DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH/KCRG) – Despite another week of rainy conditions, which left an average of just over three days suitable for field work, Iowa farmers have more corn and soybeans in the ground than this time last year. Corn planted in the state reached 49%, which is three days ahead of 2024 planting but two days behind the average. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the drier and warmer conditions expected in the coming week will likely lead to “significant planting progress” across the state. Crop emergence for corn is ahead of last year and the five-year average, with 10% emerged statewide, and southern regions of the state seeing more than 20% emerged according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress and condition report for April 28 through May 4. Soybean acres planted reached 38% in the reporting period and 5% emerged. Less than 10% of oat acres remain to be planted and 58% of the crop has emerged. Oats rated 79% good or excellent.
ELKADER, Iowa (KCRG) – The Superintendent for the Central Community School District will not be returning to his role next year, according to the most recent school board agenda. Back in February, the school board voted unanimously to extend Superintendent Nick Trenkamp’s contract through the next school year. But now, it looks like he’ll be done as of June 30th. This comes after he made a series of controversial Facebook posts criticizing pharmaceutical ads, tying them to childhood obesity and homosexuality. This led to parents, staff members, and former students calling for his removal during a board meeting late last month, while others urged the board to keep him as superintendent. Since then, he’s been on administrative leave. The specifics of him leaving – whether he’s resigning or will continue on leave until the end of the year – are unknown.
FAYETTE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – Four people have been charged in a Fayette County drug bust. On May 3 at approximately 12:30 a.m., a Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over a vehicle on Highway 18, just outside West Union. Police searched the vehicle and found distribution amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana. 28-year-old Brennen Frick, 64-year-old Randy Johnson, and 41-year-old Karissa Krammerer were arrested and charged. Frick was charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, introducing contraband into a correctional facility, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Johnson was charged with OWI, second offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Krammerer was charged with possession of controlled substance – marijuana, first offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. As a part of the case, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office also conducted a search warrant in the 100 block of East Elm Street in West Union. Police found more methamphetamine, marijuana, and paraphernalia during the search of the apartment. 26-year-old Hailey Plathe was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, first offense, possession of marijuana, first offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with official acts. Frick also lived at the apartment, and received two additional charges of possession of a controlled substance following the search.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Rapids man faces charges after police say he made threats and then kept officers at bay for four hours during a standoff. Cedar Rapids Police say they got a call just after 10 a.m. Sunday for a person acting oddly near the intersection of 1st Avenue and 13th Street West. When officers arrived, a man made violent threats and ran to a garage at a home in the 1300 block of Burch Avenue Northwest. Police say it was 42-year-old Jeremy Davis. A criminal complaint shows Davis threatened a woman with a knife at a home before officers arrived. It also shows Davis threatened his own life during the standoff with officers. After four hours, officers were able to arrest Davis. The criminal complaint shows they also found a pipe used to smoke illegal drugs on him. Davis faces charges of domestic abuse assault display or use of a weapon, two charges of interference with official acts with a dangerous weapon, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
