(Radio Iowa) – The invasive insect that kills ash trees has been detected in all but eight Iowa counties. State officials have confirmed the emerald ash borer has been found in Dickinson and Humboldt Counties for the first time. Mike Kintner is the emerald ash borer coordinator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Kintner says emerald ash borer larvae was found just outside of Arnolds Park after getting a tip from a professional who works in the landscaping industry.  “Basically what he saw and a lot people see this time of year is the woodpecker activity on the tree,” he says. “…There was some woodpecker flocking and mobbing where the woodpeckers will come and feed on the emerald ash borer that’s underneath the bark.”

The destructive beetles were also found outside of Dakota City. In addition to woodpecker activity, Kintner says a thinning leaf canopy at the top of an ash tree is a clue because the insects attack the top third of the tree first and then progress downward. “Bark splitting is one thing, too,” Kintner says. “There’s vertical splits on some of the larger branches and even smaller branches if you look up into the tree. That’s caused by the larvae feeding on the bark and sometimes the bark will split.”

Kintner says if you have an ash tree on your property and you live within 15 miles of a confirmed emerald ash borer infestation, now is the time to consider whether you’ll start treating the tree. “Preventative insecticides do work and those can either applied as a homeowner if the tree is under a certain amount of size,” he says, “…or basically you can go with a certified applicator, a professional method, too.”

The pest was first discovered in the United States in 2002, in southeast Michigan. It was confirmed in Iowa eight years later. The eight Iowa counties where emerald ash borer infestations have not yet been identified are Emmet, Kossuth, Mitchell, Monona, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth and Woodbury.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports six arrests from over the past week. On May 8th, 36-year-old Rossi Byron Lundy, JR., of Cedar Rapids, was arrested for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, following an investigation into an assault at the I-80 eastbound rest area. At around 2:18-a.m., a caller reported multiple motorcycles and a U-Haul box truck were traveling together, and continued eastbound from the rest area. The victim said he was shot at during the altercation. Stuart Police located the group of motorcyclists and the box truck on the I-80 entrance ramp. The motorcycle continued eastbound but the box truck went to the Kum and Go and was parked by the gas pump. The driver, identified as Rossi Lundy, JR., and female passenger were detained. Lundy confirmed there was a firearm in the vehicle. It was found in the center cup-holder. A records check indicated he was convicted felon. Lundy was later released from the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

At around 11-p.m. that same date, 40-year-old Stormy Crawford, of Fontanelle, was arrested in Greenfield for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense – Marijuana, following a traffic stop for non-illuminate tail lights. The woman was later released on a $1,000 bond. On May 9th, at around 3-a.m., 42-year-old Michael Wayne Byles, of Racine, WI., was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on I-80 westbound near mile marker 95, following a traffic stop for speeding. Byles was charged with Possession of drug paraphernalia and PCS/3rd subsequent offense – marijuana. While at the jail, it was learned Byles had multiple previous convictions out of Wisconsin, for Possession of THC.  Bond was set at $1,000.

May 12th, at around 9:40-p.m., 32-year-old Stephen Joshua Wilson, of Des Moines, was arrested in Greenfield, on Adair County warrants for Disarming a Peace Officer, Interference with Official Acts, Harassment/3rd Degree, and Assault. His cash-only bond was set at $5,000. That same night, 38-year-old Taycey Nichole Post, of Creston, was arrested near Greenfield, for OWI/1st offense. Her BrAC came back at .143%.  Post was released the following morning on $1,000 bond.

And, 33-year-old Brett Allan Westfall, of Adair, was arrested at around 12:20-a.m. May 14th in Adair County, for OWI/2nd offense. His BrAC was .212%. Bond was set at $2,000.

Officials with the Glenwood (Iowa) Police Department report two, separate arrests. Today (Monday), 34-year-old Myles Longcor, of Henderson, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until seen by a magistrate.

On Saturday, Glenwood Police arrested 26-year-old Kameron Myers, of Glenwood, on a Pottawattamie County warrant. His bond was set at $5,000.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report the arrest Sunday night, of 63-year-old Carla Sue Trumbauer, from Council Bluffs. The woman was arrested following the alleged assault of her daughter-in-law. Trumbauer was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault and Child Endangerment with substantial risk. She was being held in the Pott. County Jail on $2,300 bond. And, a traffic stop Sunday night near Oakland, resulted in the arrest of 46-year-old Harold Leonard Hoffman, JR., for OWI/1st offense. A sheriff’s deputy saw Hoffman’s 2019 Chevy pickup cross the center line several times before a traffic stop was conducted.

Early Saturday morning, 33-year-old Juan C. Perez-Vasquez was arrested following a traffic stop on a possibly intoxicated driver. Perez-Vasquez was pulled-over on I-80 westbound near Shelby, and following an investigation, charged with OWI/1st offense. Friday evening, a Pott. County Sheriff’s Deputy dispatched to a civil situation in Silver City, arrested 50-year-old Timothy Jess Paulson-Abboud, for Possession of a Controlled Substance (7.3 grams)/methamphetamine – 1st offense, and Possession of drug paraphernalia (Smoking devices with residue).

(Radio Iowa) – Many of the challenges Iowa restaurants faced during the pandemic are behind us, but another perfect storm is brewing that’s creating havoc in the food service industry. Jessica Dunker, CEO and president of the Iowa Restaurant Association, says finding reliable workers is just one of the major hurdles they’re now trying to cope with. “At just the time we’re trying to get back up and running at pre-COVID levels, we’re facing an average of 15% increase in labor costs and 15% increase in cost of goods on the products we use to create those great experiences,” Dunker says. “We’ve never seen inflation hit in both directions like that.” 

While revenues for some restaurants are up, she says in many cases, profits are down. The association is addressing the issues with its members, trying to help them ride the waves.

Jessica Dunker

“Some of the things that we are recommending is size down the menus so that you can have quantity of scale on the products that you serve,” Dunker says. “From the consumer experience, what that translates into is some of your favorite novelties might not be available on menus.”

She also recommends restaurant owners brainstorm to find ways to make due with smaller staffs, while being prepared to raise wages. While one in three Iowans of a certain age will say their first job was in the restaurant industry, Dunker says it’s no longer the case for the new generation. The industry is struggling to find younger workers, droves of whom are now being lured by a host of other entry-level jobs in areas where restaurants never before had to compete.

“Also, pre-COVID, workers that were aged 55 and older were our fastest growing work demographic and that pool of people is not coming back to our industry,” Dunker says. “They simply have left the workforce or they’re not coming back into restaurants and we miss those workers.”

She implores Iowans to, “Be patient, be kind, and still come out to appreciate and enjoy all the hospitality scene has to offer.

(Ames, Iowa) –  Airmen with the 168th Cyber Operations Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, along with personnel from the Innovation Center Kosovo and the University of Pristina, Kosovo, will participate together for the first time in the recurring Cyber Defense Competition at Iowa State University on May 18, in Ames. Officials say global threats to cyber security are increasing. The Cyber Defense Competition is an opportunity for Iowa Airmen, Kosovars, and Iowa students to demonstrate their capabilities and develop their skills.

Iowa State University has held the Cyber Defense Competition for 17 years. High school and college students from around the country converge on Iowa State’s campus to compete regularly.
In the days leading up to the competition, teams will build and secure a notional wealth management company. During the competition, teams will be challenged with defending their company against skilled adversaries.

(File photo) Spring 2016 ISU CDC in Coover Hall on the ISU campus

The Airmen and their Kosovo partners are planning, strategizing and building team communication skills in preparation for the competition. The skills they are learning today translate to what they are doing every day to protect Iowans and Kosovars from online threats. Iowa State University invited service members from the Iowa National Guard and Kosovo to participate in the cyber exercise after recognizing the importance of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.

More than a dozen teams will compete to be named best cyber defense team. The top three teams will be recognized during the event conclusion.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 24-year-old Jose Armando Gallardo-Garcia, of Omaha, was arrested Saturday night on a Public Intoxication charge. His bond was set at $300. And, no injuries were reported following a single-vehicle accident in Mills County Sunday morning. Authorities say 20-year-old Anita Coates, of Malvern, was driving a 2009 Ford in the area of 290th St./Noyes Avenue, and was toward the center of the road, when she met a vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

Coates swerved, lost control and rolled the vehicle into the south ditch, through a fence and into a planted field. The woman admitted she was driving too fast, and was tired. She was shaken-up but otherwise okay.

(Radio Iowa) – Greyhound racing in Iowa ended its 37-year run yesterday (Sunday) as the final races were held at the Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque. Greyhound races started there in June of 1985. The Iowa legislature approved a plan seven years ago to phase out the greyhound parks in Dubuque and Council Bluffs due to the decline of the sport nationwide. Dubuque Racing Association president and CEO Alex Dixon credited the community in the early 1980s for taking a chance on bringing greyhound racing to town to help revitalize Dubuque.

“What we did as a community is that we saw that when we were in midst of losing our population, when we were losing hope, we came together,” Dixon says. “A board comprised of people from the City of Dubuque came together, went to the city, knocked on doors, went and raised $7 million to build this facility, to help turn the tide.”

Association board chair Kevin Lynch says the non-profit greyhound track has had a tremendous impact on the governments and charities in the Dubuque area.Lynch says, “This facility has sent over $223 million to the city of Dubuque, $9.1 million to Dubuque County, and over $60 million to local charities.”

With the Iowa Greyhound Park closing and the Southland Casino Racing track in West Memphis, Arkansas, also planning to end live races this year, that will leave just two tracks in West Virginia as the only greyhound racing tracks still operating in the United States.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest late Sunday morning, of 58-year-old Teresa Marie King, of Creston. King was arrested at her residence on a Union County warrant for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on a $1,000 cash-only bond. And, Friday evening, 32-year-old Kenny Joe Cunningham, of Greenfield, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center in Creston, on an Assault charge. Cunningham was later released on a $300 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, will continue discussions with regard to the distribution of ARPA (COVID-19 recovery) funds. During their meeting, the Board will hear from Anita Fire Chief Eric Steffensen, with regard to a request for funds from the Anita Volunteer Fire Department. The Board will also hear from Griswold City Manager Ted Marciniak, with regard to a TIF Extension, and they’ll hear from Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health official Jotham Arber.

The Supervisor’s meeting begins at 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse.