(Clive, Iowa) November 16, 2023 – Six teams of Iowa youth won scholarships while participating in the Senior Division of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Youth Swine Judging Contest. The event, which invites students from across the state, took place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines last week. There were 120 teams represented in the Senior Division of the competition. The top teams came from Grinnell High School, Alburnett High School, Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School, the Winfield-Mt. Union Community School District, and Woodbury County in northwest Iowa. A total of 517 students participated in both the Senior and Junior divisions.

Cory Van Gilst, IPPA’s producer outreach director, says “We enjoy welcoming students who are really into judging livestock, as well as those who don’t get a ton of exposure to agriculture. This is a day out of the classroom—a chance to see pigs in person and learn about the pork industry.”

Top Senior Teams:

• The top team was Grinnell FFA 1, earning 761 points. Team members included Tristan Graff, Kolton Kline, Rylee Mauss, and Aden Wolfe, all of Grinnell. Each receives a $500 scholarship. Wolfe had the highest overall score in the competition.
• Alburnett FFA 1 had 729 points for second place. Team members were Lexi Geistkemper, Brady Hospodarsky, Jaxson Martin, Riggs Martin, all of Alburnett. Each receives a $250 scholarship.
• Gladbrook-Reinbeck FFA 2 earned 725 points and third place. Team members were Prycely Beard and Dylinn Blohm, both of Reinbeck, and Parker Schmidt, of Gladbrook. Each member earns a $125 scholarship.
• Grinnell FFA 2 placed fourth with 722 points and wins $125 scholarships for each team member. They are Peyton Davenport, Maggie Dayton, Zane Iverson, and Anthony Wolfe, all of Grinnell.

Tying for fifth place were Winfield-Mt. Union FFA 1 and Woodbury County 4-H 1, both with 717 points. All of those team members also receive $125 scholarships. Representing Winfield-Mt. Union were Eli Miller and Katie Miller, both of Winfield; and Kurt Beard and Quinlyn Smith of Morning Sun. Students on the Woodbury team included Grace Flannigan, Salix; Jacob Mitchell, Oto; and Kara Nelson, Pierson.

Top Junior Teams:

The top five junior teams are Buena Vista County 4-H 1 — first place; Greene County 4-H 2 — second; Carroll County 4-H — third; Creston 2 — fourth; and Greene County 4-H 1 — fifth. Each of the junior teams wins a plaque.

Points were awarded for each of the following activities: tests on meat quality and knowledge of commercial pork production; as well as judging four classes of hogs that required students to test their commercial gilt selection and market hog evaluation skills; score a keep-cull gilt class; and do a live carcass evaluation, which involved examining 10 pigs individually to determine each animal’s weight, loin eye size, and back fat, then comparing and ranking them on carcass value.

The day also included a demonstration of pork carcass fabrication and a seminar about careers in the pork industry. This is the 15th year for the event. Eldon C. Stutsman Inc., Iowa State University, the Pork Checkoff, Producers Livestock, and Smithfield Foods all partnered with IPPA for this year’s contest.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session Tuesday morning, in Harlan. Shelby County Auditor/Board Secretary Mark Maxwell presented the Supervisors with the Certification (Canvass) of the Shelby County election results that were cast in Shelby County on November 7th, 2023. The results are shown below:

CANDIDATES ELECTED BY THE VOTERS OF THE RESPECTIVE CITIES LOCATED WHOLLY WITHIN SHELBY COUNTY:

Shelby County EMS Public Measure – Approved

City of Defiance Mayor – Mary Jo Schaben

City of Defiance City Council At-Large – Max Powers and Brian Kloewer

City of Defiance City Council At-Large To Fill a Vacancy – Bruce Feser

City of Earling Mayor – Janice A. Gaul

City of Earling City Council At-Large – Brandon Boger and Jill Schiltz

City of Elk Horn Mayor – Stan Jens

City of Elk Horn City Council At-Large – Danny L. Petersen and Kayla Creek and Kendall Petersen

City of Harlan Mayor – Jay Christensen

City of Harlan City Council Lincoln Ward – Troy Schaben

City of Harlan City Council Ward 2 – Richard Petersen

City of Harlan City Council Ward 4 – Jenny Kelly

City of Harlan City Council Ward 1 To Fill a Vacancy – Kyle Lindberg

City of Irwin Mayor – James Borcher

City of Irwin City Council At-Large – Richard Wiig and Jonna Willadsen

City of Kirkman Mayor – Matt Nielsen

City of Kirkman City Council At-Large – Dennis Baldwin and Terry Fiscus and John Doonan

City of Panama Mayor – Larry Keane

City of Panama City Council At-Large – Kathleen Ann Schafer and Linda Cogdill

City of Portsmouth Mayor – Donald Kenkel

City of Portsmouth City Council At-Large – Darci Paxton and Teri Dunn

City of Tennant Mayor – James Brantner

City of Tennant City Council – Mark Tearney and Paula Campbell and Tom Ewoldt

City of Westphalia Mayor – Christopher G. von Ahsen

City of Westphalia City Council – Brandon Eck and Bruce Goeser

The meeting then had comments by Chairman Steve Kenkel, and Chris Nelson of the financial auditing firm that performs auditing services for Shelby County. New Iowa Code involving budgets were discussed and reviewed. Mr. Nelson gave his initial thoughts on the financial report submitted by Shelby County for the year ended June 30th, 2023.

Mark Maxwell noted increasing carryovers and Capital reserves was discussed and the example referred to frequently was the air conditioning at the Courthouse next spring. New budget director Taryn Knapp was present to ask questions and receive information about budget preparation. The recently passed EMS public measure and implementation was discussed. Auditor Maxwell will create the needed accounts to get the financial details in order when the financial accounts are needed.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans are being encouraged to put down the cigarettes today (Thursday) and take part in the 48th annual Great American Smokeout. Emily Myatt, at the American Cancer Society, says it’s a push to get people to kick the habit. “This is a day for people who use commercial tobacco to create a plan to quit,” Myatt says. “We know quitting tobacco is so hard. So it’s a red-circle day on the calendar to say, ‘You know what, I’m going to quit today or I’m going to think about it or I’m going to make a plan to quit.'”

State health officials say about 17-percent of Iowa adults smoke and 10-percent of high school students. Surveys also find about five-percent of Iowa adults use e-cigarettes, while up to 22-percent of Iowa 11th graders vape.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Board of Education is advancing a set of rules that give schools and teachers some clarification on a law to requires schools to remove books with sexually explicit content or illustrations. Enforcement of the law is set to take effect in January. Iowa Department of Education attorney Thomas Mayes says the proposed rules give officials the ability to end an investigation when a district responds to a complaint. “If a district voluntarily comes into alignment and permanently comes into alignment, there’s really no need for a citation,” Mayes says. “The problem’s been solved.”

State officials will not be releasing a list of books which are not to be in classrooms or school libraries. Another part of the new law forbids classroom instruction about gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through sixth grade. The Board of Education’s proposed rules say a neutral mention of those topics does not violate the law. Mayes says that would include something like reading a book that happens to have L-G-B-T-Q characters.  “So that is sort of a…safe harbor for classroom teachers,” Mayes says, “that a neutral mention is not a promotion.”

The law, which went into effect July 1st, requires schools to notify parents when students ask to use a name that’s different from what’s on school registration forms. The proposed rules clarify that does not apply to a nickname, but only when a student asks to use a name or pronoun at school as part of a gender transition. The department is taking comments on the rules. Public hearings are scheduled to take place in Des Moines on January 3rd and 4th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, presented reports on various committee meetings they attended as liasions to the Council. Councilperson Elaine Otte sat in on the United First Aid meeting, pertaining to a grant Cass County received for volunteer emergency responders and AED/Overdose/stop the bleed “Go bag” kits. AmeriCorps volunteer Erik Johnson, who is also a paramedic with Cass EMS, is overseeing the local program. Cass County is one of three counties in the State that were recipients of the grants to facilitate the program.

You can read more about that program in a November 1st story on the News page at kjan.com. Councilman Jim Behrens said he attended a fire department meeting.

Councilman Pat McCurdy said he and Councilman Dana Halder attended a recent Landfill Commission meeting.

It was noted also, the new lift station is working well for the transfer station. Councilman Halder noted the Cass County Landfill Winter Hours will start on December 1st. From December through February, the landfill will be open on the first Saturday of each month through February. The hours are the same as they currently are: 8-a.m. until Noon on Saturdays. McCurdy said he also attend a November 13th meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee, which was held at Snyder and Associates Engineers, in Atlantic. Dave Sturm is the City’s Engineer.

Councilperson Linda Hartkopf said the Airport Commission held a very brief meeting recently. She said they approved the second pay application for the runway lighting project. Engineer Dave Sturm provided an update on that project.

Sturm said a grant application will be submitted to the FAA in December for a taxiway extension and a new T-Hangar as well as a new Corporate Hangar a client wants to see built. Sturm said space for the Hangar was prepared years ago.

The Atlantic City Council recaps the various committee meetings attended each time the Council meets, as a regular part of their agenda.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic hosted a Legislative Round-table Monday evening for newly elected members of city councils in Cass County. Senator Tom Shipley, of Nodway, and Representative Thomas Moore, of Griswold were invited to attend, but City Clerk Barb Barrick said during Wednesday’s Atlantic City Council meeting, Moore didn’t appear at the meeting, and he gave no explanation of why he skipped it.

Barrick said that she, along with the three newly elected Atlantic City Council members – Emily Kennedy, Mike McDermott and Shawn Sarsfield – attended the meeting. Also in attendance was Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Councilpersons Otte, Sisco and Behrens, as well as Police Chief Devin Hogue.

Among some of the topics discussed during the forum, was childcare, housing, and a House File dealing with property taxes. Barrick said Tom Shipley didn’t want to talk too much about the latter topic, because there’s still much to be worked out.

Councilman Lee Sisco mentioned discussion was also held with regard to cities making incentives to bring new businesses to town. Shipley suggested leaders shouldn’t be afraid to be aggressive.

The forum was moderated by Dan Stalder, with the Iowa League of Cities.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office have issued a report on 21 arrests that occurred from November 2nd through the 15th. On Wednesday (11/15), Deputies arrested 30-year-old Chelsea Jean Birtwell, of Persia, after she allegedly attempting to elude Law Enforcement. Birtwell was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, and Interference with Official Acts.

There were two arrests Tuesday (11/14) in Shelby County: 58-year-old Kimberly Sue Zaccone, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop, in Harlan. Zaccone was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st and Failure to use Headlamps when Required. And, 60-year-old Barbara Rose Kleymann, of Portsmouth, was arrested on Shelby County Warrants. Kleymann was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Failure to Appear, and Violation of Probation.

On Monday (11/13), 42-year-old Ronald James Traynham, of Earling, was arrested by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, following a call for service in the 2000 block of Juniper Road. Traynham was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Kidnapping 3rd and Possession of Controlled Substance. Last Saturday (11/11), 36-year-old Daniel Reyes, of Lenox, was arrested in Shelby County, following a traffic stop in Defiance. Reyes was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred, Speeding, and Failure to Provide Financial Liability.

On Nov. 10th, 47-year-old Charles Raymond Bird, of Avoca, was arrested following a traffic stop in Shelby. Bird was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Licenses is Suspended, and Failure to Illuminate Registration Lamp.

Other arrested last week in Shelby County, include:

• 30-year-old Brandon J. Thunder Hawk Fry, of Shelby, who was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 59. Fry was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 2nd, and Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance Liability.
• 30-year-old Philip Brian King, of Harlan, was charged with Burglary 3rd following the investigation of Burglary in the 1600 block of 12th St. in Harlan, IA.
• 48-year-old Glenn Robert Boyington, of Panama, was arrested last week following a call for service in the 2500 block of 12th St in Harlan. Boyington was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Criminal Mischief 2nd.
• 35-year-old Cory Robert Kyle, of Avoca, was arrested on active Shelby County Warrants for Violation of Probation. Kyle was transported to the Shelby County Jail.
• 30-year-old Chad Alen Arbuckle, of Harlan, was charged with Burglary 2nd and Ongoing Criminal Conduct after an ongoing investigation.
• 29-year-old Andrea Michelle Kirk, of Harlan, was charged last week with Burglary 2nd and Ongoing Criminal Conduct after an ongoing investigation.
• 63-year-old James Allen Harriman, of Avoca, was arrested following a call for service in the 1100 block of Highway 59. Harriman was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Trespass 1st offense and Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Institution.
• 25-year-old Courtney Breann Cook, along with 35-year-old Bleys Daniel McNany, both of Fort Dodge, were arrested last week, in Shelby County, after an ongoing investigation. Cook and McNany were transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Ongoing Criminal Conduct, Burglary 3rd, and Burglary 2nd.

On Nov. 2nd, 34-year-old Amanda Louise Lavender, of Woodbine, was arrested on active Shelby County Warrants for Violation of Probation. Lavender was transported to the Shelby County Jail. And, 25-year-old Jacob Austin Wingert, of  Panama, was arrested on active Shelby County Warrants for Violation of Probation. Wingert was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

On Nov. 3rd: 29-year-old Andrea Michelle Kirk, and 30-year-old Chad Alen Arbuckle, both of Harlan, were arrested on an active Shelby County Warrants for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. Kirk and Arbuckle were transported to the Shelby County Jail; 28-year-old Kendra Ray Lozano, of Exira, was arrested Nov. 3rd, following a call for service in the 4000 block of Main St in Elk Horn, IA. Lozano was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Child Endangerment; 43-year-old Joel James Jens, Elk Horn, was arrested following a call for service in Elk Horn. Jens was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Harassment 3rd, and Interference with Official Acts.

And, on Nov. 4th, 42-year-old Justin Michael Goins, of Carroll, was arrested in Shelby County, following a traffic stop in the 400 block of Highway 59. Goins was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or subsequent offense, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, and Driving while Barred.

**Note: Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. All arrests reported on the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page are arrests made by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office with charges originating from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. If an arrest originated by another Agency (Iowa State Patrol, Division of Criminal Investigations, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Department of Natural Resources, Etc.) but the individual was brought to the Shelby County Jail that arrest would not be reported on the page. Additionally, a person arrested on an arrest warrant from another County and brought to the Shelby County Jail to be held until picked up by a different County/Agency would not be reported on the page.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

(Grinnell, Iowa) – Eight Iowa lawmakers** have rejected a dinner invitation from Grinnell College, citing their disagreement with the college’s response to pro-Palestine protests on campus. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports in a Nov. 13th letter, the group said they will not attend a Nov. 28th dinner at Grinnell College. The lawmakers said their absence is intended to express their disappointment in a statement made by the college in the wake of a walk-out led by students to show support for Palestine and condemn Israel’s actions in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Grinnell students have held multiple protests in the month since fighting began, including a “die-in” at a Nov. 11 alumni dinner. The Students for Justice in Palestine at Grinnell College have called for President Anne Harris and the university to announce support for a ceasefire, but according to a social media post from the group, Harris said in an email that she can’t and won’t make public statements that will “divide the community.” The letter said the lawmakers were alarmed at protests occurring at universities across the U.S., and said they were disappointed to see a similar walk-out at Grinnell College.

A campus-wide message from Harris, posted Nov. 1st, called for the campus community to stay informed about the conflict, look out for each other, reach out for support when needed, be aware of discrimination and report harassment when necessary. The legislators were concerned with another part of the message, which said instances of antisemitic and Islamophobic harassment are on the rise on college campuses, and the college denounces antisemitism and Islamophobia.  The lawmakers  said that statement equates the two forms of discrimination.

While the students were exercising their First Amendment right to free speech and assembly, the letter said, the representatives were hopeful that the college administration would respond with “truth instead of tepid, middle-of-the-road platitudes.” Pro-Palestine protests have also been held on the University of Iowa campus where school administration have issued no statements on the conflict.

**Iowa Lawmakers signing the letter include Representatives Barb Kniff McCulla, Austin Harris, Dean Fisher, Jon Dunwell, Helena Hayes and Hans Wilz and Senators Ken Rozenboom and Cherielynn Westrich.

(Washington, D-C) – Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, led a hearing Wednesday in Washington, to increase the effectiveness of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) veterans’ business development programs in meeting the challenges faced by veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners. Ernst heard directly from Iowans Lisa Shimkat, state director of the Iowa Small Business Development Center, and Dustin Rhoades, CEO and owner of Ability Tech, about the difficulties Iowa’s veteran entrepreneurs face in navigating SBA resources.

Senator Ernst at a hearing on Veteran’s Business Development programs (11-15-23)

During the hearing, Ernst discussed her Stop Stolen Valor for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Contractors Act, a provision included in the National Defense Authorization Act, that works to reduce fraud and stop stolen valor in the SBA’s service-disabled veteran-owned small business contracting program. Ernst also advocated for her bipartisan VET Act to reauthorize the SBA’s Boots to Business program and help America’s service members succeed in small business and entrepreneurship after their time in the military.

View the hearing by clicking on this LINK.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — One group at the University of Iowa is providing students with a new tool to help make their college experience safer. The undergraduate student government at UI is planning to give away 450 Nightcaps for free at several spots around campus. KCRG-TV reports it’s a relatively new product designed to prevent drink spiking. The product itself is designed as a scrunchie, which includes a hidden pocket. Users can pull a flexible cap out of it and cover their drink, preventing the possibility of drink spiking.

The initiative was sparked after a third-year student at the U-of-I saw the product being advertised on social media and knew there was a need for something like this on campus.

They plan to start giving out these products next semester.