(Radio Iowa) – About 200 people gathered in downtown Lake City this week for a groundbreaking for Dobson Pipe Organ Builders. The company is building a new facility at the site of the fire in June of 2021 that destroyed its workspace and the parts of an organ destined for Australia. John Panning, the president and owner of Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, says the groundbreaking is a big milestone. “We never thought it would be two years before we were at this point, but with the pandemic and all the challenges of building costs and that, it took us a quite a while to get our plans together,” he says, “but the day is here and we’re delighted by the turnout, by the support of everyone here in Lake City and beyond.”

The fire destroyed many of the highly specialized tools the company’s artisans used to create their musical masterpieces. Panning, who has worked at the company since 1984, took over as president and owner in late 2020. He says the outpouring of support from around the globe kept them operating. “We’ve built some organs overseas and people know about us because the organ community is kind of small and tight knit,” Panning says. “Obviously local people knew about us and came out pretty magnificently to support us, but we had gifts of tools and money and support and prayers just from all over the country and even internationally. It was really unbelievable to witness.”

The Dobson team has been working out of several temporary spaces in Lake City since the fire and will continue to do so until the new shop is finished. Panning says they are fortunate to have that space as they continue to receive orders for new organs. “That was really the amazing thing afterward,” Panning says. “We didn’t even have a shop and people had the confidence in us to entrust us with work, so we’ve got work through the end of 2026 at this point, which is just incredibly gratifying.”

Construction on the new building is expected to be done by August 2024.

(Radio Iowa)  – Dry conditions are lessening — ever so slightly — in Iowa, according to the latest report from the U-S Drought Monitor. The new map shows roughly 87 of Iowa’s 99 counties are in some level of drought, that’s down from 89 counties last week. More than 80 counties are in either moderate or severe drought, while portions of 14 counties in western and southeastern Iowa are in extreme drought. Almost all of the remainder are considered abnormally dry, while moisture levels are only considered normal in parts of Osceola and Dickinson counties in northwest Iowa.

During June, which is typically Iowa’s wettest month, Iowa got less than three inches of rainfall statewide. About five-and-a-half inches would’ve been normal. (Click on the map to enlarge)

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session Thursday morning, at the Supervisors Chamber in the Courthouse, with all members present. Auditor Mark Maxwell says Board Chair Steve Kenkel reported that the Iowa Utilities Board will start the CO2 pipeline permitting process on August 22nd. Kenkel noted that there are currently seven counties involved in the pipeline intervention group. Pipeline information is being shared between counties regarding policies and procedures. Chairman Kenkel also congratulated all departments coming in under budgets for fiscal year 2023.

The Supervisors then discussed the appointment of the County Budget Director, Taryn Knapp for fiscal year 2024, and acted on approving the appointment. During the scheduled reports portion of the Shelby County Supervisors meeting:

Alex Londo, EMA Director, noted that a reorganization of a grant process has resulted in EMPG funds being received in fiscal year 2023 and that those funds as well as fiscal year 2024 funds will be received this year. Londo said that his EMA Board was pleased with the result of the recent joint EMA/Board of Supervisors meeting and would like to continue these meetings. Londo said informational meetings have been held and more are scheduled concerning the Emergency Medical Services public measure proposed for this November 7th ballot.

Austin Staley, Shelby County IT Director, said the switch from an outside IT vendor to County IT has been completed and minimal contact with the outside provider is now needed. Issues facing his department were presented and new policies are being crafted for Supervisor review.

Kyle Lindberg, Shelby County Jail Director, informed the Supervisors that this has been a very busy year and a recent State of Iowa inspection garnered high marks for the Jail. Many new State requirements have the need to be completed in the coming years and budgeting for these requirements were forewarned. Insurance coverage for unexpected medical costs at the jail were discussed and budgeting for that expenditure will also be discussed at budget time.

Neil Gross, Shelby County Sheriff, said his office is now fully staffed and the transition of absorbing the police duties in the City of Harlan is going very well. Training for most of the new officers will be completed by the end of the month. There is a new K-9 absorbed by the Sheriffs Department from the City of Harlan. Gross also noted that Chad Butler has been promoted from Sergeant to Captain and that deputies Nate Pigsley and Jake Hoss were promoted to Sergeant.

Lindberg and Gross were asked to present funding requests to the Supervisors for the spending of opioid mitigation funds. Kyle Lindberg Shelby County Jail Director presented his Department report additionally he asked for amending the Jail budget to spend $ 6,000 in opioid funds in fiscal year 2024 and the Sheriffs Department estimated $5,950.00.

In other business, Policy revisions relating to Bituminous Roads were discussed and approved. Copies of the policy are available at the Shelby County Engineer’s office. The Supervisors then discussed and passed a new Partnership Agreement for Private Improvement of Secondary Roads that would allow Performance Grading to make improvements to secondary roads under guidelines set by Shelby County. Copies of the agreement are also available, at the engineers office. Brandon Burmeister, Shelby County Engineer, recommended Jay Ring to be appointed the Entry Level Driver Trainer for Shelby County. He said the position will save money by not having to send new drivers to schooling to learn the driving skills needed at secondary roads. The appointment was approved.

Auditor Maxwell reported that the new election equipment has been ordered. And the scheduled timeline for the upcoming City/School election this November is being prepared by his department. The addition of an IT administrator will be a huge step forward for Shelby County with the maintenance of election IT duties. The tax certifications are completed, and the tax billing process will be started soon. The Auditor’s office is responsible for assigning the tax levies for every taxing district in Shelby County. This includes 11 cities, seven school districts, three community colleges, 16 townships and 5 county wide tax authorities. There are 48 different combinations of levies in Shelby County, depending on where the property is located.

Maxwell noted that recent inquiries into the Shelby County EMA being able to submit a separate levy to Shelby County property tax payers, were sent to an attorney for information. It was proposed the cost of the expenditure be split equally between EMA funds and Shelby County funds. A motion to that effect was passed by the Board. They also passed a Resolution to hold a Public Hearing at 9-a.m. on August 1st, with regard to an amendment of the Fiscal Year 2024 Shelby County Budget.

The proposed expenditure departments include Election for expenditure capital saved over the years for new equipment $60,000.00. Sheriff’s department to expend $843,838.00 for expenses to be reimbursed by the City of Harlan for Public Safety Services and reallocation of the IT departments expenditures within the department that will not affect the total expenditures planned for that department in fiscal year 2024. Also ARPA grants still due to applications totaling $250,000.00 are still outstanding and may be awarded this fiscal year. The ARPA dollars are not Shelby County Property tax dollars, but a grant from the federal government. Also included in the amendment is an additional $200,000 added for income and expenses in the Public Health Department. All County Public Health expenses are grant income and not property tax dollars. Mark Maxwell says there isn’t a way to estimate exactly what expenditures on public health grants in any given year. Also $44,000 will be amended for spending of opioid settlement funds received by Shelby County.

The final order of business for the Board before they adjourned, Thursday, was the approval of an annual Liquor License renewal, for the Corley Community Club.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A 7th Annual local shooting competition hosted by Erich and Tammy Wickman is underway in Cass County. The Wickman’s own Wickman Chemical. proceeds from the “Top Shot Cass County” competition are directed to the Atlantic Police Department and Police Reserves Children’s programs. The event has competitors vying for the title of “Top Shot Cass County.” Erich Wickman says every year the number of participants and the amount of money raised, increases. This year, there’s an additional competition, with the winner claiming a brand new rifle.

There’s also a fast and accurate, “Texas Star” shooting competition.

Erich Wickman pays for the prize weapons out of his own pocket. He hopes the event inspires others to create charitable events that benefit programs like those offered by the Atlantic Police Department and Police Reserves.

Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren says he enjoys the good-natured rivalry between the Sheriff’s Office and Police.

Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue says his officers and reserves have put together a team. He’s grateful the event helps the department’s programs to enhance the lives of children and families in Cass County.

The various programs the Police and Reserves offer, like trips to the Omaha Zoo, camping/fishing, and Shop with a Cop, are designed to give kids an experience they might not otherwise have had, and a positive experience with law enforcement.

Sheriff McLaren agreed that’s it’s a positive experience for kids and law enforcement.

This past year, the competition raised over $10,000 for the Police Departments Children’s programs. The “Top Shot” event runs through August 4th, Monday through Thursday, from 5-p.m., until dark. Inexperienced shooters are welcome, and will be mentored by experienced shooters in a controlled environment, just let Erich and Tammy Wickman know your status (beginner or experienced), when you call. Erich encourages the ladies to come out too, and experience the “Texas Star” competition.

To scheduled your time to shoot, call (712)-243-7739.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Cass County (IA) Assessor’s Office have announced the office will be closed next Friday, July 14, 2023, so that staff may attend continued education classes designed for County Assessors.

(DES MOINES) – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently awarded a total of more than $15 million in federal housing tax credits and HOME program loans to support the construction and rehabilitation of a total of 410 affordable rental homes for Iowans. The awards were made to 11 rental housing projects located in Ames, Burlington, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Keokuk, Mount Vernon, Sioux City and West Burlington. (View the award listing HERE)

Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham says “Housing is foundational to the economic mobility of Iowans and the strength of our communities. The financing announced today will provide hundreds of Iowa families and seniors with homes in which they can thrive in communities all throughout the state.” Keokuk Mayor Kathie Mahoney says “Not only will the new Keokuk Family Flats provide an additional 47 rental homes in our community, but it will also be a tremendous catalyst for economic ripple effects as more of our workforce will be able to live near where they work.”

Housing Tax Credits
The Internal Revenue Service makes an annual per capita allocation of federal tax credits to each state for the Federal Housing Tax Credit program. The Iowa Finance Authority is charged with allocating those credits to affordable housing developers. The developers who receive tax credits sell them to investors to generate equity for the housing developments.

The Iowa Finance Authority received 24 applications requesting more than $22 million in housing tax credits in the 2023 tax credit round. IFA had a total of approximately $10 million available to allocate. The actual awards total nearly $100 million because the credits are committed annually for a 10-year period.

HOME Program
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates HOME program funding among states and hundreds of localities nationwide. IFA allocates Iowa’s allocation of HOME funds to eligible entities to build and preserve affordable housing. The IFA Board of Directors today approved $5.1 million in HOME funds to support eight rental housing tax credit projects.

(Radio Iowa) – Summer’s here and Iowans are hitting the beaches. Dan Kendall, senior environmental specialist with the Iowa D-N-R, says there’s a whole crew of people who are spending the season testing the water quality in our many lakes, some 246 of them. “No swimming” advisories have already been issued for a few locations in the state, but Kendall says that’s not unusual for this time of year. He says it’s a snap to find the latest beach and lake condition reports on the agency’s website, Iowa-D-N-R-dot-gov (Iowadnr.gov).

Just type in “beach” in the window and it will take you to an alphabetized list of all beaches statewide and a wealth of data about the water quality of each one. Those reports are issued every Friday throughout the summer.

(Radio Iowa via KCRG-TV) – Willard Miller, of Fairfield, was sentenced to life with a chance for parole after 35 years Thursday for the killing of his Spanish teacher Nohema Graber in November of 2021. Miller had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and the sentence came after a hearing on the events leading up to the murder that showed he wanted to kill Graber because he was failing her Spanish class. Miller made a statement before his sentencing. “I would like to apologize for my actions first and foremost, to the family. I’m truly sorry for the distress that I caused you and the devastation I caused your family,” he says. He also apologized to the community, police and his church.

“Coming here today, now at the end of this stretched out journey, I’m realizing just the magnitude of my actions. And I know it was wrong and I knew it was wrong, I’m yet I still carried through, I still did what I did,” Millers says. Nohema Graber’s borther-in-law Tom was one of several people to give victim impact statements.

This case has had an enormous impact on Nohema’s family, Fairfield High School and the Fairfield community at large,” he says. “Not only was no amo robbed of 30 some of the best years of her life. Her murder deprived Paul Graber of the love of his life, and certainly hasten Paul’s own premature death.” He says Paul had just endured more than five years of dialysis and received a kidney transplant and was looking forward to resuming in travel with his wife.

Willard Miller sentencing (KCRG-TV photo)

“Paul was deeply and understandably depressed by the murder of Nohema — and his life ended last week in the ravages of a metastatic cancer that would have been caught and treated far sooner had Nohema been there,” he says. Miller is now almost 18, but was 16 years old at the time of the killing, and state law requires that juveniles be given a chance for parole.

Jeremey Goodale also pleaded guilty and his sentencing hearing will be in August.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds and the wife of Florida’s governor shared the stage last (Thursday) night at a “Mamas for DeSantis” event for Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign. Casey DeSantis called Iowa’s new state-funded Education Savings Accounts a game changer.

“Yay!” Reynolds yelled and, as the crowd cheered, DeSantis called it “a big deal.” In March, Governor Ron DeSantis expanded Florida’s law, eventually making about 85-hundred dollars in state money available for every student to cover the costs of private school or home schooling.

Governor Reynolds announced yesterday that Iowa parents had applied for state-funded accounts to cover private school costs for 29-thousand children.  “We were processing one application every 12 seconds in the first several days of opening up. We did it in a month,” Reynolds said. “We had projected about 14,500 and we’re over 17,500 right now.” Sixty percent of the 17-thousand-500 approved applications Reynolds mentioned are for students already enrolled in a private school.

Parents who filed the other applications need to submit more paperwork to show they meet the income guidelines to qualify. Reynolds also asked DeSantis about a welfare reform initiative called “Hope Florida” that has state agencies connect welfare recipients with resources available from religious groups, non-profits and the private sector.  “It’s just something that I want to bring to Iowa that I’m really impressed with,” Reynolds said. “…The partnership between the faith community, the private sector and government and what you’ve been able to do with that I think is really phenomenal and this has kind of been your deal.”

DeSantis says there are plenty of private citizens who’re willing to help meet the needs of people who qualify for government assistance. “This is a conversation that we need to be having about the proper role of government. What is government doing?” DeSantis asked and Reynolds said: “Amen.” DeSantis continued: “Since the ‘Great Society,’ how much money have we spent? Trillions of dollars. And where’s the return on our investment and how are we helping good people who are in need? Let’s look at a philosophical, different approach to government. Let’s change the structure of it.”

Neither DeSantis nor Reynolds mentioned next week’s special legislative session that Reynolds has called to pass new abortion restrictions. DeSantis ended the event by invited the crowd to join “Mamas for DeSantis.” She launched a similar group in Florida about five months before her husband won reelection as Florida’s governor by a nearly 20 point margin.

(Radio Iowa) – Fort Dodge Police have arrested the man wanted in the 4th of July murder of a Fort Dodge teenager. According to Fort Dodge Police Chief Dennis Quinn, 18 year old Jamarrion James Davis, also known as “JJ,” was taken into custody Thursday afternoon.

Police say after a search warrant was executed at 447 North 27th Street in Fort Dodge, Davis fled the scene and was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. His arrest comes less than two days following the murder of 15-year-old Jameel C. Redding Pettrigrew of Fort Dodge.

According to police, Redding-Pettigrew was gunned down Tuesday at around 9:45 p.m. in Fort Dodge. Davis is charged with first degree murder.