(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported, following three accidents that took place last Thursday (Oct. 19, 2023). The first crash happened at around 10-a.m., and involved a pickup truck and an SUV. Authorities say a 2018 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 49-year-old James Allen Black, of Johnston, was westbound on Highway 44 from Avenue A, at the same time a 2020 Nissan Murano driven by 47-year-old Tanny Marie Miller, of Guthrie Center, was traveling eastbound.

The pickup crossed the center line of the road, into the path of the SUV. Miller tried to avoid the collision, but her SUV was struck on the driver’s side rear door by the pickup. The SUV came to rest in the east ditch. The pickup stopped on the west side shoulder of the road. Damage from the crash amounted to $15,000. Deputies cited Black for Failure to Maintain Control, and Driving on the wrong side of the highway.

The second accident in Guthrie County, last Thursday, happened at around 12:32-p.m., on eastbound Highway 141. Authorities say a 2008 Kenworth semi driven by 40-year-old Floyd Peterman, of Corning, and a 2005 Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup driven by 35-year-old Amalia Easton, of Ankeny, were traveling west on Highway 141 at Rose Avenue, When the pickup slowed to make a right-hand turn into a driveway, the semi struck a trailer attached to the pickup, causing Easton to lose control. The vehicle rolled into the westbound ditch. The semi stopped on the west shoulder of the road. Damage from the collision amounted to $30,000. No citations were issued.

The third accident in Guthrie County, Thursday, occurred at around 7:05-p.m., on Iowa Highway 4. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2022 Chevy Trailblazer SUV driven by 34-year-old Breanna Mink, of Jamaica, was traveling south on the highway, when her vehicle struck a deer. The vehicle sustained $4,000 damage.

(Radio Iowa) – Dry conditions led to another busy week in the fields for farmers. The U-S-D-A crop report says the corn harvest increased by 20 percent in the last week, bringing the total to 62 percent of the corn now out of the fields. That is two days ahead of last year and one week ahead of the five-year average. Combines have now harvested 87 percent of the soybeans statewide, up from 74 percent the week before. That is one day ahead of the harvest rate from last year and ten days ahead of the five-year average.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors received an annual report from the Cass County Library Association, and a request for an increase in funding over last year. Sara Young, with the Anita Public Library, said Cass County is below the statewide average funding for libraries (as of FY 2022), by about Nine-thousand dollars.

Funding for libraries is determined by the populations they serve.

The Board took the request under advisement, for when it comes time to work on the Budget. The Supervisors held a Public Hearing on a proposed amendment of the FY2024 Cass County Budget. Auditor Kathy Somers explained there was unexpected income such as grants, and donations, including those to the Veteran’s Affairs Department, and expenditures, that needed to be factored-in, with regard to some departmental line items.

Hearing no comments on the proposal, the Supervisors passed a Resolution approving Amendment 1 of the Cass County FY2024 Budget as published, and making appropriations for the same, effective immediately.

In other business, Diane Schultz, former President of the Iowa Morman Trails Association, spoke with regard to the replacement of trail signs in Cass County. Schultz said the process of changing-out road signs in other, adjacent counties began five-years ago, and now it’s time for the project to occur in Cass County. Many of the signs, she said, that have been in-place since the 1980’s, have deteriorated badly.

The National Parks Service is replacing the actual signs at No Cost. The only thing that needs to be funded by the county is the post and labor to install the signs. The matter was taken under advisement, and in coordination with Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

Wolken updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department projects, maintenance and other activities. And, the Board discussed the County 5- and 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. No action was taken during today’s (Tuesdays) meeting.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) announces $11 Million in federal grant funds to be distributed statewide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2024 federal fiscal year.

“The GTSB is pleased to allocate these funds to support our traffic safety partners across Iowa,” says Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. “Over the past five years, almost 1,700 lives have been lost on Iowa roads: that’s too many. Lack of seat belt use, impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, and other risky driving behaviors continue to wreak havoc. These funds will be used to increase public awareness, educate, collect data, train, and enforce. The goal is to improve safety for all those sharing the road.”

Money will be distributed to law enforcement partners for equipment, education, and enforcement projects. “These partnerships are crucial,” says GTSB Law Enforcement Liaison Randy Kunert. “Enforcing Iowa’s traffic laws is the strongest countermeasure to deter risky driving behavior. It’s vital these agencies have necessary resources to make traffic stops.”

The GTSB is also distributing funds to support non-law enforcement traffic safety initiatives. New partnerships include the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Iowa Restaurant Association, and Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI). LSI will use GTSB funds to help educate, build confidence, and promote safe driving habits among refugees.

“Having a driver’s license gives refugees independence and increases their employment opportunities,” says Vinh Nguyen, Education and Workforce Manager at Lutheran Services in Iowa.

Every year, traffic safety advocates, law enforcement, and other state agencies across Iowa seek funding through grant applications offered by the GTSB. Applicants who meet the required data driven criteria and highway safety standards are awarded grant funds to support GTSB’s mission to reduce death and injury on Iowa’s roadways.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Rotary Club invites all those who have served in the military, to the Rotary’s Annual Military Appreciation Lunch, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The event takes place the The Venue (307 Walnut St.), in Atlantic, from 11:45-a.m. until 1-p.m.  Guest speaker for the luncheon is Cass County Deputy Sheriff and former USMC Platoon Sergeant Ben Bartholomew.

Please reserve your place at the luncheon by calling Dolly Bergmann at 712-249-9275, no later than November 3, 2023. The Rotary looks forward to honoring those who have served our country!

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Secret Serenity Salon and Spa of Shelby County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“I want to congratulate Tami and the entire team at Secret Serenity Salon and Spa for their dedication to providing beauty services and products in Shelby County,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “This National Women’s Small Business Month, I’m excited to recognize a woman-led business that goes above and beyond to provide high-quality services and give back to the community.”

Founded in 2007 by Tami Kloewer, Secret Serenity Salon and Spa is a full-service salon that offers hair, nail, and skin care services. Located in Harlan, the salon and spa also includes a retail shop that offers a variety of beauty care products for all types of skin and hair needs. In addition to providing beauty services, Secret Serenity Salon and Spa is also actively involved in the Harlan community. The business has supported philanthropies that benefit the local hospital, schools, and retirement centers, as well as participated in a local event promoting routine women’s health screenings. Tami has also represented Secret Serenity Salon and Spa on the Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences for the past three years.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Oct. 24, 2023 – You can now travel on U.S. 30 northeast of Woodbine in Harrison County. The Iowa DOT says crews have completed the bridge replacement project.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

(Radio Iowa) – A time capsule from the cornerstone of a former northeast Iowa church was recently opened to reveal contents that haven’t been seen in nearly a dozen decades. Delaware County Historical Society President Craig Lange says the copper box was salvaged after the Presbyterian Church in Hopkinton was torn down. Lange says the box was placed in the cornerstone 119 years ago. “Some artifacts were still intact in it, a copy of the Delaware County Historical Leader, the Chicago Record Herald, Lenox College days book was still somewhat intact,” Lange says. “Everything else inside of it, unfortunately, has deteriorated over the time.”

The church’s bell was also rescued and that will be incorporated into a new display at the museum. “I want to make a cement box that has brick around the outside from the church,” Lange says. “Hopefully, inside the cement box, we can put a vault in and start a new time capsule. Then we’ll have limestone slabs from the church on top of it, with the bell sitting on top of that.”

Lange says the old church was a big part of the Hopkinton community, so it’s nice that part of it will still remain at the Lenox College campus.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic FFA Reporter Lily Johnson says on October 5, 2023, 15 Atlantic FFA members attended the fall contest held at Northwest Missouri State University located in Maryville, Missouri. The members got the opportunity to compete in several different contests.

Livestock Judging
Left to Right: (1st row) Kaydence Sturm, Aly Dreager, Maddy Anderson, Addalyn Sonntag, Mckenna Sonntag, Jailynne Castillo, Jacquie Freund. (2nd row) Frank Freund, Keston Schmit, Addie Freund, Hayden Kleen, Lauren Comes, Dylan Dreager, Mia Kloewer, and Miraylie Stuart.

This year, the chapter had eleven members compete in the Livestock Evaluation contest, placing 9th out of 31 teams. The top 4 scores for Atlantic FFA came from McKenna Sonntag, Addie Freund, Lauren Comes and Hayden Kleen. In this contest, members had the opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge of various livestock breeds. Those who competed had to place breeding and market classes of beef, swine, and sheep, while also doing three classes of oral reasons.

In the Dairy Cattle Evaluation contest, Colton Rudy competed and individually placed 6th. The purpose of the District Dairy Cattle CDE is to enable students to develop skills in dairy animal selection and dairy herd management. They evaluated and ranked dairy animals based on visual factors of selection.

The last contest that FFA members competed in, was the Dairy Foods contest. The team was comprised of Lola Comes, Lily Johnson, and Natalie Smith. The trio got to try different types of cheese, find the defects in milk, look at milking equipment, and take a written exam. Together they placed as the top Iowa team.

Dairy Foods team
Lola Comes, Lily Johnson, Natalie smith

WAUKEE, Iowa (WHO-TV) — A western Iowa allegedly crashed into three Waukee Police vehicles during a chase late Saturday night — causing thousands of dollars in damage. WHO-TV reports that at around 11:37 p.m. an officer with the Waukee Police Department responded to a report of a hit and run involving a tan Jeep Cherokee, court documents state. The officer located that vehicle on Ute. Ave and attempted to perform a traffic stop, but the car sped off and a pursuit ensued.

According to a criminal complaint, the suspect driver, later identified as Cory Hansen, of Adair, hit two police vehicles during the pursuit. Hansen then continued to Linden Drive and Windfield Parkway where he hit another police car head-on, the complaint states. Hansen was transported to a nearby hospital to be evaluated for injuries he sustained in the crash. One officer sustained minor injuries.

Two of the police cars that were hit sustained an estimated $1,000 in damage each and the third patrol car sustained an estimated $10,000 in damage, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Hansen has been charged with interference with official acts – bodily injury, eluding, failure to provide proof of financial liability – accident, leave scene of accident – property damage only, possession of drug paraphernalia, and fail to obey stop sign/yield right of way.

Hansen was booked into the Dallas County Jail, but has since been released on a $7,500 surety bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 1.