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Iowa Secretary of State encourages Iowans to make a plan to vote, track their absentee ballots

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding every Iowa voter to have a plan in place to be successful in casting their ballot this election. Whether you plan to vote absentee by mail, early absentee in-person, or in person at the polls on Election Day, it’s never too early to make a plan.

Those who plan to vote absentee by mail should be prepared to request their absentee ballot by October 21, 2024. Part of that plan should also include tracking your absentee ballot. Iowans can visit VoterReady.Iowa.Gov to track their ballot. This process allows Iowa voters to see if and when their local county auditor has received the absentee ballot request, the specific date that the ballot was mailed out, and the date the county auditor received the ballot back from the voter. Iowa law requires absentee ballots to be returned to the county auditor’s office by the time polls close at 8pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

In efforts to remind Iowans to head to the polls, political parties and candidates may send voters “absentee ballot request” mailings. In some instances, this may result in one voter receiving multiple mailings regarding absentee ballot requests. County auditors have a number of procedures in place to ensure that if multiple absentee ballot requests do come in from one voter, only one absentee ballot will be mailed out. Iowans are encouraged to call their county auditor if they have any specific questions regarding this process.

It is important that political parties and candidates that coordinate absentee ballot mailings to Iowa voters first and foremost ensure their processes follow Iowa law (Iowa Code Ch. 53) and secondly, verify with the post office that their mail pieces are in compliance with postal regulations. This due diligence should also include confirming the cost of return postage and who will bear this cost, and making sure an accurate return address is included in the event the mailing is undeliverable.

Iowa voters who plan to vote early absentee in-person can do so at their county auditor’s office or a special satellite location. Voters who plan to vote in-person at their polling site on Election Day can find their polling site at VoterReady.Iowa.Gov. Every voter who votes in person must present their voter ID (Iowa driver’s license, voter identification card, non-operator ID, military or veteran ID, passport, or tribal ID card/document).

Iowa’s election integrity approach requires multiple layers and following Iowa law and election procedures are critical to maintaining safe and secure elections.

If Iowans are looking for additional information on this process and other voting processes, please visit VotingProcess.Iowa.Gov for a video series about different voting procedures and laws in Iowa.

DATES TO KNOW:

  • October 16: First day absentee ballots can be mailed; first day of in-person absentee voting
  • October 21: Voter pre-registration deadline; deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed; both by 5pm
  • November 4: Last day of in-person absentee voting
  • November 5: Election Day, polls open from 7am-8pm; absentee ballots must be received by county auditors by 8pm

Pella Wildlife Area to be closed for mine reclamation work

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will begin a project to restore a 165-acre portion of the Pella Wildlife Area that was previously used as a strip mine, starting Oct. 1.

The north half of the reclamation area will be closed to all public use beginning Oct. 1. The south half of the wildlife area will remain open until the reclamation work begins, likely around Nov. 1, when the entire wildlife area will be closed for public use.

The area will be reopened to the public after the project is completed in 2025.

The Iowa DNR will post signs at Pella Wildlife Area informing users of the closure and the boundaries.

For more information, contact area manager, Todd Gosselink, at 515-238-6936.

Beef Quality Assurance Sessions Set for Southeast Iowa

Posted on by Sam Parsons
KNOXVILLE, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in cooperation with the Iowa Beef Industry Council, will host several Beef Quality Assurance training programs across southeast Iowa this fall. The program will cover numerous best management practices and will qualify producers for BQA certification.
BQA certification is perhaps more important than ever as major packers now require a current BQA certificate from feedlot producers selling market-ready cattle, said extension beef specialist Patrick Wall. All major packers now require that suppliers are BQA certified.
“Beyond just fulfilling that requirement though, the BQA program includes a great deal of useful information that producers can take home and immediately utilize in their beef cattle operations,” Wall said. “The program will include information that applies to all facets of beef cattle production including cow-calf, stocker/backgrounder, and feedlot.”
Iowa beef producers, veterinarians, feed industry personnel and anyone interested in beef cattle production are invited to attend. Available training and certification opportunities are:
  • Oct. 22 – Donnellson, Pilot Grove Community Center
  • Nov. 6 – Sigourney, Keokuk County extension office
  • Nov. 12 – Washington, Washington County extension office
  • Nov. 13 – Mt. Pleasant, Henry County extension office
  • Nov. 19 – Oskaloosa, Mahaska County extension office
  • Nov. 21 – Grinnell, Key Cooperative Agronomy Center
  • Dec. 3 – Iowa City, Johnson County extension office
Each program will take place from 6-8 p.m. and will cover all the major production practices required for BQA certification. Topics of discussion will include animal care and handling, management of feedstuffs and feed additives, management of animal health products, proper injection site techniques, biosecurity and record keeping. All of these events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Patrick Wall at patwall@iastate.edu or 515-450-7665.
BQA is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that raises consumer confidence by offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. The Iowa BQA Program is funded by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Beef Checkoff. To learn more about the Iowa BQA Program and other upcoming certification trainings across Iowa, visit iabeef.org.
Wall reminded people that those unable to attend an in-person workshop may complete their training online at https://bqa.beeflearningcenter.org/

H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: ROCKY

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Rocky”, an 8 year old Lab/Retriever mix. Rocky comes from a farm background, but he is very well-mannered and is learning to walk on a leash. Rocky is a puppy at heart and has still has plenty of playful energy and gets along great with kids. Rocky would be a great dog in a rural setting, and is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped, neutered and ready to go to a loving home. And because Rocky is the Pet of the Week, the adoption fee is only $100 this week!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Rocky or any of the pets at Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter, visit https://www.stephenmemorial.org/ and fill out an adoption application.

Check out our visit about Rocky with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

KENNY CHESNEY MAKES MASSIVE DONATION TO MASSACHUSETTS FIRST RESPONDERS

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Kenny Chesney has loved Massachusetts for a long time. He recently proved that with more than just a shout out from the stage or a social media post. The last show on his “Sun Goes Down“ tour took place at Gillette Stadium last month, and according to “MassLive.com,” at around the same time he made a massive donation of over $1-million to several organizations across the state. While Kenny himself has remained mum about the gift, his reps confirm that he was, in fact, behind the donation. “As someone who likes to quietly give back to enrich others’ lives, this is his way of spreading the love and saying thank you… to him, it’s a gift for others, not something he wants to talk about.”  Sources say $100-thousand of the money would go to the Foxborough police and fire departments, respectively, as well as other portions of it going to places like the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1956, Elvis’s hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi held “Elvis Presley Day.”
  • Today in 1978, Waylon Jennings’ album, “I’ve Always Been Crazy,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1986, Exile’s single, “It’ll Be Me,” was at #1 on “Radio & Records’” country chart.
  • Today in 1989, the album, “Just Lookin’ For A Hit,” by Dwight Yoakam was released.
  • Today in 1989, Randy Travis released his album, “No Holdin’ Back.”
  • Today in 1991, Mark Chesnutt’s debut album, “Too Cold At Home,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1994, the “Very Best Of Conway Twitty” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1995, Little Texas released the album, “Greatest Hits,” and “Music For All Occasions” by the Mavericks was also released.
  • Today in 1995, the video, “The Woman In Me,” by Shania Twain first aired.
  • Today in 1996, Alabama’s “Cheap Seats” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 2000, Kenny Chesney’s “Greatest Hits” album arrived in stores, The albums, “Brand New Me,” by John Michael Montgomery; “The Hardest Part” from Allison Moorer; Ricochet’s “What You Leave Behind” and SHeDAISY’s “Brand New Year” were also released.
  • Today in 2001, it was revealed that Dixie Chick Martie Seidel had become Martie Maguire when she married Gareth Maguire on August 10th in a supersecret ceremony in Hawaii. They have since welcomed three daughters: fraternal twins Eva Ruth and Kathleen ‘Katie’ Emilie were born April 27, 2004. Katie was named after Gareth’s late sister, Kathleen. Third daughter Harper Rosie Maguire was born July 25, 2008.
  • Today in 2002, Terri Clark’s “I Just Wanna Be Mad” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2011, Dierks Bentley’s single, “Home,” was released.
  • Today in 2014, Lee Ann Womack teamed with R&B vocalist John Legend as a new edition of “CMT Crossroads” debuted. They collaborated on his hit, “All Of Me,” and her recordings, “The Way I’m Livin’,” “I May Hate Myself In The Morning” and “I Hope You Dance.”
  • Today in 2016, Dierks Bentley welcomed a surprise guest to his show at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver: Maren Morris sang “My Church” with Bentley and the two were joined by opening act Randy Houser on “Bad Angel.”

US suicides held steady in 2023 — at a very high level

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. suicides last year remained at about the highest level in the nation’s history, preliminary data suggests.

A little over 49,300 suicide deaths were reported in 2023, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number that could grow a little as some death investigations are wrapped up and reported.

Just under 49,500 were reported in 2022, according to final data released Thursday. The numbers are close enough that the suicide rate for the two years are the same, CDC officials said.

U.S. suicide rates have been rising for nearly 20 years, aside from a two-year drop around the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. So “a leveling off of any increase in suicide is cautiously promising news,” said Katherine Keyes, a Columbia University public health professor who studies suicide.

Indeed, there’s reason for optimism. A 2-year-old national crisis line allows anyone in the U.S. to dial 988 to reach mental health specialists. That and other efforts may be starting to pay off, Keyes said, but it “really remains to be seen.”

Experts caution that suicide — the nation’s 11th leading cause of death in 2022 — is complicated and that attempts can be driven by a range of factors. Contributors include higher rates of depression, limited availability of mental health services, and the availability of guns. About 55% of all suicide deaths in 2022 involved firearms, according to CDC data.

The CDC’s Thursday report said:

—Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–14 and 20–34, and the third leading cause for people ages 15–19.

—Deaths continue to be more common among boys and men than girls and women. The highest suicide rate for any group — by far — was in men ages 75 and older, at about 44 suicides per 100,000 men that age.

—Among women, the highest rate was in those who were middle-aged, about 9 per 100,000. But more dramatic increases have been seen in teens and young women, with the rate for that group doubling in the last two decades.

—The overall suicide rate in 2022 and 2023 was 14.2 per 100,000. It also was that high in 2018. Before then, it hadn’t been that high since 1941.

Weekly Fuel Report

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 7 cents, averaging $3.04 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.10 per barrel and is currently priced at $69.59.
  • Brent crude oil rose by $.21 and is currently priced at $73.35.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $89.68 and Brent crude was at $94.01.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.04 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices rose 7 cents from last week’s price and are down 67 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.21, down 1 cent from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa held steady this week with a statewide average of $3.34.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.32 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 25 cents lower than the national average of $3.59.
  • ​​​​​​​Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.12 for U87-E10, $2.38 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.31 for ULSD#2, $2.57 for ULSD#1, and $1.90 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices rose 52 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.83/MMbtu.
  • Continuing throughout the summer months, we will only report retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa once a month.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Oskaloosa to Host First-Ever “Idea Lab” for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Posted on by Sam Parsons
OSKALOOSA, IOWA — Aspiring business owners, innovators, and dreamers will have a unique opportunity to turn their entrepreneurial visions into reality at the upcoming “Idea Lab” event. Organized in partnership with the Mahaska Chamber and Development Group and the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), this exciting initiative aims to foster a thriving entrepreneurial community in Mahaska County.
Taking place at William Penn University’s Musco Technology Center on October 8, the Idea Lab offers two time slots—9 AM to 12 PM or 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM—to accommodate participants’ schedules. Whether you’re in the early stages of formulating a business idea or have already taken steps toward launching your company, this event will provide practical guidance and resources tailored to your needs.
The Spark for Innovation
This inaugural Idea Lab is part of a broader effort to cultivate entrepreneurship in rural areas, where resources and mentorship for new businesses can sometimes be limited. Oskaloosa is proud to be hosting this free event as part of a larger initiative that brings expertise from across the country to the local community.
The Center on Rural Innovation will involve two experienced representatives who specialize in helping rural entrepreneurs generate, test, and refine their business ideas. Through hands-on activities, participants will explore the process of turning ideas into actionable plans. This guided approach is intended to inspire local innovators and equip them with the necessary tools to take the next steps toward building a successful businesses.
What to Expect at the Idea Lab
Participants at the Idea Lab will learn how to evaluate the viability of their business ideas, identify key challenges, and explore strategic next steps. The event will cover everything from concept development to potential growth strategies, with a focus on practical, real-world applications. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of their entrepreneurial journey and the resources available to them, including potential funding and mentorship opportunities.
“Entrepreneurship in rural areas, like Oskaloosa, is crucial for economic growth,” said Deann DeGroot, Executive Director of the Mahaska Chamber and Development Group. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Center on Rural Innovation to offer this event. Mahaska County is one of the leaders in the state for unique patents and innovations and partnering with CORI could foster the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
How the Idea Lab Mirrors Successful Innovation Hubs
Events like the Idea Lab have already proven successful in other regions. For example, Nebraska’s Innovation Labs have become a vital resource for business hopefuls and tech talent. Nebraska Innovation Labs helps entrepreneurs at various stages—from idea conception to business growth—by offering a wide range of services, including software development and business consulting. The Nebraska model has helped create opportunities for young entrepreneurs to gain real-world experience while simultaneously building the state’s tech workforce.
Similarly, the Oskaloosa Idea Lab will not only support local business ventures but also aims to create lasting opportunities within the community. By engaging both established and aspiring entrepreneurs, the event hopes to spark innovation, boost local economies, and encourage the next generation of business leaders.
Be Part of Oskaloosa’s Entrepreneurial Future
The Idea Lab is more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to transform Oskaloosa into a hub for innovation. With a wealth of knowledge provided by the Center on Rural Innovation, local entrepreneurs will have access to critical resources, mentorship, and support to bring their ideas to life.
Event Details:
– When: October 8, 9 AM – 12 PM or 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
– Where: William Penn University, Musco Technology Center (201 W Trueblood Ave)
– Cost: Free

House Fire in Ottumwa Being Investigated

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA — At approximately 7:13 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, fire crews responded to a house fire at 125 West Rochester Road. The Ottumwa Police Department was on scene and assisted with entry to the house. Firefighters entered and attacked the fire, quickly knocking it down. A property search found nobody to be in the home. Thermal cameras were used to locate additional hotspots to put out the rest of the fire. The Health Department was notified and the house has been tagged. The fire is currently under investigation.

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