(Radio Iowa) – A southeast Iowa woman has been charged with murder in connection to a house fire that took place early Sunday morning. Authorities say fire crews were dispatched to a residence in Ottumwa based on the report of a heavy fire. Two people were in the home at the time of the blaze. One person was able to escape but 59-year-old Ernest Wilson of Ottumwa died.

31-year-old Ashley Lankford of Ottumwa was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson, attempted murder, first-degree criminal mischief, and animal abuse. Lankford is currently in the Wapello County Jail. Her bond has been set at one million dollars. The fire remains under investigation.

ATLANTIC, IOWA – June 25, 2024 – If you travel on Interstate 29 or I-680 north of Council Bluffs, the Iowa Department of Transportation intends to close I-29 from 25th Street at the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/880 interchange near Loveland later tonight. In addition, the portion of I-680 west of I-29 located in Iowa will also be closed.

Those roadways were originally announced to close around 11 a.m. However, Iowa DOT staff are working to keep the roads in the Council Bluffs area open as long as possible. We are closely monitoring the rising flood water levels on the Missouri River in addition to the latest weather forecasts. Timing of road closures will depend on river levels. For the latest travel information visit 511ia.org.

The Iowa DOT reminds travelers to never enter a water-covered roadway. Do not move or travel around barricades or fencing as they are placed there for your safety. Turn around and don’t drown.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Utilities Board has unanimously approved the proposed route for the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, but the company must meet other requirements before construction may begin. All three members of the Iowa Utilities Board agree the public benefits of the project outweigh the private and public costs. That clears the way for Summit to — eventually — use eminent domain authority to force landowners who’ve resisted the project to let the pipeline through their property. The board’s order includes some major caveats before Summit would get to start construction, however.

Summit must get approval from South and North Dakota regulators for its pipeline route in those states, plus approval in North Dakota for the underground site where carbon is to be shipped and stored. In addition, Summit cannot connect the pipeline to ethanol plants in Minnesota and Nebraska until officials in those states OK those moves. The Iowa Utilities Board order requires Summit to get 100 million dollars worth of liability insurance to cover any damages related to construction, operation and maintenance of the pipeline.

Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline route runs 688 miles, through 29 Iowa counties. According to a news release from the company, 75 percent of landowners along the route have signed voluntary easements and the Iowa Utilities Board decision is a significant milestone for the project.

(Iowa HHS News) – Iowa joins a list of several other states with individuals who have become sick, some in critical condition, after consuming Diamond Shruumz-brand products purchased through a retail store in eastern Iowa. Earlier this month, the FDA issued a warning to consumers about these products:

• Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, or Gummies, and should discard them.
• Consumers should check their homes and discard these products if found.
• These products may appeal to children and teenagers. Parents and caregivers should consider discussing the information in this advisory with their children and take extra care to avoid these products being consumed by younger people.
• Retailers should not sell or distribute any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, or Gummies, and should hold the product in a secure location until additional instructions can be provided on how to return or safely dispose of the product.
• If you become ill after consuming these products, please contact your healthcare provider and/or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Let them know you have recently consumed the Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and/or Gummies.
• Healthcare providers should report these illnesses to their local health department and/or the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

The individuals in Iowa each reported consuming one of the following Diamond Shruumz-brand products: cookies, cream chocolate bars, and fruit cereal-flavored bars.

Iowa HHS officials recommend individuals do not purchase or consume these products and if they have any of these products, that they dispose of them. These products are considered dietary supplements and are not regulated by the State of Iowa and cannot be recalled by the state. These products are commonly available for purchase at consumable hemp retailers as well as tobacco and vape shops.

Iowa HHS is investigating these instances and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has an ongoing investigation related to these events. The FDA also stated that they had been in conversations about with the firm about a possible voluntary recall, but these discussions are still ongoing. Any Iowan experiencing severe symptoms should visit the emergency room.

(Radio Iowa) – Residents in Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth, and Sioux Counties may apply for federal aid through FEMA and businesses swamped by floodwaters may be eligible for low interest loans from the Small Business Administration. A levee on the Little Sioux River broke in western Iowa shortly before five this (Tuesday) morning, forcing the evacuation of the small towns of Rodney and Smithland. An emergency shelter has been set up in Onawa. Clean up has begun in other areas of northwest Iowa where floodwaters are receding.

Cheri Gacke of Rock Valley says this is the second time she’s had to recover from a flood, as her home was flooded a decade ago. She plans to move. “I hope the city comes up with something that’s going to fix this town because our town’s going to die otherwise, I think,” Gacke says. “(We) can’t keep doing this every few years.”

Five hundred homes in Rock Valley are damaged or destroyed after the Rock River crested five feet higher than it did in 2014. Volunteers are helping residents like Gacke sift through their belongings and haul debris to the curb. “Thank everyone for their help,” Gacke says. “They’re so compassion and sharing and willing to work.”

As previously mentioned, the Iowa D-O-T closed Interstate 29 north of Council Bluffs (effective 11-a.m. Tuesday). The timing will be determined by how fast the Missouri River rises in that area. Highway 20 between Moville and Correctionville is closed due to flooding.

(Reporting by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio; Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City and Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson)

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting this (Tuesday) morning in Red Oak, passed a resolution accepting a bid of $1,216,352.24 from Western Engineering Company, for a Widening and Hot Melt Asphalt (HMA) overlay project. There were three bids for the project, with Western Engineering coming in with the lowest bid. The project is for work on H-34, from a bridge over Red Oak Creek, east for about two-miles. In related action, the Board passed a resolution to execute the contracts connected to the project, and other matters.

Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert provided the Board with the weekly Secondary Roads report. She said they have been cold patching roads, including those used by riders on the RAGBRAI route into Red Oak, later next month. And, she discussed the aforementioned HMA project in a little more detail.

The Board received comments from four Montgomery County residents, with regard to a proposed ordinance regulating carbon capture pipelines, in light of Summit Carbon Solution’s proposed Midwest Express CO2 pipeline project.

The first to comment was Maggie McQuown, from Garfield Township, who addressed recent Board meetings where tempers had flown over perceptions the Supervisors’ were set in their ways, and unwilling to find a compromise, while the Iowa Utility Board’s case is being heard in court. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has yet to rule on appeals filed by Shelby and Story counties against a federal judges’ ruling last December that local pipeline ordinances cannot be enforced.

The Board also heard from Steve Hayes, whose family farm is in West Township in Montgomery County. His land sits in the middle of the proposed pipeline route. He expressed his concerns about conservation work they’ve made over the past 70-years to develop it, make it fertile, and the water is saved, with little run-off.

He said also, he is an opponent to Eminent Domain, which is a possibility, if the court rules against landowners whose property is part of the pipeline route.

The Montgomery County Supervisors also hear comments from James and Jan Norris (You can read their statements below). In other business, the Board passed resolutions naming 2024-25 Depositories, and Appropriations for FY25. They set July 16th as the date for a budget planning work session, and agreed to add a closed session to their meeting on July 2nd, to discuss possible litigation. For that reason the session is allowed under the Code of Iowa.

Prepared comments from West Township resident Jan Norris:

“In February Crawford County held an hour-long pipeline discussion where the newspaper quoted their attorney, Colin Johnson. When asked if you had to have an ordinance in place ahead of the ruling, Johnson’s reply was “If the IUB were to issue a permit for Summit to build, it would likely be too late to enact an ordinance,” I phoned the Crawford County Attorney to verify the accuracy of the report and if anything had changed. After making it clear he was not giving me legal advice and stated Montgomery County needs to talk to their attorney, Johnson said, “based on my discussions with other attorneys & my understanding of the IUB process, I continue to stand by my statement, – I haven’t changed by mind” And went on to say, “it won’t apply after an IUB permit is issued is what other attorneys are believing.” He mentioned Palo Alto’s stay provision until the Shelby case is settled. 

Dickinson County may be the most recent to pass an ordinance. I phoned their Zoning Administrator, Megan Kardell to see if Summit has sued them. She said she expected to be filed on instantaneously, passing their ordinance on May 9, but has not been served. In response to why, it’s her opinion because Summit can work with their ordinance. She noted Navigator had been approachable, but Summit has just objected to the whole thing. She said their county attorney also advised to get it on the books before the IUB ruling. When asked about Road Crossing Permits, Megan said they passed an ordinance requiring a million dollar bond.

To fail to discuss these issues looks like bias to the citizens of Montgomery County. It appears you heard what you wanted months ago, and now refuse to hear anything else.  At least do something and make a couple calls. Please don’t just talk to someone you know, call the the people in nine counties who have done the work – Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Butler, Bremer, Adair, Story, Shelby or Palo Alto.”

Prepared comments from Steve Norris, also from West Township:

“We all want the same thing – to best serve the citizens of this county. What we want is for the 5 of you – to discuss things ONLY Montgomery County can decide. No input by Summit is needed. Other counties are passing a resolution officially objecting to the Utilities Board’s ability to determine eminent domain. Last week Floyd County held meaningful discussion with State Rep Charley Thomson. It was refreshing to hear the chair invite landowners to speak. No time limit, no attitude, just genuinely seeking to hear their side of things. You submitted an objection to eminent domain early on. It would be good to pursue this.

Road crossing permit policies need to be reviewed. We should be reevaluating our procedures and fee structures and the best way to make it apply to companies, not landowners. It can be done. Does Montgomery County want an ordinance to establish fees & create a setback buffer between our residents and the pipeline? – not can we pass one, not what will happen if we do, not even how – just DOES THIS BOARD THINK IT IS IMPORTANT?

A public forum with Summit sounds reasonable, but maybe unnecessary before you can put discussion on the agenda. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Please discuss it!”

(Radio Iowa) – The first-degree murder trial for the man accused of killing an Algona Police Officer last September will -not- start today (Tuesday) due to flooding in northwest Iowa. Attorneys for Kyle Lou Ricke asked for a continuance in the case on Monday, saying the flooding across the area could lead to problems with the jury pool. Defense Attorney Matthew Pittenger argued many potential jurors may not be able to give their full attention to the case if they are dealing with flood issues at their home or business.

In her ruling, Judge Nancy Whittenburg cited safety concerns, not only the jury pool, but also for those traveling from Kossuth County to attend the trial. Judge Whittenburg moved the trial to Dickinson County last month, after defense attorneys argued that Ricke would not be able to get a fair trial in Kossuth County, due to the publicity surrounding the case.

The trial is now scheduled to begin on Monday, July 8th at the Dickinson County Courthouse in Spirit Lake.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge is opening its campus apartments to those affected by the flood water. Iowa Central president Dr. Jesse Ulrich said that displaced families can use the temporary housing which is equipped with necessities such as beds, a couch, private bathroom and a kitchen. Ulrich said the service will be in place through July 5th. There are sixteen campus apartment-style buildings on the Fort Dodge campus.

People needing emergency housing need to contact the Webster County Public Health office. All arrangements will be made through their office. Individuals will need to bring their personal supplies such as a pillow, bedding for a twin size bed, personal hygiene items and kitchen supplies.

(Radio Iowa) – Flood waters are dropping in some areas of northwest Iowa, but Sioux County Sheriff Jamie Van Voorst says the emergency remains. He says you should use common sense when driving in the areas that had been flooded. He says you should stay on the known open roads and not venture too far out to go sightseeing. The sheriff says there has not been time for inspectors to get out and look at the roads to determine if they are safe.

“In a lot of cases, the shoulders have washed out or culverts underneath where people can’t see are washed out and there’s even some areas where bridges have been compromised and haven’t been checked yet,” he says. “So there’s a lot of unforeseen things under the surface that people need to be very cautious around.”

Some of the damaged roads and bridges may not be open for several days as crews inspect and make assessments. Some bridges may be out of service for weeks, maybe even months.