(Radio Iowa) — Seven projects in Iowa are sharing just over $660,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to tackle the opioid crisis. The Wayne County Hospital in Corydon is using a $150,000 grant to buy an ambulance equipped with features specifically for opioid treatment. Darien Relph is the hospital’s CEO. “Our oldest model that we have is a 2006 model, and as we look at the reliability pieces of having an ambulance respond to the opioid crisis or any other ambulance emergency, it’s really important that we have up-to-date equipment,” Relph says.

In the past year, Relph says they’ve responded to 770 ambulance calls and 22 were solely for drug-related emergencies. Relph says in overdose emergencies, reversal drugs like naloxone need to be managed with care and by skilled hands. “We need to able to get those drugs to a scene and administer them efficiently and that will definitely be helped by having a grant for an ambulance,” Relph says.

Among the other projects receiving federal funds are those located in Cass, Lucas, Monroe, Harrison, and Buena Vista counties. In Cass County, a grant of $17,500 will be used to purchase a police vehicle with equipment for a K-9 officer. The K-9 vehicle will be used to deter the sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including opioids, and as a response vehicle on the scene of mental health or misuse situations. The K-9 vehicle will serve a population of 14,000.

In Harrison County, the City of Pisgah will receive a $41,000 grant to purchase a used ambulance for the volunteer fire department and first responders. The ambulance is equipped with medical supplies, including reversal medication for opioid misuse incidents. About 250 residents will be served.

Overall, the USDA is investing a little more than $10 million in 85 projects in 22 states to support opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery.

(Thanks to Julie Englander, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) — President Trump says he’s coming to Iowa soon to make an announcement. Sources tell Radio Iowa Trump will be in Council Bluffs on October 9th and he’s likely to announce the E-P-A will allow year-round sale of gasoline with a 15 percent ethanol blend. Trump mentioned his upcoming trip to Iowa as he announced some details of the new United States Mexico Canada Agreement.

He says the deal is “a very big deal” for farmers — and exports of wheat, poultry, eggs and dairy products — including ice cream — should increase to both neighboring countries. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst was among those who gathered today (Monday) in the White House Rose Garden for the president’s news conference and Trump mentioned Ernst twice during his remarks.

(Radio Iowa/KJAN) — Iowans turning their calendars to October, Monday, and many are hoping this month will be much drier than September. State Climatologist Justin Glisan says several cities recorded their wettest-ever September.

“In fact, the Waterloo Airport record their wettest month on record of any month. They had about 13.3 inches of precipitation,” Glisan said. Statewide, on average, Iowa received around 7.8 inches of rainfall in September. That’s about 4.5 inches above normal for the month.  “Looking at the observational records…we’re looking at probably the third-wettest September on record,” Glisan said. The northeast corner of Iowa received the most rain, about 12-inches ABOVE normal for September.

Rainfall in Atlantic amounted to 5.71 inches, which was almost two-inches above normal. Although the end of the month was cold, there were also some very warm temperatures posted across the state over the month. “We had high temperatures in the southern part of the state anywhere from 18-to-20 degrees above average,” Glisan said.

The statewide average temperature in September was 66 degrees, about three-degrees warmer than normal. There was a 66-degree swing between the highest and lowest temps recorded around the state.  “On September 18, the maximum temperature for the month was 96-degrees in Williamsburg,” Glisan said. “On September 30, we had the lowest temperature recorded across the state, in three places – Cresco, Fayette, and Stanley.”

According to Glisan, Iowa posted above average temperatures on 17 of the 30 days in September. In Atlantic, the Average High was 77 degrees. The Average Low was 56, which was nearly 5 degrees warmer than normal. The warmest days were 92 degrees on the 17 and 20^th, while the coolest mornings occurred on the 21^st and 22^nd, when we reached 40 degrees.

In October, average rainfall in Atlantic amounts to 2.76-inches. The Average High for the month is 64 degrees, while the average Low is 39.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CDT

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Black Hawk County deputies have arrested a Waterloo man on charges connected with a July crash that killed a bicyclist. The sheriff’s office says deputies on Monday charged 39-year-old Joshua Summerhays with vehicular homicide in the July 2 death of bicyclist Connie Inks on Highway 218 near Washburn. Summerhays is being held in the Black Hawk County jail.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey suggests the economy remains strong in nine Midwest and Plains states but business leaders are concerned about ongoing trade disputes. The overall economic index for the region slipped to 57.5 in September from August’s 61.1, but it remained in positive territory. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey. He says he expects business will slow but continue growing in the next few months because of trade concerns and rising interest rates.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge has sentenced a former Sioux City special education teacher to probation after she admitted to stealing from a school account for Special Olympics and other programs. The Sioux City Journal reports District Judge Steven Andreasen on Monday sentenced 49-year-old Melissa Dickerson, of Sioux City, to five years of probation. She also must repay $5,063 to the Sioux City school district and complete 100 hours of community service.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the special guest speaker at her annual campaign fundraiser Harvest Festival scheduled for Oct. 13. Reynolds says the festival will be a family-oriented event celebrating “the progress we are making across the state of Iowa.”

The Red Oak Police Department reports an arrest on Monday afternoon. At 3:05pm Officers arrested 44-year-old Kain Jospeh Rinehart of Red Oak at 306 2nd Avenue in Red Oak. Rinehart was arrested on a valid Fremont County Warrant for Probation Violation on an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Rinehart was taken to the Montgomery County Jail awaiting extradition to Fremont County.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office say no injuries were reported following a single-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon on Highway 2. Authorities said a 2002 Chevy 1500 pickup driven by 17-year old Sean Dylan Hart, of Council Bluffs, was traveling westbound just east of West Tarkio Creek at around 12:54-p.m, when the truck struck a bridge approach/railing. The accident happened as the teen was looking toward a field.

The truck, owned by Lance Hart, sustained about $2,500 damage. Damage to the Bridge approach / guardrail was  also estimated at $2,500. Sean Hart was cited for Failure to maintain control.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the special guest speaker at her annual campaign fundraiser Harvest Festival scheduled for Oct. 13. Reynolds says the festival will be a family-oriented event celebrating “the progress we are making across the state of Iowa.”

She is running for her first full term as governor against Democrat Fred Hubbell.
The festival which costs $50 per ticket will feature live music, pumpkin decorating, balloon animals, and a barbeque.

The three-hour event is scheduled to be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge has sentenced a former Sioux City special education teacher to probation after she admitted to stealing from a school account for Special Olympics and other programs.

The Sioux City Journal reports District Judge Steven Andreasen on Monday sentenced 49-year-old Melissa Dickerson, of Sioux City, to five years of probation. She also must repay $5,063 to the Sioux City school district and complete 100 hours of community service.

Dickerson pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree theft. Court records show that for nearly a year beginning in August 2016, she withdrew money from accounts she set up under the names of East High School Special Olympics and the Friendship Connection. She acknowledged Monday using the money to pay personal bills.
Dickerson later resigned from her teaching position.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests. On Saturday, the Iowa State Patrol arrested 36-year-old Mary Marie Riley, of Harlan, as a result of a traffic stop.  Riley was charged with operating while intoxicated 1^st offense and improper lane change.   Riley was transported to the jail without incident, and releases later that morning on her own recognizance.

Last Friday, Shelby County Deputies arrested 36-year-old Justin Charles Henriksen on an outstanding statewide warrant for failure to pay child support.  Henriksen was brought to the Shelby County jail with no local charges, awaiting transport to Blackhawk County.

On Sept. 25th, 58-year-old Cynthia Lea Carpenter turned herself into authorities at the Sheriff’s Office regarding outstanding warrants.   Carpenter was booked into the jail on charges of harassment simple, harassment in the 3^rd degree, and disorderly conduct. Carpenter was released later that evening on her own recognizance after initial appearance with the magistrate.

On Sept. 22nd, Deputies arrested 50-year-old Murry Allen Pentecost of Shelby on charge of domestic abuse assault simple misdemeanor.  Authorities were sent to the residence in Shelby and upon further investigation it was determined that an assault did take place.  Pentecost was transferred to the jail without incident and held with no bond pending initial appearance but was released later that morning on his own recognizance.

On Sept. 17th, 41-year-old Brian Anthony Wood of Marne turned himself into authorities regarding an outstanding warrant.  Wood was booked into the jail without incident on charges of domestic abuse assault simple misdemeanor, violation of a no contact order, and disorderly conduct.      Wood was held in custody without bond, and after initial appearance was set and released later that afternoon on a $2,000 cash/surety bond.

And, on Sept. 15th. the Iowa State Patrol arrested 39-year-old Michael Eugene Poorker of Harlan as the result of a traffic stop.  Poorker was taken into custody and charged with operating while intoxicated 1^st offense, driving while suspended, speed and no proof of insurance. He was transported the jail and booked without incident where he was held under a $1,566.25 bond. Later that evening, Poorker was able to post the surety bond and was released from custody.