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Orange City, Iowa — Pizza Ranch restaurants are working with public health officials investigating 13 cases of illness attributed to a specific strain of E. Coli O157 bacteria, according to Pizza Ranch Chief Administrative Officer Ryan Achterhoff.

Achterhoff says nine of the affected individuals reported having eaten at nine different Pizza Ranches in seven states.  Achterhoff says there are also individuals multiple states away from the nearest Pizza Ranch that reported not eating at Pizza Ranch that have the same strain of E. Coli O157, though health investigators have not been able to pinpoint how they contracted the strain. The last reported illness related to this outbreak reported eating at a Pizza Ranch on January 30th of this year, according to Achterhoff. He says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have told Pizza Ranch that it believes the outbreak is concluded.

Achterhoff says that Pizza Ranch removed their Skillet Dough mix immediately from use in response to information suggesting that this product was a possible common factor in the illnesses and subsequently expanded this product withdrawal to include their Original Dough mix.  He says that it appears the source of bacteria originated from an outside supplier, rather than at Pizza Ranch restaurants.  He says several states collected products from Pizza Ranch restaurant locations to test for the presence of E. Coli O157, and that none of those collected products contained the bacteria.

Achterhoff says Pizza Ranch independently ran over 40 tests on different products to test for the presence of E. Coli O157 and it was not found in any products tested. He says they provided public health investigators with a list of all of their ingredients as well as contact information for their ingredient suppliers. He says they also contacted the supplier of their dough mixes regarding the issue, with the request that they cooperate with state and federal health officials. Pizza Ranch has also ceased using this outside supplier to supply its dough mix, according to Achterhoff.

.In addition, Achterhoff says they have instructed all Pizza Ranch locations to complete a special, precautionary cleaning of all surfaces and equipment used in dough preparation or service. He says their franchisees and team members responded with professionalism and great attention to detail. As a result, he says, they continue to have absolute confidence in the quality and wholesomeness of every item they serve.  He added that all Pizza Ranch locations are open and serving their full menu.

Achterhoff says the company has no higher commitment than the safety of their guests and their people.  He says they will continue to work with public health officials at the local, state and federal levels on this issue and on a daily basis to fulfill that promise.

Sibley, Iowa — About 60 people braved the gusty winds north of Sibley on Wednesday to see Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds present the Home Base Iowa designation to Osceola County at the Capital Armament or Cap Arms production facility. Home Base Iowa is an initiative designed to provide a welcoming atmosphere to military veterans who are leaving the service, to provide them encouragement to live and work in the Home Base Iowa communities.

Reynolds says she was happy to present the designation to the county.

Cap Arms was presented as a Home Base Iowa success story. Clint Gerner, their CEO says that they encountered a very welcoming and supportive community when they moved to Sibley. The company was founded by three veterans in St. Paul Minnesota. He says they continue to “pay it forward” by using a veteran-centric hiring policy. He says they try to hire at least 50 percent veterans.

Lt. Governor Reynolds says the Home Base Iowa designation is a great marketing tool for Osceola County. She says Osceola County offers several incentives to veterans as part of the Home Base Iowa designation, from discounts to loan incentives at county banks. At the statewide level, veterans are offered an income tax exemption, says Reynolds.

She says Iowa is now seen as a national leader with veterans’ organizations. The Lieutenant Governor says the over 2000 veterans have been hired since the program started in 2014. According to her, it works so well because it’s a public-private partnership.

Home Base Iowa Director Jason Kemp also spoke at the meeting, telling people about the Home Base Iowa web site at homebaseiowa.gov. He says it’s a great place for employers and veterans to connect. He says one of the benefits of the site is that it helps veterans translate their military experience into skills that employers are looking for.

Also speaking at the meeting were Osceola County Supervisor chairman Mike Schulte, Supervisor Phil Bootsma, and Osceola County Economic Development Director Mike Earll.

O’Brien County, Iowa — A longtime Sheldon City Police Officer filed papers Wednesday morning to run for Sheriff of O’Brien County.

Officer Todd Wood sat down with KIWA Radio, and explained what motivated him to seek the Sheriff’s position.

Wood talked about his employment background in law enforcement.

Prior to his law enforcement career, Officer Wood worked in the finance industry, a background he thinks will serve him well as a county department head.

We asked Officer Wood what he would like voters to know about him before they cast their ballot.

Wood is currently visiting the towns throughout O’Brien County, meeting with the citizens, letting them get to know him, and getting their input on what they’d like to see in a Sheriff for O’Brien County.  This past Saturday, Officer Wood spoke at both the Republican and Democrat County Conventions, introducing himself to voters from both parties, and asking for their support.

Wood will be on the ballot for Sheriff of O’Brien County in the Republican primary June 7th.