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Centerville police arrest teen for threat of violence toward high school

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A teen was taken into custody Wednesday morning in connection to a violent threat toward a southern Iowa school. KCC-TV reports police in Centerville were called to investigate a tip about a threat of violence toward Centerville High School that was found written on a table Tuesday. Officers found evidence and received tips from the public that led to a suspect. A 17-year-old was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with threat of terrorism, a Class D felony.

Centerville police thanked the public for providing aid and noted the use of Safe + Sound Iowa, a website that collects anonymous tips about school threats and relays them to local law enforcement.

Police have not publicly identified the teen who was arrested.

Here is the letter Centerville Schools posted on social media with regard to the incident:

Parents and Community Members,
Today the school was made aware of graffiti written on a classroom table at CHS that threatened school violence. It is our belief that you can’t be too safe when it comes to school safety issues and that any issue, no matter how small it may seem to some, should be investigated as though it were credible until you learn otherwise. Upon learning of this graffiti and the threat it contained, our administrative team immediately began to investigate the graffiti, the statements contained therein, and the individuals involved.
After our investigation today, we believe there to be no credible threat to the safety and security of our campus and our students at this time. We have asked Centerville PD to review our investigation and to provide additional support to CHS in the next couple of days to help ensure safety and security for all. We appreciate so much that Chief Demry and his team are always so ready and willing to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Through the investigation conducted today, we have determined that an important additional piece of re-training that we will do again this fall with our students and staff is to continue to call for a “see something, say something” approach to any concerns related to school safety. We ask that anyone who hears of or sees a safety concern report the concern to any member of administration or through the “Iowa Safe + Sound” tip line at 1-800-224-6018.
We greatly appreciate those who communicated with the administration about this threat both in person and via the Iowa Safe + Sound tip line so that we could properly investigate to ensure the safety of all. As always, school safety is the most important work that we do and we appreciate the vigilance of members of our community, especially our law enforcement partners, in helping to ensure that our school remains safe for all members of the learning community. Thank you for your efforts to help us and please never hesitate to contact us if you have information that could be helpful to us in ensuring school safety.
Sincerely,
Mark Taylor
Superintendent

Celebrate SepticSmart Week by doing routine maintenance and identifying harmful products before they go down the drain

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Fall is a great time for one in four Iowans to take a few simple steps to protect their pocket books, their septic systems and Iowa’s waters.  The Iowa DNR is encouraging Iowans with septic systems to celebrate SepticSmart Week, Sept.16 to 24, a nationwide campaign sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Septic failures are most likely to occur when they’re neglected, and failures are costly. Routine inspections and maintenance may reduce those future costs. In addition to routine maintenance, Iowans can help by examining their own septic habits. Identifying harmful products before they go down the drain will lead to improved water quality, better health, and save homeowners money and a lot of heartache.

“Everything we put down the drain has an impact on our septic system’s health,” says Cory Frank, the Iowa DNR On-site Wastewater Coordinator. “Dishwasher pods, liquid drain cleaners, even the type of toilet paper you use can cause significant damage to your system and the environment, and potentially cost you thousands of dollars.”

Performing routine septic system maintenance and identifying harmful products before they go down the drain will lead to improved water quality, better health, and save homeowners money.

The EPA offers six simple tips to keep your system performing optimally:

  • Don’t Strain your Drain—use water efficiently and stagger washing, dishwashing and other high water uses.
  • Think at the Sink—avoid pouring fats, solids and harsh chemicals down the drain.
  • Don’t Overload the Commode—flush only toilet paper, not tissues, wipes, paper towels, pet litter or any other trash.
  • Shield your Field—no parking and no tree planting keeps septic fields functioning.
  • Pump your Tank—follow your professional’s recommendations.
  • Protect it and Inspect it—service the system every one to three years.

You can find additional information on septic system operations, maintenance, and water quality resources at iowadnr.gov/septic, and also on the SepticSmart website.

Iowa players preview Minnesota

Sports

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins says the Hawkeyes don’t need to use last year’s 12-10 loss to Minnesota as motivation heading into Saturday’s game under the lights in the Twin Cities. It is the Big Ten opener for both and Floyd of Rosedale will be on the line.

Iowa center Logan Jones says it will take a complete game to get the win.

Jones says the worst part about trophy games are when the other team carries it off the field.

Jacob Gill leads the Hawkeyes with 12 catches and says the Hawkeyes face a tough challenge.

Gill says it is a big game for both teams.

Fish kill not the first in Cedar Rapids trout stream

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A spokesman for the D-N-R says more than 12-hundred fish died after a water main break Monday that allowed chlorinated water into Iowa’s only urban trout stream in Cedar Rapids. D-N-R fisheries technician Chris Mack talked with K-C-R-G T-V about the fish kill at McLoud Run.

“It is a big deal. I mean, our hatchery spent money and time raising these fish, and we spend time hauling them and stocking them,” Mack says. D-N-R records show there have been seven other kill at McLoud Run since 2012. Mack says the last fish kill happened earlier this year, and the cause was also chlorinated water.

‘It’s fairly frequent occurrence being an urban situation,” Mack says. He says the D-N-R assess the value of the dead fish, then the city of Cedar Rapids has to pay the fine. In spring 2023 that was around 22-thousand dollars, and another fish kill in 2017 cost around 20-thousand dollars.

Mack was asked by K-C-R-G T-V, if mass fish kills have become the norm for this area, when do they get to the point where they don’t restock McCloud Run. He says it provides a unique opportunity for anglers. “It’s just these urban settings are closer to people and the majority of our anglers don’t want to travel that far,” he says.

Iowa’s other trout streams are in Northern Iowa. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports in the wake of these kills, the city of Cedar Rapids has purchased seven sensors that would alert city staff when a water main break occurs so that it can be stopped sooner.

Lifestyle changes can help you live longer, healthier life

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) -Heart disease is the #1 killer in Iowa, claiming more than 7,000 lives a year, and without some lifestyle changes, health officials say those numbers will only rise.

McKenna Schmidt, wellness education specialist at Gundersen Health System, says many Iowans face critical risks from heart disease based on factors they -can’t- control, like their age, race, gender or family history.

“There are some risk factors that we can control, and those include living a sedentary lifestyle, so lack of physical activity and exercise can contribute to cardiovascular disease,” Schmidt says. “Poor diet can also be a risk factor, and tobacco use can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease as well.”

McKenna Schmidt (Gundersen photo)

Seek out avenues that will help to reduce stress, and she says if you smoke, quit, that’s in addition to getting moving with exercise and eating right.

“The recommendation is to get about 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly,” Schmidt says. “Getting enough sleep, about seven to nine hours is the recommended amount of sleep that we should be getting each night. Eating a well-balanced diet, that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, and eliminating or reducing processed foods is important.”

Some Iowans, even those with good health insurance, don’t bother to get annual physicals or they might not even have a doctor they see on a regular basis.

“It’s important to establish care with a primary care provider if you don’t have one, because if something does come up, you have easier access to be able to reach out to them with questions,” she says. “So it’s really important to establish care with a provider, and then, they can always refer you on to specialty areas if needed.”

A recent study predicted more than 60-percent of adults will have heart disease by 2050, and that over the next three decades, Americans are -unlikely- to make any lifestyle changes to prevent it.

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

Drake’s Todd Stepsis previews No. 6 South Dakota

Sports

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

After posting a shocking upset at Eastern Washington Drake is on the road this Saturday at sixth ranked South Dakota. The Bulldogs were off last week and coach Todd Stepsis says the win provided a confidence boost for his team.

Stepsis says the Bulldogs are not satisfied with that win.

It is a game featuring teams who have had games cancelled. For Drake it was the opener against Quincy and for South Dakota it was last week’s game on the road due to whooping cough at Portland State.

South Dakota’s only loss was 27-13 at Wisconsin and Stepsis says the Coyotes are really good up front.

Stepsis says they key to a game like this is keeping it close into the third quarter.

Ohio man wanted for Illinois kidnapping arrested in Albia town square

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A wanted Ohio man was arrested in southeast Iowa this week while trying to escape a manhunt in a neighboring state. The Albia Police Department received reports of a suspicious man near Albia High School. The man, later identified as 46-year-old Victor Ferris, left the area and was later arrested by law enforcement in the Albia town square. Authorities discovered Ferris had an active arrest warrant in Peoria, Illinois, for allegedly stealing an SUV with a three-year-old boy still inside the vehicle on September 4th.

Albia Police Chief Jacob Miller says Ferris attempted to train hop to Des Moines to escape, but was spotted by a BNSF employee while the train was in Albia. Ferris jumped off the train and was later seen near the high school. Ferris is currently in the Monroe County Jail. He faces additional charges of trespassing, interference with official acts, and malicious prosecution for his alleged actions in Albia.

Illinois prosecutors say there are plans to extradite Ferris. The boy inside of the stolen vehicle was later found unharmed at a gas station and returned to his family.

Iowa State players preview Arkansas State

Sports

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The bye week came early for Iowa State but quarterback Rocco Becht says it was productive. The 20th ranked Cyclones are 2-0 after a 20-19 win at Iowa and return to action Saturday by hosting Iowa State. Becht says the bye came at the right time.

Becht says he used the off week to work on fundamentals.

Out of the Sun Belt Conference Arkansas State is a better than three touchdown underdog.

Arkansas State’s defense had three interceptions in a 28-18 loss at Michigan.

Becht on what they will see from the Arkansas State defense.

Cyclone offensive lineman Tyler Miller talks about the off week.

Miller on the Arkansas State defense.

Strauss Hired for New Building Permit Technician Role at SWIPCO

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IOWA — Officials with Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) say they recently welcomed Allie Strauss to serve in a newly created position as Building Permits Technician. According to the organization, the role of Building Permits Tech had become vital to SWIPCO, in order to continue to provide high quality service to the public and its member communities as more cities utilize SWIPCO for building permits, rental inspections, and code enforcement.

The overall goal of the position is to allow inspectors to spend more time in the field while providing administrative support to city hall staff who are typically stretched thin. Adopting and enforcing modern building codes is becoming more common in Iowa as some funding and grant programs require it and communities in general look to protect and maintain their building stock.

Allie Strauss (Swipco photo)

Strauss carries experience from her previous role as an insurance quote specialist supervisor. She said “I’ve always been kind of a jack-of-all trades and I enjoy home repair projects. I also really enjoy research, and I felt this role would allow me to bring those things together.” Strauss said she found out about the position through social media and the ability to work in a hybrid environment was something that interested her. She said she had worked exclusively from home for three years and thought this would be a good change.

Allie resides in Elliott with her husband Trinton and their two daughters Austyn and Ana. In her free time Allie enjoys golf, bowling, hunting, reading, and working on home projects.

SWIPCO is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.

Shelby County Board of Supervisor’s news

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Shelby County, Tuesday (Sept. 17), voted to appoint Carmen Fielding as the County’s new Veterans Affairs Coordinator. Fielding succeeds Gene Cavenaugh, who retired, effective Sept 5th. Cavenaugh was recognized by the Board for his more than 50-years of service to Shelby County, beginning in 1972 when he was a Sheriff’s Deputy, and later on as Sheriff. Cavenaugh served as Veterans Affairs Director until September 5th, 2024.

In other businesses, the Shelby County Supervisors approved adding a parcel in the county that’s expected to increase the valuation, due to construction due to the TIF tax collection governed by the Iowa Code. The additional funds will offset new construction and maintenance of the County’s secondary roads system.

The supervisors also voted to abate taxes for the EMS building in Harlan, small parcels in the City of Panama, and the removal of a house in Harlan.

And, Shelby County Engineer Chris Fredericksen reported the dry weather we’ve been having is speeding up the construction of the Elk Horn Bridge project.