(Radio Iowa) – Plan two for reconfiguring Iowa’s congressional and legislative districts has been delivered and, if approved by the legislature next week, it could pit two incumbent members of the U.S. House against one another. Congresswomen Cindy Axne, a Democrat, lives in West Des Moines. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller Meeks, a Republican, lives in Ottumwa. Both of their homes are in the proposed third congressional district. That sets up a potential incumbent-versus-incumbent race for reelection in 2022 if neither moves. Axne has said she’s also considering a run for governor rather than pursuing a third term in the U.S. House.

The legislature will convene in special session next Thursday to vote on the second plan for redistricting. This process happens after every Census, to redraw the boundaries for Iowa’s congressional districts as well as the 150 state legislative districts to reflect population changes.

If Plan two for redistricting is approved, none of Iowa’s four members of the U.S. House live in the new first congressional district. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion lives i the proposed second district. Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull, a Republican, lives in the proposed fourth congressional district.

ATLANTIC, IA (October 21, 2021) – Produce in the Park’s holiday farmers markets have been scheduled for the 2021-2022 season, and Produce in the Park is now accepting vendor applications for all holiday markets. This year, four holiday markets will be held at the Cass County Community Center: Harvest Market (Nov. 22, the Monday before Thanksgiving), Christmas Market (Dec. 23), Sweetheart Market (Feb. 12), and Spring Celebration Market (April 16, the day before Easter).

These markets are scheduled just before holidays, so customers can pick up local produce, baked goods, and meats to enjoy at their holiday meals. The markets also offer seasonal decorations, candles, soaps, and gifts by local crafters and artisans. Vendor spaces are now available for all holiday markets, and local farmers, bakers, artisans or crafters are invited to apply. Vendors interested in participating in holiday markets can find details and registration forms online at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com, or at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Vendors who register for all four holiday markets by November 1, 2021 will receive a discount.

While Harvest Market has been a long-standing tradition, Christmas Market, Sweetheart Market, and Spring Celebration Market were just introduced last year. Strong sales and positive customer feedback about the markets and the opportunity to pre-order products led Produce in the Park to seek sponsorships for the additional holiday markets, and the online ordering system. Produce in the Park is committed to offering online pre-ordering at all four holiday markets this season.

Holiday farmers markets are sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, First Whitney Bank and Trust, Camblin Mechanical, Cass County Tourism, and Cass County Farm
Bureau. Harvest Market is also being sponsored by Lindeman Tractor, and Christmas Market is being sponsored by Meyer & Gross. Christmas Market online shopping is being sponsored by
Smith Land Service. Produce in the Park is seeking additional sponsors for Sweetheart and Spring Celebration Markets, as well as online shopping sponsors for all markets except
Christmas. Businesses and organizations interested in sponsorship should contact Market Manager Brigham Hoegh at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or 712-249-5870.
A full list of holiday market event details, vendors, and information on pre-ordering will be available online at the Produce in the Park website www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com
closer to the market dates. Follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/) for the latest information.

(Exira, Iowa) – The Exira-EHK School District, like others in our listening area, has experienced an increase in the Certified enrollment numbers. Superintendent Trevor Miller says even though it doesn’t seem like much, the numbers are going up, and that’s good news for the district, financially.

He says “In a small district, every little bit helps.”

Miller says the Exira-EHK School Board, Monday, approved bids for glass and concrete work related to the daycare center.

He said they’re working hard to find an on-site supervisor.

He says the problem is exacerbated by the worker shortage being experienced nationwide.

The board, Monday, approved a trip for high school students to Washington DC for the Spring of 2023, and Transfers, resignations as well as new hires, including Riann (RYAN) Hansen as Athletic Trainer.

(Shenandoah, Iowa) — Police in Shenandoah arrested a member of the Shenandoah School Board, who is also running for mayor. Authorities report 58-year-old Jeffrey Alan Hiser was arrested early this (Thursday morning), for OWI 1st offense. He arrest occurred after officers saw a vehicle drive over the sidewalk and hit a retaining wall in the 700 block of South Center Street. The incident happened at around 1:50 a.m. Hiser was later released from custody after posting $1,000 bond.

Jeff Hiser (Shenandoah CSD photo)

Hiser served on the Shenandoah School Board from 1985-91, and again from 2019 to the present, he also served as mayor and as a city council member of Shenandoah.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), reports three arrests. On Wednesday, 43-year-old Joshua Robert Stroud, of Glenwood, was arrested following a traffic stop at Highway 34 and 221st Street. Stroud was taken into custody at around 2-a.m. for OWI/2nd offense (Bond: $2,000). And, 40-year-old Colin Joseph Kingsley, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested on a warrant out of Council Bluffs, for Failure to Appear, and a felony warrant out of Sarpy County, NE., for Violation of his Pre-Trial Release. Kingsley was taken into custody at around 10:30-p.m. in the vicinity of Hyland Avenue (Bond: $2,000).

On Tuesday, Mills County Deputies arrested 28-year-old Thomas Nicholas Barkley, of Young, AZ., for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arrested in the area of 195/Bunge Ave. at around 2-a.m. (Bond: $1,300).

Authorities said also, there were no injuries reported following a single-vehicle accident Sunday night, in Mills County. Officials say 22-year-old Makayla Huffman, of Glenwood, was driving a 2014 Jeep southbound on Pruden Avenue at around 10-p.m., when she failed to negotiate a curve on the gravel road. They indicated she was traveling too fast at the time. Her SUV left the road and entered the south ditch before flipping onto its top.

More area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Creston Police Department reports the arrest early this (Thursday) morning, of a man from Ohio. 18-year-old Christopher Lamont Gaiter, Jr., of Springfield, OH, was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of N. Pine Street, at around 4:16-a.m. Gaiter was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense, and later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following a collision Wednesday afternoon. Authorities say a 2018 Chevy Equinox driven by 65-year-old Marilyn Kay Ide, of Creston, and a 2012 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 68-year-old Thomas Edward Christensen, of Van Meter, were approaching the intersection of Highways 34 and 169 at around 1:40-p.m.  As Ide pulled up to the stop sign and was preparing to turn right onto Highway 34, her vehicle was struck from behind by the pickup truck.

Her SUV sustained about $2,000 damage. No damage was reported to the pickup, which is registered to Madison County Auction, Inc., of Winterset. There were no citations issued.

The news broadcast at 7:07-a.m., from Ric Hanson.

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(Washington, D-C/KCCI)  — Congressman Randy Feenstra announced his plans for re-election. KCCI says the fourth district congressman announced Wednesday he will be running to maintain his seat in 2022. In a statement released Wednesday, he said, “With the support of my family and friends, and through prayerful consideration, I launched my first campaign for Congress because we needed a conservative leader to deliver results for Iowa. In just our first 10 months in Congress, we’ve restored Iowa’s seat on the House Agriculture Committee, passed needed disaster relief for our farmers, promoted our biofuels, passed legislation to stop the Chinese Communist Party from stealing our taxpayer-funded research, defended our conservative values and fought against the advance of socialism in America. After we defeat Speaker Pelosi in 2022, we will enact a conservative agenda to end reckless spending, protect innocent life, defend our 2nd amendment and restore America’s strength around the world.”

Also in the statement, Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sen. Joni Ernst and Sen. Chuck Grassley gave endorsements for Feenstra’s run. Iowans elected Feenstra over Democrat J.D. Scholten in 2022 after Feenstra defeated long-time Rep. Steve King in the primaries. So far, no one else has announced a run for the fourth district seat.