(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man complained of pain following an accident Friday evening, but he was not transported to the hospital. Authorities say a 2003 Mack semi tractor-trailer driven by 41-year-old Jeffrey Painter, of Leland, IL, was backing out of a private drive at 3511 White Pole Road, when the trailer was struck by a westbound 2008 Lexus SUV. The driver of the SUV, 48-year-old Timothy Wells, of Menlo, told authorities he didn’t see the semi until the last minute, because he was blinded by the sun. He swerved, but his vehicle struck the rear dual tires/axle of the trailer, causing a total of $13,500 damage.

The accident happened at around 5:40-p.m.  No citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports an Atlantic man was arrested Thursday. Deputies arrested 54-year-old Tony Mayo Sr.,  for OWI 1^st Offense.  Mayo was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today (Monday) announced her second Small Business of the Week for 2023: Red Oak Fabrication located in Montgomery County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

Red Oak Fabrication is a family business that is being honored for its continued growth and success. Ted Fort started at Red Oak Fabrication as one of three employees. Through hard work and persistence he purchased the entire company in 1948. Today, the business is still owned and operated by the Fort family.

“I think we can all agree that small businesses are the backbone of America, and families are the heart. It gives me great pleasure to see Ted Fort’s hard work transcend generations to provide vital manufacturing services in my home county and across Iowa,” said Ranking Member Ernst.

Since its establishment over 100 years ago, the company has grown to four locations in Montgomery County. The locations offer powder coating, plate rolling, manual and robotic welding, and a Carhartt store to meet the demand of customers across the state. The Fort family legacy lives on through Ted’s children, grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren who have continued on his path of entrepreneurship and innovation.

(Griswold, Iowa) – UPDATE – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two women were injured during a single-vehicle accident Sunday night, south of Griswold. First responders from Griswold and Elliott were requested at the scene, where at around 8:50-p.m., a 2020 Nissan Altima driven by Hannah Kelly, of Red Oak, had gone into the ditch off 540th Street, near Wichita Road. The accident happened when Kelly swerved to miss a deer and she lost control of the car.

Kelly and another woman were transported to a local hospital by Griswold EMS for what was considered to be minor injuries.  The vehicle sustained approximately $3,000 worth of damage.