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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State University farmland survey shows the upward run of land prices stalled out this year. I-S-U extension economist Rabail Chandio revealed the 2024 survey results today (Tuesday). “This year we have ended a streak of five consecutive years of increases in land values in Iowa with a decline of three-point-one percent,” she says. “This brings us to 11-thousand-467 dollars an acre.” That is a drop of 369 dollars an acre from last year’s record high. “The nominal value of farmland fell from our record high from last year, but it is still higher than the nominal value in 2020-2022. And if we adjust for inflation, our inflation-adjusted average value for 2024 is only two-point-five percent lower than the 2013 peak, which was the previous peak before the pandemic highs that we just saw,” Chandio says.
Radail Chandio conducts the ISU farmland survey. (ISU photo)
Chandio says the south-central land district was the only one to see an increase in land values, while the west-central district saw the largest decline in prices. “Seventy-five of the 99 counties reported decreases in their nominal values, and 88 counties reported a decrease in inflation-adjusted values. Despite that, 20 counties still report their highest nominal values since 1950,” she says. Chandio says this year appears to be a correction after land values had gone up 29 percent in 2021 and 17 percent in 2022 coming out of the pandemic. “That naturally leads to somewhat of a resetting or balancing in the market, and sort of the similar trend we saw for after the previous peak in 2013,” she says. Chandio says the drop in farm income was the top issue for lower land values.
“The most commonly cited negative factor by our respondents this year was lowering commodity prices, 34 percent of the responses mentioned this,” she says. High interest rates were a close second to the commodity prices in responses about the impact on land values.
(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Insurance Division has entered an order against a Cass County roofing company, prohibiting it from acting as insurance adjuster and negotiating claims with insurers. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the order, which was issued in the aftermath of an undercover investigation by the division, alleges that Reeves Roofing of Anita, and its owner, Darren Reeves, were guilty of unfair trade practices, primarily by acting as an adjuster negotiating payment for insurance claims filed by the victims of storm damage. The division claims Reeves misled roofing-repair customers of his construction business into believing he was authorized to negotiate such payments and would perform construction work for whatever their insurance company agreed to pay.
The division alleges that as part of an undercover investigation, it had an agent approach Reeves and state that he had a sister who needed repairs to her home and outbuildings. According to the division, Reeves told the division’s agent he worked for “insurance proceeds,” had once been an adjuster, and would deal directly with the insurance company on the claim. The division also claims Reeves’ website has included testimonials from customers claiming Reeves “worked” with insurance companies on policyholders’ behalf to ensure the repair work on their homes could be completed.
Reeves said Monday that he informed the division of numerous other construction companies that for years have done exactly what he is accused of doing but have never been pursued by the division. “They targeted me,” he said, adding that he feels the division pursued a case against him rather than larger companies that engage in the same practices simply because he’s an “easy target” and can’t afford to pay a lot of attorneys’ fees to challenge such actions. “Everybody does this — and I turned in, like, 40 people and they did nothing about it,” Reeves said. “These are (repair) companies that write claims and do the adjusting — and the division didn’t care about any of them. All they cared about was targeting me.”
State records indicate the case against Reeves was triggered by a March 2023 complaint that Farm Bureau Financial Services filed with the division alleging Reeves had been acting as an insurance adjuster on a Farm Bureau policyholder’s behalf. The order issued by the division bars Reeves from playing any role in the settlement of insurance claims, reviewing his customers’ insurance policies, advising a customer to demand an appraisal of the work to be performed, or choosing an appraiser or adjuster to assist with the customer’s insurance claim.
Although the division’s order includes no fines or financial penalties, Reeves said the action has been damaging to his reputation.
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s Electoral College votes were cast this (Tuesday) morning at the Iowa Capitol and Governor Kim Reynolds announced the results.
Leanne Pellett of Atlantic — co-chair of Cass County Republicans — is among the six Electors who cast their ballots for Donald Trump and J-D Vance.
Pellett says the Electoral College itself is critical to ensuring small states like Iowa have a say in the presidential race or a candidate could win the popular vote by merely by campaigning in large states.
Elector Jack Vanderflught of Osceola is a government and history teacher. “This process is a unique one in the world and I get a chance to participate in that today and I’m very excited about that,” he says, “and to be able to not only represent the people, but to be able to share this experience with my students and maybe encourage them to be involved in the future.” Each Elector signed a document that is being forwarded to congress for the Electoral College count that happens in January. Justin Wasson of Cedar Rapids says it was an honor to cast his vote and complete the paperwork. “I didn’t sign it like I do with my credit card, which is a bunch of squiggles,” Wasson says. “This was a pretty good signature.”
Governor Kim Reynolds and Secretary of State Paul Pate posed for photos with Iowa’s six Electors. (RI photo) (Leanne Pellett is shown 3rd from the right)
Merle Miller says this was the first time he’s been involved in Marshall County politics. “I’ve got to say it’s very exciting,” Miles said. “I’ve been waiting and anticipating this moment, to get President Trump back into office.”Steve Scheffler is the long-time president of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition and he’s the Republican National Committeeman for Iowa. Scheffler says after 54 years of being involved in G-O-P politics, this is the first time he’s been an Elector. “I love Donald Trump and I thought, ‘Well, I’m not getting any younger, so I’d love to do it,'” Scheffler said.
Garrison Oppman was the sixth Elector, representing Iowa’s fourth congressional district.
(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna reports the Montgomery County Compensation Board is slated to meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18th, at the Montgomery County EMA Building (1906 N. Broadway, in Red Oak). Their agenda is as follows:
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors could be in attendance at the meeting therefore causing a quorum of Supervisors.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – There’s a new sheriff in town…well, actually he’s a familiar face. John Westering was sworn-in this (Tuesday) morning as Cass County Sheriff, during a meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors. Westering – who served for many years as the Chief Deputy Sheriff – was unopposed in his bid for Cass County Sheriff, during the November 5th General Election. Former Sheriff, Darby McLaren announced in January, 2024, that he would not be seeking re-election, after 28-years serving the County as a Deputy, and his final position as Sheriff. McLaren said he was leaving the office “In very capable hands.” McLaren said Westering’s “experience and integrity” made him a perfect fit for the position.
Board Vice-Chair/District 2 Supervisor Mark O’Brien administered the Oath of Office to Westering, Cass County Auditor Kathy Somers, District 1 Supervisor Steve Green, District 5 Supervisor Bernard Pettinger (who joined the meeting via the phone), and District 4 Supervisor/Board Chair, Steve Baier. In other business, the Board passed the third reading of an Ordinance pertaining to an EMS Local Option Income Surtax. The Board approved a Cass County Wellness Program for County employees, that also designates participating and non-participation rates for Jan. 1, 2025 through Oct. 31, 2025. The differential rate amounts to five-percent.
They approved a Class-B Retail Alcohol license for the Griswold Dollar General Store, and they tentatively approved allocating the balance of ARPA funds for training new EMT’s and Paramedics. Supervisor Steve Green….
Green said we can’t afford to lose any EMT’s or Paramedics.
Cass County BOS mtg 12-17-24
The Cass County Supervisors tentatively approved plans to appropriate the remaining ARPA funds. And, they passed an annual resolution setting the posted weight limits on embargoed bridges. Along that same line, the Board approved a County Safety Action Plan that supports strategies outlined in Iowa’s Five-Year Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) 2024-2028, as well as the overall vision of Zero Fatalities on Iowa’s public roads.
The Board received a short, regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, and they acted on approving courthouse hours for Christmas Eve: The Secondary Roads Department will close at 11-a.m. (unless it is snowing), and the Courthouse will close at Noon.
(Red Oak, Iowa) – Representatives with a community service organization in Red Oak that has been in existence for nearly 130 years, has announced they are disbanding. The news came during today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. A “Monday Club of Red Oak” spokesperson Connie Sampers explained why the club that was established in 1895, has now disbanded.
Monday Club of Red Oak members (Front row): Lois Pratt, Sandy Reich, Vici Giltner and Connie Sampers; (Back row): Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna, Board Chair Mike Olson, Supervisor Donna Robinson, Supervisor Charla Schmid, Supervisor Randy Cooper (Photo courtesy of Nick Johansen/The Red Oak Express)
One of their “Pet projects,” she said was the courthouse clock.
The club began with women who wanted to keep up with the their knowledge of the world. Their motto was “The Promotion of the Social and Intellectual Advancement of Women.”
(Glenwood, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report they handled about 60 calls for service during the ice storm event that began in the county at around 5-p.m., Friday. Sheriff Greg Schultz says those calls for service included vehicle accidents, slide-offs, disabled vehicles, and a stranded motorist. Authorities say the icy roads came as a surprise to county residents, when the roads turned into “a skating rink,” making for a treacherous drive home.
“Thankfully,” officials say, “There were no serious injuries that occurred during the accidents.”
(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board, during their meeting Monday night, elected Ryan Smith as Board President, and Erika Kirchhoff as Vice-President. They succeed Scott Hansen and Don Smith, in those respective positions. The Board left unchanged, the dates and times for their regular board meetings. Those meetings will continue to be held the third Monday of each month, beginning at 5:30-p.m. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said the Board approved personnel matters, including contract recommendations and a contract adjustment.
The Board also approved a transfer for the 2025-26 school year.
They also discussed relocation of the Concession Stand with Alley Poyner Macchiotto Architects.
The Board also approved a contract with Alley Poyner to provide architectural services for the gym floor refinishing project.
A public hearing on the project will be held Jan. 20th at 5:30-p.m. In other business, the Griswold School Board accepted the FY 24 Audit Report, which highlighted some common issues that are reported in the State Auditor’s reports for government and school entities.
The final order of business for the Board was to approve a Tiger-Time Release adjustment, to allow seniors who are not failing any classes, to be released during the last 25 minutes of the day. The time slot is reserved for students in grade 7 through 12 who are experiencing struggles in any areas of study, so they can get help. The adjustment allows the teachers more time to focus on students who need extra attention.
(Radio Iowa) – Explore Siouxland has received a $10,000r tourism grant from the state Economic Development Authority to support a project called “Wheel the World.”
Spokesperson Kristen Heimgartner says the project aims to enhance accessibility for tourism in the Siouxland region. “We pick a couple restaurants, hotels, attractions that we think would be a good fit, and they survey them and see how accessible they actually are,” she says. Heimgartner says the program is a national effort, and they want to find out which venues are accessible to all. “They found that especially hotels are the biggest one, but sometimes they’ll say their wheelchair accessible rooms, and really they’re not,” Hiemgarten says. “Yes, they have more room than a normal hotel room, but they’re still not accessible for those that are in wheelchairs or have mobility issues.”
Those who have mobility issues are asked to take a survey when they visit. “So they come, they do a survey, they go home, they send the survey results back to us, and then it gives the attraction, hotel restaurant, the opportunity to make some changes and then become a certified, accessible business, basically,” she says. Heimgarten says they will start ten local businesses that will be part of the “Wheel the World” network. “They have their own website, and so by us participating with Wheel the World, we will become a certified destination for accessible tourism and have a landing page on their website,” she says. “So those who may have mobility issues or just need some extra help while traveling can go to this website, search a destination and then find all the results of our surveys that they do so.”
Heimgarten says they will begin the program in the new year and hope to expand the effort in the months to come.
(Radio Iowa) – State Treasurer Roby Smith says more than 68 million dollars of unclaimed property has been turned over so far this year to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. “This is the largest amount that’s been turned over to us. It brings our total amount to 586 million dollars that we’re safe keeping, that we’re looking back, looking to get back to Iowans,” Smith says. The record amount easily surpasses the previous record of nearly 43 million. Smith believes the large amount of unclaimed money and property is linked to the chaos of the pandemic. “Don’t know exactly, but we have spoken to other states, and what we’ve kind of come up with is businesses keep the money for three years, and it’s turned over,” he explains. “Three years ago we were coming out of the pandemic, so we believe it was dealing with the pandemic where you had businesses that were closing, transferring ownership, being sold.” Smith says.
He says all those transactions likely led to the money not being claimed and its now been turned over. Smith says the average amount claimed is 150 dollars, but it can be a lot more and a lot less. “I gave a check away to someone for 317-thousand dollars in November, we had a record amount of over four million dollars given away a year ago, or given back, I should say, not giving away four million dollars, so you just don’t know, sometimes it’s 25 dollars and sometimes it’s ten-thousand dollars,” Smith says. Smith encourages everyone to go to GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov and search for your name.
“They can check for themselves, a family member, a friend, a business, a nonprofit. And we, like I said, we have 586 million dollars that we’re looking to reunite with Iowa and all across the state,” Smith says. He says you may have found unclaimed property on the site already, but you check again as new items come in every year.
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