(Oakland, Iowa) –  The Southwest Iowa Art Tour is gearing up for its ninth year connecting rural communities through art. The event will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16th, 17th and 18th.  In 2014, a group of southwest Iowa artists came together to pull off a regional event to connect their rural communities – a self-guided ‘Art Tour’ that would showcase their artworks, studios, galleries, and hometowns. The first year included nine participating communities and thirty artists. The success of the Southwest Iowa Art Tour has grown the ninth annual event to eleven communities, sixteen Gathering Places, and more than seventy local artists.

The self-guided tour allows participants to begin and end where they would like, come and go from location to location at their leisure, and explore diverse art forms – including fiber art, sculpture, pottery, painting, metal works, jewelry, glassware and much more from over seventy artists. The sixteen unique stops this year include all of last year’s locations plus an additional stop in rural Malvern. Gathering Places will be located in the following Southwest Iowa towns: Avoca, rural Clarinda, Council Bluffs, rural Essex, Glenwood, Harlan, Macedonia, Malvern, rural Malvern, Neola, Red Oak and Villisca.

The event will be held on its traditional third Saturday and Sunday in September, with an additional Friday “Sneak Peek” at select locations. Modification of the Southwest Iowa Art Tour into a three-day event has allowed the public time to hit all 16 Gathering Places over the weekend. This year’s Friday “Sneak Peek” hours are from 4 to 7 PM on September 16th at 10 of the 16 locations. This will provide attendees with the additional opportunity to explore the Gathering Places in Clarinda, Essex, Macedonia, Malvern, Neola and Villisca a little early – whether you can’t make it the other days or just need additional time to visit all locations over the weekend.

Langille Studios southwest of Malvern will also be having live music by Hector Anchondo for the Sneak Peek, so you can make them your last stop for Friday evening! Avoca, Council Bluffs, Glenwood, Harlan and Red Oak’s Gathering Places will join the tour on Saturday morning; the hours for all locations are from 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, September 17th and from Noon to 4 PM on Sunday, September 18th.

The Southwest Iowa Art Tour is coordinated by Golden Hills RC&D of Oakland and the collaborative efforts of local participating artists. Funding for coordination of this event, which is free to the public, comes in part from local sponsorships. This year, partnering supporters at the $1,000+ level are Houghton State Bank of Red Oak and the Pottawattamie Countywide Tourism Promotion Committee. The $350 sponsors for 2022 include Malvern Bank, CB Skin Secrets of Council Bluffs, and Dave Carbaugh State Farm of Red Oak.

Over 20 local businesses and organizations are sponsoring for the 9th Annual Southwest Iowa Art Tour. We encourage you to support those businesses who support the arts in southwest Iowa, and make the most of your Southwest Iowa Art Tour experience by stopping at the great restaurants and other shops in the host towns. To find out which businesses are sponsors of the Art Tour, a full listing may be found on our website at www.swiarttour.com, as well as a map so you can plan out your route!  (click on the map to enlarge >>>)

The Southwest Iowa Art Tour began with the intent to not only bring awareness of the arts and artists in rural southwest Iowa, but also to help support economic reinvestment in our small towns through the arts. Remember that when you purchase an original piece of work from an artist, you are directly helping to make the arts a viable career choice in our area. And while you’re at it, grab a shake from the local ice cream shop and a burger from your local café.

For more information be sure to check the “Southwest Iowa Art” Tour Facebook page (with individual Facebook Events for each Gathering Place) and visit the website: www.swiarttour.com, or contact Becca at rebecca.castle@goldenhillsrcd.org. Come support our artists in Southwest Iowa, and be a part of “connecting rural communities through art.”

Golden Hills RC&D is a nonprofit organization with a mission “to develop and promote sustainable cultural and conservation projects that enhance the quality of life and preserve the assets of rural western Iowa.” For more information about Golden Hills RC&D visit www.goldenhillsrcd.org.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Thursday, issued a report on six arrests and a property damage accident.

• Authorities say on August 29th, 2022, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Trent Suhr, 39, of Walnut, for Driving While Barred. Suhr was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.
• On August 26th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jeffery Etter, 48, of Atlantic, for Driving Under Suspension and another traffic offense. Etter was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.
• On August 25th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Stanley Rossell, 51, of Lewis, for Harassment 3rd Degree. Rossell was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.
• On August 24th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Paula Goettsche, 59, of Atlantic, for OWI 3rd Offense. Goettsche was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on bond.
• On August 23rd, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Douglas Bissell, 58, of Atlantic, for Simple Assault. Bissell was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.
• And, on August 21st, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Edward Davenport, 53, of Atlantic, for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Keeping a Vehicle or Premise for Controlled Substance Use and Drug Tax Stamp Violation. Davenport was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

On August 27th, 2022 at approximately 2:08-a.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a two vehicle accident at approximately the 67 MM of I-80 Eastbound A 2008 Chevrolet Impala, being operated by Braiden Friday of Pleasantville, IA was traveling East in the left most lane. The vehicle crossed over into the right line, striking an Eastbound 2020 Chevrolet Spark being operated by Kevin Schamber of Riverside, IL. The Impala sustained approximately $3,000 worth of damage while the Spark sustained approximately $5,000 worth of damage. No injuries were reported.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds, Thursday, issued a Harvest Proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of agricultural commodities on state highways during the fall harvest.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through October 1, 2022. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage and stover to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.

See the proclamation here.

(Lewis, Iowa) – Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken reports 610th Street east of Lewis will be close for about two months, beginning Friday, Sept. 2nd. The road section being closed is approximately one-half mile north of Oxford Road. Cass County is replacing the existing bridge with a twin 12-by 12-by 78-foot Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert. A signed detour via Miami Road, 620th St., and Oxford Road will be provided.  

(Menlo, Iowa) – Multiple injuries are being reported following a rollover accident near Menlo. According to dispatches, the accident happened on I-80 eastbound at mile marker 87.5, where a vehicle was in the median. Rescue crews from Stuart and Menlo were requested at the scene. The crash happened at around 2:52-p.m.

Additional information is not available.

(Radio Iowa) – August continued the summer weather pattern that Iowa and the Midwest have been stuck in now for some time. State Climatologist, Justin Glisan, says this pattern includes warmer conditions.

It was also drier, with rainfall averaging three-point-five inches in August.

Glisan says the combined numbers for the three summer months this year are very similar to 2020 and 2021.

Dry conditions this summer left grass brown. (RI photo)

He says June, July, and August, of this year, continued the drier trend.

Glisan says the drought conditions this year are NOT as bad as they were for the three summer months last year. He says the La Nina weather pattern is behind the warmer, drier summers.

He says that could lead to a warmer winter, but it’s too early to tell that.

(Radio Iowa) – Construction is underway on a giant mural bearing the likenesses of Don and Phil Everly on Highway 2 in southwest Iowa, alerting tourists to the Everly Brothers Childhood Home in Shenandoah. California artist John Cerney created the mural, which he says targets motorists who may not know of the brothers’ rich history, and how the duo parlayed performances as young children on K-M-A in the 1940s to music stardom as rock-and-roll pioneers in the 1950s and ’60s.

Cerney, the creator of similar signs in southwest Iowa, says the mural is more eyecatching than the run-of-the-mill billboards dotting the countryside.

Everly Bros. mural (Radio Iowa0

For an Everlys Brothers’ fans like Cerney, the mural is a labor of love.

Cerney and two assistants plan to return to the mural today (Thursday) for waterproofing and other finishing touches. Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association officials hope visitors will stop by the Everly Brothers house during Shenfest weekend in late September.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The General Election will be Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Adair County Elections Deputy Josh Nelson has provided a final list of the names of candidates who will appear on the ballot.

Candidates who have filed papers for the General Election are as follows:

County Supervisor District #2NE – Elect 1

Jodie Hoadley (Rep)

County Supervisor District #4SE – Elect 1

Nathan Baier (Rep)

Doug Davidson (NP)

County Treasurer – Elect 1

Brenda L Wallace (Rep)

County Recorder – Elect 1

Janelle Schneider (Rep)

County Attorney – Elect 1

Melissa S Larson (Dem)

Richland Township Clerk – Elect 1

Evelyn Hopf

Richland Township Trustee – Elect 2

Steven Lilly

Roger Tanner

Washington Township Clerk – Elect 1

Diane McCall

Washington Township Trustee – Elect 2

Richard Antisdel

County Hospital Trustee – Elect 4

Barbara Kalbach

Mark Schildberg

Pam Wiggins

County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner – Elect 2

Steve Baudler

Phil Kading

County Agricultural Extension Council Member – Elect 5

Sondra A Baudler

Beth Davenport

Clark R Dolch

Matthew Rohrig

Voter pre-registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 24, 2022. Pre-registered voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a regular ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered – such as voters registering to vote on election day – and voters changing precincts must also provide proof of residence.

A voter who is unable to provide an approved form of identification (or prove residence if required) 1) may have the voter’s identity/residence attested to by another registered voter in the precinct, 2) prove identity and residence using Election Day Registration documents, or 3) cast a provisional ballot and provide proof of identity/residence at the county auditor’s office by 12:00 p.m. (noon), November 15, 2022.

Election Day Registrant attesters must provide an approved form of identification. For additional information about providing proof of identity and/or residence visit: https://sos.iowa.gov/voterid or phone (641) 743-2546. Voters may request an absentee ballot from the Auditor’s Office. Voters may vote in the office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning October 19, 2022, or they may request a ballot be mailed to them.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot be mailed is 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 24, 2022. The last day to vote absentee in the Auditor’s Office is Monday, November 7, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Polls will open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day November 8, 2022.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna has released the final list of names of the candidates whose names will appear on the ballot for the November 8, 2022General Election. (TFV=To Fill a Vacancy)

County Offices ONLY
Supervisor District #1 (Vote for 1)
• Charla A. Schmid (Rep) – Winner from Primary
Supervisor District #2 (Vote for 1)
• Michael Olson (Rep) – Winner from Primary
Supervisor District #4 (Vote for 1)
• Mark L. Peterson (Rep) – Winner from Primary
Montgomery County Treasurer (Vote for 1)
• Jackie Joy Porter (Rep) – Winner from Primary
Montgomery County Recorder (Vote for 1)
• Carleen Bruning (Rep) – Winner from Primary
Montgomery County Attorney (Vote for 1)
• Drew B. Swanson (Rep) – Winner from Primary
Montgomery County Auditor – TFV (Vote for 1) Two-year term
• Jill Ozuna (Rep) – Nominated by Convention
Hospital Trustee (Vote for 4)
• Jill Carter Bergstrom
• Roger Ehmke
• Jason Poston
• Kevin Cabbage
County Agricultural Extension Council (Vote for 5)
• Tammi VanMeter
• Macey Ellis
• Gayle Allensworth
• Ryan Sundermann
• Marta Clark-Moffett
Soil and Water Conservation Board (Vote for 2)
• Roger Cerven
• Kirk Baird
Soil and Water Conservation Board—TFV (Vote for 1) Two-year term
• Kerry Confer

Township Clerks and Trustees
Lincoln Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• Connie Mellott
Lincoln Grove Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• Bill Thomas
Garfield Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• Ron Gerlt
Garfield Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• Bryan Huff
West Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• Joseph M. Jardon
West Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• Daniel R. Jensen
West Township Trustee –TFV (Vote for 1) Two-year term
• Krista Huntsman
Sherman Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• Jo A. Good
Sherman Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• None Filed
Red Oak Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• Gordon Arnold
Red Oak Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• Wayne Peterson
Grant Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• None Filed
Grant Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• Dwayne Vennerberg
Grant Township Trustee – TFV (Vote for 1) Two-year term
• Dane E. Belt
Pilot Grove Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• None Filed
Pilot Grove Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• None Filed
Pilot Grove Township Trustee – TFV (Vote for 1) Two-year term
• None Filed
Frankfort Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• Greta McCarthy
Frankfort Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• Mark B. Allen
Washington Township Clerk (Vote for 1)
• Cheryl Case
Washington Township Trustee (Vote for 1)
• Jeff L. Vanderhoof