(Radio Iowa) – A former Principal Financial global economist who’s been the chief economist in state government for the past two years says as the recovery picks up steam, there are potential pitfalls ahead.  “What worries me the most is inflation and what’s happening with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how that’s going to impact food and gas prices. I think that is a real risk ahead, a chance for real headwind when you look at the job market, whether you look at Iowa or nationally.”

That’s Robin Anderson, the state chief economist who leads the research and policy division in the Iowa Department of Revenue. Anderson says the most recent jobs report for January shows Iowa’s manufacturing sector, which had been sluggish before the pandemic, has bounced back.  “Job growth has picked up nicely over the last three months,” Anderson says. “In addition, the number of unemployed dropped as well to 2200 and this happened even as participation increased, suggesting even people reentering the labor force are finding jobs.”

Anderson says the Federal Reserve’s move to slightly increase interest rates probably won’t have much of an impact on the job market.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors held a Public Hearing on the FY 2023 Budget and FY ’23 Compensation Resolution. Having received no comments, written or otherwise, the Board acted on motions to approve each. The Budget was unanimously approved as published. The budget shows a levy of 5.99278 per $1,000 taxable valuation for Urban and 9.94278 per $1,000 dollars taxable valuation for Rural. The full budget is posted on the Adair County website.

Board Chair Matt Wedemeyer explained the specifics of the Compensation Resolution, as determined by the Compensation Board….

Supervisor Jodie Hoadley wanted to address a misconception about the Supervisors’ compensation…

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors approved their membership renewal with SICOG (The Southern Iowa Council of Governments). And, they held a public hearing on a classification change of a portion 305th Lane, south of Bridgewater, to a Class C road. The classification provides a means to limit access to roads that primarily serve adjacent farming operations. County Engineer Nick Kauffman mentioned during his report, an upcoming project, will require a traffic detour, affecting Casey.

And, a few adjoining counties are planning to work together on the project that’s expected to begin in FY 2023.

The plan is to apply for safety funding, which would reduce that amount by approximately $76,000. Kauffman said the remainder could be paid for through the TIF account, but nothing is set in stone at this point in time. Among the Board’s final order of business, was action on approving a contract and performance bond for a Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB) Culvert project for IN33 Eureka, and they authorized Chair Wedemeyer to sign the final voucher for the N34 Richland Road bridge project.

Kauffman then provided the Board with an update on his department’s maintenance and activities. He mentioned work is nearly complete on the N35 Summit bridge, work has resumed on the Lake Road, and ditches are being cleared north of Orient.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests:

On Sunday, 27-year-old Daniel Jacob Brown, of Exira, was arrested for Prohibited Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Person Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons, Operating Non- Registered Vehicle, Driving while License is Suspended, and Improper Rear Lamps. His arrest followed a traffic stop on 600th Street.

On March 10th, 39-year-old Thomas William Holzer Jr., of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop near the intersection of Highways 59 and 44.  Holzer charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Cannabidiol – 3rd or subsequent offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana  – 3rd or subsequent offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia .

And on March 8th, 32-year-old Amanda Louise Lavender, of Kiron, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 59, in Shelby County. Lavender was charged with Driving while License denied or Revoked, Prohibited Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Improper Rear Lamps, and Failure to Use Safety Glass.

Note: Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

(New Market, Iowa) – A woman from Taylor County has announced her bid to become a State Representative in the Iowa House, for District 17. Iowa House District 17 includes Taylor, Ringgold, Adams, and sections of Union and Page counties. Devon Wood (R-New Market) said in her press release, “I love Southwest Iowa. We have great folks who know the importance of hard work, faith, and family. I look forward to supporting our agricultural and small business roots while holding the line on taxes, supporting life, and bringing even more job opportunities to Iowa.”

(Left) Devon Wood

Wood is from a sixth-generation farm family in Taylor County and grew up working in the family cattle business. She is seeking her first term in the Iowa House. Wood graduated from the Shenandoah High School and attended Simpson College, where she served as Chair of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans, Chair of the Simpson College Republicans, and clerked in the Iowa House of Representatives. She also serves as a board member on the Iowa Nursing Home Administrators Board.

Devon Wood lives in New Market on the family farm, working alongside her parents Dan and Brenda.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three people were arrested on separate charges Monday, and one arrest occurred Tuesday. On Monday:

• 45-year-old Tema Elaine Hill, of Omaha, was arrested at the Douglas County, NE. Jail, on a Mills County Probation Violation warrant. No bond.
• 24-year-old Gage Nickolas Behrens, of Columbus, NE., was arrested following a traffic stop on I-29, and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. Bond $1,000.
• and, 31-year-old Brittany Renea Evans, of Grant City, MO., was arrested in Mills County for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Bond set at $1,000.

On Tuesday, Mills County Deputies arrested 22-year-old Adam Dennis Letts, of Emerson, for Driving While Barred, and Poss. of a Controlled Substance. Bond $3,000. The Sheriff’s Dept. says also, no injuries were reported following an incident Sunday night. Authorities say 36-year-old James Brock, of Lincoln, NE., for some reason decided to drive a 2004 Honda mini-van through a field at 28048 Highway 34. When the vehicle became stuck on a terrace, Brock tried to get out, but his actions caused the field to catch fire, and was “Burned to a crisp.” The flames also burned a portion of the field.

Firefighters noticed beer cans in the van that matched those outside of it, on the ground. Authorities say “Alcohol may have contributed to this incident.”

(Radio Iowa) – What’s known as “The Gathering of the Green” gets underway today (Wednesday) in Davenport, but it has nothing to do with Saint Patrick’s Day. This event bills itself as the world’s largest gathering of John Deere enthusiasts — in the Quad Cities, where Deere is headquartered. Event chairman Tony Knobbe (kah-NO-bee) says one big attraction is the workshop on farm tractor restoration. “If you are buying or are going to buy or own a John Deere tractor or implement, we’ll help you figure out what, how, when, how much it’s going to cost to restore your tractor,” Knobbe says, “and we also offer other workshops on other interesting topics.”

Those range from basket making to beekeeping. The Gathering of the Green is held every other year and the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the pandemic, so this year’s theme is “It’s Fair Time!”  “We’ve got tractors displayed throughout the RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa, as if you’re walking into the John Deere tent at your local or state fair back from the 1930s through the ’70s,” he says.

From gathering of the green Facebook

While John Deere farm tractors are the main attraction, the event also draws collectors of other “Big Green” products, from skid loaders to snowmobiles. The gathering is expected to attract three-thousand Deere collectors from at least 40 states and six foreign countries.  “We’ll have evening speakers, executives from Deere and Company. We’ll have John Deere’s great-great-great-grandson Sandy Hewitt on hand Friday night,” Knobbe says. “We have trips and tours of local manufacturing plants, museums, collections of some of our hobbyists from the area.”

A vendor hall of 80-plus vendors features an array of John Deere parts, collectables, gear and garments. Events run through Saturday at the RiverCenter in downtown Davenport.

More info. at www.gatheringofthegreen.com

CRESTON, Iowa – March 16, 2021 – A bridge deck and joint repair project on U.S 34 west of Red Oak between Iowa 48 and Montgomery County Road M-37 will require reducing traffic to one lane controlled with temporary traffic signals beginning on Friday, March 18, until Friday, April 15, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

Work will begin on the westbound lane of U.S. 34. A 15-foot height limit and 10-foot width limit restriction will be in place during this project.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Radio Iowa) – Gun safety advocates say Iowa schools need to focus on preventing gun violence after a 15-year-old was shot and killed outside East High School in Des Moines last week. Sierra Pilate is an 18-year-old senior at East High. She says schools need to offer more training for staff rather than just relying on school resource officers or police.

Pilate spoke Tuesday at a news conference organized by an East High graduate and a lawmaker who taught at the school for 40 years. Six teenagers have been charged with murder in the death of 15-year-old Jose David Lopez, whose funeral was held Tuesday afternoon.

(Omaha, NE) – District of Nebraska/United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced last week, 38-year-old Vance Campbell, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine with one prior serious drug felony. Following his release from prison, Campbell will serve 10 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

(Omaha, Nebraska) — The U-S Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska reports a Pottawattamie County (Iowa) man man faces prison time in connection with an interstate sex investigation. Officials say 28-year-old Achocho Enita, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced last week to slightly more than eight-years in prison, for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Following completion of his sentence, Enita must serve five-years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Enita is expected to be removed to Micronesia following completion of his prison sentence.

Achocho Enita

Enita was sentenced in connection with an investigation which began in July of last year, when he allegedly responded to an on-line ad posted by a law enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old girl offering commercial sex. Through text messaging exchanges over the next 10 days, Enita arranged to meet the person he thought was a minor female, and pay to have sex with her. Enita was arrested after he traveled from Council Bluffs to Omaha for the meeting.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case as part of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.