Police in Red Oak arrested a woman late Thursday night on a Mills County warrant for Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Institution, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. 34-year old April Marie Watson, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:30-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where she was being held on $5,000 bond.

A report of a stolen vehicle resulted in a high speed chase that ended near Shelby early this morning. Scanner traffic indicated the chase began when a witness saw the vehicle being stolen from an area southwest of Prairie Rose State Park. A Shelby County deputy caught up with the maroon, four-door at around 2:25-a.m., but the vehicle didn’t stop.

A chase began near County Road F-58 and Highway 59 and continued west onto southbound M-16 into Shelby. The pursuit made its way through and out of Shelby with speeds reaching 105-miles per hour, and finally ended near the Love’s Truck Stop, at 380th (or, L-34), just south of York Road.

The male suspect was reported to be in custody at around 2:45-a.m. All four tires on the vehicle were flat. No other details are currently available.

Former Arkansas Governor and current Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee plans a two-day Iowa campaign swing that brings him to Cass and Adair Counties.

Huckabee will hold a “Hucklebee Huddle – The Huck Stops Here” event at the Family Table Restaurant on west 7th Street in Atlantic, Saturday, from 9:30-until 11-a.m.

Afterward, he travels to Adair County, for similar campaign stop at “The Corner,” coffee/antique/gift shop, located 284 Public Square, in Greenfield. The event takes place from 12:30-until 2-p.m.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has collected the signatures of 46 other senators on a resolution that would nullify an Environmental Protection Agency rule that’s unpopular in farm country. The “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule outlines six types of waterways that the E-P-A and the Army Corps of Engineers say are subject to federal Clean Water Act regulation. “I’ve just been hearing overwhelmingly from so many Iowans that the expanded definitions are causing confusion and uncertainty for farmers and ranchers and manufacturers,” Ernst says.

Other proposals attached to budget bills would block federal funding for implementing the rule. There’s a bill that essentially tells E-P-A officials to rewrite the rule and address some specific concerns. Now, the Ernst resolution seeks to get rid of the rule altogether. “It is just one of the options that we have on the table right now,” Ernst says. All three of those proposals face a presidential veto.

The Iowa Farm Bureau has suggested 97 percent of the land mass in Iowa now could face Clean Water Act regulation because of the rule, which went into effect in late August. Ernst calls the rule ill-conceived. “It’s a lot of over-regulation,” Ernst says. Iowa’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Chuck Grassley, is a co-sponsor of the Ernst resolution.

Officials in the Environmental Protection Agency say their rule “is fundamental to protecting and restoring the nation’s water resources.” The 1972 Clean Water Act gave the federal government jurisdiction over “navigable” waters, but a series of court cases over the past few decades have caused confusion over what “navigable” means. The agency’s new rule is an attempt to clarify its authority, but critics like Ernst say the E-P-A has gone so far as to seek jurisdiction over the gullies in corn fields.

“The law behind the rule has good intent,” Ernst says. “It’s just that the new rule takes it way too far.”

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump plans to attend a high school homecoming event in Iowa. Campaign manager Corey Lewandowski has confirmed Trump will appear at Urbandale High School’s homecoming event on Saturday night. Trump accepted the invitation from the school’s 2016 senior government class.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids police say they’re investigating the shooting death of a 32-year-old man last week as a homicide. Bryan Edwards died at a hospital after being shot on September 10th in northwest Cedar Rapids. Authorities say investigators don’t believe the shooting was a random act.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two Democratic lawmakers are looking to halt or amend Governor Terry Branstad’s plans to privatize Iowa’s Medicaid program. Senators Amanda Ragan and Liz Mathis on Thursday sent a letter to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, saying they have “grave concerns” about the privatization plans. If a denial is not an option, the lawmakers ask that the state be subject to additional terms, including a longer time period to phase-in the new program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Secretary of State Paul Pate says Iowa residents with a state driver’s license or photo ID will be able to register online to vote by January 1st. Earlier this year, the Iowa Voter Registration Commission approved a rule allowing qualified voters to visit a website where they can register. Pate estimates 93 percent of eligible voters use the online system.

The filing deadline has passed for those wanting to be included on the ballot for the Nov. 3rd City Elections in Cass County. In Lewis and Wiota, there will be a races to fill a limited number of seats on the City Council, while a Mayor’s race will be featured in Anita. Other than that, there are no contested races in the other cities. Public Measures will also be on the ballot for voters to decide, in four of the eight cities in Cass County. The final list of names appearing on the ballot include:

In Atlantic, all four incumbent Councilpersons have filed for re-election. They include Dana Halder – At Large, Chris Jimerson – 1st Ward, and Linda Hartkopf – 4th Ward and Ashley Hayes in the Third Ward. And, Dick Casady, who was appointed by Mayor Dave Jones earlier this year to fill a vacancy in the 5th Ward, is on the ballot. There are no challengers for those respective seats. Incumbent Stuart Dusenberry also filed papers for an open seat on the Parks and Rec Board, in Atlantic. He also is unopposed.

Voters in Atlantic will also have to make up their minds on Public Measure B, which asks “Shall the City of Atlantic, in Cass County, Iowa, issue its bonds, paid with local option sales tax (LOST) revenue in an amount not exceeding the amount of $875,000 for the purpose of paying for the cost of restoring the historic ballroom/theater and creating a multi-purpose facility on the second and third floors of City Hall?”

In Anita, Ben Daughenbaugh and Timothy Miller will vie for the title of Mayor. Incumbents Thomas R. Harris and Jeff Bohnsack have filed to run for two open seats on the Anita City Council.

In Cumberland, incumbent Mayor Nancy Virginia Couglin is unopposed for re-election, while incumbent Sandra K. Eversole and Scott W. Becker are running for two seats on the Council. Catherine Landstreet-Howard is unopposed in her run to fill a vacancy seat on the City Council, so there are no contested races in Cumberland.

In Griswold, no one filed to run for Mayor, so the position will come down to a write-in vote. Incumbents Ryan Askeland and Lisa Cook, along with Carmen Sorensen, are running unopposed for three open seats on the City Council. Voters in Griswold will also be asked to decide on Public Measure C, which asks if the City should change the Mayor’s term from a two-year term to a four-year term.

In Lewis, Jon E. Mosier in unopposed in his bid for Mayor, while five candidates, including Incumbent Duane Scott Anderson, Leroy Easter, Marvin Bradfield, Kristy Bassett and Nona Erickson are running for just three open seats on the Council. Lewis voters will also decide on Public Measure D, which asks if an annual levy, the amount of which will not exceed a rate of twenty-seven cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the taxable property, is authorized for providing moneys for public library services?

In Marne, incumbent Mayor Randy Baxter is running unopposed for re-election. Three incumbents: Alan Cranston, Lori Holste and Angela Redler, along with Michael Jensen and Kyle Frederiksen, are running for five open seats on the City Council, so there is not a contested race there. Marne voters also have an issue to vote on. Public Measure E asks “Shall an annual levy, the amount of which shall not exceed a rate of one dollar and fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the taxable property in the unified law enforcement district be authorized for providing additional moneys needed for unified law enforcement services in the district?”

In Massena, incumbent Mayor Linda Reineke is unopposed for re-election, while incumbents Kevin and Adam McCunn have filed for re-election to one of three seats on the City Council, with Micah Lee running in an Appointed position on the Council.

In Wiota, incumbent Ford Lillard is running again for Mayor, and there will be a three-way race for two seats on the City Council, with incumbent Jon Schwarte competing against Steven R. Havens and Jim Fischer.

Friday, October 23rd
The deadline to PRE-REGISTER to vote for the Regular City Election is 5:00 P.M. on this day. This applies to registration in person (including registration at driver’s license stations or agencies) or by mail. After today, a person may register to vote at the Auditor’s Office and vote an absentee ballot. The process is the same as for registering to vote on Election Day and specific documentation must be provided. If possible, please register before Election Day.

Friday, October 30th
Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot to be mailed for the Regular City Election is at 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 3rd ELECTION DAY
Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Polling Places:
Red Oak Gold Fair Building, Red Oak Fire Station, First Christian Church, Elliott Community Building, Stanton Fire Department, Grant Fire Department and Villisca Community Building

Those requesting Absentee Ballots by mail should complete their requests as soon as possible and return them to the Auditor’s Office. Absentee Ballot requests will be filled as soon as the Ballots are available.

The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. If anyone has questions about voter registration, absentee ballots, or voting, call the Auditor’s Office at 712-623-5127 or visit www.montgomerycountyiowa.com

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two Democratic lawmakers are seeking to halt or amend Gov. Terry Branstad’s plan to privatize Iowa’s Medicaid program. Sen. Amanda Ragan and Sen. Liz Mathis on Thursday sent a letter to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They say they have “grave concerns” about the privatization plans and ask that federal officials deny Iowa’s application to set up the private system.

If a denial is not an option, the lawmakers ask that the state be subject to additional terms, including a longer time period to phase-in the new program. They argue that the plan to implement the new system in January is moving too quickly.

In a statement, Branstad spokesman Jimmy Centers says the shift will help the state find savings, while improving care.

Cass County Health System staff spent the week before the Iowa State vs Iowa football game gearing up for the big game while supporting area food pantries with $1250 in donations. Throughout the health system, jars were set up for Cyclone and Hawkeye fans to show their team spirit by making cash donations.

The fun continued with a lunch tailgate party the day before the game. Each department donated a pot of chili, allowing staff and visitors to enjoy a free chili tailgate lunch. Everyone who ate got to vote for their favorite chili, with first prize going to Mary Young of Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center.

The tailgate party included a photo booth with ISU and U of I accessories and an ISU vs U of I cornhole game. Staff were encouraged to show their allegiance with their favorite team shirt and could make a $5 donation to wear jeans for the day.

(Press Release)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says Iowa residents with a state driver’s license or photo ID will be able to register online to vote by Jan. 1, ahead of the original November goal. The Iowa Voter Registration Commission approved in January a rule allowing qualified voters to visit a website where they can input the numbers on their state-issued driver’s license or photo ID to register.

Information from the Iowa Department of Transportation, including the voter’s signature, will be imported into voter registration forms and automatically forwarded to the state’s voter database. Voters without a license or ID or those without internet service may still register by filling out paper applications. Pate estimates 93 percent of eligible voters can use the online system for voter registration.