(Radio Iowa) – The recount of ballots in a race for a state senate seat in Des Moines has concluded and the incumbent has conceded. Election night results showed Republican Mike Pike leading State Senator Nate Boulton by two-tenths of a percent — or 44 votes. Senator-elect Pike is a plumber who had never run for office before. Boulton, an attorney, had been expected to compete to be Senate Minority Leader, but has concede the race today (Friday). Democrats in the Senate are scheduled to select a floor leader at a private meeting early this (Friday) evening.

Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says four of the 20 counties in Iowa’s first congressional district have completed recounts and her lead over Democrat Christina Bohannan has grown by two votes. Election Night results showed Bohanann trailing Miller-Meeks by just over 800 votes.

Two OTHER recounts for seats in the state legislature are not yet complete. The closest race is in a state senate district in central Iowa, where certified results showed the incumbent leading by 24 votes. Republican Mark Hanson, a current member of the Dallas County Board of Supervisors, requested a recount in his race against Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott, a state senator who’s a Lutheran minister.

The Iowa Senate chamber in the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. (RI photo)

In a Scott County race for a seat in the Iowa House, Republican challenger Nathan Ramker asked for a recount. Certified results showed Representative Monica Kurth, a Democrat from Davenport, ahead by a few dozen votes.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa adults with several adverse childhood experiences or ACEs (AY-sez) are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, asthma and C-O-P-D later in life, according to recent state data and a report by the group Iowa ACEs 3-60. That nonprofit’s executive director Lisa Cushatt (kuh-SHAT) says early trauma prevention is a short-term investment that doesn’t always show immediate outcomes, but she says it’s worth it.

ACEs are hardships that happened before the age of 18, like physical abuse from a caregiver, neglect, or separated parents. About 40-percent of Iowa adults who have four or more adverse experiences have had depression diagnosis. The report found Iowa youth who have a trusted adult or friend to talk to don’t feel hopeless as often as youth who don’t. Cushatt says this is an important prevention tool.

The report finds nearly 60-percent of Iowa youth had at least one adverse experience, while 18-percent experienced more than four ACEs. Cushatt says investment in prevention is about more than home or personal issues, and a higher number of ACEs correlates with a higher risk of mental and physical health conditions later in life.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Education, this week, announced nine teachers, representing all education regions of the state, as the first-ever Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year. Each teacher represents outstanding achievements in K-12 instruction within Iowa’s nine education regions. Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said “This year, the Department of Education was excited to establish a new Regional Teacher of the Year designation that celebrates excellence in teaching across all corners of our state. We recognize the expertise, commitment and care of each of Iowa’s inaugural 2025 Regional Teachers of the Year, and we thank them for choosing this honored profession, putting students at the center of all they do.”

In Southwest Iowa’s Green Hills Region, Sarah Stephens with the Creston Community School District was named Teacher of the Year.

Green Hills Regional Teacher of the Year: Sarah Stephens, Creston Community School District

Stephens, a special education teacher at Creston Elementary School, is a veteran educator with 14 years of experience working with first through fifth grade students. She earned her teaching degree at Northwest Missouri State and a Master’s degree in education from Morningside University. She has served as an instructional coach, lead team member, peer mentor and middle school basketball coach. Stephens also serves as a Paraeducator Certification Course instructor. She believes that infusing employability skills with community opportunities in the classroom engages students and sets them up for success.

Others selected across the State from nominations submitted by educators, students, families and fellow Iowans, include: Kevin Gartman; Susie Stark; Samantha Freeman; Blake Hammond; Alyssa Dalsing; Kaitlin Mahoney; Beth Oolman and Melanie Bloom. Each is an Iowa 2025 Regional Teachers of the Year. Those teachers will now serve as finalists for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year award, which will be announced later this year. (Read more HERE)

Established in 1958, the prestigious Teacher of the Year award recognizes an Iowa teacher who advances student learning through evidence-based instruction, empowers students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success, learns from and invests in fellow educators and serves students in partnership with families.

Last year, Ann Mincks, an English Language Learner educator from Des Moines Public Schools’ Herbert Hoover High School, was named as the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year. The Iowa Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador for the Iowa Department of Education and a representative of and liaison for all Iowa educators.

(Carroll, Iowa) – A western Iowa man has entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors, with regard to sex abuse charges. According to reports, 38-year-old Michael William Alexander, of Manning, will plead guilty to two Class-C Felony counts of lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 years.

His plea hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 16, 2024. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

Court records say Alexander was originally arrested this past April (2024) on a charge of sexual abuse in the second degree, a class B felony. The charge was for crimes with a minor that occurred between March 1, 2019, and May 31, 2019. A jury trial had been scheduled in his case for January 14, 2025.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that allows surveyors for a carbon pipeline company onto the land of a Hardin County man. Kent Kasischke argued that allowing surveyors from Summit Carbon Solutions onto private property violates both the Iowa and U-S Constitution’s clauses preventing the illegal taking of land. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Kasischke was properly notified by the company, so he has no right to exclude the surveyors because it does not take away a property right.

The unanimous ruling says Iowa has long authorized access to private property to conduct land surveys to determine routes for things such as roadways and utilities.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report A.M. Cohron & Son, and the Harlan Family, have donated $250,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic. Rick Harlan, Owner of A.M. Cohron & Son, said “Atlantic has needed a project like this for a long time, one that will work towards helping Atlantic grow and attract new businesses to our town. A.M. Cohron & Son and the Harlan family are thankful that we can support Vision Atlantic and this project.”

Construction of the 144 mixed unit housing development, 300 capacity child development center and expansion of the current YMCA facility is slated to begin late spring of 2025.Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates or visit www.visionatlantic.org.

Pictured left to right: Debbie Waterbury, Melissa Ihnen, Christina Bateman, Jesse Harlan, Keith Harlan, Rick Harlan and Pam Wagner.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with ISU Extension and Outreach in Montgomery County say 4-H members, their families, and community members gathered November 17, 2024, for the annual Montgomery County 4-H Awards Night. The program was hosted by the 4-H County Youth Council, a group of 4-H members from across the county ranging in age from high school freshmen to seniors.

This year’s county council has nine members: Pace Chaillie (Grant Spitfires), Kennedy DeVries (Stennett Panthers), Oliver Dykes (Stanton Strivers), Landon Gigstad (Stennett Panthers), Kyla Hart (Stanton Strivers), Victoria McFarland (Stanton Strivers), Grace Nippert (East Sunrisers), Will Pollock (Stennett Panthers), and Delaney True (East Sunrisers). The council honored 4-H members and clubs from the past year for their hard work as well as outstanding program sponsors and extraordinary volunteers. 2024 Awards Night PR

2024-25 Youth County Council: Pace Chaillie (Grant Spitfires), Kennedy DeVries (Stennett Panthers), Oliver Dykes (Stanton Strivers), Landon Gigstad (Stennett Panthers), Kyla Hart (Stanton Strivers), Victoria McFarland – not pictured (Stanton Strivers), Grace Nippert (East Sunrisers), Will Pollock (Stennett Panthers), and Delaney True (East Sunrisers).

Four awards are given to adult volunteers, community members, or businesses who support and make positive impacts on the Montgomery County 4-H program. The Friend of 4-H award was given to Farm Credit Services of America. The Montgomery County Ag Society received the Honorary Award. The 2024 Outstanding 4-H Alumni was given to Jenny Ellis and Stephanie Vinton-Pollock of the Stennett Panthers and Red Oak Clover Kids was presented the 2024 Outstanding Leader award.

Volunteers are presented with tenure awards for every five years of service. Those honored on Nov. 17th were:

• Silver Clover Pin for 5 years of service: Ann Gigstad and Naomi McCunn
• 5-Point Diamond Clover Pin for 40 years of service: Jane Waltz

In addition to adult and community awards, youth members received awards for submitting their yearly record books and submitting their officer books. Members receiving an award for their record books were:

Junior Record Books: The Outstanding Junior Record Book was awarded to Reese Herzberg. Loryn Anderson, Lyssa Anderson, Anna Chaillie, Payton Doyle, Carter Taylor, Zane Johnson, and Lauren Ferree received certificates of completion.
Intermediate Record Books: The Outstanding Intermediate Record Book was awarded to Dalton Ferree.
Senior Record Books: The Outstanding Senior Record Book was awarded to Joshua LeRette. Receiving certificates of completion and senior project area awards: Lilly Anderson (Rabbit), Pace Chaillie (Sheep), Landon Gigstad (Dog), Joshua LeRette (Woodworking), Grace Nippert (Poultry), Alyssa Strebe (Photography).

Two clubs received awards for turning in their officer books. Grant Spitfires received a certificate of completion for their Secretary’s book, and Outstanding Historian Book and Treasurer’s book. Stanton Strivers received Outstanding Secretary’s Book.

Six senior 4-H members received additional awards based upon their 4-H participation and project involvement. To be eligible for a senior award, members must turn in a record book as well as meet other award specific criteria.

Service: Pace Chaillie & Grace Nippert
Livestock Achievement: Lilly Anderson
Achievement: Landon Gigstad
Danforth Award: Alyssa Strebe
Hall of Fame: Joshua LeRette

Congratulations to all the 4-H members and community partners who received an award! (See more pictures on the Montgomery County-IA Extension Facebook page)

(Article submitted by Katie Hart, Montgomery County ISU Extension/Outreach)

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say no injuries were reported after a pickup truck struck a parked vehicle and a garage, Thursday night. Authorities say 23-year-old Brodie Wade Starlin, of Creston, was driving a 2014 Dodge RAM pickup northbound on Walnut Street at around 9:15-p.m., when his truck hit a legally parked 1998 Chevy Blazer, in the 500 block of N. Walnut. The impact caused disabling damage to the SUV, registered to Daniel Merritt, of Creston.

After it hit the SUV, Starlin’s pickup continued to drive through yards before it hit a garage belong to Justin Byers, of Creston, at 505 N. Walnut Street, causing about $3,000 damage.

The pickup then backed out of the garage and traveled to 1206 N. Elm Street, where it stopped due to disabling damage. Starlin was taken into custody on a charge of Operating While under the Influence/1st offense. Damage to his pickup amounted to $10,000. The parked SUV sustained $5,000 damage.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is being honored by a tax-focused think tank that was founded in 1937 by the executives of General Motors and Standard Oil. The Tax Foundation has presented Governor Kim Reynolds with its Distinguished Service Award. She is the first governor to receive the annual award, which has previously honored dozens of federal officials, business executives and educators.

Reynolds has signed five bills to cut taxes since she took over as governor in mid-2017. The most recent will lower Iowa’s income tax to a single rate of three-point-eight percent next year. A panel of state officials recently predicted Iowa tax revenue will decline by a billion dollars over a 24 month period. In a written statement, Reynolds says she’s taken an approach that favors simplicity over complexity and economic growth over government spending.

Reynolds received the Tax Foundation’s award last (Thursday) night at the group’s annual “Tax Prom.” It’s a black tie event in Washington, D.C. with hundreds of officials from businesses and government in attendance. Reynolds is the second Iowan to receive the award. Herbert Hoover is among three presidents to be honored. The others were George W. Bush and Dwight Eisenhauer.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s busiest and largest hunting seasons will be kicking off shortly, as the first of the state’s two shotgun seasons for deer will open in about two weeks. Nate Carr, an Iowa D-N-R conservation officer, says deer hunting is extremely popular. “We see roughly 100,000 hunters get out and participate in those two seasons, and during that time, we harvest about half of the total deer harvest in Iowa within a relatively short period of time,” Carr says. “So it’s a really effective way to manage our deer herd across the state, but also see a lot of good hunter participation.”

The first deer shotgun season runs December 7th through the 11th, while the second season runs December 14th through the 22nd. Deer hunters harvested about 60-thousand deer in Iowa last year, and Carr anticipates this year’s harvest will round out roughly the same. “Eastern, southern Iowa, we have really strong numbers and tend to have strong harvest, and so that kind of makes up for the lower population on the western side of the state right now, so it kind of balances out,” Carr says. “I think we’ll see decent numbers. Hopefully, we’ll get colder temperatures. That tends to get deer on their feet and motivate hunters to get out and pursue them.”

Iowa DNR photo

There have already been several smaller deer hunting seasons held in the state, and this year’s hot, dry weather may have been something of a hindrance. “We’re still seeing pretty decent harvest numbers. I think we’ve harvested around 25,000 deer throughout the youth season, in this early split of the archery season, as well as early muzzleloader, so we’re we’re on track,” Carr says. “We’re down a little bit, and you could probably attribute that somewhat to temperature, a little bit of hemorrhagic disease, which we’ve seen impact central Iowa quite a bit this year.”

Find much more information on the hunting seasons ahead at iowa-d-n-r-dot-gov.