Kansas City, MO — This Halloween, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Region 7 Office, is partnering with the State Highway Safety Offices in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to remind everyone that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Drivers should be extra cautious on Halloween, as more pedestrians are out at night on the hunt for candy and more drivers are heading to and from parties. If your evening includes travel to a party or festivity, make sure you plan for a sober ride home. If you’re the designated driver, honor that commitment for yourself, your passengers, and the other drivers and pedestrians on the road. Remember: It’s never safe to drink and drive.

For most, Halloween is a night to trick-or-treat, get creative with costumes, and enjoy the seasonal festivities. Unfortunately, for some families, the evening has become a nightmare. Between 2017 and 2021, there were 159 drunk-driving fatalities on Halloween night (6 p.m. October 31 – 5:59 a.m. November 1). Adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (55%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night in 2021. That same night, 17 pedestrians were killed. One point that is critical to remember every night, but especially on Halloween with the holiday’s increase in pedestrians (trick or treaters): you need to do your part to be sober and vigilant when driving.

“No matter what your Halloween festivities include, make sure your party plans account for a sober ride home if you’ll be out drinking,” said Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “We want our community to have a fun Halloween but, more importantly, a safe Halloween. If you choose to drink alcohol, drink responsibly and do not drive! Even one drink can impair judgment. You should never put yourself or others at risk because you choose to drink and drive. Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.”

According to NHTSA data, there were 13,384 motor vehicle crash-related deaths involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2021. This represented 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States for the year and a 14.2% increase from 2020. Do not contribute to these senseless deaths by driving impaired this Halloween. Drivers should also watch out for unpredictable pedestrians — whether they are children trick-or-treating or adults who have had too much to drink. Walking on or near roadways while intoxicated can also be deadly, as a lack of attention to surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

“Thousands of families and children will be out on Halloween night,” said DeCourcy. “We expect drivers to refrain from driving after drinking on Halloween night and every single day. Let’s work together to keep our community safe,” she said.

Nationally, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah, where the limit is .05 g/dL. In addition to the danger in which you place others while driving impaired, your wallet can see consequences. If you’re caught drinking and driving, you could face jail time, lose your driver’s license and your vehicle, and pay up to $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, car towing, higher insurance rates, and lost wages — much more expensive than a taxi or rideshare.

No one should mix drinking and driving, and no one is immune to the effects of drunk driving. If you find yourself drunk and stranded with your vehicle, follow these tips to keep you and others safe:

Give your keys to a sober driver who can safely drive you home or call a taxi/rideshare.
Remind your friends to never get in the vehicle with a drunk driver.
If you have a friend who is about to drive drunk, take away their keys and help them get home safely.
Always have a plan before you head out for the evening.
If you wait until after you’ve been drinking to figure out how to get from one place to the next, you’re already too impaired to make the right choices.
Remember, you shouldn’t worry about offending someone; you might be saving their life.

There are plenty of options to help impaired drivers get home safely, such as designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. If available, you can use your community’s sober ride program. Finally, if you see a drunk driver on the road, do not hesitate to call 911.

Always remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

(Radio Iowa) – Just like Fourth of July fireworks can stress out Iowans’ pets, Halloween can also be a night of horrors for our dogs and cats. Jessie Phillips, director of development at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says to keep your animals calm during trick-or-treating, you will likely want to find a quiet place for them to camp out. “It really is best if they are kept in another room, maybe in the interior of the house, so they’re not seeing people come to the door, ringing the doorbell,” Phillips says. “Some pets prefer to be crated, if they’re crate trained, so in their safe space or maybe in a bedroom that is their safe space. Read your pet’s cues.”

It may look adorable to dress your dog in disguise for the spooky season, but Fido may think otherwise.  “Not every pet loves to be dressed up in their Halloween costume,” Phillip says. “But regardless, any costume that you do put on your pet, they should be able to move freely, it shouldn’t restrict them. Make sure that their eyes aren’t covered and that they can see clearly. That can be really stressful for pets if their vision is blocked in any way.” Whether your dog will be staying home or accompanying you while trick-or-treating, it’s always important that there be an I-D tag on their collar, as they might manage to dart off.

“Making sure that their tags are updated, that the number on the tag is up to date,” Phillips says. “We get new cell phone numbers or move addresses, so always make sure that information is up to date. And then microchipping is a great way to make sure that if your pet does happen to get loose or get out, that your pet will be returned safely.”

Bowls and bags of Halloween candy should be kept in a cabinet and away from pets, as Phillips says chocolate and other sweets can be dangerous — and even deadly — to a pet.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska who was recently found locked inside of a bar in Red Oak, was subsequently arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication. According to Red Oak Police, Frederick W. Lorenz, of Omaha, claimed he was locked in the Stadium 34 Bar, and could not get out. When officers arrived at the scene, they opened an UNLOCKED door, and found Lorenz inside the establishment.

He was transported to Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

WASHINGTON – The staff of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will hold traveling office hours in 21 Iowa counties from November 6 through November 17. Iowans seeking assistance regarding a personal issue with a federal agency or wishing to share views on matters of federal policy may stop by during the scheduled hours.

Grassley will be represented by his regional directors: Penny Vacek of Davenport, Rochelle Fuller of Cedar Rapids, Jonathan Bladt of Council Bluffs, Laney Feight of Des Moines and Jacob Bossman of Sioux City. The senator will not be in attendance.

Grassley’s state offices regularly help constituents contact federal agencies to address problems with Social Security payments, military service matters, immigration cases, veterans’ benefits, IRS challenges and other issues. Iowans can also seek assistance via Grassley’s website.

In our area, the traveling office representative, locations and hours are as follows:

Monday, November 13 – Regional Director Jonathan Bladt

Cass County: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.; Atlantic Public Library 507 Popular Street, Atlantic

Tuesday, November 14 – Regional Director Jonathan Bladt

Shelby County: 10 – 11 a.m.; Harlan Community Library 718 Court Street, Harlan

Harrison County: 2 – 3 p.m.; Ignite Pathways 6 West 7th Street, Woodbine.

(Atlantic, Iowa; October 30, 2023) – Harvest Market 2023 will be held at the Cass County Community Center on Monday, November 20 from 3-6 pm. Produce in the Park is now seeking vendors for Harvest Market, and additional holiday markets planned for winter 2023-2024. Vendor applications can be found online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com; printed copies of the application are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022).

Harvest Market is held the Monday before Thanksgiving, so shoppers can pick up premium local produce, local meats, delicious baked goods, and other local foods to enjoy at holiday celebrations, along with seasonal candles, decorations, and gifts. Produce in the Park seeks vendors selling handmade or homegrown products, including local foods such as produce, meats, baked goods, eggs, jams, and jellies, as well as beauty products, candles, crafts, art, and decorations.

Harvest Market 2023 is sponsored by Cass County Farm Bureau, Cass Health, Gregg Young of Atlantic, 1st Whitney Bank & Trust, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, and the City of Atlantic.

For the latest information on Harvest Market, and all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).

(Radio Iowa) – A wide variety of bond issues are being presented in next Tuesday’s city-school elections in Iowa. According to an Iowans for Tax Relief analysis, over one-point-seven BILLION dollars in borrowing for bonds will be decided by voters. Sarah Curry is the research director for Iowans for Tax Relief.  “When I did this project last March when we had bond elections it was not nearly that high,” Curry says, “so I was actually shocked at how much money local governments were asking for.” Curry contacted every one of Iowa’s county auditors and learned there will be bond questions on the ballots in 50 counties.

Thirty-four school districts are seeking approval to borrow for projects. “We’re not taking a specific stance on any one of the bonds because we’re not living in those communities and we don’t know what the needs are of that community,” Curry says. “We did launch our new website which is IPRlocal.org and so that is more robust than the previous version and it has a breakdown of what school districts and cities and counties are spending their money on and what their property taxes are and their enrollment or population growth so that voters can be more informed.” Most of the borrowing or bonds being requested are for school infrastructure.

“Over $1.2 billion are for schools,” Curry says. “Only $18 million are for cities.” The remaining bond issues are for counties. The largest is in Polk County, where voters are being asked to approve 350-million dollars in borrowing to help fund construction of a new Des Moines Airport terminal and expand the security checkpoint as well as check-in and baggage claim areas.

Airport officials say using county-issued bonds will save money and lead to a quicker repayment of those bonds. The bulk of the airport expansion project is being financed by other means, including airport reserve funds as well as grants from the State of Iowa and the federal government.

(Radio Iowa) – Northwest Iowa authorities say a father and son are dead following a series of incidents at a farm near Hornick. Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan says a man, later identified as 72-year-old Todd Sulsberger, called for help at about 7:30 Sunday night. “The Woodbury County Communications Center received a 911 call from a male victim, reporting his son was shooting at him,” the sheriff says. When deputies arrived at the farm, they found the suspect — 44 year old Walter Sulsberger — sitting in a pick-up on his father’s farm.

“At 9:10 p.m., I made contact with the suspect via phone and he told me there would be no peaceful resolution and made threats toward law enforcement officers,” the sheriff said. Three armored vehicles were dispatched to the scene and the Iowa State Patrol provided air surveillance. Sheriff Sheehan says a crisis negotiator was on the phone with Walter Sulsberger for hours.

“At approximately 2:45 a.m. while the crisis negotiator was attempting to negotiate a peaceful surrender, the homicide suspect fired multiple shots at tactical teams who were attempting to move in to take the suspect into custody,” Sheehan says. “Being met with gunfire and in fear for their lives and with no other option, law enforcement personnel returned fire, striking the suspect.”

Sulsberger died at the scene. His father was found dead on the property a short time later. The sheriff has confirmed that just before Todd Sulsberger called 9-1-1 to say his son was shooting at him, dispatchers received a call that livestock were running loose and there was a fire on the property. “There were cattle out. How those cattle were made to be free, I don’t know. I’m sure the investigation will determine that,” Sheehan says. “There were fires set. I’m not aware of any that were set to buildings. There were fires that were set to hay bales…large bales that were set on fire.”

Two of the armored vehicles on the scene were struck by gunfire, but no law enforcement officers or first responders were injured. State agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation have been called in to investigate the shootings.

(Onawa, Iowa) – A collision between two semi-tractor trailers this (Monday) morning, near Onawa, resulted in one of the drivers being transported to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened on southbound I-29 in Monona County, at around 8:36-a.m.

A 2024 Kenworth tractor driven by a man from West Sacramento, CA, was stopped in the right-hand lane of southbound I-29 near mile marker 112. The semi was hauling an over-sized load. A 2023 Volvo semi driven by 29-year-old Caleb Jaton, of Sioux Falls, SD, was traveling southbound when his semi struck the trailer of the first semi. The collision caused disabling damage to both vehicles.

Jaton, who was wearing his seat belt, was transported by Wings Air Rescue to the UNMC in Omaha. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Monona County Sheriff’s Department, Onawa EMS and Blanco Fire & EMS.

DES MOINES- The Department of Management Division of Information Technology, formerly the Office of the Chief Information Officer, awarded $148,960,000 as part of the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant program. 39 broadband provider applications representing 47 Iowa counties received a Notice of Intent to Award (NOIA) for applications submitted under NOFA #008.

This round of grant funds will be used to incentivize broadband infrastructure build out in the newly established Broadband Intervention Zones (BIZ). Through feedback from 55 public meetings in Iowa communities, 96 BIZ zones were created across the state. These are areas deemed to be in the most need for broadband infrastructure expansion.

Funding for NOFA #008 was made possible through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund. For information on NOFA #008 please refer to the link below. This link provides all application materials.

https://ocio.iowa.gov/empower-rural-iowa-broadband-grant-program-notice-funding-availability-008

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Reynolds announced a new $6.5 million investment in communities to bolster tourism and quality of life through Destination Iowa. The grant initiative, which launched in 2022 with federal funding, became a state-funded initiative following approval from the Iowa legislature this year.  

“Destination Iowa has inspired communities statewide to dream big about projects that will give tourists a reason to explore and newcomers a reason to call Iowa home,” Governor Reynolds said. “This initiative has advanced 46 projects across the state so far , activating more than $480 million in total investment. Support from the state will open this opportunity for even more communities to boost tourism and quality of life while raising the profile of our state.” 

The IEDA Board approved the Destination Iowa program guidelines and procedures at its monthly board last Friday. Funds will be awarded to projects investing in vertical infrastructure such as land acquisition and construction, recreational trails and water trails. The goal is for Iowa communities to make strategic investments that create or support lasting opportunities to attract visitors and enhance quality of life amenities for residents, thereby boosting local economies and attracting talent.   

Priority will be given to applicants that have not been awarded money from the federally funded Destination Iowa fund or other programs intended to support community attraction and tourism projects after July 1, 2018. Eligible applicants include cities, counties and not-for-profit organizations.  

The program will follow a two-step application process. Pre-applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from October 23, 2023 through January 31, 2024 via a form on IEDA’s website.  For those applicants invited to apply for the full application, the final application deadline is March 1, 2024. 

IEDA will designate a grant committee to review applications and make funding recommendations to the IEDA Board for consideration at the April 2024 monthly board meeting. For more information, visit www.iowaeda.com/destination-iowa-state.