(Onawa, Iowa) – An SUV that failed to yield was struck by a train this (Friday) afternoon, in Monona County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2001 Ford Expedition driven by 40-year-old James M. Ball, of Onawa, was traveling east on Emerald Street in Onawa at around 1:15-p.m.  Ball stopped, but then proceeded without yielding to the oncoming train before his vehicle was struck on the passenger side near the intersection with 9th Street. The impact sent the SUV into the northeast ditch.

Ball was transported by Burgess Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City. No one on the Union Pacific train was injured. The Monona County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the crash scene.

(Radio Iowa) The Board of Regents heard the first presentation this week of proposed room and board rate increases at the three state schools. University of Iowa vice president for student life, Von Stange (Stang-EE), says increasing staff is part of the reason they are requesting a four-point-nine-percent increase.

Stange says labor costs, material costs and supply chain issues have increased their construction costs for keeping housing and dining facilities up to date.

He says seven of the 11 residence halls are between 55 and 70 years old, and two more are more than 85 years old, and the dining operations were renovated 20 to 25 years ago. Stange says increased demand for housing has led to the decision to operate they Mayflower dorm for another year. Michael Harwood from the Iowa State University Department of Residence says they are seeking a room and board increase of five-point-eight percent as they face increased costs for labor and supplies.

Harwood says student leaders approved a resolution saying they would support the increase.

Harwood says they began this year at 98 percent of capacity for the year with more than 94 percent of the first year class living on campus, and an increasing number of students wanting to return to live in the halls. The University of Northern Iowa’s Nick Raffaello says they are seeking a three-point-five percent increase as they face an increase is students wanting to live in the dorms.

He says it doesn’t look like the demand will let up.

The Board of Regents will not take any action on the proposed rates until their April meeting.

(Urbandale, Iowa) – A crash between two stolen vehicles this (Friday) morning in Polk County, resulted in the death of one of the drivers. The accident happened as the vehicles were being pursued by an Urbandale Police Officer.

According to Urbandale Police, officers spotted a white 2017 Hyundai Elantra that had been reported stolen traveling south in the 4300 block of 86th Street around 3:30-a.m., Friday. The Elantra was traveling alongside a black 2015 Kia Soul. According to police, an officer was preparing to activate his lights and sirens when both vehicles sped away.

The Iowa State Patrol reports the Hyundai was driven by 18-year-old Sheldon Christopher Ballentine, of Des Moines, and the KIA was driven by 22-year-old Jeffrey Lionel Smith, Jr., of Des Moines. Both vehicles were traveling southbound on 86th Street at a high rate of speed, when the Hyundai went out of control and bounced into the KIA.

The Hyundai then went back over the center divider, across the northbound lanes, and up an embankment, before coming to rest in a private parking lot. The KIA left the road and struck a tree. The Patrol says Smith died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. Ballentine was not injured. He was arrested at the scene on charges that include:

• Homicide by Vehicle – Attempt to Elude
• Eluding – Speed 25+ Over Limit
• Theft – 2nd Degree
• Possession of Controlled Substance – Marijuana
• Failure to Use Headlamps When Required

(Massena, Iowa) – In an update to our earlier report, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday), said one-person was transported to Cass Health in Atlantic, following a collision that occurred at around 7:50-a.m., Friday.

Authorities say local first responders were called to the area of 750th and Richland Road for a vehicle accident with minor injuries.  Investigating Deputies found that a black 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, being operated by Gerald Wessels, of Anita, was sitting at a stop sign on 750th St. facing South at the intersection with Richland Road.

Wessel failed to yield the right of way and proceeded South through the intersection.  At the same time, a 2010 KW Construct T8 semi tractor / trailer being operated by Bradley Ruth, of Orient, was traveling West on Richland Road approaching this intersection.  As Wessel entered the intersection southbound in his Chevrolet Colorado, Ruth’s vehicle struck Wessel’s vehicle in the rear driver-side quarter panel.  The impact cause Wessel’s vehicle to spin within the intersection before it came to rest in the South West ditch.

Wessel was transported to the hospital for treatment of suspected minor injuries.  His vehicle sustained approximately $15,000 worth of damage, while the semi tractor-trailer sustained approximately $5,500 worth of damage.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that’s cleared the Iowa House would require state inspectors to conduct twice-a-year training sessions for Iowa nursing home staff to review the most common citations issued against nursing homes. The bill also changes the timelines for when inspectors from DIAL — the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing — conduct site visits to review operations or investigate complaints. Representative Tom Moore, a Republican from Griswold, says the bill addresses some of the concerns that have been raised about Iowa nursing homes.

Rep. Thomas Jay Moore (R-Griswold) (official photo)

Representative Megan Srinivas (SREE-nih-vahss), a Democrat from Des Moines, says the state needs to hire more nursing home inspectors — and quit paying private companies to investigate complaints. “I think we’re all in agreement here that our nursing homes are in trouble, that we need to do something to fix the disasters that we’ve been seeing happen throughout our state. Unfortunately this bill does not solve the problem sufficiently,” Srinivas said.

The bill passed on an 87-to-eight vote earlier this week. It’s been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for consideration.

(Radio Iowa) – Today (Friday) marks the start of one of the most troublesome months of the year for people with a gambling addiction. Katie Bee is problem gambling services project director at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Bee says March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

Bee says problem gambling is a behavioral pattern that damages personal, family or work relationships, and it carries significant societal and economic costs.

There are many types of problem gambling, which may be prompted by lottery and scratch-off games, sweepstakes, betting at tracks, casinos or online.

Studies find about 14-percent of Iowans — or 315-thousand adults — are at-risk for a gambling-related problem. Iowans with gambling concerns can call 1-800-BETS-OFF or visit yourlifeiowa.org.

DES MOINES, Iowa [WHO-TV] — Between 2017 and 2022, Iowa lost over half a million acres in farmland, according to the latest agriculture census from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The census outlines that in 2017, there were 30,563,878 acres of farmland in our state. That number dropped to 29,978,165 acres in 2022. In just five years, the state lost 587,713 acres of farmland in total. Sally Worley, the Executive Director of Practical Farmers of Iowa, a local organization with the goal of helping farmers practice agriculture that benefits the land and the people, say that’s a concerning statistic.

Worley said, “One of the biggest issues with farming is accessing land, especially because land prices aren’t in line with productive value. The market value far exceeds the productive value of the farm for a year-to-year income.” Although the census didn’t outline how the farmland was lost, Worley said that there is a general trend of suburban and urban farmland being sold to developers. She said that the main farmers that will be impacted by this are new farmers and those looking to upscale their businesses. This is because it’s already difficult to access farmland since it’s expensive and Worley says a lot of farmland isn’t on the public market. Therefore, fewer total acres of land available adds to the issue of accessing acres.

However, there were also some positive takeaways from the census. Christopher Pudenz, an economist with the Iowa Farm Bureau, said that compared to the nation, Iowa had more positive results. According to Pudenz, despite losing a large sum of land and having the average farm size decrease, Iowa gained farmers and farms. Furthermore, the average age of farmers in the state increased less than the national average. He said that his overall takeaway from the census was positive. Pudenz also notes that 2022 was a strong year for our state in terms of row crops and hog markets. However, he said the industry has seen some changes since then. He said that 2024 is projected to see a 25% decrease in farmer income compared to 2023, which already saw a substantial decrease from 2022.

“From where we sit right now, 2024 is likely to be a year of tightening the belt for many farm budgets. Still optimistic for the short, medium, and long term, but definitely some headwinds that exist in this year that we weren’t experiencing when the census was done in 2022,” Pudenz said. On the bright side, Worley said that while she expects there to be continued pressure between development and farmland, there are ways to turn to the tide. One of the ways she is seeing is a greater interest in farmers growing table food, which is the crops that consumers eat directly like fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Most of Iowa’s farmland is used for growing corn and soy, which are products that are mainly used for animal feed, processed foods, and ethanol.The growth of farming table food in Iowa can be a silver lining to the decrease in farmland because this type of farming generally requires a smaller acre base, according to Worley.

Worley and Pudenz both indicated that the best way people can support Iowa farmers is through shopping locally. Practical Farmers of Iowa lists ways people can support local farmers on their website.

(Clive, Iowa) March Madness is almost here for college basketball fans, and that means it’s time for Pulled Pork Madness for Iowans who love delicious pulled pork sandwiches. The Iowa Pork Producers Association is accepting nominations for the restaurant that serves up Iowa’s best pulled pork sandwich. The annual contest started Friday morning. Nominations can be made at the Iowa Pork Producers Association website, IowaPork.org. Hannah Spurr, consumer outreach director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association says “This contest is a lot of fun and is great at highlighting delicious pork on menus across the state. It’s also a great way to attract new pork fans and encourages everyone to road trip around Iowa to try different restaurants that are serving up some delicious pork!”

Now in its seventh year, Pulled Pork Madness highlights the best of the best when it comes to serving up delicious Iowa-made pulled pork. Whether your favorite pulled pork is sandwiched between two buns, open-faced, or smothered in cheesy goodness, we want you to tell us where to find it. The winning restaurant receives $250, a plaque, and statewide bragging rights!

We all enjoy a good March Madness basketball bracket, but let’s be real – a pulled pork bracket is a slam dunk. The Iowa Pork Producers Association competition follows a bracket-style narrowing process like the NCAA Tournament. Based on fan nominations through March 8, the field will then be narrowed to a “Sweet 16”, which represents the top two picks in each of the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s eight districts.

Here is the Pulled Pork Madness timeline:

Nomination period open: 8 a.m. March 1 — 11:59 p.m. March 8.

Vote for Elite 8 (from “Sweet 16” nominations): 5 p.m. March 11 — 10 a.m. March 15.

Vote for Final Four: 5 p.m. March 15 — 10 a.m. March 20.

Vote for Final Two: 5 p.m. March 20 — 10 a.m. March 25.

Vote for champion: 5 p.m. March 25 — 10 a.m. March 29.

CHAMPION ANNOUNCED MARCH 29!

Previous winners include The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown (2023); Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Cedar Falls (2022); Smokin’ Butt Barbeque in Davenport (2021); Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew in Luther (2020); Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse in Ottumwa (2019); and Moo’s BBQ in Newton (2018). Past winners cannot be nominated. Pulled pork must be from a restaurant that is typically open year-round with regular hours. Food trucks, concession stands, seasonal establishments, and catering businesses are not eligible. No email or social media nominations will be counted.

Make your nomination today at this link.

(Ames, Iowa) – Reading a quick text or checking email for a few seconds is typically harmless – unless you’re behind the wheel. Recent research shows that 97 percent of Americans now own a cell phone of some kind and 90 percent of those phones are smartphones. The Iowa Department of Transportation says in nearly every state including Iowa, texting while driving is illegal, yet we see people doing it all the time.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,657 people died in distraction-affected crashes from 2012 to 2021 in the United States. In 2020 alone, data shows that 342,652 people were injured in crashes where distraction was a factor.

So far in 2024 in Iowa, 28 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of six since last Friday. In Iowa in 2023, there were 376 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf

The DOT says “We can all do our part to make the road safer. If you’re the driver, be an example to your family and friends by putting your phone away. If you are in the vehicle with someone who is texting while driving, speak up. You could be saving the life of yourself, your vehicle mates, or others who are sharing the road with you.”

Safety Tips for Driving

• If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
• Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
• Struggling to put the phone down while you’re driving? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Get involved!

Project Yellow Light is a scholarship competition designed to bring about change related to distracted driving. Video and radio entries are due April 1st.

(Radio Iowa) – The scoreboards and video systems at Iowa State University’s major sports venues are going to get an update.  I-S-U’s Heather Davis presented the proposal the Board of Regents approved at their meeting Wednesday.

Davis says replacing all of the systems makes the most sense.

She says it also allows them to recognize economies of scale by purchasing all the systems at once. Davis says it will take some time to complete all the updates.

The project is expected to cost around 16 million dollars.