(Creston, Iowa) – An investigation into a property damage accident in Union County, resulted in a citation for a man from Warren County. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, at around 7:30-a.m. Saturday, 19-year-old Kash Miller, of Indianola, called the Sheriff’s Office and said he had put his 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck in the ditch at 205th and Ivy Avenue, and that he would arrange for it to removed.

The Sheriff’s Office would later receive calls from persons who said there were beer cans everywhere in the ditch, and damage to two stop signs. A deputy confirmed damage to the stop signs, and upon further investigation determined the truck was traveling north on Ivy Avenue when it entered the ditch. The deputy also observed beer cans scattered around the truck, but no one around the vehicle.

The Union County Deputy spoke with a neighbor, who said they heard the crash sometime between 10-and 11-p.m., Friday. Secondary Roads Department personnel estimated the damage to the stop signs at $450 each, for a total of $900. Damage to the pickup was estimated at $5,000.

Since there were no injuries reported, and Miller said he would have the vehicle removed from the scene, the  sheriff’s report said he will be mailed a citation for Failure To Maintain Control of the vehicle.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Department says one of the best sites to view woodland wildflowers is right here, in Cass County, just outside of Atlantic, and the Cass County Conservation Board is holding a Wildflower Walk this Saturday, April 26th, so you can check them out!

The program will be held at the Pellett Memorial Woods, beginning at 9-a.m. on the 26th. Those interested in partaking in the walk will meet at Pellett Memorial Woods at 63066 Troublesome Creek Road, or about one-half mile north and three-quarters of a mile east, of KJAN.

You’re invited to walk through the early spring wildflowers with Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning. Along the way you’ll learn the names, uses and history of the Wildflowers on display in their natural setting.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest Friday night, of 48-year-old Michael LaFollette, of Red Oak. He was taken into custody in the 1900 block of 200th Street, for Driving Under Suspension, unlawful possession of  prescription drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lafollette was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board, during their meeting on Friday (April 18), approved awards for companies in Belle Plaine and Perry, which will assist in the creation of 51 jobs and result in nearly $45 million in new capital investment for the state. The board also approved grants for projects in Dickinson County and Grinnell through the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Program and an event in Des Moines through the Sports Tourism Marketing Program. In addition, 33 manufacturers across the state received Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment grants.

Details:

Founded in 1976, Frontier Natural Products Co-op is a cooperatively owned wholesaler of natural and organic herbs, spices and essential oil products sold under the Frontier Co-op, Simply Organic and Aura Cacia brands. The company plans to expand the Belle Plaine facility with the construction of a 90,000-square-foot facility for additional production and warehouse capacity to support continued growth, including service to larger multinational retail corporations. The project represents a capital investment of just over $30 million and is expected to create 16 jobs, of which six are incented at a qualifying wage of $22.18 per hour. The board awarded the company tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

A.D.R Axles USA, Inc., Affiliate of A.D.R. S.p.A headquartered in Milan, Italy, manufactures axles, braking systems and suspensions for agricultural and industrial machines. The company plans to establish its North American headquarters with the construction of a 54,000-square-foot fabrication and assembly facility located on the certified site within the Perry Industrial Park. The project represents a $14.3 million capital investment and was awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program. It is expected to create 35 jobs, of which 12 will meet or exceed the qualifying laborshed wage of $31.10 per hour.

CAT grants awarded for projects in Dickinson County and Grinnell

Dickinson County was awarded $500,000 for the Clay County Connection project, which includes the construction of a 3.5-mile addition to the Spine Trail. Once complete, the 32-mile trail corridor will link three counties in two states and eight municipalities. It will also be part of the Iowa Great Lakes Connection, a popular trail system for residents and visitors to access several lakes and many recreational opportunities in Northwest Iowa. The total project cost is just over $2.5 million.

The City of Grinnell was awarded $343,000 to construct a Veterans Memorial monument and plaza. The 40-foot steel structure representing an American flag is a unique art feature for the city’s park and downtown area and will be incorporated into community celebrations. The total project cost is just over $1.7 million.

The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

Sports Tourism grant awarded to professional tournament

The Des Moines Metro Disc Golf Club was awarded $6,875 for the three-day Disc Golf Pro Tour, which will host 160 of the world’s top players and over 300 amateur participants. Promotion of this event will focus on social media and billboard ads. The total project cost is $13,750.

The Sports Tourism program provides financial assistance for projects that market or promote professional, collegiate or amateur level sporting events in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Sports Tourism Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

FY 2025 Manufacturing 4.0 funding awarded to 33 manufacturers

The Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program aims to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness in Iowa’s largest industry. The grants help small- and mid-size Iowa manufacturers invest in the adoption and integration of smart technologies. For this fiscal year, 33 companies received funding for a total of $2,016,756 in awards and total project cost of nearly $5.5 million. For a full list of awards: Manufacturing 4.0 Awards.

Award recommendations for the Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Program funds are made by a review committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

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Download a spreadsheet of Friday’s HQJ awards, here: April 2025 Awards.

(Iowa DNR News) – Early spring paddling can provide solitude, exercise and an opportunity to see amazing wildlife. Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say extra precautions are needed to stay safe with unpredictable spring weather and fluctuating temperatures and river levels.

After heavy rains, water levels can rise quickly and produce strong and fast current. Stay away from strainers and sweepers—wood or branch piles—deadly hazards that can pull a paddler under or pin them underwater. These are usually found on outside river bends where currents are strongest. Review these simple safety tips before you head out on the water.

• Check your canoe or kayak for any needed repairs or maintenance after being stored for several months. Look for holes and leaks and make sure all hatch lids fit snug and securely. Check your paddle blades for signs of cracking or splitting.
• Wear a life jacket at all times while on the water, regardless of your swimming ability. Inspect your life jacket to make sure all buckles and zippers work properly. Replace the life jacket if it has damage that cannot be repaired.
• Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Air temperatures may feel warm in early spring, but the water is still dangerously cold. Wear a wetsuit or dry suit, along with layers, to help avoid hypothermia or cold water shock. Do not wear cotton clothing—it fails to insulate when wet. Choose synthetics or wool. Dress in layers so you can peel a layer off if overheated.
  

  Travel Iowa photo

• Always bring along a dry bag with a complete set of extra clothes you can change into if you get wet, a first-aid kit and a protected cell phone or weather radio. Get out of wet, cold clothing as soon as possible. Pack plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Let a friend or loved one know where you are going and when you are expected to return. It will be easier to find you if you need help.

Get tips for planning a fun and safe paddling trip on the DNR webpage at www.iowadnr.gov/planyourtrip.

(Sioux City, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in northwest Iowa’s Woodbury County, today (Friday), said a body found April 9th in a rural Woodbury County field, has been positively identified as that of a missing Sioux City man. The State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny was able to determine the individual was 51-year-old Joshua Eldridge, who was reported missing on Nov. 3rd, 2024. He was last seen alive on Oct. 31st, 2024.

Authorities have not released any additional details with regard to the cause of death, or the circumstance surrounding the discovery of the body. An investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Sioux City Police Department and Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua Eldridge

Anyone with information related to the disappearance of Joshua Eldridge or the events leading up to his death, are urged to contact the Sioux City P-D or the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office. You can remain anonymous by calling the Crime Stoppers tip-line at 712-258-TIPS (8477).

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will lower the legal age for possessing a handgun in Iowa from 21 to 18. The law goes into effect July 1st. After a 2022 U-S Supreme Court ruling on gun rights, some federal judges have overturned state laws that bar 18, 19 and 20 year olds from owning or possessing a pistol or revolver. Iowans under the age of 21 will still be prohibited from buying a handgun from a licensed federal dealer.

Under the new law, a parent or guardian who lets a child under the age of 15 possess a handgun could be liable for any damages the child might cause.

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(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has removed a Magistrate Judge in Fayette County after determining he showed racial bias and a lack of impartiality. The Supreme Court says the removal of Magistrate David Hanson comes after he issued a denial of an arrest warrant that included his own disparaging views about young male victims of sexual assault. He also made statements in open court in another case using a derogatory racial slur about a criminal defendant.

The Supreme Court says Magistrate Hanson was not self-aware, and defended his inappropriate actions throughout the Iowa Commission on Judicial Qualification’s investigation. It says after careful consideration, the justices conclude that Hanson is unsuited to be a judge, and no attempts at behavior modification are going to change that significantly.