What We’re Talking About

When will parents finally learn not to let their toddlers play with their phones?

Kelsey Golden of Texas was doing work on her computer while her two-year-old son Barrett was playing on her phone. The next thing she knew, a DoorDash driver was ringing her bell with a delivery of 31 cheeseburgers from McDonald’s. Golden said the cheeseburgers cost her $61.58, plus little Barrett included a $16 tip. She says, “I didn’t know what to do with them, he only ate half of one. So I posted on a community page on Facebook here in Kingsville and asked if anybody wanted some.” Some neighbors read her post and swung by for some free burgers.

**UPDATE**

Police in Arkansas have arrested a man they said was behind the shooting of a water tower bearing a silhouette of country legend Johnny Cash.

As previously reported, the single bullet pierced the 50,000 gallon water tank and made it look like Johnny Cash was urinating. The dangerous stunt drew tons of laughs, but a crime is a crime and police arrested Timothy Sled and charged him with criminal mischief and impairing the operation of a vital public utility. Investigators say local surveillance footage led them to Sled and that he might have had an accomplice. Officials say the tank lost about 30,000 gallons of water per day and the cost to repair the bullet hole in the tank is about $5,00

Johnny Cash is taking a leak on his hometown of Kingsland, Arkansas.

A silhouette of the late “Man in Black” is painted on the side of the town’s water tower and a prankster with a gun thought it would be funny to shoot a single bullet into the silhouette’s crotch, causing a stream of water to leak out. As expected, social media has erupted in laughter. It’s unknown who fired the shot. The leak was first noticed last Wednesday and the town thinks it may take a week to repair it. The water office manager said, “People think it’s funny but a lot of hard work and effort went into getting the grant to get this painted. It’s sad that someone could do this.”

#JohnnyCash relieving himself from the Top of a water tower in #Arkansas pic.twitter.com/25CL8VKb4C

— Damian (@DamianNB) May 16, 2022

Photo Credit:  DamianNB via Twitter

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a subject. After a two week investigation charges have been filed and a nation-wide warrant has been issued for Matthew Eric Nordrum, age 45 of Clermont for sex abuse in the second degree, a class “B” felony. Nordrum allegedly sexually assaulted a child under the age of 5 while the child was at his home in Clermont. The investigation also led to three other allegations that are currently under investigation for sexual assault. Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher is asking for the public’s assistance in locating the suspect. If you know his whereabouts please call your local authorities or the Fayette County Sheriff’s office at 563-422-6067. This Suspect could be in the Tri-state area.

Photo Credit:  Fayette County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook

A new study finds having a more dominant, upright, and superhero-like posture makes people feel more confident. “Power poses” involve standing in a posture of dominance, for example “standing or sitting in a very expansive way, taking up a lot of space.” An international team of researchers evaluated some 130 studies involving 10,000 participants and found the right posture can cause people to both feel and behave more
confidently. However, the study debunked previous claims that certain poses can influence a person’s hormones.

Check out this “Wall of Dust” yesterday near Sioux Falls yesterday. Winds in Sioux Falls were reported to be gusting up to 64 mph last evening.

63 mph wind gust here at the office shortly after 4 pm, but many reports of 80+ mph across the region with significant structural damage and trees down!! Please let us know what happened in your area. pic.twitter.com/WlkOg1L2ED

— NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) May 13, 2022

Massive and incredible "Dust Front" pushing strong winds and a wall of dust into Sioux Falls South Dakota. Winds in Sioux Falls have have been reported gusting to 64 mph at 507 pm. #iawx https://t.co/8CICF006sM

— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) May 12, 2022

Photo Credit: NWS Sioux Falls via Twitter

Ashley Judd has revealed that her mother, Naomi Judd, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In an interview with Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer, the very emotional Ashley said that she was “deputized” by her family to share the news so they could get ahead of the “gossip economy,” and shared that she was the one who found her mother. She also read from a note from her sister, Wynonna Judd, who said she wasn’t able to discuss her mother’s passing publicly yet.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out to:

Suicide Prevention Hotline:1-800- 273-8255
Text “Talk” to: 741-741
Visit: SuicidePreventionLifeline.org

The life of NAOMI JUDD will be celebrated with a public memorial service at Nashville’s Ryman Auditiorium set to air live on CMT. The special, called, ‘Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration,’ will air exclusively on the cable network as a commercial-free special this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – May 11, 2022 – A deck joint repair project on the U.S. 18 bridge over Bloody Run Creek and a railroad track 1.3 miles west of Iowa 76 in Clayton County will require lane closures beginning on Monday, May 16 until late September, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office.

During this project, motorists will be directed through the work zone with the use of temporary traffic signals and barrier rail. Because there is a steep grade and curve on U.S. 18 west of the project, a digital message sign is in place to give eastbound traffic advanced notice of the work zone.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

It’s easy to subscribe to Your 511 and sign up to receive the email/text alerts. Visit https://new.511ia.org/#login to sign up. For instructions and help for this feature, visit https://www.511ia.org/help/section/how-to-create-and-manage-a-511-account.html.

Lane closures on U.S. 18 bridge over Bloody Run Creek in Clayton County begins Monday, May 16 https://t.co/o6AKe2zuLy

— Northeast Iowa 511 (@IA511NE) May 11, 2022

Apple officially discontinued the iPod yesterday.  The first iPod debuted on October 23rd, 2001, and the iPod Touch was the last one standing.  Apple says it’ll only be available “while supplies last.”  The company said that the “spirit of iPod” will continue in other products, including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

When it was first introduced, that was a big deal!

A dose of summertime weather is on tap for next week as warm, humid air streams into the region. Highs rise into the upper 70s and 80s starting on Monday with the potential for periodic showers and storms during this same time. There may be a risk of severe weather during the week, but confidence in the details of this threat remain on the low side. Seasonal springtime temperatures continue prior to this warmup with highs in the mid-60s to lower 70s today through Sunday.

Enjoy a nice helping of spring weather today through Sun before summer temperatures (and the risk for storms) settle in for next week! #mnwx #iawx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/I9iqSMa84j

— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) May 6, 2022

A thirsty alligator invaded a Naples, Florida couple’s home and seemingly gulped down a slab of Diet Coke they had stashed in their garage for a family birthday party.

Karyn Dobson and her husband Jamie were watching TV on Wednesday night when they heard what they thought was a car accident.

“The crash was so big like wicked,” Karyn, tells WINK.

“I open the garage door about a quarter way, peek my head in, and there’s the alligator,” adds Jamie. “Quickly close the door, ‘Karyn, we have an alligator in our garage,’” something the Chicago natives “really haven’t experienced before.”

The Dobsons made a quick call to Trapper Ray, who wrangled the 8-foot gator, but there was quite the mess when Ray left.

“There was Diet Coke spewing everywhere because the gator was interested tore open the box had a few cans probably thought it was beer maybe I don’t know,” said Karyn.

The couple thinks the gator got inside after taking their dog for a walk. Jamie entered the house through the garage and the door was left up. When they put it down, the gator was already inside.

The Dobsons now know to keep the garage closed, so there aren’t any more wild surprises.

As for the gator, it has been safely relocated.

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office and 911 Dispatch Center are experiencing telephone issues due to an outage. For emergencies call 911. If your call is not answered, hang up and dial 563-568-4521 for assistance. For non-emergency calls please dial 563-568-4521. Please be patient as we are only able to answer one telephone line at a time until this is resolved. Please check on friends and family who may utilize personal emergency buttons. We are unsure when this issue will be resolved.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Waukon: For medical emergencies during this phone outage, please dial 911.

Gundersen Clinic locations in Northeast Iowa continue to be out.

Due to the community wide phone outage – Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health’s phone system is down. If you already have an appointment please just come on into the clinic. We are hoping the system will be up in the near future. If you need immediate assistance due to a behavioral health emergency please reach out to 911 or your local ER.

A newlywed couple in New York gave their first dance to the groom’s grandparents who never got to have their own because the grandfather was sitting shiva after his mother passed away. Here is the moment that Morton and Elaine Graft got to do their first dance decades later. (Their song is “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing” by The Four Aces.)

Photo Credit:  Caters Clips via YouTube

Dolly Parton opened her Dollywood theme park on this date(5-3) in 1986!  Did you know that Dolly won’t hop on any of the rides at the theme park?  Find out why and some other interesting facts about Dollywood here.

A Cincinnati Reds fan named Jacob Kingsley caught a foul ball WHILE bottle-feeding his baby at their game on Tuesday. Here’s the play-by-play as it happens, and then Jacob and his wife being interviewed afterwards.

Catching a foul ball while bottle-feeding the baby… just dad things. pic.twitter.com/tTXL0oDquu

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 27, 2022

Do-it-all dad: This @Reds fan snagged a foul ball while not skipping a beat feeding his young son@JimDayTV caught up with the Kingsleys after the impressive catch pic.twitter.com/9zptqf3ZsW

— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) April 27, 2022

The game, the Reds lost 9-6 to San Diego.

Photo Credit:  Cincinnati Reds via Twitter

Dipping a plain hot dog in beer might be the new go-to combination for your next baseball game.  A Yankees fan went viral on Twitter for enjoying it, and people have been trying it out.

Arrest this man. pic.twitter.com/bMfbYyLLbz

— Nicolas Heller (@NewYorkNico) April 23, 2022

Let’s do this pic.twitter.com/7V2gixc5KB

— Joseph Goodman, Sports Donk (@JoeGoodmanJr) April 24, 2022

The other night in Tallahassee, Florida, police got an unusual call of a goat running wild in an apartment complex. They eventual “arrested” the goat after it went into a hallway. (Although this is Florida, one of the officers talks about not being used to stuff like this because she grew up in New Jersey.)

Earlier this month, a parent in Canada got pulled over while on their way to pick up their kids in a dilapidated vehicle.  The photo of the truck has gone viral and it features no passenger-side door, no seatbelts, with an open back, and seats exposed.

pic.twitter.com/VpQCctsS4y

— BC Highway Patrol (@BCHwyPatrol) April 20, 2022

I’ve seen something like this somewhere before….

Photo Credit:  BC Highway Patrol via Twitter

This crazy situation happened in Texas on Wednesday at a baseball game between Weatherford College and Central Texas College. The pitcher for Weatherford tackled a Central player at third base after he hit a homerun. Weatherford College recently said the pitcher is not on the team anymore.  More info here.

Photo Credit:  Baseball News Club via YouTube

After 5 years of doing the Hawkeye Wave, the University of Iowa wants your help on selecting a new song for one best traditions in college sports.  The current song accompanying the Hawkeye Wave is “Wave on Wave,” from Pat Green.  You can submit your nomination for a new song here.  The University will select the top eight songs for fan voting on July 11, and the new song will be announced on August 1.

The Hawkeye football team opens its 2022 season hosting South Dakota State at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 3.

Created by our fans, the #HawkeyeWave has become the greatest tradition in sports.

Five years later, we need you to help choose the new sound behind the moment.

Submit a song nomination or share a personal story at https://t.co/kC2g25nGg3.

👋 @uichildrens x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/QW0146JClc

— The Iowa Hawkeyes (@TheIowaHawkeyes) April 21, 2022

One winner will get a new Polaris side by side from Iron Hill Powersports. Another winner will get a two-year lease of a Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler from KAR Auto Group. A third winner gets $4000 in transferable roofing credit from Jake’s Roofing and Construction. A fourth winner takes home a $2500 Car Care Package from Clark Tire Pros!

The Great Giveaway is also brought to you by – Casey’s General Stores, Budweiser, Mountain Dew, Letterwerks Sign City and Featherlite Trailers.

First chance to get signed up is tomorrow afternoon, at Casey’s in Monona from 4-6.  Then Saturday, we’ll have two stops.  Casey’s Freeport from 11-1 PM, and The Place in Protivin from 5:30-7:30 PM.

A judge voided the mask mandate for planes, trains, and buses on Monday.  Listen to a pilot announce the news, passengers react to it . . . and a flight attendant “singing happily” as he collects masks.

Here’s the pilot announcing it…

and the flight attendant singing.

Posting again because Twitter deleted (?)

The end of the #maskmandate has this plane singing

🎶 Throw away your masks 🎶 pic.twitter.com/BvvCNLE6Ts

— Guy P. Football (@Guy_P_Football) April 19, 2022

Photo Credit:  Guy_P_Football via Twitter

Listen to this three-year-old sound just like a car salesman as he gives a detailed demonstration of a Subaru WRX.

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – April 15, 2022 – Hot-mix asphalt crack filling and sealing projects on various routes in northeast Iowa will require intermittent lane closures with pilot cars and flaggers directing traffic through the work zones.

All work will begin on Monday, April 18 and last until mid-July, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office.

Routes affected by construction work include:

Black Hawk County

U.S. 218 in La Porte City from Poplar Street to Main Street

Fayette County

U.S. 18 and Iowa 150 intersection in West Union

Iowa 93 from the east city limits of Sumner to Fayette

Iowa 187 from Iowa 3 to Fayette County Road W-33

Howard County

Iowa 9 from the east city limits of Riceville to U.S. 63

U.S. 63 from Iowa 9 to the Minnesota state line

Winneshiek County

Iowa 24/U.S. 52/Iowa 150 in Calmar

Iowa 139 from Iowa 9 to the Minnesota state line

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

For more information about this and other Iowa DOT construction projects in Black Hawk and Bremer counties, follow the Black Hawk and Bremer County Construction Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BlackHawkBremerCo#!BlackHawkBremerCo.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

More grandstand entertainment has been announced for the Winneshiek County Fair in Decorah this Summer!

Chris Cagle and Jameson Rodgers will be taking the stage on Saturday, July 16th.  The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will be hitting the fair on Friday, July 15th.  Other events include the Stock Car Races on Tuesday of the fair, Wednesday is the Rodeo, and Thursday night is NTPA Truck & Tractor pull.  Wednesday afternoon in the Grandstand at 1:30 pm the Toe Tappers will be entertaining, and show is free.

Buttons will be $35 before fair, and $40 during.  More details here.

DYERSVILLE, Iowa ― Six months after purchasing a controlling interest in Iowa’s iconic Field of Dreams Movie Site, the new owners of Go the Distance Baseball, LLC, today unveiled their dynamic vision to preserve the idyllic cornfield setting while building a premier youth baseball and softball destination for players, families, fans, and tourists from around the world. The master plan provides $80 million in private investment to expand the site and build nine new ballfields, dormitories for teams, and a hotel, among other phased improvements.

As the largest private investment ever in Dyersville and one of the largest in Dubuque County, the project will greatly enhance the facilities and amenities for visitors and area residents, while creating jobs and boosting economic development and tourism in Eastern Iowa.

Go the Distance Baseball is forging ahead with plans to create a youth baseball and softball oasis, while maintaining the property as a working farm, amid the natural beauty of the rural Iowa landscape. The development builds on the momentum of last summer’s dramatic MLB at Field of Dreams presented by GEICO and a 200 percent increase in the number of boys’ and girls’ baseball and softball teams registered for tournaments in Dyersville this summer. Company executives and area economic development leaders scheduled a press conference to discuss the plans at 11 a.m. CDT today at the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville.

“I am grateful for all that the game of baseball gave me throughout my career, and now I am proud and excited to lead a team that is building opportunities for players, fans, and families to enjoy our national pastime and for teams to train and compete,” said Frank Thomas, CEO of Go the Distance Baseball and a first-ballot member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

COO Dan Evans, a longtime executive for five MLB franchises, said: “While the substantial private investment will expand and enhance our facilities, we are deeply committed to preserving the romantic experience of the Field of Dreams, including the views, the baseball diamond, the farmhouse, and the cornfields. Those images will never change.”

Upon adding nearly 100 acres to the original 190-acre footprint of the former Lansing-family farm and movie site, the master plan includes nine new baseball and softball fields for girls and boys, team dormitories, and a unique boutique hotel, all slated to be completed in phases by the end of 2023. Additional phases through 2025 include a 100,000-square-foot fieldhouse, an outdoor concert amphitheater, an RV park, a large park inclusive for children and adults with disabilities, and jogging trails through the cornfields.

“Like baseball, successful real estate development requires preparation and hard work and then recognizing opportunity when it comes. The opportunity is here now to ensure the experience of the Field of Dreams endures for generations,” said Rick Heidner. He was an initial investor in the movie site with the late Denise Stillman, whose family sold controlling interest in Go the Distance Baseball after her dream of an MLB game at the site was realized last summer. Plans for a permanent stadium that would host college and high school tournaments and championships for men and women, are also being considered.

The phased development will support hundreds of construction jobs and, when fully completed, the private development alone will create approximately 170 new fulltime equivalent jobs, and events hosted at the site will result in more than $25 million in direct annual spending. Area residents may also benefit from member access to the indoor fieldhouse and training facility for year-round recreation.

In addition, the entity that manages Go the Distance Baseball – This is Heaven, LLC, is establishing a charitable organization, Field of Big Dreams, to inspire hope and provide life-changing opportunities for children with cancer and military veterans and their families, with the mission of providing resources and support to turn dreams into reality.

During the past six months, the Thomas/Heidner-led group has been working with public officials, community leaders, and non-profit economic development agencies to build a private/public partnership as the foundation of the development plan’s success. Officials of the Dyersville Economic Development Corp. and Travel Dubuque joined Thomas and his team in announcing Go the Distance Baseball’s plans.

“I am most pleased with the relationships we have developed with local residents and community leaders in Dyersville, Dubuque County, and the State of Iowa, and they are vital partners as the project rapidly continues to make progress,” Mr. Evans said.

“Preserving and enhancing one of Iowa’s top tourism destinations makes this project a win-win for the local and state economies,” said Keith Rahe, president and CEO of Travel Dubuque. “Emerging from the pandemic, the multi-billion-dollar youth sports industry has shown its resilience and will continue to grow, so these plans will ensure that the movie site’s place in the lore of America’s pastime is secure for future generations.”

Jacque Rahe, executive director of Dyersville Economic Development Corp., said: “We are excited by the progress that is being made by owners who have deep roots in baseball and the financial resources to infuse private investment dollars that will turn long-held visions for the Field of Dreams into reality.”

The collaboration is already making demonstrable progress with the extension of municipal water and sewer service to the site and surrounding neighbors. In just the last month, the Dyersville City Council has awarded contracts for the first two phases of infrastructure work to provide water service by August.

Go the Distance Baseball is consulting with RDG Planning & Design, Origin Design, Conlon Construction Co., and Leopardo Companies to provide architectural, engineering, construction, and planning services for development of the master plan. Maintaining the property as a working farm and protecting farming on neighboring properties is an essential element of their planning. Mr. Heidner’s son, Collin, is working with the planning team on the project.

About Go the Distance Baseball, LLC

Go the Distance Baseball was established a decade ago to preserve the Field of Dreams Movie Site farm as a baseball shrine for future generations. The movie site, featuring rental and tours of the farmhouse, a souvenir shop, ballpark concessions, and “having a catch” on the field, is projected to attract approximately 300,000 visitors in 2022. An affiliate, All-Star Ballpark Heaven, in collaboration with Baseball Factory, operates youth baseball tournaments at City of Dyersville complexes.

Field of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones, and Amy Madigan, was nominated for Best Picture in 1990. Adapted from W. P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel Shoeless Joe, the 1989 film tells the story of Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, a husband and father who is tending to his cornfield when he hears a mysterious voice intone, “If you build it, he will come.” Following his vision, Kinsella builds a baseball diamond in his field and is visited by ghosts of baseball legends. Ultimately, the attraction of baseball allows him to save the family farm.

Frank Thomas, nicknamed “the Big Hurt” for the damage he inflicted on opposing pitchers, was a five-time All-Star and consecutive two-time American League most valuable player while playing for the Chicago White Sox. He retired in 2009 and was elected on the first ballot to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

Dan Evans, a Chicago native and longtime baseball executive, has served in front-office capacities with five MLB teams, including 20 seasons with the Chicago White Sox organization, rising to assistant general manager/director of baseball operations, before later being named executive vice president and general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2001 to 2004.

Rick Heidner is an avid baseball fan and Chicago area real estate developer and entrepreneur. He was an initial investor with Denise Stillman in the Field of Dreams Movie Site and is passionate about fulfilling her dream for the property.

This guy has gone viral with his hack on pre-slicing a frozen pizza.  (You don’t actually slice it.  You take the packaged frozen pizza, put it on the edge of the counter halfway, and hit the outer edge so it breaks in half.  Then you rotate it, and repeat.  It’ll come out of the oven already sliced.)

@trendkingsOkay definitely the only way!

♬ original sound – Eric Grant

A woman reportedly tried to glue herself to the court at the Target Center late in the second quarter of the play-in game between the L.A. Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves on last night(Tuesday). She was removed after a delay of a few minutes.

A fan was escorted off after attempting to glue themselves to the floor during the Clippers-Timberwolves Play-in Game pic.twitter.com/RreK0kjPSG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2022

Following the strange incident, a global grassroots network of animal rights activists named Direct Action Everywhere claimed responsibility for the protest saying in a press release that it was in response to an alleged animal rights issue at Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor’s egg farm.

DxE investigator Alicia Santurio is the protestor who disrupted the Timberwolves game, supergluing herself to the court after today’s investigation exposed team owner Glen Taylor’s factory farm brutally killing 5 million birds via “ventilation shutdown” https://t.co/4XQWB195mK pic.twitter.com/aR27AS7NJe

— Direct Action Everywhere (@DxEverywhere) April 13, 2022

Photo Credit: Direct Action Everywhere via Twitter

Around here tonight into tomorrow, we can expect some strong to severe storms.  In North Dakota, they are expecting snow and more snow.  46 counties in the state are under a Blizzard Warning.  Areas around New Town and Minot could get anywhere between 20-30″ of snow between now and Thursday.

A significant blizzard will impact western and central North Dakota through Thursday. Snowfall amounts around 30 inches possible in some locations. The exception is parts of south central and southeast, where snow totals could be limited by rain or a break in precipitation. #ndwx pic.twitter.com/XOOD51E8Fn

— NWS Bismarck (@NWSBismarck) April 12, 2022

Source: NWS Bismarck via Twitter

Coming off their performance on the CMT Awards, Naomi and Wynonna Judd will are set to hit the road for their first tour in more than a decade. The duo announced a 10-show trek, The Final Tour, will kick off Friday, Sept. 30, in Grand Rapids, Mich., at the Van Andel Arena. The tour will include stops in Green Bay, Wis.; Duluth, Ga.; Biloxi, Miss.; and more, before wrapping Oct. 28 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Martina McBride will join the tour as a special guest on select dates.

It’s really happening! #DontYouThinkItsTime https://t.co/4Qsm7Xma2O pic.twitter.com/Le0g6JfdK5

— Wynonna (@Wynonna) April 11, 2022

The threat for severe weather increases Tuesday evening and night across much of the region. Large hail would be the main threat, with damaging winds and possibly a few tornadoes along and south of Interstate 90. The threat for severe weather may linger into Wednesday east of the Mississippi River, but will hinge on how Tuesday’s weather unfolds. Bottom line, stay weather aware late Tuesday into Wednesday!

Severe storms possible late Tue. Main threat: Hail | Cannot rule out strong winds or some tornadoes south of I-90. Stay weather aware! #mnwx #iawx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/egL097JaU1

— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) April 11, 2022

The threat of severe weather is increasing for Tuesday evening into Tuesday night. Much of western into central Iowa now lies under an enhanced risk for severe weather including the potential for tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. Be weather aware and ready to act. Have multiple ways to receive warning information.

⚠️Enhanced risk for severe weather over much of Iowa for Tuesday evening into Tuesday night.

Storms will be moving at a rapid clip and weather conditions may change quickly! Be weather aware and have multiple ways to get warning information! #IAwx pic.twitter.com/ynTNpOwhfd

— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) April 11, 2022

Photo Credit:  NWS Des Moines via Twitter

Kit Kat is introducing a new flavor, Kit Kat Blueberry Muffin. It features blueberry muffin-flavored crème wrapped around iconic Kit Kat crispy wafers with graham cookie pieces folded into the bar. It will be available at retailers nationwide sometime this month, while supplies last.

The Eau Claire, WI Police Department posted an interesting photo on their Facebook the other day…..a person standing next to a car with a traffic cone on their head!  The image was captured by one of their public space cameras.  As Jerry Lee Lewis would say, “What’s made Milwaukee famous has made a fool out of me.”

Photo Credit:  Eau Claire Police Department via Facebook

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – April 6, 2022 – Full-depth concrete patching projects on various routes in northeast Iowa will require intermittent lane closures with pilot cars and flaggers directing traffic through the work zones on two-lane highways and single-lane closures on four-lane highways.

All Work will begin on Monday, April 11, until late May, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office.

Routes affected by construction work include:

Mitchell County

U.S. 218 in Osage from Iowa 9 north to Popular Street

Chickasaw County

U.S. 63 from 300th Street north 3 miles to the U.S. 18/Iowa 346 interchange

U.S. 63 just north of La Salle Avenue

Floyd County

Business U.S. 18 at 18th Street within the city limits of Charles City

Black Hawk County

U.S. 218 from the Lone Tree Road interchange north 13 miles to 238th Street in Bremer County

Iowa 281 2.5 miles north of Black Hawk County Road D-20

Fayette County

U.S.18 within in the city limits of Clermont

Iowa 3 from East Avenue east 7 miles to Belgian Road in Clayton County

Allamakee County

Iowa 9 in the north city limits of Waukon near the airport

Iowa 51 from Quarry Hill Road north 8 miles to Iowa 9

Winneshiek County

U.S. 52 from Iowa 9 north 3.5 miles to Meadowlark Road

Clayton County

U.S. 52 from the south city limits of Guttenberg north to Mozart Street

Bremer County

U.S. 63 from 250th Street north 2 miles to the Iowa 3 interchange

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

For more information about this and other Iowa DOT construction projects in Black Hawk and Bremer counties, follow the Black Hawk and Bremer County Construction Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BlackHawkBremerCo#!BlackHawkBremerCo.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

Happy National Twinkie Day!  Here are some facts on the classic cream-filled cake thanks to the website Ranker.

They Used to Have Banana Cream Filling. Today, we can’t imagine Twinkies being filled with anything but vanilla cream. But as it turns out, the original flavor of the cream filling was banana. Hostess had to switch it when banana rations began during World War II.

The World Twinkie-Eating Record Is 121 in 6 Minutes. In 2013, Joey Chestnut set the world record for Twinkie eating by downing 121 in just six minutes. His method was to eat them two at a time.

Twinkies Have Been Used as Bribes. In 1986, a candidate for city council in Minneapolis was arrested for bribing senior citizens to vote for him with Twinkies and other snacks.

Vegetarians Cannot Eat Twinkies. Twinkies are made with beef fat, so they are not vegetarian.

They Were Named After Twinkle Toe Shoes. The inventor of the Twinkie thought of a name for his creation when he passed a billboard advertising the “Twinkle Toes Shoe Company.” He shortened the shoe brand’s name and came up with “Twinkie.”

They Grew Popular During the Depression. When they were first invented in 1930, Twinkies cost only five cents for two pastries.

The Advertised Shelf Life Used to Be Pretty Short. Despite the rumors about Twinkies lasting forever, the shelf life of the snack was only 25 days. In 2013, the company invested millions of dollars in chemical research to extend the Twinkie’s shelf life to 65 days.

Twinkies Have Some Surprising Ingredients. Steven Ettlinger researched and wrote an entire book on where the 39 ingredients in Twinkies come from. Apparently, Twinkies contain calcium sulfate, which is used in construction to make walls. They also contain cellulose gum, which is used to make rocket fuel, and corn dextrin, which is found in glue.

Source: Ranker.com

Wonder how a Twinkie is made??  Here you go!

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – April 1, 2022 – A hot-mix asphalt resurfacing project on U.S. 52 in Winneshiek County within the city limits of both Ossian and Castalia will require intermittent lane closures with pilot cars used to control traffic beginning on Monday, April 4, until early September, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office. Occasional side street closures may occur with access to businesses maintained during the project.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

Source:  IOWA DOT

Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 52 in Winneshiek County begin Monday, April 4 https://t.co/NXeiZdRot2

— Northeast Iowa 511 (@IA511NE) April 1, 2022

The Anniston, Alabama police department did their very first TikTok video, and it went viral. Listen to veteran Chief Nick Bowles try to figure out how to do “The TikTok” . . . while young Officer Jacob Ford tries NOT to be embarrassed.

@annistonpolicedept #copsoftiktok #police #cop #fyp #anniston #funny #foryou ♬ Back In Black – AC/DC

Photo Credit: annistonpolicedept via TikTok

If you ever receive a text from your own phone number and don’t recall sending yourself a text, do not open it. Verizon is warning customers of a recent spike in spam texts that look like they’re coming from your own number. The text informs recipients that they’ve paid their March bill and can get a free gift by clicking a link provided. The link takes you to a Russian state-run TV broadcast. Verizon says the best thing to do is to immediately delete the message. Large companies, like Verizon, were recently warned by the Biden administration to be on alert for Russian cyber attacks.

Verizon customer support is taking a different tone today after many reports of customers receiving spam texts from their own number.

Instead of the usual generic responses, Verizon now says its teams are working to resolve this specific issue.
https://t.co/KNDg1dAevj pic.twitter.com/d6sdNvtO5a

— Chris Welch (@chriswelch) March 29, 2022

BRUCE WILLIS has retired from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a medical condition that can affect a person’s ability to speak, write and understand language. The star’s family members, including both his wife EMMA HERMING and ex-wife DEMI MOORE posted the announcement to Instagram Wednesday. The family wrote, “This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.”

 

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A post shared by Demi Moore (@demimoore)

Check out the long-awaited trailer for “Top Gun: Maverick”. It hits theaters on May 27th.

The new trailer for #TopGun is here. See you at the theater. pic.twitter.com/QTdfWNeTzc

— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) March 29, 2022

Road construction has started on WIS 35 today(March 28, 2022) and the road work is expected to be completed this August. WIS 35 will be closed to through traffic and detoured between WIS 82 in DeSoto and WIS 56 in Genoa. Through traffic will be detoured using WIS 82, WIS 27 and WIS 56. The highway will remain open to local traffic only. According to the Wisconsin DOT, this section of WIS 35 was last paved in 1993. The 12 mile section of the Highway will be completely closed beginning on Monday, April 4th.

FYI: Construction starts on Monday (3/28) along WIS 35 in Vernon and Crawford counties.

🚧WIS 35 will be closed to through traffic and detoured between WIS 82 in DeSoto and WIS 56 in Genoa. Detour route will follow WIS 82, WIS 27 and WIS 56.

📲https://t.co/kfKlTtpc0n pic.twitter.com/5O5OGs7HDx

— WisDOT Southwest Region (@WisDOTsouthwest) March 22, 2022