Iowa conservationists are concerned a rollback of federal rules could put migratory birds at risk. The Trump administration has announced it won’t prosecute the unintentional killing of species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Iowa State University wildlife biologist Adam Janke says habitat loss poses the greatest risk to birds in the state, while loosening regulations could make the situation worse. Janke says, “On top of all those stresses related to habitat loss and habitat degradation, we may add on top of that an unnatural mortality source associated with transmission lines or wind turbines or things like that in some locations.”

The federal government plans to stop prosecuting companies that accidentally kill protected species. The law encourages oil, energy and telecommunications developers to work with conservationists to lower their impact on habitat. Janke says wind energy companies have done a good job of placing their turbines in the state, but now, that could change. “You could end up with a wind energy complex right next to a major migratory stopover location for birds,” he says, “because under this interpretation of the law, there may not be regulatory mechanism to discourage that.”

Conservationists worry developers won’t be pushed to work with them if there’s no punishment for killing the animals. An estimated 500 species of migratory birds spend part of their lives in the upper Midwest.

(By Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio, via Radio Iowa)

Melanie Petty, with the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund, says the non-profit organization answered the call of the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, and donated $1,000.00 to their annual Partnership with Youth campaign.  Petty says they “Feel strongly that our local YMCA is changing lives by offering membership assistance to over 150 families in our community.  The YMCA offers a safe environment for our youth and also offers many programs to keep our youth active and social.” She adds, “If you want to pledge to assist the YMCA give them a call at 712-243-3934.  No dollar amount is too small.”

Pictured: Laena Sonntag, Bennett Sonntag and Grant Petty (Photo submitted)

The T-Fred Memorial golf tournament is coming up August 11th, and is their only fundraiser.  Petty says “It’s because of the generosity of our family, friends and community that we are able to donate to these wonderful organizations in Trevor’s name.  Please consider golfing this year or come out to Nishna Hills and check out our silent auction that goes on all day.”

Creston Police report two men were arrested on separate charges, Sunday. At around 2:15-a.m., 34-year old Steven Lamer, of Creston, was arrested in the 1500 block of N. Lincoln, for Assault with Intent to Injure, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Lamer was being held in the Union County Jail on a $3,000 bond. And, at around 9:10-a.m. Sunday, 59-year old Andrew Carney, of Creston, was arrested in the 300 block of N. Maple Street, for Simple Domestic Assault. He was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

Creston Police said also, the A&G Restaurant, in Creston, reported May 2nd, that sometime between 11-p.m. May 1st and 6-a.m. May 2nd, someone intentionally shattered a solid glass front door. The damage was estimated at $450. And, on May 4th, a resident of the 600 block of S. Maple Street, in Creston, reported to Police that a package containing an electric knife for use in beehives, was delivered to his residence and stolen from the mailbox. The Post Office confirmed the date and time of delivery. The loss was estimate at $30.

(7-a.m. News)

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Lottery officials say a ticket bought at a convenience store in Davenport is worth nearly $4.4 million. The ticket matched the six numbers in Saturday’s Lotto America drawing: 8-15-18-32-45 and the Star Ball number of 1. The ticket was generated free when the person bought a Powerball ticket at the store as part of an Iowa Lottery promotion for May.

The odds of winning the jackpot in Lotto America are around 1 in 26 million, with the odds of about 1 in 292.2 million of winning the Powerball jackpot and about 1 in 302.6 million of winning the Mega Millions jackpot. Jackpot prizes must be claimed at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.