FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Organizers of a holiday donation drive in central Iowa say that after more than 60 years, this will be the charity’s final event because younger volunteers haven’t stepped up to take on the huge task. The Messenger reports that Operation Christmas in Fort Dodge is run by Church Women United. Program co-chair Ruth Reed says the group collects winter clothing, household items, Christmas decorations, personal hygiene products, toys, food and other gifts. The items are then given to needy families around Christmas time.

In recent years, about 500 families have been helped each year. Reed says she can’t continue running the operation, noting she’s now 81. The group will begin accepting donations on Nov. 14 and start taking applications from families on Nov. 27. Donations will be delivered Dec. 15.

Two people, a man and a woman were arrested at around 3-a.m. Monday, following a traffic stop near Yellowwood Road and 150th Street, in Audubon County.  The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 32-year old Joseph Michael Billmeier, of Carroll, was arrested for Providing False Information to Law Enforcement, Driving While Suspended, Improper Use of Registration, No Insurance, and Open Container. His passenger, 35-year old Stacie Renae Schaefer, of Manilla, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Both subjects were transported to the Audubon County Jail. Schaefer was released after appearing before the magistrate. Billmeier was being held in the jail on an outstanding warrant out of Johnson County. He was later released to the custody of Johnson County Deputies.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says he sees no reason to delay next week’s Senate confirmation hearing for the northwest Iowan President Trump has appointed to be the U-S-D-A’s top science advisor. Sam Clovis worked on Trump’s presidential campaign for 15 months and The Washington Post reports Clovis was the “campaign supervisor” who urged a Trump campaign volunteer to meet with Russian officials. Grassley was asked this (Tuesday) morning if Clovis should withdraw as a nominee or delay the confirmation hearing. Grassley says, “Oh, gosh, I think it’s awful early for me to make a judgment about that from the standpoint that everything I’ve thought about Sam Clovis is his qualification for the job that the president appointed him to.”

Clovis, who ran for state treasurer in 2014 as a Republican, is now the White House liaison to the U-S-D-A. Clovis is scheduled to have his confirmation hearing before a Senate committee next week. Grassley says that process should move forward. “I’ve got great confidence in the special counsel approach and I’ll just let that work its way out,” Grassley says, “maybe not only on Sam Clovis, but on almost everything you might ask me about this.” Grassley told reporters in Washington, D.C. yesterday (Monday) that President Trump “should let the special counsel do his job.” Grassley indicates there’s no reason to cancel or delay Clovis’ hearing date but he’ll be following developments closely. “I think that one thing that would make a big difference to me is the extent to which Sam Clovis is committed to cooperating with the special counsel,” Grassley says.

Grassley issued a written statement on the special counsel’s investigation on Monday. Grassley said he and the other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee will work “to ensure that the Justice Department and F-B-I are functioning free from inappropriate influence.”

(Radio Iowa)

The northwest Iowa who served as national co-chairman of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is reportedly the “campaign supervisor” who urged a Trump campaign volunteer to meet with Russian officials. Sam Clovis, a former Morningside College professor, was the host of a radio talk show in Sioux City. He ran as the Iowa G-O-P’s candidate for state treasurer in 2014 after losing to Joni Ernst in the U.S. Senate primary that spring. Clovis joined the Trump campaign payroll in August of 2015 and worked in Trump Tower after the Iowa Caucuses. The attorney Clovis has hired provided a statement to the Washington Post, saying Clovis was “being polite” when he told a Trump campaign foreign policy advisor in an email to “make the trip” to Russia “if it’s feasible.” That foreign policy advisor was George Papadopoulis. Yesterday the Special Counsel investigating Russian interference in the U.S. election revealed Papadopoulis had pleaded guilty to lying to the F-B-I. The attorney Clovis has retained told The Washington Post Clovis had no authority to prevent an American citizen from going to Russia, but the attorney says Clovis always maintained “no person could travel abroad as a representative of the campaign.”

Clovis is still part of the Trump team. He is currently the White House liaison to the U-S-D-A. He’s been nominated to be the U-S-D-A’s top science adviser and his confirmation hearing in a senate committee had been scheduled for next week. That hearing may be delayed or cancelled, though, as senators on the committee would likely ask Clovis about his role in the Trump campaign.

(Radio Iowa)

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers and the Page County Crime Stoppers are requesting your help in solving a recent rash of burglaries in Clarinda. Brothers said during the early morning hours of Monday, October 23rd the Page County Secondary Roads Department at 6th & State was burglarized.

Numerous tools were taken in the burglary along with an ATV. That same morning, Clarinda Co-Op reported that numerous tools had been stolen from their facility on Schenck Road. And during the early morning hours of Monday, October 30th, 2017, numerous golf cart sheds at the Clarinda Country Club were broken into. Several sets of golf clubs were taken along with an EZ-GO golf cart.

And, Clarinda Police are still seeking information regarding the burglary/vandalism incident that occurred at the Clarinda High School on the early morning hours of Sunday, July 25, 2017.

Individuals who provide information leading to the arrest and filing of formal charges regarding these crimes are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00. Individuals can call the police department at 712-542-2194 with information. Individuals may remain anonymous.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports 52-year old Richard Lewis Beam, of Lorimor was arrested at around 1:30 this (Tuesday) morning. Beam was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for domestic abuse assault. He was being held in the Union County Jail without bond, until seen by a judge.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A candy ban has altered this year’s Halloween parade in Dubuque. Police and parade organizers decided to bar participants from tossing candy into the crowd or handing it out to people along the route Monday. Why the change? Safety. Parade organizer Abigail Degenhardt told the Dubuque Telegraph Herald that organizers wanted to prevent children from dashing into the street or pushing each other for the sweet — sometimes sour — treats.

Fifteen-year-old Erica Shireman is not happy about the organizers’ decision, saying “a big part of the reason I liked the parade was getting candy at the end.” Jessica Donath has attended the parade for three decades and understands why the change was made. She finds it disappointing but also says, “Everyone is going to be safe now.”

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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(Update) NEW VIENNA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are blaming a manure runoff from a dairy farm for killing about 60,000 fish in eastern Iowa. The farm is situated about 3 miles (5 kilometers) east of New Vienna. The fish kill was reported Oct. 9 after fish carcasses were spotted in two creeks downstream in Dyersville. The Iowa Natural Resources Department has issued a notice of violation to the owner, John Hoefler, and is expected to seek restitution for the fish. Among the dead were minnows, white suckers and creek chubs.