(Atlantic, Iowa) – Use of new playground equipment at Harl Holt Park at the corner of 16th and Olive Street in Atlantic, is on hold for now, thanks to Mother Nature. Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Coordinator Jeff Christensen says they’re still waiting to install the playground safety/fall material.

He said he hopes to be able to have the park open by June 8th, but we’ll just have to see. Plans to install new playground equipment at Harl Holt Park, Christensen says, began about three-years ago, with former Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen.

He said the prices of playground equipment “are kind of insane, on what they cost, for what we get. That’s the reason we can’t just keep putting in brand new playgrounds everywhere, we just kind of have to save up money to get it done.” On the topic of playgrounds and other park amenities in Atlantic, Jeff Christensen said there have been many incidents of vandalism.

He said at Mollett Park, graffiti was scratched into a slide, and screws were run through the slide. The water for the raised garden beds is being turned-on and not turned-off. “It only takes one person to ruin it for everybody,” Christens says.

Parks and Rec staff are keeping busy mowing and weed-eating, in an effort to keep the parks looking great.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Officials with the Adair/Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency has issued an update with regard to the relief and recovery process, following the May 21st tornado that caused a substantial damage and four deaths. The EMA reports:

• There is a burning ban in the City of Greenfield until further notice.
• A curfew remains in-place from 10-p.m. until 7-a.m. daily, until further notice.
• Physical donations of supplies & clothing are not being accepted. Monetary donations, however are very much welcome, and can be dropped off at all branches of Union State Bank and First National Bank. You can also make an online donation through the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation’s website at https://www.greenfieldiafoundation.org/ and add a note indicating your donation is for Tornado Recovery.
• A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) will open Sunday and Monday to provide recovery resources for people affected by the tornado in Greenfield and surrounding communities. Trained English and Spanish-speaking caseworkers will be available at the MARC to help people create personal recovery plans, navigate paperwork, and locate assistance for their specific disaster-caused needs, such as mental health support, housing and unemployment assistance, animal supplies, assistance for groceries, rent, medicine and other items or services. The MARC, which will be located at the Nodaway Valley Elementary School is open:
  o Sunday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  o Monday, June 3 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  Please use the building’s southeast entrance.
• There is a paid contractor license fee of $100. All paid contractors must complete an application, pay the fee, submit certificates of insurance, and complete a background check at city hall prior to approaching residents. More info: https://www.adaircounty.iowa.gov/tornado/resources/
• The Adair County website is updated with the most current information, including the free meal schedule through Monday. Local restaurants are also open and ready for your business!

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say no injuries were reported following a collision Thursday morning at the intersection of Prairie and Sumner Streets. The accident happened at around 9:45-a.m.  Authorities say 84-year-old Marilyn Larimore, of Creston, was driving a 2014 Buick SUV northbound on Sumner and had attempted to turn left onto Prairie Street. She turned too sharply, and struck a 2012 VW Jetta that was stopped at the stop sign, facing east on Prairie Street, and driven by 31-year-old Corina Buchanan, of Creston.

Larimore told Police she didn’t see the VW sitting at the stop sign. Police say damage from the collision amounted to $11,000 altogether. No citations were issued, but the report said Marilyn Larimore over-steered, and failed to keep in the proper lane.

ALGONA, Iowa [KCCI] — The man accused of murdering an Algona police officer will now have his trial in a different county than where the crime was committed. Kyle Ricke, 43, was arrested after an hours-long manhunt that spanned two states on Sept. 13, 2023. He is accused of shooting and killing Algona police Officer Kevin Cram, 33, who was attempting to serve an arrest warrant for Ricke.

Ricke’s first-degree murder trial was originally scheduled for June 25 in Kossuth County, but in April, he made a motion to move the trial to another county, arguing that he wouldn’t get a fair trial with an impartial jury in Kossuth County.

Recently filed court documents show the trial has now been moved to Dickinson County, which is along the Iowa-Minnesota border west of Kossuth County. Attorneys for Ricke also previously motioned for a competency evaluation to determine Ricke’s fitness to stand trial, but the motion was withdrawn a short while later.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has launched a disaster recovery website to help Iowans after severe storms. The website was created in response to the recent severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that hit Iowa in April and May and, according to a release, aims to help Iowans easily access resources and information after these sorts of situations.

“During times of crisis, it’s important for communities to come together, support one another, and have access to much-needed resources,” said the Director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management John Benson. “The launch of this disaster recovery website is another step to providing assistance and resources to those affected by the recent severe weather in Iowa.”

The website will provide information such as assistance for those affected by severe weather with information on state and federal programs that are available to residents, businesses, and farms. It will also include answers to questions regarding insurance, how you should clean up after a storm, and any mental health resources.

The website will also offer resources for those who wish to volunteer or donate after a severe storm.

(Radio Iowa) – We’re now in what are considered the one-hundred deadliest days of the year for teen drivers, the roughly three months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Brian Ortner, a spokesman for Triple-A Iowa, says the dangers of a teen dying or being critically hurt in a crash rise exponentially during this season. “The risk is higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” Ortner says, “because school is either out or out very soon and these young — and unfortunately inexperienced — drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during these 100 days. In 2022, more than 700 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers, a ten-percent increase over pre-pandemic 2019.  “Distracted driving plays a role in nearly six out of ten of those teen crashes,” Ortner says. “Cell phones, in-vehicle entertainment systems are considered the second biggest distraction for teen drivers. The biggest distractions are other teen passengers. Other passengers in the car contribute to peer pressure, and the impulse to engage in dangerous driving habits, like speeding.”

Parents should lead by example when they’re behind the wheel, Ortner says. That includes minimizing risky behavior when driving, don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear your seatbelt. “The most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in the learning-to-drive process,” Ortner says. “Spend time coaching your teen when they’re behind the wheel, and have that serious discussion about safety. It’s also good to maybe seek out professional training courses.”

Studies show crashes are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 16 and 19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.

GREENFIELD, Iowa [KCCI] — The Greenfield Volunteer Fire Department has been forced out of its station after the building suffered extensive damage from an EF-4 tornado on May 21. Interim fire chief Brett Stender told KCCI-TV that they can’t operate out of their current building. Wooden boards now act as garage doors there and insulation is bursting at the seams. Three of the department’s fire trucks were in the station at the time of the storm and suffered minor damage. Twelve sets of gear were damaged, too.

Four of their 21 firefighters, including the chief, lost their homes, but the crew has remained on the ground day in and day out. A local family farm offered up its warehouse for the department to store its six trucks and equipment. Clay Hohertz said he got the call the day after the storm. He and his family opened up the doors to the building without hesitation. Stender and his crew were moved in that night.

Stender said having everything in one place is crucial. Local fire departments have also helped by donating time and resources to the station. The people who are used to helping others are now the ones receiving help.

A GoFundMe has been started for the fire department. Click this link for the fundraiser.

(Radio Iowa) – Both Congressman Randy Feenstra and Kevin Virgil, the Republican challenging Feenstra in next week’s Primary Election, agree sustainable jet fuel made from corn or soybeans could be a huge boost to Iowa’s economy. The candidates answered questions at a forum in Cherokee yesterday (Thursday) that was sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and broadcast by K-T-I-V T-V. Feenstra told the group boosting production of sustainable jet fuel could quadruple the output from Iowa ethanol and biodiesel plants.

“If we say, ‘No, we’re not going to do it,’ I know California will. I know Texas will,” Feenstra said. “…We’ve got to think long term. We can’t put our head in the sand. That’s easy to do. ‘Oh, we don’t want to do that.’ Oh, really? Do you want to grow Iowa? We’ve got the opportunity. It’s a massive opportunity.”

Virgil says the fuel has great potential for Iowa, but the federal tax credits being made available require the grain to come from fields with cover crops and other conservation measures. “People in this room probably think the carbon capture pipeline might be a great opportunity for us to qualify,” Virgil said. “…Let me tell you something about Bruce Rastetter — the guy behind Summit Carbon Solutions and…one of (my opponent’s) biggest donors — Rastetter has a contract with Honeywell to build a sustainable aviation fuel plant in Louisiana.”

Virgil says he’s generally against government intervention in free markets and the Renewable Fuels Standard that mandates ethanol and biodiesel production should be phased out.  “As hard as it is for people to hear, we need to let the market do what the market does,” Virgil said. “…It maintains too significant of an impact on our market at the moment and it’s creating a lot of distortions that are creating a lot of pain for farmers.”

Feenstra says the Renewable Fuels Standard needs to be expanded, not ended. “No one should get tax credits, right? But if electric vehicles are getting them and the petroleum industry is getting them, but we shouldn’t?” Feenstra asked rhetorically. Feenstra says ending the ethanol production mandate would destroy the ag industry. “Either you like ag or you don’t,” Feenstra said. “…We’re either going to grow Iowa or we’re not.”

Feenstra, a former state senator from Hull, is seeking a third term in the U-S House. Virgil is an Army veteran and former C-I-A officer who owns a software company. In December, he moved back to the farm near Sutherland where he grew up and in early January announced he was challenging Feenstra in this year’s G-O-P Primary.

(Radio Iowa) – Two Democrats are running in Tuesday’s third district primary for the chance to challenge Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant in the General Election. Lanon Baccam (luh-NON buh-KAHM) of Des Moines and Melissa Vine of West Des Moines are both first time candidates. Baccom, who was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, served in the Iowa National Guard for eight years. He’s also worked 10 years at positions within the U-S-D-A for former Iowa Governor and current U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has endorsed Baccam.

“I think I have a level of experience right now…to leverage the incredible resources and programs all across the federal government and to bring those resources back to the third district,” Baccam says. “That’s really important.”

Vine, a recent law school graduate, is executive director of a non-profit that provides services to women recovering from a traumatic experience. She’s also a single mother to four boys. “About 10 years ago I got out of an abusive marriage and overnight I went from being a wealthy small business owner to having zero dollars to my name,” Vine says. “I was checking groceries for $8.50 an hour to make ends meet.”

Both candidates say the number one issue for Democrats in 2024 is to respond to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade. Baccam says politicians should let women, the families and doctors make decisions about abortion. “Zach Nunn holds an extreme position when it comes to abortion. People see that. They know it,” Baccam says. “It is completely out of step where Iowans are on this issue.”

Vine also supports a federal law to legalize abortion. “I really think it’s important in light of abortion being a top issue to get me into the General Election to take on Zach Nunn and flip the House,” Vine says. Vine fired her campaign manager and recently paid a state fine after the Iowa Ethics Board found her campaign made contributions to a political action committee as it was deciding who to endorse in this race. Vine says the incident is not an issue with the voters she’s talking to. “They are more interested in the issues like abortion, our economy and moving away from extremism,” Vine says, “so that’s what our campaign is focused on.”

Baccam says voters bring up the same issues to him. “People are concerned about our democracy,” Baccam says. “They see and sense people are moving apart and they just really want a sense of community again.”

There are 21 counties in Iowa’s third congressional district, including the cities of Red Oak, Atlantic Osceola and Ottumwa as well as the Des Moines metro.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa politicians are issuing written statements this afternoon following a New York jury’s verdict that found former President Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business records.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion was the first Republican up for election in November to issue a statement. Hinson said Trump will fight the verdict and Iowa Republicans must fight alongside him. Congressman Zach Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, said the justice system was used to target Trump and the American people will have the final say on Election Day.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who endorsed Trump in early March, said in her statement that the only verdict that matters is the one at the ballot box in November. Senator Joni Ernst, who endorsed Trump on the same day Reynolds did, said in her statement that Iowans are sick of the political perfection of Trump. The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party called the trial a political show put on by Democrats to take out a political rival.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird was in New York for Trump’s trial earlier this month.

State Auditor Rob Sand, the only Democrat serving in statewide office, says as a former prosecutor, he found juries in both liberal and conservative Iowa counties took the work seriously and Sand says the jurors in Trump’s New York trial deserve both thanks and respect.

Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Davenport and Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull have not yet issued statements reacting to today’s verdict. Miller-Meeks did post a message on social media yesterday calling the trial a sham.