DNR Conservation Officers say charges have been filed a charge and warnings issued, as a result of a boat incident that happened at Browns Lake in northwest Iowa’s Woodbury County on May 25th, that left two people seriously injured.

A citation was issued to Nicole Baker for violating speed and distance rules. Baker was the operator of the boat pulling behind two tubers when the tubers crashed into a stationary boat. Baker was also issued a warning for boat registration violation. Chad Riker, the operator of the stationary boat, was also issued a warning for boat registration violation.

Both tubers are still hospitalized but the DNR does not have specific conditions on either of them.

The Iowa Transportation Commission will hold a public input meeting in Council Bluffs at the Mid-America Center, One Arena Way on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, to hear about transportation matters from representatives of local government, interest groups, and individuals. Items that may be discussed at the meeting include the Iowa Transportation Improvement Program; transportation policies; and highway, aviation, rail, river, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit issues.

A brief business meeting will begin at 8 a.m. immediately followed by the public input meeting. A detailed agenda will be posted on https://www.news.iowadot.gov/ prior to the meeting.

For more information concerning the meeting or to obtain a scheduled time on the agenda, contact the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Program Management, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010, telephone 515-239-1288 or email shawn.majors@iowadot.us. Please include the general topic you wish to discuss. The statements, presentations, or suggestions should be 10 minutes or less.

On Monday, July 8, the commissioners will meet informally and tour transportation projects in western Iowa. No action will be taken on transportation-related matters during the tour.

The Iowa Transportation Commission today approved more than $8.2 million in funding for 69 new rural and urban public transit vehicles for 18 different public transit systems. The new vehicles will replace vehicles past their useful life.

Funds are granted through the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Formula Program as well as the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program.

In Creston, Region 14, the program provides for a minivan with a video surveillance system.

The Iowa Department of Transportation will be closing southbound Interstate 29 from I-80 to Bunge Ave. for approximately two hours this (Tuesday) afternoon for an event that requires traffic control. Through traffic should follow eastbound I-80 to southbound I-35, and local traffic should use eastbound I-80 to southbound U.S. 71.

A portion of the inside lane of northbound I-29 will be closed, but the outside lane will remain open to traffic. Digital message boards will alert travelers to the closures.

Detour information and the latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide).

Police in Red Oak this (Tuesday) afternoon, arrested a man on a Shoplifting charge. 36-year old Samuel Jacob Whiteaker, of Red Oak, was charged with Theft in the 5th degree. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A study shows Iowa leads the nation in the amount of human and animal waste it produces. Christopher Jones is a scientist at the University of Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that Jones’ study shows the state of 3.2 million people and total livestock population of nearly 110 million produces as much manure as a human population of 168 million.

His study indicates pigs are responsible for driving the state to the top of the rankings. Jones writes in a blog on the university’s website that Iowa is home to at least 23 million pigs. In another study, Jones found that growth in the state’s livestock population has led to a doubling of nitrate levels in two western watersheds near the largest concentrations of pigs and cattle.

The Audubon City Council, Monday, voted in favor of placing a 7% Hotel/Motel Tax on the November Ballot. City Clerk Joe Foran explained who the tax would affect. He said the tax – if approved by the voters – would affect anyone who stays at a hotel or motel within the Audubon City limits. It’s not a tax on all citizens, and would instead help the community by gaining revenue from tourism. The income, by State statute, would be divided 50-50 for separate purposes.

50% must be used for cultural and recreation, such as pool maintenance and repairs. The remaining 50% will be used for projects allowed under Iowa law, such as street repairs, public safety or tax relief. It must be used within a fiscal year budget. There were no comments from the public on the proposal during the meeting. Foran said Audubon residents should understand that they will benefit from the tax, and not pay it.”

That is of course, unless they stay at a hotel or motel. The measure will now be placed on the November ballot for the public to decide.

Stanton Community Director Jenna Ramsey reports the Stanton Area Industrial Foundation and the City of Stanton, are the first to complete a project that received funding from the Iowa Community Catalyst Building Remediation grant program. Renovation is complete on the Tarkio Masonic Lodge Building located at 312 Broad Avenue in downtown Stanton. The building now has an upper-story apartment which has already been rented to a young family. The Hair Company, a salon, has opened in one space on the main floor. The second space has been rented to a company that is currently located in Woodlands, Texas.

The building, constructed in 1878, was in good condition; however, the front façade needed an uplift with a historic, yet unique appeal, and the roof needed repair. The goal was to create one upper story moderate priced residential living unit with two commercial spaces on the ground level. All in effort to expand housing options, create downtown activity, expand business opportunities and become the catalyst spark needed to revitalize Stanton’s downtown.

The idea for this project stemmed from Creative Placemaking and Housing 360 initiatives that began early 2017. Volunteers raised $41,000 for the city of Stanton to participate in the unique Creative Placemaking process led by McClure Engineering. McClure conducted a Visioning Summit with 175 residents attending, which is an impressive 27.5% of the population. One of the outcomes was the identification of the Tarkio Masonic Lodge Building as an ideal re-purpose, mixed use project that would support both housing and main street revitalization.

Ramsey says “Stanton, a community of fewer than 700 people, has fostered $39 million in investments in the past 10 years. Armed with our plan, community support and a vast network of partners, we are poised to continue this momentum far into the future.” Shawnna Silvius, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Development Corporation wrote the grant application for the project and submitted it for the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program. As a result, the project was awarded the maximum amount of $100,000 in April, 2018.

Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority, congratulated City leaders, and residents of Stanton, “On the completed renovation of this historic building on their Main Street.” Durham said “Their thoughtful planning and active community participation are key elements in creating an environment where businesses and people can thrive.” The Community Catalyst Building Remediation grant program provides support for communities with the redevelopment, rehabilitation or deconstruction of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community. The program is operated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

More information, including a video about Stanton is available at www.stantoniowa.com.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), approved the purchase of three, Home Base Iowa [HBI] signs at a cost of $70 each. CADCO’s Jennifer Rosener McEntaffer said HBI is allowed six signs around the County, and funds have been raised for three of those signs. She said CADCO’s budget for the other three signs are stretched thin, and the Superisor’s help in buying the remaining three would be appreciated. The signs, she said would be placed by the Iowa DOT on both the north and south sides of Highway 71, with one coming into Griswold, the other into Massena.

The Board also approved a permit for the Ellison family’s fireworks display in the unincorporated area of the County, off Yankton Road. The private event will be held July 6th, and handled by a professional fireworks operator. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon said the local fire chiefs and the Communications Center appreciates being notified in advance of such events, to reduce the number of calls from concerned citizens, and so officials are ready in case anything goes wrong.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors moved to allow or disallow new Business Property Tax Credits in according with the Iowa Code – on a case-by-case basis, and, an agreement for FY 2019 audit services (ending June 30) provided by Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Company, CPA’s. The Board heard from Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee and Conservation Board Member Judy Kennedy, with regard to resurfacing the roads at Cold Springs State Park, near Lewis, because of the amount of wear and tear they’ve sustained over the winter. Micah said the roads have not been taken care of in years, and this past winter “Did them in. They’re in dire need of being fixed.”

He mentioned that the County is apparently conducting road resurfacing on the Lewis to Highway 48 road, and that it might be a good time to tie-in with which ever contractor wins the bid, to have them handle the Park roads, because using REAP funds to resurface the roads, would deplete that fund. He said they spoke with a company who could do the work, but it would cost just shy of $114,000. Judy Kennedy said they’ve been trying to find ways to increase the interest in camping there, including a “Frequent Camper” punch card, spraying for mosquitoes and the overall level of enjoyment for persons to want to camp and enjoy nature. Micah Lee asked the Board if there was any way the County could help with the project.

The Board suggested Lee contact County Engineer Charles Bechtold, to find out what can and cannot be done, and details of the road project planned for outside of the park.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), reported numerous arrests took place over the past few days. Early this (Tuesday) morning, 21-year old Cody Allen Doty, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. And, 31-year old Marc Andrew Colvin, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County, for Driving While Barred.

Four people were arrested Monday in Mills County: 28-year old Noel Kerrie Dominguez, of Omaha, was arrested on two counts PCS, and Possession of Paraphernalia; 53-year old Michael Scott Holtz, of Malvern, was arrested for Driving While Barred and Driving Under Suspension (DUS); 30-year old Levi Charles Daniels, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested Monday at the Pott. County Jail, on a warrant for Violation of Probation, and Violation of Probation; and, 25-year old Amber Nicole Ross, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a Probation Violation warrant.

Four people were arrested last Saturday, in Mills County: 28-year old Shialea Kay Cozad, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at the Mills County S/O for Violation of a No Contact Order; 28-year old Thomas Scott Ware, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense; 26-year old Jimmy Joe Gappa, of Carter Lake, was arrested in Hastings, for Possession/Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Drug offense with a firearm, Possession of paraphernalia, Felon in control of a firearm, Unlawful Possession of Prescription drugs, Theft in the 4th degree, and Possession of contraband in a jail facility. Gappa was also wanted on two warrants out of Pott. County for Burglary in the 3rd, Burglary in the 3rd, Theft in the 2nd, and Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree. His total bond amounts to $51,000.; Also, 31-year old Jack Ray Winchel, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday, on two counts PCS, Poss. of paraphernalia, and Driving While Revoked. Winchel was also wanted on a warrant out of Pott. County for OWI/1st offense. His bond amounted to $5,000.