(Radio Iowa) – Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks expects her bid for a second term in the U.S. House to be among the most closely watched races in the country. Miller-Meeks won her first race in 2020 by a six-vote margin. “I think that this election cycle will be different, both pros and cons. You have a congressional record — a voting record now that can be brought up, but you also have those things which you have achieved,” Miller-Meeks says. “So I think given the things that I have done, I expect to be reelected and by a much larger margin that six votes.”

During a weekend appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S, Miller-Meeks joked that her margin of victory would be at least triple what it was in 2020. Miller-Meeks also discussed running in the new first congressional district, where about 35 percent of registered voters are Democrats, 32 percent are Republicans and the rest are independents. “I in no way think that this is going to be an easy reelect,” Miller-Meeks says. “It’s going to . I’m known to be a very strong campaigner. I’m known to be out and visiting with people and I will continue to do that.”

Marianette Miller-Meeks. (photo from Miller-Meeks office.)

Miller-Meeks says she’s visited all 24 counties in Iowa’s current second congressional district four times since being sworn into office last January. Miller-Meeks says she decided to seek reelection in Iowa’s new first congressional because it covers most of the territory in her current district — but Miller-Meeks also considered running in the district that includes Ottumwa, so she could keep representing her hometown. “Wapello County was put into district three,” Miller-Meeks says. “…and so it was an extraordinarily difficult decision to make and finally came to the decision that I would run in the district which 80% of I currently represent.”

While there’s no requirement that members of congress live within the boundaries of the district they represent — they just have to live within the state — four of Iowa’s congressmen moved after district lines were redrawn in 2001 and 2011. Miller-Meeks, a Republican, won’t be selling her home in Ottumwa, but does plan to establish a residence in the new first district. “I have a variety of housing options,” Miller-Meeks says. “I’ll be able to be in the district and live within the district.”

Miller-Meeks, who is an eye doctor, has worked at a clinic in Burlington she taught in the University of Iowa Medical School in the late 1990s. She may face a G-O-P Primary in 2022. Kyle Kuehl, a Bettendorf business owner, also announced his candidacy as a Republican in the new 1st District. Democrat Christina Bohannan, a University of Iowa Law School professor who’s a member of state legislature, announced earlier this year she intended to challenge Miller-Meeks in 2022.

A traffic stop early Saturday afternoon in Montgomery County resulted in an OWI arrest. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 35-year-old Stephanie Lynn Gay, of Villisca, was arrested at around 2:23-p.m. for OWI/1st offense. Gay was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on full bond.

ATLANTIC, IA (December 20, 2021) – Produce in the Park has released the final vendor lineup for Christmas Market. The winter farmers market is stacked with homemade food and handmade craft vendors—from produce and meats to cookies and desserts, soaps and candles to art and pet treats.

Christmas Market is this Thursday, December 23 from 3-7 PM at the Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, up the hill from the fairgrounds). Christmas market offers both pre-ordering and in-person shopping. Pre-orders will be accepted through Tuesday, December 21, and information on preordering can be found at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com. Some products—such as Miss NiNi’s pies and cheesecakes and Pomodoro Fresh Italian Food Truck’s take and bake meals—are only available pre-order.

Christmas Market is held just two days before Christmas, so shoppers can enjoy delicious local foods during holiday celebrations, and shop for handmade stocking stuffers, gifts, and decorations. Christmas Market Vendors:
All vendors offer in-person shopping, unless otherwise noted.

*Denotes the vendor offers preordering. Preordering information can be found at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.
Vendors are listed by product category, and vendors may appear in multiple categories.

Produce Vendors
• Bridgewater Farm* – spinach, beets, carrots, garlic, kohlrabi, potatoes, squash, turnips, sweet potatoes
• Erickson Foods* – carrots, potatoes, squash – acorn, butternut, spaghetti
• Harrisdale Farmstead* (Pre-order only. No in-person shopping from this vendor.) – squash, pie pumpkins, garlic
Meat & Eggs Vendors
• Bridgewater Farm* – beef, eggs
• Brun Ko Farm* – beef, pork, chicken, eggs
• Kingwood Farm* – pork, eggs, beef
• Noble Provisions* – beef
Desserts and Goodies
• Atlas Atlantic Cinema* – holiday popcorn boxes in a variety of flavors including “Christmas Crack” and “Peppermint Bark” among traditional favorites such as Kettle Corn and Classic Cinema
• Brun Ko Farm* – cookies, pies, pastries
• Frosting Inc. – cupcakes, cookies, hot cocoa bombs, and more
• Kringleman Pastries* – Danish kringle, cream horns, letters, and pastries
• Mandy’s Sweet Tooth Confections – pies, sugar cookie bars, cupcakes, cookie trays, candy barks and fudge, savory pretzels and snack mix, and other assorted desserts
• Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts* (Pre-order only. No in-person shopping from this vendor.) – pies and cheesecakes
• TJ’s Kitchen* – wine bread pastries
Other Local Food
• Brun Ko Farm* – granola in a variety of flavors including holiday “Fruit basket”
• Erickson Foods* – syrups, fruit butters, and jellies
Homemade Food to Go
• Pomodoro Fresh Italian Food Truck* – pasta, sauces, sandwiches, salads and desserts; take and bake homemade Italian meals are available by preorder only.
Bath and Body Products
• DezaRae Farm Soaps – goat milk soaps
• Dragonfly Creations – soaps, shave soap, beard oil, and more
• Kingwood Farm* – goat milk soaps, bath shreds, lotions, and detergent
• Smudge* – soaps, shower steamers, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and more
• Sweet Sisters Vegan* – vegan products including soaps, lotions, lip balms, and more
Candles and melts:
• Smudge*
• Dragonfly Creations
More Crafts Products
• Connie’s Creations – hand-crocheted dishcloths, hats, hot pads, and more
• DeLaine’s Designs – doll clothes
• Dragonfly Creations – abstract art, coasters, and resin art
• Glossy Nacho Nails* – custom handmade press-on nails
• Hygge Cottage – children’s books and wildlife feeders
• JD Crafters – Items made using a laser and CNC router and a lathe, including Christmas and table ornaments, signage, cutting boards, coasters, serving trays and catch all trays, and more.
• Johnna Joy Designs* – jewelry & more
• The Pet Bistro* – dog and cat food and treats; cat toys and beds
• Slightly Sassy Orchid Designs – tumblers and signs
• Studio Samantha – art prints, crocheted hats, handmade bags, and more
• Wud Bi Tek – CNC laser carvings and cuttings

Christmas Market is made possible by sponsorships from the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, First Whitney Bank and Trust, Camblin Mechanical, Cass County Tourism, Cass County Farm Bureau, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Meyer and Gross Real Estate, and Smith Land Service. Produce in the Park thanks customers for masking and distancing at indoor markets.

For the latest information on Christmas Market, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/) or sign up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

(Cresco, Iowa) – IN an update to our earlier report, the Iowa State Patrol, Sunday, identified the five juvenile victims of an SUV rollover accident that took place late Friday night, in northeastern Iowa’s Winneshiek County.

Authorities say the driver of a 2000 Ford Explorer, 18-year-old Dalton Hemesath, of Ridgeway (Iowa), and a passenger, 18-year-old Karter Einck, of Decorah, died in the crash. Three other passengers were injured. They included 17-year-old’s Emmitt Stemper and Brendan Hunter, along with 18-year-old David Kfeitzer, all of Decorah. Stemper was transported by air ambulance to Gunderson Hospital in LaCrosse, WI. The other two were transported to the hospital in Cresco. None of the occupants were wearing a seat belt.

The Iowa State Patrol says the SUV was traveling north on County Road W-14 at around 10:30-p.m., when the vehicle went out of control east of Cresco and slide sideways before entering the west ditch at Pole Line Road. The SUV rolled three times in the ditch before coming to rest on its wheels.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board will gather in the High School Board Room Monday (Dec. 20), beginning at 6:40-p.m. for a Work Session. Their regular meeting will follow, beginning at 7-p.m.  Among the action items on their agenda, is:

• A review, along with the first and final reading of Polices 506.1 & 502.8.
• Approval of Early Retirement applications.
• Approving an increase in Teacher Substitute pay.
• Possible action on approving a Full-Time Elementary School Counselor
• and, other Personnel matters.

In his report to the Audubon School Board, Superintendent Eric Trager will discuss a Head Start Mask Mandate, and the Federal Vaccine Mandate, among other matters.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet 5:15-p.m. Monday, Dec. 20th, at the Parks & Rec Office in Sunnyside Park. Among the action items and/or new business on their agenda, is:

• Discussion with regard to a new Assistant Parks & Rec Director
• An upcoming Aquatics Steering Committee meeting
• A job description for the Sunnyside Pool Manager’s position
• A possible wage increase for Summer help
• and the Lions Club Pancake Supper

In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen is expected to discuss:

• The status of the Ice Rink
• Winter Recreation Fun
• Trails that are marked
• The Candy Cane HUnt
• Rip-rap at East Ridge
• The Lighted Parade
• The more than 20 Rec Programs that were held in 2021, and,
• The Sunnyside Pool Umbrella’s have arrived for use next Summer.

(Corning, Iowa) — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests from over the past two weeks. Friday evening (Dec. 10), 36-year-old Ryan Pullen was arrested on a valid Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear (in court). His bond was set at $1,000.  Also arrested on Friday, was 66-year-old Steven Mullen, for OWI/2nd offense. His arrest was the result of an investigation into a rollover accident near the intersection of Highway 148 & 200th Street. Mullen’s bond was set at $2,000.

And on Dec. 5th, Adams County Deputies arrested 23-year old Kimberly Granados, of Osceola, for OWI 1^st Offense. Her arrest followed a traffic stop at 230^th and Sycamore Avenue. Granados was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail.