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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(Radio Iowa) – State officials are offering advice about the finances of a small northwest Iowa city where five officials were accused of bilking Armstrong out of thousands of dollars and destroying financial records. State Auditor Rob Sand has issued a report citing 22 accounting issues in the City of Armstrong during its last budgeting year.
“When you’re coming from a situation where you have had a number of people commit crimes while active in city government and leave city government, you’re going to have quite a period of clean up,” Sand says. “We’re here identifying the issues that are presently there for new leadership and hopefully they will take of these issues in the process of cleaning up city government.”
In 2017, a special investigation of Armstrong city accounts found at least 100-thousand dollars worth of deposits and payments had been mishandled. The town’s former mayor, three former city clerks and its former police chief were all accused of wrongdoing and have pleaded guilty to misconduct, but none were sent to prison. The state auditor says C-P-As in his office have raised concerns about how checks written to the City of Armstrong AND checks written on city accounts are handled.
“Two of the three people who can sign the checks aren’t elected officials. They are not city employees,” Sand says. “You’ve got to ensure you have direct accountability for those people so you know the checks going out are people who are involved in doing that business.” One of the city’s debit cards was opened in the name of a city employee, using that employee’s Social Security number. “It’s important that you have prior approval for purchases, which in this case Armstrong wasn’t doing,” Sand says. “You want to make sure that before you go out and use it that it’s OK to buy that.”
The state auditor’s office reviewed three sets of minutes from Armstrong City Council meetings that did not list city receipts or bills the city owed. “What we need to have are minutes that reflect the reality of finances as well as the reality of the proceedings of what’s going on in town,” Sand says, “so that people who aren’t at a meeting can still review what’s going on and have a good understanding of it.”
Last month, a former mayor of Armstrong was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to tampering with records and misconduct in office. His son-in-law, the former Armstrong police chief, got a deferred judgement and the case against him will be dismissed once he completes probation. A former city clerk also received a deferred judgement and two former city clerks pleaded guilty to misconduct and agreed to testify against the others.
(Radio Iowa) – Roadways and airports have been crowded during the holiday periods all through this year and it looks like that is not going to ease up next week for Thanksgiving. Triple-A Iowa spokesman, Brian Ortner: “Triple-A’s Thanksgiving holiday travel forecast is showing that we’re gonna, you know, again, set all time highs for travel nationally and within our region. You know that we’re a part of here in Iowa, the west north-central region,” he says. That region includes Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, and South Dakota, along with Iowa. Ortner says travel will surpass what we saw prior to the pandemic.
“If we go back and look at 2019, for our region, we had about six-point-three (6.3) million total travelers back in 2019 so we’re six-point-four now,”Ortner says. “Across our region and nationally, we had just over 77 million back in 2019 and over 79 million this year. And that’s an increase over that time and as in 2023 as well.” While the roadways will be busy, traveling will cost a little less.
“The good thing we can say is people are seeing lower pump prices than we saw last year. You know, in our region, with five-point eight million folks hitting the roads, that’s going to be a welcome addition to the travel plans,” he says. across the state. Iowa has a statewide average of two-dollars-73 cents for a gallon of fuel, which is less than the national average, which is at three-oh-six. 
Ortner has one word to describe what it will be like for those who are flying for Thanksgiving. “Busy. Let’s just say that. Again, with the record numbers that are going to be taken to the air in our region, 296-thousand folks going to be taken to the airways. And I know people don’t like to hear it to say to plan accordingly, leave early, get to the airports early if you can. Be there two to three hours before your flight,” he says. He says the flight delays that have been a problem, appear to be getting better.
“You know, compared to what we were seeing like two years ago, I know there was a lot of issues then, that decreased last year,” Ortner says, “and haven’t heard anything in relation to that this year. But again, plan for the unexpected, because you never know whether you’re flying or you’re driving.” Ortner says make sure you know your options for a change of flight before you leave and have your information with you for your travel agent. If you booked yourself, have the app, the customer service line available to be able to make those changes if they would need to happen.
The Iowa DNR is seeking campground hosts for the 2025 camping season. If you enjoy camping and meeting new people, this may be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.
Campground hosts work alongside DNR staff to help clean and beautify the park, ensure reservations are up-to-date and accurate, and assist visitors in a welcoming and helpful manner. Actual duties vary based on each park’s individual needs.
In this volunteer position, hosts are provided a free campsite and live in the park for one to five months during the summer season. Hosts volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per week, often including weekends and holidays, while living on site in their own camper.
Each park’s camping experience is unique – some are rural and rustic, others are in popular tourism areas; some have small campgrounds, and many are hubs of activity, especially on peak weekends. In addition, assigned lengths of stay are dependent on each park’s needs for the upcoming season.
Parks currently needing hosts:
To learn more about a park’s unique experience and needs, please contact the individual state park office; a list of parks and their contact information can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/stateparks, or for general inquiries about campground host opportunities, email: iowa.stateparks@dnr.iowa.gov
Additional information about volunteering and applying for a campground host position is available at www.iowadnr.gov/volunteer. The list of parks needing campground hosts can change, so please check back to this web page regularly for additional opportunities.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled a virtual public meeting to update the public on statewide chronic wasting disease surveillance and management efforts.
The meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., and will be hosted on Zoom. Those wishing to attend must register in advance using the link below. To view and listen to the presentation, attendees will need a computer or smart device (e.g., phone, tablet) with a secure internet connection. Attendees can also join by calling in but will only be able to listen to the audio. The recording will be posted to the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel and shared on social media platforms, when available.
To register to attend, visit: https://bit.ly/CWD120524
As of Nov. 19, a total of 397 wild deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease in 25 Iowa counties.
“Chronic wasting disease will be a generational challenge,” said Dr. Rachel Ruden, state wildlife veterinarian with the Iowa DNR. “What we do to limit the spread of this disease today will pay dividends tomorrow, and we need everyone at the table.”
This public meeting is an opportunity for all Iowans to learn more about chronic wasting disease surveillance and management efforts in Iowa, understand ways they can help, and most importantly, ask questions.
“As this disease continues to expand its geographic footprint in Iowa, we encourage all Iowans to stay up-to-date on where we have found CWD so they can make informed consumption decisions,” she said.
Testing for the disease requires a tissue sample from a particular lymph node found just behind the jaw.
Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease belonging to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. It attacks the brain of infected deer causing the animal to lose weight, display abnormal behavior, lose body functions, and die. It is always fatal to the infected animal and is present in all tissues, including the meat.
To learn more about chronic wasting disease and the DNR’s surveillance and management efforts, visit www.iowadnr.gov/cwd.
(Radio Iowa) – Summit Carbon Solutions has submitted a second application in South Dakota for construction of a carbon pipeline. Last year, South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission rejected Summit’s initial application. Officials said it did not comply with county zoning rules. Earlier this month, South Dakota voters upheld those restrictions. According to a news release from Summit Carbon Solutions, the company has made major changes in its South Dakota pipeline route after more than a year of one-on-one work with landowners.
Iowa and North Dakota regulators have approved permits for the project. It would ship carbon from 57 ethanol plants in five states to underground storage in North Dakota.
Summit’s C-E-O says the project represents a pathway to new markets and lasting economic growth for generations to come. Nine IOWA counties passed zoning ordinances for carbon pipelines and tomorrow (Wednesday), judges on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Omaha will hear arguments over ordinances in Shelby and Story Counties that Summit sued to overturn. Summit has pending lawsuits against Emmet, Kossuth and Palo Alto Counties and recently sued Bremer County over its zoning ordinance.
(Radio Iowa) – An economic development group is launching a competition for entrepreneurs in four northwest Iowa counties. The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is sponsoring the Big IDEA challenge in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet Counties. Trevor Smith, the group’s senior vice president, says business owners are invited to submit a 90 second video that will be posted online in January. “(It) will then go to a voting period where the public can vote on the best entrepreneurship idea,” he says, “and then the top five finalists for that will then go to a final ‘pitch off’ in late May where they will present their idea to a panel of judges and compete for a prize.” Each of the five finalists will get a cash prize.
“It’s $5000 for first place, $3000 for second, $1000 for third and $500 for the fourth and fifth place finalists,” he says. Smith says the money and attention from the competition could be a great opportunity to turn a dream into reality. “We have plenty of entrepreneurs in our region and plenty of people who have great ideas,” Smith says. Similar contests are held throughout the state. Last week, a business pitch competition in southwest Iowa called REV 2024 handed out 19-thousand dollars in prize money to two start-ups.
This past spring, the Red Rock START Up competition in Marion County connected four businesses with mentors and investors. And in 2012, the City of Grinnell sponsored a competition to attract a restaurant to a vacant spot. The winner got three months of free rent, 10-thousand dollars in cash and 30-thousand dollars worth of food, dishes, silverware.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes, today (Tuesday), responded to a comment made during the November 13th meeting of the Atlantic School Board, with regard to the Jack and Jill Preschool. As we reported, during that meeting, Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said the district’s pre-school numbers are down. She said also, that while the Jack and Jill preschool is free, they are “maxed-out” on capacity. Dr. Johnsen said the Atlantic Head Start pre-school is maxed-out too, but they could grow up to 20-percent. Anything more than that, she said, and they’ll have to find the space to teach those students, somehow.
Haynes says:
Dan Haynes said also, “In other news, we were disappointed to get the cancellation notice of the MOU we worked on for our shared usage of the Wickman playground and Lincoln gym. We did removed our play things from the gym. We do get in the gym occasionally in the am when time allows and appreciate that time. Lunch, naps, snack, and wrestling doesn’t allow for us to use the gym any other time.”
(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with the Red Oak Police Department says their 9th Annual “Toys for Tots” drive is underway. The event serves children and families who may not otherwise experience the full joy of the holiday season. Last year, more than 130 children from Montgomery County received toys through the program, enabling them to enjoy the holiday with their families.
Donations of NEW unwrapped toys for kids age 0-to 14, or monetary donations, are being accepted through December 14th. Toys may be dropped-off at the following locations in Red Oak: The Police Department; Fareway store; Red Oak Express; YMCA; Val’s Sugar Shack; Dollar General; Tractor Supply; the Buck Snort; Dollar Tree/Family Dollar Store; Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, and the Red Oak Library. 
Monetary donations may be made payable to: Behind The Shields. Child sign-ups for the “Toys for Tots” program will take place at the Red Oak Fire Station on Thursday, Nov. 21st, from 3-until 5-p.m., and at the Red Oak Fareway Meat and Grocery, on Dec. 2nd, from 4:30-until 6:30-p.m. Children ages 0-14 may be signed-up. Please bring the child’s birth certificate or medical card. The deadline to sign children-up is Dec. 3, 2024.
If you have any questions, please call Amber Jennings at 712-623-6500.
(Radio Iowa) – A new report shows a state pilot program raised the number of children who could enroll in childcare services in select communities, which improved wages and benefits for local childcare workers. The “Iowa Childcare Solutions Fund: A Model for Closing the Childcare Gap” report analyzed the effect the Childcare Solutions Fund had in pilot communities, matching private investments from businesses and individuals with state funding. Iowa Women’s Foundation president and C-E-O Deann Cook says she’s proud to see a public-private partnership successfully address this issue.
“These are funds that were raised with private investment in local areas, local communities, and then matched with state dollars,” Cook says. “It was really the merger of those public and private dollars that created an investment fund into the childcare workforce, and it’s really made a difference.” In Cerro Gordo County, a two-dollars-an-hour wage supplement program was started to address a workforce issue, but Cook says each area taking part in the program has its own unique way to address the childcare shortage.
“They’re doing all slightly different things. What Iowa Women’s Foundation has found is there’s a local ‘secret sauce,’ we can’t impose any solution across the state,” she says. “It has to really be driven from the ground up. All of them are being invested in childcare workforce wages, some in retention bonuses, some in a higher increased hourly wage. They have the freedom to do that.” Now that the pilot program has shown positive results, Cook says state leaders will need to look into the next steps on how to address the childcare crisis statewide.
“That’s exactly why we did the report, to determine how successful these communities in our pilot program were and determine if it’s worth pursuing and replicating across the state,” Cook says. “What the report is telling us is just in this pilot program, it increased 22 childcare slots per 1,000 children in each pilot community. That statistic alone would tell you, it’s definitely worth considering how public and private dollars can merge together to make a difference in childcare.”
The report shows that if the pilot program was expanded statewide, it would create 8,000 new jobs, enable 5,000 more parents and guardians to join the workforce, add 11,000 new childcare slots, and increase Iowa’s gross domestic product by $13-billion.
(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa inmate who has spent almost 50 years behind bars for a quadruple murder is hoping for another look at his case for what is claimed to be a new legal development. Jerry Mark was convicted of murdering his brother Leslie Mark, his sister-in-law, and their two children at their rural Cedar Falls home on Halloween 1975. Sioux City attorney Brian Vakulskas is an advocate of Jerry Mark and says he first heard about the case from his attorney father many years ago.
“When I became a lawyer, I started looking at the case closer and studied the transcripts. And I realized all the problems with the original trial and the prosecutorial misconduct that came with that,” he says. Black Hawk County prosecutors say Jerry Mark killed his brother and family because his brother inherited the family farm. Mark was a lawyer who lived in California and says he was on a cross-country motorcycle trip at the time of the murder. The State Public Defender’s Office recently filed paperwork asking for a new trial or for the conviction to be overturned. Vakulskas says the killings appeared to be a Mafia hit after a family friend had testified against a drug cartel.
“The fact that they never developed any suspect other than Jerry, this is a classic case of tunnel vision for prosecutors — you find a person, we can put a crime to it, and you can make all the evidence point to one person if you can and that’s our argument on appeal,” Vakulskas. Mark has made several appeals based on the evidence at the scene of the crime. A federal judge threw out Mark’s conviction in 2006, but an appeals court overturned the ruling.
Mark’s lawyers said in legal filings he was convicted of “junk science” and testimony that could have proven his innocence was not allowed. Vakulskas hopes things move quickly since Mark is 81 years old.
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