RAGBRAI Caravan Rolls Into Le Mars
(Le Mars) — The first signs of RAGBRAI have rolled into Le Mars setting up at Cleveland Park. The view would easily remind you of a traveling circus, and in a way it is. The Porkbellies team consists of several semi trucks and trailers with a crew of at least a dozen people assisting to serve as accommodations, restrooms, showers, and large-scale tents. and other
necessities for its more than 1300 members. Pete Phillips of Council Bluffs, Iowa talks about the activity happening at Cleveland Park.
Phillips says they have riders that belong to their organization from all parts across the United States and even around the world.
Phillips says his organization has both RAGBRAI rookies, those going for the first time, and several RAGBRAI veterans.
Once the bicycle riders roll out of Le Mars and on their way to Sac City, Phillips says he and his crew will take everything down and pack it away, and head to Sac City and start the process all over again.
RAGBRAI’s First Bicycles Arrive At Le Mars
(Le Mars) — The first RAGBRAI participants to arrive in the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” are from Missouri. Barb Galles, a member of the Le Mars RAGBRAI committee, reports seeing some folks on their bicycles from Missouri on who had arrived Thursday and realized the fairgrounds won’t open until today (Friday) at noon, and decided to camp out at the West Floyd Park.
Flags Welcome Visitors
(Le Mars) — RAGBRAI visitors will notice a series of flags waving in the breeze along Highway 3 across from the Floyd Valley Healthcare. There are four American flags followed by four State of Iowa Flags then flags from each state is represented. RAGBRAI officials anticipate riders may stand next to
their respective state flag for photo opportunities. Patriotic colors are also present at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds as red, white, and blue shell-shaped banners are hanging on the west fence, as well as from the top of the grandstand.
Law Enforcement Suggests Motorists To Avoid RAGBRAI Route
(Le Mars) — Law enforcement officials a re requesting if possible, motorists should try to avoid the streets, roads and highways designated as the route or events to be used by thousands of bicyclers participating on RAGBRAI. Le
Mars is getting set to serve as the initial host community this Saturday. Le Mars Police Officer Jeff Kramer tells of what streets will be closed for the event.
Officer Kramer says those streets will re-open late Sunday afternoon or evening, depending on when most of the RAGBRAI participants will leave town.
Iowa State Patrol trooper, Karen Yaneff says motorists should use patience, and perhaps look at an alternative route to your destination if it conflicts with the RAGBRAI route.
Yaneff tells of the designated route for the first day of the ride between Le Mars and Sac City.
Yaneff says the Iowa State Patrol will be stationed at various points along the route to help with traffic control for the bicyclists. She says they will also be at the over-night communities assisting local law enforcement officials with possible intoxicated individuals.
Yaneff says they will also be on the lookout for underage minors consuming alcoholic beverages during RAGBRAI events.
Officer Kramer offers these words of advice during the busy RAGBRAI weekend.
Kramer reminds people not to park vehicles in the downtown area, or they may be towed.
Des Moines Drug Raids Result In Federal Charges For 27 Suspects
(Des Moines, IA) — The U-S Attorney’s Office reports a series of drug raids in Des Moines Wednesday have resulted in federal charges against 27 suspects. Authorities say the raids were carried out Wednesday after an investigation lasting several months into heroin and fentanyl distribution in Des Moines. Twenty-one of the suspects are from Des Moines, with five from
Chicago and one from Knoxville. Federal officials say they are still looking for three suspects who avoided arrest.
Iowa Bridge Conditions Some Of The Worst In US
(Undated) — A report from the National Bridge Inventory reveals Iowa bridge conditions are some of the worst in the country. Four-thousand-571 bridges in Iowa are listed as structurally deficient. That’s more than 19 percent of all bridges in the Hawkeye State. Six of the structurally deficient bridges on the list are on the Interstate Highway System. Iowa
isn’t the worst. That dubious title is held by West Virginia where more than 21 percent of all bridges need some work. The Iowa Department of Transportation has identified needed repairs for more than 15 thousand bridges in the state – work that would cost about three-point-one billion dollars.
Ankeny Daycare Provider Will Avoid Prison Time In Child’s Death
(Ankeny, IA) — An Ankeny daycare provider will avoid a long prison sentence after pleading guilty in the death of an infant that happened three years ago. Thirty-six-year-old Michael Coffman will have to spend 79 days in jail, with the rest of his 10-year sentence suspended. He entered a guilty plea in May to neglect of a dependent and operating a child care center
without a license. Evidence showed Coffman was caring for more than twice as many children as state law allows when three-month-old Isla Warnke was found unresponsive. She died two days later.
Drake University To Host STEM Summer Camp For Middle School Students
(Des Moines, IA) — Drake University will host a STEM summer camp for middle school students next month. The camp will be offered to seventh and eighth graders interested in science, technology, engineering, and math.
They will get to do hands-on activities with biology, robotics, statistics, and more. Organizers are hoping to give those students a love of science.
One Drake professor says they’re hoping some Iowa companies step forward to help cover the cost for students from more underserved areas or minority backgrounds. The camp will run the first week of August.
Attorney General Talks About Opioid Settlement
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says the millions of dollars from a settlement with four companies accused of contributing to the nation’s opioid addiction and overdose crisis will be spent primarily on treatment and education. Iowa will get approximately 170 million dollars from
the 26 BILLION dollar settlement. Miller says the money is not going to be enough solve the whole problem — but if spent wisely — it can make a real dent in the opioid issues. Miller says the money will be paid over a period of 17 years and the final amount will depend on how many Iowa counties sign
on to the settlement.
Feenstra Raises 5G Concern About Forecasts
(Washginton, DC) — Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says the expansion of 5-G cellular communication could interfere with weather radar and the ability to get a decent forecast. The Republican from Hull, addressed the topic during this week’s meeting of the U-S House Science, Space, and Technology
Committee, saying it’s vital to have reliable eyes on the sky. He says a report from the Government Accountability Office revealed multiple agencies must improve collaborative efforts to prevent interference with the ability to predict the weather. Feenstra says global positioning system satellites, which aid navigation, could also be impacted. Feenstra says he’s drafting
legislation, trying to find technological solutions to weather radar
blockages and ghost echoes.
Spencer Girl Wins Li’L Miss Competition
(Spencer, IA) — A nine-year-old from Spencer will travel around the state as Li’l Miss Iowa. Caitlyn Barr participated in the pageant last year and won it this year. The pageant encourages contestants to focus on volunteering and community involvement and Barr volunteered at Kindness for Covid. Their work
included singing outside the hospital for Christmas and making sings for a nursing home that told residents “You are loved” or “Get Well Soon.”, Barr was recognized for having the best interview with the judges for contestants in her age group. Barr, who is entering fourth grade this fall, says after high school she’d like to be an Olympic gymnast and a cheerleader at the
University of Northern Iowa.
