(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.

Des Moines, Iowa —The Iowa Department of Public Health released new COVID-19 data Wednesday. The health department reports 117 additional virus deaths, bringing the total to 6,965 since the start of the pandemic. IDPH said the most recent deaths were reported between Sept. 9 and Oct. 20. Health department data show positive tests continue to decline in Iowa. There were 6,340 positive tests in the last seven days, down from 6,542 at the last report on Monday. The state’s 14-day positivity rate remains at 8%.

The number of patients hospitalized in Iowa with COVID-19 ticked up slightly. There are currently 531 patients, up from 521 on Monday. IPDH reports 65.5% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, while 81.4% of those listed in intensive care with the virus are unvaccinated. There are COVID-19 outbreaks in 30 long-term care facilities, down from 31 on Monday.

The health department reports 3,657,561 vaccine doses have been administered in Iowa, with 67.6% of those 18 and older fully vaccinated and 70% of those 12 and older with at least one dose. IDPH releases new COVID-19 data each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

(Radio Iowa) – County election officials are urging Iowa voters to return their absentee ballots for next Tuesday’s election quickly. Adams County Auditor, Becky Bissell says changes by the Iowa Legislature now require your ballot to be received by your county auditor on Election Day to be counted.  “So now we have what we refer to as like a drop-dead date. So it has to be in the auditor’s office by 8 p-m on Election Day,” Bissell says.

She says depending on where you live, it might be too late to put your ballot in the mail.  “In southwest Iowa, I would not recommend putting it in the mail, because our mail goes to Des Moines and then back to us. And so I do fear that it’s not going to get back to me in time if my voters were to be putting it into the mail now,” according to Bissell.

Adams County (IA) Auditor Rebecca Bissell

Bissell says you should instead bring your completed ballot to your county auditor’s office or use the ballot dropbox in counties where those are available.

(reporting by Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning reports the Conservation Department’s final, “Building Better Birders” program will be in the form of a two day workshop format. You’re invited to join Kelly McKay from ‘Building Better Birders,’ as he shares about Sparrow, and Waterfowl Bird Identification. The event takes place November 19th, at Outdoor Educational Classroom near Massena.

It will start with Waterfowl ID at 5pm (you can bring your dinner with you), and includes an Owl Prowl, starting at 7-p.m. Friday, Nov. 19th. Kanning says participants will hike and try to call in various species of Owls that may be in the park that night. Saturday, November 20th at 8am, is at the Outdoor Educational Classroom near Massena, and features a Sparrow ID, with a birding hike to follow at 10-a.m.

At 11-a.m. that day, Iowa Bluebird Conservationists will do a presentation on bluebird basics and their efforts. There will be a break for a catered lunch for $10, in support of our Friends of the Outdoor Classroom. At 1pm the final program on a Christmas Bird Count Marathon will conclude the workshop. Funding for the program is provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP – CEP). The workshop will be conducted by Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center), with assistance from Mark Roberts (Clinton County Conservation) and Brian Ritter (Nahant Marsh Education Center).

Pre-Register by November 15th . Call  769-2372 or email to sign up lkanning@casscoia.us Take Hwy 148 south of Massena, Turn Left on Tucson Rd, Follow it East for about two miles, and then a right hand turn into the parking lot. Kanning says you’re welcome to attend one or all of the programs, but they are asking for your preregistration for Saturday, Nov. 20th, so they know how many to expect for Lunch. She says “We look forward to seeing everyone for the final weekend.”

(Radio Iowa) – All of the Iowa State Education Association’s local unions representing teachers and staff in an Iowa school district have voted to recertify with the union, while more than a dozen union locals representing county and city employees in Iowa have been decertified. A state law passed in 2017 requires a majority of public sector employees to vote “yes” to retain their local union every year. Iowa State Education Association president Mike Beranek says thousands of Iowa educators are loudly and firmly telling Republican lawmakers that public employees want collective bargaining rights and have overcome the obstacle of having any person who doesn’t vote counted as a no.

Results for all public sector union votes are posted on the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board website. It shows unions will no longer represent 15 bargaining units for city and county employees, while more than 150 other union locals were recertified for the next round of contract negotiations.

The recertification votes failed in the following bargaining units: City of Algona AFSCAME Council 61 (police), Calhoun County CWA Local 7173, Cerro Gordo County PPME Local 2003 (Roads), Cerro Gordo County Board of Health PPME Local 2003, Dallas County EMS Professionals, Henry County PPME Local 2003, Ida County PPME Local 2003 (Roads), Independence Municipal Utility IBEW Local 55, Jackson County Detention Center Employees Association, Jackson County Employees Association, Lee County PPME Local 2003 (Roads), Pocahontas County CWA Local 7173 (Roads), Pottawattamie County Teamsters Local 554 (Detention Officers), Ringgold County PPME Local 2003 (Roads), Scott County Library System Teamsters Local 238.

(Greenfield) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday morning in their Board Room at the Courthouse, in Greenfield. During their session, Auditor Mandy Berg discussed some recent webinars she attended, with regard to the S.3011 Bill – re: The State, Local, Tribal & Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure & Disaster Relief Act (COVID relief). The bill was passed in the Senate and was sent to the House for review and later action.

The funds can be used just as if the County had lost revenue, for such things as building repairs, roads and infrastructure and public safety, for example. The Board discussed, but made no concrete plans for the money, once it’s received. Board Chair Steve Shelley said if the funds could be used “100-percent to relieve taxpayer’s costs, it would be what we’re here for.”

The Board will take the information home and study it. The Board thanked Berg for attending those informational sessions. Afterward, Berg presented the FY21 Annual Urban Report with regard to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the Debt Service Fund.

The report showed each TIF taxing district, showing the values for each district and the TIF revenue received for each district. The number of Taxing Districts next year, she said, will increase from eight to 21. Adair County Weed Commissioner Nathan Jensen presented his Annual Report. He said it wasn’t too bad of a year overall, but he did have to send a couple of notices out to property owners, asking them to get their noxious weeds under control. The problem areas are basically the same as last year, he said. And, County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented the front page of plans for the W20 Jackson 16×10 Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert (RCB) Project on a Farm-To-Market road. After the Board Chair signed the page, which allows the County to solicit bids, Kauffman said the scheduled bid letting will be held March 15, 2022.

Kauffman also provided a report on the Secondary Roads Dept. activities. He said some things that were planned for this week, had been rained-out.