(Radio Iowa) – National Democratic Party leaders have found the mail-in participation plan for the 2024 Iowa Caucuses does not comply with national party rules, but Iowa Democrats have more time to tweak their proposal. Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart says there are missing pieces in the plan — but that was done intentionally. National Democrats have chosen five other states to hold the first presidential primaries in 2024, but details are still being worked out.

Former Iowa Democratic Party chair Scott Brennan read a letter from Hart to Democratic National Committee members.”We look forward to providing more details to the committee once the calendar challenges are resolved.” Iowa Democrats plan to use mail-in presidential preference cards for their Caucuses, but haven’t said when results of the voting would be announced.

National party leaders say that date needs to be nailed down — to comply with the party’s plan that South Carolina Democrats host the first presidential primary in 2024.

(Odgen, Iowa) – A collision Friday morning between a car and a straight truck in Boone County, resulted in one person being flown to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened at around 8:30-a.m., as 41-year-old Erik Ross Creger, of Boone, was driving a 2012 Toyota Corolla.

When he failed to yield the right-of-way, while turning left from westbound Highway 30, to E. Avenue, west of Ogden, his car was struck on its right side in the eastbound lane of Highway 30, by a 2020 Peterbilt straight truck. The driver of the truck, 42-year-old Nathan Allan Phippen, of Coon Rapids, was not injured.

Creger was flown to UnityPoint Methodist Hospital by LifeFlight. A report on his condition was not released. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Ogden Fire and Boone County EMS assisted at the scene.

LOHRVILLE, IOWA – The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Friday evening, reported that at around 6:57-a.m., Friday, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from 500 Maple Street in Lohrville, IA.  Upon arrival deputies found 6 year old Alexzander Pope deceased inside the residence.

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are currently investigating the circumstances involving Alexzander Pope’s death.

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Lohrville EMS, and Calhoun County EMS

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  A thief in the night has hauled-off a tall, metal sculpture from the Atlantic Hy-Vee Garden Center. Officials with Hy-Vee reported Friday morning that security camera footage indicating the incident occurred at 1-a.m., Friday.

Still frame images from the security camera show a white truck pulled-up to the sculpture, and a person or persons loading the object into the back of the truck before taking-off.

Anyone with information about the incident, should contact the Atlantic Police Department.

DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced her appointments of Michael Carpenter as a district judge in Judicial Election District 8A, Eric Nelson as a district judge in Judicial Election District 4, and Patrick Smith as a district judge in Judicial Election District 5C. 

Carpenter, of Ottumwa, Iowa, currently serves as attorney at Gaumer, Emmanuel, Carpenter & Goldsmith, P.C. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law.  Carpenter fills a vacancy created by the recent retirement of District Judge Lucy Gamon. Judicial Election District 8A includes Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello, Washington, and Van Buren counties.  

Nelson, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, currently serves as an Associate District Judge in Judicial Election District 4. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and his law degree from the University of Oklahoma City University School of Law.  Nelson fills a vacancy created by the retirement of District Judge Gregory W. Steensland. Judicial Election District 4 includes Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties. 

Smith of Des Moines, Iowa, currently serves as an attorney for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. He received his undergraduate degree from Drake University and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. Smith fills the vacancy created by the recent retirement of District Judge William P. Kelly. Judicial Election District 5C includes Polk County. 

DES MOINES, IOWA – The Iowa Department Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the first case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection reported in 2023 in an older adult (61-80 years) from Plymouth county. The case was confirmed through a test at the State Hygienic Lab.

Warm summer weather means Iowans are spending more time outside which increases the risk of mosquito bites. Bites from infected mosquitos are the primary method in which humans are infected with the virus.

For the best protection against the virus, Iowans should use an insect repellant with DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, Para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535. Insect repellent lowers the risk of mosquito bites.

• Always read and follow label directions. Consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products on children.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus and Para-menthane-diol should not be used on children younger than 3 years, and DEET should not be used on infants younger than 2 months.
• If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

Additional steps Iowans can take to protect themselves include:

• If possible, avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks outdoors.
• Clear standing water from around your home where mosquitos reproduce.
• Look for standing water in buckets, cans, pool covers, used tires, pet water dishes, and other areas water may collect.

Iowans infected with WNV may not experience any signs or symptoms of the virus. Some people experience minor symptoms like fever and mild headache. Others, however, can develop serious symptoms such as a high fever, headache, disorientation and muscle weakness.

People who experience mild signs and symptoms of a WNV infection generally recover on their own. But illness that includes a severe headache, disorientation or sudden weakness require immediate medical attention.

In 2022, nine Iowans were diagnosed with West Nile virus, with zero deaths.

For more information on West Nile virus, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/west-nile-virus.

(Adair, Iowa) – An accident involving a semi tractor-trailer hauling cattle near Adair, Thursday, resulted in the death of four cows. Adair Police Chief Brad Wendt told KJAN News the accident happened at around 11-a.m., at the Exit 76 ramp to westbound Interstate 80. The driver of the semi told Adair Police Officer Sawyer Ocheltree that while he was exiting the interstate, his brakes locked-up, causing him to lose control of the trailer.

The vehicle ended-up going off the roadway. The trailer overturned. The semi’s tractor/cab partially overturned. The unidentified driver of the semi was not hurt. Chief Wendt said it took about four-hours to round up the rest of the herd, which had escaped from the trailer. (Bystander video provided by Chief Wendt)

June 16, 2023 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board, today (Friday), approved awards for three companies, which will assist in the creation of 89 jobs and result in $26 million in new capital investment for the state. These projects are located in Red Oak, Waterloo and Dallas County. The board also approved grants through the Entrepreneurial Investment Award program.

Specializing in motion and control technologies, Parker-Hannifin Corporation in Red Oak, provides precision-engineered solutions for mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company plans to make investments in manufacturing machinery and equipment that will support the need to expand production at their Red Oak location. The project represents a capital investment of $2.5 million and was awarded tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program. It is expected to create 65 jobs, of which 35 are incented at a qualifying wage of $22.60 per hour.

Osmundson Manufacturing to expand facility in Dallas County: Osmundson Manufacturing Co., a fifth-generation family-owned company, designs agricultural disc, coulter and seeding blades for original equipment manufacturers and distributors worldwide. The company plans to expand its Perry facility by approximately 20,000 square feet to increase manufacturing capacity and employee amenities. The board awarded this $19 million capital investment project tax benefits through the HQJ program. It is expected to create 17 jobs, of which two are incented at a qualifying wage of $28.70 per hour.

Dignity Apparel to purchase building in Waterloo: Dignity Apparel LLC manufactures garments with domestically sourced fabrics for Image Pointe, its wholly owned subsidiary that offers design and distribution services. Through real estate holding company JP Management Corporation, the project plans to acquire a 77,000 square-foot building in Waterloo, including remodeling space and purchasing equipment and software to accommodate growth. The project represents a capital investment of $4.5 million dollars and is expected to create seven jobs at a qualifying wage of $21.01 per hour. The board awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program.

Grants awarded to two initiatives supporting entrepreneurs…

The Entrepreneurial Investment Award (EIA) program provides financial assistance to service providers that offer technical and financial assistance to entrepreneurs and startup companies seeking to create, locate or expand a business in Iowa. The award is in the form of a grant through a competitive application process.

Landus Innovation Connector supports the growth of innovative agricultural technologies through mentorship and direct connections to the marketplace for entrepreneurs and scale-up companies. Companies will receive access to ag resources and services, including market strategy assistance, industry information, a collaborative space to share farming solutions, and a direct connection to the marketplace. The Landus Connector was awarded a $120,000 grant from the EIA program to be used for key personnel, promotion of technology to farmers, and venture events.

Pi515’s Girls’ Entrepreneurship Incubator is an initiative focused on empowering and supporting aspiring young women entrepreneurs through mentorship, workshops, networking, market exposure and resources. The incubator aims to create an environment that helps young women launch and grow businesses. Pi515 was awarded a $200,000 grant from the EIA program to facilitate community outreach, engage and involve young women, develop curriculum, and recruit key personnel.

Award recommendations for these funds are made by the EIA Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval. Download a spreadsheet with today’s awards here.

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – The Atlantic FFA Horse Judging team competed Tuesday (June 13) in the annual Iowa FFA Horse Career Development Event held at Kirkwood Community College. Members of the team included: Kayedance Sturm, Rylee Harlan, and Lily Willrich.

Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller says this year 33 chapters participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Equine Science. The 112 individual contestants evaluated halter and performance classes. They also answered questions over the classes and gave oral reasons to explain their placings. A written examination was included along with a team problem solving competition.

When asked about their favorite part of the contest Lily Willrich said, “My favorite part of the competition was learning how so many different things, builds, and movements to look at in a horse. Especially what someone like a professional judge looks at in a horse. I also really enjoyed meeting people from all over Iowa.” Kayedance Sturm commented that her favorite part was getting to talk to other people after having to be quiet for 6 hours during the competition.” When asked what her favorite part of the day was, Rylee Harlan said, “Making new friends and getting to see and learn about all the different horses’.

Horse Judging Team -from Left to right:
Kayedance Sturm, Rylee Harlan Lily Willrich. (Photo courtesy Eric Miller)

Sturm led the Atlantic team placing 32nd, Harlan was second with a 36 and Willrich rounded out the scores by placing 62nd out of 112 individuals. Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller said, “I was extremely happy with the team’s performance. These FFA members are just beginning their FFA career as incoming freshmen. They placed 9th as a team in Questions and Reasons so their future is bright.” (click on the photo to enlarge) >>>

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Lakes Community College campus in Algona will be hosting a free one-hour seminar about credit scores for area business owners and entrepreneurs. Shelly Brown is the coordinator for the college’s Tietz Entrepreneurial Center in Algona. She says step one for anyone is to check the accuracy of your credit report. “The information that’s on your credit report is used to generate your credit score,” Brown says. “…Step two is understanding what goes into a credit score from a financial lender’s standpoint.” According to a recent Federal Reserve survey, lenders are toughening the standards for loans, which makes it even harder for most small businesses and start-ups to get loans. Brown says the seminar will cover ways to improve a credit score.

“For a new business owner it’s important to have a good understanding, good handle on their credit score because they need to secure financing for that start up, whereas an individual who’s been in business for a couple of years the credit score is still very, very critical because they may need it to establish a larger line of credit or perhaps they are going to try to secure funding for a new project, new growth expansion, a new additional location.” The seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28th, from 6 to 7 p.m.