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Gov. Reynolds announces FEMA’s approval of Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program, opens applications

News

July 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds today announced that the state’s Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program has received approval from FEMA and applications are now open. “In the course of eight weeks, Iowa was hit with three extreme weather systems, impacting more than 5,000 homes, of which, it’s estimated that more than 2,000 were destroyed,” said Governor Reynolds. “There is no more urgent need than ensuring displaced Iowans have temporary housing in the communities they call home while they recover and rebuild.”
As the governor announced last week in a press conference, the program provides temporary housing, which may include recreational vehicles and travel trailers, for up to six months at no cost for Iowans whose homes were majorly damaged, destroyed, or deemed not habitable in counties currently under a federal disaster declaration.
The following counties are currently eligible: Adair, Adams, Buena Vista, Cedar, Clay, Emmet, Jasper, Lyon, Montgomery, O’brien, Plymouth, Polk, Sioux, and Story. The recovery process and damage assessments are still ongoing and additional counties may become eligible.
Iowans whose primary residence is in a qualifying county must first apply for FEMA disaster assistance to be eligible for the program. You can register for FEMA Individual Assistance in the following ways:
  • Call FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
  • Download and use the FEMA app
  • Visit any Disaster Recovery Center to apply or get application assistance
Homeowners must also have filed a claim with their insurance company and have received final approval or denial of their claim. Applicable FEMA and insurance documentation is requested as part of the application process, including, but not limited to their FEMA Individual Assistance case number.
Applications are open now at DisasterRecovery.iowa.gov. Additionally, a call center will be open beginning Wednesday, July 17, at 3 p.m., to assist Iowans who may not have access to a computer and those who may need general assistance. Beginning Thursday, July 18, the call center will be open daily, including Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. TTY and translation services are available.
To apply for the Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program:
  • Go to DisasterRecovery.iowa.gov to complete an application
  • Call Center: (608) 480-8808 or toll-free at (833) 307 6030
    • Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM -8:00 PM; 7 days a week
    • TTY and Translation services are available
For more information on disaster-related programs and resources available to Iowans, visit DisasterRecovery.iowa.gov.

Posted in News |

Daytime ramp closures from eastbound I-80 to westbound I-880 scheduled for July 24 and July 25

News

July 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IOWA – July 16, 2024 – If you travel on eastbound Interstate 80 to reach westbound I-880 in Pottawattamie County you need to be aware of an upcoming maintenance project that may slow down your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office.

Crews will close the ramp from eastbound I-80 to westbound I-880 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, July 24 and July 25, weather permitting, so work can take place. While the ramp is closed you will follow a marked detour route by traveling on eastbound I-80 to Exit 29, then travel on westbound I-80 to reach westbound I-880 (see map).

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

Posted in News |

Obermueller Selected by Texas in 19th Round of MLB Draft

Sports

July 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa sophomore Cade Obermueller was selected by the Texas Rangers on Tuesday in the 19th Round of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. Obermueller was the 585th pick overall.

Obermueller is the 34th player drafted under head coach Rick Heller.

The Iowa City, Iowa, native went 4-3 with a 3.93 ERA in 13 starts in 2024. The left-hander struck out 73 batters over 59.2 innings. Obermueller allowed 26 earned runs on 39 hits.

Obermueller has appeared in 28 career games for the Hawkeyes with a 6-4 record and a 4.19 ERA. He has started 15 games for Iowa and struck out 109 in 81 2/3 innings of work.

The Hawkeyes finished the 2024 season with a 31-23 overall record. Iowa finished fourth in the Big Ten regular season standings and made its ninth straight Big Ten Tournament appearance.

Posted in Sports |

Grassley calls Trump’s VP pick Vance an American success story

News

July 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A U.S. Senator from Ohio who once called Donald Trump “reprehensible” and an “idiot” is now the former president’s running mate. Reports say J.D. Vance even referred to Trump as “America’s Hitler” in a Facebook post, but that’s all water under the political bridge, according to Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. Vance wrote a bestselling memoir released in 2016 called “Hillbilly Elegy” and Grassley calls Vance the “essence of success.”

“I think his life tells more than anything else about what he can bring to the ticket,” Grassley says. “He evidently was raised by a grandmother. A father abandoned in the family. His mother was an addict. That’s an awful environment to be brought up in.”

Vance served in the U.S. Marine Corps, graduated from Ohio State, went on to earn a law degree from Yale, and was elected to the Senate in 2022. Grassley says Vance is the model of endurance who overcame many difficult challenges. “That’s the problems of a lot of Americans today,” Grassley says. “And understand when you come from a poor background to be successful like he has, that’s pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. That’s pretty American. So I think he brings that to ticket.”

Vance is on record having been a very public critic of Trump, but Grassley says it’s all a matter of context. “I don’t have in mind everything he said, but I’ve been reminded of a lot of it very recently,” Grassley says, “but I think that he continues to be a stark contrast to Biden’s bad policies and policies are what’s going to win this election for us.”

Grassley says Trump was an unproven political commodity when he first announced his run for president in the summer of 2015. He says many people were like Vance, doubting whether Trump could do the job. “Then he’s president for four years, and you find out how he can deliver. And that’s what J.D. Vance has done. He’s found out that Trump was different than what he thought he was when he said those things,” Grassley says. “It’s just an evolution of a political career, and he’s apologized even to the president for it.”

Grassley met with members of the Iowa delegation in Milwaukee on Sunday and Monday but does not plan to return to the Republican National Convention this week. He says he’s been to eight of them over the decades and “it’s a madhouse.”

Posted in News |

Guided Blooming Prairie Hike & stand-up paddleboard demo.

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board is holding a Guided Blooming Prairie Hike! The program will start at the Outdoor Classroom shelter, located at 76977 Tucson Rd, Massena, IA on Saturday July 20th 2024, 8 PM, FREE, all ages welcome!

Come join our Naturalist for a hike in the prairie! Explore blooms throughout the numerous prairies inside the park at sunset!

“Stand Up Paddleboard” Demonstration & Kayaks Available

The Cass County Conservation Board is holding “Stand Up Paddleboard” Demonstration! The public demonstration will be held on Saturday July 20th 1PM-4PM- Cold Springs Park- Beach FREE! SUP is the fastest growing sport in the paddling community not only across the country, but especially right here in land-locked areas like Iowa. It’s fun, healthy as a total body work-out and offers a unique perspective when it comes to being on the water. After a quick demonstration try out the boards for yourself! If you do not bring a life jacket one will be provided to you. Children must be 16 years or older. Paddler must weigh LESS than 250 LBS.

Saturday July 20th

1:00pm- 5 Spots

2:30pm- 5 Spots

Cold Springs Park- Beach

Kayaks will be available for checkout at the same time. We have 4 sit in kayaks, Paddler must weigh LESS than 250 LBS. We have 4 Sit on top Kayaks, Paddler must weigh LESS than 395 LBS. If you do not bring a life jacket one will be provided to you.

July 20th

1:00pm- 4 kayaks, sit in, 4 kayaks, sit on top.

2:30pm- 4 kayaks, sit in, 4 kayaks, sit on top.

Cold Springs Park- Beach

You MUST register online to get your spot! https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Cass/Park/Cold-Springs-Park.aspx

We hope you will join us! Program will be cancelled if there is unsafe weather conditions on the Lake.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Defensive end Ethan Hurkett on Iowa’s veteran defense

Sports

July 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Iowa defensive end Ethan Hurkett is ready to step into a leadership role this season. The former Cedar rapids Xavier standout will help replace Joe Evans after appearing in 13 games a year ago and registering 49 tackles.

Hurkett says he learned a lot from Evans.

Not only is the Iowa defense expected to be good once again, but it may be the nation’s oldest unit. The Hawkeyes had several players return for their sixth season.

The Hawkeyes open the season at home on August 31st against Illinois State.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery on the Hawkeyes depth

Sports

July 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery believes added depth will help the Hawkeyes improve on defense. More than a half dozen newcomers join a team that finished last in the Big Ten in defense by giving up nearly 79 and-a-half points per game.

McCaffery says added depth on the front line will help on the defensive end.

McCaffery expects the newcomers to contribute right away.

The Hawkeyes finished 19-15 this past season and missed out on the NCAA Tournament.

Posted in Sports |

2024 Corner Conference All Conference Softball Team

Sports

July 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

First Team–Softball

Pitcher-Karley Millikan* (Griswold) Senior
Catcher-Whitney Pennock* (Griswold) Senior
Pitcher/Catcher-Tori Burns* (Essex) Senior
Utility-Macy Mitchell* (Fremont-Mills) Senior
IF-Dakota Reynolds* (Griswold) Senior
IF-Marissa Askeland* (Griswold) Junior
IF-Lilly Crom (Fremont-Mills) Senior
IF-Ella Thornton (Fremont-Mills) Sophomore
OF-Amanda Morgan* (Fremont-Mills) Senior
OF-Jenna Thornburg (East Mills) Senior
OF-Cindy Swain (Essex) Senior
OF-Addison Adams (Griswold) Junior
*Elite Team

Second Team–Softball

Pitcher-Saige Mitchell (Fremont-Mills) Sophomore
Catcher-Lindze Smith (Fremont-Mills) Sophomore
Utility-Kandra Laumann (East Mills) Senior
IF-Kyndra Gray (Essex) Senior
IF-Abby Gohlinhorst (Griswold) Junior
IF-Lexi Frank (Stanton) Senior
IF-Gabi Jacobs (Sidney) Sophomore
OF-Kyla Hart (Stanton) Senior
OF-Lilly Barbour (Fremont-Mills) Senior
OF-Joanna Reynolds (Griswold) Junior

Honorable Mention

Lana Alley (Fremont-Mills) Sophomore
Kinley Blackburn (Fremont-Mills) Sophomore
Leah Sandin (Stanton) Senior
Ashlyn Hayes (Sidney) Freshman
Carsyn Adams (Griswold) Freshman
Brooke Jones (East Mills) Sophomore
Kiley Barrett (East Mills) Senior

Posted in Sports |

Youngest Iowa delegate at RNC says things ‘beginning to snowball’ for Trump

News

July 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Twenty-seven-year-old Joe Mitchell of Des Moines is the youngest Iowa delegate at the Republican National Convention. Mitchell, a former state legislator who took office at the age of 21, said GOP vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, who is 39, will appeal to younger voters. “Senator Vance is clearly incredibly talented,” Mitchell said during an interview with Radio Iowa. “….Growing up with a single mom, working class, in the ‘Rust Belt’ — that background is just going to play greatly towards people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin — states you have to win to win the election.”

Mitchell said the attempted assassination of Trump has changed the focus of delegates at the convention, even those who were not necessarily huge Trump fans. “I’ve seen so many people across all walks of life, you know on my social media and even here at the convention walking around after Saturday (saying), the ballgame has changed,” Mitchell said.

Joe Mitchell of Des Moines is the founder of Run GenZ (Run GenZ photo)

Mitchell is cautioning other Republicans from getting complacent and thinking the election’s over, but Mitchell said things are
“beginning to snowball” for the Trump campaign. “We’ve had game changer after game changer from the conviction to the debate,” Mitchell said. “…I don’t know how much of a better month or season President Trump could be having.”

Mitchell is the founder of Run GenZ, a national group that encourages young conservatives to run for office. He’ll be part of a focus group on CNN tonight during the network’s coverage of the Republican National Convention.

Posted in News |

Seven Iowa counties challenge IUC decision on carbon pipeline

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Officials from seven Iowa counties are asking the Iowa Utilities Commission to reconsider its conditional approval of the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project. Shelby County Board of Supervisors chairman Kevin Kenkel says the commission’s decision did not address zoning issues. “The counties also maintain that Summit is not a ‘common carrier’ and is not proposing a public use or benefit to the public and should not be granted the right of eminent domain,” Kenkel said.

Monday (yesterday) was the deadline for filing the paperwork, asking the Iowa Utilities Commission to rescind the construction permit. Landowners who oppose the project and the Sierra Club of Iowa have also filed objections. Kenkel isn’t making any predictions on how the commission might respond. “We feel we deserve a fair and impartial shot at this,” Kenkel says.

In addition to Shelby County, officials from Kossuth, Floyd, Emmet, Dickinson, Wright and Woodbury Counties signed the 16-page challenge filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission. Kenkel says it’s unrelated to the pending case in a federal appeals court over hazardous pipeline zoning ordinances in Shelby and Story Counties. “Other counties started passing ordinances and wanted to get involved in intervention at Iowa Utilities Board — Commission now — hearings, so we formed a coalition of intervenors,” Kenkel says. “We are all impacted on phase one of Summit.”

Summit recently announced plans to expand the pipeline route through Iowa by over 300 miles to connect to ethanol plants that had been part of the abandoned Navigator C-O-2 pipeline project. The commission’s ruling on Summit’s initial request says the company has to get approval for its route through South and North Dakota before construction may start in Iowa. A final option for groups that oppose the pipeline project would be filing a lawsuit asking the courts to block construction.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |