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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MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Cerro Gordo County auditor has resigned just four months after taking office. Riley Dirksen ran unopposed in an April special election to replace Ken Kline, who quit to take a state post. Dirksen says his videogame business occupies much of this time, creating a conflict. Dirksen told the Mason City Globe Gazette Thursday that “working 8 to 5 at the courthouse and then trying to do my other work got to be too much.”

His resignation took effect immediately. He’ll be replaced temporarily by the county treasurer, Pat Wright.

Police in Creston report an inattentive driver caused her vehicle to strike a parked pickup Thursday night, causing more than $20,000 damage. 24-year old Kathleen Marie Magill, of Creston, was driving a 2018 Ford F-150 pickup eastbound on Prairie Street in Creston at around 10:30-p.m., when the vehicle veered left and collided head-on with a parked and unoccupied 2018 Chevy S-10 pickup registered to Bryan Spencer, of Creston. There were no injuries reported and no citations issued.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Minnesota woman who sent 696 text messages to a northern Iowa man in April violated a no-contact order. Winnebago County District Court records say 34-year-old Katie Christian, of Emmons, Minnesota, is charged with stalking and other crimes. Her arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 24 in Forest City.

A criminal complaint says she also made 10 phone calls and went to the man’s Lake Mills house three times in an attempt to make contact with him or his daughter.

While you’re out and about celebrating AtlanticFest, Saturday, bring the kids and their bikes to the Schildberg Recreation Area’s west parking lot, for the Nishna Valley Trails’ Kids Bike Ride. The ride takes place beginning at 10:30-a.m. Check-in and start of the ride are both at the west Parking lot of the Schildberg Rec. Area. The length of the ride is divided according to age, and there will be three age groups. The event is FREE, and all ages are welcome to attend. After the ride, check out Atlanticfest going on downtown!

The NVT’s Kids Bike Ride is co-sponsored by Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Cass County Conservation, Fareway, and West Side Diner in Atlantic, IA. If you have any questions, call Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning at 712-769-2372.

Red Oak Police, early this (Friday) morning, arrested a woman from Union County. 41-year old Chrystal Rush Stewart, of Creston, was taken into custody in the 500 block of 4th Avenue, in Red Oak, on a charge of Interference with Official Acts, a simple misdemeanor. Stewart was arrested at around 5:15-a.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where her cash bond was set at $300.

AtlanticFest, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, will be held tomorrow (Saturday, August 11th), rain or shine. AtlanticFest is an annual festival that serves as a fundraiser for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Atlantic will be filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Come early and enjoy a pancake breakfast or start the day off with a run through Schildberg Recreation Area in the Annual Road Race with chip timing coming back this year. The Annual Tractor Ride will also be taking place, kicking off at the Cass County Fair Grounds at 8 AM. There will be crafters from all over Southwest Iowa, as well as some of the best food vendors to help satisfy any appetite. Kids can enjoy the pony rides and bounce house and new this year, a family Carnival. The 20th Annual Car Show and Motorcycle Show will be taking place once again this year. Entertainment throughout the day is free.

Registrations for the Car Show, Motorcycle Show and Road Race are going on now or you may show up the day of. If you are interested in being a part of AtlanticFest, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call the Chamber at 712-243-3017.

The Chamber thanks its many AtlanticFest sponsors for their support.