Lottery officials said Saturday (Today), the 14th largest prize in Mega Millions® history will be offered next Tuesday, July 11! Currently estimated at $480 million ($240.7 million cash), the jackpot keeps growing after no ticket matched all six numbers in the July 7 drawing – the white balls 8, 10, 17, 55 and 66, plus the gold Mega Ball 3. Tuesday’s drawing will be the 24th in this roll, which began after the jackpot was last won in New York on April 18.

As the jackpot rolls, the number of winning tickets at all other prize levels also continues to grow. In total, there were 1,175,091 winning tickets across all prize tiers in the July 7 drawing. One, sold in California, matched the five white balls to win the game’s second-tier prize. Across the country, 28 tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball to win the third-tier prize. Three of those tickets are worth $30,000 each, because they included the optional Megaplier (available in most states with an extra $1 purchase), which was 3X on Friday night. The other 25 third-tier winning tickets are worth $10,000 each.

Since the last jackpot was won on April 18, there have been a total of more than 12.7 million winning tickets at all non-jackpot prize levels, ranging from $2 up to $3 million. These include 16 second-tier prizes of $1 million or more, won in 12 different jurisdictions from coast to coast: California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas.

This year started out with six jackpot winners in less than four months – a number far more typical of a full year! The first was a big one – $1.348 billion won in Maine on January 13, the second-largest prize awarded in Mega Millions history. That was followed by three quick wins. The very next drawing, on January 17, produced a $20 million win in New York. Two drawings later, $33 million was won in Massachusetts on January 24, and just two drawings after that, Massachusetts repeated with another jackpot win, this time at $31 million. Then came two more wins in New York, at $483 million on April 14 followed by $20 million on April 18. That was the first time in Mega Millions history that two jackpots have been won in the same state in consecutive drawings.

(Corning, Iowa) – The five-day run of the Adams County Fair continues this weekend, in Corning. Today’s activities include:

7:30-to 8:30-a.m., Beef Weigh-In

8:30-to 9:30-a.m., Sheep & Goat Weigh-In

9:00-a.m., Open Dog Show

9-to 9:30-a.m., Small Animal Check-In

10-to 11-a.m., Beef Pen of 3 Weigh-in

11:30-a.m., Cornhole Tournament Registration Opens

Noon, Cornhole Tournament

3:00-p.m., Bil Riley Talent Show

5:00-p.m., Iowa Corn Salute to Farmers Night at the Adams County Speedway/Races

Sunday, July 9th, is Family Day at the Adams County Fair. Events include the Poultry & Broiler Show, 5K Color Run, Sheep and Market Goat Show, Fair Fundraiser Breakfast, the Open Pet Show, a Baby Contest, Quilts of Valor, 4-H & Youth Committee Hot Beef Sundae Feed, and Dairyland Donkey Ball. See the full schedule on Facebook, at Adams County Fair, Corning Iowa.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – During the Public Forum portion of Wednesday’s Atlantic City Council meeting, Theresa Hohenberger, a citizen of Atlantic and a local landlord, discussed her concerns over the condition of some rental properties in the city, especially those rented by a certain group of ethnic residents.

Hohenberger and her husband James feel “If we wouldn’t live there, then we wouldn’t rent it out.”

City Administrator John Lund says there are some ideas “Percolating,” and they may gain some traction in the near future. That may include an HOA (Home Owners Association) with strict covenants on what is and what isn’t allowed. HOA’s are normally found in subdivisions in some parts of Iowa and other states.

Councilman Pat McCurdy, himself a landlord, said voluntary property inspections cannot be performed by a person or group of people, as Hohenberger had suggested. He said also, he blames some of the other landlords for allowing a number of people to occupy apartments or rental properties, and the resulting damage that occurs.

Landords do have to follow the City’s Maintenance Code Ordinance, which is the purview of Code Enforcement Officer Kris Erickson.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Fair will be open to the public beginning July 27th. That same evening, 14 youth will compete for a place in the Royal Court. Preliminary judging is set to take place on Monday, July 17th at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic, with each candidate being interviewed by two judges.

Candidates vying for the title of queen include: Rachel Becker, Sydney Becker, Natalie Behnken, Ryleigh Harrison, Cecilia Hensley, Rio Johnson, Claire Pellett, Natalye Scholl, Quincy Sorensen, Trista Swain. The candidate selected as queen will advance to the Iowa State Fair, where she will compete in the statewide competition for the title of the 2023 Iowa State Fair Queen.The King candidates are Dylan Comes, Tristan Becker, Parker Brock, and Brett Dreager.

Judging criteria is based on leadership, citizenship within the community, poise, charm, appearance, personality, attitude, and the ability to communicate openly with honesty about current youth issues. Candidates competing for the Queen and King Position voted amongst themselves for a Miss Congeniality and Mr. Congeniality.

The crowning of the 2023 Cass County Fair King and Queen will take place in the north garden of the Cass County Community Center on Thursday, July 27th at 7:30 pm. The evening will kick off at 7:00 pm with the Little Miss and Mister contest. Cass County youth ages 5-through 8 can participate by signing up in the Extension Office by noon on Wednesday, July 26th. All contestants introduce themselves to the crowd before a winner is drawn out of a hat. The candidate selected as Queen will advance to the Iowa State Fair, where she will compete in the statewide competition for the title of the 2023 Iowa State Fair Queen.

Coordinating the event this year is superintendent Haley Schmidt, the 2022 Cass County Fair Royalty including, Queen, Keira Olson, Princess, Paige Jensen, King, Bryan York and Prince, Logan Evens. As always, the Cass County Fair is FREE. The are no parking or admittance charges. The Fair runs July 27th through July 31st.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to trap furbearers to anyone who has little to no trapping experience. The eight workshops will feature several knowledge and skill building sessions with instructors that will teach the basics of trapping in Iowa. Courses will be offered beginning in August in Dixon, Forest City, Otho, Hazelton, Knoxville, Mt. Pleasant, Spencer and St. Charles.

Iowa DNR Program Coordinator Jamie Cook says “For those interested in the tradition of trapping as a means of sourcing fur, this program provides the opportunity to learn the skills and the knowledge it takes to do it all yourself.”

Participants will learn basic strategies for trapping such as proper equipment, trap placement, trapping regulations and steps for preparing hides for trade. The courses take place in various locations statewide with times and details varying for each event. Each course is designed for participants of all ages. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. For more information and to begin the registration process, go to https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/EventsHome.aspx

The program is provided through a partnership with the Iowa DNR and Iowa Trapper Association. It is part of a national effort to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters, anglers and trappers due to the overall decline in hunting and outdoor recreation.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs say ne person was dead following a collision between a semi and a truck early this (Saturday) morning. Authorities say at around 3:04-a.m., Officers were dispatched to I-80 westbound, mile marker 5 (near the Madison Avenue exit), with regard to a semi on fire. Witnesses told police a pickup was traveling east on I-80 in the westbound lanes before the vehicle collided head-on with the semi.

Both vehicles erupted into flames. The driver of the semi was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.  No names were released. Both lanes of Interstate 80 westbound at Madison Avenue are blocked, due to the crash and were expected to remained closed until the accident investigation is completed.

Additional information is currently not available. Anyone with information about the accident is being asked to call the Traffic Unit at (712)328-4948 or, to remain anonymous, please call Crime stoppers at (712)328-7867.

(Radio Iowa) – Ground is being broken today (Friday) on the first phase of what’s billed as a fully sustainable community in northeast Iowa. Steve Davis is sales director for Switch Homes, which is starting to develop a 105-home subdivision in Dubuque. Davis says it’s the first of several proposed master-planned communities in Iowa. “All the homes will be pre-wired for electric vehicle charging stations,” Davis says. “They’ll be set up where a homeowner or buyer can add solar panels to their home, and the materials are carefully selected, made with at least 50% recycled material, in a lot of cases.” Davis says the neighborhood, called The Farm, will feature community gardens, green spaces, walking trails, a community park, and more to support the sustainable mission for generations to come.

“They will be net zero energy-ready homes, meaning, they have the ability — with a couple of easy changes on the part of the homeowner — to basically produce as much energy as they consume,” he says. The houses are smaller than many traditional homes now being built, which Davis says is an effort to change the industry with what he calls “right sized” homes. “There are eight different floor plans that are being offered in the Dubuque community,” Davis says. “They range from 925 square feet up to approximately 1,800 square feet. The homes will start at $325,000 and they are expected to be 40% more efficient than the average new construction home.” Davis says the company’s website was created to streamline what’s ordinarily a very lengthy process of designing and buying a home.

“It’s kind of like building your own car online and having it delivered to you,” Davis says. “Much would be the same with Switch Homes, choose your lot, choose your floorplan, choose all of your finishes, and in five to six months, you’ll have a completed home that you can pay for at that time, whether it’s a loan or whatnot. There’s no construction financing on the front end.” The land is now being developed for construction to begin in October on the first 36 homes. Within three to five years, Davis estimates all 105 homes will either be sold or planned.
Switch-Homes.com

(Radio Iowa) – Former President Donald Trump says it would be horrendous for Iowa farmers if 2024 rival Ron DeSantis is elected president.  “He would be a catastrophe of Nebraska and Iowa and anyplace else,” Trump said, “and a lot of other people also.” During an appearance this (Friday) afternoon in Council Bluffs, Trump blasted DeSantis for opposing the federal ethanol production mandate. “Ron DeSanctus totally despises Iowa ethanol and ethanol generally,” Trump said. “…Ending the Renewable Fuel Standard was one of his top priorities. As a member of congress, he wanted to end it and if he had his way the entire economy of Iowa would absolutely collapse because it would collapse if he did that.”

Trump also criticized DeSantis for vetoing 100 million dollars out of Florida’s budget that would have been spent on conservation and rural land protection easements. “He’s going to do that to Iowa and Nebraska and everybody else because that’s his inclination,” Trump said. “If you want to defend American farmers and grow more farm products in the USA, then you should vote for a very fine gentleman named Donald J. Trump.”

Trump listed a variety of steps his administration took in the ag sector, including the 28 BILLION dollars in trade disruption payments made to farmers when China blocked ag imports and ending the estate tax for people who inherit farmland.

(Carroll, Iowa) – If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to fly in a Vietnam-era Huey Helicopter, you’ll have a chance to to find out in less than eight-weeks.

A non-profit public education organization, “Friends of Army Aviation” (FOAA), based in Ozark, Alabama, will return to Iowa September 1st through the 10th, to provide Huey helicopter rides in Ames, Boone and Carroll. Jeff Dentlinger, of Carroll, who founded the non-profit “Patriot Peak Foundation,” is helping to organize the event, which first occurred in 2021, as a way of giving back to the troops and communities. The Patriot Peak Foundation was started in July 2021, after seeing the United States become divided and deciding it was time for a change.

The 50-year Anniversary of the end of U-S combat troop involvement in the Vietnam War was observed on May 29th. The first flights offered to the public in 2021 were a way of saying “Thank you” to Vietnam Veterans. Dentlinger served in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For those who may be elderly or have special needs, step-stools will be provided for ingress and egress into the chopper. During the 15-minute trips, the sliding doors on the Vietnam War-era 1970 Huey UH-1 Iroquois chopper are wide open, allowing riders to experience the thunderous “Sound of Freedom.”

Ric Hanson (photos) from the Sept. 2021 FOAA flights in Arcadia, IA.

Dentlinger says it’s not just your typical take-off and land experience.

The ride can be cathartic for veterans and civilians alike.

Dentlinger says they are hoping have 2,000 riders altogether this year to raise $43,000 to cover the cost of the aviation fuel, along pilot and support staff accommodations. So far they’ve raised about $28,000. He says it costs $2,000 per hour to keep the choppers fueled and flying. All of the pilots and staff are volunteers. They are not paid for their time and services.

Seating is limited on each trip, and is determined prior to each flight, along with pre-flight instructions. Helicopter ride tickets may be purchased either online or at the ride event. Dentlinger says there are only 900 tickets left (as of July 7th), so you are strongly encourage to buy tickets now. Online tickets may be purchased up to one day prior to the event, but entering your name and contact information now, will enable organizers to let you know if there are any delays prior to your flight day (due to weather, etc.). For specific details on the dates, places, times and cost of the flights, see the FOAA website at https://friendsofarmyaviation.org/foaa-events/month/2023-09/

Sponsors for the rides include the following:

• New Way Ford Coon Rapids
• Jeff Dentlinger Farm Bureau
• Community Oil
• Wendls Weapons
• Haley Equipment
• Aaron & Alyce Nieland with Pigs & Kids
• Christensen Ag
• Midland Power Company
• The Insurance Station
• Ames Chamber of Commerce
• Collins Aerospace
• Kevin Sturm with Plunketts Pest Service
• Tom Underberg
• Wernimont Farms
• Stones
• Eye Saw The Sign
• Carroll Brewery
• Iowa Savings bank Wittrock Motors

(Griswold, Iowa) – General Douglas MacArthur said “‘Old soldiers never die–they just fade away,” but in Griswold, they are celebrated with three-days of events. The 141^st Annual Old Soldiers Reunion in Griswold (Iowa), takes place from Friday, July 7^th through Sunday, July 9^th.  Griswold American Legion Post 508 President, Commander Landon Preston says there are many events scheduled. They began Friday morning (today), with tractor rides throughout the day. Friday evening there’s the 7^th Annual Neon Run for kids and adults, adult water fights and a live band.

Preston says there are even more activities set for Saturday, beginning with a free-will donation, pancake breakfast from 6-until 10-a.m., at the Griswold Fire Station.

The is located on Main Street, in Griswold. A used book sale also tales place Saturday, from 8-a.m. Until Noon, at the Griswold Public Library. There will also be a tour of the Lakin Child Development Center that’s currently under construction.

Saturday afternoon, there will be a military weapons/equipment display at the Griswold Community Building parking lot, along with a National Guard, who will set-up a rock climbing wall.

Saturday evening, Cass County Cattlemen will serve food at the Legion Beer Garden, and there’s a military road march beginning at 4-p.m.

The march is followed at 6-p.m by the Old Soldiers parade, which is themed “Reunion Ignited,” this year. Afterward, there’s the 141^st Reunion Queen Contest in the Griswold City Park, kids & adult pedal pulls, and music at 8-p.m.  The day concludes with fireworks at 10-p.m.

On Sunday, they’ll hold a Church in the Park, beginning at 10:15-a.m.

Learn more on Facebook at Old Soldiers Reunion – Griswold, IA.