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KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(Radio Iowa) – The April unemployment rate dropped to 2.8% compared to 2.9% in March. Iowa Workforce Development director, Beth Townsend, says there were no major ups or downs in the month.
“Overall not a bad report, our labor force participation rate went down slightly again, We think that’s primarily due to retirements and then earlier in the year I think the decrease has been related to people going back to school,” Townsend says. Townsend says the economy shows signs of easing with several industries inching back from huge hiring sprees earlier in the year. “The job market is tightening in the sense that we did shed some jobs in April and it looks like employers are not hiring at the same rate that they were earlier in the year so that’s concerning,” she says.
Townsend says there appears to be some concern about the national economy. “You get the sense that everybody’s kind of waiting to see what happens,” she says, “there just seems to be, you know we’re not seeing big movements in hiring, we’re not seeing big layoffs either so that’s good….you know we’re in an election year and maybe that’s what’s going on,” Townsend says.
The number of unemployed Iowans decreased by 15-hundred to 47-thousand-200 in April. Workers at the Tyson pork plant in Perry are slated to lose their jobs in June, and Townsend says they are holding a job fair there today. She says they are trying to find the workers new jobs that are close. “And that’s kind of you know where we’ve been focusing our efforts is connecting and with employers in the Polk and Dallas County area,’ Townsend says. “Right now there are 165 job openings in Perry itself. Dallas County has about 1,100 job openings. Overall, Polk County has over 12,000 job openings, but we’re doing our level best to connect folks with manufacturers.” The Perry plant has some 1,300 workers.
Creston School District Superintendent Deron Stender says “It has been a pleasure to partner with Alliant Energy to develop a solar garden on district property. The solar garden reflects the joint effort to support renewable energy, and provide educational opportunities and valuable resources for children, staff, Creston Schools and the community.” In addition to generating reliable, renewable energy, the Panther Solar Field will help Alliant Energy understand the benefits of placing projects on the local distribution system. With a local energy source and increased efforts to underground electric lines, Alliant Energy hopes customers see increased reliability in the community.
A similar solar field to one being constructed in Creston. This one is in Sheboygen, WI.
The school can use the approximately 2,500 solar panels as an educational opportunity for students of all ages. Alliant Energy says the Panther Solar Field is an important part of the company’s Clean Energy Blueprint, their roadmap to diversifying its energy mix, and accelerate its transition to renewable energy. The company’s Clean Energy Vision includes a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its utility operations by 2050.
(Radio Iowa) – Due to challenging market conditions, Deere and Company is reducing is prediction of profits for its current operating year. Over the past three months, net sales and revenue for Deere products worldwide were down 12 percent. Deere’s chairman and C-E-O points to a decline across the global agricultural sector. Corn and soybean prices are falling, production costs are increasing, and the U-S-D-A predicts farm income in the United States will be down over 25 percent this year.
Deere predicts sales of large farm equipment, like tractors and combines, will be down between 20 and 25 percent for the year. Still, the world’s largest farm equipment maker projects net income for its current fiscal year will be seven BILLION dollars. That’s about half a BILLION below its previous estimate.
Deere’s C-E-O says the company is managing production and inventory levels to adapt to demand. Over three-hundred workers at John Deere’s Waterloo Works were laid off indefinitely at the end of April. Last week, Deere announced 34 workers at one of its plants in Moline, Illinois would be laid off at the end of May.
(Radio Iowa) – New sculptures are being added to the River City Sculptures on Parade display this week in downtown Mason City. It’s the 12th year of the program as artists from across the country are in town, installing their works on pedestals throughout the nearly two-mile route that winds through downtown. Sculptures on Parade director Mary Markwalter says 20 new sculptures are being installed this week. “It’s a really pretty walk, very diverse,” Markwalter says. “The artists came in for it, it was really nice, we have a lot of artists here for this install.”
Photos by Bob Fisher, KRIB
Markwalter says a key milestone of one-million dollars was recently reached with sculptures that have been purchased from the displays. She says one of the latest purchases will be placed along the city’s new trail system. “This year we had someone buy one of the sculptures that had come in, it was the little reindeer that was by Principal, and it is going on the city right-of-way on the new path that is along the old Scrip Road,” she says. “We’re kind of starting to spread out through the city, too, which I like to see that.”
One of the artists that’s new to this year’s display is Garth Hite from Wichita, Kansas. He says he’s enjoyed seeing the sculptures, the architecture and MacNider Art Museum being a big part of the community. Hite was asked him why art displays like the Sculptures on Parade are important to a community.
“It gives people a chance to think about the sculpture and what the artist was thinking about,” Hite says, “and just how people are so different, and just enjoying the beauty of each person’s interpretation of living in the living world.” Hite says he’s impressed with Mason City’s extensive display.
“They’ve had several sculptures and it’s good for all the artists out there to be able to show their work and just keep a living doing that,” he says. Maps will be available for this year’s display once the sculptures are all in place.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – An Atlantic City Councilman is offering citizens in the Ward he represents, to meet him and discuss issues of concern to them. 4th Ward Councilman Sean Sarsfield said at Wednesday’s Atlantic City Council meeting, he wants to meet with his constituents on June 4th, from 6-until 7:30-p.m., at The Venue, in downtown Atlantic.
Councilperson Elaine Otte added…
Atlantic Councilman Dana Halder reported Wednesday, the Community Protection Committee met Wednesday afternoon, prior to the Council meeting, and will forward a recommendation to the Council, with regard to citizen use of fireworks in July.
On a similar note, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, passed an order for a Special Fireworks display on private property at 1303 Maple Street on July 16th, should the Atlantic Trojan Softball Team host the regional Softball Final, and win the game. The request was made by local fireworks specialist Dan Vargason.
And, with regard to a City-sponsored fireworks display, Councilperson Emily McDermott said those plans are still being finalized, with the idea to hold them around Labor Day once again. Last year’s 4th of July fireworks program was reschedule to Sept. 2nd, due to inclement weather. The Council last year had discussed moving the event to later in the Summer, so as to not draw attention away from popular events, such as those held in Exira, which also offers a parade.
Councilman Halder said the Community Protection Committee reviewed and discussed allowing side-by-side (off-road/Utility) vehicles on City streets in Atlantic.
In other business, the Council approved a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission, to vacate a Phantom Right-Of-Way (ROW) that begins at the corner of W. 4th and Laurel Streets, going westbound and terminating at the Phantom Railroad ROW. The Council ordered City Administrator John Lund to proceed with having the City Attorney prepare a public notice with regard to vacating the alley, turning it over to Rob Stamp, who would like to have access to his property to the north, and would do so by cutting the curb in the vacated area, pouring a driveway, and maintaining it as another entrance.
The Atlantic City Council then passed the 3rd and final reading of an amended ordinance that changes vendor fees and dates, as they pertain to the July 23 RAGBRAI® event in Atlantic.
(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office report two recent arrests. 26-year-old Ryan Paul Escareno, of Deridder, LA, was arrested at around 2:15-p.m., Tuesday, following on I-29 at mile marker 39, in Mills County. Escareno was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $2,300.
And, 18-year-old Gavin Lee Burch, of Omaha, was arrested at around 9:35-a.m. Wednesday, on a Mills County warrant for Eluding, and Theft in the 2nd Degree. His arrest took place at the Douglas County, NE, Jail. Bond was set at $5,000.
Sheriff’s officials said also, ABC Electric, of Council Bluffs, reported Wednesday morning, an incident of Burglary in the 3rd Degree. The incident occurred at the company’s location on Bunge Avenue in Mills County. A Glenwood resident reported an incident of Theft in the 5th Degree, Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred at a location on Gingry Lane.
(Radio Iowa) – The 83rd Annual Orange City Tulip Festival begins today and it will have something unique this year. A brand-new tulip has been developed, and although it is not in bloom, the bulbs are available for sale.
Tulip Town Bulb Company owner Keri Drescher says the Dutch Heritage Boosters asked if they could partner with her for the new tulip. “I didn’t know a lot about it, but basically it’s new to the U-S, and it’s exclusive to Orange City,” she says. Heritage Booster member Jodi Vander Zwaag says they got the idea when the Consulate General from the Netherlands visited Orange City last year and told them something surprising.
“When we’re in the park he mentioned that we should baptize a tulip and we’re like oh,” Vander Zwaag explained. After figuring out what this meant, they got in contact with a bulb company in the Netherlands that develops exclusive bulbs. They found out the process takes between seven to ten years, but there was a bulb available with orange in it if they wanted it. “So the process went really fast for us and we you know figured out how you baptize a tulip we were able to name it so the Oranjestad DHB,” she says. The name means Orange City, Dutch Heritage Boosters; to honor the Dutch heritage and the Dutch Heritage Boosters.
Oranjestad DHB tulip
Vander Zwaag says that the final act is to baptize the tulip. Not knowing how that’s done, she learned one was just baptized this spring in Chicago. She says it involved the consulate pouring champagne on the tulips. The Oranjestad DHB tulip, is bright yellow with orange to apricot tips, and can be purchased at the festival which runs through May 17th.
(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report three people were arrested on drug charges Wednesday afternoon. At around 3:30-p.m., Officers with the Red Oak Police Department conducted a search warrant on a residence in the 400 block of N. 4th Street. As a result of the warrant and investigation, Police arrested 54-year-old Kenneth Gerald Owens, 47-year-old Chrystal Rush Stewart, and 60-year-old Robert Wade Abraham, of Red Oak.
Owens was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, Gathering where marijuana is used, and Possession of Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,000. Stewart was arrested for Gathering where marijuana is used. Her bond was also set at $1,000. And, Robert Abraham was charged with PCS/Marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense, Gathering where marijuana is used, and Poss. of paraphernalia. His bond was set at $2000. Abraham was also taken into custody on a valid warrant for Failure To Appear on an original charge of Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense. Bond on that was charge was $2,000, cash-only.
(Des Moines, Iowa) – A bill adopted by the Iowa Legislature this year that is meant to more harshly penalize open meetings violations might also enable city councils, school boards and others to deliberate in secret, according to the Iowa Public Information Board. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports House File 2539 would increase the penalties for violating a state law that generally requires governmental bodies to operate transparently. That includes providing sufficient notice and agendas for their meetings and deliberating and voting in public.
Purposeful violations of that law could result in fines of up to $12,500 for each board or council member who participated — up from $2,500 — according to the bill. It would further require repeat offenders to be expelled from office. However, a late amendment to the bill might have undercut those provisions.
Under current law, it’s permissible for a majority of a board’s or council’s members to attend the same social event “when there is no discussion of policy or no intent to avoid” open meetings requirements. With the amendment, lawmakers sought to emphasize that includes gatherings that are “hosted or organized by a political party, political candidate or civic organization.”
“There’s some concerns in some smaller counties in Iowa that have, say, three (county) supervisors, that if they’re attending a social event for a political party or a civic gathering, that they would be in violation of the open meetings law,” Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, said last month in support of the amendment during debate in the Senate. “This clarifies that’s not a meeting.”
The problem is that the additional text was placed in a way that fully exempts those gatherings from open meeting requirements, said Erika Eckley, executive director of the Iowa Public Information Board, which is charged with deciding whether government officials violate open meetings and records law.
“This language is in direct conflict with the transparency requirements of Iowa’s sunshine laws and will create an enormous loophole for government bodies to allow for decisions to be made in secret, avoiding public consideration and disclosure, which is contrary to ensuring accountability of government to Iowans and the legislative intent behind the legislation,” Eckley wrote in a letter to Gov. Kim Reynolds this month.
Eckley sent that letter at the direction of IPIB’s legislative committee, which sought to notify Reynolds of their interpretation of the bill before Reynolds potentially signs it into law. Reynolds should veto the bill, said Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which advocates for open government. Evans supports increasing the fines for violations but said the apparently errant amendment has negative implications that far outweigh the bill’s benefits.
The bill was amended and adopted unanimously in the Senate in the waning hours of this year’s legislative session on April 18. The change was then approved by the House.
OSCEOLA, Iowa [KCCI] — A former southern Iowa county attorney who was convicted in 2021 of operating while intoxicated — her second offense — and child endangerment is back in the hot seat with a third offense OWI arrest. KCCI reports, that according to court records, Michelle Rivera, former Clarke County attorney, was arrested in Osceola on Tuesday evening after a car collision where the car she was driving struck another vehicle shortly after 5 p.m.
According to the criminal complaint, an officer who arrived on the scene at East McLane Street and South View Drive noticed Rivera showed “impaired balance, slurred speech, bloodshot watery eyes and the odor of an intoxicating beverage coming from her person.” The officer wrote that when he asked Rivera how much she had to drink that day, she initially denied having consumed any alcohol before saying she had one drink at 5 p.m. at work, and then admitted to having four alcoholic drinks.
Rivera reportedly refused a standard field sobriety test and a preliminary breath test and was arrested for operating while intoxicated and taken to the Clarke County Jail. Rivera has since posted a $500 bond and is scheduled to be back in court on May 28. The third offense OWI is a Class D felony carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison.
Rivera’s first OWI conviction came after she was arrested for drunk driving after she lost the November election for Clarke County attorney in 2018. Her second conviction came in March 2021, when she pleaded guilty to OWI and two counts of child endangerment – substantial risk. For that case, she received a suspended two-year prison sentence for each of the child endangerment charges. For the OWI, she also received a two-year prison sentence, with all but 30 days suspended. She was ordered to serve 30 days in the Warren County Jail and placed on probation.
According to the Iowa Department of Corrections website, Rivera completed her probation for the 2021 conviction on Feb. 16, 2023. As a result of Rivera’s 2018 arrest, some cases she handled in the courts were called into question. One case involving a man who admitted to child sex abuse was dismissed entirely.
Rivera was the Clarke County Attorney from 2011 to 2019.