Body of Missing Eddyville Man Found in Des Moines River

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Sam Parsons

EDDYVILLE — On Friday, May 30, 2025, at approximately 2:15 pm, searchers located the body of a deceased male, believed to be that of 47-year-old Waylon Straube of Eddyville, in the Des Moines River 1⁄4 mile south of the Chillicothe Bridge in Wapello County.

Mr. Straube went missing following a boating accident on Sunday, May 25 at approximately 9:50 am, when he was ejected from a boat that he was operating near 310th Street. A female companion, identified as Roseann Benda of Corydon, lowa was also ejected from the boat during this accident. Shortly after the accident, Ms. Benda was rescued from the river with the help of two citizen boaters. With the help of other Public Safety Agencies, the Sheriff’s Office has been searching the river daily since the accident.

This male’s body will be transported to the lowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, lowa for positive identification and autopsy. The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the following agencies during this multi-day river search: Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, the Emergency Management Agencies from ADLM, Wings of Mercy, Rapid Response Services Search and Rescue out of Illinois, National Canine Facility, Chariton Dive Team, Lucas County Water Rescue Team, Eldon Fire Department, Oskaloosa Fire Department, New Sharon Fire Department, and Eddyville Fire Department.

Ford recalls more than a million vehicles for software glitch that makes rearview camera unreliable

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ford is recalling more than a million vehicles due to a software issue that can cause the rearview camera to malfunction, increasing the chance of an accident, government auto regulators said.

The software error, which Ford reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration earlier this month, may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

The problem will be fixed by a dealer or via an “over-the-air” update at a later date. A preliminary letter notifying owners of the safety risk is expected to be mailed June 16, with a second letter to be sent once the update is available, expected sometime in the third quarter of 2025.

The following Ford vehicles — a total of 1,075,299 — are included in the recall:

2021-2024 Bronco

2021-2024 Edge

2023-2024 Escape

2021-2024 F-150

2023-2024 F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600

2022-2024 Expedition

2022-2025 Transit

2021-2023 Mach-E

2024 Ranger

2024 Mustang

2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus

2022-2024 Navigator

2023-2024 Corsair

Owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for the recall is 25S49.

Owners may also call the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

State Treasurer touts ISave 529 educational savings plan

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

State Treasurer Roby Smith is celebrating the ISave 529 state educational savings plan today, on May 29th, or “529 Day”.

Smith says there have been some changes made in the plan recently. “We raised the contribution amount that can run off on their Iowa taxes to 58-hundred dollars ($5,800) per individual. Also, they can spend the money that they accrue in there for K through 12 tuition, apprenticeship programs, and trade school. They can even do a student loan repayment up to $10,000 if they’d like,” Smith says.

Smith says you can tailor the plan to how aggressive you want to be in planning for the future. “If they want to have a little bit more risk, they can go ahead and invest in something that covers the entire stock market. If they want to have a little bit less risk, they can do more bonds, less stock market. It just depends what their risk tolerance is,” Smith says. He says the earlier you start, the more money you’ll have to pay for your child’s education. “If you think about this way, if you have 18 years, if you start when you’re a child is first born, and you put in two dollars a day, less than a cup of coffee, you’ll have over $13,000 in contributions by the time they turn 18,” Smith says. “And that doesn’t even count any growth in the investment that they could have.”

Changes in state and federal law now allow you to use that account after your child later in life. “If there’s money left over on the account and you’ve had it open for at least 15 years, you can turn over up to 35-thousand dollars. You can put it into your child’s Roth IRA. Not only do you help them for school, but now you can set them up for retirement,” he says.

Smith says you can start an account with a little as $25 by going to iowa529.com.

Pella, Montezuma Among 33 Schools to Receive Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Grants

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced 33 schools or school districts have received grants to participate in the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program for Schools. The one-year pilot program connects Iowa schools with Choose Iowa members to encourage school food service programs to purchase and serve more ingredients and products sourced from local farmers and small businesses.

The pilot program was authorized during the 2024 legislative session and is an initiative of Choose Iowa, the state’s branding and marketing program that identifies and promotes Iowa grown, made, and raised food, beverages and ag products.

“This Choose Iowa pilot program is yet another way we’re connecting Iowa farmers and small businesses with schools to provide fresh, local, and nutritious food to our students. This one-year pilot program saw strong demand from interested schools that far exceeded the available program budget,” said Secretary Naig. “As Choose Iowa continues to expand, we will work to open even more opportunities to connect local producers and school food programs. Choose Iowa’s membership is growing quickly and is already demonstrating how it can be a powerful tool for strengthening and growing our rural communities.”

The school pilot program has a total budget of $70,000, and each school was eligible to apply for up to $1,000 per school building. Both public and private schools were encouraged to apply. Selected schools are required to provide a minimum one-to-one (1:1) financial match. For example, a school receiving $1,000 must provide at least $1,000 from other sources for a total of $2,000 spent on local foods through the pilot program. Choose Iowa received applications from 61 schools or school districts totaling $158,249, an overall request far exceeding available funding.

The following schools, listed in alphabetical order by county of location, received grants:

Appanoose: Moulton-Udell Community School District

Benton: Belle Plaine Community School District

Black Hawk: Bosco Catholic School System

Boone: Boone Community School District

Cass: Griswold Community School District

Clayton: MFL MarMac Community School District

Dallas: Waukee Community School District

Dubuque: Holy Family Catholic Schools

Franklin: Hampton-Dumont Community School District

Grundy: Dike-New Hartford Community School District

Hamilton: Webster City School District

Harrison: Missouri Valley Community School District

Howard: Riceville Community School District

Ida: OABCIG Community School District

Jefferson: Fairfield Community School District

Johnson: Lone Tree Community School District

Lee: Central Lee Community School District

Linn: Center Point-Urbana Community School District

Linn: Xavier Catholic Schools

Marion: Pella Community School District

Mitchell: Osage Community School District

O’Brien: Sheldon Community School District

Page: Clarinda Community School District

Plymouth: Hinton Community School District

Polk: Bondurant-Farrar Community School District

Pottawattamie: Council Bluffs Community School District

Poweshiek: Montezuma Community School District

Ringgold: Diagonal Community School District

Scott: Pleasant Valley Community School District

Sioux: West Sioux Community School District

Winneshiek: Decorah Community School District

Winneshiek: St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School

Woodbury: Westwood Community School District

Eligible products that can be purchased include meat and poultry, dairy products (other than milk), eggs, honey and produce. Funding for milk is available through a different federal program. To be eligible for funding through the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Pilot Program, schools must purchase food from a Choose Iowa member. If selected schools wish to purchase from specific Iowa farmers, they should encourage those farmers or businesses to apply to become a Choose Iowa member. Food hubs that are Choose Iowa members are also eligible for food purchases within the program. Products purchased through food hubs must come from Iowa producers.

Additional details on the school pilot program can be found on the Choose Iowa website. The school program accompanies the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Choose Iowa’s Food Purchasing Pilot Program for Food Banks, which launched last summer to connect food banks with Choose Iowa members to help alleviate hunger within our communities.

Area High School Student Dies in Fatal Head-On Crash

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Sam Parsons

PACKWOOD – An area high school student was killed in a head-on collision yesterday morning that remains under investigation.

According to traffic records, yesterday morning at around 7:35am, a fatal crash took place on Packwood Road, south of Packwood. Authorities say a 2003 Toyota Camry collided with a 1999 Dodge Ram head-on after crossing the center line for an unknown reason. The Camry was driven by Pekin high school senior Ava Ford, and she was pronounced dead on the scene. She was 17 years old.

The driver of the Ram, who was identified as 40-year-old Clinton Weaver of Lancaster, Missouri, suffered undisclosed injuries and was flown to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

The traffic report shows that both drivers were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The Pekin School District described Ava as a “passionate, kind and thoughtful student who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.” The district announced that their school counselor will be available in the high school office throughout the rest of this week and next week, ready to provide support to any student or community member who may need to talk. Additionally, a grief crisis team will be on standby.

JAMEY JOHNSON ANNOUNCES 2025 TOUR

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Bob Ballard

He’s got a new wife, so he’s gotta get out there and make that money…and the fans will benefit. Jamey Johnson has revealed his 2025 tour dates, and along with that news, comes the announcement that new music is on the way. Johnson’s 36-city headlining tour, “The Last Honky Tonk Tour,” will kick off June 4th in Wichita, Kansas, with dates including Detroit, Albuquerque, and more before coming to a stop with two dates in Nashville on October 17th and 18th. As for the new music, Jamey says he’s recorded over 50 new tracks, and some of those songs will be performed during the tour. “We are going to do some of the new stuff. We will do some of the songs from ‘Midnight Gasoline’ from last year and all the years before. Whatever album you like, we will do some of those songs. It’s exciting to play the new songs. I like it when people tell me they have heard the new stuff and they like it. I like it when people have something else to listen to. Sometimes it’s as simple as that.” Check out the first ten dates for his tour below, and visit Jamey’s website for more tour and ticket info.

June 4, 2025 – Wichita, KS – Wichita Riverfest
June 5, 2025 – Round Rock, TX – Round Rock Amp
June 6, 2025 – Bossier City, LA – Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort and Casino
June 7, 2025 – Lake Charles, LA – Golden Nugget Lake Charles
June 12, 2025 – Warren, OH – Packard Music Hall
June 13, 2025 – Detroit, MI – Aretha Franklin Amphitheater
June 14, 2025 – Creighton, PA – Pittsburgh Brewing Company
June 20, 2025 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Resort & Casino Showroom
June 21, 2025 – Chandler, AZ – Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
June 22, 2025 – Winchester, CA – Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival

This day in Country Music History

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1956, Country Music Hall of Famer Johnny Cash entered the country charts with “I Walk The Line.”
Today in 1966, Dolly Parton married Carl Dean in Ringgold, Georgia. While Dolly doesn’t use Dean’s surname publicly, she has stated that her passport says “Dolly Parton Dean” and that she sometimes uses Dean when signing contracts.
Today in 1995, the “Waitin’ On Sundown” album by Brooks & Dunn was certified double platinum.
Today in 1995, Alan Jackson’s “Who I Am” album was certified triple platinum.
Today in 1997, Alan Jackson’s single, “Who’s Cheatin’ Who,” hit #1.
Today in 1999, a bomb threat at a Kenny Rogers concert being held at the Royal Albert Hall in London caused the evacuation of more than 3,000. No bomb was found and no injuries were reported.
Today in 1999, Tim McGraw opened a show for his wife, Faith Hill, at the Beacon Theater in New York City. His appearance was an unannounced surprise.
Today in 2000, Mary Jenkins Langston, the woman who prepared Elvis Presley’s trademark peanut butter and banana sandwiches as well as the spectrum of other delicacies the King enjoyed, died at 78. Mary began as a housekeeper at Graceland in 1963. Three years later, when Elvis married Priscilla Beaulieu, Mary was promoted to cook by the new bride, who said they had “similar preference for homestyle beef and vegetable dishes.” Even after Elvis’ death in 1977, Mary remained at Graceland and cooked for the rest of the family until her retirement 12 years later. In 1997, Mary wrote (under her maiden name of Jenkins) the book, “Elvis, Memories Beyond Graceland Gates,” in which she discussed some of the King’s favorite recipes, including the origins of the famous fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Today in 2000, the “Road Dogs” album by Charlie Daniels Band and Dwight Yoakam’s “dwightyoakamacoustic.net” hit stores.
Today in 2000, Tracy Byrd’s “Wonders of Wildlife” benefit, which featured Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt, Kenny Rogers, John Anderson and many more debuted on TNN. Proceeds from the concert went to national conservation groups like Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Foundation and Quail Unlimited.
Today in 2001, Shania Twain and then-husband/producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange came up winners at the 2001 ASCAP Pop Awards. The songs, “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” and “You’re Still The One,” (both written by Shania and Mutt) received enough airplay during the previous year to make the list of Most Performed Songs of the Year. Although Shania had a part in writing the songs, Mutt, an ASCAP registered songwriter received most of the recognition. Shania, being a BMI registered songwriter, received an asterisk by her name because she’s not an ASCAP writer.
Today in 2009, Steve Martin made his Grand Ole Opry debut, playing “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” in Nashville with Vince Gill, Randy Scruggs, John McEuen and Stuart Duncan among his backing musicians.
Today in 2012, an edition of “CMT Crossroads” featuring Joe Walsh & Friends was shot at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. The friends include Hunter Hayes, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Sara Evans and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons.
Today in 2013, the Johnny Cash Museum held its grand opening in downtown Nashville. The exhibit includes clothing the Man in Black wore in a White House concert, equipment used to record “I Walk The Line” and metal cups he received when he recorded “Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison.”
Today in 2013, Jason Aldean performs “Take A Little Ride,” “Tattoos On This Town” and “My Kinda Party” during Boston Strong: An Evening Of Support And Celebration at the TD Garden in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing. The benefit also features Aerosmith, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Carole King and Dane Cook, among others.
Today in 2015, Justin Moore’s family pet, a terrier named Hank, runs away during a family vacation in Texas. The dog is reunited with the family the following day.
Today in 2016, John Michael Montgomery and Phil Vassar performed at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., with Montgomery offering up “Letters From Home.”
Today in 2016, Big & Rich headlined a benefit for a military charity at Fontanel in Nashville, joined by Thompson Square, Parmalee, Chuck Wicks and RaeLynn.

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

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Elsa”, a beautiful 10 month old Great Pyrenees mix. Elsa is a little shy at first, but once she gets to know you she will be your best friend forever! Elsa loves kids and walks pretty well on a leash. Elsa seems to get along well with other dogs, too! Elsa is fully vetted, spayed, vaccinated and microchipped and ready to meet you!

And because Elsa 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 Elsa 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 Elsa with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Ancient DNA reveals a new group of people who lived near land bridge between the Americas

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have identified a new pod of ancient hunter-gatherers who lived near the land bridge between North America and South America about 6,000 years ago.

Researchers are still charting how human populations spread across the Americas thousands of years ago, arriving first in North America before veering south. Groups that split off developed their own collection of genes that scientists can use to piece together the human family tree.

Discovered through ancient DNA, the group lived in the high plateaus of present-day Bogotá, Colombia — close to where the Americas meet. Scientists aren’t sure exactly where they fall in the family tree because they’re not closely related to ancient Native Americans in North America and also not linked to ancient or present-day South Americans.

The new study was published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.

“Up to this point, we didn’t believe there was any other lineage that would appear in South America,” said archaeologist Andre Luiz Campelo dos Santos with Florida Atlantic University who was not involved with the new research. “This is unexpected.”

Just 4,000 years later, these ancient humans were gone and a genetically-different human clan inhabited the area. Scientists aren’t sure exactly what happened to make them fade away — whether they mixed into a new, bigger group or were pushed out entirely.

Analyzing more genes in South America will help confirm if this new group truly did disappear or if there could be evidence of their descendants elsewhere, said Campelo dos Santos.

Studying these ancient Colombian genes are important to piecing together the history of the Americas since ancient people had to cross this land bridge to settle in and spread across South America.

The area is “the gateway to the South American continent,” said study author Andrea Casas-Vargas with the National University of Colombia.

Weekly Fuel Report

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 2 cents, averaging $2.95 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.16 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $61.89.
Brent crude oil fell by $.37 and is currently priced at $65.00.
One year ago, WTI crude sold for $80.90 and Brent crude was $81.34.

Motor Fuels

As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.95 across Iowa according to AAA.
- Prices rose 2 cents from last week’s price and are down 32 cents from a year ago.
- The national average on Wednesday was $3.16, down 2 cents from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 2 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.32.
- One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.58 in Iowa.
- The current Iowa diesel price is 22 cents lower than the national average of $3.54.
The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.98 for U87-E10, $2.32 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.16 for ULSD#2, $2.41 for ULSD#1, and $1.97 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

Natural gas prices were up $.24 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.62 MMbtu.
We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in October.

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

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