(Radio Iowa) – A former licensed nurse practitioner and business owner in Ames has pleaded guilty to fifteen counts of sex trafficking, Radio Iowa’s Dar Danielson reports.

The Ames Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa is prosecuting the case.

Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

(Radio Iowa) – Those who find themselves in debt or experiencing financial stress might feel a little more pressure with all the talk of Black Friday and the start of the holiday shopping season. I-S-U Extension’s Carol Ehlers says holiday spending is about managing and being conscious about what you are spending. “And we do that best when we create that budget, make a list, and use cash,” she says. The National Retail Federation expects holiday spending to grow by up to three-and-a-half percent this year.

Ehlers says you can still participate in holiday giving and the spirit of the season. “The joy of being able to find something that’s special for a friend or a family member that’s very important too. But how important it is to be mindful of what we are spending.”

TransUnion’s Holiday Shopping Report shows more than half of Americans plan on spending the same amount as last year, with about 40 percent spending less.

(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa bridge destroyed by flooding in June has been replaced and, after five months of detours, the new bridge opened to traffic last (Tuesday) night. In August, the flood damaged remnants of the bridge on U-S Highway 18 over Stoney Creek in Clay County, near the town of Everly, were removed. Construction crews were able to complete work on the new bridge about a month earlier than scheduled. Next spring, crews will plant grass around the bridge site and do some stabilization work on the riverbank and around the bridge.

Iowa D-O-T officials say all the bridges and roads damaged by the historic flooding in northwest Iowa this past June are now open to traffic.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday), approved – by a vote of 4-to-1 – an agreement with Windstream for internet service. Auditor Mandy Berg said it’s not clear when it will be installed. The Board received a report from Adair County Attorney Melissa Larson with regard to personnel, and the status of the County Attorney position. She asked for and received permission to post, a job opening for a vacant Paralegal, and Legal Assistant position. She also asked the Board to consider a resolution designating her office as being full-time.

She said it’s been something she’s been mulling over for more than a year.

As a full-time County Attorney, Larson would be prohibited under Iowa law, from having a private practice. She said the County Attorney’s position won’t be up for election until the General Election in 2026, so there won’t be any interference with that process. There are both full-time and part-time County Attorneys in Iowa. Roughly two-thirds of County Attorneys are part-time and may handle private legal work in addition to their official duties. Larson said she would not be asking for a huge pay increase as County Attorney.

The Supervisors agreed to move forward with the request, a draft for which is already prepared. Larson was instructed to give the document to Mandy Berg with the budget numbers and pertinent information, so it can be acted upon during a Board meeting in December.

Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented various documents for Board approval and signing, including the awarding of a contract to Herberger Construction in Indianola, for the N7 Eureka (Township) bridge project, in the amount of $760,838.00

along with right-of-way contracts for the W-12 Harrison Culvert Project, and plans for the IN6 Summerset Bridge plans. Kauffman also gave a report on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities.

County Auditor Mandy Berg presented for Board approval, separate Transfer and Internal Advance Resolutions for the Capital Progress Fund, a TIF Indebtedness Certification, Urban Renewal Report, and an Information Technology (IT) assessment. The Board approved those items.

And, the Adair County Supervisors approved a Child Abuse Prevention Grant draw-down for Berg to sign, in the amount of $1,196.01.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department report two pickup trucks collided Tuesday evening, but no one was injured. Authorities say a 2012 Chevy Silverado driven by 60-year-old Therese Fief-Hopkins, of Creston, was turning east from Sumner Avenue onto Adams Street, while a 2017 Chevy Silverado driven by 17-year-old Jerney Dorsett, of Diagonal, was traveling north on Sumner. Both drivers had a yellow traffic light.

Hopkins proceeded into the intersection to complete her turn, and Dorsett continued traveling north on Sumner through the intersection. Her pickup hit Hopkin’s truck on the rear passenger side, causing the Hopkins pickup to spin around and come to rest facing west. The airbags on Dorsett’s pickup deployed during the collision, Her pickup came to rest on the side of Sumner Avenue.

Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. Damages amounted to $15,000 altogether, according to police. No citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A reminder from the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce: Get a kick start to your holiday shopping by purchasing discount AtlantiCash, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, this Saturday only (Nov. 30th), at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith says last year they sold $40,000 in 45 minutes. The goal is to sell another $40,000 this year.

From 9-a.m. until Noon Saturday, November 30th only, AtlantiCash will be available in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Shoppers can purchase up to three packs. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis with only a limited amount of AtlantiCash available. Purchase will not be allowed before Saturday and bundles cannot be reserved for later pickup. To sweeten the deal of discount AtlantiCash, the Atlantic Area Chamber’s latest custom Christmas items will be available at a discount when you purchase AtlantiCash. On Saturday only, you can purchase an ornament one for $12 or all three ornaments for $35, the ‘Merry Atlantic’ mug for $15, or the whole Christmas in Atlantic bundle (three ornaments & mug) for $50.

Small Business Saturday will also be taking place on Saturday, beginning when retailers open. Businesses will be offering discounts, deals and special promotions. For a list of participating retailers, visit www.atlanticiowa.com. Discount AtlantiCash and Small Business Saturday are brought to you by First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Rush CPA & Associates and Property Connection Real Estate.

Pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, ‘like’ the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities and a printable version of the brochure at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

[UPDATED] (Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports five arrests:

Late Tuesday morning, 44-year-old Melinda Ann Foland, of Afton, was arrested following a traffic stop in Creston. Foland was charged with Operating While Under the Influence (OWI) 1st Offense, and Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st Offense. She was later released on a $2,000 bond. Tuesday afternoon, 47-year-old Toby Annette Crawford, of Creston, was also arrested following a traffic stop. Crawford was charged with OWI/1st Offense. Crawford was released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Tuesday night, Creston Police arrested 22-year-old Rhodey Lucky Charles Fechter, of Creston. Fechter was arrested at his residence and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault/Strangulation. He was being held without bond in the Union County Jail until seen by a magistrate.

At around 12:20-a.m. today (Wednesday), 20-year-old Tyson Scott Nall, of Murray, was arrested in Creston for Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana/1st Offense, and Person Ineligible to Carry a Dangerous Weapons. Nall was later released on a $2,000 bond.

And, on November 26th at around 2:35-p.m., 41-year-old Damiel Lee Swank, of Saint Charles, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center,  on a Union County warrant. He was also charged with Sex Abuse 3^rd, and Indecent Exposure.  Swank was later released on an $11,000 bond.