(Akron) — Akron firefighters were called to a house fire at about 9:55 a.m. Thursday morning. Two people were injured from the fire. The fire was located at 540 Cheyenne Blvd. Along with the fire department, the Akron Ambulance and Hawarden Ambulance were called to the scene. Bruce Small serves as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Akron Fire Department. Small says
the ranch style home was showing smoke when firefighters had arrived on the scene. He says the fire originated in the basement, and firefighters were able to extinguish the flames within a few minutes, however they remained on scene for nearly two and a half hours. Small believes the fire may have
started as a result of a wiring issue. It has been ruled to be accidental.
Small says the entire house had some extreme heat, and was filled with soot. Small wasn’t certain as the extent of damage to the home, but he believes the house can be salvageable. Small says of the two injuries one person suffered burns and was transported to Mercy One hospital in Sioux City and the second
victim suffered from smoke inhalation and initially was transported by the Hawarden Ambulance to the Hawarden hospital, but later was sent to Mercy One in Sioux City.
(photos contributed.)
Thursday’s Rain Was Nice, But Not Enough
(Le Mars) — The rain that fell on Le Mars and most of northwest Iowa Thursday morning was a timely rain especially since the area was showing some dry conditions. The rain will definitely help with this year’s crop development, but Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Crops Specialist Joel DeJong says more rain is needed for full crop development.
In Le Mars the measured rain amounts were from six tenths to three-quarters of an inch. DeJong says the amounts vary depending on your location. He says eastern Plymouth County received an inch of rain, while other places didn’t receive much rain at all.
DeJong says since the forecast is calling for more warmer temperatures, Thursday’s morning rain may not be enough to complete the corn pollination, and keep our crops from being stressed. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach crops specialist says he has witnessed some crop stress.
DeJong says the corn in Plymouth County is just beginning to show its tassels.
DeJong says soybeans have begun to bloom and only a few fields show pod development. The weather forecast is calling for rain for Friday evening and Saturday morning, and again Monday evening and Tuesday.
Craig Hosting “Power Of The Past Show”
(Craig) — When discussing one-cylinder engines, and the machines responsible for the industrial revolution during the turn of the century, Zach Northway of Craig, can’t help but have a twinkle in his eye and broad smile. You can easily see his interest and passion while talking about the engines of a past
era. That is probably the reason why Northway organized the “Power of the Past” show scheduled for Thursday through Saturday at Craig. Northway says people will be able to go back in history and witness the operation of the engines. He says attendees of the show will be educated and entertained.
Northway says the featured attraction is the array of stationary one-cylinder engines that were used for nearly every purpose during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Northway says his company will offer tours of the manufacturing production, and people will want to visit the museum.
Northway says “The Browns” will provide musical entertainment Saturday evening.
A car show was held Thursday evening during the “Power of the Past” show, and s’mores will be made Friday evening. Northway says a parade is scheduled for Friday and Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. and all events are free admission.
Food vendors are also on hand during the three-day show. Many people may not have realized the town of Craig has a small manufacturing company.
Northway explains the products his company, Fly-wheel Supply, creates and that are shipped around the world.
Northway says Fly-wheel Supply has been in business for more than 15 years.
He says his company manufactures those special one-of-a-kind parts that can’t be found from any other manufacturing company, including all sizes of brass fittings.
The Power of the Past show goes through Saturday evening, with the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. with free admission.
669 New COVID-19 Cases in Iowa, 7 More Deaths
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting 669 more positive tests for COVID-19 today, increasing the total to 33-thousand-12 cases. The death toll rose to 739 after seven more Iowans died from coronavirus complications. More than 76-hundred test results were reported over the last day and the positivity rate was eight-point-76 percent. One-
hundred-68 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, 49 patients are in intensive care and 22 are on ventilators. There are now 17 outbreaks in Iowa’s long-term care facilities. Governor Reynolds’ office said the state has conducted 100-thousand “Test Iowa” tests since the sites first opened April 25th.
No Cy-Hawk Football Game For 2020 Season
(Iowa City, IA) — For the first time since 1976, there will be no Iowa-Iowa State football game. The Big Ten announced it will be moving to a conference only schedule for football and other fall sports. That would force the cancellation of the Cyclone-Hawkeye game set to be played in Iowa City September 12th. University of Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta says the Hawkeyes “fully support” the actions being taken by the Big Ten Conference.
The schedule change also means Iowa’s September 5th opener at home against U-N-I will be canceled, as will a third home game against Northern Illinois.
Biden Campaign Lines Up Senior Team In Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — It’s a sign that Iowa will be a tougher fight in 2020 than it was four years ago when President Trump dominated. The presidential campaign for Joe Biden has signed up a senior team in the state. Democratic operative Jackie Norris will serve a senior adviser in Iowa. He held the same position when President Obama won the state in 2008. Lauren Dillon will
be Biden’s Iowa campaign director. Dillon directed the 2020 Iowa caucus campaign for Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.
New Commander For Corps of Engineers District That Oversees Missouri River
(Omaha, NE) — The Omaha District of the U-S Army Corps of Engineers is welcoming a new commander. Command was officially passed from outgoing Colonel John Hudson to incoming Colonel Mark Himes. Hudson has been commander of the Corps’ Omaha District — which oversees the Missouri River from mid-Missouri to its headwaters — since 2017. In his retirement speech, Hudson recalled the floods that engulfed the river’s lower basin in 2019, causing an estimated two-point-nine billion dollars in damage. Work continues on repairing additional levees that were damaged from the flooding and the Corps has spent more than 300-million dollars. Himes comes to the Omaha District after most recently studying at the U-S Army War College in, Pennsylvania. He has served in various roles for the Corps, including as deputy commander of the Jacksonville, Florida District. Himes said the history and accomplishments of the Omaha district are unmatched – from the earliest Civil Works mission to managing the Missouri River.
Prairie Meadows Casino Reports Increase in Offtrack Horse Betting
(Altoona, IA) — The director of racing at the Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona says they have seen a big increase in offtrack betting on their races during the pandemic. Darron Heldt says the offtrack betting really took off as soon as they got the horses running again. He said, “You know if we bet three million through the first 12 days last year — we are showing we’ve approximately doubled that — they bet six million.” He says horse racing fans are fans of other sports and with all the major sports shut down — there hasn’t been much for them to do. Heldt says the increased offtrack betting on races helps their financial situation — but they make less money on those
bets than they do for wagers made at the track. He says the number of people coming to watch races in person has not matched the increase in offtrack betting. Heldt says they had great crowds opening weekend and then it just kind of diminished. Heldt says he will know more about how they are doing financially at the end of this month.
Iowa City Police Arrest Man Accused Of Assault, Directing Racial Slurs
(Iowa City, IA) — A 68-year-old homeless man is accused of assaulting a worker at Cross Park Place, directing racial slurs at the victim – a Black woman – while he was holding a knife. The incident happened Thursday at about 3:00 a-m at the facility which houses people experiencing chronic homelessness. Officers say the Ronal Rarey was being verbally abusive and racist toward the woman. She was treated at the scene for superficial
injuries to her hands. Rarey was taken to the Johnson County Jail after receiving medical treatment for minor injuries. Police say Rarey has a history of knife attacks connected to race.
Groups Offer $100K Reward In Search For Person Who Left Noose Hanging In Altoona
(Altoona, IA) — Two construction trade groups are offering a 100-thousand-dollar reward for information leading to an arrest concerning a noose found at a worksite on the Facebook Data Center property in Altoona.
The F-B-I and Department of Justice are working with Altoona police on the investigation. The noose was found June 19th. Investigators say they are still conducting interviews. North America’s Building Trades Union and the Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades Council say their reward is available until September 1st.
