(Radio Iowa) – The new owner of the Keokuk hospital is seeking COVID relief funds to help reopen the hospital. Michigan-based healthcare provider Insight bought the hospital three months ago and is seeking two-point-two million dollars through the state from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Mayor Kathie Mahoney says the city is including a letter about the plan in this month’s water bills, which they are asking residents and business owners to sign.

Mahoney says letters signed and returned to the city by July 5th will be sent to the governor’s office. Mahoney says the money would help Insight reopen the emergency room and offer other medical services on the Morgan Street campus by December. Without the money, it might be March or April of next year before the hospital reopens. Former owner Blessing Health closed the hospital suddenly last fall.

(reporting by Will Buss, Tri States Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Association of Realtors report shows some improvement in the availability of homes in May. The May report shows there were 14 percent more homes on the compared to April. But on a year-to-year basis the number of homes was down 13 percent compared to May of 2022. May saw a 29 percent increase in home sales from April — but sales were down by 13 percent compared to last May. Homes spent ten more days on the market in May compared to May 2022. The Median sale price increased two-and-half percent compared to last year at 225-thousand-500 dollars.

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S-D-A is distributing grants to 10 gas stations in Iowa to replace fuel pumps and storage tanks. U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the new equipment will be able to dispense a higher volume of ethanol and biodiesel. “This grant program can essentially pay up to 75% of the cost of installing these dispensing systems and storage facilities,” Vilsack says. “That’s a deal pretty difficult to say no to.”

Last week, the biofuels industry blasted the Biden Administration for the E-P-A’s final ethanol and biodiesel production targets. This week, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is thanking the U-S-D-A for aggressively implementing this incentive program — and for announcing applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July.

The Iowa gas stations getting grants in this latest round of federal funding are in Baxter, Burlington, Carroll, Cedar Falls, Chester, Kalona, Marengo, Rockwell City, Waterloo and Van Horne.

(Glenwood, Iowa) — The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Monday afternoon, of a Malvern man. 29-year-old Patrick Clayton Giesting was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, Tuesday morning (Today), acted on several matters before them under “New Business,” on their agenda. Before diving into the that portion of their agenda, the Board received a weekly report from County Engineer Karen Albert.

The Board then heard from Stanton Community Development Director Jenna Ramsey, with regard to an $850,000 Destination Iowa Grant the County applied for on behalf of the City, and the City received, to complete trails within the City of Stanton, and eventually to Viking Lake State Park. As with most things, the cost of materials and services to construct the trail have gone up since the grant was applied for last Fall.

A contract agreement between the City and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) was approved earlier this month by the Stanton City Council. The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors were asked to approved the contract, which essentially amounts to a letter of support.

The Board authorized Chair Mike Olson to sign the agreement.

Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, 6-27-23

She said since the prices have gone up since they applied for the grant, they’re currently waiting for updated price quotes before they move forward with completing the project.

In other business, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors discussed documents for the Montgomery County Development Corporation’s Rail Spur acquisition from the City of Red Oak, requesting financial support from the County, as necessary. No action was taken, but Auditor Jill Ozuna said a Resolution to that effect will be on the agenda for action during the Board’s next meeting.

The Supervisors in Montgomery County also approved FY 23-24 annual contracts with Nishna Productions, Inc., the Red Oak Public Library, and City of Stanton Public Library, for financial support, in the amounts of $1,421…..$17,820…and $6,020, respectively.

They also approved claims payable for Wednesday, June 28^th, in the amount of $517,157.48.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning (Today), held a public hearing on vacating portions of Pella Road in Union Township. The Board then approved vacating the Class-B (dirt) road, sections 13 and 24. Both sides are owned by one landowner. The road section in question, is 3,624-feet. The Cass County Supervisors then held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the County Zoning Ordinance with regard to a zoning change classification request from Russell Lange – owner of R/T Motors in Atlantic – who intends move his business to a building on his land in Brighton Township, for the purpose of buying and selling classic automobiles.

Zoning Administrator Mike Kennon said the County Zoning Commission discussed and recommended the request be approved. The zoning request changes the classification from General Agricultural to Light Industrial.

The Cass Supervisors passed a Resolution to appropriate transfers for the Fiscal Year 2022-23, and a FY 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement Addendum with Sheriff’s Deputies and an FY 24 Employee Group Agreement with Secondary Roads Department employees.

In other business, the Board approved John Westering for the Jail Administrator position, along with his salary, which is unchanged from last year. They approved the hiring of LaJean Fajen, as Jailer, with her rate of pay at $21.94/hour. The Supervisors acknowledged and confirmed the appointment of Tabetha Smith, RN, as Deputy Medical Examiner. She will replace Dr. Edna Becht effective June 30, 2023. And, the Board approved the re-appointment of Terry Duggan for a three-year term, to the Cass County Veterans Affairs Commission, as well as the appointment of Dawn Walton to fill the remainder of Roger Barbero’s term, which is through June 30, 2025.

Cass County Supervisors 6-27-23

Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken reported three bridges are currently under construction.

The Board’s final order of business was the approval by a vote of 4-to 1, extending the Crook Creek 5C pipe replacement project, to June 30, 2024. The nay vote came from Supervisor Mark O’Brien.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Aviation Museum, in Adair County, report a Vietnam-era helicopter, YL-37, will be at the Iowa Aviation Museum/Greenfield Municipal Airport, Sunday afternoon, July 30^th. It is expected to land between Noon and 1-p.m., and remain throughout the afternoon.

YL-37, a Sikorsky UH-34D helicopter, was flown in the Republic of Vietnam from 1965-1968 by Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Three Six Two (HMM-362) known as the “Ugly Angels.” With fifty-four patches over bullet holes and shrapnel damage from a rocket attack, YL-37 is the only Marine UH-34D Sikorsky with documented combat history that survived the battle to return home. On many missions, YL-37 was fired on and was once disabled and carried from the crash zone by another helicopter. On her side is a bronze plaque with the names of thirty-three members of the Ugly Angels who gave their lives in Vietnam.

YL-37 Sikorsky helicopter (Vietnam era) – Photo supplied for this story

YL-37 is supported by the YL-37 Group Foundation of Inola, OK, and has become a flying tribute to Vietnam veterans and all of America’s Armed Forces. There is no charge for the event, however, contributions to help maintain and keep YL-37 flying will be accepted and appreciated. The museum will be open from 1-to 5-p.m., with regular admission.

Plans are subject to weather conditions and other issues beyond organizers’ control. If you have questions, call the Iowa Aviation Museum at 641-343-7184. Updates will be posted on the Iowa Aviation Museum Facebook page.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says a Creston man was arrested Monday on multiple charges. Authorities say 23-year-old Anthony Joseph Perry was arrested at 11:45-a.m. at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. He faces charges that include Attempted Burglary 2nd Degree-Weapon or Explosive, Animal Torture, and Going Armed with Intent. A little over an hour later, Perry was  also assessed an additional charge, of Theft 3rd. He was being held in the Union County Jail on $19,000 cash or surety bond.

And, a man residing in the 400 block of S. Vine Street, in Creston, reported Monday afternoon, that sometime between 2-a.m. and 2-p.m., Monday, someone stole an Invidia Gemini Exhaust from his yard. The loss was estimated at $2,000.

(Audubon, Iowa) – Officials with the Audubon County Engineer’s Office/Secondary Roads Department, said Monday, 270^th Street between Goldfinch Avenue and Heron Avenue, is currently closed for bridge repairs. The road will remain closed, until further notice.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of insects flying around has picked up as we head into summer. Iowa State University insect specialist, Zach Schumm, says he’s heard reports of one in particular. “Small black flies that actually bite. You can call them buffalo gnats, you can call them biting midges, there’s different names for them as well so they tend to be an annoying one too that has been seemingly particularly bad in some parts of Iowa this year,” Schumm says.

Some areas got much needed weekend rain — but the trade off will be more mosquitoes. “For mosquitoes in particular they really need standing water to reproduce,” he says. “So if we have a lot of standing water around or if you know if rain is replenishing puddles of water that are on the side of the street or replenishing water in ponds and there’s more standing water there then that’s going to allow for more reproduction of mosquitoes.”

Schumm says you should take a look around your yard and empty any of the water sources that might provide a place for the mosquitoes to breed.