(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, are expected to continue discussions held last week, with regard to the acquisition of a rail spur by the City of Red Oak. Last week, the Board received and discussed the Montgomery County Development Corporation’s proposal for joint financial support between the city and the county for repair of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad spur stretching between Bunge to the railroad’s main line.

Economic Development Executive Director Steve Adams said the county is facing a time crunch for the repairs, as BNSF has agreed to pick up box cars on a timely basis, while Bunge would like remove the cars beginning August 1st. At the same time, Adams says his organization needs financial assistance for the repairs, previously estimated at $26,000. And, MCDC hopes to garner revenues from the line’s usage.

The rail spur is currently not in use, but Adams said with the possibility of business and industrial expansion in the county, it’s important to repair the spur, in order to maintain local control over the rail line.

In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors, Tuesday, will act on approving:

• Nishna Productions, Inc. annual contract (In the amount of $1,421) for FY 2023/24
• A contract with the City of Red Oak Public Library for financial support ($17,820) for FY 23-24
• A contract with the City of Stanton’s Public Library for financial support ($6,020) for FY 23-24
• and approval of a grant agreement between the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), the City of Stanton and Montgomery County.

The Board’s meeting begin in their courthouse meeting room at 8:30-a.m., Tuesday.

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(Radio Iowa) – A Tony Award-winning Broadway musical makes its Iowa debut tomorrow (Tuesday) night, featuring the story of a five-man vocal group that rose to stardom in the 1960s and ’70s. “Ain’t Too Proud, The Life and Times of The Temptations” features actress and singer Quiana Holmes in the role of Josephine, the wife of Otis Williams, one of the act’s founding members. Holmes says she started singing around age four, while her late father would rock her to sleep singing “My Girl.”

The musical tells the tale of the group’s extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. From their dance moves to the smooth harmonies, The Temptations rose to the top of the charts with an incredible 42 Top Ten Hits, including 14 songs that reached number-one. The show runs through Sunday at the Civic Center of Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa) – The economy is having an impact on Winnebago Industries, but the company’s C-E-O Michael Happe (Happy)says he is optimistic about the future. Third quarter revenue decreased 38 percent compared to last year as sa;les slowed. Happe says their results remain above pre-pandemic levels. Happe says the company is confident Americans will increasingly look to the outdoors and road trips to improve mental well-being and to combat the rising costs of flights, lodging and car rentals.

He says research shows that 70 percent of respondents have considered using an R-V for travel instead of a flight, hotel or rental car, and K-O-A’s research shows that 33 percent intend to use their R-V for more trips, replacing other modes of travel.

(Radio Iowa) – The opening of the Iowa State Fair is getting closer and the search is on for people to fill jobs during its 11-day run. State Fair spokesperson, Mindy Williamson, they hire around 16-hundred people with a range of ages. “Some of them are 16. And older, and some of them are 14 and older. It also depends on how many hours you can work and how late you can work. So definitely check out those particular jobs on our website,” she says. Williamson says they will host an open interview day on July 6th form 2 to 7 p-m at the fairgrounds where you can learn more and apply for jobs. She says the jobs bring money and other perks.

“They are paid positions and we offer free admission into the fair, some of them have even better incentives, you know, if you work a certain number of shifts, you get an increase. And some of them have if you work, you know the full fare, you get incentives,” Williamson says. The pay ranges between 12 and 17 dollars an hour. Williamson says there have some people who have worked for more than 40 years, and others who are kids just starting out. “We love those people who come back year after year. And we also love those people who try it out for the first time,” Williamson says, “and so there’s something for everyone out here, if you want to work a few days if you want to work a few hours, or if you want to work the whole fair.” She says you could work this year and see another job you might want to try next year.

“Maybe you didn’t work in maintenance, you know, when you were working, but now that’s something you’re interested in doing or same with, you know, working in our admissions and working with our concessions. So, all sorts of different fun things that you could do here during the fair,” according to Williamson. To find out more about the jobs, go to IowaStateFair.org.

(Radio Iowa) – Events to mark the one year anniversary of the U-S Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade are pointing to the abortion debate ahead in Iowa. This month’s IOWA Supreme Court ruling that kept a six week abortion ban from taking effect here was a key topic at the March for Life event at the Iowa Capitol Saturday. “We stand in support of holding these justices accountable to fullest legal extent possible,” Maggie DeWitte of Pulse Life Advocates said, to applause and cheers. “We stand in support of efforts by legislators to see Iowa’s heartbeat law passed anew.” DeWitte says waiting until the 2024 legislative session begins in January is unacceptable and lawmakers should convene soon.

“We request that our legislators call for a special session,” DeWitte said, to cheers. Six Republican legislators were at the event. Senator Sandy Salmon of Janesville suggested the movement is half way to its objective of banning all abortions. “You all are here to pray for that and see it through to the end and we’re not going to stop until we see that happen,” Salmon said. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says it was a good feeling to have her office defend the state’s six week abortion ban.

“I was disappointed in the court’s decision, but we know that’s not the end, is it? The fight does not stop there,” Bird said. “Our work does not stop.” Bird did not directly mention the three justices who blocked the six week abortion ban from taking effect, however. Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart says polling shows Republicans are out of step with public opinion. “The overwhelming majority of Iowans support access to abortion,” Hart says. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst expects Republicans will re-convene the state legislature in the next several months to enact abortion restrictions.

“Democrats are the only people in this building committed to protecting reproductive freedom,” Konfrst said. “If Iowans want reproductive freedom, they should not look to Republicans for anything other than removal of their rights.” Konfrst says Democrats in the legislature will be loud and proactive in their opposition to a near or total ban on abortion. “But the most important voices out there are everyday Iowans who should reach out to their legislators and tell them: ‘This isn’t what I want,'” Konfrst said. Hart says the abortion issue will be front and center of the Iowa Caucus campaign as well.

“The 2024 Republican hopefuls are fighting to one up each other on who can embrace the most extreme national abortion ban,” Hart says. “…As they pass through out state, it’s vital that we hold them accountable.” This weekend former Vice President Mike Pence urged his rivals for the G-O-P’s next presidential nomination to back a national 15 week abortion ban. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has expressed support for it and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchingson has said he’d sign an abortion ban, but would support exceptions.

Albia, IOWA – The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Sunday evening, reported that on Saturday, June 24, at 9:38 p.m., a 911 call was received at the Monroe County Law Enforcement Center. The caller reported a disturbance and shooting in the 423 A Street South in Albia.  Responding law enforcement found 49-year old Albia resident Daniel Gundrum with a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts by officers and medical technicians, Gundrum succumbed to his injuries.

The Albia Police Department and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating the death as a homicide.  An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the State Medical Examiner to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Albia Police Department at (641) 932-7815.  Authorities said there is no known threat to the public, and that the incident remains an ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released in the coming days.