(Greenfield, Iowa) – A traffic stop last week in Adair County, resulted in a woman being cited on a drug charge. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a pickup was pulled over at around 8-p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30th, for having window tint, excessive speed, no front license plate, and an expired validation sticker.

While speaking with the driver and a passenger, identified as 32-year-old Kayln BreeAnn Durbin, of Greenfield, the Adair County Deputy noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When Durbin exited the vehicle, the Deputy saw a glass pipe typically used to smoke marijuana.

Durbin admitted the pipe was hers. She was cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and issued a written warning for having an open container with a beverage that contained alcohol, inside a Casey’s cup. Durbin was released from the scene on a summons to appear in court.

(Radio Iowa) – The northwest Iowa event billed as the world’s largest county fair starts on Saturday. This is Jerome Hertel’s first year as manager of the Clay County Fair in Spencer. “This fair is pretty much similar, I guess, to the Alaska State Fair where I came from,” Hertel says. “It’s a 501c non-profit fair, which is like much like the Alaska State Fair; about the same attendance — 300,000 people; about the same number of buildings.”

Hertel’s first day on the job in Spencer was April 17th. Hertel says once the fair starts this weekend, it will give him a chance to learn about the fair’s culture. “Who are the people that attend this fair? What are those traditions that are here at the Clay County Fair?” Hertel asks. “This fair is a resource for the community. It’s a reflection of the community, so what is it reflecting, you know, in the community and what’s its position in the community?” Hertel says he’s not looking to make any big changes.

“This fair’s not broke, so if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Hertel says. “It’s got a great reputation in the industry as being the world’s greatest county fair, so I just want to continue that tradition.” Hertel says the staff and volunteers are paddling like crazy to get done before opening day.

The Clay County Fair starts this Saturday, the 9th, and ends on Sunday, September 17th. Hertel was general manager of the Alaska State Fair for nine years — and he grew up in Parker, South Dakota, across the street from the oldest county fair in South Dakota.

About one in every eight Iowa women will develop breast cancer during their lives, and a rise in breast cancer cases among women in their 40s is bringing new preliminary screening guidelines. The recommendation now is to get mammograms every other year starting at age 40, instead of starting at age 50. Radiologist Dr. Amy Patel says she doesn’t think those new guidelines go far enough to address women who are at higher risk of getting breast cancer.

“If you’re deemed high risk, we recommend an annual screening breast MRI from the ages of 25 to 29,” says Patel, “and once you turn 30, annual screening mammography, alternating every six months with supplemental screening in the form of breast MRI.” She says all women should be risk assessed by the age of 25. Also, Patel says the guidelines don’t take into account breast density when deciding how often women are checked for breast cancer.

“It is a strong risk factor,” says Patel. “About 50% of the United States population who are women have dense breasts, and some women opt to have supplemental screening in addition to mammography, as dense breasts can obscure a cancer on a mammogram that can be revealed on a supplemental tool, such as breast MRI or ultrasound.”

In Iowa, it’s estimated that 27-hundred women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and nearly 390 will die from it. Only lung cancer causes more cancer deaths among Iowa women.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Senior Alumni Scholarship Foundation (SASF) board met for their annual meeting and welcomed new board member Jackie Hoover Sampson. At the meeting the board approved issuing five, $2,000 scholarships for the Atlantic Graduating class of 2024. Scholarships are need based for seniors with a GPA or 2.5 or higher.

Applications and information are available from the Atlantic High School guidance office and on the website. The SASF is a 501c3 organization and 100% of donations go to the scholarship fund. Atlantic alumni are encouraged to donate and may do so by check to the SASF, PO Box 205 Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

2023 SASF Board: L to R. Front row Mark McNees, Ted Robinson, C.J. Heithoff, Mark Smith, J.C. Van Ginkel Back Row L to R Deb Schuler, Jackie Sampson, Linda Robinson, Cathy Baragary, Billie Hoover, Tammy Wickman. (Photo & info. courtesy Mark McNees)

Electronic donations through Venmo may also be made at SASF-Foundation. If donating through Venmo, please email Cbaragary55@gmail.com with your name and address, so your donation is properly recognized and a receipt may be mailed to you.

(Elmo, MO.) – A man from southwest Iowa died in a crash Sunday evening, in northwest Missouri. According to the Missouri State Patrol, 18-year-old Seger V. Mace, of Coin, was operating a Honda Motorcycle northbound on Railroad Street approaching Route C near Elmo, when he failed to yield as he entered the intersection.

His cycle struck a trailer being towed by pickup truck that was driven by 54-year-old Darrin E. Harvey, of Elmo. The accident happened at around 6:20 p.m., Sunday.

Mace was ejected from his motorcycle. He died from his injuries at the Clarinda Regional Health Center. Officials with the Clarinda Community School District issued the following statement late this (Monday) morning:

Council Bluffs, Iowa– The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Council Bluffs area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Iowa Western Community College. The Alzheimer’s Association and its volunteers and walk participants are fighting for a different future. For families facing the disease today, for more time, for treatments. Alzheimer’s research is closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s, but to get there, the Alzheimer’s Association needs Northern Iowa to join them for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.

There is no fee to register for Walk, however, all participants are encouraged to raise critical funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure. On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with Promise Garden flowers which signify our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers – purple, yellow, blue and orange – represent the different reasons why people walk to end this disease.

“We’re closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s,” said Walk Manager, Jessica Duncan. “We hope that everyone in the community can join us by starting a team to help the Alzheimer’s Association raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease today, take more steps toward treatments and finally ending this disease.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Iowa and Nebraska alone, there are nearly 100,000 people living with the disease and 140,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to  Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

Shelby, Iowa – Iowa farm history will be showcased September 9 and 10 at Carstens Farm during the 41st Annual Carstens Farm Days. This farm show showcases threshing, sawmill operations, crafters and vendors, a quilt show and of course, tractors. The Farm Days show has something for everyone throughout the weekend.

Horse, steam and gas power: Come see steam engines powering antique threshing machines, antique cars, trucks and machinery, a parade, crafts, and entertainment.  Over two hundred restored antique tractors will be on display.  The original Carstens farm buildings will be open for tours. The buildings will be alive with demonstrations that will bring back memories for older visitors and teach valuable history lessons to young people.

Food for all: A Friday evening pulled pork sandwich dinner will be hosted by the Friends of the Shelby Stone Arch Trail Committee. Proceeds of the Friday evening dinner will go to the trail committee.  The dinner will be served from 5:00 – 7:30 pm.  All good days begin with a good breakfast and to start Farm Days off right, a great breakfast is planned at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Snacks and lunch options provided by the Hodges Smokehouse Catering of Minden will be available. Various non-profit local groups will be offering refreshments and delicious desserts all weekend.  Homemade ice cream will be in plentiful supply during Farm Days. Serving Benny’s Ice Cream will be Carstens board member Ben Ausdemore and his wife Katie. This is a treat visitors won’t want to miss!

On Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. enjoy Staley’s Chicken for a delicious dinner at the farm. The dinner will be $15 for adults and $10 for kids age 8 and under. Dinner proceeds will go toward on-going maintenance at Carstens 1880 Farmstead.

Farmall Tractors and Equipment To Be Featured: Farmall equipment of all types will be featured during Farm Days.  Farmall tractor and implement owners are invited to bring their exhibits to display throughout the weekend.  Horsepower-testing, sawmill operations and field demonstrations will occupy tractor exhibitors all day. Over 250 pieces of vintage equipment were on display during the 2022 Farm Days show. Visitors will enjoy watching most of the restored tractors as they go through the parade each afternoon at 2 p.m.

Quilt Show: A colorful display of quilts, wall hangings, wearable art and other types of quilting projects will be featured in the special event building at the farm. Many talented quilters from around the area will allow their works of art to be displayed for all to enjoy. Even if you have never displayed a quilt before, consider joining the fun and bringing a quilt to display.  Exhibitors are asked to deliver their quilts on Friday, September 8. For details about the quilt show or to inquire about adding your quilt to the collection, please call Jan Hursey at 712-544-2662.

Crafts, plants and treats galore: In case visitors run out of vintage tractors and other pieces of equipment to look at, there will be over fifty crafters and vendors on hand. A wide array of crafts, plants, vintage and antique items will be available.  From unique wooden creations to home raised honey, there will be something for everyone.

A very healthy crop of farm-grown potatoes will also be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale of potatoes will help make improvements to the farmstead.

Sunday Worship: On Sunday morning a non-denominational worship service will take place at 9:00 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Carstens home. Worship will be led by the United Lutheran Church, Shelby. Everyone is welcome to join in the worship service.

Admission:   Admission is $10 per day for everyone nine years and older.

Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc., a non-profit group of local volunteers, oversees an 80-acre working farm museum exhibit located between Minden and Shelby, Iowa in Pottawattamie County.  The farmstead is the home of Carstens Farm Days, which is held the first weekend after Labor Day each September.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  For more information visit the web site: www.carstensfarm.com

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who are getting aggressive calls from loan collectors need to be sure the loans they’re trying to collect are real, especially before making payments. Lisa Schiller, with the Better Business Bureau, says those collectors need to have a paper trail to confirm any loan they’re trying to collect. “They should be able to provide you with proof that you owe money, whether it was from years ago or it was more recent, where is the proof?” Schiller says. “They should be able to provide you with that.” In many cases, Schiller says businesses buy loans in bulk without first checking to see if they are still valid.

“Don’t just go ahead and pay it because somebody called you or sent you a threatening letter,” she says. “You really have to look into it these days. You have to just do a little bit of homework.” Also, be very careful before you sign up for “debt settlement” payment plans, as Schiller says predatory companies will simply take your money and not help you with your bills at all.

“What we always tell consumers, is to make sure, first of all, that the person that’s trying to collect on that debt is legitimate,” Schiller says. In many cases, she says collectors may try to pass off out-of-date or already-paid loans as still active. If you’re having trouble, contact state consumer protection or the B-B-B for help.

(Radio Iowa) – The latest federal data shows about 105-thousand union members were in Iowa’s workforce last year. That’s seven percent of the entire workforce and the first increase in statewide union membership in four years. Paul Iverson at the University of Iowa Labor Center says it’s partly due to the impact of the pandemic.

Recent strikes — and even the threat of a strike — are drawing attention to the labor movement’s impact, according to Iverson.

Last week Iverson visited the picket line at Thombert in Newton where 84 United Auto Workers went on strike August 1st. Thombert is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of polyurethane wheels for electric forklifts. “It’s an issue of we want a safe workplace, we want safe working hours, we want pay and benefits commensurate with the profit that we are making for you,” Iverson says, “so all of those things go into this strike.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Multiple area fire departments responded to assist Atlantic Fire in battling ditch fires that spread to corn and soybean fields north of Interstate 80, Sunday evening. The fires between the 57 and 61 mile markers westbound, north of I-80, were reported at around 5-p.m., and were contained roughly 90 minutes later.

Crews from Atlantic, Anita, Marne, Brayton and Exira contended with southerly winds at around 15-20 mph that were fanning to spread of the flames. No injuries were reported. A cause of the fires was not immediately known.