(Radio Iowa) – Beef producers in Iowa and New York are in the midst of a burger battle. Kylie Peterson, spokeswoman for the Iowa Beef Industry Council, says carnivores in both states are being encouraged to log on and cast a ballot for their favorite burger. Peterson says, “This is just a fun way to put together two states that have a similar goal and that is to promote beef.” Over the past few months, Iowans got the chance to vote on their favorite burgers, as did New Yorker’s. The winners of the respective state contests are now going head-to-head, or bun-to-bun.

“We’re putting the two together in a little mini contest that’s for bragging rights only,” Peterson says. “There’s no prize or anything like that. It’s just a fun way to capitalize on our contests that we’ve already had.” The contest ends Monday night and Iowans can vote on the website I-A-beef-dot-org.

“The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown is featuring the Tombstone Burger which includes a blend of chuck brisket and short rib and it has also Wagyu beef that’s raised by a Marshalltown producer,” Peterson says. “And then the Ale ‘n Angus Pub burger is called the Holy Smokers Burger and it is an eight ounce certified Angus beef patty that’s topped with smoked beef brisket.”

This is the second year for the contest. New York challenged Iowa last year — and Iowa won. The winner will be announced on Tuesday.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Board of Supervisor’s Chair Steve Baier reports, “Due to an oversight in the Cass County Treasurer’s office, several checks issued by the county may have been deemed as fraudulent by banking institutions.  New checks will be issued on the 15th.  The Treasurer is working to rectify this situation and mitigate any penalty charges resulting from this error.  We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.” At last count, there were apparently 22 checks issued.

If you have further questions, contact the Treasurer at (712) 243-4570 extension 9.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Shelby County Auditor/Commission of Elections Mark Maxwell reports the Shelby County Board of Supervisors will convene a Special Session 9-a.m. Tuesday, June 14th, on the first floor of the Shelby County Courthouse. The purpose of the meeting is to canvass the results of the June 7th Primary Election. The Board will also discuss and act on cameras and tuck-pointing for the courthouse.

The next day (Wed., June 15th), the Shelby County Supervisors will hold an election audit of the Greeley-Jefferson Precinct, specifically with regard to the U.S. Senate race. The precinct to be audited was randomly picked at the Iowa Secretary of States office.  Bags will be unsealed and the seal numbers noted and new seals placed on the ballot bags. This announcement serves as the official notification for Party Chairs

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Kim Comes, owner of Bluebird Hill, on Thursday, June 9th, 2022. The Ambassadors joined Kim in celebrating the opening of the wedding and event venue with a ribbon cutting. Kim Comes has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and has spent her career in bars, restaurants, and country clubs. For the past 12 years, she has been a part of many weddings by making cakes.

Kim and her husband Drew have envisioned one of their cow pastures as the perfect spot for a 360-degree view venue for several years now. The duo, along with their children, strive to do whatever it takes to make their clients’ dreams of a special day a reality. 

Bluebird Hill specializes in events down to the very last detail. The venue includes a main event space with a brick fireplace, a beautiful patio with a view, full bar and lounge, full catering kitchen, groom suite, bridal suite, and other items at no addition cost such as dining China, flatware, linens, tables and chairs.

Bluebird Hill is located at 56741 655th Street, Atlantic. To learn more information, pictures, pricing, and availability, visit www.bluebirdhilliowa.com

(Creston, Iowa) – An accident caused by an emotionally overcome driver occurred at around 7:20-a.m. today (Friday), in Creston. According to Creston Police, 38-year-old Brandi Lynn Atkins, of Creston, was driving a 2006 Chevy Uplander van northbound in an alley between Elm and Maple Streets, when her vehicle collided with a utility pole. The woman told police she was crying prior to the accident and couldn’t see well. She was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Damage to the van was estimated at $4,000. Damage to the Alliant Energy pole was estimated at $500.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – A Fremont County man was arrested Thursday evening on a Mills County warrant. The Sheriff’s Office says Jericho Cash Clements, of Sidney, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Clements’ bond was set at $5,000.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports a man convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree in Polk County, took flight from the Fort Des Moines facility, Thursday (June 8th). 25-year-old Jordan Anthony Matias is a white male. He stands about 5-feet 7-inches tall and weighs 179 pounds. Matias was admitted to the work release facility on March 24 (2022).  Persons with information on Matias’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Jordan Matias

(Radio Iowa) – A small bipartisan group is trying to come up with gun reform measures that could pass the Senate — and both of Iowa’s Republican senators say they’ll wait to comment on potential ideas until a plan is unveiled. Senator Joni Ernst has described herself as an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment and she says any proposal must be thoroughly examined before a vote is taken. “But I think what you will find, at least amongst the Republican conference, is a willingness to do something,” Ernst says, “but we haven’t arrived at what that final something is.”

Grassley says he has not ruled out any specific proposals. Ernst is expressing similar sentiments. “There’s a lot of ideas. You know, not one person won’t be for all of them or against all of them,” Ernst said. “We just have to figure out the right path forward.” Ernst and Grassley in the past have raised due process concerns about so-called red flag laws that let law enforcement seize guns from people deemed a threat to themselves or others. Grassley says the Texas senator leading the negotiations has asked his fellow Republicans not to lock themselves in as being opposed to any specific proposals. Ernst is part of the Senate’s Republican leadership team, but not directly involved in negotiations. “I think we should consider all different options that are brought forward,” Ernst says.

The Republican and Democratic senators who are leading negotiations over a gun bill say they hope to make incremental progress. The gun reform measure the HOUSE passed this week will not be considered in the Senate. The wide ranging HOUSE bill called for raising the minimum age for purchasing the type of rifles used in recent mass shootings in Texas and Buffalo to 21. Both shooters purchased their guns when they were 18.

(Radio Iowa) – Plans for a major expansion project at a beef processing plant in Tama County are now on hold indefinitely due to high construction costs. Iowa Premium had announced plans to replace its current beef processing facility in Tama with a bigger plant in 2021. In a filing with the state, the company announced that it planned to hire 400 additional workers by the end of 2024, bringing its total workforce to more than 1,200.

Company officials announced Thursday that the current facility will continue to function at normal capacity where nearly 800 people are presently employed. The company plans to further review the status of the expansion at a later time.

(Radio Iowa) – One person was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Fort Dodge on Thursday afternoon. The Webster County Sheriff’s Department reported an eastbound 2013 Buick Verano operated by 65-year-old Ann Lenox of Fort Dodge was struck by a westbound 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee by an unidentified juvenile female driver. Both drivers were transported to Unity Point Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge for treatment of their injuries. Lenox died of her injuries late yesterday afternoon.