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Glenwood woman arrested for probation violation

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Glenwood Police Department reports 36-year-old Robyn Salmons, of Glenwood, was arrested Thursday. Salmons was taken into custody on a Mills County warrant for probation violation. Her bond was set at $25,000.

BREAKING NEWS: Body Discovered In Adair County Considered Suspicious Death

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

GREENFIELD, Iowa – Division of Criminal Investigation agents and deputies with the Adair County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation in the southeast corner of Adair County. Earlier this (Thursday) afternoon, the body of an adult was discovered alongside a rural road. Law enforcement is treating this death as suspicious.

There is no known threat to the public associated with this discovery. No additional information is being released at this time.

Tyson opens medical clinic near its two Storm Lake plants for workers, their families

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Tyson Foods held a grand opening today (Thursday) for its company-owned health clinic in Storm Lake. The Bright Blue Health Center is providing primary and preventative care to the 33-hundred employees who work at the two Tyson plants in Storm Lake, as well as their families. Russ Dierenfield, the manufacturing director for Tyson’s turkey plant in Storm Lake, says the clinic opened May 26th.

“Over the last month, our team members have been introduced to the services,” he says. “We’re excited to see more and more team members utilizing the center.” Tyson also operates a pork plant in Storm Lake. Dr. Claudia Coplein, chief medical officer for Tyson Foods, says they’ve found some front-line workers aren’t using their health plan benefits, don’t have a primary care physician or don’t seek care until there’s a crisis. “There are a variety of reasons for this,” she says. “It could be due to cultural barriers, concerns about cost as well as fear of what can sometimes be seen as a complex health care system. We’re trying to change that by providing easy access to high quality health care that helps detect health conditions early and also promotes healthy habits.”

In most cases, employees and their families will not be charged for services at the clinic. Tyson Foods is opening seven Bright Blue Health Centers near company production facilities this year and Storm Lake’s is the only one in Iowa. All seven are being run by Marathon Health, a Vermont-based company that manages worksite clinics in a number of different industries.

Iowa joins eight states with parent-led driver’s ed law

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A new law that goes into effect today (Thursday) lets the parents of teenagers certify they’ve taught their child to drive, so the teen can take the tests to get a driver’s license. Homeschooling parents like Republican Representative Joel Fry of Osceola have had this authority for the past decade and this extends it to all Iowa parents.
“I, for one, have had the privilege of teaching now four children driver’s ed in my own family,” Fry says, “and I can tell you the amount of time that I spent with that child in driver’s education far outweighs the amount of time I went through driver’s education in the school system.”

Under previous law, teenagers in public and private schools had to pass a driver’s ed class in their school or a commercial driving school — or complete the D-O-T’s online course before taking the written and driving tests for a driver’s license. Any Iowa parent with a valid driver’s license can now certify they’ve covered that material AND completed behind-the-wheel training with their child. Many Democrats raised concerns.

Senator Claire Celsi, a Democrat from Des Moines, says a similar law has been in place in Oregon and a four-year study found 91 percent of young Oregon drivers in accidents were teenagers who had not completed a standard driver’s ed class. “There are some parents who are completely qualified to teach their children to drive and there frankly are some that are not,” Celsi said.

Republicans Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill in May, but did not issue a public statement about the new law. Iowa now joins Nebraska and seven other states in having a parent-led driver’s ed law.

Survey: Midwest economy grows, Iowa sees slight slump

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A survey of business leaders across Iowa and eight other states finds the Midwestern economy making solid gains as the pandemic wanes, but Iowa’s economy slipped slightly during June. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the region has been seeing sizeable growth for 13 of the past 14 months. “The manufacturing economy is really, really bouncing back, very strong,” Goss says. “The overall region remains below pre-pandemic levels but we’re moving in the right direction. Only one out of ten supply managers reports a lessening of bottlenecks and delays in deliveries. That’s where there are some real issues.”

On a zero to 100 scale where 50 is growth neutral, the regional economy posted a 73.5 for June, up from 72.3 in May. Iowa’s economy didn’t see as strong a showing, however, falling to 69.5 from 70.2 in May. Still, Goss emphasizes, the numbers are good, especially in regards to employment. “Hiring was very healthy for the month of June despite shortages of workers,” Goss says. “Regional employment still is about 4.1% below pre-pandemic levels. U.S. employment is about 5% below pre-pandemic levels.”

Not only since the onset of COVID-19, but for years prior, employers across Iowa and the region have bemoaned the lack of skilled workers to fill thousands of open positions. The survey results for June continued to confirm the pattern. “Fifty-three percent of our supply managers indicated they will continue to hire and increase hiring for the rest of 2021,” Goss says. “None, zero percent, expect layoffs for the rest of 2021 so that’s a good signal for hiring.”

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average hourly wages for manufacturing production workers in Iowa rose 7.7% over the past 12 months, while among the nine Midwest states, the growth in Iowa ranked third.

New Iowa history exhibition hits the road to 99 counties

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Fresh off a 16-month pit stop for the Covid-19 pandemic, the State Historical Society of Iowa’s mobile museum is getting back on the road with a brand-new exhibition. Housed in a custom-built Winnebago, “Iowa History 101: Iowa’s People & Places” is a 300-square-foot museum on wheels, packed with 56 artifacts and videos that explore 13,000 years of Iowa history, from its earliest residents to those who call it home today.

The State Historical Society of Iowa’s “History on the Move” mobile museum.  (File Photo)

The mobile museum will carry “Iowa’s People & Places” to all 99 Iowa counties beginning this month through 2023, similar to its first three-year tour but this time with a different exhibition. The first mobile museum exhibition made 175 stops across all 99 counties from 2017 through 2019 and attracted nearly 65,000 visitors, including 11,400 students.

The new exhibition unpacks some of the stories of Iowa’s past with an eclectic array of artifacts selected from the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines, and its introduction video is narrated by WOI-TV host Jackie Schmillen. Some of the highlights on display include:

  • Token from the Hudson Bay Company from Dubuque County in 1800.
  • An Election ticket from 1860.
  • Knitting needles Iowa first lady Jane Kirkwood of Iowa City used to knit clothing for soldiers during the Civil War and World War I.
  • Birchbark lunchbox a Cerro Gordo County boy used in the 1870s.
  • Meskwaki cradleboard from the late 1800s.
  • University of Iowa pennant from Edward Carter of Monroe County, the first African American to get a medical degree from the University of Iowa, in 1907.
  • Paper fan promoting women’s suffrage, from about 1916.
  • Menu from Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s visit to Des Moines in 1959.
  • Women’s track uniform from Iowa State University from 1972, the year Title IX passed.
  • Boots worn by Des Moines Water Works Director L.D. McMullen during the flood of 1993.
  • Flight suit worn by astronaut Peggy Whitson of Beaconsfield.

The idea for the mobile museum emerged in 2014 from a series of community conversations organized by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, which oversees the State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowans who care deeply about history made it clear they wanted new ways to access the State Historical Museum’s resources.

Iowans may request a visit from the mobile museum for schools, libraries, local museums, community festivals, county fairs and other places where people gather. Visits are complimentary and the tours are self-guided.

To date, “Iowa’s People & Places” is already scheduled to visit :

July 9-11: Pomeroy
Pomeroy Sesquicentennial

Sept. 25: Shenandoah
Shenfest

More details are available at iowaculture.gov. Iowans can also follow the mobile museum’s statewide journey on Facebook at facebook.com/IowaHistory. The traveling exhibition presenting sponsor is EMC Insurance Companies with additional partnership support from Casey’s General Stores, Winnebago Industries, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Mike Wolfe.

DNR Derelict Building Grant Program awards grants to rural communities

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program has awarded grants to nine small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos, and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill. In the KJAN listening area, that includes the Cities of Anita, Farragut, Mapleton and Wall Lake.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less remove environmental hazards, improve community appearance and minimize costs by recycling and reusing building materials through deconstruction or renovation of abandoned, derelict buildings.

DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due on Feb. 25, 2022.

Among the projects that will receive a total of $400,000 as reimbursement grants, is:

City of Anita, Cass County — $8,500 to abate asbestos and complete a phase 1 environmental site assessment for an old abandoned church.

City of Farragut, Fremont County – $5,100 for renovation to help stabilize the foundation of a building that eventually the city would like to use for a Public Works shop.

City of Mapleton, Monona County – $31,250 for renovation of an old commercial building. Plans are to have business occupy the ground level with housing options on the second floor.

City of Wall Lake, Sac County – $121,700 for asbestos abatement, renovation and deconstruction of an old school building. New site will be transformed into a family recreation center.

Suspect in Waterloo slaying turns herself in

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A woman who investigators believe may be connected to a fatal shooting in Waterloo has turned herself into authorities. Earlier this week, officials identified 25-year-old Marcus Sykes as a person of interest in a May 15th shooting that killed 23-year-old Dayton Matlock and injured two women. At the time, authorities said they believed Sykes was hiding out in the Des Moines area with 23-year-old Shireca Wilson, who was wanted for crimes unrelated to the shooting. According to Des Moines police, Wilson turned herself into Iowa City authorities on Tuesday. She has since been transported to the Polk County Jail.

Authorities had issued warrants for Wilson’s arrest, charging her with second-degree burglary and willful injury. Wilson has NOT been charged in connection with Matlock’s death. While investigating the homicide, Waterloo police discovered that Sykes was in possession of a firearm around the time of the shooting. There is an active warrant for Sykes’ arrest, charging him with felon in possession of a firearm. As of Thursday, officials were still searching for Sykes. He’s described as a 5’9″, 135-pound black male with multiple tattoos on his body.

Anyone with information on where Sykes might be is asked to call 911 or Waterloo police at 319-291-4340. Tips can also be sent to Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers, which can be reached via phone at 855-300-TIPS or by texting “CEDAR” along with information to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa can be reached via phone at 515-223-1400 or online at CrimeStoppersofCentralIowa.com.

Death investigation in Des Moines

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Police in Des Moines have identified the body of a man who was found Saturday in the Des Moines River.  Officers were called to the scene at the Euclid Avenue Bridge. A statement released today (Thursday) by police, said the person was identified as 34-year-old Justin Lee Gilliland, of Des Moines. Authorities said also, “There was no evidence of traumatic injury to the body, and no indications of a criminal act as a contributing factor to Gilliland’s death. Cause and manner of death are undetermined at this time as autopsy findings are not yet finalized.”

Page County Sheriff’s report (7/1/21): $10k reward offered in suspicious fire/death investigation

News

July 1st, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 26-year-old Caleb Jordan Ennan, was arrested Wednesday.  He was taken into custody on a valid Page County Warrant for failure to appear on a driving while license denied or suspended. Ennan’s cash/surety bond was set at $300.

And, a reward of up to $10,000 is now being offered for information that may lead to an arrest and conviction in a Page County fire and death investigation. As we’ve previously mentioned, the fire that occurred at around 9:10-p.m. on May 2nd in Page County, remains under investigation. The blaze destroyed a home owned by 61-year-old Robert Beach, Jr. The Page County Sheriff’s Office said Monday both the fire and death are being investigated as suspicious incidents.

Investigators are aware that Robert Beach purchased an AR-15 style weapon a few weeks prior to the fire. Investigators believe that was a legal transaction but would like the private citizen who sold the weapon to Robert Beach to come forward so that law enforcement can obtain the weapons identification information.

Investigators are also looking for information from the public concerning this fire to include anyone who may have been in the area between 10:00 pm on Saturday May 1, 2021 and 6:00 am Sunday May 2, 2021. Anyone with information, is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office @ 712-542-5193, or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-532-1459.