DOON, Iowa (AP) — BNSF Railway has acknowledged flooding played a role in a derailment that loosed thousands of gallons of oil into northwest Iowa floodwaters. BNSF spokesman Andy Williams said Friday that the derailment was “flood related” but declined to say whether the train engineer knew or should have known about washed-out tracks mentioned in a preliminary federal report released Thursday.

The National Transportation Safety Board report cited heavy rainfall in the area 48 hours before the June 22 derailment just south of Doon, Iowa. The report says the rain and runoff washed out track and flooded a tributary of the nearby Little Rock River. The report stopped short of saying the flooding caused the 32-car derailment.

The federal report also says the train was moving at 48 mph  — just below the authorized speed for that stretch.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports the Board of Supervisors are expected to take action next Wednesday (Aug. 15th), on a request for a 50-percent, five-year property tax abatement for a company that is in the process of acquiring the ADM grain elevator north of Atlantic. Pipeline Foods, LLC – a developer of supply chains in agriculture with a focus on organic foods and feeds, grains, oilseeds, and ingredients will be acquiring, converting and utilizing the ADM facility for organic grain handling.  Total capacity of the facility is expected to be about 3.4 million bushels.

An approximately 2 million bushel capacity will be utilized for conventionally grown grain and the other 1.4 million bushel capacity will be for organic crops.  Pipeline’s plan is to acquire the facility in mid-September.  Local farms are expected to transition from conventional to organic farming as organic farming allows farmers to reap up to three times the profit margins of non-organic farming.  It was stated that crop land can be rotated in and out of organic production.  The company’s request for an abatement was taken under advisement during the Board’s meeting on Aug. 8th.

Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns reports two people have filed to run in the November General Election, with regard to the County Ag Extension Council. Kristi Plagman, of Cumberland, and Chad Becker, of Wiota, will have their names appear on the Nov. 6th ballot. Candidates have until Aug. 29th to submit their nomination petition papers. There are five positions open on the Ag Extension Council. Each is a four-year term.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The dismissal of a lawsuit in Iowa involving the former Argosy Sioux City riverboat casino owner and its nonprofit partner has ended years of litigation. The Sioux City Journal reports that Missouri River Historical Development, the Belle of Sioux City, which operated the Argosy, and its parent company, Penn National Gaming Inc., have filed a joint dismissal of a lawsuit and counter lawsuit in Des Moines. Each side will pay for their own legal expenses.

Belle sued MRHD for breach of contract in 2012. Belle alleged that MRHD sought to replace the Argosy with another operator before their 20-year contract expired. The lawsuits had been scheduled to go to trial next month. But a ruling in May found two issues with the Belle’s lawsuit and the MRHD’s counter lawsuit.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials say the old Canadian Pacific train depot in Mason City can be moved elsewhere instead of being demolished. Station KIMT reports that a feasibility study begun in July has found the building could withstand the process of relocation. A historical association wants the depot’s unique architecture saved and for the area to retain that piece of history. It’s believed the depot was built in 1895.

City officials say three sites have been identified for a potential move but say the building likely won’t be moved until next year. Canadian Pacific announced plans to demolish the structure earlier this year. It’s been vacant since the railroad relocated its operations to another structure in 2013.

Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke, today (Friday), released information about important dates and the candidates who have filed in advance of the November 6th General Election. Burke said Independent candidates for Partisan Offices (Which includes Attorney, Recorder, Treasurer, Board of Supervisor [Districts 1, 2 and 4]) have until 5-p.m. August 29th to file nomination papers to run for Montgomery County Offices. The filing process applies to NPPO candidates (No Political Party or Political Organization) and candidates nominated by petition for county and township officers. Anyone with questions pertaining to the number of signatures necessary for each petition, should contact the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office at 712-623-5127, or go to www.sos.iowa.gov.

Saturday, Oct. 27th, is the deadline for Voter Pre-Registration. There is Election Day registration, but Burke says specific documentation must be provided, and if possible, you should register before Election Day. On Nov. 6th, the polls will be open in Montgomery County from 7-a.m. until 9-p.m. The polling places include: The Red Oak Gold Fair building; Red Oak Fire Station; Red Oak 1st Christian Church; Elliott Community bldg; the Stanton and Grant Fire Departments, and the Villisca Community building. Persons wishing to vote absentee should request a ballot in-person at the auditor’s office, the auditor’s website, or the Secretary of State’s website (above).

The following (Republican) Party Affiliated (County) Candidates whose names will appear on the ballot, include:

• Recorder – Carleen Bruning (Incumbent)
• Treasurer – Tera Hughes
• Attorney – Drew B. Swanson
• Supervisor/District 1 – Rudy Kinard
• Supervisor/District 2 – Mike Olson (Incumbent)
• Supervisor/District 4 – Mark L. Peterson (Incumbent)

Interested candidates may also file papers for: Township Trustee; Township Clerk; County Hospital Trustees; Soil and Water Conservation Board; and, County Agricultural Extension. Other offices on the ballot will include: Montgomery County Public Measure “A” and City of Red Oak Measure “B.”” The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office is open M-F, 8-am to 4:30-p.m. If you have any questions, call 712-623-5127, or on the web at www.montgomerycountyiowa.com. You can also find the Montgomery County Auditor and Commissioner of Election, on Facebook.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office said today (Friday), a man from Arispe reported Sunday afternoon, that sometime during the past two weeks, someone took his 500 gallon propane tank that was full of propane. The tanks was taken from his property in the 200 block of Reed Street, in Arispe. The loss was estimated value at $2,000.

Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, who was appointed to the post by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds in May 2017, spoke with KJAN News today (Friday), about the upcoming election and his role in the campaign, along with other matters. Gregg said he and the governor will be spending the next 10 days at the Iowa State Fair. He says they look forward to celebrating Iowa’s rural heritage and agriculture, and to shake “A heck of a lot of hands across the State.” He says they’ve been traveling across Iowa talking about “The incredible things going on across the State,” including low unemployment, economic development and other matters.

He said they’re also talking about how to make the State even better and what can be done moving forward as they work to accomplish their goals. One of the challenges he says is facing Iowa, is there are more jobs available than there are people to fill them. The Future Ready Iowa Act which the Governor proposed and the legislature approved, according to Gregg, is all about making investments in job training. “Not every job” he says, “requires a four-year college degree. Sometimes a two-year community college degree is all it takes, or a one-year skills certification. Sometimes it’s an apprenticeship.”

Gregg said with the “tens of thousands of jobs” available across the State, there are openings at every wage and skill level. It’s important he said to train Iowans in the areas where all those jobs are available, because to do otherwise leaves economic opportunities and prosperity on the table when those jobs are not filled. He said also, “It’s an honor to serve as Lt. Governor and the people of Iowa.” His boss, he says, has incredible experience in public service, and has capably served as Governor over the past 14 months. Gregg says he’ll stack up the Reynolds administration’s record against any challengers in the November General Election.

He says they are “Not satisfied with the status qou. We wake up everyday thinking about how we can build a better State of Iowa and unleash opportunity in this State.” He says “We want to lay out a positive vision of how we can move this State forward.” Gregg says so much about what they’ve been hearing from the Democratic Hubble-Hart campaign, is how much can be done undoing the progress that’s been made over the past few years.”  He says a recently signed Executive Order issued by Reynolds creates “The Governor’s Empower rural Iowa” initiative, which Gregg has been tasked with leading. He says it’s designed to encourage investment in Iowa, develop the next generation of leadership and getting rural Iowa more and better broadband internet connectivity.

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports that on the evening of Tuesday, August 14th, weather permitting, Iowa DOT maintenance crews will be changing exit number signing on Interstate 29 for the 24th Street and South Expressway exits in Council Bluffs (see map). The change is designated to follow I-29 mileage for the final design of the dual-divided freeway. The outside lanes of the dual-divided freeway will be designated I-29/I-80 local and will follow the I-29 mileage in the ultimate design of the system.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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