(Radio Iowa) – State Treasurer Roby Smith sees room for expansion of the I-ABLE program his office manages for Iowans with disabilities. The money deposited in a tax-free I-ABLE account may be used to cover expenses related to a disability and the spending does NOT affect the person’s eligibility for government assistance programs like Medicaid or Social Security.

“There’s just a little over 2000 accounts,” Smith says. “I believe we can have a lot of growth there.” U-S Census data indicates nearly 400-thousand Iowans have some sort of a disability. I-ABLE accounts can accrue interest and help Iowans living with a disability cover expenses like housing, transportation and job training as well as in-home support services.

“It’s an important tool and we’ve got to do more reaching out,” Smith says. “Part of my job is to travel the state to talk about I-ABLE.” Smith recently made a presentation about I-ABLE in Pella and the treasurer’s office hosted a webinar with the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council this spring.

“We know that there’s a number of other agencies that deal with that population that could use it and help their lives,” Smith says, “and so we’re going to look to team up and sign up more people.” An Iowan with a disability may open their own account — or accounts may be opened by relatives, legal guardians or conservators who act on behalf of an Iowan with a disability.

The yearly contribution limit is 17-thousand dollars. Forty-nine states now offer the program after congress established the tax-free benefit for an Achieving a Better Life Experience or ABLE accounts in 2014. Iowa lawmakers created the I-ABLE program here the following year.

(Cass County, Iowa) – An accident on eastbound Interstate 80 late Sunday morning, in Cass County, had traffic backed-up for miles before authorities could detour motorists around the wreck. The crash involving a semi tractor trailer happened at around 10:54-a.m., near mile marker 66.

Authorities closed the westbound lanes so that emergency vehicles could get to the scene. Traffic was rerouted to Wiota and then through Anita before vehicles re-entered the Interstate near Adair.The Intestate re-opened to traffic about two-hours later.

There were no serious injuries, but one person was being checked-out as a precaution. Additional details were not immediately available from the State Patrol.

photo submitted to KJAN News

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol says there was one fatal, and one injury accident Saturday in the State. A three-vehicle crash in eastern Iowa’s Benton County resulted in a death. The Patrol says a 2012 Ford Focus was traveling west on 77th Street at around 2-p.m., and pulling a 1997 motorcycle with a rope. Both vehicles were traveling very slow. A 2015 VW Passat was also westbound on 77th Street and unable to stop before striking the motorcycle.

The cycle was pushed into the back of the Ford Focus, causing the motorcyclist to be ejected from their machine. The Ford rotated 180-degrees and faced east on the north shoulder of the road. The motorcycle ended-up in the north ditch, and the VW stopped on the north shoulder of the road. The operator of the motorcycle died from their injuries at St. Lukes Hospital. Their name and those of the others involved in the crash, were not released.

The other accident happened in Floyd County at around 7:22-p.m., Saturday. The Patrol says 39-year-old Joshua W. Duitscher, of Nora Springs, was traveling east on 115th Street when the 2004 Dodge he was driving went out of control and into the south ditch before rolling multiple times into a field. Duitscher was not wearing a seat belt. He was ejected from the vehicle and transported to the hospital by Mason City Ambulance. The crash remains under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department report that on Thursday, June 15th, 10th street between Olive and Spruce Streets, will be blocked off for the removal of a large tree in that area. Authorities say large equipment will be brought in and used to accomplish the task, which could pose danger to vehicles on the road.

Please plan your travels accordingly as the work is expected to take most of the day, Thursday.

(Lewis, Iowa) – The male operator of a motorcycle was injured Friday night in Cass County (IA), when the machine failed to negotiate a curve, entered a ditch and rolled at least twice. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened at around 10:22-p.m., Friday, at Oxford Road and Lewis Road.

The unidentified man was flown by air ambulance to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, for treatment of what were described as life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by Cass EMS, the Griswold and Lewis Fire Departments, and Life Flight, out of Audubon.

(Radio Iowa) – A new walking tour in the Iowa Great Lakes includes information about where music icons like Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash performed. Rebecca Peters is the director of Okoboji Tourism.  “People are always looking for a unique way to experience this area,” Peters says. “We really loved the idea of a walking tour because you get to explore the Arnolds Park area and you get to learn a little bit about some great rock and roll history.” The Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnolds Park was the second largest dance hall in the country when it opened in 1923. The Glenn Miller Orchestra was among its earliest bookings. In the 1950s, the venue began hosting rock ‘n roll acts. The Beach Boys performed there in 1963. Peters co-authored a book about the ballroom.

“We got to visit with people and hear stories about how friends would pile into their car and get as many people into a car as possible and come to Arnolds Park to listen to great music,” Peters says. “…Music has always drawn people here and so I think it’s really special to be able to have this walking tour that just remembers that history.”

The original ballroom was torn down in 1987. A brand new Roof Garden opened in 2019. That’s where the walking tour starts, at displays of memorabilia like signed contracts and posters for some of the concerts at the Roof Garden. The second stop is at the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association Museum. The final stop is at the site of the original Roof Garden Ballroom. Walkers can stand on a newly installed star positioned where the ballroom’s center stage was located — and bands like The Turtles performed.

(Radio Iowa) – A new book offers a glimpse into what it was like to grow up about a century ago in the small north-central Iowa town of Duncombe (DUN-cum). Author and former Webster City resident Kent Wills, who uses the pen name Jack Weicz, is releasing the book this week called “Duncombe Gal.” Wills says it’s about a woman in the last year of her long life reflecting back on her many experiences as a member of what’s considered the Greatest Generation.

While the woman is Wills’ mother, who was from Duncombe, he says it’s a work of biographical fiction as he had to imagine certain conversations. He says his mother never longed for more than an ordinary life while living through one of the most remarkable times in American history. The 77-page book is available on Amazon and Kindle.

(State News) – The Iowa State Patrol reports there was one fatal accident Friday night, and an injury accident Friday afternoon. In Polk County, 40-year-old Jerry Lee Baskett, of Des Moines, died when the 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 pickup he was driving, left Interstate 80 westbound at mile marker 150, and entered the ditch. The vehicle rolled several times before coming to rest. Baskett was ejected from the pickup and died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. The crash happened at around 10:47-p.m.

The second accident happened at around 2:30-p.m. Friday, in northern Iowa’s Butler County. The Patrol says 69-year-old Duane Earl Gibson, of Shell Rock, was seriously injured when the 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle he was riding struck a deer on westbound Highway 3, just west of the intersection with T-47 (Sinclair Avenue).

The motorcycle came to rest on the highway, with Gibson pinned beneath the machine. He was not wearing a helmet. Gibson was transported by air ambulance to a hospital in Rochester, MN.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office has issued a report on eight arrests, dating back to May 24th. Most recently:

• On June 5th and June 1st, 55-year-old Richard James Linfor, of Red Oak, was arrested at the Page County Jail for theft in the 5th degree. Linfor was also arrested on May 28tht at the Mills County Jail, on an active Page County warrant for Violation of Probation ($5,000 bond)
• On June 3rd, 39-year-old Paul Nathaniel Falk, of Shenandoah, was arrested on the Wabash Nature Trail north of Shenandoah Iowa. Arrested for public intoxication. Bond is $300.00 cash or surety.
• On the 2nd of June, 40-year-old Lyle Francis Stogdill, of Shenandoah, was arrested at the Page County Jail  for criminal mischief. Bond is $300.00 cash or surety.
• On May 26th, 53-year-old John David Stone, of Braddyville, was arrested for driving while barred. Bond is $2,000.00 cash or surety.
• On May 25th, 23-year-old  Zachary Lee Miller, of Shenandoah, was arrested at the Page County Sheriff’s Office on an active Page County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Bond is $300.00 Cash Only
• And, on May 24th, 28-year-old Bill Louis Stockwell, of Elk Horn, Iowa, was arrested at the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office on a valid Page County Warrant for driving while barred. Bond was set at $5,000.

Mobile, Ala. – Alina Markutsya of Ames, Iowa will travel to Mobile, Ala., on Wednesday, June 14, to participate in the 66th Distinguished Young Women National Finals on June 22, 23, and 24 at the Mobile Civic Center Theater. Markutsya is one of 50 representatives competing for $155,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2023.

Following her selection as the Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa, Markutsya began preparations for the National Finals competition, which will include five categories of evaluation: scholastics, interview, fitness, talent, and self-expression. During her two weeks in Mobile, Markutsya will participate in team building activities, complete community service projects, interact with the Gulf Coast community through various events, and engage in many hours of rehearsal in preparation for the three-night scholarship competition.

“We are excited to welcome the 50 outstanding state representatives to Mobile for the 66th annual National Finals of Distinguished Young Women,” said Carole Hegwood, Executive Director of Distinguished Young Women. “These young women are accomplished, talented, intelligent, and have exciting futures ahead of them.”

If selected as the program’s overall winner, Markutsya will spend the next year representing Distinguished Young Women across the country through various appearances and promoting the program’s national outreach initiative of Be Your Best Self. The outreach program is designed to combat major issues facing children today including childhood obesity and high school drop out rates, as well as encourage young people to take an active interest in their communities through service. The outreach program consists of five elements – Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.

Alina Markutsya

Markutsya is a 2023 graduate of Ames High School and the daughter of Svitlana Zbarska and Sergiy Markutsya About Distinguished Young Women Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Their mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in our Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school.

National sponsors include Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Gant Travel Management, Regions Financial Corporation, John Cauley Jeweler,  Jostens, and Alabama Media Group.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.