Iowans who need to come up with a last-minute gift for that hard-to-buy-for person may be able to find something appropriate at the American Red Cross website. Tammie Pech spokeswoman for the agency’s Siouxland chapter, says they’re offering a host of options for gifts you can give to deployed soldiers or people in need — in honor of anyone you choose. “There are military calling cards, there are disaster comfort kits, there’s blankets, there’s vaccinations for children across the world,” Pech says. “Whatever is near and dear to your heart, they’re going to have something for you.” 

Whether it’s helping American troops overseas or helping victims of a tornado, she says the website “www.redcross.org/gifts” offers a range of items in a range of prices. The least expensive gifts include a set of three Red Cross blankets for $18, or a phone card for a deployed service member for $20. Plus, she says, you don’t have to worry about mailing anything as you can notify the gift honoree electronically, via email. “When you purchase your gifts on there, you have the option of sending an e-card so even if that person isn’t where you are or you want to send them a note about it, you can certainly print it, wrap it up and give it to them so it feels like they’re opening a gift,” Pech says. “You can also send them the e-card which is a really great way to send something across the country or across the miles and say ‘I really thought about you and this is a really special gift I wanted to give in your name.'” This type of gift is uplifting and can help to save lives, so Pesh says it’s both precious and enduring.

“Ninety-one cents of every dollar that’s donated through the Holiday Giving Catalog and to the American Red Cross goes directly to services,” Pech says. “We feel that’s really important and also, your gift is tax deductible, so that’s a neat thing at year-end that people need to know.” With donations of $100, $200 and $300, gift-givers will also receive gifts ranging from an aluminum water bottle to a messenger bag to a family first aid kit. 

(Radio Iowa)

The trial for a Defiance women charged with possession of methamphetamine and felony third-degree burglary, is scheduled to take place next month in Shelby County District Court. 18-year-old Sarah Nicole Caswell is accused of burglarizing a residence on Durant Street in Harlan on June 28^th.  While in the home, Caswell also allegedly damaged the residence.  Caswell also faces a Misdemeanor charge for allegedly being in possession of a small baggie of meth, which she allegedly tucked into her pants, and was discovered after Caswell was arrested on an outstanding warrant November 10^th. 

Caswell entered a plea of not guilty to the charges on December 12^th. Her pre-trial conference will take place on January 9^th, with trial set for January 31^st in Shelby County District Court. If convicted, Caswell faces a maximum sentence of six years in jail, with additional fines totaling $6,500.

For the second time in about three months, someone has released horses from an animal rescue facility near Glenwood. According to Omaha television station WOWT, someone opened the gates at the Hooves and Paws Rescue Shelter, letting loose the horses, endangering not only the animals’ lives, but those of motorists traveling on a nearby highway. All of the horses were returned to the corral, but Hooves and Paws owners Bill and Gina Stoops aren’t so sure they will stay put.

The couple got a frantic call Tuesday morning warning them that the horses were out, and dangerously close to the highway. Fortunately, the recovering horses couldn’t travel very far. Bill Stoops told the TV station all he had to do was shoo them into the corral and shut the gate. Three people also stopped by to lend a hand.

Stoops said the next time someone tries set the horses free, he will be ready for them. He says heavier chains and locks have already been added, and security cameras are being installed. The Mills County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident, along with the reported theft of at least two cameras stolen from their mounts on a nearby recreational trail.