(Radio Iowa) – An investigator with the Mason City Police Department says they continue to explore every lead in the disappearance of Jodi Huisentruit. Monday was the 27th anniversary of the former K-I-M-T T-V morning anchorwoman’s disappearance. Officer Terrance Prochaska has been working on the case for 12 years. “I just want everyone to know that this case is very much alive with us. We continue to investigate this case like it happened just here recently,” he says. Prochaska says he’s talked and interviewed hundreds of people since taking on the case and hopes to someday find the right piece of evidence that solves this puzzle.

“In my 12 or 13 years I’ve investigated this case, it’s countless people that I’ve talked to, met, interviewed, and I want you to understand is that we focus on the new technology that comes about all the time. We keep trying to figure out a way to put this case into our technology that keeps advancing, to hope one day find an answer to what happened,” Prochaska says. He encourages people who think they have any information to call his office.  “Ultimately what this is going to lead to is, what the findjodi.com team has been saying all along, is if you know something, say something. If you want to just give us a call with your thoughts, we’re welcome to listen,” Prochaska says. “You’ll talk to me directly if you do make that call, and I will be happy to listen to you and answer what questions I can.”

Prochaska says trying to solve the case has become a part of his life and can understand some people’s frustrations when they think their tips don’t result in anything. “Some of the feedback that we’ve heard over the years is that ‘we don’t ever get a result of what happened when I called in’. On cases like this, what you have to understand is, we’re playing a small game with whoever did this, and the more information we tell, the information that person could be receiving to try to hide even further, if you understand what that means,” he says. “Understand that we take this case as serious as any other case.”

If you possibly have any information regarding Huisentruit’s disappearance, you can call Prochaska at the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636. It is believed Huisentruit was abducted from the parking lot of her apartment complex in 1995 Her body has never been found and she was declared legally dead in 2001.

(Radio Iowa) – It’s a scene reminiscent of the movie “Caddyshack,” but in this case, it wasn’t a Baby Ruth bar spotted floating in the clear water, causing swimmers to panic. Hamilton County’s public health director Shelby Kroona has a reminder for parents everywhere in Iowa to keep their kids home if they’re sick, especially from public swimming pools. “We’ve had two pools in Hamilton County that have had poop in the pool,” Kroona says. “Please remember, if your children are ill, do not send them to the pool. Oftentimes, there’s bacteria or viruses in that poop and it can spread to other people through the water.”

She says the risk of making someone else sick isn’t the only problem with the situation. “It also causes a lot of issues for the pool owners and operators because they then have to disinfect their entire pool,” Kroona says. “Just like absolutely any other time of the year, if your kid has a fever, diarrhea, illness, be conscious of where you send them.”

The Iowa Department of Public Health says there are about 1,300 pools, more than 420 spas, 260 wading pools, and 260 water slides at about 1,260 locations statewide that are inspected every year.

(Radio Iowa) – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deidre DeJear says her Republican opponent’s legal push to revive a six week abortion ban shows Governor Reynolds is determined to stand against the will of the vast majority of Iowans. During an appearance in Sioux City just before Reynolds made her announcement, DeJear denounced last Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade. “We know what happened just a few days ago,” DeJear said, “that decision that compromises the integrity of a woman’s right — I won’t even say: ‘Right to choose’ — right to be.”

campaign photo

DeJear says reproductive rights will be a centerpiece of her campaign. “To ensure that each and every person that lives in this state has that freedom to life, liberty and happiness,” DeJear said, “and we can do that.” In a written statement released last (Tuesday) night, said instead of focusing on abortion restrictions, it’s time for a governor who instead will address pressing issues like education, healthcare, housing and the workforce shortage.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Kendall Crawford; additional reporting by Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson)

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Cass County Extension Director Kate Olson reports Katie Bateman is the new, Youth Programs Coordinator at the Cass County Extension Office. Olson says Bateman is no stranger to the 4-H program, and that knowledge will serve her well in the role she began in Mid-May. She’s has jumped right in to working with youth, parents, volunteers, and partners across the county, Olson says. The Youth Program Coordinator role is a full-time position, with responsibility for youth outreach programming and 4-H program management in Cass County. Katie’s first month on the job has been a flurry of activity with livestock weigh-in and entries, county fair preparation and summer daycamps and programming.

Katie is a graduate of Atlantic High School and was active in the Cass County 4-H program throughout her early years, serving in leadership roles at the club and county level. She remained involved in college, interning for several years at the Cass County extension office during the summer and helping form a collegiate 4-H club at the University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated with a degree in Leisure Youth and Human Services. Following graduation, she worked as a CYC in the Story County extension office for two years, in addition to other work experience with youth organizations and senior living communities around Iowa. She has also stayed involved as a volunteer in 4-H programs as she has moved across the state. Katie is excited to get back involved with the Cass County 4-H program to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

Katie Bateman, Cass County Extension Youth Programs Coordinator.

Bateman says “As a Cass County 4-H Alumni and previous 4-H Staff member, I’m excited to be back in Cass County and leading a program I love! I’m looking forward to stepping back into the Cass County 4-H program and getting to work with our youth, volunteers and partners to keep our local program strong and continuing to grow.”

Kate Olson invites you to stop by the Cass County Extension Office at 805 W. 10^th Street in Atlantic and welcome Katie to her new position, or give her a warm welcome as you see her at upcoming programs and around the fair this summer.  She is available to answer questions regarding 4-H and youth programming or share information on resources available through Iowa State University Extension in Cass County.

Katie can be reached by calling the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or by email at kbateman@iastate.edu. For information on upcoming youth and 4-H activities in Cass County, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, follow @CassCoIAExt on Facebook or @casscountyiowa4h on Instagram.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors are holding their weekly meeting at 9-a.m. Thursday, in their Boardroom at the Courthouse, in Greenfield. Here’s what’s on their agenda:

The conference phone will still be used for those who cannot attend in person and can be accessed by using the following dial in information:

Dial in Number: (605) 313-6157 Access Code: 526272#

9:00 a.m.

• Minutes
• Claims
• Taxable Mileage
• Resolution to Pay Utilities & Postage
• Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Resolution
• Fiscal Year 2023 Transfer Resolution
• Records Destroy Resolution
• Fiscal Year 2023 Wages
• Greenfield Planning and Zoning Appointment
• Greenfield Board of Adjustment Appointment
• Veterans’ Affairs Commission Appointment
• Manure Management Plan Updates

Mandy Berg, County Auditor

• HAVA (Help America Vote Act) Cybersecurity Grant Application

9:15 a.m. Nick Kauffman, County Engineer

• Wage Rate Progression
• Secondary Roads Benefits Policy update
• Speed Limit Resolution – Airport Rd.
• Speed Limit Resolution – Iowa Street and Orange Ave.
• Title VI Non-Discrimination Agreement with Iowa Department of Transportation
• Title VI Non-Discrimination Assurances
• Report of Maintenance & Activities

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting Thursday morning (June 30th), in their Board Room inside the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic. (ARPA items are with regard to the American Rescue Plan Act for COVID relief) Here’s what’s on their agenda (Click on the image to enlarge):

To join the meeting via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVWHpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak

The Harlan Police Department says two people were arrested on separate charges late last week. On Saturday, 52-year-old Anthony Elwood Rikle, of Harlan, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. And, on June 23rd, 19-year-old Morgan Ann Schwery, of Harlan, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts.

And, no injuries were reported following a property damage accident in Harlan Monday. Harlan Police say a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by Jeremiah Sunderman, of Clarinda, was turning south onto Highway 59 from the 2300 block of 23rd Street, when the semi’s trailer hit a stop sign, causing minor damage to the sign.

(Union County, Iowa) – A man from Creston was cited for Reckless Driving & Leaving the Scene of an accident, Monday night, in Arispe. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, at around 10:30-p.m., a 2006 Chevy Impala driven by 18-year-old Rory Allen Davis, of Creston, pulled into the driveway of a residence in the 300 block of Forbes Street at a high rate of speed, and collided with a 2016 Chevy Cruze owned by Cody Robertson, of Creston, that was in the driveway. Authorities say Davis was upset for some reason.

After his car struck the other vehicle, Davis left the scene without reporting the incident. When he was located later, Davis admitted to driving too fast, and hitting the Chevy Cruze. The parked car sustained approximately $7,000 damage. Damage to the Impala was estimated at $1,500. No injuries were reported.

(Radio Iowa) – Unexpected patrons have occupied a restroom at a Page County park near Shenandoah — black widow spiders. County conservation director John Schwab says crews discovered a large cluster of the venomous spiders at Pioneer Park during regular restroom maintenance. While the black widow is common throughout the country, Schwab says the large concentration was concerning.”There’s probably an estimate between 20 and 30, which is a pretty good population,” Schwab says. “So just for safety until we get them cleared out, we’ve closed off the bathrooms.”

While the exact reason the cluster of spiders was in the bathroom is unknown, Schwab says the isolated and grassy area likely provided a suitable habitat. “They’re really attracted to basements, outbuildings, rocky structures, or debris sitting in your yard, so it’s not uncommon to have them in the area,” Schwab says. “The numbers that we saw was kind of what triggered us to say, ‘We need to do something about this.’ It could have been something as simple as a spring egg sack that hatched and all the spiders decided to hang around.”

Schwab says his department has treated the interior with insect foggers that will eventually be vacuumed and treated again. Crews are also treating the exterior of the building. While all spiders are venomous to an extent, Schwab advises park patrons to steer clear of the general area to avoid increased exposure. “The thing with black widows and also brown recluses, is that humans are a little more susceptible to their venom,” Schwab says. “So pretty much just stay away from that bathroom — the rest of the bathrooms are fine.”

While it is common to run across one or two black widows or brown recluses every year, Schwab says this was one of the first times seeing a large and concentrated quantity. They hope to have the spiders removed by the end of the week.