(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports a man from Emerson was arrested this (Wednesday) morning, following a traffic stop in the 1700 block of 200th Street. 45-year-old Brian Wayne Price was taken into custody at around 12-a.m., for Driving While Barred. Price was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is trying to prepare northeast Iowa residents for black bear sightings in the area. D-N-R biologist Vince Evelsizer says there have already been a few early sightings of bears who stayed here this winter. He says the most bear activity happens in late May and through most of June during bear breeding season. Evelsizer wants anyone who spots a bear to call the D-N-R so they can keep track of the animals. He says you can help keep bears away by getting rid of pet food, bird food, human food, or garbage that attracts them. Evelsizer says it’s exciting for anyone to see a bear wandering around, and it’s okay to watch or get a picture, but stay a healthy distance of somewhere around 100 yards or more.

DNR officials have been meeting with local conservation boards, police departments, sheriff’s offices and dispatchers from counties in northeast Iowa to discuss how to respond when black bears come strolling through later this spring. Evelsizer says during the breeding season, a few black bears are more likely to disburse from Minnesota and Wisconsin, where populations are much larger and growing. Minnesota has an estimated 16,000 black bears, while Wisconsin’s population is around 24,000. “Black bears are not that far from Iowa’s border,” Evelsizer said. “We typically have two to five bear sightings each year, which we believe are usually younger males. They are relatively timid, and just looking for food and/or females. It’s new and exciting, but can lead to human-bear conflicts.”

Bears have been responsible for destroying bee hives and have been found on back decks and in back yards emptying bird feeders. If a bear does show up around the house, he said try to scare it from a safe distance because bears don’t like loud noises. “Use loud noises, like yelling at it, clapping two pieces of two- by- fours loudly, or banging pots and pans,” he said. “Give bears plenty of space to move on and also, take away food attractants,” he said. “Do not feed bears as that rewards the bear for coming into town and associate’s humans with food. Removing any outdoor pet food dishes, bird feeders, trash cans and grills into secure locations will help to avoid conflicts and encourages the bear to move on.”

A Black Bear

Meetings were held in Dubuque and Fayette with city and county officials from Winneshiek, Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette and Dubuque counties, connecting officials who will likely be involved in one way or another when a bear appears this spring. “We don’t want to block the bear’s travel, or back it into a corner. If a bear climbs a tree to escape onlookers, it can jeopardize the safety of the bear itself – you need to give it plenty of space. Folks can enjoy seeing a bear, but from a safe distance. It’s a neat thing, but give it space – as in 100 yards or more,” he said. “It would be nice, in an ideal world, that we would know when a bear is coming through ahead of time, to notify citizens so they can remove any attractants,” he said. “Sometimes that happens, thanks to our citizens, area DNR staff and local partners, and that helps us track the bear’s location occasionally to keep tabs on its travel.”

Iowa has gone from having an occasional visiting bear, to more frequent visiting bears to now having two- to- four bears move in and over-winter. And could see more in the future. “Sightings are still of individual bears. We haven’t documented cubs or a breeding population yet,” Evelsizer said. Students from Drake University modeled habitat across Northeast Iowa favorable to black bears, as part of a capstone project, and determined that with its larger sections of timber, Northeast Iowa could support up to 1,100 black bears. Black bears are native to Iowa, but had been eliminated by the late 1800s as the state was settled. Since the species was gone, black bears were not listed as a furbearer species by the Iowa legislature of the day, and currently have no protection in the state.

“The public is keenly interested in bears and we hope to be proactive with education and outreach as the bears move in to the state,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting to think about that – there might be a bear in the woods,” Evelsizer said. “Some people love bears; some people are scared to death of bears and bear attacks, because of the amount of misinformation out there.” The biggest takeaway, he said, is that between 1900 and 2009, there was only one black bear fatality in Minnesota, none in Wisconsin, and two in Michigan. Bear attacks are extremely rare, and most incidents involved unsecured food sources, he said. “We encourage Iowans to give black bears space if they see one. It is a large, wild animal. Also, enjoy the sighting and continue to enjoy the outdoors. Residents in Minnesota and Wisconsin have learned to live with bears,” he said.

The Iowa DNR is a member of BearWise, a national organization that provides information on living responsibly with black bears around the home, when recreating in the outdoors, and more at www.bearwise.org.

(Radio Iowa) – Unofficial results show a Democrat has won a special election to represent southeast Cedar Rapids in the Iowa House. Former Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat, resigned April 1st and was appointed to a vacancy on the Linn County Board of Supervisors. Democrat Angel Ramirez had about 80 percent of the votes counted by 10 p.m. last (Tuesday) night. She’s executive director of a non-profit program in Cedar Rapids that provides money and mentoring to people who plan and complete community projects.

(Radio Iowa) – Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is planning to meet with groups around the state to tout ideas that offer farmers different income streams — and keep more people in rural Iowa. Vilsack’s first stop was Tuesday afternoon in rural Warren County. “Happy to talk about other issues if you want to, but I wanted to make sure I had a chance to talk about this alternative, because I’m excited about it,” Vilsack said. “…I hope that you can see the benefit of it.”

Vilsack, who served a dozen years as the nation’s secretary of agriculture, says the tax code should remove the steep financial penalty that prevents young farmers from acquiring land from older relatives. And he says incentives from the government and the private sector should support small and medium sized farmers who do things like plant diverse crops, install solar panels to generate electricity to sell to a utility, or convert manure into methane.

“But it doesn’t just have to happen at the federal level, it could happen at the state level, it could happen at the local level, it could happen with philanthropic investment because when you generate opportunity like this, you’re not only generating more income for farmers, but you’re also creating supply chains and those supply chains have jobs connected to them,” Vilsack said. “And those jobs, by the very nature of them, will be in rural places.”

About two dozen people attended the event, organized by the Iowa Democratic Party. Vilsack says he’s ready to have more events like it around the state. “As many as it takes to have people understand that there’s an option and that there’s an opportunity for a real debate and conversation about the future of rural places and for small and midsized farming operations,” Vilsack told reporters. “It doesn’t have to be ‘get big or get out.'”

Vilsack, who served two terms as governor, says he is not running for governor, but as the 2026 campaign begins, Vilsack says he wants to outline a set of rural issues that merits consideration. “From my perspective all too frequently we have campaigns that are about telling people what they already think or what they already support or what they already know,” Vilsack said, “as opposed to saying here’s where we are, here’s where we should be or we need to be and, as a leader, I want to take you there.”

Vilsack says Governor Reynolds decision not to seek a third term is creating new energy — in both parties.  “We now have two parties, two candidates who will tell how they’re going to lead us,” Vilsack said. “Where are they going to take us? What are they going to do to get us to a better place? How do they define that better place? That is a great opportunity for the state and it’s a great opportunity for every candidate to be creative, to be bold in their concepts and ideas.”

And Vilsack says when he announced in 2006 that he wouldn’t seek a third term as governor, that opened up opportunities for others in both parties to compete for governor and other elected offices.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill headed to the governor’s desk would change how the state defines bullying and harassment in schools. Current law says bullying could be based on a list of traits like race, religion, sexual orientation or political belief. Senator Lynn Evans, a Republican from Aurelia who’s a retired superintendent, says he’s reviewed school district policies to see how the law is being enforced.

“In some school districts, if you don’t meet those laundry listed identities, they’re passing it off as two kids that were having a disagreement or misunderstanding or a skirmish,” Evans said, “when truly it is an imbalance of power that is the definition of bullying.” Senator Sandy Salmon, a Republican from Janesville, says bullying is under reported in some school districts because current law is misinterpreted.

“The bill removes that confusion,” Salmon says, “and clarifies that all students should receive an equal level of protection.” The bill defines bullying and harassment as repeated and targeted acts and conduct that create a hostile school environment for a student. Republicans in the House and Senate supported the bill. Democrats opposed it. Senator Matt Blake, a Democrat from Johnston, says it means students will have to endure repeated harassment before schools can step in.

“What this bill does is it makes it harder for students like me that were bullied to seek protection from the schools,” Blake says. Senator Mike Zimmer, a Democrat from DeWitt, says the change isn’t necessary because current state law is clear.  “If an administrator is misinterpreting this, this (bill) is not going to solve that,” Zimmer said. “That’s an issue that’s got to be handled internally between the superintendent and their subordinates.”

Zimmer is a former teacher and coach who also served 17 years as a principal at North Scott and Pleasant Valley High Schools.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports the winner of Tuesday’s Special Mayoral Election in Lewis won by a separation of just two-votes. Unofficial results from the Lewis Community Center voting site, show Christopher Jahnke won the race by receiving 71 (or, 47.82%) of the votes.

The next closest candidate out of the five who were running to fill the position of Mayor, was Nancy Cerica-Joens, who garnered 69 votes (45.70%) of the total 151 votes cast. Voter turnout amount to 63.98% of the total number of registered voters in Lewis (236),

The other candidates each received less than 10 votes:

Jeffrey Witt, 6; Anthony Sorbello, 3; and, Russell Miller, 2.

The position of Mayor became vacant when the former mayor resigned. The results of the vote will become official when they are canvassed by the Cass County Board of Supervisors.

Marion, IA – Eastern Iowa 2nd District Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, today (Tuesday) ruled-out a potential bid to run for Governor in Iowa. In her statement today, Hinson said “I have been humbled by the outpouring of support and encouragement from people all across Iowa asking me to run for Governor. After much prayer and conversation with family and friends, I have decided to stay focused on my mission in Washington, working with President Trump to Make America Great Again.

Congresswoman-elect Ashley Hinson.

We have a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity to make real, lasting change in our country right now, and I’m committed to the fight to make Washington run more like Iowa. I am also committed to electing a conservative Governor in Iowa — I’ll be out on the campaign trail doing everything I can to help keep Iowa the best place in the world to call home. It is a tremendous honor to serve Iowans every day, and I will always work as hard as I can for you.”

(Creston, Iowa) – An accident this (Tuesday) afternoon in Union County caused a total of $20,000 damage to the vehicles involved, but no one was injured. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek SUV driven by 19-year-old Abigail Tallmon, of Afton, was traveling north on Lark Avenue at around 2:20-p.m., when Tallman slowed down to yield for a road grader traveling slowly on the roadway.

A 2015 Chevy Equinox SUV driven by 19-year-old Kristi Travis, of Creston, was topping a hill as she was northbound on Lark Avenue Due to the dust kicked-up by the grader, Travis was unable to see the Subaru in front of her. She was unable to slow down in-time to avoid hitting the SUV from behind.

Both vehicles were disabled in the collision. No citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Local Trees Forever spokesperson Dolly Bergmann has announced spring tree vouchers are available through the Trees Forever program, beginning May 1st.  Bergmann says there is a limited number of vouchers available, and the limit is one voucher per homeowner, so more people can get a start replacing trees that are being removed.

Tree vouchers are a great way to help with the cost of a tree to plant. The vouchers are for $30 off the cost of a tree, and can be obtained at the Atlantic Hy-Vee, 1630 E 7th Street when you purchase a tree. Voucher information should be completed at the time of use, as that information is of a great help to Atlantic Trees Forever.

Hy-Vee Garden Center personnel in Atlantic can help you determine what kind of tree would work best in the location you would like to plant a tree. Bergmann reminds those who plant trees to water them this spring, and during the summer.

(Radio Iowa) – Nine Senate Republicans have taken the rare step of delivering speeches in the Iowa Senate, each calling on GOP leaders to allow debate on bills to preserve the private property rights of Iowans who don’t want the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline on their land. “Individuals are who government is for, not corporations,” Senator Dennis Guth, a Republican from Klemme, said. “It’s important that we do what is right and it’s time to do it now.”

Senator Jeff Taylor, a Republican from Sioux Center, said it’s “unjust and unconstitutional” to grant the company eminent domain authority to seize property for the project. “The Utilities (Commission) made the wrong decision when they granted that permit to Summit,” Taylor said, “and I think it’s up to the State of Iowa to try to correct that mistake and if we’re able to do that by voting on those House bills, I’d like to see that happen.”

Senator Kevin Alons, a Republican from Salix, said he won’t vote for any bills to fund state government until Republican leaders allow the senate to consider pipeline bills.”I do commit to not voting for a budget and I think it’s important that we have this debate,” Alons said. “…I implore my fellow colleagues to stand up and be counted.”

Senator Doug Campbell, a Republican from Mason City, suggested his margin of victory in the 2024 campaign was due to his support of property owners fighting the pipeline. “These people spoke — 5000 more voters in Senate District 30 — that this is what they want and they will get it,” Campbell said.

Senator Sandy Salmon, a Republican from Janesville, has long said the project will not benefit the public, but will benefit the pipeline developer. “Property rights, we have been fighting for it for four years now and it is truly my hope that we can get this done this session,” Salmon said.

Senator Cherilynn Westrich, a Republican from Ottumwa, thanked the Iowans in the senate viewing gallery who’ve been lobbying for action on the issue. “I would like to see us run something on the floor that protects the private property rights, that honors and respects those folks who have shown up so many days at the Capitol,” Westrich said.

Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, suggested Republican leaders haven’t allowed debate of the pipeline-related bills because they are afraid of Bruce Rastetter, the founder of Summit Carbon Solutions and a prominent donor to Republican candidates. “When ‘Daddy Warbucks’ shows up, everybody starts to get skittish,” Bisginano said. “This isn’t about money, this isn’t about campaign contributions, this isn’t about anything but property rights.”

Republican Senators Lynn Evans of Aurelia and Dave Sires of Cedar Falls gave speeches last week in support of limiting the use of eminent domain to seize land for the pipeline project. Sires spoke again today. “As our founding fathers found, and I don’t think we could ever say it any better, ‘If it’s not for the public good, it’s not for us,’” Sires said.

A spokesperson for Senate Republican leaders was not immediately available for comment after the Senate adjourned today.