Two male teenagers who escaped the Clarinda Academy last Friday morning were found later that same evening about three-quarters of a mile north of facility for troubled youth. According to Clarinda Police Chief Kieth Brothers, the teens, one black, the other white, left the residential foster care facility at around 11-a.m. Friday. Brothers said they believe the boys laid low in a cornfield until sunset while authorities searched for them.

The teens, one from Exira, the other from Kansas City, MO., were later found near 16th and Nishna Streets. The unidentified students were set to appear in juvenile court following their escapade, but will not face any additional charges.

The Clarinda Academy provides residential treatment programs and shelter care to as many as 250 at-risk and delinquent male and female youth, from several states.

A collision between a pickup and a car Monday afternoon near Shambaugh, in Page County, has claimed the life of a Clarinda woman. The Iowa State Patrol reports 52-year old Joanne Lynne Goudie, who was not wearing her seat belt, died, when her 1999 Buick Lesabre was hit broadside in the intersection of 265th Street and  Highway 71, by a 2014 Dodge 3500 pickup truck.

The driver of the truck, 50-year old Toby D. Holloman, of Soloman, Kansas, who was wearing his seat belt, was transported by Clarinda EMS to the Clarinda Regional Hospital. The Patrol says Goudie’s car was traveling west on 265th Street just before 5-p.m.,when it was hit by the pickup as it was headed south on the Highway.

Clarinda Fire and EMS along with Page County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted at the scene.

The Iowa State Patrol has updated information about a crash that occurred west of Atlantic Monday morning. Authorities say two people, a man from Oregon and a woman from Griswold were injured in the crash that happened at the intersection of Highway 6 (Whitepole Road) the Lewis Road (M-56) at around 10:45-a.m.

The accident happened when according to witnesses, a 2007 Audi driven by 28-year old Joseph Allen Williams, of Lake Oswego, OR., blew through a stop sign as he was heading north on the Lewis Road. His car collided with a westbound 2008 VW Jetta driven by 65-year old Deborah Jane Weaver, of Griswold. Both vehicles ended up in the north ditch.

Both drivers were transported by Griswold Fire to the Cass County Memorial Hospital. Williams, who was not wearing a seat belt, was later flown to Iowa Methodist in Des Moines, while Weaver, who was wearing her seat belt, was flown to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She reportedly was being treated for a broken pelvis, several broken ribs, and other injuries. Family members said Williams was doing ok, but they didn’t indicate the extent of his injuries.

October is National “Talk About Your Medicines” Month, as promoted by the National Council on Patient Information and Education. As part of this national effort to “talk about your medicines,” Cass County Memorial Hospital pharmacists, Crystal Starlin and Sara Arnold will be presenting at the October 22nd session of Healthy U.

Starlin says “Medications are a powerful healthcare tool. It is important that patients talk about medications with their healthcare team to ensure they are using them safely and effectively.”

The session will be held at Noon on Thursday, October 22nd, in CCMH Conference Room 2. Healthy U is a free educational series offered by Cass County Health System that focuses on a different health topic each month. Attendees receive a healthy sack lunch in addition to an educational program presented by medical professionals. Future topics will include nutrition and diabetes, mental illness, and joint health.

For more information, or to make a reservation for the October 22nd Healthy U, call 712-243-7479.

CCMH Pharmacists Crystal
Starlin, Pharm-D (left), and Sara Arnold, Pharm-D, will present the October 22nd Healthy U session, “Talk About Your Medicines.”

The Cass County Conservation Board invites you to enjoy the 23rd biannual Halloween Hike, on Saturday, October 24th, as you follow a trail where your “Hunt in the Wild” will start. The event begins at 7:00 p.m., with small groups departing from the Camblin Addition of Sunnyside Park every ten minutes.

Kids twelve and under are encouraged to arrive early to get their faces painted. The last group will depart at 8:10 p.m. and all hikers are welcome to enjoy free tasty treats and warm drinks after their hike. It is NOT the intent of the staff to scare or frighten anyone, but rather to educate and entertain people of all ages.

Pre-registration is required for this FREE event, so call 712-769-2372 or email lkanning@casscoia.us to make your reservations. If you leave a message please leave name, phone number, how many is in your group and what time you wish to depart on the hike.

The Conservation Dept. is also looking for volunteers to help make the event a success. The hike is sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board.

It’s that time of year for the Cass County Conservation Board to ask you…”When do you think the first Trumpeter Swan will arrive at the Schildberg Quarry?” You can call in your prediction (by November 11th) to the Conservation Board at 712-769-2372, leave a message and return phone number if the staff are not in.

Duplicate dates will not be allowed. For example, if a caller predicts November 25th, no one else will be allowed to predict that arrival date. Again, you can call anytime until November 11th to make your prediction. One prediction per family, please. The sponsors of thw contest will determine the official arrival of the swans. The winner will receive a Trumpeter Swan 8×10 print from the Cass County Conservation Board.

The contest is for Cass County residents only.

Trumpeter Swans have visited the Schildberg Quarry for, at least, seventeen out of the last eighteen winters. Arrival and departure dates of the swans have been as follows:
1997/1998 December 18 – January 2
1998/1999 Nothing on record
1999/2000 December 25 – February 15
2000/2001 November 23 – March 6
2001/2002 December 25 – February 24
2002/2003 November 23 – March 15
2003/2004 November 26 – March 21
2004/2005 November 25 – March 18
2005/2006 November 17 – March 5
2006/2007 October 30 – March 9
2007/2008 November 22- February 14
2008/2009 November 18- March 12
2009-2010 November 19 – January 5
2010-2011 November 5 – February 10
2011/2012 November 17 – February 21
2012/2013 November 24– March 4
2013/2014 November 12- April 7
2014/2015 November 11- April 6

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office Monday (today) released their report on recent arrests. Officials said 39-year old Gabriel Aaron Dabney, of Pacific Junction, was arrested Friday for Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts. Bond was set at $600. And, 31-year old James Fredrick McClellan, of Glenwood, was arrested for Assault Causing Bodily Injury, and Child Endangerment. His bond was set at $6,000.

Deputies in Mills County arrested 42-year old Reynel Nava of Omaha, on Saturday, for OWI/1st offense. Bond was established at $1,000. That same day, 42-year old Hurl Luther Beechum, III, of Urbandale, was arrested on a Warrant for Intimidation with Dangerous Weapon, Going Armed with Intent, Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury, and Assault use/Display of Weapon. Beechum was later released on $10,000 bond.

(Noon News)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has reiterated he does not have the legal authority to stop a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Iowa from receiving state funding, despite public calls to do so from presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal and others.

Branstad said Monday his office has spoken with the Iowa Attorney General about the state’s options in removing taxpayer funding that Planned Parenthood of the Heartland receives for Medicaid services. He says the state would need to show Planned Parenthood has violated terms of the grant money it receives. Branstad emphasized no state dollars are used to fund abortions.

Republicans around the country have targeted Planned Parenthood after several videos were released by an anti-abortion group. Louisiana Gov. Jindal and Republican legislators in Iowa have asked Branstad to cut funding.

The 2015 Atlantic Coca-Cola Days Coloring contest was held in September and was a huge success with over 100 participants from Atlantic, CAM, Lewis, and Walnut school districts. The first and second place winners each received a Bonnesen’s Gift Card. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says the Kindergarten classes were sponsored by the Atlantic Business and Professional Women and Bonnesen’s.  First Place winner Madison McLaren of Atlantic. Second Place winner Kyler Nichols of Anita.

First Grade classes were sponsored by Salute Gymnastics and Steffens Cycle Shop. First place went to Alexia Larson from Atlantic. Second place went to Rayden Wheeler from Atlantic.

The Second grade classes were sponsored by McDermott & Son Roofing and Salute Gymnastics. Daphna Wahlert from Anita was the first place winner. Jayci Reed from Atlantic was the second place winner.

Third grade was sponsored by McCurdy’s Pumpkins and Nishna Valley Credit Union. First place went to Luke Irlmeier of Atlantic. Second place went to Claire Mertz from Walnut.

Police in Glenwood report four recent arrests, two of which took place Saturday. Officials say 34-year old Christopher Chardoulias, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI 3rd offense. His bond was set at $5000. And, 37-year old Wendy Meadows, of Glenwood, was arrested for Public Intoxication. With her bond set at $300.

The other two arrests took place Friday. 30-year old Chanel Nord,  of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Driving under suspension. Her bond was set at $500. And, 39-year old Gabriel Dabney, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Motor vehicle theft, Burglary, Criminal mischief 2nd degree, Obstruction of emergency communication and domestic Abuse assault causing bodily injury. He was being held in the Mills County Jail on $37,300 bond.