(Radio Iowa) – A southeast Iowa biodiesel plant is shutting down. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports managers of the W-2 Fuel biodiesel plant in Crawfordsville have notified the state that the plant is closing. The biodiesel refinery shut down back in 2019, but production resumed in mid-2021. The federal tax credit for biodiesel production is worth a dollar per gallon, but the debt deal congress and the president just agreed to will end the credit on December 31st of next year.

W-2 Fuel needed to buy new equipment to test for carbon emissions from its southeast Iowa plant, but company executives say the investment probably wouldn’t pay off if congress lets the biodiesel credit end. There are 10 other plants in Iowa producing biodiesel

(Radio Iowa) – Tuesday (today) is the first day merchants could set up temporary stands to start selling legal fireworks in Iowa. The opening of sales comes as the Drought Monitor shows large swath of Iowa remains abnormally dry, with some areas seeing severe drought. Cedar Rapids Fire Marshal, Vance McKinnon, tells K-C-R-G that part of safely using fireworks is keeping an eye on weather conditions. “If it continues to stay dry, we have to be very cautious because we have no control of where those fireworks go and what the hot embers, where they fall,” McKinnon says. He says those who run professional fireworks shows pay attention to the conditions.

“I was at a fireworks display over the weekend, a professional shoot, and they actually had to shut down the show because of some fire that happened with some grass,” McKinnon says. While it is legal to purchase fireworks in Iowa — many cities have put restrictions on their use. It is illegal to in Cedar Rapids to set off everything except sparklers, caps, and snakes. Violation of the ban is punishable by a fine of up to 625 dollars. McKinnon tells K-C-R-G T-V use caution even with legal fireworks if you are in a dry area.

“We need to really make sure folks are extremely careful,” McKinnon says. McKinnon recommends you attend professional show and let them worry about handling and safely setting off the fireworks.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a special session Tuesday morning, and held a public hearing to receive comment on a proposed EMS resolution that declares Emergency Medical Response an essential service. In his minutes of the meeting, Auditor Mark Maxwell said Emergency Management Director Alex Londo and Tim Plumb, Chair of the Shelby County EMS Council, told the Board that in 2021 legislation was passed that allowed counties in Iowa to declare Emergency Medical Services an essential service and allow taxation to fund the service. An advisory Council was formed and recommendations were given to the Supervisors for consideration. Plumb and Londo said that regular Advisory Council meetings are held and are open to the public. It was noted that the number of volunteers has been slowly dropping as well as EMS volunteers working in their home communities. The fact was mentioned that the number of volunteers in Shelby County are not enough to provide service to the whole county.

Jennifer Lefeber, Myrtue Medical Center Emergency Room Director commented that the low number of volunteers and the high level of care that some patients require will continue to need the same high level of cooperation that is now in place between the existing private and volunteer ambulance services. Lefeber also noted that with volunteer ambulance service prolonged waits for transfers is not uncommon. Gene Gettys, Harlan City Administrator and who sits on the current Ambulance Commission, said that when 911 is dialed for a medical emergency it is now expected that an ambulance will be at the scene within a reasonable amount of time. The time of arrival on the scene by an all-volunteer service, he said, may be greater than a full time service depending on volunteer availability.

Joel Wahling recognized the need for a full-time ambulance service but asked if there were other ways of funding this undertaking by Shelby County. Wahling said keeping property taxes in line is a priority of property owners. Glenn Birks, an EMS volunteer in Earling, urged the Supervisors to declare this an essential service and it is imperative to get this passed. Darin Haake told the Board of Supervisors that too much work has gone into this process not to complete the process of calling for a public measure to be placed on the ballot this fall. Neil Gross, Shelby County Sheriff, said that the Advisory Council has done its due diligence to start this process. His experiences in calls that require EMS units service, is that the response time of EMS is critical.

The Auditors office noted that no response was received in his office regarding the series of hearings. Supervisor Kenkel noted that the funding options are limited, because of legislation and it will take new legislation to change the funding mechanism. The hearing was then ended, and a motion to approval the final resolution was passed unanimously. The Resolution declares emergency medical services to be an essential County service, and authorizes upon voter approval on November 7, 2023, the imposition of a Local Option income surtax not to exceed 1% and/or an ad valorem property tax not to exceed seventy-five cents per one thousand dollars of assessed value on all taxable property within the county.

The Shelby County Supervisors then unanimously approved the Sheriffs Deputy appointment of Derick Steffen.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, passed a Resolution allowing a Speed Limit sign for a joint road with the City of Casey. The request was made by a resident landowner in the area. The Board also considered, but took no action, on the renewal of a 28-E Agreement (Cost sharing), for Environmental Health Services with the Adair/Guthrie County Environmental Health Agency. Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber explained there are some differences from the previous agreement, with regard to billing and the annual base fee, which went from $7,500 to $15,000.

The Adair County Supervisors heard from Laurie Cooley and Amanda Wahlert from Zion Recovery Services, with regard to Opiod Settlement Funds. And, Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman reported on County Secondary Roads Department Maintenance and Activities.

Kauffman also presented a voucher, and assorted plans, for the Board to approve, and Chairman Jerry Walker to sign. The voucher was with regard to a FY23 Farm-to-Market Rock Contract with Schildberg’s, in the amount of $247,414.72, and the title sheets for plans covering the W14 Jefferson Culvert Project, W11 Union Culvert Project, and Right-Of-Way contracts, amounting to $5,374.08.

(Radio Iowa/Fox News) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the U.S. should stop humanitarian aid to Ukraine and focus on providing more military equipment.  “This is where we can provide some savings,” Ernst says. “Let’s focus on what America does well and that’s providing military platforms and those types of services.” Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, served 23 years in the Iowa National Guard and Army Reserve. Speaking on Fox News, Ernst says it’s important to our own national security to provide Ukraine with what it needs to defeat the Russians.

“The Ukrainians are doing an incredible job of pushing back our adversary,” Ernst says, “and because of what they have done in Ukraine and these incredible fighters, we see a diminished capacity from Russia over the next 10-15 years for them to come after our great United States of America.” The Biden Administration last month gave the go-ahead for NATO allies in Europe to provide F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems to Ukraine. “Russia has invaded a sovereign nation,” Ernst says. “…I think we need to provide the military platforms as necessary for them to win and I am critical of this administration because I don’t feel they have done enough soon enough.”

Since the war began in February of last year, the U.S. has provided 75 BILLION dollars in aid to Ukraine, most of it military assistance. Ernst says our European allies are better positioned to provide food and other humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Ernst made her comments Monday, during a debate series sponsored by the Edward Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Her hour-long conversation with a Democratic senator from New Hampshire will air Sunday night on Fox News.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say there were three, separate accidents over the past week. The latest occurred at around 5:20-a.m., Saturday, on Wagon Road, near Panora. Authorities say 37-year-old Donald P. Felgate, of Panora, was driving a 1992 Chevy Silverado pickup, when he swerved to miss a deer on the road. He over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll over. The pickup struck a mailbox and 911 address marker in the process. The property, belonging to Ronald Clark, of Panora, sustained $500 damage.  Felgate was complained of pain and was examined by Panora EMS before being transported to the Guthrie County Hospital. He was cited for Failure to hold insurance, accident-related.

The second accident happened Friday night on 280th Street at the Guthrie/Dallas County line. The Sheriff’s Department says 40-year-old Daniel Rice, of Guthrie Center, was traveling southeast on 280th Street at around 11-p.m. The 2008 Dodge RAM pickup he was driving failed to negotiate a curve in the road and continued straight, until it hit a utility pole. He was transported by his mother to the Guthrie County Hospital to be treated for minor injuries. Authorities said there were no visible skid marks on the road. Daniel told his mother that he saw a deer and swerved to avoid a collision, but the Sheriff’s report said “There is no evidence to support or back up that claim.” The pickup was totaled in the crash. Rice was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

And, at around 7:45-p.m. June 6th, a 1999 Chevy pickup driven by 22-year-old Bryce C. Block, of Bayard, was traveling south on 1st Avenue in Bayard. A 2000 Ford Ranger pickup driven by 27-year-old Rodney J. Blackmon, of Bayard, was also southbound on 1st Avenue, and behind the Chevy. The report says Block and a witness advised authorities the Ranger pickup was following too closely. When Block turned-off onto a gravel parking lot/driveway because the Ford was too close.

The Ranger continued southbound, and the Chevy also drove southbound. Blackmon’s Ranger stopped on the traveled portion of the road, cutting off Block’s vehicle in the process. Block locked-up his brakes and slid on the gravel into the driver’s side door of the Ranger. Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000. Deputies cited Rodney Blackman for Reckless Driving, Following too close, and stopping on the paved portion of a highway.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports one-person was injured during a motorcycle accident Tuesday evening, in Lewis. Authorities say at around 7:39-p.m., first responders were called to an area within the 500 block of East Main Street in Lewis for a motorcycle accident with injury.  Deputies and area first responders found that a 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle, being operated by Bo Wilson, of Lewis, was operating South on 582^nd St.

As his motorcycle was approaching a curve towards the West, Wilson failed to negotiate the curve. The motorcycle continued South and went out of control before sliding into a ditch in the 500 block of East Main St.  Wilson suffered injuries to his face and head, and was flown to an area hospital via Life Flight.  The accident remains under investigation.

(Creston, Iowa) – A woman from Creston was arrested Tuesday evening at her residence. According to Creston Police, 47-year-old Rachelle Lynn Hardisty, who resides in the 1000 block of Manor Drive, in Creston, was arrested at around 5:28-p.m., for allowing an Animal (to run) at Large. Hardisty was issued a citation, and released at the scene on a Promise to Appear (in Court).

(Onawa, Iowa) – Blue Lake, located within Lewis and Clark State Park, continues to experience abnormally low water levels that may impact recreation opportunities. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says launching boats is not recommended with the current low water levels. Their report last week said water levels in oxbow lakes adjacent to the Missouri River, including Blue Lake, are lower than normal due to dry conditions in western Iowa and historic low flows in the Missouri River.

The current drought period in Western Iowa began in 2020.  Climate conditions over the last three years are some of the driest three-year periods in the 128-year record for the region.  In the past two years, annual runoff was at least 25 percent below normal levels. Local average annual precipitation is also below normal for the area, contributing to the low water conditions at Blue Lake.

Blue Lake, like many other oxbow lakes, is characterized by a small watershed drainage area relative to the size of the lake and a localized water recharge area. Oxbow lakes form when a curve (or meander) in a river finds a shorter path, effectively isolating the old curve to form an oxbow lake in a low-lying plain near the side of the river. Water levels in these lakes are highly influenced by nearby river and groundwater levels.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) owns and maintains an auxiliary groundwater supply well, located approximately 1.25 miles northwest of Blue Lake. This well has been used in the past to maintain the water levels and maximize the recreational opportunities for the lake’s visitors during normal water years.

During drought conditions, the well is unable to provide sufficient water to maintain or increase water levels in the lake with the surrounding low water table and Missouri River water levels. Any water pumped into the lake would immediately be lost to the low groundwater table

DNR continues to monitor drought conditions and water levels at Blue Lake.

(Afton, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting from 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, June 15, at Three-Mile Lake Lodge, 1577 Creamery Road, to discuss in-lake improvements planned for Three-Mile Lake starting this fall.

Three-Mile Lake, an 880-acre multi-purpose reservoir located in rural southern Iowa, offers many recreational opportunities including sailing, powerboating, water skiing, and no-wake areas for fishing. The lake is a public water supply source.

A restoration project began in 2016 to improve the lake’s water quality and fishery. Restoration activities planned as part of this phase of the project include increasing the storage capacity of the sediment/nutrient basin, installing in-lake forebays for sediment/nutrient retention, deepening and armoring the shoreline and adding fish habitat structures to improve fishing.

Any person with special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments who wishes to participate in the public meeting should promptly contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov to advise of specific needs.