Police in Creston reported this morning that a lock-down at the dorms for Southwestern Community College (SWCC) has been lifted. The dorms were put on lock down Thursday night, after a report was received about a potential threat. The threat was communicated to police by a student, after it was seen on a social media website. The school was placed in precautionary lock down while law enforcement investigated the incident.

Authorities with the Creston Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol participated in the investigation, during which no immediate safety issues were found. The investigation, which includes the gathering of electronic records from social media sites, continues.

Creston Police say they will continue to monitor activities on campus to ensure the ongoing safety of students and staff.

A special nominating convention held Thursday night in Clarinda whittled down the field of contenders vying for the Iowa Senate District 12 seat being vacated by Republican U-S Senator-elect, Joni Ernst. During the event, Republican State Representative Mark Costello, of Imogene won his party’s nomination. Clarinda area farmer Seth Watkins finished second and Montgomery County activist Margaret Stoldorf finished 3rd in the 7 person race.

Costello will face a challenge from Democrat Steve Adams, of Red Oak, and Libertarian candidate Don Brantz, a longtime Mills County supervisor and southwest Iowa social worker. The men will be on the ballot for a Special Election to be held Dec. 30th that was ordered by the Governor, and is required in order to fill Ernst’s Iowa Senate seat.

A writer and director who produced some of the most popular television shows of the 1970s is in Iowa this weekend. Norman Lear’s trip to Des Moines and Greenfield coincides with the 45th anniversary of the release of Lear’s first and only movie he ever directed. “Cold Turkey” was filmed primarily in Greenfield, as well as locations in Winterset, Orient and Des Moines.  Lear told Radio Iowa, “Everything about my experience with Iowa is amazing, including this visit.”

Norman Lear

The 92-year-old Lear credits the experience of working in Iowa in the summer of 1969 with much of his later success in producing hit TV shows. Cold Turkey was released in 1971, the same year Lear’s “All in the Family” premiered on CBS. The sitcom was ground breaking as it dealt with controversial issues previously ignored in comedy programs. “When I was making All in the Family and the network told me ‘you can’t do this’ or ‘you shouldn’t do that’ and I would ask why, the answer was always one of two things; it won’t fly in Des Moines or there will be a knee-jerk reaction in the Bible Belt,” Lear said. “Having had my experience in Des Moines, it was so easy for me to feel and say, ‘wait, don’t tell me what will fly in Des Moines, I come from Des Moines.’ Spiritually, I felt exactly that way, I come from Des Moines.”

The movie “Cold Turkey,” which features Dick Van Dyke, tells the story of a small town — Eagle Rock, Iowa — that takes up the challenge for all its residents to quit smoking for one month to win a $25 million prize. Lear, recalling the summer of ’69, remembers how Iowans “fell in love” with Van Dyke and how everyone in the cast enjoyed meeting the locals. Lear has a photo from that summer that he keeps framed in his home.  “I have a photograph of my daughter Maggie, who’s now in her mid 50s, and she’s a little girl sitting on the lap of a guy’s face I’ll never forget – a farmer. It’s a picture that graces my home office to this day,” Lear said.

The native of Connecticut has a home in Vermont, but Lear was named an “Honorary Iowan” in 1999 when he returned to Greenfield with Dick Van Dyke and others to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Cold Turkey. Lear will be a special guest tonight (Friday) at the “Celebrate Iowa Gala” at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines. Lear will be in Greenfield tomorrow (Saturday) morning for an event at the Warren Cultural Center where he’ll read excerpts from his new book, “Even This I Get to Experience.” (He’s expected to speak beginning at 10-a.m., Saturday).

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Officials have at least temporarily rejected a proposal to allow dogs in most Dubuque parks. The Telegraph Herald reports the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission on Tuesday voted three-to-three on a proposal to allow licensed and leashed dogs in parks. The tie vote means the current ordinance, which allows pets only in certain recreation areas, will stand.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Mason City officials are demanding that the owners of a once-popular restaurant tear down their building. The Globe Gazette reports the city is demanding that the former Kansas City Steakhouse be demolished. The building has been vacant for many years. City code enforcement officer Kyle Peterson says much of the building’s roof has collapsed and there have been many reports of vandals and looters at the site.

CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Police in Coralville have identified the bodies of two people found in an extended stay hotel as Florida residents in town for a construction project. Police Chief Barry W. Bedford announced yesterday that the bodies found Tuesday evening at a Suburban Inn hotel were 44-year-old Penny Herman and 41-year-old John Tromba. Both were from Port St. Lucie, Florida.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Iowa’s Brandon Scherff has won the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s outstanding interior lineman. The offensive tackle was presented with the award last night during the 24th College Football Awards Show at Disney World.

Law enforcement officials in Cass County were on the scene late Thursday night, of a fatal accident located just west of 66968 White Pole Road (West of Wiota, near the intersection with 665th Street).  The incident was reported at around 8:30-pm.

The deputy on scene had called for the Medical Examiner.   No other details are available at this time.

Local jazz band Popcorn Button is bringing a night of music and dancing to Atlantic once again this holiday season. A free community dance, titled Holiday Ball, will be held at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic on Sunday, December 21st. Organizers say Popcorn Button will provide three hours of live big band music in the styles of swing, polka, waltz, and two step. The dance floor will be open throughout the night, for dancers of all ages and abilities. Jake Auerbach will be on hand to help any beginning dancers get started with the basic steps.

“Playing in the band at Holiday Ball is always one of my favorite parts about Christmas Break,” said Aaron Johnson, an Iowa State University student and musician in Popcorn Button. The band, which consists of sixteen volunteer musicians, is a collection of Atlantic residents, AHS alumni, and members of the surrounding community. With special guest Santa Claus in the trumpet section, they will be playing big band hits and swing arrangements of a few holiday favorites. “In the Mood,” “Hoop-Dee-Doo Polka,” “Embraceable You,” and many others will fill the 3-hour event with lively music.

Holiday Ball will be held at the Elks Lodge at 501 Poplar Street in Atlantic from 7 to 10 pm on Sunday, December 21st. Dancers and listeners of every age are welcome.

There is no cost to attend, though a free will donation will be accepted at the door to cover the band’s expenses. For more information about the band or Holiday Ball, visit www.popcornbutton.org or email info@popcornbutton.org.