(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Central Community College broke ground this week on what will become its new Biofuels Testing Laboratory on the west side of Fort Dodge. Iowa Central President Jesse Ulrich says it will be a welcome addition to the campus and it’ll be the only independent biofuels testing lab in the country.

“This was something that was started at Iowa Central back in the mid 2000s,” Ulrich says. “We worked with a local trucking company, Decker Truck Lines, to really test out the difference between regular fuel and biofuel within the trucking industry.” He says the planned state-of-the-art lab will be the end result of very humble beginnings.

“It’s something that really started kind of out of a closet, a very small operation, and moved into the Biohealth Science Building. We’ve just continued to grow and expand,” Ulrich says. “As a part of our 2018 public bond referendum, that our community supported, there was some money set aside to build a new testing lab.” The land on which the lab will be built didn’t cost Iowa Central anything, as it had been occupied by a Casey’s convenience store.

“When Casey’s did strategic planning and eliminated that store for use, we contacted Casey’s and heard our vision about what we wanted to do with the property in regards to the biofuel lab, and they thought it was a win-win for everyone,” he says. “We’re very fortunate that Casey’s donated that property to us.” The lab should be ready for move-in within a year.

(Radio Iowa) – As the movie “Oppenheimer” opens Thursday, the story of the physicist who developed the first nuclear weapons, a documentary screening tonight (Wednesday) will focus on a role Iowa played in the Manhattan Project.

Ames native and filmmaker Brittany Prater’s documentary, “Uranium Derby,” centers on top-secret experiments that were conducted in her hometown during the 1940s. One source is heard during the movie trailer saying, “On the campus at Iowa State during the war, they were making materials for atomic bombs.”

Prater details how the Ames Laboratory, run by the Department of Energy, at one point flushed high-level radioactive waste down the city’s sanitary-sewer drains. She visits an Ames neighborhood that suffered from what she calls a “cancer epidemic” in the 1990s, where toxic waste was buried, under what eventually became a youth sports complex. Once it went public, she says, the site was hastily cleaned up.

Prater will be at The Varsity Theater in Des Moines for tonight’s 7 P-M showing of the 88-minute documentary and she’ll take questions afterward.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says the defense spending bill that congress passes each year includes an expansion of parental leave for some National Guard and Reserve soldiers. Nunn, who’s in the Air Force Reserve, and a Democratic Congressman from North Carolina who’s also a reservist, co-sponsored a Parental Leave Parity Act earlier this year and it was included in the annual defense bill that passed the House last week.

“We ask our men and women in uniform to go overseas in combat zones,” Nunn says. “When the active duty folks come home, they get up to six weeks to spend with their new family members. We want to make sure that our Reserve and Guard members here in Iowa get that same privilege.” Birth mothers in all branches of the military can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave, but only fathers and adoptive parents who are full time soldiers are currently eligible for parental leave. Nunn says expanding parental leave to reservists and National Guard soldiers may boost recruitment.

“They deserve the opportunity to be there when their babies are born, help the spouse through the process,” Nunn says, “and also encourage foster families to look at adoption and know they’re going to get the same benefits as everybody else.” Nunn says as a reservist, he was denied paid parental leave when he and his wife recently adopted two foster daughters. He also experienced the disparity a few years ago when he was serving in the Iowa National Guard.

“My daughter was born and that weekend I was away at drills, leaving my wife to have both an infant baby in the hospital and being responsible for taking care of the kids,” Nunn says. The parental leave change for reservists and guard members has had bipartisan backing in the U.S. Senate and Nunn says the new policy is likely to stay in the National Defense Authorization Act when the Senate voted on it.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report a legally parked 2011 GMC Terrain was struck at around 9:10-p.m. Tuesday, by a hit-and-run vehicle. The GMC, registered to Amanda Fletchall, of Creston, sustained $8,000 damage. An investigation, including witness statements, determined the suspect vehicle was a 2010 Ford Transit van, operated by 40-year-old Arturo Marin, of Creston. The van also sustained about $8,000 damage.

Authorities say a bumper with license plate attached to it, lead them to Marin, who admitted to being behind the wheel of his vehicle, when the accident occurred. Witnesses say they saw the van was parked at a bar in Creston about 15 minutes before the accident. It was also seen operating with no lights on, and running stop signs before the van struck the GMC.

As of this report, no citations had been filed nor charges issued.

(Bartlett, Iowa) [updated 7/20] – The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is looking into the cause of death of a person whose body was found Tuesday afternoon from the Missouri River, south of Bartlett. The body of a white female was retrieved from the river about four miles south of the Bartlett boat ramp, at around 12:45-p.m. The State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny will work to identify the woman, and determine her cause of death.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session Tuesday morning. Board Chairman Steve Kenkel provided a report on the results of the Shelby County Pipeline Ordinance Injunction.

The County has 30 days to respond to the ruling. Legal counsel is reviewing the situation. Kenkel on his position concerning the pipeline proceedings thus far.

He noted none of the six ethanol plants within 60 miles of Harlan, have signed-on with any of the three proposed carbon pipeline companies coming through Iowa.

Janice Gaul, Mayor of Earling, spoke and mentioned that Earling is a small town and has retirees and working-class citizens with children; the children often play at the baseball diamond and playground unsupervised and the proposed pipeline only has a 50 foot limit from those areas. That is also the distance the pipeline can pass by the Earling water supply. Sherry Webb spoke about her family’s century farm that the pipeline route is intended to cross, and she does not want this to be forced to have this project cross her family farm. In other business:

• The regional Representatives for Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Randy Feenstra were in attendance to listen to Tuesday’s proceedings. Abby Vander Werf (Feenstra) and Brittany Rockwell (Ernst) introduced themselves and will presumably report back to the officials that they represent.
• Brandon Burmeister gave a report of Secondary Road happenings and asked the Supervisors to approve and upgrade a level B service roadway to a level A roadway, a portion of 660th street west to m56. The landowner requesting the upgrade is paying for this service. Schaben made a motion to approve the upgrade, Parkhurst seconded the motion the motion passed.
• Todd Valline of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry informed the Board of Supervisor of the many Chamber events and programs including today’s all member meeting and goals set forth for the upcoming year.
  

  Shelby County BOS meeting, 7-18-23

The Supervisors then considered a formal Resolution 2023-42 required by the Iowa DOT to process the grant application by Shelby County Trails. Support of the grant is required to be in Resolution form to be accepted for consideration. Schaben made a motion to approve the resolution and Parkhurst seconded the motion the motion passed after Kenkel, Parkhurst and Schaben all voted in favor of passage, no nays were cast.

Taya Vonnahme from the Manning Regional Recovery Center was invited by the Supervisors to explain the services that the Recovery Center Provides, specifically the Opioid Addiction function of the Center. Shelby County is on track to receive opioid treatment funding in the coming years and Vonnahme representing a regional center, that does serve Shelby County asked for Manning Regional Health to be considered as a recipient of a portion of the funds available

Anna Schwarte, of Shelby County Public Health spoke to the Supervisors about expending funds for from the opioid litigation funds for her organization to inform and provide information to Shelby County schools about recognizing opioid types, use and overdoses. Supervisor Parkhurst motioned to award Public Health $3,000 for this service provided by Public Health. And $21,000 this fiscal year to be spent on prevention and treatment of opioid addiction. The motion passed as presented.

Shelby County Treasurer, Carolyn Blum was on the agenda to have the Supervisors inspect and vote on approval of her Semi-Annual report. Schaben made a motion to approve the report and Parkhurst seconded the report, the motion carried. Blum noted that County Treasurers are now allowed to charge a $10.00 fee for out of County drivers licenses and identifications. This is called a convenience fee and used to offset the costs that were 100% paid by county residents for this service to out of County residents for licenses and Identifications.

The supervisors reported on the various committees that they are assigned it was noted that Steve Kenkel who will have a report next meeting on the Iowa Utilities Board Process and Charles Parkhurst reported that there are funds with MAPA available for trails.

(Elk Horn, I) – The Exira-EHK School District’s Board of Education met Tuesday evening, during their regular, monthly session. The Board discussed the Nov. 7th School Board Elections. The terms of four Board members expire in 2023: Jodee Dixson, Terri Harris, Matt Jorgensen and Joel Schluter. Superintendent Trevor Miller told KJAN News it appears by the discussion held Tuesday night, that all of the incumbent will be running for re-election.

Persons interested in running for the Exira-EHk School Board, should pick up the required documents from the Board Secretary. Candidates must file an affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions containing at least 25 signatures. Those signatures may be collected from anywhere within the school district boundaries. Signers must be eligible electors of the school district. Candidate paperwork may be turned-in to the Board Secretary or her designee, from August 28, 2023 and through no later than 5-p.m. On Sept. 21, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted, and candidates are NOT to file with the County Auditor’s Office.

In other business, Superintendent Miller says the Board approved updates to the Elementary, MS/HS and Employee handbook, to reflect the 2023-24 school year, and to comply with the new legislation.

They accepted a fuel bid from Olsen Petroleum, their current fuel supplier. And, the Board increased lunch prices for adults, as set by the State. The nearly 50-cent increase brings the price for adult lunches to $4.84. Student lunch prices are going up 20-cents, instead of a proposed 30-cent increase.

Students still have the option to apply for Free and Reduced lunches based on their parents’ income and home life. The Exira-EHK School Board established their Legislative beliefs for submission to the IASB, with the focus on mental health, Preschool funding and State Supplemental Aid. And, they approved the Second/Final Reading of numerous Board Policies that are needed to comply with legislative requirements.

The Board approved the hiring of Sam Muhr – Associate, and Dara Svendsen – Cheer Sponsor. Mr. Miller said the district is gearing-up for the start of the 2023-24 school year, and there’s excitement in the air.

(Radio Iowa) – The City of Storm Lake is implementing mandatory water conservation measures through August 1st. City Manager Keri Navratil) says two of Storm Lake’s water wells are currently out of commission. “That means you’re stressing out the other wells,” Navratil says. On June 1st, Storm Lake officials asked residents to minimize water usage voluntarily.  “I want to say, ‘Thank you,’ to our citizens. They have done a fantastic job on water conservation on voluntary,” Navratil says. “…Everyone seems to be following the voluntary measures. We are just asking for two weeks that we are going to be in mandatory.”

Powerwashing buildings or concrete is now prohibited in Storm Lake. Watering lawns between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. is also prohibited and the owners of outdoor pools have to get a city permit for filling their pool. Those caught violating the water use restrictions could face a fine of 75 dollars.

Storm Lake will have an additional need for water Sunday, when the city is hosting an overnight stop on RAGBRAI — the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. Navratil says the mandatory period could be lifted shortly before the two-week period expires depending on well repairs and demand.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports 18-year-old Cameron Doggett, of Council Bluffs was arrested Tuesday. Doggett was charged with Possession of Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His total cash or surety bond was set at $1,300.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors had a limited agenda this (Wednesday) morning, and wrapped-up their business in about 15-minutes. The Board approved a Child Abuse Grant Draw-down in the amount of $459.25. County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented to the Board for approval and signature, three contracts for culvert construction projects. There were two bidders each of the projects, with Gus Construction of Anita being the low bidder on all three projects. They were awarded the contracts totaling nearly $1.76-million dollars.

The projects include W14 Jefferson, W11 Union (a dirt road), and a DOT bid-letting for a Farm-To-Market culvert extension project affecting 16 different sites on the Fontanelle Road. The road will be closed later this Fall, according to Kauffman, and traffic will be rerouted.

The Adair County Supervisors approved a job classification change for Secondary Roads employee Tracy Fletcher. He will become a Crew Leader, taking over Adam Comstock’s position. The promotion comes with a two-dollar per hour wage increase.

Nick Kauffman then presented the Board with a report the department’s maintenance and activities. He said paint markings on the county roads should begin next week.

The Board’s next regular meeting is on Wednesday, July 26th, beginning at 9-a.m.