(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop early today (Wednesday), in Montgomery County, resulted in an arrest. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies stopped a vehicle in the 2500 block of 240th Street, near Stanton at around 1:55-a.m., and upon further investigation, arrested 42-year-old Jason Andrew Miller, of Braddyville, for Driving Under Suspension. Miller was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on bond amounting to $491.25.

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. – The body of a missing 23-year-old swimmer is believed to have been found Tuesday night just before 5:30 P.M. KTIV-TV says according to the South Sioux City Police Department, the body was recovered in the area of Onawa, IA and Decatur, NE on the Missouri River after a boater on the river made the discovery and contacted area law enforcement.

Members of the South Sioux City Police Dept. and the Monona County Sheriff’s Dept. believe this is the body of the missing female who they believed drowned Sunday afternoon in the Missouri River near South Sioux City, Nebraska.

The victim’s body was transported to the Iowa Medical Examiner’s office for formal identification.

The South Sioux City Police Dept. released a statement saying the department “extends our thoughts and prayers to the victim and her family and friends as they grief this tragic loss.”

(Radio Iowa) – The state is paying a Des Moines-based non-profit to manage the mental health and substance abuse services being provided under the new statewide behavioral health system. Aaron Todd is C-E-O of the Iowa Primary Care Association, the non-profit that’s been overseeing the 14 community health centers that primarily serve low income Iowans.

“The Community Health Centers in the last nine years have been a 440% increase in behavioral health visits at the Community Health Centers themselves,” he said. “They have waiting lists in the behavioral health services and so they’ve seen first hand that there is a great need.” Todd says the goal of the new system — which launched yesterday (Tuesday) — is to create a statewide safety net that connects those who need services with a provider.

“That works better for all Iowans, ultimately,” Todd says. A decade ago, the state hired private companies to oversee Iowa’s Medicaid program — and hospitals, doctors and other health care providers have complained about delays in getting reimbursed for providing care. Marissa Eyanson of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says the state has created a simplified claim process for the new behavioral health system.

“So no more weird invoicing to multiple spaces in order for providers to be able to submit a bill,” she says. Officials say by Monday, contracts were signed with about 80 percent of the agencies and individuals that will be able to bill for mental health or substance abuse services — and the rest of the contracts were being reviewed and were nearly completed.

(Johnston, Iowa) – The Iowa Recorders Association is warning residents about a scam involving a letter you may receive in the mail. In a social media post earlier this week, officials said a constituent of an Iowa recorder received a very official-looking letter in the mail claiming to be a “FINAL ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY” them about their property, with vague language about a “Private Lender” and a so-called “$199 allocated waiver.”

The Records Association said “This is a scam or a deceptive marketing ploy.” They pointed out some Red Flags that you be aware of when receiving questionable correspondence:

• There letter has No actual company name listed—just “Private Lender”
• There is pushy wording like “Call RIGHT AWAY”
• A fake-looking “waiver” is meant to grab your attention
• There is no clear explanation of the issue—just vague threats
• A toll-free number that likely connects you to a scam or high-pressure sales call

Officials say “DO NOT call the number,” and to “Shred the letter and toss it.” They said also, “If you’re ever unsure, contact your mortgage company directly using a phone number from your statements—not from random mail like this. Stay alert and protect your information!”

(Iowa Capital Dispatch; Washington-D.C.) – President Donald Trump hinted Tuesday that he may share good news for farmers at his July 3 event in Iowa. In a social media post, Trump shared information on his upcoming trip to the Iowa State Fairgrounds scheduled for Thursday. He is slated to speak at the America250’s Kick-Off Celebration launching a year of festivities leading up to the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding on July 4, 2026.

While inviting people to RSVP for the event, Trump praised Iowa for supporting him in the past three presidential elections, writing that Iowans “love my Policies for our Wonderful Farmers and Small Businesses.” He also wrote there will be information shared about his current administration’s work on issues impacting farmers in his Thursday remarks.

“I’ll also tell you some of the GREAT things I’ve already done on Trade, especially as it relates to Farmers,” Trump wrote. “You are going to be very happy with what I say — Should be a BIG Crowd!”

President Donald Trump, shown here in a July 2023 file photo, promoted his upcoming Iowa visit on July 1, 2025.(Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Some farmers, agricultural producers and other business owners in Iowa and worldwide expressed concerns about Trump’s tariff plans earlier this year, when he had announced plans to set a baseline 10% levy on all international imports beginning in early April. Though he set a 90-day pause shortly after the announcement on many of these tariffs, that break is set to expire July 9.

The window before tariffs are set to go back into place was meant to give time to countries that have said they are open to negotiating new trade deals. The president has said this deadline could be extended, but has not offered additional details on timelines or ongoing negotiations.

While tariffs have not been finalized for many countries, Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement and levies on certain goods already in place caused massive economic unrest earlier this year. In Iowa, many local business owners and farmers said the tariffs could cause disruptions to their businesses, and lead to higher costs for consumers. A study from the nonprofit advocacy group Farmers for Free Trade found tariff costs for Iowa importers increased by 304%, roughly $68 million, from April 2024 to April 2025.

There are also agricultural producers who say tariffs have not significantly impacted their business outlooks. In the pork industry, where 25% of U.S. pork production is within the export market and 55% of exported U.S. produced pork going to China, some business owners and producers said profitability is up despite trade war concerns.

(Bayard, Iowa) – A collision between a car and a tractor Tuesday afternoon in Greene County, resulted in the death of the tractor’s operator. The Iowa State Patrol reports 63-year-old Michael Thomas Dahl, of Bayard, was driving the tractor south on Highway 25, just south of 320th Street at around 3:40-p.m., when the machine was struck from behind by a 1989 Mercury passenger car. The accident happened north of Bayard.

The driver of the car was identified as 62-year-old Neal Schoon, of Bayard.

The Patrol says following the collision, the car came to rest in the center of the road. The tractor was pushed into the west ditch. The impact caused Dahl to be knocked-off of the tractor. He died at the scene.

The crash remained under investigation. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies assisted at the scene.

ATLANTIC, IA (July 1, 2025) Produce in the Park is kicking off holiday weekend celebrations this Thursday, July 3, with “America’s Pre-Party” at Produce in the Park, 4:30 to 6:30 PM at the Atlantic City Park. This week’s farmers market features a Civil War-style cannon, free bounce house, live music, and a patriotic gnome craft.

More than 20 vendors will be selling at the July 3 farmers market. Shoppers will find fresh produce including cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and snap peas, along with a variety of meats including beef, pork, chicken, and lamb. Farm-fresh eggs, sourdough bread, kringle, cookies, 4th-of-July themed cupcakes, and freeze-dried treats will also be available at the park this
Thursday. Craft and gift shoppers can browse patriotic garden and and home decor, along with other crafts including candles, artwork, leather goods, and planters.

**Food trucks at Produce in the Park July 3 include Zemog’s Mexican Kitchen, and Firehouse Family Food serving a variety of smoked meats, as well as sides including mac and cheese and coleslaw.

Cass Health Registered Dietitian Sarah Andersen will be serving as guest chef, preparing a fresh Feta & Dill Salad using ingredients available at this week’s market such as cucumbers and tomatoes. Visiting organizations sharing community information at the farmers market this week include Cass County Conservation, Healthy Cass County, Cass Health, A.R.I.S.E., and the Atlantic Public Library.

America’s Pre-Party at Produce in the Park is made possible by support from July market sponsors the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.

Produce in the Park is held every Thursday evening in the Atlantic City Park from 4:30–6:30 PM through September. All are welcome, and admission is free. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items.

**= Updated information

For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark and Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/

(Radio Iowa) – A four-year effort to get the road to the Keokuk National Cemetery repaired culminated with a ribbon cutting Monday. Keokuk Mayor Kathie Mahoney took office four years ago, and made it a priority to resurface the street to Iowa’s only national cemetery after years of patching left it in poor shape. “This road leads to where you rest, and it stands as a lasting symbol that you gave,” she says.

The road to the place where so many who’ve served their nation are buried is now a wide, smooth, concrete street with new curbs and gutters, new sidewalks, and a new designation as the “Road of Honor.” Cemetery Supervisor Brent Inskeep says the street improvements are about more than just pavement and stone. “It is a pathway to remembrance. A symbol of respect, and now, thanks to the hard work of many, it reflects the dignity and honor our veterans and their families deserve,” he says. Inskeep says the Road of Honor matches the solemn beauty of the cemetery and tells every visitor that they’re entering a national shrine.

Veteran Bill Smith of Keokuk served on the Road of Honor committee. “We need to show respect to all that have served. We are the gatekeepers of this sacred site and the path that leads us here,” Smith says. He says people in Keokuk and throughout Lee County care deeply for military veterans.

Keokuk Mayor Kathy Mahoney makes remarks at the ceremony. (Richard Egger photo)

Democratic State Representative Ross Wilburn made the more than 200-mile trip from Ames to Keokuk. This town is important to him. “In 1864, my great, great grandfather was enslaved in Palmyra, Missouri. (He) escaped, enlisted, and became part of the First Iowa Colored Infantry. They were trained in Keokuk, Iowa, so the area has special meaning to me and my family,” Wilburn says. Wilburn is also a veteran, having served in the Iowa Army National Guard. He says he found the Road of Honor a welcoming stretch as he headed to the ceremony, and believes visitors from the community and from throughout the country will also find it a welcoming path as the come to pay their respects to those laid to rest in Keokuk National Cemetery.

(Oakland, Iowa) – A judge in the case of a Pottawattamie County man charged in connection with a fatal UTV vs. pedestrian collision, has granted a continuance in the date for a jury trial. The case of 85-year-old Gene Fritz from Oakland will now take place 9:30-a.m. July 22nd, in Pott. County District Court. It’s the fourth time his trial was rescheduled. The most recent delay was granted June 30th. His case was to have been heard July 1st, prior to the most recent continuance.

When his case comes to court, the jury will decide if Fritz is guilty of Homicide by Vehicle – Reckless Driving, in connection with the December, 2024 death of 83-year-old Sandra Madron, in Oakland. Fritz has entered a plea of not guilty.

According to law enforcement reports, the incident on December 26th occurred at 570 North Highway Street, in Oakland. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found Fritz’ UTV on the sidewalk and Madron lying on her left side. She was transported to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, and later died from her injuries.

Fritz had told deputies that he was heading home at the time of the crash and often drove his UTV on the sidewalk because he “can’t see well and he drives very slow.” He has said that he didn’t see Sandra Madron until he hit her and “she must have been wearing dark clothing.”

Further investigation revealed that Fritz did not have a valid driver’s license, and the UTV he was operating was not registered for roadway use.