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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa [KETV] – A hidden sinkhole has force residents of an apartment building in Council Bluffs to evacuate the premises. Some action has been taken by the city, but very little is known about the sinkhole just yet. City officials said one building at the Parkwild apartment complex has been posted, meaning there’s a notice to take action, and so far eight apartments have been fully evacuated and all utilities in the building have been shut down, but it’s something no resident ever expected to hear.
The city of Council Bluffs said they were first notified about a potential issue late Friday. On Tuesday morning crews found the sinkhole and immediately tagged the building. Officials said it’s unclear just how large the hole is, but from what they could see initially, it could be close to the size of two cars. The city said the sinkhole appears to run along the exterior of the building and underneath a portion of the ground level.
Residents weren’t testing their luck; however, some even used windows to evacuate. The city of Council Bluffs said that after their initial search of the property on Tuesday, no other buildings at the Parkwild apartment complex are currently in danger.
GREENFIELD, Iowa [KCCI] – People gathered on the lawn in front of the Adair County Courthouse Tuesday night for a vigil one week after a deadly EF-4 tornado swept through Greenfield.
The event was organized by Greenfield Chamber Main Street and the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation. Community and faith leaders came together to lead the crowd in prayer. It was an opportunity for people to escape the chaos of cleanup and destruction seen around town.
A minute of silence was held to represent the minute that it took for the tornado to go through the city. In those 60 seconds, four people were killed, more than 35 people were injured, and many homes were destroyed. Pastor Steven Broers of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle read the names of the three men and a woman who were killed in Greenfield and a woman who was killed in Adams County out loud, during a prayer.
People held glow sticks to symbolize the light they continue to shine in the darkness and the strength they have. The Greater Greenfield Community Foundation said it has raised $380,000 from its tornado relief fund so far. The organization thanked everyone who donated time, money and resources in the days following the storm.
(Radio Iowa) – One of the races in next week’s Primary Election is in Iowa’s fourth congressional district, where Kevin Virgil is challenging Republican Randy Feenstra of Hull, who’s seeking a third term in the U-S House. Virgil is a former Army captain, a former C-I-A officer and an entrepreneur who launched a software company that has won U-S military contracts. He grew up near Sutherland, on an O’Brien County farm.
“When it became obvious that nobody was going to run against Feenstra this time, that just accelerated my decision to come back home,” Virgil says. Virgil supports 12-year term limits for members of congress, a 50 percent reduction in the federal workforce and a hard closure of the U-S-Mexico border.
“We need to make sure that our companies are only hiring people who are authorized to work here in America…which means extremely stiff penalties and I would also propose comprehensive immigration reform,” Virgil says. “Maybe some sort of short term Visa for working class, non-Americans who want to work in a meatpacking plant or in a low skilled job because they can earn more here than they can back home, but it needs to be regulated. It needs to be controlled.”
Virgil, who criticizes Feenstra for supporting construction of a carbon pipeline, says eminent domain should not be used for the project. “It’s not just unconstitutional to seize land from a private citizen for another person or another company’s private gain, it’s unAmerican,” Virgil says, “and I think it’s an extremely important issue.” Feenstra’s campaign manager says Feenstra delivers conservative results and Iowans will reject Steve King’s effort to send a New Yorker to congress to represent Iowa’s 4th Congressional District.
Former Congressman Steve King, who lost to Feenstra in a G-O-P Primary four years ago, encouraged Virgil to run and has endorsed him.
(Radio Iowa) – Brewers from across the state are producing a limited edition “Yield of Dreams” beer to draw attention to Iowa’s craft beer industry and its economic impact on the state. Iowa Brewers Guild executive director Noreen Otto says the beer-making process started yesterday (Tuesday) at Field Day Brewing in North Liberty. “It will now sit in the tanks and go through all the beautiful magic that will make it a lager,” Otto says. “We’ll be releasing the beer at the Iowa State Fair in August.” Iowa grown corn is the key ingredient.
“An Iowa corn lager is going to be really crisp and fresh, great for summer drinking,” Otto says, “which is why we love it.” The beer is part of the “Brewed in Iowa” program and it will first be sold at the Iowa State Fair’s craft beer tent. “Yield of Dreams’ is a collaboration with Iowa Corn, with ‘Choose Iowa,’ with the promotional fund under Iowa Tourism and then after the fair it will be available at our members’ taprooms around the state,” Otto says. 
The Iowa Brewers Guild is the trade association for more than 100 brewers who are making beer, cider and mead in Iowa. This summer, the Guild plans to release a study of the industry’s impact on tourism and the state’s economy.
DES MOINES – Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) has been awarded the 2024 Innovative Project Award from the Iowa Association of Councils of Governments (ICOG) for work with the City of Woodbine on the Harvest Hills Development. The award was accepted at the ICOG Staff Retreat in Des Moines.
SWIPCO worked with the City of Woodbine to apply for and obtain a Community Development Block Grant from disaster recovery funds following the 2019 Missouri River floods to create an affordable housing project. SWIPCO worked with the city and NuStyle Development to administer funds and help coordinate the project to construct 40 new homes and the supporting infrastructure in the Harvest Hills subdivision located on the west edge of Woodbine.
SWIPCO’s Ashley Hayes, Erin Hudson, Aaron Koontz, Mary Auten, and Barb Boggs had hands on the project. SWIPCO’s team has filled many roles along the way after helping obtain the initial grant funding. Work has included helping 2019 flood displaced and low to moderate income residents match with the new housing opportunities, assuring that federal standards and guidelines are followed, coordinating planning, and assuring proper paperwork has been filed.
The infrastructure involved with this project was significant with a new water tower and solar power grid included to meet Iowa Green Streets energy standards. The full scope of the project has been a $20,772,189 undertaking and was entirely funded through CDBG-Disaster Recovery funds and the developer’s financing.
Photo Caption: SWIPCO Staff Accepting the 2024 ICOG Innovative Project Award at the Staff Retreat in Des Moines (L-R): Barb Boggs, Mary Auten, Tammy DeBord, Aaron Koontz, Erin Hudson, ICOG Chair Nichole Moore.
SWIPCO Disaster Recovery Coordinator Ashley Hayes said, “I’m proud of our team here at SWIPCO and how quickly we all adapt to the ebbs and flows of grant work at this scale. The rapport each one of us has developed with each of the developer’s team members and with the City of Woodbine, as well as IEDA, has been very helpful throughout this project and others as well. We are excited for the city to continue to thrive with this additional housing and infrastructure and it’s great to know there are individuals and developers that are willing to invest in our rural communities. It’s exciting to know that our work as a team has been recognized in this way.”
These funds are a rare opportunity for small, rural communities to bring new residents in without the need for large matching funds. Cities involved in these types of projects work in tandem with SWIPCO to manage the grant and project, ultimately realizing a big impact that may not otherwise be possible.
(Cass County, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board, Nishna Valley Trails, and Atlantic Parks and Rec are holding a free National Trails Day Area trail event on Saturday, June 1. The event is 10-a.m. until Noon, at the Schildberg Recreation Area (102 Buck Creek Road, Atlantic, IA 50022) at the East Shelter (near the campground).
People of all ages are invited to come out and enjoy this free event. The Kiwanis will have their food truck on site, and hot dogs and watermelon will be available for a free will donation. The Schildberg Recreation area is connected to approximately five miles of trails, much of which is paved. Bikes, strollers, runners or walkers–all are welcome.
At 10:30-a.m., Jon Jordan will lead a bike ride out to the T-Bone Trailhead and back (approximately 15 miles). Portions of the route will be gravel, and Jon will share tips on biking safely. The event will be canceled if there is inclement weather.
The Schildberg Recreation area is just one of many trails sites in Cass County. A map of Cass County trails, including information on trail type, ADA accessibility, and restrooms, can be found at https://www.atlanticiowa.com/experience/cass-county-trails-map-2/. Printed copies of the Cass County Trails Map can be picked up at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022).
Jon Jordan shares cycling tips with rides before the 2023 trails ride
Nishna Valley Trails is a tax-exempt local nonprofit that promotes the development of recreational trails and cycling. People who support these causes are welcome to join the group. For more information on Nishna Valley Trails or to join the organization, contact President Dave Chase at 712-249-3059.
DES MOINES – Today Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the signing of a disaster proclamation for Sioux County, Iowa effective immediately through June 27, 2024. The USDA has confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial layer chickens.
This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.
The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately.
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s top election official says Iowans can be assured their votes in next Tuesday’s Primary Election will be counted accurately. Secretary of State Paul Pate hosted officials from key state and federal agencies today at the Iowa National Guard’s headquarters to discuss election security. “Our elections are safe, fair and secure,” Pate said.
Iowa uses paper ballots and Pate said that means the ballots can’t be hacked, plus every ballot tabulator is tested to make sure it’s functioning properly before every election. “Iowa’s vote tabulators are not connected to the internet,” Pate said. “The physical protection of each piece of voting equipment is accounted for in all 99 counties.”
Many Iowa counties have been hit with storm damage this spring, but polling sites are set in areas where tornadoes destroyed homes and businesses, according to Pate. “But there are other things involved, to be very candid,” Pate said. “People who are maybe voting absentee, making sure that they still have their ballot (after) the disruption in their homes, so they are working very closely with the folks in their counties to make sure that (the election) is run smoothly.”
John Benson, director of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said state and federal experts will gather at the State Emergency Operations Center to monitor Primary Election day activity. “If something does happen, we’re already in a spot where we can effectively respond,” Benson said. “…Ultimately, we don’t want to have to do anything and it’s happened that way for the last many elections.”
About 10,000 Iowans have signed up to be precinct workers for Tuesday’s Primary. Cait Conley, who leads election security efforts in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said the agency’s monitoring cybersecurity threats from foreign adversaries as well as physical threats to poll workers.
Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s Omaha office, and Cait Conley, top election security official in U.S. Homeland Security Dept., joined Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate at a May 28, 2024 news conference in Johnston, Iowa. (RI photo)
“This is not who we are as a country,” said Conley, who flew to Iowa to participate in today’s news conference in Johnston, “As Americans, we are better than this and, as a veteran, I want to thank these brave and selfless election officials who stand steadfast in their commitment to the security and integrity of the American democratic process.”
Over the past three years, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has conducted cybersecurity assessments for election offices in each of Iowa’s 99 counties and Conley said every county auditor’s office in Iowa is now using a dot.gov website, which has a higher level of security. “I’ve had the privilege to spend time with chief election officials across the country and witness firsthand how tirelessly they and their teams work to ensure the citizens’ votes are counted as cast,” Conley said.
Eugene Kowel, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Omaha office, said election security is one of the agency’s highest priorities. He joined Iowa’s secretary of state at today’s news conference at Iowa National Guard headquarters.
“We urge anyone if they become aware of suspicious activity or activity of a violent nature to call local law enforcement or call the F-B-I,” Kowel said.
Precinct voting sites will open at 7 a.m. June 4 and close at 8 p.m. The Iowa Secretary of State’s website has a list of all the voting sites for the Primary. Mail-in ballots must be received by the local county auditor’s office by the time polls close at 8 p.m. in order to be counted.
DES MOINES, Iowa, May 28, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development will provide Agency resources at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster recovery centers in the towns of Minden, Harlan, Greenfield, and Mount Ayr, areas hit hard by recent severe storms and tornadoes. The Agency offers information to individuals and organizations seeking grants and loans to help homeowners, businesses, and communities in rural areas damaged by severe storms and tornadoes in Iowa on April 26-27, 2024, map, and May 21, 2024, map.
USDA encourages homeowners with storm damage in all eligible counties to register with FEMA. Start an application for FEMA assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
USDA resources include Rural Development’s disaster assistance fact sheet for Iowa, resource guide, and webpage.
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
FEMA Disaster recovery center locations in Iowa
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Adair County – Greenfield City Hall
202 S. 1st Street
Greenfield, Iowa 50849
Ringgold County – United Baptist Presbyterian Church
2343 US Highway 169
Mount Ayr, Iowa 50854
Pottawattamie County – Minden Fire Department
207 Main Street
Minden, Iowa 51553
Shelby County – Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
1901 Hawkeye Ave. Suite 101
Harlan, Iowa 51537
(Iowa DNR) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has forestry experts available to help landowners impacted by recent storms with forest storm damage assessments and forest recovery plans. Lindsey Barney, district forester for 11 counties in southern and southwest Iowa for the Iowa DNR, said the phone calls are just beginning as the cleanup progresses.
“These storms have caused significant damage across the state. When the landowners are ready, we will be here to help them assess the impact to their timber,” she said. There is a map and contact information for the local district foresters online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Forestry/Forestry-Landowner-Assistance
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