(Radio Iowa) — U-S Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue visited Iowa Monday. During a stop in Pella, Perdue was asked about an updated total on the agricultural damage done in the state by flooding. He says the total continues to be added up — but said the most important thing is for Congress to approve disaster aid. “Congress is back into session this week, I am hoping they will address that. Certainly from the midwest flooding, to the hurricanes in the southeast, to wildfires in California, and get what people need,” Perdue says. He was asked about covering the grain in Iowa that was lost to flooding. “Hopefully there will be a provision in there that dealt with that — there’s not really an insurable opportunity within U-S-D-A programs there. That’s really what we need,” according to Perdue.

Perdue stopped at Vermeer Manufacturing, which was heavily damaged by a tornado last July. Perdue says the recovery effort at Vermeer is indicative of what Iowans do. “These are people that they don’t wait for people to come and provide help for them,” he says,”they help themselves while others come and help them as well. That’s what’s great about this, the recovery.” Part of Perdue’s visit was to highlight the importance of the U-S Mexico Canada Agreement (MCA), which replaces NAFTA. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley has said he doesn’t think the new agreement can be passed without tariffs being lifted by the administration. Perdue says he thinks that may be possible if it moves forward. “In every aspect, whether it be labor, health, safety, ag access, all those things, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, this new U-S M-C-A agreement is better than the original NAFTA. I just hope Congress will once again put politics aside and vote for America and ratify this,” Perdue says. “I believe the president if at some point if that is the case, could be persuaded to go back to a quota system.”

Perdue was asked if there is potential to continue increasing pork exports to China with the problems they’ve been having with African Swine fever. He says a trade deal with China would do that. “Not only in pork, but certainly in beef and poultry, beans as well as corn. If we get the deal that’s looked at now with the countervailing duties on D-D-G’s Iowa corn farmers as well,” Perdue says. ” So, It’s a huge potential. I just don’t want to raise expectations that it’s a done deal.” Perdue also made a stop in Johnston to visit the Corteva Agriscience Mendel Greenhouse.

Sheriff’s Officials in Montgomery County said a Red Oak woman was arrested Monday afternoon on a bench warrant for Probation Violation. 23-year-old Allison Nicole Aufdenberg was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

(Radio Iowa) — The 2019 Iowa legislature has voted to create a new specialty license plate and ironically, perhaps, the design is often called a reverse. The design is a black background, with white letters and numbers. The legislation refers to it as the “blackout” plate. It will be nearly identical to the specialty plate design available now for alums and fans of Dordt College in Sioux Center.

The new plates just won’t refer to the Dordt College Defenders. Daniel Yeh is manager for vehicle services at the Iowa Department of Transportation. “We’ve already started the design work and the initial samples for the ‘black out’ plate,” Yeh says.

There is an additional charge for all specialty plates, including this “blackout” version. “We are planning to take orders for the plate starting on July 1st,” Yeh says. “We are hopeful that the production and delivery would happen shortly thereafter.”

Posts on social media indicate a few Iowans have been buying the Dordt College plates, then buying a frame to cover up the reference to the Christian college in northwest Iowa. According to the D-O-T, about 800 Dordt College license plates had been issued by last March.

Officials from Dordt College have not responded to Radio Iowa’s request for comment about the new plates with a look that mimics the Dordt Defenders’ design.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst says she’s “not enthused” about supporting Stephen Moore to join the Federal Reserve board. Ernst and other GOP senators are stopping short of saying they won’t back the conservative commentator, but their comments suggest Senate support for Moore may be shaky. Moore has written demeaning observations about women. Ernst says, “I’m a woman, right here, folks.” President Donald Trump has suggested Moore for the post but has not yet formally nominated him.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Iowa investigators hope tips from the public can help them determine who fatally shot a woman while she was driving. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the victim in Sunday’s shooting was identified as 25-year-old Micalla Alexis Rettinger.

BELLEVUE, Iowa (AP) — Officials are trying to stop the spread of gypsy moths in eastern Iowa’s Jackson County. The Telegraph Herald reports that the state conducted aerial treatments of land west of Bellevue earlier this month. It’s an invasive species that can cause extensive deforestation as its larvae eat leaves, particularly oak leaves.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque woman has been given probation for stealing from the same relative her mother is accused of victimizing. Dubuque County court records say 18-year-old Anna Billmeyer was sentenced last week to two to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution. Her mother, 54-year-old Kathryn Billmeyer, pleaded guilty April 15 to theft and dependent adult abuse. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 24.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst says she’s “not enthused” about supporting Stephen Moore to join the Federal Reserve board. Ernst and other GOP senators are stopping short of saying they won’t back the conservative commentator, but their comments suggest Senate support for Moore may be shaky.

Moore has written demeaning observations about women, commenting on their clothing and complaining about the suitability of female referees and commentators in basketball. President Donald Trump has suggested Moore for the post but not yet formally nominated him.

Ernst says she isn’t enthusiastic about Moore because of his writings. She says, “I’m a woman, right here folks.” Republican Utah Sen. Mitt Romney says he wants Fed nominees to be “economists and not partisan.” Some have criticized Moore as being too involved in partisan politics.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Monday night, said six arrests had taken place over the past week. On April 26th, 43-year old Scott William Richard Funke, of Greenfield, was arrested by Greenfield Police for Driving Under Suspension. Funke was released a short time later on a $300 cash or surety bond.

On April 25th, 30-year old Mathew Allan Dillon, of Fontanelle, was arrested by Adair County Deputies on an Adair County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding air/and or blood flow causing bodily injury. Dillon was released later that same day on a $5,000 cash/surety bond, with 10% acceptable.

There were three arrests on April 24th: 57-year old Salli Jayne Davis, of Orient, was arrested for Assault on persons in certain occupations (in this case, a health care provider) without injury. She was released the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond; 33-year old Justin Lucas Starr, of Guthrie Center, was arrested April 24th for Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense – marijuana, PCS/3rd or subsequent – methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Barred and on citations for a Registration Violation, Failure to provide proof of financial liability, and Fraudulent use of registration. Starr was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond; And, 49-year old Donald James Noggle, of Casey, was arrested April 24th by Stuart Police for Violation of a No Contact Order, when he sent text messages to a woman in Stuart. Noggle claimed he wasn’t aware sending text messages “counted as communication.” He was cited and released a few hours later.

On April 21st, 33-year old John Lyle Vanscoy, of Orient, was arrested for Driving While Barered/Habitual Offender, and on a Dept. of Corrections warrant for Violation of Parole. He was being held without bond on the warrant, and a $2,000 bond for the DWB charge.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County, Monday, said that a Creston man, reported damage to the driver’s side window of his vehicle while it was parked near Cromwell between 11-p.m. Friday (4/26/19) and 10-a.m. Saturday (4/27/19).  Also taken from the vehicle was a Winchester over/under shotgun and 50 rounds of bird shot.  The estimated value of the damage and theft is $1,300.

The Griswold School Board met in a special session Monday evening to consider approving an offer to purchase the Elliott School Building. The building became available in August 2018, when new additions were constructed on the Griswold High School/Middle School campus.

Rayna Blay (right) explains to the Griswold School Board what her and Jacque Howell’s (left) plans are for the Elliott School Building.

During Monday’s meeting, Rayna Blay explained how she and Jacque Howell the see the facility being used by their businesses. Blay and her fiancé’ Jeremy Putnam run a trucking company based in Elliott. She also helps Howell part time at Howell’s current daycare business.

Howell, she said wants a bigger, better more situated daycare for more kids. Blay, who runs a bakery business for 15 years and is working out of her home. She wants to have the kitchen in the Elliott building to have her own bakery business which would also include a small coffee shop, donut, muffin and decorative cakes.

She said they’ve also come up with plans for future entrepreneurs. That includes: renting the kitchen for special events in Elliott, party rooms for special events, a community Thrift Store 100% profitable for the Community of Elliott; storage a before/after school program; a farmers market/community garden; an exercise room, and in the future a burger bar, as well as more space for the Elliott City Clerk.

There’s also room for sporting events, auctions, large events, and fundraisers. The offer stipulates any kitchen equipment not needed by the school, would remain with the building. The Board accepted Blay and Howell’s offer of $4,000 for the building, by a vote of 6-to-0, with Heather Pelzer abstaining since she was the real estate agent who helped to broker the deal.

Rayna Blay expressed tears of joy upon hearing the sale was approved. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said there’s several things that need to be done before the building officially changes hands. That includes getting the legal paperwork back from the school attorney. The entire process will take about three months, meaning the earliest the women could occupy the building is in August, the latest sometime in October.

Blay said she was looking to open around sometime in September, or whenever the keys are in her hands, so the proposed timeline should work for both women. Howell said she will be in the process of changing her business to a 501-c 3 non-profit organization and she would like to be taking in new kids by the time school starts.

In other business, the Board discussed, but took no action on hiring an Assistant High School Softball Coach.

The CAM School Board has two Special Meetings scheduled for Tuesday evening. The first, at 6-p.m., is at the CAM Middle School in Massena. On the agenda is discussion and possible action on: Approval of an agreement with CAMEA for 2019-20; Approval of changes to the CAM Employee Handbook; and, Consider the cost associated with a Superintendent Search.

And, at 7-p.m., the CAM and Nodaway Valley School Boards will hold a joint Special Session in the Nodaway Valley Middle School Media Center. On the agenda is discussion and possible action on the Superintendent search process and timelines, as well as the selection of a superintendent search firm.

Both meetings are being held following the announcement April 18th that Dr. Casey Berlau had been selected as the next Superintendent for the Carroll Community School District.

The Atlantic Police Department today (Monday) released more information about a car verses motorcycle accident that occurred Friday afternoon. Authorities say Zachary Watkins, of Atlantic, was driving a motorcycle southbound on Walnut Street. A vehicle, driven by Melisa Rush, of Atlantic, was westbound at the corner of 8^th Street and Walnut Street at the stop sign, when she proceeded into the intersection.

Watkins laid his motorcycle down and slid down the street, coming to rest at the intersection. He was transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Rush was cited for Failure to Yield from a Stop Sign. The damage to Watkins’ motorcycle was estimated at $5,000.