(Radio Iowa) – State Climatologist Justin Glisan says the initial, long-term forecast for December indicates warmer temperatures and more precipitation, but there’s nothing to suggest there’s an amped up threat of a tornado outbreak like the one two years ago. “December 15th, 2021, that was an extreme event,” Glisan says. “We had a serial derecho and 63 tornadoes — the largest tornado outbreak for Iowa for any month and the largest December outbreak for the United States in the observational record.”

The latest Drought Monitor nearly all of Iowa has some level of drought, with some areas in extreme drought. Glisan says there is the potential for more precipitation to fall in December, but the old adage that it’s too dry to rain is true in SOME cases when thunderstorms hit dry pockets of air. “We saw this in western Iowa as the drought started in May and June of 2020. You would have thunderstorms approach the state and then just either break up or go around because there was no low level moisture to work with,” Glisan says. “Now in these larger scale low pressure systems they’re able to have more access to large scale moisture pools and hence you do see wider spread snowfalls or rainfalls.”

The seasonal outlook indicates abnormally wetter conditions along the southern coast of the U-S and that may provide the moisture weather systems sweeping across Iowa draw from and generate rain or snow.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports two arrests from over the past week. On Nov. 26th, Adair County Deputies took custody of 36-year-old Charles William Walker, of Council Bluffs. He was picked-up at the Pottawattamie County Jail. Walker was wanted on an Adair County felony warrant for Violation of Probation. His cash-only bond was set at $2,000.

And, Saturday afternoon, 36-year-old Kevin James Jungers, of Lenox, was taken into custody at the Union County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Jungers was being held in the Adair County Jail without bond.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Jesse Swensen, today (Monday), provided the media with statements pertaining the Guthrie County Jail population for the month of November. Swensen says the 64 inmates processed through the jail brought the County $24,420 worth of outside revenue. The average daily population of was 20 inmates.

Swensen said also, he welcomes Hope Jensen to the Sheriff’s Department team, “As we have partnered with her and her practice for our medical care in the jail.” Swensen said “Hope already had a patient on her first day that she saw remotely via video for an abscess and infection in his mouth. [She]e will be onsite every Wednesday if needed for an in-house clinic. Medical bills will be issued to each county for their inmates that need medical attention.” Deputy Swensen went on to say,  “We are very excited with this new partnership!”

November Average Population

November Billing

November Monthly Summary

(JOHNSTON, Iowa – December 4, 2023) – Officials with the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) today (Monday), announced Iowa Corn is the entitlement partner of the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race in the state. The Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, will showcase the performance of ethanol at the fastest short-track on the planet, which is surrounded by corn fields. Iowa Corn Promotion Board President Stan Nelson, a farmer from Middletown, says “I am pleased to share with the NASCAR family, why choosing higher blends of ethanol benefits everyone. We can make a sustainable difference today, without buying a whole new vehicle, but by simply choosing to fuel up with ethanol at the pump. And not only are we benefiting the environment but also our economy, as ethanol is the most affordable renewable fuel option on the market today.”

Grandstand tickets and camping for the Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, are sold out and only a select number of tickets remain for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series races on the World’s Fastest Short Track. Remaining tickets can be purchased by visiting www.iowaspeedway.com and fans are encouraged to secure them now while supplies last. Fans looking to buy or sell reserved seats for the Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, should visit SeatGeek, the Official Ticket Marketplace of NASCAR.

The Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, will take place at 6 p.m. CT, Sunday, June 16th, 2024, and be shown live on USA Network. This inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway culminates a weekend that will also include a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at 2:30 p.m. CT, Saturday, June 15th, on USA Network and ARCA Menards Series racing on Friday June 14. All three series are scheduled to be on track starting on Friday, June 14, prior to the ARCA Menards Series event.

Jolene Riessen, a farmer from Ida Grove, and ICGA President, says “The Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, will give us as farmers a platform across the country to share the benefits of ethanol with consumers and fans. We know that a partnership like this is unique and will be impactful! With the audience NASCAR captures, Iowa Corn will be able to share the benefits of ethanol while also showcasing farmers from our great state.”

Video available HERE

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division report a Clive man, 47-year-old Zachary James Flaherty, has pled guilty in federal court to wire fraud.  Flaherty used his position as an insurance agent and annuity salesperson to defraud elderly individuals out of their retirement savings and other monies.   The charges against Flaherty stem from an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. He was prosecuted by the Southern District United States Attorney.

Flaherty is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12, 2024. He faces a potential sentence of up to twenty years in prison.  More information about the case can be found in the press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Iowa.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Sixteen people were arrested in Shelby County between Nov. 16th and the 29th. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports among those arrested, were four people who were taken into custody on separate drug charges:

• On the 16th, 31-year-old Crystal Jean Oliver, of Harlan, was arrested following a motor vehicle accident in the 2100 block of Road M-36. Oliver was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd offense, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, OWI 1st, and Failure to Maintain Control.
• The following day (Nov. 17), 22-year-old Dilynn John Ristau, of Preston, MN, was arrested following a traffic stop, in Harlan. Ristau was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• 46-year-old Laura Ann Traufler, of Harlan, was arrested November 21st in Shelby County, following an investigation. Traufler was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Theft 2nd, Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent Offense.
• And, on the 22nd, 37-year-old Bryan Joseph Schuemann, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of Willow Street. Schuemann was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving Under Suspension, Keeping Premises of Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Possession of Contraband in Correctional Institution, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports also, the following arrests:

• On Nov. 17th, 58-year-old Rodney Craig Musich, of Kimballton, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant. Musich was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Trespass 1st offense; 30-year-old Philip Brian King, of Harlan, was charged with Burglary 3rd after an ongoing Burglary investigation.
• On the 18th, 24-year-old Guillermo Dominic Hernandez, of Denison, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Failure to Appear.
• November 19th, Deputies in Shelby County arrested 23-year-old Nyagach Dech Chigach, and 34-year-old Simon Buombiey Jacob, both of Harlan, were each arrested for  Violation of No Contact Order.
• On the 20th, 49-year-old Darin Lee Turner, of Harlan, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
• The next day, 31-year-old Drew Ashton Gagnon, of Red Oak, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Violation of Probation.
• On Nov. 22nd, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 58-year-old Douglas Duane Curtis, of Harlan. Curtis was charged with Driving Under Suspension and Interference with Official Acts.
• On the 25th, 53-year-old Craig John Stork, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation of a possible motor vehicle accident in the area of 7th and Court St., in Harlan. Stork was  charged with OWI/1st offense.
• On Nov. 26th, 22-year-old Avery Jon Zenk, of Denison, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault. Zenk was transported to the Shelby County Jail.
• On the 27th, 40-year-old Brandon Glenn Billings, of Harlan, was arrested for Driving while License is Revoked, and Failure to Provide proof of Financial Liability.
• And, on the 29th, 69-year-old Gerard August Rueschenberg, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Failure to Appear.

Note: “Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two accidents occurred Saturday in Red Oak. Only one resulted in possible/unknown injuries. According to Red Oak Police, 59-year-old Sheryl Lynn Clark, of Red Oak, complained of pain following a collision between her 2006 Chevy Malibu and a 2011 Chevy pickup, driven by a juvenile male from Red Oak. She was not transported to the hospital. The report states the pickup, driven by 15-year-old Carson J. Davids, was traveling east on Walnut Street in Red Oak at around 9:18-a.m, Saturday, when the vehicle was struck broadside by the car, which was traveling north on 1st Street.  Clark was cited for Failure to Yield. Damage from the accident amounted to $18,000.  Red Oak Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

The second accident in Red Oak, happened at around 1:38-p.m., Saturday, at the intersection of Corning and Broadway Streets. Police report a 2011 Toyota 4Runner (SUV) driven by 17-year-old Cyrus S. Mensen, of Red Oak, was rear-ended by a 2012 Ford Explorer (SUV), driven by 40-year-old Christopher R. Fowler, of Red Oak. The collision occurred as both vehicles were northbound from the intersection stoplight. Fowler was cited for Following too closely, and Failure to provide proof of insurance/accident related. Damage from the accident amounted to $4,500.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who like watching the barges and tugs make their way on the Mississippi River will soon start seeing less traffic. The shipping season officially ends today (Monday) on the Upper Mississippi, and winter maintenance begins on four locks and dams between Hastings, Minnesota, and Guttenberg, Iowa. Liz Stoeckmann, with the U-S Army Corps of Engineers, says these lock and dam closures end the 2023 navigation season. “We’re really just protecting the longevity of these locks and dams,” Stoeckmann says, “so that we can continue our operations for safe, reliable economy of our barges going up and down the river.”

Stoeckmann says they’re not shutting down boat traffic because of ice or cold weather. “This is standard winter maintenance for our locks and dams,” she says, “so that it doesn’t affect the navigational season as far as barges and traffic going up and down the Mississippi River.”

Crews will be making repairs on several locks and dams in Minnesota, including Number-2 at Hastings, Number-3 in Welch, Number-4 near Alma, Wisconsin, and Number-7 near La Crescent. Last year’s shipping season ended on November 29th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County 4-H is hosting a Family Find Out Night for the community and current 4-H or Clover Kid members, to learn more about what the 4-H program does. This (Monday) evening (12/4), from 5:30-until 7-p.m., you can come and go as you please through the Cass County Community Building at 805 W 10th Street in Atlantic, and learn more about 4-H.

The event is free, and you don’t need to make a reservation. A short 10-minute overview of the program will be presented at 5:45- and 6:45-p.m., with questions to follow. Throughout the event you will be able to stop at different tables to learn more and ask questions.

Extension staff will have information on why 4-H is free in Cass County, the basics of what 4-H is, including what it stands for and the motto, project areas to get involved with, along with various programs, record books, and livestock identification and more. Officials say this is a no-pressure event for youth K-12 in the community to learn about opportunities they can get involved in.

Get all of your questions answered about 4-H and Clover Kids in Cass County and find a club that best suits you! For more information about 4-H visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, or call 712-243-1132.