SIOUX CITY – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, this (Wednesday) evening, said their Field Office in Spencer was notified by the City of Sioux City of an untreated wastewater discharge due to equipment failure at the Floyd lift station.

The discharge began around 10:15 a.m. on November 6th. Officials sayiIt is estimated nearly two million gallons of untreated wastewater discharged into Bacon Creek Channel, with an unknown amount reaching the Missouri River. Officials say Bacon Creek Channel was dry prior to the incident. The discharge has stopped and the lift station is operational. No dead fish have been observed at this time, and Bacon Creek Channel is now dry.

The Iowa DNR has notified downstream surface water systems with the cities of Council Bluffs, Blair, Nebraska, and Omaha, Nebraska. Any downstream recreational users should take caution and stay out of the river at this time. The Iowa DNR will follow up with the city for further assessment.

To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic met in a regularly scheduled session this (Wednesday) evening. During their meeting, the Council paid special recognition to Assistant Police Chief Paul Wood, who has served as a member of the Atlantic Police Department for 20-years. Mayor Grace Garrett read from a statement provided by Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue, with regard to Assistant Chief Paul Wood’s background and experience.

Wood was promoted to Sergeant in the Atlantic Police Department 2011, Lieutenant in 2016, and finally to Assistant Police Chief, in 2022.

Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett congratulates Assistant Police Chief Paul Wood for his 20-years of service on the City’s Police force.

Speaking of people with many years of valuable experience, Councilman Jim Behrens, during the Council Committee report portion of the City Council meeting, said he learned during Tuesday’s fire department meeting, the Atlantic Fire Department is losing four members whose experience will be sorely missed. One of those is Wayne Brosam, who is a Special Agent/Investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Arson and Explosives Division with the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council acted on passing a Resolution setting Dec. 4, 2024, as the date for a Public Hearing on an Urban Renewal Plan Amendment, with regard to the Southeast Urban Renewal District. With the approval, the Council will adopt a development agreement for the use of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) for the Vision Atlantic housing development project, which City Administrator John Lund says is the largest such project in Atlantic since the Nishna Hills Final Plat was adopted in 1978.

The Council acted also on a Resolution authorizing City Administrator Lund to sign and execute a Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) SWAP Program and other Iowa DOT documents, as required by the Iowa Department Of Transportation, which allows the City to use over $1.056-million in the City’s accrued and borrowing from, future TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) funds to fund the estimated $1.320-million in costs, for the reconstruction of West 22nd Street. That work is expected to begin next Spring and Summer (2025).

Another Resolution the Atlantic City Council passed, Wednesday, was with regard to the City’s responsibility for Community Sidewalks, and the Development of a Comprehensive Sidewalk Improvement Plan to maintain sidewalks in a safe, and hazard-free condition. John Lund says the Resolution leaves the City as the owner of sidewalks, and liable for damages resulting from failure to maintain them. Lund says the City can transfer liability, but each time it does so, a property owner must receive notice by certified mail requiring the owner to “repair, replace or reconstruct sidewalks within a reasonable time.”

The final item of business for the Council, was to act on passing the third and final reading of an Ordinance pertaining to “Prohibited Trees.” In his report, John Lund sounded a bit like the painter Bob Ross, when describing the 2023 Audit Report.

He said he’s proud of the Audit, and would enjoy talking about it.

(Radio Iowa) – With warmer-than-normal temperatures forecast for the weekend ahead, it may be the ideal time for Iowans to transition their lawn mower to the back of the barn or shed and get the snowblower ready for duty. Kris Kiser, president and C-E-O of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, says to prep the mower for storage by sharpening the blade, putting in a new spark plug and air filter, and running it until it runs out of gas.

“Fuel has ethanol in it now, which is hygroscopic. It’ll absorb water over time and phase separate. The key is to not let that happen,” Kiser says. “So run the product dry, clean it and try to store it in dry place, that’s key for power equipment.” If your mower or other tools, like weed trimmers, run on those large, rechargeable batteries, there’s a right way and a wrong way to store those for the winter ahead — and those batteries are pricey, so don’t just leave them attached.

“Follow your manufacturer directions to the letter here,” Kiser says. “There are some differences with that, but likely it’s going to be — charge them up, don’t put them on a metal shelf, and again, store in a cool, dry place.” If your snowblower was put away properly in the spring, he says it should be an easy chore to get it ready for the winter ahead. Fuel stabilizers, products like Sta-bil, may be helpful but Kiser would refer you back to the instruction manual.

“The key, I think most engine manufacturers today will say, run it dry, store it dry with nothing else in it,” Kiser says. “It should, when you introduce fresh fuel, remember fuel stales now, and so when you’re ready to bring it back out for the season, use fresh fuel. Don’t have fuel that you’ve kept in a can in the garage for 30 days or more, fresh fuel should bring it back.” Does much need to be done to a snowblower to get it ready for action?

“A lot of it’s going to be determined by how you put it up, so if you run it dry and you’ve stored it in a dry place, you should likely have no issues whatsoever,” Kiser says. “Not all snow blowers have them, but check the air filter, check the oil, but if you put it up, it’ll likely fire right when you fill it with gasoline. Give it a pull or two, it should fire right away.” While Iowa has no snow in the immediate forecast, the flying flakes will be here soon enough, and Kiser says when that day arrives, you’ll want to take another precaution for the health of your snowblower.

“If you’re going to get a snowstorm, clear the area that you intend to plow or blow, because that machine is going to find sticks, debris, the garden hose, dog toys, whatever is left out there. That machine is going to find them, and once the snow covers them, you’re not going to see them,” Kiser says. “So the key is, before the storm, get out there, clear it, you don’t want the machine finding those items.”

If you have questions about your power equipment but can’t find the original instruction manual, he notes it’s probably online.

https://www.opei.org/

(Radio Iowa) – Programs to support housing for homeless youth in Iowa are being awarded nearly seven-million dollars in a grant from the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development. Courtney Guntly is director of the Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care, a co-applicant on the grant. Guntly says the money can expand more tailored services for young people across the state, with a focus on those between the ages of 18 and 24.

“Young people may have never had an apartment in their name, and so you just need to walk through what does all of that look like,” Guntly says, “and so the needs of this population are different than the needs of our general homeless population.” The Iowa Institute for Community Alliances received the HUD grant. That agency will distribute the money to organizations across the state, though Guntly says local providers don’t have to be youth-specific to apply for part of the money.

“There’s no way we’re going to be able to do it if we only have our providers that serve youth,” Guntly says. “We need everyone to be up at the table and to talk through how we can really make an impact.” The money is being issued through HUD’s Youth Homeless Demonstration Program. It can be used for solutions like rapid rehousing, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing. Guntly says after the two-year grant is over, HUD will continue to provide long-term funding to support the projects.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Session 1-p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7th, to consider a request for an Administrative Recount of Precinct 5GF, following Tuesday’s General Election. The request will be presented by Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg.

In a social media post, the Auditor’s Office explained, “We had a successful election with one minor hiccup….We had one issue at our Greenfield precinct, 5GF, with a ballot jam in the tabulator. Our precinct election official and the voter noticed immediately that the ballot was not successfully cast and that our tabulator count did not increase, due to the jam. The precinct followed their backup procedures and our office was notified immediately.

“Auditor Berg was able to verify that the count on the precinct tabulator did not include the one voter’s ballot. This was re-verified at the end of the night because of the checks and balances we have in place, showing that 414 ballots were counted and 415 ballots cast. As a result, we will be requesting an administrative recount for that precinct ensuring that the final results include all voted ballots.”

Following the request, Thursday, the Board will act on approving or denying the recount, as explained.

DES MOINES) – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors today (Wednesday) awarded a total of $554,596 to a total of ten Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) providers in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Davenport, Iowa City and Waterloo.  The Operating Deficit Relief Grant to Council Bluffs amounts to $50,000 for New Visions Homeless Services.

PSH is an evidence-based, minimal-barrier housing intervention for persons experiencing homelessness designed to support individuals with complex, multi-occurring conditions. Qualifying households are provided permanent affordable housing with access to case management and support services. It not only improves the housing stability and overall quality of life of Iowans but also generates significant savings for public systems, reducing costs associated with emergency room visits, incarcerations and health care services.

The IFA Board of Directors created the Iowa PSH Fund for the purpose of supporting the operational stability of Iowa’s nonprofit PSH providers, helping to ensure the housing stability of the individuals and families served in those rental units and reducing their risk of returning to homelessness.

“Permanent Supportive Housing has demonstrated long-term benefits in housing stability, employment, mental and physical health and school attendance,” said IFA Director Debi Durham. “By investing in the operational needs of our PSH providers, we are not only investing in the well-being of Iowans, but also strengthening our communities.” 

The Iowa PSH Fund offers two categories of assistance for eligible providers:

PSH Operating Deficit Relief Grant
Eligible applicants can request up to $50,000 to cover operational deficits incurred during the prior fiscal year. The maximum award will be the lesser of $50,000 or the actual operating deficit.

PSH Operating Expense Grant 
A one-time grant of up to $25,000 may be awarded for each completed Federal Housing Tax Credit PSH project, while National Housing Trust Fund PSH projects may receive up to $50,000.

This funding aims to reinforce the essential work of PSH providers, ensuring they can continue to offer vital support to those in need throughout Iowa.

The list of awards is available here.

EARLVILLE, Iowa – On October 13, 2024, a fatality motor vehicle collision occurred on U.S. Highway 20 near the 287 mile marker (Earlville) in Delaware County.  A preliminary investigation by the Iowa State Patrol revealed a 2014 Chevrolet Impala occupied by three adult males was eastbound on Highway 20, east of the Earlville Interchange, when for an indeterminate reason, the vehicle crossed the median and continued eastbound in the westbound lanes for over one mile.

The Chevrolet ultimately collided head-on with a 2018 Freightliner Straight-Truck, resulting in both vehicles becoming fully engulfed in flame. The occupants of the Chevrolet were pronounced deceased on the scene, while the operator of the Freightliner sustained minor injuries.  The occupants of the vehicles involved in the fatality motor vehicle collision have now been positively identified.

The driver of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala was identified as Tijuan Devell White, 50, of Robbinsdale, Minnesota. The front seat passenger was identified as Tyrese Devell Johnson, 21, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rear seat passenger was identified as Augustine T. Monboe, 38, of Robbinsdale, Minnesota.

The driver of the 2018 Freightliner Straight-Truck was identified as Ricky Charles Bergfeld, 62, of Peosta, Iowa.

The investigation determined that Tijuan White sustained a gunshot wound prior to colliding with Bergfeld’s truck. No evidence was located that indicated the gunshot came from outside White’s vehicle. Due to extensive fire damage to White’s vehicle, the manner of death remains undetermined.

The investigation remains ongoing by the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety today (Wednesday) said “Following a joint investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Webster City Police Department, Gunner Jones, 26, of Webster City, Iowa, has been charged with first degree murder in connection with the April 16, 2023, death of a 10-month-old infant.”

According to the report, on April 16, 2023, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Webster City officers and emergency personnel responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive infant at a residence in Webster City. The infant was transported to Van Diest Medical Center and later transferred to Blank Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased later that morning.

Gunnar Jones

The investigation and medical examinations revealed injuries consistent with child abuse, leading authorities to rule the death a homicide. Evidence gathered during the investigation led authorities to believe that Gunner Jones had access to the infant and caused the fatal injuries.

This is an ongoing investigation. No additional information will be released at this time.

JONES – Complaint_Redacted

November 6, 2024 (DES MOINES) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today (Wednesday) awarded $930,808 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities around the state. The grants help redevelop or rehabilitate underused buildings as a way to stimulate economic growth and further investment in Iowa’s historic main streets.

Projects include:

• Transforming two vacant historic buildings in downtown Keokuk into first-floor commercial space and upper-story housing.
• Rehabilitating a historic gas station along Lincoln Highway in Woodbine to accommodate a one-stop hub for real estate services.
• Enhancing the facades of five historic storefronts, including the thriving Lansing Hardware Hank retail business in Lansing, to create a cohesive look and elevate the visual appeal of the entire block.

Debi Durham Director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority says “Challenge Grants help us preserve rich historic character while breathing new life into our traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. New businesses and residents are drawn to energized main streets, which radiates outward to grow local economies across the state.” The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. The estimated total cost of these 10 projects is more than $3.3 million.

Since the first Challenge Grants were awarded in 2002, more than $15.5 million in funds have leveraged more than $70.5 million in further investment. See the full list of grantees and their projects, below:

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans have overwhelmingly approved two amendments to the Iowa Constitution. In mid-2017, when Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds took over in the middle of Terry Branstad’s sixth term as governor, some questioned whether the new governor had the authority to appoint a new lieutenant governor. The amendment makes it clear all future governors in similar circumstances would have that power.

The other amendment deals with elections. it says only citizens of the United States can vote in Iowa elections. The Iowa Constitution, as originally written, said every citizen of the U-S may vote in state elections. That amendment also says 17 year olds can vote in Primaries if they’ll be 18 on the day of the General Election. That’s already state law.

Iowa Capital Dispatch (image)

Both amendments will become part of the Iowa constitution in a few weeks when state officials sign off on vote totals in the official canvas of votes.