An amazing accident with an amazing result occurred early Friday morning just east of Fairfield on Highway 34. The front of a 2008 Ford Focus of an Ottumwa man was completely demolished after running into the front trailer tire and catching the underside of a semi tractor-trailer just before 5:28 a.m. Friday by Overland Outfitters between Osage and Pine on Highway 34, but amazingly the driver of the Focus was able to walk away with no injuries from the accident.
Floyd Hendred, 51, of Ottumwa was charged with crossing over the centerline while traveling westbound into Fairfield on 34. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Hendred reported hitting a slick spot on the highway, causing him to swerve into the eastbound lane before attempting to overcorrect. At the same time, Johnny Carter, 49, of Jefferson City, Missouri was traveling east on Highway 34 as Hendred entered his lane of traffic.
Carter attempted to swerve out of the way, but could not keep Hendred from making contact with the front tire of the trailer. After hitting the tire, Hendred’s car was caught by the underside of the trailer, which took apart the entire front of the vehicle. Officer Gregg Morton reported the front of the car was ‘demolished’ as pieces of the front were strewn upwards of approximately 150 feet down Highway 34, including the entire hood of the car.
The accident actually corrected Hendred’s vehicle back into the westbound lane, where Hendred used what was left of the momentum to direct the car to the shoulder. Carter, after having his front trailer tire blown out by the collision, directed his semi over to his shoulder.
Neither party amazing was injured, but the 150 feet of extensive debris from the Focus took officials from Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office upwards of an hour to clean Highway 34 to make both lanes safe for travel again. Traffic was slowed to one lane during the cleanup.
Flooding Closes Iowa 5 In Appanoose County
The Iowa Department of Transportation has closed Iowa 5 at the Missouri State line in Appanoose County due to flooding.
Water is covering the roadway five miles south of the Iowa/Missouri state line on Missouri Highway 5 just north of Unionville.
Fairfield Man Arrested For Turtle Poaching
Two southeast Iowa men, including a Fairfield resident, have been charged with turtle poaching. Authorities got a tip on the state's ‘Turn in Poachers’ hotline, so conservation officers staged a stakeout in the Tama Bottoms area north of Burlington on July 9.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials say that 38-year-old Fairfield native Jack Schafer along with Mike Kerr, 36, of Mount Pleasant didn’t have the proper commercial licenses to trap turtles, which is legal to do in the state of Iowa. The two men also face a series of charges ranging from using an illegal method to ‘take’ turtles to illegal possession of a turtle.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Joe Fourdyce says the illegal traps were set in an area near the Mississippi River. “The reason the traps were illegal is because they didn’t have the require escape hole and they weren’t tagged in any way with a commercial tag or a nametag,” Fourdyce says.
Schafer and Kerr face almost $2,300 in fines. Fourdyce says there’s been an increase in the number of Iowans who're asking for licenses so they can trap legally turtles.
“It's fairly lucrative. You can make some pretty good money off of it,” Fourdyce says. “I think female snapping turtles and soft-shell turtles bring about $1.50 a pound and the males will bring about $1 a pound.”
The average turtle weighs about nine pounds. Fourdyce saw the two men check nine traps and round up 30 turtles at an estimated value of at least $270.
The turtles aren't sold for their meat.
“They go to a breeder who breeds them out,” Fourdyce says. “The eggs will be put in an incubator and hatched and then the small turtles get sent over to China.”
Kerr and Schafer are to appear in court on August 12.
Loebsack Part Of Congressional Disaster Work Group
Dave Loebsack joined fellow Congressman Kenny Hulshof of Missouri to form the bipartisan Disasters of 2008 Working Group to bring together U.S. House members representing Midwest states affected by the recent floods, tornados and severe weather. Currently, the 19 bipartisan members of the group are working in partnership to secure the resources necessary to clean up and rebuild the communities affected by the recent disasters.
“I worked to form the Disasters of 2008 Working Group to create one united voice of support for the thousands of Midwesterners affected by the recent floods and tornados,” said Congressman Loebsack. “The road to recovery for families and business in the affected areas will be long, but by working together, each member of the Group can better provide the assistance necessary to help get struggling communities back on their feet.”
“The Mississippi River and Mother Nature are bigger than us all, and now is the time to band together on the issue,” Hulshof said. “Walking the levees in Missouri and seeing the hard work and selfless service to neighbors touched me deeply. Our job is to get these good people the resources they need to rebuild their lives.”
The Disasters of 2008 Working Group was founded in June, shortly after the rising flood waters began to devastate much of Iowa, Missouri and other Midwestern states along the Mississippi. The goals of the working group are to help coordinate efforts on the federal level to provide guidance to residents and local governments, important funding and other assistance to states in need and help delegations remain up to speed on actions other offices may be taking that could be helpful if duplicated in another affected state.
Since the formation of the Disasters of the 2008 Working Group, the members have jointly requested a meeting with House Leadership to discuss the creation of a second disaster relief package. Already, $2.56 billion in disaster relief has been provided to serve as the down payment on cleanup efforts; however, significantly more funding will be necessary for a swift and robust recovery.
Earlier this week, the second congressional district’s canvassing of residents dealing with the Floods of 2008 found its way into Fairfield. Elaine Orr, Loebsack’s district representative, will be at the Jefferson County Courthouse at 51 West Briggs from 2-3:30 p.m. to provide continued assistance to the people hardest hit by this disaster.
Flood Assistance Meetings are being held by the Loebsack staff throughout the Second Congressional District to provide guidance on how to apply for state and federal disaster aid. Orr will also be on hand to work with individuals who are having difficulty with one of the federal agencies charged with providing federal disaster assistance.
Residents who suffered losses due to the floods are encouraged to attend a Loebsack Flood Assistance Meeting, or to contact our office toll-free at 1-866-914-IOWA (4692) for assistance. Loebsack also announced he would be back in Fairfield to meet personally with those same area individuals, small business owners, and farmers affected by the recent floods at the Fairfield Public Library on Friday, August 8 at 10:30 a.m.
Loebsack offered an amendment during House debate of the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008, H.R. 3999. The Congressman’s amendment, which was approved by voice vote, will revise the bill to require the Secretary of Transportation to study flood risks posed to bridges in the 500-year flood plain.
The National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008 contains provisions to improve the safety of the nation’s highway bridges, strengthen bridge inspection requirements and standards, and authorize an additional $1 billion in FY 2009 for reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System (NHS). Specifically, the legislation includes provisions that requires the secretary to develop a system to assign a risk-based priority to repair, rehabilitate, or replace each structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridge, establishing a new level of accountability in bridge repair and replacement.
Fairfield Schools Encouraging Early Enrollment
The Fairfield Community School District is getting set for the brand new 2008-09 school year. As such, Fairfield Schools are hoping parents will look as well to get an early start on having their child set for the new school year.
Fairfield Schools are reminding any family or household with kindergarten or new Fairfield students to enroll their students before August 4. Ways to do enroll a student are by stopping by the Fairfield Curriculum Office at 403 South 20th Street, as students must be enrolled before they can complete fee payment responsibilities.
All families with enrolled school-aged students are also reminded to attend the Fee Payment Day that will be held on Monday, August 4. Fee Payment Day will be held throughout the day from 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Fairfield High School in the Commons area.
Over $2.2 Million To Fuel Drug Abuse Fight In Iowa
Senator Tom Harkin announced that communities across Iowa have received a total of over $2.2 million from the Office of Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Program. These funds will support efforts to reduce youth substance abuse and strengthen community anti-drug coalitions. The Drug-Free Communities Program is designed to strengthen community-based coalition efforts to reduce youth substance abuse.
Among the 24 Iowa communities will receive funding includes the Van Buren County Safe Coalition in Keosauqua, which will receive $100,000 in funding. Ottumwa’s ‘Building a Better Community’ program also will receive funding of $100,000 as will the Henry Healthy County Communities program in Mount Pleasant.
“We all must do our part to help combat substance abuse in our communities,” said Harkin. “These Drug-Free Community funds can help us prevent drug abuse amongst children in Iowa by strengthening the grassroots organizations that know how to get results.”
These funds will help these Iowa communities reduce access of tobacco products to under age youth, increase the awareness of the harmful nature of drugs, create mentoring programs and reinforce partnerships with substance abuse agencies in the area.
‘Avenue Of The Saints’ Opens Today
The Avenue of the Saints, covering 536 miles from St. Paul, Minn., to St. Louis, Mo., will officially be opened completely today. The completion of the last section of the roadway, 15 miles in northern Missouri on U.S. Highway 61 between Wayland and Canton, will be celebrated by an event this morning at 9 a.m.
Officials from Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota will be on hand to dedicate the Avenue of the Saints at a ceremony on the newly constructed Missouri Route 27-61 interchange near Running Fox Elementary School just south of Wayland. The ceremony will focus not only on pending completion of the four-lane highway that will connect St. Paul to
St. Louis, but also feature several communities along the Avenue.
The Avenue of the Saints corridor is estimated to be the home of nearly 7 million people and 250,000 businesses, and helps create new economic development opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, every inch of the way. The roadway in Iowa is designated as Iowa 27.
In the spring of 2006, Iowa completed work on its last stretch of the Avenue of the Saints, which extended 7 ½ miles and followed U.S. 218/Iowa 27 from Iowa 16 to Iowa 2 east of Donnellson in Lee County in Southeast Iowa.
Suspect In Postville Stabbing Still At Large
Law enforcement officials are looking for a suspect in a stabbing incident that took place early Thursday morning in Postville. The suspect is Norberto Luna, 47, and is believed to be driving a green, early 1990s model Ford Aerostar with an Illinois license plate 9465817. If any member of the public has contact with Norberto Luna or locates the aforementioned vehicle, they should call the Allamakee County Sheriff's office at 563-568-4521, or State Radio at 319-277-4761.
At approximately 2:50 a.m. on Thursday, the Allamakee County Communications Center received a 911 call requesting assistance regarding a stabbing that had recently occurred in Postville. Allamakee County law enforcement and emergency personnel were dispatched to 101 E. Tilden St. in Postville.
Upon arrival, law enforcement found Irving Villarreal, 19, of Postville suffering what appeared to be a non-critical, single stab wound. Individuals around the residence of 101 E. Tilden notified law enforcement that there was another victim located in the back of the residence of 242 N. Lawler in Postville.
Upon arrival at the second residence, officers discovered another victim, Ricardo Salinas, 37, suffering from what appeared to be a single stab wound. Villarreal was treated and released at an area hospital.
Salinas was transported to a local hospital and then air lifted to Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Cross, Wisconsin where his current condition is not known. Special Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and Deputies with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office were contacted to assist with the investigation into the stabbing.
The investigation is still ongoing through the joint efforts of the Postville Police Department, Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa DCI.
Updated Bicycle Transportation Map Now Available
The 2008 version of the Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclists is now available. Initially published in 2000, this statewide map shows hundreds of miles of multi-use trails that pass through woodlands, prairies and parks – all highlighting the beauty of Iowa’s landscapes. In addition, traffic levels are indicated for all paved roadways so bicyclists can choose the routes that match their level of riding experience and enhance safety.
Information highlighted on the back of the map includes trail maps of the state’s largest cities; a summary of Iowa’s bicycling laws; information about 50 multi-use trails that are five miles or longer; cycling safety tips; and contacts, including Web sites, for additional information on cycling in Iowa.
In June 2008, flooding significantly impacted some multi-use trails across Iowa. Please use the contact information provided in this map to verify the status of the trails you are interested in riding. This information will also be posted on iowadot.gov/iowabikes.
There are a variety of ways to obtain a paper copy or view the map online. Paper copies are being distributed at no charge at the state’s welcome centers. They can also be ordered by calling 515-242-4705 or 800-345-IOWA or by logging on to either iowadot.gov/iowabikes or iowadotmaps.com. The maps can also be viewed online at either of these sites.
The bicycle map was updated in coordination with the state’s metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning affiliations. Also adding input to the publication were the Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Iowa Department of Economic Development and members of the public.
IWC Announces 07-08 Part-Time Student Honors List
Iowa Wesleyan College has recognized the following part-time students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 or higher while completing at least 15 semester hours of course work during the 2007-2008 school year. They have qualified for Iowa Wesleyan’s Part-Time Student Honors Recognition.
“Most of these students who pursue their degree in Wesleyan’s evening bachelor’s degree completion program also have full-time jobs and other outside responsibilities,” said David File, Associate Vice President and Dean of Extended Learning. “They are to be commended on excelling in the classroom while accomplishing their job-related and personal commitments.”
Iowa Wesleyan College offers bachelor-degree completion coursework online and at sites throughout southeastern Iowa. Those honors include:
In Mount Pleasant and surrounding area:
Patrick Weber, Shannon Van Nyhuis, Wendy Johnston, Shelley Van Dorin, Karen Knapp, Angela Lanphier; Jason Farley, JoAnn Grace (New London); Malinda McLeland (Salem); Joan Moeller (Hillsboro)
In Burlington, West Burlington and surrounding area:
Audra Gaddis, Mark Noblet, Jennifer Anderson, Lynda Hild, Derek Schreiner, Chad Carr, Joann Wiegard, Kayla McKee, Mindy Dunkin; Kay Spanhut (Oakville); Carol Parrish (Carman, IL); Jennifer Herriman (Dallas City, IL); Lori Stewart (Gladstone, IL)
In Fort Madison, Keokuk and surrounding area:
Cheryl Perry (Ft. Madison); Gail Clark, Bruce Hecox (Keokuk); Kristina Weber (St. Paul); Joni Benson (Farmington)
In the Fairfield area:
Chad Chumley (Fairfield); Paula Buckwalter (Wellman)
In Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area:
Karah Miller (Iowa City); Kelley McLaughlin (Coralville); Erin Anderson (Cedar Rapids)
Iowa Wesleyan College is the oldest private coeducational liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River. Founded in 1842, the College is the only four-year institution of higher education in southeast Iowa. For more information about Iowa Wesleyan College please visit the website at www.iwc.edu.
GJCF Grant Committee Reviews Funding Applications
The Grant Committee of the Greater Jefferson County Foundation will be making recommendations to the full board of directors by the end of the month as to which of the grant applicants should be funded.
This year saw a 75% increase in applications for the grants distributed by the Greater Jefferson County Foundation. One-year ago there were twenty applicants and this year there are thirty-five applicants requesting $200,150.24. The funds available for this years grants totaled $83,511.00, therefore all grants were not funded in full and some may not be funded at all.
There was a wide geographic distribution from Batavia to Libertyville to Pekin and Lockridge. A number of the requests were for safety devices, especially Auto External Defibrillators for various non-profits of Jefferson County. The other items requested will help various baseball levels with Babe Ruth and Fairfield Little League in their continuing quest to serve the youth of our community. Speaking of youth, two-child care centers and Fairfield Park and Recreation are vying for grant funding to improve and enhance their existing program. Playground equipment in Libertyville will receive consideration in the grant review. Tennis court visitors will have better seating if an application from the Maharishi School is funded.
The art focus was also included with the Arts and Convention Center, Fairfield Beautification and the First Fridays Art Walk. The continuing movement toward Buy-Fresh-Buy-Local will also be in the running to further enhance the Fairfield Farmers Market and other local initiatives.
The Jefferson County Trails Council and the Fairfield Public Library will be reaching out to a large population of Jefferson County with their requested funding opportunities.
Geography is taken into consideration as these grant applications are reviewed. A nine-year study of the disbursement of grant funds shows that all cities in the county have received significant funding from Libertyville, Lockridge, Packwood, Batavia and other Jefferson County Organizations. A total of $401,187.00 in grants has been distributed to the non-profits of Jefferson County since 1999. A total of 62 organizations have shared in this funding amount during this past 8-year period. This year’s total of $83,511.00 plus the Endow Iowa funding will continue to boost this level of benefit to these non-profit organizations.
The board of directors of the foundation will meet prior to the end of July and provide approval to the recommendations of the grant committee. A public announcement will be made at that time as to the recipients of this years’ grants.
The Greater Jefferson County Foundation receives, accepts and distributes funds for educational, cultural, civic and charitable purposes for the benefit of the greater community of Jefferson County.
Public Lands Getting Easier Access From State
Governor Chet Culver announced Thursday steps that the Iowa Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation are taking to enhance their public land access processes to assist farmers affected by this year’s flooding and severe weather.
“As Governor, I am committed to helping our state recover from this year’s severe weather while protecting our precious natural resources and assuring the safety of Iowa’s drivers,” said Governor Chet Culver. “With this one year modification to already existing rules, these two agencies will allow expanded agricultural use of state lands this year, and we will do so in a way that appropriately balances the needs of farmers with our commitments to the people of Iowa.”
The Governor’s announcement comes in response to a request by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey’s request to open public lands for haying and grazing to farmers adversely affected by this year’s flooding and storms.
Actions taken by the two state agencies include the Iowa Department of Natural Resources considering the value of haying and grazing as an alternative to burning and for control of brush invasion into grassland areas. Iowa DNR will also have parks land managers collaborating with wildlife staff to enhance or manage habitats, and insure avoidance of threatened and endangered species.
Land managers will review the lands they manage with local Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) staff to evaluate existing conservation plans. The evaluation will include a review of both state and adjacent private lands in the watershed areas of state-owned lakes to determine ways for improving conservation.
DNR will seek an administrative rule change raising crop leases to be negotiated from $2,500 to $5,000.
Fisheries staff will contact local conservation offices and review the watersheds of public-owned lakes, seeking opportunities to improve watershed performance and needs.
DNR will review producer responses to the ‘Grass-banks’ program to determine if improvements can be made in that program. DNR managers will meet with their counterparts at IDALS to enhance collaboration between the departments.
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) presently allows haying in the Primary Highway System right of way. A permit is required and applications can be obtained locally from one of the DOT’s six district offices.
The following waivers applying to the 2008 harvest seasons include liability insurance ($100,000 property and $300,000 personal) required of individuals applying for permits to harvest in DOT-managed right of way. The DOT is waiving the annual $15 per-acre permit fee for the right to harvest in DOT-managed right of way, fees that would normally be deposited into the state’s Primary Road Fund.
From the Overnight Police Logs
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department:
- Dale Cosgrove, Jr., 31, of Ottumwa was arrested at the Jefferson County Law Enforcement Center on Thursday for Simple Assault charges. Cosgrove, Jr. is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail.
- Aaron Shaw of Fairfield reported Simple Assault at the Jefferson County Law Enforcement Center on Tuesday morning at 8:45 a.m.
Fairfield Police Department:
- Jordan Glenn, 17, of Fairfield was arrested for being a Person Under the Legal Age in Possession of Alcohol at his residence at 302 West Broadway Street on Monday evening at 6:16 p.m. Glenn was released to parental custody.
- Marilyn Funk, 66, of Fairfield reported Burglary from a bedroom safe at her residence of 505 South 33rd Street on Thursday morning at 9:56 a.m. Items reported stolen included a seven-diamond, seven-sapphire gold ring, turquoises rings and necklaces, a living will, insurance papers for child care, assorted jewelry and wedding and engagement rings without diamonds worth a total estimated value of approximately $3,760.
- Peggy Sidwell, 59, of Fairfield reported Fifth Degree Theft from the front of her residence at 801 West Fillmore Street on Wednesday morning at 11:44 a.m. Sidwell reported 17 decking boards worth an approximated estimated total value of $71.30 being stolen.
- Assault of a Peace Officer was reported on Wednesday afternoon at 12:47 p.m. at 1000 North Fourth Street. Arrested on those charges was Ibaid Murad, 24, of Fairfield 11 minutes after the charges were reported to have taken place at the MUM Campus. Murad was charged with both Assault of a Peace Office and Interference of Official Acts and is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail.
- Barbra Carlson, 40, of Fairfield reported Theft on Wednesday afternoon at 3:31 p.m. in the East Lot of Four Seasons Auto Body and Frame. Carlson reported approximately a total estimated value of $4,000 worth of personal belongings being taken from her 1988 Chevrolet Suburban.
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