Officials with the Clarinda Police Department said today (Saturday), that the search for two missing students from the Clarinda Academy has been called-off, and that the students are still missing.

The two male, Native American students absconded from the Clarinda Academy early Friday afternoon. One of the students is 16-years old. He stands about 5-feet five-inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. He has short black hair. The other student is 13-years old. He is about five-feet tall and weighs about 100 pounds. He has medium length black hair. A description of their clothing was not available.

If you see two teens matching the description provided, contact law enforcement, and do not approach them. The Clarinda Academy is a residential foster care facility that provides treatment to at-risk and delinquent male and female youth from several states.

Two Democrats running for office are set to appear at the Cass County Fair, Sunday. Cass County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle reports Sara Ramsey, candidate for Iowa Senate District 11, is scheduled to visit the fair Sunday, sometime between 1-and 4-p.m., and Cindy Axne, candidate for the Third District Congressional seat, is scheduled to be in attendance between 5- and 6-p.m.

While no specific locations for the candidates was announced, it’s expected they will be at the Cass County Democrat’s Fair booth in the Commercial Building, to meet area constituents.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines woman is fighting City Hall to protect the lush garden she has created along a parking strip. The Des Moines Register reports that Des Moines officials have asked 74-year-old Mary Farrell to cut back or remove the plants she has in the border strips near her home.

City code says borders between the street and sidewalk can only contain grass or naturally occurring plants. City traffic engineer Jennifer McCoy says Farrell’s vegetation limits room on the sidewalk.

Farrell says she understands the safety concerns but that her garden provides beauty and has positive environmental effects. Farrell’s appeal of the city code has been put on hold. She has until Aug. 29 to trim plants that are encroaching on the sidewalk.

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — The skies over southern Iowa will be dotted with nearly 100 hot air balloons through early August. The National Balloon Classic has begun in Indianola and will run through Aug. 4.
Balloon pilots compete for points and prizes every morning and every evening in the classic, filling the sky with the brilliant color and unique shapes of the balloons. On the ground, those attending the festival will enjoy live music and other entertainment, food vendors and rides. Balloon rides will also be available for purchase.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Nishna Valley YMCA Golf Tournament in Atlantic has been postponed due to rain. The event will be rescheduled.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Activities at the Cass County Fair continue this weekend, in Atlantic. On today’s schedule:

8:00-a.m. Sheep Show (Outdoor Show Ring) & 4-H Exhibits Open (Community Center)

10:00-a.m. Pet Show (Community Center)

Noon Working Exhbits, Educational Presentations & Extemporaneous Speaking (Community Center)

1:00-p.m. Meat & Dairy Goat Show (Outdoor Show Ring)

3:00-p.m. Livestock Judging Contest (Indoor Show Ring)

4:00-p.m. Youth Water Fights (West of the Grandstand)

6:00-p.m. Tractor Pull (Tractor pull track)

Don’t forget to look for a chainsaw artist, with carvings to be sold after the Parade of Champions Monday evening. Ride wristbands will be on sale this afternoon, and don’t forget there’s lots of great food available, including at the Fair Foodstand, where the Noon Special is Lamb or Ham balls.

Police in Red Oak, Friday night, arrested a man for Public Intoxication. 57-year old Tony Joe Christensen, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 8:20-p.m. in the 1500 block of Broadway Street. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, and held on a $300 cash bond.

Rita Hart, state Senator and Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor under Iowa Gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell, will attend the Cass County Fair, Italian Fest, and Asian Fest today (Saturday), to share the Hubbell-Hart vision to get Iowa growing by putting people first. According to the campaign, Hart will be at the Cass County Democratic Party fair booth in the Commercial Building, at around Noon today.

Senator Rita Hart

Afterward she travels to Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, for the two other events. Hart is expected to discuss with fairgoers what her campaign says are cuts in the current administration’s funding for services that Iowans depend on, and Gov. Reynolds’ prioritizing wasteful corporate giveaways.

The Hubbell-Hart campaign says they “Will restore fiscal responsibility to the budget and prioritize investments in health care and education.”