(Glenwood, Iowa) – Five people were arrested recently in Mills County. Three of those individuals were arrested on warrants. They include:

• 74-year-old Candice Marie Armstrong, of Glenwood, who was arrested on a warrant for Stalking and Harassment. She was arrested Aug. 20th at the Sarpy County, NE jail, and held on a $10,000 bond.
• 64-year-old Randall Dean Herring, of Council Bluffs, was arrested August 21st at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a warrant for Failure To Appear. His bond was set at $2,000.
• and, on Aug. 24th, 37-year-old Justin Lee Parson, of Pacific Junction, was arrested on a warrant for Probation Violation. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

On August 25th, 37-year-old Angela Rose McKinley, of York NE., was arrested for Possession of Drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $300. And, on August. 22nd, 37-year-old Deonte Levon Manuel, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000.

(Radio Iowa) The exterior of Sioux City’s Art Center is now covered in vibrant colorful fabric as part of artist Amanda Browder’s work called “Razzle Dazzle.” Browder’s work began 18 months ago with an invitation for area residents to donate unused fabric that could be sewn together to become the large artwork. She says one of the best parts of the creation for her are the connections she’s made. “Definitely with new friends that I’ve made over the year from being here. A lot of times in smaller towns, you don’t get that collaborative contemporary art experience. And a lot of times people think art is something extra,” she says.

Art Center Curator Christopher Atkins says the project took root and hundreds of volunteers answered the call to cut, pin and sew fabric at the public sewing days. “And over the past 12 months, since Amanda was here at last Artsplash, where she began building her community, we’ve added hundreds of volunteers, thousands of feet, perhaps miles of thread, hundreds of hours of time put into this project, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of locations,” Atkins says. “The project has simply grown and grown and grown over the past year.” The project is clearly evident outside, but you also have to go inside to see the full impact.

The Sioux City Art Center is covered in a fabric. (photo from KSCJ)

“The sun that comes through it, it turns into a big kaleidoscope. It’s a colorful explosion,” Browder says. “So not only do we get the beauty on the outside, when people are driving around or standing in different parts of the city, they can come into the art center and experience this envelopment of all the color and the fabric that you see up above.” The exhibition will remain on display through October 31st.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a central Iowa man was arrested by Stuart Police August 19th, at the Casey’s Store, in Stuart. 38-year-old Michael Eugene Matherly, of Ankeny, was taken into custody at around 9:50-p.m., on an Iowa Department of Corrections warrant for Violation of Parole. Matherly was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail, while awaiting transportation to the Iowa DOC.

And, 42-year-old Wesley Allen Gregg, of Greenfield, was arrested at around 10:20-p.m. on August 19th, by Greenfield Police. He was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding air/blood flow, causing bodily injury. Gregg was released the following day on a $10,000 bond.

(Mount Ayr, Iowa) – The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office reports a 16-year-old was injured in a crash late Saturday morning. Authorities say a vehicle driven by the unnamed teen was traveling north on Ringgold County road P-27. The driver became distracted by something, causing the vehicle to drift onto the southbound lane shoulder before entering the west ditch. The driver attempted to correct the vehicle in an effort to get back onto the road, but the vehicle struck a culvert and went airborne.

When the vehicle landed and began to roll over, the driver was ejected and flown by helicopter to Des Moines for treatment of their injuries. The accident occurred at around 11:35-a.m., Saturday.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns says there will now be 3 public measures on the ballot for voters during the Nov. 5th General Election:

Public Measure A:

Shall the Cass County Board of Supervisors, upon recommendation by the Cass County EMS Advisory Council, for the purpose of funding emergency medical services in Cass County, including, but not limited to, ambulance service, personnel, and equipment, be authorized, for a period of 15 years, to 1) levy and impose a local option income surtax of one percent upon the state individual income tax of each individual taxpayer who is a resident of Cass County on December 31 for each calendar year commencing with the calendar year 2025, and 2) levy and impose an ad valorem tax not exceeding seventy-five cents per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation on all taxable property within Cass County commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026?

Public Measure B:

Shall the Board of Directors of the CAM Community School District in the Counties of Adair, Adams, Audubon, and Cass, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $22,500,000 to provide funds to construct, furnish and equip a classroom addition to the High School building; to remodel, repair, improve, furnish and equip exterior and interior portions of the existing High School building, including mechanical, electrical, and fire systems improvements, secure entry improvements, and technology and security improvements; and improve the site?

Public Measure SB:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Iowa Western Community College (Merged Area XIII) in the Counties of Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Crawford, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $55,000,000 to provide funds to construct, furnish, and equip a new academic building and renovate, remodel, and improve existing buildings within the Merged Area XIII?

A list of all the current candidates that have successfully filed papers for an election position in Cass County as of August 26th can be found here: Candidate Listing

The last day to file nomination papers is this Wednesday (8/28/2024) at 5 p.m.

As a reminder, Absentee Ballot request forms can be turned into the Auditor’s Office starting tomorrow 8/27/2024.  Ballots will be mailed out on Oct 16th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Officials with the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) say they are celebrating another year of record ridership for Fiscal Year 2024. From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 SWITA provided 552,231 rides. The milestone tops last year’s record mark of 542, 457 total rides, showing the continued importance of public transit in Southwest Iowa.

SWITA helps get riders in the region to work, education, healthcare, and much more. SWITA’s workforce transportation services provided approximately 94,000 rides this fiscal year. Taxi rides are available in Atlantic, Glenwood, Harlan, Missouri Valley, Red Oak, and Shenandoah. That service notched 54,808 rides this year; helping residents complete their day-to-day activities.

Fiscal Year 2024 riders travelled a total of 1,880,799 miles during 116,792 hours of vehicle operation. Obtaining cost-efficiency during that much public transit service can be a major challenge, but SWITA has improved that metric each of the past three years, leading the state among rural agencies.

Photo courtesy SWITA

SWITA officials say they are proud to be part of transit equation for many people in eight area Iowa counties. SWITA’s ride services include that workforce transportation and those taxis along with medical transportation, student transportation, and special/charter trips. SWITA vehicles are equipped with wheelchair accessibility and one personal attendant rides free.
SWITA has earned major honors for its service this year. SWITA was named the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Regional Transit System of the Year and received the FTA Region 7 Rural Transit Systems Award of Excellence.

To find out more about SWITA and the services offered you can browse SWITA.com or call 800-842-8065 or 712-243-2518. Follow us on Facebook for regular updates as well. SWITA services are open to the public.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Montgomery County Extension Office in Red Oak, report Clayton and Jan Castle Renander of Montgomery County were inducted into the 2024 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 18. Ninety-three Iowa counties participated this year and selected 125 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4H Foundation President, Jeff Murphy, and State 4-H Program Leader, Mitchell Hoyer, as they were introduced on stage.

To say that Clayton Renander grew up with 4-H is, literally, the truth. His father, the late Carol Renander, began the Grant Spitfires 4-H Club, serving as its first leader. Consequently, 4-H has been a part of Clayton’s life from the beginning. As a member of the Grant Spitfires 4-H Club, Clayton participated in all club activities and has fond memories of 4-H meetings, especially playing outside with friends AFTER the meeting. Clayton’s main 4-H projects were his first love, cattle. While he never showed a grand champion, he loved the experience, from raising and feeding the cattle, to showing them in the ring. After graduating out of the Grant Spitfires, Clayton assumed the role of leader and soon became beef superintendent for the county fair. He held that position for more than 20 years. His children, Karl and Kate, participated in numerous 4-H activities but cattle were always their dad’s highlight. Clayton also served with the Extension Council and lent his expertise to any 4-H question posed to him, sometimes even when no one asked!

Unlike Clayton, Jan did not grow up with 4-H. Her introduction to 4-H and county fair began as an adult. Her first newspaper job was in the small town of New Albany, Mississippi, where she experienced the Union County Fair. In spring of 1985 Jan moved to Iowa as editor of the Red Oak Express. That summer she experienced her first Montgomery County Fair. After her first county fair experience, Jan determined to improve fair pictures. She was the first newspaper person to meet with county fair show superintendents to solicit their help. Working with Lynn Benson, county extension agent at that time, she developed the first picture board – a 10’x8’ wood frame covered in off-white canvas. When Jan and Clayton’s children joined 4-H, Jan learned how fun it is to be a 4-H mom! After Karl and Kate had graduated and Jan had left the newspaper, she continued to offer workshops for 4-H photography, helped mount pictures for judging, and became a 4-H photography judge herself, judging numerous county fairs and at the Iowa State Fair.

Photo courtesy Katie Hart, Montgomery County Extension

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees serve as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“We are honored to recognize these special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the Iowa 4-H program,” shared Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Emily Saveraid.

“This is a great way to honor the volunteers and staff across the state of Iowa that generously give their time and talents to foster positive partnerships with our 4-H youth,” said Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H staff and volunteer development manager.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2022 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and under the heading “What We Do” select “Recognizing Service” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released information about multiple incidents of vandalism that occurred over the weekend in Treynor, Underwood, Neola and Minden. As the result of an investigation, four juveniles were charged with Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree – Damage over $10,000, and Reckless Use of a Firearm.

The Sheriff’s Office says during the early morning hours Sunday, August 25th, Deputies were dispatched to the Treynor area for a report of a person’s window being shot out. Later that morning, Deputies were dispatched to Neola for a shots-fired call, with a possible suspect vehicle being a white truck. As Deputies were enroute, they located a Dodge Ram pickup with no headlights on, in the Underwood area.

A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, which was occupied by four juveniles, one of whom admitted that they had shot multiple vehicles, but couldn’t remember how many. Inside the vehicle was a shotgun and a CO2 pistol.

Throughout the rest of the day, Deputies took reports of vandalism involving items being damaged by a firearm, from 42 victims throughout the County. (Photo’s courtesy Zach Ploen)

(DES MOINES) – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) will host the 2024 HousingIowa Conference Sept. 4th-6th at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The conference is Iowa’s premier housing event, drawing nearly 1,000 housing professionals for discussions on timely housing topics in Iowa and networking with Iowa housing leaders. The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about housing in Iowa. The IFA today (Monday) announced the finalists for three Innovation in Housing Pitch Competitions aimed at addressing housing needs at every level of the housing continuum, challenging leaders to think innovatively about how to implement new approaches to alleviate housing barriers. Finalists will pitch their proposals to industry judges at the HousingIowa Conference.

Finalists:
• Housing Fund for Linn County
• Shelter House, Iowa City
• Jennie Edmundson Foundation, Council Bluffs

The Iowa Innovation in Homelessness Incubator called for forward-thinking proposals from housing and community leaders across Iowa for innovative ways to implement new approaches to alleviate homelessness in our state. The goal is to redefine the landscape of homelessness prevention and response systems and rethink how assistance for persons experiencing homelessness in Iowa is delivered. The winning pitch will receive funding of up to $100,000 to transform their concept into a pilot initiative.

More information about the conference, innovation finalists and registration are available at housingiowaconference.com

(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowa school districts will dismiss classes early today (Monday) because of the extreme heat, as high temperatures are forecast in the upper 90s, with heat indices climbing into triple digits. While we’re less than a month from the first day of fall, meteorologist Cory Martin, at the National Weather Service, says this type of heat is usually associated with the dog days of summer. “Today, during the afternoon hours, we’ll be looking at heat index values peaking between 105 to 110,” Martin says. “Some areas may jump a little over 110, with the highest readings likely to be in eastern Iowa today.”

The entire state is under a heat advisory, while excessive heat warnings are posted for wide sections of eastern and western Iowa. “So it’s really across the whole state, when you’re looking at the different advisories and warnings, those both key in on different thresholds, but really the end result to everyone today is — it’s going to feel hot and humid outside,” Martin says. “It’s important to take your precautions, to limit your time outside, and make sure you’re adequately hydrated, and really just limit your time exposed to the heat.”

Tuesday will only be slightly cooler, with highs in the 80s and 90s statewide, though Martin says we should see a cool-down soon. “As we go through the week, we’re still looking at temperatures gradually tailing off,” Martin says, “with highs back to around 80 degrees across much of the state as we head into the weekend.”

The forecast for Labor Day weekend calls for more seasonal temperatures and dry conditions.