(Radio Iowa) – A new program to train aviation maintenance workers is coming to Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, thanks to nearly a million dollars in funding. Those who complete the two-year program will be qualified to work on anything from small aircraft to, eventually, commercial airliners. Iowa Department of Economic Development director Debbie Durham says Kirkwood’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program will be located at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. “Iowa has more jobs than people right now to fill,” Durham says, “and the aviation industry is not spared from this very need.”

Classes are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2023. The funding includes an 800-thousand dollar grant from the U-S Commerce Department and nearly 200-thousand dollars from local sources. A survey found there are about 90 openings every year for aviation mechanics in Iowa, while nationally, there will be a need over the next decade for more than 600-thousand mechanics.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors, passed an Ordinance amending various sections of the County’s Zoning Ordinance, with regard to the transporting of hazardous liquid through a pipeline. 202201025 MINUTES Their action was in response to a proposed Summit Carbon Solutions carbon capture and sequestration project that would transport up to 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (“CO2″) annually from participating industrial facilities in Iowa, as well as CO2 from facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska to a sequestration site in North Dakota, where the CO2 will be permanently stored. The pipeline, which would pass through the town limits of Earling, has not yet been approved by the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), which has the final say.

Prior to approving the amended ordinance, the Board held a public hearing on the matter. First to speak was Regional Water General Manager Tom Comb, who mentioned that Regional Water has not been contacted by anyone about installation of a pipeline and rural water concerns. There are an estimated twelve waterline main crossings planned by the pipeline in Shelby County alone. Comb stated that imminent domain issues concern regional water because at this time, money for any required moving of water lines must be absorbed by Regional water if imminent domain is used. Among other who spoke:

• Rick Chipman a grain and livestock producer, said safety was his main concern He has employees and family within steps of the proposed route. Livestock protocols for any pipeline accidents and permanent damage to conservation related practices on his operation is a concern.
• Jennifer Barnett, Superintendent of the Harlan Community Schools spoke about student and faculty safety. Economic stability is important to any taxing authorities.
• Gene Gettys, Harlan City Administrator mentioned that the Harlan City Council has passed a resolution of support for the Board of Supervisors actions, regarding the pipeline. Limitations to any future development is a concern. Placing a hazardous pipeline has possibilities of limiting economic development.
• Jan Reinig spoke next thanking the residents and Board of Supervisors in their efforts to make the pipeline safe and create less damage to the County.
• Mary Powell spoke of her property having old water pipelines and her concern for damage that may be done to those water lines.
• and, Sherry Webb thanked the Board of Supervisors for their efforts. Concerns for the safety of confinement animals and humans were expressed by Ms. Webb.

After the Board closed the hearing, a motion was made and seconded before the Ordinance was adopted unanimously, as proposed. The amended Ordinance – which sets the terms and conditions under which any such proposed pipeline request may be granted- becomes effective Jan. 1, 2023. Officials with Summit have said the Ordinance is “inconsistent” with Iowa law.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report the arrest on Tuesday, of 63-year-old Tim Thomas, from Glenwood. Thomas was taken into custody for OWI/2nd offense. He posted a $2,000 bond, and was released.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), in Atlantic, are recognizing this week, Oct. 23-29, as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. They recommend residents discuss the facts, talk about getting children and your home tested, and spreading awareness about the Lead Hazard Reduction Program grant.

SWIPCO is seeking applicants for the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant with homes constructed before 1978 and have children under the age of 6 who reside or spend a significant amount of time in the home. Applicants could be eligible for exterior and/or interior improvements involving lead-based paint removal. Homeowners and rental units qualify but owners of the rental units must be financially involved. Homeowners must meet certain income guidelines specific to the county where they live and must be in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, or Shelby counties.

Lead Hazard Reduction Program Coordinator, Nicole Rhodes says the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant will allow for lead hazard reduction in approximately 35 housing units and build a more skilled workforce in the region. “This is a wonderful opportunity to help us get some of those lead hazards removed to make southwest Iowa a safer and healthier place to live for everyone, especially kids who are particularly vulnerable. Through this grant program we have already been able to get 3 contractors in the southwest Iowa area certified as Lead Safe Contractors, which will ensure that lead poisoning awareness and abatement will outlast this program and will continue to benefit the community for future generations.” 

Lead is highly neuro toxic. Lead poisoning is 100% preventable, but the effects of lead poisoning are irreversible. CDC reports that there is no safe lead level and a level of 3.5 micrograms/deciliter is considered a high blood level of lead. Children under 6 are more sensitive to lead and pregnant women exposed to lead can pass lead to their unborn baby. Lead gets into the body when it is inhaled or swallowed. Lead poisoning may cause long-term effects and significant effects on the child’s health. Lead poisoning affects 1 in 14 Iowa children and Iowa’s rate of lead poisoning is four times the national average. Nearly 60% of the homes in Iowa both in rural and urban areas were built before 1960. During 2019, 981 children under 6 had a confirmed elevated blood lead level, which is enough children to fill 13.5 school buses.

To apply or to learn more about the grant program, please contact SWIPCO Lead Hazard Reduction Program Coordinator, Nicole Rhodes, at 712-243-4196 or 866-279-4720 or by emailing nicole.rhodes@swipco.org.

(Stuart, Iowa) – Officials with the City of Stuart say there is a boil order in effect for the entire City, until further notice. The action is necessary due to a water main break. Additional updates will be posted as they become available.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs have identified the victim of Sunday morning’s fiery, single-vehicle accident, as a man from Lincoln, NE. Authorities say 32-year-old Darian Davis was the driver and lone occupant of a vehicle that struck a sign pole at around 4:10-a.m., Sunday. The accident happened on Interstate 29 northbound near mile marker 50.

The vehicle split-in half and left a large debris field in its wake. A motorist called 911 and advised, “A vehicle is on fire on the side of the interstate,” but they were unable to determine in there was anyone inside.  Officers and Fire Personnel arriving on the scene found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames, which where were extinguished by Council Bluffs Fire Department Personnel. The body was found in the front half of the vehicle once the flames were doused.

An investigation revealed that speed was a factor in the crash.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports 30-year-old Steven Douglas Brinker, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday afternoon. He was taken into custody for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order. Brinker was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(Radio Iowa) – The Powerball jackpot for tonight’s (Wednesday) drawing has hit 700 million dollars and is likely to go higher. Iowa Lottery spokesperson, Mary Neubauer, says this is when those who aren’t regular players start to take notice. “It’s definitely at the point where people are just talking about it everywhere you go and so that is causing a lot of interest in the game and that in turn is driving the jackpot just further and further up,” she says. Neubauer says sales pick up so much, the jackpot can change several times before the drawing.

“Even the best estimates right now aren’t keeping up with sales,” according to Neubauer. “I think it’s just something fun that people can talk about that you know maybe isn’t one of the heavier things that are going on in the world. We can all just have some fun dreaming about winning the jackpot.” The Mega Millions jackpot was recently won after it went above 500 million, ending the chances of seeing it keep pace with Powerball.

“The history of Mega Millions and Powerball is that states used to be either or so here in Iowa we were in the original Powerball state and then later we added Mega Millions. But here in Iowa even after all this time, Powerball continues to have higher sales than Mega millions — so when the Powerball jackpot is really big like it is right now we’re definitely seeing it here in Iowa,” she says. The predecessor to Powerball, Lotto America, has a jackpot of 29 million dollars. Lotto America tickets cost one dollar compared to two dollars for the other two games, and that means smaller overall jackpots.

“Its amount may not compare to Powerball’s — but it is at a record amount for that game — and some people prefer Lotto America just because it’s easier to win even though its jackpot is smaller,” Neubauer says. Neubauer says if you want to get into the big Powerball drawing, don’t miss the cutoff time. “The sales cut-off time here in Iowa is 8:59 p-m Wednesday night for Wednesday night’s drawing. If you buy a ticket after that time, you’ll still have a valid Powerball ticket. It just won’t be for that night’s drawing,” she says.

Neubauer says three tickets here in Iowa that came so close to taking the Powerball jackpot in Monday night’s drawing — missing by one number — giving them a prize of 50-thousand dollars. She says that’s a good reason to check every ticket for a prize, even if you don’t win the jackpot.