(Radio Iowa) – Thanksgiving is four weeks away, after which many Iowans start decorating for the holidays, but finding the perfect Christmas tree could be a challenge this year with a developing tree shortage. David Pierce, past-president of the Iowa Christmas Tree Association, says some tree farms may be having trouble this season due to the long-running drought. “We’re a little low. We had strong demand last year due to other events like the weather, a little bit of deer damage,” Pierce says. “Our supplies are a little bit tighter this year than we would like but we’ve been here before.”

Pierce runs Honey Creek Timbers in southeast Iowa, near Morning Sun, and has a few thousand white pines and Scotch pines on his acreage. Last year’s derecho destroyed untold thousands of native hardwoods and shade trees statewide, but the powerful wind storm didn’t cause much trouble for evergreens. The heat and the dry weather, though, that can be a problem. “The shortage that you’re probably seeing the most is on the fraser fir. That appears to me to be the most dramatic,” Pierce says. “Some of our growers in the northern part of the state, where it’s a little bit cooler, grow those. We’re not able to because it’s a little hot here in the summer.”

A Blue Spruce Christmas Tree (Photo from ISU Extension)

Many clients seek out the fraser firs and Pierce says he’ll truck them in from out of state, if they can’t be sourced nearby. Perhaps a worse threat to the industry than drought is the march of time, as growers with decades of experience in the business are retiring. “We’ve seen a steady decline in those. It would probably mirror what’s happening with other older-generation farmers,” Pierce says. “But this year, we’ve seen a nice influx of new members, people who have decided they’d like to try to plant some trees, so we’re encouraged by that.”

It can take seven to eight years, he says, to grow an eight-foot-tall pine tree from a sapling. The association says eight types of Christmas trees grow well in Iowa: Scotch pine, white pine, Fraser fir, blue spruce, Douglas fir, concolor fir, balsam fir and Canaan fir. To find a grower near you, visit https://www.iowachristmastrees.com and click the “Find a Farm” button.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Legislature reconvenes today (Thursday) in special session to vote on new maps that change the boundaries for Iowa congressional and legislative districts. Republicans in the Iowa Senate rejected Plan 1 for redistricting, so the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency released a second set of maps last Thursday. If approved, Congresswomen Cindy Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Ottumwa, might wind up running against one another in 2022. Both live in the proposed third congressional district. The maps for legislative districts show 58 members of the Iowa House and Senate live in the same district as at least one other incumbent. Republican legislative leaders have not indicated whether this second set of maps has majority support.

Democrats, who hold a minority of the seats in the Iowa House and Senate, plan to vote for the new redistricting plan.  Some Republicans have been pressing for a vote today (Thursday) on legislation that would ban Covid-19 vaccine mandates. During the legislature’s October 5th special session, Representative Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs said the House needs to act this fall.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Harlan Police Department, Wednesday, released information pertaining to five arrests conducted over the past week. On Wednesday (10/27), 26-year-old Matthew Allen Strong, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. Strong was transported to the Shelby County Jail. On Tuesday, 32-year-old Daniel Jon Kenkel, of Harlan, was arrested on active Shelby County warrants. Kenkel was transported to the Shelby County jail where he was charged with violation of a no contact order, harassment, possession of a controlled substance and prohibited acts.

Last Friday, 64-year-old Terri Jo Utterback, of Harlan, was arrested following the execution of a search warrant. Utterback was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. And, on Oct. 19th, 35-year-old Albert Alexander Johnson, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Johnson was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving suspended, speed, fail to yield to emergency vehicles, operating a non-registered vehicle and no proof of insurance.

That same day, 49-year-old Jamie Dean Anderson, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Jasper County warrant. Anderson was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

(Albia, Iowa) – Two people were injured during a collision late Wednesday morning between an AMTRAK train, and a garbage truck. The collision happened at around 11:30-a.m. in Monroe County, northwest of the small town of Avery, which is northeast of Albia. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2011 International garbage truck driven by 33-year-old Kyle Vincent Redinger, of Fairfield, was traveling east on 160th Street from 695th, when the truck was struck broadside by the train, and the truck was attempting to cross the Burlington Northern tracks.

The force of the collision caused Redinger to be ejected from the truck, and resulting in serious, life threatening injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt. Redinger was transported by Mercy One Air helicopter, to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.The garbage truck was destroyed by the crash.

The operator of the train, 49-year-old Jennifer Harvey, of Gretna, Nebraska, was injured during the collision, but refused medical care.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department report one-person died as the result of a single-vehicle accident that took place at around 10:45-p.m., Wednesday. The crash happened near the 50 mile-marker of Interstate 29 northbound.

Council Bluffs Police and Fire Department first responders arrived at the scene, where the 68-year-old male driver of the vehicle was found dead.  His name was not immediately released, pending notification of family.

A preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle was northbound on I-29, lost control and left the roadway to the right. The vehicle struck a collapsible barrier in front of a sign board and flipped onto its top.

The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the CBPD Traffic Unit 712-328-4948.

(Radio Iowa) – The cost to fill our gas tanks and heat our homes is rising and Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says he’s worried about bounding energy prices, especially gasoline, as we head toward the holidays. “This is really significant,” Feenstra says. “We just saw the price of crude oil go up to $85 a barrel so it’s not looking good anytime soon. They’re talking maybe by Christmas having $4.50 gas and this is a real concern.” Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says the rising price of natural gas is also worrisome.

“I’m on MidAmerican and they sent me a letter saying natural gas is going up 46-98% this winter and we should be prepared for those bills,” Feenstra says. “This is not good for the family and the small business owner and things like that. These are direct costs that come out of our regular paycheck.” Feenstra echoes Senator Chuck Grassley’s comments to Radio Iowa on Tuesday, blaming the Biden administration’s actions for the situation.

“We have the capability of being energy independent. We did that under Trump,” Feenstra says. “When you cut off the XL pipeline and you keep shooting yourselves in the foot when it comes to all the things they want done, that’s what creates all these increased prices.”

Triple-A-Iowa says the average price for gas in the state today is $3.16 a gallon, up from $2.02 a year ago. The current national average is $3.39.

(Radio Iowa via KCRG) – Hundreds of law officers filled the Waukon gymnasium today to say good-bye to State Trooper Ted Benda who died earlier this month after being in an accident on the way to a call. Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens gave the eulogy.

Benda, was 37 and leaves behind a wife and four daughters. Bayens says he has a lot in common with Benda’s daughters.
“I grew up like most cop kids do — taking for granted that my dad would show up at the end of his shift. As a child, the prospect that anything else would ever happen never crossed my mind,” Bayens says. “My dad like Ted was consistent, steady and strong. My mom, like Ted’s wife Holly knew better, for only they understood the weight and scars their husbands carried.” He says it took him many years to understand why his dad would risk his life for others — and says it was for his family and a sacrificial love for them.

“In law enforcement we are quick to focus on our oath to protect and serve. But when it came to Ted, it was his other vows that truly defined the man,” he says, “his vow to love and cherish his wife Holly. His vow to be a caring and doting dad to his girls. His vow to be a good son, a good brother, a good friend. Underpinning every single one of those vows was a sacrificial love,” Bayens says. Bayens says Benda loved his community and in a final act gave back to others.

“Even in death, Ted’s impact was undeniable. Last week on a gray morning in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Ted’s family, friends, and coworkers had a chance to honor his final gift to the world as he donated his organs to those in need,” he says. Bayens ended up with this message to Benda’s family.

“To Holly and the girls, thank you for sharing your husband and your dad with use. He could not have served the people of Iowa without your steadfast support. His sacrifices were your sacrifices,” Bayens says, “and we will be forever grateful for his service to the Iowa State Patrol and to the State of Iowa.” The funeral ended with the traditional end of watch call from the dispatcher using Benda’s 313 badge number.

Benda started his career in 2005 with the Division of Criminal Investigation in Marquette before transferring in 2016 to the Iowa State Patrol, serving out of Mason City and most recently at Post 10 in Oelwein.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Approximately 80 Soldiers will be honored in a community welcome home ceremony for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 734th Regional Support Group, Friday, Oct. 29th at Noon. The ceremony takes place at the Des Moines International Airport, Endeavor Air hangar, 2811 Willow Creek Ave.m in Des Moines. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the homecoming ceremony. Masks are required for this event.

Iowans can also view the ceremony live by going to the Iowa National Guard Facebook page @IowaNationalGuard.

The 734th Regional Support Group provided base support, commandant cell and base camp services across several bases in Central Command area of responsibility. The unit was responsible for ensuring the day-to-day operations of each base.

Additionally, the 734th Regional Support Group worked closely with Coalition members from more than 10 countries to support Operation Inherent Resolve. Col. Mark Coble, 734th Regional support group commander, served as a base commander. The HHC 734th RSG is currently based at Camp Dodge in Johnston.

(Radio Iowa) – The Story County Sheriff’s Office has started a criminal investigation after a state auditor’s report flagged significant issues in the City of McCallsburg’s accounting records. According to the State Auditor’s report, one person was responsible for depositing cash, checks and tax payments made to the City of McCallsburg. The same person handled payroll. Auditors reviewed records from April of 2016 through the end of March the following year. They found the general ledger for the City of McCallsburg was more than 120-thousand dollars higher than the actual balances in the city’s bank and investment accounts. Auditors found the City Clerk occasionally wrote and cashed paychecks before the end of the pay period.

The state auditor’s report also noted the city’s accounting records showed a street project and a water project in McCallsburg were claimed twice as expenses. The state auditor’s report was issued in April of last year. The Story County Sheriff’s Office announced today (Wednesday) it is conducting a criminal investigation based on the report, but provided no other details.

(Durant, Iowa) – One person died Wednesday morning during collision between two semi-tractor trailers, in eastern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2005 Kenworth driven by 38-year-old Reynold S. Madara, of Woodward, OK., had just re-entered Interstate 80 westbound after Madara secured a tarp on his load. The rig was getting up to speed at around 7:10-a.m., when it was struck from behind by a 2022 Volvo semi. The second semi was driven by 52-year-old Jan Bisek, of LaGrange Park, IL.

The Patrol says when following the collision, both semi’s traveled off the road and entered the north ditch before coming to rest. Jan Bisek died at the scene. Madara was not injured. Both drivers were wearing seat belts. The crash remains under investigation. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Durant and Walcott Fire Departments.