(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Directors of the Sioux City Warming Shelter announced they will close the doors on October 1st due to a lack of community support and declining resources. Board member Dave Ferris says shelters in nearby cities get support from several sources. He says they received 50-thousand dollars from the city this year after asking for help for many years.

The shelter was founded more than a decade ago to provide a place for the homeless during the winter, and has been open more recently in the summer as well. Ferris says it has been busy.

Ferris believes the city will see more expenses with the shelter closing.

Shelter staff will be working to help those residents transition to alternative housing and no new clients are being accepted.

(Radio Iowa) – Attorney General Brenna Bird is accusing a Wall Street firm of antisemitism in its rating of investments. M-S-C-I manages 15 TRILLION dollars in investments and advises other companies with investment funds.

Bird has issued a subpoena seeking documents about the company’s ratings.

In a written statement, the company said it does not support in any way the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel and does not penalize companies for operating in Israel or contributing to Israel’s defense.

(Radio Iowa) – A man from a small town in northwest Iowa has pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in the community this past January. Authorities arrested 40-year-old Del Martinnez Evans, Junior at his home in Sanborn about an hour after the Sanborn Savings Bank was robbed. His house was about three blocks from the bank.

Evans was initially charged in state court with second degree robbery and second degree theft and he pleaded not guilty in February. Those charges were dismissed and the case was moved to federal court. Court documents indicate he passed the bank teller a note demanding money, but did not refer to and show a weapon during the robbery.

By pleading guilty to robbery by force or violence, Evans faces a sentence of up to 20 years in a federal prison.

(Radio Iowa) – The superintendents of two Iowa school districts operating on a four-day school week say the change has helped the districts find and keep staff. James Craig is the superintendent of Cardinal Community in Eldon, which is in its third year of having classes Tuesday through Friday.

Dan Maeder is superintendent of Moulton-Udell Schools, which meet on Mondays-through-Thursdays. Maeder, who was not at the district when the switch was made four years ago, says Moulton-Udell was struggling to get retain staff.

In Colorado, two-thirds of school districts operate four days a week and about a quarter of Missouri’s school districts have changed to a four-day-a-week calendar. There are just 17 public school districts in Iowa that hold classes four days a week. Maeder says it may take a while to catch in Iowa, where there’s a five-day-work-week culture.

And, in terms of student achievement, Craig says at Cardinal Community, test scores have been going up since the change for a four-day week.

The superintendents made their comments during taping of Iowa Press.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope has released a report on arrests that took place from August 13th through Sept. 5th:

In August of 2024, Fremont County Deputies received a report of sexual abuse that occurred beginning in 2015. During the course of the investigation, deputies discovered evidence of sexual abuse against multiple victims. A warrant was issued for 43-year-old Joshua Lynn Martin, of Glenwood (formerly of Riverton). Thursday afternoon, Martin he turned himself in to the authorities in Fremont County.

Joshua Lynn Martin

He was charged with:

• 10 counts of Sexual Abuse 2^nd Degree on a victim less than 12 years old, Class B felony
• 5 counts of Sexual Abuse 3^rd Degree, Class C Felony
• 10 counts of Incest, Class D Felony
• 1 count of Invasion of Privacy, Serious Misdemeanor

Additional charges are pending in the case. Martin is being held without bond, pending initial appearance with the Fremont County Magistrate.

Wednesday morning, Sept. 4th, Fremont County Deputies arrested 42-year-old Joshua Lee Painter, of Lawson, MO., on charges that include theft, possession of a controlled substance, assault on an officer, and interference with official acts. He remains in custody. Painter was stopped for an equipment violation on Highway 2 near the Missouri River. Records indicated Painter, who had an active warrant for his arrest gave the identification information of a relative in an attempt to avoid arrest. However, the relative also had warrants for their arrest. Authorities say when Painter resisted deputies, a struggle occurred, resulting in the deputy receiving minor injuries. Deputies deployed a taser and Painter was taken into custody. The deputy was treated by EMTs at the scene and released back to duty. Painter was taken to Grape Community Hospital and released. Deputies discovered the motorcycle he was operating was reported stolen. Painter is being held on $15,000 cash bond.

Joshua Lee Painter

Other arrests include:

On 08/13/2024 at 15:57, Glen Eugene Gallagher, age 52, of Omaha, NE was arrested for a probation violation. He was transferred to another agency on 08/19/2024 at 18:13.

On 08/14/2024 at 10:48, deputies arrested Timothy Mark Gardner, age 63, of Hamburg, IA for violating sex offender verification. He was released after serving time on 09/03/2024 at 14:09.

On 08/14/2024 at 23:11, David Daniel Good, age 50, of Council Bluffs, IA was arrested for being a felon in control of a firearm and driving while barred. He was released on a surety bond on 08/15/2024 at 18:39.

On 08/16/2024 at 12:32, Jeffrey Lynn Jackman, age 61, of Oskaloosa, IA was arrested for OWI-1st offense and possession of a controlled substance. He was processed and later released.

On 08/16/2024 at 23:37, Dena Lynn Westenskow, age 57, of Omaha, NE was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. She was released on a surety bond on 08/17/2024 at 15:30.

On 08/17/2024 at 03:02, deputies arrested Allison Kay McCaul, age 47, of Percival, IA for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. She was released on a surety bond on 08/17/2024 at 09:49.

On 08/18/2024 at 15:52, Hunter Martin Tucker, age 23, of Omaha, NE was arrested for OWI-1st offense. He was released on a cash bond on 08/19/2024 at 11:23.

On 08/19/2024 at 15:36, Dnae Christine McConahay, age 34, of Thurman, IA was arrested for interference with official acts causing bodily injury. She remains in custody.

On 08/19/2024 at 21:10, Robert Edward Curtis, age 40, of Portland, TX was arrested for multiple charges including criminal mischief, OWI-2nd offense, reckless driving, and fugitive from justice. He remains in custody.

On 08/23/2024 at 00:59, deputies arrested Jeffrey Wade Massey, age 53, of Hamburg, IA for an outside warrant. He was released on a cash bond on 08/23/2024 at 01:46.

On 08/23/2024 at 22:39, Rebecca Anne Mayer, age 36, of Farragut, IA was arrested for assault causing bodily injury, child endangerment and domestic abuse assault. She was released on a surety bond on 08/28/2024 at 14:05.

On 08/27/2024 at 14:42, Megan Lynn Rasmussen, age 39, of Randolph, IA was arrested for contempt of court. She was released on a surety bond on 08/30/2024 at 12:29.

On 08/28/2024 at 04:49, deputies arrested Miguel Angel Cruz Atzin, age 41, of Red Oak, IA for driving under suspension. He was released on a cash bond on 08/28/2024 at 09:38.

On 08/29/2024 at 02:03, deputies arrested Gary Allen Applegate, age 56, of Nebraska City, NE for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was released on his own recognizance on 08/29/2024 at 14:05.

It should be noted that a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by members of the Atlantic Public Library Board of Trustees on Thursday, September 5th, to view the recent renovations and get an update on the library’s programming. The Atlantic Public Library has completed its upstairs renovation project. The overall project took six weeks to complete and consisted of new paint, carpet, and updated elevator. The renovation was initiated to match the renovation project completed in 2020 and make the facility more cohesive. The new flooring has a gray base and complements the oak-stained woodwork. The trustees shared that the next projects on the renovation list include a new roof and gutters, new boilers, and eventually new windows.

Kat Niemann, Board of Trustee member, shared that the summer programing was a wild success. Programming at the Atlantic Library includes Toddler Time, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Book Clubs, VIP Connections- Social Club. The Board of Trustees expressed sincere gratitude to Michelle Andersen, Library Director, Sue Petersen, Youth Services Librarian and other staff/volunteers. Without their imagination and dedication, the library would not have the impact that it does today.

The Atlantic Public Library currently houses over 42,000 items in the form of books, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs, and magazines. The library also has access to thousands of electronic books and audiobooks, online research tools, and supplies free wi-fi on site and 14 computers for public use. In July alone, the library saw 4,467 physical items in circulation and 1,377 items in digital circulation.

Atlantic Public Library is located at 507 Poplar Street in Atlantic. For more information about programs and resources, contact 712-243-5466 or visit http://www.atlantic.lib.ia.us/

(Shelby Co) The Shelby County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, received reports from several department heads. According to the meeting minutes provided by Shelby County Auditor/Board Secretary Mark Maxwell, the Supervisors congratulated Sheriff Neil Gross on the recent award from the Iowa State Association of Counties for consolidating the Harlan Police Department under the Shelby County Sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Gross reported that his department is fully staffed, with one person currently at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston. He said also, talks are underway with the Elk Horn and Harlan Schools for funding the School Resource Officer position that’s currently being funded by Shelby County ARPA funds, not property tax dollars.

Jordon Sanders reported that he is researching how other counties handle their EMS Department finances, as there are very few in similar size that have EMS employees structured the same as Shelby County. He also said that one employee is in the process of completing a certification process that will allow to this person to instruct EMTs in Shelby County.

Shelby County EMA Director Alex Londo announced a new state program offering to repay up to $50,000 in interest for the tornado victims for rebuilding. The funds are limited and are on a first-come first-serve basis.

Screenshot of the Shelby County BOS mtg., 9-3-24

The Supervisors considered and discussed an engagement letter for joint representation for a judicial review concerning the final decision regarding the Summit Carbon Pipeline. They approved the needed Board Chair’s signature on the document.

The Supervisors approved also:

• Leo Lapke as a Supervisors Compensation Board Representative.

• Seven applications for right-of-way utility permits in various areas of Shelby County by Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company.

• An amendment to the sales contract for the County Annex Building. Details of the amendment will be available at the Auditor’s Office soon.

• And, the Supervisors approved the Beaver Bounty for this year. They increased the budgeted amount from $6,000 to $8,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Arboretum and Gardens in Boone County celebrated the opening of its two-million dollar Treehouse Village with a ribbon cutting this week. The executive director of the Boone County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kris Blocker, says it’s another attraction to bring people to the county. “If you know anything about tourism in Boone County, we are extremely blessed. But this just makes it even better,” she says. The arboretum’s executive director Mark Schneider says Treehouse Village is part of a larger effort by the organization to engage young families and improve access to the outdoors.

“We wanted to get families outdoors; we wanted to get families to the arboretum; we wanted something that was accessible, and we also wanted something that was architecturally interesting,” Schneider says, “and it kind of grew out of the woods where it’s located.” The main play area includes several wooden treehouses connected by ramps, rope nets and climbing walls, along with adaptive equipment, like wheelchair swings and a ground-level zipline.

A portion of the Treehouse Village (Iowa Arboretum photo)

Paved trails lead to overlook gazebos and a large wooden suspension bridge across a ravine.