OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Salvation Army in Omaha has kicked off its annual Tree of Light holiday charity campaign. The public turned out Friday at midtown Omaha’s American National Bank for the lighting ceremony of the giant Christmas tree. A day earlier, the Salvation Army held another tree-lighting ceremony at American National Bank in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The ceremonies kicked off the Salvation Army’s red kettle driver, when bell ringers man the red collection kettles outside businesses in Omaha and Council Bluffs.

The campaign continues through Dec. 23. The money collected during the six-week campaign supports Salvation Army programs and services throughout the year, including food pantries, housing, utility assistance, behavioral health services and education. All money raised through the Red Kettle Drive stays in the community where the funds are collected.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha Police Department is looking to hire new officers over the next two years. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday through Dec. 28. The city says it could hire nearly 100 new officers over the next two years as the city expands and a fifth precinct is added. Applicants must be at least 21 before the completion of training and must have a valid current driver’s license. Qualified applicants must have graduated from high school or obtained a GED certificate and must be able to perform the physical requirements of the position. Mental and physical fitness will be determined by examination.

The department says new hires must work as uniform patrol officers for three years before becoming eligible for other opportunities.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The Cedar Falls Police Department is now accepting applications for a public safety officer. The northeastern Iowa city is seeking qualified candidates to test for the position, which has a starting annual pay of $51,000, while police academy certified candidates begin at more than $56,000. The maximum pay is more than $74,000. Applicants must have two years of post-high school education consisting of 60 semester or 90-quarter hours from an accredited college or university. Candidates must also meet the minimum hiring standards of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

Testing will be conducted in Cedar Falls on Dec. 2. The deadline for applications is Wednesday. Those interested may email jobs@cedarfalls.com or contact the Cedar Falls Police Department at 319-273-8612.

Gasoline prices at Iowa service stations have risen by as much as a dime a gallon in recent weeks. Mark Peterson, at Triple-A-Iowa, says that’s bucking the norm as prices are usually relatively stable or falling during mid-autumn. “It’s kind of interesting for this time of year, we actually saw a little bit last year as well,” Peterson says. “The price volatility can be attributed to a new trend that’s emerged during October in the last few years and that’s an unexpectedly steady demand for gasoline at the end of the driving season. With prices still being somewhat reasonable, you’re seeing a lot more people starting to travel.”

Gas prices in Iowa are averaging two-52 a gallon, which is two cents below the national average. Peterson says, “What we’ve got right now still could trend up a little bit but I think you’re going to see it start to decrease a little as we get closer to the holidays and some of that traveling starts to decrease with the weather.”

While refineries are making the switch from summer to winter grades of fuel about now, several other factors are involved that will impact pump prices. “OPEC continues to push some prices a little higher because they’re maintaining their production and we are exporting a little bit more than we have in the past,” Peterson says. “Because of that, we’re seeing some modest price increases.”

The state’s most expensive gas is in Cedar Rapids at two-58 a gallon while the Quad Cities and Sioux City are tied for the cheapest gas at two-48.

(Radio Iowa)

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Bill Northey — the farmer from Spirit Lake who remains in the elected position of state ag secretary — has not directly addressed a senator’s “hold” on his nomination for a job in the U.S.D.A. But on Wednesday night, Northey INDIRECTLY mentioned it during a speech at an Iowa Republican Party fundraiser. “It’s great to be here with you tonight. I can honestly say I didn’t know if I was going to be here or not. I thought I might be off into Washington, but one of the great blessings of kind of a slow process for me to get through my confirmation is to be able to be here with all of you and to get a chance to be able to say ‘Thank you’ as well.”

Northey was first elected as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture in 2006 and he won reelection in 2010 and 2014. Northey thanked his fellow Republicans for supporting his first leap into politics nearly 12 years ago. “As much as we try and forget it, we lost most of our races in 2006 and many of you were a huge part in helping me squeak by into the start of a Republican movement in the state of Iowa,” Northey said. “And you all have been very, very supportive and I appreciate it so much.”

Northey finished less than three percent ahead of his Republican opponent in 2006. He was the only Republican to win statewide elected office that year. On September 1st of this year, President Trump nominated Northey to be the U-S-D-A Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. Texas Senator Ted Cruz is blocking a vote on Northey’s nomination. The move is tied to the senator’s request that President Trump meet with oil-state senators who oppose federal production mandates for ethanol and biodiesel.

(Radio Iowa)

A traffic stop early this morning southwest of Corning, in Adams County, resulted in the arrest of two Union County residents. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports a vehicle was pulled over at around 12:17-a.m. near the intersection of Highway 34 and Brooks Road. A Montgomery County K9 unit was called for assistance. The dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, which resulted in a probable cause search of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle and its occupants turned up methamphetamine, marijuana, a digital scale, used needles, and about $1,255 cash.

The driver of the vehicle, Nathan Hulett, of Creston, was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Meth – 3rd or subsequent offense. His passenger, Alisha Millslagle, of Creston, was arrested for PCS/Meth – 2nd offense, Possession of Marijuana – 2nd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Adams County Deputies were also assisted in their investigation, by Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources personnel.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:48 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Federal inspectors have repeatedly ordered a southeast Iowa fur farm to improve the grim living conditions for ferrets, foxes, raccoons and skunks it sells to government laboratories and pet stores. Many of the animals have been forced to live in sweltering heat or maggot-infested filth, sometimes with decomposing carcasses in their cages. So far no charges or enforcement action has been taken against the Ruby Fur Farm.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — MidAmerican Energy plans to spend $1 billion updating more than 700 older wind turbines across Iowa. A MidAmerican Energy official says the turbines will be retrofitted with newer, more efficient components, including longer blades, to extend their lifespans an estimated 20 years. The company says each upgraded turbine will annually net between 19 and 28 percent more energy.

ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have arrested a grandson of an 84-year-old man whose body was found by firefighters in northwest Iowa. The Rock Valley Police Department said in a news release Friday that 19-year-old Santos Rodriguez Jr. is charged with first-degree murder and arson in the slaying of Luis Luevanos. Court records don’t list an attorney for Rodriguez.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo city councilman wants the city to sell advertising space on city vehicles. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Councilman Ron Welper has been working with city staff and an advertising agency on a plan to sell sign space on police vehicles, firetrucks and garbage trucks. He projects revenue of about $100,000 a year. The council took no action Monday after receiving information about Welper’s proposal.

A team of more than 70 Iowans and Nebraskans from the Omaha District of the Army Corps of Engineers has returned from a lengthy hurricane recovery mission in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Most of them spent eight weeks or more offering emergency assistance. Michael Welch, power plant superintendent at Gavins Point Dam, headed up the “Blue Roof Mission” which helped secure temporary covers of blue tarps atop damaged homes.

“Some houses were absolutely destroyed and the Blue Roof Mission could not be applied to those homes,” Welch says. “I would say the Corps of Engineers’ disaster response to the blue roof people was like the infantry. They’re actually boots on the ground, canvassing neighborhoods, directly talking people to people.”

Welch and his team were initially sent to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he says they saw near total destruction. “It was also amazing how positive the people were,” he says. “It’s like any natural disaster. People realize it’s the basics of life that are important, that they’re alive and that all of the possessions they had can be replaced and that their family is safe. Those are the things that I’m reminded of when I go on a disaster response.”

Welch says the team members saw signs of recovery as they got ready to leave. “There were no leaves on any plants when we got there,” he says. “I got to St. Croix on the 24th of September and by the time we were leaving at the end of October, the trees had sprouted leaves and it was turning green again. It was amazing how fast nature can start the recovery process.”

Welch says the Corps will continue to rotate people into the hurricane areas as long as they are needed.

(Radio Iowa)

This Sunday (Nov. 12th), Fred Hubbell, Democratic candidate for governor of Iowa, will begin a four-day statewide mental health tour. One of his stops takes him to Harlan, he will be joined by rural mental health expert Dr. Michael Rosmann, former President of the National Sheriffs Association and current Story County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald, along with local community mental health stakeholders. His “Harlan Rural Mental Health Roundtable Discussion” take place at the Milk & Honey Restaurant, (1101 7th St.), beginning at 3-p.m., Sunday.

Hubble is a lifelong progressive and fifth-generation Iowan, holds vast experience in both the public and private sector, who successfully ran several large companies like Younkers Department Chain and Equitable of Iowa. His 10-stop trip across the state includes discussions in both Sioux City and Harlan, on Sunday.

Along the way, he will be joined by county sheriffs, mental health professionals, and community leaders to hear about Iowa’s mental health crisis and discuss solutions to restore care and support to the mental health community. At each stop, Hubble will discuss his vision to revitalize Iowa’s mental health care.

More information about him and his campaign, can be found at FredHubbell.com.