B-17 On Display At Museum
Sioux City–One of the famed Flying Fortresses from World War Two is flying over Sioux City this weekend. The B-17 bomber is on display and available for flights at the MidAmerican Museum of Aviation and Transportation. Pilot George Daubner says it’s one of very few of the planes still flying.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/June 2014/Daubner1.MP3{/audio}
He says the B-17 was one of the first metal planes with a unique wing design that gave it functional strength and durability.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/June 2014/Daubner2.MP3{/audio}
Even with the durability of the plane, the 10-man crew faced dangers from anti-aircraft guns and the German air force.
{audio} images/stories/mp3/June 2014/Daubner3.MP3{/audio}
Hawarden resident and World War Two B-17 pilot, Paul Gambaina took a special flight on the plane. It was his first flight on a B-17 in 70 years after he was shot down on a mission over Europe. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war.
Judge Puts Hold On Federal Case Against Branstad
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A judge has placed on hold a federal lawsuit filed against Governor Terry Branstad and five of his staff members by Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Christopher Godfrey. The court says Godfrey’s lawsuit in state court should be allowed to proceed first.
Godfrey, who is gay, alleges he was discriminated against based on his sexual orientation and defamed by Branstad and staff.
Godfrey was appointed by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in 2009 but asked to resign after Branstad took office in 2011. Godfrey declined and Branstad cut his pay by $39,000.
Judge James Gritzner says in his ruling published Friday important state issues must be decided in the case requiring it to be tried in state court first.
He preserves the federal lawsuit if the state case doesn’t provide adequate relief.
Heavy Rainfall Gives Pefect Conditions For Mosqitoes
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Standing water from repeated downpours in much of Iowa and Nebraska has created the perfect conditions for an onslaught of mosquitoes, but health officials say disease-carrying ones are not yet out in full force.
Doctor Patricia Quinlisk, medical director for the Iowa Department of Public Health, says mosquitoes that carry diseases like the West Nile Virus enjoy small stagnant puddles of water. The constant rain has actually prevented those conditions.
Still, it has been ideal for nuisance mosquitoes known for their annoying bites. Kenneth Holscher, an entomology professor at Iowa State University, says more of these mosquitoes have been recorded in Iowa compared to this time last year. But it’s too early to tell what that could mean.
For now, officials in Iowa and Nebraska recommend people wear insect repellent.
Leaking Pipe Near Lake
DEXTER, Iowa (AP) – Officials say a leaking pipe has caused wastewater to discharge near Diamondhead Lake in Dallas County.
The state Department of Natural Resources says wastewater from a sanitary sewer line began bubbling up Friday morning from an underground pipe on the west side of Diamondhead Lake.
Officials believe the pipeline leak occurred after the installation of a power pole. Wastewater is discharging about 300 feet from the lake but has not reached the water.
The Diamondhead Lake Sanitary District expects the discharge to be ongoing until at least Saturday. Residents are being encouraged to avoid swimming and wading near the area.
Election Season Slows Senate Voting
WASHINGTON (AP) – A fear of voting has gripped Democratic leaders in the Senate, slowing the chamber’s modest productivity this election season to a near halt.
With Senate control at risk in November, leaders are going to remarkable lengths to protect endangered Democrats from casting tough votes and to deny Republicans legislative victories during the campaign. Even bipartisan legislation to boost energy efficiency, manufacturing, sportsmen’s rights and more could be scuttled.
The Senate’s masters of process are finding a variety of ways to shut down debate.
For one, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid now is requiring an elusive 60-vote supermajority to deal with amendments to spending bills, instead of the usual simple majority. That step makes it much more difficult to put politically sensitive matters into contention.
