The small western Iowa town of Elk Horn is preparing to host an annual celebration of the community’s Danish heritage. One of the organizers of Tivoli Fest is Lisa Riggs. “Tivoli Fest started 35 years ago. We named it after the largest and oldest amusement park in Denmark,” Riggs says. “It’s kind of a carnival, with fun things to do, food to eat and fireworks.” While there are some “kickoff” events on Friday, the official Tivoli Fest is scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday.

Danish Windmill – Elk Horn

Elk Horn was settled by Danish Immigrants and incorporated as a town in 1910. Despite a population of around 650 residents, Elk Horn is still one of the largest Danish rural settlements in the U.S.  “Around 46-percent of us still have Danish blood in us,” Riggs says. The town’s signature structure is a Danish Windmill that was built in 1848. It was dismantled and moved to Elk Horn 40 years ago. Riggs is general manager of the Danish Windmill.

“It was an actual mill that was used in Denmark,” Riggs says. “The farmers would bring in their grain to the mill by horse and carriage. It was used for the livestock grinding, for their bakery and for home use.” The windmill blades quit spinning late last year. Plans for repairs are in the works. “Sadly, for the last eight months, it hasn’t been turning. We’re raising funds right now to get the windmill turning again into the wind,” Riggs says. Elk Horn is also home to the Museum of Danish America.

One of the highlights of Tivoli Fest is the assortment of Danish foods, such as aebleskivers (EB-ul-skee-vurs) and medisterpølse (muh-DEEST-uh-pohls), the Danish version of pancakes and sausage.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak arrested 23-year old Daniel Austin Heinen, of Red Oak, Sunday afternoon. Heinen was charged with Simple Assault, after police responded to 100 east Oak Street at around 4:55-p.m. to investigate a reported, possible assault. Heinen was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 cash bond.

The statewide average gas price has moved up each of the last four weeks. While the increases are often due to increases in the prices of oil, Department of Agriculture fuels analyst, Harold Hommes, says it looks like the recent increase is some profit taking by retailers. “In the past month or so I think the margins at retail had gotten a little tight, and this one is probably being passed along by distributors and retailers, other than about a penny or two increases cost at the wholesale terminal,” according to Hommes.

The average cost of a gallon of gas was two dollars, 37 cents four weeks ago, and it is now up to two dollars, 59 cents. Hommes says the market hasn’t favored retailers lately. “Each distributor has a little bit different goal if you will, or margin that they like to maintain. Sometimes competitive pressures require they dip below those, and I think we’ve been in that situation for much of the last two to three months. I think this is an attempt to restore some of those traditional margins,”Hommes says.

The run up to Memorial Day and the start of the summer driving season traditionally has been a signal in the past for prices to start moving up as demand increases. But Hommes says that hasn’t happened recently. “For the last couple of years actually, it’s been flat, in one case I think it actually fell the week or two prior to Memorial Day,” Hommes says. “But it is true in conjunction with that date when you get into June, schools are out, people start traveling on vacations, more summer travel does occur, so demand does go up.”

Hommes doesn’t see any jump in prices caused by summer travel demand to last very long. “Sometime here really shortly — maybe with this recent price hike — I look for values to really top out much earlier this summer, probably by June,” Hommes says. “And I think they are going to be on a fairly long downhill slid thereafter towards the later part of the year.” Hommes says there haven’t been any big concerns with refineries and productions to push the gas prices up.

“Supplies are phenomenal right now — both on crude and gasoline, diesel inventory, refined products if you will. And so, as long as that situation stays the same, I think we’re running 93 to 95 percent refinery utilization,” Hommes says. Iowa’s average gas prices is eight cents below the national average, and 89 cents below one year ago at this time.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Strong storms damaged farm buildings across central Iowa, knocked down trees and toppled dozens of empty railcars. The storms caused damage in Decatur, Clarke, Dallas, Boone and Madison counties as it moved across the state early Sunday morning.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With limited time left before the Iowa legislative session ends, lawmakers have one more opportunity to revive failed bills — with the legislative equivalent of a hail Mary pass, otherwise known as the standing appropriations bill. Often dubbed a “Christmas tree” or “kitchen sink,” the standing appropriations bill is a sweeping measure that includes billions in state spending for a variety of purposes.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A 15-year-old girl was fatally shot at her home in Waterloo, and now her younger brother is facing charges. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the girl was shot Friday evening and died later at the hospital. Her 14-year-old brother was arrested early Saturday on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter. Police said the brother stole a handgun Friday and later shot his sister with the weapon accidentally. The brother is also facing burglary and weapons charges.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Someone purchased a Powerball ticket worth $1 million at a Des Moines supermarket before Saturday’s drawing. Iowa Lottery officials say the ticket purchased at Cash Saver matched five of the six numbers in the game. No one won Saturday’s jackpot of $110 million, so the prize will grow to $121 million for this Wednesday’s drawing.

Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular session Monday evening, at the High School, in Anita. The meeting begins at 6:30-p.m. On their agenda is discussion and possible action, with regard to: Resignations; Contracts; an IWCC (Iowa Western Community College) Memorandum of Understanding; approval of a revision to the 2015-16 School Calendar; An agreement with Casey Computer Consulting; A review of the CAM administration structure, and consideration and/or approval of Athletic Director and Transportation Director job descriptions.

In other business, the CAM School Board will consider a resolution proposing continued participation in an Instructional Support Program (ISP), and authorizing the publication of time and place for a public hearing on the matter. The Board will also receive an update on discussions with the Adair-Casey School District’s Board of Education, with regard to Whole Grade Sharing and related matters.

The A-C Board held separate meetings last month with members of the CAM, Guthrie Center and West Central Valley School Boards, with regard to possible sharing arrangements. The Adair-Casey board is set to meet this Wednesday evening in a regular monthly session also, but the topic of Whole Grade Sharing is not on their agenda.

Members of the Griswold School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday evening (May 18th), in the Central Office at the Middle School/High School Building. The session begins at 5:45-p.m.

During the meeting, the Board will act on: Certified Staff Negotiations approval; Nutrition prices; approving bids for a van purchase; approving – Fuel Bid specifications, Technology Support Specs., Registration Fees and various Board Policies.