(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican, is partnering with a Georgia Senator who’s a Democrat to seek more permanent funding for a government program that trains dogs to detect animal diseases.

“They use some of them in airports because, of course, people bring in unauthorized goods through TSA and other means,” Ernst says. Most of the dogs are beagles and the operation has been dubbed the “Beagle Brigade” — and Ernst says it’s role is critical due to rising concerns about African Swine Fever and bird flu.

The National Detector Dog Training Center in Georgia is financed this year with about seven million dollars in airport fees, but Ernst says that’s an unstable funding source. “Wild swings in funding that don’t allow the consistencies that we need to make sure we’re protecting our goods here in the United States,” Ernst says.

Ernst is pushing for congress to include funding for the program in the U-S-D-A’s budget. The dogs help screen baggage, cargo, and parcels at nearly 90 U.S. airports to detect fruits, vegetables and meats that could carry foreign plant pests or animal diseases into the country. Beagles are the preferred breed for this work because they are even tempered in crowds and have a highly-developed sense of smell.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katie Peikes)

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports nine arrests took place from Feb. 20, 2002 through March 1st:

• 02/20/22, Brooke Kingery, age 42 of Sidney, IA was arrested for Domestic Abuse 1^st Degree

• 02/21/22, Ambriea Chandler, age 29 of Sidney, IA was arrested on an outstanding Fremont County warrant.

• 02/21/22, Herbert Hatcher, age 52 of Sidney, IA was arrested for Interference with Official Acts

• 02/24/22, Nautica Patterson, age 23 of Omaha, NE, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

• 02/24/22, Antonio Allen, age 30 of Kansas City, Mo, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts, and Felon in Possession of a firearm

• 02/25/22, James Pontow, age 70 of Randolph, IA was arrested for Contempt of Court

• 02/25/222, Katelan Jacobs, age 22 of Peru, NE, was arrested for an outstanding warrant

• 02/27/22, Justin Loghry, age 35 of Sidney, IA, was arrested for OWI 3^rd Offense, No Valid DL, Failure to Maintain Control, and Open Container

• 3/01/22, Chelsey Blank, age 23 of Villisca, IA was arrested for an outstanding warrant for Harassment 1^st Degree

MARCH 6, 2022 — The American Red Cross is assisting those affected by last night’s tornadoes. Starting in the immediate aftermath of the storm, the Red Cross has been in contact with local officials across the impacted areas to assess the needs of the residents. Assistance has been provided to partners who have supported shelters and reception centers.

The Red Cross continues to address the immediate needs and will have a team in Madison County today to distribute snacks, water and relief supplies. Red Cross workers will also be setting up casework with those affected to help identify their needs and plan their next steps.

For those wanting to support the Red Cross efforts, donations can be made at redcross.org/donate.

CHARITON, Iowa — Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Sunday, said “Due to extensive damage from the storm on March 5th, Red Haw State Park in Chariton will be closed until further notice.

Extensive damage was sustained to the campground, where there was one fatality and one injury. Additionally, there are significant damages to the beach area, including the boat docks, the Bait House, beach shelters and a storage building.”

The park is currently without power. The public is asked to keep away from the area, so debris clean-up and repairs can be completed.

(Madison County, Iowa) – Rural Winterset took a direct hit from a tornado that touched down Saturday evening. Official says the Winterset tornado hit 25-30 homes. Madison County authorities and the Iowa State Patrol are urging the public to please stay away from the area in the coming days.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a South Dakota man following a trespassing call on Friday morning. At approximately 9:10 a.m. Deputies were called to rural Thurman for a report of a male trespassing at a previously flooded farm. The man fled the scene but was later located at another previously flooded property in the 1500 block of Western Avenue.

Deputies made contact with the driver and uncovered evidence of burglary and attempted theft at that location. The vehicle was also reported stolen out of Kansas. The driver, 38-year-old Jonathon Lee Getz of Yankon, South Dakota, was then arrested.

Fremont County K-9 Roby was deployed in an evidence search and a firearm was located, concealed near the structure.

Getz was charged with two counts of Burglary 2nd Degree, Theft 1st from a disaster affected building, Motor Vehicle Theft 2nd, Possession of a Short-Barreled Rifle, and Possession of a firearm by a felon.

Getz was held at the Fremont County Jail on no bond pending an appearance with a Magistrate. More charges are pending in the case.

(Radio Iowa) – Dordt University in Sioux Center is announcing a $90-million capital campaign for a series of projects on the northwest Iowa campus. John Baas, Dordt’s vice president of advancement, calls the ambitious effort a “comprehensive” capital campaign, dubbed, “Planting for the Future.” “We’re attacking three areas of the campus,” Baas says. “One is our leading in innovative programs, second is in living and learning in Christian community, and the third is building the foundation for access and for the future of the university.”

There are already visible improvements in some areas, including a new wing for the nursing department as well as the Ag Stewardship Center, with more to come. “We’re addressing the programs on nursing and agriculture and our two-year technical programs in ag management and engineering and manufacturing technology.”

There are plans to build several new structures on the campus, including a new indoor athletic facility that will be shared with the city of Sioux Center and Sioux Center High School. “One is an addition to and renovation of our B.J. Haan Auditorium, that’s our chapel and our main auditorium where really all of the concerts and our worship space and lectures take place there,” Baas says. “That will be about a $15-million project all together.” Also, there’s a $24-million plan for a new dining hall.

Through discussions with the university’s lead donors, Baas says the university has already been able to raise, or have pledged, nearly $70-milllon of the $90-million capital campaign. He’s hoping the rest of the funds can be secured by 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – There’s growing, bipartisan support in congress for ending U.S. imports of Russian oil. “The United States, plain and simple, should not be purchasing any oil from Russia while Putin’s actively — illegally — invading a sovereign nation and slaughtering innocent people,” Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, said this morning during a conference call with Iowa reporters.

According to the trade association for the U.S. petroleum industry, about 3% of U.S. crude oil imports came from Russia last year. “Our current reliance on Russian oil will continue to drive up gas prices here at home,” Hinson said, adding it’s time to ramp up U.S. crude oil output. Production levels were rolled back in the U.S. after demand dropped precipitously early in the pandemic and the price for a barrel of crude actually hit a negative number in 2020.

This week, Democratic leaders in the U.S. House and Senate have expressed support for banning imports of Russian oil and gas and a large group of Senate Republicans held a news conference to call for energy-related sanctions against Russia.

(Radio Iowa) – Tonight’s (Friday) season premiere of CBS-TV’s “Undercover Boss” will feature a central Iowa woman unknowingly training — and gently correcting — her boss’ boss’ boss. Alina Winters, of Des Moines, will be seen instructing the disguised president and C-E-O of U-S Cellular, L-T Therival, on making cold sales calls to customers. Hint — he doesn’t do so well.

Ironic, since the promotional program he was pitching is one that he created. On the program, Therivel will go undercover, then reveal his identity to three associates at the West Des Moines retail store. Employees of the store are having a “watch party” tonight. The show airs at 7 PM/Central.

Alina Winters at the Merle Hay store in Des Moines