(Radio Iowa) — A U-S military report finds high levels of groundwater contamination at the Iowa Air National Guard Base in Sioux City. The chemicals are linked to firefighting foams and can increase the risk of some cancers and fertility issues. David Cwiertny leads the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination at the University of Iowa and reviewed the report. Cwiertny says, “Those levels at the high end of what was found are notable because it will make cleanup more challenging and it will make it more likely that there are levels that we might need to be concerned about further away from those points and potentially off the base.”

It’s feared toxic PFAS chemicals could be migrating offsite. At one hot spot, PFAS in the groundwater tested at more than 100 times the health advisory set by the E-P-A. Cwiertny says more questions need to be answered. “As the report concluded, more testing, more work needs to be done to try to characterize the full extent of which chemicals are there, at what levels,” he says, “and then where they might be encountering vital resources like wells that might be used for private water supplies.”

According to the report, the base does not use the groundwater for drinking, but the chemicals are likely drifting offsite. An Iowa National Guard spokesman says more testing is needed to determine potential impacts to the community. The final report is due out in April.

(Thanks to Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) — Canned meat that was recently sold at a Cedar Falls business is being recalled as a precaution. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced the voluntary recall of canned beef products from Steege’s Meat Market and Catering. The affected products were produced between January 2016 and January 2019 and are packaged in pint glass jars bearing a “Steege’s Canned Beef” retail label.

Company officials say a packaging issue could cause botulism, if the product is consumed. So far, no illnesses have been reported.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was arrested and another was injured during an accident Wednesday, under separate circumstances. 36-year old Mark Thomas Gladson, of Macksburg, was arrested on a Union County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $100 bond. And, 48-year old Douglas James Sobotka, of Diagonal, suffered possible/unknown injuries during an accident that took place at around 12:25-p.m., Wednesday.

Authorities say Sobotka was driving a 2006 Jeep Liberty Renegade northbound on High and Dry Road, when his SUV went out of control on the slippery road. The Jeep entered the west ditch and a driveway, where it struck a parked Plowman’s Farms 2008 Jeep Patriot in the rear, and a parked Diagonal Schools 2000 International Bluebird School Bus on the passenger side. Sobotka was transported by private vehicle to the hospital in Creston. Damage from the collisions amounted to $13,000.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday) said four people were transported from the Douglas County, NE., Jail to the Pott. County Jail this (Thursday) morning, to address their various warrants out of Pott. County. 30-year old Aryn Alfred Anzalone was wanted on a warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree. 30-year old Rebecca Sue Cardona and, 23-year old Benjamin Daniel Reynolds were transported to Pott. County on warrants for Violation of Probation. And, 31-year old Autumn Anne Nicole Jones was transported to the Pott. County Jail, where she was wanted on three counts of Child Endangerment/Abandonment – Bodily Injury, and three counts of Abandonment of a Dependent Person.

AMES, Iowa – February 21, 2019 – The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting Thursday, March 7th to discuss the proposed bridge replacement on Pottawattamie County Road G-12 over Interstate 29, in Pottawattamie County.  The proposed project provides for removing the existing bridge and replacing it with a 2-span, pre-tensioned and pre-stressed concrete beam bridge that is 252 feet by 36 feet. Westbound traffic would be detoured during construction using I-29 northbound, U.S. 30, and I-29 southbound.  Eastbound traffic would be detoured during construction using I-29 southbound, Rosewood Road, and I-29 northbound.

All interested persons are invited to attend this meeting anytime between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. March 7th at the Desoto Bend Mini Mart, 15001 Desoto Avenue, in Missouri Valley. The meeting will be conducted utilizing an open forum format. Iowa DOT staff will be present to informally discuss the proposed improvements. No formal presentation will be made. The meeting space is accessible for persons with disabilities. However, if you require special accommodations at the meeting, please notify Scott Suhr, transportation planner, Iowa DOT District 4 Office in Atlantic, by calling 712-243-3355 or 800-289-4368. Those same numbers may be used for general information regarding the proposed improvements or public meeting.