(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowans are still trying to decide what they’ll wear to this weekend’s Halloween costume party, but one expert is urging them to think ahead to their year-end holiday travel plans and book them, pronto. Meredith Mitts, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says the sooner you lock in your plane tickets, hotel reservations or cruise plans, the better.

“As we’re getting closer to the holidays, the cost for airfare rises and the availability shrinks,” Mitts says. “So, the farther out you can plan those flights and those items, the better chance you have of getting those ideal time slots and being able to make those plans in a cost-efficient way and get where you want to go on time.” Travel troubles, especially with airlines, have made the news lately and if you haven’t bought travel insurance in the past, Mitts says you may want to start.

“What we’ve been seeing recently is numerous flight delays or cancellations and there will be a possibility for that to happen around the holidays,” Mitts says. “Travel insurance can help protect you if there are unexpected costs, such as a hotel, transportation or food. You may also receive compensation if there is lost luggage or if your flight is delayed for as little as three hours.” A survey by the motor club finds 35-percent of Iowa respondents say they’ve already reserved their holiday trips by the end of October. So where are they going?

“Iowans are planning to go to a major city or metro — about 34% of them are going to one of those two locations, but almost half of the Iowans are going somewhere else with easy access to the great outdoors,” Mitts says. “Beach destinations, state and national parks, and resort vacations top those lists followed by land tours.” Travel was down significantly a year ago due to the pandemic, but the advent of COVID-19 vaccines has changed perceptions. Mitts says compared to last year, when the vaccine wasn’t available, 26-percent of Iowans surveyed say they’re more comfortable traveling this holiday season. Over half (56%) say they feel the same as last year. Also, more than a quarter (27%) of Iowans site a fear of contracting or spreading COVID-19 as their reason for not traveling this holiday season.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from southeastern Iowa was being held at the Adair County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond. 18-year-old Gaige Matthew Schwochow, of Ottumwa, was arrested Oct. 17t in Fontanelle, by Adair County Deputies. He was wanted on an Adair County Felony warrant issued Oct. 14th, for: Lascivious Acts with a child – inflict pain or discomfort; Enticing a minor under 13 – sexual abuse or exploitation; Lascivious Acts with a child – solicitation; and Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree.  Additional information concerning the charges was not immediately available.

Sheriff Jeff Vandewater said there were four other, separate arrests:

• 19-year-old Cole Michael Pfister, of Tiffin, was arrested Oct. 18th for Driving While License Denied or Revoked. He was taken into custody by an Iowa State Patrol Trooper, following a traffic stop for excessive window tint, while he was traveling on I-80 in Adair County. Pfister was being held in the Adair County Jail, on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.
• 36-year-old Derik Wayne Bud Pickrell, of West Des Moines, was arrested Oct. 19th at the Polk County Jail, on Adair County warrants for two counts – Violation of Probation. He remains held in the jail without bond.
• Also arrested Oct. 19th, was 35-year-old Maria Soledad Pantoja, of Afton, who was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was later cited and released.
• And, on Oct. 20th, 51-year-old Ronald Lee Bacon, of Altoona, was arrested in Greenfield on an Adair County warrant for three Felony counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree. His cash-only bond was set at $10,000.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a collision this (Monday) morning, in Red Oak. Police say a van rear-ended a semi-tractor trailer at around 8:45-a.m., near the intersection of Highway 48 and W. Oak Street.  The incident occurred when 30-year old Bailie Preston, of Atlantic, became distracted by a child in the back seat of the 2019 Dodge Van she was driving. The eastbound van was slowing down, but did not come to a complete stop before it hit the back of a 2020 Freightliner semi driven by 67-year-old Kenneth Hamman, of Red Oak, who was stopped at the stop light.

The truck – registered to UPS out of Des Moines – sustained $500 damage.

(Exira, Iowa) – Officials with the Exira Public Library said Monday, that “With the approval from the Library Board, the library will be closed until further notice due to water damage from a water heater leak over the weekend.” Library officials said also, “We hope to get everything cleaned up and taken care of soon so we can get back to normal as soon as possible. If you are in need of anything, you may call and leave a message at the library 712-268-5489. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for understanding!”

(Radio Iowa) – A 46-year old man sentenced to life in prison for a 1995 murder in Des Moines has died after a prolonged illness. According to a news release from the Iowa Department of Corrections, Timothy Keith Palmer died early Friday morning and his death was not related to Covid-19. Court records show a jury convicted Palmer of the beating death of a man in an area that used to be known as the “Lost Planet” — a former dumping site in Des Moines.

The dead man’s B-M-W and credit cards were stolen and used in Kansas City. Palmer was among five people charged and convicted in the case. Palmer unsuccessfully appealed his sentence, arguing his lawyer was ineffective during the trial.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting applications for an Assistant Parks and Recreation Director. The Assistant Director will assist with the planning and directing of all Parks and Recreation programs for the city and serve as a member of the management team, assisting the director with overall management and supervision of the Parks and Recreation Department. Successful candidates must have experience and demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, lead/supervise multiple staff and volunteers, manage budgets, and lead/build partnerships.

A high school diploma or GED equivalency is required and experience in Parks and Recreation is preferred but not required. Certification as a Certified Pool Operator is required within 12 months of being hired. This is an exempt position; salary has been authorized by City Council. For a full job description go to www.cityofatlantic.com. Send a cover letter, resume, and references to City Hall, 23 E 4th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022. This job will remain open until filled. EOE/AA/Veterans Preference

Camp Dodge, Johnston, IA – Officials with the Iowa Army National Guard report, last month, an Ankeny woman returned from basic training and became the first female enlisted infantry Soldier in the Iowa National Guard. Private First Class (PFC) Taylor Patterson with Company C, 168th Infantry joined in June 2020, and enlisted the infantry. PFC Patterson says her support system at home and her drill sergeants during infantry school pushed her to succeed. “There obviously was a lot of guys who didn’t think the females were able to do that, but I am like, I am proving it to you,” she said.

Patterson is sworn in as an 11 Bravo – Infantry soldier.

An infantry Soldier holds a significant role in the U.S. Army. These men and women learn a variety of skills, from squad tactics to close-quarter combat training to engage with the enemy during warfare. In January 2016, the U.S. Army opened combat arms positions to women. Since then, many women have sought to fill “front line” related jobs in the organization. Patterson was not the first female to enlist as an 11B infantryman in the Iowa National Guard. Still, previous women were unsuccessful in completing the grueling 22-week training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.

Major General Ben Corell, the Adjutant General said “The Iowa National Guard needs people who are willing and able to take on the challenge of serving in the infantry; Pfc. Patterson is breaking barriers for others to follow.” The Iowa National Guard consists of approximately 9,000 service members. Many of the Soldiers and Airmen train one weekend a month and two weeks a year.