(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart says she’s working to ensure the party has leadership at the local level.  “We’ve got some counties that don’t even have a county chair. They have no structure whatever,” Hart says. “And we have counties that are totally engaged, have got tons of volunteers and have raised a lot of money and then we’ve got everything in between.”

Democrats have temporary county chairs in Ida, Louisa, Marion and O’Brien Counties. Hart was the Clinton County Democratic Party chair when she was elected in January to lead the state party. She spoke this weekend at a fundraiser for Kossuth County Democrats. “In November, I am sure that you guys felt the same way I did: a little upset, a little depressed, a little despondent…Not too many of you thought, ‘Therefore I’m going to run for state chair?’ Did ya?” Hart said and the audience laughed.

Hart cites Republican Brenna Bird’s defeat of Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller in last year’s election as a great example of why rebuilding the party at the county level is important. “Why didn’t we elect him? Because he lost by 20,000 and some votes and 92,000 Democrats who voted in the cycle before did not vote in that election.”

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports five arrests. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says 21-year-old Dakota Lane Paxton, of Greenfield, was arrested Sept. 19th by the Iowa State Patrol. Paxton was taken into custody on an Adair County warrant charging him with more than 30 counts each of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree (child victim 4 or more years older), Enticing a minor under 16 for sexual purposes, five counts Sexual Exploitation of a minor, and two counts Purchase/Possession Depiction of a Minor – cause to engage in act. Paxton was released the same day on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.

44-year-old Tanya Lynn Funke, of Stuart, was arrested Sept. 17th by an Adair County Deputy. She was taken into custody on Adair County warrants for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense, and Child Endangerment. Funke was released the following day on a $2,300 c/s bond.

On Sept. 19th, 29-year-old Bianca Linette McGhee, and 29-year-old Antanea Lashay Burton, both of Des Moines, were arrested at the Kum-and-Go in Stuart, by Stuart Police. Both were charged with Theft in the 3rd Degree after admitting to stealing several bottles of liquor from the store valued at more than $416. Police discovered several other bottles of liquor in the women’ vehicle, for which they could not provide proof of purchase. A strong odor of marijuana was also coming from the vehicle. A clear plastic bag of a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana, was found in the center console. McGhee said the vehicle was hers, and the pot belonged to her “baby daddy.” An additional investigation revealed the women had also been in the Adair, Walnut and Neola Kum-and-Go Stores, but nothing was stolen from the Walnut or Adair stores, because they were notified in advance to be on the lookout for the suspects. Two bottles of liquor were determined to have been stolen from the store in Neola.

McGhee’s charges were enhanced to Theft in the 3rd due to prior convictions for Theft in Iowa and Nebraska. She was additionally charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and transported to the Adair County Jail in Greenfield. Both McGhee and Burton were released later that day on bond amounting to $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.

And, on Sept. 21st, 24-year-old Drew Brian Steckelberg, of Adair, was arrested by a Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy, after a pickup stolen from Adair on the 20th, was pulled over. Once the theft was confirmed, an Adair County Deputy took custody of Steckelberg, and charged him with Theft in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $5,000.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports numerous individuals were arrested on a variety of charges, from Sept. 15th through the 24th….

On 09/15/2023, deputies arrested CLAYTON NATHANIEL PARSONS, age 35 of Hamburg, Iowa on an outside agency warrant. He was transferred to an outside agency.

On 09/15/2023, deputies arrested JEREMY CHARLES FAUST, age 23 of Thurman, for Criminal Mischief 5th Degree, and was released to an outside facility.

On 09/15/2023, deputies arrested MATHEW STEVEN MCCLARNON age 53 of Braddyville, Iowa for an outside agency warrant. He was released after posting bond.

On 09/16/2023, deputies arrested SKYLAR RAY BULLER age 31 of Omaha, Nebraska. He was being held at the Douglas County, Nebraska jail on two Fremont County warrants for Violation of Probation. He is being held at the Fremont County Jail on $20,000 cash surety bond.

On 09/17/2023, deputies arrested Sonya Lynn Holmes, age 37 of Hamburg, Iowa. Homes was arrested for Attempted Murder, Going Armed with Intent, Domestic Abuse while armed, and Reckless Use of a Firearm. She was released after posting $25,000 cash/surety bond.

On 09/20/2023, deputies arrested William Colton Hopkins, age 25 of Colfax, Iowa for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released on time served after pleading guilty.

On 09/21/2023, deputies arrested Shelia Marie Henrey, age 60 of Lincoln, Nebraska for a Fremont County Warrant. She was released on time served after pleading guilty.

On 09/21/2023, deputies arrested SHERRY DANETTE YOUNG, age 46 of Maryville, Missouri for a Fremont County Warrant for Failure to Appear. She is being held pending $10,000 cash/surety bond and warrants for outside agencies.

On 09/22/2023, deputies arrested Ronald Elroy Hankins, age 67 of Tabor, Iowa for a Fremont County Warrant for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released on $300 bond.

On 09/22/2023, deputies arrested Shelby Lynn Ross, age 31 of Shenandoah, Iowa on three active Fremont County Warrants for Violation of Probation. In September of 2020, a warrant was issued for Ross, and she was arrested for Violation of Probation. In October of 2020, Ross was released after her bond was lowered by the court. In December of 2020, another warrant was issued for Ross. Ross continued to actively evade authorities from December of 2020 through September of 2023. Shenandoah Police, acting on a tip, made contact with a vehicle in Rapp Park near Shenandoah on 09/20/2023. While attempting to arrest her on felony warrants out of both Fremont and Mills counties, Ross produced a knife and caused a self-inflicted injury requiring emergency medical treatment. ROSS was taken by an ambulance to a Nebraska Trauma Center for emergency treatment.

On 09/22/2023, Fremont County deputies conducted a felony stop on a vehicle in the 600 block of Park Street in Tabor. Ross, a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested without further incident. Ross is being held at the Fremont County Jail on $10,000 cash bond and being held on an out of county warrant.

On 09/23/2023, deputies arrested Sebastion Christopher Schueth, age 21 of Nebraska City, Nebraska, for Possession of Marijuana 1st Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on $1000 cash/surety bond.

On 09/24/2023, deputies arrested Megan Nicole Miller, age 30 of Nebraska City, Nebraska, for Criminal Mischief 2nd Offense. She was released after posting bond.

Buller

Faust

Hankins

Henrey

Holmes

Hopkins

McClarnon

Miller

Parker

Parsons

Ross

Schueth

Young

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans are being reminded about the dangers of railroads and railroad crossings. Jeffery White, a spokesman for the Canadian National Railway, says the weather will be turning colder soon and that brings an increased risk for motorists. “For example, when the first snowfall hits, we get the first type of icy condition on the roads, we see drivers that just are driving too fast,” White says. “They may approach a railroad crossing, the road surface may be slick when they approach and next thing you know, they’re sliding into a train, which is actually something that does happen a lot.”

White says pedestrians can put themselves in grave danger whenever they trespass on railroad tracks. “A trespassing incident is where a person is walking down a set of tracks in a spot that they’re not supposed to be at,” White says. “Walking down the tracks is never safe. It’s not only not safe, but it’s dangerous and illegal, and depending where you’re at, it’s either a ticketable fine or you can actually go to jail.”

While railroad tracks might provide a tempting setting for senior photos or a family portrait, White says that’s another very risky move.  “A person will be out there taking photos or a selfie on the track and what they’re doing, they’re not paying attention to their surroundings, and they’re not paying attention, nor are they seeing or hearing the train that’s approaching,” White says. “That can create a catastrophic situation for that person on the track. You can never take a photo on the tracks. If you’re caught, it could be a pretty hefty fine.”

White says the number of train/motor vehicle collisions peaked in 1972 at around 12-thousand incidents a year across the U-S. It’s down now to about 22-hundred incidents a year, though they’d like to see the number reach zero. Learn more from Operation Lifesaver at https://oli.org/

DES MOINES – State Treasurer Roby Smith is reminding Iowans of the importance of reviewing their finances to avoid their assets from becoming unclaimed property. “With Fall upon us, one thing we can count on is the changing of colors. Other changes in our lives, like a change in name or address, may happen more gradually,” said Smith. “Now is the perfect time to double-check your various financial accounts to make sure your information is up-to-date to help minimize the potential that you may have unclaimed property to claim in the future.”

Money and other assets, collectively called unclaimed property, are turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office when businesses and entities have lost contact with the owner after a specific period of time. The State Treasurer’s Office safekeeps the assets and works to reunite owners with their unclaimed property through Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. Currently, past and present Iowans have over $483 million waiting to be claimed.

“One way to help prevent assets from becoming unclaimed property is to contact your financial institutions to update your information whenever there’s change in your name, phone number, address or email. Also, be sure to follow-up with financial institutions or companies to confirm account ownership and contact information if you receive a letter from them. If you’re ever concerned about the legitimacy of a request you receive, call the number you have on file for them or that’s posted on their website,” concluded Smith.

To see if you have unclaimed property in Iowa, visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov. Connect with the Treasurer on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up-to-date on all areas of the office.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced today (Monday) that it has invested $8.5 million in Iowa from President Biden’s Infrastructure Law into two rail improvement projects. Nationally, the Infrastructure Law invested more than $1.4 billion into 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C. This is the largest amount ever awarded for rail safety and rail supply chain upgrades through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.

In Iowa, selected projects include:

• Streamline Rail Operations and Improve Yard Safety in Cedar Rapids Project (Up to $5,850,000)

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Co. (CRANDIC)

The project will conduct final design and construction to expand the CRANDIC Smith-Dows Rail Yard through various improvements, such as new tracks, a station building, and equipment enhancements. These upgrades will alleviate capacity constraints, enhance safety for interchanging and switching operations, reduce locomotive and crew truck traffic and emissions, and establish reliable reporting location and storm shelter for CRANDIC operating staff. Additionally, this project will reduce reliance of other yard facilities in central Cedar Rapids. CRANDIC will provide a 50 percent non-Federal match, and this project qualifies for the statutory set-aside designated for Rural Area projects.

• Davenport Riverfront Rail Crossing Safety Improvements Project (Up to $2,749,720)

City of Davenport, Iowa

The project involves final design and construction for safety improvements, including signals, gates, crossing signage, and trespassing prevention measures such as barriers and fencing at multiple highway-rail grade crossings in Davenport, Iowa. The proximity of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad’s (CPKC) rail line to the city’s commercial riverfront district and multi-purpose trails results in numerous safety challenges that require the trains to frequently sound the horn for an estimated nine-mile distance. The project will address the conflict points along the rail line and improve vehicle and pedestrian safety, which is especially important given an anticipated increase in freight rail traffic. The city of Davenport, IA and CPKC will provide a 20 percent non-Federal match.

While the majority of selected projects support freight rail safety and supply chains, CRISI investments are also helping to expand world-class passenger rail to more communities nationwide.  

(Floyd County, Iowa) – A vehicle that drove around railroad crossing arms was struck by a train Sunday evening, in northeast Iowa. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 36-year-old Yesenia Claypool, of Mason City, was driving a 2012 Hyundai Sonata northbound on 6th Street in Rudd, near the railroad crossing, when she went around the crossing arms, which in the horizontal position. Her car was hit on the driver’s side by a Canadian Pacific train. The accident happened at around 7:40-p.m.

Claypool was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Mason City due to the extent of her injuries.

(Radio Iowa) – A grain that millions of people in Asia and India eat every day is almost unheard-of in Iowa, but a researcher at Iowa State University says it has the potential to make Midwestern agriculture more resilient, more profitable and more earth-friendly. Pat Schnable, director of I-S-U’s Plant Sciences Institute, says proso (PRO-so) millet is an ideal alternative crop to corn and soybeans, especially as water becomes more scarce, both in drought-stricken Iowa and globally. “Proso millet is extremely water efficient,” Schnable says. “We did some research and discovered that it is probably the most water efficient grain on the planet. It uses about half as much water per bushel of grain compared to corn or wheat. It’s even more water efficient than sorghum.”

Calling proso millet the crop of the future, Schnable says the cereal grain is extremely versatile as it’s eaten by vast populations of humans in products from porridge to bread, and it’s also an excellent livestock feed. Plus, he says, millet is already growing well in plots of Iowa soil, thanks to one big advantage. “Farmers can grow millet without any application of nitrogen fertilizer,” he says. “So even though the yields are 70 to 80 bushels an acre, here in Iowa, by not having to add nitrogen fertilizer, that can make it competitive with corn and beans.” By comparison, corn is now grown on some 90-million acres nationwide, while millet is grown on perhaps 700-thousand acres. Schnable would like to see that figure grow tenfold in the years to come.

“It’s a very easy crop to grow in Iowa and uses exactly the same equipment that you’ve got for corn and beans, so same planters, same combine,” he says. “You do need to get a canola plate for the planter but that’s a pretty trivial expense, just because it’s smaller seeded than corn and beans.” The grain is gluten-free, so it’s being used domestically in various types of 12-grain breads — and it’s even used in those big mixed bags of bird seed. Yet another advantage, Schnable says proso millet can be substituted for corn in the ethanol-making process.

“Because we’re not adding commercial fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer, it has a low carbon intensity score, which starting in 2025, the federal government is going to start handing out credits to ethanol plants that use low carbon intensity feedstocks, like millet,” Schnable says, “so we see a real growth opportunity there.” Schnable and his son, James — who’s an agronomy professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — founded an Ames-based company called Dryland Genetics. Its mission is to make proso millet the climate conscious choice of farmers and consumers.

https://www.drylandgenetics.com/

(Radio Iowa) – A report on state water quality by an Iowa State University Extension “Think Tank” finds opinions don’t diverge very much on some of the issues. The director of the Conservation Learning Group, Jacqueline Comito, says they were trying to take the temperature of water quality issues. “And see what was going on in terms of water. Have made any headway in terms of changing people’s opinions or behavior?,” she says. Comito had done some surveys of college students on the issue 12 years ago, but this report includes the first comprehensive survey of college student.

“And I would say among college students, they have more knowledge about water issues in the state than they did 12 years ago. Maybe it’s not as much as we would like them to have. But it’s still, we saw some difference there,” Comito says. Comito used her expertise as an anthropology professor to dig into the responses of the college students. “When we look at their survey data, we see that there is some concern, and there is understanding, there’s just a different idea of who who maybe should take care of the problem,” Comito says. “But among regular Iowans, I think the answer is that things haven’t changed much over the last 12 to 20 years.” Agricultural issues were cited by most people as the biggest water quality concern. Comito says though, it wasn’t a case of blaming farmers for everything.

“What came out in the more qualitative work, the listening sessions, is they understand the complexity of farmer decision making and everything that goes into it,” Comito says. “So I think the urban people are very aware of that, that it’s not so simple just to look at them and say, You got to change what you’re doing.” Comito says that’s a key point in the discussion. “So I think that was one of the big findings in this, is that urban residents and farm residents might find that they have more in common than they think,” she says. Comito says the issue of finding a way to fund the things that can improve water quality.

“I would say what it boils down to is that we do know a lot of the solutions, right? We do know some of the things that we can do, both in our urban areas, landscapes and our agricultural landscapes to improve water quality,” she says. “What we can agree upon is one, whose responsibility is it to do those things? And the second thing we can’t really agree upon is how do we fund this?” Comito says the report should help the D-N-R as they are trying to finalize their non-point source management plan. She hopes it will make that plan more accessible so that the everyday average Iowan can read it. Comito says it should also give insight to those doing outreach and education, so they know what people are thinking and feeling.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says an SUV sustained $25,000 damage and was disabled, when it struck a bull on Highway 48 Sunday night. The accident happened in the 2200 block, at around 9-p.m. Authorities say a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 27-year-old Leanne Johnson, of Shenandoah, struck a bull owned by Bret Hultman, of Red Oak. Johnson wasn’t hurt during the collision. The bull was valued at $1,500.

No citations were issued as of the latest report. Red Oak Police assisted sheriff’s deputies at the scene.