(Radio Iowa) – Nearly a century after she first appeared in print, girl-detective Nancy Drew is still thrilling young readers — and the original writer of the mystery series was an Iowan. Mildred Augustine Benson was a Ladora native who had a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa. Barbara Lounsberry, a retired University of Northern Iowa English professor, has researched Benson’s life and career.

The first book, “The Secret of the Old Clock,” was released in 1930 under the pen-name Carolyn Keene. Lounsberry credits Benson with shaking up the formula of the day and dreaming up a young detective who would have wide appeal.

The collection of Nancy Drew books continued to grew well into the 1980s and eventually encompassed 78 separate mystery stories. The decades-long series all started with that first book, released during the early days of the Great Depression.

Benson died in 2002 at age 96. Lounsberry will give a presentation about Benson at Mulberry Center Church at Wilson Brewer Park in Webster City at 1 P-M on Saturday.

(Radio Iowa)- The Iowa D-C-I says the Algona police officer shot last night (Wednesday night) has died. D-C-I assistant director, Mitch Mortvedt, says 33-year-old officer Kevin Cram was trying to arrest a man on a warrant around 8 p-m.

Cram was taken to Kossuth Regional Health Center, where he died. Mortvedt says Rickey was arrested after a “Blue Alert” was sent out to surrounding law enforcement, indicating a police officer had been shot.

Officer Kevin Cram (DCI photo)

Mortvedt says Cram was a 10 year veteran of the Iowa law enforcement, serving on the Nora Springs Police Department before joining the Algona Police Department in 2023. Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens (Steven Bay-enz) says Cram died a hero.

He says Cram murdered by a coward.

Bayens says the hearts of law officers are heavy.

Bayens says they will continue to honor Cram’s legacy by being that beacon of light in their communities.

Kimballton Municipal Utilities has lifted the drinking water advisory for the city of Kimballton effective immediately.  The manganese levels have dropped to below the Iowa DNR regulation limitations for all ages.  The construction process is nearing the final stages of completion.  The water conservation watch is still in effect.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a break in and theft from rural Page County. The incident occurred sometime during the night of September 7, 2023 through the early morning hours of September 8, 2023. The location of the incident is northeast of College Springs, IA in rural Page County.

Some of the items taken were: Gray 2022 Ford 550 pickup with a service box equipped with a small crane, Bobcat welder, gas torch set, and numerous tools for the truck and shop. The 2022 Ford was parked inside of the victim’s shop. Suspect(s) loaded up more tools from the shop before leaving with the vehicle and contents.

Page County Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1500.00. An anonymous person is offering an additional reward of up to $1000.00. Both rewards are conditional on information leading up to criminal charges being filed on the person / persons responsible for these crimes.

Person’s leaving tips can remain anonymous and will be given a number as identification.

Below is a photo of the pickup supplied by the owner. It depicts the service box on the back with the crane and some of the items that were stolen.

Weather conditions have prompted the U-S-D-A to lower its prediction of corn yields in Iowa by one-and-a-half percent.

The estimate released today (Thursday) is based on crop conditions through September 1st. The U-S-D-A predicts the average corn yield in Iowa will be 200 bushels per acre, down slightly from last month. However, at least 200-thousand more acres of corn were planted in Iowa this year compared to last and the U-S-D-A predicts Iowa’s overall corn harvest will be two percent larger than last year’s. The U-S-D-A’s analysis of Iowa soybean yields per acre is the same as it was in August.

Fewer acres of soybeans were planted in Iowa this year and the U-S-D-A expects the total soybean harvest in Iowa to be down two percent from last year.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor update shows conditions worsened for the Atlantic area. 

Conditions have been revised from Moderate Drought (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), according to this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor.

Atlantic has been in drought since August 29, 2023.

The map shows the northern part of Cass County, along with most of Audubon, Shelby and Guthrie counties are are some of the driest in the region.

The Climate Prediction Center’s September Drought Outlook, released on August 31, 2023, predicted that drought conditions would likely develop in September

AMES, Iowa – As harvest season quickly approaches, Iowans are reminded to practice safety around grain bins and grain handling equipment.

There were nine reported grain entrapments in Iowa in 2022, more than any other state, according to an annual report by Purdue University.

Agricultural confined-space related cases of injuries and fatalities saw a dramatic rise in 2022, including grain entrapment cases, which rose nearly 45%.

Nearly all of these cases involved grain flow issues due to grain spoilage, which means that improved grain management could help prevent cases in the future, according to Kristina TeBockhorst, an agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

In order to get Iowans information to help keep them, their employees and their families safe around grain, TeBockhorst is publishing a series of short articles that highlight important considerations for grain safety, including storing grain without spoilage.

Her first article covers grain bin preparation – how to safely clean and prepare bins before new grain arrives.

“Now is the time to take inventory of your bins and ensure they are in good condition for the new crop,” said TeBockhorst. “These to-do lists aren’t fun, but they will help minimize grain spoilage from insect and mold activity and moisture entry.”

Before cleaning out old grain, be sure you have on your NIOSH-approved respirator that is certified for grain dusts, and that it fits your face to fully seal and protect you.

She advises farmers to “start with a clean bin, exterior bin perimeter, and handling equipment” by removing potential food sources for pests, including residual grain, broken kernels, fines, foreign material, dusts and molds.

1. Sweep the bin walls and floor, making sure to clean the tops of doors, inside hollow pipes or ladders, and inside of augers.
2. Trim down vegetation, remove grain material and debris, and consider using a rodenticide around the bin’s outer perimeter.
3. Clean out dust and debris from harvesting and handling equipment, like combines, trucks, wagons, augers, and in grain legs and elevators.
4. While the bin is empty, check mechanical parts and conduct needed maintenance, seal gaps or cracks along the bin, and check the roof for potential spots that could leak, especially around the vents or access doors.
5. If fines or Indian meal moth silks are starting to plug up the space below the floor, it is time to remove the floor to vacuum or power wash.
6. If the aeration floor can’t be removed, fumigation is the best option to eliminate carryover insects.
7. Check that ladders are in good condition and consider upgrading them with cages or replacing with staircases.
8. Assemble your safety equipment for your grain storage facility, like respirators, life harnesses, and lock-out tag-out kits for unloading equipment.
9. Ensure that all bin entry points have clear warning labels so that all are aware of the hazards. Also be sure that kids can’t enter bins and that they know of the hazards when they live or spend time around stored grain.

In her next installment, TeBockhorst will address safety concerns related to grain handling equipment. For more information, she can be reached at 319-337-2145 or ktebock@iastate.edu

The Atlantic Public Library will be hosting historian and author Linda McCann on Tuesday, October 3 at 11:00 am. She will be speaking on POWs in Iowa.

Iowa had about 25,000 German, Italian, and Japanese prisoners of war from 1942 to 1946. Algona and Clarinda were the main camps with each housing about 3,000 POWs. There were 19 branch camps around the state where the prisoners worked for farmers, in canning factories and doing whatever they were hired to do. McCann spoke with people who knew or worked with the prisoners and will share their memories.

McCann is also the author of several books about Iowa’s history including Prohibition in Eastern Iowa, Civilian Conservation Corps in Northeast Iowa, and Prisoners of War in Iowa. These titles are available for checkout at the library.

The VIP Connections, a social group that meets every Tuesday morning, will gather for coffee and refreshments at 10 am and the POW presentation will begin at 11 am. The public is invited to come at either time.

The Atlantic Public Library connects the community to information, resources, and each other in order to spark ideas and new connections.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through October 11, 2023. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

The proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.

See the proclamation here.