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Marco Battaglia Announces Candidacy US House Iowa District 3

News

June 17th, 2024 by Jim Field

Des Moines , IA — Marco Battaglia has declared his candidacy for US House Iowa District 3. Battaglia was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa and he currently resides with his family on the South Side of Des Moines. He experienced the last 5 years from the front lines working with incarcerated Iowans and taking them in and out of hospitals for medical appointments. Prior to this Battaglia had over a decade of experience working to keep Iowans safe from financial crimes.

Battaglia, who will run as a Libertarian, will focus on taking back the “people’s house” for the citizenry. “We should elect our representatives to be Iowa first, and more specifically in this case, district 3 first,” Battaglia said during his campaign announcement in Des Moines. His platform includes standing for the inherent liberties and concerns of the people of district 3, promoting agricultural and medical freedom, and addressing inflation head on by “leading on sound money and sound economic reasoning”. Battaglia firmly believes that current Representative Thomas Massie “needs more allies in congress that support voluntary exchanges, based in honesty and transparency, that invite reciprocity and trust.”  Battaglia often invokes the memory of former Iowa Governor and Senator, Harold Hughes, whom Battaglia calls, “one of the true pioneers in the field of alcohol and other drug abuse.”

Battaglia intends to highlight the people of district 3. Next week Battaglia will be touring Greene and Guthrie counties followed by a public event, Thursday June 20 2024 in Dallas County at 6:30 pm at The Handlebar. 1607 Sugar Grove Ave, Dallas Center, IA 50063. Battaglia encourages press and public to attend, to bring any concerns that they want to voice, and for anyone interested in getting involved locally to show up.

Battaglia will engage with constituents through public events, social media interactions, and grassroots action. Battaglia has pledged to only accept donations from individual Iowans. Battaglia’s announcement comes on the heels of U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Engineer, Charles Aldrich’s, announcement to run for US House for Iowa’s 4th district and  U.S. Marine Corps veteran and current Lone Tree Iowa City Council member,  Nicholas Gluba’s, announcement to run for US House for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.

Montgomery County Board of Supervisors to act on courthouse lawn request & SWIPCO agreement

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will meet at 8:30-a.m. Tuesday, June 18th,in their Red Oak Courthouse Board Room. During their session, the Board will hear an update with regard to county communications infrastructure, from Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman.

They are also expected to discuss and act on, a request for the use of the courthouse lawn on July 11th, for the annual Bible reading on that date, from 8-a.m. until 8-p.m. (rain date: 7-12-24). And, they’ll act on approving a Rural Transit System Joint Participation Agreement with SWIPCO, among other matters.

The meeting will take place in-person, electronically via Zoom, and through the telephone. Details below:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

Dial by your location   +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.31

DNR to host western Iowa deer population meeting July 8 in Atlantic

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 17th, 2024 by Jim Field

ATLANTIC – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting eight meetings in Western Iowa to discuss the status of the region’s deer herd as population levels have fallen in recent years.

In Atlantic, the meeting will be held July 8, at the Venue, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

State wildlife experts say there are likely multiple factors that have contributed to the decline in the number of deer on the landscape and it might take a multilevel approach for the herd to recover.

“With the hindsight we have today, we can look back and realize that too much doe harvest was encouraged for too long in western Iowa. Significant outbreaks of hemorrhagic disease over the last decade have not helped populations recover, and changes in land cover resulting in less habitat makes deer more vulnerable to harvest,” said Jace Elliott, state deer biologist with the Iowa DNR. “This population decline impacts roughly one-fifth of the state so we are encouraging hunters and landowners to come to the meetings and give us their feedback. Every voice counts.”

The goal of these meetings is to move forward with a plan the department can execute and that hunters will support, he said.

“Deer hunting is one of Iowa’s most recreationally and economically important traditions. Our goal is to manage deer numbers at a level that is acceptable to our citizens and that supports a quality hunting experience,” Elliott said.

Meetings are scheduled in July and run from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Winterset woman escapes injury during an accident Saturday night

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – A woman from Madison County did not report any injuries following an accident Saturday night, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 63-year-old Kimberly Dawn Mathes, of Winterset, was driving a 2005 Chevy trailblazer SUV westbound on Highway 34 at around 9:40-p.m., when she failed to make a turn onto Laurel Street.

The SUV went over a curb at the intersection and struck a traffic signal pole. The impact caused the right front wheel and part of the vehicle’s suspension to be torn-off. The SUV’s grill and other parts of the vehicle were found as far as 10-yards away, according to the police report.

Mathes was found in her vehicle, with the engine still running, when police arrived. She told authorities that due to heavy rain she couldn’t see the curve in the road ahead, which caused her to lose control. The Police report said due to the widely scattered debris from the SUV, Mathes was allegedly traveling faster than the posted 35-mile per hour speed limit. She was not cited, though.

The Officer’s report stated she should re-examined for her vision, because the four-lane roadway was well lit, even in the heavy rain.

Heartbeat Today 6-17-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

June 17th, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Kelly Foss, Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation Director, about the FarmChat program.

Play

Family farmers call for tougher CAFO regulations in Farm Bill

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – Family farm advocates are calling for cuts in federal subsidies to large animal feeding operations known as CAFOs in the Farm Bill being debated in Congress. Iowa family farmers want more support for conservation programs that benefit smaller agriculture operations. Right now, CAFOs can qualify for as much as 100-million dollars every year to reduce some of the environmental damage they can cause. That’s taxpayer money that Barb Kalbach, a fourth-generation family farmer in Adair County, says could be put to much better use by small family farmers on their land.

CAFO operators contend they use the federal money to defend against environmental damage and that they’re always looking for cleaner, safer ways to raise high-quality meats while responding to increased consumer demand.

As a board member for the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, Kalbach is calling for more support of conservation programs that would help family farmers, but she is just as adamant that the long-standing rules governing CAFOs are changed.

The Farm Bill saw its first action in the House Agriculture Committee May 23rd. The House version of the measure also proposes 30-billion dollars in cuts to SNAP benefits over the next decade, including 170-million in Iowa.

Creston Police report, 6/17/24

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports five recent arrests:

At around 9:20-a.m. Friday, June 14th, Officers arrested 33-year-old Elisa Renae Savala, of Creston. She was taekn into custody on a Union County Warrant for Violation of No Contact/Protection Order. Savala was held in the Union County Jail until seen by the magistrate.  Friday evening, Creston Police arrested 21-year-old Calvin Cerda, of Lenox, for Driving while Revoked. Cerda was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

At around 1:45-a.m. Saturday, Creston Police arrested 46-year-old Brandie Sue Whitney, of Creston, on a Union County Warrant for Possession of a Firearm or Offensive Weapon by Felon. Whitney was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on $5,000 cash or surety bond.

Early Sunday morning, 38-year-old Jose Raul Flores, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense. Flores was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. And, at around 3-a.m. Sunday, 50-year-old Charles Herbert Abell, of Macksburg, was arrested in Creston for Driving while Suspended. Abell was cited and released from the scene on Promise to Appear.

Ryan Blaney wins the Iowa Corn 350

Sports

June 17th, 2024 by Jim Field

Ryan Blaney led 201 laps to win the Iowa Corn 350. It was the first NASCAR Cup Series race at the Iowa Speedway and Blaney took the checkered flag in front of more than 80 family members. His mother is a native of Chariton and his father, Dave, won the Knoxville Nationals in 1997. It was Blaney’s third win at the Iowa Speedway.

Blaney’s entire family celebrated with him in victory lane.

Blaney felt the track offered an entertaining style of racing.

Back-to-back sellout crowds helped make the event a success. William Byron finished second to Blaney.

Many of the drivers were concerned about a recent repaving in both sets of turns and if it would make passing too difficult. Chase Elliott finished third.

Elliott hopes the Cup Seres returns to Iowa.

Christopher Bell finished fourth and would like to see the entire track repaved.

After starting in the back row Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished fifth and says the Iowa Speedway was a great host for the Cup Series.

Montgomery County Drug Arrest

News

June 17th, 2024 by Jim Field

Montgomery county law enforcement reports a Red Oak woman was arrested Sunday on a drug offense.  During a traffic stop just before midnight Sunday, June 16 in the 1900 block of Broadway Street in Red Oak, 31-year old Aundrea Theresa Clay of Red Oak was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, 3rd offense.  Clay was taken to the Montgomery County jail and held on $5,000 bond.  Red Oak police and the Montgomery County K-9 assisted.

Fans pack Iowa Speedway for NASCAR weekend

Sports

June 17th, 2024 by Jim Field

Iowa Speedway officials estimate more than 120-thousand fans enjoyed three days of NASCAR action. Saturday’s Xfinity series race and Sunday night’s Iowa Corn 350 both featured sold out crowds of around 45-thousand fans. It was the first time the NASCAR Cup Series raced at the Iowa Speedway.

That’s Iowa Speedway President Eric Peterson who says race fans responded after the 18-year-old speedway finally landed a Cup Series race.

Peterson on the possibility of the Iowa Speedway getting an annual Cup Series race.

Peterson and his team will spend the next few days evaluating all of the logistics that went in to hosting the event.

The INDYCAR races at the Iowa Speedway are July 13th and 14th.