(Radio Iowa) – The Ankeny-based Casey’s convenience store chain, Wednesday, reported a strong first quarter in a report to investors. President and CEO, Darren Rebelez, says total revenue was up across the board as the pandemic recovery continues. “Sales volumes and margins improved dramatically as guest traffic began to rebound, driving an all-time high gross profit dollar quarter for the company,” he says. Casey’s gross profit was nearly $724 million dollars in the first quarter — a record and an increase of more than $100 million from the prior year.

Rebelez says the increased traffic help increase sales. “Grab-and-go items such as pizza slices, packaged beverages, and snacks are up significantly throughout the quarter as guest traffic improved. Same-store grocery in general merchandise sales were up seven percent, and the average margin was 33 percent, compared to 32-point-two percent for the same period a year ago,” Rebelez says. Sales of their pizza slices were up close to 29% in the quarter. Fuel gallons sold were up 9% with the fuel margin of 35.1 cents per gallon. 

Breakfast sales were a key area where the company saw a bounce back. “With respect to the breakfast business, we are not all the way back to where we expect to be. I think we’re going to learn a lot here in the next several weeks post-Labor Day with school fully back in session, people going back to work or not depending on the Delta variant,” Rebelez.

He says supply chain issues and inflation continue to a problem. “We’ve experienced our own challenges with a supply chain because manufacturers are struggling to produce products. But the fact that we control the supply chain has given us a lot of flexibility,” Rebelez says. I’ll give you n example, we’ve had some suppliers that can’t get the product to us because of driver shortages. We have our own fleet of drivers and trucks — so we can send a tractor to a manufacturer, pick up a trailer and get it back to our distribution centers to distribute product.”

He says the supply chain problems don’t appear to be getting better. “It’s a new challenge every day that we hear from certain suppliers,” according to Rebelez. “And it’s and on their end. It’s anywhere from labor shortages to driver shortages. And sometimes in some cases, it’s raw material shortages that have occurred. So it’s across the board.” The company completed the acquisition of the Buchanan Energy and Circle K stores in the quarter.

(Radio Iowa) – The president of the Iowa Great Lakes Association is sounding the alarm about an invasive plant that’s been found in five area lakes. Eurasian watermilfoil can grow up to 20 feet tall and can be a major obstruction for boat traffic. “This will affect our commerce up here for the whole county if we get this lake shut down.” That’s Iowa Great Lakes Association president Bill Van Orsdel. He says Eurasian watermilfoil was first found in Lake Minnetonka near the Twin Cities in 1987 and since then it’s been a constant battle for Minnesotans.

“There are parts of Minnetonka you cannot get a boat through,” Van Orsdel says. “This is equivalent to a high water disaster and if we don’t nip it in the bud right now, we’re going to have the same problem right here and it’s going to take money.” Eurasian watermilfoil was found in Lost Island Lake near Ruthven August 1st and has since been discovered in East Lake Okoboji and three other lakes in the Iowa Great Lakes chain. Van Orsdel says efforts to combat the plant should intensify within the next two weeks.

“This is the time to do it,” Van Orsdel says. “If we wait, it’s over with.” A herbicide has been applied to the invasive plants in a two acre section of Upper Gar Lake, near Arnolds Park. The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors has approved spending 85-thousand dollars to support the effort in other areas. A representative of the East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation says the plant has been found in fairly prolific amounts in certain spots.

Washing boats and trailers after leaving a lake and letting them dry for five days helps keep invasive species from spreading from one lake to another.

(Ashton, Iowa) – A crash Wednesday evening in northwest Iowa’s Osceola County resulted in the death of a man from Sheldon. The Iowa State Patrol says 84-year-old George William Klein died at the scene of the crash that occurred when the Silver King farm tractor he was driving on northbound Highway 60, was struck from behind by a 2023 International semi tractor-trailer. The accident happened at around 7:35-p.m., south of Ashton, at 250th Street.

The Patrol reports the semi equipped with an oversized trailer load and driven by 22-year-old Tyler Dale Fisk, of Holcombe, Wisconsin, hit the farm tractor as it was in the right lane of Highway 60. Both vehicles came to rest on the shoulder of the road. Fisk was uninjured in the collision.

The accident remains under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, voted on readings of recently amended ordinances, and while the readings passed, some were met with opposition. The Council held the second reading of an amended Ordinance (#1021), with regard to panhandling, and passed it 7-0. The Ordinance (when passed after 3 readings) would ban panhandling in all public spaces. Panhandling on private property is handled through trespassing laws.

The Council then acted on the first of three ordinance changes relating to Code Enforcement. They voted to approve the first reading of an amended Ordinance (#1022), with regard to the mowing of properties. Councilman Lee Sisco suggested the Ordinance incorporate the removal of grass and/or weeds that completely cover a sidewalk, to the point where the sidewalk is fully visible, and not partially concealed beneath a mowed layer of grass or weeds. Mayor Grace Garrett said as written, the Ordinance simply covers mowing, and the costs of mowing assessed to the property owner, if the City has to handle the job.

The first reading of an amended Ordinance (#1023), pertaining to the removal of solid waster, passed by a vote of 6-to-1, with Councilman Sisco opposed. He was of the opinion the ordinance should be more specific about what constitutes an “accumulation” of solid waste. It was pointed out that the Code Enforcement Officer has the discretion on determining what is an excess/eyesore, and will issue a notice to the property owner as such. From that point, the individual has seven-days to take care of the mess.

And, the Atlantic City Council passed by a vote of 4-to-3, the first reading of an amended Ordinance (#1024), with regard to the removal of accumulated snow and ice. The “no” votes came from Councilmen Behrens, Sisco and McCurdy. Councilman Sisco asked if the Ordinance specified the width and depth of snow removal. Mayor Garrett said the Ordinance states snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within 24-hours of the end of the precipitation. She said that means “The entire sidewalk,” down to the concrete – not just a single path – and the full width of the sidewalk(s) on your property. McCurdy, who owns several rental properties in Atlantic, said “We’re getting to nitpicky on this, I feel.”

In other business, the Council held a Public Hearing on a proposed amendment to the plan for the Atlantic Urban Revitalization Area. The Council previously passed a Resolution providing notice of the hearing on August 17th. The hearing  was followed by approval of a Resolution to Adopt the URP as amended. The only change would be to remove the expiration date, as the Council has not shown an interest in ending it, and “The sunsets are proving to be a bureaucratic burden,” according to Lund.

And, the Council passed a Resolution setting Sept. 17th as the date for a public hearing on [a] proposal to enter into a General Obligation Land Acquisition Loan Agreement, and to Borrow Money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $700,000.” Their action is with regard to the purchase of land intended for housing development. City Administrator John Lund said the actual borrowing amount would likely be closer to $500,000, with a locked-in 4% interest rate over a period of 20-years, to keep the costs down as much as possible.

(Cass County, Iowa) –  The Cass County Local Food Policy Council reminds residents that Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) senior vouchers remain available. The senior voucher program provides $30 in farmers market fresh produce vouchers to adults age 60 and older with annual incomes less than $25,142 (single) and $33,874 (married). To apply for the FMNP senior vouchers, individuals over age 60 should call the Connections Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-9209 (extension 8888) and leave a message with their name and phone number.

While all Cass County farmers markets are certified to accept the vouchers, only the Lewis Farmers Market and Produce in the Park remained open past August. Both markets will be open until October 13, 2022.

Cass County Farmers Markets Fall 2022

• Lewis Farmers Market:
  Location: 3HO (201 1st St., Lewis, IA 51544)
  Time/Dates: Tuesdays 4:00-6:30 PM, Thursdays 4:30-6:30 PM, May 31– October 13
  Highlights: Fresh produce, baked treats, crafts, and pallet wood creations.
  $: Some vendors accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior vouchers and WIC checks.
  Contact: (712)789)-9455
• Produce in the Park:
  Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)
  Time/Dates: Thursdays 4:30-6:30, June 2– October 13
  Website: www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com
  Highlights: Fresh, local produce, baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, honey, local meat, soaps, candles,
  additional crafts and art, and weekly food truck. Live music, Guest Chef, Free Samples, and Activities.
  $: Some vendors accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior vouchers and WIC checks. All
  qualifying food vendors at Produce in the Park accept SNAP/EBT (“food stamps”). All produce vendors at
  the market both accept and distribute Double Up Food Bucks ($1 coupons for fresh produce provided
  for every dollar spent on fresh produce with SNAP/EBT up to $10 per transaction).
  Contact: (712) 249-5870

For more information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

The Cass County Local Food Policy Council is a Cass County Government advisory body that promotes local foods and food access. The Council facilitates networking among people and groups who are involved in all aspects of the local food system—from growing and processing, to selling and eating. In its work, the Council gathers information about local food-related needs and considers what might be done to make sure everyone in Cass County has access to healthy food.

The Council then makes recommendations and supports organizations working toward that goal. To learn more about the Council, contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or (712) 249-5870. The next Council meeting is September 13 at 2:00 PM at the Cass County ISU Extension Office (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022). Meetings are open to the public.

(Radio Iowa) – Federal officials have announced a plastic surgeon in Des Moines has agreed to pay 800-thousand dollars to settle allegations he improperly billed government health care programs.  The government’s allegations covered a seven year period, from 2013 to 2020, and a whistleblower who prompted the investigation will get part of the settlement.

Dr. Ronald Bergman, who operates Bergman Cosmetic Surgery, was accused of billing Medicare and Medicaid for services performed by others. In some instances, federal investigators say medical fellows did the work without Bergman present as their teaching physician.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bergman was also accused of billing Medicare for medically unnecessary and unreasonable applications of skin substitute products which are used in surgery and for treating wounds.

Bergman’s attorney says his client is a well-known plastic surgeon who focuses on serving others while his office staff manages the billing side of the practice. The doctor’s attorney did not name the whistleblower, but said it’s both interesting and suspect that the person who sparked the federal investigation worked in Bergman’s office for 12 weeks and notified authorities of improprieties in another medical office where she worked.

(Radio Iowa) – The statewide median home sale price in July was nearly 240-thousand dollars — a record high. Iowa Association of Realtors data shows just over 37-hundred homes were sold in the state in July. That’s a nearly 29 percent drop in sales volume compared to the same month last year. There also was a 22 percent drop in the number of Iowa homes listed for sale in July. Those trends fueled the record median price for an Iowa home sold in July.

It was up 17 percent compared to July of 2021. The Realtors’ report indicates Iowa homes are selling quickly — averaging just 24 days on the market in July — and that’s 20 percent faster than July of last year. However, the president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says the housing market is cooling off, as home prices and mortgage rates rise.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Syed Ben Al-Amin, age 34, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, to over eight years in prison (100 months) following his plea to a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On August 7, 2020, Al-Amin was involved in a hit and run accident on Interstate 80. Iowa State Patrol located Al-Amin driving on Interstate 80 and attempted to stop the vehicle. Al-Min refused to stop his car and a chase ensued into Council Bluffs. Al-Amin drove into a hospital parking lot where he lost control of his vehicle. Al-Amin then fled on foot before being arrested.

In the center console of Al-Amin’s vehicle, law enforcement located baggies of pills containing methamphetamine, which Al-Amin planned to distribute.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa State Patrol, the Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force investigated the case.

(Radio Iowa) – A man involved in a nearly seven-hour standoff with law enforcement in a small northwest Iowa town has been transferred into federal custody. Late Friday afternoon, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department located 46-year-old Timothy Steinbeck, who was wanted on a federal warrant for a narcotics violation. Authorities say Steinbeck barricaded himself in his home in Royal.

Steinbeck finally emerged and was arrested at about 11 o’clock Friday night after law enforcement released tear gas into his home. Steinbeck was treated at a local hospital, then held in the Clay County Jail until his transfer into federal custody yesterday (Tuesday).

In June, Steinbeck was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.