OTTUMWA — The storm debris collection site in the gravel parking lot on the other side from Bridge View Center will be closing Sunday August 11, 2024. Curbside yard waste pickup is still available. Sticks and branches need to be smaller than 3 inches in diameter and shorter than 36 inches in length. These sticks and branches can then be tied into bundles weighing less than 50 pounds. Brush, leaves, and other yard debris can be placed in compostable yard waste bags with a yard waste sticker attached. South side collection is on Tuesdays and north side collection is on Thursdays. Call Bridge City Sanitation at 641-682-1700 for scheduling yard debris pickup.
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SUGARLAND ANNOUNCES NEW EP
The 2024 resurgence of Sugarland continues. The duo, who reunited with a new single and tour earlier this year, have now announced their first new collection of new music since 2018’s “Bigger.” A new four-song EP, “There Goes The Neighborhood,” will be coming out this Friday. No word on if this is truly new music or music the duo had recorded pre-pandemic, which Kristian Bush had said was in the can back in 2019 – or whether their joint single with Little Big Town, “Take Me Home,” is one of the four songs included on the EP.
This day in Country Music History
- Today in 1979, Kenny Rogers’ single, “She Believes In Me,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1988, George Strait topped the charts with the single, “Baby Blue.”
- Today in 1993, Wynonna’s self-titled album was certified triple platinum.
- Today in 1993, Mark Chesnutt hit #1 on the charts with the single, “It Sure Is Monday.”
- Today in 1999, the movie soundtrack album for “The Runaway Bride” debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” soundtrack chart, selling 79,000 copies its first week of release. One reason for the CD’s success was that it featured hit singles by the Dixie Chicks and Martina McBride. As a matter of fact, a representative from the record label that released the project said that the achievement proved that country artists and pop artists can exist side by side on a soundtrack and be successful.
- Today in 1999, Lonestar’s single, “Amazed,” began its fifth week at the top of “Radio & Records’” country chart. The achievement broke the previous record set by a group – Alabama had previously spent four weeks at #1 with “Jukebox on My Mind.”
- Today in 2002, Cledus T. Judd’s album, “I Stold This Record,” was certified gold.
- Today in 2002, Phil Vassar’s “American Child” album arrived in stores.
- Today in 2002, Kenny Chesney joined a hundred-or-so friends, publishers, songwriters and others gathered in Nashville at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) to recognize Kenny and his chart-topping smash, “The Good Stuff.”
- Today in 2002, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines tees off on Toby Keith’s “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue” in the Los Angeles Daily News: “It’s ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant… You’ve got to have some tact.” Their mutual war of words continued for ages.
- Today in 2003, John Mellencamp joins Kenny Chesney to tape an episode of “CMT Crossroads” in Nashville, where the set list includes “Young,” “R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Radney Foster hosts
- Today in 2004, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan launch their first joint concert tour, playing minor league baseball parks, beginning with at stop at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York
- Today in 2008, Taylor Swift filmed her “Love Story” video in Nashville
- Today in 2011, the Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. They sang “Bobbie Sue,” “Elvira” and an a cappella “Amazing Grace” on their big night.
- Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line countersues the producers of the Country Explosion music festival for more than $200,000. The concert execs previously filed a $15-million suit against the duo, alleging they were defamed when the duo’s tour manager told other booking agents about a check that failed to clear the bank.
- Today in 2016, Steven Tyler debuted at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart with “We’re All Somebody From Somewhere.”
- Today in 2016, Kenny Chesney’s concert at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, includes a surprise guest: Sammy Hagar, who played “I Can’t Drive 55.”
- Today in 2017, Vince Gill performed two songs during the funeral for former Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian in South Bend, Indiana.
911 operator calmly walks expectant mom through a surprise at-home delivery
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — When a 911 call came in saying a woman in Nashville was experiencing sudden labor, emergency operator Kaitlyn Kramer says her training kicked in as she successfully coached the expectant mom and bystanders through delivering a healthy baby boy.
Audio of the July 7 call reveals Kramer’s calm voice guiding the process even as the voices on the other end grew frantic as the mother’s water broke and the baby’s head started crowning.
Kramer is a training officer for Nashville’s Department of Emergency Communications.
“Whatever the call comes in, you have to be able to maintain control,” Kramer said, adding that she had to remember to stay calm herself.
“We’re going to do this together,” Kramer told a friend of the mother’s over the phone. Moments later, the caller is yelling with excitement that the baby arrived but mentioned that the cord was wrapped around his neck.
Kramer said the bystanders were able to free the baby and soon enough, Kramer could hear his first wails over the phone.
“When I think of a baby being first born, the biggest thing for me is I want to hear them cry,” said Kramer. “And he did that on his own.”
The whole call lasted about eight minutes before the ambulance arrived and Kramer got to congratulate the mother and bystanders on a job well done. The family did not respond to a request for an interview.
“I think my favorite part about this whole situation was there was also another younger child in the room, maybe between the ages of seven and 10 years old,” Kramer said “She started talking to the baby, welcoming him to the world. And that absolutely just melted my heart.”
Kramer said this is the second time she has helped during a delivery over the 911 hotline.
“We get a lot of sad here. Our job is hard,” Kramer said. “This is one of the reasons that remind me that what I do is important … it just it makes me happy to do what I do.”
Red Cross issues urgent appeal for blood donors
By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)
The American Red Cross says we’re now under a blood shortage emergency, as extreme heat, natural disasters and summer vacations are causing a critical drop in donations.
Josh Murray, spokesman for the Red Cross’ Nebraska-Iowa Region, says Iowa has seen more than its share of destructive storms and flooding lately, and those elements combined with routine summertime activities are causing a serious problem.
“Since July 1st, we’ve seen a dip in donations of about 25%, a little bit more than 25%, which is obviously concerning,” Murray says. “We usually see a dip in the summer but it’s even more so in the recent month here, so we know people are still busy, back-to-school is coming up, Labor Day is just around the corner, but we really need people to get out and give, and help us provide that blood for patients who need it.”
Murray says the heat impacted almost a hundred blood drives during July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood, compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, like travel and summer activities.
“We’ve had severe weather, whether it’s tornadoes or flooding in parts of the state, that have also impacted either blood drives or people’s ability to get out and give, so a lot of factors play into that,” Murray says. “It’s normal this time of year but we’re seeing an even greater deficit this time around.”
Hurricane Debby made landfall today in Florida, which forced more blood drives to be cancelled in that state, and he says even a minor hurricane can cause significant, domino-effect troubles nationwide. Murray says -all- blood types are needed in Iowa, especially Type-O.
“Type-O positive is the most-transfused blood type, because it’s most common, and Type-O negative is the universal blood type, so in an emergency situation when they don’t have time to check, that’s what they reach for. So Type-O is definitely in need, but I also want to emphasize that’s not it. So if you think, ‘I’m not Type-O, I don’t need to worry about it,’ don’t think that way. Other blood types are in need as well.”
Anyone in Iowa who gives blood, platelets or plasma during August will get a $20 Amazon gift card. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.
“Before flipping the calendar into a warm first weekend of August, we finished up a particularly wet July for parts of Iowa with several rounds of thunderstorms. With the start of the Iowa State Fair this week, fairgoers can expect much more pleasant weather and temperatures.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
Most of the State received rain showers and experienced above average temperatures. These conditions allowed Iowa farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 4, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay, and applying fungicides.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.
Corn silking hit 92 percent this week, 5 days behind last year but equal to the five-year average. Fifty-one percent of the corn crop has reached dough stage or beyond, 3 days ahead of the five-year average. Eight percent of the corn crop has reached the dent state. Corn condition was rated at 77 percent good to excellent. Ninety percent of soybeans were blooming, one week behind last year but 1 day ahead of the normal. Soybeans setting pods reached 58 percent, 5 days behind last year and 3 days behind the five-year average. Soybean condition was 76 percent good to excellent. Eighty-five percent of oats have been harvested, 5 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the five-year average.
The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 92 percent complete, 6 days behind last year but equal to the five-year average. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 27 percent, 8 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 62 percent good to excellent.
Mahaska Board of Supervisors Approves 28E Agreements with City of Fremont, Discontinues Search for Economic Development Director
By Sam Parsons
The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting yesterday morning. The board approved new 28E agreements with the city of Fremont for Police Protection Services in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem said that he discussed and came to an agreement with the city on the terms.
Following that discussion, the board appointed a new ADA and safety coordinator for the county: Zach Kauffman will be replacing the outgoing Troy Bemis, after his appointment was approved unanimously.
And the board discussed the possibility of hiring an economic development director for the county. Supervisor Chuck Webb said that, after speaking with some small cities in the county, he believed the county did not need to hire an economic development director because it would be redundant with what the Mahaska Chamber and Development Group does. Supervisors Steve Wanders and Mark Groenendyk said they agreed, and while no action was taken, the board said they would be dropping the matter until further notice.
The next regular meeting with the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for August 19.
LAINEY WILSON GETTING A HIGHWAY NAMED AFTER HER
Baskin, Louisiana had a grand total of 210 people living there in the 2020 census. It would have had at least one more, but the town’s most famous resident, Lainey Wilson, left to make a name for herself in Nashville several years back. Now that that mission is accomplished, her hometown is honoring her. Last week, the Mayor of the Village of Baskin, George Curtis, announced they’d be naming a portion of Louisiana Highway 15 in Franklin Parish the “Lainey Wilson Highway.” Over the next few months, the town will install six signs in recognition of Wilson and her accomplishments. A ceremony will also be held at some point in the coming months to celebrate the official unveiling of the new signage, which both the country star and her family have been invited to.
This day in Country Music History
- Today in 1967, Bobbie Gentry released her only hit: “Ode to Billy Joe.”
- Today in 1972, “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” by Mac Davis entered the Top 40 chart.
- Today in 1989, Dolly Parton’s single, “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That,” topped the country charts.
- Today in 1992, “Greatest Hits Plus” album by Ricky Van Shelton was released.
- Today in 1998, George Strait led the list of nominees for the 32nd annual CMA Awards, nabbing five nominations, including Entertainer, Album and Single of the Year. These nods made Strait the most nominated artist in the history of the competition (47 nominations).
- Today in 2001, Brooks and Dunn’s inaugural “Neon Circus and Wild West Show” tour, featuring Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Keith Urban and Cledus T. Judd, wrapped up in Pittsburgh.
- Today in 2002, the Summer Music 2002 issue of “Entertainment Weekly” magazine featured six of country music’s “hottest men” have were tapped as exactly that. Who topped the group? None other than Brad Paisley. He was followed (in order) by Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Andy Griggs and Eric Heatherly. Tied for sixth place were Trick Pony’s Keith Burn and Ira Dean. Each profile explained why each guy was selected, what he could improve and what’s coming next in his career.
- Today in 2002, the Associated Press reported that Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Circus & Wild West Show” was the highest-grossing 2002 tour based on per-date revenues.
- Today in 2005, Keith Urban’s album, “Be Here,” was certified double-platinum.
- Today in 2008, Jamey Johnson’s album, “That Lonesome Song,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2010, Charley Pride was part of an 18-person investor group headed by Nolan Ryan that bought the Texas Rangers baseball team for $593 million at an auction in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Today in 2013, Carrie Underwood’s single, “See You Again,” was certified gold.
- Today in 2014, the “Salt Lake Tribune” reported promoters of the Country Explosion music festival filed a $15-million suit against Florida Georgia Line and its tour manager for defamation after he told other music executives their $205,000 check bounced. The festival claimed the band’s manager was given the check to settle the balance on FGL’s $450k appearance fee, but was asked to hold off on cashing it for three days, to allow for the check to clear. Promoters say he agreed, then proceeded to cash the check the next day, and it bounced, leading him to breach the oral contract. Either way, FGL filed a counter-suit the following February alleging fraud and breach of contract.
- Today in 2015, Taylor Swift’s album “Fearless” is certified seven-times platinum by the RIAA
- Today in 2016, Chris Young’s “I’m Comin’ Over” album went gold.
- Today in 2016, Chris Lane’s debut album, “Girl Problems,” was released.
- Today in 2016, Tim McGraw and Runaway June performed the first show following renovations at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction events.
- Today in 2019, Old Dominion scored a gold single certification from the RIAA for “Hotel Key” and a gold album nod for “Happy Endings.”
- Today in 2019, Mayor David Briley declared Dolly Parton Day in the city of Nashville.
- Today in 2019, Thomas Rhett launched a limited-edition line of swimwear, the Rhettro Collection, in tandem with fashion company Chubbies.
- Today in 2019, Kelsea Ballerini’s single, “Miss Me More,” was certified platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2021, Jake Owen’s “Best Thing Since Backroads” hit the airwaves.
Justice Department sues TikTok, accusing the company of illegally collecting children’s data
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department sued TikTok on Friday, accusing the company of violating children’s online privacy law and running afoul of a settlement it had reached with another federal agency.
The complaint, filed together with the Federal Trade Commission in a California federal court, comes as the U.S. and the prominent social media company are embroiled in yet another legal battle that will determine if – or how – TikTok will continue to operate in the country.
The latest lawsuit focuses on allegations that TikTok, a trend-setting platform popular among young users, and its China-based parent company ByteDance violated a federal law that requires kid-oriented apps and websites to get parental consent before collecting personal information of children under 13. It also says the companies failed to honor requests from parents who wanted their children’s accounts deleted, and chose not to delete accounts even when the firms knew they belonged to kids under 13.
“This action is necessary to prevent the defendants, who are repeat offenders and operate on a massive scale, from collecting and using young children’s private information without any parental consent or control,” Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement.
TikTok said it disagreed with the allegations, “many of which relate to past events and practices that are factually inaccurate or have been addressed.”
“We offer age-appropriate experiences with stringent safeguards, proactively remove suspected underage users and have voluntarily launched features such as default screentime limits, Family Pairing, and additional privacy protections for minors,” the company said in a statement.
The U.S. decided to file the lawsuit following an investigation by the FTC that looked into whether the companies were complying with a previous settlement involving TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly.
In 2019, the federal government sued Musical.ly, alleging it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, by failing to notify parents about its collection and use of personal information for kids under 13.
That same year, Musical.ly — acquired by ByteDance in 2017 and merged with TikTok — agreed to pay $5.7 million to resolve those allegations. The two companies were also subject to a court order requiring them to comply with COPPA, which the government says hasn’t happened.
In the complaint, the Justice Department and the FTC allege TikTok has knowingly allowed children to create accounts and retained their personal information without notifying their parents. This practice extends to accounts created in “Kids Mode,” a version of TikTok for children under 13. The feature allows users to view videos but bars them from uploading content.
The two agencies allege the information collected included activities on the app and other identifiers used to build user profiles. They also accuse TikTok of sharing the data with other companies – such as Meta’s Facebook and an analytics company called AppsFlyer – to persuade “Kids Mode” users to be on the platform more, a practice TikTok called “re-targeting less active users.”
The complaint says TikTok also allowed children to create accounts without having to provide their age, or obtain parental approval, by using credentials from third-party services. It classified these as “age unknown” accounts, which the agencies say have grown into millions.
After parents discovered some of their children’s accounts and asked for them to be deleted, federal officials said TikTok asked them to go through a convoluted process to deactivate them and frequently did not honor their requests.
Overall, the government said TikTok employed deficient policies that were unable to prevent children’s accounts from proliferating on its app and suggested the company was not taking the issue seriously. In at least some periods since 2019, the complaint said TikTok’s human moderators spent an average of five to seven seconds reviewing accounts flagged as potentially belonging to a child. It also said TikTok and ByteDance have technology they can use to identify and remove children’s accounts, but do not use them for that reason.
The alleged violations have resulted in millions of children under 13 using the regular TikTok app, allowing them to interact with adults and access adult content, the complaint said.
In March, a person with the matter had told the AP the FTC’s investigation was also looking into whether TikTok violated a portion of federal law that prohibits “unfair and deceptive” business practices by denying that individuals in China had access to U.S. user data.
Those allegations were not included in the complaint, which is asking the court to fine the companies and enter a preliminary injunction to prevent future violations.
Other social media companies have also come under fire for how they’ve handled children’s data.
In 2019, Google and YouTube agreed to pay a $170 million fine to settle allegations that the popular video site had illegally collected personal information on children without their parents’ consent.
And last fall, dozens of U.S. states sued Meta Platforms Inc., which owns Facebook and Instagram, for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. A lawsuit filed by 33 states claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of COPPA. Nine attorneys general are also filing lawsuits in their respective states, bringing the total number of states taking action to 41 plus Washington, D.C.
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