s upcoming regular meeting at City Hall. The session begins at 5:30-p.m. During the meeting, the Council will act on swearing-in Officer Forrest Fromm, who officially joined the Department this month (July, 2023). Fromm is a Veteran of the Iowa National Guard and Ankeny Police Department. He’s originally from the eastern Iowa town of Bellevue, and attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 2022.

The Council will then acknowledge and act on accepting the resignation of Parks and Recreation Director Wyatt Adderton, retroactive to June 26, 2023. Adderton took over the Parks Director position in February, 2023. He submitted his resignation in May, citing a hostile work environment and issues of harassment. After much consideration and discussions with the Mayor and others, he had agreed to try and work things out, but will now be moving on.

The City Council will hear a presentation Wednesday from Library Director Michell Andersen, with regard to her efforts to obtain grants and other funding opportunities to enhance the services and public accessibility to the Library. In other business, the Council will review, discuss and act on an Order to accept a website contract. They will also hold a Public Hearing on an Ordinance to repeal an Ordinance and grant Interstate Power and Light Company a non-exclusive, 25-year franchise to erect, construct, reconstruct, maintain and operate a plant and systems for the distribution of natural gas in the City of Atlantic, and “sell, distribute, and supply natural gas [to the city and it’s occupants],” and requiring the company to pay a franchise fee to the City.

The hearing will be followed by action on the first reading of the aforementioned amended ordinance. The proposal would help to fund pay increases for the Police Department to make the City more competitive in the retention and hiring of new Officers. A five-percent natural gas franchise fee would result in an increase of $4-dollar per month on the average gas bill, if it is approved. It would also eliminate the current local sales tax already charged to Alliant Energy customers.

The Council is expected to waive the second reading of the Amended Ordinance and proceed with passage of the third reading, a Resolution approving and adopting a Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) “for the use of expenditure of revenues from a natural gas service franchise fee.”  There will also be a Public Hearing on, and passage of the first through third readings of an Ordinance “Adopting the proposed amendments to the City Of Atlantic Zoning Code, 2018.”

City Administrator John Lund says the Council and “…appointed officials,” are “concerned that low-value properties are being acquired and converted for rental apartments, with no consideration for the safety of the tenants or the well-being of the surrounding neighborhood.” Lund said “Recently, downtown was specifically cited as an area where these conversions could take place, due to the value of the buildings. This is the C-3 District and our ordinance currently does not make a distinction on which story residential and commercial businesses are allowed.” He highlighted three specific sections of the ordinance where regulations are in question:

• Under Permitted Uses: Dwellings – Single-family, two-family, and multi-family.
• For properties abutting Chestnut Street, north of 7th Street, Second Story and above: Dwellings – Single-family, two-family, and multi-family.
• And under Conditional Uses:  For properties abutting Chestnut Street, north of 7th Street, Second Story and above: Dwellings – Single-family, two-family, and multi-family.

Lund says the change (If approved) “Will preserve the nature of our historic downtown as a vibrant commercial service and retail hub.” First story uses will be limited to commercial uses, unless a conditional use permit is allowed. Second story residential units would continue to be maintained as a permitted use. The Council will also hold the third and final readings of Ordinances discontinuing the Cable Television and Community Promotion Commissions.

The last order of business is a closed session permitted under the Code of Iowa, to discuss and/or act on a personnel matter, and that individual has requested a closed session.

DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Friday, issued a disaster proclamation for Jefferson, Lee, and Wapello counties in response to severe weather that occurred on June 29. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program in these counties.

The proclamation opens up certain state resources for disaster recovery, as well as relief grants of up to $5,000 for households earning up to 200% of the poverty level. More information on applying for disaster relief grants can be found on the state’s website. Victims of the storms have 45 days to apply.

As part of the new organizational structure for state government, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be the administering agency for the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program (formerly known as the Disaster Case Management Program). Previously, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services had administered these programs.

(Radio Iowa) – State Climatologist Justin Glisan says Iowa has been in a severe weather drought for the past three years. So far this year, there have been three dozen confirmed tornadoes in the state.

Over the past four decades, Iowa has been averaging 48 tornadoes a year. June has generally been the peak month for tornado activity in Iowa, but it appears there’s been just one tornado reported in the state this month. There were multiple tornadoes on March 31st, though. The National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities confirmed at least 30 tornadoes in eastern Iowa and western Illinois on that date.

Keota-tornado-Josh-Franzen-photo-via-NWS-

Warm, humid air near the ground and cold, dry air above are the ingredients that spawn a tornado out of a thunderstorm.

But Glisan says the latest research indicates relative humidity will be trending upward in the years ahead. Glisan made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.

(Radio Iowa/KJAN) – It’s an Iowa farm tradition that dates back generations, pushing our machinery to the limits — in tractor pulls. The Cass County Fairgrounds in Atlantic is hosting a free tractor pull tomorrow (Saturday), with organizers promising all the sights, sounds and smoke as tractors roar down the track. Alan Zellmer, with West Central Iowa Pullers, says they’ll open the event at 10 A-M with the -garden- tractor pulls.

Those big tractors are expected to hit the track around 4 P-M and Zellmer says there’s a new twist this year.

There are four categories of tractors participating in the main show: farm stock, altered farm class; 3,000 RPM class, and the 3,200 RPM class. Zellmer says participants in the big tractor pull come from as far away as Sioux City. The free event will conclude with a fireworks display.

Communities across Iowa are celebrating the red, white and blue this weekend, but the southwest Iowa town of Exira is going all out. Abby Rasmussen, president of the Exira Community Club, says this will be the 158th Independence Day bash with their “Hometown Pride” festival launching this afternoon (Friday) with a farmer’s market and plenty of food options. Saturday’s events will start early with a Road Run at Exira City Park.

Events through the weekend include a co-ed softball tournament, a community barbecue, carnival rides, and the Exira High School Class of 1973 reunion. On the 4th of July, there’s another foot race at 9 A-M, followed by the parade at 10:30.

Find more information at the Exira Community Club’s Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/ExiraCommunityClub

(Radio Iowa) – Just three of the dozen or so G-O-P presidential candidates have announced plans to campaign in Iowa over the 4th of July holiday and it’s been a quiet couple of weeks on the Iowa Caucus campaign trail. As Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports, that may be because of a looming fundraising deadline.

In addition to the fundraising threshold, candidates have to show they’re reached at least one percent support in three different polls to qualify. Former Vice President Mike Pence plans to be at the 4th of July parade in Urbandale and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson is visiting the Linn County Fair Sunday and will be in the West Des Moines parade on Monday night. Texas pastor Ryan Binkley is also campaigning in the state this weekend.

As of noon on Friday, no other campaign has indicated their candidate will be here over the 4th of July holiday period.

(Davenport, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Corrections, today (Friday), said 19-year-old

Daryel Deanthony Shears

, who was convicted of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and other charges in Scott County, failed to report back to the Davenport Work Release Center as required, Thursday.

Shears is a black male, 5-feet 9-inches tall. He weighs 176 pounds. Shears was admitted to the work release facility on May 15th (2023). Persons with information on Shears’ whereabouts should contact local police.

(Marne, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’ Ambassadors, Friday, visited Hetrick Auto Body in Marne, to celebrate their customer appreciation event in addition to their new management. The Ambassadors also had the opportunity to learn about the different services that the business provides.

Jim Johnson, owner of Hetrick Auto Body, shared about how and why he was able to reach this position. The previous owner, Phil Hetrick, was looking to retire and Johnson, an employee at the time, decided to make the transition and step up as a leader for the team. With over 30 years in the auto repair industry, Johnson is also knowledgeable in growing and retaining his customer base, as well as making improvements to the business. Friday’s customer appreciation event was just one way to thank all their customers for their business.

Photo courtesy the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce & Paige Jensen

The many employees at Hetrick Auto Body stay busy each day with all of the different services that they provide. Their primary focus is collision repair in addition to glass replacement and hail damage repair. Another important part of their business is working with different insurance companies to utilize direct repair programs.

Friday’s customer appreciation event will feature grilled hamburgers, tacos, and other beverages. The Hetrick Auto Body team will be serving until 2 p.m. at their shop, located at 502 Marne Road in Marne. To learn more about their services, call (712) 781-2211, or visit their Facebook page, Hetrick Auto Body.

DES MOINES – Iowans will have an opportunity to bring a traveling exhibit from the world-renowned Smithsonian Institution to their communities next year. “Spark! Places of Innovation” will come to Iowa in 2024 through a partnership between the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street program, the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Humanities Council. The exhibition uses photographs, engaging interactives, videos and augmented reality to explore the unique combination of places, people and circumstances that sparks innovation and reveals why it flourishes in some rural places but not others.

“Bringing the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibition to the state delivers new opportunities for Iowans,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer said. “This exhibition will give our rural communities and students a chance to access this Smithsonian-quality experience that can connect students to interdisciplinary learning programs – history, humanities, culture, arts, science, and innovation.”

Since 2021, Kramer has served as Co-Chair of the Creativity & Innovation Task Force of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council along with Yen Verhoeven, CEO of Qi Learning. This accomplishes the goal to reach more rural students with interactive programming so they, too, can become engaged in skill-development programs like STEAM, National History Day, and other out-of-classroom learning that occurs in museums and cultural learning centers.

“Iowans have a strong connection to the history of our state,” State Historical Society of Iowa Administrator Susan Kloewer said. “We encourage them to look into hosting this exhibit and explore the many different ways they can generate and adopt innovative ideas to strengthen their communities.”

The exhibition will serve as a springboard for local programming in the humanities, sciences and arts that inspire people to learn how innovation has impacted their communities and how they may become innovators themselves.

In addition, Iowa communities can become part of the exhibit by contacting the Smithsonian and sharing their experiences with a wide range of possibilities, including: Creating solutions to common rural community challenges; innovating or inventing a new tool or craft; developing cultural programming, art spaces, social justice initiatives, or sparking transformative conversations between people who’d normally not engage with each other. Technological, social, cultural, artistic, or a combination of all of these – innovation is as unique as each community and the Smithsonian would like to hear from Iowans.

Get more information and apply online at history.iowa.gov/Humanities beginning July 1 through Sept. 8

(Radio Iowa) – Heavy traffic is predicted on the roadways this weekend and through the Independence Day Holiday. State Patrol Trooper, Paul Gardner, says the effort to keep drivers safe includes a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign,” that will be underway across Iowa. “Which runs July 1st through the fifth. And that’s going to be primarily focused on increased law enforcement presence to prevent fatal and serious traffic car crashes related to driving while impaired, alcohol related crashes, and O-W-I’s,” he says.

He says they are partnering with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Gardner says the effort comes after issues on the roadways during the July 4th holiday. “In 2022, during the Fourth of July weekend statewide there were seven fatalities across the state and four out of those seven fatalities were alcohol related — so that’s over half of those — so that’s something we’re going to try to reduce this year,” he says.

Garner says we are also in the middle of what’s called the “100 deadliest days” for younger drivers. “During the summer months, your teenagers have more freedom because they’re not in school, they don’t have a structured schedule. So they’re more apt to take advantage of that,” he says. “…we see a significant increase with car crashes involving teenagers. And there’s been a 30 percent average increase in the last few years for teenage deaths nationwide. So that’s something we want to address as well.”

Trooper Gardner says the rules of the road don’t change during this holiday period and you should wear your seatbelt, drive the speed limit, and don’t drink and drive.