(Radio Iowa) – Former President Donald Trump says it would be horrendous for Iowa farmers if 2024 rival Ron DeSantis is elected president. “He would be a catastrophe of Nebraska and Iowa and anyplace else,” Trump said, “and a lot of other people also.” During an appearance this (Friday) afternoon in Council Bluffs, Trump blasted DeSantis for opposing the federal ethanol production mandate. “Ron DeSanctus totally despises Iowa ethanol and ethanol generally,” Trump said. “…Ending the Renewable Fuel Standard was one of his top priorities. As a member of congress, he wanted to end it and if he had his way the entire economy of Iowa would absolutely collapse because it would collapse if he did that.”
Trump also criticized DeSantis for vetoing 100 million dollars out of Florida’s budget that would have been spent on conservation and rural land protection easements. “He’s going to do that to Iowa and Nebraska and everybody else because that’s his inclination,” Trump said. “If you want to defend American farmers and grow more farm products in the USA, then you should vote for a very fine gentleman named Donald J. Trump.”
Trump listed a variety of steps his administration took in the ag sector, including the 28 BILLION dollars in trade disruption payments made to farmers when China blocked ag imports and ending the estate tax for people who inherit farmland.
(Carroll, Iowa) – If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to fly in a Vietnam-era Huey Helicopter, you’ll have a chance to to find out in less than eight-weeks.
A non-profit public education organization, “Friends of Army Aviation” (FOAA), based in Ozark, Alabama, will return to Iowa September 1st through the 10th, to provide Huey helicopter rides in Ames, Boone and Carroll. Jeff Dentlinger, of Carroll, who founded the non-profit “Patriot Peak Foundation,” is helping to organize the event, which first occurred in 2021, as a way of giving back to the troops and communities. The Patriot Peak Foundation was started in July 2021, after seeing the United States become divided and deciding it was time for a change.
The 50-year Anniversary of the end of U-S combat troop involvement in the Vietnam War was observed on May 29th. The first flights offered to the public in 2021 were a way of saying “Thank you” to Vietnam Veterans. Dentlinger served in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For those who may be elderly or have special needs, step-stools will be provided for ingress and egress into the chopper. During the 15-minute trips, the sliding doors on the Vietnam War-era 1970 Huey UH-1 Iroquois chopper are wide open, allowing riders to experience the thunderous “Sound of Freedom.”
Ric Hanson (photos) from the Sept. 2021 FOAA flights in Arcadia, IA.
Dentlinger says it’s not just your typical take-off and land experience.
The ride can be cathartic for veterans and civilians alike.
Dentlinger says they are hoping have 2,000 riders altogether this year to raise $43,000 to cover the cost of the aviation fuel, along pilot and support staff accommodations. So far they’ve raised about $28,000. He says it costs $2,000 per hour to keep the choppers fueled and flying. All of the pilots and staff are volunteers. They are not paid for their time and services.
Seating is limited on each trip, and is determined prior to each flight, along with pre-flight instructions. Helicopter ride tickets may be purchased either online or at the ride event. Dentlinger says there are only 900 tickets left (as of July 7th), so you are strongly encourage to buy tickets now. Online tickets may be purchased up to one day prior to the event, but entering your name and contact information now, will enable organizers to let you know if there are any delays prior to your flight day (due to weather, etc.). For specific details on the dates, places, times and cost of the flights, see the FOAA website at https://friendsofarmyaviation.org/foaa-events/month/2023-09/
Tonight’s softball game of Woodbine taking on Exira-EHK is postponed due to wet conditions. This matchup between the Spartans and the Tigers will take place tomorrow, Saturday, July 8th at 5 pm.
(Griswold, Iowa) – General Douglas MacArthur said “‘Old soldiers never die–they just fade away,” but in Griswold, they are celebrated with three-days of events. The 141st Annual Old Soldiers Reunion in Griswold (Iowa), takes place from Friday, July 7th through Sunday, July 9th. Griswold American Legion Post 508 President, Commander Landon Preston says there are many events scheduled. They began Friday morning (today), with tractor rides throughout the day. Friday evening there’s the 7th Annual Neon Run for kids and adults, adult water fights and a live band.
Preston says there are even more activities set for Saturday, beginning with a free-will donation, pancake breakfast from 6-until 10-a.m., at the Griswold Fire Station.
The is located on Main Street, in Griswold. A used book sale also tales place Saturday, from 8-a.m. Until Noon, at the Griswold Public Library. There will also be a tour of the Lakin Child Development Center that’s currently under construction.
Saturday afternoon, there will be a military weapons/equipment display at the Griswold Community Building parking lot, along with a National Guard, who will set-up a rock climbing wall.
Saturday evening, Cass County Cattlemen will serve food at the Legion Beer Garden, and there’s a military road march beginning at 4-p.m.
The march is followed at 6-p.m by the Old Soldiers parade, which is themed “Reunion Ignited,” this year. Afterward, there’s the 141st Reunion Queen Contest in the Griswold City Park, kids & adult pedal pulls, and music at 8-p.m. The day concludes with fireworks at 10-p.m.
On Sunday, they’ll hold a Church in the Park, beginning at 10:15-a.m.
Learn more on Facebook at Old Soldiers Reunion – Griswold, IA.
(Radio Iowa) – A southwest Iowa law officer will be remembered during a golf outing next weekend in Webster City. Austin (Melvin) Richardson of Sidney, Iowa was a deputy with the Fremont County Sheriff’s office when he died of injuries in June of 2022 as the result of an accident involving his squad car and a combine. The Hamilton County Peace Officers Association is sponsoring the golf benefit to raise funds for the family of Richardson on Saturday, July 15th.
A program will be held prior to the tournament at the Briggs Woods Golf Course to remember Richardson and his family. Several teams have been organized to help support Richardson. The golf event has been held for several years in support of Iowa law enforcement officers who have died while on duty and supporting their families.
Fremont County Deputy Austin “Melvin” Richardson (File photo)
(Red Oak, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County today (Friday), released a report on some recent arrests. This (Friday) morning, 57-year-old Robert Wayne Clark, of Red Oak, was arrested on an Adams County warrant for Contempt of Court. Clark was turned over to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Thursday evening, 48-year-old Buffy Marie Maxwell, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Montgomery County for Driving While License Suspended, with eight withdrawals in effect. Maxwell was being held in the Montgomery Council Jail on bond amounting to slightly more than $491.
On June 28th, Montgomery County Deputies arrested 45-year-old Clyde Everett Zeigler, of Red Oak. Zeigler was taken into custody at around 2:19-p.m., on a Department of Criminal Investigations warrant for a Gambling Violation. His bond was set at $5,000. That same day, 45-year-old Chad Michael Hill, of Red Oak, was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant, for Violation of Probation. Bond was set at $2,000.
IOWA CITY, Iowa —Gary Barta, the Henry B. Tippie Director Chair of Athletics, announced on Friday that he has extended Lisa Bluder’s contract through June 2029. She is heading into her 24th year at The University of Iowa as the P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach.
The position was endowed in 2021 by P. Sue Beckwith, MD, one of UI athletics’ most generous supporters. Sue Beckwith was a four-year letterwinner with Iowa Women’s Basketball (1976-1980) and has earned three UI degrees: 1980 BS, 1984 MD, and 2015 MBA.
As the all-time winningest coach in program history, the Hawkeyes have made 21 postseason appearances (17 NCAA and four WNIT) in 23 seasons, including NCAA Tournament berths in 13 of the last 15 seasons. Iowa has advanced to 15 consecutive postseason tournaments (13 NCAA and two WNIT). Bluder is a three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2001, 2008, 2010) and was recognized as the Naismith National Coach of the Year in 2019.
Most recently, the Hawkeyes advanced to the 2023 Final Four for the first time since 1993 and made its first ever appearance in the National Championship game. Bluder has produced two consensus National Player of the Year award winners in Caitlin Clark (2023) and Megan Gustafson (2019) in the last five seasons. She has mentored four Hawkeyes to consensus All-America status a total of six times over the last nine seasons (Samantha Logic, 2015; Gustafson, 2018 & 2019; Kathleen Doyle, 2020; Clark, 2022 & 2023).
Bluder has coached her Hawkeye teams to four Big Ten Tournament championships (2001, 2019, 2022, 2023), including three in the last five years, and two regular season league titles (2008, 2022). She has notched 850 career wins and 247 Big Ten victories in her storied career and surpassed C. Vivian Stringer in 2022-23 as the all-time winningest coach in conference history. She is one of 14 Division I coaches to ever win 850 games or more, including one of four active coaches.
(Radio Iowa) – Senator Chuck Grassley is proposing new restrictions for U-S military officers who work on behalf of foreign governments when they retire. Grassley is hoping the plan gets inserted in the annual defense bill congress approves. “A lot of people in the defense department are looking for employment after the defense department,” Grassley says. “There’s a lot of pressure not to put in those restrictions.”
The annual National Defense Authorization Act is eligible for debate in the Senate. Grassley and Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced a plan last month to prohibit service members from negotiating for a job with a foreign government or a private contractor that works for a foreign government while they’re still on active duty. “We don’t want it to be a compromise of national security,” Grassley says. “That gives us a stronger argument in putting this prohibition in the legislation.”
The proposal also would require creation of a searchable database of retired military officers who work as consultants or contractors for foreign governments and how much they’re paid. Retired military officers must receive permission from their branch of the military, the secretary of state AND congress before accepting compensation from any foreign government, but there is no criminal or civil penalty for failing to do so.
(Corning, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports one person was injured by gunfire in rural Adams County, Tuesday. A DPS press release said shortly after 12:00-p.m. on July 4, 2023, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a shooting that occurred at 3140 210th Street. An initial investigation indicated a minor child was handling a firearm, when the weapon discharged. The age of the child was not released.
The bullet traveled through a bedroom wall into an adjacent room where shrapnel from the bullet struck 63-year-old Connie Standley in the face. Standley was transported to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines and was reported to be in critical condition.
The incident remains under investigation by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
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