(Lewis, Iowa) – Officials with the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development have announced the 30^th Annual meeting for the Foundation takes place March 3rd, at the Armstrong Research Farm, near Lewis**. The meeting is open to the public, and there is no fee to attend. The event begins with registration at 9-a.m., followed by a Welcome from Foundation President Mark Bentley.

This year’s speakers will include Mark Licht an Iowa State University Assistant Professor and Extension Cropping System Specialist in the Dept of Agronomy, who will be speaking on the Recent Cropping Systems Research in Southwest Iowa. His extension, research and teaching program is focused on how to holistically manage Iowa cropping systems to achieve productivity, profitability and environmental goals. His research is centered around varied aspects of soybean, corn and cover crop management. 

The second speaker is Tim Christensen, ISU Farm Management Specialist. He is currently serving 13 counties in Southwest Iowa working with the public on farm rental agreements, farm transitions, farm bill, grain marketing, and any other farm management issues that arise. Tim will be speaking on Iowa Land Values review and 2022 Cost of Production Increases.

A complimentary lunch at 11:30-a.m.will follow those guest speakers, with the Wallace Foundation’s Membership Annual Business meeting at 12:30-p.m.

**The Armstrong Research Farm is located approximately 12 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, south on 525th Street, and then east on Hitchcock Avenue.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department and Police Chief Dave Erickson report seven arrests took place from Jan. 21st through Feb. 6th (aside from those previously reported). Authorities say on Sunday (Feb. 6), Atlantic Police arrested: 31-year-old Tiffany Wallace, of Atlantic, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense, and on a warrant for Violation of Probation; 28-year-old Taylor Sanchez, of Columbus, NE., was arrested for PCS/1st offense and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia; and, 48-year-old Dan Christensen, of Atlantic, was arrested Sunday for Assault causing bodily injury, and Driving While License suspended.

On Friday, Officers with the A-PD arrested 57-year-old James Cecetka, of Atlantic, for OWI/1st offense. On Jan. 31st, 39-year-old Wainy Ruben, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication. And, there were two arrests on Jan. 21st: 54-year-old Robert Lee Olwell, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Atlantic for Eluding, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia; OWI; Poss. of a Controlled Substance; Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp; Keeping a premises or vehicle for Controlled Substance Violation, and Ongoing Criminal Conduct; 38-year-old Eddie Mack, of Hamlin, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

All subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail. As of early Monday afternoon, Eddie Mack and Wainy Ruben had been released from custody. The rest remained in the jail.

(Radio Iowa) – A Sergeant Bluff woman is writing a book about her experience with Turner Syndrome (TS) — a chromosomal disorder that affects one in every two-thousand newborn girls. Nicole Cleveland of was diagnosed with T-S at birth through a test that takes a snapshot of chromosomes. “And it’s usually missing an X chromosome, or one of the X chromosomes is slightly altered in some way and it causes many health complications,” She says. Those other complications may include congenital heart or kidney defects, thyroid and vision issues, motor issues, hypertension, anxiety, and depression.

“When I was born they were told that I may need to have walking braces for the rest of my. And that I may never be able to walk normally,” according to Cleveland. “Luckily that did not happen. I was able to walk normally — I was able to cheerlead in high school — I was able to live pretty much a normal and productive life,” she says. The disorder has two common symptoms, short stature, which can be treated in children with growth hormone, and premature ovarian failure, which requires lifelong estrogen replacement for development and health. Cleveland says the early diagnosis of T-S is key.

“So many people are diagnosed in their teen years or even their adult years because they don’t have access to medical care. Or it’s so rare that their physicians don’t know the looks and the signs of Turner Syndrome, “Cleveland says. “They, unfortunately, don’t get diagnosed until they are in their adult years, and unfortunately those treatments are no longer effective for them.”

Growth hormone treatment would not be effective after their mid to late teens. Turner served two terms on the Sergeant Bluff City Council and is writing a book on her experiences called the “Butterfly Chronicles.” The butterfly is the symbol for girls and women with T-S. If you want to find out more about turner syndrome, you may go online to www.tsgalliance.org.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Conference Board is set to meet 10:30-a.m. Tuesday, in the Supervisor’s meeting room at the Courthouse in Red Oak. On their agenda is the determination of a quorum, and if so, discussion on open Board of Review positions, along with action, as necessary. The Conference Board will also discuss and possibly act on:

• The Chief Deputy’s salary
• The proposed 2022-2023 Budget
• Setting the date for a public hearing on the ’22-’23 Budget
• any additional items to come before the Montgomery County Conference Board.

The public meeting will be conducted via ZOOM at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81034493360

Meeting ID: 810 3449 3360

Passcode: 321383

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors meet 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their Boardroom at the Courthouse in Atlantic. On their agenda is action on approving the appointment of a Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy, and setting the date for a public hearing with regard to Senate File 634, a “total maximum property tax dollars” resolution. The Board will receive an update from County Engineer Trent Wolken, with regard to Secondary Roads Dept. activity, and act on approving plans for a paving project on G-61, Victoria Road (in accordance with Adair County).

The are also expected to receive Mental Health and General Relief reports from Cass County Community Services Director Deb Schuler, for the months of December and January, prior possibly taking action on appointing two Zoning Commissioners, and a Brighton Township Trustee.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Two men were arrested Sunday in Atlantic, following an investigation into a broken storefront window in the 200 block of Chestnut Street. Atlantic Police say Officers arrived shortly after 8:15-a.m. to find a large window broken out, and blood on the concrete. Police followed the blood trail to a residence on Cedar Street in Atlantic. As a result of the investigation, 26-year old River Pecha-Nichols, and 19-year old Michael Gehling were arrested on charges that include Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, and Theft in the 3rd Degree.

There were no injuries.  Atlantic Police Department were assisted by deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

(Photo: L-R: Michael Gehling, River Pecha-Nichols)

(8-a.m. News)

(Radio Iowa) – Story County authorities are investigating two separate fires that occurred at a Casey’s convenience store in the town of Maxwell within a period of three days. The latest fire was reported just after 1 a.m. Sunday, according to the Story County sheriff’s office. The fire was discovered by a passerby who immediately alerted authorities. Authorities say the fire originated on the south side of the building, located at 100 Main Street. The fire caused significant damage to the store’s wall and interior, according to investigators.

Another fire was reported at the same Casey’s store on February 3rd, according to the sheriff’s office. The Maxwell Fire Department responded to Sunday’s fire, with additional assistance being provided by fire departments from nearby Cambridge, Collins and Nevada. At this time, both fires are being called “suspicious” in nature.

(Radio Iowa) – Authorities say the man who stole a vehicle with a child inside near Manson in Calhoun County has been apprehended in Missouri. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office in a press release stated that 25-year-old Jabari Kolaker stole a vehicle at gunpoint around 10:15 Sunday morning fleeing with his two-year-old son. Kolaker was eventually located and arrested yesterday afternoon south of St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to his extradition back to Iowa, Kolaker faces criminal charges in Missouri. The child was located and is safe. The owner of the vehicle stolen by Kolater was not harmed in the incident.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two arrests occurred over the weekend, and a stolen vehicle was reported. Authorities say 55-year-old Scott Bradley Spurrier, of Creston, was arrested at his home, Saturday morning, on a charge of Child Endangerment with Substantial Risk. He later posted a $5,000 cash or surety bond, and was released from the Union County Jail. And, late Sunday night, 58-year-old David Joseph Tindle, of Des Moines, was arrested in Creston for Intent to manufacture/deliver Meth, and Burglary in the 2nd Degree. His cash or surety bond was set at $35,000.

A Creston man reported to Police Sunday morning, that a vehicle belonging to the Vestas Wind Mill Company was stolen, along with approximately $2,700 worth of tools in the truck. The vehicle was described as being a white, 2020 Chevy 2500 that has damage on the front and rear bumpers. It also has a sticker in the front or back windows with the company logo. The loss was estimated at $62,700 altogether.