(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic High School Principal Heather McKay reports AHS English & Journalism Teacher Allison Berryhill, is slated to receive the Iowa Council of Teachers of English’ 2022 Distinguished Service Award. The award is the highest given to an English teacher in the state. The presentation will be made at the conference luncheon on Friday, Oct. 14, at Stoney Creek Inn in Johnston, Iowa.

Ms. McKay says “BIG congratulations to Ms. Berryhill! Thank you so much for your hard work and representing our school and community in such a positive light!”

Allison Berryhill

(Radio Iowa) – University of Iowa researchers have identified 60 new genes associated with autism. Researcher Jake Michaelson says this builds on a lot of other studies of the disease. “The single greatest contributor to autism, is genetics….we were very certain about that. But the paradox of that is that we don’t know exactly which genes,” he says. Michaelson is an associate professor of psychiatry, and says identifying the new genes helps unravel some of the mystery. “We’re chipping away and building up our understanding of what parts of the genome are involved in brain development in ways that can lead to autism,” he says, “So the human human genome has about 20-thousand different genes.”

He says there’s lots of different kinds of autism –and some kinds of autism have very serious medical implications.  “So things like seizures, or implications for learning in education, like intellectual disability, and those don’t occur in all cases of autism, but they, but there are enough different developmental mechanisms involved that just by understanding what genes are playing a role, we can identify, oh, well, there might be a way that we can intervene and and reduce these medical issues that people are suffering,” according the Michaelson.

He says there needs to be a lot more study done to come up with some answers. “We’re just at the beginning of this, you know, we think that we probably need three or four times the number of participants that we have now to really start to reliably identify the remaining genes that are out there,” Michaelson says. “And so I guess the good news on that front is that if people are out there, and they haven’t yet participated, the name of the study is SPARK, and they can enroll online sparkforautism.org/U-Iowa,” he says.

Michaelson says they seem to always be talking about the deficits and the problems and the challenges of autism — but he says they need to also understand the strengths that go along with that. He says that can lead to resilience and cultivating those strengths and developing the talents that are there as autism research moves into the future.

(Radio Iowa) – Railroads play a vital role in Iowa moving people, farm commodities and all sorts of products, but they can also be lethal to pedestrians, especially kids. A new report ranks Iowa 7th worst in the country for the number of fatal accidents in 2021 involving trains and children under 19. Mark Chandler, senior research associate at Safe Kids Worldwide, says since trains are so big and loud, people assume they’ll be able to get out of the way if one comes along. “That’s a big misperception with folks is that they think they’ll hear a train coming but they actually don’t make that same ‘clickety-clack’ sound that they used to in the past,” Chandler says. “And they may not always have a horn to warn trespassers either. Adding to that, we see kids often wear headphones near the tracks, so in that case, they virtually can’t hear the train coming at all.”

There were eight accidents in the state last year involving children and trains, four of which resulted in deaths. Chandler says his organization’s research finds that many parents don’t consider it a priority to talk to their kids about the extreme dangers of walking or playing near railroads. “Even with parents that live close to train tracks, this is not something that’s top of mind for them,” Chandler says. “Fewer than half of parents surveyed said they’d ever talked with their child about how to be safe around railroad tracks. And then also when it came to modeling behavior, half of the parents admitted that they themselves take risks around railroads, things like walking along the train tracks and driving around the gates.”

People walking along the tracks may think they’re far enough away from the train to avoid getting hit, but Chandler says trains typically extend out at least three feet on either side of the tracks. “Trains weigh several thousand tons and that means that they can take up to a full mile to stop. That’s about the length of 15 football fields,” Chandler says, “so by the time that a train conductor actually sees a person or a vehicle on the tracks, it’s often too late for them to stop.”

The eight train accidents in Iowa involving children last year were in five counties: Black Hawk, Clarke, Mitchell, Muscatine and Polk. One of the deaths was in Black Hawk County while the other three children killed were all in Clarke County. There was also one injury in Clarke County. Chandler urges Iowa parents to talk with their kids about the hazards and to help create a community of rail safety advocates. Nationwide, a child is killed in a train collision every five days.

On the web at https://www.safekids.org/RailSafetyStation

(Radio Iowa) – It was a busy weekend for campaign gatherings in Iowa. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds held her 4th annual fall fundraiser and there were two fundraisers for Democrats. Governor Reynolds rallied with a crowd at the state fairgrounds Saturday, touting policy moves she and the Republican-led legislature have made to cut taxes, get rid of some gun regulations and pass new abortion restrictions.

“The Iowa Democratic Party has lost sight of hardworking Iowans and if elected all the good things we’ve done over the last four years…that would all be undone,” Reynolds said. Reynolds also promised that if she’s reelected, she’ll try to block Biden Administration policies. Reynolds cited the lawsuit that she’s already joined, challenging President Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debt. Reynolds said it’s unfair to shift those expenses to other taxpayers.

That’s a shout out to the Republican challenging the Democrat seeking reelection as attorney general. The Iowa Democratic Party held a fundraiser Sunday afternoon, with candidates drawing cheers for defending abortion rights and supporting unions. Deidre DeJear, the Democrat challenging Reynolds, urged the crowd to focus on finding common ground with potential voters.

DeJear argued Iowans agree about more than they disagree about and she accused Republicans of trying stoke divisions. “The other side’s attack on us is to pit us against one another,” DeJear said, “to magnify our differences. “Mike Franken, the Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, described the 2022 election in stark terms. “All of us are here, I think, with this overarching thing that bugs us,” Franken said, “and that is: we need to save democracy.” Franken held a fundraiser of his own Saturday afternoon in West Des Moines. He told the crowd these are serious times for the country.

Grassley spoke briefly a few hours later at the governor’s fundraiser, but did not mention Franken. A spokeswoman for Grassley says the senator will work to put the economy back on the right track, while Franken would be in lock-step with President Biden.

(Union County, Iowa) – A semi tractor trailer hauling grain rolled over Sunday evening in Union County, causing suspected serious/incapacitating injuries to the driver. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2009 Peterbilt semi driven by 65-year-old Ronald Lynn Gray, of Mount Ayr, was traversing a curve in the road on westbound 190th Street at around 4:55-p.m., when Gray lost control of the rig.

The vehicle rolled over, losing its cargo of grain, and came to rest on the passenger side. Gray was partially ejected and had his left leg pinned outside the driver’s side window of the cab, between the frame of the truck, and the ground.

He was mechanically extracted from the vehicle by EMS personnel, and transported to the hospital in Creston, for treatment of leg pain and other injuries. The tractor-trailer – registered to Wurster Farms, Inc., from Creston – sustained $30,000 damage and was declared a total loss.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A call from a residence in the 1200 block of Senate Avenue at around 9:45-p.m. Saturday, resulted in three arrests. According to Red Oak Police, upon further investigation, Officers arrested 37-year-old Russell E. McGee, 29-year-old Tyler Clark Kuhlmann, and 19-year-old Jayden Eugene Roberts, all of Danville, IL. The three were charged with Public Intoxication, with Roberts additional charged with Harassment in the 3rd Degree.

All three subjects were transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond, each.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Officials with SWIPCO (Southwest Iowa Planning Council) report 50 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds gathered at the Lied Public Library in Clarinda on Thursday, September 22nd for the organization’s 47th annual meeting and luncheon. A welcome from Clarinda Mayor Craig Hill, and lunch, the SWIPCO meeting kicked off with Todd Valline, SWIPCO Board Chair doing introductions. SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy and Transit Director Mark Lander presented seven partnership awards for entities that had a strong partnership with SWIPCO over the 2022 fiscal year. (Click on an image to enlarge) The awardees were:

• Gilbert Thomas, Bank Iowa for his dogged promotion of Clarinda and the surrounding region in economic and housing development.
  

  Partnership award being presented: SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy (left); Gilbert Thomas, Bank Iowa (right)

• Bear Creek Archeology for their skill and efficiency in supporting Southwest Iowa grant applications under enormous time pressures due to Covid related and other funding sources with archeological services and vitally needed evaluations.
  

  Partnership award being presented: Curtis Architecture & Design P.C. Rod Curtis (left); SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy; Curtis Architecture & Design P.C. Jacob Gockel (right)

  

  Partnership award being presented: Transit Director Mark Lander (left); Clarinda Area Volunteers Patricia Bogdanski; Clarinda Area Volunteers Gretchen Sump; SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy (right)

  

  Partnership award being presented: Tom Shipley, Iowa Senate (left); SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy (right)

• Curtis Architecture & Design for their skill and efficiency in supporting Southwest Iowa grant applications under enormous time pressures due to Covid related and other funding sources with architectural design services and historic preservation recommendations.
• Clarinda Area Volunteers for providing over 4,000 rides a year to the residents of Clarinda for much needed transportation, including medical, shopping, and other vital trips near and far.
• Iowa Economic Development Authority for steadfast partnership with SWIPCO to provide flood recovery, Covid recovery, and other economic development funds to Southwest Iowa.
  

  Partnership award being presented: Jim Olmsted (left); SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy; Steve Perry (right)

• Tom Shipley, Iowa Senate for being a constant advocate at the Statehouse for our region and in particular for always putting the needs of his constituents first.
• Olmsted & Perry Consulting Engineers for decades of service to the region by providing invaluable expertise, often to some of the smallest communities, on community infrastructure projects and in congratulations for the gradual retirement of the owners, Jim Olmsted and Steve Perry.
  

  Staff recognized for years of service milestones: Tammy DeBord (left); Rhonda Oliphant; Ann Anstey; SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy (right)

SWIPCO staff were also recognized for years of service milestones: Ann Anstey (5 years) Rhonda Oliphant (5 years), Tammy DeBord (15 years) Sandy Hansen (15 years), and Christy Pederson (15 years). Richard Stehly was recognized as SWITA Driver of the Year. Also, former SWITA Fleet Manager Kelly Davis was posthumously recognized. Kelly passed away this year after retiring from 28 ½ years of service to the region.

SWIPCO and SWITA staff presented the annual report with highlights from the year from public transit, community development, revolving loan fund, and administrative services. SWITA Transit Director Mark Lander reported that SWITA

Driver of the Year recognized: Transit Director Mark Lander (left); Richard Stehly; SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy (right)

provided 480,229 rides over the past year which is up from 377,547 rides provided in fiscal year 2021. This is the most rides by a rural public transit system in Iowa ever. “We are seeing a lot of growth in our work routes like Monogram and OSI, and I think we are on target to provide 500,000 rides by the end of fiscal year 2023,” Lander said. SWIPCO also routinely provides grant writing and administration services to its member communities in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby Counties and brought over $120 million in grants to the region in fiscal year 2022 alone.

Since its founding in 1975, Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), which also operates Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) and the Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund (SWIHTF), has earned a reputation for being an outstanding community partner and transit provider in the region. SWIPCO was recognized as the 2022 Organization of Character by the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, which annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of Character Counts: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. SWIPCO was also named a Des Moines Register Iowa Top Workplace for 2022.

SWIPCO is a council of governments serving the eight counties of southwest Iowa with public transportation, community development, and housing. SWIPCO is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.

The ‘Tour de Parks’ free, community bike ride has been scheduled for Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 2:00 PM. ‘Tour de Parks’ is a play on the name of the famous bike race, the Tour de France, but unlike the famous event, this bike ride is not a race. Instead, it’s a leisurely 10-mile group ride around Atlantic that will stop at multiple parks where various community groups and organizations will greet riders with music, snacks, and information on community happenings.

The ride will start and end at the Sunnyside Park Kiddie Korral (1300 Sunnyside Lane, Atlantic, IA 50022, at the shelter by the bandstand with lots of playground equipment). The Atlantic Kiwanis will be providing a free meal at Kiddie Korral for riders when they finish the ride, and participating organizations and supporters will be giving away free prizes. Tour de Parks participants can expect to ride on both trails and streets, as the ride is designed in part to highlight area trails and the bike-ability of Atlantic.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation lends out bikes and helmets free of charge anytime, and these can be checked out for the ride. For questions or to borrow a bike or helmet for the ride, contact Atlantic Parks & Recreation at 712-243-3542. Participating organizations planning to host stops at parks along the route include Atlantic Parks & Rec, Nishna Valley Trails, the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Bike Farm, Cass County Extension, Cass County Grow Another Row, Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Produce in the Park, SHIFT ATL, Atlantic Public Library, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass County Tourism, and Atlantic Kiwanis.

The Red Oak Police Department reports three arrests overnight Friday into early Saturday.

On Friday at approximately 9:51 p.m. Officers arrested two men in the 300 block of East Valley Street in Red Oak. 40-year-old Sean Alan Kinsley and 29-year-old Joshua Michael Lowe, both of Red Oak were arrested on a charge each of Simple Assault. Both men were taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond each.

Early Saturday at 2:23 a.m. Red Oak Police arrested 54-year-old Richard James Linfor of Red Oak in the 500 block of East Market Street on a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Linfor was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

The Red Oak Police Department reports an arrest on Friday evening at 6:35 p.m. Officers arrested 32-year-old Chloe Margeurite Coburn of Red Oak on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. Coburn was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on no bond.