WEST DES MOINES, IA – Mediacom Communications is offering $60,000 in scholarship support for high school seniors who plan to obtain further education. The scholarship program is in its 23rd consecutive year and Mediacom’s investment will award $1,000 World Class Scholarships to 60 high school seniors.

Scholarship recipients are given the flexibility to use the financial awards to support post-secondary college costs or vocational training from an accredited institution starting in the fall of 2024. Award selection is based on academic achievement and leadership accomplishments.

Applications for Mediacom’s World Class Scholarships are available online: mediacomworldclass.com. Information has been sent to all high schools in areas where Mediacom delivers its high-speed internet services. High school officials are asked to encourage seniors to submit applications on or before the January 31, 2024 deadline.

Applicants do not have to be Mediacom customers but must live in the 22-state area served by Mediacom’s fiber-rich broadband network. A complete list of communities in Mediacom service areas is included with the online application. Inquiries may be sent to scholarship@mediacomcc.com.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston, today (Saturday), released information about an accident that took place at around 8:55-p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9th, at Irving and Elm Streets. Authorities say during their investigation, 44-year-old Rodrick Darnell Rand, of Creston, told officers he was traveling north on Elm Street in a 2006 Chevy pickup, when a 2008 Toyota Yaris went through the stop sign. Rand said he attempted to brake and swerve to avoid a collision with the car, but contact was made between the front of the pickup and the driver’s side rear of the car, driven by 17-year-old Prestyn Thomas Perkins, of Creston. The collision caused the car to spin around.

Perkins told Creston Police pretty much the same story, except that he said he stopped at the intersection and looked both ways before proceeding through the stop sign. He claimed he did not see the pickup truck. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000. Both vehicles were driven away from the scene.

No injuries were reported, and no citations were issued. The Police report however noted Perkins failed to yield from a stop sign. They cited driver inexperience as a contributing factor in the crash.

(Red Oak, Iowa) -A man from Polk County was arrested late Friday night in Red Oak, for Interference with Official Acts, and Assault of Law Enforcement without injuries. Red Oak Police report 32-year-old Carlos Saldana, Jr., of Des Moines, was arrested at around 11:36-p.m. in the 1700 block of N. Broadway Street, in Red Oak. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Republican presidential candidate who garnered zero response in Iowa poll last August was in southwest Iowa (Today) Friday. Ryan Binkley held a “Meet-and-greet” event at the Family Table Restaurant, where he spoke with residents about his platform and background. Earlier in the day he held similar events in Sidney and Red Oak. Binkey, a 55-year-old pastor and entrepreneur from Texas told KJAN News his message to Iowans is about fixing education, healthcare and the economy.

He says “The U-S dollar is being misplaced across the globe, and when that continues to be devalued, then that basically hurts America’s strength across the world,” and we’re being ignored by countries like Russia and China.

A survey of likely Iowa Republican voters in October, showed Ryan Binkley with 2% support, tied with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and doubling former Vice President Mike Pence. Binkley said he’s trying to get his name out there and show why he’s a better option than the current field of candidates.

He says he’s the only candidate with a balance budget plan. “We’re the only one that wants to transform healthcare…nobody else is really talking about these big issues that really impact our economy.” And, as Veteran’s Day approaches, Ryan Binkley has a message for those who want to honor our nation’s veterans…

Binkley is the President and CEO of Generational Group located in Richardson, Texas. He and his wife, Ellie, are founders of Create Church, a multiethnic, multigenerational church in Richardson. The couple has five children. His bio says “As lead pastor, his deep passion is to see church members of all walks of life discover and live out their purpose.”

(Radio Iowa) – The name of a prominent suffragette will remain on a building on the Iowa State University campus. Carrie Chapman Catt, who grew up in Charles City, was president of the National American Women Suffrage Association in 1920 when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote. In 1995, a building on Iowa State’s campus was renamed in her honor.

A recent petition drive and protesters pointed to a statement Catt made in the south, that white supremacy would “be strengthened, not weakened” by giving women the right to vote — and I-S-U’s president convened a review committee. The group met 28 times. Eleven of of its members have voted to keep Catt’s name on the building, well over the two-thirds majority required.

Iowa State University president Wendy Wintersteen says the committee methodically examined a complex and historical figure. Catt was the only woman in the 1880 graduating c

(Radio Iowa) – Authorities in central Iowa are seeing an upturn in the number of seizures of a drug so dangerous, even touching the tablets could be lethal. Captain Nick Lennie, chief deputy of the Story County Sheriff’s Office, says the so-called M-30 pills are stamped with an “M” on one side and a “30” on the other. It’s very difficult to tell whether they’re counterfeit or real prescription medications, and he says swallowing one could quickly result in an overdose if they’re laced with fentanyl or methamphetamine.

Fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin, so Lennie says even handling the pills could be very risky. A deadly dose of fentanyl is about the size of a few grains of salt, he says, and it continues to be one of the primary sources of overdose deaths from opioids. Lennie says they’re seeing M-30 more often, even in rural Iowa.*

Rainbow fentanyl pills. (DEA photo)

The counterfeit M-30 pills are being manufactured in places like China, India and Mexico and Lennie says they’re often being distributed in the U-S through social media sites, typically to buyers in their teens and 20s.

Following up on the campaign “One Pill Can Kill,” Sergeant Nick Hochberger, also at the Story County Sheriff’s Office, says if there are unused medications in your household, you can dispose of them easily and anonymously.*

Businesses, organizations and schools can get the overdose reversal drug, Naloxone, for free, through the website “naloxoneiowa.org”, while individuals can get Naloxone through many local pharmacies.

DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Friday) announced the signing of a disaster proclamation for Taylor County, Iowa effective immediately through December 10, 2023. The USDA has confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial egg layer site there. 

This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.   

The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. 

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday) released a report on arrests/bookings that took place from October 5th through November 3rd. Those arrested include (date/name/age/city of residence/offense):

10/05/2023 Nickolaus Egger Albert (60) of Westby, Wisconsin. Booked into the Page County Jail for Public intoxication.
10/05/2023 Zachary Aaron Thomas (27) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Driving while barred.
10/05/2023 Ronald Lester HeMiller (46) of Villisca Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
10/05/2023 Lyle Francis Stogdill (40) of Shenandoah Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for an active warrant for (3) counts of Violation of Probation.
10/05/2023 Calle Vivian Gibson (33) of Clarinda Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for an active warrant for Violation of Probation.
10/06/2023 Jay Dean Miles (48) of Shambaugh Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for an active warrant for Violation of Parole.
10/06/2023 Donavan Craig Jones (31) of Clarinda Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for an active warrant for Assault.
10/06/2023 Vincent Craig Jones (58) of Clarinda Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for an active warrant for assault.
10/06/2023 Gerald Dean Archer (53) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
10/07/2023 Edward Paul Swanson (62) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Theft 2nd Degree and Fraud Practices.
10/09/2023 Sara Frances Skalberg (26) of Essex Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for OWI First Offense.
10/10/2023 Mark Duane Harvey (64) of Shenandoah Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for an active warrant for Violation of a No-Contact Order.
10/11/2023 Sean Dylan Watson (27) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for (7) counts of Theft in the 5th Degree.
10/12/2023 Denman Grant Johnson III (59) of Omaha Nebraska. Booked into the Page County Jail for Fugitive from Justice.
10/13/2023 Gary Lynn Runyon Runyon Jr. (50) of Coin Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for Driving While Barred.
10/15/2023 Alex Jeremy Hansen (39) of New Market Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Contempt-Resist Court Order.
10/15/2023 Aydien Kale Price (19) of Carson Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Ineligible to Carry Weapon.
10/15/2023 Tanya Renea Herzberg (42) of Braddyville Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for Domestic Abuse Assault.
10/17/2023 Shyra Ruthann Potts (21) of Blanchard Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for Violation of a No-Contact Order.
10/17/2023 Jordan Smith Friedman (25) of Clarinda Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for Violation of a No-Contact Order.
10/18/2023 Demarcus Jermar King (36) of Elliott Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for Domestic Assault Choking/Bodily Injury and False Imprisonment.
10/18/2023 Robert Edward Goforth (59) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Violation of Probation.
10/18/2023 Darrin Michael Wheeler (40) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Child Endangerment.
10/19/2023 Kelly Dean Baker (510 of College Springs. Booked into the Page County Jail for Disorderly Conduct.
10/19/2023 Ronald Lester HeMiller (46) of Villisca Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Driving while Barred.
10/19/2023 Amanda Maria Carlson (36) of New Market Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Theft in the second degree.
10/19/2023 Michael Lloyd Harms (53) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Possession of a controlled substance and OWI Second Offense.
10/20/2023 Phillip Jay McClish (43) of Clarinda Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for Driving While Barred.
10/20/2023 Gerald Dean Archer (53) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
10/21/2023 Matthew Scott Tillman (40) of Council Bluffs Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office for Fire Marshall Burn Ban.
10/22/2023 Darren Douglas Bartley (48) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Tampering with Ignition Interlock Device.
10/22/2023 Jesse Eugene Hutton (34) of Omaha Nebraska. Booked into the Page County Jail for Harassment in the Second Degree and two counts of Assault on a Peace Officer.
10/23/2023 Michael Delaine Resh (47) of Essex Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
10/23/2023 David Anthony Daugherty Jr. (53) of Sidney Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
10/23/2023 Christopher Charles Bowers (42) of Essex Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Failure to Appear.
10/24/2023 Romell Nathanial Epley (32) of St. Charles Missouri. Booked into the Page County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and Assault.
10/26/2023 Angelia Marie Hummel (46) of Shenandoah Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office on an active warrant for Failure to Appear.
10/27/2023 Richard Duane Dozier (49) of Red Oak Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office on an active warrant for Failure to Appear.
10/29/2023 Gary Wayne Taylor Jr. (46) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Domestic Abuse Assault and 4 counts of Child Endangerment.
11/02/2023 Monty Wayne Casteel Jr. (45) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Possession of a controlled substance.
11/02/2023 Deborah Jordan Snider (28) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for two counts of Animal Neglect with Injury or Death and 4 counts of Child Endangerment.
11/02/2023 Michael David McConnell (54) of Waukee Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Public Intoxication and Theft in the Fifth Degree.
11/02/2023 Alex Jeremy Hansen (39) of New Market Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Violation of Probation, Felon in control of Firearm and Possession of a Controlled Substance Second Offense.
11/02/2023 Ronald Lester HeMiller (46) of Villisca Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail to serve time.
11/02/2023 Jory John Larkin (36) of Clarinda Iowa. Arrested by the Page County Sheriff’s Office on an active warrant for failure to appear on an Adams County Charge.
11/03/2023 Amber Marie Spire-Kirsch (38) of Clarinda Iowa. Booked into the Page County Jail for Compulsory Education First Offense.
11/03/2023 Gerald Dean Archer (53) of Shenandoah Iowa. Booked into the Page County
Jail to serve time.

(Radio Iowa)- The central Iowa town of Perry is hosting its 13th annual Art on the Prairie festival this weekend, promising a celebration of art, music and literature. Lynsi Pasutti, vice president of the event’s board of directors, says the fest is the product of a host of creative artists, dedicated entrepreneurs, and community members.  “It’s a two-day festival in ten downtown historic buildings,” Pasutti says, “live music, visual artists, and poetry readings, as well as some other activities. We have 55 visual artists, 23 poets and 32 musicians that will really help bring the downtown to life.” Perry’s downtown is home to more than 30 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, and each of the ten festival venues will host an array of visual and performance art — including a one-woman solo musical.

“At Security Bank Building, which is City Hall, we have Poetry on the Prairie which is like a mini festival within a festival,” Pasutti says. “There will be some writing workshops, poetry slams, poetry readings, so just a fun event to be a part of.” If you’re looking for something to decorate your home, your yard or your body, she says there will be hundreds of items from which to choose.

“We bring in artists from all across the Iowa,” Pasutti says. “The mediums vary from ceramics and jewelry, painting, mixed media, photography, fiber, wood, and so really all kinds of things, glass as well, just about anything you could find with a nice variety.” She notes all of the artists are Iowans. The fest runs Saturday and Sunday.

On the web at http://www.artontheprairie.org/

Veterans Day is coming up this weekend on Saturday November 11th. As we all thank and support the Veterans who serve our country, his office says there are few that have done more for those men and women once they return home, than Iowa 3rd District Congressman Zach Nunn. Veterans Day really hits home to Nunn, who served as a member and Commander in the Iowa National Guard. Nunn said it was one of his greatest honors in being in National Guard.

Nunn’s role models include several family members who served the country. Both his father and brother served, but there was none he looked up to more, than his grandfather who served in WWII. Speaking with KJAN’s Blake Burris, Nunn says by the grace of God, his grandfather was able to return home after being caught in line of a Nazi sniper’s nest.

Ever since Nunn got into Congress, he says it has been a big factor for him to do anything in his power to help the brave men and women have better lives once they come home. But the one  Nunn is most proud of, is getting a bill passed that allows Veterans to get the proper help once they return home. Suicide rate for Veterans is 4x higher in Iowa than the national level and is a tragedy that Zach Nunn wants to see drop.

Nunn said he decided to get run for Congress so he can fight for the men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom that we are so blessed with having, and he gives his thanks and gratitude to those who serve and to their families.

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