(Radio Iowa) – One thing for certain has returned to the way it was before the pandemic. Iowa D-O-T spokesman, Stuart Anderson, briefed the Transportation Commission today (Tuesday) on the traffic levels for October. “this month is the first month I believe that our overall traffic in the state of Iowa is above pre-pandemic levels on a monthly comparison basis,” Anderson says.  He says travel returned from a big drop during the height of the pandemic — and has been at a steady level until last month.  “Our October 2021 vehicle miles traveled in Iowa was one-point-five percent higher than October of 2019. We’ve been very steady around that zero percent level,” he says.

Anderson says the traffic levels have varied a little bit based on which system you are looking at. “The county system had a nice bump in October — certainly the harvest season has impacted that,” according to Anderson. “Most importantly, overall traffic in the state is positive now.” He says rail volumes have increased some as well, but are still being held back by the supply chain issues. And air travel continues to rebound.

(Radio Iowa) – Third district Congresswoman Cindy Axne says the bipartisan infrastructure package that cleared the House late last week will provide five BILLION dollars to Iowa for roads, bridges and water infrastructure as well as the repair of locks and dams. Axne says at least 100 million of that will be spent on broadband projects. “Providing support for those in all parts of our state, urban included, who can’t afford it,” she says, “because access to the internet is about availability and about cost.”

Axne, a Democrat from Des Moines, was the only member of Iowa’s U.S. House delegation to vote for the bill. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley voted for it when it cleared the U.S. Senate in August. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says she voted against it because it’s tied in negotiations to the so-called Build Back Better plan. That plan is expected to put hundreds of billions toward climate change and childcare costs. Axne says it aims to fix problems the infrastructure plan doesn’t.  “Not once have I heard: ‘Gosh darn it, I can’t get to work because a bridge is down,’ ’cause we’ll fix the bridge,” Axne says. “Over and over I hear: “I can’t find childcare and so I can’t get a job.'”

Axne says Democrats’ social spending package could come to a vote as soon as next week.

ATLANTIC, Iowa – Nearly a dozen special guests, including Iowa 3rd District Congresswoman Cindy Axne and U. S.  Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Undersecretary Xochitl Torres-Small, attended a roundtable event at Elite Octane, Tuesday morning. The local dry mill ethanol plant in Atlantic served as a backdrop for Axne to announce new rural energy investments in Iowa to help modernize energy infrastructure, lower energy costs, and implement renewable energy systems across the state. Elite Octane President & CEO Nick Bowdish began the meeting by saying the ethanol plant started the morning with 3.25-million bushels of corn on the property. Two huge bins hold two-million bushels each, leaving a large mountain of corn on the ground.

Bowdish said “It’s been a great-great harvest, safe harvest.” Congresswoman Axne, who toured the plant last year, was excited Tuesday to announce a REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grant of $250,000 was awarded to the company, as part of $1.8-million being invested in Iowa.

Far end of the table, from left to right: Nick Bowdish; Xochitl Torres-Small; Rep. Cindy Axne & Darin Leach, Acting State Dir. USDA Rural Development in Iowa.

Another way the company is saving money and reducing the impact on the environment, especially with regard to the underground aquafirs, is by using recycled wastewater.

The funds are part of the government’s recently passed infrastructure improvement program.

Undersecretary Torres-Small, who is from rural New Mexico, and represented the Biden Administration and AG Secretary Tom Vilsack, said she knows how important biofuels are to the State of Iowa.

Axne and Torres-Small said the USDA investments reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to help rural America build back better.

Other attendees at Tuesday’s meeting included Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, Acting State Director of USDA Rural Development Iowa Darin Leach, and representatives from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa Soybean Association, and Iowa Rural Development Council.

(Atlantic, Iowa) -The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce encourages you to “Get a kick start to your holiday shopping” by purchasing discounted AtlantiCash. The AtlanticCash event is available from 9-a.m. until Noon this Saturday, only, Nov. 13th. It’s presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust. AtlantiCash will be available in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Community members can purchase up to three packs. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis with only a limited amount of AtlantiCash available.

Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said, “This has become one of our favorite events to host every year. AtlantiCash is money that has to be spent at local businesses in our community, so not only does it boost Local Option Sales Tax, but it also supports all of our incredible businesses who have so much to offer this holiday season. Last year, we sold $30,000 in about 20 minutes, so our goal this year is to sell $40,000.”  She credits First Whitney Bank and Trust in making the promotion possible. “Their partnership helps us support local merchants and put money back into Atlantic,” Smith said.

The Holiday Open House will also be taking place Saturday beginning when retailers open. Businesses will be offering a holiday sneak peek as well as treats, giveaways and special promotions. Participating locations include: Akin Building Center, Aunt B’s, Bonnesen’s, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Brymons Interiors, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Hanson’s Fine Jewelry, Something For You and Valley Boutique.

Pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.atlanticiowa.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Momentum Exterior Services.

Officials with the Glenwood Police Department, today (Tuesday), said a 19-year-old from Council Bluffs was arrested today on drug charges. Deven Hatfield was taken into custody for Possession of Marijuana, Poss. of a Controlled Substance, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While Revoked. His bond was set at $3,300. And, on Monday, 33-year-old Lorenzo Cobb, of Hastings, NE., was arrested in Glenwood for Driving While Revoked, with bond set at $1,000.

A woman from Council Bluffs was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Failure to Provide (proof of) Insurance, following a single-vehicle accident just before midnight, Saturday. 30-year-old Ashley Morgan was driving northbound on I-29 at mile marker 36, when another motorist notified authorities Morgan was allegedly driving erratically. Morgan told police she drifted off the road to the left and struck a cable barrier, before her 2006 Chevy came to rest. No injuries were reported.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, reported five recent arrests. Last Saturday, 32-year-old Geoffrey Scott Avey, and 18-year-old Sierra Jo Graham, both of Stuart, were arrested for Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense, and Poss. of paraphernalia. Avey was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash/surety bond. Graham was cited and released a few hours later.

On Nov. 4th, 26-year-old Jacob Quentin Dvorak, of Waukee, was arrested for Driving while license denied or revoked for OWI. He was released the following day on a $1,000 cash/surety bond. On Nov. 3rd, the Iowa State Patrol arrested 20-year-old Dani Anna O’Malley, of Omaha, following a traffic stop on I-80. She was charged with Possession of a controlled substance 3rd/subsequent offense. And, on Oct. 31st, 19-year-old Antony James-Norval Schwengels, of Council Bluffs, was arrested by the State Patrol on I-80 in Adair County, for Driving While Barred.

O’Malley and Schwengels were released on their Own Recognizance.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Department, Tuesday (today), said there were 10 arrests that took place over the past four days. Four people were arrested Monday, on drug charges:

• (as previously mentioned) 59-year-old Vicki Kay Delezene and 66-year-old Jackie Lee Ward, both of Council Bluffs, were arrested for Controlled Substance Violations and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. Their bonds were set at $30,000 each.
• 37-year-old Tyanna Karee Monrreal Robles, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Monday on two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, with bond set at $3,300.
• and, 36-year-old Thomas James Petrzilka, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $2,000.

Also arrested on Monday, was 32-year-old James Isaiah Donevley McFarland, of Council Bluffs, on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County, for Flight to Avoid Prosecution. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. 32-year old Tyler Eldon Buckner, of Emerson, was arrested Monday for Theft in the 3rd degree, with his bond set at $2,000.

On Sunday, Mills County Deputies arrested 30-year-old Ashley Nichole Morgan, of Council Bluffs, for Poss. of a Controlled Substance & Poss. of Paraphernalia, with bond set at $1,300. Early Saturday morning, 21-year old Adam Dennis Letts, of Emerson, was arrested for Driving While Barred. And, last Friday, 53-year-old Ronnie Lee Fuller, of Clarinda, was arrested in Mills County for OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000. 33-year-old Bobby Brice Horn, of Maryville, MO., was arrested at the Pott. County Jail, Friday, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation, with his bond set at $7,500.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Hospital officials in Atlantic report Orthopedic surgeon Blake Bodendorfer, MD, is joining the medical staff at Cass Health in Atlantic, beginning this Thursday, November 11th.

Cass Health CEO Brett Atlman said “We are excited to welcome Dr. Bodendorfer who complements Dr. Weresh’s orthopedic practice perfectly. While Dr. Weresh focuses on total joint reconstruction of knees and hips, fracture care, carpal tunnel, and other procedures, Dr. Bodendorfer specializes more in shoulder, elbow, and sports medicine procedures of the upper and lower extremities. We have two 5-star orthopedic surgeons and provide a full range of services for the citizens of southwest and west central Iowa.”

Dr. Bodendorfer

Dr. Bodendorfer is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Medicine. He completed his orthopedic residency at Georgetown University Medical Center in 2020, and he completed an orthopedic sports medicine and shoulder surgery fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in 2021. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

Dr. Bodendorfer will see patients by appointment in the Atlantic Medical Center Surgery Clinic, and he will perform surgeries locally as well. To make an appointment, call 712-243-7535.

(Radio Iowa) – There are concerning levels of contamination in public water systems across Iowa, according to an environmental group that sets its own health standards. Water from more than 700 Iowa utilities had levels of certain contaminants above health guidelines set by the Environmental Working Group, which are not legally enforceable. E-W-G senior scientist David Andrews says government regulations aren’t keeping up with the science. “The EPA hasn’t set any new legal limits in over two decades and yet during that time period, our scientific understanding of how chemicals interact with our body, which chemicals are found in the environment, it’s progressed an incredible amount,” Andrews says, “and we’re now learning that many chemicals are impacting our health.”

Only a few of the utilities exceeded legal limits in the past few years for radium, selenium and arsenic, but Andrews argues the established federal limits are extremely outdated. “Impacting our health and causing harm to infants, adults, at concentrations that weren’t of concern three or four decades ago,” Andrews says. “So that’s where people should be very concerned is the fact that there have been no updates to the system or very few updates and we really think there needs to be.” Iowans can search the website by ZIP code to get more information on the water in their area.

More information at https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/

(Lincoln, NE.) – Farm Credit Administration CEO Glen R. Smith, of Atlantic, spoke with KJAN recently, about the Farm Credit System’s “Young, Beginning and Small (YBS) Farmer” program, something he’s been pushing for. FCA defines young farmers as those who are 35 years of age or younger, those who have been farming for less than 10-years, and small farmers with gross annual sales of less than $250,000. Plans for promoting the program were put on hold last year – like most other things – due to the pandemic.

Smith said he has been interested in the YBS since he came to the SBA four-years ago, especially in the relationship formed between lenders and young farmers.

Both the dollar volume of the System’s total loans outstanding and the dollar volume of YBS loans outstanding increased in 2020. The total number of loans outstanding both for the System as a while and for YBS borrowers, also grew in 2020.

Glen R. Smith

The dollar volume of loans made in 2020 increased significantly for the System as a whole, and even more for the YBS categories. The number of loans made during the year also increased substantially. In a statement at the FCA’s August Board meeting, Smith said “The Farm Credit System has made consistent efforts to serve YBS Farmers, but the average age of American Farmers has continued to rise.” He said also, “USDA reported in 2017 that the average age of U.S. Farm producers was 57.5, up 1.2 years from 2012. There obviously is work to be done in continuing to improve and advance the System’s YBS programs. It makes sense from a business development standpoint. It makes sense for the security of American agriculture.”

The symposium in Lincoln, NE, featured a series of in-depth panel discussions, with those in attendance having heard from farmers who are getting started in both traditional and nontraditional operations. Attendees also learned about financial and risk management resources available to farmers to grow their operations.