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Regional Water Association downgrades their water conservation plan from “yellow” to “green”

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Avoca, IA) – Officials with the Avoca-based Regional Water Rural Water Association, Monday, announced “Due to the completion of the Minden Pipeline and York Booster Station projects, as well as the efforts of its customers and member communities,” they have downgraded the “Level Yellow” advisory to “Level Green”, the normal operations level of its Emergency Water Conservation Plan.

General Manager Tom Kallman stated that the measure was taken due to the substantial completion of the Minden Pipeline and the operational status of the York Booster Station, which provide additional water capacity throughout its Avoca Treatment Plant Distribution System.

“It has been a long time coming, and we couldn’t have gotten here without the efforts of our customers. My team and I want to especially thank Jason Meredith and the folks at West Central Iowa Rural Water Association for loaning us the temporary pump trailer. Their help was absolutely critical to our success. Thank you to all of those who helped to make these projects happen, and we wish everyone a very blessed and Merry Christmas.”

The area affected includes members and rural customers of the Association in Shelby, Audubon, Cass, Harrison, and Northern Pottawattamie Counties. Included are the communities of Avoca, Portsmouth, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Panama, Earling, Persia, Exira, and Brayton.

As a reminder, Regional Water has transitioned to a chloraminated system for its water treatment/disinfection process. Those using a kidney dialysis machine and those who have fish tanks need to use caution. For more information regarding chloramines, please visit our website at: https://www.rwrwa.org/chloramine-facts

For more information, please contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413.

Posted in News |

Iowa to receive $3.1M in Mercedes-Benz emissions fraud settlement

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa and several other states reached a nearly $150 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz and its parent company over emissions fraud allegations, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office announced. The lawsuit accused Mercedes of selling more than 211,000 diesel vehicles with illegal emissions devices from 2008 to 2016. The devices allowed vehicles to circumvent pollution standards and exceed legal limits of nitrogen oxide emissions.

“Iowans deserve the truth when buying a vehicle,” said Attorney General Bird. “Software and cheat devices that can affect important issues like miles-per-gallon and maintenance should not be hidden so that Iowans can weigh the true value of the vehicle they want to purchase.”

As part of the settlement, Mercedes will pay to install approved emission software on more than 39,000 vehicles. The company must also provide consumer relief, including $2,000 payments and extended warranties for affected owners.  Iowa will receive $3,130,271 from the settlement.

Iowa joined the settlement that was co-led by Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland along with Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.

More than 40 additional states and territories also joined, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.

Posted in News |

Inheritance scam targets Iowans during holiday season

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Insurance Division (IID) is warning Iowans about inheritance scams that increase during the holiday season.

Iowans have been receiving letters claiming they have a “long-lost relative” with no immediate surviving family members. The letters ask recipients to contact a law firm in Canada to receive a large inheritance.

According to the IID, the scammers first gather personal information including bank account numbers, names and Social Security numbers, making the person vulnerable to theft. They then ask for money to cover taxes and fees from the inheritance.

Warning Signs

  • Emails and letters from unknown sources in different countries stating the recipient has received a large amount of money.
  • Asking for personal information including name, bank account numbers, and social security information.
  • Asking for money to cover taxes, fees, or other costs.

Legitimate law firms don’t ask for fees upfront or request sensitive personal information through unsolicited letters. The IID advises people to warn family members about these scams.

For more information on scams, visit here.

Posted in News |

ISU plans a new food production facility

News

December 23rd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa State University plans to build a new facility to produce the food for residence halls and other operations. I-S-U vice president of finance, Sean Reeder, presented the plans for a new dining support center at the recent Board of Regents meeting. “This dining support center would be designed to be the central food production facility for I-S-U dining. It’ll be approximately 27-thousand square feet,” he says. The new facility will upgrade and modernize food preparation for the Ames campus.

“It services over 20 dining service operations that include central bakery catering operations or retail outlets and the residential,” Reeder says. He says the food facility used now is in a building that’s nearly 60 years old. “Currently the dining is using the Knapp-Storms building for their central bakery and culinary operations. This building was built in 1966 and really just no longer meets our operational needs,” he says. The aging infrastructure is at end of life and it lacks capacity to support the modern culinary demands, technologies and workflows.”

Reeder says this is the first phase of a two-phase plan to upgrade the food preparation and delivery on campus. “We will remove all the production operations out of the Knapp-Storms building and into the this new facility, and then we’ll demolish the Knapp-Storms building at the completion of phase one,” he says. “The estimated project budget is 20 to 23 million and this will be funded through I-S-U Dining and Department of Residence through building renewal funds.”

The second phase pending the availability of funding would move the shipping and receiving operations to a facility located near the new building. It would also add 15-square feet to that shipping and receiving facility. The Regents approved moving ahead with a design for the new food facility and developing a timeline for its construction.

Posted in News |

3 accidents reported in Guthrie County the week of 12/16-12/21

News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, IA) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say three accidents occurred over the past week, one of which possible/unknown injuries.

On Dec. 16th, a 2025 Honda CRV (SUV) driven by 41-year-old Sabrina Torneden, of Derby, KS, was traveling north on State Highway 25 at around 4:20-p.m.  The vehicle had just passed 250th Street, when a deer ran out of the east ditch and entered the roadway. Torneden was unable to avoid striking the animal. Her car sustained a sheriff’s-estimated $5,000 damage.

On the 18th, a 2006 Dodge RAM pickup driven by 36-year-old Miles Worthington, of Osceola, drove off of a residential dead-end street in Stuart, as it was traveling west on NW 2nd Street. The pickup drove off the paved road for about 90-feet before it collided with a tree and came to rest. The vehicle sustained a sheriff’s-estimated $1,501 worth of damage.

And, on Dec. 21st, a 2024 GMC pickup driven by 36-year-old Luke Skalla, of Bayard, was westbound on 140th Street just east of Justice Road, when the vehicle went out of control on the ice covered gravel road. The pickup drove-off the road and over a river bank before coming to rest in the water.  A passenger in the pickup, 31-year-old Bridgette Skalla, of Bayard, complained of pain and possible injury.

The vehicle sustained a sheriff’s-estimate $15,000 damage. A Guthrie County Bridge guard rail sustained an estimated $100,000 damage during the accident.

Posted in News |

Suspects in Lyon County Courthouse vandalism arrested

News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Two men wanted in connection with last week’s burglary at the Lyon County Courthouse are now in custody. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says both suspects were arrested early Saturday morning in Spearfish. Authorities have identified the suspects as 39-year-old Brandon Lyle High Pipe and 18-year-old Luciano Eliseo Sanchez. Nationwide warrants had been issued for both individuals on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to the break-in.

The burglary occurred during the overnight hours of December 16th into the 17th, when deputies say extensive damage was done inside the courthouse.

The Lyon County Auditor says the courthouse will remain closed to the public on Monday to allow for additional cleaning and restoration work. The building is scheduled to reopen during regular business hours on Tuesday. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains ongoing.

Posted in News |

How to — and how not to — care for your trees during an Iowa winter

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Today (Monday) marks the first full day of winter, though Iowa’s already seen plenty of snowfall in the weeks since Thanksgiving. Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture specialist at the Iowa State University Extension, says some homeowners may be concerned about their trees and other plants being damaged by the snow, especially if their limbs are sagging.

“Most of the time, plants do a pretty good job of shedding that snow off all on their own,” Steil says, “but if you do have a younger plant, or an evergreen that seems to be very weighed down by snow, you can go out and brush it off using your hand or a broom.” If you want to clear that snow off yourself, he says there is a right way — and a wrong way — to go about the process.

“Just make sure you do it in an upward motion instead of a downward one,” he says, “so that you don’t stress branches that are bending down even more.” Steil says ice can do infinitely more damage to young plants than snow, however, he says you need to resist the urge to try to remove ice from their frozen boughs and limbs. “You’re likely to do more damage than good. If you try to go out and remove ice from shrubs and trees in your landscape, you can go out and maybe prop something up with a board, if you’re really worried about it,” Steil says. “Otherwise, trying to break it off or throwing hot water on it to try to melt it off, all of those always do more damage than help.”

The best thing you can do for an ice-coated tree, he says, is to leave it alone and let the sun warm it up.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Democrats weigh in on prospects for pipeline legislation

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The minority leader in the Iowa House says Democrats will be engaged in trying to resolve the long-running debate over the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. House Democratic Leader Brian Meyer says it’s important to get a bill passed and signed by the governor in early 2026. “I believe that there is a way to get this done that will benefit every farmer in the state and also protect property rights,” Meyer said.

Meyer says PART of the solution could be an idea touted last week by the Senate’s Republican Leader that would give
developers more flexibility in changing a pipeline route — to go around landowners who don’t want the pipeline on their property. “You have to bring everybody to the table and unless you bring everybody the table and get consensus, it just is not going to work,” Meyer says. “There’s everybody all over the place on this thing. It’s not a partisan issue. Democrats, we’re happy to engage. We want a solution. We have friends on all sides of this. We want rural Iowa to succeed, but we want to protect landowners as well.”

Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner isn’t predicting what kind of a compromise package might emerge — but she says Iowan’s private property rights should never been infringed upon for a pipeline developer’s private gain.  “We’re busy talking to various parties to see what the lay of the land is — pun not intended — as well,” Weiner said. Weiner says if the disagreement among Republicans on the pipeline issue isn’t resolved quickly in 2026, she predicts it will be difficult for the legislature move on to other issues.

A dozen Senate Republicans forced a vote and joined Senate Democrats last spring to pass the pipeline bill that Governor Reynolds vetoed. The bill had easily passed the House on an 85 to 10 vote.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Mills County Sheriff’s report on arrests, 12/16-19/2025

News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, IA) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, today (Monday), released a report on arrests that took place last week (12/16-19):

  • On the 19th, 21-year-old Hunter Allen Dunn, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Glenwood for Driving Under Suspension (Bond $300).
  • Three people were arrested Dec. 17th in Mills County:
    • 46-year-old Eduardo Rojas, of Omaha, was arrested in Glenwood for Failure To Appear on a Felony charge (Bond $2,000).
    • 58-year-old Derrick Lee Dornburgh, of Malvern, was arrested in Malvern for Driving While License Denied or Revoked on an Original OWI charge (Bond $1,000).
    • and, 36-year-old Jason Luis Rowland, of Glenwood, was arrested in Council Bluffs on an Out of County/State warrant (Bond $1,000).
  • On Dec. 16th: 32-year-old Zachary Scott Jolley, of Glenwood, was arrested in Pacific Junction, for Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense (Bond $1,000); and, 18-year-old Faedan Floyd McCord, of Glenwood, was arrested in Glenwood for Domestic Abuse Assault w/Injury – 1st Offense (Bond $1,000).

Posted in News |

State of Iowa receives USDA approval to align Healthy SNAP, SUN Bucks summer food program in 2026

News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES— Governor Reynolds and Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) today (Monday) announced the state will participate in the federal SUN Bucks program (also known as Summer EBT) beginning in 2026 after being notified Friday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had approved the state’s waiver to align the summer feeding program for children with Iowa’s new Healthy SNAP program.
Iowa is one of a few states to request permission from the USDA to align allowable SUN Bucks purchases with the state’s new Healthy SNAP guidelines which go into effect January 1, 2026.  SNAP and SUN Bucks participants will be able to use the benefits to purchase healthy foods like grains, fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy to supplement families’ nutritional needs. Iowa’s guidelines will exclude the purchase of taxable foods such as candy, soda and some store prepared foods. The new guidelines support the state’s goal to combat food insecurity and support child health and development during the summer months.
SUN Bucks eligible families will receive $40 per child per month in grocery benefits over the summer to help ensure children have access to nutritious food while school is out. Benefits will be distributed via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and can be used at authorized retailers across Iowa.
“Food assistance programs that are nutrition focused do more to help low-income Iowans by addressing both hunger and health,” Governor Reynolds said. “The SUN Bucks program has lacked a focus on nutrition, which was the reason we launched the Healthy Kids Iowa pilot program last summer. The response to the healthy, fresh foods that were available for families was overwhelmingly positive, but operating the program was challenging for some food banks and pantries. Now, with the USDA’s approval of our waiver to align the SUN Bucks program with Iowa’s new Healthy SNAP guidelines, we can provide healthy food plus convenience for children and families.”
“We are committed to supporting Iowa families and ensuring children have access to healthy meals year-round,” said Larry Johnson, Director of Iowa HHS. “Joining SUN Bucks allows us to expand our reach and provide families with flexibility in how they meet their nutritional needs.”
Eligibility for SUN Bucks will be based on household income and participation in programs such as SNAP, FIP, or eligibility for free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Most eligible children will be automatically enrolled. Children who aren’t automatically enrolled in the program may still be eligible for SUN Bucks based on household income and other requirements.
The SUN Bucks program builds upon the established USDA SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go Programs administered by the Iowa Department of Education, which provide children with healthy meals and snacks during the summer months. Last summer over 3 million nutritious meals and snacks were served at more than 500 convenient locations across the state.
Additional enrollment and eligibility information will be available on the Iowa HHS website in early 2026.

Posted in News |