(Radio Iowa) -The tax bill Governor Reynolds signed earlier this month also created a new state grant program for manufacturers. Jill Lippincott of the Iowa Economic Development Authority says manufacturers with fewer than 75 employees will be able to apply for the Technology Investment grants.

“Before when we had these evolution’s in industry we talked about water and steam power or mass assembly or computer and robotics and robotics,” she says, “and now we’re talking about with Industry 4.0 the internet of things and additive manufacturing and advanced robotics or amended reality or cyber security, so really digital technologies that are starting to become a part of our manufacturing processes.” Lippincott says the agency released a report in 2020 that found many of Iowa’s larger manufacturers have already begun using new technology to transform how work is performed and products are fabricated on the factory floor.

“But some of our smaller manufacturers in the state may be aware or may have started this journey, but may be a little further behind where we’d like to see them,” she says. A few other states have started similar grant programs. Iowa’s initiative will award two levels of Technology Investment grants. One, for 25-thousand dollars, will help manufacturers cover the costs of purchasing software and other digital products. The other, for 50-thousand dollars, will help cover the costs of buy high-tech equipment and machinery. Companies can start applying for the grants in September, but they’ll have to undergo an assessment with the Center for Industrial Research and Service first.

“I think that’ll be a big piece of understanding what is the overall strategy and goal they’re trying to reach with investment that they’re making,” Lippincott says. These will be reimbursement grants, so the company must show the state invoices providing they’ve purchased the technology after getting the grant.

INDIANOLA, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report that at around 10:15-a.m. Sunday, June 27, a body was spotted floating in Lake Ahquabi approximately 20 yards from shore in the beach/swimming area. DNR Parks staff, Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other medical personnel responded to the scene, located the body and brought it ashore. The body appears to be that of an adult male.

The body was transported to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny for an autopsy; however, it does not appear foul play was a factor. No further information, including the identity of the individual or cause and manner of death, will be released until family have been notified and pending the initial autopsy findings.

ONAWA— Officials with the Iowa DNR, late Sunday, said the boil advisory for Onawa that was issued on June 25 has been lifted. Two consecutive sets of water samples have been completed and show no bacteria present. Residents can now use the water without boiling.

A malfunctioning sensor drained the city of Onawa’s water storage structure overnight Thursday. Water pressure was restored, but can cause bacteria to enter the water distribution system. As a precaution, the city and DNR recommended residents boil their water.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Police are investigating the discovery of a body in the Des Moines River, Saturday. KCCI reports that at around 1:30 p.m., officers were called to the Des Moines River at the Euclid Avenue Bridge to investigate a report of a body found in the water.

According to police, arriving officers found the body of a deceased person in the water. Police said the Des Moines Fire Department Water Emergency Team was deployed to recover the body. Police detectives have initiated a death investigation. No other details were released.

DES MOINES, Iowa — A 12-hour standoff in Des Moines has come to an end, after a tactical team used tear gas and pepper spray to force the barricaded shooter out of his home. KCCI reports the first shots were fired Saturday morning about 2:45 in the 2700 block of Sampson Street. The station says Des Moines Police say at least two homes on the opposite side of the street from the shooter were hit by gun shots. The suspected shooter, 37-year-old David Harbold, was taken into custody at around 2:45 p.m.”

Crisis negotiators spent more than six hours communicating with Harbold in an attempt to get him to surrender. Eventually, the tactical team gave an ultimatum. Harbold went to the door, still holding a gun, but was arrested by awaiting officers.

Harbold has been charged with two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and one count of interference with official acts with a dangerous weapon. Investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting or whether the homes were specifically targeted.

Des Moines– The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 29-year-old Tony Rivers, who was convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree and other crimes in Polk County, failed to report to work from the Fort Des Moines facility as required, Friday.

Rivers is a Black male, height 5′ 9″, and weighs 173  pounds. He was admitted to the Fort Des Moines work release facility on 04/01/2021.

Tony Rivers

Persons with information on Rivers’s whereabouts should contact local police.