Whether you just drove your new vehicle off the lot or your car has been in the family for a long time, regularly checking for recalls can keep you safer behind the wheel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration makes checking for recalls quick and easy. Simply go to https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls and type in your vehicle identification number (VIN). To find the VIN, look on the lower left of your car’s windshield or inside the driver’s door frame for a 17-character combination of numbers and letters. Your VIN is also located on your car’s registration card, and it may be shown on your insurance card. Here’s a video to help you find your VIN.

When you type in your VIN number, the site searches a database for recalls issued in the past 15 years for major automakers, motorcycle manufacturers, and some medium/heavy duty truck producers. If your vehicle has a recall, the site will give you information on how to get repairs completed at no cost to you. The site also allows you to download apps for your phone that will alert you of recalls to vehicles you have entered into the recall system.

A recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards. Most decisions to conduct a recall and remedy a safety defect are made voluntarily by manufacturers prior to any involvement by NHTSA, but most recalls are registered on the NHTSA site.

So far in 2022, there have been 41 deaths in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of four since last Friday. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf

(Radio Iowa) – The Des Moines Register has obtained the draft of a proposal that could mean Iowa’s Democratic Party Caucuses would not qualify to be first-in-the-nation. According to The Des Moines Register, the proposal declares the party’s preference for primaries over caucuses. The plan would set up a system where state’s apply to the Democratic National Committee to be among the earliest contests in a presidential election year. And it makes diversity among eligible voters a consideration when deciding which states hold the first contests in the Democratic Party’s presidential nominating process.

The document will be reviewed tonight (Friday) by the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee. National party leaders had been encouraging states to switch to primaries before the calamity of delayed results from the 2020 Iowa Caucuses. The chairman of the Iowa G-O-P says there’s no move among leaders of the Republican National Committee to dislodge Iowa’s Republican Party Caucuses from the first-in-the-nation spot in 2024.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa restaurants and bars were closed on St. Patrick’s Day 2020 due to the pandemic and Iowa State Trooper Kevin Krull says crowds were sparse a year ago, but with St. Patrick’s Day next Thursday, he expects the celebrating to start this weekend.  “I expect to see big travel,” Krull says. “I expect to see better crowds than we’ve had because people are able to get out.”

Nationwide records show that in 2019, more than three out of five traffic fatalities during the St. Patrick’s Day period involved a drunk driver.  “We just ask people to watch the amount of consumption that they do and, if they are going to consume, get that ride in advance or if you see somebody who needs a ride, offer them a ride and make sure they take it,” Krull says.

St. Patrick’s Parades are being held tomorrow (Saturday) in a few Iowa cities, including Dyersville, Cedar Rapids and Denison.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session Monday in the Supervisors Chamber at the Shelby County Courthouse, two members present plus Clerk Mark Maxwell. Supervisor Haake was absent. According to their meeting minutes, the Board passed a Resolution for the proposed FY2023 Maximum Property Tax Dollars. (See the resolution below):

“WHEREAS, the Shelby County Board of Supervisors have considered the proposed FY2023 county maximum property tax dollars for both General County Services and Rural County Services, and WHEREAS, a notice concerning the proposed county maximum property tax dollars was published as required and posted on county web site and or social media accounts if applicable, WHEREAS a public hearing concerning the proposed county maximum property tax dollars was held on March 7th, 2022. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Shelby County that the maximum property tax dollars for General County Services and Rural County Services for FY2023 shall not exceed the following: General County Services $ 4,852,999.00 Rural County Services $2,400,000.00.

The Maximum Property Tax dollars requested in either General County Services will be limited to an increase of 107.94% and Rural County Services for FY2023 represents a maximum increase
of 105.3% from the Property Tax dollars requested for FY2022.”

The Board then set March 29th at 9-a.m., as the date and time for the final budget hearing, fixing the budget for FY 2023.  Discussion of setting the actual property tax dollars followed, with County LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) revenue dollars declared from the ARPA fund, to be used to fund granular rural road surfacing. This will allow the Rural Basic tax dollars to remain at the same amount collected in fiscal year 2023 as the current fiscal year. Fiscal year 2024 will see the Capital contribution for granular road surfacing being returned to the Rural Basic taxpayers.

(Radio Iowa) – Fire broke out last (Thursday) night in a large structure at the Lost Island Theme Park, a new amusement venue under construction in Waterloo. The 100-million dollar entertainment attraction that’s scheduled to open in late May on the south side of the city. When fire crews arrived, they found a nearly 15-hundred square-foot building completely engulfed in flames. The fire, which could be seen for several miles, raged for more than 90 minutes before being brought under control.

Waterloo Fire Rescue officials say the structure was completely destroyed and no injuries were reported. Investigators are working to determine the cause. The theme park’s owner, Eric Bertch, told a local television station that the fire won’t delay the theme park’s scheduled, which is now about two months away.

The Creston Police Department reports an Adams County man was arrested at around 2:15-p.m. Thursday, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Authorities say 21-year-old Collin Steven Gregory, of Corning, was taken into custody at 1106 E. Lucas Street (Bunn O Matic), and transported to the Union County Jail. He has since posted bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The man who holds a seat on the Cass County Board of Supervisors in District 2, has announced his bid for re-election, in advance of the June 7th Primary Election. Mark O’Brien released a statement Thursday, saying “As a lifelong resident of Cass County, I feel I have been and will continue to be a respected voice for my fellow constituents due to the years of knowledge and experience I have attained on both a professional and personal level.

“A brief history of my experiences include building my business, Iron Specialties, Inc. from the ground up, extensive construction background along with general contracting of commercial and agricultural projects for over 37 years, residential and commercial property owner, farming and farm land owner, serving on various local boards and committees, coaching and coordinating various youth activities and volunteer work within the community.

Mark O’Brien

“As a contractor, I have had the opportunity to offer guidance and assist several other county and economic boards in and around Iowa through various construction projects. My additional entrepreneurial endeavors with property investments, farming and new business developments further the level of diversity of my experiences, all of which I believe will bring positive things to the table for Cass County in the capacities of both planning and budgeting. My key objectives as a member of the Cass County Board of Supervisors have been and will continue to focus on keeping spending in check and creating smart budgeting for continued county growth, improvement and progress. I believe an open-door policy is key and invite the voters who re-elect me to have their voices heard.

On a personal note, I have been married to my wife Trish for 47 years. We have 3 sons, Chris, Jason & Kolby. We are lifelong members of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church. In our free time we enjoy spending time with our 7 grandchildren and attending their activities. I look forward to this opportunity and urge anyone with questions regarding my candidacy to contact me
via phone at 712-249-4881 or via email at marktobrien@msn.com.”