(Radio Iowa) – A full recount is being requested in all 20 southeastern Iowa counties in the closely-watched 1st District Congressional race. Nine days after the election, Iowans in the district still don’t know exactly who will represent them in the U-S House next year, but we’re closer to a decision. The Democratic challenger, Christina Bohannan has requested the recount, across the district, as permitted by Iowa law.

Following Wednesday’s canvass, the total vote tally didn’t change much. Incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks still has about an 800-vote lead out of more than 414-thousand votes cast. Miller-Meeks claimed victory more than a week ago, but Bohannan didn’t concede, given the tight race. In calling for the recount, Bohannan’s campaign released a statement saying, “We have full trust in this process and will accept the results regardless of the outcome.”

Christina Bohannan (Left); Mariannette Miller-Meeks (right).

Bohannan, of Iowa City, is a law professor at the University of Iowa. Miller-Meeks, an ophthalmologist and Army veteran from Davenport, is seeking her third term. She was first elected to the House in 2020 in an even-closer race, beating out Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes.

Atlantic, IA— Following the success of the public measure to declare EMS an essential service in Cass County, an official with the Cass County EMS advisory council, today (Thursday), expressed their gratitude to the community. Dr. Elaine Berry, Chairperson and Cass County EMS Association Medical Director, said “Thank you for allowing us to continue to work together with a consistent and transparent funding source to support and promote the most cost-effective and efficient EMS system possible for our county going forward. We promise to do our very best to continue quality care for each other in our county.”

The council’s next steps include annually advising the county’s board of supervisors on the tax levy, which cannot exceed 75 cents per thousand, as well as deciding on the annual distribution of those tax dollars around the county.

The advisory council has seven votes, one from each of the volunteer services in the county. The representatives include Chairperson Elaine Berry, MD; Bob Reynolds, Paramedic (Atlantic); Brian Wendt, EMT (Anita); Madison Lund, EMT and Ericka Stender, Firefighter (Cumberland); Brad Amos, Paramedic and JC Wyman, EMT (Griswold); Julie Kline, Paramedic (Lewis); Josh Krause, EMT (Marne); and Alisa Kool, EMT (Massena).

Ric Hanson (photo)

Separately from the advisory council, the Cass County EMS Association will do ongoing work with the county board of supervisors, the hospital, and the city of Atlantic to work on developing the most cost-effective and efficient ways that EMS can be run in our county. Dr. Berry said “We have various ad hoc attendees to the meetings who do not vote but give input from various perspectives around the county including Steve Green from the board of supervisors, Erik Johnson, Cass County First Aid Program Coordinator, and Mike Kennon from Cass County Emergency Management.”

(Minden, Iowa) – The driver of a semi tractor-trailer was seriously injured during a crash off eastbound Interstate 80 east of the Minden Exit this (Thursday) morning. The accident occurred at around 7:45-a.m. A spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol says the semi went off the interstate in between the two bridges over Keg Creek, taking out the wire barrier and a guardrail, according to initial dispatch reports. The rig continued down into the creek, before coming to rest. The driver – who was not immediately identified – was trapped in the cab of the semi until emergency crews were able to free him.

Iowa DOT traffic cam near the Minden exit (earlier this morning)

He was transported from the scene by air ambulance to a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska for treatment of serious injuries. A small fuel spill was reported. The Patrol closed both lanes of traffic and instituted a detour route, while emergency crews were on the scene. The roadway has since re-opened. The semi was carrying baked goods.

The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate what caused the crash.

DES MOINES, Iowa – As communities continue to recover from natural disasters that impacted parts of MidAmerican Energy Company’s service area this year, the MidAmerican Energy Foundation has committed $100,000 to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. Officials say the funding will assist communities affected by severe weather events throughout 2024, including tornadoes, floods and extreme wind events. This month, the foundation is awarding $42,500 in grants to fund eight recovery projects in four communities impacted by extreme weather events. The grants address immediate needs while also supporting longer-term recovery efforts, with a special emphasis on Minden, Iowa, which was severely impacted by a deadly tornado on April 26.

The foundation will reserve the remaining funds to provide additional grants to disaster recovery projects across MidAmerican’s service area. Eligible communities and organizations involved in restoration efforts are encouraged to apply for grants to meet local needs and support recovery.

Initial foundation grants

• Minden, Iowa: $22,500 to four recovery projects.
  • American Legion Post 437: $5,000. The funds will help restore the building’s roof and exterior wall, which were destroyed by the tornado.
  • Veterans memorial at Minden Triangle: $2,500. The funds will help the city restore the Minden Veterans Memorial Park located at the Minden Triangle.
  • Minden Community Club: $10,000. The tornado destroyed the Minden Community Club building and property. The grant will help the organization rebuild.
  • Minden Little League: $5,000. The funds will help the organization rebuild its field complex, which was destroyed by the tornado.

• Crescent, Iowa: $5,000 to the city baseball field. The grant will help the community rebuild the field, which was damaged by heavy rain and flooding.
• Pottawattamie County Conservation, Honey Creek, Iowa: $5,000. The grant will help restore the Hitchcock Nature Center trail system, which was damaged by heavy downpours.
• Pottawattamie County Conservation, Council Bluffs, Iowa: $5,000. The funding will assist restoration efforts at Narrow Rivers Park. Flooding heavily damaged the park, including tree canopy, landscaping and amenities.
• City of Windsor Heights, Iowa: $5,000. The grant will help restore the extensive tree canopy that was lost in public areas following two separate severe weather events this year, including a tornado and a derecho.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Wednesday (11/13), of 49-year-old Federico Torres Rocha, of Terra Bella, CA. Rocha was arrested on Highway 34 following a traffic stop at around 9:30-p.m., and charged with OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

And, two people reported Wednesday, incidents of theft from properties on Bunge Avenue. Additional information was not provided.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments from attorneys for a Cass County (Iowa) woman who was convicted of 2nd Degree Murder in Pottawattamie County District Court in June, 2023. The Alison Elaine Dorsey’s conviction was related to the death of a child who was under her care in Massena home. Dorsey seeks further review of the court of appeals decision that affirmed her convictions for second-degree murder and child endangerment causing death.

Dorsey argues that the change of venue from Cass County to Pottawattamie County was improper, substantial evidence did not support the verdict, evidence of the victim’s rib injury was improperly admitted, she was unfairly deprived of her right to call additional character witnesses regarding certain traits, and the court erred in denying her motion for a new trial.

Dorsey’s first trial in Cass County ended in a hung jury. The second trial was moved to Pottawattamie County due to pre-trial publicity. Her appeal will take place in front of the State’s highest court, beginning at 1:30-p.m.  You can watch the proceedings HERE. Additional information pertaining to her appeal can be found HERE.

(Radio Iowa) – A spokeswoman for the Iowa Turkey Federation in Ames says Iowans will be paying a little less for their big birds this Thanksgiving. Prices have dropped on whole turkeys at many of the state’s larger grocery chains to between a dollar-50 or two-dollars a pound. Sheila Larson says supplies are good, too. “There is no shortage of your Thanksgiving turkey,” Larson says. “We prepare for that every year, and it’s going to be available for anyone that is looking to get one, and you can find a variety of sizes. We do recommend shopping early if you want a certain size.”

Iowa is one of the nation’s top turkey producers, and Larson says the state’s market share is growing.  “Each turkey raised in Iowa adds $30 to Iowa’s economy,” Larson says. “Iowa raises close to 12 million turkeys, which makes us seventh in production. We have two processing plants that process over 14 million turkeys each year, and that makes the state of Iowa fifth in the U.S.”

Photo from an Iowaturkey.org recipe

Consumers can find a host of turkey tidbits, including recipes and tips on what to do with leftovers, at the website iowaturkey.org.

(Clarinda, Iowa) –  Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer wishes everyone happy and safe holidays, and reminds you that it’s that time of the year once again, for the Page County Sheriff’s Office to kick off their “Operation Blessing” program. The Page County Sheriff’s Office will be taking requests from now through December 13th, 2024, with hopes that requests for gifts can be filled without running into a shortage of items, or time to fill the requests.

The Page County Reserve Program started Operation Blessing in the mid 1980’s to ensure that every child in the rural areas of Page County had the opportunity to receive a gift at Christmas. It has continued every year since for over 40 years. In these times, the program is adapting. Gifts will be delivered to children included in the program, just prior to Christmas Eve. The Page County Sheriff’s Office Operation Blessing program will cover children ages 0-to 14, who reside in the communities of Shambaugh, Braddyville, College Springs, Yorktown, Coin, Blanchard, Essex, and Northboro as well as the rural areas, of Page County.

The requests must come from a parent or guardian of the child and can be called into the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193, or reported in person by the parent or guardian at the Page County Sheriff’s Office located at 323 N 15th Street in Clarinda. Again, requests will be taken from now through December 13. Each child will be given a first and second choice. It is suggested that a toy and clothing be requested.

Anyone wishing to donate money to the Page County Sheriff’s Office Operation Blessing program can either stop by the Page County Sheriff’s Office or mail the monetary donation to the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 323 North 15th Clarinda, Iowa, 51632. Monetary donations are taken year-round at the Office.

Sheriff Palmer says, “I would once again like to thank everyone for their donations and support of the program throughout the years, for without monetary donations, this program would not be able to continue. I wish to also thank our staff at the Sheriff’s Office / Jail / PAGECOMM Dispatch for their assistance in everything they do with this program. They go above and beyond with the call taking, shopping, wrapping and organization of this program. They along with the organizations, businesses, and individuals who donate make this program a success every year. THANK YOU!!! May everyone have a joy filled and safe Holiday season.”