From the Associated Press
For years, Des Moines Water Works has tried to force or cajole farmers upstream to reduce the runoff of fertilizer that leaves the rivers with sky-high nitrate levels but lawsuits and legislative lobbying have failed. Now, it’s considering a drastic measure that, as a rule, large cities just don’t do — resorting to wells to find clean water. Small communities and individuals use wells, but metro areas the size of Des Moines have always relied primarily on rivers and lakes for the large volumes of water needed. It’s frustrating for utility officials but they say they have little choice. Farmers acknowledge they must help reduce nitrates but say voluntary efforts will be more effective than government regulations.
Four people were hospitalized after an raft overturned on a ride at Adventureland Park. Six people were on a raft on the Raging River when the accident happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. KCCI-TV reports three were transported in critical condition, and one was hospitalized. Adventureland officials said in a Facebook post that the ride had been inspected on Friday and was found to be in sound working order. It will remain closed for a thorough inspection. The ride sends riders through rapids on large circular rafts.
A Minnesota woman was killed and three other people injured at an Independence Day parade in Iowa. Iowa State Police say a 2007 Hyundai Sonata was parked on the street after Saturday’s parade when pedestrians were in the road. The Des Moines Register reports a 75-year-old woman backed out and struck several people. Four people were dragged under the vehicle. Fifty-nine-year-old Mary Nienow of Alberta Lea, Minnesota, was killed. A 67-year-old woman, a 30-year-old woman and a 6-year-old child were also injured. Each year, 5,000-6,000 people descend on the town of about 1,500 residents for its Fourth of July festivities.
Two people have been found dead inside a vehicle at the Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area. The Department of Natural Resources said in a news release that a park ranger noticed a parked car at around 10:45 p.m. Friday in the first lot on the north side of the dam. That area closes nightly at 10:30 p.m. The ranger discovered one male and one female dead inside the vehicle after he approached it. The department did not immediately release their names or other details. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating.
The road running between a marsh wildlife area and Clear Lake in Ventura is dangerous for turtles, even with a turtle crossing sign. So five boys aged 8 to 10 have spent some time this summer helping the turtles cross. The Mason City Globe reports that on one recent summer day, the spent several hours assisting turtles, saving 20 to 30 from being flattened by motorists, and they reckon they’ve saved close to 200 overall. The five friends in on the turtle rescuing are Keygan Hoover, Blake Meyer, Cole Meyer, Zacaious Moe and Casen Wenzel.
Officials in Dubuque are proposing a pilot program to help low- to moderate-income residents install solar panels on their homes. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that the City Council plans to discuss the idea Tuesday. The city has budgeted nearly $41,000 for the project, which would install panels on 10 homes. The cost of installing the panels would be about $10,000, but with tax credits, grants and the sale of energy credits, homeowners would pay about $2,600, according to council documents. Households would save from $800 to $1,000 annually in energy costs. The city would pay the homeowners so that it could claim renewable energy credits.
