(Council Bluffs, Iowa [KETV]) — If your travels take you to Council Bluffs, frequently, you may have noticed the wear on the South Expressway bridge in the city. Bluffs Public Works Director Matt Cox, says there’s no safety threat, because while part of the reinforcing steel is exposed, the bridge is still performing as designed.

And whatever concrete that’s fallen off, he says, has no impact on the structural integrity. Cox said public works inspects these bridges regularly, and people do not need to be concerned with driving over the bridge.

(Radio Iowa) – The president of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Des Moines County farmer Stan Nelson says the harvest numbers are looking good despite all the challenges this growing season. “Were pleasantly surprised, considering the entire state was in some segment of drought,” he says. Nelson raises corn and soybeans near Danville and says this season shows how well farmers have adapted. “This is a year that showed, that demonstrates our sustainable practices and our soil health practices. Combined with the seed companies better genetics, we’re still producing a crop,” Nelson says. “The U-S-D-A pegs this is a carry out of two-point-one billion bushels of corn. Considering that the Midwest and the entire state of Iowa is in a drought, I’d say that speaks volumes for our for our activities.”

He won’t venture a guess on how the harvest will impact crop prices. “We don’t know….all we know now is we’re producing a huge crop this year that’s going to be marketed throughout the year for ethanol and the four-thousand other products made from corn,” Nelson says.

Nelson made his comments earlier this week following the announcement of the NASCAR Cup Race that’s coming to the Iowa Speedway in Newton.

(Radio Iowa) – Field and equipment fires are not uncommon during the fall but the drought has caused a greater potential for problems this year. U-S-D-A Midwest Climate Hub director, Dennis Todey, says agricultural and emergency management leaders want remind everyone about the heightened hazard due to dry crops and vegetation near fields. “We’re aware of this and just wanted to share that message with people to be aware, react quickly, and be ready to deal with it if something does happen,” he says.

The fires can start in hot machines in the field, and they then have plenty of fuel to keep burning. He says vegetation and other things surrounding crop fields are also very dry and potentially could go up.

You add in some windy conditions and fires can quickly get out of hand. Firefighters recently battled a large field fire in Mills County near Emerson that involved several pieces of farm equipment. A dozen farmers with tractors and discs helped contain the fire before it could do any major damage. Todey says the problem will likely continue into November unless the state sees more substantial rainfall. The State Fire Marshal says there are 16 counties with burn bans.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Clarinda was arrested Wednesday evening on an assault charge, in Red Oak. Police say 36-year-old Bryce Michael McKinnon was taken into custody at around 6:34-p.m. in the 2300 block of Eastern Avenue, in Red Oak. He was charged with Assault on a person engaged in certain professions, causing bodily injury. McKinnon was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The historic Harlan-Lincoln House in Mount Pleasant is changing hands. The two-story yellow and white house is now a stand-alone Iowa non-profit corporation, Harlan-Lincoln House, Inc. The now-closed Iowa Wesleyan University transferred ownership of the house, which was built by former Iowa U-S Senator James Harlan in 1876.

He was a friend and political ally of President Abe Lincoln – and Harlan’s daughter, Mary, married Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln. More than 20 volunteers will give guided tours of the house – and care for the structure and grounds. A public re-opening event is planned for October 21st.

Federal agencies sent out a message to all radios, T-Vs and cellular phones Wednesday afternoon, as a test of the nation’s emergency alert systems. Tracey Bearden, 9-1-1 coordinator for the Polk County Emergency Management Agency, says at 1:20 P-M, all devices were sent the alert as a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System by the F-C-C and FEMA.

Bearden says the key takeaway should be that it’s a good drill to make sure that this nationwide system works and to practice for an actual incident. While some of us may have been annoyed by the distraction, Bearden hopes they consider the virtues of this unprecedented test as a way to be prepared.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue appeared before the City Council during their meeting this (Wednesday) evening, to update the Council on his department’s plans to address junk vehicle violations. The Chief said at the request of the Council, the P-D has been working on a process of dealing with personal vehicles being park on personal properties, in violation of the City’s Code of Ordinances.

He says two officers each are assigned to one of five zones in the City. The goal is for those officers to look for violations in their zones as time allows, and find the best way to address those violations.

Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue speaks w/the City Council (10/4/23; Ric Hanson photo)

Right now, the officers have a letter they can submit to violators, in an attempt to resolve the matter without having to issue a citation.

The project is in the beginning stages of its implementation, but Chief Hogue says they’ve already seen positive results from their efforts to alert vehicle owners to issues with the Code.

He said “We don’t wish to cite or fine the citizens into compliance.”

In other business, the Council passed Resolution “Approving the dedication of [the] Redwood Subdivision to the City of Atlantic.” During their meeting in April, 2022, the Council approved the preliminary plat for the subdivision, with the final plat having been approved in June of 2022. Both plats created nine new lots for low-density residential, single-family homes, and extended a cul-de-sac (East 20th St.) with utility service and right-of-way (ROW), west of Redwood Drive. A stipulation of the preliminary plat states “The public infrastructure improvements (streets, sewer, storm water & water main) shall be dedicated to the City of Atlantic.” The Resolution completes the transfer of the ROW and improvements within, to the City.

The Atlantic City Council approved the Transfer of Funds for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023-24. City Administrator John Lund says is a routine transfer of money for the City’s 63 separate funds, and is a critical component of making the City’s budget work effectively. It also reconciles accurate cost-accounting with the desire to create transparency on what is being spent in each line item in each fund. The transfers, Lund says, are always in accordance with State Law. In the past, Lund notes, the City simply followed the budget on the transfers as sufficient documentation of activity, but the auditors are now requiring that a separate resolution be passed as the transfers occur.

Mayor Grace Garrett reminded citizens of Atlantic and the surrounding area of Atlantic, that if they wish to serve on the Parks and Rec Advisory Board, letters of your intent are due in to City Hall no later than 4:30-p.m. this Friday, Oct. 6th. Any late letters will not be considered.

She said to date, they have received about a half-dozen letters of intent.

(Bedford, Iowa) – The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, today (Wednesday) said a suspect wanted on multiple Iowa warrants throughout the State of Iowa, had been apprehended. Details concerning the capture of 30-year-old Ely Laramie Will are currently not available.

As we previously reported, Will was last known to be in the Lenox, Clearfield and Creston areas.

DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds announced today (Wednesday), a third round of funding for the Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program to encourage employers to offer child care as a benefit to their employees.   

This round of the Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program will provide $5 million to support child care projects in Iowa.  Funds may be used to support arrangements between employers and child care facilities to reserve child care slots. Applicants can apply for up to $250,000. 

The Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program will be offered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

“Incentivizing child care initiatives through collaboration with local businesses can help Iowans pursue opportunities that are best for their families,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Tackling this challenge requires everyone in our communities to be part of the solution and this third round of funding underscores our commitment to making child care more accessible throughout the state.” 

“The dividends from these investments in Iowa’s child care system are immeasurable,” said HHS Director Kelly Garcia. “These formative years in a child’s life lay the foundation for future health and well-being and have significant, lasting effects that cut across all HHS programming.” 

A Request for Proposals will be released October 4, 2023 at  https://bidopportunities.iowa.gov/. Proposals are due November 2.  Those interested in learning more about this opportunity can join the Bidders’ Conference October 10, 2023 at Noon by visiting https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606104580. Pre-registration is not required. 

(Radio Iowa) – Cedar Rapids students returned to school Tuesday with additional safety measures in place after a weekend social media threat caused the district to cancel classes Monday. The district announced only 60 percent of students were in attendance. For the rest of the week an escalated police presence and a prohibition on backpacks remain in effect. Parent Adam Mayer says the Tuesday press conference about the issue was a start, but he says the communication with parents has been lacking.

Superintendent Tawana Grover says mental health supports are available to district families and staff. Cedar Rapids Police Captain Charlie Fields says they continue to investigate and no arrests nor citations have been made in connection with the threat.
(By Zachary Oren Smith, Iowa Public Radio)