(Radio Iowa) -Many Iowans were awakened by unfamiliar noises this (Wednesday) morning, claps of thunder and raindrops on the rooftop. Some communities that have seen precious little precipitation in weeks — even months — were hit with a deluge. Hydrologist Jeff Zogg, at the National Weather Service, says multiple flash flood warnings were issued early today as rainfall totals reached seven and eight inches in a few locations. “That’s a combination of some radar estimates as well as some rainfall reports that we received,” Zogg says. “The heaviest rainfall fell in a stripe from southwest into south-central Iowa and amounts there were as high as four to six inches with some locally higher amounts.”

Traffic was slowed on many roadways, including Interstate 29 in western Iowa, due to a combination of standing water and a lack of visibility during the downpour. “We’re not hearing a whole lot in terms of major damage from the rainfall,” Zogg says, “mainly just some road closures, maybe some basements with water in them, but in most places, the rainfall was pretty welcome.” The old adage of “When it rains, it pours,” had dual significance today, as drought-stricken areas badly needed the rain, just not quite so much of it over such a short period of time.”The rainfall fell pretty intensely in some locations,” Zogg says, “so while the rainfall was welcome, in some cases it fell a little too fast for it to soak in, and it ran off and caused some of the problems that we were seeing.”

Wide sections of Iowa have been in drought for a few years now, and this precipitation is coming at a crucial time for farmers. “The rainfall that we’ve received will definitely help,” Zogg says. “It won’t end the drought conditions, but as far as for the rest of the day, the chances for showers and storms will be greatest pretty much across the southern half of the state, basically south of Highway 30. It’s kind of winding down in some areas but better chances as you go further south.”

The long-range forecast calls for at least a chance of rain every day through Sunday.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Small non-farm businesses in 20 Iowa counties and neighboring counties in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota are now eligible to apply for low interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Director Tanya N. Garfield with the SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West, says the loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began June 6th

Primary Iowa counties:  Cass, Lee, Lyon and Montgomery;
Neighboring Iowa counties:  Adair, Adams, Audubon, Des Moines, Fremont, Guthrie, Henry, Mills, O’Brien, Osceola, Page, Pottawattamie, Shelby, Sioux, Taylor and Van Buren;

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Garfield said. Small non-farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for businesses and 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Garfield said. By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on July 31.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The deadline to apply for economic injury is April 1, 2024.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A reminder from Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns: The First day to file nomination papers for the upcoming City/School Election is Monday, August 28, 2023. The last day to file is Thursday, September 21, 2023. Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state:www.sos.iowa.gov

Signature requirements for Cities are as follows:
City of Atlantic (Runoff Provisions)
• Council At Large Position-21 signatures
• Wards 1-2-3-4 Positions-10 signatures
• Park & Recreation Board-25 signatures

All other cities in the county require 10 signatures for each position.

Signature requirements for School Districts are as follows:
Atlantic School District Positions- 50 signatures
CAM School District Positions- 20 signatures
Griswold School District At Large Position- 16 Signatures
Griswold School District Director 1- 10 signatures
Griswold School District Director 2- 10 signatures

For more information contact the Cass County Auditor’s Office at 712-243-4570 or email to auditor@casscoia.us.

The city positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2023 City/School Election are:
Anita:
• Council Member- 2 Positions
• Mayor
Atlantic:
• City Council At Large
• Atlantic 1st Ward Council Member
• Atlantic 2nd Ward Council Member
• Atlantic 3rd Ward Council Member
• Atlantic 4th Ward Council Member
• Park & Recreation Board-2 positions
• Park & Recreation Board-Vacancy Position
Cumberland:
• Council Member-2 positions
• Mayor
Griswold:
• Council Member-3 Positions
Lewis:
• Council Member-3 Positions
• Mayor
Marne:
• Council Member-3 Positions
• Mayor
Massena:
• Council Member-3 Positions
• Mayor
Wiota:
• City Council-2 Positions
• Mayor

The school positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2023 City/School Election are:
Atlantic School District
• Board Member At Large-3 Positions
CAM School District
• Board Member North District
• Board Member South District
Griswold School District
• Board Member-At Large
• Board Member District 1
• Board Member District 2

DES MOINES, Iowa – An Iowa man pled guilty, Monday, in Des Moines, to charges of Willful Failure to Pay Over Employment Taxes. and Willful Failure to File an Income Tax Return.
As described in public court records, 50-year-old Thomas James Morford, operated a concrete construction business within the Southern District of Iowa. During the fourth quarter of 2019, Morford collected and willfully failed to pay more than $9,000 in employee Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes to the United States. Additionally, for the year 2020, Morford willfully failed to file a federal tax return.

Morford is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the case.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday), approved a longevity increase of 25-cents per hour for Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy William Tipling, who’s been on the force for 5-years. And, they approved a wage increase to $19.76/hour for Jailer Gwendi Rice, who has completed her six-month probationary period.

In other business, the Board passed a Resolution Naming Depositories, and acknowledged the receipt of Manure Management Plan (MMP) update for a Prestage Farms’ Eureka Township livestock facility.

Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman requested Board Chair Jerry Walker sign a letter of support for Guthrie County’s application to receive a discretionary grant for a Multimodal project on White Pole Road. They authorized, and Walker signed, the Letter of Support. Kauffman said the project has a “Pretty good chance of being awarded” the grant.

The Adair County Supervisors also approved the sale of a used, County truck crane, to Clayton Auto Salvage in Greenfield, for their high bid of $8,500. They also approved of the Board Chair signing Contract and Performance Bonds for Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert (RCB) Projects in the W-14 Jefferson (Township) and W-11 Union (Township).

Nick Kauffman provided the Board with a weekly report on Secondary Roads Dept. maintenance and activities.

(Radio Iowa) – Officials in Iowa’s most populous county are urging residents to take more precautions in locking up their firearms, as gun-related incidents are the second-leading cause of death among youth. Between 2016 and 2020, gun injuries accounted for more than one-fifth of the deaths in Polk County residents between the ages of one and 24. Eric Haugen is a medical director of pediatrics at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. “There’s a higher incidence of depression, anxiety in our children today,” Haugen says, “and the medical health resources are simply not there. We have long waits when it comes to trying to get help for the children in our community now.”

Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly says youth suicide by firearms is a growing concern. “The mental health status of our youth, as everyone knows, have declined,” Connolly says. “Our youth are suffering from anxiety and depression more than ever before, which puts them at risk of suicide.”

A report finds 41-percent of all youth suicides were gun-related. According to the Centers for Disease Control, firearms overtook car accidents last year as the leading cause of death for children nationally.

(Washington, D-C/National News) – The FBI, working with its state and local partners, identified and located 200 victims of sex trafficking during a nationwide enforcement campaign called Operation Cross Country. The operation also led to identification or arrest of 126 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking offenses and 68 suspects of trafficking were identified or arrested.

Through targeted operations and collaborative efforts, Operation Cross Country achieved significant milestones in recovering victims, apprehending offenders, and raising public awareness about these heinous crimes. The FBI and its partners located 59 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses and located 59 actively missing children during its 2-week operation in July.

“Sex traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This operation, which located 59 actively missing children, builds on the tremendous work the FBI has undertaken over many years to rescue minor victims and arrest those responsible for these unspeakable crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to prevent human trafficking; increase detection, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking crimes; and expand support and services to protect and empower survivors.”

The FBI-led nationwide initiative, in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), focused on identifying and locating victims of sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved in both child sex and human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies conducted targeted operations to identify and apprehend offenders, dismantling criminal networks, and preventing further harm to victims. Those suspects identified will be subject to additional investigation for potential charges.

“Human traffickers’ prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, and their crimes scar victims – many of them children – for life. The FBI’s commitment to combating this threat will never waver, and we will continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This operation would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration from our state and local law enforcement partners, and it demonstrates our continued focus on actively pursuing the criminals responsible for these heinous violations and connecting those impacted with dedicated victim services and resources.”

A multidisciplinary team (MDT), to include victim specialists, child/adolescent forensic interviewers, and other victim service personnel, in addition to special agents, ensures a victim-centered, culturally responsive, trauma-informed investigative response. The FBI MDT works with state and local partners to make resources available to meet the unique needs of trafficking victims.

Victim specialists provide services based on the individual needs of human trafficking victims, to include crisis intervention, emergency food and clothing, transportation to receive emergency services, and locating shelter or housing. The victim specialists also serve as conduit between the victims and the investigative team to help ensure they are receiving case updates, as appropriate.

“Behind every statistic, there is a person with dreams, aspirations, and the right to live a life free from child sex trafficking and exploitation. As a society we must work together to ensure the protection, support, and empowerment of those impacted by this heinous crime.” said NCMEC President & CEO Michelle DeLaune. “We applaud the FBI and their partner law enforcement agencies for their unwavering dedication to protecting children. Their tireless efforts in combating crimes against children sends a powerful message that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated.”

The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to combating child exploitation and human trafficking. Operation Cross Country is just one facet of the Bureau’s ongoing efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of society and hold offenders accountable. The FBI encourages continued vigilance, cooperation, and reporting from the public to help identify and recover victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

(Creston, Iowa) — Students at Southwestern Community College (SWCC) held a memorial vigil Tuesday night, to honor the life of Madalynn Stewart, of Maloy. The community gathered at the gymnasium in the student center to share memories of Stewart. The 19-year-old was on the school’s women’s basketball and dance teams.

Stewart died Sunday from injuries she suffered July 21st in a Union County crash. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a car driven by Stewart, failed to stop at a stop sign when it entered Highway 34 from 190th Street in Afton around 10:30 that night. The car was struck by a pickup truck, and both vehicles went into a ditch.

Stewart is the third 19-year-old to die as a result of the crash. Halsie Lynn Barnes and Ella Jo Leonard died as a result of the crash. People gathered on July 25 to honor their lives during a candlelight service. Clergy and counselors were also on-hand.

Open visitation for Madalynn Mae Stewart will be held at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 1-8 p.m., with family present from 5-8 p.m. Her funeral will be on Monday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m., at the Mount Ayr High School gymnasium.

SWCC will be closed Monday so employees may attend the funeral.

(Radio Iowa) – The Dallas County Sheriff reports a teenager has died after being pulled from Moffit Lake Monday. The Sheriff says they received a 9-1-1 call just before 7 p-m that three people who were fishing at the lake were in the water and struggling to stay afloat. A passerby pulled all three out of the water.

A 14-year-old girl who was under the water the longest was given C-P-R and taken to the hospital where she later died. No names have been released.

(Radio Iowa) – The monthly survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states shows both the state and regional economies took big falls during July. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says it’s a warning sign for the economy in the months ahead, as the overall Business Conditions Index indicates a significant slowdown is looming in the Midwestern manufacturing sector.

Despite some recent optimism about the U-S economy’s overall performance, the survey shows the region’s supply managers estimate there’s almost a 50-50 chance of a recession in the second half of this year. Goss expects what he’s calling “a rolling recession” to impact certain sectors of the economy, especially commercial real estate and manufacturing.