A Portsmouth man pulled over in Pottawattamie County after allegedly squealing his tires, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office says 58-year old David Kendall Owens was arrested in Neola, at around 1-a.m., Saturday, and brought to the Pott. County Jail.

And, a Council Bluffs woman was arrested for OWI/1st offense, Friday night, after she was seen driving erratically and at a high rate of speed, just east of the intersection of S. 24th Street and I-80, in Council Bluffs. 33-year old Jessica Ann Sullivan was taken into custody at around 10:55-p.m. and brought to the Pott. County Jail.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Monday), announced a new joint initiative with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) that should reduce the impact of reported foodborne illness in Iowa. IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “These departments have joined forces to establish a statewide one-call system Iowans can use to report illnesses associated with food poisoning. Once a call is made to the IowaSic hotline (1-844-469-2742), trained specialists will begin an investigation into the cause and source of the illness, which could greatly reduce the number of ill Iowans.”  

The 2013 Cyclospora outbreak, which was responsible for sickening at least 127 individuals in Iowa, Nebraska, and other Midwest states, is a good example of how foodborne illness investigations are conducted. During the 2013 outbreak, epidemiologists and food safety specialists, working in collaboration with the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL), were able to trace the cause of the Cyclospora outbreak to fresh produce grown and packaged in Mexico. The contaminated product had been distributed to a national restaurant chain where it eventually was consumed by patrons primarily in Iowa and Nebraska.

Dr. Quinlisk said “Iowa was the first state to positively identify the cause of the outbreak, which permitted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to trace it back to the source. Had the IowaSic hotline and supporting processes been in place in 2013, it’s possible the duration and impact of the outbreak could have been reduced.”

The IowaSic hotline will be answered by IDPH specialists who will ask callers about the illness, symptoms, onset and duration, and also complete a history of all foods consumed for the past several days. Illnesses associated with foods purchased from or consumed at food establishments will be investigated by staff in DIA’s Food and Consumer Safety Bureau.

Food poisoning happens after eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages, and occur at any time throughout the food preparation process, including growing, distribution processes, storage, cooking, and service. Often, foodborne illness is the result of cross-contamination, poor hygiene, or improper heating and cooling of prepared foods. If you suspect food poisoning after consuming an item from a restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, market or public gathering, call IDPH’s IowaSic hotline at 1-844-469-2742.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Bridgewater was arrested Thursday evening on an Adair County warrant for Ongoing Criminal Conduct/Criminal Network, Gathering where controlled substances are used, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. 61-year old James Jeffrey Reese was released from custody Sunday evening on part or all of a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 53-year old Patrick Russell Darling, of Greenfield, was arrested last Wednesday afternoon on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree, for allegedly taking a bottle of vodka from the Greenfield Fareway Store without paying for it. Darling was later released on his own recognizance.

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

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Creston Police are investigating two incidents of vandalism and two reports of theft. Officials say on Saturday, a Creston man reported that sometime between Oct. 13th and 15th, someone broke out both front windows of his truck. The damage was estimated at $300.

Last Friday, a resident of the 600 block of S. Pine Street reported someone took two chainsaws from his shed. The theft, which occurred sometime between 10-p.m. Thursday and 10-a.m. Friday, resulted in a loss of $600. Also on Friday, a resident of the 200 block of N. Birch Street, in Creston, reported someone broke into his vehicle and stole a stereo system. The incident occurred sometime between 11:30-p.m. Thursday and 8:30-a.m., Friday. The loss was estimated at $100.

And, on Thursday, a Creston resident reported that sometime between 11-p.m. Wednesday and 1-a.m. Thursday, someone broke a section of his fence. The incident happened in the 500 block of S. Walnut Street, and resulted in an estimated loss of $150.

The area’s top news at 7:05-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Police in Creston say two people were arrested on drug charges, Saturday. 35-year old Mika Luddington, and 38-year old Erik Witt, both of Creston, were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. Both were later released on $1,000 bond, each.

On Friday, 30-year old Matt Maxfield, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for Theft in the 5th Degree. He was released on a Promise to Appear later, in court. On Saturday, 28-year old William Baker, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County LEC, for Theft in the 5th Degree. He was also released on a Promise to Appear. On Sunday, 28-year old Shaeina Allison and 33-year old Joseph Baze-Gaiser, both of Creston, were arrested at the Creston Wal-Mart, for Theft in the 4th Degree. They were later released on $1,000 bond each.

28-year old Jake Davis, and 35-year old Heather Scarberry, both of Creston, were arrested Sunday for Public Intoxication. Both were later released on $300 bond each. Also arrested Sunday, was 28-year old Christopher Fannon, and 24-year old Tyler McKay, both of Creston, who were taken into custody for Disorderly Conduct. Both were being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting bond.

And, 26-year old Heather Brammer, of Murray, was arrested Saturday for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on $1,000 bond.

Police in Council Bluffs say no injuries were reported following an accident early this (Monday) morning. Authorities say 37-year old Shawn Elliff, of Council Bluffs, was cited for Disobedience to a sign/signal, Failure to Provide proof of Insurance and Operating a vehicle without Registration, following a crash that happened at around 2:30-a.m. at the intersection of N. 17th Street and Avenue L.

Elliff was traveling south on N. 17th when he failed to stop at the intersection.

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His vehicle collided with the front passenger side of another vehicle which was traveling west on Avenue L. After the impact, the other vehicle traveled through a fence of residence located at the southwest corner of the intersection, and came to rest just short of hitting the house.

Elliff’s vehicle also continued southwest and traveled through the same fence before colliding with and coming to rest on, the north side of the residence. The home sustained only minor damage, though. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage,

A handful of area school district Boards of Education are set to hold their separate, regularly scheduled meetings this evening. The Griswold School Board meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. and includes a decision on a recommendation from the District’s Facilities Committee with regard to options for their buildings. Superintendent Dave Henrichs reports the Committee feels they are at a “Crossroad” following their recent meetings, and it’s his opinion the entire Committee believes “Option A,” consolidating all operations into one central campus to be located in Griswold, is the best option. Henrichs said recently “There is some concern however,” that consolidation of operations (combined with 2016-17 and future cuts), “Will create enough general fund savings to allow the district to remain viable.” His concern lies with the possibility the district may pass a multi-million dollar bond, yet still have to consolidate with another district, or dissolve, which would leave the taxpayers with a debt, and no school of their own.

The CAM School Board will meet this evening at 6:30. They’ll consider approval of a building addition plan from Snyder and Associates for the Preschool Building in Massena, and act on adopting a Board Policy with regard to “Parent and Family Engagement.”

The Audubon School Board meets at 7-p.m., and will act on a 3-year Building and Grounds Plan, as well as receive an update on a 21st Century Community Grant.

And, the Exira-EHK School Board meeting gets underway at 7-p.m. Among their discussion items, is the refinancing of a Sales Tax Bond.

Farmers across Iowa are busy trying to get their crops out of the field before winter, but many still find time to help their neighbors do so as well. In southeast Iowa’s Lee County, this harvest season would have been extremely difficult for Joann Knisley, of rural Donnellson. Her husband, Bill, died this summer from injuries he sustained in a farm accident. “Bill was a very wonderful husband. Everybody loved him,” Knisley said. “He would help anybody.” A lot of people loved Bill back and helped the Knisley family harvest more than 150 acres of corn and soybeans.

“I knew we had lots of friends when he passed away because we had 831 people show up at the funeral home and people went home because the line was so long. I mean, you know you have friends, but you don’t know how many friends you really have until something like this happens,” Knisley said. Joann was hoping her family could take care of the entire harvest, but they ran into equipment troubles. That’s when Joann’s brother, Gary Schiller, stepped in.

“I told my sister, don’t worry about the crop, we will put something together to take it out,” Schiller said. He began spreading the word and last Tuesday, more than 30 people showed up to help – including neighbors and FFA students from Central Lee High School. The harvesting crew cleared Joann and Bill Knisley’s fields in about six hours. Joann says her husband had a deep passion for farming.

“In fact, the day before my husband got hurt, I picked him up at another farm we rent and he said, ‘just look at the silks on this corn, it’s beautiful. And all the ears on the corn.’ So we have a record crop and he is not here to see it,” Knisley said. The land Bill maintained will continue to be farmed in the future. Joann plans to lease or rent it in time for planting season next spring.

(Radio Iowa)