A new monthly survey of bankers suggests strong growth continues across rural parts of Iowa and 9 other Plains and Western states. The overall Rural Mainstreet economic index slipped to 70.0 in June from May’s record high of 78.8, but it remained well into positive territory. Creighton University economist Dr. Ernie Goss said the number of nonfarm jobs across the region remains 2% below where it was before the pandemic began, but three states — Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska — reported employment levels above where they were before the virus emerged last year.
The Waterloo Police Department has released a statement providing further details into Chief Joel Fitzgerald’s out-of-state travels in response to recent calls for his resignation. The statement says Fitzgerald’s travels are due to his youngest son being treated for a brain tumor after undergoing surgery in 2019. The department says Fitzgerald will continue to make trips to see his family for important appointments until the situation is resolved. Fitzgerald’s wife and family now live in Austin, Texas. Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart said Fitzgerald asked him to travel back to Texas and spend time with his family, and he approved it. The mayor also said the Chief was working remotely while in Texas.
Earlier this week, it was the city of Cedar Falls…now the city of Cedar Rapids reminds the public that the use of fireworks within the city limits of Cedar Rapids is prohibited. Cedar Rapids police officers will cite individuals who are caught illegally discharging fireworks, requiring a court appearance and a fine up to $855.
A St. Charles man has entered a plea of guilty to two felonies for firing his handgun into a carful of girls who were arguing with Trump supporters near the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines last December. 26-year-old Michael McKinney admitted guilt Wednesday to intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury, charges that carry up to 10 years in prison each. In return, the state will dismiss four charges including attempted murder. McKinney will be sentenced Aug. 9.
A judge fined a northwest Iowa man $80,000 for burning thousands of railroad ties despite being told the burning was illegal. The Iowa Attorney General’s office said John Goldsmith of Sergeant Bluff was also ordered not to violate state solid waste disposal and open burning regulations in the future. The Department of Natural Resources said Goldsmith called the agency in August 2018 and said he planned to burn some of an estimated 30,000 railroad ties on his property because it would cost too much to properly dispose of them. He also said he had barricaded his property so firefighters could not put out the fire, which burned for four days.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a pro-police measure that heightens criminal penalties for certain protest activities. Reynolds says the bill sends a signal to law enforcement that Iowans have their backs. The bill makes it easier for police to charge activists for public disorder and engaging in unlawful assembly. It also makes it harder to sue and win monetary damages from police.
Marshalltown authorities say an early morning house fire and subsequent explosion yesterday forced the evacuation of two homes. Officials say the fire was reported around 2:15 a.m. early Thursday, and police arrived to see flames coming from one home. Within minutes, an explosion occurred that intensified the fire and spread the flames to a home next door. Officers were able to alert the occupants of the second home and get them safely out of the house. Firefighters later confirmed that the occupants of both houses were safe. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and explosion.
We told you yesterday that the weekly drought monitor showed seriously worsening conditions in Iowa. Now residents of Belle Plaine are under water restrictions due to drought conditions. The water restrictions limit the watering of lawns to new sod only and bans the washing of cars and boats. The city has its own water service from five different wells, including an emergency deep well that has not been tapped yet.
As the Iowa Heartlanders–the new hockey team in Coralville–start skating this fall in the East Coast Hockey League, they’ll be connected with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. The Wild yesterday announced a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Heartlanders beginning with the 2021-22 season. The Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League play in Des Moines and are the top affiliate of the Wild.
A judge has ordered a new trial for a 71-year-old man who was convicted in a May 2020 shooting death in rural Sioux County. District Judge Jeffrey Neary ruled Wednesday that Gregg Winterfeld of Spirit Lake should get a new trial because he and his lawyer did not get enough peremptory challenges during jury selection in his first trial. Winterfeld was convicted in connection with the death of Grant Wilson. He was charged with first-degree murder but was convicted of second-degree murder. Both sides were given six peremptory strikes of potential jurors rather than the 10 required in trials involving Class A felonies such as first-degree murder.
