The following is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office via the Iowa Dept. of Public Safety:

Samantha Meyer-Davis (Booking photo)

(Radio Iowa) – Three of the Iowa Republicans who serve in the U-S House have filed their nomination papers for the June Primary on the opening day the lists of petition signatures are being accepted. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion collected far more than the 17-hundred-26 minimum required for U-S House candidates to qualify for the primary ballot.

“I am submitting more than 7500 signatures today which I think is a strong showing of our level of grassroots support and the network we have built in the second congressional district,” Hinson told reporters. Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant submitted more than 10-thousand signatures on his nominating petitions for the third congressional district race and Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who’s seeking reelection in Iowa’s first congressional district, submitted her nominating papers, too.

Secretary of State Paul Pate is Iowa’s top election official. He says Nunn was the first candidate to file when the office opened at 8 a.m. and several candidates for the state legislature have submitted their paperwork this (Monday) morning. “They’ve got ’til March 15 to get their petitions filed here and I encourage people to do it earlier not late because things can happen,” Pate says. “Our staff now will be reviewing the petitions to make sure they have the right count.” Candidates with the bare minimum number of signatures run the risk of having a rival campaign review the petitions and challenge the validity of some signatures.

In 2018, Ron Corbett — a Republican candidate for governor — was ruled ineligible for the June Primary due to a lack of signatures. In 2022, a challenge of Abby Finkenauer’s nominating petitions for the Democratic party’s U-S Senate Primary went all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports four arrests occurred last week. Two arrests occurred during the early morning hours of Feb. 20th: 39-year-old Natasha Kay Peninger, and 35-year-old Tyrone Anthony Morris, both of Stuart, were arrested by Stuart Police. Their arrests took place following the execution of a search warrant at 615 SW 7th Street, in Stuart, during which narcotics and four minor children were found in the residence. Peninger was charged with Child Endangerment. Morris was charged with Child Endangerment, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Possession of marijuana/2nd offense.

According to the report, Stuart Police found “The overall state of the residence was dirty and in disarray, with large piles of clothing, trash and rotten food located in various parts of the residence. There were also numerous broken doors, mirrors and large holes in the walls. Bugs were seen in multiple rooms and areas of the residence. In the kitchen, a glass pipe containing burned marijuana residue and a tray with marijuana residue, were located in a cabinet that would be accessible by all of the minor children, and in the living room, a coffee table drawer was found to have a marijuana shake, which was also accessible to the children. In addition, in the bedroom belonging to Peninger and Morris, Police found a grinder with marijuana residue. In another bedroom, a glass pipe containing burned marijuana was located under the bed, and marijuana residue was located on a dresser. Multiple packages of empty cigarettes were found in the trash, and a vape [pen] was found in a juvenile’s backpack.

Morris claimed Peninger doesn’t smoke marijuana, and that all the paraphernalia belonged to him. He also admitted to smoking in the residence earlier that day, and he acknowledged it was a mistake for doing so with the children present. Peninger and Morris said they knew one of the juveniles in the homes had been smoking marijuana. Peninger was released later released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. Morris was released on a $3,300 c/s bond.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 41-year-old Heather Marie Blair, of Indianola, was arrested last Thursday morning, on an Adair County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Her cash-only bond was set at $300. And, 30-year-old Hoss Franklin McKay, of Fontanelle, was arrested Friday night for Domestic Abuse Assault with injury or mental illness. His bond was set at $1,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Healthy Cass County and Cass County ISU Extension have updated the Cass County Urgent Need Resource Guide. The guide can be found on the Cass County ISU Extension website (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/family-food), and in this pdf link: February 2024 Cass County Urgen Need Resource Guide PDF

According to Cass County Community Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee, “In times of need it is especially important to have all of Cass County’s resources compiled in one place. This guide has resources such as Crisis Assistance, Family, Legal, Food, Health, Mental Wellness, Housing, Substance Misuse, Transportation, and other resources.”

The organizations collaborating on the document are asking for assistance in making sure the document reaches everyone in Cass County. Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents.

Follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty (https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCassCounty/). Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or call 712-250-8170 for more information