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Iowa manufacturing exec urging congress to pass international affairs budget

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June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) The director of international development for a manufacturing company based in Pella is in Washington, D.C. this week, urging members of congress to fully fund the U.S. international affairs budget. Daryl Bouwkamp has worked at Vermeer for 30 years. He says having diplomatic and humanitarian missions around the globe benefits trade.

“Having a U.S. projected, rules-based, stable global environment, which the U.S. really needs to lead, is incredibly important to us as a state.” Bouwkamp is participating in a forum sponsored by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. The group estimates nearly 20 percent of the jobs in Iowa are tied to international trade. China has stepped up its spending to secure trading partnerships with countries around the globe. Bouwkamp says the U-S needs to maintain its spending on international aid to ensure companies like Vermeer can access global markets.

“Being there as the U.S. in times of need for other countries and being at the table, negotiating and helping write the rules, enforce the rules so that we have stability and reduce corruption,” he says. About one percent of the federal budget is spent on international affairs. Bouwkamp’s message to Iowa’s congressional delegation is that American diplomacy must be maintained.

“It is the best money spent,” Bouwkamp says. “If you don’t spend it here, you’re just going to have to purchase more bullets.” This is the seventh Global Impact Forum Bouwkamp has attended — although the last two were held virtually due to the pandemic. He says faith leaders and non-profit groups are represented at the event as well as 500 businesses and hundreds of both current and retired members of the military and U.S. diplomatic corps.

Creston native Julee Cruise, who recorded Twin Peaks theme song, has died

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A southwest Iowa native who sang the theme song for the early 1990’s hit T-V show “Twin Peaks” has died at the age of 65. Julee Cruise also appeared on Twin Peaks as a singer and was featured in both sequels. She recorded four solo albums and toured with the B-52s in 1992, filling in when singer Cindy Wilson took a break from the band. In 2018, Cruise announced on Facebook she was retiring from performing due to systemic lupus.

Julee Cruise (Via Facebook)

Her husband told the New York Times that Cruise had struggled with depression and her health and took her own life. Cruise was born in Creston. After graduating with a music degree from Drake University, she moved to Minneapolis before leaving for New York City in 1983.

SWITA to Hold Community Events for All Ages for Ride Transit Week

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IOWA – Pizza. Shaved ice. Bubbles. Buses. That sets the scene for SWITA’s planned Transit Fun Day in celebration of Ride Transit Week on June 15th. Community members are invited to join in the fun and celebrate public transit at 1501 SW 7th Street in Atlantic.

Starting at 11 am until 1pm, the Hungry Spartan Pizza truck will be onsite at SWITA selling “Colossal Slices” for $5 to celebrate our outstanding transit professionals. Louie’s Shaved Ice will have a pop-up stand, and SWITA will provide a free shaved ice to all who attend. Children from the community are invited to play yard games, color on a SWITA bus with washable markers, make giant bubbles, and can even take home a coloring book sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation.

The event is both a celebration of the SWITA service and a functioning sign-up for this fall’s student transportation in our member communities. “We’re excited to provide a fun, family-friendly activity for members of the community as a celebration of SWITA’s work across southwest Iowa,” said SWITA Transit Coordinator Kristen Templeton.

Community members can also sign up to win a SWITA Date Night for 2, or a SWITA Family Activity Night for up to 8. The SWITA Date Night package includes two tickets to the Atlantic 1&2 Theater and a $40 gift certificate to Rancho Grande in Atlantic. Transportation will be provided by SWITA to the night out. The SWITA Family Activity Night will include up to 8 tickets to Sunnyside Putt-Em-Up in Atlantic and buffet for up to 8 at Pizza Ranch in Atlantic.

In addition to the Transit Fun Day at the Atlantic office (1501 SW 7th Street, Atlantic IA 50022), all taxi fares in Atlantic, Glenwood, Harlan, Missouri Valley, Red Oak, and Shenandoah will be waived in celebration of Ride Transit Week.

The public is also invited to a Ride Transit Day event for all ages on June 16 from 10am to 1pm at the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus in Council Bluffs, located at 16th and G streets. SWITA’s partners for this event include HSAC (Human Services Advisory Council) of Council Bluffs, B Cycle, and Omaha’s Metro Transit, which serves the City of Council Bluffs.

US Department of Labor reminds Midwest employers that workers need protection from dangers of heat illness: indoors, outdoors

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, MO – As Midwest temperatures rise, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration reminds employers and workers not to ignore the dangers of working in a hot environment – indoors and out – and remember “Water. Rest. Shade.” can be the difference between ending the workday safely or suffering serious illness or death.

From 2011-2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 344 worker-related deaths in the U.S. were due to environmental heat exposure. Workplace safety experts believe the actual number of heat-related fatalities might  be underreported or misreported as other causes such as heart attacks.

To combat the dangers of heat exposure, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched a National Emphasis Program in April 2022 to protect workers from heat illness and injuries.

“Workers must be protected from the dangers of heat illness in hot indoor and outdoor environments,” said OSHA acting Regional Administrator Steven J. Kaplan in Kansas City. “For several years, OSHA’s heat safety campaign has focused on raising awareness of the related dangers. Our recent National Emphasis Program is reaching out to unions, employers in target industries and other organizations to protect workers most often exposed to heat illness and injuries.”

OSHA’s message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade.

  • Encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes.
  • Take frequent rest breaks in the shade to cool down.
  • Have an emergency plan ready to respond when a worker shows signs of heat-related illness.
  • Train workers on the hazards of heat exposure, and how to prevent illness.
  • Allow workers to build a tolerance for working in heat.

The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool is a free, downloadable app that calculates a work site’s heat index and displays the associated risk levels. Users can receive precautionary recommendations specific to heat-index risk levels to help protect employees from heat-related illness. The tool is available in English and Spanish.

OSHA’s Occupational Heat Exposure page explains the symptoms of heat illness, first aid measures to provide while waiting for help, engineering controls and work practices to reduce workers’ exposure to heat, and training.

Read a fact sheet on OSHA’s National Emphasis Program to protect workers nationwide from the increasing threat of heat-related illness. Learn more about working in outdoor and indoor heat environments.

Centerville man arrested on drug charges in Glenwood

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report a 31-year-old man from Centerville was arrested this (Monday) morning, on drug charges. Ayokunle Lijadu was arrested for two-counts possession of a controlled substance 3rd offense, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension. His total cash or surety bond was set at $7,300.

Audubon County Sheriff’s report, 6/13/22

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office is getting caught-up on there crime & accident reports. On Monday, they released an update on activities that occurred from January 31st to May 29th.  Beginning with the latest information:
  • On May 29th, Christopher Young, age 39 of Kimballton, was arrested on a Criminal Mischief 4th charge. The charge stems from an incident in Kimballton on that day. He posted bond and was released.
  • Jordan Best, age 28 of Audubon, was arrested on May 28th, for an Operating While Intoxicated-1st charge. The charge stems from a traffic accident in the area of Pheasant Ave and Littlefield Dr. He posted bond and was released.
  • Marie Amos, age 21 of Atlantic, was arrested on May 26th, on a Possession of Controlled Substance- Marijuana 1st and a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge. She was seen by the magistrate and released on her Own Recognizance.
  • Cassandra Moffitt, age 37 of Papillion, Nebraska, was arrested on May 21st, on an Operating While Intoxicated- 1st charge. The charge stems from a traffic stop in the area of Highway 71/North St. in Audubon. She was released on her Own Recognizance and appeared before the magistrate at a later date.
  • Khaila Maben, age 25 of Omaha, was arrested on May 19th, on a Possession of Controlled Substance- Marijuana 1st and a Possession of Controlled Substance- 1st. The charges stem from a traffic stop on Highway 71 in the area of 150th St. She was seen by the magistrate and held on bond. She later posted the bond and was released.
  • Gunnar Blum, age 28 of Kimballton, was arrested on May 9th, on an outstanding warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. He was later released from custody.
  • Stephanie good, age 50 of Kimballton, was arrested on April 27th, on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge. She was released on her Own Recognizance that same day.
  • Gunnar Blum, age 28 of Kimballton, was arrested on April 23rd, on a Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Air/Blood Flow and a Sex Abuse 3rd charge. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on April 17th. He later posted bond and was released.
  • Cameron Johnson, age 20 of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested on March 11th, on a Possession of Controlled Substance- marijuana 1st charge. The charge stems from a traffic stop in the area of Highway 71 and 220th Street. He posted bond and was released.
  • JeenLee Nielsen, age 51 of Exira, was arrested on March 10th, on an Operating While Intoxicated-2nd charge. The charge stems from a traffic stop in the area of Highway 71 and Littlefield Dr. She was released the following day on her own recognizance.
  • Roger Waters, age 62 of Audubon, was arrested on February 18th, on two counts of Sex Offender Registry Violations. He posted bond on the charges and was released.
  • Sean Gifford, age 38 of Council Bluffs, was arrested on February 4th, on an outstanding Parole Warrant from Pottawattamie County. He was later charged and arrested again on April 27th in Audubon County for a Controlled Substance Violation- Methamphetamine. These charges stem from the original traffic stop and arrest in Exira.
  • Nicolas Vodicka, age 42 of Exira, was arrested on February 4th, for Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness. He posted bond on February 6th and was released.
  • Audubon County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Nicole Johnson, age 47 of Audubon, on February 3rd for a Possession of Controlled Substance- marijuana 1st charge. The charge stems from an incident in the 3000 Block of Highway 71 on January 31, 2022. She was seen by the magistrate and released.

Sunnyside Pool Update: 6/13/22

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  As temps get warmer, Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic is open, but at a limited capacity. Today June 13 there are 2 guards on staff and they can allow 40 people into the pool at a time. If you are concerned about being able to get in please call and pool staff will update you with how many are in at that time. Parks Director Bryant Raasmussen says “Thank you for your patience with our understaffed status and please remind anyone 15 or older wanting a summer job that we have open lifeguard positions!”

DOT taking input on electric vehicle infrastructure plan

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Transportation is taking public input on the plan to develop a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the state. The D-O-T’s Stuart Anderson says the state will get 50 million in federal dollars over five years for what’s called the program called the National Electric Vehicle infrastructure program.  “Part of the requirements to use that funding is that each state develop an infrastructure deployment plan. And that plan was intended to look at where the corridors are in the state that are a priority for installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure,” Anderson says. The state can only use the funds in areas that are designated as alternative fuel corridors.

“That would include our major interstates, so it’s all of Interstate 80, all of Interstate 35, Interstate 29, and also Interstate 380, those are designated quarters right now,” Anderson says. “And so the law requires that a charging infrastructure be built out on those corridors to minimum levels of service, which generally means charging infrastructure, at least every 50 miles.” He says once that system is fully built out, then the funds can be used to expand charging infrastructure elsewhere across the state. Anderson says the charging stations will require a relatively significant amount of electricity.

“That means there needs to be lots of coordination with utilities across the state. So, we’ve already begun having meetings with some of the utilities, and that will continue over the next several weeks and month or two, to get their input as well in that end of this process,” he says. Some businesses have already installed electric vehicle charging stations, and Anderson says the charges can be anywhere that meets the guidelines. “Funding can only be used on charging infrastructure that’s within one mile of those interstate corridors. So that’ll be a constraint to locations,” according to Anderson. “In addition, it needs to be what we call D-C fast charging or level three.”

Level three is the fastest method of charging, and level one is the slowest. Anderson encourages anyone with comments on the proposal to let them know. He says the comments will have the most impact if they are given before June 24th. “We’ve established a website for this program,” he says. “And there’s a link to that survey on that website. In addition, people can sign up for a distribution list to get more information in the future. The website is www.iowadot.gov/iowaevplan.”

Anderson says they will continue to accept comments after June 24th, but will start working on the proposal. The plan is due August 1st, and then it has to be reviewed and approved at the federal level. Anderson says they expect federal approval will be done by September 30th — and then they can start the process to identify the locations and a process for procuring them. He says every state has money from the federal government for this type of plan — and that means there is demand for the equipment — so it could take one year or more to get everything installed.

Feenstra, Hinson, Miller-Meeks blast Biden, Pelosi rather than their November opponents

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The three Republicans currently serving in the U.S. House are offering a General Election message focused on President Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, addressed delegates at the Iowa Republican Party’s state convention on Saturday. “Hold this administration accountable and take back this country from the liberal progressives,” Feenstra said. Ryan Melton of Nevada is the Democratic Party’s nominee in the fourth congressional district. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, is running for re-election in the new second district. Hinson mentioned Pelosi four times in her convention speech.

“You all know it. I’m going to have another tough race because I am Nancy Pelosi’s worst nightmare,” Hinson says. “Well, let me tell you this. We are going to send not only three Republicans back from Iowa, but four and we are going to be a strong voice for Iowa values in congress.” Hinson faces Democrat Liz Mathis of Hiawatha in the November election. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa says the atmosphere is ripe for a red tsunami for Republicans in November.

“You know Ronald Reagan famously said socialism only works in two places — heaven where they don’t need it and hell where they already have it,” Miller-Meeks said, “and in my lifetime I haven’t seen things go to hell in a handbasket faster with any administration than this one.” Democrat Christina Bohannan of Iowa City is running against Miller-Meeks in Iowa’s new first congressional district. Miller-Meeks, Hinson and Feenstra did not mention the Democrats who’re running against them. Iowa Democrats hold their state convention Saturday.

Adair County Sheriff’s report, 6/13/22

News

June 13th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports six recent arrests:

  • 57-year-old Donald Duane Worth, of Lewis, was arrested Saturday evening at the City Park, in Adair. Worth was taken into custody by Adair Police, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was released from custody Sunday, on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.
  • Friday night, Stuart Police arrested 34-year-old Joshua Wade Lute, of Pomona, KS, for OWI/1st offense, after a Stuart Police cruiser was nearly hit by Lute’s 2019 Dodge Ram pickup. The incident occurred while the pickup was traveling south in the northbound lane of travel in the 200 block of S. Division Street, in Stuart. Lute was released that same night on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.
  • Also arrested Friday night, was 30-year-old Robert Richard Howell, of Ann Arbor, MI., He was pulled over by Adair Police at around 9:25-p.m. on I-80 eastbound, after authorities were asked to be on the lookout for a gold KIA Rio, with Colorado license plates. State Radio advised the vehicle contained a missing juvenile, and a male armed with a gun. The officer followed the vehicle and waited for backup to arrive before conducting a traffic stop. With the help of a Stuart Police Officer and two Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies, the driver of the vehicle (Howell), and a teenage female passenger, were ordered out of the car. Howell was taken into custody for: Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense; Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Poss. of Cannabidiol/1st offense. A Colt BB gun was found under the passenger seat. Howell was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.
  • At around 12:15-a.m. Friday, Stuart Police arrested 61-year-old Annette Lee Murphy, of Casey, for Poss. of a Controlled Substance/3rd or greater offense – Marijuana; Poss. of Meth/3rd or subsequent offense, and Poss. of Paraphernalia. She was released a couple of hours later, on a $10,300 cash or surety bond.
  • Thursday afternoon, Adair County Deputies arrested 36-year-old David Spencer Reeves, of Des Moines, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Reeves was being held without bon in the Adair County Jail.
  • And, 44-year-old Joshua Joel Christensen, of Greenfield, was arrested June 5th on Highway 92 near Kent Avenue, following a traffic stop on a vehicle whose driver failed to dim his headlights, and speeding 84 in a 55 zone. Tests showed his breath alcohol content at .110%. He was later released with a citation.