(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says the baby formula shortage in the U-S is due to a lack of foresight and action by the Democrat administration. “Back in February Abbott’s Sturgis Michigan facility closed down following a voluntary recall of baby formula. The Biden administration’s F-D-A should have developed a plan to prevent shortages then — but they sat on their hands for months,” Hinson says. The baby formula is regulated by the F-D-A and Hinson says that’s important to keep it safe, but they need to be able to react to these types of situations.

“We still haven’t seen a plan from the F-D-A in my mind there is no excuse for this incompetence,” Hinson says. “Last week I called for the F-D-A to provide a clear timeline for getting formula back on the shelves as well as a plan to prevent future shortages. This cannot happen again,” she says. Hinson says a plan proposed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi threw money at the problem, but didn’t provide a long-term solution. Hinson says families looking for special formulas may find some relief soon.

“Abbott is releasing certain types of metabolic formulas that were previously on hold. If that applies, parents should be calling Abbott the 800 number is 1-800-881-0876. And they can call that number for assistance and start the process in getting some of that formula as quickly as possible,” according to Hinson. The president announced that he is invoking the Defense Production Act to try and help speed up the restocking of the formula.

“We’ve been in direct conversations with Abbott, and before the President’s announcement yesterday we had already received word from them that they are working to not only get that plant operational but that we should be in a place where shelves are backstopped within four to eight weeks,” Hinson says. She says the president’s action does not go to the root of the problem in creating a plan for the F-D-A to deal with the situation. Hinson made her comments during her weekly conference call with reporters.

Anita, Iowa – Iowans interested in the results of a DNR study to improve water quality in Lake Anita in Cass County can view a presentation on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel. Lake Anita is on the state’s list of impaired waters for high levels of algae. The current study, or DNR water quality improvement plan, shows how these problems are caused by too much phosphorus in the lake. The problems impact recreation on the lake and aquatic life.

The plan explores the amounts and sources of phosphorus entering the lake and offers potential solutions to reduce those levels and work toward fixing the problem. The document is designed as a guide for local resource agencies, partners, stakeholders and residents to improve the lake.

The presentation is available now at youtube.com/iowadnr through June 20. The full document can be downloaded on the Iowa DNR’s website at the following: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WatershedImprovement/WatershedResearchData/WaterImprovementPlans/PublicMeetingsPlans.aspx.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two drug and burglary-related arrests took place Tuesday morning. 48-year-old Jack Gregory Milledge, of Carter Lake, and 49-year-old Lawrence Anthony Cipolla, of Council Bluffs, were each arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd Degree Attempted Burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Their bonds were set at $9,300 and $6,300 respectively.

Early Wednesday morning, 19-year-old Hassan Saleh Mohamed, of Omaha, was arrested in Mills County for Eluding, Interference with Official Acts, Reckless Driving and Theft in the 5th. Bond was set at $6,000. And, 20-year-old Nuak Kauier Pal, of Omaha, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts ($300 bond). Thursday morning (May 19), Seth David Travis, of Omaha, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear on a Theft in the 5th Degree charge ($300 bond).

(Moravia, Iowa) – Cass County (IA) Treasurer Tracey J Marshall reports she was last week in Moravia, she was sworn-in as President of the Iowa State County Treasurers Association, an affiliate of (ISAC) Iowa State Association of Counties. During the event, Treasurers from across the State were updated on Iowa legislation with the (DOT) Department of Transportation, (DOR) Department of Revenue, (IADA) Iowa Dealers Association, and the (ISCTA) Iowa State County Treasurers Association. Marshall says “There are many entities who partner with the county treasurer’s office so there is ongoing training needed. At this meeting classes were held on legislation updates to tax sales, cash and investments, and requirements for the Department of Revenue.”

Marshall, who is running for re-election, says she has been involved in improving the services of her office since 2003, when she was first elected as the Cass County Treasurer. Her campaign says “She believes in being active to increase her knowledge so she can improve the functions of her office. She continues her education by continuing the ISCTA Certified Treasurers Program which is designed to provide educational training to improve and enhance management skills, knowledge, and professionalism of all ISCTA through a structured series of courses thus enabling Iowa county treasurers to fulfill their elected duties and to better serve their community.”

Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall is sworn-in by Kris Rowley, past President of the association, last week. (Photo courtesy TJM)

She began her leadership role early on, by serving on several district, state, and national committees. Marshall was elected as District IV President in 2016, and provided training for the treasurer’s offices with-in her district. In 2018, she was elected president of the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Financial Officers, and overseen training for treasurers on the national level. She said she is now “Proud to represent Cass County as the Iowa State County Treasurers Association President.”

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, today (Thursday), said two inmates at the Pott. County Jail were served with warrants, Wednesday, and one person turned themselves-in. Authorities say 31-year-old inmate Dyllan Roger McClelland, of Council Bluffs, was presented with a warrant charging him with a pre-trial release violation on his original charges of Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, and Willful Injury resulting in bodily injury. He remains held in the jail on a $503 bond.

And, 29-year-old Pott. County Jail inmate Jess Willard Pfarr, of Council Bluffs, was presented with a warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree. His bond on that and other charges, was set at $1,300. The Sheriff’s Office said 63-year-old David Kendall Owens turned himself-in on a warrant for Distribution to a person under age 18; Distribution of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance to a person under 18; and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Owens was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail, and later posted bond.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting Tuesday, May 17th, in the Harlan City Hall Council Chambers.  During the session a Public Hearing was held for the 2022 Budget Amendment. Having received no written or spoken comments from the public, the Board approved the amendment, as proposed.  There will be no increase in taxes. The budget was amended to include revenue from bond proceeds, as well as ARPA proceeds and expenditures and Secondary Roads Department spending.

Auditor Mark Maxwell, in his meeting minutes, said Lonnie Maguire, Director of Community Services, was on hand to tell the Board about the transition of her department from Shelby County Employees to Pottawattamie County Employees. Local property tax funding has been eliminated and the State of Iowa will now reimburse Pottawattamie County for the Southwest Iowa Mental Health costs. Services have not changed and the employees will keep the same offices in Shelby County, with rent being paid to Shelby County for the occupation. A lease was presented and approved by the Supervisors, minor wording changes were proposed by County Attorney Marcus Gross. The Supervisors then approved the changes and permit the Chairperson to sign the document once the changes are made.

A department report was given by Carolyn Blum , Shelby County Treasurer, Blum explained the many activities and changes that have been taking place in her office. And, the Supervisors unanimously approved a yearly Weed Destruction Resolution, which states ‘Each owner and each person in possession or control of any lands in Shelby County, shall cut, burn or otherwise destroy all noxious weeds thereon, as defined in the chapter, at such time in each year and in such manner as shall prevent such weeds from blooming or coming to maturity, and shall keep said lands free from such growth as shall render the streets or highways adjoining said lands unsafe for public travel. Noxious weeds shall be cut or otherwise destroyed as published in the official newspapers of Shelby County.” And, “If owners or persons in possession or control of any lands in Shelby County fail to comply with the foregoing orders, the weed commissioner shall cause this to be done and the expenses of said work including cost of serving notice and other costs, if any, to be assessed against real estate.

American Recovery Act funding was considered during the Shelby County Supervisor’s meeting. Grant applications discussed at the last Supervisors meeting were then presented to be acted upon by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors. The following grants and amounts were presented for consideration.

Defiance water tower-Regional backup for water supply–$43,000

Shelby County Trails-Engineering—————————-$50,000

Shelby County Conservation-Playground Equipment——$20,000

Kountry Kids Care-Child care expansion——————–$100,000

Harlan Airport-Service improvements————————$20,000

Shelby County Golf Water Conservation———————$27,500

Petersen Family Wellness-Upgrades————————–$52,500

Shelby County Fair-Tourism Improvements—————–$20,000

Environmental Health Well Plugging————————-$15,397

Mark Maxwell says “This will exhaust all funds available from Shelby County through the ARPA program.”  The dollars will be spent in accordance with ARPA spending guidelines.

(Ankeny, Iowa) – An investigation being conducted into the death of a 4-year-old girl from Ankeny, shows the girl somehow got a-hold of a handgun and accidentally shot herself in the face. The girl was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. According to court documents, the incident happened when Savannah Holmes‘ father – who has currently not been charged – went to answer the door. The incident happened in a home on Northeast 5th Street near Delaware Avenue in Ankeny, at around 11:26-a.m., Monday. A caller to 9-1-1 said the father was performing CPR on the child, until police and Ankeny Medics arrived.

According to Police, the father of Savannah said she and her brother were in highchairs when two men came to the residence and were pounding at the door. The father grabbed the gun and set it down near a couch, saying he feared conflict with the men, and went to the door to speak to them. He said that while he was at the door, Savannah and her brother had gotten out of their highchairs. He said he saw his son climbing up the stairs and went inside to get him. According to the search warrant, the father said he believed Savannah grabbed his gun and shot herself in the entryway.

One of the men told police that he heard the gunshot while talking to the child’s father, according to the search warrant. Police noted in the document that “it is reasonable to believe a crime occurred resulting in the death of a person.”

(Radio Iowa) – A senate committee has voted to spend a million dollars to replace security cameras and enhance security in the Iowa Capitol Complex. Senator Janet Petersen of Des Moines says she’s grateful.  “As many of you know, we have had a number of threats on this building,” Petersen says.A 23-year-old man was charged with vandalism in early 2020 after breaking into the Capitol on a Sunday morning. Surveillance camera footage showed he made it all he way onto the floor of the Iowa Senate.

Petersen says the added security for the Capitol as well as the state office buildings that surround it is warranted. “Those that work in state government on the complex deserve to know that they should be safe,” Petersen says.

Iowa is among the 30 state capitol buildings with metal detectors at the doors where visitors enter. The screening devices and security guards have been deployed at the state Capitol for more than 20 years. Last year, a security fence was installed around Terrace Hill, the governor’s mansion in Des Moines.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) finished-up a two-day Midwest Farm Tour swing though Minnesota and Iowa, Wednesday, with a stop at Lindeman Tractor, in Atlantic. FCA Board Chairman and CEO Glen Smith, from Atlantic, said the tour was meant to get the two busloads of several dozen FCA employees, out to meet the people they serve.

Bob Lindeman talked about the history of the family business, which his father started in 1914, and shared stories about the rural hardships of the 1930’s and the 1980’s. Glen Smith said it’s critical for his staff to understand how important local businesses like Lindeman Tractor are, to the economy.

Smith is using the trip to help promote the Young, Beginning and Small Farmers and Ranchers lending program through the Farm Credit System.

(Radio Iowa) – The family of a Cedar Rapids man who has been missing since his submerged city truck was found in the Cedar River is hoping his remains can be found. Erik Spaw was last seen on May 6th driving between work sites, and his truck was pulled from the river on May 7th. His mother Karen and other family told K-C-R-G T-V they believe complications from Erik’s Type 1 Diabetes contributed to his crash.  “He was trying to change it some way so he’d get better control of his eyesight and things. And so he was kind of doing things differently you know, and kind of trying to get it adjusted better,” she says. Family members remember Spaw as a daredevil who had loved to jet ski, snowmobile, and race cars. His brother Johnny Spaw said numbness caused by his diabetes led to the end of his brother’s racing. The family has put up flyers asking for help in finding Erik’s body. Karen Spaw says the family grieves, but they also feel they are in limbo.

“We’re just kind of still in shock, but we’re really hoping that they find him because it’s so hard to not know, you know, for sure that he’s deceased and we’re just waiting,” she says. Brother Johnny Spaw has the same feeling. ”Just wish we could find him so we could get this over with. It’s not going to bring him back, but you need the old closure word everybody talks about. I don’t know. It’ll help, but it’s not going to help,” Spaw says. Erik Spaw was 54-years old and worked for the Cedar Rapids Water Division.