WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is building up his organization in Iowa this month, with an eye on the state’s early caucus.
Buttigieg is racing to catch his better-known 2020 rivals, who have spent months building organizations in the state that marks the first test for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The South Bend, Indiana, mayor plans to put himself into serious contention thanks to his campaign taking in during the last quarter nearly $25 million in contributions, money he’s using to create an army of peer-to-peer foot soldiers.

Buttigieg faces pressure to assemble it in time to generate a surge by the Feb. 3 caucuses. But his team has confidence in his strategy, particularly the personal influence of his early supporters.

The male driver of a pickup was transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital following a rollover accident at around 7:54-a.m., about a mile east of Marne, on the Marne Road (Hwy 83). The pickup appeared to have been traveling westbound when it left the road to the right before skidding across the road and rolling into the south ditch. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Corey Larsen told KJAN News the man was injured, but his name, and the extent of his injuries won’t be released until Tuesday. Larsen did say the accident victim was conscious and breathing when he was put on a backboard and placed into the ambulance.

Marne Fire & Rescue, Atlantic Fire and Rescue, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Emergency Management and Medivac Ambulance responded to the scene.

Ric Hanson (Photos)

(Radio Iowa) — A hulking, vacant John Deere tractor factory in Waterloo that was built in 1947 has been saved from the wrecking ball and transformed into an upscale hotel. Originally called the C-2 Building, the six-story structure is now a Courtyard by Marriott. Michael Morain, at the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, says the project has won on a top historic preservation award from the state of Iowa. Morain says, “It was an opportunity and a challenge for the architect to come in and figure out how to turn this empty brick box into a stylish, swanky hotel for modern guests.”

It’s unusual for Marriott to convert a historic property but Morain says the company saw an opportunity to open a high-end boutique hotel in an area of Waterloo that was being overlooked. “If you get a chance to walk in, it feels like an old building,” Morain says. “You can immediately see the historic elements, but it also feels like a modern, stylish hotel that is polished and has all of the creature comforts that guests are used to.” Davenport developer Rodney Blackwell worked with the state and with Marriott to preserve the 200-thousand square foot building, which had been vacant for years, and give it new life.

“One cool solution the architects came up with, on each floor, there were lots of windows to let in light but the windows were too high to see out of, so they raised the floor,” Morain says. “On each floor, they built false floors which let people see out those windows, but those raised floors also provided space to hide all of the wires and ductwork and things.” Residents all across Iowa are encouraged to take a closer look at their local history and consider ways to repurpose old buildings instead of knocking them flat. “So often we find that the easier, quicker solution might be to bulldoze down and build new,” Morain says, “but there are all kinds of examples of communities in Iowa that have rallied around historic properties and turned them into anchors for arts and culture and vibrant gathering places.”

The Iowa State Historical Society says the project displays one of the best, recent examples of historic preservation in the state.

Two Iowans died in separate crashes Sunday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports the first accident happened at around 2:30-p.m. Sunday in southern Iowa’s Clarke County. Authorities say a 2007 Pontiac G6 driven by 33-year old Gregory A. Patterson, of Des Moines, was traveling south on 330th Street at a high rate of speed, when the vehicle went onto the left shoulder. Patterson over-corrected and drove onto the right shoulder, causing the car to go out of control and roll over several times.

Patterson died from his injuries. Two passengers in the vehicle, 20-year old Wyatt A. Pett, of Garden Grove, and 17-year old Ryan G. Coe, of Osceola, refused medical treatment at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

The second accident happened at around 2:55-p.m. Sunday, in northern Iowa’s Worth County. The Patrol says a 2017 Nissan Murano, driven by 61-year old Peggy Julseth, of Kensett, was westbound in the eastbound lane of travel. Curtis Johnson, of Lake Mills, was driving a 2003 Dodge Ram, and was unable to avoid hitting the SUV. The vehicles collided near the intersection of 410th Street and Jonquil Avenue. Both drivers were transported to a local hospital, where Julseth died from her injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.