CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Iowa’s cropland value has increased by nearly 24 percent in 2011 over the previous year. The rise in cropland value in Iowa was the highest in the nation. Nationally, cropland values increased by a little over 9 percent.The average cropland value in Iowa was $5,700 an acre.

Iowa State University economist Mike Duffy says the increased value isn’t surprising due to low interest rates and high prices for corn and soybeans.

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (9.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

MAPLETON, Iowa (AP) – It’s been four months since a tornado ripped through the northwest Iowa town of Mapleton. Damage is still visible as a reminder of the April 9 storm. But signs of recovery are numerous and reassuring to residents. There are new roofs, windows, doors and siding on many homes and businesses in the community of 1,200,  which sits about 45 miles southeast of Sioux City.

Volunteers continue to come. Some AmeriCorps volunteers soon will arrive and are expected to remain for about six weeks. John Stoll says the daily stress of rebuilding is tough to cope with, though. He says some days are good, some days are bad, “and fortunately we’ve got small-town spirit here, and that really helps.”

The winners from Saturday’s activities during “Operation T-Bone” days in Audubon have been announced. Audubon Chamber of Commerce officials say Parade participants picking up awards include:

Antique Auto 1959 & older – Harry Rustvold

Milestone Auto 1960 & newer – Al Stark

Antique Machinery – Ron Swanson

Saddle – Audubon County Saddle Club

Hitch – John Parrott’s Grandchildren

Jr. Division – Jr. Cowboy & Cowgirl Float

Sr. Division, 1^st Prize – The Friendship Home

Sr. Division, 2^nd Prize – Audubon Family Chiropractic

Good Neighbor – Pie Electric

Grand Champion – Firehouse Flames.

In other awards…

2011 Cowboy/Cowgirl – Quinten Fuller & Emily Foran

Chili cook-off winners –

1^st place – Kate Hargens

2^nd place – Joan McCuen

3^rd place – Peter Schwab

Winners of the T-Bone Special raffle –

$2,500 cash prize – Robert R. Hansen

$1,000 cash prize – Darrell Christensen

$500 cash prize (2 winners) – Darcy Tessman & Melissa Jacobs

Iowa Beef Certificates (5 winners) – Arlen Wiederstein, Clint Grabill, Gary Christensen, Pat Obermeier, & Margee Shaffer.

Talent Show Winners –

Sprout Division, 1^st place – Elizabeth & Abigail Zaiger

2^nd place – Avery & Quinten Fuller.

Senior Division – 1^st place Megan Deist

2^nd place Miranda Nelsen

3^rd place (tie) Sarah Brinkman & Riley Christensen

Operation T-Bone Days began last Thursday The main events conclude today, in Audubon. The cattle auction begins at 9-a.m., followed by a free hamburger feed, at noon. Other, related events will take place later this month, including the T-Bone horse show & a golf tournament. For more information go to www.audubon Iowa.org.

In an update to our earler reports about a fatal accident this morning just west of the Cass/Pottawattamie County line, Pott County Chief Deputy Jim Matthei says the victim of the crash has been identified as 21-year old Kayleen Amos, of rural Griswold. Matthei says the woman was traveling north on Contrail Avenue at around 6-a.m., when she lost control of the 2002 Ford F-250 pickup she was driving.

The vehicle entered the west ditch and rolled over, coming to rest in a corn field. Amos, who was wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident, which remains under invetigation,  happened just north of Highway 92.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday morning (Aug. 9^th) in Greenfield, to canvass the votes from last Wednesday’s Special Local Option Sales Tax Election. The canvass is expected to begin at 9:15-a.m.

The Board will also hear from the Redistricting Committee, which will present the current plan, and proposed redistricting and new precinct proposals. Afterward the Board is expected to set the date for a public hearing on the matter.

Then, at 10-a.m., the Adair County Board of Supervisors will hear from John Hansen, with Midwest Construction Consultants, with regard to communication phones, and data-wire bids, change orders, and an update on the Adair County Public Safety Center.

The meeting begins at 9-a.m., in the Supervisor’s board room at the courthouse, in Greenfield.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet this evening, at the High School. On their agenda for the session, is an update on the Middle School renovation project, from Jerry Purdy, with the Design Alliance Architectural firm.

They’ll also act on approving resignations, and, other administrative matters.

The meeting takes place in the high school media center, beginning at 7:30-p.m.

The City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning Commission will meet this evening in the council’s chambers at City Hall, to review matters before them. That includes the site plans for the Atlantic Middle School renovation, and Ed’s Lawn Equipment expansion.

The Commission will also discuss a comprehensive review and update of the City’s Zoning Ordinance. Their meeting begins at 5:30-p.m.

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) – A woman charged with shooting and killing a man in her western Iowa home in 2001 is expected in court for a bond hearing.

Tracey Ann Richter-Roberts is scheduled to appear in Sac County court today (Tuesday) to ask a judge to set conditions that could allow for her release. She’s been held without bond since she was arrested in Omaha last month in the 10-year-old case. Authorities say Richter-Roberts planned and carried out the 2001 shooting death of 20-year-old Dustin Wehde. Richter-Roberts claimed she shot Wehde in self-defense after he and another man invaded her home – a claim authorities now say is false.

Authorities arrested Richter-Roberts after finding new evidence, which they have declined to describe. Sac County Attorney Ben Smith says he’ll oppose the request for bond.

The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) is in the process of moving the state’s 9-1-1 system for cellphones to the next level. Spokesman John Benson, says it’s what they call “next generation” technology. He says the system is a dedicated I-P network that will deliver 9-1-1 calls and moves ahead from what he says is a system that was first developed in the 1960’s. Benson says the new system will allow cellphone users to take advantage of all the features on their phone.

Benson says it gives the ability to text for help from 9-1-1, or send video or other information from handheld devices that can then be sent to first responders. Benson says texting might be the best option in some cases where heavy cell use by regular calls makes it tough to get through.

He says texting is sent in short bursts, and sometimes when someone can’t use a voice line, they can send a text, as it goes down another pathway. Benson says the texting has been tested for 9-1-1 calls in Black Hawk County and they are in the process of upgrading it for use statewide.

Benson says the project will cost about two-point-seven million dollars, which about half coming from a federal grant and the rest from the 9-1-1 surcharge on phones. Benson says it will take about 18 months to get the system built and then running. Iowa is one of 30 states that received federal funding to work on the upgrade.

(Radio Iowa)