(Radio Iowa) – A video appeared Thursday on Facebook of what appears to be a young bull moose crossing an empty field in northwest Iowa, and Sioux Center’s Police Chief issued a warning that the moose was near Dordt University this (Friday) morning. D-N-R Regional Conservation Officer John Sells hasn’t seen the moose in person, but has seen the photos.

Sells says moose sightings are not as unusual as you would think.

He says if moose come this far south, it’s usually because of one thing.

Moose in a field in Sioux County. (Sioux Center PD Facebook photo)

Sells says moose are a protected species in Iowa, you cannot shoot or hunt them, and if you see a moose, you should stay clear

Sells says moose can travel five to tens miles a day, and have been known to travel up to 100 miles a week. He says the moose’s trajectory is in a southeasterly direction, which could put it in the Orange City and Alton areas Saturday, unless it decides to turn around and go back home. Sioux County Conservation Board Biologist Sunday Ford says there’s been an increase of unusual wildlife recently spotted in the area. She cites a report of a wild bull Elk in Plymouth County this week, and an Armadillo near Hospers in August.

(Radio Iowa) – What is there to see in Iowa? Plenty! A new book by a central Iowa woman offers dozens of entertaining options, including the world’s largest popcorn ball, the biggest bull, the most crooked street and the smallest church. Megan Bannister’s book is called, “Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.”

Originally from the Chicago area, Bannister moved to Iowa 14 years ago for school and says discovered she loved it and never left. And why would she? After all, the state boasts destinations like the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk, the only remaining Frank Lloyd Wright-designed hotel in the world, and the world’s largest strawberry.

The book is filled with suggestions for fun road trips that are strewn across the entire state, from the familiar and famous Field of Dreams in Dyersville to the lesser-known Lover’s Leap Swinging Bridge in Columbus Junction.

Bannister lives in Des Moines and this is her second book, following “Iowa Supper Clubs.” The author is holding book signings and presentations tomorrow (Saturday) in Pella and Des Moines, with more events in the coming weeks in: Windsor Heights, Muscatine, Cedar Falls, Van Horne, Marion, Bedford and Oskaloosa.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Clarinda Police Department would like to remind the citizens of Clarinda that no parking is allowed on the following streets from 7:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 30th , 2023 for the annual Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree Parade.

• The 100 through 800 block of W. Main Street
• The 100 block of E. Main Street
• The100 block of N. 15th St.
• The 100 block of E. Washington Street
• The 100 block through 300 block of W. Washington Street
• 24th Street (Cardinal Drive) from Garfield Street to State Street (*SCHOOL BUS PARKING*)

The police department appreciates the cooperation of all citizens in removing their vehicles from the parade route. Vehicles that are not removed from the parade route shall be towed at the expense of the vehicle’s registered owner.

Johnston, Iowa – The Iowa National Guard hosted Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam Veteran, Michael J. Fitzmaurice in Sioux City this past week. The visit included a tour of the 185th Air Refueling Wing maintenance facilities, meetings with leadership and a flight on a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft.

Fitzmaurice first joined the U.S. Army in 1969. He was presented the Medal of Honor on October 15, 1973, for his heroic actions during a battle in Khe Sanh, Vietnam, in which, despite being seriously wounded and partially blinded, he fought in hand-to-hand combat to overcome the enemy.

Medal of Honor recipient Michael J. Fitzmaurice greets 185th Air Refueling Wing members after a flight on a KC-135 September 19, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Ter Haar)

“I’m just a lucky guy,” said Fitzmaurice when asked about the events that led to receiving the Medal of Honor.

During the visit Fitzmaurice and other local Veterans witnessed aerial refueling operations from the boom pod in the rear of a KC-135. The group saw a number F-16s assigned to the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing refueled. The flight was also the first time Fitzmaurice had been in a KC-135. “Ive seen a lot of things in my life but I’m going to have to move this to the top of my list, it was awesome,” said Fitzmaurice.

After the F-16 fighters had received their fuel, Fitzmaurice was also given the opportunity to sit up front in the flight deck the during the landing back into Sioux City. “I liked watching the pilots, they have to know so many things, it was impressive,” said Fitzmaurice.

Upon landing Fitzmaurice was greeted with a salute by 185th members and after thanking Col. Sonya Morrison, 185th Wing Commander, he took the opportunity to shake hands and personally thank each Airmen for their service.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon from the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing flies next to a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing September 19, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Ter Haar)

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office has released the final list of candidates whose names will appear on the Nov. 7th ballot for School Board elections. Auditor Jill Ozuna notes this is not the order of names that will be on the ballot for city or school- Lots will be drawn for the order Tuesday the 26^th at 8am.

Tuesday the 26^th is also the deadline for objections and withdrawals- Auditor’s office will be open until 5pm.

All Offices are 4-year terms Unless Stated Differently

Red Oak School Director at Large –Vote for 2: Aaron D. Schmid; Scott Bruce; Ashley York.

Stanton School Director at Large -Vote for 2:  Zachary Ward; John McDonald.

Villisca School Director at Large – Vote for 3: Jason Poston; Tom A. Williams; Richard Allen Mullen.

SWCC Director District #2 – Montgomery, Adams, Ringgold, Union, Taylor & Page Counties:
Fred Shearer.

SWCC Director District #3 (2-year term)– TFV: Portion of Clarke and Mormon Trail: Susan Stearns.

SWCC Director District #4 – Portions of Decatur, Lucas & Ringgold Counties: Carol Saxton.

SWCC Director District #7 – Portions of Decatur, Page, Taylor & Ringgold Counties: Amy Mobley.

SWCC Director District #8 – Portions of Union County: John Cass.

Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says he’s stayed in Washington to work with anyone who’s still there on a deal that would end the federal spending stalemate. Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, says he’s frustrated with fellow House Republicans who he says are holding up the process.

Nunn supports a return to 2019 federal spending levels and he says Democrats, who hold a majority of seats in the U-S Senate, also need to start being part of the solution so a government shutdown can be avoided.

This past week, a handful of House Republicans prevented a vote on the annual defense spending bill. Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from LeClaire, spent 24 years in the Army and she says it’s profoundly disappointing and shortsighted for five other Republicans in the House to hold that bill hostage. Nunn, who has served in the Air Force and the Iowa National Guard, is currently a colonel in the Air Force Reserve.

Nunn says there are sailors heading out on U-S Navy submarines who do not know if their paychecks will reach their families while they’re on duty.

Nunn favors taking votes in the House on a dozen budget bills and he says while Democrats don’t support the spending levels, they could at least join with the majority of House Republicans and let the bills come up for votes. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says the chaos and dysfunction of Washington, D.C. was on full display this past week. Hinson, who is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, says being on the brink of another government shutdown is unacceptable.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon County Auditor’s Office has released the final list of candidates who have filed papers for the November 7^th City and School Board Elections in Audubon County.

School Board Candidates:

Audubon Community School Board Member – At Large – 3 positions

Derek Anthofer; Anne Bomstad Miller;Bethany Meese-Sample; Mark Nissen;Justin Sprague.

Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School Board Member – At Large – 4 positions

Jodee D. Dixon; Terri Harris; Matthew Jorgensen

City Office candidates:

AUDUBON

Mayor: Robert K. Malloy

Council Member (Vote for 2): Katherine Beckman; Rick Freimuth; Andrew Grabill; Brandi Meyer; Jacob Murray.

Public Measure – SHALL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC MEASURE BE ADOPTED?  Summary:  To authorize a change in the use of the one percent (1%) local sales and services tax in the City of Audubon effective July 1, 2024. The use of the one percent (1%) local option sales and services tax shall be changed in the City of Audubon effective July 1, 2024.

PROPOSED USES OF THE TAX: If the change is approved, revenues from the sales and services tax shall be allocated as follows: 0% for property tax relief; The specific purposes for which the revenues shall otherwise be expended are: 100% for construction, reconstruction, replacement, maintenance, and improvement of city streets, curbs, storm sewers and related infrastructure; and public works related expenses, including administrative expenses.

CURRENT USES OF THE TAX: Revenues from the sales and services tax are currently allocated as follows: 0% for property tax relief; 100% for street construction and repair.

BRAYTON

Mayor: Cally Christensen; Gregory  Gust; Neil C. Poldberg.

Council Member (Vote for 3): Steve Fister; Tanya Marshall; Joan B. Meese; Steven L. Sykes.

EXIRA

Mayor: Michael Huegerich.

Council Member (Vote for 3): Clark Borkowski; Mark A. Paulsen; Nathan Wahlert.

Public Measure – SHALL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC MEASURE BE ADOPTED?  Shall the City of Exira be authorized to adopt an ordinance reducing the membership of the Library Board of Trustees from seven (7) members to five (5) members, with one member being a resident of the rural area served by the library, and all members to be appointed by the City Council.

GRAY

Mayor: Alecia Bluml.

City Council Member (Vote for 3): No Candidates have filed.

KIMBALLTON

Mayor: Peggy Mortensen; Millette L. Shores

City Council Member (Vote for 2): Katie Kunik; Adam Larsen; Tony Petersen.