SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Three neighboring cities are resisting paying Sioux City’s long-overlooked wastewater service charge. The Sioux City Journal reports that the city discovered the neglected charge during an audit and notified officials in Sergeant Bluff, in North Sioux City, South Dakota; and South Sioux City, Nebraska, that it would begin imposing the 7 percent charge on July 1.

Those cities’ officials worry about having to pass along the cost to their residents, so the officials want to talk over the charge with Sioux City officials.

The agreements with each city for sewage treatment at the Sioux City plant have been overlooked for at least the past two years and potentially longer. Sioux City utilities director Mark Simms says the charge essentially covers administrative costs, and he isn’t sure why it’s been overlooked.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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A man from Iowa died late Saturday night southeast of Kansas City after being struck by numerous vehicles. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 39-year old Jeffrey M. Koontz, of Council Bluffs, a Reserve Deputy with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, died at the scene.

The incident happened at around 10:55 p.m. on I-70 eastbound, just east of Woods Chapel Road. Authorities said the man was walking on the roadway along I-70 when he was struck by an unknown tractor-trailer. That vehicle fled the scene. Koontz was subsequently struck by an SUV and a sedan. Both of those drivers remained at the scene to speak with police.

The incident remains under investigation. Police are working to identify the driver of the semi that fled the scene.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A grant writing workshop is scheduled to be presented in Red Oak September 13th for representatives of nonprofits, local government, and schools. Participants across Southwest Iowa are encouraged to attend.

Grant Writing 101, a workshop sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach – Montgomery County, will provide hands-on training in seeking and writing successful grant applications. The workshop will be presented from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, at Wilson Performing Arts Center, 300 Commerce Drive, Red Oak.

The cost of the workshop is $15, which includes a light meal that will be served at the start of the program. Registration is required by noon, September 11; call the Montgomery County Extension office at 623-2592 to register.

Participants are asked to bring a laptop computer or iPad/tablet device, if possible, to use to search online for grants and other resources during the workshop. The training will be presented by Jane Nolan Goeken, a Community and Economic Development program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Goeken has more than 29 years of experience working with federal, state, local and foundation grant programs. In addition to writing successful grant applications, she has served as a grant application reviewer and administrator, and has helped set up grant award and review programs.

Goeken will assist workshop participants in exploring various public and private funding sources, and provide instruction and tips on planning projects and writing successful grant applications. For more information about the workshop, contact Jane Goeken at jngoeken@iastate.edu or 712/240-2504; or Rachel Bergren, Montgomery County Extension Program Coordinator, at rbergren@iastate.edu or 623-2592.

A John Deere executive says expanding U.S. trade is not just important for manufacturers, it’s important for consumers around the globe. “Today, about 15 or 16 percent of the world population relies on trade to solve their food needs. By 2050, that’s estimated to be north of 50 percent.”

Jim Field is president of John Deere’s Agriculture and Turf Division. He says it’s “vital” to enhance trade relationships. “If you look at the U.S. and you say there’s about 325 million acres of stable cropland and you project forward what is going to be the productivity enhancements and improvements that we would suggest we should see over the next 40 years and then you project forward what’s going to happen with domestic consumption here in the U.S., export has got to be part of the game,” Field says, “because we’re going to overproduce.”

Field says expanding exports of U.S. ag commodities is a security issue as well, since hunger and famine spawn instability. The U.S. currently has “free trade” agreements with 20 of the world’s 195 counties.

(Radio Iowa)

An Anamosa police officer was killed in a crash this weekend. 40-year old Mitchell Kelchen, of Bellevue, died when the SUV he was riding in was struck head-on by a mini-van.The accident happened Saturday morning around 7:30 am on Highway 62 in Jackson County. The Iowa State Patrol says Kelchen’s wife, 40-year old Tina Kelchen, was driving their SUV southbound when the northbound mini-van, driven by 60-year old Marjorie Hendrickson of Bellevue, crossed the centerline and struck them head-on. Officer Kelchen was killed.

Tina Kelchen and Hendrickson were both injured and airlifted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Mitchell Kelchen had been with the Anamosa Police Department for about a year, having served with the Dyersville Police Department prior to that. He was a 1994 graduate of Western Dubuque High School. Numerous law enforcement agencies across the state have expressed their sympathy.

The Anamosa Police Department posted a Facebook photo Saturday of a police squad vehicle with a blue stripe on the windshield parked in front of the police station, where the community has been laying flowers in honor of their fallen officer.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — When a major tech company announced recently it planned to build two data centers in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds saw it as a clear win. She touted the deal with Apple Inc. as one that will create jobs, spur economic growth and elevate Iowa’s status. Yet the project includes a price tag of $208 million in state and local tax breaks, a detail that has Reynolds facing criticism for backing it amid a state budget crunch. It’s become political fodder for next year’s gubernatorial race.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Equipment manufacturer John Deere has hired about 250 workers in Dubuque since last fall thanks to surging demand for new products. The Telegraph Herald reports that the John Deere Dubuque Works facility employs 1,300 production workers, its highest total since 2000. There are another 1,300 employees at the plant who work in other capacities such as engineering, sales and marketing. General Manager Mark Dickson says he predicts adding another 50 workers by October.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former West Des Moines preschool employee convicted for showing up to work drunk is back behind bars after officials say she showed up drunk to her sentencing. The Des Moines Register reports that at 43-year-old Angela Hircock’s sentencing Thursday, a breath test showed her blood alcohol level at .178. The legal limit to drive is .08. Her probation sentence was then set aside and she was arrested.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Police are investigating after officials at a Waterloo mosque say four people were found setting fires in the mosque’s parking lot. Ibrahim Shehata, president of the Islamic Foundation of Iowa in Waterloo, told the Courier that four people _two adults and two children _ were found Wednesday night using an accelerant to light cans on fire in the parking lot, including near the entrance door and some vehicles. No one was injured and no damage was reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds sees Apple Inc.’s plans to build two data centers in the state as a clear win, but it’s come with some baggage. The new Republican governor touted the deal as one that will create jobs, spur economic growth and elevate Iowa’s status. Yet the project includes a price tag of $208 million in state and local tax breaks.

Some have criticized Reynolds for supporting the tax breaks amid a state budget crunch, and it’s become political fodder for next year’s gubernatorial race, in which Reynolds is seeking a four-year term. Democrats and even some Republicans are questioning the deal.

Although states still provide tax incentives to lure major companies, the issue has become more complicated as states grapple with budget constraints and studies raise doubts about the long-term benefits of such commitments.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Adair was arrested late Thursday morning by Adair Police, on a trio of charges. 55-year old Taylor Lee Parton faces charges of Harassment in the 3rd degree, Harassing a Public Official or Employee, and 1st offense Stalking.

His arrest was the result of an investigation into three separate incidents at an apartment complex located in the 800 block of Stuart Street, in Adair. Parton is alleged to have harassed tenants to law enforcement, for a crime he knew was not true, and by continued and constant intimidation to the point where the tenants became alarmed and unsafe in their apartments. Parton was released on his Own Recognizance early Thursday evening.

In other business, Sheriff Vandewater reports 38-year old Christopher Lee Breece, of Bridgewater, was arrested Friday afternoon in Greenfield, on a warrant out of Clarke County. He was later transferred to the custody of Clarke County authorities. 37-year old James W. Riddle, of Creston, was arrested at around 11:30-p.m. Friday, in Orient, for Driving Under Suspension. He was cited and released from the scene. And, 37-year old Michael Lynn Huddleson, of Fontanelle, was arrested Aug. 30th for Driving While License Denied or Revoked for a previous OWI. He was released the following day on $1,000 bond.