(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The Danish Ambassador to the United States visited Elk Horn (IA) this (Friday) afternoon. Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen, Chief of Mission at the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, D-C, was the featured guest at a “Kaffe og kringler” (Coffee and pastry) reception at the Museum of Danish America. In Elk Horn, Ambassador Sorensen toured the Museum, and then spoke about the relationship Denmark has with the U-S and Iowa, in particular.

He spoke also about our two countries sharing agricultural and technological advancements.

Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen speaks at the Museum of Danish America on Oct. 4th, 2024. (Ric Hanson/photo)

Ambassador Sorenson and his trade delegation of wind energy suppliers and sub-suppliers stopped in Des Moines Thursday, and visited with Governor Kim Reynolds.

He spoke Friday morning with students and toured the private, Grand View University, which was founded in 1896 by the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In Elk Horn, the Ambassador discussed the importance of security and collective defense, and Denmark’s partnership with NATO, especially in light of the threat coming from Russia.

Ambassador Sorensen said the United States is Denmark’s most important ally. The strength of that relationship, he said, is the basis for continued economic and commercial ties between the two countries.

He said one particular area that is very strong, and Denmark has been a front-runner for decades, is in the renewable energy sector. The country includes wind energy, bioreactors, life sciences and Quantum Technology. The relationship Denmark has with the U-S and Iowa, is a “Truly special one…We are looking to continue to build these bridges between companies, research institutions, capital [investments] and between the people of our two countries.”

(Radio Iowa) – A convoy of U-S military vehicles will make its way through north-central Iowa next week as part of a 25-hundred mile journey. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association is celebrating the 15th year of its convoy program by retracing the historic Jefferson Highway route from the Minnesota border to New Orleans. Visit Mason City executive director Lindsey James says the caravan will be a must-see, especially for veterans.

The convoy will head south on Wednesday. James says it’s sponsored by the largest international historic military vehicle group, which includes roughly 35-hundred members.

James says the public will have a chance to have an up-close look at these historic vehicles at the Mason City V-F-W.

This year marks the eighth convoy organized by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association and the first to follow a north-south axis through the heart of the country.

Photo from Visit Mason City

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More at https://www.mvpa.org/

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Reynolds says there’s a possibility India may be a market for Iowa-made ethanol. Reynolds has recently returned from a trade mission to India, which is the world’s third largest ethanol producer. However, the country has set the goal of having a 20 percent blend of ethanol in all gasoline sold in India — by next year — and eliminating all carbon emissions by 2070. Reynolds says not only does that mean Iowa-made ethanol may have a new market, but the ban on imports of Iowa corn — because it’s grown from genetically-modified seeds — might be lifted if that corn is used to produce ethanol.

Reynolds says another idea would be finding plots of land in rural India to grow genetically-modified corn that would be used to make ethanol. She says that could lead to acceptance of G-M-O corn in India for food production.

Reynolds stressed the work of Iowa native Norman Borlaug (BOR-log) as she met with officials in India last month. Borlaug developed a strain of high-yielding wheat in Mexico, took it to India in the 1960s and was credited with saving hundreds of millions in Pakistan and India from starvation.

(Radio Iowa) – The latest U-S Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Iowa in abnormally dry or drought conditions, with portions of Monona and Harrison counties in western Iowa in severe drought. It is the first time since May that any area of the state has carried a severe drought designation. Glenwood Fire Chief Matt Gray says the dry weather made conditions ripe for grass and field fires, and fire departments don’t have as many firefighters as they used to.

Gray says the cooperation among departments has helped everyone deal with a tough situation.

Shenandoah Fire Chief Justin Marshall says farmers need to be working in the fields to bring in the crops and that increases the fire danger.

Marshall says there’s no rain in the forecast, so the risk will stay high into next week.

The number of burn bans has more than doubled this week and now includes 35 counties.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A pedestrian trail bridge located just west of the KJAN studios, crossing the East Nishnabotna River, was damaged recently by graffiti. The bridge connects the AMU Well head trail with the Schildberg Recreational Trail.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Coordinator Jeff Christensen said in a video posted online, that crews were spending the morning today (Friday), power washing the bridge to clean up the mess. (Photos courtesy of Jeff Christensen)

If you have any information on this incident, contact Jeff Christensen or the Atlantic Police Department.

[Red Oak, Iowa] – An open burn ban is now in effect for all areas and jurisdictions within Montgomery County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Montgomery County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman says record high temperatures, limited to no moisture and continued drought conditions have created dangerous fire conditions throughout the entire area. The extended forecast outlooks show well above normal temperatures as well as extremely windy conditions causing concern that any outdoor fire will become large and out of control in a very short amount of time.

Citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground and set asides or other items during this ban. Small recreational campfires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fireplace of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh, however extreme caution should be
taken. Any campfire not in an outdoor fireplace is prohibited.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal charges as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses or injuries resulting from the fire. The open burn ban is anticipated to remain in effect until the county receives substantial precipitation alleviating the increased fire danger risk.

Burn bans are also in effect for the following area counties: Cass, Adair, Audubon, Guthrie, Harrison, Mills, Shelby, Monona, Crawford and Carroll.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report the arrest at around 11:55-p.m., Thursday, of 38-year-old Daniel Buck Busenbarrick, of Creston. He was charged with Operating While Under the Influence 3rd Offense, Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine.

Busenbarrick was taken to Union County Jail, where his bond was set at $7,000.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 38 year old Roberto Alvarado-Garcia of Omaha just before 11:00 pm Thursday during a traffic stop near Highway 34 and G Avenue west of Red Oak.  Alvarado-Garcia was charged with driving under suspension and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $491.25 bond.