A woman from Creston reported to police, Thursday, that sometime between Oct. 5th and Nov. 1st, someone broke into her home in the 100 block of N. Division Street in Creston, and stole several pads of checkbooks and several mounted tomahawks. The loss was estimated at $2,000, as of the latest report.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — White, working-class voters fueled Donald Trump’s rise to the White House, but days ahead of the pivotal midterm elections there’s concern among Republicans that these same voters might abandon the GOP in states including Maine, Iowa and Minnesota. Democrats are targeting 21 House districts carried by President Barack Obama in 2012 that shifted to Trump in 2016.

These districts are testing the strength of the Trump-era political realignment. With the election days away, Democrats have cause for optimism.

CARTER LAKE, Iowa (AP) — The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska has opened its new casino on the Iowa-Nebraska border. The tribe held a ribbon-cutting Thursday for the Prairie Flower Casino on tribal land in Carter Lake, Iowa, an Omaha suburb. The casino will be open all year, around the clock for patrons who are at least 21 years old. Ponca Tribe Chairman Larry Wright Jr. says proceeds from the casino will directly benefit tribal citizens and Carter Lake. He says the city will receive annual financial contributions from the casino, and tribe members will get more sustainable funding for services such as health care, job training, cultural education and land preservation.

Officials from Iowa, Nebraska and Council Bluffs are suing federal officials who approved the project, which will compete with state-licensed Iowa casinos.

A traffic stop in Red Oak at around 10:15-p.m. Thursday resulted in the arrest of two people, including a woman wanted on a nationwide warrant. Red Oak Police say 27-year old Christina Leann Thomas, of Richlands, NC., was arrested on the Colorado warrant for Larceny (2nd Degree Theft, resulting in a loss of $1,000-to $10,000). Larson was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail. 19-year old Matthew Cody Thomas, also of Richland, NC, was arrested for Driving While License Suspended. His bond was set at $566.

Their arrests took place after the couples’ vehicle was pulled-over in the Red Oak McDonald’s parking lot.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports that at around 10:30-p.m. Thursday, they took a report about a potentially suicidal male. Adams County Deputies, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and troopers with the Iowa State Patrol attempted to make contact with the individual. Prior to arriving, the subject ran out the back of the house and into a wooded area. Once on scene, officers learned the subject, Damyn Stacy, had an active warrant for his arrest. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office K9 “Rex” picked up a track and was able to locate Stacy over one-quarter of a mile from the residence. After Stacy was placed under arrest for the warrant, deputies located marijuana and methamphetamine in his possession.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports also:  That at around 1-a.m. Sunday, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a speeding violation. The vehicle was owned and operated by Jose Moises Aguilar Gonzales, of Washington. Gonzales had a warrant for his arrest through Immigration Customs Enforcement. He was held in the Adams County Jail until being released to the appropriate agency. At around 1:10-a.m. last Saturday, Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Fred Ehrman, of Corning. Upon further investigation, Ehrman was placed under arrest for Operating While Intoxicated 3rd or Subsequent Offense. Ehrman was also cited for Open Container-Driver.

And, on Oct. 23rd, Jose Huerta was sentenced to serve seven-days in jail for a previous criminal charge. While Sheriff Johannes attempted to place Huerta in handcuffs and escort him to the jail, Huerta shoved the Sheriff and ran out of the court room in an attempt to escape. Johannes caught up with Huerta in the hallway of the Adams County Court House and was able to deploy his taser. After the taser subdued Huerta, Sheriff Johannes was able to take him into custody. Huerta was additionally charged with Interference with Official Acts, Assault on a Peace Officer, and Escape. He was being held in the Adams County Jail without bond.

(Radio Iowa Special Feature) — There’s a tight race in Iowa’s third congressional district as the incumbent faces a well-financed challenger. Simpson College political science professor John Epperson says a lot of money is being spent on this race. “I think Democrats have a chance of picking up the seat, for sure,” Epperson says, “but Young and his allies aren’t going to let it go easily.” Republican David Young has represented the 16 southwest Iowa counties in the third congressional district for nearly four years. Cindy Axne, a small businessperson from West Des Moines, defeated two competitors to win the Democratic Party’s nomination in the district. This is her first run for public office.

To illustrate the stakes in this race, some big name backers have campaigned for these candidates. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump have been in the district. “Remember this, a vote for David is a vote for me and our agenda to ‘Make America Great Again,'” Trump said. California Senator Kamala Harris headlined a rally at a community college for Axne.”I want to thank you for everything you’re going to do to help Cindy, because we need her to be in the United States Congress,” Harris said. And Harris emphasized Axne could become the first congresswoman from Iowa.

The split between active Republicans and Democrats in the district is nearly dead even. There are four other candidates listed on the ballot. Bryan Jack Holder is the Libertarian candidate. Holder runs his family’s photography and videography business in Council Bluffs.

Paul Knupp, a minister in Gladbrook, is the Green Party candidate in the third congressional district. Mark Elworth, Junior, has run in federal and OMAHA races as a candidate with the “Legal Medical Now” party and he’s running in Iowa’s third district this year. Joe Grandanette of Des Moines is an independent candidate in the district.

Officials at Cass County Health System said Thursday, their local orthopaedic services are expanding.  Dr. Matt Weresh, orthopaedic surgeon, has now increased his schedule to be on-site three days each week. Zach Hollingsworth, PA-C, will expand his surgical physician assistant role to four days each week.  Both provide care at Southwest Iowa Surgery (SWIS) and Cass County Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Weresh has provided orthopaedic care for over 20 years, and specializes in hip and knee procedures, from total joint replacements to simple joint procedures.  In 2017, Dr. Weresh began providing clinic, surgical and hospital care at CCHS two days each week.  Effective immediately, CCHS will be his only practice site.

Zach Hollingsworth, PA-C, is a physician assistant specializing in surgical care.  He regularly assists Dr. Weresh and Dr. Chad McCance, general surgeon, with surgical procedures and inpatient follow-up care.  Zach also cares for patients in the SWIS clinic, coordinates with the surgeons to evaluate patients and clinical orders in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.  He assists in surgery and coordinates with hospital staff to ensure optimal outcomes for patients.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matt Weresh, contact SWIS at 712-243-7535.  No referral is necessary.