(Radio Iowa) – The leader of the Iowa National Guard, Major General Stephen Osborn, talked about the meaning of Memorial Day during a recent event at Camp Dodge.

“Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, honoring Union soldiers after the Civil War, and over time it became a National Day of Remembrance for all those who gave their lives in the service of our great country,” Osborn says. “It is a solemn day, but also a hopeful day. We honor the fallen, not only in silence, but with action. We honor them by living well, by leading well, and by never taking our freedom for granted.”

Osborn says everyone should take time to think about the sacrifices men and women in uniform have made. “I encourage each and every one of you to take some time and reflect. Not just on those who we have lost, but reflect on why they served,” he says. Osborn says it is okay to enjoy the holiday. “Fire up the grill, spend time with your family and friends,” he says, “but let us also remember.the freedoms that allow us to do these things, it’s our responsibility to carry that legacy forward,” Osborn says.

Maj. General Osborn. (RI file photo)

General Osborn made his comments during a recent event celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says she will meet with Iowans over the next several months and develop a property tax reform plan. In 2023, Reynolds signed a bill into that capped some property tax levies and created new property tax exemptions for veterans and Iowans over the age of 64 who own a home. Reynolds says it’s time to go farther. “I do need to focus on property taxes,” Reynolds said. “That is what we hear about all the time and I was hopeful that the legislature — they had kind of asked to take the lead on that this year, so we let them. I worked on other things.”

Reynolds has until June 14th to sign or veto the bills passed by the 2025 legislature, then she plans to spend the rest of the year working on property tax reform. “I am going to be out in the state and I am going to be talking to Iowans and stakeholders and laying out what it looks like,” Reynolds says. “I mean we have to think differently about how we deliver services to our citizens. We can’t continue to have the level of government that we have and expect the property taxes to go lower. It’s just not feasible. The math doesn’t work.”

Only eight other states have more counties than Iowa. And, according to the U-S Census Bureau, Iowa has more than 18-hundred local units of government, including cities, counties, school districts and townships. During a weekend appearance on Iowa P-B-S, Reynolds did not suggest mergers or consolidations, but she did say every option that would lower property taxes should be considered. “We have to figure out how that system, how we holistically look at the package moving forward and that just, you know, is disruptive…That means people will be a little uncomfortable, but we’ll have the conversation,” Reynolds said.

Governor Kim Reynolds is this weekend’s guest on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS. (Iowa PBS photo)

“…Forty percent of property taxes is education, so we have a school funding formula that is crazy. It’s so complicated.” One of the main elements of a property tax reform plan key Republican legislators developed over the past two years calls for sending another 400 million dollars in state tax dollars to public school districts, to replace local property taxes. Reynolds appears reluctant to do that. “It’s still taxpayer dollars,” Reynolds said. “I always say it’s local, federal, state — it’s all coming out of the taxpayer’s pocket.”

And the governor says it’s too soon to say a firm limit on how much city and county budgets may grow should be part of the final plan. Reynolds hints an even broader tax discussion could be ahead. “Tax credits, should we maybe reduce some those and plug that into property tax savings or into individual income tax savings?” Reynolds asks. “Sales tax, what do we do with that?” Reynolds has signed a series of tax cuts that have eliminated the tax on retirement income and cut the individual income tax rate to three-point-eight percent.

Reynolds, who announced last month she wouldn’t seek reelection, now says her goal of completely eliminating the state income tax by the time she leaves office would be a little aggressive — and she will engage in a property tax reform debate instead. “I want to create a foundation that when I do leave, the next Republican governor that sits in that chair will be able to continue to reduce the individual income tax rate,” Reynolds said.

(Norwalk, Iowa) – A Polk County man was injured after being struck by a vehicle Sunday evening, in Warren County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 42-year-old Eric Gene Rudolph, of Des Moines, was walking in the ditch along Interstate 35 west of Norwalk, when he was struck by a 2019 Chevy Equinox, driven by 62-year-old Dale Loren Acker, of Greenfield.

The accident happened when Acker fell asleep at the wheel as he was traveling south on I-35 near mile marker 62 at around 6:35-p.m. His vehicle entered the west-side ditch before striking Rudolph. Following the collision, the vehicle continued through the ditch before coming to rest on the shoulder of I-35.

Eric Rudolph was transported by Norwalk Fire & Rescue to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Dale Acker was not injured.

(Marne, Iowa) – A Cass County (IA) man who died following a single-vehicle rollover accident early Saturday afternoon, has been identified. According to his obituary from Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, 33-year-old Lucas K. Nelson, of Marne, died in the crash.

The accident happened just before 1-p.m., Saturday, at Highway 83 (the Marne Road) and Fayette Road, southeast of Marne. Cass County Sheriff John Westering had earlier confirmed the driver/lone occupant of a pickup truck was ejected during the accident, and died from their injuries.

Marne Fire and Rescue, Cass EMS and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. Additional information concerning the crash was not immediately released.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two public hearings will be held during Tuesday morning’s regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, in Red Oak. The Board’s meeting begins at 9-a.m. in their Courthouse Board Room.

The first hearing – at 9:15-a.m. – is with regard to a Proposed FY 24/25 Montgomery County Budget Amendment, followed by action on passing a Resolution adopting the amended budget, as proposed.

The second hearing – at 9:20-a.m. – is with regard to Proposed Wind Ordinance Amendments to the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance. The Board set the hearing date and time during their meeting on May 6th. The wind ordinance hearing will be followed by the 1st Reading of the Ordinance, and possible waiving of the 2nd and 3rd Readings, if necessary.

In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors will receive a Maintenance update from Maintenance Director Dan Wright, who will discuss a proposal to concrete the Courthouse parking lot, and a proposal with regard to the Courthouse Elevator.

The Board is expected to act on approving FY25/26 Public Library contracts for financial support, as follows:

• Red Oak – $17,820
• Stanton – $6,020
• Elliott – $6,020
• Villisca – $7,645.

(Marne, Iowa) – One person died following a single-vehicle rollover accident early this (Saturday) afternoon, southeast of Marne. The crash, involving a pickup, occurred just before 1-p.m., at Highway 83 (the Marne Road) and Fayette Road. Cass County Sheriff John Westering confirms the driver/lone occupant of the vehicle was ejected, and died from their injuries. The individual was a Cass County (IA) resident. Their name was not released.

Highway 83 was closed for about an hour, following the crash. All Marne units returned to their station a little after 3-p.m.

CLIVE, Iowa [KCCI] — Police in Clive are investigating, after a one-pound bag of marijuana was found at a discount store. The large bag was discovered by a man who was looking through the bins and opened a USPS box at the “Where ya Bin” store on University Avenue, the former “Toys R Us” building.

Authorities have not provided any further information. KCCI reports Where Ya Bin officials declined to comment on the matter.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and that means swimming. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released its first beach advisory this year. Swimming is not recommended at four including the beaches at Backbone, Beeds Lake, Black Hawk and Nine Eagle state parks.

Forty-one beaches were tested. E. coli levels were found to exceed the standard at those four. The DNR tests weekly through Labor Day.

https://iaenvironment.salsalabs.org/weeklywaterwatch-5-23-25?wvpId=84cddfd2-63c4-4a40-ad0b-c724fc23c4b7

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Memorial Day services in Atlantic will be held Monday in the Atlantic Cemetery, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The ceremony will begin with the firing of cannons, followed by the presentation of the National Flag, the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, a welcome address, a performance of God Bless America by the Atlantic High School Band, an invocation, an Armed Forces Salute, and keynote speaker, Mark McNees.

A new addition to the service this year, is a presentation by the Cass Health Nurses Honor Guard, who will pay tribute to those nurses in the military who have died in service to their country.

There will also be the traditional placement of the wreaths, a Benediction, an Atlantic Color Guard “Fall In”, and they will read the names of more than a dozen veterans who have passed-on since Memorial Day, 2024.

The ceremony will conclude with a salute by the Atlantic Color Guard Rifle Squad, and Taps.

The forecast calls for a 50% chance of rain. If there is inclement weather on Monday, the service will moved to another location to be announced. We will have live video on KJAN TV if you can’t make it to the service. The list of other Memorial Day Services around the area includes:

Brayton Legion Post #350 will hold their Memorial Day Services on Monday, May 26 beginning at 10:00 am at the Brayton Town Hall in Brayton.  After the service they will move to the bridge east of town to honor the Navy dead and then to Oakfield, Bowen and Oakhill cemeteries.

Anita American Legion Post #210 will hold their Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26 at 10:30am at the Anita Evergreen Cemetery. Members wanting to participate will need to meet at the Legion Hall by 9am.  Help with flags…Be at the Legion Hall Saturday, May 24 at 8am to put flags up and 3pm on Monday, May 26 to help take flags down.

Anita Congregational United Church Of Christ Annual Memorial Day Dinner takes place on Monday, May 26 from 11am-1pm. Serving Ham Balls, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans, Salads, Roll, Pies and Drinks. Adults $13, kids 5 and under free. Carry-out is available.

The Griswold American Legion Auxiliary will be holding their annual Memorial Day Service and Lunch on Monday, May 26th at 10:30 at the Griswold Community Building.  The speaker for the event will be Mitch Holmes – Cass County Director of Veterans Affairs.

Prescott United Church Memorial Day Dinner and Quilt Bazaar will be held on Monday, May 26 from 11-1 at 405 6th Avenue in Prescott. Menu includes Homemade Chicken & Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Green Beans, Rolls, Assorted Salads, Pies and Desserts. Carry out is available by calling 515-669-5375 or 641-202-4222. Adults $12. Kids 5 t0 12 years of age are $8 and under 5 years are free. If you are unable to attend but wish to donate, send payment to Venmo: @Prescott-Church.

Cumberland Fitness Center will host a free breakfast on Monday, May 26 at 9:00 am at the Cumberland Community Building and the Memorial Day program will follow at 10:30 am.

The Massena Memorial Day Service will be held at 10:30 am at the CAM Elementary School commons.  Refreshments will be served before and after the program.

Audubon Memorial Day services sponsored by American Legion Post #120 will be held at 10:00 am at the Arlington Heights/Maple Grove Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Guest speaker is Command Sgt. Major Matthew T. Strasser.

Elk Horn Memorial Day Services will begin at 9:00 am at the fire station and proceed to Clay Township Cemetery, the Monroe Church and end with services and salute at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church followed by a free lunch.

Kimballton Memorial Day Services will begin at 9:30 am at the Jacksonville Cemetery, move to the Bethany Cemetery at 10:15 and then to the Kimballton Cemetery at 11:00 am.

Exira Memorial Day Services will begin at 9:45 am at the cemetery with the band playing and the service at 10:00 am.  Pastor Glen Meyers will be the speaker.  After the services at the Exira Cemetery, they will travel to Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, St. John’s Cemetery west of Exira and then to the river to honor the Navy dead.

Des Moines – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting a confirmed case of measles in central Iowa in an unvaccinated adult. The case tested positive through the State Hygienic Laboratory and is the first confirmed case of measles in Iowa this year, and the first case in Iowa since 2019.

Iowa is among 31 other United States jurisdictions in an evolving measles outbreak that has been responsible for 1,024 confirmed measles cases and 3 confirmed measles deaths this year. A thorough investigation has been completed. Public health officials will be reaching out to identified contacts, and no widespread public exposure is anticipated.

“The best time to prevent measles is before an exposure occurs and the best tool we have is getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director. “Getting vaccinated not only protects you but also protects people in your community who can’t get vaccinated, like infants too young to begin the series and those who are immunosuppressed. We ask Iowans to review their vaccination records and medical records to ensure they are protected and to reach out to their healthcare provider if they have questions.”

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, red/watery eyes, runny nose, and a rash. Measles can cause severe complications. About 1 in 10 people in the U. S. who get measles will be hospitalized, and 1 to 3 out of 1,000 children with measles will die even with good medical care.

The MMR vaccine series is 97% effective against measles. The first MMR does is given at 12-15 months and the second dose is given at 4-6 years. Currently 84% of 2-year-olds in Iowa are vaccinated, which is below the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks. There are no age limits for Iowans on Medicaid who wish to receive preventative MMR vaccinations.

If you think you have been exposed to a measles case and have symptoms call your medical provider or nearest emergency room ahead of time and tell them that you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms before arriving. Visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/disease-information for more information on measles.