(Radio Iowa) – The state panel which estimates the amount of money the state will take in now has the final numbers for the state fiscal year completed in June. Holly Lyons of the Legislative Services Agency is one of three members of the Revenue Estimating Conference. “As of two weeks ago, the fiscal year 2021 books are closed and revenue came in much higher than the March R-E-C estimate. Like most states, we missed it big — but of course, it is better to be on the high side than the low side. In both dollar and percentage terms — fiscal 2021 exceeded any year since at least the fiscal year 2001,” Lyons says. She details some of the numbers.

“General fund net revenue for the year increased 870 million and 11 percent when compared to the fiscal year 20 level. And exceeded the R-E-C estimate by 737-point-one million — or nine percent,” Lyons says. She says federal money helped the economy that had dropped during the pandemic in the previous year. “This growth reflected positive consumer confidence in the form of pent up demand for goods and services, an improving economy, and massive federal assistance in the form of stimulus payments, child tax credits, extended unemployment benefits, and the paycheck protection program,” according to Lyons.

Lyons says the state is facing a lot of “headwinds” in the new fiscal year, including inflation, interest rates, and the worker shortage. “The question is what happens as the impact of that stimulus money fades. Wage and salary income looks fine now — despite the reduction in employment — but come late spring and summer next year, Iowans as a whole may not have as much money to spend as they did the previous year,” Lyons says.

The other two members of the panel issued the same cautions as the state continues through the new fiscal year.

(Radio Iowa) – This weekend’s Iowa Latino Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held virtually for the first time. The Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs moved the event online after concerns were raised about COVID-19. Sonia Reyes, executive officer of the commission’s Office of Latino Affairs, says there are benefits to broadcasting the ceremony, even though people won’t be able to connect in person. “Everyone is going to be able to have access to the link and anyone will be able to attend regardless of where they are in the world, because we have inductees that have relatives all over the world,” Reyes says. “So I think that is something that we are gaining.”

Reyes says she hopes the easy access to the event will attract more viewers, so they can see how Latinos are making a positive impact in Iowa communities. “I think that when you move something to virtual, you don’t have that camaraderie of having to meet people in person,” she says, “and the Latino community, we are so affectionate, so to give the hug, the kiss on the cheek, so we lose a lot of that.”

The ceremony is scheduled for 6 P-M Saturday on the Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Facebook page. The three inductees and three award winners will be invited back to next year’s ceremony, which is expected to be in-person. The Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs established the Latino Hall of Fame in 2017.

(Radio Iowa) – October is recognized as “Pork Month” and Iowa Pork Producers Association executive director Pat McGonegle points to the economic study they commissioned to show the impact of the pork industry on the state. “We do it with a third party so it kind of pulls some of the bias out of it…one of the key things that we found in it is the Iowa pork industry — both direct and indirect impact — equates to about 140-thousand jobs in the state of Iowa,” McGonegle says.

McGonegle says the direct and indirect economic impact is estimated at six BILLION dollars. And he says the pork industry provides a market for Iowa grain. “We’ll consume about 24 percent of the corn that’s produced in the state and about 22 or 23 percent of the soybeans that are produced are consumed on pig farms,” he says. Consumption of pork products has steadily increased during the past few decades, and according to McGonegle, one bright spot lies with the export of U-S pork products. He says Iowa exports about 26 percent of the hogs produced to 100 countries. “And it’s everything from pork chops to pig’s feet and everything in-between. And so, all of those things add value, not just to the producer — but to the entire network that it takes to bring pork products to consumers.”

McGonegle says whether the pork industry continues to expand within the state will depend on input costs, such as higher grain prices, and higher costs for building materials.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Many residents of Atlantic (& possibly elsewhere in the County) received phone calls Friday morning, threatening the call recipient with arrest if the person did not return the original call.

If you receive this type of call…simply hang-up. If you received a voice mail, do not return the call. The phone call appear to originate out of Poland. KJAN contacted to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and received a response we’ve heard about this, and other phone scams:

“There are several variations of law enforcement or government imposter calls and they are often made to get you to give them your personal information or pay a supposed fine. In one version of this scam the caller tries to convince you that your Social Security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity or because it’s connected to a serious crime. They will often give a badge, case number and officer’s name to convince you it is a legitimate call. They may even supply a phone number. We recommend you do not call them back.

In other scenarios police imposters claim there’s an outstanding warrant for an unpaid traffic ticket, missed jury duty or other violation and threaten immediate arrest if the fine isn’t paid. Sometimes they demand your credit card number or suggest you pay in gift cards. Police neither give advance warning of arrests nor solicit money for unpaid fines. If you really owe, you’ll be mailed a court summons or other official notification you can verify. They would never demand payment in the form of gift cards.

To avoid these calls our office recommends, if you are able, to use your caller ID to screen your phones calls. Scammers can use computer programs that “spoof” or mask their real phone number.  You should answer only those calls whose number you recognize. This will indicate to the source of the call that they have not reached a valid number. Usually, the caller gives up at some point, looking for more fertile ground.”

Allamakee County, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Friday, said that on Thursday, October 14, at 11:30 p.m., Iowa State Patrol Trooper Ted Benda was assisting the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office with a call for service.  While responding, Trooper Benda was involved in a single vehicle collision on Highway 51 approximately 6 miles north of Postville.  He was airlifted to Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin where he remains in critical condition.

The accident remains under investigation. Additional information will be released at a later time.

(Anita, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Kaycee Anstey, owner of Market on Main, on Thursday October 14th, 2021. The Ambassadors joined Kaycee in celebrating the opening of her home décor store located at 764 Main Street in Anita.

Kaycee has always enjoyed crafting, decorating, and repurposing furniture, but it wasn’t until a space opened in downtown Anita, that she pursued her passion full time. Kaycee officially opened her doors in March of this year and has since hosted seasonal open houses where she features 23 vendors with an assortment of different items including: rugs, antiques, candles, jewelry, and everything in between.

Kaycee looks forward to “going all out” for Christmas during Anita’s Christmas walk with Christmas trees and “all the Christmas lights”. Kaycee’s main goal is to offer items and gift-wrapping services that customers may otherwise seek when going to the city to holiday shop.

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Market on Main is located at 764 Main Street in Anita; Hours are Wednesday-Saturday from 11:00AM-6:00PM; For more information contact (712) 249-2499 or visit the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/mrktonmain

Des Moines,  Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Health, Friday, released new COVID-19 data that shows positive tests continue to decline and hospitalizations are once again in decline after an increase on Wednesday. Officials reported 7,389 positive tests in the last seven days, down from 7,713 at last report on Monday. The state’s 14-day positivity rate dropped to 8.8%, down from 9.2% at last report on Monday. Those under 18 make up the largest percentage of positive tests in the last 7 days, at 22%. However, those under 18 make up only 2% of those hospitalized.

IDPH reports 575 patients in Iowa with COVID-19. That’s down from 598 on Wednesday. Of those hospitalized with COVID-19, 77.3% are unvaccinated and 80.3% of those listed in intensive care with the virus are unvaccinated. There have been 3,563,074 vaccine doses administered in Iowa. IDPH reports 66.9% of all Iowans 18 and older are fully vaccinated and 69.3% of those 12 and older have had at least one vaccine dose.

There are virus outbreaks in 26 of Iowa’s long-term care facilities, down from 29 on Wednesday. IDPH releases new COVID-19 data each Monday Wednesday and Friday.

(Radio Iowa) – An unusual challenge for runners that will double as a welcome home celebration for returning Iowa National Guard soldiers is planned for next weekend. American Legion Post 91 in Estherville is hosting its 4th annual Estherville Warrior Ruck on October 23rd. The race will start and end at the Iowa National Guard Armory in Estherville. Post Commander Perry Russell explains a ruck march. “It’s what the military uses to move troops from one point to another on foot,” Russell says. “You put all your gear in a pack and you move however many miles you need to move to do whatever the next objective is, and we’re making it kind of a race, a 10K race.”

That 10-K race is both on and off-road, while a shorter race will be all on-road. Several military members will be taking part in the ruck march, while civilians will need to outfit themselves properly. “You do have to provide your own backpack and your own weight. What we consider heavy is 20 pounds,” Russell says. “If you have 20 pounds in, you’re eligible to win the award if you come in first place on the 10K or the two-and-a-half mile.”

Russell hopes there’s a good turnout from runners and spectators. “We haven’t done a welcome home for our unit. They came home from being deployed. We’re hoping people come out just to say ‘thanks’ and ‘welcome home’,” Russell says. “Also, we want people to participate so they can preregister online on the American Legion Post 91’s Facebook page, for Estherville.”

The event will start at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is $25, and $30 on the day of the ruck. A group of 3 or more is $20 each. All proceeds will help support local veterans and their families.

DES MOINES – Today (Friday), Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) announced that the application window for the new Butchery Innovation and Revitalization program will open on October 18, 2021.  The program was established and passed by the Iowa legislature during the 2021 legislative session. The intent of the program is to strengthen Iowa’s food supply chain and rural development. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to eligible businesses, with a total of $750,000 available through the program in the current fiscal year.

“During the pandemic, it was evident that our small-scale meat processors were instrumental in helping to meet the consumer demand,” said Gov. Reynolds. “This program is the key to unlocking greater potential for those facilities by providing the resources needed to expand their processing capacity and help alleviate disruptions in the supply chain. This investment also will serve as a catalyst for jobs, rural revitalization and innovation.”

“Increasing the capacity of our small-scale meat processors will further strengthen Iowa’s economy and the food supply chain by helping livestock producers and providing more opportunities for consumers,” said Debi Durham, executive director of the IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority.  “One of the biggest challenges faced by Iowa’s small-scale meat lockers is a lack of access to capital, which prevents them from making investments in their businesses,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “I’m excited to see this program roll out and know it will make a significant difference for locker owners, livestock producers, consumers, and our rural communities.”

Businesses applying for the grant program must meet all requirements outlined in House File 857 and in the administrative rules. Requirements include that a business must be:

• Incorporated or authorized to do business in Iowa
• Employ less than fifty (50) individuals
• An establishment that holds a current license from IDALS OR an establishment that documents it is actively working with IDALS to obtain a license (per IDALS/Meat and Poultry Inspection Service, Iowa Code section 189A)
• A copy of the draft application, application FAQs and checklist are available online at www.iowaeda.com/grow/butchery-innovation-revitalization/.

For additional program information, please contact Brad Frisvold at businessfinance@iowaeda.com.

More area, and State news, from Ric Hanson.

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