Annual count supports research for the Audubon Society

Lewis, IA 2022: The Iowa Bluebird Conservationists and Cass County Conservation Have Rescheduled the Christmas Bird Count To Wednesday, December 28th. Those that want to participate in the count will be meeting at Cold Springs State Park in Lewis at 8:00am to divide into groups that will cover different sections of the count circle. Birders are encouraged to dress for the conditions and bring along binoculars and bird books. It is also suggested to either wear or bring along an article of blaze orange clothing for any birding that may occur in parks that allow public hunting, as it will be deer season. The count will run until 3:30pm that day as we cover a 15 mile diameter circle as thorough as we can. We will meet for lunch at Noon at the Atlantic Pizza Ranch to compare lists and reboot for counting in the afternoon. You are welcome to join for the whole day or just the morning or afternoon sessions. All abilities are welcome whether you are comfortable just birding from a vehicle and roadside or if you would like to walk through areas as well.

Home birders may also contribute to the Cass County Count by watching their home feeder. Feeder counters will need to keep track of the time spent observing and will count the maximum number of a species seen at one time, not a cumulative for the day. Contact Chris Parks or Lora Kanning at Cass County Conservation if you would like to contribute and we will provide guidelines.

The Christmas Bird Count is a valuable research tool for the Audubon Society and is the nation’s longest running citizen-science bird project. This year is the 123^rd year of the count and the Cass County area is excited to join the count again. Find more information on the Christmas Bird Count at www.christmasbirdcount.org.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police report two men were arrested on separate charges, Saturday. Authorities say at around 5:10-p.m., 24-year-old Anton Jason Ahlhelm was arrested at the Shelby County Jail in Harlan, on two valid Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department warrants for Theft in the 5th Degree, and Possession of a  Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine. Anton was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

And, at around 10:38-p.m., Red Oak Police arrested 34-year-old Cody Linn Hudson, of Red Oak, following a traffic stop in the 200 block of N. 8th Street. Hudson was charged with OWI/1st offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

(Shenandoah, Iowa) – Officials with the Shenandoah Police Department report three arrests so far this weekend. At around 9:30-p.m. Saturday, Officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Maple Street, for a domestic disturbance. Following an investigation, Officers arrested 35-year-old Frederick George Steven Billings, II, of Shenandoah, for Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault – 1st offense. Billings was being held without bond in the Page County Jail.

And, at around 1:55-a.m. today (Sunday), Shenandoah Police were dispatched to J & R’s Saloon, for a large fight outside of the establishment. Following an investigation, 34-year-old Tiffany Danyelle Gaines, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct, and Public Intoxication. She subsequently posted a $900 bond, and was released. Also arrested in connection with the incident, was 44-year-old Shannon Marie Buick, of Shenandoah. She was cited into Page County Magistrate Court, and released from custody.

Shenandoah Police were assisted in handling the incident, by Page and Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report no-injuries occurred when two vehicles collided at around 11:30-a.m., Saturday. The accident happened at the intersection of Townline and Elm Sreets, when a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by 19-year-old Kaden Briggs, of Creston, stopped at the controlled intersection, but then failed to yield the right-of-way, and pulled away before striking a 2008 Pontiac driven by 69-year-old Shelley Ann Bakerink, of Creston.

The collision resulted in a total of $3,500 damage, with the majority of the damage affecting the Impala. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – After significant setbacks in the 2022 election and the apparent loss of the lead-off spot for the Iowa Caucuses, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party is stepping down. In early 2021, the Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee elected Ross Wilburn to lead the party through the 2022 campaign. Wilburn announced Saturday he will not seek another term. Wilburn said he has faith the party’s next chair will lead Iowa Democrats through the challenges ahead.

The November election saw Republicans gain seats in the state legislature. Republicans won every seat in Iowa’s congressional delegation and only one Democrat on the statewide ballot won — by a narrow 21-hundred vote margin. Earlier this month, a panel of national Democrats voted to dethrone the Iowa Democratic Party’s Caucuses. The plan is to have South Carolina’s Primary go first in 2024, followed by four other states.

Wilburn, who’s been reelected to another term in the Iowa House, says he’ll join other Democrats in working to grow the party and support candidates who’ll fight for the ideas a strong majority of Iowans support.

(Cass County, Iowa) – Firefighter/Rescue, law enforcement personnel and tow truck crews had their hands full Saturday morning, as they responded to no fewer than three separate accidents, in Cass County.

As we mentioned previously, one person was injured during a single vehicle accident at around 8:35-a.m., on Interstate 80 eastbound at mile marker 54. Rescue crews from Marne, Atlantic, and Cass EMS responded to the scene. Two persons were in the vehicle, one was injured, but both were transported to Cass Health, in Atlantic. A witness saw the vehicle fishtail, lose control and entered the northbound ditch before it struck a tree.

At around 10:37-a.m., rescue personnel and law enforcement responded to a single-vehicle accident on 770th Street, north of Glendale Road (Near Anita). Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Quist reports an SUV driven by Devon James lost control on the gravel and ended-up in a ditch near a field. James was cited for failure to show proof of insurance – accident related. No injuries were reported.

I80 near mile marker 54

I-80 EB near mm 64

770th St. north of Glendale Road

And, Atlantic, Anita and Wiota Fire personnel were dispatched at around 11:52-a.m., to a semi tractor-trailer fire on I-80 eastbound, near mile marker 60. The semi’s tractor was separated from the trailer before the fire spread. The trailer, which was hauling some pork products, went up in flames and was a total loss. No injuries were reported.

Richter Towing assisted at the scene of the incidents. Deputy Quist said “It was definitely not a warm day,” to be out in the elements fighting the fire and taking care of the accidents. We thank him for the information and photos!

(Marne, Iowa) – Authorities say one person was injured during a single vehicle accident this (Saturday) morning, in Cass County. The incident occurred at around 8:35-a.m., on Interstate 80 eastbound at mile marker 54. Rescue crews from Marne, Atlantic, and Cass EMS responded to the scene. Two persons were in the vehicle, one was injured, but both were transported to Cass Health, in Atlantic. A witness saw the vehicle fishtail, lose control and entered the northbound ditch before it struck a tree.

Additional information was not immediately available. (Photos submitted to the media by Deputy Kyle Quist. Click on an image to enlarge)