DuPont Pioneer is awarding grants to Iowa communities for the purchase of grain bin rescue equipment. Among the fire departments receiving grants this year to purchase grain bin rescue equipment for use in their communities, is Audubon, Avoca, and Exira. The grants are being made available through the Pioneer community betterment program, and additional grants are still available. The 2014 donations are in addition to more than $70,000 worth of safety and rescue equipment grants donated in Iowa in 2013.

Photo: Tim Wahlert, Exira fire department; Mike Bintner, Exira fire chief; Jerry Riesgaard, Pioneer sales rep; Mike Davis, Exira fire department. (Photo provided)

Bart Baudler, business director for DuPont Pioneer in Iowa, said “Safety is one of the DuPont Core Values, and we’re pleased to continue our work with local fire departments across Iowa to provide this important, and sometimes life-saving, equipment.Grain bins pose a significant safety risk on the farm. We hope this equipment provides a functional use and increases awareness of these risks and leads people to think before entering.”

Iowa community fire departments and emergency medical teams are eligible to apply for the grants through their local Pioneer sales representatives. In 2013, grants for the purchase of grain bin rescue equipment were also awarded (locally) to Hamburg, Harlan, Lewis, and Malvern.

As the philanthropic arm of DuPont Pioneer, the DuPont Pioneer Giving Program makes contributions to community-based organizations on behalf of the business and employees. Consideration for Community Outreach grants is given to communities where Pioneer representatives, employees and customers live and work and that support quality-of-life initiatives to create an improved, sustainable lifestyle for people worldwide.

DuPont Pioneer is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a central Iowa man was arrested Friday night at the Union County Jail. 39-year old Terry Lynn Phelps Jr., of Boone, was arrested at 10:30 PM at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Union County warrant for failure to appear. Phelps was being held in the Ringgold County Jail for Union County on $2000 bond.

The Page County Sheriff’s Department says one person was hospitalized Sunday morning following a car-versus-deer accident, just east of Clarinda. At around 10:25-a.m., a 1997 Chevy Blazer driven by 36-year old Robert Joseph Fletcher, of Diagonal,  was east bound on 185th Street, when Fletcher swerved to avoid hitting a deer. The SUV entered a deep Ravine on the north side of the roadway and came to rest on its top. Fletcher, who was the only person in the vehicle, was transported to the Creston Hospital with unknown injuries. The SUV is considered totaled.

That same day, Page County Deputies responded to a dog bite in College Springs. Officials say a Juvenile female was riding her bicycle on Iowa Street, when a dog, owned by Mandi Smiley of College Springs, ran into the street and bit the juvenile female on the leg. The bite didn’t break the skin. The owner of the dog was attempting to catch the dog when this happened. The juvenile female’s parents were aware of the incident and were advised, along with Smiley, on what to do.

Police in Glenwood report the arrest on Saturday of 18-year old Andrew Hunt,  of Malvern. Hunt was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1000.

Atlantic High School Guidance Counselor Craig Fredin says the counseling staff at Atlantic High School will be hosting a College Planning meeting for juniors and their parents this Thursday, October 30th at 6:00 PM, in the high school auditorium.

A representative of the College Planning Center will present a program which will address the following topics : a review of admission requirements, school selection, dual high school and college level classes, career and college computer searches, and financial aid information.

The counselors from the high school will also be available to answer questions and explain other career and financial aid materials available at the high school.

New Century Art Guild, a non-profit arts organization co-founded by veterans and artists, will sponsor their 3rd Annual Open House and Veteran Appreciation event on Sunday, November 2nd from 2:00 pm to 8:30pm in Kimballton, IA.  This year’s open house will be a carnival theme that features army vehicle rides, face painting, temporary tattoos, caricature artists, carnival games, anda chili cook-off.

Begining at 2:00 p.m., two art galleries on Kimballton’s Main Street will be open to the public to offer a tasting of local wines and a chance to view veterans’ artwork, including that of US Army veteran Roberta “Bert” Leaverton. The carnival games begin at 2:00 at the Cottonwood Barn located a block off Main Street. A chili cook-off will be held at the Cottonwood Barn at 5:30pm. Chili and games will be paid for with tickets sold at the door for $1 apiece.

Chili cooks will be vying for top prizes, to be determined by the most tickets they collect. Proceeds will go to fund NCAG’s student and veteran art scholarships. Entertainment will be provided by the widely popular singing-duo the “Polka Police”. Other attractions include kegs of craft beer, an old fashioned cake walk, a bonfire (weather permitting) and barn dance. This is a family-friendly event and open to the public.

The guild’s mission is to promote career development of emerging and established artists with special attention to the needs of military families and of veterans seeking to make new careers in the creative arts. For more information contact NCAG President Dr. Scott Smith at (712) 249-2184
or NCAG Art Director Troy Muller at (402) 250-9473; email tmuller@mullerstuidos.com

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say no serious injuries were reported following two, separate rollover accidents. The latest took place early this (Monday) morning, at 380th and PinOak Road, when 20-year old Dakota Smith, of Oakland, swerved to miss a deer as he was headed south on 380th, northwest of Oakland. The 1992 Ford Taurus he was driving went into a ditch and rolled several times before coming to rest. The accident happened just before 3-a.m.

The other accident, also a rollover, happened at around 1:30-a.m. Saturday, when 61-year old Craig Tripp, of Avoca, fell asleep at the wheel of his 1967 Corvette. The car veered off the road near as it was headed eastbound on 380th, near the intersection with Tamarack Avenue, or about two-miles south of Shelby.

Neither driver required transport to the hospital.

Police in Creston kept busy over the weekend. Four people were arrested on separate charges, including a 10-year-old from Creston who was taken into custody for Criminal Mischief and Assault causing injury. The juvenile was referred to Juvenile Authorities.

On Saturday, 48-year-old Patricia Jean Young, of Creston, was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense. She was later released on $1,000 bond. 32-year old Andy Alden Hansen, of Des Moines, was arrested Saturday for Interference with Official acts. He was later released on $300 bond. That same day, 19-year-old Steven Dennis Richardson, of Creston, was arrested on a charge of 5th degree theft. He was later released on his own recognizance.

And on Friday, 38-year-old Jamie Scott Vandel, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was later released on $300 bond.